Suspect # 1: Maddie, aka Hearthside's Madison O'Malley
Suspect is never considered dangerous but she'll eat herself to death if allowed.
Note trusting brown eyes...
Red coat.
Do not let those beguiling eyes fool you!
Suspect #2: "Libby" aka "Hearthside's Lady Liberty"
Libby rarely instigates trouble, but she's proficient at riding shotgun.
Unarmed, undangerous and very friendly.
But she barks loudly when people approach the gates of the stronghold.
Good dog! (then)
They did seem to prefer the light rye to the dark pumpernickel.
I have no idea what that means.
I like both. Breads, that is.
The lovely Christmas platter (Mikasa, not pricey but really sweet, you know, deer in the woods, just lovely to behold) suffered no damage and was literally licked clean so washing it now is really a 50/50 shot around here.
After all, a dog's mouth is supposed to be VERY, VERY clean.
I do not know if this is true, I'm not even sure I like dogs right now, but I do know that I need coffee.
Badly.
And I'm realizing that shutting doors with a firm "click" is in my best interests.
And that they saved me a gazillion carbs and calories.
I'm not telling them that.
The end.
(No, this isn't my picture, but mine was just as pretty... before I erased my camera on Christmas day. Oops. Actually, I liked mine better. It also had the dark rye in the middle, but the surrounding bread was alternating dark and light rye. Quite festive! And my parsley wasn't the size of a tree. I'm calling that OVERKILL.... :)
Rye Dip Recipe:
(there are multiple variations on this recipe, but this is the one we eat voraciously!)
1 1/2 cup sour cream
1 1/2 cup mayonnaise (I use Hellman's)
1 pkg cut or diced into small pieces dried beef
1 1/2 tsp. beau monde (found in spice section, very Southern!)
1 1/2 tsp. dill (also found in spice section or your garden)
2 Tablespoons parsley (I just remembered this, doh!!!)
Mix in bowl. Spoon into hollowed out round rye loaf... serve with additional rye bread. This is a single recipe, we usually double it for a party.
Also, this dip (without the beef) makes a great "spread" for cucumber sandwiches for parties. Slice chilled fresh cucumbers thinly. Cut crust from bread (or use cute cutter thingamajiggie) Spread bread with thin layer of dip...
Add cucumbers.
Cut sandwiches into serving sized pieces, refrigerate (covered) and serve ice cold. Great for showers, church functions, parties, card groups, etc. Very well received up here!
