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Pet food company to pay a cat lover $10K to cuddle with kittens

 

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Pet food company to pay a cat lover $10K to cuddle with kittens, raise support for adoption shelters

One lucky cat lover will get paid to sit and cuddle with kittens for an afternoon

?


ACANA pet food is looking to pay $10,000 to??for cuddling with kittens.

The person will be picked based on replies to a simple questionnaire.?

In addition to donating 5,000 cases of wet cat food to shelters in need across the country, ACANA is also paying a winner to spend four hours cuddling with cats at a??this June.

The brand put out a press release noting that the months of May through November each year are considered "kitten season," a time known for an influx of orphaned kittens arriving at local shelters.

Cat cuddling

Those interested in cuddling with cats for $10,000 can fill out a questionnaire through ACANA.??(iStock / iStock)

Because of this, local animal shelters tend to have fewer resources and less space for all the kittens in need of help.?

To try to combat this issue, ACANA is paying one cat lover $10,000 to cuddle with kittens at Best Friends Animal Society — one of the leading national animal welfare organizations that’s dedicated to ending the killing of cats and dogs in animal shelters.?

The offer is also in an effort to promote adoption and to spread the word about??this "kitten season."

The questionnaire is 10 questions long — with inquiries about allergies to cats, what makes the person a good fit for the job, the person's favorite kitten and more.?

Woman cuddling kitten

ACANA is offering one pet lover $10,000 to cuddle with kittens for an afternoon.??(iStock / iStock)

Billy Frey, vice president of marketing at Champion Petfoods, told FOX Business that the new initiative is to educate people during this "kitten season."?

"Shelters are a great way to adopt your pet, especially kittens, which is why ACANA has long supported shelters around the world," he said.

Frey added, "Through the program, we hope to educate people [about] this season when shelters need additional support, inspire them to volunteer and highlight the importance of both great nutrition and care throughout a cat’s life — especially during their earliest days."

kittens cuddling

Kitten season is known as the months between May and November, said ACANA, where local animal shelters typically see an influx of kittens looking for their forever homes.??(iStock / iStock)

Best Friends Animal Society CEO Julie Castle told FOX Business the society is thankful for the ACANA pet food partnership — that it's "encourag[ing] people to support their local shelters by finding the ways that work for them to give back to their community."

The questionnaire is live from now until April 10.

More information can be found at ACANA.com.





Ginny Butterfield
Cranberry Twp, Pa






Happy Easter from Al & Ginny

 

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Wishing you a Blessed and Happy Easter!

-? Al & Ginny



?The spirit of Easter is all about hope, love, and joyful living. May you have a blessed day!??? Thinking of you on this special day! Best wishes for Easter and the season ahead.


???? Row Of Puppy Bunnies - Avanti Dog Easter Card

The spirit of Easter is all about hope, love, and joyful living. May you have a blessed day!??? Thinking of you on this special day! Best wishes for Easter and the season ahead.

Kitten Wears Knit Egg Cap - Avanti Cute Cat Easter Card
            (Greeting Card)?? Kitten With Bunny Ears - Avanti Cat Easter Greeting
            Card ?


Cadbury Creme Egg Cookies

Yes, that is a whole creme egg stuffed inside each fudgy chocolate cookie.

Prep Time:
?
30 mins
Cook Time:
?
20 mins
Cool Time:
?
15 mins
Total Time:
?
3 hrs 5 mins
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?
10 (serving size: 1 cookie)

Ingredients

  • 10?full-size milk?chocolate creme eggs?(such as Cadbury)

  • 1 (18.75?ounce) package fudge?brownie mix?(such as Ghirardelli Chocolate Supreme), including chocolate syrup packet

  • 1/2 cup (about?2 1/8?ounces)?all-purpose flour

  • 6?tablespoons?unsalted butter, melted and cooled

  • 1?large egg, beaten

  • 1?teaspoon?instant espresso powder?(optional)

  • 1?cup?chocolate chips?(dark, milk, or white)

Directions

  1. Gather all ingredients. Place creme eggs in the freezer and freeze until solid, at least 2 hours or up to 12 hours.

  2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) with rack in top third position. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper, and set aside.

  3. Stir together brownie mix, chocolate syrup packet, flour, butter, egg, and espresso powder (if using) in a large bowl until just combined into a stiff dough that resembles the texture of Play-Doh. Stir in chocolate chips until just combined.

  4. Unwrap frozen creme eggs, and set aside. Portion cookie dough into 10 even portions (about 3 oz. each; about 1/4 cup packed dough). Working with 1 portion at a time, flatten dough in palm of your hand to form an even round. Place 1 frozen creme egg in center of dough round, and wrap dough to fully enclose the creme egg; place on prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining creme eggs and dough portions, ensuring that cookie dough balls are placed at least 2 inches apart on each baking sheet (5 per baking sheet).

  5. Bake one baking sheet at a time in preheated oven until cookies are just set on the edges and on top, 10 to 11 minutes. Do not overbake or the creme eggs may seep out of the cookie. Let cool on baking sheet slightly, about15 minutes. Serve warm, or let cool completely on a wire rack and store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.




Collections Etc Happy Easter Realistic Dogs Garden Stake,
          1 of 3? ? ?? 14 JPG Watercolor Easter bunny with flowers, Easter
          clipart, Easter prints, Easter invitation, Easter crafts,
          Easter printable image 1

Vintage Easter Music







The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a powerful symbol of renewal and rebirth. It marks the triumph of life over death, of light over darkness, and of hope over despair. This symbolism is reflected in many of the Easter traditions we celebrate today, from the Easter egg, which represents new life and rebirth, to the Easter lily, which symbolizes purity, new beginnings, and the resurrection.




? ? ??




Easter also means the full arrival of Spring -- when the trees are in bud,? the daffodils are in bloom, the grass is greeeing, and there is a promise of summer flowers, sunshine and warmth just ahead.? New growth, rebirth and new life is seen all around us. ? --Ginny


?

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Digital download. Bright sun over a field of flowers
          image 1




Ginny Butterfield
Cranberry Twp, Pa






OT - Phone Scam Warning

 

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More info:

?
How it works
How does the spectrum scam work
Spectrum 50% off scam

Allegedly, all you have to do is?pay for a few months upfront to lock in the new rate. The caller asks for your Spectrum details to verify your account, and they take your payment information to process the fee. Unfortunately, there is no such 50% off promotion.
Nov 22, 2023



Ginny Butterfield
Cranberry Twp, Pa






Food for thought?

 

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--
Graphic shamelessle swiped!

Ginny Butterfield
Cranberry Twp, Pa






Married couple adopts stray cat who crashed their wedding ceremony

 

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?
Cara told Fox News Digital that Daisy was 'demanding to be heard' at the wedding
?By Andrea Vacchiano


A newlywed shared video of her wedding being "crashed" by a chatty stray cat who interrupted the ceremony. She later adopted the feline, now named Daisy.

A stray kitten was adopted by an adoring couple after she interrupted their wedding last year.

Cat owner Cara racked up over 3 million likes after posting video of her meow-filled wedding ceremony on TikTok. The wedding was held at Curry Estate in Hopewell Junction, New York in September 2023.

Video shows the groom reading his vows to the bride when audience members suddenly hear a cat – now named Daisy – loudly meowing.

Cara told Fox News Digital that she originally didn't hear the chatty cat.

Side by side image of wedding and couple
                        holding cat

Cara and Matt adopted a stray cat, who they named Daisy, after the animal "crashed" their wedding.?

"We were so focused on the moment and what each other was saying," she explained. "We did notice, however, the crowd and bridal party starting to laugh!"

Cara's sister, who served as the maid of honor, then called the couple's attention to the matter.

"[She] kindly let us know that there was a cat right there meowing," the wife explained. "She was so perfectly perched on a tree stump behind us demanding to be heard."

According to Cara, she and her husband were already "huge cat people" before the ceremony – and the feline's unexpected appearance was a highlight.

"We have a cat that we adopted together, Gatsby, [and] our friends have celebrity nicknamed us Catt (Cara + Matt), and we even had cat cake toppers," she explained.?

Cara and Matt both holding Daisy

Cara and Matt were both "huge cat people" before Daisy interrupted their wedding, Cara told Fox News Digital.

"It felt like this was all meant to be when she showed up."

After the bride and groom fell in love with the kitten, the couple's families and friends worked hard to look for her – but had no luck.

"All anyone could talk about was the cat. It was the highlight of the night… I knew we had to have her."

Picture of bride and groom at altar and
                        picture of couple holding Daisy

Matt was reading his vows to Cara when Daisy loudly interrupted their ceremony with her meows.




















































































































Ginny Butterfield
Cranberry Twp, Pa






Happy St Patrick's Day - Irish Blessings, Irish Apple Cake Recipe, Irish Music and More

 

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Irish Prayer


The verse below is from author Lorna Faith.??? So touching I just have to share.?? If this is not for you please just delete.? But I hope this brings some inspiration? .

Have a Blessed and Happy St Patrick's Day!?? --- Ginny and Al

?

I hope these scriptures from Proverbs 16 bring the wisdom and hope you need.

"We can make our own plans,

????but the Lord gives the right answer.

People may be pure in their own eyes,

????but the Lord examines their motives.

Commit your actions to the Lord,

????and your plans will succeed."

Proverbs 16:1-3(NLT)

I pray that as you commit your actions to the Lord, that your plans will succeed.

Have a blessed and beautiful Sunday


image





Irish Apple Cake





Serves:?6

A cross between a coffee cake and an apple crisp, Irish apple cake is a crumb cake with three distinct layers that bake up together. The bottom layer is a lightly spiced cinnamon cake. It is stacked with thinly sliced apples. (No need to add sugar or spice to these naturally sweet-tart apples; their clean fruity flavor is perfect on its own!) The topping is a buttery oat crumble that gets nice and toasty. Finally, in lieu of whipped cream or frosting, this cake is drizzled with decadent vanilla custard sauce known as crème anglaise.

Author: Leah Perez


Total Time: 1 hr 45 min


Prep Time: 15 min

Ingredients:


FOR THE STREUSEL TOPPING:
3/4?cup all-purpose?flour
1/2?cup granulated sugar
1/4?cup old-fashioned?oats
1?pinch of kosher?salt
1/2?cup unsalted?butter, cubed



FOR THE CAKE:

Baking spray with?flour
1 1/4?cups . all-purpose?flour
1?teaspoon baking powder
1?teaspoon ground cinnamon?
1/4?teaspoon kosher?salt
1/2?cup unsalted?butter, melted
2/3?cup granulated sugar
2?teaspoons vanilla extract



FOR THE VANILLA CUSTARD SAUCE:
2 large?eggs, room temperature
3 tbsp.?milk
3 small Granny Smith?apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
5 large?eggs?yolks
1/2?cup granulated?sugar, divided
1 3/4?cups .?half and half
1/4?teaspoon kosher?salt
2?teaspoons vanilla beans?paste

Directions:

1 For the streusel topping: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, oats, and salt. Using your fingers, rub the cold butter into the ingredients until the mixture is well combined and easy to pinch together. If the dough appears sandy, continue working the butter in until you can form it into a dough ball. Cover and refrigerate the streusel for at least 15 minutes before using, or up to 1 day.

2 For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9-inch round baking pan with baking spray with flour and line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper.

3 In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.

4 In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, sugar, and vanilla. Add the eggs, one at a time, whisking well after each addition.

5 Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture in 2 parts, alternating with the milk, folding until just combined after each addition.

6 Spoon the batter into the prepared baking pan. Top with the sliced apples, arranging them so they lie in an even layer. Remove the cold streusel from the refrigerator and break it into dime-sized pieces. Cover the apples with the cold crumbled streusel.

7 Bake until golden brown, 1 hour to 1 hour and 10 minutes.

8 Allow the cake to cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Turn the cake out onto a plate, remove the parchment paper, and turn it over again onto a wire rack, allowing it to cool completely, streusel-side up.

9 For the vanilla custard sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and ? cup of sugar until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is lightened in color, about 1 minute. Place a fine-mesh sieve over another empty medium bowl.

10 In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, heat the half-and-half, salt, and remaining ? cup of sugar. Heat, stirring frequently, until steaming (do not boil).

11 Whisking constantly, slowly pour about 1 cup of the warm half-and-half mixture into the egg mixture. Add the warm egg mixture back to the remaining half-and-half mixture, whisking to combine. Cook until the mixture starts to thicken, coat the back of a spoon, and an instant read thermometer registers 175°F to 180°F, 2 to 3 minutes.

12 Immediately pour the mixture through the prepared fine-mesh sieve. Stir in the vanilla bean paste. Set the bowl over a bowl of ice water and stir to cool the mixture to room temperature.

13 Place a piece of plastic wrap directly over the vanilla custard sauce and refrigerate until fully chilled, at least 1 hour.

14 Serve the cake in slices, drizzled with vanilla custard sauce, if you like.


Tip: If you’re short on time, make a shortcut vanilla custard sauce by melting some high-quality vanilla ice cream.



Source:?



MORE IRISH ST PATS RECIPES FROM PIONEER WOMAN HERE:



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?IRISH MUSIC











AND LASTLY....




Ginny Butterfield
Cranberry Twp, Pa






Goody’s Goodies: Best Meatloaf Ever

 

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Sharing this memory and recipe from AUTHOR Delta James's Newsletter:




?One of Goody’s favorite recipes is at the bottom of the newsletter.

For those of you who don’t know, Goody was one of our beloved basset hounds. She came to me at eight years of age and lived to be a month shy of her sixteenth birthday. Letting her go was so hard. That’s not true. The decision to let her go was easy. She was failing and her quality of life was compromised. I’ve always said I’d rather let them go a month too early than even a second too late. Helping her to leave in peace and without pain was easy, living without her… not so much. She was a grand old girl and no one who ever met her didn’t love her. She was Chris’s sous chef and would eat anything you’d give her. A particular favorite was red peppers (without the seeds).? --Delta James








?Goody’s Goodies: Best Meatloaf Ever



Preheat Oven: 350 degrees Fahrenheit

Ingredients:

1.5 pounds ground beef

1 package Stove Top Stuffing (6 oz box—any flavor)

? cup of water

2 eggs

1/3 cup BBQ sauce or ketchup

Directions:

??? Mix first four ingredients together in a large bowl
??? Pat into an 8” x 8” square pan
??? Spread BBQ sauce or ketchup over the top
??? Bake at 350 F for an 50 to 60 minutes

A lot of times we make a double batch so we can have meatloaf sandwiches.





Ginny Butterfield
Cranberry Twp, Pa






Thoughts on Aging

 

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Thoughts on Aging

How did I get to the other side of the hill without getting to the top?

We must recognize that, as we grow older, we become like old cars .. more and more repairs and replacements are necessary.?? Will Rodgers

Time may be a great healer, but it's a lousy beautician.??? George Burns

I'm at that age where my back goes out more than I do.?? Rita Rudner

You know you are getting old when everything either dries up or leaks.??? Mark Twain

First you forget names, then you forget faces, then you forget to pull your zipper up, then you forget to pull your zipper down.?? John Wagner

My wife never lies about her age .
She just tells people she is as old as I am.?? Then she lies about my age.?? Patty Wooten

I'm not afraid of dying.? I'm just afraid of not living long enough.??? Dick van Dyke

A good friend's advice on the subject:

Take of glasses.
Put cane down.
Remove ear piece.
Remove orthopedic sox
Remove teeth.
Stretch out on bed.
Call the dog?? (or cat).

Ah.... life is good!




Ginny Butterfield
Cranberry Twp, Pa






Kevin Costner shares photo of his new 'love' on Valentine's Day (Hint - a new pupster!)

 

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Be sure to check out the dishwasher photo below!!!? --Ginny

Kevin Costner celebrated a quiet Valentine's Day at home with a picture shared on Instagram of the newest love in his life, his yellow Labrador puppy Bobby.




Love is in the air for Kevin Costner.

The??swooned over his new Labrador puppy on Valentine's Day with an adorable photo shared on Instagram stories.

Costner showed off his pet pooch taking a quick nap on top of the open dishwasher door just weeks after welcoming the yellow lab into his family.

placeholder

Kevin Costner smiles wearing tan suit and white
                    shirt

Kevin Costner showed off his Valentine Wednesday.?(Richard Bord)

"Bobby being a big help with the dishes," Costner wrote.

He introduced the new member of his inner circle to??earlier this month with a series of photos posted on Instagram.

Kevin Costner shows off labrador puppy

Kevin Costner joked that Bobby was being a "big help with the dishes."?(Kevin Costner/Instagram)

"Newest addition to the family," he captioned a carousel of snaps shared online. "I’m already in love with this special guy."

Costner, a longtime animal advocate, worked with The Orange Dog to rescue four-legged friends from overcrowded shelters in 2010.

The??brought his beloved pal Daisy along for the journey, when dogs were transferred from California to Edmonton, Canada via private plane.

"When this plane is operating at its best, it’s not just taking people around the world, it’s hauling animals," Costner told "Access Hollywood" at the time.?

"[It’s] essentially an exchange of animals that were going to be euthanized. Instead of having that happen, they are now making their way to Canada, having a second chance at life. [The charity] spoke to my heart. The last dog that we saved … in two hours was going to be euthanized, and believe it or not, before we made it to Canada, the pilot adopted the dog.?

Kevin Costner plays with pets in the backyard
                    of his home

Costner is a long-time animal advocate.?(Paul Harris)

"I think the first trip took 50-plus dogs. The second trip I think took 115 dogs all on this plane. So, you can imagine this luxury, five-star piece of transportation just filled with animals that are going to get a second chance at life."

Costner's getting another chance at life and love following a??with ex-wife Christine Baumgartner.

In September, Costner and Baumgartner agreed to terms of a divorce settlement shortly before they were due back in court to establish who would be responsible for paying her almost?

Kevin Costner attends red carpet with wife
                    Christine.

Christine Baumgartner filed for divorce May 1 and cited April 11 as their date of separation.?(Lester Cohen)

?

Despite those challenges in 2023, Costner remained focused on his prized "Horizon: An American Saga" Western film series and received a tentative two-part release date in 2024. The newly single actor also appeared to catch the eye of Grammy award-winning singer Jewel.


Cute Dog - Cinnamon from Author Ellie Wren Burke

 

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PUPDATE


Here's Cinnamon climbing inside my husband's sweatshirt while he's wearing it! You can see her snout poking out the neck hole. She was very excited and wanted to try it again later.


A medium sized dog climbs
                                        inside the sweatshirt of a
                                        kneeling man.


Ginny Butterfield
Cranberry Twp, Pa






Free Youtube stories - Pet Rescue - from author Gayle Irwin

 

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?These free youtube stories (excerpts) ? and author is all about dog and pet rescue!



Worth checking out for book lovers and pet lovers alike!

Sit Back, Relax, and Enjoy

A Free YouTube Book Reading!

?

Over the years, I've written six sweet, contemporary, later-in-life romance books in which I weave pet rescue and adoption.?

?

Today, Wednesday, January 24, is , and in honor of that, my husband and I created a video of me reading excerpts from two of my books: the first novel of the Yellowstone Country series, and , Book #6 in the series and a holiday romance. I'm sharing the video with you on this special day as a THANK YOU for being one of my supporters and newsletter subscribers.

?

The video is found on YouTube. Sit back with a favorite beverage and watch and listen.?

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Use this link to access the video -- I hope you enjoy the readings and little bit of education about helping animals in need:?

?

?

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How might you change a pet's life this week?

?

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Gayle M. Irwin - Sweet Romance Author

Sweet Tales With Tales

Sweet, contemporary romance books

that weave pet rescue & adoption into the love story

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Until next time,

?

?

Gayle M. Irwin

Author/Freelance Writer


Follow on the Web:




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?

Gayle M. Irwin - Author



PO Box 463
Casper WY 82602
USA

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Check out one of the "Amazon" Dogs!

 

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?Check out one of the "Amazon" Dogs!



Ginny Butterfield
Cranberry Twp, Pa






Tissue Alert - Little Girl Mails A Letter To God After Her Dog Passes Away

 

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Little Girl Mails A Letter To God After Her Dog Passes Away, Ends Up Getting A ‘Response’


From the moment Meredith was born, she had a best friend in Abbey, the dog. But as she grew, Abbey became so much more than just a pet – she was Meredith’s protector, playmate, and best friend. And sadly, as the years wore on, Abbey got a little older until she recently passed away – with Meredith by her side.

For Meredith, the loss of Abbey was devastating, even though she knew she was going to a better place. So that is when the young girl decided that she was going to write a letter to the only person she knew loved Abbey as much as she did: God.

Meredith?:

Dear God,

Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday and is with you in Heaven. I miss her very much. I am happy that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick. I hope you will play with her. She likes to swim and play with balls. I am sending a picture of her so when you see her you will know that she is my dog. I really miss her.

Love, Meredith

In her letter, Meredith included a photo of Abbey. She sealed the envelope and put extra postage – a gesture to make sure it got all the way to Heaven, as she informed her mom. The weeks passed and Meredith was still sad over the loss of her beloved Abbey. She asked her mom if she thought God had received the letter she sent. Her mother said she was sure he did.

Then, one day while checking the mail, her mom discovered a packaged in gold paper addressed to Meredith. The mystery package had no return address. While a little concerned, she still let Meredith open it.

As the little girl opened it and began reading, her mother watched intently to see who’d sent it. From within the box, Meredith pulled out the book, Mr. Rogers’ “.” Meredith opened the book, reading the inside cover. Her mom watched as her daughter smiled like she hadn’t smiled in weeks.

“What is it?” her mom asked.

As Meredith handed her mom the book, she started to cry, saying, “Abbey’s okay, mom. She’s with God.”

Her mom read the writing:

Dear Meredith,

Abbey arrived safely in heaven. Having the picture was a big help and I recognized her right away. Abbey isn’t sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me just like it stays in your heart. Abbey loved being your dog. Since we don’t need our bodies in heaven, I don’t have any pockets to keep your picture in so I am sending it back to you in this little book for you to keep and have something to remember Abbey by. Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your mother for helping you write it and sending it to me. What a wonderful mother you have. I picked her especially for you. I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much. By the way, I’m easy to find. I am wherever there is love.

Love, God

It was just what the young girl needed to hear, and for the next few hours, Meredith and her mother laughed and cried together as they remembered their fondest memories of Abbey. She was a wonderful part of the family.

And I’m sure there are plenty of us pet owners out there who can sympathize with this story, pets are such important members of our families. You can watch the tearjerking video below:

Letter from God about Abbey








Message from Your Pet in Heaven (Letter from Rainbow Bridge)




Ginny Butterfield
Cranberry Twp, Pa






Happy New Year 2024

 

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Wishing you a Happy, Healthy, and Safe New Year!
?Hope the new year brings good fortune, family and friends

Ginny and AL

Keeping Your Pet Calm and Happy on New Years Eve - Tampa,
          Florida?? ?





New Year's Pretzel Recipe (Pittsburgh Tradition)



Recipe: Chris Fennimore’s New Year’s Pretzel Bread

There is something magical about the chemical reaction of gluten and sugar and yeast that turns inert ingredients into a living, growing and delectable treat.

People often ask me about kitchen tools and utensils, and they always want to know what my favorite food is to cook. That answer is easy: Bread. There is something magical about the chemical reaction of gluten and sugar and yeast that turns inert ingredients into a living, growing and delectable treat. Besides the mystery of transforming a few cups of flour into an expanding mass of dough, baking bread has all the satisfactory components that bring cooks to the kitchen.

Bread doughs are easy and very forgiving. The smell of baking bread permeates the house with an aroma of comfort. The final product is beautiful to behold and delicious to eat.

Keep a supply of bread flour (the higher gluten content makes for chewier, more flavorful loaves), some yeast (buy it economically by the pound) and some powdered milk (for those days when you are snowed in), and you can be baking golden loaves and rolls all winter long.

Because it has such a history as a staple of life, bread has inspired endless traditions in many cultures that tie it to holidays and seasons. For the new year, it is a European tradition to make large, soft, pretzel-shaped breads that are often garnished with candied fruit and nuts. The pretzel is the universal sign of the baker, and it is also supposed to bring luck for the whole year. Not as sweet as cake and not as plain as bread, this colorful pretzel makes a beautiful centerpiece for any New Year’s table, and everyone who eats it will feel lucky. Now, where did I put that electric bread slicer?
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups milk, scalded and skimmed
1/2 cup sugar
4 ounces (1 stick) butter
1/2 cup warm water
1 tablespoon yeast
6 to 7 cups bread flour
1 tablespoon salt
2 eggs
1 pound confectioner’s sugar
Almond extract
Water
Toasted, sliced almonds
Candied cherries

Directions

  • Put the scalded milk, sugar and butter into the bowl of a stand mixer and let stir until the butter and sugar are dissolved.
  • In another small bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm water with a few grains of sugar. It should begin to foam in about 5 minutes.
  • Add 5 cups of flour, 1 tablespoon of salt, the yeast mixture and the 2 eggs to the milk mixture.
  • Use a dough hook to mix until it is a soft, even batter. Add more flour 1/2 cup at a time until a soft dough forms. Continue to knead until the dough cleans the sides of the bowl. Take the dough out on a lightly floured board and give it a few turns to form a smooth ball. Put it into a greased bowl and cover. Let rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
  • Turn the dough out onto the board and divide in half. Roll each half into a long rope and shape into a pretzel. Lay the pretzel onto a parchment-paper-lined baking sheet and allow to rise for another hour.
  • Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes until dark golden-brown. (Thermometer will read 190 to 200 degrees.) Allow to cool completely on a wire rack.
  • Make a frosting by mixing the confectioner’s sugar with a teaspoon of almond extract (or vanilla if you prefer) and enough water to make a spreadable icing. Pour the icing over the bread and decorate with the toasted almond slices and candied cherries.

Originally published in December 2017.




Ginny Butterfield
Cranberry Twp, Pa






Genie in a Bottle Joke

 

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Please, no offense to the ladies here!!?? --Ginny


A surfer walking the beach...

?

So, a surfer walking the beach in California finds an old Arabian looking bottle.? He thinks to himself "Could it be," and he starts to rub it.?

Poof - out comes a genie and he says to the young man "Don't believe the rumors, you are entitled to only one wish.? So what will it be?"?

The young man thinks for a moment and then says "You know, I love to surf Hawaii, but plane fare is so expensive.? I wish you could make a bridge to Hawaii."

The genie looks at him and says "Really??? Do you know how much trouble it would be to build a bridge to Hawaii?? We would need hundreds of work crews, millions, perhaps billions of tons of concrete that extended down miles in some places, boat passage sections every few miles, and just innumerable logistics and materials.?? No, that would be too hard - why don't you pick another wish?"

The young man was unhappy at the response, but thought for a minute and then said "Okay, I get that.? So how about as an alternate wish, you explain to me how a woman thinks."

The genie kind of winced and then responded "So how many lanes did you want on that bridge?"


Ginny Butterfield
Cranberry Twp, Pa






Cat Doppleganger

 

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Sharing from a Facebook friend:

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Ginny Butterfield
Cranberry Twp, Pa






German Shepherd Shocked by Tiny Kittens occupying dog bed!

 

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German Shepherd Shocked by Tiny Kittens occupying dog bed!







ANd one more!









Ginny Butterfield
Cranberry Twp, Pa






How's About A Cat Tree for Christmas?

 

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Christmas Cat Tree




Ginny Butterfield
Cranberry Twp, Pa






Yuletide owl found roosting in Kentucky family's Christmas tree for days before being found

 

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?Pretty amazing story!? --? Ginny

A Kentucky family? was surprised when they learned that a baby owl had been nesting undetected in their Christmas tree for four days until they discovered it.




?decorated Christmas tree was inside their home for four days before it was discovered to be home to an owl.

Michele White told??that the young owl managed to be undetected in the family's living room Christmas tree for four days by blending in with the tree's branches.

"I have three dogs," White?. "We use this room nonstop: watch TV; the kitchen's right here; no indication."

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White said that the Yuletide owl's home was disturbed when her family went for their yearly hunt for the perfect Christmas tree.

Owl

A Lexington, Kentucky, family recently found an unwanted yuletide guest nestled in its Christmas tree.?(Michele White)

Owl

The baby bird blended in with the branches, going undetected for four days.?(Michele White)

"Every year. Love it," White said. "We pick it out?."

The first person to spot the feathered friend was Bobby Hayes.

Hayes, the owner of Magic Carpet Cleaning, was servicing the home while the family was away when he noticed the branches moving.?

Michael Hayes holding the owl

Michael Hayes was the first person to spot the tiny bird, nestled in the tree's branches.?(Michele White)

A closer examination revealed that??was rustling through the tree.

"It crawled up into the tree further," Hayes said. "It took me several minutes to even find it."

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Hayes managed to grab the owl and sent a picture to White.

"I was shocked. I was so stunned," White said.

Owl in the tree

Four days before the owl was discovered, the White family went to cut down their family's Christmas tree.?(Michele White)

?She said she initially thought Hayes was??with a stuffed animal.

"I thought he’d put a stuffed animal or an ornament in it, so I called him immediately, like, ‘You’re kidding me, right?'" White said.

Hayes told the local news station that he gently removed the owl from its cozy home and found a wooded place to release the baby bird.

"Everybody’s going to be able to have a merry Christmas now," Hayes said.

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Isn't This Just Like a Hound????? South Carolina dog rescued from tight spot — a dryer vent

 

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?

Spike the dog got himself into a predicament by getting stuck in a dryer vent at a South Carolina home, where police and firefighter personnel were called to rescue him.




Spike, an otherwise happy hound?, found himself in a tight spot after the dog became stuck in his owner's dryer vent.

The Sumter Police Department said that Spike was "sniffing out mischief" on Nov. 30, when he got stuck in the dryer vent.

In a Facebook post, the Police Department said that officers first received reports of a stuck pup at 2 p.m. from a woman who was babysitting Spike.

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She said that the nosy hound belonged?.

Spike, the dog

Spike, a dog in South Carolina, is in a predicament after he gets stuck in a dryer vent.?(Sumter Police Department)

Spike, the dog

Sumter firefighters work to rescue Spike from a dryer vent on Nov. 30 in South Carolina.?(Sumter Police Department)

When police and??arrived at the peculiar scene, they found Spike's bashful face sticking out of the home.

Officers said Spike had somehow managed to poke through a dryer vent and ended up with his head outside the house, while the rest of his?.

Spike, the dog

Firefighters work to remove Spike from the dryer vent.?(Sumter Police Department)

Authorities managed to widen the dryer vent opening so that the pooch could be pulled back inside.

The dog owner's grandmother thanked the rescuers for a "job well done" and said that the entire ordeal took a little over an hour?.

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"I am thankful for the time and the care from both police and fire department for rescuing Spike, it took a little over an hour. I'm glad I was home while Kam was at school," Drusilla Harvin, the owner's grandmother, said on Facebook.?

"Job well done."

Spike, the dog

The adventurous hound after he was successfully removed from the dryer vent.?(Sumter Police Department)

Police said that the "happy hound was freed from his unfortunate circumstance" and is doing fine despite?.

Authorities said that he is "probably looking to see what else he can get into for the day."