Les Trois Mousquetaires

To Flush, My Dog

BY ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING

LOVING friend, the gift of one,

Who, her own true faith, hath run,

Through thy lower nature ;

Be my benediction said

With my hand upon thy head,

Gentle fellow-creature ! 

Monday tickles

Illustration-Collage©YankaErimtan

It is never too late to learn a witty insult.

Pretend

My dog likes silly jokes

Then, I hide behind the door

Pretend I am a boar

She howls and barks in a roar

She giggles and wants some more!

Then, I hide behind the sofa

Pretend I am a cheetah

She howls and barks in a roar

She giggles and wants some more!

Then I hide behind the table

Pretend I am a sable

She howls and barks in a roar

She giggles and wants some more!

Then I hide behind the bassinet

Pretend I am a hornet

I Buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

and buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Run out and buzzzzzzzz

"O What?"

"O Why"

"O Where has she gone now?

All I see is her back and a running tail

She barks and howls

But giggles not! Pretends no more!

Read more: Tales

Pretend©2011Babetteandfriends

Mille Feuille

Collage-Illustration©2010Babetteandfriends

It is a rainy Saturday, a perfect day for making sweets!

We decided to try and make Mille Feuille, since we woke up with a distinct sweet craving. While there are World Cup games going on, eyes are glued on "futbol" "soccer", whatever you call it, blood sugars may fall or rise and what better remedy than a perfect Mille Feuille?

Mille Feuille's success is all in the preparation of the dough.

Its thinness and freshness are essential for Mille Feuille.

Preparation is time consuming but, it is worth spending the extra time for crisp fluffy sheets. Once baked and filled with layers of fresh cream you will be delighted.

I watched the video of Master Pastry Chef,Keiko to refresh my memory for the dough and followed it for making my dough. It is very simple. She has also a great E book for novices. (thank you Keiko!)

For the cream you need:

Milk 500 g (17.5 oz) Butter (unsalted) 30 g (1 oz) Sugar 100 g (3.5 oz) Eggyolk 100g(3.5oz) Cake flour 40 g (1.4 oz) Vanilla essence

Bon Apetit.

Confession: For Babette and friends, I made their Doggie Mille Feuille with wheat flour and spread a bit of liver and cheddar in between their sheet of "mille woofs" so there would not be any "begging" while we are eating ours...

Iris to Ceres

Illustration@2010BabetteandFriends

Ceres, most bounteous lady, thy rich leas
Of wheat, rye, barley, vetches, oats and pease;
Thy turfy mountains, where live nibbling sheep,
And flat meads thatch'd with stover, them to keep;
Thy banks with pioned and twilled brims,
Which spongy April at thy hest betrims,
To make cold nymphs chaste crowns; and thy broom -groves,
Whose shadow the dismissed bachelor loves,
Being lass-lorn: thy pole-clipt vineyard;
And thy sea-marge, sterile and rocky-hard,
Where thou thyself dost air;--the queen o' the sky,
Whose watery arch and messenger am I,
Bids thee leave these, and with her sovereign grace,
Here on this grass-plot, in this very place,
To come and sport: her peacocks fly amain:
Approach, rich Ceres, her to entertain.

From: The Tempest by Shakespeare

Mystery Visitor at the Farm

Hello, it is Babette here!

We had a mystery visitor! A little black cat who must have left home in a hurry without wearing a collar. How unwise!

My human thinks it is a lost house cat, but I think not, it is a barn cat all right,  with all that hissing scratching my human (what bad manners) she ought to be wild.

Cooper, Willy and I approached to say welcome with gentle woofs.  You would think he had seen the devil!  He climbed the maple tree and would not come down even after scrumptious treats were offered.

Silly cat! 

Nonetheless he remained in the garden. In the mornings as soon we lifted the shade here he was with big yellow eyes, gently meowing.  I guess it is kind of cute in a feline way.

We put out milk for him and he made himself comfortable under the porch and cleaned the plate with good appetite. Finally we became good friends. She had that ‘je ne cat quoi’, a wise wildness and comforting quietness.

My first cat friend. 

Then one day he was recognized by the postman, he said this cat belongs to someone, a neighbour 3 miles away. Apparently he was being searched for days: “ Haven’t  you seen the posters?  “ he asked. No we didn’t.

And now he is gone. 

I never liked that postman. 

Next time he comes around I plan to nip his ankle…

Apparently the cat was a she. 

NO wonder...

The sea in my mind

Illustration-Collage©2010Babetteandfriends

My human dreams of Maine these days. 

She keeps saying ‘Babette, very soon we will go by the sea, hear the waves, walk on the cliffs, go down on the beach, collect pebbles and eat fish cakes in a simple shack by the ocean and then feed the gulls’.

Well, I don’t like that big gaping bathtub she calls sea. Who knows what could be lurking under that deep puddle. I have no intention to get my pretty hair wet. Besides the lulling sighing song drives me nuts!

But how to woof this to her? 

 Collage available in Shop.

Dream

Collage©2010Babetteandfriends

if you like the collage above you can find it and many more of Babette and friend's similar whimsical cards in our Shop.

Babette's dream

Last night Babette had an unusual and long dream. Her paws were in full motion and her ears and whiskers were twitching, her nose got very busy sniffing something interesting. Suddenly she moaned and made crying sounds and her legs moved more and more wildly as if she was now really really running and her tail started to go up and down and shake left and right. I believe what ever she was up to became not so pleasant anymore! When she opened her eyes, she had the face of a dazed dog. I wondered if she had a nightmare and was relieved to awake and get out of whatever she was dreaming. Of course we can never tell..

I read that not all animals that experience REM sleep necessarily dream. Some think that perhaps only mammals dream during REM sleep. However, dolphins, thought to be highly intelligent do not have any REM sleep whatsoever!

I was surprised to read that elephants,giraffes,cows,horses and even sheep dream too!

Apparently elephants don't change in posture when entering or exiting REM sleep. Therefore, it is often difficult to tell if they are in NonREM or REM sleep. It is hard to see the eye movements since their eyes are relatively small. However, some indicators of REM sleep in elephants, as well as other animals, are twitches, vocalizing and irregular breathing.

Giraffes have about 20 min. of REM sleep each night in episodes of 1-6 minutes each. During this time, they lie down, heads resting over their bodies or on the ground.

Horses which must lie down to experience REM sleep, sometimes move their legs while sleeping, and will even neigh in their sleep!

Sheep who often sleep in a "sphinx-like" position occasionally stretch out while sleeping. During this time, they experience many REM sleep-like sleep. During this time, they have eye movements and ears and their legs occasionally twitch.

Interesting, isn't it?

Etymology of the word: Dog

Illustration©2010Babetteandfriends

Fascinating information about the word Dog:
Dog (noun) In Old English O.E. docga, a late, rare word used of a powerful breed of canine. It forced out O.E. hund (the general Germanic) by 16c. and subsequently was picked up in many continental languages (cf. Fr. dogue, Danish: dogge), but the origin remains one of the great mysteries of English etymology.

Many expressions -- a dog's life (c.1600), go to the dogs (1610s), etc. -- reflect earlier hard use of the animals as hunting accessories, not pampered pets.
In ancient times, "the dog" was the worst throw in dice (attested in Greek, Latin, where the word for "the lucky player" was "the dog-killer"), which plausibly explains the Greek word for "danger," kindynas, which appears to be "play the dog."

Slang meaning "ugly woman" is from 1930s; that of "sexually aggressive man" is from 1950s. Dog tag is from 1918. To dog-ear a book is from 1650s; dog-eared in extended sense of "worn, unkempt" is from 1894.

In a letter addressed To King Edward VI, 15th May 1546, Queen Elizabeth I, wrote the sentence below { read the whole letter by clicking on the sentence if you are interested in Tudor History and to understand the meaning of the whole sentence}
Notwithstanding, as a dog hath a day, so may I perchance have time to declare it in deeds. [Queen Elizabeth, 1546]

It is ill wakyng of a sleapyng dogge. [Heywood, 1562]

Phrase put on the dog "get dressed up" (1934) may refer back to the stiff stand-up shirt collars that in the 1890s were the height of male fashion (and were known as dog-collars at least from 1883), with reference to collars worn by dogs. The common Spanish word for "dog," perro, also is a mystery word of unknown origin, perhaps from Iberian.

Did you ever wonder where do the phrase "The Dog Days" come from?
Not from our dogs but from stars and calendars.
It is first recorded in 1538 as Dies Caniculares in Latin. In Greek it was known as Kyon Seirios. Greeks thus named time period around the heliacal rising of Sirius (q.v.), the Dog-star, noted as the hottest and most unwholesome time of the year; usually July 3 to Aug. 11. But variously calculated, depending on latitude and on whether the greater Dog-star (Sirius) or the lesser one (Procyon) is reckoned.
The heliacal rising of Sirius has shifted down the calendar with the precession of the equinoxes; in ancient Egypt c.3000 B.C.E. it coincided with the summer solstice, which was also the new year and the beginning of the inundation of the Nile. The "dog" association apparently began here (the star's hieroglyph was a dog)

Our friend Courage the Shepherd dog!

We got very good news today about our friend Courage's recovery. He had been neglected and starved for weeks and was struggling between life and death when rescued by German Shepherd Rescue of Orange county. He went through extensive and painful treatments and finally he is on his way to new beginnings. We send him love and happy kisses and woofs and many thanks to the good people at the German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County for their selfless work. We need more two leggeds like you!

Science proves: Dogs Detect Human Emotion

They could have saved their time and money.  Anyone who lives with animals knows they do indeed detect emotions and navigate the changes.

Maybe the scientists should study why most humans do not.

Dog Sketches...

Perfect day for sketching as it did not stop raining cats and dogs. Phrase to rain cats and dogs is attested from 1738 (variation rain dogs and polecats is from 1652), of unknown origin, despite intense speculation. One of the more idiotic assertions is that it refers to pets sliding off sod roofs when the sod got too wet during a rainstorm. Ever see a cat react to a rainstorm by climbing up on an exposed roof? I really would like to find out where this phrase originated though. If you ever come across an interesting entry please do "comment".

Babette and friends stayed indoors all day. I simply love using conté crayon and pressed charcoal to draw my perfectly obedient and very patient dog and cat models while they lounge around and calmly chew their chews. All is peaceful until there is the much dreaded lightening right after a loud thunder, then they loose their cool and it is complete "bordello" in the house (as "we" pooches are still very scared of this phenomena) It is too bad, because their momkeep used to love to watch this particularly spectacular Nature show.

I will post more when I have more complete drawings of my 3 Graces together.. For now enjoy the below sketches by 17th century Flemish painter Francis Snyders. You can view more of his work and 17th century European Animal Genre Painting at Louvre's on line collection

Dogs in Ancient Greece and Rome

I came across fascinating information about dogs in Ancient Greece and Rome in Encylopaedia Romana. I hope you will find it as fascinating as we did at Babette and friends.

"There on the left as one entered...was a huge dog with a chain round its neck. It was painted on the wall and over it, in big capitals, was written: Beware of the Dog."

Petronius, Satyricon (XXIX)

19th Century Dog Paintings

FAVORITE GALLERY FOR 19TH CENTURY DOG PAINTINGS

~William Secord Gallery is a charming art gallery on the Upper East Side of Manhattan that specializes in fine 19th-century dog paintings. Anyone who loves dogs and fine portrait paintings should stop by and check out this whimsically extravagant gallery's collection. if you are are a doggie person you will enjoy the wonderful variety of dog portraits offered here in an elegant setting. I guess dog lovers were in 19th -and still are in 21st century-a "breed" apart!

Alice in the Wonderland

Illustration-Collage©Babetteandfriends

'Babette and Friends' is Reading Lewis Carroll.

`Who are YOU?' said the Caterpillar.

This was not an encouraging opening for a conversation. Alice replied, rather shyly, `I--I hardly know, sir, just at present-- at least I know who I WAS when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then.'

Good Day to you

For my dearest Tara..

Playing....

Reading.....

I hope your day was perfect too....

Illustration-Collage©2010Babetteandfriends

Missing music

Illustration-Collage©2010Babetteandfriends

Today "Babette and Friends" is having a musical day at the farm!

Going through my sheet music and trying to find an easy piece to work on I came across an old time favorite : Faure's "Apres Un Reve". In French it means after a dream. The vocal line is quite appropriately a sound that I can best describe as dreamy. A woman's languishing voice between a place of hope and despair. . Accompanying piano is a light, underlying pulse, it carries the song in propulsion., ta ta taa ta.. I simply live this song. I downloaded from Itunes and set at work with my sheet music to refresh my memory.

"In a sleep which your image charmed, I dreamt of happiness, ardent mirage.... You called me, and I left the earth, to flee with you towards the light.... Return, return, radiant" -my translation.

I have neglected my music terribly. I must say though that I believe my animals were quite relieved about that!

Since I am hard of hearing {actually deaf in one ear} I do not hear what I sound like. Poor creatures, what must they endure? But, for years to Babette's dismay I was adamant on keeping to my disciplined practicing. I was getting bolder and bolder, because I was encouraged by my teacher, Peiwen, who kept on insisting: " a musician should notttttt listen to herself, but a musician must feeeeeeeeel her music "

Today, I did work on that most peculiarly expressive Faure song. What a disaster it was. I cleaned the house of all mice...

I thought my hearing aid was going to explode. My doggie girl escaped the moment I hit the high C. She ran out of the room in such a haste that suddenly felt the wind of her tail brushing my leg, but I did not even see her.

Babette loves Debussy's music. Of course, not when I attempt to sing or play it!

I noticed that the moment all my doggies, Babette ,Cooper and Willy hear "Syrinx for unaccompanied flute" they are bewitched. I believe string or wind instruments calm animals.

Equines,Canines,Felines,Primates do definetly have have neurological processes similar to us,Drug trials show that even mice respond to medication that alleviate emotional instability , such as depression in humans. I have read that to test an antidepressant's effectiveness, first mice are made depressed, I don't remember how doctor's accomplish that (but, I am sure through some cruel human "ingenuity")

Well, do you ever wonder, if a mouse can feel depressed, then is it possible for that mice to feel happiness?

Human beings, we feel fear, pain, pleasure, etc and learn from these, hopefully how best to behave to suit us to survive. This biological mechanism is part of our Evolution. This biological mechanism of "learning from behavior to survive "encompasses all species; therefore, my dog learns from her emotions to behave best to survive as well...

Homo sapiens are trying hard to define our own "consciousness" We are not equipped to explain ours yet scientifically nor spiritually, let along another specie's "consciousness". But, one thing is observable, and therefore is true.

My dog feels fear, therefore I assume my dog feels also pleasure. She experiences happiness.

That is my motto.

Well, ta ta for now...

A recipe and a poem for Tara

I came across a recipe for red mullet.  It was recommended by Billy Collins the former U.S. poet laureate.

Below you can read The Fish, a poem by Billy Collins.   It is a bonus, especially for you Tara dearest.

Bon Appetit.

Red Mullet With Pancetta And Thyme

4 red mullets (about 8 ounces each), cleaned and gutted

Olive oil

Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

A large bunch fresh thyme

1 lemon, cut into 8 wedges

8 thin slices pancetta (or bacon)

4 good-quality anchovy fillets in olive oil, drained.

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Heat a large skillet until very hot.

2. Meanwhile, rub each fish and its cavity with olive oil and season, inside and out, with salt and pepper. Stuff each cavity with a few sprigs of thyme and a lemon slice.

3. Cook the pancetta in the hot skillet until lightly browned, about 30 seconds per side. In the same hot skillet, sear the fish, 1 minute per side. Transfer to a cutting board. Wrap each fish with 2 strips pancetta and top with an anchovy fillet. Lay the fish in a roasting pan, top with extra thyme and drizzle with more olive oil. Roast in the oven until cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes. Serves 4.

Below the poem promised for my compassionate Tara; I know you will get this poem unlike most teens…

THE FISH

BY BILLY COLLINS

Published November 25,2007 New York Times

As soon as the elderly waiter
placed before me the fish I had ordered,
it began to stare up at me
with its one flat, iridescent eye.

I feel sorry for you, it seemed to say,
eating alone in this awful restaurant
bathed in such unkindly light
and surrounded by these dreadful murals of Sicily.

And I feel sorry for you, too —
yanked from the sea and now lying dead
next to some boiled potatoes in Pittsburgh —
I said back to the fish as I raised my fork.

And thus my dinner in an unfamiliar city
with its rivers and lighted bridges
was graced not only with chilled wine
and lemon slices but with compassion and sorrow

even after the waiter removed my plate
with the head of the fish still staring
and the barrel vault of its delicate bones
terribly exposed, save for a shroud of parsley.

June Birds

IllustrationCollage©2010Yanka-Babetteandfriends

There is a great activity going around at the farm. Starlings, warblers have taken over. We have observed three active nests with very noisy chicks and their very busy moms. We decided not to use certain doors as to not startle them. When they will start their flying "lessons" as they may walk or fall on porches I must make sure our doggie's predator instinct will be under observation :) At night frogs, early morning mallards, more frogs and jays and who knows what else are croaking and brooaaaking and hisss hisssing and prussss pruss and chickk chikking..

Don't you just love their sound? We are blessed, those who can hear, however, with one ear or little. Early morning when I am between dreams and waking these creature's calls are Vivaldi to my ears....

Babette loves Horses

I created a new Bfabric Equine collection, a line of fabrics with blues and oranges with complementing small and large patterns. I used my horse drawing above for this line. I think it turned out quite lovely! View the entire Bfabric collection here.