DIY Homemade Dog Food

Tue 20 Oct. Butternut squash on sale, and a value pak of boneless skinless chicken breasts, and the next thing you know I'm breaking out the crockpot and dumping brown rice, diced carrots, lentils, cut green beans, that whole mess of diced butternut squash, and three chicken breasts in it. After four hours it was all cooked through and ready to be scooped in full-mush measure into waiting bowls. Those house pups were so very excited the next day when these came out of the fridge at mealtime. Here they are in waiting mode:

To stretch it out, I did add some of their dry dog food into it. And Scarlett is a true Hoover, making every bit of hers disappear in about 10 seconds flat.

These pups made sure that they tackled the preferred part of each of these meals last week, and then they'd move on to the storebought crunchy bits.

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Based on "DIY Homemade Dog Food," by Chungah Rhee of the Damn Delicious blog. [Published 27 April 2015 /Updated 19 September 2025]

Based on "Easy Crockpot Dog Food," by Chungah Rhee of the Damn Delicious blog. [Published 13 May 2015 / Updated 08 July 2024]

The Hurricane Isaias System Seizes a Saturday

One of the latest first-of-the-season hurricanes on record worked itself into a named-storm frenzy while churning over the Gulf of Mexico in early October, coming ashore near Destin, Florida, last weekend with a Category 2 rating. After that, it sort of sauntered.

It managed to cause quite a bit of destruction and inconvenience, and sadly also a handful of deaths, in the Sunshine State and neighboring Alabama. But we’ve all seen much worse and can be grateful for what it didn’t become or do.

Still, it packed an enduring punch once it shattered into a disorganized mess, putting a damper on most of the eastern United States as its pieces and parts fanned out and brought plenty of rain.

It showed itself capable not only of settling in but also in drawing in enough enduring moisture that kept the rains a-coming, albeit often more drizzly than drenchy.

Bands nonetheless passed over with a more pronounced intent, and we were glad that this was not one of the occasions where the house showed itself as not impervious to precipitation.

This is a house with pooches, of course, and we still had to head outside to take care of pooch business. Fortunately, sometimes it was just sort of spitting or sprinkling in between all those windy drenching downpours.

I still got out and did an evening stroll...

...enough to get me across the finish line on my daily move and exercise goals as mandated by my Apple Watch.

By Sunday morning, we were still getting the effects here in Winston-Salem:

That was the day I got wind of why, which was a clash of weather systems that stalled out the movement:

And then (and it seemed at long last!), the clouds parted and blue sky returned and the warming rays of an October sun finally burst through:

Meal No. 4211: Brunswick Stew

Dateline: Sat 26 Sept. The end of September is a mixed bag for me: we have moved officially into Fall and sometimes the cooler weather gets an early start. But the final weekend of the month was so glorious and mild and sunny that we could not have asked for the annual Bookmarks Festival of Books and Authors to be any more perfectly timed. And that’s what brings the yearly joy of visiting festival-goers Margaret and Tathy, who use the Roediger House as their homebase while they fully immerse themselves in writers and what those authors have to say about the words they’ve written and the thoughts they have thunk.

We revel in the chance to supper with them, and the change of seasons put me right back into a mood for Brunswick stew. It was hearty and soul-satisfying, and well-accompanied with sweet skillet cornbread.

That was the afternoon when Scarlett made her 4th rat kill, as this little bugger tried to dash for safety across the rear property line and she was on him in a flash.

Meanwhile, Sumner was keen to cling to me at various times of the day, such as this pre-dinner moment when he let me know our papa-son solitude was to be a centered on a fully-invested belly rub.

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Brunswick Stew derived some inspiration from the following:

• "Get a Husband Brunswick Stew," by RAKESTRAW on AllRecipes.com.
• "Amelia's Slow Cooker Brunswick Stew," by Peach822 on AllRecipes.com.

Sweet Southern Cornbread adapted from "Golden Sweet Cornbread," from bluegirl on AllRecipes.com.

DIY Dog Food for the Ailing Princess

Dateline: Sun 12 July. At this point, it’s not clear if Scarlett keeps managing to quickly slurp up something the proves unsettling to the stomach when she’s in the yard, or if she’s got something more chronic going on. But as we scooted toward mid-July, she was back to some problematic poops and I jumped onto the crockpot version of homemade dog food early Sunday morning before leaving town so that we’d have something to help get her system back on track.

Those two precious pups are amazing at how they welcome me home when I’ve had to be gone, but there is something akin to that exuberant joy when they realize what’s coming to them in their food bowls is some of Daddy’s doggy vittles.

Scarlett voraciously inhales it, and it actually causes Sumner to remain standing, contrary to his usual couchant supper posture. But the magic mix of brown rice, chicken breast, butternut squash, sweet potato, green beans, peas, and lentils proved itself once more and everything came out all right (again) in the end.

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Based on "DIY Homemade Dog Food," by Chungah Rhee of the Damn Delicious blog. [Published 27 April 2015 /Updated 19 September 2025]

Based on "Easy Crockpot Dog Food," by Chungah Rhee of the Damn Delicious blog. [Published 13 May 2015 / Updated 08 July 2024]

Meal No. 4146: Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwiches

Dateline: Sat 04 July 2026. It was a casual gathering of seven on the occasion of the nation's 250th anniversary, a hot day very nearly for the record books. Figuring out how to put supper on the table without unnecessarily heating up the kitchen with the oven was a challenge, and I didn't think I liked the idea of grilling in the direct sunshine with that kind of heat and humidity about. All that indecision and imprecision resulted in quite a remarkable menu, though, with the inaugural attempt (and with happy success!) of Nashville hot chicken sandwiches.

Yep: all breaded and fried and spiced and seasoned, these boneless skinless chicken thighs were amazing. In turning these into sandwiches, folks could choose between standard Duke's mayo or spicy ranch, and for those so inclined pickle chips could be added.

There was macaroni salad befitting the hot summer day. I'd also made tasty appetizer items, like southwestern dip and pimento cheese.

And lordy, for the first time in about three-and-a-half years: my dear friend Barbara's take on creamy stuffed eggs.

And in his usual spot under that table, close at hand to all these folks he loves, there was Sumner laid out happy and safe:

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Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwiches based on:

• "Nashville Hot Chicken," from Melissa Nolan of Budget Bytes. [Published 26 May 2025]
• "Crispy Fried Chicken Thighs," from Brendan Cunningham of I'm Hungry for That! [Published 26 September 2025 / Updated 03 January 2026]

Macaroni Salad based on "Classic Macaroni Salad," by Jaclyn Bell of CookingClassy.com [Published 15 April 2017 / Updated 23 June 2025]

"Southwestern Dip," in Betty Crocker Monthly Recipes, December 2001.

"South Carolina-Style Pimento Cheese." Recipe worked out by me, based on Sharon's Palmetto Pimento Cheese. [Published 23 October 2009]

"Creamy Stuffed Eggs," a recipe shared with me by Barbara Huneycutt of Crozet, VA.

Guidance for Hard-Boiled Eggs from "Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs," by Jill Winger of the Prairie Homestead [Published April 2016 / Updated 26 May 2020]; and from "Instant Pot Recipes Everyone Should Know," by Alina Bradford from c|net.com. [Published 17 May 2018]

Sumner's 10th Birthday Cake

Dateline: Sat 27 June. Between the gastric distress afflicting both pups and the storm-driven power outage on Sumner’s official 10th birthday, it seemed prudent to delay making his special treat. But before that week was out, we got down to it.

I fully expected both Sumner and Scarlett to greet it with great trepidation, as they are subjected to a tightly-regulated and highly-scheduled diet and dining routine.

With little need for encouragement, permission, or assurances, those pups did indeed execute their best doggie dive into the suitable celebration snack, with its heavy concentration of pumpkin and homemade peanut butter and adorned with non-fat Greek yogurt with even more peanut butter.

Sumner was quite certain that his single small slice was not nearly enough.

And much to their delight, controlled portions could be offered up for midday snacks for a few days following. Also: here's the cake before it got cut up and served:

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”Dog Birthday Cake,” from Sofi Llansó of Broma Bakery, a baking blog founded by Sarah Fennel in 2010. [Updated 05 June 2026 ]

Meal No. 4137: Caesar Salad with Filet Mignon

Dateline: Mon 22 June. Just before storms hit on the second evening of summer, the Roediger House dinner fare centered on Caesar salads with filet mignon, a wonderfully hearty treat made easier by the sous vide immersion circulator and a good finishing pan sear.

That Monday was also the occasion of Sumner’s 10th birthday, sweet and precious pup that he is. Words cannot capture how fortunate it is to have found him, or to have had him find the Roediger House. Adopted from our local Animal Adoption and Rescue Foundation when he was about 9 months old, he has been a genuine joy and the absolute best boy in the world.

When a fast-moving storm rolled over us right after dinner clean-up was completed, we lost power in an instant.

Most of the Holly Avenue Neighborhood, plus the east side of the West End Neighborhood (here on our side of Broad Street), as well as First Baptist and Centenary Methodist and Calvary Moravian Churches, were all dark. Power was restored around 9:45 pm.

I strolled that evening through our powerless section of downtown, clocking in at about 2.5 miles, because old men survey the “damage” like that. When I got back to the house at 9:30 pm, I tried to snag a photo of this uncharacteristic dark, but my iPhone camera did quite a bit to compensate. Still, it’s an eerie shot that I kind of dig.

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Based on "Easy Lemon Caesar Salad Dressing," by Kim Hardesty of lowcarbmaven.com.

Little Scarlett Impia Blasts the Gastro Trouble

With the odds-on-favorite that little Miss Scarlett Impia had been gobbling up rabbit or rat poop or the occasional cat turds in the yard and in the landscaping, she ended up with quite a run of diarrhea right around the Summer Solstice. After false hope sprang from a couple of yard doodies that looked to be on the upswing, she was back to rousing me around 4 am and running out to the azaleas for a creamy hydrant torrent, if you know what I mean.

On the first day of summer, in fact, she was so docile as to cuddle for hours on the couch...before finding herself downstairs having a pee accident in her malaise. (At least it was just in the back hallway while she was trying to rest.) The winning home remedy at the Roediger House when dogs are dogged by dour doodies is a big ol' crockpot of DIY dog food, with brown rice, butternut squash, lentils, carrots, and sweet potato. She gobbled that stuff up when it was presented to her, and in short order she was soon getting back to her regular self.

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Based on "DIY Homemade Dog Food," by Chungah Rhee of the Damn Delicious blog. [Published 27 April 2015 /Updated 19 September 2025]

Based on "Easy Crockpot Dog Food," by Chungah Rhee of the Damn Delicious blog. [Published 13 May 2015 / Updated 08 July 2024]

Meal No. 4133: Not So Cajun Chicken

Dateline: Thur 18 June. From Meal No. 1 in 2009 to Meal No. 4133, I offer for your consideration the simply excellent Not So Cajun Chicken. Long depended on as a special occasion meal, or something to serve first-time guests, this dish has recurred less frequently but it has not been forgotten or sidelined. My college roommate Jimmy pulled up this recipe by scouring the interwebs and locating it in a South Carolina newspaper, if memory serves, after he and I met up for a meal at that old Raleigh favorite haunt known as Crowley's. That must've been late 2004 or early 2005 and I have thoroughly enjoyed its long history among Roediger House staples.

Just like I have enjoyed the almost-10-year-old sweet boy Sumner, captured here after a bit of rain that afternoon.

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"Not So Cajun Chicken," a dish I regularly enjoyed at Crowley's Old Time Favorites restaurant and bar on Medlin Drive in Raleigh, NC. (Another version of the recipe can be found here.) A heap of thanks is due to Jimmy Randolph for tracking down the recipe for me.

Meal No. 4119: Pork Chops and Two Sides

The final day of May occurred a week ago Sunday, and it was a standard meal of a meat and two sides. I took advantage of the sous vide immersion circulator to bring to perfect temp a trio of prepped pork chops from a Costco value-pak. I added in canned green beans and some stovetop stuffing, and I think the diners were happy enough with the results.

It was another lovely day in downtown Winston-Salem, with good yard time with the pups. Sumner was happy to soak up sun, as is his bent, and it also gave me a chance to spy the earliest blooms on the amazing astra blue balloon flowers that grow on either side of the front steps.