What Should We Do Today?
Stinky is more than a little worried about his rather sketchy plans for today’s adventure. He’s really hoping Periwinkle won’t be disappointed. As he paces back and forth in front of the tunnel, Stinky has to continually chase Audrey and Raleigh away as they think the tunnel is a fun place to play. Though, they are pains in his tush; he doesn’t want them whooshing off to parts unknown.
Finally, Periwinkle arrives, and the whoosh from the tunnel scares the kittens away. She and Stinky share many paw hugs and whisker kisses. Then comes the moment Stinky has been dreading when Periwinkle asks, “What fun thing are we doing today, Stinky?”
“Periwinkle, after more than 150 adventures, sometimes it is really difficult to come up with a unique and exciting adventure, especially as I have a big imagination but a very tiny budget. I thought we could do something for Meow Like a Pirate Day, but that is still six days from now.”
“I understand, I often have the same problem coming up with cool ideas,” replies Periwinkle.
“Then I thought we could celebrate my mom’s stepmother Terry’s birthday, but she passed away like nine years ago. She would have been 98 today, and as much as I enjoy a good party, I never did get to meet her.”
Pet Birth Defect Awareness Day
“My next idea was that we could have a PSA about Pet Birth Defect Awareness Day, but that could be a bit of a downer.”
“I don’t know Stinky. That sounds pretty important. Your mom and dad have no idea what causes your seizures, but since they started when you were just a kitten, it could be because of a birth defect. Don’t you think pet parents should know about those things?” asks Periwinkle.
“That’s true. So how about we give our readers the link to a website where they can find more information?”
“I can get behind that.”
“Okay, here it is: Pet Birth Defect Awareness Day,”replies Stinky.
All About Chocolate
“Finally I settled on a combination of Roald Dahl Day, Milton S. Hershey’s birthday and International Chocolate Day. They are all related, as Hershey is a huge manufacturer of chocolate and Dahl wrote the children’s book, Charlie in the Chocolate Factory.”
“But Stinky, chocolate is poisonous to cats,” says Periwinkle.
Stinky giggles and replies, “That’s where it comes in handy to be cartoon cats. After all, if we were real cats, we wouldn’t have been able to have most of our adventures.”
“I guess that’s true, but I think we should share the website for the Pet Poison Hot Line. And now, what is your actual plan for today?” asks Periwinkle.
“Along with the holidays I already mentioned, it’s also National Kids Take Over the Kitchen Day, so I thought we could do just that and share some yummy recipes made with chocolate.”
“Well I do enjoy a good snack,” replies Periwinkle. I think chocolate covered Temptations would be tasty, and I know by brofur, Raz, would like that.
Fudge
“I think we can do a bit better than that. My dad is a big fan of fudge, so I thought we’d share the easy fudge recipe my mom uses.”
Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate Fudge
2 1/4 to 3 cups Ghirardelli semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
14 oz condensed milk, sweetened
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
“My mom melts her chocolate chips in the microwave, taking them out frequently to stir, so they don’t dry out or burn. When melted she stirs in the other ingredients (except nuts). When it is all mixed, she adds the nuts and pours it into a square dish treated with cooking spray. (Butter, margarine or Crisco can be used to prepare dish.) Then it goes in the fridge for a couple hours to set so it can be cut in squares (approximately five dozen pieces) and stored in an airtight container.”
“That does sound yummy, Stinky,” Periwinkle says as she licks her lips. I just hope Mr. Hershey’s fans won’t be upset we didn’t use his chocolate in our recipe.”
“Periwinkle, his chocolate chips do work just as well.”
Agustus Gloop Fudge
“As we are celebrating Roald Dahl’s birthday, I also want to share a second fudge recipe. It is from his book, Charlie in the Chocolate Factory. It is a bit more complicated, and as it requires the stove, all our kitty friends should ask for help from one of their humans when making it.”
4 ½ cups sugar
1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
½ cup butter
2 12-oz packages chocolate chips
7 oz marshmallow creme
4 1.5 oz Hershey bars
Boil sugar, milk, and butter for 10 minutes, stirring constantly. In a separate bowl, mix together chocolate chips, marshmallow creme and chocolate bars. Pour milk mixture over chocolate mixture and stir until melted and combined. Pour into 9×13 pan. Store in fridge once cooled.
“So, what’s next, Stinky?”
“Well, Periwinkle, you know our friend Teddy loves bacon, and there are lots of good bacon and chocolate recipes. Let’s invite him over to share one.“
“Excellent idea, Stinky!”
Teddy Joins Periwinkle & Stinky
“Hi, Periwinkle & Stinky. Thanks for inviting me to join you. I’ve got a great recipe I shared on by blog (Two Spoiled Cats) on June 5, 2021. It’s another sweet treat.”
Bacon-Pecan Chocolate Truffles
INGREDIENTS:
1 package (12 ounces) dark chocolate chips
6 tablespoons butter, cubed
1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
8 bacon strips, cooked and finely chopped
COATING:
1 cup white baking chips
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
1/2 teaspoon maple flavoring
1-3/4 cups chopped pecans, toasted
DIRECTIONS:
Place dark chocolate chips in a small bowl. In a small saucepan, heat butter and cream just to simmering. Pour over chocolate; stir until smooth. Stir in bacon. Cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally. Refrigerate, covered, 1-1/2 hours or until firm enough to shape.
For coating, place baking chips in a small bowl. In a small saucepan, bring cream just to a boil. Pour over baking chips; stir with a whisk until smooth. Stir in maple flavoring. Cool completely, stirring occasionally, about 1-1/2 hours.
Shape dark chocolate mixture into 1-in. balls. Dip truffles in maple mixture; allow excess to drip off. Roll in pecans; place on a waxed paper-lined 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Refrigerate until set. Store between layers of waxed paper in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
“Wow, Teddy, that’s a real winner. Thank you,” say Periwinkle and Stinky in unison as they clap heir paws.
“You’re welcome. I always enjoy joining my friends in the kitchen.” The three tabbies hug each other and Teddy returns to the tunnel for his trip home.
Everything S’Mores
“I know Cooper Murphy shared some really nommy s’mores at Cat Scout’s recently. Let’s share that recipe too. I think everybody knows how to make s’mores, so we can just share a photo and list of ingredients,” Stinky tells Periwinkle.
3 toasted marshmallows
2 graham crackers
2 chocolate wafer cookies
1 sliced strawberry
creamy peanut butter
sliced bananas
2 chocolate chip cookies
2 dark chocolate squares (Ghiardelli or Hershey’s are best)
“Stinky, I am not certain I could get my mouth around one of those, but it sure does look scrumptious. All this has been a lot of work. I think we should take a break and have some kitty approved treats. What do you think?”
“I am definitely ready for that, Periwinkle. Let’s go to the front porch so we can have some alone time.”
“Stinky, I love your front porch. It is so comfy. And I always enjoy our alone time.”
Stinky leans over and gives Periwinkle a whisker kiss. “That’s my favorite time of all, Periwinkle.”
“Do you think our friends will enjoy today’s adventure?” Periwinkle asks Stinky.
“If they like chocolate and decide to make one or more of these treats for themselves and their families, I think they will,” Stinky tells her.
The two tabbies spend the remainder of the afternoon talking, laughing and holding paws until it is time for Periwinkle to head home. After saying her good-byes to all Stinky’s fursibs and his parents, Periwinkle enters the teleportation tunnel. She and Stinky blow each other a final kiss, and she is gone in a whoosh.
The End
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