Dackel Princess

What’s In A Name?

Recently I was talking with a friend about our pet’s names. When we carried our little bundles of fur home, we had worked feverishly to find just the right name for them. Often the names are rather Grand! But then, what happens over time, is that you develop silly nick-names to match their personalities. So, in honor of National Dog Day, August 26th, here are mine.

Greta’s Registered Name is: Xochil Vom Geestmoor. It’s her overly grand German, registered name. It starts with the letter X because she was from this Kennel Owner’s X litter. Well, Xochil, just didn’t seem right to me, for a tiny 8 week old German baby girl doggy. So we changed her name, (unofficially) to Greta. I’d always loved that name, and it seemed to fit her. The funny thing is, that as we were walking through the Frankfurt Airport in Germany, an old woman stopped me to admire Greta and when she asked about her name I said, “Greta“! She laughed and said, “Oh like the actress “Greta Garbo“! And at 8 weeks of life, Greta had her first nick-name. Sometimes, I will be calling her and I will jokingly say, “Miss Garbo, Paging Miss Garbo!”, the way they would have, back in the days of old Hollywood! Of course her other nick-name is “Gret-zky” after Wayne Gretzky! And the weirdest part is that she knows her nick-names and responds to them!
Arnie’s Registered Name is: ,Dackel Princess’s Arnold. He was from my first litter of German registered pups, and thus had to have a name that started with A. Arnie’s nick names include, Arnie, of course, Mr. Arnie Man, Mr Bud-er-ino and My Boyfriend! But the one we use most often is Mr. Arnie Man! It just seems to fit.
Anneliese’s Registered Name is: Dackel Princess Anneliese. She is also from my first litter of German registered pups, and thus had to have a name that began with the letter A. I’ve always loved the name Anneliese (pronounced AHN-Ah-LEE-SAH) and the first few years of her little life, I never gave her a nick-name. But as she and I got closer I started to come up with a few. Lisa, (LEE-SAH) Lisa Marie, and Miss Marie! I love it when I am playing outside with her and I call in a silly voice, “Miss Marie”!!! And she comes running toward me with her ears flying in the breeze!
Lili’s Registered Name is: Princess Lili Marlene of Noblewood. Also rather grand. She is only registered with the AKC. Since Lili’s name is rather short, she didn’t a nick-name for some time. But the girl is super high energy. She is always jumping around, like Mexican Jumping Beans. So, one day I started calling her “Lili-Beans” and it stuck. Also just plain old “Lil” But Lili also has a tonal nickname. I just change the tone of my voice to a higher pitch and call out, “Lil-EE” and no matter where she is, or what she is doing, she comes running.

Anyway, I love my doggies, and having them around is so much fun. And they take all my silliness in stride and make me feel so loved!!!

I Love You Claritin!

Picture this…a woman with a pocket full of kleenex, sneezing up a storm and coughing sidles up to the Pharmacy counter. Now she is not sick, she just has allergies. The woman coughs again, sneezes three times, before talking to the Pharmacist.

“Never had allergies like this before. I need help! What can I take that has almost no side effects, but will help me?”

She checked my medications and then said “Claritin” Just regular plain Claritin. So I bought a box to try and I hoped and prayed that it would work.

It’s been funny this year. My allergies have never been like this. Oh a little coughing and sneezing, but not like this!

How many of you suffer from seasonal allergies? I have had a little, but this year it is BIG. I can now appreciate when people have complained about their allergies.

My brother in-law especially, has had severe allergies all his life. He doesn’t complain about them much, but I have known him since I was 8 years old, I can safely say, I would recognize his sneeze anywhere!

About 2 hours after I took my very first Claritin, I noticed that my sinuses were drying up. The sneezing had been reduced, and my eyes weren’t watering as much. And last night, I actually was able to lie down in bed and I could breath!

This morning, I feel normal. No sneezing, coughing or watery eyes. I don’t feel run down or like I am on the verge of an allergic breakdown! LOL!

Now I was not paid for my opinion about Claritin. I never believed that these wonderful allergy medications actually worked, but I was desperate! Now, you can call me a grateful user.

National Dog Day

Today is National Dog Day, so here are my tales of being loved by our dogs.

Top: Arnie & Greta

Bottom: Anneliese and Lili

A year ago, my Vet told me that Greta was not doing well and she wouldn’t make it another year. Guess what? With tender love, and care, Greta, age 13 and a half, is still here and having a good life. She is quieter than she once was, but the joy she shows, each day, brings a smile to my face.

Lili, age 3 years old, is finally settling down and she has found her place in our home and hearts. Since Jack’s surgery, she now follows him all around the yard, stays right there with him, and if we whistle or call, she races to our side. She also has made a special friend. An 18 month old baby named Estella, who adores her. She stands on our neighbors balcony and calls “Lili, Lili” and Lili races up to her, stopping short and allows Estella to love her! This makes me so happy!

Anneliese age 10 and a half, is healthy and after her disagreement with Greta two years ago, Anneliese has finally found her way back into our bed. She sleeps cuddled up next to my belly and I feel so very loved! She is also sitting in my chair again and all is right in her world. She just had to learn that for always and forever, Greta is the Alpha Dog in this house!

Arnie, also 10 and a half, is Jack’s car buddy. He goes everywhere with Jack. To the bank, to McDonald’s, to the Post Office, and the Liquor Store. Everyone knows Arnie and they all adore him. I woke in the night to find Arnie cuddled up to me with his head on my pillow. He is full of jokes and fun. What a great dog boy he is!

People often tell me that they don’t like animals. I tell them that they are missing out on one of life’s greatest gifts. The ability to be loved unconditionally by an animal. My dogs are always happy to see me, whether I have been gone 5 minutes or 5 days! I am so blessed to share each and every day with these wonderful pups!

The Friday Five

The Friday Five this week is pretty much focused on the weeks events. So here goes.

The best news is that the Infectious Disease doctor released me from her service. Right now I am free of any active infection! Yay!
Our peaches were ripe and we made 3 batches of Heavenly Jam. Did it come out well! Very fresh and very yummy!
I did a little cooking. I made Beef Stew with Beer & Paprika, and I also made pulled pork. Both came out very tasty.
Today I brought Jack to the VA for his paperwork and for his appointment for his toe. The incision for the amputation has healed so nicely. But that next toe, doesn’t look so good!
Lastly, I am looking forward to a nice quiet weekend. I have no plans. Maybe I will cook some ribs.

So that is the Friday Five. I hope that you have a great weekend!

My Mom 1929 – 2013

My Mom passed away four years ago today.

Rosamond Ruth, Mom. In life, ours was a very complicated relationship. However, with her illness and then passing, so much of the bitterness was forgiven, and in the end, there was only love. Now four years later, I find many moments where I miss my Mom. I wish I could call her, and hear her voice. There were so many times where I would call her and say, “Mom, just say it’s okay” and she would, then she asked what was up. As a small child, I recall sitting in her lap and holding her hand up to my lips. Not that I was kissing it, but just having her touch me, calmed me down. She was so beautiful, and yet, I do not think she ever knew that. But just look at the picture below, taken when she was maybe 40 years old.

I remember her sitting and listening to me when I had voice lessons. I was singing in Italian, and she loved that. Me? Not so much. But I sang and she was happy.

Mom loved her family. Her pocketbook weighed a ton. Why? Because she had pictures of each and every one of us in her bag. Not just to show to other people, but more than once I caught her looking them over. She etched the faces of each and every one of us in her memory.

When Mom was dying of cancer, I got out all of the old slides. I scanned in pictures of all of her loved ones Past and present. I made up a slide show on my laptop for her, so she could revisit each one of those moments. Mel, Janet and I played it for her at the Hospice. She loved that.

Amanda brought baby Savannah down, and Mom got to see her Great-granddaughter one last time. Oh how she adored Savi, and the thought that another generation of girls in her family would go on.

The last day I was with her, she was mostly drifting in and out. At one point I thought she was asleep, and I told her all the things I wanted to say to her. I hoped she heard me, where ever she was at that moment. I told her that I loved her so much.

She spoke quietly, slowly, and softly. “I’m here. And I love you too”.

Miss you Mom.

The Friday Five

This past week has been full of many wonderful things. Plus I got a lot done. There was only one small wrinkle, and even that did not make me upset for too long, and now I can actually laugh about it. So, here goes.

I got an email announcing a big sale at Talbot’s. I love their clothes, and so I planned a shopping trip to their Outlet Store, where things are even more of a deal. I got two pairs of much needed dress pants, one pair of jeans, a dressy pencil skirt, and the cutest summer silk top and spent just over $100.00! And I look marvelous!
I had a great lunch with my friend Barbie on Wednesday. I had not seen her since she moved to Florida, but here we were talking away, like we had just seen each other yesterday! Friendships are a wonderful thing!
On my way home from the luncheon, I stopped at BJ’s for gas. I was inline and the man in front of me, decided not to pull forward to the pump in front. I do not know why, he just stopped at the first pump, got out and started to pump his gas. So, I pulled around him, and tried to get as close as possible to the pump. I even pulled forward and then backed up a couple of times. When I got out of my car to pump my gas, he came rushing toward me, screaming that I had cut in line and that I should drive around and get back in the long line that had formed. I told him that I was next in line, and I was not going to do that. I asked, “Can’t you get by me?” (He was in a very small sports car) and he yelled “Of course I can’t! Move your F…ing car!” Well, I don’t like to be sworn at and I do not like bad manners. “Sir, if you had asked me nicely, I would be more than happy to move my car forward so you can get by.” He swore again. Then I looked at his license plate and saw he was from Massachusetts. (So am I originally, so I can say this with a big smile on my face, as I know wonderful Massachusetts residents can be but also how rotten) “Oh, I know what you are, you are not a gentleman at all, you are a Mass-hole!” I did move my car up slightly and he screeched his tires as he tore out of the gas station. What a total jerk! I was annoyed back then, but I am now laughing about it! (Note to self: The man could have had an AK-47 in his car, so maybe it’s not so good to argue with a stranger at the gas station!)
Jack has another ulcer on his foot. This one is on the toe next to where the other was amputated. It’s pretty advanced. The strange part was that it came on very fast. I have now put my nurses cap back on, for more devoted care of his foot.
Today is bathing dackels day. All three of the dackels need baths. Anneliese most especially, as she is allergic to something, which causes a nasty itch and rash. I used to take them all in the shower with me, but it’s a little tough to do that now, so they are going into the sink! Rub a dub dub, a dackel in the tub!

I hope that you all have a great weekend and that you have something wonderful going on. A local farm stand is having Farm Days on Saturday and we plan to attend! I am hoping for sunshine!

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.