Fundraising News!

I am so thrilled to be able to create this post and let everyone know that I'm at more than 50% of my fundraising goal!  If you visit the site, you'll see that it shows a donation total of $995, but in reality it's at $1065, because of two offline donations I put in the mail yesterday!

Recently, I received donations from my Aunt Barbara in New Jersey, my Aunt Susie in Texas, my Aunt Helen & Uncle Andy in NH and my dad.  I've also been in contact with a few people who want some dog bandannas.  Thank you so much for your continued support!

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I apologize for my lack of "blogging," but I returned to work on Friday after a really long commute into DC.  I waited for over an hour for the train but was one of the few who was actually able to make it into the office, and here I am again.

This past weekend was uneventful, thankfully.  Leo & I walked alot, avoiding areas with lots of salt and unpaved walkways (which severely limits how far we get since most of the sidewalks remain untouched).  He has been great during the crazy weather and I enjoyed spending all that extra time with him while I was off. 

Leo continues to jump in the snowbanks and eat as much snow as I allow when we head outside.  One lady even told him to "have a nice meal" when I told her he loves to eat the fluffy stuff.  :)  Leo also continues to help me bake.  We made mom's Magic Bars (aka Hello Dollies, for those of you who aren't familiar with my family's terminology - see below for the recipe) and Leo plopped himself right in the middle of the floor.  My kitchen is no bigger than most people's powder rooms, so you can imagine how much room I have to scoot around.  Leo ended up eating an enormous amount of graham crackers.  He's now a whopping 53 pounds (not only because of the graham cracker consumption, he just keeps growing!)!

MaryAnne's Magic Bars

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter (1 stick)

1 1/2 cups graham crackers, crushed - Honey Maid brand only (accept no imitations!)

1 cup chopped nuts - walnuts usually

1 cup chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, M & Ms, etc.

1 1/3 cups flaked coconut

1 can sweetened condensed milk (14 oz)

Directions:

-In 9"x13" baking dish, melt butter in oven as it preheats to 350 degrees

-When butter is melted, put crushed graham crackers in pan and pat down
 *(feed Leo extra crumbs that fall onto the counter)

-Add chopped nuts, chocolate chips & whatever else you'd like, pat down

-Pour sweetened condensed milk over ingredients, covering the whole pan

-Add flaked coconut

-Place in oven for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown

On our Sunday morning Valentines Day Walk, Leo and I met a couple who said they have a basset named Linus.  Supposedly, Leo looked like Linus' identical, but smaller, twin.  Guess how much Linus weighs?  80 pounds!  Yikes.  And Leo's only 8 months old.  I'm definitely in trouble!

On our evening Valentines Day walk, Leo and I came across a man with 9, yes, that's right, 9 dogs.  It was like straight out of a movie and I was super impressed at his ability to control each of them, while I have my hands full with one.  (Turns out only 3 were his, the other 6 he was sitting for).  I wish I had taken a picture, it was pretty amazing.  Yes, I was totally jealous. 

I have not returned to gymnastics.  My arm is feeling great, but my dad told me to try again when I'm "more in shape."  :)  Jeez, thanks.  And that I will.  For now, I'm anticipating doing some 5Ks in the area to get back on track.  No, Leo won't be joining me.  He's mellowing out and I think he'd be too much of a distraction for fellow runners.  Additionally, he has a tough time just walking in a straight line - I can't really imagine him running in a straight line.  I shudder at the thought of Leo causing many-a runner to fall and break something due to his clumsiness.  :) 

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Thanks for reading, and thanks for your continued support. 

To make an online donation, please visit:

www.avonwalk.org/goto/scummins