CREAMY CAULIFLOWER SOUP

2 tbsp. olive oil
1 diced onion
4 cloves minced garlic
1 cup diced carrots
2 stalks diced celery
1 head cauliflower, cut into florets
Salt & Pepper
1 bay leaf
1 quart vegetable stock

Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a medium size pot.
Add the onion, garlic, carrots, celery. Cook for 8-10 minutes until softened and fragrant.
Add the cauliflower florets and saute for 5 minutes. Add the bay leaf, salt, pepper, and vegetable stock.
Cook for 15 minutes or until cauliflower is completely soft. Using an immersion blender (or regular blender in batches) blend the soup. Pour into bowls and garnish with fresh chopped herbs of your choice and/or roasted pine nuts. Serve with a good crusty bread and this makes a wonderful meal!

POSITIVITY PLEDGE

I shall no longer allow negative thoughts or feelings to drain me of my energy. Instead I shall focus on all the good that is in my life. I will think it, feel it and speak it. By doing so I will send out vibes of positive energy into the world and I shall be grateful for all the wonderful things it will attract into my life.

Donna, Paul, Fred, and Brittany hauled donated food to Rikki’s Refuge today, volunteering considerable time, effort, and personal vehicles! They drove to Verona, VA. and back to Rikki’s with several pallets worth of canned and dry food! THANK YOU FOR HELPING RIKKI’S REFUGE! All three of you ROCK!

Rikki’s Refuge was paid a very special visit by Tari Ott and some of her wonderful dance students from Tari’s Cornerstone Studio for Dance in Haslett, Michigan! This fine group of young folks worked hard to collect food for our animals, and also presented Rikki’s Refuge with a generous donation! All the critters are so excited and will love the attention! WOW! THANK YOU!

There is a very nice Facebook page for Tari’s dance school here:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Taris-Cornerstone-Studio-for-Dance/247120775313545

You may see the full album for Tari’s Cornerstone School of Dance – visit to Rikki’s Refuge on one of three albums!

ON FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152141969332391.1073741866.169651012390&type=1

ON FLICKR: https://www.flickr.com/photos/rikkis_refuge/sets/72157645860365444/

ON PINTEREST: http://www.pinterest.com/RikkisRefuge/taris-cornerstone-school-of-dance/

Please VOTE & SHARE for RIKKI’S REFUGE in the Animal Rescue Site SHELTER CHALLENGE every day! Thank you!

Vote here: http://www.shelterchallenge.com/web/charityusa/nomineehome?userId=53331&nomineeId=17448

VEGETARIAN BROCCOLI-CHEESE PIE

2 tablespoons plain dry breadcrumbs
4 large eggs
1 1/4 cups milk
1/2 teaspoon hot sauce, such as Tabasco
1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
Freshly ground pepper to taste
2 cups cubed whole-wheat country bread (about 2 slices, crusts removed)
3 cups broccoli florets
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 cup grated Monterey Jack or part-skim mozzarella cheese (4 ounces)

Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a 9-inch deep-dish pie pan with cooking spray. Add breadcrumbs, tilting to coat bottom and sides. Whisk eggs, milk, hot sauce, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Add bread and stir to coat. Set aside in the refrigerator. Steam broccoli until just tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Refresh under cold water and drain well. Chop coarsely. Heat oil in a medium nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion; cook, stirring often, until softened and light golden, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the onion mixture and broccoli to the egg mixture; stir in cheese. Pour into the prepared pan, spreading evenly. Bake the pie until light golden and set, 45 to 50 minutes. Let cool slightly, cut into wedges and serve.

OPIE’S KINDNESS PLEDGE!

I pledge to myself, on this day
To try and be kind, in every way.
To every person, big and small,
I will help them if they fall.
When I love myself and others, too,
That is the best that I can do!

My name is Smokey Joe and I live at Rikki’s Refuge in Rapidan, Virginia. Did you know that over 1300 animals of 22 species live here with me? Included in that big bunch of critters are over 600 cats just like me! We’re having a pretty rough summer this year. We need help! We need help with food for all of us. We need help with supplies. We are a registered non-profit and are soley supported by donations. Even a little helps a lot! Did you know that a donation of one dollar feeds me and three of my friends for a day? Can you help me feed all of my friends?

1. To make an electronic donation:
http://www.rikkisrefuge.org/donate

2. To mail a check or money order:
Rikki’s Refuge, PO Box 1357, Orange VA. 22960

3. To send food/supplies via Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/LI8PP4S40XZD/ref=cm_wl_rlist_go_o?

Rikki’s Refuge in Orange County, Virginia, is a 400 acre, no-kill, all species peaceful sanctuary supported solely by donations of kind and loving individuals. The refuge is home to over 1200 animals of over 22 different species, including but not limited to cats, dogs, sheep, goats, rabbits, pigs, emus, chickens, ducks, geese, a chukar, peacocks, and more. It is owned and operated by Life Unlimited of Virginia, Inc. an approved not-for profit Virginia Corporation and IRS tax code 501(c)(3) corporation as determined by the IRS. Federal Tax-ID number 54-1911042. A financial statement is available upon written request from the State Office of Consumer Affairs.

We’re differently-abled, but it doesn’t stop our awesomeness! Or our cuteness!

Love, Timmy, Opie & Sylvestra

“In every living thing there is the desire for love.”

~~ D.H. Lawrence ~~