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Vibrant Vegan Food in Portland

Goodbye, Basil Dachshund

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Sweet Basil Dachshund

Last week we said goodbye to Basil.

Basil Pup

When we found out Basil was sick, I knew then I did not want him to suffer at all.

I wanted him to be happy and comfortable for the rest of his days. We also knew that our time with Basil could be short.

It was. Way too short.

Basil and a Squeaky

Our wonderful vet gave us a referral for a wonderful doctor who makes house calls. We set an appointment, and we celebrated Basil. He had a grilled burger for breakfast, we set out pillows and blankets, and we sat outside in the fresh morning sunshine. Basil played with a squeaky – a stuffed garlic.

Basil with his Squeaky Garlic

Basil loved the burger. He chewed and squeaked that garlic, and he wagged. He was happy, just being with us. I was happy he was able to be comfortable and calm at home, rather than anxious in a clinical setting. I was so happy to be able to provide that for him.

Today would be Basil’s birthday. This has been a very sad and quiet week for all of us, and today we celebrate him once again.

paws

We love you, Sweet Basil Bud.

 

 

Basil

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Basil and His Cactus

So.

We found out recently that Basil has cancer.

I know. I cannot even talk about it.

Last week, I told Jason that when the time comes, I do not want Sweet Basil to leave us in the environment of a cold sterile vet office. I do not want Basil’s final moments to be filled with the anxious fear he has every time we go to the vet.

I said I would …

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this is Halloween, this is Halloween. Halloweenie?

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Saturday night…

We are all at home, having cancelled some really fun plans with my sister, her husband, and a group of friends. I also had to cancel a girls night out last night… I’m still sick.

So tonight we are catching up on Jon Stewart and decorating for Halloween. I have my lighted skulls out, and am finishing up my painted pumpkins. I’ll share when they are complete – I chose a fun theme this year.

The Halloweenie is sporting his second costume of the season.

In case you missed his first one, it’s a bit scarier:

Okay, no it’s not scary at all. It is just so dang cute.

Some of you may remember his previous costumes:

turtle dachshund, 2011

 

sub-pup, 2010

 

One bright spot that cheered me up while sick? A super awesome package in the mail! I love getting mail. I participated in Lindsay’s Care Package Swap this year, and I was lucky enough to have Lindsay herself as my swap partner.

She sent some awesome things:

Tomato paste, apricot paste, stuffed leaves (yum!), maple bitters (so excited about this), pepper jelly (you know I am excited about this!), tapenade.

Jalapeno pepper mini pops (does she know what I love or what?), ranch dip (yes, yes she does), green magma and blue algae – wait, blue algae nut butter!! So very intrigued, I cannot wait. I see cashews on there. Fun napkins, hibiscus tea (LOVE!), and seaweed snacks.

Baking cups and cooks twine (I’ve already used the twine, for a non food project!), apricots, soya powder. I am intrigued again – really excited to use the soya powder.

Perfect breakfast right here – french vanilla coffee and chocolate chia. So excited for this!

and oh my gosh, Sweet Gratitude! A a cookbook of Cafe Gratitude’s raw desserts – this is perfect for me and I already have so many pages bookmarked.

Gratitude. I have so much right now – thank you Lindsay, so much! This gift definitely made my day.

Hope you are all having a great weekend… I’m enjoying some couch time with Jason and Basil, and a piece of brownie bottomed cheesecake…

so, have you ever seen a turtle without his shell?

 

heirloom tomato bruschetta

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You want to know what is simultaneously exciting and heart wrenching at once? Searching Oregon Dachshund Rescue to find my little Basil – basa a sister.

The little kielbasa has a birthday tomorrow, he turns nine. Given that Basil was a birthday gift for me when we adopted him, why not find Basil a little sister for his birthday?

Hence the excitement. The heart wrenching roller coaster comes when I see all of these little sweetie long dogs, so many needing extra love and care, all of them needing real homes. I just want to adopt them all, make up for their sad past and help them heal and trust.

There has to be a sweet little girl pup that will fit in perfectly with Basil and our family. I hope she finds us soon, just as I hope all of these pups find their perfect place soon.

We had another Happy Hour at Home recently, featuring one of my favorite easy summer appetizers – bruschetta. At the market, I cannot pass by the heirloom tomatoes stands without choosing a few, and they really make a bright and fresh bruschetta. Basil provided by mom’s garden, thanks mom!

heirloom tomato bruschetta

1 (gluten free) sourdough baguette
olive oil
2-3 heirloom tomatoes (depending on size)
bunch fresh basil (chiffonaded)
sea salt, pepper
balsamic reduction*

Slice baguette, arrange on baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil. Toast breads in 325 degree oven for 5-7 minutes or until crisp. Chop tomatoes and chiffonade basil, add to a bowl. Toss with olive oil, salt and pepper. Arrange toasts on serving plate, spoon tomato basil mixture onto each toast. Drizzle balsamic over each toast. 

*balsamic reduction – how to

In a well ventilated area, in a saucepan over high heat, bring balsamic vinegar to a boil (the amount you begin with will reduce to about one quarter that amount – 1 cup balsamic vinegar = 1/4 reduction). Reduce heat to simmer, stirring continually. Vinegar will thicken within several minutes, remove from heat. Allow to cool, transfer to container (preferably a squeeze bottle) and store in refrigerator. 

Are you a bruschetta fan? What is your favorite easy summertime appetizer?

Have you ever adopted a pet from a shelter or rescue?

 

pass the mic

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                                                                                                                                                          source

Another entry about something other than food?

Yeah, but I could not let the passing of my favorite Beastie go by without saying something, paying tribute in some way. Besides, I haven’t had time to cook lately.

I love music of all kinds, and one of my all time favorites has always been Beastie Boys. Their musical talent has shaped decades of inspiration for me, and has been the soundtrack to many events. It was the source of one massive project I took on while living at Sunriver Resort. I have attended more of their concerts than I can count. Easy to say Beastie Boys has created the most significant music, the most monumental for me. The most epic.

Their music always gives me energy, lifts me up, makes things positive. Whenever Jason asks what I’d like to listen to (road trip, whatever…), I undoubtedly answer Beastie Boys. Every time.

The first time I heard the word Namaste? Beastie Boys, Bodhisattva Vow live.

Who inspired my art history reports about Toulouse-Lautrec? Beastie Boys, The Move.

Which concert is the only one I’d run down the hill to elbow my way to the front row? Beastie Boys at the stunning Gorge Amphitheater, for Sasquatch 2007 and Endfest 2002 (where I also sprained my wrist dancing while yelling the lyrics to Paul Revere).

…and if you really still want an entry about food? A year ago this month I made the MCA Smoothie for my favorite Vegan Beastie.

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Good times gone and you missed them
What’s gone wrong in your system
Things they bounce just like a Spaulding
What’d you think did you miss your calling
It’s so free this kind of feeling
It’s like life it’s so appealing
When you got so much to say
It’s called gratitude


Rest In Peace Adam Yauch. You are greatly missed, from White Castle to The Nile.

 

¿Por Que No? and WHEEL

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of

FORTUUUUUNNNNNEEE.

Yeah, it was no big deal, I was standing like, three feet from Pat and Vanna. It’s cool.

Wait, whaaaaaaat?? VIP tickets to see several episodes taping? Yes, please!

I kinda like this show.

We had so much fun – the VIP tickets meant we got to skip all the lines (there were probably 8-10,000 people there?) and get right to the front – we were in the third row! The first row is reserved for family of contestants, and some local celebrities.

It was really cool to watch the behind the scenes of this show – it’s a big event. When they go on location, there are huge sets built with the city’s landmarks. In this case, Wheel In Portland’s set boasted a large replica of our beautiful St Johns Bridge, a downtown theater, the Made in Oregon sign, real trees to accompany the trees, greens and blues in the photo backgrounds. Then of course there is the Wheel itself, and Vanna’s letters, a car parked offstage, and bright lights!

We captured one photo of me on set – we found out about the No Camera Rule a little while later…

There will be at least a couple weeks worth of shows (they were here for several days, and each ticket was to view three shows), and they air in early May. Watch for me in the audience!

Another highlight of our weekend was lunch at one of our favorites – ¿Por Que No? – a tasty taqueria in the Boise-Eliot area on North Mississippi.

Jason ordered a beautiful sangria and I had a house margarita. I chose one of the daily specials, the Spring Veggie Taco, which was fresh and flavorful and included grilled asparagus. I also ordered one of my standards, the veggie tamale:

¿Por Que No? was delicious as always. As we were sitting there, the sun came out – I look forward to spring and summer visits where we can sit outside!

Our Wheel Weekend was an awesome one – two tryouts, now actual audience members? I am getting closer to spinning that Wheel myself!

What is your favorite game show? Would you ever want to be a contestant?

¿Por Qué No? on Urbanspoon

 

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