Doggy Update!!  Bailey is getting along well after her last cancer surgery.  The only problem we have had is she couldn’t maneuver with the cone of shame on her head.  Well, being the loving mom that I am I took it off and she licked part of her stitches out.  I couldn’t wrap it because she kept chewing the bandage off so I came up with a brilliant idea.  I dressed her in one of my long sleeve shirts. Momma Said, “You must learn to roll with the punches and improvise.”

She is doing ok with that and I hope this will be the last surgery she has to have, fingers and toes crossed.  Mom liked animals but she would not have put the effort into an animal like I have with mine.  I can’t stand to see them sick or hurt and know I can give them the help they need.  Some would say I am crazy to put that much money into an animal but they are my responsibility and I take that very seriously.

My niece shares my love of animals and she is in her third year of vet school.  I wish I had done that when I got out of high school but, it is too late now.  I know she has years of schooling ahead of her but, she is up for the task.  She is working in a vet’s office when she is not in school and getting a lot of hands on training.  She will be ahead of the curve when she gets through her first four years of academia and actually gets to vet school. I am very proud of her because she is the first one of our family to go to college and also because she is a great kid.  Momma Said, “Reach for the stars and grab a rainbow.”

Sometimes I wish I could go back in time and do things differently.  I was so timid and afraid to go away to college, I just plain chickened out.  That is one thing I would do differently and I think I would have been good at it.  Not to toot my own horn but I was somewhat of a bookaholic when I was younger.  I could retain information and got really good grades.  With my love of animals I think I would have excelled.  Now I will live my dreams through my niece and wish her the best.  I love you, Sarah, and I am so proud of you.  Mom would be proud too!!

30 MINUTE NO-FRY CHICKEN

INGREDIENTS

• 1 Cup Prepared Honey Mustard Dressing
• 2 Tablespoons Water
• 1 Pound Chicken Tenderloins
• 3 Cups Corn Flake Cereal
• 1 Teaspoon Salt
• 1 Teaspoon Pepper
• 1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat Your Oven To 400 Degrees F.
2. In A Small Mixing Bowl, Mix Your Prepared Honey Mustard Dressing With 2 Tablespoons of Water To Dilute.
3. Pour The Cereal Into A Large Zip Bag. Add The Salt, Pepper And Garlic Powder. Crush The Cereal Using Your Hands, Being Sure To Not Overdo It. Close The Bag And Shake It To Mix Everything Together.
4. Dip The Chicken Tenderloins In The Honey Mustard Dressing Then Place Each One In The Cereal Bag.
5. Zip The Bag And Shake It Vigorously To Evenly Coat The Chicken.
6. Spread The Chicken Out On A Baking Sheet Lined With Parchment Paper.
7. Bake The Chicken For 20 Minutes In The Preheated Oven, Or Until The Chicken Is Thoroughly Cooked And No Longer Pink Inside.
8. Let The Chicken Cool Down Slightly Before Serving. Serve Alongside Some Additional Honey Mustard Sauce For Dipping.