_Perhaps my favorite day or the year has arrived!  The day when we do something totally ridiculous as a family and spend a bit of cash on pure happiness.  Today of course is my dog's Birthday!  Happy Birthday, Oscar, old chap!

Turning 6 is a momentous occasion for a dog.  It could be considered mid-life for some, but of course my dog will live forever.

With grey fur peeking through around the muzzle and a little "hitch in his giddiyup (from a previous hip fracture)," my earnest Beagle is a little worse for wear, but loved just the same.

Today we began the festivities by baking a batch of Oscar-friendly Birthday Muffins.  Complete with frosting and a loving lick from Axel, Oscar was pleased-as-pie to feast on his own private delight.

Our next stop, as on each of his birthdays. was the pet store.  We used a "birthday coupon" to score a deal on a new brain-teaser/treat-dispenser.

Watching him lounge on the sofa this evening, I'm noticing a shit-eating-grin.  I think he enjoyed his very special sixth birthday.

Oscars Birthday Cupcake Recipe:
1 cup white flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 cup shredded carrots
1 tsp vanilla
1/3 cup honey
1 egg
*Mix ingredients in order above.  Heat oven to 350 degrees and bake in a muffin tin for approx. 12-15 minutes.  Makes roughly 9 muffins.

Oscars Frosting Recipe:
6 oz. softened cream cheese
1.5 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp honey
*Mix well and frost cupcakes generously.

I recommend giving one to the birthday dog and freezing the rest.  It's always great to have treats on-hand for...say...Valentines Day...Easter...Halloween. :)

Post muffin.  I think he was about to cry.

Oscar and I made a few great finds today.  While Axel was peacefully resting, I cleared out unfinished projects and Oscar found a spot to bask in the south-facing window.

This afternoon I planned to pile up yarn to sell in "scrap packs."  I began by collecting the remnants from last years knits and extracting random skeins from here and there.  While reaching into a seemingly bottomless tote, I pulled out, completely by surprise, one hand-knit, scalloped cowl.  It is super gorgeous and I had completely forgotten about it as we packed up and moved last spring. 

Haha!  Score!  This decreases my Christmas knitting by one article.  A lucky recipient will be receiving this cowl come December...but it may just be me.  We'll see how soon those snowflakes begin to fly!

For your visual pleasure I've included a picture of the cowl you could be receiving, and also a pic of my earnest, old dog.  Love this guy.

to the one turning 5...
to the one who growls most frequently...
to the hairiest member of the family...
to the black sheep of our bunch...
to my best "bed-warmer-upper"...
to my Dads most beloved friend...
to our "dish-licker-cleaner"...
to our mammalian vacuum...
to the one and ONLY Oscar...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!  A new bed for you, and a place to rest your ear (until the kid finds out how cozy the "orthopedic foam" is.