So since I could not disagree (really she was right!) I prepared my very own “De-Skunk Smell Bath Preparation”.

One

Two

Mix the douche powder with water as directed. (Be sure to get enough to cover your dog.) Then wet your dog all over with the douche solution.

Once the dog is completely wet with the douche solution, get out the bar of Dove soap for sensitive skin. Start working the bar of soap over the dog.

Rub the soap until you have a good lather. Make sure to work it into his coat until every single part of the dog is covered.

Now it’s time for the real fun. Get the hose. Turn on the water and start rinsing!

Remember, at some point the dog will shake and you too will be April Fresh!

In the end, the bath was a rousing success. Even Greta had to admit it, even though she stayed far away from the whole thing.

And Fritz is now beautiful, white as snow and smells deliciously clean!

1. Describe the best sandwich in the world, according to you.

A Classic New York Reuben!

Rye bread lightly toasted, thousand Island dressing, corned beef, sauer kraut, and swiss cheese. And it’s a mile high!  OMG! The best!

2. Which inspires you more: a good conversation, a song, a book or movie?

All of the above, depending on the message.

3. What is your favorite board game?

Scrabble.

4. As you grow older, are you more or less patient with small children?

More patient. Especially because I realize how fleeting time is.

5. Name one item you never let yourself run out of.

Oh dear, Just one? Well it would have to be eggs.

6. Do you agree with Tennyson’s assertion, “‘Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all?”

Are you kidding? Me? The ultimate in romanticists? I absolutely believe this. What is life for if not to have loved?

7. Name one national treasure or monument that you have visited.

I have visited so many, thanks to my curious Hubby. My favorite? Probably Mount Rushmore.

8. Which is more painful, to be disappointed in someone else or to be disappointed in yourself?

Myself, because ultimately it will mean I let someone else down.

9. What makes your kitchen uniquely yours?

We built our house and I designed it. So I would have to say, the layout of the kitchen, and the fact that it is all mine. Are there flaws? Yep! Never again would I deign a corner sink!

10. Are you a crafty person?

I used to be, but I do not think I am now.

11. What is your favorite traditional picnic or bbq (cookout) food?

Ribs, Ribs, Ribs!!!

12. Name one leisurely activity you enjoyed over Labor Day Weekend.

Cooking with Emily. To me, spending time like that with her, is the best!

This is the relationship I have with Emily. A young woman who came into my life when she was just eleven years old. Her parents rented the house next door, and one day Emily came into the yard bringing back a dackel. I think it was Greta, although I cannot recall.

Before I knew it, I put her to work in the kitchen, as it was Peach season and I desperately needed the help!

After that we were pals and then friends and then family.

I’ve never tried to replace her parents. Goodness, they are both wonderful people, who love her very much, but I have tried to be a friend and someone that Emily could always count on. That is something that won’t change.

Emily grew to love the pups as much as I do. In fact, over the years she has “doggy sat” for me and helped me when the puppies arrived.

However, she has grown and her parents are moving west. We will be separated by a couple of time zones. At first I felt pretty sad, and then I realized that I can hop on a plane and go and visit her whenever she has a long weekend!

You see, no matter where she is, I know, and she knows that we are together in our hearts!

On Monday we spent some time going around the yard taking pictures together. Hubby helped so we could get some really nice ones.

I know she will come back, to the lake that we both love, and spend some time here again. Right now it’s time for her to go off on a new adventure.

Safely knowing, I will always be here, waiting for her to return and tell me all about it!

Love you, Em!

Our host is Gattina. Come join us and tell us what YOU did this past weekend!

This was a great weekend for us here in the Dackel Princess House. Our very own Emily was here for the weekend and we did what we love to do the best when Emily is here!

We cooked and we baked and we played games and watched movies and we hugged dackels!

This morning we took a few more pictures. I was just awake, still in my nightgown and a jacket, as we had cold weather move in last night, so please forgive my somewhat disheveled appearance.

You can see how Greta helps me write my blog!

Then it was my turn to take pictures of Emily. The pups were spreading their love onto her, and she enjoyed every minute!

After this, Emily was off to visit with her other friends for the afternoon and I watched The US Open Tennis. Hubby has been complaining that he is “Tennis-d Out” and longs to watch almost anything else on the TV. He better be careful or I will put on my favorite junkie TV show, “Ice Road Truckers”! He really hates that!

So with family, friends and dogs, my weekend was nice and relaxed and very, very, full of love!

As you know, Emily is here, and today her boyfriend, Ben came over as well and the four of us set about putting it all together.

In the end, we had eleven half pints of Jam, and it came out very well! Best of all, we had fun doing it!

• 4 pounds of ripe tomatoes
• 1 cup water

Cut the stem end from the tomato and cut into quarters. Place in a large pot, cover and bring to boil. Turn down and simmer tomatoes for 1-2 hours, until very tender.

While tomatoes are cooking Chop up:

• 1 ½ cups onion
• 1 cup green pepper
• 1 cup red pepper
• 1 cup celery
• smash 6 cloves garlic and chop up finely.

Put tomatoes through a food mill to separate the skin and seeds from the pulp. Reserve all liquid and pulp.

In large kettle add 2-4 tablespoons of olive oil. Heat and add the vegetables you have chopped. Sauté for several minutes, until the onion is translucent.

Add:

• 1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey)
• 3 large links of Sweet Italian Sausage (either pork or turkey).

Stir, breaking up meat, and browning, until it is completely cooked. Drain any fat you may have.

Add:

• tomato juice and pulp
• 2 tablespoon Parsley
• 1 cup fresh Basil that you have torn to pieces (this is an important ingredient)
• 1 tablespoon salt
• ½ teaspoon pepper
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning

Allow this to simmer very slowly for 1-2 hours, covered.

Then add:

• 3-4 small cans of tomato paste. Stir in well to dissolve. This will thicken your sauce and give it good body.

If your sauce does not thicken to your taste after 20 minutes, take the lid off and cook down a little.

Makes approximately 3 quarts of sauce.

So while the Weather Channel predicted their madness and mayhem, Hubby, the dogs and I were out in the yard.

Hubby picked apples, I ate an apple and the dackels watched, played and ate pieces of apple too!

Greta is actually quite a ham when you point a camera at her. I swear, she is smiling in this picture!

Fritz does like to play, but he also oversees all the work that Hubby is doing. A more faithful dog I have never known!

Even Anneliese is getting back in the swing of things and she ran around the back yard checking everything out. I love this, as she is getting back in shape.

I must say, that the Macintosh apples are really great! Not only is the tree heavy with apples,

But they are really pretty this year too!

I’ve got a bunch of cooking coming up over the weekend. I’m thinking another batch of tomato sauce, and my first  batch of Plum Jam. I’m still trying to work out a Green Tomato Relish Recipe that makes sense to me (I will probably take some things from one recipe and some things from another to make what I’d like).

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Happy Labor Day weekend to all who celebrate it. And…here we go!

1. Family  love.

2. Stir back and forth. (What can I say? I’ve been cooking a lot lately!)

3. I love a wonderful man, fabulous daughter and terrific family. I am Blessed.

4. Lobster and corn makes a good meal.

5. I’ve got the best recipe for tomato sauce!

6. Looks like the rain is going to miss us: wth!!! (We need rain!)

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to Emily arriving, tomorrow my plans include making roasted eggplant with Em and Sunday, I want to grocery shop and work on making Chow Chow (Green Tomato Relish), and watch The US Open Tennis!!

Friday Fil-Ins are sponsored by my cousin Janet. Come on and join the fun!

So I called Margarita, and went in to get my hair cut! I wanted it all layered up so I can scrunch and go.

Margarita is an amazing stylist. She knew just what I needed and worked quickly and efficiently and I am back to being able to scrunch and go!

Isn’t it amazing how the little things in life can make all the difference?

I also made three quarts of spaghetti sauce! My freezer is getting so full.

Soon I will be making green Tomato Relish also known as “Chow Chow”. Now that will be interesting as I have never made that before!

Oh yes. And best of all, Emily arrives tonight for two days with us and the pups! We’re really looking forward to that!

It was my day to go to Weight Watchers class and weigh in.

**groan**

I made myself a low fat peanut butter and jelly sandwich on diet raisin bread, got my coffee in a thermos and kissed Hubby goodbye. I got in the car, and in no time arrived at the meeting hall.

I really expected nothing. As you know, I’ve done a lot of cooking lately, but I have also been watching my portion sizes. I weigh everything, and I even decided that if I really wanted to eat some potato chips I would get the low fat baked chips. One ounce, which is just the right size, is only one point!

Anyway, I got up on the scale and was talking and not paying attention and Tami announced, “Wow! you did really great this week!”

That got my attention! “I did?” I asked in shocked disbelief. She nodded and replied, “Two pounds!”

I was so excited and happy and wanted to jump up and down with joy!

After that, the minor annoyances of the day seemed slide away and I concentrated only on the positive feeling I had from accomplishing something this important. (Even if I didn’t realize it!) Perhaps sometimes it’s better not to dwell on the change in ones eating and just concentrate on living it!

So now I need to go out and grocery shop for cans of tuna, some eggs and a few other things. I’m incredibly lucky that our fruit has been coming in, and the vegetables too.

It all helps and it is all good.