The Dackel Princess

1. ‘Hurry less, worry less’…what’s your strategy for making that happen this holiday season? How’s it going so far?

Both Hurry Less and Worry Less. I started by starting my Christmas shopping back in August. By the end of November,  I was nearly done. And today I have just two gifts left to get! Now by doing this, I worried less and that felt great! I think I will do this every year!

2. Do you have a list of to-dos that need accomplishing in order to prepare your home and/or property for the winter season? What are some of the jobs on your list? Are you a do-it-yourselfer or do you hire someone to accomplish these tasks?

Leaves needed to be raked and dropped apples needed to be picked up in order to keep the mice from taking up residence in our yard and eating our trees. Currently it is snowing like crazy, and we expect to get 5-9 inches. If it snows like this all day, then I’m thinking closer to nine inches. The snow plow is all set t go and we have plenty of gas for it. All we need now is a delivery of oil by Friday!

3. According to dietitians surveyed, the most popular health foods for 2018 will be -turmeric, sprouted foods (bean sprouts, breads with sprouted grains, etc), veggies in place of grains, dairy free milk, and pulses (lentils, chickpeas, etc).  What’s the first thought that ran through your head when you read this list? Of the foods listed which one might you add to your regular diet? Also, can milk really be dairy free? Is it still milk?

Ugh! Seriously. On that list, about the only thing I really love are brussell sprouts.  The rest just, well sound unappealing!

4. The Pantone Color of the Year for 2018 is Ultra Violet. According to the Pantone site ‘Ultra Violet communicates originality, ingenuity, and visionary thinking pointing us to the future.’ What say you? Do you like the color purple? Did you see the movie or read the book-ha!?  Is purple a color you wear often? Describe for us one purple item in your home without using the word purple.  If you were in charge of such things what color would you select for 2018?

Now Ultra Violet is not warm in any way. Purple, lavender, although cousins to Ultra Violet, are a lot more warm. I tend to wear  lavender more than any of the purple colors. Did not read the book, but saw the movie. No purple items. Light Rose would be the color!

5. Favorite book read this year?

The Anniversary release of “Diana: Her True Story–in Her Own Words”. It was really interesting to read what Princess Diana actually said in her interview tapes.

6.  Insert your own random thought here.

My decorating is done in the house, and here is a total shocker! I went into my office yesterday and went through three piles of filing, and guess what? Due to the fact that I can now access things on the computer, I threw out nearly the entire three piles! After that I felt so good! In fact, it felt so good, I intend to purge my file boxes! Woo-hoo! The office may actually get done!

1. What title would you give this current chapter of your life?

Then middle. I feel like I have reached the good solid middle part of my life. I know who I am, I like who I am and things have settled around me.

2. December 6 is National Microwave Oven Day. Who knew? Besides popcorn and coffee reheats, what’s the most common thing you microwave? Could you get along without a microwave?

Leftovers. I believe in using everything you can. Never throw out food unless it has a beard!

3. If you could insert yourself into any Christmas carol and experience the lyrics in real life, which Christmas carol lyric would you choose and why?

This song gives me a happy and warm feeling. Family, happiness, and love.

4. Describe the most beautiful drive you’ve ever taken.

That’s hard, because I have taken so many. However one of the most beautiful and breathtaking was the drive from Seattle, Washington, to San Diego, California on the Coastal Highway. Breathtakingly beautiful!

5. What’s something on your Christmas list this year? (an actual list or figuratively speaking, either one)

I want new family room furniture. But since that isn’t going to happen any time soon, I would like Time. Time with my daughter. Time with my grandchildren and time with my husband. Since this is a big year coming up for us, Jack will be 80, we will have been married 30 years, and I will turn 60 years old! I would love to plan something great, just not sure what it is yet.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Christmas is coming, the Goose is getting fat….Well, not exactly, but Christmas is coming and I have just a few more things to get for the holiday. I did most all of my Christmas shopping in October and November, so it’s just the last few things. What about you?

1.  What’s something blogging has taught you about yourself?

I think it has shown me that despite time, and distance, my love for those in my past and present is deep and true. I remember them with all my love, both the funny and the sweet and have found ways of preserving the memories.

2.  Leftovers…are you in the ‘reheat and eat’ camp or the ‘put them in the fridge until they spoil and then toss them’ camp? What’s your favorite thing to have leftover? What can you not abide as a leftover?

Oh no. I am a reheat and eat girl! Although I do admit that right now we are feeling a little turkey’d out! So for a change I made pork chops last night, but there was still leftover pearl onions on Jack’s plate.

3. ‘Me time’…your thoughts?

Yes. Everyone needs me time. A few weeks back, I got ready and told Jack I was going out. He told me to wait for a while and he would come too. I smiled and explained that I needed to get away by myself. It helps to clear the mind.

4. When people come to you for help, what do they usually want help with?

Caring. Usually it’s for having me help them with watching kids, a sick person or perhaps a meal or two. But my strong suit is taking care of people.

5. If your childhood had a smell what would it be? Tell us why.

Cooking. And that involves a variety of smells. Baking bread, baking cookies, turkey dinners, or Easter Lamb. My Mom and Grandmother were both wonderful, serious, cooks and so my childhood is filled with delicious smells!

6. Insert your own random thought here.

I was off to see the Retinal Surgeon today to have my eyes checked for any problems. I am happy to report that both eyes are healthy and are remaining healed. Yay!

1. Tradition…how tightly do you cling to tradition when it comes to holiday gatherings and celebrations? For instance do you always do the cooking, never eat at home, always go to grandma’s, never miss the parade, always watch football, never change the menu, always eat at 2 PM, etc.? Have you ever celebrated Christmas or Thanksgiving away from hearth, home, and family? How did that feel?

I really am a traditionalist. I love to cook and I love certain things, like Chestnut Stuffing. As a child we always went to my home. I mean, the family would meet up and my Mom did the cooking. She was a pro. I have been out to restaurants a couple of times, but didn’t really like that. It lacked the personal touch. I’ve also been over seas in places that did not celebrate Thanksgiving and I felt a real loss. I think one of the strangest Thanksgivings was when we took a cruise. Oh they had most of the things you would associate with Thanksgiving, but somehow it lost something in translation.

2. Help…is it easy for you to ask for help or are you a do-it-yourselfer? How is that a good/bad thing?

It’s terribly hard for me to ask for help. It has been all my life. Even during times when I really needed help. This year with the surgery and Staph infection, I finally learned how to ask for help. It’s still hard, but I have learned that at times you need to ask and then be grateful in return.

3. Abundance…what is there an abundance of in your kitchen?

Right now? Eggs and butter. That’s because tomorrow is baking and cooking day. I’m making pumpkin and mince pies and apple crisp. I’m also making Chestnut Dressing, and of course there will be roasted butternut squash, mashed potatoes and of course the gravy!

4. Name…the smallest thing you’re thankful for? the biggest?

The smallest things are often the biggest things and the biggest things the smallest. I am thankful for the health and wonder of my daughter and grandchildren. I am also thankful for Jack’s return to health and I am ever so thankful that I beat the Staph infection, so I am here to enjoy life with these people. I know I didn’t actually answer the question, but I think you all understand.

5. Key…What do you think is the key to living a more grateful life?

Take nothing and no one for granted. To look for the positive things in life and to be present in the here and now.

6. State your own random thought here.

I am so pleased that this year I am well enough to be back in the kitchen cooking away. I have printed up all my recipes, and have each item planned out as to preparation and cook time. Tomorrow I will also put the leaves in the table and start the process of setting that up. Oh, the excitement is building!

Have a Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving Everyone!