Trap Shooting and what not...

I'm here in Iowa at the in-laws writing while B and the 'rents hit up the trail and exercise the dogs. I decided not to go with since I'm really lazy and only brought heels...what better time to work on my blog on week old happenings than now. I've been so bad about blogging lately since I've taken on a side job in addition to my real job. I just blog stalk now.

This is Me playing around with Photo booth while Brian drives to IA last week. (photo booth reverses shots so no I'm not on my laptop in the car while I'm driving.

Open your eyes Duke!!Okay enough with photo booth!

Last week my youngest nephew turned one and since his parents live on a farm, we thought it'd be a great idea to try out some trap shooting. While I have shot pistols and even rifles before, I've never shot a shotgun. I borrowed a 20 gauge from a friend but I couldn't hit crap with it so I upped the ante and switched to the 12. Lots more powerful but nothing this chic can't candle...I did get a bruise on my shoulder/armpit though.

Fabulous Pie Crust and a Cutie Pie

I decided to be nice to my co-workers and make my favorite Autumn Apple Pie to spice up a fun fall Friday. I think baking for people really makes them happy and brightens up a dreary day like it's been here lately in the Midwest.
After misplacing (I don't lose, I misplace things ;-) my pie crust recipe, I came across this one and it's divine. It has vodka in it!! Now that's my kind of pie crust. Don't worry goody goodies, it cooks out and ads no flavor. It just ads moisture without aiding in gluten formation. It rolled out beautifully! Please try and let me know how you like it.
Foolproof Pie Dough by Cooks Illustrated
- makes one 9-inch double-crust pie -

Ingredients
2 1/2 cups (12 1/2 ounces) unbleached all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon table salt
2 tablespoons sugar (I added a smidgen more for sweetness)
12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/4-inch slices
1/2 cup cold vegetable shortening, cut into 4 pieces
1/4 cup cold vodka
1/4 cup cold water

Procedure
1. Process 1 1/2 cups flour, salt, and sugar in food processor until combined, about 2 one-second pulses. Add butter and shortening and process until homogeneous dough just starts to collect in uneven clumps, about 15 seconds (dough will resemble cottage cheese curds and there should be no uncoated flour). Scrape bowl with rubber spatula and redistribute dough evenly around processor blade. Add remaining cup flour and pulse until mixture is evenly distributed around bowl and mass of dough has been broken up, 4 to 6 quick pulses. Empty mixture into medium bowl.
2. Sprinkle vodka and water over mixture. With rubber spatula, use folding motion to mix, pressing down on dough until dough is slightly tacky and sticks together. Divide dough into two even balls and flatten each into 4-inch disk. Wrap each in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 45 minutes or up to 2 days.

And now for the CUTIE PIE recipe:

Any Animal Shelter in the U.S.

Look at that sweet face!! This is the "Dukie stare down."

"Mommy, can I have a slice of pie please? I've been a good boy, I promise!!"

Cutie Patootie Duke!

Look how cute my little "Urban Puppy" is? OMG he's a doll.
This is my view of him through the mirror...too cute!

What Have I Gotten Myself Into?

Let me preface you with the information that I am not a professional runner and never ran in high school, I'm pretty pathetic actually. In the past few weeks some races have sort of fallen on my lap:

1. Race For The Cure: I'm a member of the Junior League of Omaha and we have a team running in the race. I had always wanted to run in the Race For The Cure but never had the opportunity. While my family doesn't have history of breast cancer, it's scary. One in 8 women will get this scary disease and after losing an aunt (she married my mom's brother) to the disease, it's hit closer to home. I'm doing this race for her.
2. ALA Corporate Cup: Our dealership group is sponsoring this race and I've been involved with the marketing and planning of this event for the past month and a half . While I won't be running in the 10k (I'll die if I run the whole thing), I decided to run a quick 2 mile, non-competitive route. My grandmother had lung cancer (wasn't a smoker for several years) and so this one is for her :-).



3. Walk for the Animals: I also found out about a Nebraska Humane Society event happening in two weeks. This is a super near and dear to my hear issue plus my little angel can come with. I'm a HUGE animal lover. I don't believe in "buying animals", I believe in adopting one from a shelter. They love you just the same and if you are truly looking to love an animal, they don't need to be purebred. My love, Duke, was rescued from a bad situation in Kansas and was taken in by a loving foster mom who taught him everything he needed to know to get adopted. I couldn't ask for a better dog in my life than him. We believe he's a black lab/border collie mix. He's the smartest little angel ever. My husband and I love the crap out of this babe--
If you are looking for a dog or cat, I recommend Petfinder. It's where we found Duke and they have so many animals looking for a forever home with a loving mom and dad!

Help My Duke Win!

Thanks to Tara, I found the cutest little pet contest from Bissell.

I mean look how cute he is holding his little plush toy!!Just click on my little angel's pic and

Vote for Duke in the BISSELL MVP Photo Contest 2009!! He will give you lots of love if you do!! ;-)

Pita Lunch

I am constantly trying to find new ideas when it comes to quick lunches. This is one of my favorites. My mom used to make me these pitas for my lunch box when I was little.


1 half of a Pita
turkey slices
low-Fat cream cheese
green leaf lettuce

Just spread the cream cheese along one side of the pita and add the rest of the ingredients. I ate my pita with cottage cheese and chips and guacamole today,(I was very hungry)and voila--lunch!

Oh and just because he's so darn cute, my bub Duke!!





He loves snacks!! He's a little angel, we don't know what we'd do without him. Right now he's enjoying an afternoon at doggy daycare. It's so cold here, he can't go out and play :-(