oh glorious food foraging find...and a little something for those of you who like it dirty

I know I have been a neglectful blogger these last several days. And I apologize.

I have in fact eaten more than one meal and have neglected to take photos or post. Again I apologize.

However, in my defense, I will say that I did intend to post photos and dutifully recount the experience. Unfortunately all the food went mysteriously missing before I could complete my mission.

Ironically, I think I may have put on a few pounds since last I spoke to you. Weird.

I would like to tell you (minus photographic evidence) about the pho I made this weekend. We are lacking pho in these parts and I had a craving. So, totally unwilling to say "no" to my belly I embarked on my first ever adventure in pho.

After some in depth interweb-y research (read: drooling as I sifted through multiple recipes and made a random determination based on gut instinct. No really, I use the stomach growling effects as an effective measure of the impressiveness of a recipe.) I used Jaden from Steamy Kitchen's recipe.

It was well touted as the best home made pho recipe to be found. Seeing as how I haven't tried any other recipes I can't say whether it's the best, but I can say it more than satisfied my craving. It surpassed many a restaurant pho. It was beefy but light and clean. I left in the silky marrow from my soup bones and slurped every last bit of it with mouthfuls of just cooked, thin sliced steak and the typical accoutrements.

I will be making it again very, very soon.

Next time I promise not to gobble before snapping pics.

What does any of this have to do with the title of this post?

Nothing. I just wanted to share. And apologize.

Now on to more post related babbly bits.

Since the snow has melted 'round here I've been on the lookout.

I've been looking for wild leeks.

I was told that the forest near my house was of a magical sort, full of foraging goodness.

I've been searching and searching, with no sign.

I started to think I was crazy, started to think I imagined being told of the magic amongst the trees. Started to think some bastard had lied to me.

And then today. Glorious, wondrous today! There they were suddenly.

Tiny, tightly furled green heads poking up from amongst the heavy layer of discarded leaves that make up the forest floor.

I was overwhelmed by garlicky, oniony goodness just brushing aside the leaves and debris.

And they weren't just in one spot. I was picking them out everywhere.

Isolated patches of them

Larger swathes of them

Yummy, delicious, once a year, limited time offer wild leeks. Just waiting for me to pluck them from their soil beds and give their lives meaning (at least that's how I choose to think of it.)

Can you tell that I'm excited?

Seriously, since the snow has melted I've been out there in that damn forest, poking about, searching in vain for signs of these guys. And I got 'em. Hooray for me!

And now let's talk about what else my daily trips to the forest have gotten me.

This

And this

And still more of this

The dogs have decided that mud puddles are, like, THE best things ever (or at least two of them have. Sugar and I prefer to tiptoe around giant piles of squishy gooeyness. 'Cause we're classy...and lady like.)

They take such joy in it though, it's hard to do anything but smile.

Especially when I can't stop thinking about wild veg....until I get home and it's time to get them clean (which must be done so we can get dirty again tomorrow!)

maxwell silverbrat

As a reminder here is Max in the days after we brought him home at eight weeks old.

Please not the look of innocence in the eyes (also, disregard the pine needles sticking out of his head. I swear we didn't impale him with anything.)

 

The innocence is palpable. He's begging you to believe that he could never take part in any kind of mischief. He wants you to love him, to care for him, to coddle and baby him.

He's sucking you in, that's what he's doing.

He's cute and he damn well knows it people!

Just look at what he's become:

Of course, he may or may not be running for his life from his big sister - but still...crazy!

I have never raised a puppy who chews - no, chews is wrong, he doesn't chew. He EATS so many

things (none of which are his toys. Because why would you chew your own toys when there are human type things to eat?) who takes so much pleasure in disregarding discipline...who eats SO MUCH poop!

 

Yeah, he's a poop eater. I'm trying to figure out the issue but no luck yet.

At least once a day my Dad threatens to evict him.

But he's still so damn cute (when he's not making crazy face that is) and he is getting better. I think. Maybe. Possibly.

Also, when did this happen to his ears?

Will he ever grow into them?

Until I started looking at pics for this post I didn't even realize how insanely large they've gotten!

Large, just like his personality.

Finally,

because keeping this level of cuteness to myself would be just plain selfish.

Also because I fear that Sugar and Dolan will find out that I wrote a post solely about Max.

Aand last but not least because it's moments like this that keep me going through the last (hopefully), dragging days of snowy winter and I hope they will brighten your day,

Please bask in the glow of happy puppies playing in wintry woods

(I managed to capture Sugar on her good side - the one without the bald patch shaved into her to help her punctured neck heal. She wouldn't be pleased if I posted a pic of her injured side!)

(This is a dog who loves this time of the year like no other. She turns every walk into an adventure....also she's already ventured out into the waters of still half frozen Georgian Bay, wading out to the mini icebergs.)