Hi, friends! What happened Wednesday? Let me tell you!
Quinn woke up on the wrong side of the bed, so we took a walk around the block and tried to get our day started on the right foot. Truthfully, we never really got there, but I have a feeling he’s going through a growth spurt or some sort of developmental milestone. He napped a lot yesterday and when he was a wake, he was either chowing down or Crankypants McGee.
When Quinn went down for his morning nap, I stumbled upon some reading materials that he left in the bathroom. Colors? Haha!
During naptime, I made another batch of No-Bake Mini Vanilla Almond Coconut Bars because they are the tastiest thing ever. I seriously can’t get enough of them, and they go so well with iced coffee!
Mid-morning, I received a call from a study coordinator at Brigham and Women’s Hospital about my candidacy for an upcoming study about how diet affects ulcerative colitis. (If you want more details, just drop me an email. I’m more than happy to pass along her contact info.) After some initial testing, the study coordinator informed me that I didn’t quality because I’m too healthy on the UC front. My inflammation markers were 38 when they needed to be over 350 to qualify for the study. Bad and GOOD news, right?!
Yesterday’s lunch was a big salad with Trader Joe’s Light Champagne Vinaigrette, which is excellent, especially if you’re not a big salad dressing person like I am. I like just a subtle flavor from dressing, so this one was perfect.
Quinn and I went to My Gym again yesterday. It was a spur-of-the-moment decisionāāit was raining, he just finished eating lunch, and we really didn’t have plans for the rest of the dayāāso we hopped in the car and went. My Gym teaches the same class all week long, so we did many of the same things we did on Tuesday, but there were new kids and toys for him to play with so he enjoyed himself quite a lot. Both times he watched the dog puppet show, he cracked up with a big, boisterous laugh. Too cute!
Our afternoon play session continued at home with Dad and Murphy.
Speaking of Murphy, he seems to be doing better. I mean, we didn’t end up at the vet yesterday, so I’d say it was a win! (He’s actually pretty content in the photo below. The vet recommended hot compresses to help with the abscess drainage, and Murphy doesn’t seem to mind it. It must feel good because he just sits there while I do it.)
Right now, Murphy is banished to the kitchen until his stint comes out. We’d rather not have pus/blood/goop all over our house, so his new home is the kitchen until he’s better. We have an appointment later today, so, hopefully, it’s all good news. Poor pug.
I made a bomb match of guacamole (avocado + lime juice + garlic powder + sea salt).
And Quinn LOVED it. By the end, it looked like he had a guacamole face mask on. Haha! He’s typically not a fan of avocado, but, apparently, guacamole is a different story!
Questions of the Day
What’s your favorite kind of salad dressing?
Would you rather: Avocado or guacamole?
60 Comments
Poor Murph. Wishing him a speedy and full recovery!
nice bloggggg.. i like it….
Minus Quinn waking up a bit crabby, it sounds like you had a great Wednesday! Your bars are on my list to make after I hit up the groceries store on Friday – They look sooo good!
I drizzle a little olive oil and red wine vinegar on my salad. Quick, easy, and no dressing bottles taking up space in my fridge. (Truth: I used to have one of each kind)
If I had to pick it would be guacamole. I’m still trying to get used to eating avocados and their texture. It’s growing on me, slowly.
AwwwāĀ¦praying hard for Murphy. Yesterday, I had a similar day to Quinn’sāĀ¦super cranky but looking forward to today being a better day! Hope the same goes for you guys!
I’d go with guacamole because you can put it on everything! It certainly sounds as though Q is going through a growth spurt. He looks like such a little boy now!
Now would be a critical time to take his height every day for the next few weeks, he might be entering a growth spurt!
One of our local restaurants has a champagne dressing and I always get excited when we eat there so I can have it! And, as always, I’m relieved that Murphy seems to be feeling better!
Those messy face pictures are so cute and I’m with Quinn on the guacamole over avocado.
I’ve been keeping Murphy in my thoughts and wishing him a quick recovery.
Hi! Can I ask where your striped hoodie and jeans are from in the pic above? Super cute!!
The top is from J.Crew and the jeans are from Stitch Fix (Kut from the Kloth).
Gosh, I just want to give Murphy snuggles, he’s so adorable. Happy to read he’s making small improvements, hoping he continues in the right direction!
My favorite dressing right now is Ken’s Light Caesar dressing! I put it on my salad, dip my chicken in it, and even roasted potatoes.
Hmm, I’m pretty content with both avocado and guacamole! Lately though I’ve just been doing sliced avocado on our dinner plates with some sea salt. Because when I make guacamole there are lots of tortilla chips involved and I still have 7lbs of baby weight to lose!
I love that salad dressing and just picked up a bottle at TJ’s this past weekend. It’s the perfect Summer salad dressing.
Prayers that Murphy continues to feel better. Poor little fella, my heart breaks for him.
I’m not sure anyone has ever told you the “full moon” theory. I’m not really a hippy dippy but without fail day before, day of or day after a full moon my kids always wake up early and are super cranky. We had an awful day at our house yesterday. Everyone was cranky! I googled full moon dates – SURE ENOUGH!!! Full moon was Tuesday.
Interesting!!!
@Meghann Badger:
Totally buy the full moon theory! I’ve worked in hospitals for 11 years & nursing homes for 5 years before that – it’s always NUTS at full moon time. A zillion people in the ED, patients acting especially nutty, majorly busy, etc. the full moon clearly messes with everything! š
@Meghann Badger: @Meghann Badger: Yes. I strongly believe in the effects the full moon has on people/pets. Both my kids were born during full moons and I can remember growing up and the nights when we had a full moon my friends and I were always at our goofiest. We’d stay out in the neighborhood later, everything was funnier….it was weird.
@renornrgrl: My daycare provider SWEARS by the full moon theory! Also, I worked in Mental Health for 10 years and agree that the activity always picks up with a full moon!
glad to hear murphy is doing better… is quinn cutting a tooth? william is getting TWO molars and has not been happy lately! i love anything avocado or guacamole doesn’t make a difference to me!
. . .what about avocado AND guacamole?! I don’t think I can pick!
So glad to hear that things with Murphy seem to be looking up, and keeping my fingers crossed that he continues to improve! š
Depends on how the Guac is prepared. Some I’ve had hasn’t been great, but the kind they made at Chevy’s Tex Mex (Is that place still around, or did they all close during the recession?), right there at your table, was all kinds of chunky and amazing. LOVE!
However, plain avocados with salt on a rice cake is a great combo.
ahhh hahaha I wish it was socially acceptable for ME to eat guac like quinn does!! So cute š
I use avocado as my salad dressing š I like the creaminess of it!
We also make a mean Caesar dressing using Vegenaise (with about a half-dozen other ingredients).
Yum! I love that idea!
Oh my that pic of Murphy melts my heart! Poor pug. Praying for him.
I love a honey balsamic vinaigrette or the zesty good seasons. If the salad has fruit on it I like poppy seed dressing. Love me some salad!
I can’t possibly choose between avocado or guac…love them both!
I love a good poppyseed dressing!
That picture of you and Quinn on the bed is stunning!
Oh those growth spurts! A day or so of a cranky, starving, exhausted kiddo then suddenly all the pants are too short.
Our pup has spent a lot of time at the vet recently for some neutering issues and I’m hoping we’re done there as well. Our wallet can’t take many more visits!
I feel your pain. We maxed out a credit card!
Love the guacamole face. Guacamole wins over avocado for me every time. š
Speaking of avocado, this is my new favorite way to eat it:
http://www.cookingclassy.com/2014/06/avocado-cilantro-lime-rice/
I leave out the cilantro and cumin, but rice mixed with avocado, lime and salt is AMAZING. I add a bunch of chicken (usually rotisserie), splash of hot sauce and perfect work lunch I can make with only a microwave! I buy frozen rice, so I just have to heat it up.
That recipe looks awesome! I just saved the link. Thank you! š
Yum to avocado.
My favorite “dressing” for a salad is cottage cheese w/ pepper (and sometimes add yellow mustard).
TJ’s also has a phenomenal (IMO) Light Asian Ginger Vinaigrette. Super yum.
Poor Murphy his face is always so pained looking but now it’s even more. He’s so precious. Glad you didn’t have to go to the vet though!
I could definitely go for some guac right now.
I’ve noticed you use a mortar and pestle to make your guacamole. Do you find it works better than mashing the avocado with a fork?
So glad Murphy seems to be on the mend!
My son would never eat avocado but loved guacamole. He is 2 (26 months) and is currently boycotting most food. I do not worry because it is so normal for his age, but it is tough to see a kid reject all the healthy foods.
I have been worried about Murphy. I have a pug named Tango. I mentioned on IG the other day that my pug is a big guy too (28 lbs). But he sure thinks he is a tiny puppy. Max (the two year old) and Tango are the same weight and Max was walking around with a strawberry straight over his head the other day because he knew Tango would try to swipe it. He then shoved the whole thing in his mouth and locked himself inside the kitchen gate to eat in peace. Can’t imagine Tango being so sick. We are definitely praying for Murphy.
I’m with Quinn home made guacamole all the way! Lol
Poor Murphy, so sad when the fur babies are not feel well. Wishing him a speedy recovery!
Murphy just looks so sad š I hope the poor little guy is doing better soon.
I’m with you on salad dressing. I like just a little…we don’t have a trader joes here so I’m going to check out whole foods and see if they carry something similar. It sounds delicious!
Ummm can I choose option C) all of the above?!
Just book marked those almond bars – I’m into allthecoconut lately!
xoxo, love to Murphy!!
So much rather guacamole.. avocados I have a texture issue with.. it’s strange I know. I’m old fashioned and love oil and vinegar with salt and pepper. It’s my go to : )
I like avocado and guacamole! We like to add chunks of avocado to our salads and of course there is avocado toast with scrambled eggs. My husband makes a delicious guacamole too – just no cilantro!
I’ll take guacamole over avocado!
I’m always seeing your iced coffee pictures! When you aren’t getting your coffee from Marylou’s how do you make it at home? š
I’m glad Murph had a better day yesterday!!!
Love that he loves guacamole!!!
Guac all the way! I love it. I’m currently obsessed with this salad: greens + goat cheese + strawberries + this dressing: http://www.briannassaladdressing.com/products/blush-wine-vinaigrette/
My Sphynx had two abscesses recently and he was unhappy. My human doctor friend said warm compresses and he also really liked them š and it helped to drain them. He’s healthy and happy now!
Guacamole! But made the way you make it — I’m not a huge fan of the added textures of tomato and onion.
I don’t liek when salad dressings overwhelm the actual salad, but I do really like Panera’s poppyseed dressing and the Bolthouse Farms line of yogurt dressings! And I love guacamole š
My favorite dressing is a roasted red pepper dressing. It’s delicious.
Always avocados please
So funny…we would call our son Pee-Pee McGee – during that oh so remarkable time of potty training! I love guacamole but we eat avocados more often…crisp toasted english muffin, smooshed avocado smeared on it with a fried egg (bacon or bacon jam too if I have any prepared). Favorite weekend breakfast! Dressing…something homemade. Depends on mood and type of salad. I make a great Greek vinaigrette when I have a Greek salad craving.
I’m glad Murphy had a better day!I love bolthouse farm ranch dressing …so yummy.
I really really hope Murphy feels better! On a lighter note: You make guac the way I do! Garlic powder goes in practically anything I prepare though. I cannot get enough!
Ugh, I feel so bad for Murphy! Glad he is doing a little better.
I just recently started eating guacamole! I avoided it for a long time because I don’t like the texture of avocados. Now that I like guacamole, I may try and add avocado to my meals.
Guacamole the way my husband makes it: š http://www.dancingforfood.com/2012/05/27/memorial-day-meal-part-1/
I hope Murphy is back to normal soon. Having a sick pet is the worst.
I don’t think I’d be able to pick between avocados and guacamole. They’re both just too delicious.
Poor Murphy! He’s been through a lot. Can’t imagine going through that with one of my pets. I found this and thought it would cheer you guys up! https://www.facebook.com/Carli.Davidson.Photography
Oh my gosh, her page is so fun! Thanks for sharing the link! š