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[personal profile] ksmith
I used to think that dogs couldn't see screen doors because Mickey used to collide with mine and knock it off its track. I was reluctant to open the back door and use the slider for ages because I assumed King or Gaby would think there was no door at all and punch through it as well. But it was so nice this evening--mid 50s, breezy--that I had to open the back door.

Much activity outside. Kids on bikes. Barking dogs. Sirens. But when King approaches the door, he stops. Gaby lies in front of it and monitors the backyard. They both seem to be able to see it just fine.

I know the Mickster was going deaf over his last year or two. Looks like he was losing his eyesight as well.

Cooking. I was reluctant to use my new cast iron fry pan after the Incident of the Burnt Salmon. But I used it Sunday to cook a New York strip steak, and again this evening to put a very nice crust on a black bean burger. There's still a little salmon skin char that I would need a sandblaster to remove, but overall the pan is becoming easier to clean with each use.

One dumb question, though. Directions say to apply a thin film of oil after washing, but they don;t specify whether to coat just the cooking surface or the outside of the pan as well. I oil both sides because the outside also gets wet during washing, but then things smoke a bit when I put the pan on a hot burner. Should I oil inside and out?

I never thought the day would come when I would consider putting Gaby on a diet, but. It has. She is borderline, weight-wise, even though I feed her 1 1/2 cans of Evangers Duck and Sweet Potato a day, which is the lower end of the suggested range. I know all dogs are different and the range is a guideline only, but I always considered Gaby a furnace when it came to food. Now it seems that when she eats a food that agrees with her, she doesn't need a lot. Her coat has exploded over the past four months, and become much softer. Her...poop is in better shape, smaller and more firm.

Of course, since I have found this food that she seems to be thriving on, the company that produces it is having issues. This year, it's theft of gas and electricity to the tune of $1.4 million. A year and a half ago, before I started feeding Gaby this food, there were deficiencies found during FDA inspections of the plant. So far, there's no indication that the plant will close, but I'm not crazy about these warning signs. I have some Wellness canned food stashed away just in case, but I dread needing to have to find a new food for Gaby.


I'm going to have to close the windows soon, but it's so nice to have them open.

Date: 2010-03-31 12:41 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] touchstone.livejournal.com
My wife (who cooks EVERYTHING on cast iron, if she can) says she usually wipes the outside dry and oils the inside, and then puts it over a hot burner until it's no longer visibly wet (or until it starts smoking). And that when seasoning a brand new skillet, she coats the inside and outside in a heavier coat of oil, then puts it in the oven at 425 until it smokes heavily.

Oh, she also told me I should recommend against cooking tomatoes in a new cast iron skillet. I gather the acid is a problem, until it's well-seasoned.

Date: 2010-03-31 02:48 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] kristine-smith.livejournal.com
Thanks for the tips. I'm not sure if I would try to make marinara in this fry pan--it's too small. I will likely stay with the 18/8 for anything with tomatoes.

Date: 2010-03-31 07:35 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] mizkit.livejournal.com
It is also possible that Mickey learned at some point that running into the screen door knocked it off its tracks and therefore allowed him to escape... :)

Date: 2010-03-31 01:25 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] kristine-smith.livejournal.com
I didn't mention that Mickey was cross-eyed, did I? He'd look up at you, tail wagging, both eyes staring at his nose. I am not 100% sure he could see the door.

He was a pathetic little soul. A dear puppy, but all the pieces didn't fit together as they should have.

Date: 2010-03-31 11:54 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] equesgal.livejournal.com
I too love having the breeze blowing through the house. I was thinking I'd be able to open the downstairs windows during the day (the upstairs windows can already be open during the day as the sun hits the roof all day and keeps upstairs toasty)but alas...we got hit with a snow storm today and the winds are howling. Mama mia...:-(

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