Among other things, I consider myself to be the consummate Picnicking Professional.  As a summertime tradition, picnics rate way up there for me.  Right next to swimming in the lake and rolling on the freshly mown lawn (a hint: the latter has to follow the former in quick succession to get the best adherence possible. Pure delight!)

Even though this summer has been super busy, my people and I made time for the occasional picnic.  Our new market in Seagrove made the whole thing simple and easy because it’s a one-stop shop for all kinds of food just perfect for picnics.  A few of my favorite picnicky things include our pimento cheese & baguette bites, wines chilled to perfection, and some desserts that make it all worth while. And the GoVino wine and champagne cups add a whole new level of chic to the picnic experience!

It’s well-established that I love food, so how cool is it that I have a restaurant AND a market?! I’ll tell you…it’s downright awesome.  Come visit us soon if you haven’t already!

I’m a crabby dog.  Not the I’m-in-a-bad-mood-and-being-grouchy kind of crabby, but the O-M-G-Yum! kind.  Blue crabs are a wonderful seasonal delicacy that I enjoy beyond all others.  I’m not kidding and that’s really saying something, since you all know how deeply I love all things food or food-related in any way.  I admit it freely: I will eat anything and I don’t think that makes me a bad dog.  But it’s the degree to which I enjoy each morsel of that yummy steamed crab that really compels me into Super Crabby Dog territory.  I mean, just look at ‘em!  Don’t you want some right now?

And then there’s the bit of play time before they go into the pot.

I learned the hard way that those little crabs are fast as lightning with their claws…I still have bad dreams about the time a sand crab got hold of my nose when I was a pup just learning the ways of the beach.  Seriously traumatized me.  I was minding my own business (and perhaps gently sniffing and nudging the crab along) when it turned and caught me in its fierce grippers.  It hung on to my nose for a good long while before it let go and side-stepped into a hole.  Apparently, crabs don’t have a very good sense of humor or hospitality, for that matter.  Anyway, back to the yumminess factor…

I have highly recommended to my people that steamed blue crab be added to the Cowgirl Kitchen menu.  Obviously, I have good taste and so do they.  So, look for these yummy crustaceans on the Cowgirl Kitchen Specials Board real soon!

I woke up extra early this morning because today is my birthday!  I’m officially 6 years old.  Wow…the years really fly by, don’t they?

In honor of my birth, I’ve received so many wonderful presents and the day is still young (i.e. GO GET ME SOMETHING)!  So far, I’ve gotten:

• a new bed (that George is not allowed to overtake…mainly because he can’t jump that high)
• lamb chops for dinner last night (yum!)
• gluten-free treat for breakfast

Birthdays are my favorite days!  Who knows what else this day holds for me!

XO, Gracie

Happy Tuesday to you all!  Today is my favorite day of the week!  Tuesdays delight me because anything seems possible on a Tuesday. It’s the most hopeful of days. There’s not the defeat of Monday, the indifference of Wednesday, the anxiety of Thursday, the restlessness of Friday, the mania of Saturday or the melancholy of Sunday. Tuesday is the perfect day.  And don’t forget the popcorn.

Tuesdays are all about popcorn in my house.  My people refer to it as Movie Night, but they are missing the real significance of the ritual. It’s the popcorn that adds zest to this otherwise ordinary day.  Truth be told, I don’t usually watch the movie because I get sleepy once all the popcorn is gone.  But I pretend to watch, and I tilt my head occasional while watching intently.  My people love it when I do that.  More popcorn for me!

My Tuesday popcorn experience goes something like this…

• Wait patiently (no comments from the peanut gallery!) for the day to darken.
• Pace in the kitchen once my people have gotten the popcorn out of the cabinet.
• Study the preparation very closely lest they forget some key ingredient.  I single-handedly saved us during the Almost Butterless Debacle of 2009!  Whew!  Frightens me to think of it!
• Nod my approval at the topping selection.  I’m a purist, so melted butter is the usual go-to, however, parmesan and garlic is a particular favorite, as is the kettle corn variation that is so yummy & sweet.  (On a side note, I’ve heard discussions about Truffle Oil Popcorn at the new Cowgirl Kitchen Market that’s opening soon in Seagrove and I can’t wait to taste test!)
• Take my post next to the sofa for the traditional popcorn toss.  I can snag a superbly puffed kernel of corn tossed from 10 feet away.  My all time record for distance is 13.5 feet.  Underhand throws, overhand throws, too much english.  Doesn’t matter because I can catch ‘em all.

And that is why I love Tuesdays.  What’s your favorite day?  Tell me why.