Author: Dackel Princess

Today’s Thursday Thirteen are my current favorite TV shows. I used to be a real TV addict, but find that TV isn’t as good as it once was, so I watch a lot of cooking shows.

Okay, so here we go with my latest favorites shows on TV.

1. NCIS. I love the entire cast. They all work so well playing off of each other and this show has been consistently good!
   



2. The Big Bang Theory. This is another great ensemble cast. I think the appeal is that almost everyone I know has felt awkward at one time or another. These guys are likable in their awkwardness!
   



3. “From Lark Rise to Candleford“. Y’all know how much I love that one!
   



4. Mike and Molly. It’s a new show on CBS and it’s got to be one of the sweetest, truest little love stories out there. Love the crazy Swoozie Kurtz as the Mama. She is hysterical!
   



5. What Not To Wear. Yes, I am still a devotee of the series. I am constantly amazed at the transformations and I love Ted Gibson. He is a fabulous hair stylist!
   



6. The Middle. A show about an ordinary family, in the middle of the country where almost nothing goes as it should. Patricia Heaton is great as the Mom, who struggles and just cannot seem to make it all come together.
   



7. Desperate Housewives. I’m not quite the devotee I was in their early years, but I do still watch occasionally.
   



8. Regis and Kelly! What will I do when I can’t start my day with Reeg? Their variety/talk show is just the right blend of lightness to start the day with.
   



9. Kathie Lee & Hoda! Another great pairing in the morning. It’s like sitting down with my girlfriends and having a good laugh!
   



10. All My Children. I’ve been watching the goings on in Pine Valley since I was in High School. I sure would miss it if my favorite Soap Opera got canceled.
    



11. The Mentalist. A cute, and quirky escape. I love the characters and the writing is very good. Simon Baker is terrific. I had no idea he was an Australian!
    



12. Rules of Engagement. Another situation comedy that makes me laugh. I think I’m looking for laughter lately because the world is so full of depressing things.
    



13. Almost any show about travel. Most especially about Alaska, Australia or Asia. I have seen some of Alaska, but I so want to go back for more of a naturalist adventure! Australia and Asia are on my Bucket List. So Travel Shows are right up there on my list!
    



What are you watching?

Hubby and I woke to the sound of rain falling outside. We both looked at the clock, and saw that all four dogs had allowed us to sleep well past 8 o’clock! I think the reason they did, is because they had no intention of going out into the rain. We enjoyed the extra sleep, but then got up to start our day.

Actually, I enjoyed the lazy morning, and cooked a nice breakfast and lunch before preparing to go to my appointment for a mammogram.

However, between breakfast and lunch the weather took a turn here, that was a bit of a surprise. We had rain in the morning and then it began to snow!

Hubby offered to drive me to my appointment, but I said, no as I did not anticipate any problems. There were none going down, but coming home, the temperatures had dropped even further, the wind had increased and I was 3/4 of the way home when I lost control of the Jeep and skidded across the other lane of traffic and into a large snow bank!

I hate black ice!

I cannot tell you how scary it was to see the snow bank coming toward me so quickly. It brought back so many terrible memories, and then it stopped. Almost like in “The Wizard of Oz” when the house landed after being caught up in the tornado.

Immediately three men stopped and provided their help. One man had a large truck with chains, and two young men pushed and the three of them got my Jeep out of the snowbank. The man with the truck followed me home to make sure I got here okay, and then headed off with a wave.

It was above and beyond neighborly!

Hubby had come out to rescue me, but he saw me driving home and followed me. He got a fire started in the hearth and handed me a brandy to sip.

And he hugged me and let me know he was happy I was okay.

So tonight I am feeling totally wiped out and still very emotional. I think I need a good night sleep and perhaps a little distance from the event.

Friday Fill-Ins are sponsored by my cousin, Janet. Come on and join the fun!

And…here we go!

1. Bring your favorite dish and we’ll have a potluck supper.

2. I’ve been making reservations for Hubby’s College Reunion. I found a wonderful old Inn to stay at, where breakfast, bed and taxes are included in the price.

3. I am exactly where I should be. Home with Hubby and the puppers.

4. Well, you see, it all started this morning when I got out of bed and fell over a dog. After that the only place to go was up.

5. The snow will melt, the flowers will bloom and Spring will come soon!

6. But what if the snow hasn’t melted by the time I need to plant my garden!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to settling in and relaxing after having had the three dackels to the Vet for their yearly shots, tomorrow my plans include the usual weekend cleaning and then watching “From Larkrise to Candleford” and Sunday, I want to Make a big pot of coffee, read the Sunday newspaper, and maybe watch an old movie in the evening!

This week’s theme for me, are things that make me feel peaceful. I think it’s important to remind ourselves to do the things that make us feel at peace within our souls. So, here are some of mine.

1. Sit down and have a nice cup of hot tea. No matter the time of year, for me, a cup of hot tea means peace.
2. Sing. Most of you will never hear me, because I really don’t like to sing in public, but when I am stressed I will turn the TV off, turn my play-lists on and sing at the top of my lungs.
3. Cook. This is probably the most dangerous outlet for me, because when I cook I eat! Eeek! However, cooking a big sumptuous meal, brings a peace to my soul, like almost nothing else.
4. Although I am almost loath to admit, going for a walk does help, but the walk has to be either with one dog or alone, as any more than one dog makes the walk very stressful for me, because I worry about my little friends.
5. Chocolate. Oh yeah. Is there any better way to feel peaceful than with some fine dark chocolate?
6. The smell of the ocean. It had been a long time since I had been to the ocean, and when I went out to York, Maine with my girl friend, Gail, we stepped out of the car at the Yacht Club and I smelled the air! It brought back memories of my childhood spent on the beaches of Cape Cod, where I grew up.
7. A muffled sleepy bark. I know that this will sound funny to people who have never slept with their dog, but there is a sound a dog will make when they are sound asleep and dreaming. It’s such a sweet sound and makes me sigh.
8. A fire in my hearth. Warm, and bright and snapping from the dried wood. Usually there is a sleeping dog lying in front and the overall glow just mellows me out.
9. A hot bath. This is another real luxury. I will fill up our tub, sometimes have a glass of wine, and lie there and breathe.
10. My cell phone. I know that will make people laugh, but being able to talk to my friends on the Verizon network for free, and then using my minutes to call those who don’t have cell phones (I know! Imagine that there are people who don’t have them!), to call and visit. What a great world.
11. Pictures. I love looking at pictures and remembering. Beautiful faces, sunny places, light the corners of my mind and soul.
12. A hug and kiss from my daughter. A visit with her and a talk. Now that she is all grown up, I enjoy times when we can just be around each other.
13. Hubby. Yeah, all he needs to do it sit in his chair, or touch my hand, or snore in bed. His presence in my life brings such peace.