At Home with Dot

Welcome to my home that we share with our four legged family members. 

At Home with Dot is a weekly pet post.... with tips, treat recipes and more.... 

Dot has some Summer pet tips

t's important to keep your furry feline friends safe and comfortable during the summer months. Cats may seem like they can handle the heat, but they still need special attention during hot weather. Here are some essential summer safety tips to keep your cat healthy and happy.

1. Cats are great at finding cool spots in your home, but it's still important to monitor them. When the temperature is too high, it can be difficult for cats to regulate their body temperature, which can lead to heat stroke. Keep the air conditioning on or provide plenty of cool water.

2. Keep windows and doors screened. Cats love lounging by open windows, but it's important to keep them screened to prevent your cat from accidentally falling out or getting stuck. Make sure screens are sturdy and secure to prevent any accidents.

3. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Make sure your cat has access to fresh, clean water at all times. In the summer months, cats can easily become dehydrated. You can also provide wet food or add water to dry food to help keep your cat hydrated.

4. Protect your cat from sunburn. Yes, cats can get sunburned too! White cats, hairless cats, and cats with thin fur are especially susceptible to sunburn. Consider installing UV-blocking films on your windows to help block out some of those harmful rays.

5. Watch out for toxic plants. Summer is the time when many plants are in bloom, but some can be toxic to cats. Lilies, for example, are highly toxic and can cause kidney failure if ingested. Other toxic plants include azaleas, tulips, and daffodils. Make sure to keep these plants out of reach and consult with your veterinarian if you suspect your cat has ingested a toxic plant.

6. Keep your cat away from harmful chemicals. Summer is also the time when many chemicals are used, such as pesticides, fertilizers, and pool chemicals. Keep these chemicals out of reach and always store them in a secure location. If your cat comes into contact with any of these chemicals, seek veterinary care immediately.

Dot Treats 

Tuna Treats

If your cat loves a fishy flavor occasionally, these tuna treats from Serendipity and Spice should be your next baking project. All you need is:

• 5 oz tuna
• ½ cup of white cornmeal
• ½ cup flour
• ½ cup of water

Simply mix your ingredients together into a long ball. Preheat your oven to 350 and take small pieces off your dough ball to make smaller balls, then flatten with your thumb. Bake for 5 minutes, flip all treats to the other side, and bake for 5 more minutes. 

Dot goes too school 

My son attended home school/ virtual school and Dot spent school time with him. Cats are great for relieving stress and anxiety.  

T

Pets : Cats and Dogs

 

Pets : Cats or Dogs or Both ? 

In my family its both.  cats and  Dog that  we love. These are made from a cute Pets cardstock  pack. 

Back to School celebration

 Back to School celebration 

Today I start my back to school celebration on my blog. It's International Teacher day so let's have fun.  

• Books, library 
• Crafts
• School recipe 
• Home school tips 

This year school starts 8/13 and will be my son's first year teaching English. 

Peanut Butter Cookies and bag

 It's a fun back to school paper bag craft to hold homemade cookies. 

It's International Teacher day! 

This is fun and easy snack bag with a little paint .I took a paper bag and cut the top in a triangle shape . Then painted the bag to look like a yellow pencil ✏️ . Filled with cookies and fabric bow.

Peanut Butter Cookies: 

• 1 1/3 cup all-purpose flour (scoop and level to measure)
• 3/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup  unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup  granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup   packed light brown sugar
• 3/4 cup  creamy peanut butter
• 1 large egg
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line two 18 by 13-inch  baking sheets with silicone baking liners or parchment paper. 
• In a medium mixing bowl whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
• In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment cream together butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until combined.
• Mix in peanut butter then blend in egg and vanilla. With mixer set on low speed slowly add in flour mixture and mix just until combined. 
• Scoop dough out and shape into balls (30 grams each or nearly 2 Tbsp) then place on baking sheets spacing them 2-inches apart.
• Using a long pronged fork flatten cookies slightly then turn fork going opposite direction and flatten just slightly again (it should create that criss cross pattern).
• Bake cookies in preheated oven, one sheet at a time, for about 9 minutes (cookies will appear pale and slightly under-baked, they'll continue to cook slightly as they cool). 
• Let cool on baking sheet 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Store cookies and an 

Diy Crayon candles

In honor of back to school this week I am melting some old candles into a candles 

 

This is a great way to use broken candles from last year stash. Since each color is a different color of melted crayons.  

Start with a clean jar , add a wick. Then melt each  color of crayons in microwave in a glass container..Pour into jar and let firm up before adding next color crayons.  

It takes time but makes a great candles.  

Today starts our Back to School celebration on my blog....

August Bullet Journal

It's August an in Louisiana it's Back to School time 

We are closed for clean up at the library.

We open 8/10 at 2 pm till 5:30 for after school totoring. And homeschool group.

August Back to School bullet journal.   

Holiday 

Celebrating Chocolate Chip cookie Day 

• ½ cup butter
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup brown sugar packed
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 large egg
• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour properly measured
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350 F.
• Microwave the butter for about 40 seconds. Butter should be completely melted but shouldn’t be hot.
• In a large bowl, mix butter with the sugars until well-combined.
  ½ cup butter,½ cup granulated sugar,¼ cup brown sugar
• Stir in vanilla and egg until incorporated.
  2 teaspoons vanilla extract,1 large egg
• Add the flour, baking soda, and salt. Please read the recipe note about properly measuring flour. 
  1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour,½ teaspoon baking soda,½ teaspoon kosher salt
• Mix dough until just combined. Dough should be soft and a little sticky but not overly sticky.
• Stir in chocolate chips.
  1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• Scoop out 1.5 tablespoons of dough (medium cookie scoop) and place 2 inches apart on baking sheet.
• Bake for 7-10 minutes, or until cookies are set. They will be puffy and still look a little underbaked in the middle.3

Southern Watermelon Rind preserves

 

• ingredients
• 6 cups watermelon rind, diced
• 4 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 lemon, sliced thinly, then seeded
• 1 teaspoon allspice

Peel green skin off the watermelon, but leave a little of the red pulp on rind. Cut into 1-inch slices, then slice into 1-inch cubes. Place rind in a large pot and cover with the sugar until the fruit doesn’t show. Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate overnight.

Place pot on stove and add lemon slices and allspice, if desired. Boil whole mixture until rind is clear, about 2 hours.

Pack into clean, hot jars. Wipe rims and screw on lids. Process 10 minutes in boiling water deep enough to cover lids by at least 1 inch. Serve the preserves on buttered toast, if desired.

NOTE: After cutting watermelon, save the rind in the refrigerator until you are ready to prepare the preserves