Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks?

This past weekend was the kind I really enjoy.

I managed to get in a couple of great workouts as well as spend some time pottering about in the kitchen. Yup, that's my idea of a good weekend.  I'm not even going to apologise for boring you.  Be warned that the latter part of this post will be spent telling you about how fantastic my dog is. 

I made home made rolls for the first time; These are Hawaiian rolls made with crushed pineapple - you can't really taste the pineapple but it gives them a nice sweetness (I only tried a corner off of one though so I'm not really in a position to properly critique).  

I'm not Irish, but being from Nova Scotia and having the family I do, I was raised to celebrate acknowledge St Paddy's Day.  Years ago I would head into the city dressed in something green for more than a few beers and a jig or two but I've outgrown that.  Ok, maybe I haven't really, it's just not the done thing in this part of the world. However I was pleasantly surprised when Andy and I went to our local pub for dinner last evening and found it all decked out in shamrocks; they were even playing Irish music which was the real shocker.  The barmen, Anthony and Rob kept fiddling with the sound.  I laughed and cheered when Anthony turned it up and Andy cheered when Rob would turn it down.  He's just so old English sometimes.

So here was my contribution to the day they call the 'Most Friendly' of the year. 

Chocolate Guiness Cupcakes 

I made a batch of 48, most of which were given away as I'm trying to maintain a healthy diet.  After icing that many cupcakes I didn't feel like arranging them for a picture so my apologies for the lack of imagination.  I know a lot of the appeal with food is in the presentation but if you tried one you'd forget about that. Honestly; they are scrummy; Unlike the buns, you can take my word for it.

Yesterday my friend Alison had a 'Birthday Party' for her Slovakian Rough Haired Pointer (dog) Seda who turned 3.  Now before you start rolling your eyes, hear me out.  Alison goes dog training with Seda on a Wednesday evening and this was something similar for her friends and & their dogs that consisted of various games, mostly based on agility and their ability to follow instruction. Molly rocked the party games, especially Musical Chairs and Pass the Parcel (which we won). We came 3rd at Musical Chairs (you have to get your dog to sit & stay before you can grab your seat).  We had fun although Molly was a bit confused at first but still followed my instructions (which she will usually do anyway, especially if there is a treat to be had).  

The agility games were great fun and Molly did brilliantly despite all the distractions; it was loud and a bit boisterous at times. She got a little bit obsessed once or twice with the smoked sausage treats Alison had in her pocket which were obviously way better than the hypo-allergenic organic treats in my pocket. I wish in some ways I'd taken my girl training years ago.  She would have been a real pro. 

Dog party or not, I was a very proud Mama; Molly was so well behaved and clever and aside from nearly taking Ali's fingers off in her quest to get the sausage (her manners are something we continue to work on but then again, a lab will be greedy). All told, she did very well for being the oldest dog in the group (not that anyone could believe that she was coming up for 8 next month). I'm not even sorry if I'm making you gag by constantly bragging about Molly, but she earned it.  My dog rocks.     

Ali and Molly (with the toy she won for being so obedient).