Mandy and Savi sent me a text the other night, asking me to scan some pictures of Mandy when she was Savannah’s age.
So I got out the old photo albums and scanned a few I had. Back then, there were no digital cameras, where you keep shooting until you got the picture you wanted. But somehow, I did get a few good ones back then.
So here we go. My daughter, Amanda way back when…
1. Last thing you did on the spur of the moment?
I went out for lunch with a friend last week. She called and I said yes, and away we went! It was so much fun!
2. How well informed do you feel about the current Syrian refugee crisis?
Too well informed. My husband is a news junkie and so we watch a lot, read a lot, and talk a lot.
3. What have you changed your mind about?
I used to be opposed to gay marriage. But through my life, I realized that if two people are lucky enough to find love with another person, then it doesn’t matter, they should be allowed to marry and have a family. I have many gay friends now and I share in their happiness, with no reservations!
4. A medium sized non-poisonous snake found it’s way into the pool trap this weekend. If you’d been sitting poolside would you have fished it out? Gone running? Called for help? Pretended not to know? Continued swimming?
I’d have run screaming from the pool and called 911! I “HATE” snakes! That last sentence should be all in capitals. I cannot tell you the depths of my fear! In fact here is a story of a snake encounter I had.
Many years ago, I was working on Hubby’s Apple Farm. (This is back during the friendship part of our relationship.) I’d gone out to fertilize trees and I looked down and a snake was lying across my boot! I screamed at the top of my lungs, and Hubby’s white shepherd, Britta, came running. She grabbed the snake by it’s neck and shook it, snapping it’s neck and killed it! Then she put it down, sat in front of me, and I swear she was smiling! I patted her, and thanked her for saving me.
5. September 10th is National TV Dinner Day…what’s your idea of a great TV dinner? (Or at least a pretty good one!)
My favorite is Hungry Man Salisbury Steak TV Dinner. I just love all the flavors. It used to be Hubby’s too, but I think he is into the Meatloaf right now.
6. Samuel Johnson is quoted as saying, “Courage is reckoned the greatest of all virtues; because, unless a man has that virtue, he has no security for preserving any other.” Would you agree? Where have you seen that played out recently? What’s the second greatest virtue?
I think every day, one must have courage. Some days are just so hard to get through. Courage! Sometimes you need a little, sometimes you need a lot. The second greatest is a tie in my book between Charity and Kindness. I think people should always strive to help others, and I also feel that acting kindly toward all, would help make this a better world.
7. What are three words you have trouble remembering how to spell?
Definitely. Colonel, and Corps. I murder the spelling all the time, especially when I am tired.
8. Insert your own random thought here.
I’m tired. Why, you might ask? Well, it’s not just all the cooking I am doing, but the heat wave we are in. For the last few days we have been in the 90’s each day with high humidity. We do have air conditioning, but every time I go out with the dogs, I simply melt! Come on, it’s September! I want some cool crisp temperatures and leaves turning colors!
I have so many pears, and so many peaches, that I have been trying to use them in cooking. The peaches, I have already made into four batches of Jam, and today I made Peach Muffins. I thought they came out well, but Hubby said that they had something missing. Perhaps more Peaches? I do not know. I’m thinking of making a peach pie, but again, I shall see where the spirit moves me.
The pears are a different story. Tomorrow I have to use them up, and right now I am thinking about making Pear Jam. I found this great old recipe for that and I think I am game! The pears are all set to go, all I have to do is cook the Jam up and then can it.
Today we reached an uncomfortable 94 degrees! The humidity was also high, reminding me, why I left Florida and moved back home to New England, except this kind of weather, really reminds me of my time there.
For some unknown reason, my hand has been bothering me. It woke me in the night and I had to use a heating pad wrapped around my hand to ease the pain. I’ve also used ice, but it seems swollen to me, and I am slightly worried about it. Perhaps I will leave a message for my doctor about it tomorrow.
Today was Heartworm and Flea and Tick day. Lili was the only one who was reluctant, but in the end, the job was done. The dackels are quite good, but then again, they are older and know that their cooperation is always rewarded with a cookie!
I have a turkey thawing in the fridge, and after I cook it, I will make soup, and also freeze up some sliced turkey. That makes for quick meals!
Our weekend was a good one. I had hoped to sort of vegetate around, as I have been so busy lately, but it turned out that I was incredibly busy, all weekend long.
Besides the usual laundry, meal preparations and dog care, I cleaned and stored some home grown pears, made a double batch of chili, and made a peach crisp.
Mostly I had the US Open Tennis on the TV playing in the background. But I honestly can’t say I have watched much of it, despite the terrific coverage.
I’m enjoying the clear weather, but would enjoy it more if there wasn’t so much humidity. Still, robin’s egg blue skies, with no clouds, is a real gift. I need to reread this post in January when life is bleak, gray, and snowy.
I am quite amazed that I am 56 years old (almost 57), and yet in my mind, I still feel young, and I hope I think young too.
I am enjoying the three dachshunds, and White German Shepherd, Lili. Lili has finally grown up enough that she is settling down, and it makes it easier to love her. You see, when she acted like the “Spawn of Satan”, it made it very hard to relax around her. Now she is growing and is understanding, more and more and best of all, calming down.
I’m reading all sorts of travel guides and preparing for our road trip. I’m glad we are taking two days to drive out and back. Long ago, Hubby and I would drive 500+ miles in a day, but we are both getting a bit old for that now.
Happy Labor Day to all of my USA friends out there. Enjoy your day off!
My daughter finally gave me the go ahead, so here is the big announcement! Matt, Mandy and their daughter Savannah announce that a new baby is on the way. The due date is in March 2016! And the most exciting news is…
It’s a BOY!
We are all celebrating and so very excited for them, and for all of our family. A new baby to bring more love and sunshine into our family!
Congratulations to Matt, Mandy and Savannah!
Thursday found me pulling everything out of the linen closet and going through everything, piece by piece. Some things needed to be refolded, and stacked, while other things needed to go into the pile of things for St. Vincent DePaul.
It was so hot here today. I think I our highest temperature was 94 degrees, with really high humidity. Anyway, that end of the house is now air conditioned and I was just melting!
Why was I cleaning the closet after all this time? Well, with the house sitter coming, it suddenly dawned on me that if she needed an extra towel, she would need to open the door and then she would see the ultimate of disasters in my linen closet.
One thing I found was a bag full of puppy toys, from my breeding days. I pulled it out and handed each dog a toy. Well, Lili thinks she has died and gone to Heaven! Currently, she has all the puppy toys on her bed and is walking around with a different one in her mouth over and over.
The dackels are not amused by her puppy dog antics and they are trying their best to ignore her. But oh my gosh, she is just too cute! Meanwhile, Anneliese just jumped down and stole a toy. I guess she had her fill of Lili acting like she owned them all!
So, the closet is clean, the dogs are happy and I managed to get through the day without, quite literally, melting!
I also gave each dackel a bath, and they currently all need a good stripping of their coats. It’s amazing how much fur come off them after a good soapy bath.
1. What’s on your September calendar? Anything fun?
Yes. We’ll be doing a road trip to Dayton, Ohio to go to an Army Aviators Reunion. We have found a nice house/doggy sitter, who will live here full time while we are off. I feel lucky because many people have to go off to work, and she will be working on her college degree from our home.
Anyway, the trip and the Reunion should be a lot of fun. We plan to stop at The Christmas Story House in Cleveland. I can hardly wait.
2. You might be described as a natural born _____________________?
Cook. I love to cook and I seldom have any real disasters. But….to be honest, every once in a while, I can cook up a real dud!
3. September is National Courtesy Month…what one act of courtesy would you most like to see more of in your home, town, or the world at large?
I would like the first words out of peoples mouths to be kind words. It seems now a days the first words are nothing but hate and criticism.
4. Eager beaver, chicken out, clam up, or let the cat out of the bag…of the phrases listed, which one have you related to most recently?
Eager Beaver. I have been enjoying the company of my daughter, granddaughter, and friends. I am so eager to be out and about!
5. What’s your movie theatre snack protocol? Do you chow down on snacks during the previews or wait until the movie begins? Do you buy snacks or refuse to pay those kind of prices? What’s the last movie you saw in a theatre? How many thumbs up would you give it?
Gone Girl. That was the last movie we went out to see. I did not think it was all that great.
6. Henry Ford is quoted as saying, “Nobody can think straight who does not work. Idleness warps the mind.” Agree or disagree? Why?
I think you need to keep active both in the mind and body, if you are going to stay young.
7. What’s the last job you completed or task you performed where you had to ‘work like a dog’ until it was finished?
I made a gallon of homemade Chili from my own garden tomatoes, and a gallon of spaghetti sauce, also from my own fresh tomatoes. Between all the chopping and simmering and then getting ready for the freezer, I worked like a dog all day long!
8. Insert your own random thought here.
I’m still on cloud nine after watching Savannah yesterday. I cannot explain how wonderful it is to be a grandmother. I just love it!
Monday was a totally awesome day. I drove down to my daughter’s house early, to take care of Savannah, due to a day of teacher’s conferences.
I packed my tea set, and things to make tea sandwiches, and cookies to bake with Savannah. From the moment I told her what we’d be doing, until after we had our party, were we non-stop doing food preparation.
The best, was when she climbed up on a chair, and helped me with everything, from cutting out the cookies into little hearts, to using the cookie cutters to cut the sandwiches into various shapes and sizes.
Soon we were able to sit down at the table and share our little tea party! What a wonderful time for Oma and her girl!
Our first attempt at a tea party was a great success!
The past weekend, the last in August, was simply perfect. The temperature was warm, and sunny with just a light breeze.
My town had an Artisan’s Craft Fair, and it was simply the best. My cousins, Janet and Dave were here on Sunday, and we three walked all over town, enjoying each and every Artisans booth. In fact they had the cutest necklaces with miniature maps under glass. And with the maps were something special about that place.
For instance, I bought two. The first is a map of Germany, and the small charm was a beer stein! It is amazing.
The second one I got was of Barbados. That one came with a pair of leaping dolphins. Both these places hold a special place in my heart. 
We also had our end of the year, Lobster Party, complete with steamers and corn on the cob. Oh goodness!
It was amazingly good!
The picture is courtesy of my cousin, Janet!
The dogs really enjoyed it too. You see after we are done with the Lobster, I get the tamale, the eggs and all the wonderful juices, and allow the dackels and Lili to slurp and eat away!
I can definitely say that by the end, we all were stuffed!
