Kabira is 13

We went on an expedition to Ikea yesterday, way across the city into the West. The giant building stood blue and yellow like a flag against the sky, its ginormous bulk holding all sorts of treasures. Carm was a reluctant traveller, but to his credit he went along quietly with good humour and didn’t ruin my good time.

I had Swedish meatballs on my mind so we stopped at the cafe for some lunch to fortify us before heading inside, plus shopping on an empty stomach tends to sour Carm’s mood.... I had three things on my list, but as we moved through the store more and more items crept into the giant yellow bag that Carm was carrying. We eventually upgraded to a cart, mainly to hold the carpet runner that we got for Pat’s room. Pillaging completed we shoehorned our treasures into the car and headed for Costco.

I’m sure the odds are pretty slim but as I stepped out of the car at Costco I could see Mom talking on the phone in the car just next to us. I’m afraid I was a bit mean and scared the bejeebers out of her!

Monday night we had a lovely German meal with Trudie & Leo. I’m not sure what it was called, but it was some sort of pickled pork served with saurqraut. Sort of the German version of corned beef & cabbage.

I’m afraid I’m a bit belated with a few photos of Kabira as a pup. Thirteen is a respectable age for a Ridgeback. She’s still in pretty good shape so hopefully she’ll be around for awhile yet.

Bella was just a year old when we brought Kabira home, and was immediately enthralled by her new family member. They were the best of friends from the first moment they met. They’d play and play and then crash out together. These days there isn’t as much playing but they do still stay close together. Losing one of them doesn’t even bear thinking about as I think the other wouldn’t be far behind.

“Don’t walk in front of me… I may not follow
Don’t walk behind me… I may not lead
Walk beside me… just be my friend”
~Albert Camus

to the gallows

It was Spike’s turn with the clippers today. He got the same fancy haircut as Bella and was dancing around like he was ‘something else and all that’. I didn’t have the heart to tell him that I didn’t do a very good job. Years ago, when he came to work with me, I’d leave puffs on his legs - somehow he knew he looked special and pranced like a proud poodle.

With the wind gusting up to 70 km/hr last night I was sure the generator would kick on last night. I think I counted 8 times where the power glitched enough to trigger a beep in the UPS (which woke me up each time), but luckily that was all and the generator slumbered through the night.

A pall of horror and resignation hung over the house as one by one, the dogs were led, as if going to the gallows, to the bedroom to await their turn in the shower. It was way overdue, but let's face it, winter is not the ideal time for baths.

Spike went first. Head hung low he slunk into the small space. Kabira paced then stood at the shower door waiting her turn, perhaps she wanted to get it over with, or maybe she couldn’t stand her own stink. Bella was as deep under the little table as she could wedge herself. I needed the leash to coax her out (we never call them for something evil to keep the association of coming to us good).

I forgot the photos of the soup progress, and worse, I forgot to take a photo of the end result, although maybe a photo of the scale this morning would have been better (gulp).

Darn!!! Just realized I almost missed Kabira's birthday today - will post puppy pictures tomorrow. How awful to get a bath on such a special day! Thirteen is surely a milestone of significance for a big dog.

“Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring--it was peace.”
~Milan Kundera

Instant Pot Baked Potato Soup

IP Baked Potato Soup *****



Flavour of soup made with cream was perhaps better. It is more convienient to use coconut milk though as I always have that on hand.

3 lbs russet potatoes, scrubbed
1 medium onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 slices of bacon, cut into lardons
5 cups chicken broth
1 can coconut milk or 1 cup half/half cream
grated chedder cheese
1/2 tsp salt (optional)
pinch tumeric (optional - adds a bit of colour)

*Bake Potatoes*

bake scrubbed potatoes in a 375F oven for 1 hour. Cool till you can handle them. Peel, saving the inside. Discard the peel (or eat it as a snack!)

*Make Soup*

start instant pot on saute setting. Once pot is hot add the slivered bacon and cook until crisp. Scoop out the bacon bits and reserve for topping soup.

Add onion and garlic. Saute until softened and slightly browned.

Deglaze pot with some of the chicken broth.

Add 3 cups of broth, potatoes, and coconut cream if using. Blend using an immersion blender until smooth. Add rest of broth, tumeric and salt.  Cover. Put pot on slow cook for an hour. I tried using manual setting for 10 minutes, but the soup was too thick and it wouldn't come up to pressure.

Release any pressure and open pot. Add cream (if using) and simmer for a few mintues.

Serve topped with bacon bits and grated cheese.

makes 6 servings