Swamped with siskins
This week’s weather brought several visitors to the bird feeders. Most noticeable of these included many pine siskins. They dominated the thistle feeder pretty much…
Blogs
Pet of the day 1/16/18
Name: Rose Breed: Labrador Retriever Age: 4 years Gender: Female Size: Large House-trained: Yes She is diabetic and due to her diabetes not being managed…
Baked potato skins and onion kale dip
Start to finish: 4 hours (1 hour active) Servings: 8 to 10 For the dip: 1 cup finely chopped onion 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil…
Upcoming Events for Veterans and Family
The founder of Boots On Ground will be at Titusville VFW Post 5958 at 5:30 p.m. Thursday. The post is located at 206 St. Johns…
Pet of the day 1/15/18
Name: Sebastian Breed: Domestic Shorthair Gender: Male Age: 2-3 years Size: Medium Color: White House-trained: Yes Sebastian is up to date on vaccinations, spayed, and…
Devil’s Food Layer Cake
Yields 1 10-inch cake; 12 to 16 servings Cake layers 13/4 cups all-purpose flour 41/2 tablespoons cornstarch 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda…
Furry friends and raising funds
Precious Paws Animal Rescue in Franklin has scheduled some fundraisers and other animal rescues and shelters have quite a few animals looking for homes. Filling…
Pet of the day 1/12/18
Ceaser is a 5 year old, neutered male who is housebroken and who has lived with adults, children, and other pets. For more information on…
Boeuf Bourguignon
Serves 6 2 pounds beef shoulder, cut into 2-inch pieces (see note) 1 onion, cut into large dice 2 carrots, cut into large dice 2…
Modify grooming and beauty tips for winter
Winter may be a time for cozy sweaters and tall boots, but it also can be a season for static-charged hair and dry skin. Upon…
Pet of the day 1/11/18
Tiki is a BIG, BIG, boy at nearly 20 pounds! He is 12 years old, declawed, neutered, and vaccinated. He was surrendered due to his…
Cheesy pull-apart whole roasted cauliflower
Servings: 8 Start to finish: 30 minutes 1 medium head of cauliflower (about 1 1/2 pounds), trimmed of leaves 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened 2…
Pet of the day 1/10/18
Name: Luna Breed: Pit Bull Terrier & Lab Retriever mix Age: 2 – 3 years Gender: Female Size: Medium House-trained: Yes Vaccinations up to date,…
Dan Dan Noodles
Serves 4 Start to finish: 30 minutes Sauce: 1/4 cup chili garlic paste 1/4 cup vegetable, peanut or canola oil 2 tablespoons Chinkiang or Chinese…
Frost fuss
A search to name the type of frost formation found on the neighbor’s pond only turned up more confusion. It would seem as if everyone…
Pet of the day 1/9/18
Name: Humphrey Breed: Domestic Longhair mix Age: 5 months Gender: Male Size: Small Color: Black Declawed: No House-trained: Yes Adoption Price: $50.00 Humphrey can be…
Spinach and feta burger
Start to finish: 50 minutes (30 hands on) For the sauce: A 6-inch piece of English cucumber (the long, thin kind) Kosher salt 1 cup…
Voice of Democracy and Patriots Pen Awards and Banquet
The VFW 28th District (Crawford, Erie and Mercer Counties) held its VOD (Voice of Democracy) and Patriots Pen Awards and Banquet on Saturday at VFW…
Pet of the day 1/8/18
Jake is a 6/7 month old, male, Bluetick Coonhound mix that was surrendered to the rescue center when he was becoming too big for the…
Ripe banana pancakes
Servings: 18 medium pancakes Start to finish: 25 minutes 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon granulated sugar 1/2 plus 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt…
If you eat your Sauerkraut, Mom will jump in the icy river!
What started as a way for Kay Hannold to coax her boys to eat Sauerkraut on New Year’s Eve has turned into an annual event…
Pet of the day 1/5/18
Violet is a kitten that purrs like a motorboat. She has tested negative for FIV and leukemia and is current on vaccines. She is scheduled…
Escarole and spinach soup
Servings: 8 to 10 Start to finish: 40 minutes 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 cup chopped onion 1 large carrot, peeled and chopped 3 garlic…
Questionable pasts and bright futures
Local animal rescues and shelters have many animals waiting for homes. Two rabies clinics have also been scheduled for this month, along with spay and…
The benefits to joining a local gym
Resolving to get healthy is a worthy goal. A healthy lifestyle that includes a nutritious diet and routine exercise can improve quality of life and…
Pet of the day 1/4/18
Bernie is a male, Husky mix that came to the rescue center as a stray. He appears already neutered, and will be vet checked prior…
Thai chicken coconut curry
Servings: 6 Start to finish: 20 minutes 6 chicken breast cutlets, about 4 ounces each 2 tablespoons red Thai curry paste 1 teaspoon neutral oil…
Pet of the day 1/3/18
Squishy is an adorable male older kitten. He tested negative for leukemia and fiv. He gets along with other cats/kittens. He is neutered. Squishy can…
Cauliflower mashed potatoes
Start to finish: 55 minutes (25 minutes hands-on) Servings: 6 1 small head cauliflower (about 2 1/4 pounds), core removed and cut into 1 1/2-inch…
History and facts of the signing of the Vietnam Peace Award
The Signing of The Vietnam Peace Award was done on January 27th 1973. Here is some history and hard facts. The United States, South Vietnam,…
Pet of the day 1/2/18
Aries is a 3 year old, female, Pit Bull/Lab mix surrendered to the rescue center when her family was losing their home and she had…
Shrimp and pineapple skewers
Servings: 4 Start to finish: 10 minutes 1 pound large cooked shrimp, cleaned, thawed if frozen 1 cup pineapple cubes, about 1/2-inch each, drained and…
The creative cold
Extreme cold weather has gripped the region and will remain for the foreseeable future or at least as long as the extended forecasts hold. The…
Doing a double take
Several area animal rescues have a couple of pairs available for adoption. Meanwhile, a couple of rabies clinics have been scheduled. Precious pair Precious Paws…
Pet of the day 12/29/17
Name: Dolly Breed: Domestic Shorthair Mix Age: 1 year Gender: Female Size: Medium Color: Black/ White Declawed: No House-trained: Yes Adoption Price: $40.00 Dolly can…
Chopped winter salad
Serves 6 Start to finish: 50 minutes 1 pound cubed (3/4-inch) butternut squash Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste 4 tablespoons olive oil,…
How to succeed with your New Year’s resolution
While it’s difficult to gauge just how many people make New Year’s resolutions each year, various factors suggest millions of people resolve to improve their…
Pet of the day 12/28/17
Sammie Mae is a delightful, 18 month old, brindle Boxer mix who recently weaned a large litter of puppies. Still a puppy herself, Sammie Mae…
Korean grain bowl
Servings: 4 Start to finish: 80 minutes (45 active) For the miso sesame sauce: 3 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons rice vinegar 2 tablespoons white…
Pet of the day 12/27/17
Name: Screamer Breed: Domestic Shorthair Mix Age: 5 months Gender: Male Size: Small Color: Orange Declawed: No House-trained: Yes Adoption Price: $50.00 Screamer can be…
Vegetable carpaccio
Servings: 6 Start to finish: 1 hour Berbere Drizzle: 1 tablespoon sesame oil 2 tablespoons safflower oil 1 tablespoon Berbere Spice Blend (recipe follows) Garlic…
Pet of the day 12/26/17
Josie appears to be an adult, female, Pug/Beagle mix that came to the rescue as a stray after being found wandering around the local Walmart…
Lentil soup
Servings: 8 Start to finish: 45 minutes, including cook time 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 large onion, chopped (about 2 cups chopped) 1 stalk celery,…
Winter Wings
As the snow falls and the temperatures cool, more and more winter birds are filtering into the region. Jeffrey Hall, of Franklin, a member of…
Being Santa
“Santa played properly is a beautiful thing!” – Ray Eldridge, the roaming Santa of Meadville, who personified the role for many years from the 1980s…
Still waiting
Area animal rescues highlight their available adoptable animals. Long timers Precious Paws Animal Rescue president Theresa Weldon posted earlier this week on the group’s Facebook…
Pet of the day 12/22/17
Name: Rocky Breed: Domestic Shorthair Mix Age: 1 year Gender: Male Size: Medium Color: White/ Black Declawed: No House-trained: Yes Adoption Price: $40.00 Rocky can…
Ribeye steaks with thyme-garlic butter
Start to finish: 30 minutes Serves 4, generously 2 rib-eye steaks, about 1 1/2 inches thick, and 1 to 1 1/4 pounds each Kosher salt…
Holiday travel tips
Millions of people travel to visit family and friends each holiday season. According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, during the Christmas and New Year’s…
Pet of the day 12/21/17
Biggie is an approximately 7 year old , male, JRT that initially came to the rescue as a stray. He is active and playful and…