Dackel Princess

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. The last place you visited/patronized where you felt like you were given ‘the royal treatment’?

On Jack’s 80th Birthday we went to a new to us place called “The Bob House”. We’d heard the food was good and thought we would give it a try. I mentioned to the waitress that it was Jack’s 80th Birthday. Well, after that she talked with us a lot, made sure our food came in waves, so we could enjoy each course. It was terrific!

2. The last task you completed that was a ‘royal pain’?

Let’s see, sort of gross, but cleaning up the kitchen floor after one of the dackels threw up! It was at the end of my day. I’d gotten the dishes done and I was just about to sit down to watch the TV when I heard the tell-tale sound of the dog throwing up! Ugh!

3. How have your strengths helped you succeed? How have your faults hindered you?

Probably my greatest strength is not stopping and giving up. I may not like it, or enjoy doing something (see the above answer to question #2) but once I know I have to do something I will see it through.

How have my faults hindered me? Well, my biggest fault is procrastination. So if there is something I need to do that is not an emergency, and I can ignore it (see my office) then I will put it off!

4. If you found a remote that could rewind, fast forward, stop and start time, what would you do with it?

I might be tempted to rewind. But then, realistically, would I be able to go back in time, knowing what I know? Could I “change” events? No, I think I would place the remote in a very special place. Then when I was a very old woman, I might take day trips back to special days in my life for mini visits. Life is meant to be lived in the present!

5. Any special plans for the Memorial Day weekend?

It’s Savannah’s Birthday Party weekend. So we will be going down to visit the kids and share in Savi’s happy day. Six years old!

Will you in some way honor or recognize the meaning of this day (remembering people who died in service to their country)?

We have a flag pole in our front yard. We will fly our flag and remember. Many of Jack’s Army friends have died. We pray for them and honor them.

Have you ever been to Arlington National Cemetery?

Yes. It was where Jack hoped to be buried until they changed the rules for burial. Now he will be buried in the New Hampshire Veterans Cemetary.

Does your town do anything special to mark the day?

Yes, they have a parade and prayers.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

I have so many little housekeeping things to do today and no desire to do them. Except, I have to. Laundry needs to get done, I need to mix the regular and decaffeinated coffee beans, I’m cooking a small Prime Rib, and I need to dust. Now the dusting may get put off until Thursday, but everything else must be done today!

My Peach Friend

To everything, there is a season, a birth, a life and a slow waning into death. I’d thought about this in human life, but this year, we are faced with the loss of several trees that we planted in our Orchard.

The above picture was taken a couple of years into the life of our finest Peachtree. It was Fritz’s favorite tree to sit under, and Greta’s as well. This tree produced hundreds of pounds of beautiful juicy peaches each year, and I made jam and Jack sold the peaches to farm stands.

The beautiful blossoms each year led to the full, ripe, juicy fruit a couple of months later. So beautiful to walk around the Orchard at this time of year.

This is just a small sample of the beautiful peaches we harvested. We always seemed to know when to pick them for the ultimate peach experience! And let me just say here and now, walking out my back door and picking a fresh peach off the tree and eating it, with the juice trickling down my chin, has been a real experience!

In the last few years, the tree began a slow decline. It didn’t produce as many peaches, and then we found that it simply was not setting the fruit it once did. For whatever reason, the tree kept showing it’s age. The bark had started to become rough and almost wrinkled looking, and fewer blossoms came onto the tree, thus we did not have the good crops as we did in previous years.

This Spring, the poor tree did not blossom out too much. This may well be its final year in the yard. There was quite a bit of dead wood on it, and Jack got out the chainsaw and cut it back.

There was such a sadness then. I remember planting that tree 20 years ago with Jack, as we built the house. I remember our first harvest and even a thunderstorm that tore off a limb early on.

But the tree was always there. Waiting for dogs to lie under it, or for us to come and harvest a ripe peach. I guess that’s why there is a sadness now as I start to think about cutting the tree down. The end of an era. The end of this good friends time.

Our Orchard has not just been about the fruit we have sold but about each and every one of the trees, their planting, their health, and their beauty. It’s really the first time I have felt connected to my fruit trees in this way.

Isn’t it funny how as we grow older, we begin to see the real importance of things in life? Beautiful trees, fresh fruits, and the calm their presence provide in our lives.

We’ll work to make you healthy again, dear Peach Friend. I hope we can. But if not, thank you for all these wonderful years.

Live, Laugh, Love

I spent Saturday with my grandchildren. What a great way to spend the day. Many of the women I know, still look at their grandchildren as being wonderful to “see”, but still do not spend time with them. This is something I do not understand. I guess you could say I’m a very modern Oma.

I grew up during a time when “children should be seen but not heard” was how it was. When I was very little I recall climbing into bed with my Grandma Honey, and cuddling a minute, only to be brought into the parlor, given a toy, and told to play quietly, and not to disturb anyone. It was just how it was

My children’s Grammie Alice was wonderful. She was never too busy for the kids, and always wanted to listen to them. In many ways, I am trying to be the kind of grandmother that my former mother-in-law was. Always there, always in the moment, and always reveling in her grandchildren.

So, while down to babysit the kids while their Mommy and Daddy had a date night, I spent time listening to Savannah. All her stories about Disney World, about her school, and about her ideas. She has so many ideas, and her stories about Disney were amazing! I love hearing her thoughts.

I remember when she was a baby, and I held her in my arms, I told her that I could hardly wait until I knew what was going on in her mind. At birth, I looked into those eyes and I knew there was an incredible little girl in there, she just needed to figure out how to talk to me. And now, at the age of almost six, she is a true communicator!

And darling Quinn, just two years old in March, is starting to get his thoughts across too. I think part of it is that he mimics Savannah, but the other part is that we make Snapchats and send them back and forth to each other. Quinn knows I am his Oma and he tells me things like, “Hi Oma! I love you!” without too much prompting.

I was watching a movie with Savannah after Quinn fell asleep, and Savi cuddled up next to me and she put her hand up and patted my curls. She was sweet and loving, and I enjoyed every moment.

I have learned in my life to enjoy every moment with my daughter and grandchildren. Those moments mean the very most to me. I asked Savi, “Who do I love more than anything in the Universe?” She laughed and said, “Mommy, Me and Quinn!” Then I asked her, “Who is Oma’s Joy?” And again, she said “Savannah and Quinn”.

Every day, I am thankful for the love in my life. I am so very blessed!

Weddings & Grandchildren

I was up at 4:30 AM on Saturday to watch the Royal Wedding. I really wanted to see this, despite the fact that I was going to babysit later in the day for Savannah and Quinn.

I should have guessed how tired I would be later in the day, but I so wanted to see Prince Harry marry his American bride.

After all, I have been watching the Prince grow since his Mum Princess Diana was sporting a baby bump.

The wedding was beautiful on a perfect Spring day! The bride was lovely and the groom glowed! I wish them much happiness.

Then I drove down to babysit and spend the night so Mandy and Matt could have a date night!

I was playing with the kids and I noticed that it had gotten very quiet. I looked at Quinn and he was sound asleep. And 2 hours later, he is still asleep.

Greek Tortellini Salad

Serves: 8-12

Ingredients:

1 pound cheese tortellini pasta (either fresh or dried – cooked according to package’s instructions)
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
½ red onion, diced
1 large cucumber, peeled and chopped
½ cup canned artichoke hearts, roughly chopped
½ cup kalamata olives (whole or sliced)
½ cup crumbled feta cheese
⅓ cup packed fresh basil leaves, finely chopped

Greek Dressing

½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
⅓ cup apple cider vinegar
3 teaspoons minced garlic
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
½ teaspoon dried thyme
2 teaspoons sugar
1 tablespoon dijon mustard
½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
black pepper, to taste
juice of ½ lemon

Combine all dressing ingredients in a jar, cover and shake well, chill. (I needed to add a bit more olive oil as I thought the vinegar was too strong.)

In a large bowl combine tortellini, tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, artichoke hearts, olives, feta cheese, and basil. Pour dressing over the top, then toss to combine.
Serve immediately OR cover and refrigerate up to 6 hours before serving.

The Friday Five

Thursday found me once again, cooking up a big meal. Pulled Pork. And when I wasn’t working on that, I was stripping dackel coats and doing a little trimming.

I also picked up my Family Mother’s Ring. It was my Mom’s Mother’s Ring, and after she passed I wore it a lot. Then I noticed that The May for my brother was now also for my granddaughter, Savannah. The November stone for me could also be for my younger daughter, Katie, who was born in November. I just didn’t have Quinn’s birthstone or Mandy’s. So I took the ring in and had it adjusted.

I had Quinn’s stone (Aquamarine) placed first on the left.
Then the next Savannah’s and my brother, Dickie’s stone (Emerald).
In the center, my sister, Melodie, (Ruby).
Then the stone for Katie and me (Topaz).
Then to the far right Mandy’s birthstone (Turquoise).

I am just thrilled with this ring and just love how beautifully it sits on my finger. Reminding me of all that I love. This truly is a great Friday Five!

Thursday Thirteen

I thought that today would be a great day for a Thursday Thirteen! Yes, folks, that day when I look around me and try to come up with 13 things to put on some sort of list. So, I will make this a random list, of 13 things I am thinking about right now. In no particular order.

Today was a perfect day weather-wise. It was 68 degrees, with almost no breeze at all. The trees are all blossoming, and it’s a real pleasure to drive around and just look at everything. Yes, it was beautiful, and I enjoyed every moment!
Greta’s undercoat no longer exists. She is old now at 14 years old and her fur is thin and matted. So today I set her down, got out my doggy clippers and trimmed her back and sides.
She gets so upset and tired (me too!) that I can only work so long on her before I need to quit. But she is looking so much better!
I got beautiful flowers on Mother’s Day. A lovely bouquet from my daughter and roses from Jack. I’ve been diligently taking care of them, and they look like I just got them still. They are also so fragrant!
My sister’s yard will eventually recover from the Tornado. Who knew that Connecticut has had several Tornados over the years. Certainly not me. I’m so glad that Melodie had a hankering for Chinese food and had gone to get take out. The owner of the restaurant kept her from leaving when the storm approached and when she got home she realized, that had she tried to go home, the trees might have crushed her and her car. I am very thankful to that man for keeping her safe!
Jack had his feet examined today. The doctor is very happy with what he is seeing. He told me I’m doing good work keeping them healthy for Jack!
We wanted to take back roads today from the VA in Manchester up to Sam’s Club in Concord. I got the map out and quickly picked out a route. I smiled. 35 years ago I couldn’t read a map. Now Not only can I read one, but I love maps! I know, call me a little strange!
Savannah’s Birthday is coming up and I have been working on buying her gift. I won’t spoil the surprise, but I have been having so much fun!
Who is going to get up on Saturday and watch the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle? I do plan to get up and watch. I’m always fascinated with the other people’s dresses and hats, etc. Should be very interesting since so many of the guests are going to be crazy American’s.
Thursday I am going to slow cook a pork roast that I got for 89¢ a pound! The entire rost was just over $3.50! I plan to slow cook it and then make pulled pork! Yum!
I am caught up on laundry and since dinner will cook itself, I think tomorrow I will spend the morning in the Office dusting and vacuuming.
I’m planning a trip to see my sister in June. Not sure of the exact dates yet, as Savannah also graduates from Kindergarten and I want to be able to go to that.
I’m looking forward to the Preakness Horse Race this weekend. Now I do not follow horse racing year round, but I really enjoy watching the horses run in The Kentucky Derby, The Preakness, and The Belmont Stakes. It’s so exciting.
Lastly, I made a new recipe for Greek Pasta Salad. It tastes very good and I will post the recipe on Saturday.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. What would you say is your biggest day to day challenge?

Thinking up new and exciting recipes so we are not always eating the same meals over and over again.

2. May 16th is National Biographers Day. What’s a biography you really enjoyed reading? Is this a genre you read regularly?

I have always enjoyed biographies about different people. The last I read was about Princess Diana. A whole slew of them came out on the 20th anniversary of her death. Lovely lady and I feel badly she is not here to witness her sons, their wives, and her grandchildren.

3. How important is keeping a clean house? Do you need to de-clutter your life?

I wish I knew someone who was good at decluttering because I would hire them on the spot. I really need to do that this year. Go through the house and declutter!

4. You’re the 8th dwarf. What’s your name?

Cookie! I love to cook and bake and so I think they would nickname me that. At least I’d like them to!

5. What’s surprised you the most about your life or life in general?

Life is not what I expected at all. I believed that if you were a good person, led a good life, and didn’t go looking for trouble, you would be fine. You know, safe. It doesn’ work like that. Life is like the John Lennon Song, “Beautiful Boy”. There is a phrase “Before you cross the treet, take my hand, life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans”. And such has been my life. Full of moments that I never expected or planned. Both good and bad and Amazing!

6. Insert your own random thought here.

A Tornado touched down in my sister’s town. My sister’s driveway is full of snapped off trees. I am so grateful that both she and her husband are fine, and that their house was not touched!

There’s a driveway under all that.

Cleaning!

Mothers Day was perfect. I was taking a slow day, watching some mindless TV, preparing to cook a nice meal of fresh Scallops, and working on stripping and trimming the dog’s feet, so make it easier to spot and get off unwanted ticks.

All was well until I was standing at the stove cooking the Scallops. Suddenly I felt my lower back just go out! I groaned in pain, and Jack asked what was wrong. I told him and he suggested my back brace. I have a really good one since this has happened before.

After dinner, I tried to get comfortable, but to no avail, so I just went to bed, hoping that this would do the trick. Allow me to relax, and have the slippery disc slip back into place.

Monday morning I woke to the smell of last night’s Scallops! Only the next day, things don’t smell as good, you know? So before I even got my first cup of coffee, I was cleaning the kitchen, again! This time I cleaned not only the stove top, but I threw in the grates to the stove top in the dishwasher. I also took every container near the stove, put the contents into airtight containers, and washed each canister in the dishwasher. All in all, I worked from 6:30 AM until 10 AM, just washing things. All without coffee!

I must have looked a fright as I was cleaning in my nightgown, tennis socks, and my black back brace! Certainly hilarious, I am sure.

I reached the point of having everything clean, but still, the scent was lingering. So I mixed up two pots to absorb the smells and perhaps help it to smell more pleasant in here. The first pot contained the morning used coffee grounds. Just add to water, and simmer away. The second pot contained water, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and ginger. Again, simmer and hope it helps. To a certain extent it has, but I have a feeling this is going to take time. Ugh!

With my back out, I decided after lunch to just put my feet up and rest it. Oh crikey! I just hate it when the back is out. I will be very glad when the disc slips back in. Meanwhile, I think I will get my crocheting out, as I can do that while I sit.

Being A Mother

Sunday, Mother’s Day, was beautiful! The sun was shining and there was not a cloud in the sky. It really was a perfect day.

I got beautiful flowers and cards and well wishes for a happy day and that made me smile, more than you can know.

I feel so blessed to have a wonderful daughter like Mandy, and two happy and healthy grandchildren, like Savannah and Quinn. My heart is so full of love for them.

Savannah, Me and Mandy, and Quinn. My joys!

There will always be that empty place in my heart that belonged to my daughter Katie. My forever six-year-old girl. I miss her more and more as the years go by. She was part of what made me a Mom.

I also have a step-daughter and step-son who I have really gotten close to over the last year or so. It is so nice to be friends with them at this stage of all our lives. For this, I am also blessed.

And of course, I am a Doggy Mommy to my group of hounds. Even though there are times when their care throws out my lower back (don’t ask) I simply adore them all. Greta, Arnie, Lili, and Anneliese. My loving balls of fur!