Month: November 2016

Crowds gather for the official lighting of the National Christmas Tree on the White House Lawn

Brodie barks about a special tree that come every Christmas Season since 1923

Published on by goldenbrodie17 Comments

My golden dog sled is ready to take me to the official lighting of the National Christmas Tree on the South Lawn (the backyard) of the White House on Thursday, December 1.  But wait, how did this 94-year-old tradition get its start?

Pres. Calvin Coolidge lights the first outdoor Christmas Tree on the White House Lawn
In 1923, Pres. Calvin Coolidge lights the first outdoor Christmas Tree on the White House Lawn

When our 30th President, Calvin Coolidge, along with his family, celebrated their first Christmas in the White House…they decided to have a tree for all of the people.  So, on December 24, 1923, the first official National Outdoor Christmas Tree was lite.

This event has evolved into a huge televised celebration with entertainment and something for every peep that continues throughout the holiday season.  For instance, The National Hanukkah Menorah Lighting Ceremony will take place on Sunday, December 25, 2016, 4 p.m.

I’ll close with some words to the wise.  Trees inside can blow a dog’s mind… we become challenged to maintain our cool with the tree and decorations and all…so think about how to help us do the right thing...help us avoid watching the sad clean ups and pet shame…we want a happy and calm time.  I’m just saying…Here comes the season to be jolly (and wise about the four legs in your home.)

P.S.  For you cats out there…maybe this will help ya’ll stay off the tree and on the floor.  Good luck with that.

 

Gingerbread White House

Golden Brodie sniffs out the Gingerbread White House History

Published on by goldenbrodie8 Comments

There’s a dog bone cache of rich tidbits…history snippets… about the White House that is simply fascinating.  Take for instance, the baking & construction of the gingerbread White House…it’s been a long-standing tradition since the 1970’s…and through the years the house keeps increasing in square footage. Each year White House chef’s at Christmastime, prepare a ginger model of the “people’s house” for the touring public to see and do the ooh-awh moment.  It’s a grand tradition.

Now I would love to wrap my dog lips around a piece of that sweet creation, but dogs really have to be careful with the ginger intake. Dang, there are so many things from the peeps world that are limiting for dogs.  I’m requesting with a golden tone…some homemade dog biscuits please…and thank you.

So…going forward…light the golden flames of joy in your heart, make some cookies and remember:

“Christmas is the season for kindling the fire of hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart. ”
― Washington Irving

 

Kitchen circa 1930's

Brodie learns about food rationing

Published on by goldenbrodie8 Comments

It’s Thanksgiving soon and we are all consumed with the associated thoughts of feasting, family and friendship.  How fortunate I feel.  My peeps will have one familial event recorded on their many cell phones, iPads, 35mm cameras and Skype. Then they’ll post the stuff on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and so on.  The social aspects roll on.  That’s todays fun and entertainment.

I want to take you back to two periods in our USA history…a time when we were at war, WWI and WWII.  I bring this up because during those difficult years we as a nation buckled down.  Food was scarce.  Food went first to the troops.  People bought limited amounts of certain commodities through rationing…ration stamps. So my golden mind took me to those times, thinking about what Thanksgiving was all about then…

Rationing came into place by our government and families were strongly encouraged to eat simply…meatless meals…and forget about sugar.  What a prized commodity sugar became…and coffee…and flour…yes the very basics.  I’m thinking everyone worked together, helped out and got involved in the war effort…while missing their stuff.

I feel golden sure that on Thanksgiving Day folks were even more grateful for whatever they had as they struggled.  But then…the food was secondary for those who had loved ones serving in the war…those who had lost a loved one…and those who simply felt the unrest of not knowing what the future held.

Our country held together and came out on this side of freedom both times.  This Thanksgiving season I’m going to say a special thanks to those serving our nation and especially to those away from home …and a special moment for those who we have lost…we will remain forever a grateful nation.

So this Thanksgiving, my grateful heart will enjoy watching all of the cell phone action, getting my many pets and walks and giving out my goldeness.   Peace baby and paws Up!

P.S.  Dogs don’t do coffee but…How fortunate that you can have as many Starbuck’s with all of the sugar possible…all of the cream…whenever…

 

Gilbert Stuart Lansdowne painting of George Washingto

Brodie thanks Dolley Madison for saving George

Published on by goldenbrodie12 Comments

It’s time for giving thanks…using a grateful heart…remembering the good…continuing to seek the kindhearted deeds.

So, I’m wanting to reach back into the rich history of our great American struggle and thank Dolley Madison, First Lady to our 4th President of the United States, James Madison.

During the War of 1812, the British invaded Washington DC and set fire to the White House and the Capitol.  President Madison knew of this planned assault, leaving post-haste, to lead his troops…leaving Dolley to evacuate to safety.  She refused to leave without the bold and standing portrait of George Washington, painted by Gilbert Stuart.  She had the frame busted and broken in order to free the treasured piece of art, rolled the canvas up and at last fled for safety.  Word has it that she left in such haste, that her dinner was still on the dining room table…the British rolled in… ate her food and then burnt down the house.

A heart-felt thanks to Mrs. Madison for preserving this masterpiece for us all.  Go visit this Lansdowne painting that hangs majestically in the National Portrait Galley in Washington, DC.  Be sure to give a golden thank you to Dolley while giving thanks that Great Britain and the United States are true allies and good friends.

 

 

 

Brodie is cute as a pumpkin and talks about how dogs benefit from eating pumpkin

Brodie licks pumpkin and dreams of turducken

Published on by goldenbrodie7 Comments

We’re getting ready for Thanksgiving. The peeps are talking who’s making what…what’s the final head count?…who ordered the Turducken?!…the what??? yeah, that’s a deboned chicken stuffed into a deboned duck, further stuffed into a deboned turkey…did you get that?  Now I must admit my dog lips would love to grab some of that…no such luck…I don’t get people food…but then I do.

Thanksgiving time always means I get some celebration in my dish…like canned pumpkin mixed lightly in my evening meal. The pilgrims and Native Americans liked pumpkin and so do I.  Funny part is that throughout the year if my dog insides start having problems, I get served some canned pumpkin to get me regular and settled…but Thanksgiving reaps the bounty of the pumpkin just because I get something special and it’s really good for me.  Now, while I really appreciate the canned pumpkin and it’s nutritional rewards…I do wish for and would give thanks for some of that three-layered foul thing landing in my bowl.

Giving thanks and feeling grateful.