That's Random: Keeping the Dog Dry, and Other Domestic Pursuits

My daughter, who turns 11 today, spent much of yesterday morning fashioning a raincoat for our corgi, Bonnie. She insisted -- and since it's her birthday, I reluctantly agreed -- that I show it to all of you. She wants everyone to admire her handiwork, but she declined to provide step-by-step instructions for this project (as she has for others in the past), because she doesn't want anyone copying her design. (Hint: It basically involves a rectangular piece of oilcloth lined with cotton and held in place with Velcroed straps at the neck and belly. Shhhh -- you didn't hear it from me.) So here you go: Dog raincoat by Laurel.

Then, at her own insistence, she spent the afternoon baking her birthday cake from scratch. (Lemon with curd and berries -- yum. An overly complicated recipe from my arch nemesis Martha, of course.) While she was doing this, I believe I was taking a nap. Hey, she's been baking cakes with little assistance from me since kindergarten ...

It's a good thing this girl was born at home, because otherwise I'd worry that she'd been switched at the hospital. Still, she did not get this domestic gene from me. (Just curious: Does anyone else's fifth grader beg for a copy of the humongous Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia of Crafts for her birthday? That's kind of weird, right?)

Anyway, happy birthday, my love! And by the way: That 10-pound package with the big bow on it? I think you'll be pleased by the contents. Me, well, that's a different story.

Cool Stuff: Corgi Love

Um, have I maybe mentioned my adorable Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Bonnie, here once or twice? Sorry -- I just can't help it. I'm madly in love with her.

And, totally tacky though it may be, I couldn't help smiling when my husband sent me a link yesterday to this corgi cookie jar ($50 from Pug Cafe).

That, of course, prompted a search for other tongue-in-cheek Pembroke products.

So, honey? These are officially on my birthday list. (Pssst -- these shops all have lots of stuff for other kinds of dogs, too.)

Corgi Silhouette T-shirt, $21 from Cafe Press

Corgi Mouse Pad, $15 from Menagerie Mayhem

"Corgi-Zilla" Print, $8 from Menagerie Mayhem

Pop Corgi Pillow, $20 from Pet Pop Art

Corgi Cookie Cutter, $8 from Dog Stuff

"Pop Corgis" Giclee Print, $95 from Dog Art Dog

My apologies for this momentary lapse in good taste -- but if loving these is wrong, I don't wanna be right.