The World According to Bella and a Bloody Mary Green Bean Salad

1-800-PET-MOBILE 

I was so hopeful yesterday when not one but two pet mobile trucks pulled up in front of the house. I just knew one truck had to be for me. After all this hot, dusty and very dry air I needed a lift. Mrs. S says we all need a little pampering once in awhile. A pet spa right at your door sounded good to me.  

I pressed my nose to the window waiting to see what would happen next. A worker came out of each truck. Each one had on a AUSSIE 1-800-PET- MOBILE shirt. But sadly, both went next door. Soon afterwards I saw each worker carry out a small white dog and disappear into the truck. It's just not FAIR! each dog getting their own truck. And I got even more depressed when Mrs. S went online to check what pet grooming services I was missing.   

Check out this long list

• Uses environmentally friendly products 
• Gives a "15 Step" Luxurious Groom for all breeds of Dogs and Cats includes cleaning the ears and the eyes and clipping the nails. 
• Does three full brush outs before, during and after the bath. 
• Does a complete bath with shampoo and conditioning followed by a double rinse. We gently towel dry the face and dry the body by hand... NO CAGES EVER! 
• Finishes up with a full brush and fluff out, a little fragrance, a treat and then brings you right back to your front door

It was  the treat part that really caught my attention. Guess I'll just have to be satisfied  with Mr. C's daily grooming service. He reminded me that his grooming service is free with an additional feature not offered by 1-800-PET-MOBILE , teeth cleaning and he gives out treats too. 

Love, Bella

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Bloody Mary Green Bean Salad

Cook's notes: This spring salad is topped with a zippy vinaigrette dressing made from all your favorite Bloody Mary ingredients minus the alcohol. Make the dressing early in the day for flavors to meld. What I particularly liked about this salad was the combination of flavors. 
recipe inspiration Southern Living November 2014
Salad Ingredients:

• mixed greens
• haricots verts (French green beans),trimmed
• grape tomatoes
• diced celery 
• diced mini red and yellow sweet peppers
• thinly sliced red onions
• thinly sliced radishes
• croutons

Bloody Mary Vinaigrette Dressing: 
makes about 3/4 cup

• 1/2 cup Spicy Bloody Mary mix such as Mr. and Mrs. T's 
• 1/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil or Blood orange Olive Oil
• 2 TB. lemon juice
• 1 tsp. Horseradish sauce or spicy mustard
• 1/4 tsp. each pepper, celery salt and hot sauce such as Sriracha
• 1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

Salad Directions:

• Cook green beans in boiling salted water covered 2 minutes or until crisp tender. Drain and plunge into ice water. Drain and pat dry.
• Toss all salad ingredients together and place in a serving bowl.

Dressing Ingredients:

• Add all ingredients to blender and mix well.

10 Top Things To Do with Leftover Bloody Mary Mix 

Dips

• Give your shrimp cocktail a kick – Saute some garlic or shallots in olive oil. Thicken some Bloody Mary mix with crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce and add to the pan. Simmer for a minute or two, and cool to room temperature before serving, with shrimp of course.
• Twist up a classic dip by combining 1/2 cup Bloody Mary mix with 1/3 cup mayonnaise, 24 ounces of softened cream cheese and a handful of chives. Serve with celery sticks.
• Turn it into a tapas-style dip - Place a couple ounces of goat cheese in an oven-safe dish, cover with Bloody Mary mix and bake at 400 for about 20 minutes. Serve with grilled bread.

Soups

• Make a quick and spicy gazpacho – Blend Bloody Mary mix with a piece of stale bread, a little olive oil and whatever vegetables you have on hand: celery, shredded carrots, peppers, a little garlic. Serve chilled.
• Spice up tomato soup – Saute some onion in olive oil, add diced tomatoes, Bloody Mary mix and some chicken or vegetable stock. Simmer for a few minutes, blend and serve. Finish with some fresh lemon and herbs.
• For a creamier tomato soup, mix in a little heavy cream before serving.

Salad

• Whisk a little Bloody Mary mix with olive oil to make a quick salad dressing. Add it to some chopped celery, cucumber, bell peppers and red onion. Mix in some chopped green olives or crumbled blue cheese.

Grill It

• Marinate skewered bites of chicken, steak or shrimp in Bloody Mary mix before grilling. Serve with the shrimp cocktail dip.
• Similarly, marinate skewers of mushrooms, peppers and onions in the mix, grill and serve with sauce and warmed tortillas.

Save It

• If you prefer to simply drink your Bloody Marys (and who could blame you), save extra mix by pouring it into ice cube trays and freezing. Use the cubes to make an Inside Out Bloody Mary that eliminates the need for extra ice and prevents watered down drinks. Genius!