Silk flowers, aluminum foil, gummy worms and clean new gardening tools, optional
Directions
Crush cookies until they resemble potting soil. Divide half of the crumbs between the flower pots. Set pots and remaining crumbs aside.
In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter, sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy. In another bowl, whisk milk and pudding mix for 2 minutes (mixture will be thick). Fold in whipped topping. Gently fold into cream cheese mixture until blended.
Add filling to pots; top with reserved crumbs. Cover and refrigerate until chilled. If desired, wrap silk flower stems in foil; add to flower pots. Decorate with gummy worms and display with gardening tools if desired.
Nutrition Facts1 each: 534 calories, 29g fat (17g saturated fat), 47mg cholesterol, 575mg sodium, 63g carbohydrate (43g sugars, 1g fiber), 5g protein. Originally published as Dirt Cake in Country Extra May 1990
Vegan version of my first and moste ancient Ghibli inspired soups.
Heat 3 tbsp olive oil or your preferred cooking oil in a large soup pot. Chop three celery stalks, 1.5 sweet onions, 6 smallish carrots (you can adjust amounts of veggies to your preferences) and sauté for around five minutes or so on medium heat stirring occasionally until the onions start to become a little translucent. Add 3 cloves of minced garlic, stir and cook two minutes. Add around 3 cups chopped red potatoes (I really never measure, just use what you’re feeling, I’m estimating I threw about 3 cups in) and cook stirring occasionally 5-7 minutes.
Add 3 tbsp flour, just enough to evenly coat the vegetables and potatoes, cook for another minute stirring it well.
Add six cups vegan ‘chicken’ broth or vegetable broth and bring to a boil.
Once it’s boiling throw in half a pound of gnocci, cook two minutes or until the gnocci start floating to the surface.
Add 1.5 cups unsweetened coconutmilk soup base and one can of corn.
Season with 1 tablespoon dried basil (or more if you like, I tend to go crazy with the basil), 2 bay leaves, a TON of black pepper, and quite a bit of salt because, potatoes.
First, congrats on the decision, I’m sure your local ruler (cat) will be thrilled.
Second, I don’t know how much construction experience you have, but building something like this that’s totally functional is actually pretty complicated. In the world of knitting, crocheting, and sewing it’s not at all uncommon to pay for a pattern, so I think it’s entirely reasonable to ask for money for the building information.
You also might want to reach out to a local builder/handyman (or handywoman, or handyperson) to make sure that the design you do select will be strong enough to resist your neighbor’s dog. Think about how big the dog is, how strong it is, how high it can jump, etc… It would also be agood idea to consult a professional before buying a plan or materials to make sure that they’ll be strong and safe enough.
From the digging that I’ve done, it seems like you are going to need to pay for plans or a kit, because at the end of the day someone has put their time, effort, and expertise into designing these things– think of it like an IKEA bed frame, or any other piece of furniture.
Thanks! I actually have all three, I’m just in different stages of reading / studying them, but I’m posting this ask because I think other people might want the resources.
Zoo Renewal is absolutely incredible – I haven’t finished it yet because it’s definitely a lot to digest, but super valuable. (For those who don’t know it, the full title is “Zoo Renewal: White Flight and the Animal Ghetto” and it’s a really fascinating look into some of the human politics surrounding zoos).
The Animal Game: Searching For Wildness at the American Zoo looks at some of the history of imperialism in the early zoo industry with regards to animal acquisition, and I would say more on it if I’d re-read it recently, but even so it has stuck out to me as a really valuable and interesting book.
If you’ve ever wanted to know about 19th century zoos (or if you were interested in the post about bear pits from a few weeks ago), Savages and Beasts: Birth of the Modern Zoo is a go-to read. Rothfels talks a lot on how zoo design (both animal exhibits and general sensibilities) evolved from where they were then to how zoos are now.
What do you do if you find a turtle crossing the road? I collaborated with Dr. David Steen of the Alongside Wild Foundation to tell you how to save our shelly pals.
Shovels or trash can lids also work great for moving snappers. I personally wouldn’t recommend holding a snapper’s hind leg as their claws can be almost as painful as their beak. But you can grab under the upper shell on either side of the tail and help it cross.
ifesbob 