A good friend of mine in Australia, Keith has passed away. I have known him since 1995. We were both dachshund lovers!
We traveled with Keith and his wife, Jill and they visited our home twice.
Jill & Keith
I’ll miss his crazy sense of humor and talking to him on the phone. He always seemed to be making us laugh.
Rest well, dear Keith!
After my shower today I noticed that my scar is fading and I am actually starting to look like myself. Look at the picture from March, when I was operated on.
After six weeks they cut the flap and I looked even more hideous, at least in my opinion.
And then I got smart and went to Dr. P. in Boston. This was after my first operation with him.
The second surgery with Dr. P.
The third surgery will be in November, but today when I looked at myself I just couldn’t believe how good the scars look! I simply love my Aussie Doctor, Dr. P.
Hubby slept until nearly 10:30 this morning, so I decided to make a brunch. I made fresh blueberry muffins, yogurt with cherries, coffee, bacon and eggs, orange juice and fresh sliced pears, from our trees. It was a good filling meal.
Just as we finished (and we were still in our pajamas), the phone rang and it was the propane man looking for our house. We get propane delivered twice a year and today was one of the days.
While Hubby guided him in on the phone, I grabbed my jeans, and shirt and shoes and raced outside to show him where to park.
Greta and Arnie slipped by me, causing my heart to stop, as I worried about their safety, but I quickly got them into our Jeep, while the truck backed up.
Then we showed the propane man where the tank was. He was a nice young man, and liked dogs. Good thing, as there are so many here!
The rest of the day was sort of strange. I did some house work, watched a little TV and at one point nearly fell asleep.
This afternoon we started to think about going on a trip. A trip where we could both just kick back and relax. However, from now until the end of the year we both have medical things happening, so a vacation is not in the cards for us.
Oh well, maybe next spring before the trees start to bloom.
Friday was Dackel Shower Day! I got all three in with me and we all soaped up, rinsed off and then dried off. Last night in bed I was cuddled off to all three of then and I could smell “dogginess”. So I know that no matter what I did, Friday would be bath day for them.
Our shower is actually perfect for it. It’s a large walk in with a corner seat. So I got in with them and one by one, they got done.
Hubby was waiting out in the bathroom with towels and he took them as I got them done. He fluffed and dried and then closed them out of our bedroom.
It didn’t take long, and soon they were all fluffy and smelling sweet. Tomorrow we will strip their coats and get them looking like proper wire haired dackels once again.
I didn’t feel like cooking too much, and I did have a lot of left overs, so one by one I put them into a pot and for dinner we had beef stew.
Savannah has discovered the joys of painting! Mandy sent me two pictures today showing me how Savannah paints. They cracked me up! But I was also amazed at how fast her hair is growing!
She is a real talent! Yes?
I’ll be going down next week to see her and Mandy. Oh, how I have missed them. Last year, I went every other week to see them, but this year it has been very tough.
Our apple trees are heavy with beautiful red fruit right now. Looking out the windows I am reminded of their goodness and I sit thinking of ways I can use a freshly picked apple or two. So, today I had Hubby bring me in 7 apples and I made Apple Crisp. Imagine walking outside, picking your own apples and then cooking them up right away!
Here is the recipe:
Apple Crisp
7-8 large baking apples (Macintosh or Cortland)
½ cup butter cut into tiny pieces
½ cup oats
½ cup flour
½ cup brown sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
¼ tsp. nutmeg
¼ tsp. ground cloves
Peel and cut apples into large size slices. Place in a greased deep casserole dish. In a separate bowl mix butter, flour and oats into a crumble like mixture. Add sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves and mix well.
Mixture should be crumb like. Spread evenly over the top of the apples allowing some of the mixture to settle into the apples.
Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for about 45-60 minutes or until you see bubbles coming up from the apples. (for the last 15 minutes I covered the dish which helped to cook the apples.) The butter will melt and the crumb mixture should be nice and brown on the top. Cool slightly, serve warm with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream….
I ran into a woman I know casually, who is getting her very first dog the first of November. She is so excited to have a best furry friend.
She began to tell me about how she had already selected a puppy from a breeder because she could tell that they were soul mates.
The pup is five weeks old now.
I listened for a bit and then she asked, “You were a breeder, right? Any suggestions?”
That’s when I sat her down and started bringing her back to reality. I told her that yes, the puppy is adorable and cute, but will require a lot of work and training during the first year of her little life.
1. The USA will mark Columbus Day this year on Monday, October 14th. What’s something you need or want to explore (literally or metaphorically speaking)?
I need to explore learning to relax. Perhaps meditate. I get quite nervous and wound up and need to learn to let it go!
2. The Wicked Witch of the West from The Wizard of Oz, Ursula from The Little Mermaid, or Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty…who do you most love to hate?
The Wicked Witch of the West. I do a mean imitation of her!
3. Is open-mindedness a virtue?
Yes. I think so many people are very closed minded. Look at the mess in Washington. No one is willing to actually sit down and talk. Both Republicans and Democrats. Shameful! I think they should all be voted out!
4. How often do you weigh yourself?
Too often. I’m afraid this year I have gained weight. I have all sorts of excuses, but the fact is, I keep weighing in, hoping I have lost some weight. I’m afraid I need to really get off my chair, really watch my diet and then things will come together.
5. This question comes to you courtesy of Rebecca over at Making Memories, so thanks Rebecca!
Costa Rica was recently named the happiest country in the world on the Happy Planet Index. What’s the happiest country in the world to you, and what makes it so?
That is so weird, I have always heard that Denmark was. I do not know really. I love Bermuda and the people seem so nice there. Having been to Costa Rica, I cannot agree that it is the happiness place, as there i so much suffering, poverty and illness.
6. Besides The Bible, what is one book you think should be mandatory reading for high school students? Why?
War and Peace. It is by the Russian author Leo Tolstoy, and first published in 1869. The work is epic in scale and is regarded as one of the most important works of world literature.
7. I went shopping at some nearby outlets last week, and while I was there, I picked up a couple of Christmas gifts. How about you? Have you started your holiday shopping yet?
Yes I have. Just a few little things.
8. Insert your own random thought here.
I’m actually “good” tired tonight. I had my own Plastic Surgeon’s appointment on Monday, which required me getting up very early. Then today Hubby had a test that required me to go with him and drive home after. Another early morning get up. Here I sit at 6:30 in the evening and I feel like I could fall asleep! But it’s good, because I accomplished something and was productive!
I saw the Plastic Surgeon on Monday. Let me tell you about my day, as it was rather bizarre from the time I woke up, right up until the day ended.
First, I never set my alarm clock, because my own internal clock is far more accurate as any clock in my house. But for whatever reason, I decided to set it last night. I’ve been so tired with this cold that I thought it was prudent.
You guessed it. The alarm literally sounded and woke me up out of a dead sleep! I jumped up, took a quick shower, made some coffee and off I drove toward my cousin’s house.
I called my sister, and while I was talking to her I saw a beautiful Doe near the highway’s edge. She was blowing her hair dry but I yelled “No Bambi! Turn away from the traffic and run, little Bambi, run!”
Fortunately, I did not see if Bambi did or didn’t and that is just fine for me. I think I would rather not know.
A little further down, a fender bender accident. I couldn’t help but think that that would be a really crappy way to start ones day.
As I entered the Everett Turnpike, I noticed a van coming down an on ramp going a little too fast, and you guessed it, he rolled the van off the road and over a time or two into a ditch.
Needless to say I was getting a little spooked by all the accidents. However, I simply kept going and was very careful as I drove.
I picked up Janet and she drove the rest of the way into Boston. We saw two more accidents, and a major detour because they had dug up the road. Oh yes, and there was the tropical like rain storm that we had too!
I saw the doctor and will have more surgery on November 11th and really the doctors appointment only lasted about 15 minutes.
Then we headed back to her place, stopping at a 5 Guys Burger and Fries for lunch.
We also started to see more wildlife. Turkeys! I am talking really big birds! Between her house and mine I think I saw at least a dozen.
Finally when I pulled into my home at 4 PM, there were the best beasts of all! My four fury friends!
Ah yes, it is so good to come home!
Our host is Gattina. Come join us and tell us what YOU did this past weekend! After all, you never know when you will need an alibi!
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This past weekend found me finally rallying against my bronchitis and pneumonia, and cough. I’m still feeling tired, but I think it is from lack of movement over the last three weeks. Over the next week I want to take walks around my neighborhood and start eating normal meals again.
The apple pie I mentioned on Sunday, actually came out pretty well.
I have decided I do need to find a nice crust recipe, but the filling was perfect!
I actually cooked a wonderful roast beef, with roasted potatoes and carrot casserole you can find the Carrot Casserole recipe HERE. It is a tasty recipe and very easy!
Today I am off to Boston with my cousin, Janet to go and see my Plastic Surgeon. He needs to look at the last few places on my face to be tweaked.
Ahhhh, it feels so good to be well again!
Have A Good Monday!
I was challenged today. First I had promised Hubby an apple pie, thinking I had two pre-made crusts in the other fridge. However, when I opened them, they appeared to be bad. I don’t know for sure, but they certainly smelled funny.
Since I didn’t want to go to the grocery store, I got out my Crisco shortening, flour and ice water, and started to work on making a pie crust. Do you know how long it has been since I have made a pie crust?
No, me either, so you can see, I was really challenged!
Note to self: find a good pie crust recipe.
Carefully I followed the recipe and then rolled it out. I put the bottom one in the pie pan, filled it with the seasoned apples, and then put the top crust on. Well, it looked okay, but…
The next thing to challenged me was Arnie. Or should I say, Arnie and Hubby. Mr. Arnie wanted to go out to do his business, but it was almost train time. I wanted to walk him on the leash, but Hubby hollered at me to let him go. So, I did let him go, but I walked outside with him.
The next thing I knew Arnie ran up the hill, (away from the train tracks) sniffed hard and before I could get to him, he had rolled in some smelly, sticky, deer poop!!!
I clicked the leash on him, dragged him into the house and into the bath tub! Where he promptly had a full bath!
Then I told Hubby that I wanted to have leftovers for dinner. Simple, easy, leftovers. Nope, he wanted spaghetti! So I went down to the freezer, got out a container and thawed it out. Challenge number three!
My cough came back again tonight and Hubby isn’t really thrilled with that either. His comment was, “Don’t you have any cough syrup?” made me feel a little bad. So, I’m sucking down cough drops trying to stifle my cough! I know that feeling. When he is coughing at night disturbing my sleep I get annoyed. So, I can’t say I blame him for feeling this way.
At least of all my challenges, the apple pie turned out okay. Not my favorite crust, but certainly not the worst I have had either.
Yes, some days are more challenging than others!