AUNTIE CLAUS AND FLEAS NAVIDAD!

If you've seen PUGS in movies or commercials during the past few years, you might notice that they're "just a tiny bit" OFF THE CHAIN...... in other words, ECCENTRIC.

I'm not certain if this is a hereditary trait, as "stubborn but brilliant" seems to be, or if the eccentric among us tend to gravitate towards them while looking for that perfect puppy.

This week, while shopping at the neighborhood grocers, a new cashier was being trained by the young assistant manager. As I came thru the line, the assistant manager who knows me well by now asked "and what are we cooking for the pugs this week?", turned to the new cashier and announced, "he cooks for his dogs."

Would that be a problem? I wouldn't call baked chicken, brown rice and vegetables "cooking for his dogs". The problem might be the "one egg over easy, one-quarter slice of bacon finely chopped" a minor problem, but that would be on weekends only! And I do add one-half cup of Science Diet dog food to each meal.

Anyway, I've gone off track.

What might seem a bit eccentric is that on my coffee table during the holiday season is a book called Auntie Claus; which I read to Daisy each Christmas Eve (Muggs listens but doesn't seem very interested). But then again, I like the story about Santa Claus' eccentric sister Auntie Claus by Elise Primavera. Auntie Claus lives high atop the Bing Cherry Hotel - in Penthouse 25C, of course! Her penthouse glitters with Christmas lights all year long and she serves Christmas cookies at teatime - even in July. A delightful auntie who makes mysterious trips each holiday season. (I won't go further, since I don't want to spoil the story since I'm certain you're now rushing out the door to buy the book[s] as there are now two.

Off track again.....

What might seem eccentric is that I purchased the "THE POLAR EXPRESS" DVD for the dogs to watch tonite, while I entertain.

And then again.....

I will not be feeding the dogs hors d'oerves tonite. This afternoon, I'm baking them a special treat!

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FLEAS NAVIDAD NIBBLERS

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2 tablespoons honey

2 3/4 cups water

1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce

1/8 teaspoon vanilla

1 egg

1/2 cup chopped peanuts

4 cups whole-wheat flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 tablespoon cinnamon

1 tablespoon nutmeg

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Preheat oven to 350 degrees

In a bowl, mix together honey, water, applesauce, vanilla and egg.In a separate bowl, mix peanuts flour, baking powder, cinnamon and nutmeg.Add wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir, mixing well.Spoon into a greased muffin tin, filling each cup two-thirds full.Bake for 35 minutes.

Store in a sealed container.

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HAPPY HOLIDAYS!