So many good things
I found an article on Alison Pace today in Long Island Press. I had sent treats to Alicyn Leigh who does their pet columns to review my product and hopefully that review will be coming out in August 2006. The link for the article about the lovely Alison Pace is here:

http://www.longislandpress.com/?cp=145&show=article&a_id=8987

I was also happy to find an article on the Pet Pride Pageant that we had sent treats for on June 24, 2006. Liza Minnelli was there and I saw Jen Bristol in the photo behind her so I guess Animal Haven was there with dogs up for adoption.

http://www.animalalliancenyc.org/press/ol2006-07-01.htm

and one more article in The Village Voice here:

http://www.villagevoice.com/nyclife/0627,zappia,73692,15.html

and finally, some photos of Liza Minnelli

http://www.monstersandcritics.com/peoplepop.php?id=85691&index=10

I'm so excited to be participating in Broadway Barks with the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals. The event is Saturday, July 8, 2006 with a raindate scheduled for July 22, 2006. You really never know these days with the weather being so hot, humid and sweltering. It's really bad for the dogs to be out in this kind of heat so I hope it does get better.

I have been getting a lot of input lately on the treats and the packaging and the labelling. I really appreciate everyone's opinion but now it just makes it a little tougher to figure out where to go with all this advice. So once again, I sit with pen and paper and tally up the votes. Which is the most popular flavor, why is it popular, which treats are not selling and why. What can I do to revise a flavor or recipe. I've changed recipes around to make them exactly the right consistency and crunch. Katie loves the Soul Soothers I baked and they were made with much more chicken meat but with that said, it makes the treat itself softer. I personally like the crunchier treats because it is better for the dog but that's just my opinion. Katie likes most of the stuff I bake. I sent the treats off in the mail for an order and then donated the rest to North Shore Animal League. I really like them because they just are always friendly and the animals always seem to be in great shape. I dream about adopting all those dogs and taking them off to a big ranch somewhere where they can hang out, play and get adopted like free range dogs. I love the idea of having a great big property where I can just let the dogs run around and play in a field. That dream goes along with my dream of having a big bakery/cafe but I've got a long long way to go with that dream. It's so nice to think about it though.

Taste testing.
I ate a treat the other day. It just smelled so good and I wanted to test the crunch really. So I ate it. Then I ate another. This concerned me because I wondered what it means. Has my flavor palate changed so that I am able to detect flavors that are so faint as in a dog treat? I will admit it. I ate the chicken treat and it was good! You have to refridgerate them but still it was like a cold chicken bagel or something. Wow. I passed one over to my brother and he looked at it then at me as if to say, "You expect me to eat this?" Then as a good sport he always is, he ate it. He didn't spit it out but he didn't taste what I tasted. Now, when I went out to eat the other day, it seemed like the food was just exploding with flavor. It wasn't MSG. I'm certain of that. But it seemed like the food seemed to have an enormous amount of flavors. Delicious but somewhat overwhelming. I think this is what dogs experience when they eat human food. That got me wondering what is HAPPENING to my taste buds? Have I adopted the palate of my canine friends?! It's not necessarily a bad thing because well, that just means I can eat less and still enjoy that full flavor. Awesome! I can lose weight too? I laugh because I seem ridiculous even to myself sometimes.

Party Animals is having a get together on July 24, 2006 in Glen Head, NY (That's Long Island for all those people out there saying...where?!) finally, some action for us dog owners out here. It's Yappy Hour 2, the second social bar hopping dog gathering for this NSALA group. I'm happy it's close to home although it is still a bit of a drive for me. I'm still going and bringing treats for all.

http://ga4.org/nsalamerica/events/li_yappy_hour/details.tcl

Happy to say we are appreciated as well. Little Shelter sent us a really sweet certificate of thanks for sending treats for their dog walk-a-thon. I'll post it on the website when I get it scanned onto my computer. They are the oldest shelter on Long Island.

We also got a thank you note from Pet Peeves, Inc. for donating treats for their pool party fund raiser that made over $10,000.00 to benefit animal shelters on Long Island. Congratulations to Janine Dion for a wonderful job well done.

I feel good. I think we did a lot of nice things this week for needy/homeless animals.

Found some photos of our dessert cup blossoms at one of the parties we were at. Check out the chihuahua eating the dessert cup! So cute. I was so happy that the dogs loved the dessert blossoms. They make great serving cups for frosty paws, 1000 Licks or you could even put some peanut butter or applesauce in there for your dog. Really cute and fun for your dog!

http://www.leashesandlovers.com/parchive.html

I'll be reviewing Planet Dog soon. So far it's really good stuff.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0618517529/002-3340593-8139252?v=glance&n=283155

Splish Splash

Today was the Pet Peeves Poolside Party at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury, LI. We were able to contribute a bunch of treats for the guests to take home to their dogs. The Say Cheese was actually a new recipe and came out delicious! My brother ate some, my mom tried it and I actually really liked it. Katie loved it. She was really having a good food day today! I was really happy to help out. Special thanks to Janine Dion, president and founder of Pet Peeves, Inc. for creating a great group that helps animals on Long Island. The next event will be posted on honeybark.com but FYI it is September 13, 2006.

Quick Picks

At my old job, there was a system of reward and it was a great way to end a long day at work. I miss that a little bit because right now I have no other reward except for patting myself on the back at the end of a long day and saying, "Yeah! Great job!" I mean, there is just so much that a little self-acknowledgement/love can give you versus a nice little happy bonus in your pocket to use as mad money.

I've been negligent of my blog. I actually do very much like writing here but it takes time and I like to think about what I will be writing and not just verbally vomitting all over the screen like some blogs we all know and still read! People actually just empty their brains out onto their laptop and it ends up in cyberspace and then just about anyone around the world can enjoy it or not enjoy it but in any event it is out there for all to see.

I wanted to comment on the really busy past week. It was way too much to do in one week and I am not sure what has come of it. I should be seeing much more orders than I am or perhaps I am just not happy with the progress of mass advertising. Perhaps my expectations are way too high? I just haven't been in this field long enough to really know what is a good day or a bad day yet regarding sales.

Let me recap. Last week was the fabulous Doggy Drool in the Pool, The ASPCA Central Park Dogswalk, and the Pet Pride Pageant. I happened to be away this past weekend otherwise I might have gone to see the goings on at this weekends pride events. I'm actually curious how things went because I heard nothing about it from any of the newspapers or on tv. I was out of town so I missed it entirely.

I am excited because somehow, the trend for puppy parties is growing. I've gotten requests for a few birthday parties this summer. I love that. Why not celebrate your dog's birthday with friends and their dogs? It's a great way to socialize. We all need a little more socialization right? Just a teeny bit off topic, I was talking with an old high school buddy and we were chatting about how it is so hard to get together with friends when you are working, have a family and just barely have enough time to juggle chores to clean up your home. It is really rough. I love the concept of the doggy party because basically it is a bunch of dog owners getting together to share time, tips and brag about your dog or laugh at their foibles/antics. Dog owners tend to bond and it's a really great thing to watch. If you get the chance to attend one of the many parties that we are at, you will definitely see what I mean. It's wonderful. It's great to see the dogs enjoying each others' company as well. Dogs are pack animals. I think humans are pack animals too but we oftentimes try to overcome that need for socialization due to our work schedules. It's really a way we emotionally protect ourselves. It isn't right or wrong, we just do it. I think that more people will realize the need to get out there in the world and enjoy the company of others and then they will see how happy they can be by sharing a little bit of themselves as well.

Okay, I've gone on and on again.
One last thing, I found out that Katie likes salmon. That was strange. I had heard that dogs like tuna but salmon? This was completely accidental. She just happened to be nearby when a little bit of poached salmon hit the floor. No bones but it was a little chunk. She ate it and then sat closer to my chair. Her chin was practically in my lap. Maybe I will see what I can do about it but unless I am living in Alaska, I don't think it will be a part of my flavor list anytime soon!

Very happy to say that I am feeling particularly productive today and I got so much done. Yay. Now I seriously need to snooze.

Cool in the Pool
The Drool in the Pool Party was actually a fun time for all around. Dog Run NYC is actually a very nice place. Ritzy almost. The pool itself is cozy and small but the atmosphere is really nice like a little spa setting. The staff, very friendly and always attentive. They made sure that the security gates were shut before any dogs were in or out of the pool area. Stacey Alldredge, the owner, was a very nice lady. I was so happy to meet her in person. I've read about her on her website and I really believe in her philosophy. Very cool. So there were a lot of dogs that came to have fun and the staff member in the pool was really nice and he made sure that all the dogs in the pool were having fun or at least safely splashing around. No dog was ever left unattended. There were fresh towels by the poolside at all times. This was better than some vacation resorts I've been to in the Caribbean! The food, our treats of course, as well as Pupcake Studio's gorgeous Pool Themed cake were enjoyed by all. That cake was really a hit! I gotta find out what was in it. The way the dogs just had a little community cake eating session but then I couldn't get in there to grab a slice for Katie so I felt a little bad. Katie loved Pupcake Studio's treat! Ada does a wonderful job of decorating her cakes. It's like a little work of art.

As well, Feron Gallery was present and I enjoyed their company in the dining area. Heather from NSAL was there with her gorgeous dog Emma. Such a well mannered dog, 7 years old and didn't once try to steal a treat off the table. She would wait politely for something to be given to her. What a great gorgeous girl! We were also happy to see Julie Amoroso, our ever gracious event planner and host. We were sad that 1000 Licks was unable to come to the party. I had actually made a batch of Banana Bliss Blossoms for the doggy frozen desserts but alas, no such luck. The dogs had to enjoy the blossoms with no frozen treat. Oh well...these things happen.

The Smuttynose Old Brown Dog Ale was actually really good. I was surprised actually. If I were you, I'd try some. I myself do not like ale all that much but this was pretty good.

I am happy to say that I had the chance to meet some of our customers. I love that. When I see the dogs that are enjoying the treats that I am sending out, it makes me so happy. We definitely have a Peanut Butterfly fan base.

I was also happy to see the great reviews the treats got recently. I had sent out my treats to a lot of people to review and so far all favorable and glowing. I'm really happy.

The party was great fun and a huge hit. I got to meet some customers and enjoyed watching the dogs frolicking in the pool. Katie got to have a banana blossom when I got home. She was such a good patient girl today. She loves her banana bliss. Now she is lying on the floor next to me, dozing. Yep, that's what I'm going to do now too. Nite to all my honeybark people.

Shelters don't necessarily mean forever...

I read the Daily News article about the number of animals that are euthanized and was horribly saddened. The information in this article was shocking. When I think of shelter, I think oh good, at least that animal has a place to live until they get adopted. But not all animals do get adopted. Some stay at the shelter for months or years. That can get very expensive in terms of feeding and caring for an animal. As responsible pet owners, we oftentimes are just busy with our own lives and taking care of our own loving furry family members. It's easy to just forget about the shelter dogs that are out there because we just don't see them. Out of sight, out of mind. Shelters are sometimes very far away from the rest of the suburban neighborhood and we oftentimes can just drive by without really thining too much about it. But they do exist and need our help. I try to donate as often as possible to shelters to give treats to these dogs who perhaps once lived in a home. They deserve kindness and love too. The dogs and cats over at the North Shore Animal League get fantastic care, they have a park to walk in and really great volunteers and kennel care workers that really do an amazing job. If you know someone who is able and willing to adopt a dog/cat just lead the way to a shelter. You may very well be saving the life of a great dog or cat and saving your friend the trouble of hidden ailments oftentimes found in petstore purchases. Check out the city shelters online or in person. In any event, a kind donation is well worth the effort and appreciated by many. You will feel really good after you make that donation or adopt that dog or cat so just do it.

http://www.nydailynews.com/06-20-2006/news/local/story/428106p-361022c.html

I guess along those lines, the responsibility of pet ownership should be addressed. I really like how Animal Haven works with people and teaches classes on obedience. They are a really great group. If you get the chance, check them out online.

Give a little bit each day

It's not easy to give anymore. I always thought that when one wanted to give, it meant that the recipient would be excited to be getting something. That is not the case anymore. For the most part, I've encountered some truly awesome people, mostly women. Why this industry is dominated by women, I have yet to determine. But basically, I have discovered either people are very excited to receive treats as a donation or they have a long process of applications and paperwork to accept a gift of treats. It is bizarre. I've offered donations of treats to organizations to benefit many animal welfare groups. I believe that all the non-profit groups have accepted the offer. The people that have the long process and the "cut-off" of donations are usually promoting their own businesses. So these small business owners are actually the ones that are putting up the wall, setting limits on whose products they will accept for their events. At first I was confused by it but now, after a nice long restful night of sleep, the answer is fairly clear. Businesses that are selling products must be very careful who goes into their "goodie bags." The reason why they have these events is to promote their own products or the products sold at their business so that they can sell more goods. This makes sense. Accepting products from an external source that they do not carry in their store would be counterintuitive because this would perhaps conceptually draw business away from their own. Ahhh...so that is the reason perhaps why the people have turned down a most generous offer of our delicious and fabulous dog treats for their parties. I was really a little confused when I was turned down. But now I understand the self-promotion aspect of the events. Okay. I guess the whole process of learning about business is a lot bigger than I had naively thought before. I was once told in order to be successful in anything you must think 3 steps ahead. That's actually a strategy used in chess. Think 3 moves ahead before you make a move with your pieces. This helps you to anticipate your opponents moves and allows you some freedom to move as well. Avoid getting locked in or "checkmated." So is that why chess is such an important game to learn for many so called intellectuals? Yes, perhaps true. If I had the time to learn chess, I would. But for now I'm back to reading about running a small business. I just finished "How to Run Your Business Like a Girl." There were a lot of great insights from women business owners. Mainly to be wise with your finances and to keep up the faith. I think that if these small business owners were truly thinking 3 steps ahead, they would have accepted the offers for treats. Why? First off, a donation is a gift, freebie, no cost, easy to just take and has no obligations associated with it. Why not just take it then? I think that if they had seen the treats, they would have immediately said they would accept them. The second thing that interested me about refusing a donation was that I was given the reason "conflict of interest/competition." Now in my case, I believe in healthy competition. I know how good my treats are for dogs and the quality of my product is really high. I have an extremely exceptional dog treat here. Not to brag too much but I use top quality ingredients and I make sure that everything is made so that it's okay for human consumption. I never know when someone is going to just eat one. Plus, I like many bakers, love to eat so eating a dog treat here or there...no problem. I'll admit that I do love the Peanut Butterfly treats the best. They are definitely snackable. I digress...so back to the topic of competition? Well, if you are going to be afraid of a small bakery like mine, what are you doing on the market? There are huge companies like Purina and Alpo out there. If you can't take a little heat...as they say, "Get out of the kitchen." I have to say that my product is nothing like the product that the person was referring to. I have met the owner of that treat/product and her goods are incredible in their own right, extremely different from my own treats. She doesn't even call them treats. They are really like "art." In my mind, she is an artist. I am more of a true baker in the sense that my treats are really baked goods. Biscuits. Her goods are decorated and much fancier than mine but then that is her background and that is her product. We have two completely different markets and yes, we do share the common ground that our goods are edibles for dogs, we differ in our philosophies and market groups. So my answer in rebuttal to that person who turned down my offer to share our treats for her party, (which I wish I had been able to say to her at the time that we were emailing...maybe I will) I wish that she had enough business sense to know that it would have been smarter to accept the offer.

Enough ranting
So I met with two of my former neighbors/dog owner friends for dinner. We had a nice chat and I actually donated a gift basket worth of goods for a good cause. Yes, I do that occasionally. I finally learned how to do gift certificates on my website. I'm fairly computer illiterate so this was a huge accomplishment for me. So we shared some dog information and talked about the funny things/habits of our dogs then moved onto more interesting topics like men, shopping, gossip and whatnot. All the topics shared by single women and well, women in general (let's not fool ourselves). I love a good girltalk. There is nothing like that happy little bond shared over good food and usually some rich chocolate dessert. The common bond of dating in New York or even Hudson County, NJ is just a fun topic. It's hard though. With the balance of my new baby business and dating. I feel like there just isn't enough time in the day or even the week. Every weekend is spent at events this month so when do I have time to go out and meet men? Good question. Plus I've been wanting to join a small business owners women's group and I really won't have much time left after that. I have to say though that we went to P.F. Chang's in NJ and the service was phenomenal. I really did like our waitress, very patient and attentive. Nice. The manager came over to chat with my friend with the garlic allergy, polite, didn't talk too long and expressed a genuine concern for her awareness of what she was eating. The setting is really great for a date. The bar was definitely hopping, great for singles I'm sure. They have a fantastic list of martinis/mixed drinks of interesting and exotic flavors. I'm definitely going back to try that wild asian pear drink. We had the crab wontons which were great. I've had crab wontons but these were delicately flavored and paired with a yummy sauce. Good stuff. My friends had the tuna appetizer, very nicely presented and the spring rolls, always a favorite. They had a wide selection of beers, the Kirin Light was great for the summer. I liked the 6 layer Great Wall of Chocolate dessert with the raspberry sauce. It's definitely something to share and with three of us, there was at least half left over. I'd say it's a good dessert to share with like 6 people maybe more.

Another great place to visit is...

Flemings Prime Steakhouse in Edgewater at The City Place. Right on the water, a never fail great date place. You can go for the steaks or just for drinks at the bar. Very cozy, welcoming and extremely attentive service. Our waiter was very pleasant and not intrusive. The setting isjust dark enough for romance and just light enough to be able to see what you are eating. The bar is calm and relaxing. I loved it like visiting a great home with modern decor. The open kitchen isn't a bad thing. You can enjoy the delicious aroma of sizzling steak. It's not just about the steak either. They have some good desserts and sides as well. The martinis are to die for. I asked for a chocolate martini (not on the menu) and it was perfect. As well, they make an awesome mojito (their own mix and you can ask them about it). If you love mojito and are in the Edgewater area, you must go to Flemings Prime Steakhouse at The City Place off River Road. The waiter told us what was in it and I'm going to try it at home but I am fairly certain that it will not be as good as how they make it there. Every time I go there the service is unbeatable and I've always commented on the great food and drinks. No fail. Just go.

Happy Father's Day

Dad's in a mood again. The DIY mood. He gets the bug every summer and then something gets demolished in the house and then replaced by something really different but oftentimes (not always, sorry dad!) very cool. He has recently decided to destroy the hall closet and open up the living room so that the entry way is more open. Fascinating. So he told my mother about this and then just emptied out the closets. That's a whole other story, what one finds in a closet. He got his tool buddy, the trusty ever useful sledge hammer and started demolition. Two days later and a whole lot of dust accumulated, the closet is almost completely gone. Amazing. Dad is happily continuing demolition today. I hear him ripping out beams and hammering at the little bits of sheetrock that once composed the closet. It's his gift to himself. I guess we will be having a nice BBQ later because it's a gorgeous day. Katie? She's totally confused and just into the backyard today. She comes in at intervals and drinks some water but she's on total playtime today.

Someday
I have dreams. I dream about the success of The Honeybark Bakery. How one day, I will wake up and there will be lots of orders, big events wanting my treats and people calling non-stop. I dream of my bakery and I feel content. I believe that the world will want my treats and that dogs will be able to enjoy healthy good food with great flavor and that I will be able to help shelters and non-profit groups to benefit dogs everywhere. This is what I dream at night. This is what occupies my thoughts when I work on marketing. This is what I think about when orders come in. The bakery, the treats, the happy dogs and something better. I can always find a way to make them better. I dream of the perfect packaging. How I will finally find a box that I love or a treat jar that I will want to use for the gift baskets. I think about these things non-stop. I love it. It consumes me but it's a passion that I truly enjoy. This is perhaps what love is like.

A great success!
Tonight was the launch of Barkin' Arts NYC. It was a great party and what a crowd. The gallery was packed and there were adorable dogs everywhere. Pamela and her family all looked fantastic. Geoff (my brother) and I met so many nice people. We actually got to meet the Pupcake Studio cake maker! I was excited about that because ever since I saw her cakes, I was just really interested in meeting the baker. She does these great designs and one of my newest hobbies is cake decorations but for cupcakes for people. I love that. So I will definitely be getting some pointers from her!

There were some great pieces of artwork. Ronnie Schultz had a great photograph that I loved. As well, Karen Derrico had a beautiful piece called Pug in Blush. That was a really pretty one. I keep saying, when I open my bakery I will decorate it with all kinds of great art with dogs being the uniting theme. Someday...

Happy to see...
Alison Pace (author of Pug Hill), Gregg Oehler (publisher of The New York Dog), Julie Amoroso (Party Animals of NSALA), Sheryl Matthys and Michelle Kennedy of Leashes and Lovers, Lin Randolph (Lenny the Pug), of course, Pamela Carrier (founder of The Barkin' Arts NYC) and Jennifer Bristol of Animal Haven.

Our treats were enjoyed by many dogs, some a lot more than others. I think we have some fans now. I believe the Veggie Rolls and Cinnabark were pretty much very popular. I was a little sad because the smaller dogs cannot break the hard treats. They need something soft. Sadly, at the present time I am not making any treats for miniature dogs. I will have to try to solve that problem somehow.

I'm glad it seemed like we brought just enough treats to satisfy at least most of the guests.

I am ever hopeful. I do believe strongly in the excellent quality of our dog biscuits and the gourmet flavors. My passion is true to heart and The Honeybark Bakery will become a household name. Someday.

"Hounds"

Bronze

Hounds, Study for Andirons done for "Arden House" the Harriman Mansion in Harriman New York. Done in 1910 as commissioned by Averill Harriman



So I did it. I saw "Must Love Dogs" this weekend on DVD. I actually watched the entire movie while on the treadmill. No, I did not run the entire time, but I enjoyed it all the more by walking and running. I've noticed that I have trouble just sitting through a movie because I always feel like I should be doing something else. I'm fine at a movie theatre but when I'm at home, the DVD is rarely a solo activity. I'm usually flipping through a magazine, writing down ideas for the bakery or treat ideas or packaging ideas. It's just like my mind always wants to make my business better. Let's get back to the movie now. So I enjoyed "Must Love Dogs" very much. I'm glad that I did not go to see it in the theatre because yes, it was a chick flick and I think that deserves the privacy of one's home, perhaps shared with a girlfriend or too and maybe some Kleenex. As a single, professional in my thirties, I could definitely relate to the movie. We have all had that kind of experience, not specifically the ones she had but yes, so many different people to date. The sensitive guy was the one that really made me laugh. As yet, I have not seen a guy do that on a date, blubber into his salad. Mother Theresa, the brother's dog, was just so sweet and adorable. I'm not sure what kind she is but she did a great job in her part, well, she and her acting partner. The best part was that the whole concept of meeting one's mate by way of mutual love for animals. It was a touching and true to heart concept. I myself find myself looking for the man that loves dogs as well. Most animal lovers in general love dogs but it takes a certain kind of soul to enjoy the company of a dog and appreciate the responsibility that you take upon yourself when you do adopt a dog.
Sadly, I do know people who just got dogs because they thought that they wanted a companion. There are so many shelter dogs who had that owner who just didn't understand the commitment. Thankfully, there are really great petsitters and dogwalkers out there and they really help to solve that problem. As well, many workplaces are becoming more flexible and we can do a lot of work at home thanks to the internet and teleconferencing. I do love the social group networking of dog owners. Groups like Leashes and Lovers and Party Animals are excellent venues for meeting other like minded souls. It isn't just about dating, it's about finding your "pack." People that enjoy the benefits and problems of dog ownership and companionship.

I'm so happy that the Barkin' Arts opening is this Wednesday, June 14, 2006 and our treats will be there. It's going to be a lot of fun and your dog can come too!

Tomorrow, I am going to visit a fantastic exhibit featuring Dogs in Art. at the Lynda Anderson Gallery, sadly, I just learned about it otherwise I would have posted a link sooner. It is only going to be open through June 15, 2006.

http://www.lyndaandersongalleries.com/index.php

Happy to report that I just got my copies of two very interesting books and I will be talking about them very soon.

Gotta go bake now.

Katie refuses to eat again. The thunder frightened her appetite right out of her. She's cowering in the corner and drooling. She's been really active all day today, running away from the frisbee, running away from the tennis ball, running away from the hula hoops, I imagine she must be just tuckered out. She is such a sweet girl. We had fun today. Didn't make it to the dog run because Katie just was pooped. She was begging for some Everything Nice while I was packing up an order so I just slipped her one. She also got a sunflower power today but seeing as she was so active, it isn't too much to get two treats in a day. I mean, she IS the official taste tester.

Lightbulbs
I went to Barnes and Noble today to meet up with an old friend and was tempted by all of the great books they have out. The Devil Wears Prada looks really good and I'd love to read it before the movie comes out. I hate spoiling a good book by finding out the end ahead of time. Just seeing my friend with her children was just so great. I loved watching her just being a mom. It sheds a different light on her personality but not in a bad way at all. She just looked and acted like a very cool and responsible mom. It also reinforced how difficult a task it is to be a mom. I thought about how much easier it is to have a dog. There are those things that need to be done, yes true but when I got home and took care of Katie it seemed so much easier than what my friend was doing. She was following me everywhere this afternoon when I got home. I felt a little maternal. That was nice. But, I also do like my private time, my coffee and reading time and sometimes just not saying anything. That would be rough with kids around.

Oh wait, she is eating now. The rain stopped and the Yankees are playing. Well, life has been restored to its normal cadence.

On the business side of things, looks like we have two more events this month but I have to be careful about scheduling. I've got a wedding to go to and I really want to prepare in advance for these events. I'm very excited about the Barkin' Arts opening on June 14th and then the following week is the Party Animal's Pool Party. Both events will be so much fun.

Ruh roh...
I'm a little nervous. I almost wrote Yappy Birthday to someone the other day and that scared me just a little. I know that I love what I do but I also don't want to start speaking Scooby Doo-ese to the world. I mean, we all know that Shaggy had the reputation for being slightly impaired and the whole Green Machine? Right...Yeah, I'll stop there.

Coffee tawk
I have just seen what could be my new favorite flavor...banana/coconut frappucino by Starbucks. How wicked. That's just a delicious summertime flavor. The other thing that they have created is the Strawberry Cream Frappucino. Oh my...that's something to adore. Don't get me wrong, I still love pure black coffee. I love black coffee and espresso. But sometimes we all need a little sweet. Happily, I indulged in a little vanilla latte with tons of cinnamon today. So good...

So tomorrow and Sunday are the Big Apple Barbecue days and we are definitely hitting that event. Yummy. Well, Katie is staying home because she would go nuts with all the people and all the meat. Wow. But, we are giving Katie some good stuff to eat from the BBQ in a doggie bag.
There is nothing like a good BBQ. Hooyah!

On Searching for ourselves
I loved The New York Dog issue for June/July. This was off the cover..."I spilled spot remover on my dog. He's gone now."-Steven Wright. I remember that comedy special. I wonder where Steven Wright is now. I loved that guy. He was probably one of the first deadpan comedians and he was just fantastic. Maybe I'll Google him. I am so addicted to Googling. It's horrible. I, like Alison Pace am also addicted to googling/searching my bakery. I love finding new places that we've been mentioned. That's just cool. It's my 15 minutes of fame but at least it's there!

Sad movies are so good
I watched Memoirs of a Geisha last night. What an amazing film. I actually cried a little. Okay, a lot. I was on the treadmill and I actually stopped running after 40 minutes and then stood there watching for another 20 minutes. Then I had to go and watch the rest of the movie in another room. But it was just so breathtaking and fascinating. I will admit, I started to read the book but never got around to finishing the first page because I always got interrupted. I'm so glad that I got to see the movie though. This sort of nullifies that earlier paragraph but truly, there are some books that are just meant to be made into movies and others that I'd like to read inside my head. (As a friend would say...)

I'm off to read another chapter of The Mermaid Chair. I'm really liking that book. I'll give you more about it at another time. I miss book club. I think I may start one in the Fall. I love talking about books. It just opens up a whole new perspective.

It's me time now. One thing that I've learned from this whole experience (leaving medicine and starting The Honeybark Bakery) has been that if you don't do what you want now, time will never come back to you. That Erma Bombeck email that keeps getting passed around about things she would have done in life...check it out here:
http://www.kalimunro.com/If_I_Had_My_Life_To_Live_Over.html

Stop blaming other people for your unhappiness or dissatisfactions. Do something about it to make your life richer and fuller. You create the best days of your life. Have some personal accountability.

Live your life.
Wow. I ended on such a philosophical note. Must've been the tilapia I ate.

Can you really call it work if it's fun? Tonight was the fabulous exhibition of Anna Debenedictis. The setting, Agave's Gallery at Agave, 140 Seventh Avenue South was perfect. I particularly enjoyed the use of candles that reminded me so much of Greece. The white walls and the clean look of the space was just perfect. I would definitely go back for a meal there because the food was good as well. Alright, off the topic of food and some great frozen margaritas...the photos were truly as gorgeous as they appear to be online. I liked the ones of her puppy, Argenta the best but there were a few that were a close second. I overheard the exclamations of a family that saw their dog in a photograph and said that they had to have that portrait. I knew exactly what they meant. When I saw the pieces, there were a couple that I said, "I love that." That's not an easy deed, to get me to say, "I want that." Especially with regard to photography because I'm a snob when it comes to artwork and a lot of the time, I will not enjoy photography as much as paintings because I am so interested in the use of charcoal, pastels, pencil, ink, paint, string, glue, clay, anything of substance. Photos are smooth and glossy or matte. I now realize that the difficulty in capturing a beautiful or sensibly appealing subject of scene is in the ability to make it come alive, instill emotions and feelings in those that view it. I spoke with someone there who said that the weimareiner in one of the photographs, well, we all know it was Argenta again but anyhow, that pose was so classic of her own dogs movements that she wanted to go home and be with her dog. I knew exactly what she meant. She does seem to capture the soul of the dogs. It is just beautiful. When I have my own space and my own bakery I will definitely need to get some of her work. It's just so good.

There were some gorgeous dogs here at the gallery. Montana, a beautiful Saluki mix, 2 years old and perfect manners. I would have adopted her right on the spot but I already have Katie and I'm fairly certain that Montana will be adopted very soon. She is a beautiful dog with an amazing personality. She'd be great to run in Central Park with and she lies down and relaxes and is very calm as well. Everyone commented on how sweet she was and despite her long legs and her physical appearance being similar to that of a greyhound, she managed to pull off the appearance of a small dog by folding herself up into a little ball when she lay down on the floor to rest. Bishop an adorable Maltese was being extra polite and sweet. Everyone wanted to say "hello" to him. I do believe he already has an owner prospective so he will probably have a happy home by the end of this week. Both of these dogs can be found on the Animal Haven website at http://www.animalhavenshelter.org/

It was great to see our friends from Leashes and Lovers, Sheryl Matthys and The Barkin' Arts founder, Pamela Carrier and directors Lin Randolph and Ronnie Schultz. We also met some really great people who volunteer for Animal Haven as well as Jennifer Bristol, Associate Director. Anna Debenedictis was as lovely and gracious in person as she had been on the phone. We were lucky enough to win a raffle prize for Katie, a gorgeous leash and collar by Sherpa Andiamo. I actually love the pink houndstooth especially since Katie's old leash is blue and everyone keeps asking about our "good boy dog." Not sure if Katie gets offended by the mix up of genders but I'm glad her leash is pink now. That's all I'm saying...

Ok, now I'm really pooped. No, no not really but yes, I'm tired.

Goodnight all you fans of Honeybark-land. We have another fun busy day tomorrow.

Katie is not a city dog.

The noise was a little scary for her. She doesn't like honking cars and there were so many people on the sidewalks. In the suburbs, it's all about the grass and the trees and really you won't find many people in your back yard and if you do...well, they don't belong there then. She did like meeting other dogs though she does shy away from them. She isn't mean or snappy or growling or barking. None of that type of behavior ever even crosses her mind. She just stands back and observes, kind of like a good sheepdog is supposed to do. She watches and if there is a ruckus of sorts, she will look over and see what's what. If it is rowdy or something strange, she will run off to (what I think is her intention...but maybe I'm just hopeful?) alert the "shepherd." She did warm up a little to the rest of the dogs when the party was nearing the end. She's going to be hitting the dog runs and more parties, hopefully a hike or two this summer so I think that should help a little. Plus, with all the dog trainers I've met so far, I've got to find one that will be agreeable to both Katie and me.

Today was the 3rd Annual Leashes and Lovers Ice Cream Social. It was a lot of fun and we got to hang out with Michelle and Sheryl from Leashes and Lovers and Heather Scutti from 1000Licks Gourmet Dog Ice Cream. Her ice cream was a hit and the treat blossoms did pretty well too. The dogs were happily licking away at their little ice cream cone desserts and they also enjoyed Peanut Butterflies and Granny's Apple Pie treats. The Ruffy Road letters looked yummy and I think Katie was mad that she missed them. They disappeared fast! Big crowd so that's to be expected. Besides...Katie gets treats fresh out of the oven. She is such a little princess.

Okay, I'll admit it. I tried the Peanut butter flavored doggie frozen yogurt and it was really peanutty good! Wow. It was very similar to a well known frozen yogurt that Manhattanites flock to but is only for people. You know which one I mean. I'm just hoping that we can work together again because she's so nice as is her really patient and obviously supportive husband.

Lynne Foster was there painting some amazing dog portraits. I've seen her work before at Washington Square Park. She is amazing. She uses these gorgeous colors and really paints rather quickly. I really enjoyed just watching her work and seeing these very cool creations.

Katie the clean-up dog. Katie was pretty funny. A treat on the ground? No problem, she just nabbed it and it was down the hatch. I know she loves our Honeybark treats but this was just too funny. She was a little Hoover today! No wonder she was not hungry for dinner. I think she overdosed on Peanut butter and apple pie!

I'm happy to say that Leashes and Lovers did a great job with their party. I think it was a huge success and we, Katie, my brother and I got to meet some very nice people and dogs.

What a weekend. I'm totally pooped (no...not literally). I think I've maxed my resources out or at least my battery is low. I've got like 1 bar left. I think unless I get more help I will be only able to handle 3 events in a weekend. I loved it and it was fun and all but yeah, we all gotta know our limits.

Gotta go prep for party number 4 tomorrow. Anna Debenedictis is having her Phodography event at Agave. It will most definitely be fun and great to meet Anna in person. She is such a great artist. I'm very much looking forward to it.

I'm looking over at Katie and she is really just passed out on the hardwood floor. One day I'm going to have to try sleeping on the floor. She sleeps so...soundly and when she gets up, she is totally refreshed and ready for action.

Excited to say that we got two more events coming up this summer in addition to the ones we already have. Very exciting and busy work this is turning out to be. I'm happy though. I love it.

Oh! I almost forgot, our New York Dog magazine advertisement came out! It was just so exciting to see it in print. It just makes The Honeybark Bakery all the more real when I see it on paper like that. That just gave me that warm happy feeling like "Yay! We are really going places!" I'm not sure where we're going but wherever it is it's gotta be good. Actually I'm pretty positive that it really is. We have a great thing going, Katie and I...The Honeybark Bakery not only means fresh, healthy and yummy treats, it means being able to give other dogs, needy or homeless dogs in shelters some love as well. It's all good.

So much for the thought that Katie doesn't like rain. Weird that she goes out into it, walks around as if nothing is wrong but inside the house she is cowering like a scaredy cat. She really does hide in the bathroom or the center of the house, wedged into the corner against a door. She is a virtual doorstop.

Today was the ASPCA Central Park Dogwalk and the WBAB/WBLI Pets in the Park events. Leashes and Lovers called a raindate and rescheduled for tomorrow. Thank goodness. I was a little worried I'd be all over the place. Got to take Katie to Pets in the Park. That was fun. Despite the rain, there were a lot of people there. Goodies for Katie and our treats were gone by the time we got there so I guess that was a good sign. We plan to check out a few of the websites that had some really good services and we will evaluate the goods. Katie enjoyed meeting all the furry friends that were at Pets in the Park. I'm glad she got to hang out. She likes that. And we got to meet some nice people as well.

I am excited about attending Anna Debenedictis' Phodography event on Monday, June 5, 2006 at 6PM at Agave Gallery in NYC. Her work is outstanding. Check it out at http://annadebenedictis.com/
We are bringing treats to the event and I cannot wait to see her work in person.
The event is going to benefit Animal Haven, another really great shelter organization. They are having a golf outing in July. Dogs on the golf course? No, no, no...nothing like that. But the proceeds will benefit Animal Haven and for what better cause to hit a round of balls?

Alright, so tomorrow being the Ice Cream Social at the Barking Dog, gotta get to baking some groovy treats for them. The first batch of cones stuck to the pans. Oops. Hey, we all gotta make mistakes right? Isn't that what makes us human? Yeah, but I gotta say it's been a while since I made a blooper batch of treats. Well, Katie gets the broken stuff too so she basically didn't care. She looked at it and basically said, "More Cinnabark for me! Ha!" or "Ruff? Woof?"

Happy to say that the birthday package is finally available. I think that the growing demand for dog birthday parties and the frequent requests for party stuff helped bring this into fruition. Plus, so many of my friends are having these Muttini parties now since we all are into girl talk and socializing with each other and our dogs. It's really fun.

I'm off to bake. Glad it's raining today. Hopefully tomorrow we get a little sun.

I love baking days. I've enjoyed the simple beauty of baking since I started The Honeybark Bakery. I love when I get into a rhythm of mixing then rolling then cutting and baking, it can work like a well oiled machine. Today was one of those days. I got up relatively early and got started, so many events this weekend for us so I finished one huge box of treats for one event last night at like 4AM. Today I finished the other two events and will be packing them up tomorrow. I just hate to mess with a good thing. I have a groovy relaxed feeling now like...everything is cool.

The Damper doesn't last too long...
But, I hear that there is going to be rain this weekend and that makes me a little bit unhappy. The weathermen predicted rain on Saturday which is bad news considering the events are all outdoors. This was an all time productivity high kind of day. I got three orders and two events finished, well the baking part anyhow. That is so cool. Very happy about that.

Katie was particularly happy to be on the receiving end of the bits. The bits are the last of the dough after I've finished cutting them. Usually they make a nice little snack for Katie but today, I think she was getting the rhythm and so she came in just about every time I brought out a rack from the oven so she got a nice warm little nubby treat.

Raining now.
Katie finds the center of the house every single time it rains and she plants herself down. She refused her dinner tonight, I guess she had a few too many treats too...oops. But the rain makes her unable to void and so that must be really uncomfortable. So now she has learned that by not eating, she won't have to go outside and that allows her to remain safe and sound. I don't think it is the getting wet issue. I think that she is actually afraid of the thunder, the lightening and the actual drops of water from the sky. It's a lot to consider. Like where is all that coming from, and why?

I am pooped now so I'm going to go hit the shower, read a book then bed. It's a good way to end a really good day.