October 2013 – Page 3 – The Dackel Princess

Apple Crisp

Our apple trees are heavy with beautiful red fruit right now. Looking out the windows I am reminded of their goodness and I sit thinking of ways I can use a freshly picked apple or two. So, today I had Hubby bring me in 7 apples and I made Apple Crisp. Imagine walking outside, picking your own apples and then cooking them up right away!

Here is the recipe:

Apple Crisp

7-8 large baking apples (Macintosh or Cortland)

½ cup butter cut into tiny pieces

½ cup oats

½ cup flour

½ cup brown sugar

1 tsp. cinnamon

¼ tsp. nutmeg

¼ tsp. ground cloves

Peel and cut apples into large size slices. Place in a greased deep casserole dish. In a separate bowl mix butter, flour and oats into a crumble like mixture. Add sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves and mix well.

Mixture should be crumb like. Spread evenly over the top of the apples allowing some of the mixture to settle into the apples.
Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for about 45-60 minutes or until you see bubbles coming up from the apples. (for the last 15 minutes I covered the dish which helped to cook the apples.) The butter will melt and the crumb mixture should be nice and brown on the top. Cool slightly, serve warm with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream….

How To Train Your Puppy

I ran into a woman I know casually, who is getting her very first dog the first of November. She is so excited to have a best furry friend.

She began to tell me about how she had already selected a puppy from a breeder because she could tell that they were soul mates.

The pup is five weeks old now.

I listened for a bit and then she asked, “You were a breeder, right? Any suggestions?”

That’s when I sat her down and started bringing her back to reality. I told her that yes, the puppy is adorable and cute, but will require a lot of work and training during the first year of her little life.

Make sure you crate train her. Being crate trained will be an asset all of her life.
Do not use the crate as punishment.
You want her crate to be her safe place.
Have a nice soft mattress and blanket in the crate for her and keep it clean.
Walk her ever hour in the same area of the yard that you want her to use as the potty.
When she does her wee-wee, praise her sweetly and give her a small treat.
If she has an accident in the house, say no, take her immediately outside and to her potty area. Telling her to wee-wee.
Of course she won’t be able to, but she will get the idea.
Immediately clean any place she has urinated in the house with a pet urine odor remover.
Be sure to have good play times both inside and outside.
When inside, as soon as the play starts to slow, take her outside and walk her. She will need to wee-wee.
Make sure she goes to bed in a quiet place. She may cry the first night or two, but let her cry it out. She will get used to it, and go to sleep, especially if you’ve played with her.
Be sure to feed her three to four times a day as recommended by your Veterinarian.
As soon as she finishes her meals take her for a walk.
When you go to your Vet. for the first time, ask for their new puppy packet. They get these from the food and drug companies and offer a variety of items.
Be sure to get a vaccination schedule and follow as advised.
At about the age of three months find a puppy class.
Take your puppy to class for several months.
If you want a life long best friend, help her to learn how to be that.
Never hit your dog.
Try not to yell either, although we all get frustrated.
Love them, and be kind.
And you will have a best friend for life!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. The USA will mark Columbus Day this year on Monday, October 14th. What’s something you need or want to explore (literally or metaphorically speaking)?

I need to explore learning to relax. Perhaps meditate. I get quite nervous and wound up and need to learn to let it go!

2. The Wicked Witch of the West from The Wizard of Oz, Ursula from The Little Mermaid, or Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty…who do you most love to hate?

The Wicked Witch of the West. I do a mean imitation of her!

3. Is open-mindedness a virtue?

Yes. I think so many people are very closed minded. Look at the mess in Washington. No one is willing to actually sit down and talk. Both Republicans and Democrats. Shameful! I think they should all be voted out!

4. How often do you weigh yourself?

Too often. I’m afraid this year I have gained weight. I have all sorts of excuses, but the fact is, I keep weighing in, hoping I have lost some weight. I’m afraid I need to really get off my chair, really watch my diet and then things will come together.

5. This question comes to you courtesy of Rebecca over at Making Memories, so thanks Rebecca!

Costa Rica was recently named the happiest country in the world on the Happy Planet Index. What’s the happiest country in the world to you, and what makes it so?

That is so weird, I have always heard that Denmark was. I do not know really. I love Bermuda and the people seem so nice there. Having been to Costa Rica, I cannot agree that it is the happiness place, as there i so much suffering, poverty and illness.

6. Besides The Bible, what is one book you think should be mandatory reading for high school students? Why?

War and Peace. It is by the Russian author Leo Tolstoy, and first published in 1869. The work is epic in scale and is regarded as one of the most important works of world literature.

7. I went shopping at some nearby outlets last week, and while I was there, I picked up a couple of Christmas gifts. How about you? Have you started your holiday shopping yet?

Yes I have. Just a few little things.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I’m actually “good” tired tonight. I had my own Plastic Surgeon’s appointment on Monday, which required me getting up very early. Then today Hubby had a test that required me to go with him and drive home after. Another early morning get up. Here I sit at 6:30 in the evening and I feel like I could fall asleep! But it’s good, because I accomplished something and was productive!

Crazy Day

I saw the Plastic Surgeon on Monday. Let me tell you about my day, as it was rather bizarre from the time I woke up, right up until the day ended.

First, I never set my alarm clock, because my own internal clock is far more accurate as any clock in my house. But for whatever reason, I decided to set it last night. I’ve been so tired with this cold that I thought it was prudent.

You guessed it. The alarm literally sounded and woke me up out of a dead sleep! I jumped up, took a quick shower, made some coffee and off I drove toward my cousin’s house.

I called my sister, and while I was talking to her I saw a beautiful Doe near the highway’s edge. She was blowing her hair dry but I yelled “No Bambi! Turn away from the traffic and run, little Bambi, run!”

Fortunately, I did not see if Bambi did or didn’t and that is just fine for me. I think I would rather not know.

A little further down, a fender bender accident. I couldn’t help but think that that would be a really crappy way to start ones day.

As I entered the Everett Turnpike, I noticed a van coming down an on ramp going a little too fast, and you guessed it, he rolled the van off the road and over a time or two into a ditch.

Needless to say I was getting a little spooked by all the accidents. However, I simply kept going and was very careful as I drove.

I picked up Janet and she drove the rest of the way into Boston. We saw two more accidents, and a major detour because they had dug up the road. Oh yes, and there was the tropical like rain storm that we had too!

I saw the doctor and will have more surgery on November 11th and really the doctors appointment only lasted about 15 minutes.

Then we headed back to her place, stopping at a 5 Guys Burger and Fries for lunch.

We also started to see more wildlife. Turkeys! I am talking really big birds! Between her house and mine I think I saw at least a dozen.

Finally when I pulled into my home at 4 PM, there were the best beasts of all! My four fury friends!

Ah yes, it is so good to come home!

What I Did This Past Weekend

Our host is Gattina. Come join us and tell us what YOU did this past weekend! After all, you never know when you will need an alibi!

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This past weekend found me finally rallying against my bronchitis and pneumonia, and cough. I’m still feeling tired, but I think it is from lack of movement over the last three weeks. Over the next week I want to take walks around my neighborhood and start eating normal meals again.

The apple pie I mentioned on Sunday, actually came out pretty well.

I have decided I do need to find a nice crust recipe, but the filling was perfect!

I actually cooked a wonderful roast beef, with roasted potatoes and carrot casserole you can find the Carrot Casserole recipe HERE. It is a tasty recipe and very easy!

Today I am off to Boston with my cousin, Janet to go and see my Plastic Surgeon. He needs to look at the last few places on my face to be tweaked.

Ahhhh, it feels so good to be well again!

Have A Good Monday!

Challenges

I was challenged today. First I had promised Hubby an apple pie, thinking I had two pre-made crusts in the other fridge. However, when I opened them, they appeared to be bad. I don’t know for sure, but they certainly smelled funny.

Since I didn’t want to go to the grocery store, I got out my Crisco shortening, flour and ice water, and started to work on making a pie crust. Do you know how long it has been since I have made a pie crust?

No, me either, so you can see, I was really challenged!

Note to self: find a good pie crust recipe.

Carefully I followed the recipe and then rolled it out. I put the bottom one in the pie pan, filled it with the seasoned apples, and then put the top crust on. Well, it looked okay, but…

The next thing to challenged me was Arnie. Or should I say, Arnie and Hubby. Mr. Arnie wanted to go out to do his business, but it was almost train time. I wanted to walk him on the leash, but Hubby hollered at me to let him go. So, I did let him go, but I walked outside with him.

The next thing I knew Arnie ran up the hill, (away from the train tracks) sniffed hard and before I could get to him, he had rolled in some smelly, sticky, deer poop!!!

I clicked the leash on him, dragged him into the house and into the bath tub! Where he promptly had a full bath!

Then I told Hubby that I wanted to have leftovers for dinner. Simple, easy, leftovers. Nope, he wanted spaghetti! So I went down to the freezer, got out a container and thawed it out. Challenge number three!

My cough came back again tonight and Hubby isn’t really thrilled with that either. His comment was, “Don’t you have any cough syrup?” made me feel a little bad. So, I’m sucking down cough drops trying to stifle my cough! I know that feeling. When he is coughing at night disturbing my sleep I get annoyed. So, I can’t say I blame him for feeling this way.

At least of all my challenges, the apple pie turned out okay. Not my favorite crust, but certainly not the worst I have had either.

Yes, some days are more challenging than others!

Sweetness Comes In Many Forms

Hubby went off to buy some essentials the other day, and when he came back he had gotten squeaky toys for the three dachshunds. They love them!

Arnie got some sort of raccoon animal that for about six hours went squeak, squeak, squeak! Greta got a big bow tie that although she liked it at first, she is mostly ignoring now, and Annaliese got a little red snowflake that also squeaks.

As I mentioned, Arnie has already de-squeaked his toy, Greta became bored with hers and Anneliese…well, she cares for that toy like she would a puppy. She carries it around the house, never squeaks too hard, and if you ask her where her toy is, she will run about until she finds it, and then bring it to her bed, where she promptly lays down on it! How different these fury beasts are!

It’s How I Say Yum!

I was sitting here today thinking about one of my favorite foods. Peanut butter! Smooth or crunchy, their is nothing like the incredible deliciousness of that salty, sweet taste of peanuts!

My first recollection of peanut butter was when Mom would make peanut butter and marshmallow fluff sandwiches! Oh be still my heart! There is nothing quite like a PB & Fluff sandwich!

I carried one of these in my lunch bag many times when I went to school as a youth. I never complained about it either. How could one complain about perfection. Especially when one could eat it with a cold carton of fresh milk!

A few times I had peanut butter with grape jelly. Now that’s my second favorite way to eat peanut butter. Store bought grape jelly is good, but later in my life when I learned to make my own Concord Grape Jelly, I learned what true nirvana was!

Yes, peanut butter is good with just about everything. Including things like banana!

That was Elvis Presley’s favorite way to eat peanut butter, and granted, in a pinch I’ve been known to eat it that way too.

Always served of course, with a glass of fresh, cold milk!

The Cold That Will Not Leave

During the time that I have been fighting this cold/bronchitis/pneumonia, I have slept and awoken at strange times.

Sometimes in the middle of the night I’ve been coughing so hard that I wake up and cannot get back to sleep. So I turn on the TV to watch something, and I have discovered something I long ago suspected, but wasn’t quite sure of.

There is nothing on the TV in the middle of the night! I click around and around and nothing at all!

I have watched documentaries on frogs, reruns of the Tonight show and even Conan O’Brien, who I really can’t stand, but at 2 AM, it’s any port in the storm!

Fritz loves it. He enjoys the TV and will actually jump around the bedroom while I click through the channels. The dackels are never bothered!

I was awake coughing so much Tuesday night, that I kept falling asleep during the day on Wednesday. I just have felt so run down and so tired.

And I wonder how much longer until I feel well? Have you ever had a virus that seemed to go on and on?

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. What’s one thing you learned in September?

How truly loved I am. Going through my mother’s death and funeral, I found my family surrounding me with love and support. Even my little Savannah knows who I am, and shows me so much love. And since I have been sick, Hubby has stepped up and taken very good care of me.

2. Acorn squash, butternut squash, spaghetti squash, yellow squash, zucchini squash, or blech! hold the squash… what’s your favorite squash? What’s your favorite way to prepare your favorite squash?

Butternut squash. I peel it, cut it into cubes, boil until tender, drain, mash with butter, brown sugar and a little cinnamon. Yum!

3. The older I get the__more sleep I need.

4. What’s your favorite television theme song ever?

5. What do you wish you’d spent more time doing five years ago?

Paying attention to keeping my weight off. Unfortunately, I didn’t and now I am back to where I was! (**groan**)

6. What item do you most need (or want) to add to your wardrobe this fall?

A comfortable pain of jeans.

7. On October 2, 1950 the Peanuts cartoon was introduced to the world. What was your favorite cartoon when you were a kid?

Always has been snoopy!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Well folks we are coming in on three weeks that I have been sick. I think I am a little better today…finally…but I sure have a long way to go!