The World According to Bella and a Berry Basil Salad

A Survivor's Tale
This is what I looked like after surviving electrocution. 

Here's the story I lived to tell. 
Mrs.S had company. I got invited along for the ride to see a nearby home with a fancy garden. The van was packed so I lost my usual riding spot to Deb.  We had to share-she didn't seem to mind but I did!

I should have seen this as a bad start to this trip. The ladies oohed and aahed over the blooming flowers which didn't look anything special to me. Guess they thought the bright yellow Lady Slippers were a big deal. As I moved in for a closer look I failed to see the wires. My nose touched-I YELPED in pain, surprised-jumped back and ran away. Really it was frightening!!! and all Mrs. S's fault who did not alert me the entire garden was wired to keep the deer out.    

These dragonflies are suppose to be a sign of good luck but all they brought me was bad luck. My nose stung a lot all the way home. 

When we got home I 'repawed' my hole out front (the one that had been ruined by all the rain and a recent Sadie visit). I felt better lying in  the cool dirt. 

Love, Bella

Berry-Basil Salad with Goat Cheese 

Salad Ingredients

serves 4

• 1-5 oz. bag of spring mix 50/50 combo spring and baby spinach  
• ½ cup feta or goat cheese crumbles  
• ¼ cup slivered fresh basil leaves
• 2 cups fresh raspberries or strawberries
• 1 cup diced cucumbers  
• 1/2 cup red onions
• 3/4 cup glazed walnuts 
• 2 TB. dressing 

Raspberry Basil Garlic Vinaigrette
makes 1/3 cup

Ingredients:

• 3 TB. extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 TB. raspberry wine vinegar, Cranberry-Pear or Pomegranate Quince Balsamic Vinegar
• 1 TB. chopped fresh basil
• 2 tsp. brown sugar
• ½ tsp. Dijon mustard
• 1 large garlic clove, minced
• salt and pepper

Directions:

• Add all ingredients and blenderize.

Chiffonade is a chopping technique in which herbs or leafy green vegetables (such as spinach and basil) are cut into long, thin strips. This is accomplished by stacking leaves, rolling them tightly, then slicing the leaves perpendicular to the roll.