Dackel Princess

Back On The Wagon

Wednesday found me at my Weight Watcher’s class. During the spring and all the surgeries, I really let my sensible eating plans go by the wayside. I knew i had to do something drastic soon, as the weatherman reminded us this morning that in approximately six weeks we will have our first frost and I have just two pairs of pants that fit. Neither one of them has a zipper.

That alone should tell you that life (and my pants size) have spread out!

But just jumping on the program is not that easy. I found myself fighting with myself today about what to have for lunch. I had no time to go home between class and my hair stylist’s appointment. Should I get a plain salad, a Southwestern salad at McDonald’s or something else?

I finally opted to stop at the grocery store and get some seafood salad. That and a nice iced lite cappuccino, made a good lunch.

Then dinner tonight found me fighting with myself again. I wanted something like spaghetti, but opted for some more noble, like bay scallops, rice and a wonderful stir-fry with my garden vegetables.

But I wanted something more. Sugar. More starch! Sweet anything. And it was a battle.

I know the first week of being on plan is the toughest. Once I get my body back to accepting the low calorie, low fat diet, I know it won’t be so tough. But right now….

Well, it will be worth it in the end right? You know, when I can once again zip up my jeans without pliers!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Share one way you think the world has changed for the better since you were a kid?

Communications. The Internet, cell phones, etc. The fact that I can talk to friends and family daily, makes my world so much better!

2. How ’bout one way it’s changed for the worse?

I think world politics is very bad. I also think that our country is in a depression, even if no one wants to use those words!

3. Starlight, starfish, starling, Starbucks…your favorite ‘star’?

Starfish in a mystical way and Starbucks in a coffee sort of way!

4. Name a song that’s overplayed, but you love it anyway.

Auld Lang Syne

Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind ?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and old lang syne ?

CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we’ll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

5. When did you last have home made ice cream? Your latest favorite flavor?

There is a place close by that makes their own ice cream. I think we were there two weeks ago. It was sooooo good! My new favorite…Rum Raisin!

6. What do you think is the best way to inspire or motivate people?

With a whip! lol! No I think when you can show kids or older people the possibilities then they will want to achieve as well. The other day with Savannah, she was fascinated with everything I was doing, and I encouraged her to watch and try too.

7. When was the last time you were without power?

Oh, a few months back. We’re actually fairly lucky as we are on the same power grid as the Fire Station and the electric company gets them up first after a power loss.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

We’ve been having such odd weather this summer, but one things for sure, along with this weird weather we have had the most awesome sunsets! So here is a sunset taken the other day from my front door!

Mixed Pickles

Because we have so much produce coming out of our garden, we decided to make mixed pickles, which we can use in the winter as a mixed salad. I hope it works well, as we have never done this before!

Mixed Pickles

Ingredients:

1 1/4 pounds 3 to 4-inch cucumbers, cut into 1 -inch slices
2 cups 1-1/2-inch pared carrot slices
2 cups 1-1/2-inch celery slices
Onions 2 Cup
1 sweet red peppers, cut into wide strips
1 sweet green pepper, cut into wide strips
Cauliflowerets 3 Cup
2 hot red peppers, seeded and cut into rings
Canning salt 1 Cup
Water 4 Quart

Sugar 2 Cup
Mustard seed 1/4 Cup
Celery seed 2 Tablespoon
Vinegar 6-1/2 Cup

Directions:

Dissolve salt in cold water.
Pour over prepared vegetables.
Let stand 12 to 18 hours in a cool place.
Drain thoroughly.

Add spices and sugar to vinegar; boil 3 minutes.
Add vegetables; simmer for 5 minutes.
Pack hot into hot jars, leaving 1/4-inch head space.
Remove air bubbles.
Adjust caps.
Process 15 minutes in boiling water bath.

What I Did This Weekend

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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Sunday was a crazy day. I did some more bean freezing, and I also have been looking at ideas for the 6 pounds of pickling cucumbers that I have standing by. I am thinking of making a pickle, cauliflower, carrot, and onion salad that I will, can for the winter.

I also settled in, watched a half a movie here or there, watered the garden and prepared our meals.

Typical, normal, stuff.

Our neighbors came by around four o’clock and we had beer and/or wine on the patio. We sat talking for an hour or so, and it was very nice.

I talked to my Mom for a while today and for the first time ever I felt almost shy with her. I wanted to tell her how I was feeling, but it would only be a burden to her now and it would be wrong. So I just talked about nothing much, and this seemed to make her happy. How do you talk to someone who is slowly leaving your life?

I got a little infection going on the incision line on my nose. Nothing big, but thankfully, I knew what to do. I got it drained and cleaned and it is looking great tonight. All in all, my nose is healing quite nicely!

And how was your weekend?

Beauty, In The Eye Of The Beholder

I worked at the annual Greek Festival yesterday. I watched people come through the baked goods line, and listened as they talked to each other.

I saw young families, old married couples, and single people. I witnessed life. The very basics of this crazy world we live in.

I think the thing that made the biggest impression was how people love. Families coming by me, smiling, asking each other if they wanted this or that, husbands that snuck in a lemon bar or two, and the way these people related to each other

It was love. Everyone was happy today. I suppose it was the splendid weather we had, but in any case, there were no grouchy customers.

I saw several old friends, one family specifically, that made me feel so elated to see them. It had been about two years since I saw them, and it just made my day.

Hubby got his usual lamb shanks for lunch with rice, salad, roll and spanakopita. I decided to get a little of this and a little of that, enjoying the Pastitsio, the stuffed grape leaves, Greek salad, and the spanakopita as well.

I saw faces of love, beautiful faces. They were not Hollywood beautiful, yet these people loved each other, saw the beauty in the face of their loved one.

Suddenly, I felt beautiful too. Despite my scars, I am loved by my family. I am beautiful!

Friday With Savannah!

On Friday I spent the day babysitting Savannah. It’s really the first time that I have had Savannah for this amount of time, and did I have fun.

We played on the floor, we danced to music, we read books and I made her lunch and then she fell asleep in my arms.

That was the most special part of the day! Feeling that sweet, perfect, little body fall asleep in my arms.

Savannah is really a delight.

She is happy, and has such an even temperament. For instance, she has a little cold right now, but you would never would have known it by the way she was acting.

It was the best day and one I want to remember always, so I can tell her stories about it in the future.

Happy 10th Birthday, Fritz!

Today is Fritz’s tenth birthday! My how the years have flown by! We have said this before, we have had wonderful White Shepherds, but Fritz is in a league of his own! He is quite simply the best White Shepherd we have ever had!

He is gentle and kind with all that he meets, he loves the dackels and is their body guard.

Most of all, he loves his Daddy beyond words! Following him everywhere that he goes.

If I call him, he comes, and is always happily wagging his tail! He loves me and I adore him too!

So Happy Tenth Birthday, Fritz, Darling!!!

Sauteed Shrimp and Tomatoes Over Pasta

Ingredients

1 lb. medium shrimp, peeled and deveined (tails removed)
pinch of salt and ground pepper
1 small white onion, chopped finely
6 teaspoons olive oil
1 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 can (7 oz.) diced tomatoes, in juice
1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
200 grams pasta of your choice (I used plain spahetti this time)
a dash of dried basil leaves
parsley leaves for garnish (optional)

Cooking Instructions

Season shrimp with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat 3 teaspoons oil over high. Add shrimp; cook until opaque throughout, turning occasionally, 3 minutes. Transfer to a bowl; set aside.
Make sauce: To the same skillet, add remaining 3 teaspoons oil and chopped onions; cook over medium heat until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add canned tomatoes and their juice, along with a cup of water; bring to a boil. Stir in dried basil leaves and garlic powder. Reduce heat; simmer, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes have softened and are saucy, about 15 minutes. Remove sauce from heat; stir in cherry tomatoes.
Meanwhile, in a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain; return pasta to pot. Add tomato sauce, shrimp, and basil; season with salt and pepper, and toss. Serve immediately, garnish with parsley leaves, if desired.
If sauce seems too thin, use a tsp. of tomato paste to thicken.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. July 24th is Amelia Earhart Day. Earhart was the first female to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. What’s something you’ve recently accomplished solo?

I drove all the way down to Cape Cod alone (not so bad) but when returning alone, I was hit with vicious weather, which required me to stop twice to allow the rain to pass. I left the Cape around 9 AM and didn’t pull in at home until nearly 4. Tonight I’m feeling pretty tired, but VERY happy!

2. What’s one product you use that never ever fails?

Oxyclean Washing Booster! It really works! Even on set in stains!!!

3. Have you found your place in the world? Where is it?

I think I have. It isn’t necessarily a physical place, but a place in my mind and in my heart. I know who I am, who I love and value, and what life is all about.

4. Worst movie you ever saw?

Oh boy, that’s tough. I’ve gone to movies and walked out. One movie was critically acclaimed, but I did not like it at all! There have also been movies that I will just not go to because I’m not into them. (PS: I don’t want to say what the movie I least like is, as it may be someone’s favorite, and I would not want to hurt anyone’s feelings.)

5. What’s the last fun thing you did?

I went to Cape Cod to attend my cousin’s spur of the moment Beach Wedding! We met on the beach at 7:45 (moonrise). Janet and Dave said their vows, I recited the Apache Wedding Poem, and we all celebrated.

It was a small wedding, but it was perfect! Intimate, full of love and very, very, happy.

6. The month of July is named for Roman Emperor Julius Caesar…ever been to Rome? What’s your favorite Italian dish?

Never been to Rome, but love Italian food. I love Eggplant Parmesan, so that’s it, my favorite Italian dish!

7. What is one piece of advice you’d offer new mom Kate Middleton?

Enjoy every single day of your child’s life. Their childhood will fly by. So, hold your baby, rock your baby, and breathe in all the happiness he brings to your heart and your life!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

It was funny to go back to the Cape (Cape Cod). I grew up there, and there is something about the smell of the marshes and the ocean, that bring me right back to my childhood. I found myself closing my eyes and inhaling deeply!

I also had a Portuguese Sweet Muffin! There is nothing like it anywhere. As a child, Gene’s Bakery was owned by a nice Portuguese family and their breads, rolls and muffins were awesome!

Dave, Me, and Michelle. The Bride took the picture!

Happy Birthday, Melodie

Today is my sister, Melodie’s Sixtieth Birthday. She’s always been a very important person in my life, as well as my dearest sister!

It’s been both a tough and joyous year for her, with the illness of our mother, but she also has the greatest joy of the birth of her twin grandsons, Nolan and Gabriel.

I wish for you a Happy Birthday, today, Mel and a wonderful year ahead!

Happy Birthday, Melodie!!! from Dackel Princess Maribeth on Vimeo.