Gift Ideas: Personalized Mini Photo Album Accessory

Here's a great gift idea.   Ever had pictures that you want to carry with you all the time to show off?  Well, here's an idea aside from the latest technology that can show off your best gazillion photos, why not a mini photo album.  You can use it as a keychain, a bag accessory, a celfone accessory, or anywhere you can attach them to.

It's 1 x 1 1/2 inch in diameter and can hold upto eighteen of your favorite photos. It comes in different colors hot pink, shimmery green, red, black, blue, fuchsia, metallic gold & silver, transparent, etc.


Ain't that grand.  Now, it's more convenient & so cute when showing off some of your most cherished pics.

For orders you can get in touch with me at dlinducil@gmail.com or drop your comments here.


Just email me 18 photos (jpeg files pls.)
and this can be done within a day. (For hard to reach places, we can get a courier service for delivery upon your request)

Dogs: Pug

If you watched the movie "Men In Black", you've already seen this kind of dog.  The Pug.

Here's some information about the Pug breed.

The pug is a "toy" (very small) breed of dog with a wrinkly, short-muzzled face, and curled tail. Pug puppies are often called puglets. The breed has a fine, glossy coat that comes in a variety of colors, and a compact square body with well-developed muscle. They have been described as multum in parvo ("much in little"), referring to the pug's personality and small size. They have Chinese origins, but were popularised in Western Europe by the House of Orange of the Netherlands and the House of Stuart of England, Ireland and Scotland.

Appearance

The Pug is a small, stocky, square, thickset dog. The round head is massive with a short, blunt, square shaped muzzle. Moles on the cheeks are considered beauty spots. The teeth meet in a slight undershot bite. The very large, prominent eyes are dark. The small, thin ears are either rose or button shaped. The face has large, deep wrinkles. The high set tail is curled over the back and a double curl is preferred in the show ring. Dewclaws are usually removed. The short coat is soft, fine and smooth. Coat colors come in apricot, fawn, black and silver.

CHARACTERISTICS & TEMPERAMENT

The Pug is keen, with a happy-go-lucky attitude. Animated, peppy and spirited, they are loyal, loving and affectionate with their families. Playful, lively and rambunctious, they are sure to keep you laughing. Highly intelligent, it bores easily without variety in their training. Pugs are sensitive to the tone of your voice, so harsh punishment is unnecessary. The dog is neither excitable nor dull. They are good watchdogs, very devoted and are not yappers. Pugs get along well with other dogs and pets, and they behave impeccably with both children and visitors.

Lifespan:  About 12 to 15 years.

Litter size: 2 – 6 pups

GROOMING:

The smooth, short-haired coat is easy to groom. Brush and comb with a firm bristle brush and shampoo only when necessary. Dry thoroughly after a bath so the dog does not get chilled. The creases on the face must be cleaned regularly. This breed is a seasonally heavy shedder.

Disclaimer:  Photo & data lifted from Google & Yahoo

Recipe: Chocolate Crinkles

I have been a chocolate crinkles fan for the longest time. Before, it was only me, now that i have a son (who is already 9 yrs. old by the way), the two of us love it.


The Chocolate Crinkles at a local baker near my old university,  "Becky's" and they make, my favorite chocolate crinkles.  Moist, chewy.... to die for! I soooooo love it!  I love their cakes too.
And then there is another local baker at a sidestreet bakery where my mom buys crinkles for my son, they also make it good, a close second to "Becky's", so my kid loves it too.


Today I'll feature a crinkles recipe I found on my friends fb page.  I don't know if it'll equal what my favorite bakers make but for those of you who are looking for a recipe, here's something to get you started.

                                      CHOCOLATE CRINKLES

INGREDIENTS:

3/4 cup all purpose flour, sifted
3/4 cup powdered sugar, sifted
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup baking powder, sifted
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/3 cup chocolate chips, semi-sweet
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp salt
1 fresh egg, unrefrigerated

PROCEDURE:

Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt in a mixing bowl. 
Stir and mix all ingredients well. 
In a saucepan, melt butter over low heat without burning butter.
Then add cocoa powder gradually as you whisk then add the egg.
Add vanilla extract.
Add the flour mix into cocoa mix and combine well all the ingredients.
Fold in the choco chips into the mixture.
Roll dough and shape into semi-flat cookies.
Roll in powdered sugar.
Oil baking sheets and line with parchment paper.
Arrange crinkles on top of the baking sheets.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Bake for 10 to 15 minutes.
Allow to cool before serving.

Acknowledgment:  Taken from my friend Chelo Galangs' FB page.  Thanks!

Dogs: Siberian Husky

If you watched the movies "Eight Below" and "Snow Dogs and liked them, i'm sure you'll like this feature too.
For my dog series, it's the turn of the Siberian Husky..  There was one more movie,  but i don't remember the title which featured this breed.  Hmmm, what was that movie, anyways, i loved it.

In snow countries, i think they serve as working dogs.  I don't know if we have that breed here in the Philippines.  They are so cute!

SIBERIAN HUSKY

The Siberian Husky (Russian: Sibirskiy haski, "Siberian husky") is a medium-size, wolf-like, dense-coat working dog breed that originated in eastern Siberia. The breed belongs to the Spitz genetic family. It is recognisable by its thickly furred double coat, sickle tail, erect triangular ears, and distinctive markings.

Huskies are an active, energetic, and resilient breed whose ancestors came from the extremely cold and harsh environment of the Siberian Arctic. Siberian Huskies were bred by the Chukchi of Northeastern Asia to pull heavy loads long distances through difficult conditions. The dogs were imported into Alaska during the Nome Gold Rush and later spread into the United States and Canada. They were initially sent to Alaska and Canada as sled dogs but rapidly acquired the status of family pets and show dogs.

APPEARANCE

Siberian Huskies are strong, compact, working sled dogs. The medium sized head is in proportion to the body, with a muzzle that is equal in length to the skull, with a well defined stop. The color of the nose depends upon the color of the dog's coat. It is black in gray, tan or black dogs, liver in copper dogs and flesh-colored in pure white dogs. The medium sized, oval shaped eyes are moderately spaced and come in blue, brown, amber, or any combination thereof. Eyes can be half blue and half brown, (parti-eyed) or can have one blue eye and one brown eye (bi-eyed). The erect ears are triangular in shape, set high up on the head. The teeth meet in a scissors bite. The tail is carried over the back in a sickle curve, not curved to either side when the dog is excited. The large "snow shoe" feet have hair between the toes to help keep them warm and for gripping on ice. Dewclaws are sometimes removed. The medium length, double coat is thick and can withstand temperatures as low as -58 degrees to -76 degrees F ( -50 degrees to -60 degrees C). Coat colors include all from black to pure white, with or without markings on the head. The face mask and underbody are usually white, and the remaining coat any color. Examples of common colors are black and white, red and white, brown, gray and white, silver, wolf -gray, sable and white, red-orange with black tips, dark gray and white. Pie-bald is a very common coat pattern.

CHARACTERISTICS & TEMPERAMENT

Siberian Huskies are loving, gentle, playful, happy-go-lucky dogs who are fond of their families. Keen, docile, social, relaxed and rather casual. This is a high energy dog, especially when young. Good with children and friendly with strangers, they are not watchdogs, for they bark little and love everyone.  Huskies are very intelligent and trainable, but they will only obey a command if they see the human is stronger minded than themselves. This breed likes to howl and gets bored easily. Remember that the Husky is a  sled dog in heart and soul. They are good with other pets if they are raised with them from puppyhood. Huskies are thrifty eaters and need less food than you might expect. This breed likes to roam. Siberian Huskies can make wonderful companions for people who are aware of what to expect from these beautiful and intelligent animals and are willing to put the time and energy into them.

Lifespan :  About 12-15 years.

Litter:  5 – 7 puppies


Disclaimer:  Photos & information lifted from google

Dessert: Peppermint Brownies

Hi! here's a perfect dessert for Christmas!  You can also give them out as gifts to your friends.

CHRISTMAS PEPPERMINT BROWNIES

INGREDIENTS:

For the base:

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (16-ounce) can chocolate-flavored syrup
1 cup granulated sugar

For the filling:

2 cups confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 tablespoon water
1/2 teaspoon mint extract
3 drops green food coloring

For the topping:

1 (10-ounce) package mint chocolate chips
9 tablespoons butter

To make the base:

Pre-heat oven to 350 F. 
Combine the ingredients for the base in a large mixing bowl; beat at medium speed for 3 minutes. 
Pour batter into a greased 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking pan. 
Bake for 30 minutes (top of brownies will still appear wet). 
Cool completely.

To make the filling:

Combine filling ingredients in a medium mixing bowl; beat until creamy. 
Spread over cooled brownies. 
Refrigerate until set.

To make the topping:

Melt chocolate chips and butter over low heat in a small saucepan, then add mint extract. 
Let cool for 30 minutes or until lukewarm, stirring occasionally. 
Spread over filling. 
Chill before cutting. Store in the refrigerator.

Acknowledgment:  Thanks to my friend Chelo for the recipe.

About K-9 or the Working Dogs: Friend or Foe?

Two days ago, it was reported in the news that a woman was attacked by a K-9 dog at a local supermarket.  I hope this doesn't scare most people out there.  Yes, like people, dogs have different moods or temperament. Who doesn't?... I guess if you are a dog lover you should know when it is ok or when it is not ok for you to touch an unknown dog.  Remember, K-9 dogs are working dogs. They are well trained and attack only upon instruction from their handler. Unless otherwise provoked, they will not mind you at all.  But then again, let it be known that they are there to do a job, to protect us, they are trained to sniff bombs right? so why distract them at all.  And as a rule, whenever you are intending to touch a dog, may it be your own pet or a dog you see at the mall,  always be on your guard. Be sure to ask the owner or the handler first if it is ok to touch them or not. Never touch them in a provoking manner or else they will attack.  And like people dogs have faces too.  Be wary of dogs looks.  There are those that are people lovers and there are those that are not very fond of being touched.  Know the breeds.  Better yet, if you are unsure, ask or don't touch them at all.
I've been a dog lover since I was a kid, temperament or no temperament, trained or not, the dog has instincts too and they feel when they are threatened or provoked.  So be careful of your stance, your behavior when touching them.  I don't know if most of you will agree but dogs look at you in the eye and they sense your purpose.  They even understand what you tell them even if they can't speak.
Dogs are intelligent creatures.   With the right attitude, they are unlikely to attack you without reason.  

Don't be afraid of them. They can help protect us, there are those who provide healing (healing dogs), they help the blind (seeing-eye dogs), there are those who are great companions even to kids.

 Like the saying goes, a dog is man's best friend.

Common Breeds of Dogs working as K-9:
1.  German Shepherd
2.  Labrador
3.  Golden Retriever
4.  Belgian Malinois
5.  Rottweiler
6.  Doberman Pinscher
7.  Beagle
8.  Boxer

Acknowledgment:  Photos lifted from Google

The Dog Series: Part II - Labrador Retriever

This is the second part of my feature about dogs.  My tribute to my favorite animal of all.  Man's best friend - dogs.

My most favorite dog, another one that I can't afford to buy... the Labrador.  I hope this information will be of use to you dog lovers out there!
                

LABRADOR RETRIEVER

Life Expectancy:  About 10 - 12 years

Litter Size:  Average 7 pups

Black Lab, Yellow Lab, Choco Lab

The Labrador Retriever (also Labrador, or Lab for short) is one of several kinds of retriever, a type of gun dog. There are two types of Labradors, the English Labrador and the American Labrador. The English bred lab comes from English bred stock. Their general appearance is different. The English bred labs are heavier, thicker and blockier. The American bred Lab comes from American bred stock and is tall and lanky. Coat colors come in solid black, yellow, or chocolate. The double coat is smooth and does not have any waves.

Appearance:

Coat colors come in solid black, yellow, or chocolate. There is also said to be a rare silver or gray color that is referred to as a shade of chocolate. The head of the labrador is broad with a moderate stop. The nose is thick, black on black and yellow dogs and brown on chocolate dogs. The nose color often fades and is not considered a fault in the show ring. The teeth should meet in a scissors or level bite. The muzzle is fairly wide. The neck is proportionately wide and powerful. The body is slightly longer than tall. The short, hard coat is easy to care for and water-resistant. The medium sized eyes are set well apart. Eye color should be brown in yellow and black dogs and hazel or brown in chocolate dogs. Some labs can also have green or greenish yellow eyes. In silver dogs the eye color is usually gray. The eye rims are black in yellow and black dogs and brown in chocolate dogs. The ears are medium in size, hanging down and pendant in shape. The otter tail is thick at the base, gradually tapering towards the tip. It is completely covered with short hair, with no feathering. The feet are strong and compact with webbed paws which aid the dog in swimming, useful for the breed's original purpose of retrieving fishing nets. This and their subsequent use as hunting companions, gave them the name retriever.

Characteristics & Temperament:

The dogs of this breed are very loving, kind and compassionate to their master. The Labrador is the most popular breed of dog (by registered ownership) in the world. It is also the most popular breed of assistance dog in Canada, the United States, Australia, United Kingdom and many other countries as well as being widely used by police and other official bodies for their detection and working abilities. Typically, Labradors are athletic, and love to swim, play catch and retrieve games, and are good with young children.

Grooming:

The smooth, short-haired, double coat is easy to groom. Comb and brush regularly with a firm, bristle brush, paying attention to the undercoat. Bathe or dry shampoo only when necessary. These dogs are average shedders.

Photo & information lifted from:  Google, Yahoo