GIZMO'S GOSSIP 

Hi again everyone.  Gizmo here.
Sooner or later, all organizations, groups or families work out a division of responsibilities, a division of labor or whatever. You know what I mean. In warehouses there are pickers and there are packers, restaurants have washers and dryers, and even at the inn, Mom does the great work and Dad does the grunt work.

Well, Utah and I pretty much have the same thing. I'm a people pooch and he's a pooch's pooch. I greet, walk and take care of the two legged visitors while Utah covers those with more than two. At least that's usually the case.

A couple weeks ago guests arrived with what appeared to be a miniature me. His name was (and probably still is) Corduroy, Nice enough dog I guess, except once he spotted me he must have thought I was his long lost ancestor. He just was all over me like a wet blanket. He jumped, leaped and did whatever he could to draw my attention away from my duties, and nothing I did could dissuade him. Meanwhile Utah was trying to get CORDUROY'S attention so that they could play. No such luck (for me). The result was a general state of chaos whenever Corduroys was near.

Being wanted is not necessarily all it's cracked up to be.

Thanks for listening.
Love Gizmo

cherry vanilla Oatmeal

So who says oatmeal is boring? Try this new take on an old but nutritious breakfast.

1 3/4 cups water
1 crisp apple, such as Braeburn or Crispin, cored and diced with skin
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons dark brown sugar, plus more to taste
3 cups water
2 cup quick-cooking oats
1/2 cup wheat germ
1/4 cup ground/milled or whole flax seed (or a combination of both)
1/4 cup chopped dried apples
1/4 cup golden raisins
3/4 cup 1 percent milk

1.

Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat, and the apple and cook until lightly brown and soft, 2 minutes. Add cinnamon and sugar and cook until dissolved. Add the water and bring to a boil. Add the oats, wheat germ, flax, dried apples and raisins. Stir constantly for 2 minutes until oats are cooked and dried fruit is slightly plumped. Divide into 4 bowls, sprinkle each bowl with more brown sugar, a drizzle of milk and a dried apple ring.

Nutrition Information Nutritional Analysis per serving Calories: 265 Total Fat: 3.5 grams Saturated Fat :0.5 gram Cholesterol 2 mg Sodium 164 mg Carbohydrates 54.5 grams Protein 7 grams Fiber 4 grams  

outdoor fun in vermont!