Dackel Princess

Readers!

Every morning I get up and check my computer for updates on the Blogs I love to read. For 5 years I have been using Bloglines. That was, until today!

I’ve been a fan of Bloglines for many years. I like the way things are laid out, and I felt comfortable using it. I even tried to overlook the fact that about twice a month they get totally messed up and I do not get any of my feeds. Then I recently found out that people using Bloglines don’t get my feeds at all! How did I find this out? I subscribed to my own feeds and didn’t get them!

I had Google Reader, but not with a current listing of the Blogs that I like to read. So, I went through all the export/import stuff this morning and have moved everything onto Google Reader. It’s not my favorite reader, but I just want to know when you all are updating your Blogs!

Sheesh, is that too much to ask for?

Well, I won’t delete my Bloglines account, I’ll keep it for now as a back up, but I may need emotional support to keep from going back to it. I know that switching to Google Reader will be good for me in the long run, more reading and less frustration, but I am not a woman who makes changes easily.

What Reader do you use and why?

Shubi

It’s been four years since my Shubi passed away. I was trying to get through the day without allowing myself to wallow, but Shubi was the dog of my heart and my soul and losing her was such a sad time for me. It feels like she just left me the other day.

We got Shubi in Landshut, Germany when she was just about 3 months old. We brought her home and she took over our old White German Shepherd, Max as well as our household.

She was always by my side, loving me, encouraging me and making me laugh. Ten years was not enough, it should have been twenty that we had her with us, and even then, it would not have been long enough.

Shubi is the reason I came to love wire-haired dachshunds. She is the reason I bought Greta and began to breed pups all those years ago. Everyone should have a dog like Shubi at least once in their lives.

Shubi

December 1, 1995-February 18, 2006

FOUR FEET

I have done mostly what men do,
And pushed it out of my mind;
But I can’t forget, if I wanted to,
Four-Feet trotting behind.

Day after day, the whole day through–
Wherever my road inclined–
Four-Feet said, ‘I am coming with you!’
And trotted along behind.

Now I must go by some other round–
Which I shall never find–
Some where that does not carry the sound
Of Four-Feet trotting behind.

— Rudyard Kipling —

Snow & Batteries

We had about 5 inches of snow overnight on Tuesday. Hubby was wonderful and cleared the drive so I could get out to Weight Watchers. I hate to miss a meeting. After the meeting I went out, got into my car and…nothing. Dead battery! Thankfully I had my cell phone and my AAA card. So I called the auto club, and within a few short minutes the mechanic arrived and started the Jeep. He told me not to shut it down for a bit, so the battery would naturally charge.

So I drove home, grabbed some things to mail, and then went to the Post Office and the Library before returning home. I’d tested the battery by shutting the car off and then attempting to turn it on, and found that although it was turning slowly, I could start the car.

Later on Hubby determined that one cell in the battery is most likely dead and we will need a new battery for the Jeep.

Anneliese loved the snow and I snapped a couple of pictures of her.

I’m not sure who is cuter in the snow. Kids or dogs? Perhaps they are both adorable! I know I just love to watch Anneliese, Arnie and Fritz play in the white stuff. It makes me smile and laugh. Greta, of course, feels that she is too old and too dignified for that sort of play.

Have a good day everyone!

Wally

Wally, Greta’s son from this last litter passed away today. We were so saddened to hear of this. I sat down looking at his baby pictures and put together this montage. Rest well in God’s arms, dear Wally! You were greatly loved and will be sorely missed.

Macaroni & Cheese

Here is the recipe I made the other day for my cousin Janet. If you would like to see pictures of our Valentine’s day meal you can go HERE and see Janet’s wonderful pictures! I added in more macaroni than the recipe called for, which was a mistake, I think it would have been a tad creamier if I had just used 9-12 ounces of pasta.

Choose a medium-sized pasta with grooves, twists and/or curves that will hold a maximum of the cheese sauce. I used shells. You can skip the onion/bay leaf/peppercorn infusion for the béchamel sauce to save time; it adds a subtle layer of savory flavor to the dish.

* 2 ½ c (9 ounces) dry pasta
* 2 ½ c whole milk
* 2 slices onion
* 12 peppercorns
* 2-3 bay leaves
* 4 T unsalted butter
* ¼ c all-purpose flour
* Salt and freshly ground black pepper
* 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated (about 2 ½ cups)
* 3 oz fontina cheese, freshly grated (about 1 cup)
* 3 oz Emmenthal cheese, freshly grated (about 1 cup)
* ½ c fresh bread crumbs

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Generously butter a 2-quart baking dish.

2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Stir in the pasta and boil until it is about half-cooked, tender on the surface with a distinct bite still in the center, about 5 minutes. Drain well, rinse with cold water and set aside, tossing from time to time as it cools to avoid sticking.

3. Put the milk in a small saucepan with the onion slices, bay leaves and peppercorns. Bring just to a low boil over medium heat, then take the pan from the heat and let sit to infuse for 10 to 15 minutes. (If skipping the aromatics, simply warm the milk.)

4. Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook, whisking constantly, until it foams up and has a very slight toasty smell (do not let it brown), 1 to 2 minutes. Strain the warm milk into the pan and whisk to blend. Continue to cook the sauce, whisking often, until it thickens, about 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and gradually whisk in the cheeses until fully melted. You may need to put it under a low heat for a moment or two to melt the cheese. Season the sauce to taste with salt and pepper, then add the pasta and stir to fully coat all the pasta with the cheese sauce.

5. Pour the mixture into the prepared dish and sprinkle the bread crumbs evenly over. Set the dish on the oven rack and lay a piece of foil on the rack below to catch any drips. Bake until the macaroni and cheese is bubbling hot and the top is nicely browned, about 40 minutes. Let sit for about 15 minutes before serving.

Valentines Day Love

Sunday was a wild day. I had planned a Valentine’s luncheon with my Hubby, my cousin Janet, and our friend Michele. We dined on Lobster, broccoli and homemade macaroni and cheese. You should have seen me in the kitchen this morning! I made a white sauce, and then added the three cheeses, whisking constantly to make the sauce for the macaroni! I felt like Julia Child! I had Hubby taste the sauce and he pronounced it totally unlike boxed Mac & Cheese, so I knew I had scored, as he really hates that!

I knew there would be a lot of dishes later on, so I actually did two sink-fulls of cooking dishes, as I had almost used every pot in the house to make this delicacy! Then I set the table, and all during this time I was letting dogs in and out and walking Bogey too.

Janet and Michele arrived and we sat down to our feast! It just doesn’t get any better than Lobster! The conversation was great and we joked and laughed and had a super time. At the end of the meal, Michele brought out her contribution…the most wonderful cupcakes ever!

Bogey’s parent’s arrived shortly afterward, just missing out on the cupcakes! They were so happy to see Bogey and he was sooooo happy to see them too! They came in and told us all about their trip, which included some truly amazing experiences along the Costa Rica coastline and through the Panama Canal!

Best of all they remembered that I love the Costa Rican coffee and they brought me two bags full! They also brought us the best, smoothest Rum that Hubby and I have ever sipped. This is not the sort of thing you want to mix with coca cola. It is a premier Rum that is best for sipping like a liquor!

Soon they scooped up Bogey, and all his stuff and then off they went. Janet and Michele stayed a little bit longer and then, they too departed.

After everyone had gone, Greta, Arnie, Anneliese and Fritz all settled down, and Hubby and I sat down in our chairs and the house was quiet! It was in that moment that I realized just how tired I was.

However, it was a great day all around and I realized that what the Beatles sang in one of my favorite songs, was so true….

“and in the end, the love you take, is equal to the love….you make”

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Today we celebrate love. I have so many people in this world that I love, as well as my furry creatures, so I put together a montage of some of my favorite picture, of some of my favorite people & pets. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did putting it all together.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Valentines Day 2010 from Dackel Princess Maribeth on Vimeo.

Friday Happenings in New Hampshire!

I was up really early today. After a restless night sleep, the dogs woke me and I found myself outside in 15 degree temperatures at 6 AM. Somehow it didn’t seem so bad. I was awake, so why not.

Hubby went skiing for the fourth day in the row. This left me here alone with the dogs, and with many errands to do. So about 10:30 Bogey and I got in the Jeep and off we went to pick up the dry cleaning, and go to the bank. Lucky Bogey got a bone at the bank, and unfortunately my dry cleaning wasn’t ready, so that was a big waste of time.

We hit the Post office and my new bathing suit arrived from Lands End. It’s sky blue, and was dirt cheap as it was last years model. I got three pieces for $20.00! It looks pretty good on me, and will look even better when I get back to my goal weight.

Hubby arrived home in time for lunch and I served him homemade chili and fresh from the oven corn bread, also homemade! Yeah, I spoil him, just a little!

At three, I slipped out to the dry cleaners and picked it all up. Well, everything but my blouse which still isn’t repaired. It needs a new zipper and apparently has a weird size one. So next week it will be back.

We had the pups out again today playing. Boy, do they have fun together! They run and run and play and it is a wonderful thing.

Mother and Son Playing from Dackel Princess Maribeth on Vimeo.

Today I can tell you that Greta, Arnie and Anneliese all played with the young boy, Bogey! Even Fritz payed attention to him and even chased him around a bit.

We have today to enjoy Bogey, as his parents come home on Sunday and will whisk him away. I think we will all miss the little guy!

Anneliese & Bogey

We had the dogs out for a play session in the back yard. Oh, does Bogey love to run and play with his Mommy, Anneliese! He is fast and so is she. They love to romp outside chasing each other, or catching their toy balls, but most of all Bogey loves to chase a blowing leaf! In fact he sits by our sliding glass doors and watches everything outside. If he gets bored there, he goes and sits up on the back of the sofa so he can watch outside the front of the house.

I think it is safe to say that while Bogey’s Mommy and Daddy were on vacation, so was he! I’ve loved having him here, and it is so much better than a kennel. He can come any time he wants for a few days with us!

Today I noticed him sleeping in the puppy bed that he had once shared with his brothers and sisters. Here he is with his brother Baron and sister, Baerbel when they were about 8 weeks old.

Here he is today, all by himself. He now fills the bed!

We had more playing before Bogey and Anneliese settled down together on the sofa. It’s really been a beautiful thing, watching mother and son bond again.

Just a few more days now until his Mom & Dad come home and pick him up. I think we are going to miss this little guy!

Home

You know it really is wonderful. After a few little skirmishes (minor, really), the crew has settled in and every one is getting along. For a while Fritz was afraid of the little guy, but this morning I found them this close together.

In fact, Fritz really calmed down and actually likes Bogey. He lies down with him and while Bogey sleeps, Fritz chew on his bones and watches over him.

The other little rivalry has been between Arnie and Bogey. Not that Bogey has felt this, but Arnie sure has. I have been spending time each night snuggling with my little man and assuring him that he is still my one and only!

Then today Arnie started to play with Bogey! I was shocked! They ran in the field together, and played in the house afterward. I even got this picture of them in front of the fire that I got going today!

They look so comfortable together that I finally felt at ease.

So if Bogey’s parents check the blog, worry not! He is happy and healthy and having a good time with the rest of his birth family.

***************

PS: Hubby did the most romantic thing this morning. When the dogs got up this morning, Hubby got up with them and let me stay in bed!!! Now that is real love and the most romantic thing a man can do for his wife!

LOL!!!