What's happening in your neck of the woods friends? Jan 2011

Carol - do you make your scalloped potatoes from scratch or, like me, use the boxed ones?

Scratch.

I make a large casserole and freeze in 2 meal size containers.

lovely...... I like "from scratch" but with our schedules I find it's easier to use the "convenience" foods sometimes.......
I do a lot of scratch basic foods - eggplant, carrots, potatoes, etc, but not the kind I need to bake. I'll broil meats, but other than baking for church etc (on the weekend) I don't do a lot of baking, either.

Have been having mild weather here, rain on Friday which did nothing more than turn the driveway into a skating rink.Snow storm coming Monday and Tuesday. About -5 now so still mild.

Work here as usual on Moday - no holiday in NB.

Susan my scalloped potatoes come from a box too.

My nephews wife had a baby boy - Charlie, yesterday - he has some health problems and is at Sick Kids in Vancouver, he is having sugery now. He is in excellent hands and the parents are feeling better now they are there - it has been a long couple of days for them. Hopefully tomorrow will be better.

Susan my meals are pretty basic, nothing fancy and when I was still working I only made things like scalloped potatoes on the weekend! Now of course it does not matter. But I dont use many convenience things because time is not an issue for me now although I usually keep a few frozen meals around for those days when I dont want to bother. I tend not to plan ahead, just have enough things in the fridge/freezer when I am hungry I can get supper in 15-20 minutes!

yeah, me 2, Carol - had pork chops, onion rings, and frozen veggies tonight.
broil the chops and onion rings, boil the veggies....... quick and easy/peasy!

Morning all...

OMG, prayers for your great nephew, I would imagine that Vancouver Sick Kids is on the same level as Toronto Sick Kids and have the very best of doctors and equipment...please let us know how he's doing...overwhelming isn't it, having your newborn operated on, parents must be a mess....

Icy here as well, dangerous because with the light snow, whiteouts and winds it's deceiving because you just don't see it and down you go.

All your talk has made me hungry, soon time for breakfast..I'm quite lazy when it comes to cooking, although last weekend that's all I did was cook because DIL had operation and could not so did food for my freezer and fed them. Friday night made a big meal and fed myself yesterday and likely have enough for today..glad I don't get bored with same food..lol...but, during the week I get my lunch hour around 1:30pm so most of the time have a big meal then at night just soup/sandwhich and sometimes nothing.

That being said, you got to wonder how the grocery bill is so high..looking at the bags after shopping most isn't for eating, it's all cleaning/laundry supplies...we should go back to the old self made products, lot cheaper and probably a lot better.

Now that I've had this coffee break time to get back to my bedroom..cleaning drawers (lordy I'd have to lose 1/2 my weight to fit in most of the clothes) and closet..my goal for this weekend..trying to get each room done so come spring I'm outside till the snow falls...

Great nephew is doing well after surgery. He was born without an anus but the surgeons were able to connect everything so he will work the way he is supposed to. Hopefully only good news from here on. Amazing that the surgeons can operate in someone so tiny and wonderful that they have the ability. The parents may be able to get some sleep now, they were not doing very well yesterday.

Sunday is my day to cook and freeze a few meals for the week ahead. Usually make something in the crock pot but don't know yet what it will be today. Haven't slept well the last couple of nights and don't feel like doing much today.
The snow is going fast with the mild temp - I may go and see how close I can get to the greenhouse today. I started lettuce and spinach in the greenhouse last year on Feb 27, would like to be able to do the same this year but there is a good 6 feet of snow in front of the door this year. Spring is in the air - or at least it is in my head.
Have a good day everyone.......Laurie

Laurie - glad to hear your update on the great nephew. Will pray that everything goes well from here on. It's a glorious Sunday morning here in Ottawa, but we are supposed to a dose of winter starting this evening. I think it's already being felt in the Toronto and western Ontario area. Meanwhile, the last Sunday of Winterlude should be a good one. Much of the canal will be reopened after the +11 temps of friday.

Ann (Viann)

Yumpin Yimminie !! We wakened (or I did) to see about 3" of freshly fallen snow on the ground ..
Yesterday the patio and driveway were SO icy .. and now, after I shoveled, well, it's going to be treacherous getting around .. I slipped and almost fell twice while clearing the snow a bit ago.
The wind has returned as well .. ahh well .. am thinking it'll be short lived.

Laurie, glad to hear 'Charlie' is doing well post operatively .. one thing about these wee beings .. they are RESILILIENT!

COOKING !! Had thought post retirement that it would be LESS of an issue, but, I am still cooking full on suppers 95% of the time. I DO sometimes lean on M&Ms .. but mostly I am chef. I really don't mind though ..

Had a fire yesterday in the chimenea outside .. had to dig it out as it had been tarped. I shoveled and cursed and Gord grabbed a hoe to help me .. I grabbed the blue tarp and gave a MIGHTY pull, it let go and I landed on my tush in the snow with 2 dogs walking on me in a panic !! Couldn't help but laugh ..
Have a pic of Lorna sitting by the chimenea .. can't see the fire in it, but, it's there .... long ways away from today THAT is for sure !!!

Off to run the dishwasher .. have a fine day everyone ...

~M~

Laurie thanks for the update! Sometimes it's mind boggling to see how far these physicians have come..one could say they have the ability (via Lord's blessing) to do miracles. Charlie will now be on the road to recovery and parents anxiously waiting to take him home.

OMG "M" thought you meant the chimney attached to your house..thought omg what a close call and here you are gabbing about having an outdoor fire...lol.. now where was the camera so video could be taken? Hope Lorna is extra careful out there with all thata ice underneath fresh snow.

Ann, I would imagine they would have somebody taken ice measurement for thickness before allowing everyone to skate?
Penetang winterama is this weekend, terrible day for it yesterday but am sure they'll have the crowds today..me, I prefer the warmth of the house..

Just finished cleaning my closet and my 2 dresser drawers, managed to fill 3 bags of clothing for the dump and 1 for Value Village..still can't get much into the closet so will purge once again.

Keep thinking it should be lunch time but not, no wonder tummy is crying, didn't take time for breakfast yet!

Betty - they never open the canal unless they have 12" of ice. We had a real good thaw on Friday, but most of it was water on the surface which just had to refreeze. They now have teeth in the regulations which close down the canal at times (people can be ticketed) and that keeps people from walking in the slush and really messing up the surface. They also have a big fancy machine that floods the ice surface and they've been getting raves reviews about ice quality this year. http://www2.macleans.ca/2011/02/18/smooth-operator-2/

That's truly amazing Ann..hard to think there are that many people skating at one time...

Here they are trying to bring back the old Festival des Bonhommes, full of winter activities but with insurance as it is, they've had to cut out snowmobile races, motorcycle races, ice fishing, snowmobile puddle jump, scoot rides etc. All the fun things gone from the festivities, almost all the events are now held indoors so not as enjoyable.

Glad they were able to open the canal for this weekend.
Thanks for sharring the info..

Mom called about an hour ago looking for my microwave bread pudding recipe, of course she made me hungry, a quick run to the grocery store and all of 13 minutes and I'm having a treat, especially like that I purchased the bag of 5fruit which includes raisins, currents, cranberries..

Going to be hard to keep away from eating it all tonight..scoop of breadpudding and a scoop of icecream, can you ask for anything better, especially when it's hot right out of the oven?

Want to join me?

Cant join you but would like the recipe!

Ive been 'baking' an apple in the microwave for dessert the past few days, cut into slices or smallish pieces, sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon, MW high for a minute or two and add a bit of maple syrup.

Carol, I'm sorry to hear what you're going through. I'll keep you in my prayers to.

My sister who is 56 was diagnosed last May with Lung and Liver cancer. Because at first they didn't think the lung was the primary area they gave her a wide spectrum of chemo. After a couple of treatments they did a CT scan but nothing did shrink actual the cancer in the liver grew. Than they decided that the lung was the primary and started her on another spectrum of chemo. Before Xmas the chemo made her terrible sick and they had to start giving her blood transfusions, etc. She had lost alot of weight. Good news was that the cancer had shrunk. So they then decided to break up the chemo and give her two one week and the next one the following. Than her platelets were so low she almost died. They've given her 4 bags of platelets and another four bags of blood, plus potassium, magnesium and nuprogen throughout the whole process. Her platelets have gone up and now we are waiting for the results from the CT scan last week. Along with the cancer in the lung and liver she had also been diagnosed with Adult luekemia about three years ago but it was at the stage where they didn't have to treat her. It's been rough for me because she lives 10 hours away from me. So we talk on the phone every second day and text to each other. Because of the rough time with the chemo we're waiting to see if they will start her on tarceva which is not a chemo.

Marilynne luv your terriers! I had to put my Sparky who was a Cairn terrier cross to sleep. I sure miss him.

Nice to be back here.

Brrrrrrrrrr (at the moment) ........ doubtless, if the wind dies down, it'll be a kind of nice day.

ViAnn .. I watched a program on TV the other day about the 'ZAMBONI' they use on the Red River in Winnipeg to keep its surface smooth and clean for skating .. quite the story, and, quite the machine, about twice the size of the ones used in the local arenas.

Have never made 'bread pudding' perhaps I'll look up a recipe .. the apple in the MW sounds delish as well!

PerennialG .. so sorry to hear about 'Sparky' .. these furries do become a HUGE piece of your soul ..
Best wishes for your sister, she's having quite the time of it to say the least.

If you're 'off work' for the holiday .. do ENJOY .. if not .. well enjoy anyway ^_^

~M~

PerennialGirl - so sorry to hear about your loss and sending Ts and Ps for you sister. Sounds like she's still got a battle going on.

Thank you Marilynne and ViolaAnn! I've finally figured it out that I need help with the thoughts and prayers.

PG sorry to h ear about your sisters trials! Compared to that my issues are negligable( at the moment anyway).

My SIL is dying; She has degenerative neuromuscuoar disease dx back in 1980 plus other problems. A year ago she was diagnosed wth colon cancer but they would not operate as she is so fragile medically docs said the anaesthetic would probably kill her. So they did a colostomy and gave her 6 months. Now it is a year later. Until recently she was doing pretty good but now is going down hill and my DB says she is sleeping most of the time, they are stopping all oral meds ( she cannot swallow except with great difficulty) and just using IV pain meds. I dont think it will be very long. She had expressed a wish to die at home which my DB agreed with and they have had great hospice care ( they are in Mississauga) so he has not had to be her primary caregiver ( as he in fact has done for the past 20 years or so until this happened)
I had arranged to visit before Xmas but my own medical issues intervened. I have not been down for maybe 4 years - too late now.

Carol my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Hugs!

Mine too, Carol.

Ann dropped in this afternoon, Mike isn't doing well at all, he thinks they'll be able to give him chemo tomorrow but with tube inserted for lung collapsing it's more than doubtful..already telling Ann regardless what they say, he's coming home tomorrow..

Prayers going out to all of you dealing with or having a loved one with cancer...difficult times for sure..Lost my Roger New Year's day 1991 at the age of 47 of cancer..many years ago, thought for sure by now they would have found a cure???

Donna, difficult I'm sure you wanting to be near your sister and being so far away..I'm sure she understands and your calls give her the courage to get through the treatments.

Can feel the temperature dropping -13 right now..can feel nightfall closing in so up with the furnace, hot bath and a night of feet up watching t.v.

Lordy, don't know if it's my last fall the other day, but been taking painkillers like crazy..stand on my feet for anymore than 1 hour and can't stand it..have to dig up the heating pad and see if that helps..

Would take a few days off but to call in when you don't look sick makes you feel like such a fraud...think when you have some of these hidden illness's that someone they should be visable...lol that way you'd get a bit of sympathy..

MICROWAVE Recipe


Basic Bread Pudding

In a large bowl combine the following:

4 cups bread cubes (lightly packed into the cup) approx 4 to 5 slices
1/2 cup brown suguar (packed)
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
1/2 cup raisins or 1/2 cup 5 fruit (found in same aisle as raisins)


Now:

1/4 cup butter or margarine
2 eggs, beaten
2 cups milk

Add Butter to milk and microwave for about 4 minutes or until butter is melted. Rapidly stir in eggs with a fork and mix well. pour over bread cubes and mix

At this point if you have wax paper you can cover the dish (optional)

READY to set into a baking dish into the microwage for about 11 to 13 minutes

When cooked, center may still be slightly soft but it will set up as pudding cools...Served warm or chilled...add whip cream or ice cream if you really want to ohhhh and ahhh

Note: cooking time may vary depending on microwave..you'll learn this once you've made your first pudding as to lessen or increase cooking time.

I luv bread pudding! Thanks for the recipe Betty!

Thanks Betty- will try that one.

Sounds like a lot for me- how well will it keep in fridge?

Wooo Hooo .. thanks Betty .. I am going to give it a go .. probably closer to the weekend ..

Jeeze .. PG and Carol and Betty .. my thoughts are with you at these difficult times with relations and friends, especially where distance is concerned.
My Hospice client is doing not too badly at the moment .. WHEW !!! .. he had a bad turn around Xmas, but is now doing better.

We had such a cold wind today .. I got out maybe twice to play with the dogs ..

Stay warm everyone

~M~

I've copied the recipe Betty - thank you so much, love bread pudding!

Morning, brrr it's a cold one out there but we're coming to the last of it aren't we..one more week and March will be upon us..let's hope it comes in like a lion...

As for the Bread pudding, I refrigerate it, but you could do 1/2 batch just make sure you cut down the microwave time.

I'll be back to chat in a bit, have to organize the garbage and then pack the vehicle, I've 2 bags of clothing to bring the Vallue Village this morning, better in their racks than mine..

Furries are looking at me as though to say, get moving..lol

Kinda thought we would be getting a little blast of snow .. but, it was but a flurry, it passed by and we have had a glorious day .. temp of -4C and SUN SUN SUN .. and .. hand in hand with that .. sloppy roads and HUGE PUDDLES .
I was getting Lorna out of the car to go into the dental office, a city bus went by and the 'wall of water' missed us by inches !!! When we came out, I moved the car so as to avoid THAT again.
Went to the Funeral Home for Terry's viewing, and, the parking lot was pretty watery in the low spots ..
HEY .. it must be almost SPRING ;-) !!!

Taking Piper for a grooming tomorrow and the car in for routine maintenance .. while at the dealership I am going to look at SUVs and Vans .. i STRESS .. L O O K !!!

TTFN

~M~

I'm always amazed "M" when I watch Breakfast television to see the weather you are getting, why did I think your winters would be so much harder than ours??

Calling for rain tomorrow and Saturday so that usually is the start of March changing from winter to spring..best not count old man winter out yet..lol

Don't you just love it when there is water everywhere and you are walking, drivers rushing about paying no attention and you get an unwanted shower?

Got the shivers thinking of funeral homes..think when I go I'm going to bypass that step!

Great nephew is doing OK. There was some question about his kidneys and spine but they checked out OK yesterday. Today is CAT scan then the parents meet with the heart doctor to see when surgery will be done on that. He is not getting enough oxygen to his heart and they think the tubes going in or out are not positioned right. Don't know if they will do the surgery now or when he gets a bit bigger (3 months) they will know more today.
Thought you all might like to see a picture - his name is Charlie and he is beautiful!

Just stopping by DG to see what kind of trouble my friends have been gettin into.

Carol, sheesh, I thought once round was enough. You are made of tough stuff. I'm thinking of you as you go through another fight.

It's nice to see you here supporting each other as one after the other goes through sad times. Donna, I hope you will keep coming and posting here.

I'm going to ask one more time. Hey Betty...~~, I thought you retired, or were at least going to work part time from home. Did that all change?

Sorry my visits are sporadic, but I don't come out from under my rock too often.

Off to think about supper, and that's not going to feed us is it?

Made the bread pudding .. will have it following supper .. looks yummy though ..

Yeah Betty .. many folks think Thunder Bay has horrifying winters, and, truth be told .. we USED to. HUGE high snowbanks, and inches and inches of snow day after day, but, Global warming snuk in, and, POOF .. here we be, one of the SUNNIEST cities in Canada ^_^
Keep thinking that the growing ZONES are going to have to be changed !!

Piper looks OUTSTANDING ... came through the back gate and immediately rolled in the snow for a good 10 minutes!
My car is in great shape. Looked at a couple of Toyota SUVs .. giving it some thought . LOVE the 'new' colours ..

Funeral Homes serve their purpose .. I am also planning to skip that step as well ..

Hope everyone is fit and well

~M~

Laurie and Brenda .. seems we all wrote at the SAME time .. WOW ..
Lookit that little guy .. he is just such a sweet pea !! Heart surgery and young babes seem to be quite compatible ..

Hey Echoes .. love to see you posting .. like you I am 'thinking' about supper .. looks like fish and chips will win out though ..

Off n running ^_^

~M~

Dipping back down here today, chilly wind.

To the vet with Bailey this morning, regualr check but yesterday I found a a growth underneath his tail, just at the base. Vet says no particular concern( forget what she called it) but if it starts to grow it might have to come off as it might get irritated.
Had my bone density study this after noon, appointments for bone scan and CT next week and see the oncologist again on the 15th March.

Getting pots ready to plant my begonia tubers and use my new indoor light garden for the first time! Need to go shopping for seed trays etc.

Thanks for all your good wishes.

Ive been d-mailing back and forth with Ann in Edmonton- her knee surgery was on the 16th and she is doing OK but cant sit at the computer for very long.

ouch for Ann - I'd forgotten that was when her knee surgery was. Hope it went ok, sure it must have - easy for surgeons to do, but difficult to recover from, I'm supposing!

Poor Bailey - that would be irritable if it grows. Here's hoping it doesn't!
I've never had a bone density study - how do they do it?
Here's keeping good thoughts for your scans and Dr visit, Carol.

Susan- bone density just involves lying on a hard table ( ouch! my back does not like it!) and the scanner moves slowly over the body part being scanned-it is a special type of X-ray - no prep., does not take v ery long. Usually they scan left hip and lower back, this gal also did my arm as my scoliosis was preventing her from getting clear pics. I actually have one every couple of years because I am on Actonel which helps decrease loss of bone mass and although my doctor does not need it Blue Cross wants it for documentation or they wont continue to pay for most of the cost of the drug! Apparently this cancer drug that was started can also effect the bone density.

doesn't sound too terribly difficult, except I understand what you mean about laying on a hard table! I don't think I would enjoy that either...... especially the "getting up" part afterwards!
How bad is your scoliosis? Have you had it long?

RAVES on the BREAD PUDDING !!! It was nummers .. even though I forgot the Cool whip in the freezer LoL
Will sure make that again !

The bone density thing is way easy .. mine took 10 minutes, lay on the table, they bolster your legs with a pillow under your knees .. I had the same areas as Carol scanned minus the arm part.
As usual, the tech and I 'talked dogs' .. I had had a Westie pin on my sundress and her Mom has a Westie so .. blah, blah, blah ^_^

Carol .. is it a 'sebaceous cyst' Bailey has? Quite common in the furrier dogs, basically a blocked oil gland .. they do get itchy after a bit, that's when the dogs start licking and scratching at them and then the cyst might have to be removed if infection sets in. Our Elkhound had a couple.

Snowed here a bit .. enough to shovel, but wonderful temps ..

Off to take Lorna for blood work this morning, Applebees for lunch and then a visit to the prosthetist to see if he can put some padding into her prosthesis to make it a bit more snug.
Always busy days ..

TTFN

~M~

I don't think the bone density scan takes even that long. It's a no sweat test. They generally do my wrist as well - I think it's a good indicator. One thing, it's important to have it done in the same place next time as the machines do not, apparently, all read exactly the same. (Dunno what happens when they replace a machine as they must from time to time).