Meet Izzy and More Comfort Food

For my mom's birthday, she decided that she needed a dog. She researched and landed on a Cairn Terrier {like the dog, Toto, in Wizard of Oz}. Admittedly, I had my reservations about my parents getting a puppy {it has been 15 years since they last had a puppy} and let's be honest - having a puppy is quite similar to having a newborn {except a newborn doesn't pee and poop all over the house}.

Jack, however, was thrilled that Nana and Poppy got a puppy. He's been wanting to trade in Old Girl for a newer model for quite some time. He tells me, "Mom, let's take Marley back to the pet store and get a little dog {or cat} instead."

My parents couldn't decide on a name for the dog {even though I threw out great suggestions like, Dorothy, Emma (Aunt Em), Glenda and Ruby (Slippers)}. Jack came up with Izzy - thanks to his new favorite Disney channel show, Jake and the Neverland Pirates. I think it is fitting and Jack was smitten with his newly named pup, as you can tell.

Paige was a little unsure about Izzy. And Old Girl was glad that Izzy wasn't staying with us permanently.

Jack has been into naming things lately. He keeps re-naming Paige. He went a whole day only calling her by the name of Molly. Then one day, he quite assertively tells me that he's going to call her Candace now. Come to think of it, I'm glad my parents got a dog and allowed him to name her! Maybe now we can go back to calling his sister, Paige.

Update on the Dad

We've moved into a new stage of recovery. Ben got the surgery dressing and stitches removed yesterday and is now sporting a much more low profile, blue {again, Jack chose the color} cast. We got the first look at the wound yesterday and it is healing nicely. Besides the incision, there is also a Frankenstein-like pin that is jutting out of his thumb joint {I know, ewww} to help keep the joint stable while it heals. He will have the pin and blue cast removed in about two weeks {a bit sooner than we originally thought} on March 10th. At that time, he will move into a spica splint and begin rehab. He could potentially go back to work by the end of March {wOOt}!!!!

More Comfort Foods

I've been cooking up more of Ben's favorite foods {again, trying to get him well as quick as possible}. Unfortunately, he isn't able to really work out {can't get the cast all sweaty and gross}, so he may put on a few pounds after all of my cooking and much inactivity.

The weather was so blissfully warm this weekend that I grilled for the first time {all on my own} in my life. And I don't mean gas grilled. I mean good, ol' charcoal grilled. I was quite proud of myself 'cause I usually leave the grillin' up to the Grill Master, Ben. I made some of our favorite burgers, Southwest Green Chile Burgers courtesy of Publix Apron's recipes.

Grillin' with charcoal...

a little Kraft Chipotle Mayo on each bun...

and good hamburger buns from the Publix bakery are the secret to burger perfection!

The tangy chipotle mayo, the Southwest dressing, the crunchy tortilla chips, the crisp lettuce, the melty Havarti cheese and a little {but not too much} spicy green chiles makes this burger ready for a throw down with Bobby Flay!