Dackel Princess

Bite of an Apple?

I have always been a purist. What does that mean? Well, I always thought I would stick with Microsoft and PC products, as I never wanted to get into a situation where all my programs became useless.

So when replacing laptops or desktops’s, I always opt for a Windows based system. Which has been fine, up until the last item on my “items I use daily” list broke with no hope of getting better.

It was my MP3 Player. A 12 year old Sony, that I could work without looking, and had all the features I needed 12 years ago. My best friend, Gail gave it to me, and that was one of her best gifts, aside of her friendship, of course!

Anyway, after 12 years, they do not make my model of MP3 Player. I ordered a really cheap one from Amazon, and it was so terrible, after 1 day I sent it back!

I went on You Tube and typed in Review of Best MP3 Players. A whole bunch came up. Mostly they were telling people what not to buy, but over and over, the new Ipod Nano, got raving reviews!

So, yesterday I went down to my daughter’s and we drove over to the Rockingham Mall, to The Apple Store. It was the first time I have stepped into one of Apple’s Stores. And I was very impressed!

A nice girl took my name, and guided us to a small table of Ipads where children were sitting playing games on the machines. Savannah sat right down and started playing. I went over to a wall of Apple products and found the Nano I wanted.

A man with Apple came over and said, “Are you just waiting now to check out?” I told him I was and he hailed another agent to help me.

Brad came over and quickly checked me out and answered a few questions. When he learned I use a PC at home he said I should be sure to Update my Itunes, before I even plug the Nano in.

We finished and after getting my car at Mandy’s and driving home, I updated the Itunes program and then downloaded my music to the Nano.

Then, when all was said and done, I turned on the Nano and listened to one of my favorite songs, (easy to find), and the sound was amazing!

I can officially say, I have gone to the “Dark Side” and now, for the very first time, own a superior Apple product!

The Friday Five

Another week has come and gone and so here we are with September almost over! 2016 is flying by and before long Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas will be here. Then it will be 2017!

So here we go, five things happening in my world this week!

We watched the new season of NCIS on Tuesday and really enjoyed the addition of Jennifer Esposito at Alexandra Quinn, a new member of the NCIS team. Jennifer was on Blue Bloods a couple of years ago, playing Jackie, and I loved her acting. I am so happy to see her as a series regular again.
You will never guess who has become my constant companion during the days? Lili! She follows me everywhere, and sits all snuggled up to me. She is slowly calming down and becoming a real sweetie. Not that she wasn’t sweet before, but oh my goodness, this dog was on the go, non-stop!
I made Lamb Paprikash for Hubby’s dinner last night. They had boneless leg of lamb on sale for $2.99 a pound, so what the heck! We both love lamb and haven’t had this in a long time.
We literally have almost no color here at all. I saw a flash of red the other day, but most of our early leaf turners are still green. They have said that the drought and heat of this past summer is the cause.
I plan to go to see my daughter, granddaughter and grandson this weekend. Savannah starts her ballet, and I want to go to the Apple Store to buy my very first Apple product. An Apple Nano.

Have a great weekend!

TBT: Arnie & Anneliese As Babies

This December 10th, Arnie and Anneliese will turn ten years old. Arnie is amazing. He acts as young as any puppy around. He is still as lovable as ever and I am so glad we kept him. This picture was taken the day they were born!

Anneliese went through two pregnancies and delivered 4 beautiful puppies. She was showing some wear and tear, but a recent change of food, finds he back in shape and running around like a puppy again as well.

But looking back, I remember the day they were born and how really tiny they were. Greta was a great Mom, and it was funny, she cared for them until they were about three months old and then she moved on and stopped being a mother to them. I guess it is the way of the doggy world!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Thursday (September 22) is the first official day of autumn in this part of the world…how will you welcome the season? I know some of you have been celebrating way too early, but it’s official now so permission granted. House Beautiful recently listed ten ways to make your home smell like fall (you can read the list here) What’s a scent you love this time of year and how will you add it to your home?

I love the smell of simmering apples, while I am making apple sauce. I told Hubby yesterday that I want a nice selection of apples to make a full bodied sauce to freeze for the winter. The other day I went to our freezer to get some apple sauce and there was none in there. I literally took everything out looking for sauce! I could have sworn I had some! None there. So my answer to this is to make more sauce this year!

2. Apple pie or pumpkin pie? Apple cake or pumpkin bread? Warm apple cider or a pumpkin spice latte?

My favorite pie is pumpkin. Although I love apple pie too. Pumpkin bread is a favorite. And I love warm apple cider plain or with a tot of dark rum! Although I love pumpkin, I am not on board with all the pumpkin coffee, latte’s and even the “Pumpkin Spiced Ham” that they are selling at the store. Call me a purist!

3. Do you suffer from what is sometimes referred to as an afternoon slump? What helps ward it off before it hits and/or tell us what helps you shake it off once it’s here?

Yes I do. I plan to have tea and fruit or tea and popcorn. But always a nice hot cuppa, even in the summer.

4. Ladies-how have your friendships with women inspired you or made you a better person? For the men here today- how have your friendships with men inspired you or made you a better person?

I have several amazing female friends. We have chosen each other in this sister/friendship and I know I can always count on them to be there for me, and me for them. They encourage me to keep going, even when I have felt defeated, and they are the ones there cheering me on when I try something new. These women have also known tough times and yet, we all keep going.

5. Are you a people pleaser? If you said yes, do you think that’s a good or bad thing? If you said no, do you wish you were more of a people pleaser?

Oh my goodness I do think I am a people pleaser and I so wish I wasn’t. Sure it is nice to do things that make others happy, but at the expense of my own self, well, that is not good. Learning to set limits, and to do as much as I feel comfortable with, now that is a good thing.

6. The seasons are a-changin’…share a favorite song relating in some way to change (not necessarily seasonal change, it could be change of any kind).

Oh yeah, David Bowie, “Changes”! Sit back now, and enjoy a little bit of David on this Wednesday morning!

7. What do you wish would never change?

Well, I think that I have come to a point in my life where I realize that change is part of life and although sometimes it is hard to endure, it must happen. I remember holding Savannah in my arms and saying to her, that I could hardly wait until she could tell me what she was thinking and feeling. Now at four years old, she does this and it is wonderful! No, change is good and necessary!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Life is quite full right now. Savannah begins her second year of ballet, and this year she will also take a Karate Class. Her 6 month old brother appears to be breaking all records with his desire to get moving. He is already crawling, and walking will happen any day, due to his sheer strength and the fact he learned how to pull himself up.

Hubby is suffering with Bursitis and is in need of a cortisone shot, but apparently the link at the VA isn’t working and we are still waiting for a call so he can get the injection. Meanwhile, he is in pain.

Have a good day, fellow Hodgepodgers!

Pork Chops With Country Gravy

Pork Chops with Country Gravy

Ingredients:

1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon dried marjoram
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon dried rubbed sage
4 (4-ounce) boneless center-cut loin pork chops (about 3/4 inch thick)
2 tablespoon butter
1-1/2 cups fat free milk

Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Place flour, salt, dried marjoram, dried thyme, and dried rubbed sage in a shallow dish. Dredge pork in flour mixture, turning to coat; shake off excess. Reserve remaining flour mixture.

Melt butter in a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray over medium-high heat. Add pork to pan; cook 2 minutes on each side or until browned. Reduce heat, and cook for 10 minutes or until done, turning pork once. Remove pork from pan; keep warm.

Combine reserved flour mixture and milk in a small bowl, stirring with a whisk until blended. Add milk mixture to pan; place over medium-high heat. Bring to a high simmer, scraping pan to loosen browned bits. Reduce heat, and simmer 2 minutes or until slightly thickened, stirring constantly. Serve with the chops.

Friday Five

Another Friday is upon us, and this week was a pretty busy one for me. Besides the usual, here are the five highlights of my week.

My grandson, Quinn, is like, super baby! This six month old baby, is sitting up, crawling, and pulling himself to his feet! It will not be long until he is walking!

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The finger I sliced last week has healed up very well. I love ‎Bacitracin. That and keeping it clean and dry, and the slice healed beautifully.
I made one last batch of tomato sauce. It came out well, and since I wanted to use part of it right up, I got a spaghetti squash to have as my “noodles”. Hubby had pasta.
Poor Hubby has been suffering with bursitis in his shoulder. He goes on Monday for an injection. I hope it will help him feel better.
I woke to 38 degrees this morning! When I went out to walk the dogs I could see my breath. Coldest morning this fall.

I hope your weekend is great and that you are planning something fun to do. Autumn is my favorite time of year, due to the crisp air and the slightly shorter days. I know that sounds funny, but the dogs seem to sleep better, thus I actually get some sleep too!

TBT: MB Age 10

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. What’s changed in your life, home, or community since your last birthday?

Well the biggest change is that I have a grandson now! Quinn Wallace was born in March, and he is a super amazing.

He is six month old, sitting up, crawling, and pulling himself up onto his feet! He is a man with a mission!

2. September is Classical Music Month. Do you like/listen to classical music? If so what’s a favorite piece and/or who is a favorite composer?

Not a super classical music fan, but my favorite piece is The Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43, (Russian: Рапсодия на тему Паганини, Rapsodiya na temu Paganini) is a concertante work written by Sergei Rachmaninoff. It is written for solo piano and symphony orchestra, closely resembling a piano concerto.

3. Besides The Bible, what’s a book that has positively changed your life, relationships, career, or perspective? How so?

The First Year Of Forever: Surviving The Death Of Our Son, by B. D Van Vechten. I was given this book shortly after losing my daughter back in 1985. I have read it and reread it. Why? The book made me realize that I was not alone. That my feelings were normal for what I was going through, and it helped me to stop being so hard on myself.

The journey of getting through the first year is really a marathon. Just when you think you are getting to a better place, it all comes rushing up and hits you in the face all over again.

It is now 31 years later, and most days I do okay, because I do not allow myself to go there. But some days, when I least expect it, I suddenly find myself sobbing.

Yes the first year was the worst, but the forever, is oh so hard too!

4. I read (here) these ten hobbies will make you smarter…play a musical instrument, read voraciously, meditate regularly, work out your brain (puzzles, sudoku, board games, etc), exercise often, learn a new language, write your feelings down (blog, journal, just write), travel to new places, cook different kinds of meals, participate in sports actively

Are any on this list your current hobbies? Which hobby on the list would you be most inclined to try?

I play Words with Friends almost daily, and I enjoy that. I blog almost daily because I love to write, and share my thoughts and ideas. I also cook and make up new recipes. Last night was a new grilled chicken recipe that I made in my cast iron skillet. My cousin gave me that skillet and I use it all the time!

5. What sports traditions does your family have?

Hubby and I like to watch the Grand Slam Tennis Tournaments. I used to watch them with my Uncle George when I was a kid, now I watch with my husband.

6. In a few words, weigh in on the current football/National Anthem brouhaha. Keep it family friendly please.

I would never disrespect our country, our flag or our people by acting the way these spoiled multi-millionaire football players have. Don’t like this country? Then I suggest you get out and go to another one. America is not perfect, but we are so much better than so many others.

Since Colin Kaepernick is now demonstrating against our country (he has become a Muslim) I would suggest he moved to a Muslim country, where he might feel more at home. Oh wait! They would never pay his big millionaire salary, or put up with his bull.

7. Where do you have loads of patience, and where do you most lack patience?

I have loads of patience with the grands. Those two could be pushing all the buttons and it doesn’t phase me at all. Last time I baby sat Quinn, he was so tired and fussy and fighting sleep. So, I just lay down with him until he fell asleep. I watched him with half closed eyes, until he curled up and fell asleep. It took a while, but I could stare at that handsome face forever!

Savannah is really easy, she is four years old and can tell me what she feels and what she wants.

I have little patience with Lili. I know I should be better than I am, but that dog can get on my nerves so quickly.

She is hyper and can jump floor to ceiling in one motion. And then, she will come over and quietly sit down next to me and look at me with those big brown eyes and I melt. She loves me so much and I do love her, I just wish she would settle down a bit!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

The summer is over and yesterday when I drove up town to get the mail and get a few groceries, I actually could get around, without traffic jams and tourists walking into traffic. I know we need the tourists to come and spend their money, but goodness, it drives me a little nuts when I am unable to get around my little town.

Our Fury Friends

Yesterday I called a friend. I hadn’t spoken to them in a long while, and they’d been on my mind. As soon as they answered the phone, I did my usual funny phone greeting, that usually makes people laugh, but yesterday, my dear friend broke down immediately. I asked quickly, what was wrong.

My friend had just had to put down their 12 year old dog. He was a jolly good dog, and my friend got him about the same time we got Greta.

Oh if I could have jumped through the phone to be there to comfort my friend, I would. Instead I listened, and spoke words of kindness and tenderness. Unfortunately, I know all too well, the heartbreak of losing my trusty fur friend.

After our chat, I felt the deep sadness of my friends loss. Sammy was such a clown, and often when he heard me on the phone he would fuss and whine letting me know he heard my voice. He always had come right over to me and just been the sweetest boy. I will miss him.

Then I thought of my Greta. She is 12 and a half now. All gray and looking old. But, since I switched her food, and have her on pain medication, she is chipper like a puppy again. Well, in spurts, and then she naps.

Oh goodness, I sure hope Greta will be with us for a long while. The day she says good-bye will be a very tough day, indeed.

“SULLY”

The best part of our weekend was going to see “SULLY” at the movies. Hubby and I almost never go to the movies, but I really wanted to see this one. I made him promise not to say anything during the movie, should there be aviation inaccuracies, during the film. I said we could do a complete debrief once we got home.

Tom Hanks was superb as the quiet, gentle, yet capable, miracle pilot. As many people have stated, if not for Captain Sully, all of those people would have died.

The casting for the movie was really good. And I will tell you that one of the ferry Captains is the actual real life Captain from that day.

The writing of the screen play was true to form for what happens in a cockpit, and I will tell you that Sully’s PTSD feelings and dreams, were presented in a very real and fair way.

Clint Eastwood did a fabulous job. He directed and produced this film. Hollywood hates him, because he speaks his mind, and goes his own way, but Eastwood is always true to his films.

Hubby was impressed with how well a cockpit experience was portrayed. He also liked the film. I do recommend this film for anyone interested in Sully, and the Miracle on The Hudson River!