New Year, New Additions! Our Newest Dog LUNA

2012 is rolling through with ease.  I have a renewed sense of energy (possibly just caused by an extreme case of caffeine jitters), a zest for getting back in the kitchen, and a larger family!!

I want to take a moment to introduce you to the newest addition to our family: LUNA!

Hello, sweet girl! Wish my dirty sneakers weren't in the background, grsh!

D and I had been contemplating expanding our starter family for months now.  Little Miss B seemed depressed and between our busy work schedules and (let's be honest) laziness, she wasn't getting the proper  exercise that she needed.  When we lived downtown we always said, when we get a house with a fenced in yard, we'll look into getting a second dog.  Then when we moved into our new home we started focusing on projects and the 2nd dog idea got pushed to the side.  Now, several months in, many of our projects have been checked off our list so we decided to look into it again.

Between D and I, we put in some serious man-hours surfing the web and looking at the local shelter websites.  I focused most of my energy on Indianapolis Animal Control.  They are filled to the brim with cats and dogs and sadly, they appear to be a fairly high-kill shelter (none of the animals seemed to have an intake date longer than a few months).  Because of this, their adoption fees are only $60 compared to the $125+ we'd seen elsewhere.

I went there on 4 separate occasions, both with and without D and Little Miss B to scope out the prospects.  It is so insanely sad walking through Doggie Death Row.  So many of these animals seem like they'd be the perfect Best Friend for any family while others look like they have lost hope and know their fate.  I could never work there because you'd eventually see me on an episode of Animal Hoarders.  I have to give many thanks and much admiration to the workers and volunteers that dedicate themselves to such a stressful and, oftentimes, tragic job.

Over the weekend, I finally convinced D to come look at some of the dogs I'd previously looked at.  We drove over there and I had him go walk through the kennels and narrow down the ones he liked to introduce to B.  The shelter staff member brought at 3 dogs out, one at a time, for a more personal meet and greet.  Although B seemed to get along with all of them, there just weren't *SPARKS*.  B seemed a bit overwhelmed and just plain over it when our final candidate was brought out.  Talk about saving the best for last.  She was a brilliantly, brindle-colored, one year old mutt, slightly bigger than B but similar in build.  They immediately hit it off, playfully romping around together outside.  Neither one had their hackles (we learned that's what the hairs on dogs' necks and spines are called) raised and they seemed to really enjoy themselves.  It was pretty much love at first sight for all parties involved so after lots of paperwork and a little bit of lecturing on how to integrate the new dog into our house, the four of us packed into my car and made our way home.

Transitioning a new dog into a household is a little nerve-wracking, especially when B has been our sole little princess for a while now.  I tried to listen to all the words of wisdom I've acquired from Cesar Millan over the years. Think: CALM ENERGY!

We've taken all the necessary precautions: separate food bowls and eating spaces, supervised play for the first few days, close observation of any aggressive behavior.  I couldn't have asked for a better circumstance between Luna and B.  The only sad part is that B is the submissive of the two dogs, which I had previously observed from taking her to the Broad Ripple Dog Park.  Luna is top dog: she decides which bed to sleep on; she enters/exits the house first; she herds B where she wants her.  It's just natural for dogs to assume their roles so we can't force nature.

Sisters!

Sleepy after some major playtime!

End of Day 1 (Thanks, D for this lovely picture)  This is seriously where I fell asleep

So, so far, so good.  Luna has only had one accident in the house (Day 1).  She is the biggest cuddler and the sloppiest kisser.  She has even managed to muscle and pout her way into sleeping in our bed (although we might have to nip that in the bud soon because she is a space-hogger).  FYI: 2 humans and 2 dogs in one queen-sized bed is a recipe for disaster and a guaranteed sleepless night.  That being said, I think D and I made the perfect choice.  I look forward to many rewarding and fulfilled years with, both, Little Miss B and Luna Girl!

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT IF YOU ARE THINKING OF GETTING A DOG OR A SECOND DOG, ALWAYS LOOK TO THE SHELTERS FIRST.  THESE DOGS ARE THE PERFECT COMPANIONS TO ANYONE.  PUPPY MILLS ARE THE SOURCE OF SO MANY PET STORES AND BREEDERS.  FYI, INDIANA HAS A SCARY-HIGH AMOUNT OF ILLEGAL, INHUMANE PUPPY  MILLS.  FORGIVE MY SERIOUSNESS BUT THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM THAT CAN BE CONTROLLED AND STOPPED BY PEOPLE DOING THE RIGHT THING.  

One more thing, in the famous last words of Bob Barker:

"DON'T FORGET TO SPAY AND NEUTER YOUR PETS"

I am experiencing blogging withdrawal...

Uverse is coming by our new house sometime between morning and night  tomorrow to set up cable/internet at our new house!! Trust me, I have lots and lots to catch up on including the latest What I'm Eating, Chow Down Midtown, What I'm Cooking and of course, pictures of the new house.  Once I have access to the WWW, you bet your butt, I'm getting my blog on! 

Oh, and along with Uverse, I have to wait for an HVAC company to come take a look at our broken AC! Starting off rocky but I'm confident we're going to shine through in the end!!

Weekend Recap + What I'm Eating: Creation Cafe

The past weekend was pretty busy.  It began Saturday afternoon with the Broad Ripple Arts Fair and a Hog Roast at a friend's house in Broad Ripple.  Being the bad blogger that I am, I didn't take any pictures at the BRAF.  Kelly and I made our way there around 2pm on Saturday.  Parking was a bit scarce and we decided to pay $10 to park nearby for the convenience and because of the looming storm clouds ahead.  Admission was a bit steep at $15 a person but I'm sure it costs a lot to organize such a massive event.  The smells of greasy, goodness smacked us in the face upon entering.  The aroma of roasted nuts was mesmerizing but I decided to skip them.  Instead, we made a beeline to the beer tent.  I started out with a Honey Moon.  The event was set up with various, winding fingers of vendor booths that zig-zagged around the property.  There were some really talented artists, vendors and performers scattered throughout the venue.  I saw a lot of pottery, paintings, jewelry.  I loved the student section which reminded me of SCAD (down in Atlanta).  Kelly purchased a beautiful ring from a lady who was studying jewelry-making.   We continued our journey past more booths and stood to watch a glass-blowing demonstration.  We grabbed another beer (an IPA) from the Broad Ripple Brew Pub before finishing up.  I was sad that I didn't leave with anything.  I am constantly on the lookout for items to decorate the new house.  I did get a lot of ideas for future projects, though.  All in all, it was a great experience.  We rushed through most of it for fear of the skies opening up.  It started to rain right as we were leaving.

Immediately afterwards, we made our way to our friend Cam's (and Creed's) 2nd Annual Hog Roast.  They live in a great 1 story bungalow-style home in Broad Ripple that reminds me of a place on HGTV.  It's a definite bachelor pad with an amazing backyard, perfect for entertaining.  They began roasting the pig earlier in the day so by the time I got over there, it was almost ready for mass consumption.  There was plenty of space for people to congregate around.  The garage served as the main area that housed the kegs and margarita machine.  Flip-cup tables, beer bong and corn hole was also out for people to take part in.  This was the first big event this year that really brought to light SUMMER! 

Luckily Mel took a pic (Me*Fefe*Alicia)

It was a definite high school reunion.  I went to HSE and saw several people I hadn't seen in years; however, there were also plenty of other non-HSE people on hand.  I ended up only staying for about 3 hours.  D suggested we call it an early night so we could get up early without a massive hangover.  Although I initially protested, it ended up being a great call.  We went home and sat out on the back deck for a while, enjoyed a few more brews and just enjoyed eachothers' company.  Good Night!

The following morning (Sunday), we rose to a beautiful, sunny day.  D, myself and Little Miss B didn't waste much time before getting dressed and scurrying out the door.  We decided to finally walk to the canal and grab lunch at Creation Cafe.  From our place to Creation Cafe, it's a little over 2 miles.  We decided to then walk the entire canal (a 3-mile loop) before grabbing lunch.  I had no idea how beautiful the canal really is.  We saw the Indiana Museum of Contemporary Art, the Eiteljorg Museum, the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center.  We also walked past the enormous JW Marriott and Victory Field that stood nearby.  Next big walk, I want to keep going past the Indianapolis Zoo. The new Cosmopolitan complex really intensifies the landscape and the views along with the other various apartments, condos and businesses.  

By the time we made it back to Creation Cafe, I was weak, thirsty and starving.  We grabbed a table outside despite ominous storm clouds off in the distance.  They sat us against the wall, wedged between a couple with a frou-frou lap dog and another couple with a large hound-mix.  That could've been interesting but luckily all 3 were so well behaved.  A table that was seated a few minutes after us was greeted and had drinks before someone approached our table.  They were pretty busy and it usually wouldn't be a problem but we were all parched.  We quickly ordered 2 iced-teas and a bowl of water for B.  She pretty much took the whole thing down immediately.  I went back and forth with the menu.  This was my 4th visit to Creation Cafe and the experience has been mixed.  Some of the food has been great, other times, not so good.  I also think their food is a bit pricey for what they have.  They charge $10-$12 for their salads which are medium-sized.  The sandwiches and wraps are around $9 and come with one side.  Ultimately, I couldn't decide if I wanted lunch or to try something off of the brunch menu.  The Monkey Nut Martha (either pancakes or waffles with banana, chocolate chips and peanut butter) was so tempting but I resisted.  I finally went with the Hoity Toity Sandwich (grilled chicken breast with sage aoili, Granny smith apples, toasted walnuts, and brie).  D chose the Italiano Panini (salami, pepperoni, ham, Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, hot peppers and mayo on pressed sourdough bread).  I could've bet $100 that's what he was going to choose. 

As we waited for our food, our server brought us the Doggie Menu provided by Three Dogs Bakery. OMG. So cute and thoughtful.  There were items such as whole wheat "ribs" slathered in BBQ sauce or entrees with chicken, carrots, green beans, and rice.  They even had "desserts".  Everything was decently priced but I knew that there was too much going on around B for her to eat so we passed on that.  She would eventually enjoy some scraps from our food.  Speaking of the food, it arrived very promptly.  I was very much relieved because I thought I was going to faint.  (D and I were stupid and didn't eat breakfast before embarking on our journey downtown.)  D quickly scooped his panini up and took 2 bites before I got a chance to take a picture.  I love when restuarants use panini presses and the bread is perfectly charred.  He would later tell me it is in his Top 3 favorite Italian sandwiches ever.  I'm always happy to hear that when introducing someone to a new-to-them restaurant.  The french fries were kind of an after thought. 

He seriously couldn't wait

My sandwich was equally delicious.  It had tartness from the apples; buttery sharpness from the brie and sweet from the toasted walnuts.  The chicken was cooked perfectly and the cheese was very "melty."  Although my sweet potato fries looked lifeless, I really enjoyed them.  They were naturally sweet with a hint of salty.  They really complimented my sandwich.

Love the mismatched plates and colorful placemats!

About midway through our meal, the storm shelf finally made its way to us and it began pouring.  People who were seated near the railing tried to wait it out under the tables' umbrellas but quickly realized that was impossible to do. 

Major downpour!

Many tables were resat inside.  We were in the perfect spot and didn't get wet.  One downside was that there was a sewer grate right next to us that began stinking once the rain came.  That was pretty unappetizing. 


Thumbs up: dog bowls for water and food Thumbs down: yucky sewer

We called our room mate to make sure he could pick us up if the storm didn't let up but just as quickly as it came, it left and the sun came out again.  This time around, my time at Creation Cafe was very pleasant  so I think it's 3:1 with me so far.  The location on the Canal and eclectic, dog-encouraging atmosphere is what really sells it.  I hope we can get a few more walks and dining experiences before we move to the 'burbs in 3 weeks.  The bill was about $30 including tip.  We walked the final 2+ miles back home where D and B crashed immediately.  I was exhausted but had to go meet up with The Bride and her mom to look for shoes to wear with my dress.  The Bride: Not having luck finding a size 5 in the style/color/design she's looking for.  Me: Success. Check that off my massive to-do list.  When I got home, I mustered up enough strength to cook dinner before my body finally said ENOUGH!  Stay tuned for the amazing Fish Tacos recipe....

The Verdict: Out of 5 stars

Location/Atmosphere: ****  The beginning point of the North end of the Canal downtown.  Lots of indoor (quirky, fun decor) and outdoor seating (beautiful city views) plus extremely dog friendly

Service: ***1/2 We sat a little while before being greeted but the rest of the time was smooth


Food: **** D and I both enjoyed our sandwiches; the sweet potato fries were delish! Doggie Menu is another PLUS

Will I eat there again: Yes

Creation Cafe and Euphoria

337 West 11th Street 

Indianapolis, IN 46202-3001 

(317) 955-2389

What I'm Eating: Sahms Tavern and Elbow Room

I'm just going to condense 2 posts that I've been slacking on writing into just this one to save time and energy.  The warm weather has revved up my desire to explore locally.  This is my favorite time of year and there is never a short supply of place to go or things to do.

SAHMS TAVERN
After going to look at a couple houses last weekend, D and I were mentally exhausted and decided to stop in one of our fave bars downtown: Sahms Tavern.  I am a little bias because our friend Marcus is a manager but luckily they never disappoint.  I've eaten at almost every Sahms location including the ones in Fishers and on Keystone but the downtown spot has a unique, sophisticated feeling with some of the best views of the city.  They spent a butt load (I've always loved the implied amount of a butt load) of money renovating this space.  It is split into 2 sides.  On the left, the cafe serves a Sunday Brunch and host private parties.  On the right side, they have about 8, or so, booths and an eat-at granite bar top.  A massive, dark wood bar and exposed brick is the main focal point of the whole place and is just visually stunning.  There is a fully stocked bar with several local brews on tap. 

We decided to belly up at the bar so we could chit chat with Marcus.  Although I thought about going with a local brew, I was lame and just went with cheap: Miller Lt.  (I know I'm losing foodie points).  I have tried so many different things on the Sahms brand menus.  I love that they offer a new special every day.  I browsed that menu briefly but decided to go off the main menu with the Turkey Reuben (for some reason sauerkraut was calling my name) and a cup of chili (probably the last time this season I will opt for beefy chili).  D went with an oldie-yet-goodie, breaded tenderloin! and onion rings.

My Turkey Reuben was a healthy alternative to the original.  They sandwiched turkey topped with sweet and sour sauerkraut and melted swiss cheese on two slices of rye bread.  There was also a slather of fat free french dressing on one slice of the bread.  The chili was a good, simple mix of beany and meaty.

D's meal was exactly what he was hoping for.  They have perfected the breaded pork tenderloin which is a meal in itself.  By the time he was finished devouring his sandwich he barely had room for any of his delicious, thinly sliced onion rings.  I helped him out :)

Sahms is locally owned and operated which is why I appreciate their restaurants so much.  I used to work at Muldoon's on 96th St. (12 years ago) before Sahm's took it over.  The staff is always friendly and the food is always yummy.

The Verdict: Out of 5 stars
Location/Atmosphere: ****1/2 located in the smaller OneAmerica bldg downtown with plenty of parking. Beautiful decor & stunning views of the city

Service: ***** (stop in and say hello to Marcus)

Food:**** (a diverse menu with lots of comfort food choices)

Will I eat there again: I will probably stop in there very soon.


Sahms Tavern & Cafe
433 N. Capitol Indianapolis, IN
317-822-9903
***************************************
Elbow Room
D and I love taking Little Miss B on walks downtown.  We like to admire all of the historical architecture and residential areas.  Tuesday was quite humid so by the time we had walked to the War Memorial area, we were sweating and B was panting profusely.  We saw another couple dining at Elbow Room with their cute little Boston Terrier so we decided to take a break, order a brew and just soak the environment in.  Our server greeted us with a bowl of water for B and took our drink orders.  In the meantime, I scanned the menu and decided to go with the Turkey Florentine.  I don't know why I've been in a turkey mood lately; I had just had a Turkey Reuben on Sunday.

(International) News I Love: Rescuers Brave the Radioactive Elements to Rescue Japan's Abandoned Pets

Source

As the smoke is clearing around the tragedy and chaos of Japan, the country's other victims are starting to emerge.  As humans fled their houses, many beloved pets were left to fend for themselves.  Many perished but those who survived the initial earthquake and tsunami are now suffering another wave of devastation: they are starving!!  Thanks to a few heroic people that are entering the danger zone around Fukushima to round up the wandering animals and reunite them with their owners, if they can be found.  Many are scared  traumatized and haven't had a decent meal since before the earthquake.  To read the full story and the details of the organizations that are trying to help, go to CNN.

Also, go to http://www.facebook.com/AnimalRescueJapan to see what you can do to help!!

Upcoming Events: Paws in the City

via

To all my ladies (and gents) looking for a wonderful night out with sophistication, fun AND a love of animals, Paws in the City, is just what you're looking for.  It takes place on April 28th from 6pm-9pm at Tavern on South in downtown Indianapolis and there's only a $10 cover.  It is being hosted by Paws and Think, an organization that serves the needs of at-risk youths and canines as well as children and adults with special needs.  All around, just a wonderful organization. There will be oer d'heurves, cocktails, a silent auction and a fashion show.  For more information, visit their page for the details.

UPDATE: Japanese Tsunami Dog reunited with owner!!

via

The heartwarming story of the dog rescued from floating debris a mile out in the ocean 3 weeks after the tsunami hit Japan got even better!! The dog was reunited with its owner after she saw the live rescue on TV.  There was pure jubilation and joy as the woman and dog leaped into each others arms.  The dog's tail wagged ferociously back and forth and provides tons of wet, kisses.

Love It: Dog found out at sea, 3 weeks after Tsunami



via AP

While catching up the news from the weekend, I came across this awesome story on Yahoo.  I am dedicated animal lover and definitely cherish any stories having to do with them.  This article, from Friday, grabbed my attention immediately.

A, no doubt, terrified, dehydrated and starving dog was rescued from a pile of floating debris 3 weeks after the devastating earthquake and tsunami ripped through coastal cities up and down Japan.  This is a truly miraculous find and although his owners are yet to be found or identified, this again brings renewed hope and inspiration as Japan continues to pick up the pieces and move on.  That face is so precious.  I can't wait to go home and give B a big hug.