More From the Zim Zone

Ha roo, pups and cool cats! It's me, Zim. There I was, the other day, out in the Zim Zone.

Zim in the Zim Zone

I was looking for something to get into -- err... I mean I was seeking my own entertainment, just sort of enjoying the Zim Zone, when something - or should I say someONE caught my eye!

"Hey! Is that..."

I started to feel funny and thought I'd best sit down again.

"I can't believe this! How cool!"

It was my bestest friend ever - Huffle! She's been having just the hardest time ever lately, what with that no-good-nick Cosi visiting and all! Add to that the fact that it's mighty chilly in Australia these days - so I invited her back to our house! Imagine my delight when she showed up in the Zim Zone!

"There's some cool smells over here, Huffs!"

"Oh, this sunshine feels sooooo good, Zim!"

At first, she left the exploring to me - she was ready to soak up some Kansas sunshine and 95-degree heat. (35 degrees C, for our international readers.) We just hung out for a while, then she was ready to do some exploring, too. She asked about Ammy's orange friend, Bob Cat, so we went over to check him out.

Wow, I wish I could jump the way she does! She was all over Bob, then hopped into the driver's seat!

"Hey Huffs! I'll get into the scooper thing; you fire it up and let's go for a spin!"

It was a great plan, but Huffle couldn't quite reach all the pedals and levers and stuff.

We had a really cool time hanging out in the Zim Zone; I wish all of you could have been there. I think Huffs was ready to go back and face winter and ... actually I think it's time for Cosi to go home now! Purrrrrfect!

I think I need to go thank the noisy guys for setting up the Zim Zone. This is turning out to be great fun!

Play bows,

Zim

Serene Scenery Sunday

Tail wags, pups and kit-cats! It's me, Stormy, here with Serene Scenery Sunday. Today I have some photos our dad took. They are from the 9th fairway out at Colbert Hills Golf Course, the course you can see from Ao4 Headquarters. I think you'll all understand why we find this so serene. Ready?

I didn't know they'd let a 7-some play.

It must have been Family Day.

Maybe they got a special rate for the little ones.

I don't know how well they played, but they sure made our dad smile and find his inner serenity.

You have to admit, those are some mighty cute little puppy-geese!

Tail wags,

Storms

PS: Ammy wanted to say that golf isn't all it's quacked up to be, but these are geese, Ams, not ducks!!!

KP Duty!

Hi everypuppy and everycat! It's me - Ammy! I drew KP Duty last week and worked really, really hard! So many of you have been complimentary when we've shared some of our mom's recipes (please see the sidebar for a list and links!) and have asked when we might share another, so I figured while I was working, I could share a recipe! How does that sound? Last week's big one was a little something I'm going to call Good and Easy Chicken and Spinach Quesadillas! Let's get cooking!

Here's an ingredient list:

• flour tortillas
• cooked, shredded chicken
• fresh baby spinach
• Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
• homemade guacamole
• limes (optional)

First, you have to get some cooked chicken. The recipe Mom started to follow (then cast to the wind) called for a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store, but Mom never uses those. She put boneless, skinless chicken breasts (still frozen, I might add) in the crock-pot with a can of chicken broth (the fat-free, salt-free stuff) and a packet of taco seasoning. (Spray the crock-pot first.) Cook on low for 8 hours, then drain the chicken. (Save the broth for soup or something.) Shred the chicken.

Here's how Mom did the quesadillas the first night. Cover a baking pan with foil (for easy clean up). Put one flour tortilla on the foil. Cover generously with spinach.

Remember, it will cook down, so don't skimp.

I wonder if the spinach is OK?

"Mmm... spinach!"

Anyone who watches cooking shows KNOWS it's important to taste as you cook.

Top that with some of your shredded chicken.

And top that with some shredded cheese.

Now, the first night, Mom used Monterey Jack, but the second night she used some of that AND some cheddar. She and Dad both liked both options.

Remember, taste as you go.

"That's not Velveeta, is it?"

(She's been known to try to hide pills in Velveeta, so I won't eat it now.)

Top everything with another flour tortilla. Now you can either carefully place it on your grill to cook, flipping to get nice grill marks on both sides (we had a severe storm going that night, so we didn't grill it) or remember that foil-lined baking sheet? Throw that whole thing into a pre-heated 400 degree F oven and cook for 8 - 10 minutes, until the tortilla is lightly browned and the cheese is all gooey and melted.

Slice into wedges, squeeze some lime juice over top (totally optional) and serve with your homemade guacamole. Mmm!

You can vary all of the ingredients above to your liking. The second night, Mom made one that was just spinach and cheese and one that was just chicken and cheese and she and Dad split them! They're also yummy with salsa!

In addition to either grilling or baking, you can do this on your stovetop. Spray a pan with non-stick spray, put your tortilla in, and sprinkle with cheese. Add your other fillings just on one half... and when the cheese has melted, fold it over! Get the tortilla all nice and brown - and you're ready to cut and serve! Like this:

Dad said they were really good; Mom said they were really easy. I think that makes them Good and Easy Chicken and Spinach Quesadillas! Let us know if you give them a try!

KP Duty was very hard work - especially all the taste-testing - but I'm willing to give it another go this coming week!

Love,

Ammy

Photo Finish Friday

Ha roo, pups and cool cats! It's me, Zim, here with Photo Finish Friday! My message is short today - and it's just this:

Caution!

You're about to enter ....

... the Zim Zone!

Play bows,

Zim

Deck Collages

Ha roo, pups and cool cats! It's me - Zim. It's going to be a thick and toasty one today! We got our first exercise in nice and early this morning. It was already warming up when we got home, but was still shady and cool out on the deck, so we all headed out to enjoy the sights, sounds and smells. And coffee for the bipeds.

Ammy checked everything to the north and west. Here she is:

The Yammer

Something tells me she was also making up new jokes to tell us... but I'm not sure.

Storm and Dave watched to the west - and to the east. Well, actually to the east is where Mom and Dad were; draw your own conclusions there. Here's a collage of Stormy and the Deeve:

Storm and Dave

Hey, you don't think Ammy told Stormy her new joke, do you? Hmm. I'd better ask around and see if I'm missing something.

Speaking of missing something, you have to look all over when you're out on the deck. Not just checking the yard for bunnies or kit-cats, but check the skies, too. Get a load of what we saw flying over-head:

Pretty cool, huh? You know, our pals Steve and Kat know how to fly. I wonder if it was them? Nah... they would have stopped by to say "ha roo" - don't you think?

In addition to the skies over Ao4 Headquarters, I had the south and west covered from my position. Here I am:

Me

I wish you could have joined us out there; it was a beautiful way to enjoy the morning!

Play bows,

Zim

Wordless Wednesday

Tail wags,
Stormy

Leadership Studies 101 - Lesson 1

Tail wags, dear readers. Stormy here with today's post. As most of you know, I am the leader and alpha of the Ao4. I am also the dean of the Stormy Zoluschka Kryschtal School of Siberian Studies. I've taught a few on-line classes on the blog, the most notable one being my Cooperating for Photos 101 series. I'm so very, very proud of how well all of you did! I thought it was time for another course - and this one is Leadership Studies 101. We'll begin today!

Today's lesson is simple - never ask your subordinates to do something you're not willing to do yourself.

Mull that one over for a while; I'll be right back with you.

"Mmm... chicken!"

That's it for today. I'll have another lesson up again soon.

Tail wags,

Stormy

Me And The Orange Cat!

Hi everypuppy and everycat, it's me - Ammy! Remember yesterday? I told you I'd show you pictures of me and an orange cat! And they're real photos, none of Mom's Photo Shop hocus-pocus involved! Are you ready? Here you go:

Me and the cat, posing together

In that picture, the cat (his name is Bob, apparently) and I were doing our "tough, serious look". We also both are sort of doing my Malamute ears thing. Don't you think our poses are the same? ... only I'm tougher ... and more serious ...

Me and Bob

... aren't I? Oh, it was hard to stay serious that long! REALLY!!! I went from all that seriousness into explosive laughter ...

"HA roo roo roo!"

... then slid into giggle mode ...

"Hee hee hee!"

My friend Bob is working with the noisy men today, so no more posing for right now. Maybe later. In the meantime, I'm going to work on my serious poses. How's this one?

This pose is for you, Bob!

I hope you enjoyed my pix of me and the cat. The Bob-cat. Hee hee hee.

Love,

Ammy

Serene Scenery Sunday - Orange!

Hi everypuppy and everycat! It's me - Ammy - here with Serene Scenery Sunday. Today's theme is orange! Let's see what we can find!

Our Day Lilies are in full swing. Here are a couple shots of those:

Day Lily Duo

If you look closely at the photo above, there's a bug on one of the blooms.

Day Lily

Our butterfly weed is orange, too! Zim showed you what it was like last month at this link; check it out now!

Butterfly Weed

How about a close up?!?

Closer view of the BW

The other orange I found was those giant candy corns that are all over our front street. They give us serenity because we love watching the men work and Mom said at least no one is speeding down the street right now and it'll be nice when they're done. I think that means they make her serene, too. I thought since the men weren't out there making noise, that I should go taste one of the candy corns.

"Oooh! Giant candy corn!"

Hmm...

"Ick."

I think we can add candy corn to my list of orange foods I don't care for.

Dave said I should point out that my fur gets kind of orange when I'm in the sun, so you can add me to the orange serene things! (Ohh... and he also said the Day Lilies are yellow, but I'm not a Guide Dog for the Color Blind like he is, so I didn't know and thought I'd leave them in here anyway. Oops.)

Tomorrow, I'll show you me and an orange cat! Really! No Photo Shopping involved!

I hope you feel serene now!

Love,

Ammy

What To Do, What To Do

Woo, everypup and everycat. Dave here. It's Saturday and I have the whole day ahead of me. Now ... what to do?

"What to do... what to do..."

I think I'll do some of this:

Me and my blue Wubba

And then maybe a nap. A little of both, repeated often, sounds good - plus a couple short walks (it's going to be a real scorcher out there), zoomies with Zim, some snacking, snuggling with Mom....

...it's shaping up to be a full day! I better rest up!

How about you? What are your plans for the day?

Luv,

Dave

PS: Yes, that is Amber's carrier. And yes, I am crate-a-phobic. There isn't a door on this one, though, so it's OK.

Photo Finish Friday

Woo, everypup and everycat. It's me, Dave. Do you ever get the feeling you're being watched? Almost to the point of being stalked? Hunted? Treated like prey? I got that feeling the other day, and it wasn't my kid brother waiting to jump me. Check this out [insert scary movie music here]:

"I'm getting a funny feeling here..."

Just kidding. Mom took this photo of me:

Me. Dave. And my Squeaky Husky Friend. No bird of prey in sight.

...and put it with this photo she took of a big birdie:

Bird of prey! Looking for mousies in the fields behind our house, no doubt.

...and came up with that first photo! Mom's getting trickier and trickier.

Happy Photo(Shop) Finish Friday!

Luv,

Dave

My Tutorial

Hi everypuppy and everycat! It's me, Ammy! I have a really important tutorial for you today, but before I get to it, I'd like to thank our dear friend Marvin for his comments on Zimmie's post the other day. You know - the one where Zimmie couldn't quite figure out why the Dughallmor Beagles and Talia were in our iMac playing and "ah roo"ing instead of being in Scotland where we all thought they were!?! Yes, that one! Well, Marvin is not only the best poet in all of Scotland, but he's a mighty deep thinker, too. Listen to his brilliant words of wisdom, "Didn't you know Dearest Zim, every single iMac contains Scottish Dogs. After all, this is why it is called an iMac! As in "Aye Mac, We're all in here having a wee fling of our kilts, hoots man, och the noo and bet you cannae find us!" and various other Scottish Barkings. I hope this solves your dilemma, to be honest you would be totally and utterly amazed at how many Scottish dogs are hiding in the iMac. Aye, Mac!" Isn't that brilliant?!? Martha and Bailey Basset concurred with Marvin, saying, "We reckon that if you try you will find us in your iMac too - after all we are Scottish!" And when Zim thought about it, he remembered seeing them roaming the hills and exploring the banks of the Scottish lochs right here on our iMac. I mean, Aye Mac! Hee hee hee. So that MUST be the answer. Thank you so much for helping Zim, dear friends! :)

Now... in reading the blogs, which sadly we haven't been keeping up with as well as we'd like, I've noticed a very frightening number of you have had some ... have ... you've been ... and ... well, let's just say you might need a good hiding place. Whew. I almost passed out. OK! I have several really good hiding places. My very favorite one, where no one can find me, is under the dining room table.

My favorite hiding place!

Oh. I'm not in it yet.

Doesn't it look peaceful and serene? (Maybe I should have saved this for Serene Scenery Sunday!) Here's how it works. Let's say you're guarding the living room.

Me, Ammy, on Guard Duty

No, I was not asleep! I was watching the front door! Anyway, so let's say you're somewhere working like that, when you hear those horrid, horrid words. Oh... I can barely type them... the words... "Gee, Ams. Your coat sure looks like it could stand a bru..." I don't need to go any further, do I?

"Uh-oh!"

And that's when you should very quickly and quietly, while someone goes to get the b-r-u ... (shudder) -- you know what she's getting! -- do this:

"Ah! Sweet, serene safe zone!"

And even if by some remarkable fluke you are discovered... just look cute.

"Oh... hi. How did you find me? No, I don't feel like coming out. Thanks for asking, though."

And the biped in question will more than likely walk away, smiling and shaking her head, muttering about how incredibly cute you are.

That's how it's done, pups and kit-cats. My offer stands to any of you to come over and share my hiding place with me. Also available are the stair landing and my carrier. Good luck to all - and thanks again to Marvin for helping Zimmie. :)

Love,

Ammy

Wordless Wednesday

Tail wags and love,

Stormy and Amber

Ha Roo?!?!

Ha roo, pups and cool cats, it's me - Zim! Wow. So there I was the other evening, minding my own. Everyone was pretty much off doing his or her own thing... when I heard the most beautiful sounds! I looked around and Ammy was standing in the doorway to the kitchen smiling over at Mom. Huh? Mom was checking in on FaceBook and that's not usually that interesting to us Sibes. But there it was again! It sounded like "Ah roo! Ah roo!"

I went over to where Mom was - and I heard it loud and clear! "Ah roo!" It sounded like ... like those Dughallmor Beagle babes - Gabbi and Rosie!!! I thought they were in Scotland, but their voices were coming from ....

"Gabbi!? Rosie?!? Is that you?!!?"

...from the computer?!? Wait a minute; that can't be right. Maybe they're ...

"Are you girls back here maybe?"

...no. They weren't back there, either. I checked the computer again.

"Ha roo?"

I could plainly see their brother Alfie running around playing with a Sibe puppy! It turned out to be Talia, Kayla's sister. She's supposed to be in Scotland, too!!! I wonder how they got in our iMac?

I asked Stormy, but she just looked at Amber and winked. Ammy hasn't stopped giggling yet. Dave's working on it with me, but we haven't come up with anything. If anyone can help me figure this one out, please let me know.

Play bows,

Zim