Dackel Princess

TBT: 2005 When It All Began

Looking back, May 2005 was when I started writing Dackel Princess. Sometimes I like to go back and read my thoughts. It’s been a lot of fun. We all have my cousin, Janet to blame, as she got me into writing. 10 years! And even though I have not been as diligent in the last year, I am going to try to be better about keeping my blog up and running. So, here is what I wrote that first day.

As this is the opening day of The Dackel Princess, I would like to welcome everyone to my site! As I write, spring is upon us here in the mountains of New Hampshire. With temperatures on the high 70’s my apple trees are starting to blossom and the trees on the hill are starting to leaf out. It is so beautiful! All three dogs have been running around in the yard this morning. Currently the two dachsies are taking their second nap of the day, (more like one long, long nap) and Fritz is outside asleep on the patio. His favorite spot to be. Me? I’m sitting in front of my computer trying to figure out a new bit of software. So here’s to the first entry! With many more to come!!!

This is Shubi!

June 29 008

Greta

Fritz

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. What’s a phrase your mother often said to you? If you’re a parent, is this something you now say to your own children?

She used to say, “I love you quiet extraordinarily!” I never really listened or believed her. Now she is gone I miss that. I’ve always been very verbal about my love for my kids!

2. What is a scent you associate with your mother or your childhood home?

Lilacs. We had a whole set of them against the fence in the front yard of our home. Yes, lilacs are a family favorite.

3. What’s an activity you remember always doing with your mother (or someone who was a mother figure in your life)?

Tea time. Mostly with my grandmother. Tea, in china cups and saucers, served with some nice fine cookies.

4. Flared jeans, maxi dresses, and jumpsuits are 70’s fashion trends back this spring. Are you on board? Which trend would you be most inclined to try? For the men…flared corduroys, wide-collared shirts, and floral prints…what say you?

Maxi dresses. I loved those.

5. May 6th is Teacher Appreciation Day and also Nurse Appreciation Day. Is there a nurse or teacher you have especially appreciated along the way? Tell us why?

My dearest friends, Candy and Carol are nurses. They’re fearless and compassionate and loving. And my niece is an elementary school teacher. I am so proud of her!

6. If I came by your house, what would I find on your fridge door?

A collage of family pictures. I made up a big one and taped it on. We have stainless steel and no magnets stick. So I came up with the idea to make the collage online at Walgreens, and stick it up there.

7. Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana made her royal entrance on Saturday, May 2nd. On a scale of 1-10, how much attention did you give to all the news coverage? 1=Who’s Charlotte? 10=sat glued to the telly, cuppa in hand.

10. I was so excited by her arrival and then the naming! I love her name, by the way! Charlotte Elizabeth Diana! I had the news channels on all day.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I went to the Dentist today. Yep, I got a clean bill of health. No cavities and no gum disease. When he pronounced that I was a little shocked. He laughed and said that over 50 you have to watch out for gum disease. Gosh, over 50, your hair turns gray, your metabolism slows down, and your gums can fail leading to your teeth falling out!

Seventy-Seven

Seventy-seven years ago today, Hubby was born in Boston, Massachusetts.

His parents were immigrants from Canada, both having come to Boston to find work in the early 1930’s. Hubby was a first generation American. Something his mother was very proud of. She loved her native Nova Scotia, Canada, but she also loved America and the opportunities it gave those willing to work hard.

Anyway, Hubby came into this world on May 4th, and after a few days his parents brought him home to their house in New Hampshire. My guy may have been born in Boston, but in his heart he has always been a New Hampshire boy!

I missed most of his life, coming into it during his late forties, when our children met and became playmates. For a very long time, we were just friends. Then when both our marriages fell apart, our friendship began to deepen, and eventually we married.

Anyway, today I celebrate this special day. The birth of the man that I have called best friend, husband and lover, all of these years. Know more than anything, that you are loved very deeply.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Hubby from Dackel Princess Maribeth on Vimeo.

The Royal Baby Girl

I woke this morning to the news that Prince William and Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, have safely delivered a healthy baby girl! How wonderful for them and for England.

From the moment that it was announced that Kate was expecting, I just knew that it was a girl. Now we must wait to learn her name. I hope that they give her a beautiful, original name.

Looking back, I recall how wonderful it was when I gave birth to my daughter, Amanda. Back then we did not know before hand what the baby would be, but I had a good idea it was a girl. Call me clairvoyant, but I was just certain.

Then she came flying out, after just 8 hours of labor, and when they laid her on my abdomen and I saw her face, I felt like I had known her all my life and that I had loved her for all eternity.

I guess the thing is, for me, as soon as I knew I was pregnant, I loved that little baby growing inside me. And seeing her and holding her, cemented those feeling for a lifetime.

Now my daughter, has her daughter, Savannah, and the love that I have for my granddaughter is so deep. I never knew it could be like this! As Savannah grows and becomes her own little person, I find I am totally filled with love.

TBT: December 2013

This is from December 2013 when Arnie and Anneliese had their seventh birthday. They will turn 9 this coming December 10th! I simply cannot believe that. Anyway, enjoy the cute montage, and remember, Arnie is Mr. Blue collar and Anneliese is Miss Green collar!

Salisbury Steak

A quick and easy dinner that everyone will love.

MEAT MIXTURE
1 pound Lean Ground Beef
1 tsp butter
1/2 small onion diced
1/2 cup Seasoned Breadcrumbs
2 teaspoons Dry Mustard
1 cube Beef Bouillon, Crumbed (or Powdered Beef Base)
4 dashes Worcestershire Sauce
1 Tablespoon Ketchup
Salt And Pepper
Gravy
1 whole Onion, halved or quartered and thinly sliced
2 cups Beef Broth
4 dashes Worcestershire (additional)
1 Tablespoon Ketchup (additional)
1 teaspoon Kitchen Bouquet (optional)
1 teaspoon Corn Starch Mixed With A Little Beef Broth To Make A Thin Paste
Salt And Pepper, to taste
More Broth If Needed For Thinning
Mashed Potatoes, For Serving
Buttered Peas, For Serving
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil, For Frying
1 Tablespoon Butter, For Frying

Preparation Instructions:

Cook onion in 1 tsp butter until soft and translucent. Cool.
Combine all the ingredients for the meat mixture and knead until all combined. Form into 4 to 6 oval patties, then make lines across the patties to give them a “steak” appearance.

Fry in a skillet with oil and butter over medium-high heat on both sides until no longer pink in the middle. Remove from the pan and pour off excess grease.

Reduce the heat to medium and add in the sliced onions. Stir and cook for several minutes, or until golden brown and somewhat soft. Add the beef stock, Worcestershire, and ketchup. Stir and cook to reduce.

OPTIONAL: Add Kitchen Bouquet, which will give the gravy a deeper color and a bit more flavor.

OPTIONAL: Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of the cornstarch/broth mixture to give the gravy a little gloss and to thicken it up a bit without lightening it (as flour would.)

Return the steaks to the gravy. Spoon gravy over the top and let them simmer and heat back up for a couple of minutes.

Serve with mashed potatoes and peas!

Baltimore

AS I watched Baltimore burning, my heart sank. I believe in protesting, but I believe that protests should be civil and lawful. A few years back, in the middle of winter, I actually marched in a protest in our states capital. I was protesting the unlawful imprisonment of a friend.

None of us set fire to cars, or over turned them. No glass was smashed, no fire arms shot off. No buildings burned down. Just about 50 of us that showed up to protest what we felt was unlawful by our state courts.

So yesterday, as I watched the coverage from Baltimore, I watch as a mother tracked down her son and dragged him home! Bravo Mom!!! Not only did I admire her going out to find her son and bring him home, but she would not be put down by the other looters!

I have real admiration for this woman. How many mothers just sat by and allowed their kids to participate, without saying, NO to the illegal expression of their gripes.

Dr. Martin Luther King believed in peaceful protests. He marched singing hymns. He did not loot, burn store fronts or throw molotov cocktails. Peace, prayer and compassion.

I hope Baltimore will quiet down and the people can control their young people. This truly saddens me.

Happy Birthday To Anneliese’s Babies!

Today is the sixth birthday of Anneliese’s only litter of pups. Bogart, Baerbel, Birgit (AKA: Ali) and Baron. Time has flown by! Here is a little video so you can take a walk down memory lane with me, and with their owners!

Happy Birthday Puppies from Dackel Princess Maribeth on Vimeo.

Diagnosis?

Today I go to Dartmouth Hitchcock Hospital and will be getting the results from all the blood work I had. I am a bit nervous, but hopeful at the same time.

I have so much that I am thankful for, and each day I pray that whatever is wrong with me, won’t be too bad, and will be treatable.

I’ll be writing about it all tomorrow. Please keep your fingers crossed and say a little prayer.

Author: Dackel Princess