Lazy me -- I wore the same shirt two times in a row! However, I did wash it in between. It was just the most logical choice for a doggy play date. It's screaming hot here, so I wanted to dress somewhat cool. Black capris fit the bill for hiding any errant paw prints. The top is good camouflage too. I have switched over to the frames I prefer for outdoor activities in the summer.
I chose "dog" jewelry for the occasion. The brass bar is engraved on all four sides. Don't, Call, Me, Frances -- Frankie's official AKC registered name. Her "call name" is Frankie, but the long name is for her Show/Conformation career. There's also a St. Francis medal. I am not religious, but there is symbolism there. And of course, I never take off my diamond necklace.
My brother-in-law, Frank, was given a good Irish Catholic name, which he hated. One girlfriend called him Francis when she learned it was his first name. His deadpan and totally serious reply was "Don't Call Me Francis." We named Frankie after him, in his memory. Then, there's also the same famous quote from the Bill Murray movie "Stripes." The name has worked out very well. Even though she is a girl!
This is Frankie and her brother Artemis. Does anyone remember the old television show "The Wild Wild West?" There was a character named Artemis Gordon. Artie's registered name is Hunting in the Wild Wild West. His amazing characteristic is that he is both the smartest and oddest dog I have ever known. Frankie is funny. But Artie is hysterical. His nickname is "Party Bus." We just love him to bits. Can you believe how much smaller Frankie is? She was the tiniest tot of the bunch and that's why I got her. They thought she would never grow big enough to show. Hah! She took the world by storm and was an AKC Grand Champion and UKC Champion by the age of two and a half. She went on to earn her first hunting/field title shortly after that. Frankie is the Little Engine that Could. And when these two are together, watch out! It's just unfortunate for us all that his family is so busy that they don't play together enough. Once she is spayed, I can bring her down for sleepovers and mini vacations.
And speaking of Frankie's show career... She may be retired, but I still keep her groomed. Part of that is keeping her chin and neck shaved. Because of her diminutive size, regular clippers are too cumbersome. I had a small battery-operated trimmer that worked great. Unfortunately, I can't find it. Having to change batteries is a pain, so I'd wanted a rechargeable one for a while. As odd as it seems, "ball trimmers" are really the best tool for the job. I got one on-line through Walmart for eleven bucks. If you have a small dog or a small area on a cat to maintain, clippers intended for the groin area may be your best bet. This will be great for parts of her ears and her muzzle too. She's getting a groom again this week, so I will show off the results.
Save-a-Lot had trays of chicken wings marked down to $1.49 per pound, which is unheard of. Our local delicacy, Buffalo Wings, used to be cheap because wings were just throw-away parts. Now they are popular and really expensive -- over three dollars per pound. At a restaurant, you can expect to pay $1 per wing! I spent $4.19 on this tray, plus fifty cents on the potato, and a dollar on the corn. We also shared a beer. With tax and tip, this would be a fifty plus dollar meal in a restaurant. Tommy had to go back out to get blue cheese dressing for dipping, so I had him pick up dessert via FlashFood. We had a key lime meringue pie, and I also got a pint of heavy whipping cream for ice cream.
The carrots were not delicious, so there were plenty leftover. I have the wing tips (which you cut off and do not cook), plus the bones and corn cobs. Tomorrow I will boil up some stock and use it to make Frankie oats. I will note that while wings are traditionally deep fried, they are also yummy when grilled. You grill, then toss them in the sauce, and grill them a little more. The sauce is equal parts Frank's Louisianne Hot Sauce and butter, plus a tablespoon of white vinegar for every cup of sauce. For our quantity, I made 2/3 of a cup.
As for ice cream, I made an Amaretto base. Once it is churned, I will mix in chopped almonds, peaches, and cherries. I can't wait! Super premium ice cream for under seven dollars -- for two pints. Not bad!
When you mentioned your summer glasses, I clicked the photo to enlarge it, and then looked at all the photos before I read the rest of your post. When I got to the photo of the groomer "designed for groin grooming" I had to giggle wondering what you were using them for! I figured it was Frankie, but still funny first impression. :)
ReplyDeleteMy first grandchild was supposed to be named Frankie, but 'she' surprised us by being a Robert. LOL