There's just something about dogs. Studies have shown that owning a dog has countless benefits - they can relieve stress, they can teach responsibility and empathy, they may even lower your risk for heart disease. Dogs find the greatest joys in even the simplest of things, like a ride in the car or a walk in the park. They really don't ask for much in return, yet they love you unconditionally. Every day is an adventure when you share your life with a dog. 

All my life, I've had dogs, sometimes a few at a time. And with that, I have had my share of heartaches. Nothing can prepare you for losing your dog. Even if you think you're prepared, you're not. When a dog loves you, they trust you implicitly. They look to you for support and for all their needs. And when they are tired and have had a full life, they look to you to guide them to their final rest. 

My heart aches as we have had to say goodbye to our dear, sweet Sophie today. She was the best, always gentle and loving, gave the best snuggles and cuddles and made us giggle with her acrobatics. We held her close, we kissed her, we stroked her beautiful fur, we told her how very much we loved her - and then we let go. Now, the house feels empty. The other dogs sense that something is wrong - they are looking in each room of the house, hoping to find her. There is an unfamiliar quiet now. But in our hearts we know that we will meet again someday. She will be there, with our other dogs, all with wagging tails, so excited to see us again.

So this is where we part, My Friend,

and you'll run on, around the bend.

Gone from sight, but not from mind,

new joys there you'll surely find.

Your place I'll hold, you will be missed,

the fur I stroked, the nose I kissed.

And as you journey to your rest,

take this with you...I have loved you best.

Until we meet again, Sophie. Wait for us at the rainbow bridge...

What do you do on a hot summer afternoon? I’m talking really hot, blistering heat, excessive heat warning hot. I have to admit, there are a few days during summer where it is too hot to go swimming. Ever been through one of those days?

When the boys were little, in certain ways it seemed easier to keep them entertained. Or maybe it was because I was more creative back then and had more energy. Now, energy comes purely from coffee and it only lasts a while. I remember, one year, we used a small box and filled it with small slips of paper. Each slip had an idea for summer fun written on it. Some were rather elaborate and some didn't involve as much effort. There were afternoons of stacking plastic cups with Lego men and army men and watching the boys take aim with Nerf guns. Days of quickly assembling the marble run, using a dollar store pool noodle and a dining chair. That was extra fun because then they would laugh when the cat would chase after the marble. There were hours of puzzles and endless games of Risk - somehow I always lost that game. What can I say, I have two boys that are all about strategy. We made ice cream from scratch and countless trips to the pool - thank goodness after a couple of summers, dear hubby and I got smart and built our own pool! I look back on those days and smile - of course my hope is that they look back on those days and smile, too. 

Nowadays, when they do want to hang around the house, it’s more of a challenge to find something to do. Kids these days do seem to entertain themselves but often times it's not interacting to the degree it used to be. Honestly, my boys could spend hours on technology, but sometimes you have to draw the line. And with one of the boys getting ready for college, the time that we do have I’m trying not only to be inventive, but create a few more fun memories. Some days it works, others not so much. I have discovered that food works as an enticement for hanging around. Personal grilled pizzas are one of our fam favorites. We always make the standard cheese, and pepperoni, but once in a while, we’ll have “topping night” where you can choose from a wide variety of extra ingredients to make the pizza special. One of my faves is the Chicken Caesar Pizza from SimplyScratch.com. Grilling them sure does beat turning on the oven in the middle of summer. 

Cheers to a Happy Summer!

My love of comfort food has remained pretty consistent all my life. The term was first used in the late sixties, in a story by the Palm Beach Post: "Adults, when under severe emotional stress, turn to what could be called 'comfort food' - food associated with the security of childhood. This 'comfort food' varies greatly across the nation, but I have found some of the best recipes originate in the South. Maybe it's the way Southern mamas take great pride in their cooking and comforting their families, maybe it has more to do with traditions passed down generation to generation, but whatever it is, those Southern recipes reside in many homes as a standard 'go-to' meal when the craving for comfort food sets in. 

I recently stumbled upon a copy of Reese Witherspoon's "Whiskey in a Teacup." While it isn't exactly a recipe book - it's more of a collection of home-spun stories of her childhood and how proper Southern ladies 'do their day,' I was intrigued by more than a handful of good 'ol comfort food recipes. I also had a good laugh about driving to your destination with your hair all done up in hot rollers.

Being as though I am still serving meals on a tray to my recuperating son, I'm looking for a new variety of offerings - attempting to mix it up a little. His appetite is increasing now, so this is a good sign. As a mother of teenage sons, a sure-fire way of knowing something is not right with your kid, is when a teenage boy doesn't have an appetite. I announced yesterday that I was going to try my hand at a new recipe involving chili and I saw the big smile and I knew I had a winner!

My family loves chili, so the recipe for Corn Bread Chili Pie was a definite. Now I know what you're thinking....it's over 100 degrees right now, why on earth would you serve chili? Well you see, when you're watching your food practically disappear before your eyes (teen boys will cause you to think about a second job just to provide groceries), satisfying and filling meals become a priority. And chili starts looking pretty good, no matter what the temp is - and there is some grace, it's not 100 degrees inside - thankfully - my dear hubby does like arctic air blowing on him during the hot summer months. Still, though, I've learned to cook early in the day before the temps rise too high.

What can I say about the Cornbread Chili Pie? Well, it was delicious! Satisfying and filling. And for a few moments, I fooled everyone as all they could see on the stovetop was the cornbread - and low and behold, hiding beneath was the chili. See, I still have a few tricks up my sleeve.

Try some for yourself. I'm sure you'll agree - pretty awesome comfort food!

Reese's Corn Bread Chili Pie

2 Tablespoons olive oil           

1 medium onion, chopped               

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 pound ground beef                   

1 pound ground pork                       

2 packets chili seasoning

1 can diced tomatoes                  

2 Tablespoons tomato paste             

2 cups chicken broth

2 eggs                                        

2/3 cup milk                                     

1 cup frozen corn, divided

1 cup shredded cheese                

1 can kidney beans, drained             

2 Jiffy Cornbread mixes

Preheat oven to 375. In a cast iron skillet heat the olive oil over medium high heat until it shimmers. Add the onion and saute for 1 minute before adding the garlic. Saute for another minute and add the ground beef and pork, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon and stirring until meat is browned.

Drain off any excess fat and stir in the chili seasoning, diced tomatoes and tomato paste. Mix over medium heat for 1 minute, then pour in the chicken broth. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. 

While the meat simmers, make the corn bread mixture: stir together the mix, eggs and milk in a bowl until just combined (do not overmix). Stir 1/2 cup of corn and the cheese into the corn bread batter and set aside. Stir the remaining 1/2 cup of corn and the kidney beans into the meat mixture. 

Transfer the meat mixture to a casserole dish. Pour the corn bread batter over the meat mixture and bake in the oven for 35 to 40 minutes, until golden brown on top. Remove from the oven and allow to sit for 10 minutes before serving. Try serving with optional toppings such as salsa, green onion, sour cream and shredded cheese.