The Dackel Princess

In Memory Of My Katie

33 years ago today, I gave birth to my second daughter, Kathleen Alynne. She weighed 8 pounds and 10 ounces and was 21 inches long. She came into this world with red curls and green eyes and left us six and a half years later, with the same bright red curls and flashing green eyes.

I still cannot believe that she is gone from us. She was a sweet, kind, gentle little girl, who never had the chance to grow up.

So bear with me today, as I remember and shed a few tears, for the little girl, I lost, far too early in her life.

Katie Birthday Memorial from Dackel Princess Maribeth on Vimeo.

Happy Birthday, my dear, Katie and rest in peace.

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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As you read, on Saturday, I cooked a totally awesome meal. We watched some TV, a movie with Bruce Willis, Richard Gere and Sydney Poitier called “The Jackal”. Now Bruce Willis usually plays the good guy, who saves the day. In “The Jackal” he played a very, very, bad man! And he was good at it! Gere, as always, was our handsome hero!

I felt a little fatigued on Saturday night so I went to bed early. That was a big mistake, because the dogs got me up VERY early!

So, on Sunday I got up and made coffee and our breakfast and resented like crazy the time change. Hubby hoped to get me out of my funk, so he asked me to lunch while we were going to grocery shop.

All was well for the first hour after eating, and then I just felt really unwell. I am not sure why. It doesn’t feel like food poisoning or anything, but once again, nothing is sitting where it should. I wasn’t even able to eat dinner. That is so unlike me.

So I am sipping my ginger ale and will stay quiet tonight and hopefully feel better Monday morning.

A Good Meal

Saturday was a Ski Swap down the area that I ski at in the winter. They don’t have much snow, yet, but today was their big Swap, Sale, Event, so Hubby and I got up early and headed down to Gunstock Mountain.

When we arrived I was shocked to see so many cars and people waiting to get in. We waited a good half an hour before going in. Was I ever glad that I had dressed warmly!

We looked at everything from books to poles, to skis, to clothes. And in the end…we bought nothing, but I was able to pick up my Season Ticket, so the trip was not for nothing!

After we stopped and stocked up on food for the dogs, especially their little biscuits! Then we came home and .I worked all afternoon to prepare Hubby a nice dinner. In the last few weeks I’ve totally blown a few of our dinners, so I was trying my hardest to score a good one!

I did and you can find the recipe HERE

I served it up with some mashed potatoes and a recipe I have for brussel sprouts. Here is the recipe for the brussel sprouts!

Brussel Sprout Saute

1 pound of Brussel sprouts
3-4 slices of bacon
1 tbs. olive oil
2 tsp. minced garlic
1/2 tsp. salt
fresh ground pepper
1 small onion chopped
In saucepan boil Brussel sprouts about 5-8 minutes or until sprouts are tender but still crisp. Drain and set aside.

In non stick skillet cook bacon until crisp. Remove and set on paper towel to cool. In the frying pan add onion and cook until the onion is cooked. Add garlic, salt, pepper and olive oil. Stir well. Cut the sprouts in half and add them and cook until the Brussel sprouts begin to brown. Place in serving bowl and crumble bacon over the top. Serve hot! Enjoy!

Yes, it was a good meal!

Friday found me attending a meet-n-greet for Texas Governor, Rick Perry’s wife. Mrs. Perry is a really nice person, who spoke well, and really charmed everyone in attendance. Heck, too bad she is not running for office, I would definitely vote for her!

From left to right is yours truly, Mrs Perry and our State Senator and my friend, Jeanie Forrester.

I’ve never been one to publicly endorse or proclaim who I am voting for. In fact, I am still unsure at this point who I will vote for in our Primary, but I do enjoy meeting new people.

I saw many old friends, made a few new ones and met many young kids who are working on the campaign. We also had two handsome Secret Service Agents protecting Mrs Perry. I was glad they were there, but isn’t it a shame we need that sort of protection? I mean, it’s sad that people can’t behave in a civil manner, when they disagree.

I’ll let you know if I attend any other events! Have a good weekend!

Friday Fill-Ins

And…here we go!

1. In November, I most look forward to My birthday and Thanksgiving, which are separated by a week.

2. The novocain wore off and the pain wasn’t too bad…phew!

3. It’s right there, in the madness and mayhem that I call home.

4. My faith in God gives me peace of mind.

5. Water great to swim in, bathe in, wash in and cook with, but please don’t ask me to drink it.

6. “There is no problem that a good cup of tea can’t solve” is what my grandmother used to say!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to relaxing a little after a busy week, tomorrow my plans include the usual, laundry and Sunday, I want to take Greta and go for a walk!

Thursday Thirteen~~Comfort Food

Scav Sat

November! Really? November? Somehow I cannot believe that we are nearly through 2011! It I recall, we just started the year the other day. Now here we are, in November, the month of my birth and the month of the Turkey Bird! But as I wrap up the last quarter of the year, I thought I’d look back and share with you a recipe I like to make when I am in dire need of comfort food. Now this is not WW food. But it is comfort food.

Choose a medium-sized pasta with grooves, twists and/or curves that will hold a maximum of the cheese sauce. Varieties such as macaroni, gemelli, radiatore, rotini, shells or fusilli are ideal. You can skip the onion/bay leaf/peppercorn infusion for the béchamel sauce to save time; it adds a subtle layer of savory flavor to the dish.
* 2 ½ c (9 ounces) dry pasta
* 2 ½ c whole milk
* 1 slice onion
* 1 bay leaf
* 4 T unsalted butter
* ¼ c all-purpose flour
* Salt and freshly ground black pepper
* 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese, grated (about 2 ½ cups)
* 3 oz fontina cheese, grated (about 1 cup)
* 3 oz Emmenthal, Gruyère or similar Swiss-type cheese, grated (about 1 cup)
* ½ c fresh bread crumbs
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Generously butter a 2-quart baking dish.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Stir in the pasta and boil until it is about half-cooked, tender on the surface with a distinct bite still in the center, about 5 minutes. Drain well, rinse with cold water and set aside, tossing from time to time as it cools to avoid sticking.

Put the milk in a small saucepan with the onion slice, bay leaf . Bring just to a low boil over medium heat, then take the pan from the heat and let sit to infuse for 10 to 15 minutes. (If skipping the aromatics, simply warm the milk.)

Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook, whisking constantly, until it foams up and has a very slight toasty smell (it should not brown), 1 to 2 minutes. Strain the warm milk into the pan and whisk to blend. Continue to cook the sauce, whisking often, until it thickens, about 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and gradually whisk in the cheeses until fully melted. Season the sauce to taste with salt and pepper, then add the pasta and stir to fully coat all the pasta with the cheese sauce.

Pour the mixture into the prepared dish and sprinkle the bread crumbs evenly over. Set the dish on the oven rack and lay a piece of foil on the rack below to catch any drips. Bake until the macaroni and cheese is bubbling hot and the top is nicely browned, about 40 minutes. Let sit for about 15 minutes before serving.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Who taught you how to cook?

That’s an interesting question. My grandmother, my first mother in-law and then myself. So I guess it was a group effort.

2. Have you been told you think too much? Are too much of a perfectionist? Are too sensitive? Were they right?

Never have I been told I think too much. Probably the opposite. I don’t think enough. I am not a perfectionist. I wish I were, then the house hold crap would be done sooner and better! I am too sensitive. I get upset easily and I cry easily, and despite people thinking that it’s all a result of menopause, I was like this all my life.

3. As a child did you have a favorite blanket or toy? Tell about it.

Barbie. Loved them dearly.

4. What ‘institution’ do you have the most faith in?

The love of my God!

5. Chrysanthemums-pansies-burning bush-ornamental cabbage…your favorite in an autumn garden?

Burning Bush. I have one in front of my bedroom window.

6. What superpower do the kids in your neighborhood seem to posses?

Our neighborhood has advanced to teenagers, and so we don’t have any little kids. A few years back, they just seemed to revel in making the best out of the rain, or snow!

7. Are you a fan of the cranberry?

I was born and raised on Cape Cod. It’s really sort of the home of cranberries. Anyway, I LOVE cranberries! Sauce, juice or bread.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I have been thinking the last few days how lucky I am in this world. I have love, and caring people around me, a roof over my head and food to eat. Yes, life is good. I actually feel bad for Ms. Kardashian (see yesterday’s post), as she will never know real happiness or love. Those things cannot be bought, or rented. They are real.

I Do…I Don’t

I was sitting in my family room this morning when the news hit:

LOS ANGELES – Kim Kardashian will file for divorce from husband Kris Humphries Monday, after less than three months of marriage.

Though their marital bliss was short-lived, the reality star is not seeking an annulment and will list “irreconcilable differences” as the cause, TMZ reported.

“Yes @kimkardashian is filing for divorce this morning. I touched base with her, getting a statement in just a few mins,” Ryan Seacrest tweeted in response to the report.

Kardashian, 31, married the NBA player, 26, at a star-studded Hollywood ceremony August 20.

As reported earlier, Kim Kardashian has decided to file for divorce after 10 weeks of marriage to NBA player Kris Humphries. Here is the statement she released on her decision:

“After careful consideration, I have decided to end my marriage. I hope everyone understands this was not an easy decision. I had hoped this marriage was forever but sometimes things don’t work out as planned. We remain friends and wish each other the best.”

Pretty wild, yes? I mean we, mere mortals, planned our wedding to the one we loved, and actually thought about it. We stayed married for more than an instant. We didn’t run off after a few weeks because “Things didn’t work out”! I admit I was married before, but that marriage lasted 11 years! Not 72 days like Ms. Kardashians!

The really hilarious thing is, my wedding to my current Hubby, was a lovely one. I spent all of $5000.00 on my gown, the gowns for my daughter, and my step-daughter, the invitations, music at the reception, a photographer, all the food, and an open bar! Granted that was 23 years ago, but….even with inflation it wouldn’t add up to all that Ms. Kardashian spent (rumored to be approximately 10 million dollars!). Oh yes, and I took my husbands name.

As I get older I seem to find myself having less patience for Hollywood and all the crap that comes out of there. It seems like no one stays married, that people have make believe marriages and then delight in saying, oh yeah, it was just for publicity.

I like real people. Not reality show types. I mean real people like my neighbors. I suppose that was why I always enjoyed “All My Children”. I knew it wasn’t real, and so it was sort of a guilty pleasure. None of these people ever presented to me a 72 day marriage in their real life.

But it seems that the networks want us to swallow these Kardashian types. Ms. Kardashian is, after all, a wealthy woman! She is worth close to 35 million dollars! And E television paid her dearly for their 2 part coverage of her wedding.

For me, I will not watch that bologna!

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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While others in New England were buried with the first of the season snowfall, Hubby and I woke on Sunday to discover that we only had gotten 5 inches of the heavy wet stuff. The wind was fierce, so it had blown the snow from the trees, and the leaves as well. It is quite off to go from autumn to winter in one day!

Upon calling my family in various parts of the northeast I discovered that my daughter had no power, and she had about 20 inches of snow. My sister had no power and she had more than 5 inches of snow and trees were down everywhere.

My cousin, also had no power, and I actually didn’t find out how much snow she had, as all of my contacts were done via texting.

Hubby got the driveway cleared, and I have been providing hot, nourishing meals, to keep him going. Fritz helped him. Isn’t he a faithful dog?

Not too much else, really. Just the usual, laundry, bad TV and a little too much time playing solitaire. Tell me…do you play solitaire on your computer?

Have a great week everyone!

Oh yes, Happy Halloween!!!

Snowtober!

All day long, Hubby and I prepared. He picked the last apples off the trees, we put our patio furniture away, and then we waited.

Lunch time came and went and we tuned into the weather channel to see snow falling not too far away. But still, we had no snow.

Oh, how I love to watch the snow fall in all it’s fury. Today it was not to be, for our snow did not start to fall until well after dark.

Now I have been outside with Anneliese, who barked at the snow flakes and tried to bite them. It was so cute! We shall see what comes to us overnight and how much we get in the end.

Tomorrow I’ll take some pictures, but it simply would be terribly boring in the dark!

Snow in October?…… Snowtober!