My Life – Page 113 – The Dackel Princess

Cooking!

Our host is Gattina. Come join us and tell us what YOU did this past weekend!

Today was a big cooking day here at The Dackel Princess House. Actually Hubby departed early on to go work in the forest again, and that left me with the Dackels, zucchini and more tomatoes than I knew what to do with!

So when all else fails, one must cook, yes?

I started by clearing the shelves and making sure everything was nice and clean. I’m quite lucky to have a big island counter top in my kitchen where I can spread out and work.

You can just see Greta enjoying the sunshine on the left side of the picture.

Then I got out all the equipment and ingredients to make the zucchini bread.

See my beautiful zucchini?

After this I used the food processor to shred it.

Then I mixed it all together and put it in pans.

And when I was done I had eight loaves of zucchini bread.

Seven of them went into the freezer, and one stayed out.

Meanwhile, during the time I was working on the zucchini bread, I had the tomatoes cooking so I could make spaghetti sauce. After a couple of hours cooking down the tomatoes, I put them through a food mill to separate the seeds and skins from the pulp.

I sauteed up some onions, peppers, celery, garlic and Italian Sausage and ground beef to make a nice thick meat sauce. After a few hours of simmering it slowly, it was done. I divided it up and froze half and kept half out. I’m thinking of making a zucchini lasagna with the sauce.

Later in the day, because I hadn’t cooked enough, I got to work on a beautiful Rainbow Trout that was given to me by my friend, Dave. This was an enormous fish and fed both Hubby and I completely!

I still want Dave to teach me how to cook this fish the way he described. Somehow I don’t think I got it right. Still we both enjoyed it, and so did Greta, Fritz, and Anneliese. They got the scraps. Arnie, funny little guy that he is, didn’t like it! I was shocked. I tried giving him the skin, but no. He didn’t like it!

So my day is ending, all the cooking is done and I am finally able to put up my feet and relax.

Tomorrow it’s zucchini lasagna!

Frisday Fil-Ins

And…here we go!

1. You do your thing; I do mine and sometimes _we get lucky and can do it together_.

2. _Anneliese_ is what’s been on my mind on and off all day.

3. Remember when _we were young and rode our bikes all day in the summer, ate frozen milky ways, swam out to the raft, felt the sun on our faces and spun around and around until we fell over in the front yard and no one thought we were crazy?_.

4. _Dachshunds, Dark Chocolate and Cooking_ are three of my favorite obsessions 🙂

5. During the last year _I have learned a lot about what is truly important.

6. _Seeing all the beauty around me_ puts a smile on my face.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to _seeing my cousin_, tomorrow my plans include _taking Anneliese on a nice walk around the neighborhood_ and Sunday, I want to _enjoy my coffee, read the newspaper and watch a movie or two. I love lazy Sundays._!

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

Random Dozen

1. What is your favorite Mexican dish?

I’m your typical Tacos girl.

2. When you were a kid, did you get started on your homework right away after school, or did you procrastinate?

Oh I am a life long procrastinator!

3. What is your favorite store for home furnishings?

I don’t think I have one. I have just purchased what I liked, wherever that may be.

4. When you were young, did you like school lunches?

Oh yeah, for sure. Many people cringed at American Chop Suey, or Friday Fish Sticks, but I loved them.

5. Is religion a crutch?

I wouldn’t say it was a crutch. However, my faith gives me strength and courage.

6. In your region, what is the “big” (most popular in the community or state) high school sport?

Football. Sadly we don’t have enough kids in our local High School to have a team.

7. Do you consider yourself rich?

Monetarily no. But I am rich in all the ways it counts. I am loved by my hubby, family and friends, I have food to eat, a warm place to sleep, and four dogs to snuggle with!

8. Which of these would you have the best chance for success in administering:
A) CPR. I do know CPR
B) Heimlich Maneuver. I also know the Heimlich Maneuver.
C) Changing a flat tire. Forget about that. I would call AAA!

9. Which dance would you prefer to learn & why:
A) Salsa. For fun and exercise!
B) Hip Hop
C) Waltz. Because it is beautiful!
D) Swing

10. What’s the worst news you’ve ever delivered to someone?

That my daughter had passed away.

11. Name something you learned in college that had nothing to do with classes or academics.

I never attended college. But in life in general, it has been the ability to get along with other people.

12. New variation on an old question: If there’s a song in your head that just won’t get out, what is your favorite (or most repeated) line in that song?

Usually it’s the refrain. The paragraph that is repeated over and over again.

Just This Side Of Disaster!

On Saturday, while trying to find owners of lost dogs, bake endless batches of zucchini bread and put together a homemade spaghetti sauce, I was confronted with an urgent problem.

Hubby was on the phone calling the Police about the lost dog, when he bumped his wine glass. As if in slow motion, I watched it fall, spilling the contents of his glass right onto the top of his laptop computer!

I ran around the breakfast bar and grabbed the laptop turning it immediately upside down, pulling out the cord, and pressing the power button, in what seemed like one motion! I stood there holding the laptop in this odd manner until I could decide what to do with it.

I propped the machine upside down and used a pot to balance it on so the keyboard stayed parallel to the counter top while it either dried or died.

It was dry in the house, and cool as well. We left the laptop like that for several hours before Hubby turned it on. Presto! It worked just fine. Apparently Dell computers like a little red wine now and then. Who knew?

The only long term casualty was Hubby’s cordless mouse. When I grabbed the machine to save it from being soaked by the wine, I damaged the receiver. More like ripped that little sucker out of the machine and tore it almost in half!

So today Hubby and I drove down to Wal-Mart to pick up a new mouse for him. He got exactly the same mouse that he had before as he really liked it.

We also bought 2 lobsters for dinner as the local Market is having a big sale this week.

So one big disaster was averted, even though another smaller one happened. I look at it this way, I would rather spend twenty dollars on a new mouse, than a thousand on a new computer!

Random Dozen

1. What is your favorite fair/carnival food? Fried dough yum!

2. Are you holding onto something you need to let go of? Yes

3. What is your favorite gift to receive? Almost anything. I love to get presents.

4. When was the last time you tried something new? A few weeks ago I tried soft shell crabs and I LOVED them!

5. What is your favorite and least favorite book genre? Favorite are enduring love stories (hopeless romantic that I am) and least favorite are Science Fiction.

6.Silver or Gold? Gold.

7. What makes you sigh? A beautiful sight, a gentle hug, a peaceful melody.

8. If you didn’t know how old you are, how old would you claim you are? Very. I have often said I am an old spirit, living in a young person’s body.

9. Would you break a law to save a loved one? To protect a loved one? Yes. In a heartbeat.

10. If you had to teach something, what would it be? Cooking. I would love to be Julia Child! (LOL)

11. You’re having lunch with 3 people whom you respect and admire. They begin to criticize a close friend of yours, not knowing she is your friend. What do you do? I would point out her strong points and if it didn’t stop them, I would explain that she is my friend and hope this would end the discussion. If it didn’t then I would leave.

12. Which of the 5 Love Languages is your prominent means of experiencing love?

Quality Time
Physical Touch
Acts of Service
Gifts
Words of Affirmation

The one I am least interested in are gifts. I know everyone loves presents, but I think it’s the least important. I love being with the people I love, I love hugs and kisses, and I never tire of hearing those three words, “I love you“!

Anneliese & Groceries

Monday was the first day that I left Anneliese alone for a couple of hours. We desperately needed food, and as it turned out the separation was good for both of us.

Hubby and I had our breakfast and then headed for the grocery stores. I will tell you that I have never shopped as quickly and as efficiently as I did today. Although I was concentrating on getting all the items on my list, I was also thinking about getting back home to my girl.

I bought some special food items for her too. She needs them right now until she has recovered, and she ate a little this afternoon, which was really encouraging.

In fact, I think she has turned the corner.

Oh she is not completely well yet, but she is doing so much better and that makes me very happy!

Tuesday will find me baking and cooking all day. In the morning I want to make a couple more loaves of zucchini bread,

and in the afternoon, I plan to make Julia Child’s Beef Bourguignon!!!

I am so excited about this and will be taking pictures and posting how it all comes out on Wednesday. Stay tuned!!!

Old Movies & TV Shows

The last couple of days I have found that TV has been painfully boring! Due to the fact that I am sort of house bound at the moment with Anneliese, I’m looking for something to watch and/or listen to. Reading is still close to impossible for me, as I cannot see most printed book fonts and even when I use large print books, my eyes tire pretty quickly.

I digress.

Movies. Yes, I have found that some movies I can listen to while I work, and since I have seen them waaaay more than just one time, I almost know the lines each actor is saying.

Take the movie “Julie and Julia“.

Right now they are really overplaying it on the movie channels, and as it is one of my favorites, I often tune it in just to listen to. My cousin and I love Julia Child, and we both are big fans of her PBS TV Series, which they still rerun, as well as this movie. Meryl Streep captures her perfectly. And unfortunately for my family, I am starting to do a killer imitation of Meryl Streep imitating Julia Child!

This morning I actually pulled out my copy of a movie that I hadn’t seen in a while.

“When Harry Met Sally“.

Now that is also an old friend sort of movie. No matter how many times I have seen it, that movie always makes me laugh. Especially the scene in the Deli when Harry and Sally are talking about sex.

Last night I watched a very old movie on Turner Classic Movies.

“Leave Her To Heaven” with Gene Tierney.

I’ve always loved Gene Tierney because of her role in:

“The Ghost and Mrs Muir“

another of my favorites, but in the movie last night, she played a very bad woman, and she did it so well! What an actress she was!

I’ve also watched “My Big Fat Greek Wedding“

and several episodes of “NCIS“

and “Bethanny Getting Married?“

I know. Reality TV, but somehow I’ve gotten hooked on this show!

Oh yes, and Julia. The real Julia Child in her old show,

“The French Chef“

and “Julia and Jacques“.

I have enjoyed some ‘watching’ of these shows, but more often then not I am ‘listening’ to them as I go about my work. They’re all sort of comforting old friends. You know things that make us feel like we aren’t quite so alone. I may break out,

“The Lake House“

tomorrow and listen to that while I fold the laundry that I plan to do. I think that is another one of my favorite movies and I really enjoy the musical soundtrack from it as well.

What are your favorite movies or TV shows? Are there any that seem like old friends to you? Or am I just crazy?

Friday Fil-Ins

And…here we go!

1. Music _Makes my heart sing_.

2. _COFFEE_ is what I like first thing in the morning.

3. The first thing I said this morning was: _It’s okay, Anneliese_.

4. _Baked chicken_; it’s what’s for dinner tonight.

5. It’s all been _a bit crazy here this week._

6. _Sleeping_ is what I feel like doing right now.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to _watching a DVD_, tomorrow my plans include _catching up on some housework_ and Sunday, I want to _sit quietly and read the newspaper in the morning and then make Plum Jam in the afternoon_!

Friday Fil-Ins are provided by my cousin Janet. Come on and join the fun!

Life & Coffee

So the day dawned, and Anneliese, Arnie, Greta, Fritz and I woke like we always do, and after a walk in the yard where they communed with nature, and I stood there in my robe, slippers, and sunglasses and watched them, we were able to come back in to my freshly brewed coffee. It always amazes me that until I have that first cup of coffee, I remain in lala land.

We came in and by that time the coffee was made and my first cup of pleasure was poured. I fixed it up, sat down and read my email, while I sipped it.

Have you ever noticed how wonderful that first cup tastes in the morning? I’m not sure why, perhaps it is that after a long night’s sleep, it just makes the taste that much nicer.

I brought Anneliese in this morning for her post operative check up. She is doing very well, and aside from her discomfort, she is healthy and will be well. She has followed me around all day and wanted to sit in my lap or next to me, but all is going as it should.

I’ve got my very last batch of Bread and Butter Pickles soaking and they will be canned tomorrow. After that, I’ve got plums coming and I want to make a couple of batches of Plum Jam. I also plan to bake a Peach Kuchen for Hubby, who has been so wonderful the last few days.

Yes, life goes on, doesn’t it? Yes, sometimes we stumble and fall, sometimes the world doesn’t turn the way you wish that it did, but then…you wake up. You put on your robe and slippers and sunglasses and go outside and breathe.

And you just know, that life is good.

2nd Cup Of Coffee (She’s Baaaack!)

1. When was the last time you laughed until you cried?

This morning as I wait for Anneliese to go into labor.

2. If you found $10 today, what would you do with it?

Tuck it away for later use.

3. Do you volunteer anywhere?

Yes. I’m a Library Trustee and that is all volunteer.

4. What is your favorite summertime veggie or fruit, and how do you eat it?

Corn of the cob and Ichiban Eggplant.

5. Is your social sphere (circle of friends) small, medium or large?

It depends. Locally, small, But world-wide, very large!

6. When was the last time you attended a family or school reunion? How did that go?

June 27th I think it was.

7. When you’re feeling blue, what is the best way someone can cheer you up?

Cooking a meal or taking me out for dinner.

8. Have you taken a vacation this summer?

Yes, back in June.

9. What is the most unnecessary item you carry with you all the time?

Pictures of my loved ones.

10. What is the best summer flick you have seen so far?

Haven’t been to the movies, but love old movies. I watched “The Road To Morocco” the other night with Bob Hope and laughed and laughed!

11. Describe a perfect summer day.

Warm, dry air, and a barbecue with potato salad and fresh fruit, with the ones that I love!

12. Please a share a favorite photo from the summer so far!

I couldn’t pick just one so I made a mosaic!