۞ Sweet Interruptions ۞172

Kisses back to you Bella! Am watching "No Dog Left Behind" and of course all I could do is cry!! Amazing dogs that give comfort to our desert warriors far from home. I am glad that so many are flown back to the States.
Imagine not only soldiers having post traumatic stress, but dogs in Iraq too. War damage everyone.

Cookie, that's certainly a long drive, bet the coffee thermos will be full all the time. That's a state that you can plan to visit and maybe detour to visit Marion :D
((((((((((((Cookie))))))))))))), set up a webcam... it's like them being in your living room.

Bonnie, why is it the most costly plant is also the least hardy??? I am also glad that some of your valued irises survive. Hope your headaches have disappeared and not hampered your evening.

Trisha, I do hope you didn't go bike riding. Please take care of your back. The heaviest I suggest you lift will be those paint brushes ;)

LK, Pegi, Susan, Crissy... hope today has been a good day for you all too.
Weather here was good, and I was surprised to see a NOID brug in blooming, besides the camellias. Too bad, I had cut the rest down.
Kinda planning to plant some allium bulbs, but instead, we worked in the closed up porch turned green house. But we truly enjoyed a well deserve break the past 2 days and 'reconnect'.

Yes LK, being caretakers definitely put a strain on your own private lives when there's no relief. I've done this for both ex in-laws, but I had lots of help then.

As Maid M. told me plenty of times.. take care of myself first.. think I did that today.

Hopefully FIL continue to regain his strength and next week, I'll be able to finish all my swap commitments.

Well... I'll bid you all a good night, and I'll see you tomorrow.

No Jaye, did not ride today...was raining and windy so just did inside stuff....let Bill go swimming all by himself.
Will continue to pray that your FIL continues to gain strength.

Have a good night eeryone.

WOW - it took hours to get on here this morning, and even with broadband highspeed, it was a long time booting up.

Randall's got the coffee on. Sun's a shining! I'm about to pop another oatmeal banana bread into the oven, as Randall and the girls devoured the last one over night. otherwise it's bagels and garden veggie flavoured cream cheese for us this morning.

Have been thinking, my headaches are worse these past two weeks - think I'll use the petti pot. I do believe it's sinuses this time.

Got iris-ing to do, then have to make a garlic bed. someone from another forum has volunteered to send me fancy kinds of garlic they had in abundance, so I can try growing it. only thing I know is: full sun, tons of manure and tons of compost, loose soil.

Morning everyone! Bon, I agree, I have been trying to get on to DG since about 5:30, and am just now able to get here! I kept getting server errors!
Hope you all got a good nights sleep.
Take care everyone!

Morning friends and sistahs!

The kids made it to their destination in Florida about 4:00 pm yesterday. No problems. I'm glad it wasn't me driving with a 2 1/2 year old and a 6 month old! I'm too old for that crap! LOL Son doesn't drink coffee and rarely any soft drinks, but he may have made an exception for this trip. DIL will definitely have coffee at the ready!

Been making candy all morning and now I'm calling it a day on that. I have one last batch of peanut brittle to do, and then the clean up. It's not real sunny today, but it's not too cold, so I may go for a walk. Have to call Bertie and see what she's up to. Always more fun to walk with a buddy.

Does anyone have any double or triple brug cuttings you'd like to share for postage? I'm still not working, so can't pay to buy any. My Serendipity bit the dust. :o( I never did get to see it bloom. It was just ready to open when we got the first hard freeze.

Bella looks like she's ready to take off at any second. I remember when you got her. She's a sweetie pie.

What a sweetie Bella is!

Joyce I have two Pink Velvet Brugs that are about 9' tall that I need to cut down, do you want some of those cutting? They're not double or triple but I'm going to have plenty to spare.

Yes, that would be awesome, Chrissy. Just let me know the postage and it will be on its' way to you!

Some of my brugs have not bloomed yet, so I don't know if I have any doubles, but I too will be cutting them soon, I will send you some of what I cut! Most are NOID, if that is OK?

OH LK, that would be awesome! NOIDs are fine with me!

I will let you know in the next few weeks, after I cut them down.

Me too!! I should have cut mine yesterday but after raking, blowing, and burning an acre of leaves I had ran out of strength. I think that might be the wrong pic...

Well it's the only pic I have of them since my computer croaked. Thought I had all my pics on the computer here at work but apparently not. They have blooms if you can see them, one is on the left plant toward the middle of the picture.

Good day sistahs.
How does a DG addict cope when it's site is down and you can't sleep? DO HOUSEWORK!!!
Lol!! Yep, couldn't sleep till 3 this morning and up at 6 to help Kel.

Bonnie, eating raw garlic is good for the sinuses they say. Why don't you try that and let us know!

Gosh Crissy.. raking? I let the leaves and grass just lie fallow. My idea of a good nutritional winter's mulch!! But then, we live deep in the woods, so going au naturale would not upset any neighbours!


Cookie, I'm sending you some brug cuttings, next week. Don't send any postage please. Be glad to help out. And I will include Serendipity too.
Besides LK and Faye, I wonder who else I had promised :D

Heart's heavy here....
I've been feeding Ensure to my old dog Ali who's 14, since it had turned down all food. But for the past two days, it refused to drink that too. So, Kel's been forcing Nutrical and some Ensure down it's throat.
It was October of last year when the vet didn't give him much long to live... it's been a year now, and I guess his time is almost here.I just cannot let go of him, as he is still very much aware of what's going on, even though he's blind and can't move.
His kidneys still work, and so does his bm.
I pray to the Lord to take him painlessly, and it's so hard to face the truth.

Well we all have an expiration date, don't we?

LK, any suggestions from the doc yet about your knee?

Susan.. hope all goes well at the office today. Miss your cheery posts!

Waving to Donna, Pegi, Marion.....

We live out in the woods but everyone except for one house keeps their yards up, and if one person doesn't then the leaves blow everywhere, plus that's part of my compost.

Jaye my thoughts are with you and prayers for your Ali. I have lost a dog before and know exactly how hard that is.

Thank you sweetie.
I had and lost 13 dogs through the years I've been in the States. You are right, it doesn't get any less painful.

I told Kel that I can't adopt anymore dogs. Lola will be the last.

I said that after just one dog, so I ended up with a cat LOL

Hey jaye, so sorry to hear about Ali! Sending thoughts and prayers for you!
The Dr, told me I had water on my knee, and that may be causing some pain, and thought maybe I had a stress fracture, and that I need to stay off of it, until he gets the results of the MRI! I am still waiting...
Waiting is not one of my best virtues. I am supposed to go to Amarillo, Tx, the day after Thanksgiving to get my Dad, but that is put on hold, until I hear something.

Jaye (((Hugs)))...so sorry that Ali is failing. I know how you feel, Porter is 13 and is starting to have some issues....it is going to be difficult.

What a nasty day it has been...wind and rain all day long. Of course today is the day I have to go collect son's mail, make his bank deposit, go by the library, the pharmacy (scrips were not read so had to wait), to the grocery store, had to drop off cleaned shop rags at Dh's work....and I finally broke down and got a hair cut...now I am just trying to dry out before starting supper. Costco had some Panda Express Orange Sauce that was really good, so I think we are going to have Orange Sauce Chicken with our left over Brussels from last night. That recipe was soooo good...of course I Love Brussels Sprouts and Cheese so what was not to like?

LK sorry you're having trouble with you knee...hope it gets better soon.

Going to check the weather, they say we have another storm coming in back of this one....going to need a row boat or a snorkel before it is over.

Yes, I hear you about losing your precious dogs. I've lost many and had to put a couple down which broke my heart. I kept saying no more, can't handle it when something happens. Well, now I have two dogs which I love dearly. Always so happy to see you when you come home.

Went out and bought myself a rice cooker today. I couldn't believe I just set it in my cart and headed for the check out. It is a 7 cup Aroma and will steam veggies too. So, looks like we will be eating rice for a while. LOL It is a candy apple red so I may keep it out on my cupboard all the time.

Starting to get really cool so guess I'll grab a sweater and try to keep warm.

Sounds great Pegi, couldn't do without my rice cooker!

just finishing up watching Dancing. We were at Target for folding tables on sale, thank goodness for recording.

Got to exercise class, put pork loin in crock pot for barbeque tomorrow, chicken in to marinade for next day, and fed everyone leftovers for 2nd dinner in a row! the frig was so jammed full! Ever since they changed my meds to timed release formula, I still have energy to cook at end of day. Randall loves it! He hasn't needed to cook or run out for take out but once in two weeks! LOL

then potted up 33 irises and 5 strawberries. Uncovered that whole row of irises Sunday - they were ALL there.

It's been a long time since I've lost a dog, Jaye. Praying for your God given strength, and for a gentle passing. When Randall lost his calico cat at 17yrs old, he mourned for 2 years.

Think I missed Todd's b-day, too.

Donna, i'm putting some babies in a box.

no brugs, sorry.

Trisha, I would kill for that kind of art talent. you are so blessed.

Cindy, I like the sound of Steve. nice to have a handy man.

OK - to bed with me. sweet dreams, sweet sisters.

Good nite all. Sleep tight. Stay warm!
LK

Sorry sistahs.. this is a one pc home...Kel monopolized the pc till an hour ago, when he rushed out to catch the meteorites.
Thank you so much for the kind thoughts, they mean so much to me. Ali may be just a four legged creature, but he is my baby.
Today, he ate some pieces of steak, drank some Ensure on his own, and tried to stand up more. Poor baby still recognise our voices.

On the cheery side.. I didn't cook tonight. Nope, no Panda Express Orange Sauce.. but how about Chicken Marsala with Linguine!! Yeppers! Kel ordered take out from a new restaurant, 30 miles from here, and that's what I had. Simply delicious and you can see real butter seperating from the sauce. Did I say there were mushrooms too? Yep.. would be better if they served a side of brussel sprouts instead of garlic bread!

Pegi, you've just convinced me to get an Aroma, since it comes in cherry red. Oooh to cook some chicken rice in there...

BBQ?? We'll see you in a jiffy Bon!! Wouldn't it be wonderful if the weather today will be just as wonderful as yesterday? (It's 2.30 a.m here btw)
Glad you've recovered your irises. Do you have any camellias? You're not a Southerner if you don't have one of those!

LK, do what's good for you. You can always have your dad over for Christmas. Moreover, he won't want you to go through pain in having him around.

How big is Porter, Trisha. Ali's mid size and used to weigh 35 pounds. He had lost so much weight, and I could carry him with one arm :( Hugs back, sistah.
Think your next paint subject should be Porter.

Guess I'll bid you all a good morning now. A few more hours, we will be on the road.
Just whoever gets here later, please turn the coffee on, and heat up the croissants.
See you later ladies, have a wonderful Tuesday.

Good Morning Ladies..

I heated up the coffee and crossiants as per requested..

Jaye Saying a prayer for ali.. I too have lost more than a few furry family members in the past and asid no more,, but the house doesnt feel like a home without a furbaby in it for us... Bella has been a blessing and I couldnt imagine life without her.. She either brings people closer and they want to chat when we are out in public or people run away.. lol Even after I tell them shes a puppy..

Bonnie glad to hear they have your meds straightened out... It soundslike you are keeping very busy with all the plants needing potted up.. mmm Barbeque sounds good save some for me will ya... I made pork chops, green beans and rice last night for dinner.. Since I get off earlier now I dont mind cooking as much now that I can have it done before it gets late..

Trisha so sorry to hear about your horrible weather... Nothing like rain to put a stop to a good day.. The upside is it sounds like you got alot done despite the weather..

All this talk of brugs,,, You girls are making me jealous.. Joycet will they do okay here in Oh? I miss mine terribly..

Well gotta get the kids off to school and my behind to work... Will check in later tonight..

Huggs
Donna

Dear Friends,
I know I've been gone a very long time, I'm sorry. I haven't caught up, because it's just way to much to absorb, again, I'm sorry. I have no idea what's going on here anymore.
The ugly truth of the matter is that I've been avoiding DG. I know if I ever sit down here to read, type, and visit with you all, that I'll be here for hours on end... and won't get anything else done. That's not fair to my family, or to me, since there are so many at my house now depending on me.

The girls are doing fine... making friends... doing well in school... and generally enjoying their American experience.

Don is fine... working a lot... and staying busy on his days off... nothing changed with him.

ME... well... I actually got my house cleaned up... been on a bread baking craze... started my own sour dough starter, and got it right on the third try. The biggest thing that's happened lately is Don and I adopted a dog from the local shelter. We felt it was time after loosing the two we had last year. Jackson is a 2 year old beagle. He's adorable, and has a lot of wonderful qualities... but, he's got a lot of really bad habits. So, I'm doing some really intense training with him. It's frustrating, so I have learned that first I have to train myself to stay calm before he will listen to me. That is taking the majority of my attention right now.

Know that I love you all. I think of you often. I just don't have the time to visit a lot right now...

Now my day will be perfect--thank you BJ. I think of you and Don so very much and the wonderful time we had last year. I miss you!!!!!!!

Oh love you have a beagle. Ross and I raised beagles in our younger days and they are really a nice dog but I can sympathize with the bad habits. Good luck. Glad to hear the girls are settling and making new friends. Do check in when you can.

Jaye, so sorry to read about your 4 legged baby. Sending a nice gentle hug for Ali. I can remember the days of a one computer household. Back then it didn't matter that much as I was scared to death of using one--funny something happened over the years. Oh well, I guess it is okay if you "share" with Kel. Give him a hug for me.

Bon, you seem like a ball of fire lately and that is wonderful. Time released meds seem to work so much better. I am on one and does it ever make a difference in my life. I read about all the people using their crockpots and think, hummmm I need to do that. I have one but actually forget to use it. How dumb is that?

Linda Kay, take care of yourself---that means getting done what has to be done.

Waving to all others. BTW, Trisha, my son saw my blue heron picture and we had a very long discussion about where it would look better--my house or his!!! I have it framed now so will post a picture--promise. I can sit and look at the picture and feel you in the room with me. Great vibes!!!!

Well, I need to accomplish a few more things to do if I am going to have done what I promised myself I would by next week. So heigh ho, heigh ho it's off to work I go..................

Morning everyone! Hey BJ, so nice to hear from you. Please take care, and pop in when you can! Love the beagles, but they are runners, when they get a scent of something, there is no stopping them sometimes! They are just natural born hunters!
Jaye, thanks for the breakfast, and thanks to Donna for heating it up! Marion, don't work too hard.
Looks like I will be sitting here till the 8th of Dec. Dr, called yesterday, and told me nothing was broken, that he could see, but not much els. He said he would discuss my knee problems when I cam in on the 8th! :( Oh well, guess I just need to take it easy. But he said nothing about not sewing, that is n ot hard on the knee!
Later
LK

Good Morning everyone. Think it is going to be another nice day, but instead of getting out to see what is going on in the back yard we both have a doctors appointment. Just check ups and need to find out why I can't get rid of this darn coughing. Flu shot time too.

When I can't sleep in the wee hours of the morning it is computer time or reading. Last week when I had trouble getting on the Internet I really didn't know what to do with myself. The last thing I think of is housework! Just need a big shot of energy juice to get anything done and haven't found out where to buy it. Coffee doesn't give me a boost, darn it.

Morning Glory! been on here for a while - yup, bj, I agree - DG takes up a LOT of time. LOL been dmailing, as you well know!

Thanks gals for the nice comments - but I'm still playing catch up for 1 year of "sitting in my chair."

Barbeque in your crock pot is SO EASY - this makes chopped barbeque -

In the crockpot put 1/2 a sliced up onion and hot water enough to make a couple inches. add lemon juice (I use about 4 Tbsp bottled).

Don't forget to pat your meat dry with paper toweling. Put pork in crock pot. Fill as full as you'd like, but the lid must close tight, so you might need to trim some - just stuff the trimmings in too. Put the other 1/2 onion on top. Cook on low overnight, or the equivalent of overnight (8 hrs at least). [I cheap cuts, usually use a pork shoulder or pork butt when it's on sale.]

Let cool enough to handle. Remove the meat. Remove any visible fat if you like a lower-fat meal. Shred the meat with a fork, or chop it, it should be tender. Tightly seal and refrigerate if you don't put it back in the pot right away.

8 hours before mealtime, (can be as little as 4 hours) in the empty crockpot, dump 1 bottle of barbeque sauce. Add your meat and mix it up. One 12 oz. bottle is enough for a pork shoulder. Heat on low until mealtime.

This can be put in pint or quart containers and frozen.

summer "southern" sides - potato salad, cole slaw, carrot salad, pickled beets, corn bread or hushpuppies. Winter sides: collards, green beans, baked beans, boiled potatoes. Can be served on a hamburger bun and topped with cole slaw.

I mix the liquid from the pot and the removed fat into dry dog food at this time of year. In winter, our furry friends need extra fat to keep their skin and fur from becoming dried out and itchy inside our heated houses. Cold dry air does the same to them as it does to us. this is what a vet told me to do, add more protein and fat in their winter diets. wish he'd say for me to do that to me! LOL If there's a bone, well, you have to decide if it's going to be soup, or furry friend. Nothing goes to waste here!

It's a good day today for sure, irregardless of all the bad news on tv..
BJ showed up!!!
Yep, love DG but it can take over our lives!! I know she won't be reading this... sigh.... BUT DO TAKE CARE OF YOUR MENTAL HEALTH BJ!!!!
Beagle? With two girls and a beagle.. at least Don's house trained :D

Thank you Maid M. Ali responds very well to Kel's nursings. He'd eat and drink when cajoled by him. With me, he'd just turn away.. imagine that. It's me that raised him when he's a baby and Kel just came later.. but hey... if he loves Kel that much to keep going... I gladly step aside.

Good reason to use that crock pot Maid M.
Bonnie's ez bbq recipe.
Thanks Bon. Kel loves to smoke his pork over mesquite wood for hours, and finish it off in the oven.
You are right about the furry ones needing extra fat during cold months.

Thanks for helping out Donna. Kel says that I'll be changing my mind the minute I laid eyes on the next pup. One more address to send brugs to.. not a problem...

Think Pegi want some as well, if I'm not mistaken..

(((((((((LK)))))))))))) Sending you positive healing vibes for ALL your body parts, sistah!

My body is at rest mode. Can't get my legs going when we returned. So, just gonna stay idle, do nothing, think nothing, and surf for now.

OH, I adore it cooked Kel's way - just don't have anyone that knows how. but I don't like it overcooked, or dried out and stringy. Randall likes his meat very well done, and anything like Kel's way he wants it overdone. so I'm constantly looking for a way to have both juice and flavor in well done meat.

BJ so great to see you again! I'm glad you all are doing good and keeping busy and all. If you decide to send out those bread starters you can send me one, Dave is losing his job and we may need all of the bread we can get LOL

I gotta start working again, Love Ya'll!

Bon, myself, I prefer a good bbq brisket.
Butterfly the brisket, stuff it with some hot chow-chow. Close it and rub it down with your favorite dry rub plus some brown sugar.
Bake it in a oven turkey bag for about 2-3 hours at 325. Yummy!

ok ok everyone has got me starving now. Off to find something to eat.

Susan, Maid M reminded me of your height... you'll just have to put on some high heels when wearing your apron :D

Oh Jaye, your thoughtfulness never ceases to amaze me. I'll look forward to all the brugs I'm getting and I'll think of everyone of you when I place them in the ground.

Sorry, Donna, the brugs have to come inside in Ohio, same as the plumeria and the elephant ears. Sure glad I've got a basement!

Our last two dogs had to be put down. They were 14 and 15 years old. We kept them until they couldn't walk any more and they looked at us with begging eyes to just let them go. It was hard on us, but it was what was best for them. When they wouldn't eat ice cream any more, I knew it was time. The vet said, I'd know when it was time, and I did. I know you'll do what's best for Ali, too. It is so hard for us to give them up, but so comforting knowing they'll be waiting at the rainbow bridge for us.

Good news today from one of Mom's surgeons. She doesn't have to go back for a check up until this time in 2010. He said she was great! Always good to hear that, but especially about an 89 year old!

Waving to all~~~~~~

oh dear. poor Marion!

Jaye, I'd never heard of brisket until six months ago, nor dry rub either. But that's about what I do with the turkey, dry rub with spices in my palm, in a cooking bag, stuffed with an herb and cornbread (I like both mixed together) stuffing. But could use another week before Thanksgiving to get ready! Have not started cleaning yet.

so far Thanksgiving is looking a lot like me doing all the cooking! Planning on making the ham and the casseroles ahead. Have my new steamer, so I don't have to stop and run to the store anymore for steamed shrimp, I can pop those babies in here in the a.m., then chill 'em down, maybe the cook can nimble on 'em. hehehehe. What's Thanksgiving without shrimp coctail?

LK Here's to fast healing!!!

Brisket, T-Bone, it's all good to me! LOL

I keep forgetting what I'm going to say.. There's a surprise, I'm going to say that it's been a long day and I'm going to bed, so there! LOL

Ok, my baked potato with broccoli and cheese just didn't taste like bar b que brisket. Hummm, now I am definitely going to have to try that with my slow cooker. Thanks for posting how to Bon.

Well I guess I will make biscuits for breakfast this weekend so we have some left for our dressing--I mix cornbread and biscuits to make ours. Just like my granny and mostly likely like her granny did also. These southern traditions that carries over in our families. Wouldn't change it for the world.

Well checked on the threads so I will go to beddy bye. Sleep well all.

This message was edited Nov 18, 2009 11:07 AM

Hiyah, Sistahs!

Well it's kinda late...But thought I better come and say hello.
Hello, LOL, I am just one happy kinda camper...getting some things taken care of.
Having a nice time too, busy, crazy ahhh, lol my kind of days.

Jaye, sweetie my gosh, I just hope and pray you will be with Eli hard as it is, she knows you'll love her up.
Such a hard thing to let go of the ones we love...I pray it will easen your pain she goes over the bridge gently.
When it's her time.

OMG, Bella is splendid!! What a pretty Friened you have Janice.

Wow, How wonderful to see BJ!!! I can relate to busy and computer time as well. You take care of yourself Don and the girls!
So glad you popped in, hope sometime you can spend longer...

Bon, Wow! your Iris farm and all you've been up to has been great to see.

Cindy! Farout on the pavers you were able to get...You and Steve did awsom at getting them.

Crissy, so sorry to here about the job front for Dave. Hope he'll find another quickly.

Hi Marion! OMG, so glad to see you had such a great visit with son and awwww, so much acomplished.gie and take, just love that.

Well, I've been on overtime...majorly cleaning! LOL, more like de-cluttering, an everyday project here.
Spending Mega time on some projects...and
I am so singing to say...The people of the building I was taking care of...MISS MEEEE! LOLOL. They want to know where that little lady is? heheheh, makes my day...
LOL, throw in the garden work, I am all there.

So, I want you all to know, still here, still lurking and seeing what ypu've been up too, can't tell you how much I enjoy coffe that LK, Barb and breakfasts I so enjoy with you...THANK YOU. for always sharing.

LOL Life is just full of suprises, hehehe, you all making me feel hungry all the time with recipes!

OH, LOLOL Lasanga any one? Steve and I made 4 pans today! Tmorrow, I think is time to put apron on and make Real homemade pie, mmmm, at least I will try!

So, that's the name of my game...Jaye, always sending you hugs of course Our Kel too...

Take care Sistahs all.
Love youz
Peace, and Armwraps...
Jude