The Dackel Princess

Friday Fill-Ins

1. I can’t believe We’re going to have more snow.

2. More chocolate for everyone.

3. How can I ever think about living in a work without a dackel.

4. Stuffed Green Peppers was the last thing I cooked.

5. Six of one A half dozen of the other.

6. MORE SNOW; nonono!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to A fire in the hearth, a glass of brandy and a cuddle with my sweetie, tomorrow my plans include being able to watch “From Lark Rise to Candleford” after a months hiatus and Sunday, I want to attend The Taste of the Lakes. This is a fund raising event, where 22 restaurants provide their signature dishes for sampling. It is so much fun!!

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

Thursday Thirteen

As you all may recall, I had a total roast beef melt down on Monday when I burned the roast. An act of cooking, which is totally unlike me! I shocked myself with the badness of that meal! Hubby suggested that I just chop up the meat and slowly feed it to the dogs over the course of the week, but I just couldn’t do that. I thought and I thought and here is what I did:

First I chopped up a large onion, and three cloves of garlic.
Then I chopped up some celery, and mushrooms.
I grabbed a bag of baby carrots.
Peeled and diced 2 medium potatoes.
After I sauteed all this for a bit, I added 3 cans of low sodium beef broth.
1/2 cup of burgundy wine.
1/4 cup ketchup.
1 tsp Sea Salt & 1/4 tsp pepper
1 tsp Basil
I carefully cut up the meat into bite sized cubes.
When the broth was just simmering on the stove, I tossed in the beef, and covered my dutch oven pot.
I placed it into a preheated 250 degree (f) oven.
Then I walked away and let it slowly cook for 5 hours. I thickened the gravy with a little Wondra Flour. Done!

I can only tell you that I was not at all sure how this would come out. Thankfully, it came out very, very well!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. April rolls in at the end of this week….what is something foolish you’ve done?

Long ago, back in my late teens, I was out with a bunch of friends at a bar, listening to a local band. (Back then it was legal to be 18 and drinking) The band was great, and I was into the music, and they invited someone to jump on up on the stage and join the fun. Well, all I can say is I must have had one too many margarita’s, because the next thing I knew I was up there dancing away! For those of you who know me, you will simply not believe that this shy girl would do something so “outside” the box! It was the first, the last and the only time I did anything like that!

2. With April comes Easter and that classic edible treat known as Peeps…so tell me…what’s your favorite way to fix/eat chicken? That wasn’t what you were expecting, was it? I ‘fooled’ you. Teehee.

My favorite chicken recipe is a classic, “Julia Child’s Roasted Chicken” I mean, you slather that sucker with butter, salt and pepper and roast it slowly until it is done. OMG! It is the best ever!

Now, if I am being a good little weight watchers, I rub, Penzey Spices Barbecue of the America’s on the chicken and put it into my Ronco rotisserie and cook it that way. Literally, all the fat drips off. And by the way, I detest Peeps! My sister loves them.

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3. What’s the best museum you’ve ever visited? Or your favorite? Or the one you’d most like to visit?

I love the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC. Not only is the Museum beautiful, but it is well laid out and the staff are all so knowledgeable. I met a guard there one who knew every picture in his area and we spoke at great length.

4. You know what they say about April showers…what’s your preference-a shower or a bath?

It depends. If I want to relax and mellow out, I take a long hot bath. It I want to feel clean, I take a nice hot shower.

5. “Absence makes the heart grow fonder”…fact or fiction? Why?

I would think yes. I know when I have been away on trips and Hubby was at home, I always can hardly wait to talk to him or see him and tell him all about my adventure. Don’t get me wrong, a trip to the grocery store does not elicit this feeling. Usually it is when I am away for more than just a few days.

6. What’s your favorite product made in your home state/province? That would be the state where you physically reside as in an actual geographical location, not states such as confusion or chaos.

Probably Maple Syrup. I just love real New Hampshire Maple Syrup! It is just the best. So unlike pancake syrup! Sadly I do not eat it often because of my healthy eating, and Maple Syrup is all sugar!

7. What is going on in the world today that affects you the most?

What doesn’t affect me, would be a better question. Since I have to chose the other, I would say, the falling value of our dollar. I mean, I’d love to be able to go down to my bank and say to them, “Yeah, I know I’m spending way too much money on a lot of crap that I don’t need, so how ’bout printing me up another million?” Yeah, like that’s going to happen!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Joanne had her surgery to replace her skull flap in her head, and all went well. So well, she is back at her rehabilitation facility and ready to go forward! What a blessing!

My friend, Carol is home from the hospital and she is also doing well. She is getting back on that new knee of hers and will be dancing in no time!

Aw, Shoot!

Monday was going so well. I’d actually gotten myself out of bed early, fixed a Weight Watchers breakfast for myself, and then Hubby and I drove to the local ski area, where, despite the cold temperatures and strong winds, we skied. I did not fall. No chair lift hit me in the head, and I enjoyed the bright blue skies.

The ski area was empty. Perhaps a couple dozen people at most, which meant that we felt that we had the entire mountain to ourselves! Just the way I like it!

After, we stopped to buy Fritz’s canned dog food, and then Hubby took me out for a nice Chinese food lunch. He had Garlic Shrimp and I had Sesame Shrimp. Delicious! It was all served with the best hot tea!

After, we stopped to buy the last few things we needed for dinner Monday night. The stores were empty and so we just went through, much as we had at the ski area, at our own pace.

We got home and I slowly started to prepare dinner. There were three crucial steps to my recipe. Then I got three phone calls in rapid succession.

The timer went off, and I opened the oven door, expecting perfection, and what did we find?

A burned to a crisp roast beef, potatoes, celery and carrots. It was burned so badly, that not even I could eat it! (The dogs, however, think it is great!)

I was shocked! This doesn’t happen to me, too often. Then I went back over and read my recipe sheet. Step 1, check. Step 2, check. Step,3…oh my goodness! How could I have been so dumb!!!

I forgot to turn the oven down after the first 25 minutes, from 450 degrees to 350 degrees!

I have wrapped up the charred roast, and I am searching the Internet on what I can do to “salvage” the meat. I’m thinking perhaps a soup, one that you barely simmer for a long time. Something to soften the shoe leather of a roast that I have sitting in my fridge.

So there you have it. My confession of a poorly cooked meal. It doesn’t happen too often, but every once in a while, I totally mess up. Monday night was it!

Hubby was kind. He hasn’t said much. I asked if he wanted me to fix him something else and he said no. He will probably wait until I go to bed and then make himself something.

Aw, shoot! I just hate it when stuff like this happens!

What I Did This 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 I wrote in Sunday’s post, not much happened on Saturday. It was a lazy day, and aside from a wonderful fire in my hearth, I have nothing to report of any great interest there.

However, on Sunday I decided to cook Hubby a nice dinner. I had some boneless pork-loin chops, and I made this wonderful recipe.

Honey and Spice-Glazed Pork Chops

Add a spicy-sweet kick to your traditional pork chop recipe by simmering pork chops in a honey, Dijon mustard, ground ginger, cinnamon, and clove glaze. Serve with mashed potatoes to soak-up the extra sauce.

Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 1 pork chop and 1 tablespoon glaze)

1/4 cup honey
1 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger (I used real ginger and grated it)
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
Cooking spray
4 (4-ounce) boneless center-cut loin pork chops (about 1/2 inch thick)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Combine first 5 ingredients in a bowl.

Heat a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray over medium-high heat. Sprinkle pork with salt and pepper; cook 2 minutes on each side or until browned. Reduce heat to medium-low; add honey mixture. Cook 10 minutes or until done, turning pork once.

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It was delicious, and I served the chops with baked sweet potatoes, asparagus and our own, home-made apple sauce. This made me feel like I had scored a big win, win, for the weekend. Monday morning I am going skiing, and then after I plan to cook Hubby a spoon roast beef. For those of you that have never had this cut, it is a very tender cut of the beef. In fact I like it better than Prime Rib!

Happy Monday, Everyone!

Lazy Day

On Saturday I got absolutely nothing done. I know, you can’t believe it! Frankly, neither can I, but I woke feeling tired and somewhat achy and extremely lazy. So…that’s exactly how I behaved all day. I was a lazy bum!

Oh I did feed Hubby and the pooches, and clean up the dishes and made the bed, but that is it. No laundry, no spring cleaning and no big deal. Just quiet, restful, nothingness.

Do you ever have those days? Days when you want to just mellow out and go with the flow? It’s not really often that I feel this way, so call me surprised.

I did do a little daydreaming though. Thinking ahead two years to our 25th wedding anniversary, (Our Anniversary is in April) and how we will celebrate.

Just me and Hubby, off on our own. Celebrating the best 25 years of our lives!

Friends

I think there are times in our lives when we are reminded with a swift kick to our gut, about what is really important.

Last Tuesday my friend, Carol was operated on to have her knee replaced. Heck, Hubby has had it done, and a few of our friends. So when she went in, I sort of knew what to expect.

On Wednesday morning I went to see her, arriving about the time that they were reviving her from the brink of death!

I prayed so hard that she would be well, and it was several hours until her husband called me to let me know that she was okay…finally…but it had been a close call. As tears fell down my cheeks, I thanked God!

It seems she had that one in a million deadly reaction to the anesthesia she had been given. The kind where you go to sleep but don’t wake up! You know, I have heard about it before, but never known anyone who had such a problem, until now.

The other thing I learned was just how deep my feelings are for this dear friend. She is like a sister to me and I love her.

Friday I was able to go into see her at the hospital, and she is doing so much better. Her color is good and she was getting out later in the day. I sat there with Carol and her sister, and shared some time. Then another friend arrived, so I left, because I didn’t want to tire her.

The bottom line here is that all of this has reminded me how important our friends are in our lives. Like our family, these dear people hold a place in our hearts that no one else can fill. I am so thankful for Carol’s recovery!

Friday Fill-Ins

And…here we go!

1. Why does it always seem that vacations never last long enough?

2. The love of my family and friends is equal to the love that my dogs have for me.

3. My favorite breakfast includes eggs, bacon and toast. As well as fresh papaya and lime.

4. The Time Traveler’s Wife was the last book I read but I hope to read more now that I’ve discovered the world of large print books.

5. I am SO glad that two of my friends came through very difficult surgeries this week.

6. A warm sandy beach with a lot of sunshine would make me feel better right now.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to making a new recipe with chicken, tomorrow my plans include the usual laundry and the spring cleaning of the guest room and Sunday, I want to have one day just for me.!

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

Thursday Thirteen

Here we are, another Thursday. I’m going to do a random list, as Wednesday was kind of a crazy day, and my thoughts are a bit scattered. So, here goes.

I lost 2 pounds this week at Weight Watchers. I was feeling very happy and was patting myself on the back. Yay me, right?
Then I found out that my dear friend, Carol is having trouble after her surgery, and it made me realize what is truly important.
I worked on some writing I needed to do, but my thoughts all day were with Carol.
Greta came up to me today and I realized she had some matted hair, so she got a little grooming. She wasn’t too happy, but looks so much better.
I made a new recipe for stuffed peppers and they actually came out well! Trust me, I was not thinking clearly, and just tossed stuff together and it worked.
Spring cleaning is going well! The house is really starting to look and smell fresh once again!
They have forecast for snow tomorrow. Oh, just a measly 2 or 3 inches. (Grrr!)
I sure hope that spring arrives soon! If not I’ll be off looking for Punxsutawney Phil! (He will have lied about there being an early spring!)
Isn’t it great to have more daylight now? I’m thinking that it’s super to have the sun setting later each day and actually to have brightness until nearly 7:30!
I think a hot shower or long hot bath are two of the best ways to pamper yourself!
I think tonight will be a chicken night. Not sure how I’ll fix it, but something fun, yet easy.
The weekend ahead of me, I hope to clean the guest room. Everything from curtains, bedspread, etc.
I hope my friend, Carol gets well soon, so I can go and see her.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Sunday was the first day of spring. So they say. Ahem. What is your favorite outdoor springtime activity?

Getting my garden ready for planting. It will need to be weeded, fertilized and the Hubby will rototil it.

2. Who would you want to come into your kitchen to cook dinner for you?

Julia Child, but since she is no longer with us, I will say Jacques Pepin. It’s not that I prefer French cooking, I do, however, love the methods of preparation that both Jacques and Julia used in their recipes.

3. When did you last fly a kite?

I cannot even recall. I am thinking it has to be well over 30 years ago, or more.

4. What topic puts you to sleep faster than anything?

There are not many. I don’t like a lot of the political discussions going on these days, so perhaps I will say politics.

5. Which flowers do you associate with specific people, places, or events?

Lilacs are for the first house we lived in, on Clipper Lane in Falmouth, Massachusetts.Then again, lilacs for the first house Hubby and I lived in down in Southern New Hampshire.And then, when I was a little girl my Uncle Billy worked in a Rose Garden, and I remember wandering through the garden with the overwhelming aroma of roses surrounding me.

6. What significant historical events took place during your elementary school days?

President Kennedy was assassinated, the Vietnam War was started and fought, Free Love and Flower Power, and The Beatles changed music forever.

7. Do you swear? Do you pseudo-swear? (You know crap, shoot, friggin’?)

Ahem, well, yes. I try not to do it in public. Oh I might let rip a “holy crap” here or there, and “frickin” is another one, but the big ones, like the F-bomb, I do not use in mixed company. (And I only used it when I was in transitional labor before the spinal took hold!)

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Joanne is doing splendidly in her rehab. She was moved to the new one (more intensive) and will have her skull replaced later this week. Keep those prayers coming!

A dear local friend of mine is having her knee replaced today. Please keep Carol in your prayers.