Toad on the road

This afternoon, we went for a walk at Fairy Vista Trail.  It was sunny and not too cold. Quite a few people were out, including many dogs.  As we were walking, we saw a toad cross the trail very slowly.    Cooper was of course intrigued by it but that's about it.  He didn't even try to grab it. They both stood still long enough for Russell to take a picture.  Another life experience for the Coop! Having said this, when we got home, I Googled "toads and dogs" and found out that toads can be poisonous to dogs, especially in the US. Interesting fact to know.

We had a good week.  Russell and I went back to the gym.  I went to a few spinning classes, including one this morning.  The forecast for this past week was supposed to be rain all week.  It turned out that we did get some rain but also some sun.  Oh, did I forget to mention that we also got snow?  We woke up to snow on Tuesday morning.  It was actually nice while it lasted. So quite a mix of weather but that is to be expected at this time of year.

We bought a pumpkin and Russell will carve it in the next day or so.  We do not know if we will have kids on Halloween night but we will be ready.  Our neighbours down the road will send the kids up to our house if they get some.  If we don't get kids, I guess Russell and I will have to eat the mini chocolate bars that I bought.....maybe just one a day....

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to attend, as a volunteer, a Therapeutic Paws of Canada dog evaluation.  Six dogs were being evaluated as therapy dogs.  As one of the volunteers, I had to play the role of an older person on crutches as well as drop a stainless steel bowl on the floor to gauge the dogs reaction to a sudden loud noise.  There are twelve tests that the dogs must pass in order to be certified.  This was a great experience for me, especially since we want to get Cooper certified next year.  I got to see first hand what we will have to do in order to pass the tests and what we need to work on in order to get there.  Not a whole lot actually.  No doubt that Cooper would make a great therapy dog.

I end this blog by sharing a recipe with you, which I already shared on my Facebook page. It will no doubt boost your immune system.  It is a "52 garlic clove soup".  I made it last Friday and doubled the recipe....so I used 104 garlic cloves.  Yes, I counted them all! It is delicious, not garlicky at all but spicy because of the ginger.  You should give it a try.  On that note, I wish you all a great week and a Happy Halloween.  Cooper's Halloween picture will be in next week's blog.

Cooper investigates his first toad.

26 garlic cloves (unpeeled)
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) organic butter (grass fed)
1/2 teaspoon cayenne powder
1/2 cup fresh ginger
2 1/4 cups sliced onions
1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
26 garlic cloves, peeled
1/2 cup coconut milk
3 1/2 cups organic vegetable broth
4 lemon wedges

Preheat oven to 350F. Place 26 garlic cloves in small glass baking dish. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt and toss to coat. Cover baking dish tightly with foil and bake until garlic is golden brown and tender, about 45 minutes. Cool. Squeeze garlic between fingertips to release cloves. Transfer cloves to small bowl.

Melt butter in heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onions, thyme, ginger and cayenne powder and cook until onions are translucent, about 6 minutes. Add roasted garlic and 26 raw garlic cloves and cook 3 minutes. Add vegetable broth; cover and simmer until garlic is very tender, about 20 minutes. Working in batches, puree soup in blender until smooth. Return soup to saucepan; add coconut milk and bring to simmer. Season with sea salt and pepper for flavour.

Squeeze juice of 1 lemon wedge into each bowl and serve