Front and Center!

Good morning!!!

What's in a "Wallace Dog"?

We got a surprise Christmas present yesterday: Wallace's DNA Results came back! I had sent in a sample of Wallace's DNA (via a swab of saliva) on December first. I was told the results would take one to two months so I was surprised to get the results after 24 days!

We've have never known what kind of a mix Wallace is. We knew that he was a miniature poodle mix, but never knew what he was mixed with. Dick said it didn't matter, that he was a "Wallace Dog" or a "WallaDoodle". I knew it wasn't really important to know what he was mixed with, but I was always curious. I also have people asking me all the time what his mix is. The DNA tests also check for potential health risks associated with different breeds, so that's how I justified it!

It turns out, Wallace is 50% Miniature Poodle (yay!), 20% Cocker Spaniel (interesting!), 12% Shih Tzu and 18% Super Mutt!! I figured Wallace would be at least 50% poodle, because he has so many characteristics of one, both physically as well as personality. The Cocker Spaniel part is interesting because that is a breed that no one has guessed before. Most people have assumed that he must be part Maltese or Bichon Frise. There were also thoughts that he could be a miniature Goldendoodle. Nope! Turns out he has some Cockapoo in him. The report was very interesting and thorough. I'm happy to say that his DNA was tested for over 160 Genetic Health Issues, and that he is clear of all of them. .

It's also interesting to mention that I gave very little info about Wallace when I sent in the test. I only answered the most basic questions: Wallace is a neutered male, and we guessed on his birthdate. I only uploaded the photo of Wallace this morning after the results came in.

You can see more of Wallace's DNA test results here:
https://embarkvet.com/dog/wallace3

In the end, I'm really glad that we decided to go ahead and test Wallace's DNA. Now we know more of his story. ❤️🐶❤️.

Christmas Day at Mom and Dad's

Christmas Morning at our House

Santa Paws came!!! 🎅🏼🐾❤️🌲❄️

David and Mike's Cookie Exchange

I didn't take many photos, but I had a delightful time at David & Mike's house last night. They hosted a Cookie Exchange and dinner for a group of our high school friends. The meal was delicious, the cookies were yummy and the company and discussion was so much fun!

Homemade Cinnamon Rolls!!

Dick and I have been on a cinnamon roll quest in San Francisco ever since we moved back from Seattle last year. As it turns out, there are no great Cinnamon rolls in SF. There are plenty of delicious fancy morning buns, pecan rolls, sticky buns, etc, but we have yet to find a great, basic, cinnamon roll here. (Seattle has a bunch of great cinnamon roll options, for the record.)

My friend, Gina, who lives up in Woodinville (near Seattle) loves to bake, and has been making cinnamon rolls for several years. I asked her for her recipe a couple of weeks ago and decided to try it out today. I figured that I'd make a batch today, bake a few tonight for Dick and I to taste-test, and put the rest unbaked in our refrigerator. I thought if we liked how they turned out, we could bring them to my Mom and Dad's tomorrow and share them with our Family Christmas Brunch!

The two that Dick and I had tonight were delicious!! I'm super excited to share the rest with my family tomorrow. I also foresee many yummy cinnamon rolls in our future!

Christmas Eve Walk

We did our annual Christmas Eve Walk this afternoon where we walk around the neighborhood to see Tom and Jerry's House. We go every year, and we're constantly amazed at the scope and beauty of the decorations, and we also try to notice when new items are added. So fun to have this in the neighborhood!