Dackel Princess

This Is A Test!

I have been working with GoDaddy to get my comments section unlocked. They have supposedly fixed this, and everyone should be able to comment now. So here is a test, before I pull my account with GoDaddy and move to another Server.

Could you leave a comment on this entry, letting me know if you get through. If it kicks you off and you find you cannot comment, please write me and let me know. My email is: dackelprincess (at) metrocast.net

I am working furiously to get the comment section fixed so I can once again hear from all of you!

Thank you!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. April is National Jazz Appreciation Month. Are you a fan? If so what’s a favorite you’d recommend to someone new to jazz listening?

I like old Jazz. Lambert, Hendricks and Ross are my favorite This is one of their songs from 1962. It makes me smile every time I hear it!

2. Mandolin, ukulele, harp, accordion or banjo…which would you be most interested in learning to play? Or do you already play one of the instruments listed?

I do not play one of these, but I did play a flute. If I had any chance of learning, I’d play the Ukulele. I’ve always liked the way that sounded.

3. Do you judge a book by it’s cover? Elaborate. You may answer in either/both the literal or figurative sense of the word.

No I don’t. You see, I’ve learned in life that people protect themselves by putting on a brave face. And the biggest scars, the most painful are usually hidden from the world.

4. According to a recent study the ten most nutritious foods are-almonds, cherimoya (supposed to taste like a cross between a pineapple/banana), ocean perch, flatfish (such as flounder and halibut), chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, swiss chard, pork fat (shocking! but I don’t think they mean bacon), beet greens, and red snapper. Are any of these foods a regular part of your diet? Any you’ve never ever tasted? Which would you be most inclined to add to your diet?

I eat almonds almost daily. I love them. I also love fish and try to eat it at least once a week, although Jack isn’t as big a fan as I am. Not tasted Cherimoya or Chia seeds, and not a fan of swiss chard or beet greens.

5. Besides a major holiday what is the most recent thing you’ve celebrated with your people? Tell us how.

Jack and I celebrated our 30th Wedding Anniversary. Many young couples will think, oh heck, what’s the big deal? It’s not a 50th! But when you are married to someone who is 20 years your senior, when you reach a milestone like this it was so very special. We celebrated quietly and privately with a nice meal out and a bottle of champagne.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Not too much else is happening here. On Saturday I go to Mandy’s home to watch the children. I am so excited about that and I plan a day of fun, playing, and silliness! Pictures to follow!

Happy Days & Happy Memories

A funny thing happened on Monday, on our way out to lunch. The restaurant we chose is closed on Mondays in the winter, and the summer hours don’t begin until Memorial Day Weekend! Our back up restaurant was also closed and a new one we were going to try only served sandwiches. Not what we had in mind.

So we went to our old standby, “The Common Man” in Ashland, NH. And coincidentally, we had the same waitress we had on Valentine’s Day. Moe. So, it was not only comfortable, but warm and friendly too. We also had a fabulous meal, which means that I will not be cooking dinner tonight.

I had two glasses of Prosecco, and Jack had light beer. We shared an appetizer of Mussels cooked in white wine, garlic and cream.

It was so good! Next we each had soup. Jack had the French onion and I had the Lobster Corn Chowder. Main courses were Salmon for me, and a chicken pasta for Jack. It was all outstanding!

We came home and changed into our lounging clothes. Yoga pants for me and a comfy pants for Jack. I say we’re entitled to do this on our special day, but after such a big meal, I really needed the extra room!

Our day was quiet and enjoyable and we shared some of our favorite memories over the last 30 years! There were so many. We laughed a lot over our luncheon.

As we sat in the evening watching mindless TV, were mellow and happy and I hope for many more years with my guy.

Our 30th Anniversary

Today, Jack and I celebrate 30 years of marriage. It doesn’t seem possible that it has been that long. In the grand scheme of things, 30 years is like forever in a Hollywood marriage. And at my age (59) it certainly is a large chunk of time.

In our thirty years of marriage we have had 4 White German Shepherds, Rex, Max, Fritz and Lili. Four Wire-haired Dackels, Shubi, Greta, Arnie and Anneliese, and lived in four homes. One was a farm in Lyndeborough, NH, a nice ranch home in Punta Gorda, FL, in a motor coach here in Meredith, NH for 9 long months, while we built our current home, and lastly this beautiful house, that Jack and I designed.

We had four children, between us. Three are living, and they have grown up to be really good people. We also have two of the most beautiful, and wonderful grandchildren on the face of the earth!

Marriage is never easy, even if you are married to your best friend. There are days you want to murder each other, but lucky for us, those days were few and far between.

Forgiveness is so important when you live with someone this long. People do stupid things, and if you can’t forgive them, then you are with the wrong person. I am the Queen of stupid things and I am married to the King of stupid things. So it’s a good thing we forgive and forget.

You will also find during a long term marriage (or relationship) that there will be those days when your significant other just makes you crazy. Whether it’s how they are chewing their food, or even sipping their soup, you will sit there and wonder how you never noticed this before!

But then, there are those times when a little look, the warmth of a hug, or a gentle squeeze of your hand, will make you feel loved and safe. During my illness last year, when I felt like I was dying, I was so scared, and Jack just kept the home fires burning, cooked my meals, did the laundry, and did not allow me to believe that I was leaving this earth.

Likewise, not even six month later when he got the infection in his foot that led to the amputation of his toe, I made sure I was at the hospital each day. I brought him goodies to eat, stayed to speak with each doctor, and informed Jack that at 79 years old, he wasn’t leaving me yet.

No, marriage isn’t easy, but the pro’s far outweigh the cons, and life would be so empty, so lonely, without my Jack.

Even after all these years, Jack is still the first person I want to speak with in the morning, and the last person I want to speak to at night.

I made up a short montage of our life together using one of our favorite songs. I hope you enjoy it!

Happy Anniversary Jack!

The Child In Time

Last night I was sitting here crocheting, Jack was working on our income taxes, and I was the sole operator of the remote control. I was looking for something to watch on the TV, when I happened upon PBS and Masterpiece Theater’s version of “The Child In Time“.

Now I had read Ian McEwan book many years ago when it was first released. The plot was such, that I felt I probably understood more than many the feelings of the main characters.

The Child In Time follows Stephen Lewis (Benedict Cumberbatch), a children’s author, as he struggles to find purpose in his life after the loss of his daughter. His wife Julie (Kelly Macdonald) has left him and his best friends Charles (Stephen Campbell Moore) and Thelma (Saskia Reeves) have retired to the countryside, battling demons of their own. With tenderness and insight, the film explores the dark territory of a marriage devastated, the loss of childhood, the fluidity of time, grief, hope and acceptance.

I watched the Masterpiece Theater adaptation and I felt myself instantly, thrown back in time, in my own life, when my own daughter Katie, passed from this life, forever changing everyone I know in the process. For the loss of a child is the worst thing that can ever happen to you, and although you eventually find your way through to a new normal, a person is quite simply, never the same.

The acting in “The Child In Time” was amazing. I can see why people have been raving about Benedict Cumberbatch. He really was incredible. He quite literally, was the center of the movie. The supporting cast, was also excellent, not a bad actor among them. I can recommend this movie highly.

But I also recommend the book written by Ian McEwan. Author Christopher Hitchens viewed the novel as McEwan’s masterpiece. Writing about McEwan, Hitchens remarked the break out successes of “Amsterdam” in 1998 and “Atonement” in 2001 and but then said that “The Child in Time” in 1987 was “still, in my view, his masterpiece”.

Having ready nearly all of McEwan’s books now, I can honestly say that “The Child In Time” is my favorite as well. For it touches so many places in ones mind and heart.

So go grab the book, it will not take you long to read through the 220 pages. Or watch for it on your local PBS station.

Barbecue Chicken & Cornbread Casserole

I made this last night for dinner. Both Jack and I loved it and ate happily. He asked if there were leftovers. There are, so he is even happier!

Ingredients:

2 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, diced
1 small green bell pepper, diced
¾ cup barbecue sauce (I used Sweet Baby Rays)
1 cup frozen corn kernels (you do NOT need to thaw the corn in advance)
1 (14.5 ounce) can petite diced tomatoes, NOT drained (I used Italian Basil & Herb Flavor)
9 ounces (about 1 ¾ cup) cooked, diced (or pulled) chicken
1 cup (4 ounces) grated cheddar cheese, (or Monterey Jack) divided
1 (8.5 ounce) box cornbread mix (I used Jiffy), plus ingredients called for on the box (1 egg & 1/3 cup milk)

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Spray an 11 x 7-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Cook onion and bell pepper just until tender (about 3 minutes).
Reduce heat to low, add barbecue sauce, and simmer until thickens slightly (about 1-2 minutes).
Stir in frozen corn, tomatoes, chicken, and ½ cup of the cheese.
Transfer chicken mixture to prepared baking dish.
In a separate bowl, prepare cornbread batter according to package instructions. Stir in remaining ½ cup of cheese.
Spread cornbread batter over chicken mixture. I like to do this by using a large spoon to dollop the batter all over the top of the casserole. Then used a knife to gently spread it around until it covers most of dish.
Bake for 45 minutes, or until crust is golden brown and cooked through.

The Friday Five +One

Another week has flown by. I remember being a kid and thinking that each day seemed so long, and the summers went by so slowly, and I remember feeling like I would never grow up! And here I am racing towards 60, and I look back and wonder where the heck the time has gone!

But for this week, here’s what’s been happening in my little corner of the world!

1. I saw my dentist at the beginning of the week. There is nothing major, but I do need some repair work done to the lower small teeth in the front. No cavities, but I’ve worn away the tooth edges on top of three teeth and they’ve been sensitive. So, the dentist will fill the tops of each of them and I should then be a lot more comfortable!

2. I’ve been watching my two favorite shows. Homeland and Roseanne. Homeland has really gone into some dark areas this year and although I have always loved Carrie, right now I do not understand her at all. I am enjoying the Roseanne reboot. Once again, Roseanne seems to be catching what it is like to be in the middle class, struggling for the very bread of life. But she also does this by showing a fierce loyalty towards your family. Your family may drive you insane, but in your mind and heart, you would throw yourself under a bus for them!

3. I started my low fat, low cholesterol diet. I’ve been eating oatmeal each day, and berries, and lots of vegetables. Last night I cooked up chicken for dinner, with carrots and I think the change will also help get my weight on a tightly controlled scale. I’ve got to stop watching the Pioneer Woman, as she cooks almost everything with heaps of butter, tons of buttermilk, and so much of it is deep fried! I love it, but apparently it doesn’t love my arteries!

4. My hair stylist had a cancellation yesterday and she had me in. My hair had grown an entire inch in 5 weeks! We were talking and she asked how I’d done this? Well, better diet, and I am taking Biotin each day. I noticed that my hair grows faster, thicker and my nails also grow longer and stronger. It’s the Biotin, I tell you!

5. Lastly, I am off to babysit the kids next Saturday so that their Mommy and Daddy get to have some grown-up time. My plans are simple. I plan to get down on the floor, play Barbie Dolls, Lego’s, Dress-up, and anything else that those two beautiful babes want to play. I want to read books, and cook them their favorite foods and just plain have fun.

My Plus One this week, is the news that on Thursday I had another lesion removed. This one from my chest wall. It was quick and with the help of Novocain, mostly painless. I will get the results next week sometime. A few years ago, a Psychic told me that I would never again have cancer. So, I am hoping she is correct on that and that this is nothing at all to be worried about.

Have an awesome weekend everyone!!!

TBT: Savannah & Me!

Looking back it’s hard to believe that it has been almost six years since Savannah was born! I recall that day so clearly and remember the very first time I help her in my arms!

Time flies and and Savannah is all grown up and even more beautiful than she was on the day she was born! And I am still crazy in love with my granddaughter!

Being an Oma is the very best thing in the entire world!

Rain Or Snow?

Yesterday I was sitting in my chair crocheting after lunch. I looked out the window at the skies and knew that if we were going to go for a walk, we’d better do it! So, I got Jack in his coat, and picked up the leashes for Lili and Arnie and off we went.

The wind had picked up, and although the thermometer said 52 degrees, it felt much colder. I should have worn my hat and gloves, but seeing the temperature on the machine, I definitely had made a poor choice.

Our routine walk was nice. No one was around today to talk to, so we simply did our walk and came back. One notable thing was that a rather large rotten tree near our friend’s cabin, had fallen in pieces onto the right of way road. They will need some young hands to help them get the tree moved.

Upon arriving at home, I walked Anneliese and Greta before settling in to finish up some computer work, and eventually warm up leftover Prime Rib. And I just have to say that the meat was even better the second time around! Best of all, we have one more meal of this wonderful cut of beef left.

Shortly after that, I looked out the window and it was SNOWING! Oh man! It snowed all evening, despite the temperature being in the upper 30’s.

I woke this morning and it is 32 degrees, and raining hard. Usually I walk the dackels early on, but with the rain falling, I knew they would not linger outside! And I was right. Not even Lili wanted to be out there.

My day today will be a quiet one. Maybe a little laundry, but definitely a lot of crocheting! Have a great Wednesday everyone!!!

Dental Day

Today is Dental Day. Every six months I force myself to put all my childhood fears aside, and “man up” and go to the dentist and smile a lot and breathe deeply and get through yet another appointment.

Now don’t get me wrong. My Dentist is a very nice man and the hygienist I use is very sweet, kind, and friendly. It’s just that all those times I went to the horrible, child-hating, dentist of my youth, really scarred me for life.

It makes me so happy that Mandy found a wonderful children’s dentist for Savannah, who proclaimed that she wanted to go to the dentist soon because she missed them! What a wonderful thing.

In many ways, life has changed for kids, since I was one. Both doctors and dentists make a point to treat their little patients well. When I met Savannah’s Pediatrician, I was so impressed by the real joy she had upon seeing Savannah again.

I recently decided to switch doctors. It was a difficult decision, mostly because I will admit to being lazy. The office was familiar, and close, even if I didn’t feel I was getting the best care. But with a little nudge from Jack, I switched to a female doctor in Manchester. She was really on the ball, took a detailed history, did a first class physical, and blood-work which found me having a cholesterol problem, and the fact that the old doctor had me on too much thyroid medication!

I bought a book on lowering my cholesterol naturally, and my medications have been adjusted. She also lined up a skin cancer screening and a few more tests.

Now I concentrate on actually eating with a purpose. Lowering my Cholesterol numbers so I can avoid taking any new medications. Anyone have any Cholesterol lowering secrets?