Doggie Ice Cream

You might remember that Adam and I have a dog, Stetson.

He's a spunky, 2 year old, St. Bernard that has a patch on his side in the shape of a heart.

I have been known to spoil him a bit...

For instance, for his first birthday I wanted to throw a "hot dog" party, but Adam said it was too much.

So instead, I just got some birthday hats for the three of us, and sang to him, solo.

So see, I can admit, I'm quite deserving of my reputation.

But despite people making fun, it hasn't really stopped me.

However, this last weekend I got a picture text from a good friend of mine of her dog's first birthday cake
(in the shape of a bone, mind you),
I realized I might not be the only one of these crazies out there...

So, this post is for you other dog owners, who love your dogs a little extra.

I'm going to share a little secret a pet store worker gave me one time:

How to make "Doggie Ice Cream".

It's not really a recipe, just pumpkin filling in an ice cube tray!
And if your dog's lucky like Stetson, it'll be in the shape of a heart.
 (The pumpkin filling is the same kind you'd use in pie or bread, but make sure it has no sugar)
It's great because pumpkin is good for dogs and has been known to help with digestion.

Just fill it...

freeze it...

and serve it to your favorite pooch...

They'll love it.

It's the perfect hot summer day doggie treat!

Especially when you're dog is more of a winter weather kind of guy.

Be careful though, they'll try to sneak them when you're not looking...

...and will keep trying even after you've moved them.

Doggie Ice Cream: cheap, healthy, and Stetson approved. 

Flavored Italian Sodas

It's been so nice around here lately.

And actually when I checked weather.com and saw the national weather map this afternoon, pretty much all over the country was warm (like 70s-80s)

except for Maine, and the Pacific Northwest.

It's days like today that don't make me miss Coeur d'Alene in mid-March.



So if you would rather replace your afternoon tea/hot chocolate of the winter months with something a bit brighter and more freshing like I did, try making an italian soda!

Here's what you need:

Club Soda

Milk (anything from skim to half and half)

Flavored syrup (I used Starbucks Raspberry Syrup)

Ice

Then mix, add a fun straw, and sip away those winter blues.

Those Italians know how to do soda. ...mmm...mmm.

What's your favorite italian soda? Do you add anything extra other than those basics listed above?

A Drink Blogger's Valentine: Heart Shaped Ice Cubes

Kirstin loves Ikea.

Like, goes there every other week, loves Ikea.

Like, her 3 year old could probably give directions from their house, loves Ikea.

Ok,Want to know something else about Kirstin?

She loves Valentines day.

And not necessarily because of the romance of it (at least I don't think anyway),

but more so because she has fond memories of that being one of the only days of the year that her family got together to do "crafts" (aka make valentines).And because it's a great day to remind people how much you love them.

Now, I say all of that so you will understand exactly what I was thinking when I accompanied her and her two kiddos on their latest Ikea outting and saw this:

 Yep, a heart ice cube tray. Because for $1.99 (which is why most of the rest of us love Ikea) I could contribute to the Valentines Festivities and send my own little "valentine" in the form of ice. One heart ice cube tray, sold.

 Are any of you interested in decorating your ice cubes for Valentine's day to remind people they're loved? Fantastic. I'll show you just ONE of the many ways to use this baby...


1.Grab some of your favorite Juice. We used Berry Blast NakedJuice.

2.Grab yourself one enthusiastic toddler (optional. No toddlers needed, but I will say, if they're like my nephew they'd probably love to help)

3. Fill the ice cube tray with the juice (preferably a red kind in keeping with the "love" theme)

4. Let freeze. Obviously.

5. Pour a glass of seltzer, champagne, or another kind of juice (we used Mighty Mango NakedJuice for ours and paired it with some delicious red velvet pancakes for breakfast)

6. Serve it to your favorites as a little "I love you".