Dackel Princess

This & That ~ May 23

My cousins, Janet and Dave, recommended a Facebook page for Bird Watchers/Lovers. Well, I subscribed and I love it.

I have really enjoyed watching my own back yard birds and to hear about and see these other birds is a thrill.

My only fear is that I will become like the “Old Bird Woman” in Mary Poppins!

Someone, please stop me if this begins to happen. Meanwhile I will enjoy my backyard flock.

Last night I boiled up three small hard-shell Lobsters for dinner. We each had one, and I shelled the third to make Lobster Salads for our lunches today.

Here’s the thing. These hard-shells were really hard. One claw was like cement and I ended up getting out a hammer to crack the shell!

The Lobster was great and we enjoyed it a great deal, but this morning my right thumb is very sore. Score: Lobster 1, Maribeth 0!

I was up early today and I was looking around the satellite for something to watch. I found a wonderful documentary by Natasha Gregson Wagner. “Natalie Wood: What Remains Behind” (2020).

It was so well done and I was so pleased that Robert Wagner’s daughters, all rallied around their father, and not one of them ever doubted him for a minute. Natalie’s death at the age of 43 was a terrible accident, and nothing more. For those of us that remember Natalie Wood, it is a must-see.

The orchard is in bloom and it is beautiful. I think I will wander outside today and get some new pictures.

Enjoy your day!

The Friday Five May 22, 2020

It’s the end of another week and all of a sudden we have summer temperatures. I will not complain, I will simply enjoy the warm sunshine. So, here we go with this week’s Friday Five.

There is an increasing number of license plates on cars from other States. At first, this upset me terribly, but then I decided I will continue to stay at home, and follow all the directives when I have to go out.
We now have three of our five window air conditioners in. Just in the nick of time! Today our temperatures soared into the upper 80’s and we really needed the cool breeze from the machines in our home.
We do have beautiful fruit trees in our yard, but there was a regulation in our deed which prohibited us from planting any shade trees. So here we sit on a sidehill, baking in the sun.
I was reading through my Facebook page and there was so much crap on it that I decided I wanted to get rid of a bunch of stuff. So I went through and unsubscribed from a whole bunch of stuff that I simply have no interest in anymore. It is my hope that I will see more from my friends and family.
Lastly, I plan a quiet weekend. I am not one to really like it when the government decides to change holidays to make it convenient for them to go on a vacation. Memorial Day is May 31st. But due to government interference, the country is celebrating May 25th.

So that’s it for this week. I hope that no matter where in this world you are, that your weekend is happy and bright!

All in a Days Work

Today was go through the fridge day and determine what needed to be tossed, what needed to be cooked, and what needed to be prepared.

This found me making a huge garden salad, Jack made his cucumber salad, and I prepared everything so we could saute up bacon, onion and Brussel sprouts for our dinner tonight.

So that was also a lot of cutting up and chopping as well as preparing three meals for me and three meals for Jack.

Whew!

At least I have all the vegetables prepared for the next few days and I will just need to cook the protein part of the meal.

This is good because nothing will go to waste and I can now get on to other things.

I couldn’t stand not doing something about my roots so I ordered some color from a mail-order company. It should be here next week. I hope it comes out well because I am not sure how long it will be until I feel safe going to the hair salon. I will keep you posted.

Tomorrow is clean my closet out day, as suddenly I have an interesting problem. After losing 38.6 pounds, I have a closet full of clothes that are way too big for me. So I need to weed them out.

I slept like a baby on Wednesday night, and I am sure I will tonight too. Having the air conditioner makes all the difference!

Happy Thursday!

The Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. In a single sentence tell us something about your 40’s. If you haven’t reached that milestone yet tell us (in a single sentence) something about whatever decade you’re in now.

I moved back to my beloved State of New Hampshire and built a house.

2. Life begins at forty. Agree or disagree? Tell us why. And if not at forty, when?

I don’t know, I think for me, life began at 60! I absolutely love being in my 60’s! I feel I am a kinder, gentler version of my younger self.

3. Share a favorite book, song, or quote with a number featured in it somewhere.

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails.
Explore. Dream. Discover.”…Mark Twain

4. A picture’s worth a thousand words, a stitch in time saves nine, back to square one, catch-22, on cloud nine, my two cents…pick a number phrase and tell us how it applies to your life currently.

Well, I guess mine would be, on cloud nine! Today Jack and I worked and installed the air conditioner in our bedroom window. I do not sleep well in a warm room and so the last few nights I have not slept well at all. Now the air conditioner is in, and I will be able to sleep!

5. Last time you drove more than 40 miles from home? More than 400 miles from home? Where were you going? Was it before or after this current season of social distancing?

The last time I drove more than 40 miles away from my home was when I went to the Glaucoma Specialist on March 13th. I saw her, saw my daughter, kissed and hugged her for the last time, and then drove home.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

I sat down over the weekend and ordered gifts for Savannah’s birthday. This is the first birthday I have not been with my grand-girl and it is just breaking my heart! I know it won’t last forever, but right now it just feels like this blasted Virus has taken so much away from me. All the people and things that I love.

Comfy & Safe

During the lock-down against this blasted Virus, I have actually felt pretty comfortable. Let me tell you why.

When I started WW in January, literally, nothing fit me. I had purchased several sets of leggings and tops and I wore those with one of my aprons. (Have I mentioned I love Aprons? Especially the one-piece Japanese ones.)

Anyway, while in exile, I have worn these legging sets every day, except when I go out to the store, and then I am forced to put on “real” clothes.

Over time, I have gone from the leggings being “skin-tight”, to them being really comfortable. Of course, now our temperatures are starting to get warm, so although I can still stay in the leggings, I must now switch to short sleeve tops.

I am so comfortable in these leggings I could live in them for the rest of my life. I will be in for a rude awakening when we go back to the real world, one day.

What has been something that has been positive for you during the wild and crazy time?

Have you learned anything new about yourself? Have you been able to remain positive?

I do have my days, where it all seems bleak, but really now that our weather is warmer and sunnier, I am feeling the love.

I sure hope you are too!

Spring In My Yard

My Blog friend Andrew, gave me an idea. He put photos up on his blog showing various blossoming trees. I thought, my goodness how blessed I am to have this beauty all around me.

I took a few new ones, as things are just starting to blossom, and got some older pictures of the Apple Trees and Lilacs as it’s not quite their time yet.

These are all my own pictures, so enjoy them, but if you use them please ask and give me credit.

Peach Blossom.

Peach Blossom with Bee.

Apple Blossom

Apple Blossom with Bee.

Apple Blossom.

Lilacs

Plums

Plum Blossom.

Forsythia.

I hope you enjoyed a little walk through my yard on this fine Spring Day. I hope you all had a wonderful weekend, and will also have a splendid week ahead!

Sunday Thoughts

I thought I would take the weekend off, so to speak. You know, kick back, not worry about the little things in life…

That was not the case. Saturday found me stripping the bed, and washing everything from mattress pad to comforter. Why? Well, little dackels that are low to the ground can become wet and muddy faster that you’d think. Such was the case on Friday night when storms went through here.

I also wanted to do a countertop wash and dusting. Not my favorite things to do, but quite necessary.

Saturday was so beautiful and since we have not installed the air conditioners for the summer, I took advantage of the fresh air and opened all my windows.

The real glory in that is when I turned off the TV and sat with the open windows, and I could hear the loons on the lake, and the birds in the yard as they tweeted. Perfect!

We had a new addition to our back yard, This very pretty Yellow-Rumped Warbler Female.

She is quite lovely and spent a lot of time here this weekend.

Anneliese has been very happy this weekend and she has spent a lot of time stretched out, on her back, smiling.

Happy Sunday!

The Friday Five May 15, 2020

Happy Friday Everyone! We have made it through another week. In fact, for me, it has been two months since I have seen my daughter and her family. That is a very long time!

Here is this week’s Friday Five.

I think it must be very difficult for people who do not stay at home often, to be coping with this self-isolation. I actually have spent a considerable amount of time alone. Back in the day when Jack was still flying, he was gone so much of the time, that it was simply me and the dogs. There was a lot of peace in that. I listened to music, watched the things on TV I wanted and ate what I enjoyed.
Spring has arrived here in New Hampshire. Although we still have low temperatures, the sun has been shining and the skies are Robin’s Egg Blue. Jack is talking about air-conditioners going into windows! Yay!
We have enjoyed my Stuffed Cabbage Rolls off and on this week. It’s amazing how low in points they are and how delicious!
I was watching the news and they were showing people out walking along a boardwalk in California. Well, all I can say is that I now know why Los Angeles had such high numbers.<span data-mce-type="bookmark" style="display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;" class="mce_SELRES_start"></span>
These people did now wear their masks correctly! I mean, how hard can this be? Watch this short video as to how to wear your mask!
I decided to make my Banana Pancakes in the Waffle Maker that I have. I pictured a lovely Waffle that would be delightful. I got out my machine, mixed up the batter, and poured it into the machine, closed it, and waited until it alerted me the Waffle was done.
Let’s just say, “Epic Fail!”

I think the banana made the batter too wet. It tasted fine but had a very weird consistency.

So that was my week and now as I slide into my weekend, I will once again do the laundry and the other cleaning jobs that have become weekend events for me.

Get outside, if you can, and enjoy these beautiful days!

This & That May 14, 2020

On Wednesday I decided to download the pictures from my Cell Phone onto my computer. From here I will back them up on my external hard drive. Already I have noticed that my phone is working better. I do not back things up to a cloud, as I find that a nuisance.

I also attempted to do my hair and I have reached the point where my “Covid-19 Hair” is just one massive mess.

They have opened our salons, but I’m not ready to commit to going in. I so wish I could have my hairstylist put the color on in the parking lot, and then have me drive home and wash it out myself. Alas, that is not to be.

My allergies have returned. But here is the funny thing. After lunch, I told Jack I wasn’t feeling well. He immediately began questioning me.

Do you have a fever? (No, my temperature was 97.7)
Do you have a headache? (Yes, a bad one)
Was that a sneeze I heard? (Yes, Ah-choo)
Do you have chills? (Yes, where’s my blanket)
You look tired? (I am. I think I will lay back and nap)

So, I’m pretty sure it’s not the Virus, but I do blame my allergies for this, as my eyes have also felt scratchy.

I didn’t sleep for too long because the phone kept ringing. Junk calls!

Bedtime will be early and I hope that by tomorrow I will be feeling a bit perkier.

The Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Ever played the game Farkle? Are you a risk-taker? In games only or also in life?

I am not a risk-taker at all. I like slow and steady and safe. What the heck is Farkle?

2. What’s your favorite thing about your yard or whatever outdoor space you may have?

Oh, the views we have of the hills and the lakes. It’s beautiful!

3. Tell us about the most interesting building you’ve seen or been in.

I love castles and have been to so many in England and Germany. I cannot pick a favorite, but if you twisted my arm, I like the British Castles the best. The stone-work and usually lovely views.

4. In this current season of social distancing, what’s something you’ve come to realize you take for granted in more ordinary times? Do you think you’ll make a conscious effort to appreciate whatever that ‘it’ is once normal life resumes?

I think the ability to say, “Hey, I think I’ll jump in my car, go see my grandchildren and take everyone out to eat!”

Yes, when I can once again see my grandbabies (they are not really babies, but in my heart they are) I will never again take that for granted.

5. Share a favorite song with a springtime flower in the lyrics somewhere.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Although this self-isolation finds many people eating the wrong things, I decided that I would make this the “Weight Loss Isolation.” I am using the WW Green Plan and since our in-person meetings ended March 11th, I have had to do this using the online web-site and also the online WW Meetings. I plan, I plan and then I plan again. And it is working. Here is my Weekly Weigh-in.

I had begun to believe I could not do this. I am happy to say, that yes, it can be done!