Christmas preparations and grooming dogs

I am enjoying my time off this year...more than I did the previous two years. This is because I am not sick this year. I had the flu shot in time, I am not stressed and worn down as I usually am this time of year. Because of this, I can bake and clean and plan for visits with friends and family. With relish!

It's been sort of a neighborhood tradition to bake something tasty for our neighbors in the days prior to Christmas day. I don't know the exact year we started this event, nor do I remember how it began. It might have begun as a cookie swap one year amongst a few neighbors who wanted to participate, but over the years, without any further planning, it has evolved into a giving of baked goods or something pretty for the house. Usually the gifts are packed in bags, baskets, or tins. Sometimes it's something to eat, and sometimes it's something to make the house smell nicer. A special book, a card, a decoration for the tree. Always it is a surprise and a delight to see what my neighbors have made for us. It's been my greatest pleasure, of all the Christmas traditions, both religious and secular, to make gifts for my neighbors and friends as well.

Last year I had to opt out due to a disgusting little virus that took me out for nearly the entire holiday week.

But this year, I am whole and healthy (grateful for that, I am) and my kitchen is jumping with ingredients in bowls, measuring spoons and cups, while Christmas music plays spiritedly in the living room. I am most happy when I can putter in the kitchen undisturbed like this. Husband is at work today... I have the place to myself! 

For my neighborhood gifts, I'm making Mug Ems... tasty little mixes that fill the mug. I assemble the ingredients, pour them into the little bags, decorate the mug, tie on the directions for mixing and baking, and voila! The recipient has to add an egg, or some milk, or some water, or vanilla (depending upon the recipe), then bakes it in the oven proof mug. It's a warm and delicious treat straight out of the oven or microwave.

In this picture I have assembled the mugs and bags... the mugs have to be larger, holding at least 1 1/2 cups. I found the little tie bags at Michaels, but zip lock baggies will do.

 

I do remember mentioning to a few of you through comments in your journals these past two weeks that I was not putting a tree up this year. However, I found a solution to the dilemma... I wanted a tree, but didn't want to put it up or take it down afterward. Too many parts. Too large. Didn't want to buy another one. But I did have this little tree, so I wrapped a candy garland around it and there... As you can see... I have a tree... Enough for you and me!

                                                

The pineapple upside down cake, one of my favorite cakes to bake for special occasions, is for tonight's dessert at my son's and his girlfriend's townhouse. Her parents are in town for a brief visit before Christmas day, and they invited us to come to dinner and spend time with them all. Since husband is working until late today, I will go alone. I like her parents and look forward to seeing them again, talking with them, catching up on the year with them. The cake is my contribution to tonight's meal... as they had told me I didn't have to bring anything. I know, but I like to bring something. I think it's the American way... or the Southern way.

After all the baking, my attention turned to my dogs. Both are begging for a bath and some grooming. You can see the look in his eyes, can't you?

                                                      

Max wants me to comb his matted coat with that blade device on the right, which cuts through most matts quite effectively, then he wants me to trim his claw nails... followed by a bath.

Well (ahem), that wasn't really an accurate description of Max's feelings at the moment. He does not like the grooming, particularly the combing out of matted hair. He doesn't mind the bath as much as the de-matting. 

Dogs with continuously growing hair, like mini-schnauzers, need grooming quite frequently or they will look like sheep or a shaggy dog very quickly.

If this is new to you, don't worry. I'll share some tips with you here in my journal, ideas and tools that worked for us. 

                            

It's not necessary to spend a fortune getting your dog groomed, and you don't have to take it to the groomers to get a decent job done. My husband and I taught ourselves. We were trying to save on the expenses.

First, we looked at the pictures of well groomed schnauzers. We read books about our breed of dog, talked to our vet. Then we bought some good grooming sheers, not the kind you use on people, but industrial quality like pet groomers buy. I talked with one groomer, asked her questions. She didn't mind sharing some of what she knew. I did pay her to trim my dog the first time, and she let me watch.

Generally, I trim them outside on a warmish day. But if I have to do it indoors, like when it's as cold as it has been this week, I just cover my floor with a sheet and get to work.

We learned how to groom them by experience. Since we don't show our dogs, it's not necessary to do a show dog quality hair trim. And because both dogs are allowed to run around outside, we have learned to trim the hair from around their legs and feet. It helps reduce the number of leaves, twigs, and seeds that get carried into our house each time they run out and in again.

A nail trimming tool is useful. Buy some good ones. Go for quality. If you are uncertain about trimming nails, do ask your pet's vet to show you how. It's easier if your dog's nails are white. The quick is easier seen. But our dogs have black toenails, so for us it's a good guess how much to cut off since we last trimmed them. It does take two of us to do the nails: one to hold the unwilling pet, and the other to trim the nails. It goes rather quickly once you get the hang of it.

Scissors to cut the hair away from their eyes and around their noses is a must for dogs with growing hair. I love seeing my puppy's adoring eyes. Finally, one needs a good comb for general combing.  For a pet-owner, these are the basic tools for grooming one's dog (and a brush).

Not pictured are the tweezers for pulling the hair from inside their ears (doesn't hurt if done correctly), and the toothbrush.

Do you groom your dog? If you have a specific implement or tool that helps make the job easier, let me know.

Tags: Christmas gift ideas, grooming mini-schnauzers

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