Wally, Greta’s son from this last litter passed away today. We were so saddened to hear of this. I sat down looking at his baby pictures and put together this montage. Rest well in God’s arms, dear Wally! You were greatly loved and will be sorely missed.
Macaroni & Cheese
Here is the recipe I made the other day for my cousin Janet. If you would like to see pictures of our Valentine’s day meal you can go HERE and see Janet’s wonderful pictures! I added in more macaroni than the recipe called for, which was a mistake, I think it would have been a tad creamier if I had just used 9-12 ounces of pasta.
Choose a medium-sized pasta with grooves, twists and/or curves that will hold a maximum of the cheese sauce. I used shells. 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
* 2 slices onion
* 12 peppercorns
* 2-3 bay leaves
* 4 T unsalted butter
* ¼ c all-purpose flour
* Salt and freshly ground black pepper
* 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated (about 2 ½ cups)
* 3 oz fontina cheese, freshly grated (about 1 cup)
* 3 oz Emmenthal cheese, freshly grated (about 1 cup)
* ½ c fresh bread crumbs
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Generously butter a 2-quart baking dish.
2. 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.
3. Put the milk in a small saucepan with the onion slices, bay leaves and peppercorns. 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.)
4. 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 (do not let it 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. You may need to put it under a low heat for a moment or two to melt the cheese. 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.
5. 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.
Valentines Day Love
Sunday was a wild day. I had planned a Valentine’s luncheon with my Hubby, my cousin Janet, and our friend Michele. We dined on Lobster, broccoli and homemade macaroni and cheese. You should have seen me in the kitchen this morning! I made a white sauce, and then added the three cheeses, whisking constantly to make the sauce for the macaroni! I felt like Julia Child! I had Hubby taste the sauce and he pronounced it totally unlike boxed Mac & Cheese, so I knew I had scored, as he really hates that!
I knew there would be a lot of dishes later on, so I actually did two sink-fulls of cooking dishes, as I had almost used every pot in the house to make this delicacy! Then I set the table, and all during this time I was letting dogs in and out and walking Bogey too.
Janet and Michele arrived and we sat down to our feast! It just doesn’t get any better than Lobster! The conversation was great and we joked and laughed and had a super time. At the end of the meal, Michele brought out her contribution…the most wonderful cupcakes ever!
Bogey’s parent’s arrived shortly afterward, just missing out on the cupcakes! They were so happy to see Bogey and he was sooooo happy to see them too! They came in and told us all about their trip, which included some truly amazing experiences along the Costa Rica coastline and through the Panama Canal!
Best of all they remembered that I love the Costa Rican coffee and they brought me two bags full! They also brought us the best, smoothest Rum that Hubby and I have ever sipped. This is not the sort of thing you want to mix with coca cola. It is a premier Rum that is best for sipping like a liquor!
Soon they scooped up Bogey, and all his stuff and then off they went. Janet and Michele stayed a little bit longer and then, they too departed.
After everyone had gone, Greta, Arnie, Anneliese and Fritz all settled down, and Hubby and I sat down in our chairs and the house was quiet! It was in that moment that I realized just how tired I was.
However, it was a great day all around and I realized that what the Beatles sang in one of my favorite songs, was so true….
“and in the end, the love you take, is equal to the love….you make”
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Today we celebrate love. I have so many people in this world that I love, as well as my furry creatures, so I put together a montage of some of my favorite picture, of some of my favorite people & pets. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did putting it all together.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Friday Happenings in New Hampshire!
I was up really early today. After a restless night sleep, the dogs woke me and I found myself outside in 15 degree temperatures at 6 AM. Somehow it didn’t seem so bad. I was awake, so why not.
Hubby went skiing for the fourth day in the row. This left me here alone with the dogs, and with many errands to do. So about 10:30 Bogey and I got in the Jeep and off we went to pick up the dry cleaning, and go to the bank. Lucky Bogey got a bone at the bank, and unfortunately my dry cleaning wasn’t ready, so that was a big waste of time.
We hit the Post office and my new bathing suit arrived from Lands End. It’s sky blue, and was dirt cheap as it was last years model. I got three pieces for $20.00! It looks pretty good on me, and will look even better when I get back to my goal weight.
Hubby arrived home in time for lunch and I served him homemade chili and fresh from the oven corn bread, also homemade! Yeah, I spoil him, just a little!
At three, I slipped out to the dry cleaners and picked it all up. Well, everything but my blouse which still isn’t repaired. It needs a new zipper and apparently has a weird size one. So next week it will be back.
We had the pups out again today playing. Boy, do they have fun together! They run and run and play and it is a wonderful thing.
Mother and Son Playing from Dackel Princess Maribeth on Vimeo.
Today I can tell you that Greta, Arnie and Anneliese all played with the young boy, Bogey! Even Fritz payed attention to him and even chased him around a bit.
We have today to enjoy Bogey, as his parents come home on Sunday and will whisk him away. I think we will all miss the little guy!
Anneliese & Bogey
We had the dogs out for a play session in the back yard. Oh, does Bogey love to run and play with his Mommy, Anneliese! He is fast and so is she. They love to romp outside chasing each other, or catching their toy balls, but most of all Bogey loves to chase a blowing leaf! In fact he sits by our sliding glass doors and watches everything outside. If he gets bored there, he goes and sits up on the back of the sofa so he can watch outside the front of the house.
I think it is safe to say that while Bogey’s Mommy and Daddy were on vacation, so was he! I’ve loved having him here, and it is so much better than a kennel. He can come any time he wants for a few days with us!
Today I noticed him sleeping in the puppy bed that he had once shared with his brothers and sisters. Here he is with his brother Baron and sister, Baerbel when they were about 8 weeks old.
Here he is today, all by himself. He now fills the bed!
We had more playing before Bogey and Anneliese settled down together on the sofa. It’s really been a beautiful thing, watching mother and son bond again.
Just a few more days now until his Mom & Dad come home and pick him up. I think we are going to miss this little guy!
Home
You know it really is wonderful. After a few little skirmishes (minor, really), the crew has settled in and every one is getting along. For a while Fritz was afraid of the little guy, but this morning I found them this close together.
In fact, Fritz really calmed down and actually likes Bogey. He lies down with him and while Bogey sleeps, Fritz chew on his bones and watches over him.
The other little rivalry has been between Arnie and Bogey. Not that Bogey has felt this, but Arnie sure has. I have been spending time each night snuggling with my little man and assuring him that he is still my one and only!
Then today Arnie started to play with Bogey! I was shocked! They ran in the field together, and played in the house afterward. I even got this picture of them in front of the fire that I got going today!
They look so comfortable together that I finally felt at ease.
So if Bogey’s parents check the blog, worry not! He is happy and healthy and having a good time with the rest of his birth family.
***************
PS: Hubby did the most romantic thing this morning. When the dogs got up this morning, Hubby got up with them and let me stay in bed!!! Now that is real love and the most romantic thing a man can do for his wife!
LOL!!!
One For My Scrap Book
The other day I picked up our local paper to check out who is running for various town office’s in our March election. You all know that I am, but still, seeing my name in black and white made the event all that more real for me.
When I went out the other day I picked up paper, laminating sheets and a clip so I can make myself a “Hi I’m Maribeth ******running for Library Trustee.
I plan to get up early, do a full make-up job, wear my long underwear and then stand outside in the candidate area to shake hands with people as they come to vote.
I want people to know who they are voting for. I want to meet the people in my town face to face. I just hope when they see this face,
they won’t run screaming from the polls! Hopefully they will see this face and feel comfortable voting for me. At least one thing is for sure, I won’t be some anonymous name on a paper ballot. I will be the strange woman in the parking lot smiling and shaking hands (and freezing her butt off, I’m sure)! The election is March 9th.
Bogey On The Town
What a busy day!
It started a little earlier than usual because Fritz woke me up. I no sooner had let him out and then gotten him back in, and crawled back into my nice warm bed, when the dackels woke me up. I dressed quickly in my long underwear, jeans, turtleneck and wool sweater, got my coat, hat and gloves and Bogey and I went out into the 10 degree weather! The winds were swirling around, and yet Bogey wanted a nice long walk. So walk we did!
By the time we got back, the coffee was all made and I sat down with all four dackels sitting around me and my computer in my lap! It must have been quite a sight.
Anneliese and Bogey had such a good time playing today. They really are cute together. Bogey is bigger than his Mom now, but she still babies him.
And Bogey loves to play with her. He follows her everywhere and they jump up and down and all around, and she has such patience with him.
Greta likes to watch. She sat on top of the sofa most of the day. She watched the playing pups, and the birds outside and was just happy most all of the day. I think she is feeling much better.
Later in the day, as the sun set Bogey started looking out the window all on his own. He is definitely feeling at home now.
It was fun to watch him, until a commercial came on the TV. It was a barking dog and Bogey turned to watch!
I took Bogey out to the Post Office today and stopped to see some friends who he’d met when he was a wee little puppy. In fact they have his baby picture on their wall! They couldn’t believe how much Bogey had grown, nor could they believe how handsome he is!
All in all I think it was a fun day for both Bogey and me!
Doggy-Land
It was quite a busy day here in “Doggy-Land” today. Everyone was a bit restless, despite the 10 degree weather and 30 mile an hour winds. You should have seen me at 6:45 this morning. I got up and pulled on my fuzzy bathrobe over my flannel pajamas, I put on two pairs of socks, and then headed to the kitchen with all 5 dogs following me. Once there, I put on my coat, hat, scarf and gloves, hooked the leash onto Bogey’s collar and headed outside where the wind, despite my careful dressing, just froze me.
We headed back in and by the time we returned the coffee had finished dripping into the pot. Once I got everyone settled and removed all of my wintertime clothing, I raced to the pot and poured myself a big one! Ahhhh, the rich taste of hot coffee on a frosty morning! There is nothing like it!
Hubby went off skiing and I decided to make use of the time by catching up on the laundry. By 10:30, I had several loads done and had been out for Bogey walks at least 5 times! He just loves it outside, even in the freezing cold!
Around 11:30 I lit a fire in the hearth to take the chill off my bones. I had a tough time getting the fire to go, but soon Hubby came in and it took him exactly three seconds to get the fire blazing! I think in his last life he was a pyromaniac!
We watched the news about the explosion in Connecticut, as well as a few movies. Last night we watched a great old movie with Steve McQueen. It was called Bullitt. I tried not to watch it, but it is a good suspense, crime drama, and WOW could Steve McQueen act! It’s sad that he died at the young age of 50 from cancer!
After lunch I took Fritz and Bogey out for a walk in our neighborhood. Fritz is so good that I do not need to leash him. He follows my every command. The dachshunds will look at me and laugh and then run the other way, so they had to stay home with their Daddy while I walked Bogey on a leash. Bogey and Fritz enjoyed the walk, but I froze. Really it was that cold!
Bogey came back in and played with Anneliese, running around the house like a wild man. He is so darn cute in all his young puppy-ness, and Anneliese is having the best time with him.
After dinner they all crashed out around the family room. Me too! Hubby is keeping the fire burning and once the Super Bowl is over we’ll all go to bed! Meanwhile, here is another picture of Bogey making himself at home. I am so glad this has worked out so well.
Good-night everyone!!!