Human Foods Not To Give to Your Dog

Next time your woofer begs for something you're eating, think twice about sharing because your human food might be toxic to them.

I think most everyone knows that Chocolate, medicine, alcohol or marijuana edibles (the latter if legal where you live) are harmful, but there were items in the above video that I was not aware of, such as milk, raw meat & bones so I thought I would share this.

• Chocolate
• Alcohol
• Marijuana
• Avocado
• Onions - cooked or raw
• Milk
• Coffee
• Cheese
• Bacon
• Chewing Gum
• Apples
• Bread Dough
• Eggs
• Raw Meat
• French Fries
• Mushrooms
• Medicines
• Candies
• Bones 
• Spices 
• Peaches
• Ice Cream
• Almonds
• Grapes
• Macadamia Nuts
• Garlic
• Cinnamon
• Nutmeg
• Pennyroyal

If you know of any other food that is harmful to dogs, please feel free to leave it in the comments section.

Free Mini Dolphin Sewing Pattern

Photo:  Choly Knight

While on Facebook there was a suggested ad for a free pattern for the above so I checked it out.

It is on a user-based UK site called Makerist that has videos to learn how to crochet, knit and sew and patterns for sale and also a few free ones, like the above cuties.

The site indicates they are 5 inches long when completed and will fit in your hand.  It indicates the difficulty level is an advanced beginner.

I downloaded the pattern and there are lots of pictures and even suggesting fabrics and what the results will be if you use a stretchy fleece or Minky fabric being more squatty or a fabric with less giving being more elongated.

Link to free pattern on Makerist here

Day Tip - Graduated Compression Socks for Men and Women

I purchased these on Amazon (link at bottom of page) to try as I sometimes my calves and feet swell and had luck with wearing high-end athletic socks, but they usually are expensive, but these were reasonably priced at $7.98-$8.98.

The brand is Day Tip, which I had never heard.  They have graduated compression so they are smallest at the ankle and gradually get bigger, which keeps blood circulating back to the heart and lessens or eliminates the swelling.  The compression per the ad is (15-20mmHg).

They are made of nylon fabric that is "infused: with silver in it that it to fight odor and moisture and keep a consistent temperature.  With the fabric being what it is and being little heavier, it helps keep calve muscles supple to help eliminate fatigue and cramping.

I chose a size L/XL as I wear a size 10/11 shoe and my calves run around 15 inches and I am average height.

The socks fit well in the foot area but were a little long and I had to fold over about a half inch at the top, so if you are on the edge of a different size like I am, you might want to go a size smaller.

The care recommends hand washing in cold water and not to tumble dry.  Pretty much any type of compression stocking seems to wear out faster if you dry them in the dryer so best to air dry,  I washed mine in the washer on delicates setting and cold and air dried and worked out find.

Overall:

-  Provided good support and prevented swelling

-  Prevented aching, heavy feeling in legs that come with swelling and prevented cramping after   

   walking. 

-  They are a sportier alternative to ugly, granny looking standard compression stockings,

Cons:

-  Like any compression sock, is hard to get on,  Have found the best way is taking the socks by the

    sides and roll them down to the ankle, then slip them on over the foot and shimmy them up the

    calf.  If you try to stick your foot in the top and pull up, you are probably never going to get  them 

     on.

-  Hand wash or gentle cycle with cold water - they will need to be babied to stay in shape (but this 

   applies to most compression stockings).

Neutral

-  Silver technology - have heard silver having antibiotic properties and it sounds snazzy, but I am not sure how much it impacts the performance of the stocking.

Below is a picture of the back of the packaging with sizing.  Below that is a picture of the stocks unfolded.   

Milkbone Mini's Flavor Snacks® Biscuits - Review

I purchased these for $2.62 for the big dog, Letti, which my son calls "Baby" and the little dog is  Eddie, a/k/a Rat Dog as even the small size of Milkbones were hard for the little dog to chew, but these turned out to be the perfect size that both dogs can enjoy,

Below is a picture of the treats in comparison a quarter, aren't they cute?  The smell is not bad like some dog treats and not overpowering, but I can't say that the treats smell pleasant to me either.  Their pet dad ate one and said it tasted ok; crunchy and gave his mouth a workout, but not too hard to get through.

Pros that are pointed out on the back of the box:

• Only 5 calories per treat
• Over 200 treats per box.  I keep my box in a plastic bag and the treats have lasted a few months and there still have half a box left.
• The treats have 12 vitamins and minerals

Also, I like them because

• They are an equal treat both the little and the big dog can enjoy.  
• Both dogs love them.  
• With being so small don't worry about over-feeding them, they are just a small treat.
• Seem to stay fresh for a long time if you keep them in sealed container.
• Don't smell bad like some dog treats

Cons:

• Can be hard to find - the only place I have found so far is a Walmart.
• While not smelling too bad, they don't smell great to me, but not bad for dog treats.

I plan on buying another box once this is finished and would recommend trying if you have a dog.

For more information on the product visit Milkbone's website.

Link To Free Downloadable Tie Pattern

Photo:  I Think Sew

If you are fast at sewing you might even be able to whip a tie for Dad for Father's day with a free downloadable tie pattern.  I am putting it on my project list and if I am lucky, might be able to get it done by Christmas.

If you join the site I Think Sew, which sells PDF patterns from sewer's around the world as well collaborations with Quilter's World and Simplicity Patterns, they have a section of Free Patterns for Members.

I learned of this site from a blog I subscribe to, although I don't recall this one as the post recommend the free Matryoshka Doll pattern as a way to use up fabric scraps.   It is another project on my ever growing list.  I just need to set up my space somehow so it is ergonomic for sewing and binge watching shows and movies on Netflix and Hulu.

 Link to page for download here.

Free Wedding Related Printables

Sample of Photo Save The Date to Customize

Weddings can be expensive, but one way you can save money is with some free, downloadable
wedding related printable at The Wedding Chicks that you can customize.

They have Invitations, Monograms, "Will You Be My""Save The Date" and Signs and Labels,

They even have an Art Deco Poster that you can customize to remind guest to share their wedding photos the modern day way, on Instagram.

Sample Art Deco Instagram Share Poster to Customize

I learned of this site through an article on Sapling.

Funfetti Birthday Cake Batter Dip

If you loved licking the beaters after your Mom made a cake as a kid, you will love this dip.  This is an easy 5 ingredient, 5-minute, no-cook dip for animal crackers, Vanilla Wafers or fruit.

This is my version of The Chunky Chef's Funfetti Birthday Cake Batter Dip with the difference being that I added 2/3 a cup of powdered sugar to mine as I wanted a touch of sweetness to it.

Ingredients:

• 1 box of Funfetti Cake Mix'
• 1 8 oz tub of Cool Whip 
• 1 8 oz pkg. of Cream Cheese
• 2/3 cup of Milk
• 2/3 cup Powdered Sugar (not pictured)

Put the cream cheese and Cool Whip in a large bowl.

Use a hand mixer to cream the two ingredients together.


The original recipe advised to hand blend the adding in the cake mix and milk, but I used the mixer in the beginning and slowly add cake mix and powdered sugar a little at a time in different areas in the bowl then added a little of the milk.   When it starts getting too thick to blend, I switched to hand blend with a large spoon.

Noodle and Company - Review

4602 Illinois Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46808

This place is a cafeteria "build your own" style noodle restaurant with a concept of fresh, organic ingredients free of preservatives, artificial colors and sweeteners and ethically sourced.

It was nice that the menu board had pictures and calories, but the pricing we found confusing at first; it would be nice if it were listed along with the calories.

We settled on Spaghetti with Meatballs at $8.75 for a bowl and then we were given a number and they brought it out when completed and our drinks were self-serve at the drink/condiment/silverware bar.  There is no salt or pepper on the tables so you might want to pick up some while you are there.

We received a large bowl that was only half-filled with noodles, 5 meatballs and tomato sauce topped with grated parmesan cheese.  The sauce was bland and could have used garlic and onion and the meatballs tasted like they had been frozen then baked and had a rubbery texture.  I wouldn't mind the smaller portion and the price for healthier ingredients but the taste and flavor need to be there.  I will try a different dish if we go back.

My guest commented that the atmosphere was too much like a school cafeteria and the sound system was horrible - it was loud yet garbled and you couldn't even tell what the song was. If you go and weather permitting, recommend eating outside,   

Poster describing concept

Dining area with ordering area/open kitchen in the back

Spaghetti with Meatballs

Drink/condiment/silverware bar:

Restrooms: