Author: Dackel Princess

In Search Of…

I decided that this Thanksgiving, I want to make a Cranberry-nut quick bread to have at the dinner table. Now here is my problem. I don’t have a good recipe for a real Cape Cod Cranberry-nut quick bread!

I’ve been looking over all sorts of recipes, but none of them sound anything like what my Mama used to make.

Growing up on Cape Cod I’ve tried my share of Cranberry Breads. I love the ones that are nice and moist, have a little bit of orange zest in it, and of course wonderful walnuts!

Any ideas?

Friday Five

The week is drawing to a close and what a wonderful week it has been. Without further ado, here is this weeks Friday Five.

    1. It was my 57th birthday this week. I was very happy about this. I feel good about myself, and my place in life. I love my amazing family and friends, and in turn, I am loved!
    2. I was given two beautiful bouquets of flowers for my birthday!  I love flowers and they have really perked up my house!
    3. My eyelid surgery is over, and is a complete success! Aside from a feeling of having eyelashes in my eye, I am doing well!

20151119_082858

  1. My new mattress comes tomorrow! I can hardly wait!
  2. This past week Lili has learned about going out to do her business alone and coming right back when she is done. This is a big step! In many ways Lili is finally growing up!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. What’s surprised you most about your life, or about life in general?

I guess the fact that life is not fair. As a kid, I grew up believing that if you were good and kind, life would treat you well. Unfortunately that is not the case.

I’ve been lucky though. I have a wonderful family, and I am loved dearly. So, it sort of makes up for the thing

2. Among others, these ten words were added to the Oxford English Dictionary this year…awesomesauce, beer o’clock, brain fart, buttdial, cat cafe (apparently this is a real thing), fatberg (gross-read the definition here), fat shame, hangry, Mx (gender neutral), and skippable.

Your thoughts? In looking over the list, which word do you find most ridiculous? Which word would you never in a million years say out loud? Which word would you be most likely to use in conversation?

Most ridiculous, Mx. Come on, really? What word would I never say, awesomesauce. And which word, have I actually used? both butt-dial and skippable!

3. Do you like gravy? Is there a food you’d rather not eat unless it comes with gravy? Do you make your own or buy the canned or store-made variety? Turkey and gravy, sausage gravy, mashed potatoes and gravy, country ham and red eye gravy, biscuits and chocolate gravy, pot roast and gravy…which one on the list is your favorite?

I make my own gravy, but I only like gravy on turkey meat and stuffing. Not on mashed potatoes or beef or anything else. Very picky on what I put on my food.

4. Do you have a plan? Do you need a plan? Have you ever had a plan fall into a trillion pieces? Explain.

Oh, I’d like to think that I plan things out, but I have had my best laid plans blow up into smithereens!  Still, I sometimes think plans are good.

5. November 19 is National Play Monopoly Day. Do you own the original or some version of the game? Do you enjoy playing Monopoly? How likely is it you’ll play a game of Monopoly on November 19th? Ever been to Atlantic City? Ever taken a ride on a railroad? Is parking in your town free? Last thing you took a chance on?

We have an original game. But I have not played in years and years. Yes, I have been to Atlantic City!

6. A song you like that has the word (or some form of the word) thanks in the title, lyrics, or meaning?

7. In keeping with this month’s theme of gratitude….what is something you’re taking for granted that when you stop and think about it, you’re grateful for?

You are talking to a woman who takes nothing for granted. I’ve learned through bitter experience, to value every person I love and all that I have.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Yesterday was my 57th birthday. Mandy, Matt, Savannah, Janet & Dave all joined Hubby and me at a steak and seafood restaurant for a fabulous meal and a visit. There is nothing better than sharing my birthday with those I love.

11036638_10153648224746183_7582462821993524889_n

It’s All About…Kindness

Recently, during our car trip out to Ohio, I brought with me an actual paper filled notebook. Often I get ideas and I jot them down before they are lost in time.

It's All About

One idea that kept coming back to me was, “It’s All About…”

Certainly life is full of things that make the world go round, but sometimes I think we get lost and forget what “It’s All About.”

So here is my first entry, into a brand new category for my blog!

As we drove down highway 86 toward Cleveland, we were talking, listening to the radio and of course stopping periodically to use the restrooms.

One thing that made me both smile and frown was the way people, strangers, treated each other. Sometimes good, sometimes bad.

My grandmother always told me to smile and be kind. She said that you never knew when someone needed a lift and that your smile might be the only one they see all day.

Kindness comes in many shapes and forms. Being polite, stopping to help someone, or when a dining-room is full of all sorts of people attending reunions, sharing a table.

I’ve been on my own crusade since 9/11. Every time I am in a restaurant, an airport, or perhaps shopping, when I see a member of the military, I stop for one moment and thank them for their service.

Recently, I saw two old men, with their military company’s emblem on their hats. They were World War II soldiers. They were talking, both had canes and you could see that the years had been tough for them.

I went over and smiled broadly, and thanked them both. One of the men got quite misty, and they both thanked me.

My smiles and helpful ways are not limited to the military. I am always on the lookout for older people in the grocery store who cannot reach the top shelves. As I am 5 feet 8 inches tall, with long (monkey) arms, I can reach everything pretty easily.

Yesterday, I was in the grocery store and I was smiling. The next thing I knew a little boy in a neighboring carriage called out to me: “Hi Lady!”

I swear, Kindness is contagious! And so are smiles. Just like my Grandma Honey always told me.

It’s All About…Kindness

Friday Five

It’s been a busy week, but as we come to the end, here are the top 5 things I am thinking about.

  1. This morning Anneliese was chewing on her belly. Upon examination, I saw that she was having some of the dry skin issues that she has had in the past. So,  I got out her moisture rich medicated shampoo and gave her a good soapy bath. While I was up to my elbows in bubbles, I bathed Arnie and Greta too. Grouchy old Greta was not amused!
  2. I had some great pork ribs to cook, so this afternoon I slow cooked them and then finished them off in the rotisserie oven. I will not torment you telling you how fabulous they were, but oh my goodness!!!!
  3. I ordered a jumbo size box of Twinings English Breakfast tea from Amazon. I love this tea, (bags individually wrapped) but when I buy it in the grocery store it is quite literally the most expensive tea there. I got a huge break on Amazon and I am thrilled!
  4. I saw the cutest Vera Bradley pocketbook on Tuesday. Now I am trying to track it down to a discounted price. I hate to pay full price for anything!
  5. I went shopping for a new mattress. I found one I love made by Sealy. Made in the USA. I have to tell you, I must have gotten on top of at least a hundred mattresses. I actually felt like the Princess, in the story, The Princess and the Pea. There are so many really bad mattresses out there!

TBT: The Eyes Have It!

My TBT this week looks back to right after  Christmas 2002. Two days after Christmas my retina detached in my left eye.

MB's eye patch

little shot

It was quite an ordeal, and I needed several surgeries to repair the damage. A few years later the right eye retina detached and my doctor, Dr. C. repaired that one too.

Things have been going on nicely now for a few years, until last June when I got the stye on my right eyelid. Next week, I will be going in to have it removed.

The young surgeon who will do this surgery, said my eye will be swollen, bruised and hurt like heck. Okay, I can handle it. After all, I have gone through worse in my life.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. In two or three sentences tell us what Veteran’s Day means to you?

Grateful to all the men and women who have served our country. Also grateful that my Veteran Hubby came home alive from Vietnam.

Aviator

2. What’s your favorite film with a patriotic theme woven into the storyline?

Patton. George C. Scott! Fabulous, fantastic move. The acting was superb!

3. Flu shot-yes or no? If you answered no, do you plan to get a flu shot? If not, why not? Have you ever had the flu?

Okay. I got the flu shot and all was well. Then it was recommended that I get the Prevnar 13 pneumonia shot. It did not hurt immediately, but oh my goodness, it’s a week ago and I have so much pain in the arm and shoulder.

Yes I have had the flu. The first year Hubby and I got married, he was off flying for Pan Am, and I was at home,running a high fever, and praying for death! (Not really!) I was so sick. After that I recovered, I have gotten a flu shot every year.

4. I’ve seen lots of people posting pictures of their Christmas trees up and decorated. Many stores have had Christmas on display since well before Halloween. Red cups are back at Starbucks, sans the holiday decor, and that has some people up in arms. What are your thoughts on all the holiday ruckus this second week of November?

Too soon to think about Christmas. I’m thinking Thanksgiving. (Although I admit to buying a Christmas gift today!)

5. What ‘critter’ are you most afraid of encountering unexpectedly? Why that one?

A Fisher.

Fisher is the common name for a largely arboreal, North American carnivorous mammal, Martes pennanti, of the marten genus (Martes) and weasel family (Mustelidae), characterized by a long body with short legs, dark fur, long and bushy tail, five toes with retractable claws on each foot, long and tapered muzzle, and low, rounded ears. The fisher is agile in trees and has a slender body that allows it to pursue prey into hollow trees or burrows in the ground. Despite its name, this animal seldom eats fish; the name may originate from the French word fichet, which referred to the pelt of a European polecat. In some regions, the fisher is known as a pekan, derived from its name in the Abenaki language. It also is known as fisher-cat. Martes pennanti is found in forested areas of northern North America.

fisher-cat

With its speed and agility, the fisher is a remarkable predator that captures a wide diversity of prey: Rabbits, hares, squirrels, mice, grouse, and so forth. Even the well-protected porcupine is captured by the fisher, using a unique technique designed to tire the porcupine until the fisher can kill the large quilled rodent.

6. Do you like building things? What’s the last thing you ‘built’?

My garden fence, and pea plant fence.

7. In keeping with this month’s theme of gratitude…what are you most grateful for that brings beauty to your daily life?

My family. All of them. From Hubby to my newest grand-niece, and everyone in between!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

First, my eye doctor saw that my optic nerve does not look good. Although my eye pressure is ok, he believes I am having trouble with my optic nerve. He said it is showing damage. So I will be seeing a specialist in January for evaluation.

He also didn’t like the stye on my right eyelid.I saw the special surgeon who handles these things and next Wednesday I will be getting it operated on.