Along Came Daisy

 Life changes quickly some times.

When a Chambers' makes a decision, 

we run with it.

 Life changed drastically for two individuals last weekend...

one has two legs, and the other has four.

Yes, there are more impacted,

but for these two...

their lives will never be the same.

And that is a really good thing. :)

Sunday, May 25th...lazy day.

Me, looking around Facebook with no plans in sight.

Then I saw this...

And I read this...

Herd U Needed A Home
"Pick a Daisy!!!!!!!
What an absolute doll this girl is! Bob flew in Daisy yesterday from a California shelter yester. She was surrendered due to their son developing allergies. I am in love with this dog! Really I do not think we have had a sweeter female in our rescue! Chipped, spayed, utd on all vaccines. Crate trained, wags tail constantly, really quiet. Daisy gets a long with all dogs, cats and LOVES, LOVES little kids! She does not jump on anyone, but will politely lean into you for a snuggling pet. Excellent on the leash, riding in the car and VERY mellow! Approximately 50 lbs. 3 yrs old. Long hair. Half bc/half lab."

My heart tugged and I knew.
You see,
I get feelings about dogs...
I know when they are meant to be
a part of my family.
I don't know how or why,
but I just know.
And my heart tugs for animals have never been wrong.

So....I knew exactly what I needed to do.
Click, click, click.
Text sent to my mom.

She had been talking about getting a dog.
This was a HUGE step for her,
because when your heart loves a dog, 
it's not easy to let your heart love another.
But we're meant to do just that...love,
and loving animals is what we do really well.

My mom felt the same tug...daisy needed to be with our family.
Applications were filled out, and plans were made.
What was meant to be a lazy Memorial Day, 
turned into a trek to Bend, Oregon and back.
8 hours in a car, to meet her and see if she was a match.
It was a long day, 
but worth every minute.

She was one of us now.

It took a little adjusting...
good things always do.
But Daisy has settled in nicely.
Murphy and her play like they've known each other all their lives...

and my heart is happy.

I'm happy that my mom has a Daisy shadow.
I'm happy that Daisy has a home 
and will never have to wonder where that home is.
Once you are a part of us,
you are with us forever.
That's just how we like it.

So get comfy Daisy...

your adventure is just beginning

and it's going to be a fun one!

If you're looking for a new family member, 

please check out the shelter that brought Daisy into our view.

Herd U Needed A Home

Border Collie and Mixed Canine Rescue

Honor and Sacrifice

Honor:
-high respect; esteem,
-fulfill (an obligation) or keep (an agreement),
-regard with great respect.

Sacrifice:

-the thing so surrendered or devoted,

-a loss incurred in selling something below its value.

On Memorial Day, I know that my students are just looking forward to a 3-day weekend.  Some travel, some go camping, but few actually celebrate what the real meaning of this day is about.  I don't blame them...I'm confident that I felt the same at their age.  But today, it feels differently.

Life and experience teach you to appreciate those who honor our nation enough to sacrifice the most precious thing that they can, to protect us...themselves. My heart clenches as I type that.  To me, sacrifice is never written lightly.  Life has taught me that as well.  When I picture military personal, I don't picture nameless faces.  No, they are not nameless to me.  The faces look back at me as my grandpas, great uncles, uncles, friends, and former students.  Their faces in military uniforms coming home or leaving on a mission make my heart clench.  Sacrifice.  Most would choose not to sacrifice anything. But the men, women, and service animals that we honor on Memorial Day gave the ultimate sacrifice, their life.

So as you spend time with family and friends, please remember the reason that we have the day off.  Take a moment to honor and thank them for all that they have given.   

We can not help those who have died for us, but we can help those that continue to serve us and our country.To honor them, in my own way, here are a few of my favorite organizations and videos honoring Veterans.  Please consider making a donation or writing a letter to a soldier serving our country.

War Dogs Making it Home

"War Dogs helps veterans better manage the invisible and lifelong challenges of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and brain injury (PTSD/TBI) by pairing them with dogs they help rescue and train to be their service dogs. The vets are saving the dogs lives. The dogs are saving theirs, creating a better life for both."

Post-Tramatic Stress Disorder is nothing to ignore.  Dogs are essential in helping humans cope and recover...this I know all too way.  Murphy wasn't trained professionally, but he was definitely trained by heart to help me. 

Support Military Working Dogs
Their Mission: "To provide cooling vests, and other protective gear such as Doggles, MuttLuks, and any other necessary to help the Military Working Dogs in active war zones and extreme conditions, who in turn protect and serve our Soldiers."

 Military dog saves her entire team

 

Dog Greets Human Mom

And because no post would be complete without shedding a few hundred happy tears.  So here is one of my favorite compilations to cry through.

Military Soldiers Coming Home 

Super Murph

It's a bird...
no, that was just the wind.
It's a plane!
Nope, that was just a black plastic bag.  (Stupid litterers!)
But, wait!
What is that?!
Why...it's SUPER MURPH!

And his little best friend...

the adorable, perpetually happy, Miss IO.

 Every year we meet up at the Doggie Dash to benefit The Oregon Humane Society,
and have the best time.
When Murphy and IO are together,
nothing bad can happen to them or any one around them.
They fight crime...
ok...maybe not crime,
but they fight frowns with cuteness and big smiles.
And it is difficult to not smile on a day celebrating our furry best friends
as well as helping raise money for OHS.

We hadn't planned to participate in the Frisbee Contest,
but once Murphy saw the Frisbee,
he was ON!
And ready to FLY!!

Hehe...
We didn't win...
That wasn't the plan.
Our plan is ALWAYS to have fun, smile, and laugh.
We definitely did that,
and we beat our personal best record for our score!
Murphy had little turbo jets on his paws.
I know that I'm bias,
but man, I just love this goofy guy.
He is the best sidekick a girl could ask for in the world.

Come to think of it...

Maybe you should find your own sidekick,

and The Oregon Humane Society would be a perfect place to look.

With a best friend like Murphy or Miss IO,

you will always have a playmate, 

and it would be the BEST decision you will ever make.

That is a guarantee.

I know that to view this next video you'll need 

to either crank your head to the side or flip your screen,

but Murphy is such a speedy Frisbee catcher that I wanted to included it.

My dear mom, (Love you Mom) is working on her video skills. ;)

Animals are the Best Medicine

A couple weeks ago, I had two puppies in my arms. 
TWO!
Picture this...me, a puppy in each arm,
snuggled around my neck. 
Pure bliss.



Now I'm a pretty giving person,
but when it comes to puppies,
I'm really selfish. 
REALLY SELFISH!
Nothing comes between me and a puppy...
No, really.
Don't try it!
Really.
You might lose an arm.

I need all the help that I can get to make it through the end of the school year. 
Things get a little crazy in a middle school in the Spring. 
Okay, things aren't just a "little" crazy...it can be a zoo at times.  A crazy zoo! 
Think, apes in a cages...hormonal apes! 
Now, if that image doesn't scare you, well, you're much stronger than I am.
But there are always some things that are consistent, even during insane moments.
Middle Schoolers moods can change in an instant, but silly animals can make even the surliest teenager smile.

Since we can't have puppies at work, (darn it!)
I need to find other ways to lift my spirits and lower the coo-coo levels.
Giggling through a cute video with an animal,
even if it's animated,
works every time.

Simon's Cat-
On Fridays, during the last five minutes of the day we watch a video or two...
Here are a couple favorites.

 Double Trouble...I love the kitten!

Cat Man Do- Don't mess with a hungry kitty.

See?!
Now don't you feel better?
Giggling helps the spirits, and doesn't your blood pressure feel lower?
Though videos are fine, I still think that we need a puppy room...or at least a dog in the school! 
Hmmmm...there has to be a grant out there somewhere for therapy dogs in school...
Do you know of one?
No...seriously...
Do you?
I really want one.
And what teenager doesn't need a pup to help them feel better?
I actually think that it would be a service to the entire community.
Happier and healthier teens...
The bonus would be a happy, less stressed out English teacher too.

Important Guide for Kids and Dogs

A Handy Guide by Dr. Sophia Yin
I love these guides!
There are so many times as a kid
that I could have benefited from knowing a few of the things to avoid.
Thankfully, dogs could sense that I didn't mean them any harm,
so I don't have scary memories of dogs.
But I'm sure that my parents said a little prayer for me
everyday to keep me safe,
because I was ALWAYS a magnetically attracted to all animals around me.
Since not all kids are as connected to animals as I am,
here is a VERY handy guide to help your kids understand dog body language.

Dreamsicle Cupcakes- Vegan

I'm living in a test kitchen.
 It's a difficult job, but someone has to do it.

I don't really HAVE to...but I really like trying out new recipes.
At least this time I have a reason to test things out.  This weekend is the Annual Fences for Fido Gala, and yours truly will be donating cupcakes and cakes to be auctioned off to raise money for unchaining dogs.  If that's not a good reason to test recipes, than I really, really don't know what is!

Cupcakes

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 ½ tsp. baking soda
• ½ tsp. salt
• ½ tsp. baking powder
• 1 cup orange juice
• ½ cup canola oil
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 tsp. orange extract
• 2 Tbs. apple cider vinegar
• 2 Tbs. grated orange zest

Filling 
Filling recipe from Vegan with a Vengeance by Isa Chandra Moskowitz

• 1/4 cup margarine
• 1/4 cup shortening
• 3/4 cup superfine sugar
• 1/4 cup soy milk powder
• 2 tsp vanilla 

 -For filling, mix well for at least ten minutes...you want this very light and fluffy.  Also, make it right before you fill the cakes.

Icing

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 3 Tbs. soy milk
• 1 tsp orange extract
• 1 Tbs. orange zest
• Orange food coloring (Mix red and yellow)

Directions

1. To make Cupcakes: Preheat oven to 350˚F.
2. Line 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners and lightly spray the liners with oil spray.
3. Whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt in bowl.
4. Stir in juice, oil, vinegar, orange extract, and orange zest.
5. Mix well.
6. Fill liners 2/3 full and bake 30 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
7. Cool completely.
8. Make the filling according to the directions above.
9. Cut the centers out of the cupcakes and add the filling.

10. To make Icing: Beat all ingredients with electric mixer until smooth. Spread on cupcakes.

Let the cupcake icing set up and decorate any way you'd like.
Enjoy!

 

Murphy agrees that these cupcakes are fabulous and that you must try them!

happy girl baking: Happy Girl Baking

happy girl baking: Happy Girl Baking: That's ME! Baking makes me happy,  many of you already know that! It is one of my favorite ways to wind down in the evening, spe...

Mother's Day Treats

What should you get Mom? A treat of course!

I have been asked to make a few special treats for moms around Portland,

so I thought that I would extend the offer to you as well.    

Please let me know if you would like to order something as soon as possible.

I will have treats ready on Saturday, May 10th.

Pick-up will be after the Oregon Humane Society Doggie Dash.

9” PIES:        $15.00 each

Apple----Dutch Apple ----Pecan ----Chocolate Cream

Layered Cakes- Something new and delicious 

6” 2 Layer Cakes $15.00

9” 2 Layer Cakes $20.00

Oreo Crumble Cake	Every dessert should be a party and this cake is a big celebration wrapped in Oreos and love. This Oreo Vanilla Butter Cake is packed with crushed Oreos, with a thick layer of chocolate buttercream frosting and topped with Oreo crumble buttercream frosting.
Almond Poppyseed with Fresh Strawberries	Almond Poppyseed Cake layered between strawberry buttercream, and topped with fresh strawberries.
German Chocolate Cake	If a classic is what you’re looking for, then look no further.  This is the cake for you!  Two moist layers of chocolate cake, and a sweet and gooey caramel frosting laced with coconut and pecans, in between. Simply delicious!
Dreamsicle Cake	A delicate, moist orange flavored cake layered with vanilla buttercream, and topped with orange ganache.
Vanilla Butter Cake	If you enjoy making a cake your own, then this is a good choice.  You can layer this dreamy cake with your choice of vanilla, chocolate, coconut, or berry buttercream.  Any way you choose, it’s delicious!

Breads:   $10.00 per loaf

Orange-Cranberry

Lemon- Blueberry

Apple Pie

Cinnamon Chip Swirl Bread