Life's a Beach Party...

...especially when you're free from life on a chain!

http://www.fencesforfido.org/

Meet Bubba..

 Meet Diamond...

These two pups were the reason that a small group of us traveled 

to Long Beach, Washington on August 24th.

 As much as we love to un-chain fidos, we also just love to spend time together.

We talk, laugh, enjoying the day, and all the while working to build a fence.

Eventually, a fence is built and goofiness ensues.

 

Dog houses are built and dogs are shown how cozy they are...

...generally with a little encouragement.

And most importantly, our fidos are drenched in LOVE.  

I'm pretty sure that we received as much love as we gave.

 

We take building fences very seriously. 

But before we all headed back to the city and 

all of the things waiting for us in the real world, 

we took a little time to play on the beach.

...with Lillian.

I love these people!  

Fences for Fido is not just a non-profit building fences, 

it's a family of dog fanatics who love to free fidos and spend time together.

Maybe you should join us in the fun and volunteer?

Come on! You know that you'd have fun!

We'd love to have you giggle and laugh with us too.

Oh Starbucks...what have you done?

I don't get it.
Why change a good thing?
So, I understand change if it makes something better,
but this is definitely not better.
Nothing is better without a pumpkin scone or pumpkin bread.
I judge the beginning of fall by the amount of
pumpkin items I can find, and consume.
But when I arrived at Starbucks for my first dose of pumpkin overload,
I was extremely disappointed.
Yes, they had my beloved Pumpkin Spice Latte.
But a pumpkin scone? No.
Pumpkin bread?
No, not a crumb.
So what is a girl to do?!
Well, after the tears dried,
I stepped into my kitchen and worked out my feelings by baking.
I think the bread that came out of the oven was as close to perfection as possible.
But I guess you'll have to make it and try it yourself.

Vegan Pumpkin Bread

This bread is just like Starbucks used to make it, 

but actually it's way better than that. 

It's perfectly vegan too!

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• Egg replacer for 2 eggs (I use Bob's Red Mill Egg Replacer)
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil 
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 cup pecans, chopped
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• water to mix sugar into a glaze

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 
2. Prepare a 9 x 5 x 3 inch loaf pan by spraying with non-stick spray and lined with parchment paper.
3. In a large bowl add all of the dry ingredients; flour, sugar, salt, baking soda, salt, and spices. Sift the dry ingredients together. 
4. In your stand mixer, blend together the egg replacer, the oil, and the vanilla. 
5. Once the liquid ingredients are mixed well, begin to add the flour mixture in.  Make sure that you mix in gradually.  Stir until the lumps are out. 
6. Pour mixture into the prepared loaf pan. 
7. Sprinkle chopped pecans on top of bread. 
8. Bake for 50 - 60 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean when poked in the center of the loaf. 
9. Cool for approximately 5 minutes in the pan, and then turn the pumpkin bread onto a cooling rack. Allow bread to completely cool before you glaze and slice.

**Bob's Red Mill Egg Replacer is a great substitute for vegans and vegetarians, but be aware that it does contain gluten so it's not good for all substitutions.

Reunited and it feels so good

Two dogs, on opposite sides of the yard.

Friends who could see each other, but couldn't be close because their chains would get tangled.

So people gathered to change their future and watch them romp and play in their new fenced yard.

Callie and Pistol will be running and playing very soon.

New volunteers were shown how to pound t-posts...

Treats were made...

...and some of us even dressed up for the occasion.

Sherri, Erin, and me as Build Pixies. 

We act silly to bring a little extra joy at builds 

and brings goodies to say "Thank you" to all involved.

 Ground wire is so important, that everyone helps out...even crew leaders!

When I arrived that day, I was thrilled to see two of the dog houses 

that my students had painted during the summer program.  

Northwest Family Services provide snacks and meals for kids, 

not just during school, but also over the summer.

How cute are these houses?! 

Cute and a warm place for our fidos throughout the year.

 The best part of every build is watching the dogs run free in their new yard for the first time.

 No animal is left without a little extra love from the volunteers.  

Jerry isn't just a dog whisperer, but is also a cat whisperer.

Another perfect ending to a perfect day.