Apple Fennel Salad

Today I’m going to tell you about my roommates dogs. I live in a house with a friend, her 14 year old son, 2 wiener dogs, and 2 cats (they are kittens still) plus her dad has a suite in the basement of the house. There is always someone coming or going. After living alone for a couple years I was ready for a change, I looked thru the want ads for roomies even went on a couple “girl dates” with one perspective house mate, but wasn’t finding the right fit. Living alone, although I was over it, has a lot of perks! It is hard to share your space with another person, or persons! I posted a “looking for roommate” status on Facebook, hoping a friend of a friend or someone would know someone. Isn’t social media great?! She was looking for someone and messaged me. It works, I have a large room, amazing closet, lots of great day light, but what I like the best, is having the company at home. Oh! And all the benefits of pet ownership without the responsibility.

I am not really a pet person. We had them growing up as kids, dogs, cats, birds, rodents. I like them all, or, I like other people’s pets. I would never in a million years harm an animal, but go out a buy a pet? It’s just not something that occurs to me that I should do. Rescue an animal maybe, but even that: no burning desire. Maybe it’s a consideration for my single lifestyle? Now if I want to go away for a weekend, or not go home for any reason, It’s not an issue. Plus I already struggle with doing a poor job of taking care of myself sometimes. Being responsible for another living thing on a daily basis: too much pressure.

Chili

The dogs – Chili is the smaller of the two. An anxious little thing; barks at everything. Both dogs came from other homes and sometimes I wonder what these animals have experienced. She loves aggressive play. She growls and moans like a little demon when you play tug-o-war. She is darker and smaller, and looks at you with her beady little eyes. When she gets overwhelmed she will go hide under the bed. I get it, feeling anxious is awful. I have wanted to hide under the bed when I’m anxious. But she is super cuddly and if you let her she will lick you to death. She wants to snuggle, be held tight, and have her belly rubbed. She does try to bully the cats at this point, but soon they will be bigger than her, and she will likely spend more time under the bed.

Vega

Vega, he’s a little bit chubby, because he sits at your feet in the kitchen looking mournful and willing you to drop stuff on the floor. Lucky for him, I have been accused of having a cooking style similar to this one. Lucky for his waistline, I am usually cooking fruits and veggies. He is quite possessive, and if he doesn’t know you, gets a little nippy. He LOVES Raj. Never have I seen this dog act like he did when he met Raj for the first time. Usually its 5-10 min aggressive barking, and don’t dare try to touch him, he will nip at you. With Raj, a couple barks, and I think he licked his feet. It must be Raj’s positive energy, or maybe he had bacon in his pocket? Whatever it was, when Raj comes to the house now he gets rushed at the door with wagging tails and dog kisses. I find it funny because, Raj is not really a dog person. When everyone leaves for work and Vega thinks he is alone, he howls at the window, or he burrows into a blanket, laundry, the couch cushions, or any bed he can reach with those short little legs. The short legs are a bit of a problem for him, in the snow or if it’s raining he hates going out, (makes sense I wouldn’t want to drag my belly thru the snow either). In the summer, he has a skin allergy to grass. You can hear him trying to scratch his belly, thumping away. He will get into the garbage, or chew thru your lunch containers if you leave your lunch bag on the floor, even for a second. I spend a couple minutes every day sitting on the floor rubbing his belly; if I don’t he will follow me around and try to lick my toes. Ever had your toes licked? Wait, don’t tell me, I think it’s a weird feeling, maybe it’s just me. Are you bored hearing about the pets? Fine, recipe time!

This apple fennel salad is quick and easy. The apples and the inspiration for this recipe comes from one of my customers at work. Doesn’t get much better than the orchardist delivering his product to you: true farm to table! I love fennel, really like black liquorice, right now I’m hooked on a concoction along the lines of bulletproof coffee (MCT oil, coconut milk, and a homemade liquorice tea. Mmmnnnn… It works for me because I find I don’t do well with coffee. I’ll have to post the recipe!) Don’t worry if you don’t love liquorice, it is a subtle flavor. This salad, even with the dressing on, holds up great, (overnight) without getting soggy, so feel free to make it ahead of time for a picnic, or camping, or food prep day!