Category: Jack

Hubby, The Fruit Trees & Me

Hubby has been working pruning our fruit trees each afternoon. It brought back memories of the first time he tried to teach me to prune a fruit tree.

He told me to stand back. To imagine the living tree, and how I wanted to shape it to grow with just one leader and a series of supporting branches.

The other important thing was to be sure that each of the tiers had the ability to let the sun in to nourish the fruit.

He demonstrated with several trees, and I watched him carefully. It looked easy enough. Just take the pruning pole and snip, snip, here, and you were done.

Well, carefully I took the pruning pole. I stood back and looked at the tree. It was a beautiful tree. Actually I thought it was so beautiful, it probably didn’t need my help. However, Hubby stood waiting and after I’d surveyed the tree for several minutes I went up, put the pruner in and snip!

I stood back and horror filled my chest! I could feel the blood rush to my cheeks as I realized I had made the worst cut ever to that poor defenseless tree!

I started to cry (silently) but Hubby took the pole and walked to the next tree and mumbled, “Oh well, good thing about trees, is that they grown back after a cut like that!”

And after that dreadful first pruning lesson, given to me when Hubby and I were just engaged, but not yet married, I can happily report that he married me anyway!

But he doesn’t ask for my help pruning trees now! LOL!

Busy Hubby

I’m afraid that Hubby is ready to toss me out with the trash. Since we met and got together all those years ago, I’ve been the prime caregiver in the house. I do the cooking, cleaning and dishes, with little thought to what I’m doing.

But here I sit, waiting for my face to knit, and while I do, Hubby is in charge of the home.

Poor guy has to feed and walk the dogs, prepare our meals, clean them up and take care of me. Which, if I am honest, is no small feat!

This afternoon, I drifted off to sleep and I could her him going through the kitchen pantry cleaning it. I tried to stay awake, but sleepiness took over and I was out like a light!

My dreams were restless and I don’t really remember them, but suddenly I heard awful, loud, snoring and I realized it was me!

The nose is very puffy and I am not at all pretty right now. In fact when I look into the mirror I see a real horror show. Then I try to remember what my grandmother taught me. Beauty comes from within.

I’ll keep working on that.

Valentine’s Day

Thursday was Valentine’s Day and Hubby was not feeling it. He has two problems in the house right now that are making him insane. So, he is distracted.

At lunch I attempted to lure him out for a cheap Chinese lunch, but he wasn’t having any of it. That’s okay. I’d made a wonderful Caribbean Banana Bread, and gave him that with soup and salad and he was happy.

After watching my favorite daytime show, “Anthony Bourdain, No Reservations”, I slipped out to the store and got 2 Lobsters,

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new potatoes (my favorite) and corn on the cob from Florida. Surprisingly the corn was fabulous, making this Valentine’s Day, summer meal, really delicious!

I set the table pretty, including two glasses of champagne! Hubby sat down, surprised at what I had whipped up.

It was worth it to see the smile on his face!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. What can the average citizen do to honor a military veteran and/or those currently serving?

My husband is a Veteran and I am so thankful that he came home from the War in Vietnam. No one honored him at the time. In fact they called him names and the men that served so bravely, were spit upon.

Several years ago I started doing something that was hard for me at first because I was always close to tears. When I saw a man or woman in fatigues flying home or having a casual meal with their comrades, I would go over and thank them for their service to our country. I have seen elderly men who served in WW II with their battle ship’s cap on and I also will go over to them and thank them. With each handshake, each smile, it got easier for me not to cry. I cannot even begin to tell you how happy and surprised these men and women are.

One man asked why I was doing this. I stopped mid shake and responded, “You see that man over there? That’s my husband. When he came home from Vietnam, no one said Thank-You.”

The young man turned and walked over to Hubby and shook his hand and thanked him! Hubby was so touched.

2. Besides a flag what is something you own that is red, white and blue?

A dish set that my cousin Janet gave me a few years ago.

3. Does love really conquer all?

No. But it sure helps a lot.

4. Strawberry shortcake or blueberry pie?

Strawberry Shortcake!

5. Do you share personal stuff with your hairdresser?

Oh yes, we are very good friends. I have gone in on bad days and cried my eyes out, and even called her to share good news!

6. Does money lead to selfishness?

It can, if one is not grounded.

7. What piece of furniture in your home most needs replacing or refinishing?

My mattress! It is older than it should be and lumpier than all get out. The next thing to get replaced is that silly, lumpy, thing!

8. Insert your own random here.

June is nearly here, and with that, time to spend with Mandy, the arrival of my granddaughter, and tending to the garden, Hubby and the pooches!

Friday & Saturday Fun!

I had such a fun day on Friday. Between going to the German Deli and spending the rest of the day with Mandy, I had a great time.

At the German Deli, I was able to buy all of Hubby’s and my favorite foods. I’d brought a cooler with me, and I was able to keep everything nice and cold while I visited with Mandy.

I’d gotten, Hungarian salami slices, Leberkäse, Fleish Salat, German Potato Salat, Tilsit Cheese, Klosterbrot (a hearty rye bread) and some Weiss Wurst. My husband loves me right now!

My day with Mandy was super. I got to see the nursery.

Decorations

I just love all the little animals and the crib is so beautiful! Later it will adjust to a youth bed.

crib

I think the nicest part of our day was the fact that we got to sit and talk quietly. No rush, no clock pressuring us. I was so happy to share this time with her.

We went off to lunch at a nice place called The Homestead and we both had lobster rolls. Oooooh! They were so good! (Sorry I forgot to take a picture!)

We said goodbye and off I went to come home, while she went to an appointment.

Hubby and I watched another movie last night. We’ve really been watching a lot of Foreign Films and enjoying most of them. This was “Fraulein” and it was great! Thought provoking and well acted!

After a good night’s sleep I got up this morning and made Hubby his favorite breakfast! First you saute onions, and brown the Leberkäse.

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Then you cook the eggs.

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Make your Klosterbrot into toast, put the Leberkäse on the plate, and layer onions, egg and onions.

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This is Hubby’s plate!

Well, that’s my report for Friday and part of Saturday. I hope you are all having a good weekend!

Happy Mother’s Day!!!

Hub’s Birthday

Yesterday on May 4th, Hubby’s birthday, I worked trying to make the day special. I prepared great meals, like my world famous lettuce Wedge Salad, and then for dinner made Maine Lobster, Asparagus, and California New Potatoes.  For his birthday dessert I prepared Flan!

It was not without incident.

The directions for the Flan warned you not to get near the melting sugar, as it is like melting lead and will burn the heck out of you!

If you are sitting there guessing I somehow burned myself with the sugar, you are correct. The sugar got to the top of my finger and under the nail. I am still in pain.

Hubs had no idea I had gotten Lobster, and so he was very surprised. Most of all, he loved the Flan…and so did I!

The day was nice and quiet and calm. A perfect birthday for my guy! I am so happy, I could help him have such a nice day.

What To Do…What To Do?

About a year from now, on April 9th, Hubby and I will celebrate our 25th Wedding Anniversary. It really is quite an accomplishment. Many people think that marriage is easy. It’s not. Many days it was down right difficult, but the one thing that never stopped, was the friendship, the love between us.

Love

It’s funny how things worked out for Hubby and me. Hubby was my best friend for a long time. Long before we ever dated or fell in love. He made me smile and he made me laugh. I’ve known him since our daughter’s were 4 and 5 years old, and became playmates. Friends.

I think it’s important to be good friends first, because at the end of the day, in good times and bad, you need to know that you are friends and can rely on each other.

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In the early years of our marriage, things were tough, but we handled it by deciding on a coarse of action. Hubby had his pilot’s license, so we would look at each other during those days and say, “There’s always Alaska!”. And we knew there was. Together it wouldn’t matter. We could get through anything. Even Alaska!

I have been thinking about what Hubby and I can do for our 25th Anniversary. Our family is very small, so a party seemed silly. I was thinking more along the lines of a trip. A romantic, relaxing trip, next April, someplace warm for Hubby and me.

Any ideas?

Loving Hubby

On Tuesday we had such warm temperatures that Hubby decided that it was a great time to clear the slush from the driveway. He worked so hard, pushing the slush to one side or another, so that our 500 foot (downhill) driveway would be cleared. I stopped him at noon and brought him in for lunch, and made him take a break, but as soon as he was done, he and and Fritz went out again.

He worked until the sun began to set and then came in. He sat down, with a nice brandy and read his email.

Since I had a meeting at the Library to attend, I made a casserole for our dinner, and at 5:15 sat down to eat mine early. I then put the casserole back in the oven to stay warm until Hubby was ready to eat.

While I was enjoying my chicken casserole, Hubby started to move around, and he touched his chest several times. I could see, in my minds eye, that commercial on the TV for aspirin. It’s the one where the man talks about having a heart attack. I stared at Hubby, worried sick!

“Are you having a heart attack?” I asked. (I think I sounded panicky because Hubby responded in an annoyed tone.)

“No! Just used some muscles that I do not normally use.”

I went back to eating, but I couldn’t keep my eyes off of him, and he knew it.

“Would you cut it out.” he said “I’m fine.”

I offered to stay home, but he wouldn’t hear of it. So I went to the meeting, and had my cell phone resting next to my notebook. I’d turned off the ringer, but left the vibrator on, and I got 5 calls! (That never happens!) I have to tell you that I was close to having a heart attack myself!

Hubby was fine, and I should have listened to him, but I couldn’t help it. I love him so, and I worry like crazy about him.

However, I have to remember that he is in better shape than I am. He skis, he works on the fruit trees and in our garden and stays very active. I’m lucky that he takes such good care of himself.

I am such a worry wart! I really need to relax!