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We make it look so easy.

If you know me personally, then you're probably aware of my love for Frank Sinatra's music... in fact, I celebrate his entire collection (shout out to Mike Judge a la Office Space).

In the next few days, I'm headed to Frank's hometown of Hoboken, New Jersey to get up close and personal to his roots and those who still celebrate his life, love and legacy... everyday. My understanding is that Hoboken is worlds away from the Jersey Shore in more ways than one, yet I know Snookie was hanging out with the Cake Boss a few weeks back, so who knows.

Anyhow... if you're a Frank fan, curious about his upbringing or just wondering what's going on in New Jersey next week, stay tuned!  Drop me a comment with your favorite tune... I'd love it.

It's my favorite time of year! With a name like Baxter "Be Mine" Freemont, I'm sure you can see why. I was adopted a couple years ago on Valentines Day, and February always reminds me of how fortunate I am. Therefore, I'd like to take this opportunity to encourage anyone who's interested in finding a new dog (we make great Valentine's gifts), to please consider adopting. I was hanging out in a Vegas shelter just a couple years ago, and now look at me.

To locate a loving, adoptable pet in your area, check here:

So now let's focus on those of you who already have dogs. What are you planning for Valentine's Day? It's very cold in most of the country, but we still love going for walks and playing fetch outside. For me, it doesn't get much better than when I can spend some time in my rocky driveway. What is it about rocks that just makes you happy to be alive? If you're set on waiting until Spring to start spending time outside, maybe you should consider a special snack, favorite meal or a new collar.

<---- Check out my new sweet tarts bandanna. Tina gave it to me a little early so I could enjoy it all season long.

Ok, here's the moment you've all been waiting for. Baxter's picks for the best Valentine's gifts for your dog:

2010 has been a  great year so far.  The holiday season was enjoyable as I got to spend time with my favorite friends and family.  Here are some photos of my canine friends.

Candy Cane
West Highland Terrier

Sporting a "Naughty or Nice" shirt

Naughty dogs escape from the house while guests are packing gifts in their car, causing other guests to head out into the snow for a game of "catch the dog".
Martha Washington
Shar Pei

Enjoying her new squeaky toy.  You can see remnants of gift wrapping in the distance.


Baxter Be Mine Fremont (that's me!)
Schnoodle

Here I am taking a break from the festivities for a quick pose.  Thanks for all the fun.

I wish everyone success and happiness in 2010!





All Photos by: Brandon Denby 2010

It's just what you've all been waiting for. Below are my picks for best dog gifts of 2009. If you have additional ideas, please post below. I don't want to miss out on anything great.

Something Snazzy - At the dog park or around the neighborhood, a new leash & collar set is guaranteed to make a statement. Afterall, what dog wants to wear the same thing day in and out? There are leashes and collars for every mood and occasion. Check out these great stores: My Dog Collars, Big Dog Boutique, Trendy Puppy.

Something Healthy - I love to go out for walks and bike rides with Tina and Brandon, but my leash sometimes gets in the way. I've included this Dog Bike Leash on my Christmas list this year. Exercise is so important, and I love it. Also, if you travel a lot like I do, check out The Container Store's "On the Go Pet Hydration System".

Something Warm - A new sweater is great for any dog who knows the meaning of "wind chill" and jumps out into the early winter snow only to recall how cold it is on those paws. Sure jackets are a nice idea, but dogs aren't really into bulky clothing. Here are some of my favorite dog clothing sites: Unique Dog Clothing, Little Pampered Pets, Five Star Fido. You can even make your own custom designed pet clothing at Zazzle. Since we're on the topic of warm, a new dog bed probably won't fit in a sock, but it's definitely worth a mention.

Something Fun - Toys, Toys, Toys... ropes, bones, squeaky stuffed animals... even rocks We love them all, and a new toy is always a winner. I'm not even going to mention where to find these since I believe that you can figure it out on your own. At the least, check out your local grocery store's dog food aisle.

Something Tasty - What dog hasn't stopped a time or two to drool over the gourmet dog biscuits in their local dog bakery? Many local communities have a dog treat bakery, and we always encourage supporting local businesses. If you don't find one nearby, there are many talented dog treat bakers online. Here are a few to get you started: Paws Gourmet, Barkley Square, Kool Dog Kafe.

Are you looking to add a little twist to your traditional Thanksgiving feast?  I'm not a big fan of cranberry sauce, but I love whole cranberries.  This stuffing is delicious with a Thanksgiving turkey. Don't forget to come back and let me know how much your family loved it.

Ingredients:

• 1 pkg Stuffing Mix (seasoned)
• 1 cup Apples chopped
• 1/2 cup Cranberries (dried)
• 1/2 cup Walnuts chopped
• 2 eggd Whites only
• 1 stick Butter
• 1 cup Chicken Broth
• 1/2 tsp Salt and Pepper to taste

Mix together stuffing mix,apples, cranberries and walnuts. Melt 3/4 stick of butter mix with egg whites (yoke may be used if preferred). Add the salt and pepper if preferred. Mix well. You can stuff a turkey with it or put in to muffin pans or even in casserole dish, use last of the melted butter to top of muffins or on top of casserole dish. Otherwise, use all of the butter in the mix to put in turkey.
Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

Carving a turkey can be simple.  
If you spend your time watching Rachael Ray, then you probably already know the proper way to carve a turkey.  It's actually very simple.

1. Let it cool.  Turkeys take hours too cook so we're all excited about carving into it as soon as the thermometer indicates it's time.  However, your turkey will retain juice for flavoring if you let it cool down for a few minutes before you carve in.
2. Find a sharp knife and remove the leg/thigh section entirely
3. Cut straight down into the middle of the turkey along the breast bone to remove the whole breasts one at a time.  Place the breast on a plate and cut into slices for a great presentation.  

Here's a great video example of how to carve your turkey.  Click here to watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GCdkuQoLrY

Make a wishbone.
The wishbone custom dates back to the late 1600s.  One person stands on each of the two sides of the wishbone, holding it by the tip with only two fingers.  They pull the wishbone until it breaks and the person left with the larger side will have a wish come true.

The wishbone of a turkey lies between the neck and breast.  Get in there, and you'll find it. You must let it dry out before attempting to break it.  It will take a few hours.

Don't forget about leftovers.
One of the best things about Thanksgiving feast is a weeks worth of leftovers afterward.  Here's a list of some of our favorite things to do with leftover turkey:

1. Turkey Sandwiches (obviously, right?) - Get creative.  Add some mashed potatoes or cranberry sauce to kick this up a notch.
   
2. Turkey and Fruit Salad
3. Turkey Chili
4. Turkey Stroganoff
5. Turkey Breakfast Pizza

Freeze it.  Worried about having too much turkey?  It's true. By the third day of Thanksgiving, there's a good chance your turkied out.  Not to mention, leftover turkey in the refrigerator only lasts for 3-4 days at most.  Why not take half of your leftover turkey and freeze it?

Here's the proper procedure:  Two hours after the turkey comes out of the oven, put it in shallow containers in your freezer.  Turkey will stay good in your freezer for about three months, and it's a great option to have on hand during the cold months for soup.