Chicago Bears Game Day

The last time I wrote about our Bears Game Day was back in September, when the weather was a bit warmer than now. Back then, Mr. B and I sat out on the porch watching the game off my computer. This week, like every week, Mr. B wore his Payton jersey and I wore my Bears shirt and we watched the NFC divisional playoffs.

Rather than watching the game off my computer, Mr. B wanted to watch the game off the projector.

However, it seemed like Ms. M was more interested in the game than Mr. B.

Though by the half, they were both bored and all Mr. B wanted was to get petted and Ms. M wanted to eat my slippers.

Bear Down, Chicago Bears

Schwang Manor: The Allure of Pillows

 To defeat the gray and murkiness of the Chicago winter, we like to load up our sofas with brightly colored pillows and pretend it's Spring in our house year round.

While we already have floor pillows scattered around as extra 'beds' for the pooches, we thought it would be cute to give them each a throw pillow for their dog beds:

Maybe this was a mistake. All of a sudden, our super-obedient Mr. B has become obsessed with pillows. So much to the point that he will sneak onto the couch to rest his luggy head on the throw pillows when we're gone. He knows it's wrong, and we can always tell when he does something wrong because he gives this guilty-appeasement look while pretending he was in his tepee the whole time:

But then again, maybe we should just add some throw pillows to his tepee. Maybe it won't completely deter him from his antics, but might be a fun winter project, and his crate could use some brightening. I think dogs just like being able to have something to rest their heads on. Do other dogs like using pillows like this? And does anyone actually have pillows in addition to dog beds?

Schwang Swag: Holiday Gift List for Your Favorite Dog-Loving Friend

With everyone in a gift-giving frenzy, we've found it's been hard to find just the right clever or unexpected gift for your favorite dog-loving person. Here are some of my favorites I've found through my search:

I've been eyeing these pillows for awhile; the perfect pooch that will never ask to be taken outside in the middle of the night.Plus, I like how it totally makes this room. 

A simple dog print from one of the masters. Imagine how much more elegant this could make a bathroom.

Some fancy file folders to keep dog records and vaccinations organized. They'd be extra fun with these bone paperclips.

I'm curious about this replica 1960's plastic camera which deliberately blurs, distorts, and over-exposes images for artistic effects. Imagine how documenting a routine romp in the grass with your dog could become an ethereal experience.

 I'm newly obssessed with this Etsy shop I spied on Lonny. They make reasonably priced custom watercolor dog paintings. I'd like to see what Miss M looks like in a crown, or perhaps have Mr. B done in business attire.

 A pair of glittens so you never have to completely take off your gloves while walking the dogs, and in a color so bright they could never get lost in the snow.

We love all of these stylish, statement-making pitbull t-shirts. Plus, the organizations get part of the sales.

Clever ceramic jars which can double as treat containers. These would look great on the counter, and even your dog wouldn't know what's inside:

Sponsor an exotic Costa-Rican rescue animal in your friend's name. The Toucan Rescue Ranch is run by an amazing couple who rescue and rehabilitate a variety of injured rain forest animals. They pay for all the food, cages, and hospital care on their own, so all donations are greatly appreciated. They also have an amazing guesthouse bed & breakfast if you're ever passing through San Jose, Costa Rica.

What are some other good gift ideas you have for animal-lovers?

Winter at Schwang Manor in 10 Pictures

With wind chills below 0 degrees, it is safe to say that we are in the middle of a Chicago winter. This means that for several months, I'll be wearing a heavy jacket for my daily commute.

Rather than biking in daylight, I'll have to use my bike lights to keep me visible for cars and for Mr. B, the stalker.

Also, I'll have to wear my Sorel's to keep my toes warm in this bitter cold

while I commute to work in the snow and

when I take the pooches for their afternoon walk.

It also means that rather than being out on long weekend walks, the pooches will sit in the warm house and spend hours staring out into the bitter cold.

However, it also means that the pooches will spend more time snuggling.

It also means that we are that much closer to a relaxing spring break on the beaches of Tulum

and each day to our first wedding anniversary.

Cafe Schwang: Cooked Pumpkin

 Pumpkin is the miracle dog food; canned pumpkin has the amazing dual ability to combat diarrhea or clear up constipation. We always keep a can on hand to spoon out as needed. While the pooches always get their pumpkin from a can, they were kind of curious about these white pumpkins we set up for Halloween:

And I had never even thought about cooking a real pumpkin until I heard this amazing recipe from NPR; a pumpkin stuffed with bread and cheese and all things good.

During the interview the host actually stopped, with dead air, to gasp for breath because her first bite was so amazing. When I saw a friend's Facebook page saying she made it, I knew I had to give it a try. I really don't know how to cook, but this was surprisingly easy. We bought mini pumpkin pie pumpkins and you just toss in stale bread, cheeses, bacon, herbs and bake it for about 2 hours. The only change I would make is not to salt the pumpkin per the recipe; the bacon and cheese already have enough salt. It was amazingly good, simple, and will become our go-to holiday dish.

Of course, we didn't feed this one to the pooches. Though I thought I saw Miss M trying to get some ideas about the mini-pumpkin decor:

Schwang Manor: The Non-Orange Halloween

 The other week when Mr. B went to the Farmer's Market, he was enchanted with the pumpkins.

 So much so, that he even chose to take a picture with his own Pet's Eye View Camera:

We did end up picking up some pumpkins, though not quite what Mr. B had in mind:

See, we already have a lot of orange in our house year round. From the decor in our second bedroom:

To the orange ottoman and pillows in our family room:

And our orange bowl filled with oranges:

So this year we decided to go with white pumpkins, and some "pumpkin tree" branches with little tiny pumpkins:

 And always judging our decorating decisions, Miss M was quick to show her displeasure:

Cafe Schwang: Ice & Cucumber Rose Sorbet

It seems like we are always on the search for the perfect dog treat. Some treats have been too expensive,some have been too messy, and some have just smelled too bad. It was only recently that we realized we've always had the perfect free, clean, and odorless treat. And it's the only thing that can make her go from the above photo, to showing the whites of her eyes:

Our pooches absolutely love ice; they love it as much as any of the other treats we give them. The moment they hear the ice dispenser that will leap from a dead sleep and come rushing into the room. Miss M will perform her full repertoire of tricks, and Mr. B can down a bowl of ice in mere minutes.
I had read about some good frozen dog treat recipes that I thought the dogs would enjoy, but then I figured why bother if they already love ice so much; it's free and pre-made. So, I concentrated my efforts to making sorbets that we might like.

Using some of the herbs from our garden, I figured out how to make a trio of sorbets: Lemon-Basil, Cucumber Rose with Mint, and Mango-Lime with Cayenne. I used a variation of this recipe, then I figured out that you can just add different flavors by putting herbs or zest in the simple syrups. We don't have an ice-cream maker, but I just blended it with a bit of ice, added a small amount of alcohol so it wouldn't crystallize, and froze it in an airtight container. The cucumber was my favorite. A lot of the restaurants here serve water with cucumber, and it tasted as crisp and fresh.Of course, Miss M wanted to try some too:

But she was actually happy to stick with ice. It's just too bad this is another thing I've discovered at the end of summer.

Schwang Manor: Bears Game Day in 10 Pictures

While Ms. M was out checking out the plethora of guys in tight cut-off jean shorts

at the Renegade Craft Fair

and A was picking up after Ms. M.

Mr. B and I donned our Bears caps

and I wore my Bears shirt and Mr. B had to one up me and wear his Walter Payton jersey.

Since we don't have TV, I bought a TV tuner just for football season, so I can keep up with my fantasy football team and of course, the Bears.

Mr. B looked like a true Bears fan with his jersey and huge head.

Bear Down, Chicago Bears. 

Ms. M got home to catch the crazy few minutes of the game, but we were too preoccupied to let her join us.