Hanging in there Part 6

Chris, you just have to do what the body says and don't worry about not leaving the TV. I only watch daytime TV when I'm sick.

I love your ambushing! You know you are loved when they honor you with a pelting, LOL!

The Smoky Mountain Retreat sounds devine!!

Sallyg, I fear I will be busy! I don't know how she is going to manage. Giggling over the sexing :o)

Thanks FlowAjen!

Sallyg, cool to have a rundown on your experience at The Mountains! I'd have to take in water features! Wow, what great information and photos!!

Chris, it all sounds like a wonderful return trip!

Billy How wonderful for your family. I have boy girl twins my Josh and Jen the middle children. Now 35. They were so much fun to watch grow and they gave me such a lesson in how different personalities babies have right from birth. Jen never liked strangers holding her Josh was the out going one right from the beginning and when visitors came he was the one that got passed around to be held. They are still that way Jen a bit shyer Josh much more outgoing. They still have a very close bond.

Holly, thanks! I'm still reeling and actually freaked out a little after she told me.This will be an experience for me for sure!!

It's neat to hear how your kids were and I'm sure I can use all the hints I can get!

Billy, I forgot to say Congratulations on your expanding family. You will be a busy Grandma. One of our co-workers has twin boys, and a very active 3 year old. She works for us 1 to 2 days a week. Has to get some adult time. LOL She has a large family so there is always someone to step in and babysit.

Thanks Chris, as for family helping, we're mostly it. The in-laws are pretty old now and everyone else has a job. I think that's why I freaked, LOL!

My twins were 6 weeks premature and unexpected. My Mom went out and checked out some books on raising twins and the books said you "had" to have help one Mother couldn't care for twin babies by herself. It was a bit hectic but really very doable. I took them everywhere I remember taking them to school only 6 weeks old with a live turkey for a Thanksgiving show and tell for Julie's kindergarten class. LOL
Oh just think of the fun you will have with a baby in each arm .

coming from a family with a sister that had triplets ... two is better.. LOL

Triplets- eek!
Good thing its not the first babies- at least MOm and Grandma have some practice LOL

My package came today. I received Moonlight as my free bulb.

Holly, that looks like a nice one. Any buds showing in the bulbs? Over all, what do you think of the shipment?

They look real good some green tips starting and a bonus little bulb on one of them

Oh Holly! That was a fantastic story and I am still laughing! I am so glad to know it's do-able!! I hope I have your strength when the time comes!

Onewish, LOL! Very good to know!

Sallyg, yes, practice! At least there will be two adults when we babysit :o) We'll just have to trade so we get each baby for a while :o)

Holly, yayyy on the bulbs arriving and Moonlight is a nice free gift! The bulbs sound like real quality!

Good Morning everyone. I am battling side effects, not real bad side effects just tiring to keep them controlled.
It snowed last night, enough that DH got the snow blower out at 6:00 am. I have been staying indoors, not doing much, but that is what I have to do.

Billy, we will have to design an exercise program for you to buff up for the Twins. LOL

Think spring everyone.

Beaufitufl! oops, try again, Beautiful! When will I learn to type?
Hugs to you- hope today is starting out better.

Billy. my arms were so tired with my first baby. Get some sacks o taters and start lifting!

Feel better, Chris!

Sally sack of potatoes LOL I was thinking of 2 large bags of rice, try lifting and juggling one under each arm.

My friend has one of those twin feeding pillows and she said it was a life saver for her.

Hope you will be feeling better soon Ladyg,
Billy, Just so excited for you.

Some of you know that Jill, Candee and I have been working on a Breast Cancer Site in Cubits. We plan to launch tomorrow. We hope that it will be a good source of information, and a friendly place for friends, family, as well as BC patients to gather.
The unique part of our site is the ability for BC patients to set up a closed "Circle Of Support" where they can invite friends and family in and they can share in caregiving like transportation to treatments, cooking meals for the patient and their family, and anything else that will help make life easier.
The other forums will be open to everyone.
I will post a link here later tomarrow.

Chris, a nice prayer just went out for you. I hope you feel better soon if not already.

Wow, enough snow for the snow blower! we are just cold this week but the sun is shining!

LOL! I just started using my arm bands to exercise my arms! I should walk around cradling a milk jug in each arm!

Gorgeous bloom!!

Sallyg, I use the back key more than any other and I've been typing here since 2006! I get worse instead of better, but don't ask me how.

Potatoes, LOL! Even better, at least they would move like I was going to drop one. Good for the old reflexes :o)

Thanks Holly! I get more excited every day and love them already!

Chris, I'll be there to at least give support and post beautiful pictures.

Chris, hoping those side effects are settling down for you...

I'm excited about our launch! The 3 of us work really well together, I think, and it's been fun tossing ideas around with Chris & Candee as we've developed this site.

I'm popping in to also say have a good day Chris!

http://cubits.org/metoo/ Here is the link, stop over and take a look.

The side effects are mild but I can't let them get ahead of me. I made an observation, when I was waiting to get my Neulasta injection. I noticed that when I put my fingers near my scalp the hair started to fell wirey, now when I do that no wirey feeling.

Ladyg, I visited your site this morning it is really nice, lots of good features. Love the privacy circles and such a good resource and support forum.
Off to the gym soon.

Chris, it looks great! I love the colors. You and Jill and Candee have done a wonderfult thing. Now I see why Jill has been quiet here lately. Busy!
I hope today is a good day.

Thanks everyone. There has been a lot of chatting among Jill, Candee and I getting the site set up. Ideas tossed around, changes and tune-ups. The site reflects a part of each of us.

The sun is out today, it is getting stronger each day. Cold, but the blanket of snow is protecting all my spring flowers. Now is the time I start getting antsy about looking for any sign of green. Looking for that patch of melting snow that reveals some grass or even a green weed.
It is getting close to starting my petunia seeds. I need to inventory my seed starting mix.

lady--

Do you WS Petunias?

I saved seeds from one of the deep blue ones and would
like to see them again.
I am counting on a lot of dropped seed germinating on it's own.

G.

Morning Gita, I do my petunia seeds in my basement under lights and on a heat mat. Been doing them that way for a few years now. WS is not my thing, tried it once without success. I guess I feel I have more control over their growing conditions that way.
I have had petunia seeds reseed on their own, when the seeds dropped from my hanging baskets into some large pots on the deck that I just left outside over the winter. So I guess they will WS.

Thanks---

I had the blue Petunias in both a HB and all over a small bed.

Hope they come up....G.

Gita, I hope they do too. Don't be surprised if some of them look different. If they were hybridized. Some may revert back to looking like the parent plants they were crossed with. They are like a Box of chocolate, you don't know what you will get.

Hi, all. Sun out again today, but still very cold.
Been having some trouble with skin rash, one of the side effects, luckily I still have some prescription ointment left from the other chemo treatment, that caused a skin problem. The skin is getting better, will ask Dr. to refill that RX at my next appointment.
The edges and tip of my tongue is sore like when you burn it. I think it is getting better. This chemo sucks but I can do this.
Each chemo I am learning more of what to do when the side effects hit.

I think that once this cold spell breaks we are in for an early spring. However I still expect one nasty snow storm to hit my area. We have not had one yet up here. We have snow but not the storm that has everyone hunkered down, and needing a snowmobile to get around.
Getting the urge to make another pot of soup tomorrow. Just need to figure out what kind. I have ham, turkey, beef bones and I think a piece of beef in the freezer I can use. Love soup.

"Tom's of Maine" makes a toothpaste that's less intensely flavored and won't burn your mouth so much when it gets raw. If it gets worse, there's also some sort of numbing spray that you can use to make it easier. I ate a lot of yogurt and cottage cheese because it went down easily when my mouth was sore. Hopefully your mouth will heal soon!

Soup is good! Let us know what kind you make. My last batch was lima & split pea with ham stock (I cheated and used bouillon paste instead of boiling up a ham bone LOL).

Jill, I am using Biotene rinse and a mild tooth paste. It is just taking some time. I also read that rinsing out your mouth with Maalox helps.
If I go with a bean soup, I'll have to soak the beans tonight. I made a pot of Pasta Fagioli but I finished it up yesterday. It is added to my list of comfort foods, and easy to make.

I should have figured you'd know all the tricks by now!

I've got a trick for you with the beans, though... instead of soaking them overnight, bring them to a boil (with plenty of water), put the lid on the pot and let it sit for an hour, then drain the water. It works just as well, and it'll get you to soup that much quicker.

Navy Bean soup it is. Need the fiber and protein from the beans.
I hear you can do beans that way, never tried it, but an over night soak is no biggie for me, and I have all day to simmer it.

lady--

I have saved this "Special Potato Soup" from DG Recipe Forum....
Also--the Shrimp Bisque Soup. Both have cream in them--which may be soothing...
They are thick and rich and soothing and filling....A simple treat!

************************************************************
From "homophobic"--DG.
This recipe was featured in the 1982 Southern Living recipe collection, but I use it a lot. It's a thick, rich, filling soup. Some homemade bread and maybe a salad are all you need with it. (From “homophobic—NC)

Special Potato Soup

2 stalks celery, sliced
1 medium onion, chopped
2 tablespoons butter, melted
6 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
2 carrots, sliced
3 cups water
5 chicken flavored bouillon cubes (or your own broth)
3/4 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/2 teaspoon dried whole thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
dash of garlic powder
dash of pepper
2 cups milk
1 cup (4 oz) shredded cheddar cheese

Sauté celery and onion in butter in a large Dutch oven until tender. Add next 9 ingredients; cover and simmer about 20 minutes or until vegetables are tender.

Remove from heat and mash vegetables with potato masher (or "Stick Blender") or put through blender or food processor. Add milk and cheese. Cook, stirring constantly, until cheese is melted. Yield: 10 cups.

**Note: meant to add a footnote that I usually have some homemade chicken stock on hand and use it in lieu of the water and bouillon. I don't add meat, but that's just my own preference. Also, I use either half evaporated milk and half water or half and half if I have it, just for the richness of flavor.

Comments from others:

(from “synda)
My recipe is about the same except i use chicken broth -instead of water and chicken flavored bouillon cubes and I use evaporated milk- instead of regular milk. And if you want to add a little twist, I have added chunks of smoked turkey or ham.
And sometimes I use red potatoes and don't peel them.

Make some cheddar cheese biscuits and you'll be in heaven.

***************************************************

This Soup is heavenly!!!!! SOOOO good!!!

CREAM OF TOMATO--DILL SOUP WITH SHRIMP
(Baltimore Sun—“Recipe Finder”—May 5, 2010)

***This recipe comes from Oprah.com and was adapted from a recipe from Art Smith’s
“Kitchen Life”Cookbook. A simple substitution of fresh Dill for the Marjoram was
made from the recipe the author found.
The finished Soup had balanced flavor and a rich, creamy consistency.
It was as pretty to look at, as it was tasty.
Makes 4-6 servings.

Ingredients:

¾ lb. medium shrimp (25-31 count) unshelled.
2 cups reduced sodium chicken broth—or Home-made.
5 Tbs. Unsalted Butter—divided use.
1 Medium rib Celery—finely chopped.
½ cup Shallots, chopped (Onion can be substituted)
1-2 cloves garlic—minced
½ cup all-purpose Flour
1 can (28 oz.) Diced Tomatoes in juice
2 cups ½ and ½.
2 Tbs. Fresh Dill, chopped (dried can be subbed.)
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste.
***Note; I find salt not too necessary in this dish. Tomatoes have plenty of it.
If you like a saltier soup—use Sea Salt….

To Do----

--Peel and de-vain Shrimp, reserving all the shells.
--Combine the shells and the Chicken Broth in a saucepan and bring to a
simmer over medium heat.
--Reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer for about 15 minutes.
--Strain the Soup reserving the Broth –You should have about 2 cups.
Add water if needed.

Meanwhile----

--Melt 4 Tbs, Butter in a large saucepan/pot over med. heat.
--Add Celery and cook, stirring occasionally, until it begins to soften. (about 2
minutes.
--Add Shallots (or Onion) and Garlic and cook stirring often, until they soften
about 2 minutes. Add the Flour and stir well.
--Add diced Tomatoes with their juices
--Stir in reserved Broth, ½ and ½ and Dill and stir well.


--Bring to a boil, stirring often. Reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer, uncovered,
until the Soup is lightly thickened—about 30 minutes. Season with S & P if
desired.
--Just before serving, melt the remaining Tbs. of butter in a skillet over
med- high heat. Add the Shrimp and cook, stirring often, just until they turn
opaque. Season with S&P (if needed) and then stir the Shrimp into the hot
Soup and serve…..

Yummmm……Gita

Have you ever heard of this?

http://www.cleaningforareason.org/index.html

Hug today! Cuz I am tryin to warm up too! It's another very cold spell in MD as well. Happily, the clear cold weather lets all the sun in and there's a beautiful blue sky.

We just had navy bean soup last week. And chicken noodle! I need another jar of chicken soup 'base', that stuff is great. Since I am not due to order from Penzey'. I'll check the store or restaurant supply.

Sending hugs your way. Taking my Dad and Josh to the movies today.

Gita, Thanks for the recipes, they look good.
Jen, we came across that site when we were researching for our cubit.
Sally, I use a powdered base from Watkins, I have a jar of chicken and beef. Mostly use it to flavor gravies. Sometimes adding to soup if it needs extra flavor.
Holly, what movie are you going to see? I am hoping to see the new Pirates of the Caribbean coming out in May, something to look forward to.

I am feeling better each day. I noticed I need days of doing almost nothing, mixed with days of getting a few things done. I don't think the weather is helping, once it get nice out and I can stroll in my yard, I think things will improve. I'm just glad we are having sunny days. It is a real spirit lifter.

Lady--hope you are feeling better today! It is VERY cold here, as Sally said,
When I got up at 9AM--it was 18*.
Sunday is supposed to get up to 50*....Spring is trying to "spring"....

Question---
Is the Soup base as high in salt as the bullion cubes? ...

Sometimes I throw a couple cubes into a soup I am making just for the flavor...

Today is my daughter's Birthday....She is now 46--scary!
I am taking her and hubby out to dinner--to a nice, simple Restaurant on Rt. 40
called "The Williamsburg Inn". It looks like a regular house--and there is lodging
available to the side of it...separate little Motel-type units.

They have good food and very cozy accommodations--even a fireplace.
And--drinks/wines are served in really big, round, stemmed glasses...

Gita