Dackel Princess

TBT: Bernie & Greta

Yesterday I had lunch with a dear friend, Barbie. We met in a sort of strange way. I was looking for a German boyfriend for Greta back in 2006. I had been calling around asking for a German registered boy, with a good rating, and low and behold, the perfect suitor lived just down the road in Concord, NH.

I remember calling Barbie the first time, and arranging a date to bring Greta down, so they could look her over. We brought Greta in and the two dogs eyed each other, and then began to play around. We knew it would be a good match. We just had to get Greta rated by a German judge before the breeding.

After the first meeting we signed up for an NATC Show.(North American Teckel Club. A branch of the DTK the Deutscher Teckelklub) A German Judge would come, to rate the dogs. Jack and I were a little nervous, as we drove Greta to the event. She could have cared less. Bernie already had his rating, but Barbie was there as well, with Bernie. And the breeder of Bernie was there with Bernie’s sister.

The event was so much fun, and at the end of the day, Bernie’s sister won the Best Dog in Show and Greta came in Second. She was thrilled, as their casual prizes were stuffed toys!

Now Bernie is gone, and Greta is in her dotage. Two of their children reside here with us, and we just adore Arnie and Anneliese. How lucky we are!

Anyway, yesterday, Barbie and I sat and talked and talked and reminisced about our two dogs and the 10 puppies that they had together. Two beautiful litters of sweet, perfect, puppies!

Barbie now lives in another state and we don’t get to see each other. However, she was up here judging an Earth Dog Show and we were lucky enough to get together. I hope we can get together again soon!

Herb Crusted Standing Rib Roast

The other day, I was looking into my deep freezer, trying to sort through what is in there that should be thawed and eaten, and what was okay to leave for a bit. I ran across a beautiful roast beef that was close to a year old. It needed to be thawed and cooked.

Now fortunately, I have a great recipe for a roast beef, but this can also be used for Prime Rib. It is simply a wonderful way to cook the meat. We were not disappointed! So without further ado, here is the recipe.

Herb Crusted Standing Rib Roast

1 (4 1/2-pound) standing rib roast, trimmed
Cooking spray
1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns, cracked
2 teaspoons salt, divided
3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1/2 cup sliced shallots (about 2 medium)
3 garlic cloves, crushed
3 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme
2 cups fat-free, less-sodium beef broth
1 cup dry red wine
1 teaspoon butter

Preheat oven to 450°.

Place roast on a rack coated with cooking spray; place rack in a roasting pan. Sprinkle roast evenly with pepper and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt; rub with mustard. Combine shallots and garlic in a mini food processor; pulse to coarsely chop. Add rosemary and thyme; process until finely chopped. Rub shallot mixture evenly over roast. Bake at 450° for 25 minutes.

Reduce heat to 325° (do not remove roast from oven). Bake roast at 325° for 1 hour and 20 minutes or until a thermometer registers 145° (medium-rare) or until desired degree of doneness. Let stand 10 minutes before slicing.

Combine beef broth and red wine in a small saucepan; bring to a boil. Cook about 15 minutes. Take about 1/4 cup of this mixture and pour into roasting pan, swirl around and pour all the juices into the saucepan. Remove from heat; stir in butter and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. If you want a slightly thicker Au Jus add 3 table spoons of flour and cook until thickened Serve with the roast.

Note: You can use a Prime Rib Cut or any other oven roast. The key is to use a thermometer so you do not overcook the meat!

The End Of Summer

I’ve been a bit lazy of late, posting the happenings here in New Hampshire. It’s not that there is nothing to write about, just that I find little time to sit down and put my thoughts in blog form.

The summer is flying by. My goodness today is the 15th of August and in less than 2 weeks, the kids return to school! This means the school buses will stop down the hill from our house 4 times a day, and it also means that our tourists will go back to their homes and my little town will shrink to it’s normal size. Well almost. We will have leaf peepers come at the end of September through the month of October, and then life will be normal.

Jack is doing very well. His nubbin looks amazingly well, and as soon as his new orthotic shoes come in, he will be out of the special boot they have had him in. Yesterday, he even went to the grocery store and was able to walk around a bit.

However, here is my new gripe. Handicapped Parking! Hubby now has a placard, as he has trouble walking, and will continue to. Yesterday, at the grocery there were 6 spots. Three of them were being parked in by people who had no placard, or license plate with a handicapped symbol. One guy came out with 2 cases of beer and tossed them in the back of his pickup. The only handicap this man has is drinking too much Budweiser!

So, people, if you do not need a handicapped space, if you do not use a cane, walker, etc. Please, I beg of you, leave these places for people who cannot walk easily, or at all.

My daughter sent two fabulous pictures of the kids from their vacation in Maine, and I love them so much, I am getting them printed for the 5X7 inch frames on the mantle.

Savannah Rose

Quinn Wallace

They both have that, “I’m enjoying summertime” look!

The Friday Five – Plus 1!

Good Friday Morning to you all. This has been an amazingly busy week for us. But I must tell you, it has been a beautiful week! Here, let me tell you all about it!

On Monday I had a doctor’s appointment in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. It’s about a 50 mile drive each way. On Monday it was so beautiful. Despite a few clouds, a sprinkle of rain, the lush trees, the flowering gardens, and when I stepped from my car in Portsmouth, the smell of the ocean brought tears to my eyes! Since I was early, I sat down on the docks at a small restaurant and had lunch. It was just ideal!
Tuesday I had another appointment, but this one in town. It was a perfect day to run around and see people and places close by, including a family of Canadian Geese and another of baby ducks with their mother.
Wednesday, Jack and I went for him to be fitted for shoes. He will get two pairs, one sneakers and one casual shoes that will have an insert where his toe once was. Afterward I actually got Jack to go out and shop at Walmart with me. His first public outing. He did very well, and we were shopping for about an hour, when I looked up at him and noticed he looked like he was fading. I worried about his blood sugar, so I grabbed a Reese’s Peanut-butter Cup pack, as we checked out. I got him to the car, got him some coffee and asked him if it was low blood sugar or exhaustion. He took a big breath and said exhaustion. Needless to say, he took a nap that afternoon.
Thursday we saw the surgeons over in White River Junction, at the VA. They are really happy with the progress that Jack’s nubbin is making and very soon he will no longer need my tender ministrations each day. After his appointment, we also discovered a Chinese Buffet Restaurant and had lunch. Jack’s first meal out since this all began. It was delicious, cheap and close to the VA, so when we go for further appointments we know where to have our lunch!
A few weeks back I had a quasi disaster with my hair coloring. First it came out nearly black. Talk about a shock! Then when I asked her to fix this, it came out a deep auburn-ish red! Definitely not me! So I asked around and I found a licensed colorist who is going to fix my hair and then give it some shape. I can hardly wait!

5. Plus 1. I graduated from High School in 1976. But that was a year ahead of my real class. I took extra courses the summer before and graduated early, to marry my High School Sweetheart. Anyway, The Class of 1977 is having their Reunion at the end of September and I decided to go! I have not seen most of these people in 40 years! These are the people I started Kindergarten with, and whose birthday parties I went to and shared school dances with. Their lives were part of the fabric of my life. And best of all, I get to go to my hometown of Falmouth, Massachusetts! I will also be spending part of that weekend with two of my favorite people! My sister, Melodie and my cousin, Janet! Come to think of it, I think this is the first girls weekend we have had since we were kids! I hope now we are older, we can plan these trips together more often.

Here is a picture of me when I was a Freshman in High School. My Dad took it, when I was down at the lake near our house swimming, just before school started in September.

TBT: Christmas 1961

A picture of my family for that years Christmas card. I imagine that Dad set up his camera to take the picture. There I am at three years old being held by my Dad, Melodie is in the front, then my Mom and brother Richard. These events were pretty stressful for us all. These were back in the days of “film” and taking an entire 36 pictures hoping to get one good one! It is so nice to have these pictures now. There are not too many of the five of us together.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Do you try to set rules for yourself about how you use your time? Explain.

I should. Unfortunately, I am sort of a go with the flow kind of girl.

2. Monday was National Lighthouse Day. Have you ever visited a lighthouse? If not, do you have any desire to see one up close? Of the 10 Most Beautiful that made this list which would you most like to see in person-

I grew up in Falmouth, Massachusetts on Cape Cod. We had beautiful Nobska Lighthouse in our town. I love lighthouses and everything about them!

Our Nobska Lighthouse. Photo courtesy of my sister Melodie.

OLindau Lighthouse (Germany), Fanad Lighthouse (Ireland), Portland Head Light (Maine), Yaquina Bay Light (Oregon)

The St. Augustine Light (Florida), Yes, I have been there also.

Peggys Point Lighthouse (Canada), I have been to Peggy’s Cove, as many of my family come from Nova Scotia.

Start Point Lighthouse (England), Tower of Hercules (Spain), Bass Harbor Head Station (Maine), and White Shoal Light (Michigan)

Not these, however.

When you’ve been away, what’s your ‘lighthouse’ telling you you’re on the right road home?

The smell of the ocean, (when I go home to Cape Cod) or the sight of the mountains, when I am on my way to my current home in New Hampshire!

3. What have you unintentionally stopped doing? Is this something you need to pick back up and begin again, or is it something you need to let go of for now (or even permanently)?

I need to start thinning out my junk. You know all the clutter one gathers in 58 years of life!

4. We’ve had a full week of August. Share a GRAND moment from your month so far.

Jack is healing well, and even getting back to some of the things that make him happy. That makes me happy! Also I have seen two rainbows on two separate occasions. Thus reminding me, that even though a little rain must fall, there is a rainbow full of happiness to follow!

5. Tell us one song you love with the word ‘baby’ in the title.

Baby-Baby by Amy Grant.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

I seem to be spending a lot of time in my car this summer. Bu there is an up side. I have been enjoying the lush trees, the beautiful gardens, and the sunny skies (when it has not been raining! 😉 ).

Yesterday I had to drive to Portsmouth, NH and what a gorgeous ride that is, plus Portsmouth is a beautiful little city. Love it!

Penne Pasta Salad

The other day I made Jack a casserole with Penne Pasta in it. I cooked the entire box, not knowing how much pasta I would actually need. Since I only used half the box, I sat down and thought about what to do with the other half. This simple and easy recipe is what I came up with!

Penne Pasta Salad

Ingredients:

8 ounces Penne Pasta
1 bottle Poppy Seed Dressing Low Fat
1/2 teaspoon Sea Salt
Basil leaves chopped as desired

1 pint Grape Tomatoes, halved
1 cup bite-size Mozzarella Cheese, balls, halved
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Preparation:

Cook pasta as directed on package. Or until tender. Drain well.

Add Pasta and Basil to Poppy Seed Dressing while pasta is still warm, toss to coat. Add tomatoes and cheeses; toss to mix well.

Serve chilled.

It’s All About Clean Rugs and Floors

On Thursday morning, I woke to find that Anneliese had an accident on the family room carpet. This carpet is almost ten years old, and aside from being vacuumed, it’s only been spot washed.

Quinn standing on the rug we shampooed today!

So, since it was supposed to be 90+ degrees today, I decided to roll up the rug, carry it outside to our patio and vacuum and then shampoo the old thing. We got it rolled up and outside, and by ten o’clock it was already 90 degrees out there. So, with my hat in place, I started my mission.

Operation Clean Rugs & Floors

I vacuumed, and then started using the carpet cleaning machine to not only shampoo it, but rinse it as well.

What a tough job in the heat. I was soaked to the skin when I was done and feeling a few muscles that have been asleep for a while.

While the carpet dried, I took the no-skid underskirt and washed that in the washing machine and then hung it out to dry. It dried in about 20 minutes in this heat. Really a perfect day to do all this.

I washed the floors in the kitchen and family-room, and then moved the bookcase from the left side of the sofa to the right, giving me a safer spot to place my laptop computer on a small desk, which now sits where the bookcase did, next to my chair.

By four o’clock all was dry and the rooms were ready to be put back together. Jack helped me place the non-skid skirt, and then the carpet on top. Right now, the house smells wonderfully clean and fresh and despite a few aching muscles, it was totally worth the time and all the energy we put into it.

One note here: The dogs are totally confused. They thought the rug smelled perfectly fine. You know that Pepe La-Pew Doggy Scent that pups love so much! This new lemon scented cleaner/deodorizer is simply too clean for them!

Ha!

Thank You, Dr. Chapman

My TBT this week looks back to Christmas 2002. Two days after Christmas my retina detached in my left eye, leaving me totally blind in that eye. I drove myself to the hospital because Jack wasn’t home. 46 miles in my trusty Jeep over to Dartmouth Hitchcock. It’s amazing what one can do with one eye!

I saw my usual Optometrist, who examined my eye and called his colleague, Dr. Chapman, to come take a look. Dr. Chapman was a Retinal Surgeon, and he examined the eye and told me to wait a moment, then he came back and at 4:15 that afternoon, he scheduled my surgery.

After a cursory physical, I was wheeled into surgery, not knowing if I would regain my sight or not

Me in the hospital after my first retinal detachment. I remember being very afraid, until they took off the bandage, and I could see some light.

The photo above was a few days after the first surgery. I looked like I had been in a boxing match!

It was quite an ordeal, and for those of you who may be new to my blog, I have had retinal detachments in both eyes, cataract surgery in both eyes, lens replacement, and then 6 surgeries in my left eye to clear the vision. My eyes, simply put, have been beat up a bit with all the cutting and stitching. However, I am so grateful to the talented surgeon I had, who never gave up on me.

And in the end, it was Dr. Chapman who saw me through it all.

Why am I writing about this today? Well, after all these years, Dr. Chapman has moved his practice to another state. Although I never had a chance to say goodbye, I will be writing to him to thank him for all that he did for me.

I am so fortunate! How do you thank someone who saved your vision? I can see Savannah and Quinn. I can do so many wonderful things because my vision was restored! And this year when I got my driver’s license renewed, I didn’t need my glasses to pass the vision test!

Yes I will be thankful all the days of my life to this wonderful doctor. He never gave up, and was always fighting for my vision. How very grateful I am!

Thank you Dr. Chapman!

My Blessings

Today I am writing about my dearest friend, Carol. I met her 10 years ago, and she quickly became one of the most important women in my life.

Carol is an identical twin. Her sister is named Carolyn. I cannot recall how many times I have teased her about this. After all, back when she was born, times were different. And with an identical twin, she may actually be Carolyn and not Carol at all! (lol)

She has told me many stories of her mother, affectionately called Ma, and I wish I’d gotten to meet her. She sounds like an amazing woman.

Carol is always a phone call away. She is never too busy to answer a call, or listen to my happy chattering, or hold me in her arms when I cry.

Nov 17 004

I’ve told her many times, that she is not just a friend, but a second mother to me. Someone who loves me regardless of my short comings.

She has said I am another daughter for her. I wasn’t looking for her, and she wasn’t looking for me, and yet, there we were ten years ago, falling into each others paths.

Sometimes I believe that God finds people we should have in our lives. So he drops us into a situation and then lets us see how things work out.

So it was with Carol and me. We met, and decided that we really wanted to be in each others lives.

What a blessing that has been.