Plum clafoutis
Servings: 10 Start to finish: 40 minutes (Active time: 10 minutes) 1 tablespoon unsalted butter 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking…
Blogs
Thank you for your cooperation
This week brought a very cooperative ruby-throated hummingbird who stuck around for several photo opportunities. It would appear that the speedy bird is a juvenile male ruby-throated…
Pet of the day 8/28/17
Sammy is a 16 month old male Chiweenie that was surrendered to the rescue center by his owner. Sammy is reportedly partially house broken, is…
French onion soup burger
Servings: 4 Start to finish: 1 hour (40 minutes active) 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra for brushing on the bread 3 cups packed…
VA Appeals Reform Becomes Law
Last Wednesday, the president signed into law the VFW-supported Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017. The act provides three options for veterans to…
That’s just super
Area animal shelters and rescues have some super critters waiting for some super homes. BAM, POW… its Bat Girl The Venango County Humane Society has…
Maintain a safe school bus stop
School buses are safe modes of transportation for children. Statistics from Transport Canada indicate that transportation by school bus is safer than by passenger car….
Pet of the day 8/24/17
Name: Bella Breed: Domestic Longhair Mix Age: 4 years Gender: Female Size: Small Color: White/ Orange Declawed: No House-trained: Unknown Bella can be found at…
Spicy sauteed fish with a pineapple mango salsa
Start to finish: 35 minutes Servings: 4 3/4 cup finely diced pineapple 3/4 cup finely diced mango 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion, soaked in…
Too young
Usually I write this column with a certain amount of emotional distance, an observer witnessing the emotions of my subjects, perhaps adding an empathetic ear…
Pet of the day 8/23/17
Name: Summer Breed: Terrier, American Staffordshire/ German Shepherd Age: 2 years Gender: Female Size: Medium Color: Black/ Brown Declawed: No House-trained: Unknown Summer can be…
Tangy orange fruit dip with fresh mint
Servings: 6 Start to finish: 5 minutes 3/4 cup 2 percent plain Greek yogurt 3 tablespoons thawed orange juice concentrate 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh…
Pet of the day 8/22/17
Salem is a female black kitten. Current on age appropriate shots. Already spayed. Salem can be found at Tri-County Animal Rescue Center.
Pork schnitzel with cucumber salad
Serves 2 to 4 Start to finish: 30 minutes Quick Pickley Cucumber Salad: 1 seedless cucumber, peeled if desired 1/2 red onion, very thinly sliced…
All in the family
The late summer wildflowers are starting to show their true colors. Those brightening up the fields and woodlands include ironweed, goldenrod and Joe-Pye weed. Some…
Pet of the day 8/21/17
Name: Riley Breed: Terrier, Pit Bull/ Retriever, Labrador Age: 4 years Gender: Male Size: Large Color: Tan/ White Declawed: No House-Trained: Unknown Riley can be…
Skip Stones For Russ
“Good for you, you beat a guy with cancer.” Bittersweet laughter ensues among the participants. Former world record holder for number of skips from a…
American Veterans Traveling Tribute Coming
The American Veterans Traveling Tribute is coming to the Butler VA Medical Center. There will be a escort for the Wall. The staging will be…
Honey-glazed chicken with savoy cabbage
Servings: 8 Start to finish: 1 hour 20 minutes (Active time: 30 minutes) 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons rendered chicken fat (schmaltz) or extra-virgin olive…
Events and adoptables
Tri-County’s IHAD celebration is right around the corner. Precious Paws has a senior dog who could use a buddy. Clarion PAWS and the Venango County…
Pet of the day 8/18/17
Name: Nectarine Breed: Domestic Shorthair Mix Age: 2 years Gender: Female Size: Medium Color: Brown/ Cream Declawed: No House-trained: Yes Adoption Price: $40.00 Nectarine can…
Pan-fried Kidneys with Bacon and Mustard
Serves 4 3/4 ounce dried porcini 14 ounces lamb’s or calf’s kidneys 13/4 ounces smoked bacon 1 tablespoon chopped thyme or rosemary leaves 1 garlic…
Items to improve outdoor living spaces
The popularity of outdoor living spaces has been growing for years. A 2014 study from the home remodeling and design platform Houzz found that 56…
Pet of the day 8/17/17
Letty is an adult female Terrier mix that was surrendered to the rescue. She is up to date with shots. Letty is not good with…
Summer peach clafoutis
Servings: 8 Start to finish: 85 minutes (20 minutes active) 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 3 large peaches, cut into thin slices 1 handful of fresh…
Fair’s Fair: What’s in it for us?
“These kids are dedicated and smart. If these kids grow up and take over … America is going to be alright!” said Frederick Harris, a…
Pet of the day 8/16/17
Linkin is a sweet cuddly little baby boy. He is current on age appropriate vaccines and tested negative for fiv and leukemia. Linkin can be…
Fava bean tabbouleh
Servings: 6 Start to finish: 15 minutes 2 cups cooked fava beans 1 1/2 cups parsley leaves (and soft stems), chopped 1/2 cup cilantro leaves…
Garden battles and drunk bees?
While some hummingbirds fight over the feeder, the Mexican sunflowers, or tithonia, are quite popular with the bees and butterflies. In fact, several bothersome bumblebees…
Pet of the day 8/15/17
Reese appears to be a petite young, female, Staff Bull Terrier/Lab mix that was brought in to the rescue center as a stray. No one…
Korean-style grilled short ribs
Serves 8 Start to finish: 13 hours (included 12 hours marinating time) 5 scallions, trimmed and cut into pieces 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce 1/2…
Pet of the day 8/14/17
Knight is an awesome kitten. He is already neutered and current on vaccines. He has tested negative for fiv & leukemia. Knight purrs like a…
Tomato, mozzarella and basil tart
Start to finish: 5 hours (1 hour active) Servings: 6 to 8 For the dough: 6 ounces (about 1 1/3 cups) unbleached all-purpose flour 1/4…
Time Running Out To Register For Reading of The Names
The registration period for the Reading of The Names has been extended. You now have until Friday, Aug. 25, 2017, to register to be a…
Thanks for sharing
Social media (and also some caring folks) helped a wayward pup find her way home. Precious Paws Animal Rescue and Clarion PAWS have cats of…
Pet of the day 8/11/17
Lita is an 8 week old female puppy surrendered to the rescue with siblings by their owner. Owner reports that they are Beagle, Lab, Terrier…
Grilled white pizza with cockles, lemon and kale
Servings: 4 Start to finish: 1 hour 3 cups torn kale leaves, from about ½ bunch 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 4 cloves garlic,…
Take cover — the zucchini are coming!
It is zucchini season once again, that delightful window of summer when zucchini are so abundant that people aggressively push them on family, friends and…
Pet of the day 8/10/17
Name: Speck Breed: Domestic Shorthair Mix Age: 3 months Gender: Male Size: Small Color: Black Declawed: No House-trained: Unknown Speck can be found at Venango…
Deviled Eggs
Serves 4 to 6 8 extra-large eggs 1/4 cup mayonnaise 1 teaspoon Creole mustard 1/4 teaspoon Cholula Hot Sauce 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin 1/2 teaspoon…
Pet of the day 8/9/17
Name: Stubs Breed: Jack Russell Terrier & Bull Terrier Age: 2-3 years old Size: Small Color: Brown, black, and white Stubs cannot be with cats….
Grilled BLT salad with buttermilk dressing
Start to finish: 45 minutes Servings: 4 For the dressing: 1/4 cup mayonnaise 1/2 cup buttermilk 1/2 teaspoon finely minced garlic 3 tablespoons finely chopped…
Two sides of the same coin
Recent sightings of red-spotted purple butterflies brought to mind the saying that things can “be two sides of the same coin.” The saying means that…
Pet of the day 8/8/17
Lucky is a super snuggler. He loves to be up tucked under your chin. Lucky’s life didn’t start out too lucky, he was found all…
Honey Creole mustard green beans
Servings: 4 to 6 Start to finish: 15 minutes 1 1/2 pounds green beans, trimmed 1 tablespoon honey 1 tablespoon Creole mustard 1 tablespoon apple…
Pet of the day 8/7/17
Name: LuLu Breed: Beagle Mix Age: 8 years Gender: Female Size: Small Color: White/ Brown Declawed: No House-trained: Yes LuLu can be found at Venango…
Apple upside down cornbread
Start to Finish: 40 minutes, plus cooling time Yield: 12 slices APPLE MIXTURE: 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger 1 large or…
Fumblin’ with the vid and other moments from today
Bear with me through this if you will. I’m a little vulnerable right now! I feel a little like Moe Howard in that episode of…
WWII Vets to Get Benefits for Mustard Gas, Lewisite Exposure
Last Wednesday, Congress passed the VFW-supported Arla Herrell Act, which has been championed by Senator Claire McCaskill and will expand benefits for veterans who were…
Fur and funds
Sale of the century Precious Paws Animal Rescue in Franklin is gearing up for a yard sale. The sale will be held from 8 a.m….