Epicurious and Epicuriouser

Posted on November 5, 2015 | Leave a comment

They won’t let me write a great review of a recipe! I changed my password and everything and they won’t let me be a part of the club I loved when it was Gourmet magazine et al.

Mom started getting Gourmet in the ’70’s and I read it. She went from Campbells cream of mushroom soup to souffles. Unfortunately after a gorgeous cheese souffle with salad my father asked “when’s dinner?” Oops.

For a couple of years I’ve made this corn and chorizo custard. I make my own version, no sugar, change in corn meal et al. It was STOLEN!

I gave some to the maintenance guys a couple of years ago. J called it “corn quiche.” When he left for a promotion and new locale I made him one as a going-away gift. The new guy T was staying in his place and ate the last piece thinking J was gone. Wrong. T was in deep doo doo.

T has treated us well and loves the corn custard so I’m making one for tomorrow, my birthday. I’ll give him a slice. He deserves it. Cheers! Dee

Leave a comment

Posted in Recipe Ideas

Tagged

Big Dog Bowls and Absent-Minded Professors

Posted on November 4, 2015 | Leave a comment

A few weeks ago I ordered dog bowls for Zoe. They turned out to be cat-sized bowls and the company didn’t even want them back. I gave them to a friend.

There are always new worlds out there. Zoe’s first adult collar broke after ten years. Now, her first puppy dish set has rusted throughout after nearly 12 years. I’m now using handmade silk Martingale collars with a leather leash. They give her comfort and me control and there’s really nothing to break as she won’t be with us another 15-20 years.

Yes, we like to keep them pups. Her new bowls are larger (former are saved, stainless, and in the car for trips). It has a stand for water and food. She’ll be 12 in late January and deserved an alternative to the rusty bowl holder, and to have something a few inches up so that as she ages, she doesn’t have to bend down so much for her food. That’s what dog mom’s do.

***

The absent-minded professor has been away for most of two years for work. He borrowed my car yesterday evening for a business meeting. We pay for designated parking spaces. He left home for two hours, returned at 8 p.m.

This morning I got a call. He parked in someone else’s spot. Similar space, wrong floor. So if you remember the old game Clue, the parking space stealer was the absent-minded professor, the crime was done in the garage with the wife’s car keys.

And I hit a pole trying to get out of this space that can probably hold a Mini-Cooper, not a mid-sized SUV. Hurt my bumper, just a scratch to remember this mishap. No, my husband does not drink. Only Dr. Pepper. He was just thinking of other things. That’s what he does when life is bothering him. I’d rather he think things through in the shower than in our garage. With my car, the only car our dog Zoe is allowed to be in with her orthopedic bed and cargo net.

I did send a “sorry” note through channels to whomever owns that space, as parking is precious here. I sent it on a card I bought in Florence, Florentine paper and envelope. Hope that’s enough. He made a mistake. Others have taken our parking spots in the past and that was malice, not error.

Cheerily? Dee

Leave a comment

Posted in Editorial, Education, Pet

Tagged ,

Moonrise

Posted on October 31, 2015 | Leave a comment

Befitting all hallow’s eve, the waning moon arose over a cloudy sky in the distance, showing its face on the water, allowing us to view stars we haven’t seen in a while due to completely cloudy skies for weeks.

We had one Halloween visitor, who spent the past few days staying with me. Miss L, the sighthound, showed up 20 minutes after she was picked up, in a handmade octopus costume. My husband is asleep with his phone on charge so I’ll see what he got in terms of photos in the morning. Purple and white. The only thing that didn’t work is the head. One may sit that on a Golden Retriever but not on a sighthound who actually was able to put her nose in my ear.

My supermarket checkers were Chewbacca and Lance Armstrong. We don’t dress up. The only clothes Zoe wears are gorgeous silk Martingale collars and one rain/snow/sleet/freezing weather coat several times a year when needed. We tried mukluks for her but she won’t do it. Instead I carry her over salted ice in winter. Do you know the old hand-cranked bucket ice cream makers? They used rock salt to make the ice colder, something that really hurts dog paws on sidewalks.

The moon and stars and water are beautiful. Miss L looked so cute and uncomfortable in her octopus outfit. She needed that treat. Have a good night. Dee

Leave a comment

Posted in Editorial

Tagged

A Stitch, In Time

Posted on October 31, 2015 | 4 comments

This is dedicated to the Oban, Scotland knitters.

First time, early with the dogs we went out in the rain. I wore a very hefty down jacket and a polar-tec vest. It was warm and wet. I dried off the dogs and fed them separately.

Then while the jacket and vest were hung to dry I knew the weather was warmer today so I took out my Oban cardigan and it kept me dry. It is made of special wool with lanolin, due to the sheep, that keeps fishermen dry at sea. It is made by special ladies who weave stories into their sweaters.

I’d love to know all the stories, they’re all about lives at sea. Fifty years ago my mother knitted me a fisherman’s sweater and it has been passed down for generations. My aunt can have a conversation without looking at what she is knitting, either a cap or booties for a preemie at the hospital I first went to for tests or a lap blanket for the local retirement home.

These are all stitches in time, over time. Thank you, knitters. Thanks PDX! Cheers, Dee

4 Comments

Posted in Editorial

Tagged , ,

Shame

Posted on October 30, 2015 | 1 comment

It’s OK in a human who might find himself/herself in a pickle, like a murder of passion or robbery or such.

To see a dog not come to the door to greet me when I return with nice-smelling groceries is an affront to me, as they are the most transparent creatures. We’ve had our dog Zoe nearly 12 years and she’s never lied. If she needs to go out, she needs to go out. Is she sneaky? Yes. She got an entire aged steak off our counter, but to her credit it was good for this hipless wonder to stretch her new legs for the first time and she was licking her paws, letting us know she stole it. All we could do is laugh.

This is our guest, Miss L. She wouldn’t come see me and stayed away from me. She pooped in my office. Easy to clean. Came right up and I cleaned the carpet with the doggie magic stuff. I took her out alone for a long walk to go last night and she did. She wouldn’t go this morning even though Zoe did and I praised Zoe in front of Miss L. We walked for a while and she still wouldn’t go. She couldn’t help what she did while I was gone running errands for 30 minutes.

I feel really bad for Miss L because she’s not even near me now and she and Zoe never leave my side. She’s exiled herself to the living room (on Zoe’s bed) so I think we need to go for a quick walk to snap her out of this. When I found the poop I found L, and told her she’s not in trouble. We can deal with this. People and their pets don’t call me Aunt Dee for nothing! Cheers, Dee

1 Comment

Posted in Editorial, Pet

Tagged ,

Situations

Posted on October 30, 2015 | Leave a comment

Thank you Ireland for reading this! ‘Tis an honor from a great-granddaughter of a wonderful woman from County Clare. To Deirdre of the Sorrows.

Over the years as one hopefully grows wiser, one reads things into what is going on. I’ve two dogs at the moment who are well-fed and comfortable but they salivate at squirrels. The “SQ’s” as we call them, are brazen these days. I take out tufts of my dog’s undercoat daily outdoors so that the birds and SQ’s can use them to warm their nest. Why she’s shedding so much when the weather’s getting cold is a mystery.

Geese have been flying around a lot and they stay the winter. Ducks may already be in warmer climes. I really do not know where the seagulls go. There is a barge (there haven’t been many lately because the sea has been angry). There are no small craft. Thank you US Coast Guard! The daily transport is done and the schooner is gone. Now they’ll take the flag that tells me where the wind is blowing.

With high winds, when all the leaves are off the trees, one must look at the water and project wind direction, not speed. One learns these things if patient and observant. Why they have to take down the flag for winter is beyond me. Perhaps no-one wants to be out there in the cold for raising and lowering. Yes, I know flag law. Raise briskly and lower ceremoniously.

Based on the randiness of the girls (dogs Great Grandma Zoe and Miss L) I think I need to find hats and gloves and make sure the zipper works better on my down jacket. The dogs love this late Fall weather. SQ’s are only a part of it.

It’s Friday. My husband is coming home. I’m going to try to make matzoh ball soup for lunch and a pot roast with caramelized onions and crushed tomatoes and beef base for dinner. Over pappardelle. As Scarlett O’Hara would say, “tomorrow is another day.” All for now at 5:13 a.m. Dee

Leave a comment

Posted in Editorial

Tagged , , ,

Congratulations!

Posted on October 29, 2015 | Leave a comment

Now it’s quadruplets! Two new pups are here on site, along with the Silken Windhound just visiting and I’m sure the other neighbors who don’t really like dogs will enjoy us hanging out in the hall. Not.

Even if Great great grandma Zoe (80 in people years) is out there to snoopervise. Our young newlywed neighbors finally came outside, with a pup they got yesterday. Another neighbor got the same breed the other day so they’ll play together once they’ve had all their shots, for sure.

I bet on them as I heard a dog barking the other day, no money but I was correct in that they’ve a new pup. Let’s see, dog, baby, house in the suburbs, never to be heard from again. That’s the future. I don’t know what you’d call us. Most would say empty nesters but my husband would say I’m a nester. We have a dog.

While they’re here they may let Great great aunt Zoe and Miss L join in the play. I love new life, new love. And when newlyweds take on a long-term responsibility other than their lives together, I consider that a good sign for their future. To dognaciousness once again, Dee

Leave a comment

Posted in editorial pets

Tagged , , ,

The Dynamic Duo

Posted on October 29, 2015 | 1 comment

I’ve a new name for our repeat canine guest, Miss L, and our Zoe. Sighthound and Chowhound. Yesterday I split a jerkey treat L’s “mom” brought over and Zoe ate it in 30 seconds. L delicately held it in her paws and spent nearly eight minutes on it.

Mom bought me (not the other kids as I was the eldest and an example) multiple etiquette books and made me learn how to set tables, fold napkins and walk with a dictionary on my head. I also had to take ballet, piano and violin lessons. Come Spring I’d take off my shoes and go barefoot down cliffs to a creek and catch crayfish and the neighbor boys would throw snakes at us, me and my little sister.

The first night with guest L, she slept on our bed with her spine against my legs all night. Zoe slept on her cushy bed on the floor. Last night it reversed. But we were watching a show last night on an L-shaped sofa. I was in the middle. They were sound asleep in the same position on either side of me, each with their head on a down pillow. Sisters of a sort, though mine is 80 in people years and L is about 15.

Our walks have been eventful. Luckily both girls have the same Martingale collars and leather leashes so other dogs have not been that big an issue. Winter is on its way so the squirrels are brazen and stand five feet away before jumping up a tree. I had to take them separately for “last chance” last night because Zoe only needed a quick one, L needed a good walk.

Indoors, they chase or play keep-away with Zoe’s favorite toy, or they play-fight with fake growls and running.Then they settle down after 10-15 minutes together and sleep.

It takes Zoe under two minutes to eat her food then I place her and her water in another room. It’s taking Miss L nearly 15 minutes now, to eat her dinner. She is so delicate. Well, not that much as she likes to pick it up, drop it on the floor then eat it. That’s why I’ve a bath mat under her water and food dishes!

Miss L is dressing up for Halloween. Her mom’s flying home to dress her and promised to bring her by for admiration and a treat. I think she has a handmade costume to be fitted. Something about a creature with eight arms……

As soon as I moved to my office at 6 a.m. they awakened and are awaiting a walk. I just have to check the temp and wind and dress appropriately and we’ll go. Here’s to a dognacious day. Dee

1 Comment

Posted in Editorial, Pet

Tagged ,

Playtime/Bedtime for Bonzo

Posted on October 27, 2015 | Leave a comment

You may not remember Bedtime for Bonzo, I’ve never seen it either but it was actor/president Ronald Reagan’s most famous B-movie.

Every once in a while I say “bedtime for bonzo” when it’s time for Zoe to lead me to bed. She always does. At night Zoe the dog needs her beauty sleep so she can be a neighborhood mascot during the day. No, I don’t give her cucumber slices for her eyes.

Our canine friend L is coming over to spend a few days with us. They get along, have similar schedules and chase a bit but normally just steal a toy and play keep-away until they tire.

I believe it is healthy for old dogs like Zoe and younger ones to spend time together, as long as Zoe doesn’t teach her too many bad habits! Arf! Dee

Leave a comment

Posted in Editorial

Tagged ,

Caring

Posted on October 24, 2015 | Leave a comment

That’s so important to me. Caring for and loving my family. My husband is here two days a week. I make menus, trying to eat healthily and make his favorite dishes while he’s with us.

While he is away our only connection is our cell phones and computers. Yesterday someone reported that our cell phones were lost so our provider cut off service while still making us pay the bill. Great move, loser. I’ve the number on the call you made.

I’m still dealing with this issue. I care about Sir W who went to the vet for an ear infection yesterday, I care about Mrs. P whose granddaughters want a date with my dog this weekend (I’ll have to comb her out). Yes, Zoe has play dates. Kids and grandkids. She should be the official elder mascot. The hip-less wonder dog!

Hunger, war, crime, I care. People don’t use me to my full potential. Dee

Leave a comment

Posted in Editorial

Tagged ,