Friday, March 21, 2014

Good Morning Good News! Friday, March 21, 2014


OPIE'S WEATHER REPORT!
Rikki's Refuge, Rapidan, VA.
FRIDAY, MARCH 21, 2014
My weather report is late late LATE today! Why was it late? Because it was so nice outside, that I started playing and walking around, and kind of forgot about it! SORRY! MEOW! I’d like to report that today’s high just after 5:00 PM was 67 F. and it was partly cloudy, but that’s OK. It was nice and warm today. Tonight will be partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low 44F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. 10% chance of rain.
Sunrise: 7:14 AM Moonset: 10:08 AM
Sunset: 7:25 PM Moonrise: - - - - - - 


Don't forget your Friday 3/21/14 Shelter Challenge vote for Rikki's Refuge! Please vote and share! THANK YOU!
Vote here: http://www.shelterchallenge.com/web/charityusa/nomineehome?userId=53331&nomineeId=17448 


 TOFU SPINACH QUICHE

1 pie crust, store-bought or your favorite recipe
3 T olive oil
1/3 c. onion, thinly sliced
1 1/2 c. broccoli, roughly chopped
3/4 c. mushrooms, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
12 oz. firm or extra-firm tofu (not silken), pressed
1/2 block soy cheddar
1/2 c. nutritional yeast
2 T water
1 t. salt
1/2 t. pepper
1/2 t. dried basil
1/4 t. cayenne (optional)
1 c. fresh spinach, not packed down
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. In a large pan, saute the onion, broccoli, mushrooms, and garlic in the olive oil, covered, for about 8 minutes. Don't let the broccoli get too tender, because it will continue cooking in the oven. In a food processor, combine the tofu, soy cheddar, nutritional yeast, water, salt, pepper, and basil. Blend well and pour the tofu mixture into the pan of vegetables. Remove from stove and stir in the fresh spinach.
Pour the filling into the pie crust and bake about 30 minutes. Remove from oven when the center is done. Allow it to set for five minutes or so to firm up. 

 (WE REALLY NEED ORANGES, WET CAT FOOD AND PAPER TOWELS TOMORROW! PLEASE SHARE THIS FOR US!)
DONATION DROP-OFF EVERY SATURDAY AT RIKKI'S REFUGE 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Rikki's Refuge Educational Center
21410 Constitution Hwy.
Rapidan, VA. 22733
***For this Saturday (March 22, 2014) Rikki's Refuge really needs CANNED CAT FOOD, ORANGES AND PAPER TOWELS!***
You may also leave donations for Rikki's Refuge at Re-Tail in Fredericksburg any time during normal business hours, if this is more convenient for you! 


A cat as black
As blackest coal
Is out upon
His midnight stroll,
His steps are soft,
His walk is slow,
His eyes are gold,
They flash and glow.
And so he runs
And so he ducks,
Leaving behind
His black-cat luck.
~~ M.R.A. ~~ 

One of our refuge kitties enjoying the sunshine and warmer temperatures today!


Every meal for every animal, every day, is provided by donations from YOU, our caring supporters!
http://www.rikkisrefuge.org/donate.php
THANK YOU! 
 If you would like to make a donation and send it in the mail instead of making an electronic transaction online, please mail your check or money order to: 
Rikki's Refuge
PO Box 1357 Orange, VA. 22960
Posted by Kerry at 10:09 PM 0 comments

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Good Morning Good News! Thursday, March 20, 2014


OPIE'S WEATHER REPORT!
Rikki's Refuge, Rapidan, VA.
THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 2014
This morning it’s in the upper 30’s with partly cloudy skies. Areas of patchy fog. But today I bring good news! A bit later on today it will be mostly sunny with temperatures warming rapidly into the mid to upper 50s. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. WARMER! NO RAIN! HOORAY! It’s still going to be a chilly night so don’t take those flannel sheets off the bed just yet! This evening clear to partly cloudy. Low 38F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.
Sunrise: 7:16 AM Moonset: 9:24 AM
Sunset: 7:24 PM Moonrise: 11:39 PM 



Don't forget your Thursday 3/20/14 Shelter Challenge vote for Rikki's Refuge! Please vote and share! THANK YOU!
Vote here: http://www.shelterchallenge.com/web/charityusa/nomineehome?userId=53331&nomineeId=17448


 Walnut Bread Muffins
(Vegan/Dairy Free/Gluten Free Recipe!)

2 ripe mashed bananas
1/2 cup warm almond milk + 2 tsp. apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup vegan cane sugar
1/4 cup light brown sugar
1/3 cup soy free buttery spread, melted
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 1/2 cups gluten free flour
1 tbsp. milled flax
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. xanthan gum
1/2 tsp. sea salt
1/3 cup walnut pieces
Preheat the oven to 350 F. In a glass mixing bowl, mash your very ripe bananas. Add to the bananas, rice milk, vinegar, cane sugar, brown sugar, melted butter, vanilla extract & cinnamon. Cream this mixture together well.
Next, in a separate mixing bowl, mix together the flour, milled flax, baking powder, guar gum & sea salt. Add your flour mix, carefully to your creamed banana mixture & mix it all in well. If it appears not moist enough, add a tbsp more of rice milk or so. Moisture is a good thing! After creating a batter, lightly oil a six-sectioned silicon muffin pan & evenly distribute muffin batter between the six sections of the pan. Next, add your walnut pieces to the top & place in the oven to bake 30-40 minutes, or until golden brown.
Test with a toothpick in the center, to indicate readiness. 



DONATION DROP-OFF EVERY SATURDAY AT RIKKI'S REFUGE 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Rikki's Refuge Educational Center
21410 Constitution Hwy.
Rapidan, VA. 22733
***For this Saturday (March 22, 2014) Rikki's Refuge really needs CANNED CAT FOOD, ORANGES AND PAPER TOWELS!***
You may also leave donations for Rikki's Refuge at Re-Tail in Fredericksburg any time during normal business hours, if this is more convenient for you! 

HAPPY FIRST DAY OF SPRING!!!!!!
"The beautiful spring came; and when Nature resumes her loveliness, the human soul is apt to revive also."
~~ Harriet Ann Jacobs ~~  


Meet pretty Caitlyn who is comfortably lounging on the hood of Amy's truck this morning! 

  
We're sooo happy for Spring!!  
Posted by Kerry at 11:09 PM 0 comments

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Good Morning Good News! Wednesday, March 19, 2014


OPIE'S WEATHER REPORT!
Rikki's Refuge, Rapidan, VA.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 2014
More chances of drizzle and dreariness! BLAH! Showers this afternoon following some morning drizzle. High near 45F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%. Tonight we will have cloudy skies early, followed by partial clearing. Low 37F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 10%.
Sunrise: 7:18 AM Moonset: 8:45 AM
Sunset: 7:24 PM Moonrise: 10:36 PM 



Don't forget your Wednesday 3/19/14 Shelter Challenge vote for Rikki's Refuge! Please vote and share! THANK YOU!
Vote here: http://www.shelterchallenge.com/web/charityusa/nomineehome?userId=53331&nomineeId=17448 



POWER COOKIES

4 cups rolled oats
1 (15 ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup applesauce
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup chopped prunes or dried cranberries or dried cherries (or a combo of all 3)
1/2 cup flaked coconut
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Grease cookie sheets. Grind the oats in a blender until resembling coarse flour. Puree beans and applesauce together. In a medium bowl, combine the ground oats, baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon; blend into the bean/applesauce mixture. Stir in the prunes, coconut, raisins and walnuts. Drop dough by heaping spoonfuls onto the prepared cookie sheet. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven, until golden. Cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes then remove to wire racks to cool completely. 



RIKKI'S REFUGE NEEDS HELP PLEASE! URGENT NEED FOR WET CAT FOOD! WE HAVE ONLY ENOUGH FOR 5 DAYS!
***We feed 49 platters of wet cat food PER DAY!***
Please donate if you can, please share our need with others, that helps us too!
Every meal for every animal, every day, is provided by donations from YOU, our caring supporters!
http://www.rikkisrefuge.org/donate.php
THANK YOU!
If you would like to make a donation and send it in the mail instead of making an electronic transaction online, please mail your check or money order to:
Rikki's Refuge
PO Box 1357
Orange, VA. 22960
If you live in the local area, you can drop off cat food on Saturdays between noon-2 PM at our Education Center.
You can also get cat food for us via our Amazon wish list located here:
http://www.amazon.com/wishlist/126FNLHBB9AGA/ref=sr_1_1_acs_wl_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1382711861&sr=8-1-acs 




WE NEED HELP PLEASE!
The last five our our little lambs are getting neutered on Monday 3/24/14 at a cost of $107 for each lamb! Can you help us defray this cost?
http://www.rikkisrefuge.org/donate.php
You may also mail a check or money order donation to:
Rikki's Refuge
PO Box 1357
Orange, VA. 22960
PLEASE SHARE THIS FOR US, THAT HELPS TOO, THANK YOU! 


"No day is so bad it can't be fixed with a nap."
~~ Carrie Snow ~~

***********************************
And finally, we want to share photos from yesterday at Rikki's Refuge with you! Enjoy! 

 
The driveway leading to Rikki's Refuge 


Paw prints on the deck at the Education Center 


This is Flash. Adopted and returned three times. We love him and take good care of him. He's happy here at Rikki's. 

 This is what it looks like inside the cat runs when the roof is coated with snow. 


Snoozing away a dreary day, with a friend. 

Smokey Joe 

King
Posted by Kerry at 9:06 AM 0 comments

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Good Morning Good News! Tuesday, March 18, 2014

OPIE'S WEATHER REPORT!
Rikki's Refuge, Rapidan, VA.
Tuesday, March 18, 2014 
Mostly cloudy. High 44F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph. 20% chance of rain today. Tonight will be cloudy with drizzle developing overnight. Low near 35F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph. 30% chance of rain tonight. 
Sunrise: 7:19 AM    Moonset: 8:09 AM
Sunset: 7:23 PM    Moonrise 9:35 PM 


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!


WILL YOU TAKE THE PLEDGE?



THANK YOU EVERYONE who participated in our St. Patrick's Day fundraiser! We appreciate your help! If you missed this yesterday and would still like to donate, it's not too late to help out! 
You can send a donation electronically here:
http://www.rikkisrefuge.org/donate.php 
Or you may mail a check or money order here: 
Rikki's Refuge
PO Box 1357
Orange, VA. 22960 



 Don't forget your Tuesday 3/18/14 Shelter Challenge vote for Rikki's Refuge! Please vote and share! THANK YOU!
Vote here: http://www.shelterchallenge.com/web/charityusa/nomineehome?userId=53331&nomineeId=17448 





 #PAWCIRCLE UPDATE FOR JEFF THE PIGEON (FROM RIKKI'S REFUGE) FROM OPIE, ON MONDAY 3/17/14:
Jeff is recovering well. He's happily hopping about the cage, flying too, you have to really look to see who's him and who's his mate -- have to count legs !!!! He's so much better than he was with it sticking straight out. That was making standing up so hard. I hated to amputate, but we'd really reached the end of the line on anything we could do to get it into position. Pinning, when it was so shattered, and the bone is just so darn small, just wasn't an option. Want some interesting Pigeon facts ... they only have 6 ml of blood. So 6 drops lost is enough to put them into shock. 15 mins is the max they can withstand under anesthesia ..... so my vet had a lot of anxiety going in .... I've got so much respect for her for trying to save somebody, while facing scary odds. She really researches the best way to do things and she's smart as heck and willing to take on a challenge. She had to be so totally prepared, once they started the anesthesia till they turned it off, 15 minutes .... so it was very fast work that had to be precisely laid out ahead of time .... and superb blood loss management !!! Awesome, huh??



 MINESTRONE

    3 tablespoons olive oil
    1 leek, sliced
    2 carrots, chopped
    1 zucchini, thinly sliced
    4 ounces green beans, cut into 1 inch pieces
    2 stalks celery, thinly sliced
1 1/2 quarts vegetable stock
    1 pound chopped tomatoes
    1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
    1 (15 ounce) can cannellini beans, with liquid
    1/4 cup mini pasta shells
    salt and ground black pepper to taste
Heat olive oil in a large saucepan, over medium heat. Add leek, carrots, zucchini, green beans and celery. Cover, and reduce heat to low. Cook for 15 minutes, shaking the pan occasionally.
    Stir in the stock, tomatoes and thyme. Bring to a boil, then replace the lid, and reduce heat to low; simmer gently for 30 minutes.
    Stir in the cannellini beans with liquid and pasta. Simmer for an additional 10 minutes, or until pasta is al dente. Season with salt and pepper to taste before serving.



“Recycle kisses, hugs and smiles, they never go out of style and everybody needs one.” 
~~ Crystal DeLarm Clymer ~~

 CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE RIKKI'S REFUGE CRITTER WISDOM ON FACEBOOK! 


(Passing this INFO on to anyone it may help!)
#Mechanicsville #VA LOW COST SPAY/NEUTER INFO
Barron Surgery in Mechanicsville, Virginia, provides low cost spay and neuter to all cats and dogs in the Central Virginia area. Appointments available immediately. Call 804.368.6232
Barron Surgery
7088 Mechanicsville Turnpike
Mechanicsville, Virginia 23111
BarronSurgery@gmail.com
http://www.BarronSurgery.com/
Posted by Kerry at 9:33 AM 0 comments

Monday, March 17, 2014

Good Morning Good News! Monday, March 17, 2014

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY! 


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




 OPIE'S WEATHER REPORT
Rikki's Refuge, Rapidan, VA.
MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2014
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Snow this morning will transition to snow showers this afternoon. Cold. High 33F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph. 1 to 3 inches of snow expected. Chance of snow 100%. Tonight will be mostly cloudy with a few snow showers this evening. Low 26F with temps rising to near freezing. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 30%.
Sunrise: 7:21 AM Moonset: 7:37 AM
Sunset: 7:22 PM Moonrise: 8:34 PM 


 VEGAN PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE

Egg replacer equivalent to 3 eggs
1 pkg. gluten-free vegan ginger cookies or graham crackers
1/2 cup pecan halves, plus more for decorating
1 stick vegan butter
2 8-oz. pkg. vegan cream cheese
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup vegan sour cream
1 cup canned pumpkin
2 Tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
Pinch ground cloves (optional)
Pinch ground ginger (optional)
Soy whipped topping, for garnish
Preheat the oven to 325°F and prepare the egg replacer according to the package directions. Place the ginger cookies and pecans in food a processor and pulse until fine. Transfer to a 9-inch pie pan, preferably a springform pan. Melt the vegan butter in a saucepan on low heat. Add to the cookie mix and press into the pan until evenly moist and flat. Bake for 10 minutes, then remove from the oven and allow to cool. Using an electric mixer, beat the vegan cream cheese and brown sugar until soft. Stir in the vegan sour cream and pumpkin at a low speed. Beat one-third of the egg replacer into the mixture, followed by another third of the egg replacer. Add the sugar, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger and mix until well combined. Add the remaining egg replacer and mix well. Pour on top of the crust. Bake for 45 minutes, then turn the oven off and leave the pie inside until the oven reaches room temperature. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before decorating as desired, and enjoy! 
  

 THIS WEEK IS POISON PREVENTION WEEK! 


 "A cat's eyes are windows enabling us to see into another world."
----- Irish Legend ----- 


 Rikki’s Refuge “Help Us Get Green” St. Patrick’s Day Fundraiser!
http://www.rikkisrefuge.org/donate.php
We need the luck of the Irish today to help raise donations to get canned cat food, hay, bird seed, chicken feed, dry dog/cat food, fresh produce and prescription foods for our seniors and infirm animals! This winter has been hard on our animals and hard on our supplies. Can you help us?
http://www.rikkisrefuge.org/donate.php
RIKKI'S REFUGE
Life Unlimited of Virginia, Inc.
10910 Barr Lane
Rapidan, VA. 22733
(540)-854-0870
mail@rikkisrefuge.org
www.rikkisrefuge.org
http://www.rikkisrefuge.org/donate.php

CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO RIKKI'S REFUGE!  

If you would like to make a donation and send it in the mail instead of making an electronic transaction online, please mail your check or money order to:  

 Rikki's Refuge
PO Box 1357
Orange, VA. 22960


Posted by Kerry at 5:54 AM 0 comments

Sunday, March 16, 2014

Good Morning Good News! Sunday, March 16, 2014


OPIE'S WEATHER REPORT
Rikki's Refuge, Rapidan, VA.
SUNDAY, MARCH 16, 2014
March is doing that lion/lamb thing again! After such a nice day yesterday, today is going to be a whole lot of yuck! Break out your slickers, coats and snow shovels! MEOW! Today there will be considerable cloudiness. Occasional rain showers this afternoon. High 49F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%. And guess what’s coming tonight? Periods of snow. Low around 30F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph. 5 to 8 inches of snow expected. Told you! YUCK! MEOW!
** WINTER STORM WARNING SUNDAY 5:00 PM - MONDAY 2:00 PM **
Sunrise: 7:22 AM Moonset: 7:05 AM
Sunset: 7:21 PM Moonrise: 7:36 PM 


Don't forget your Sunday 3/16/14 Shelter Challenge vote for Rikki's Refuge! Please vote and share! THANK YOU!
Vote here: http://www.shelterchallenge.com/web/charityusa/nomineehome?userId=53331&nomineeId=17448



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.


MEXICAN PASTA

1/2 pound seashell pasta
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 onions, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1/2 cup sweet corn kernels
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained
1 (14.5 ounce) can peeled and diced tomatoes
1/4 cup salsa
1/4 cup sliced black olives
1 1/2 tablespoons taco seasoning mix
salt and pepper to taste
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain. While pasta is cooking, heat olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Cook onions and pepper in oil until lightly browned, 10 minutes. Stir in corn and heat through. Stir in black beans, tomatoes, salsa, olives, taco seasoning and salt and pepper and cook until thoroughly heated, 5 minutes. Toss sauce with cooked pasta and serve. 

  
POISON PREVENTION WEEK, March 16-22, 2014



Every meal for every animal, every day, is provided by donations from YOU, our caring supporters!
http://www.rikkisrefuge.org/donate.php
THANK YOU! 
 If you would like to make a donation and send it in the mail instead of making an electronic transaction online, please mail your check or money order to: 
Rikki's Refuge
PO Box 1357
Orange, VA. 22960
Posted by Kerry at 9:10 AM 0 comments
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