There is a beautiful stone church called St. Ann’s located on the rocky Maine coast where Sunday services are held outside in the summer when the weather is glorious. On one very special Saturday in July, St. Ann’s hosts a Blessing of the Animals service, and Beckham and I always attend.

This year the weather was sunny and the view of the ocean with sailboats out early was perfect for a lovely service to celebrate the pets who are so integral to our lives.

After the service, we went to our local bakery for Saturday morning brunch with Dog Raspberry Scones for Beckham, while I enjoyed a Raspberry Lime Bellini, a café au lait, and my favorite bakery treats.

The Blessing of the Animals

St. Francis, the Patron Saint of Animals, was known for his love for animals and nature. The Feast of St. Francis of Assisi commemorates the life of St. Francis, and typically the Blessing of the Animals is celebrated close to the Feast of St. Francis, which is October 4^th. We love that our church schedules the service for summer and welcomes any and all attendees including locals and summer visitors.

Beckham was blessed by the minister, and then we asked if he would also bless our two cats, Ali and Z, in absentia, since parties with over a hundred excited dogs are not really their favorite type of activity. Not surprisingly, there were no cats in attendance, but I am sure that many cats were there in spirit.

Raspberry Scones for Pet Parents – The Easy Way! 

I love to bake, but sometimes it just makes sense to let someone else do the cooking, so Beckham and I will make a stop at the bakery café for scones and a café au lait. Raspberry scones are one of their specialties, so even though I always consider choosing the croissant, I never do.  Scones with clotted cream top my list of perfect Saturday morning treats.

Yes, I have made them at home, and if you are feeling ambitious – but only moderately ambitious – I highly recommend the scone mix from King Arthur Baking Company, which is easy and delicious. You can make them from scratch, but why would you?  I must insist, however, that you top off your scones with clotted cream. My kitten, Ali, agrees that clotted cream is better than butter, and she gets a very tiny lick to reward her for her excellent baking skills.

Can Your Dog Eat Raspberries? Yes, in Moderation

My dog, Beckham, loves fruit, and he really loves raspberries.  The dog has good taste as they are my favorite fruit.  I researched whether it is safe to share the raspberries with him – and to use them in my Dog Scone recipe. There are some fruits that are not safe for dogs, so you should always check before you share your breakfast with your pup.

Raspberries are safe for dogs to eat, but they should be given the berries in moderation. Raspberries offer several health benefits.  They are low in sugar and calories, but high in fiber, minerals such as manganese and potassium, and vitamins such as C and B-complex. They contain powerful antioxidants which can help to reduce the possibility of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and arthritis.

You should be aware, however, of one caution about raspberries, which is that they contain one of the highest levels of natural xylitol, which is an all-natural sweetener found in many fruits and vegetables. Xylitol can be toxic to dogs, but that just means that you should only feed your dog raspberries in very small amounts. A 22-pound dog would need to eat 32 cups of raspberries to be at risk, so a handful as a fresh treat or in your dog scones should not be a problem.

Dog Raspberry Scones 

 My dog loves to eat breakfast.  I love to eat breakfast – my favorite meal of the day.  We’re a good pair, and in Beckham’s mind, it is only right that I should share every part of my breakfast with him.

Here is a recipe for Dog Raspberry Scones – without clotted cream – that I believe will put a very big smile on his face for our brunch together.

Dog Raspberry Scones 

Ingredients

• ½ cup fat-free yogurt
• ¼ cup coconut oil (canola oil or vegetable oil can be substituted)
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup wheat flour
• 1 ½ cups oatmeal
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¾ cup fresh raspberries

Directions

• Mix the eggs, yogurt, and oil together.
• Add the wheat flour, oatmeal, and baking powder. Mix well.
• Gently fold in the fresh raspberries.
• Spoon into small mounds onto a greased cookie sheet or baking pan.
• Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes until lightly browned.

A Raspberry Lime Bellini – the Perfect Brunch Cocktail

If you regularly read our Party Blog posts, you know that we always plan to have a special cocktail for our parties and adventures, and this special post-Blessing brunch is no different. I think Bellinis are the quintessential brunch cocktail. This Raspberry Lime Bellini is refreshing and a perfect pairing for our scones.

Raspberry Lime Bellini 

Ingredients

• 1 cup sparkling wine (such as Prosecco)
• 1 ¼ cup fresh raspberries
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• ½ teaspoon lime juice
• ¼ teaspoon fresh lime zest
• Fresh raspberries for garnish

Directions

• Combine the sparkling wine, raspberries, sugar, lime juice, and lime zest in a blender. Mix until well blended.
• Pour into a tall glass.
• Garnish with fresh raspberries.
• Serves 2 people.

Brunch & A Blessing on a Special July Morning

Weekend mornings in the summer have become a special time for Beckham and me to plan adventures and turn them into impromptu parties. Parties can celebrate big moments or small, such as the opportunity to reflect on how blessed I am to share my life with my treasured pets.

Making memories with my dog – sharing adventures, eating fresh raspberries, and drinking Bellinis.