The Kinds Are Back

Matina and James arrived back for their annual visit with the grandmother (and me!). Their first stop upon arrival was at our house to meet Greta’s babies. Of course calling them babies now seems pretty funny because they are nearly as big as their Mum.

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Anneliese and Arnie with Matina.

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Greta, Arnie and Anneliese with Matina.

Greta remembered the kids immediately and she went to great lengths to lie down on the ground and get belly rubs from them. She was absolutely shameless!

The kids were so excited to see the two puppies. The children of Greta! They’d been waiting for two years for this day to come. The day when Greta had her babies and they got to meet them.

It sure was a happy time all around. For the doggies, for the kids and for me too!

Friday & Saturday

The last two days have been full of fun. Yesterday Arnie and Anneliese’s father, and Greta’s boyfriend, the handsome Bernie came for a visit. He brought with him his Mommy & Daddy and his sister Veela. Bernie hadn’t seen his children since they were about 12 weeks old, so this was a nice time for everyone to get together. Now here is the real shocker. Anneliese looks just like her Daddy! I always thought that Arnie did, but getting all the dogs together it was easy to see that Arnie is quite unique.

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Arnie, Bernie and Anneliese

At first it was madness and mayhem when the dogs got together. Anneliese wasn’t at all gracious, but eventually they all got along and things settled down.

Bernie, of course had eyes only for Greta. My little coquette, flirted outrageously with him

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and then tried to bite him when he got too close.
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Bernie’s Mommy brought with her delicious pastries from an Austrian baker in a nearby town. Mmmmmm. They were so good!

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Today we decided to take our four dogs to the community park. Dogs are allowed there and you can actually let them off the leash and they can run. I was a bit more careful with the puppies, but Fritz and Greta knew right where they were and ran like two wild lunatics! Oh, they had such a good time.

Eventually we reached the lake in the back of the park and all four dogs played in the water. Fritz and Greta are great swimmers.

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It’s so much fun to watch them. They love to fetch a stick and swim back and forth quite well. Arnie actually jumped in and swam around for the very first time. He did very well. Anneliese went in, but did not really swim.

Soon it was time to leave.

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The end to another wonderful day!

Me And My Cousin

Today I celebrated my cousin Janet’s birthday.
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Our friend, Michelle came up and the three of us took a cruise on the Mount Washington Cruise Ship.

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We spent 2 1/2 hours out in the breezy sunshine enjoying the waters of Lake Winnipesaukee. The day was so clear and we had a great view of the shoreline, the mountains in the distance, and even the now green ski slopes of Gunstock Mountain.

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It was so relaxing, so fun and we enjoyed the time.

When we returned Hubby picked us up at the dock with Arnie and Anneliese in the car. They were so surprised to see us! Janet took these pictures in the car on the way back.

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We rested at the house for a while, visiting with Hubby and Emily came over. She helped Hubby paint the stain on the picnic table and before we knew it, it was time to go to dinner at Canoe.

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Me, Michelle, Emily and Hubby.

As usual, the food was wonderful, but sadly our favorite waiter wasn’t working and we got a young girl who had trouble keeping it all together. It was pretty busy and I think she was new. So I wasn’t really thrilled with that. But the food was good, and the company even better! And best of all, the birthday girl got her cake!

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Happy Birthday, Sweetie and many, many more!!!

Kids, Dogs and Love

One of our little neighborhood girls came by. Our house is now the place where the kids come. They play with the dogs, help me with cooking or the gardening, but most of all, I think they come to talk.

Today Jacqui came by. She was feeling angry at her Mom for restricting her on playing on the trampoline before it was properly set up. I listened intently to all she said before I offered my words of wisdom. (Or what seems like wisdom to a 10 year old.)

I explained how much her mother loves her and would not want her to fall and break a leg or arm or worse yet to be killed. I told her how mothers always try to do their best to protect their kids.

She looked up at Katie’s picture and I explained that sometimes you can’t even do that, but at least Katie and I had spoken only words of love before the accident.

She was calmer when she left and I hope tonight when she kisses her mother goodnight there will be some real affection and understanding between them.

Meanwhile, the pups just get to be more and more fun. Arnie is nearly as big as Greta, while Anneliese remains petite. It is so hard to believe that they weighed the same at birth!

Hubby took this great picture of the three dachsies this morning while they watched the early morning activities on the lake.

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Arnie, Anneliese and Greta

Yes, between the love from our dogs and for them as well, and the children of our neighborhood who seem to find their way to our home, and the love that exists between us, life is good.

Walking into Wonderful

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Today I was determined that I would get out and walk. I need to do this to strengthen my knee and to work my body. Also, the puppies need to get used to walking on a leash and so today, after purchasing two harnesses for them, I put on my baseball hat and snapped the leashes on the dogs and off we went. Just the three of us.

The pups were eager to walk up the driveway, but as I reached the top I looked over at the small house where my 83 year old neighbor lives. She is a widow, with a great love of dogs, and until recently she was caring for her Newfoundland, named Gus, (I call him the Goofy Newfie!) and a mixed mutt, named Bella. She was recently in the hospital and her grandchildren have taken the dogs and have been caring for them.

The dogs are still gone as she is bedridden and unable to care for them. As I got close to her house I turned and went and knocked on her door. I heard a small, feeble “come in”. And we did.

I cannot begin to tell you how thrilled she was with the two puppies. She patted them, and kissed them and Mr. Lovable, Arnie was the sweetest of all. For me, the best part was seeing her strained face turn bright with pleasure at having a visit with some furry friends.

I plan to go back again each day. They will grow to love her and she really needs this special kind of puppy therapy.

I saw this on the web, it says it all.

Author Unknown.

A man’s dog stands by him in prosperity and poverty, in health and sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground, when the wintry winds blow and the snow drives fiercely, if only he can be near his master’s side. He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer, he will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounter with the roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of a pauper as if he were a prince. When all other friends desert… he remains.

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Lunch Anyone?

Tuesday Hubby and I hosted a luncheon with friends we have had since we brought our first dachshund home 11 years ago. You see when I brought dearest Shubi home from Bavaria 11 years ago, I knew nothing about the care of dachshunds. So I went online and found a dachshund group and learned as much as I could. In the meantime, the men and women on the group became close and when the owner of the list insisted we only speak of physical ailments of our dogs, we all were thrown off her list and we started our own. We decided to call it “The Circle of Friends”.

We have been through births, deaths, marriages and all the other events in life. I’ve been lucky to meet many of the people who compile this group. Most of us have dachshunds still, but some of the group had dachshunds and lost them, and have not replaced them.

Anyway, I made French Onion Soup
The One About Food
a lettuce wedge salad and a pound cake for dessert.
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The Lettuce Wedge Salad.
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Our friend, Alice and Hubby.

After lunch we went outside for the Orchard Tour!
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Of course the puppies provided a lot of comic relief.

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Anneliese kissing her buddy Fritz.
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Tomorrow I go for my 1 month check up for my eye. Wish me luck as I have had sort of a weird thing going on. I won’t elaborate, only to say that I am hopeful all will be well.

When Love Comes To Call

How wonderful the last 24 hours have been! Or as I like to say, how good it is “when love comes to call”!

There are people in our lives that share special places in our hearts and whether we see them every day or every few weeks or even every few years, they are always right there. Special. Loved.

Friday our friends from Hubby’s flying days arrived during their cross country motorcycle trip! They have a beautiful BMW bike and a trailer with a little ventilated compartment for their faithful companion, a Lhasa Apso/poodle mix, Oliver.

They arrived here at 2 PM in their heavy bike clothes. I mention this because we had our first 90 degree day yesterday, and I know they were both cooked through! I brought them inside, gave Oliver a dish of water, and hydrated Tom and Dorene with some flavored water.

We sat in our kitchen with all 5 dogs sniffing each other and getting to know each other (all went well) and talked about life.

Tom and Dorene have known Hubby since 1966 when they were all based in Hong Kong, flying R&R flights for Pan Am. Over the years Tom and Hubby remained friends even sharing apartments near various airports.

When I came onto the scene, many people resented the difference in our ages, but they opened their arms and their hearts to me and a deep friendship was formed. I really adore them.

We have not seen them in a few years now, but it didn’t make a bit of difference. We took right up talking as though we had just seen each other yesterday. Have you ever noticed that it’s like that with some people?

They were so exhausted when they arrived that I told them that they had to stay, so they gladly accepted the invitation and they were our guests last night.

So, where did we go for dinner? Those of you who are regular readers will know that we went to Canoe! It was fabulous, as usual and we talked and ate and talked and ate some more!

When we were done we came home and played with all the dogs until 11 and then we all went to bed.

This morning I got up, made coffee and fresh muffins along with bacon, eggs, fruit and juice for our breakfast, and we helped them to pack up their bike. At 10 we bid them a fond farewell.

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Oliver in his little trailer/crate. Getting ready in the second picture, and lastly, they’re off!

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At 12:15 my daughter, Amanda arrived. She brought with her a photo book of pictures she had taken of the puppies when she brought her younger sister up in January. It is the cutest thing.

Then we took off to another local restaurant for lunch. The Common Man restaurant was a delight. Hubby and I had French onion soup, and quiche, and Amanda had a lobster chowder and glazed chicken. Very nice!

We came back home and since there is a neat Craft Fair taking place locally, I thought perhaps this would be a nice opportunity to walk the puppies in a crowd and to spend some alone time with Mandy. I was right on both counts.

Mandy and I wandered around the fair, enjoying the breezy spring day and introducing the puppies to the world. Arnie was fine. He was friendly and warm and happy the entire time. He is such an amazing animal. When I think I might not have kept him….

Anneliese was a little more timid. The noises and the other animals made her just a little nervous at first. I assured her that all was fine and encouraged her to keep exploring. By the end of the walk she was doing much better.

So when my cousin Janet comes up on Monday we will take the pups over to the Craft Fair again for another walk. I just hope that the weather will remain sunny, warm and dry.

I really enjoy spending time with Mandy. I look at her and I see a truly amazing woman. I’m so proud to be her mother.

We came back to the house and sat outside watching the dogs play and Emily came by. She will come over tomorrow and help us plant the garden.

Mandy had to leave then and get back to her home. Maybe next time we get together we can go on a shopping spree! It’s been a while since we’ve done that.

Now I just have to make a little supper for Hubby.

Yes, at the end of a day, “when love has come to call”, you feel happy and warm and well loved!

The Puppy Nanny

Saturday saw Hubby and I off for the day…alone. The “Puppy Nanny”, also known as Emily, came over and puppy sat for us. I can’t begin to tell you how much this was appreciated. We could actually go off and not worry about how long we were gone, and worry about the small bladders of both big and little doggies!

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All four dogs just love Emily and she loves them too. The puppies, of course, have known her from day one and so she is very special to them. When she arrives at our house they run to greet her and they can hardly wait to snuggle down with her.

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So, while the “Puppy Nanny” was here we shopped. We bought ourselves a new set a stainless flatware. Woo-hoo! The set we have used since we got married was Hubby’s before and is probably 30-35 years old. It was simply not doing well and yes, it even showed some signs of rusting. The set we got was a Henckel’s set and we like it very much. The pattern is called Provence.

I also got two blouses in patterns.

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Now this is probably a bigger miracle than us actually spending money on buying a new set of flatware. You see I am the original plain color dresser. I don’t like patterns and I tend to dress in plain blues or whites or blacks. I know, not original, but I simply worry about dressing too loud. Oh dear, someone might notice me! After these purchases I feel like I am living on the edge!

We also went to our favorite German Deli and loaded up on all sorts of yummy German foods. Our favorite being a Hungarian Gypsy Wurst and Tilsiter cheese. Amanda had given Hubby a gift certificate for Christmas, but since we don’t get down that way too often (It is 70 miles from here), this was our first chance to use it. We used the whole thing!

Emily called us to report on the puppies and Greta, who was quite depressed at our departure, and we called her to let her know when we would be home. Upon our return we were greeted by all the pups in a wild frenzy that assured us that we had, in fact, been missed.

A Happy Home Recipe

Title: A Happy Home Recipe
Yield: 1

Ingredients:

4 cups of love
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2 cups of loyalty
3 cups Forgiveness
1 cup Friendship

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5 Spoons of hope
2 Spoons of tenderness
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4 quarts of faith
1 Barrel of laughter
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Take love and loyalty, mix them throughly with Faith. Blend it with
tenderness, kindness and understanding. Add friendship and hope,
sprinkle abundantly with laughter. Bake it with sunshine. Serve
daily with generous helpings