Hey Yall! I hope you all had a great weekend. Me and the birthday boy went on a quick getaway. Friday around 5 we left for Jackson (naturally), New Hampshire. It was raining when we left Maine and continued to rain until we left on Sunday to return. Oh well, you can't win them all.

The weather has been kind of funny. Friday, it was in the lower 60's which is rather warm for these parts this time of year. When we arrived at our destination, The Eagle Mountain House, it was raining and still warm. When we got to our room, the temperature there was 75 degrees. 75 degrees!!!!! This mountain house actually was a house at one time and there was no air conditioning. Now, if you are a faithful reader of this blog, you know that Frannycakes does not like to be hot. So we opened the windows. And that let in the humidity along with the warm temperature. It did cool it down a little bit, but not enough. I called the front desk and asked if they had any fans. They sent us 2 box fans, which managed to keep us a little more comfortable.

Saturday morning we woke up to more rain. Our rooms came with a full hot breakfast buffet, so we dressed and went and took advantage of it. Afterwards we went to North Conway to check things out. There is an outlet shopping center there. We had been before when we first moved here. The best shop there was the Bombay Outlet. Oh man did they have some good prices on their furniture. In case you didn't know, they have gone out of business. Hate that. So we didn't do much shopping. And you all should feel better knowing that the news of the nations financial doom and gloom hasn't made it to North Conway yet. Cause there were about a million shoppers at the outlets on Saturday and all of them had bags full of stuff.

Since we didn't want to shop much, we decided to take a ride and see the mountains. Everything was so pretty. Well, everything we could see. It was still raining. But it was a nice ride anyway. We went back to the hotel and Dick had some work he had to do, so he went downstairs and I took a glorious nap. It was still raining and was dark and overcast.

This morning when I woke up, I looked out the window and realized that there was a mountain right outside our window! It had been completely covered by the clouds before. We packed and had breakfast, then checked out. Everything was beautiful. Jackson is such a cute town. We took lots of pictures and I will post them tomorrow.

I hope you all had a good weekend. I will talk to you later....

Friday Pictures

Hey yall! Not much happening today in Maine. We got a lot of rain last night and the clouds have not left yet. It is so dreary looking outside and it makey me want to take a nappy!

We've got lots of rest and relaxation planned for this weekend. Not much else. How about you? I went through my magazines that I have saved over the past few years and took out all my Christmas decorating magazines. I plan to read back through all these and get some ideas. And call me crazy, but I also have several years worth of Ballards and Pottery Barn Christmas catalogs that I am looking at also. The decorations are so pretty. And since I seem unable to do anything without some inspiration, I need to keep these for just this reason.

Dick does not seem to understand this need for magazines that I have. The last time we moved, he made me throw away years and years of Southern Living. I am not gonna lie to you. I had tears in my eyes and pain in my heart. That will take a while to get over. And I ain't over it yet......

I guess that is all for now. As Arnold says, "I'll be back......"

Happy Birthday Dick!

Hey Yall! Today is Dick's birthday. Happy Birthday Dick!!! I won't tell you his age, but I can tell you it involves the number one and the number 5 and it ain't 15....but I can't tell you if you can't figure it out.....

Who is Dick? Besides being Frannycakes man? Well....Dick loves his Family. A lot. He adores his mother....loves her so much and is always wishing he lived closer to her. He loves his sisters who obviously return the sentiment! And his children, Jamie, Chris and Julianne, well, they are always in his heart and on his mind. Always wondering how they are and if everything is okay. Everyday, he asks me if I have talked to each of them. And most of the time, he has already talked to them! And even though Weezie didn't make the picture gallery, he loves his little furry daughter. And me? He is a wonderful husband who has put up with me for over 35 years and believe me, that has not been easy! I love you Dick!

Happy Birthday!!!!!

Hey Yall! I took a few more fall pictures last week so I decided to go ahead and post them. Don't you love the apple tree? That tree is just down the road from where we live. For some reason, the family has left that tree and another one that is by the road unpicked. They have an orchard of trees that are picked already. Do you think they left them for me to take a picture? Yeah, that's probably it.

Weezie is doing better and better each day. I think yesterday was a turning point for her. This afternoon she wanted to play. So Dick played with her and she growled and barked and tried to bite his toes! Dick gave her a Dingo and that was just the medicine she needed.

I am so glad that I have already voted. It was extremely painless.....absentee ballot. Wednesday will not get here too fast for me.

Today I worked in the yard. We had tons of pine cones fall after a wind storm last week. Plus, we had leaves galore. So I got the blower out and proceeded to blow the leaves and pine cones. Yes, you can blow pine cones. I probably used the blower for an hour before I ever cranked up the mower! The yard looks great. I dare the wind to blow!

Did yall have a lot of trick or treaters? This year we didn't have very many compared to last year when we ran out of candy. We have lots and lots of leftover candy and Julianne and I have been doing our best to finish it off today. It is the least we can do. Of course, Dick hasn't had any. Of course.

I guess that is all for today. I will talk to you tomorrow! Tootles!

What Warms You? This will!

Hey Yall! Today, Stacey of Poofing the Pillows (isn't that just the cutest name for a blog?) is hosting a "What Warms You" Recipe Exchange. I am sharing my favorite soup, Vermont Ski Lodge Soup. No I didn't get it from Vermont. No I didn't get it while I was at the ski lodge. I received a recipe book from my friend Elaine and it was there that I found this fabulous soup! What I love about it is that after browning the sausage, you just throw everything in and put the lid on for 2 hours. The recipe make a lot of soup. I freeze what is left into single serving size zip lock freezer bags. Sometimes I make a grilled cheese to go with it and sometimes we have corn bread or biscuits. This is a hit at my house and I know you will love it at yours!

Vermont Ski Lodge Soup

2 lbs. bulk sausage, browned and drained well
4 (16 ounce) cans tomatoes, chopped (I buy the cheapest store brand diced)
3 medium onions, chopped
2 teaspoons seasoned salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 large bell pepper, chopped fine
4 cans red kidney beans with juice (I buy the cheapest, again)
4 cans water (tomato can)
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 cup barley or rice (I use rice 'cause I never have barley, but want to try it sometime!)

Combine all ingredients in large soup kettle. (Be sure and use LARGE!) Simmer, covered, 2 hours or longer. Makes 16 to 20 servings.


Be sure and click on the link above to go back to Poofing the Pillows and go visit all the different blogs that are participating in this exchange! You might find something you want to cook this weekend.










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Boo Yall!

Hey Yall! I hope you enjoyed those pictures as much as I did! Weezie is thankful that she had surgery and doesn't have to wear a costume this year! Hey! Don't think you are going to do this every year little girl!

I took Weezie on a little outing this afternoon. We went to pick up dry cleaning and to the grocery store. I turned on the seat heater so her side was nice and warm. She also had a little blanket over her. I only had a couple of things to pick up, so she didn't get cold while I was in the store. I think she enjoyed herself. I hope so cause I was ready to get out of the house!

Have any of your watched the new show called "Life on Mars"? I like it. There is not much on tv anymore that I like to watch. Mostly I like to watch reruns of Reba, Will & Grace, and Fraser. Sad huh?

I hope you all have a wonderful Halloween!

A Lazy Day Remembered...

Hey Yall! Weezie had a good day yesterday. She was sent home with some pain killers and has been getting them every 12 hours. She is moving around much better than I would be. She prefers to go back up the steps by herself. I cringe each step she takes. I can tell she is being a little more careful about it, but does it anyway. On Tuesday afternoon when we went to pick her up, I was wondering how in the world I was going to be able to manage to get those pills down her throat. Cause she doesn't like taking them at all! Sitting there waiting for them to call us back, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a package of Greenies brand pill pockets. It is a soft little "treat" that has a little pocket in it that you can place the pill into and your dog will gobble it on down cause it tastes so good! They are kind of big. So I cut it in half and use one part for her pain pill and one part for her antibiotic. She swallows it so fast that she never even knows there is anything in it!

Yesterday was a yucky day here. It was cold and overcast. I eventually broke down and took a shower and dressed. Weezie was a little ticked off cause she wanted me to stay in my pj's all day. But for some reason I didn't think Dick would go for that, so I showered and dressed. I had some things I needed to paint, so I got the craft paint out and started....

This was a planter that I had found at GW for 99 cents. Someone had sponged on some green paint. I spray painted it black a couple of days ago. You know what they say...."Some spray paint each day keeps the doctor away" or something like that.....and then decided to do a little painting on it. It actually turned out very cute. I have something in mind to put in it. I will post that when I get it done.

Can you figure out what these are? You will have to wait till I finish them to find out, but I wanted to show you how cute the paint turned out.

I made a pot of red chicken stew yesterday also. It will feel good to put some in the freezer for future meals. I love the feeling of being able to go to the freezer and take out our dinner. Especially when it is red chicken stew! Yum!

Yesterday was spent pretty much all downstairs. But today I need to do some work upstairs, so I will take the Weez and her bed upstairs. She pretty much prefers to be on our bed. Probably because she remembers how great it felt to sleep there. Unfortunately, she snores too loud to sleep with us any longer.

I guess that is all for now....you never can tell what might pop in my head later....

The Devil Made Me Do It

Weezie's One Wish

Hey Yall. I slept on the couch last night so I could keep an eye on Weezie and take her out every two hours. Don't want the bladder to stretch any more than necessary! Ugh...the thought is even painful! This morning, when I took her out at 4, it was snowing! And as much as I love snow, I was not able to enjoy it at 4 in the morning.....with the wind blowing.....and the temperature around freezing....in my thin sexy pj's.

Weezie told me last night as she was laying in her bed in a drug induced state that the only thing she wanted in the world was for us to be lazy and stay in our pj's today and nap and doze and watch tv. And she specifically said US, meaning ME and her. Not just her. And who am I to take this one thing that will make her happy away? I just can't do that to her.

You know where to find me......

Hey Yall! Just a quick update to let you know that Weezie did great through her surgery. The Vet called and said she removed 4 stones from Weezie's bladder. She said that Weezie was laying there on her back with your paws up and her tail wagging.

We will pick her up around 6:30. They want me to take her out regularly tonight, so I guess me and the Weez will be watching some late night TV and reading some blogs...

Weezie and Her Stones

Hey Yall! Tomorrow is Weezie's surgery. I take her at 7 am and probably will not be able to get her until Wednesday. I took up her food earlier. I dread letting her out before I go to bed because she always gets a treat when she comes back inside. Always. And boy is she going to be ticked.

Cute Chippendale Dancer

Wanna Win Something?

Hey Yall! You know how I love decorating magazines and books? Well, one of my favorite bloggers, Rhoda of Southern Hospitality fame is hosting a wonderful giveaway! She has a beautiful decorating book she is giving away. How great is that? And you can enter by just going to her site and leaving a comment! Just click on the link above and go enter. Then check out her wonderful blog if you haven't already.

What are you waiting for? GO!

Recommended Products Review

Hey Yall! Debra from the Bunnies Bungalow is hosting a Favorite Products Review. I have never done this before but thought you might enjoy this too. After you read mine first, of course, click on Bunnies Bungalow link above and it will take you to her blog. And she has a great blog too! Different bloggers will have links to their websites listed and you can read about the favorite products also. You might find something you would like to try.

I love Soft Scrub Deep Clean Foam Cleanser. I love it. I no longer dread cleaning my showers and tubs. I have tried other "foaming cleansers", but this is different. Way different. I have found that the way to get the maximum benefit from this cleaner is to use it on a completely dry surface. So get an old washcloth or towel and completely dry your tub or shower. Then generoursly spray it on. Wait about 10 or 15 minutes and take a dry or damp cloth and start to wipe away the soap scum and dirt. Don't turn on the water while you do this. Completely wipe it down with your cloth. If you have a spot that is difficult, respray, wait and it will wipe right off. Trust me. It works.



Go get yours today. You're welcome!

Now you didn't think I would only have one recommendation today, did you? I must share with you the most delicious thing we have found in Maine. You must order one, or a dozen.

Wicked Whoopies is a local company that makes these sinfully delicious snacks. They are addictive. Just ask my hips, thighs and stomach. Do yourself a favor and order you some for Thanksgiving or Christmas or for your little secret sweets stash that you hide from the kids. You probably won't want to share. Not that I have ever done that.....

Now go to see Debra and check out all the other Favorites!

Trick or Treat Yall!

Hey Yall! Hate me if you must, but I do love me some dogs dressed up for Halloween. And because of this love, I will be posting pictures of these adorable pups in the finest! I love it!

Whiner

Hey Yall! You are warned! I am whining. What is up with my head? My sinuses are going haywire! I woke up at 7 this morning. Not my usual wake up time. Why did I wake up at 7? Because yesterday I had to go have lab work (usual "high cholesterol on medication check levels" lab work) and didn't want to over sleep, so I set the alarm on my cell phone. I THOUGHT I had deleted this alarm off my phone. The key word here is thought, cause I know I can't rely on THOUGHT, especially mine. Anyway. At 7 this morning, my alarm went off. What's the problem you say. Just turn the dang thing off and roll over like you usually do and go back to sleep. Yeah, well, I would have done that IF my phone was upstairs. But it was downstairs. And if my cell phone goes off at 7 am, then there is an emergency with someone I love. Cause Dick would never, ever call me at 7 just to chit chat. Not that he ever calls me to just chit chat.... Anyway.......I jumped up out of the bed and Bam! My head feels like it has been hit by a Mack Truck. Literally. And I run, open the door, and hurry as fast as I can down the stairs which isn't very fast cause I am terrified of falling down stairs because I am very capable of doing just that. I immediately wake up Weezie who is ticked cause it is too early for her to wake up and grab the phone ONLY to see that there is no emergency and it is only my cell phone alarm and worst of all I am now awake. And it is cold. And my head has been hit by a Mack Truck. And really the absolutely worst part is my Vick's Vapor Rub is upstairs. Which means I have to go back up and get it. I'm lazy like that. So I turn on the TV, open up my 'puter, and get a cup of coffee. AND delete the 7 am alarm off my cell phone.

It is now 10:26 am. I have had 4 cups of coffee, a tylenol sinus (my personal drug of choice), three advil (no lectures please....I know how to medicate myself....I was a physician in a former life! Hey! If Reba can be a man in her former life, I can be a physician. And I really was one in my former life, just ask me!) and I have my back up cocktail of a goody powder and real live sugar laced Coke waiting for me if all of this does not work. I told you I was once a Physician. And a girl scout. Be prepared. And the Vick's Vapor Rub? Well, it is still upstairs unused because I am lazy like that. I can't help it. It is an affliction. Physician heal thyself. When you feel better.

Only to the next affliction. What is up with this! My arm is hurting. Don't worry....not the heart attack type of hurt. The "ice skating" broken arm type of hurt. Remember? Yeah, me too. It feels like I just broke it again. Kind of. I guess I slept on it wrong. Cause I know I haven't been doing anything strenuous....

Tired of the whining yet? Yeah, me neither....you are warned, AGAIN!