Head Bobbing Syndrome

Brook and I have noticed Vito doing this strange head bobbing thing a few times this week. It usually lasts less than minute and Vito doesn't seem to be bothered by it. It is almost as if he's shaking his head no. Last night, it started happening again. Of course, I got all worried and asked Brook what was wrong with him. Back story-- My family's boxer, Rex, had a brain tumor and I saw him have a seizure and it was the scariest thing I've ever seen. Tumors are common in boxers so you understand my concern. Anyway, Brook googled it on his iPhone and found out that it is a very common condition. It mainly occures in Boxers, Dobermans, and Bulldogs. It is called Idiopathic Head Bobbing Syndrome. It isn't linked to any medical conditions and is in most cases, harmless.

Like a Person

He likes to sit up like a person.

Snow Storm 2011!

Feed the Birds

We decided we needed to help out the birds in this weather, so we bought a bird feeder and some seed at Walmart. So far, I've only seen one bird near it. Oliver and Little Bit will love looking out the window even more!

Lemon Chicken -- How easy is that?

Last night, I made Ina Garten's Lemon Chicken Breasts from her cookbook, Barefoot Contessa How Easy is That? It was absolutely delicious! I accidentally grabbed chicken breast tenders at the store and the recipe calls for chicken breasts, skin on. I also didn't have fresh tyme leaves, but I used the ground stuff, and it worked just fine! I've decided that I need a zester. I used the one on my big grater and it took forever just to get 1 tablespoon of lemon zest. I'm pretty sure I didn't even have that much because I got so frustrated and stopped. Here's a pic of what it looked like...

This is the first recipe I've tried out of this cookbook, and I can't wait to try more!

Here's the recipe courtesy of Ina Garten's How Easy is That?:

1/4 cup olive oil

9 cloves garlic minced

1/3 cup dry white wine

1 T grated lemon zest

2 T freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 1/2 t dried oregano

1 t minced fresh thyme leaves

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

4 boneless skin breasts (skin on)

Lemon

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

Warm the olive oil in a small saucepan and add garlic. Cook for just one minute but don't allow garlic to turn brown. Off the heat, add the white wine, lemon zest, lemon juice, oregano, thyme, and 1 teaspoon salt, and pour into 9 x 12 baking dish.

Pat the chicken breasts dry and place them skin side up over the sauce. Brush the chicken breasts with olive oil and sprinkle them liberally with salt and pepper. Cut the lemon in 8 wedges and tuck it among the pieces of chicken.

Bake for 30 to 40 minutes depending upon the size of the chicken breasts, until the chicken is done and the skin is lightly browned. If the chicken isn't browned enough, put it under the broiler for 2 minutes. Cover the pan tightly with alluminum foil and allow to rest for 10 minutes. Sprinkle with salt and serve hot with the pan juices.

Dexter

Brook and I have discovered Dexter. We haven't loved a show this much since The Sopranos. We spent a majority of the weekend watching the first two seasons. This show is really great. The writing is clever. I love the music, of course. I also think Michael C. Hall is very attractive! Could it be the dark red hair? :)

Sugar Bowl

Here a couple of pics from our trip to New Orleans... We had an awesome time with our friends and made some wonderful memories. We were all happy to finally be home, though! Thank you, Al and Mark, for letting us stay at your house again. Thank you, Razorbacks, for making it to the Sugar Bowl! Thank you, Mona Lisa waiter, for returning my credit card. Thank you, swamp tour guide, for the swamp tour even though the alligators were sleeping at the bottom of the swamp. Most importantly, thank you, La Huerta, for your awesome service, low prices, & cheese dip! We missed you terribly!