The Sunday Schnauzer – March 2024 Highlights

On By Widow BadassIn Adventures with dogs, Bowser the Schnauzer, See the Beauty31 Comments

Here are some of the things we saw and did in March.

We were lucky enough to see the local Roosevelt Elk herd, in their usual spot across the creek.

It’s always wonderful to see them resting and grazing, although I respect that the local farmers might not think so. Apparently they do a lot of damage and can be quite the nuisance. However, they are protected so not much can be done.

We also achieved something I have been meaning to do for a very long time: walk to the Haslam Creek suspension bridge! It was a beautiful spring morning and I just didn’t want the walk to end so, after consulting the AllTrails app, we made it all the way to the bridge.

As usual, Bowser roared ahead of me. Then turned back as if to say: Ummm, was I supposed to do this? I was amazed he went on this structure with no hesitation as you can see through it to the creek far below. My dear departed Lucy would never have ventured onto a bridge like this!

The last highlight I want to share with you was a surprise box arriving in the mail, from my youngest sister. Full of lovely treats for me, including many Schnauzer-themed gifts!

A shopping bag! So handy.
A beautiful little charm – hung on my tree per my sister’s great suggestion.

And a pair of the most adorable china mugs!

The front of the cup
The ballie at the back of the cup.

We hope your March was full of lovely experiences and surprises, and that your April is shaping up as well!

Rock on,

The WB

The Sunday Schnauzer – Bowser Turns Two

On By Widow BadassIn Adventures with dogs, Bowser the Schnauzer39 Comments

On April 3rd, the star of ye olde blogge turned 2 years old! That’s right – don’t think for a moment that I don’t know who REALLY is the main attraction at Widow Badass Industries. Ahem.

We (his parents and I) decided to take Bowser to the beach and pick up some food (from POKÉ PAGE2) along the way.

Birthday Boy, patiently waiting in the car while his parents pick up our dinner.

Once we got to the beach (and devoured our meal), it was time for the celebrations to begin. I may or may not have snuck Bowser some salmon, tuna, and tamago from my bowl.

Bowser’s momma lovingly crafted a “birthday cake” for him, out of dog food and decorated with cat kibbles she keeps on hand for a half-feral cat that visits our property. Bowser thinks cat food is da bomb and gobbles it down whenever Rosie leaves some behind in her dish.
It was hoovered up so fast I was lucky to get this one shot in!

Then it was time for the REAL birthday treat:

A special dog cookie from the pet store!
Family portrait.

Don’t worry – we didn’t let Bowser eat the whole cookie at once. He will be enjoying pieces of it over the next number of weeks.

We hope you are taking some time to celebrate the little (and big!) things in your life.

Rock on,

The WB

What’s On Your Plate Blog Challenge – Still Using Stuff from the Garden Edition

On By Widow BadassIn Adventures in Food, Dragonfly Cottage Garden 2023, Gardening, What's On Your Plate36 Comments

Believe it or not I am still eating vegetables I grew last summer, from my little garden. Even as I am planning to start seeds for this year’s eventual harvest, I have a few delicious squash remaining in my unheated entry way. They are waiting their turn to be transformed into something yummy, as in today’s recipe: Curried Lentil Stew with Butternut, Kale and Coconut.

An old cookbook of mine, Cook Up Comfort by WW Healthy Kitchen. I’ve made this recipe so many times I barely need to refer to the book anymore.
Most of the ingredients, assembled. I always substitute baby spinach for the kale because I find kale tough when used in dishes like these. And I didn’t have any vegetable bouillon on hand so I used chicken instead.
Delightfully fragrant stew simmering on the stove top.
Stew plated over rice, with my absolute favourite curry powder (Lalah’s) in the background. If you can find Lalah’s Madras Curry Powder in your area, I urge you to try it.

Although it doesn’t look like much on the plate, the flavour is amazing. The recipe doesn’t refer to it as such but I believe it is a dal-type dish…a delicious Indian lentil “gravy” that is indeed cooked-up comfort.

Please join my co-host Donna and myself as we both explored meatless meals. No surprise for long-term readers of Donna’s blog, but this is the 2nd month in a row for me!

As always we’d love to hear from you and learn what’s on your plate, either in the Comments or using the Link Party link:

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Rock on,

The WB

The Sunday Schnauzer – Cuddles with Daddy

On By Widow BadassIn Adventures with dogs, Bowser the Schnauzer24 Comments

One of my longtime readers, Jean of Misadventures of Widowhood, recently asked if Bowser was a cuddly dog or not. The very next day my daughter sent me this video of Bowser with his daddy, who is at home recuperating from knee surgery.

Bowser – in one of his quieter moments – keeping Daddy company on the couch.

Jean, I hope this answers your question! 🙂

For those of you who might not know Jean through her blog, I can recommend you check her out. Jean writes with wit, humour and heart about her life and adventures in a retirement community. You won’t be disappointed!

Rock on,

The WB

The Sunday Schnauzer – A Rough Dog

On By Widow BadassIn Adventures with dogs, Bowser the Schnauzer38 Comments

I have one of those fancy-schmancy Samsung Frame TVs that displays art work. I love it. Worth every extra so extra penny to me, to be able to display artwork and not have a big black rectangle hanging on my wall. I live in a 5-room, 600 square foot cottage, so every inch of wall space has to pull its weight in the decor arena. Recently, my TV notified me there was new stuff in the Art Store to ponder and potentially select. Here is what I found:

A Rough Dog. George Stubbs, 1790.

Bowser on steroids? A leonine ancestor?

Here is our current-day Rough Dog:

I see a resemblance. Do you?

I think Stubbs’ A Rough Dog will be gracing my TV wall for a long time.

We hope you are having a great – not rough – weekend!

Rock on,

The WB

What’s On Your Plate Blog Challenge – GreetingsNotStale* Edition

On By Widow BadassIn Adventures in Food, What's On Your Plate41 Comments

This month I am trying to recreate a dish I was treated to several months ago, by my co-host Donna’s husband, Richard.

I enjoyed this meal so much and have been thinking about it ever since. I knew I had to try to make it again for myself. I give you HelloFresh’s Black Bean Taquitos, lovingly made by Richard:

Photo by Donna

I had to forage for the ingredients from my own pantry and refrigerator, so here is what I came up with:

I sauteed the chopped veggies (onion, garlic, yellow and red peppers) in a pan with some oil. Then added the drained and rinsed canned black beans. I found a packet of almost expired taco seasoning mix in the cupboard and tossed that in too, along with a can of Rotel brand canned tomatoes and chilis.
Putting the mixture on the tortillas and adding the cheese. I didn’t have Monterey Jack on hand, so made do with extra-sharp cheddar instead.
Ready to go in the oven.
Done! I loved how the shells got crispy at the ends.
A little salsa, a little sour cream, a wedge of lime…ready to dig in!
A delicious, hearty lunch. Definitely not as pretty as Richard’s, but every bit as tasty. Even after noshing on these for most of a week, I’m already planning to make this recipe again. I’m thinking these could also work individually frozen (before OR after going into the oven), and then to finish/reheat in the air fryer.

That’s it for me for this month…Be sure to check out Donna’s post here, and to let us know in the Comments or via the Link Party what’s on your plate! Looking forward to hearing from you.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Rock on,

The WB

* my homemade version of HelloFresh. Get it? 😉

The Sunday Schnauzer – February Walks

On By Widow BadassIn Adventures in Food, What's On Your Plate28 Comments

We had a pretty mild February, here on Vancouver Island.

Here are some of my favourite photos, from last month.

How every walk starts, on our street. The poop bag is never let go of, no matter how pressing any other business is.
It’s hard for me to get front-facing shots of Bowser, because he likes to range ahead. So I snap one whenever I get the opportunity.
I finally got to see the wild elk herd whose tracks I come across almost every day. Here they are – quite a distance away in a farmer’s field – across the creek from where we are on the trail.
An action shot of Bowser, mid-gallop.
Bowser – probably annoyed I called for him, mid-exploration.
A rare “standing still” opportunity for a portrait shot.

We hope you had some amazing February days. Here’s to an equally-amazing March for everyone!

Rock on,

The WB

The Sunday Schnauzer – Rediscovering the Purple Donut

On By Widow BadassIn Adventures with dogs, Bowser the Schnauzer16 Comments

Bowser has a new old favourite toy. I bought it for him last summer and it has languished in the yard over the winter months. I’m surprised he hasn’t destroyed it and that it still squeaks!

Look at what I found, Oma!
I dare you to take it from me. I know you want to.
Puh-lease?!?!?!

Hope you are having a fun weekend and playing with dirty slobbery toys too.

Rock on,

The WB