Dackel Princess

Anita Plays

I wanted to take a video of the pups and the only one cooperating was Anita. She put on her own little show.

So now, for your viewing pleasure, Anita!

Photo and video editing at onetruemedia.com

1. Friday, I kicked off my Christmas celebrations watching “A Christmas Story” with Hubby and Emily. Since Emily hadn’t seen it, it was really fun to watch it with her.
2. I then proceeded to watch “The Santa Claus” (first one), “Rudolph The Rednose Reindeer”, and “Miracle on 34th Street” while I wrapped, cooked and wrote letters.
3. Saturday, my cousin Janet came up and we watched “Scrooged” with Bill Murray (first time I’d seen it and I really liked it. then I put together a sort of appetizer’s delight of meatballs, artichoke dip (see recipe below), stuffed grape leaves and my own potato salad. I’d give you a recipe for that if I could, but it’s mostly a little bit of this and a little bit of that and then it’s done.
4. Janet and I made her Mom’s recipe for Sand Tart cookies. What was sort of funny about this was that when she sprinkled the colored sugar on them I kept almost seeing writing. Janet said, “Some people use Ouija boards, our family uses Christmas cookies.” But I never could read what was written on the cookies, still I know that they were speaking to me! Then we watched “Pirates of the Caribbean, Dead Man’s Chest”. I love Orlando Bloom and Janet loves Johnny Depp so we can watch these sorts of movies without feelings of competition! LOL
5. Sunday we had a big breakfast, exchanged Christmas gifts, I got an awesome Beatles CD and a Lennox Christmas tree ornament, and Hubby got a bottle of Glenfiddich Scotch!
6. Then we took puppy pictures.

7. Sunday afternoon, I prepared for evening guests. We were going to serve Fondue, so I got everything out for that, plus I made a pumpkin pie for Christmas day.
8. Emily and her family came over for dinner Christmas Eve. We ate like crazy, talked and, of course, played with the puppies!
9. Christmas Day I made an Herb Crusted Rib Roast (see recipe below). That was so good. I also watched “Little Women” “The Horse Whisperer” , “It’s A Wonderful Life” and “The Bishop’s Wife” with Cary Grant.
10. The next day my daughter Mandy came up and we had our Christmas. We ate a ton of food, exchanged gifts and played with the puppies! What fun.
11. We also took a bunch of pictures of the puppies too!

12. I set up the two Christmas statuary that Mandy gave me. Snowmen that sing “Let it Snow”, and my church scene with two skaters that play a montage of Christmas tunes. (I adore this!)
13. I end the list of Christmas Happenings with the purchase of my Christmas cards for next year. I did this today when they were 60% off. I love to send cards, and unfortunately in this day and age it’s becoming pretty expensive. So, by buying them now I can continue to send them to all the people that I love.

Merry Christmas!

The Day After Christmas

The day dawn with a fresh dusting of heavy slushy snow. Poor Hubby was dispatched to clear the drive, while I prepared the house for my daughter’s visit. I was so excited about it and I could hardly wait to show her the puppies. Today their little eyes opened wide for the very first time. Little Anya, picked her head up and looked me square in the eye, and I had to laugh, as she looks so much like Greta when she does this.

I finished getting packages wrapped and lunch ready, when Mandy arrived. We all sat down for Fondue and then we opened presents. I got so many wonderful things from a dachshunds calendar, to a couple of new turtlenecks, to a singing snowman set, to an electric lighted church with skaters out in front. It plays a series of Christmas carols in a beautiful music box fashion.

I love this and I can see it becoming the centerpiece of my Christmas decorations for many years to come! Mandy also made me the most awesome gift basket with Christmas tree ornaments, stocking holders, The singing Snowmen and potpourri.

After we finished opening gifts, we played with the puppies! Mandy really fell for them and if I turned around and I couldn’t find her, all I had to do was look and she was in with the pups!

The puppies really love to be held, and now that their eyes are open they are so interested in who has them. Of course they are still small so their awake time isn’t too long and then they are back asleep.

Our dinner meal was fresh Maine Lobster, corn on the cob and boiled potatoes, with a Yule Log for dessert. Yum!

The day ended all too soon, and Mandy packed up her car, and hit the road. What a great day. I really enjoyed having her here and look forward to her coming back.

Another Christmas is Past…..

I hope everyone had a great, happy and healthy Christmas. I hope your food was good, the presents great and the company you celebrated with even better!

It was just Hubby and me with our pups today and this was nice. Quiet and calm. I made a recipe for herb crusted prime rib of beef, with twice baked potatoes, butternut squash and boiled onions. I am waiting for that to digest before I attempt to eat dessert.

Meanwhile, I must tell you all about my favorite gift. My dearest friend Uschi, sent me a book from Germany. It is by my favorite artist Martin Blank. He draws pictures and write books about wire-haired dachshunds. His drawings make me think of my Greta and of course my old girl, Shubi.

If you have a chance, go on over and take a look at his web page. It is in German, but click around and you will see some of the best drawings and I know they will tickle your heart!

The day is dying now, as the sun sets and the temperatures drop. I think it’s time for Hubby to lay a fire in the hearth and get ready for that New England Pumpkin Pie.

Herb-Crusted Standing Rib Roast

1 (4 1/2-pound) standing rib roast, trimmed
Cooking spray
1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns, cracked
2 teaspoons salt, divided
3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1/2 cup sliced shallots (about 2 medium)
3 garlic cloves, crushed
3 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme
1 1/2 cups fat-free, less-sodium beef broth
1 cup dry red wine
1 teaspoon butter

Preheat oven to 450°.

Place roast on a rack coated with cooking spray; place rack in a roasting pan. Sprinkle roast evenly with pepper and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt; rub with mustard. Combine shallots and garlic in a mini food processor; pulse to coarsely chop. Add rosemary and thyme; process until finely chopped. Rub shallot mixture evenly over roast. Bake at 450° for 25 minutes.

Reduce heat to 350° (do not remove roast from oven). Bake roast at 350° for 1 hour and 20 minutes or until a thermometer registers 145° (medium-rare) or until desired degree of doneness. Let stand 10 minutes before slicing.

Combine beef broth and red wine in a small saucepan; bring to a boil. Cook until reduced to 2/3 cup (about 15 minutes). Take about 1/4 cup of this mixture and pour into roasting pan, swirl around and pour all the juices into the saucepan. Remove from heat; stir in butter and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Serve with the roast.

Maribeth’s New England Pumpkin Pie

Pastry for a 9″ pie crust
1 1/4 c. pumpkin puree
3/4 c. heavy cream
3/4 c. milk
1 c. white sugar
3 whole eggs, beaten
1 tbsp. molasses
2 tbs bourbon
3/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1/8 tsp. ground ginger
1/2 tsp. salt
Whipped cream for serving
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Keep pie crust chilled until ready to use. Combine cream, milk and sugar in a small saucepan and heat slowly over low heat. Do not boil. Combine the pumpkin puree, eggs, molasses, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger and salt in a bowl; slowly pour in the hot cream mixture, stirring constantly. Pour into pie crust and place in preheated oven. Bake for 10 minutes at 375 degrees. Lower the oven temperature to 350 degrees and continue to bake for 30 minutes or until set. Stick a toothpick into the center of the pie to see if it is done; it should come out clean. Let cool; serve with whipped cream.