So...whats for dinner?

LuvRVing

Hello from Kona, Hawaii.  I just got a call and my mother suffered an aneurysm today and is not expected to live more than a couple of days.  We are flying home tonight and will be home late tomorrow afternoon.  We may not make it before she passes.   My beautiful daughters are taking care of things for me until we can get back to Boston.

 While this is incredibly sad, this is going to be death with more dignity than she faced from a long-term decline due to dementia, and that is a bit comforting. 

I had left a letter for my mom that I had asked the nursing staff to read to her daily, telling her where I was, that I would be back and that I loved her.  I hope they did what I asked.

 Our plane doesn't leave until about 9 p.m.  We had scheduled a luau for this evening and we're going...it's how she would want it.

eric95us

;-(



Eric

chabba

Sounds good apple.  The secret to short ribs is cook loooong and sloooow!

susan_02143

Michelle,

I have my treatments in the morning, but if you need me to pick up at the airport, etc. in the afternoon, please don't hesitate to ask. Of course, your children have probably figured out all the arrangements. Really. If they are short two hands, be in touch.

I am so sorry that your mother's health has declined, and that you are shortening your dream vacation.

*susan*

LuvRVing

Thank you, Susan.  It's very kind of you.  My younger daughter will pick us up.  That would have been the plan for Sunday and she has our car, so it will work out ok.  My older daughter will keep watch at the hospital.  And Joycek will look in on mom and the family - she's right there in the same hospital. 

Talk about a feeling of helplessness...

debbie6122

Ohhh Michelle My heart just breaks for you!! And to be so far away at this news is so hard on you too. I am sure they read your letter to your mom everyday and she knows you love her, you have been such a caring loving daughter to your precious mom. Love and prayers for you and your family.

SeasideMemories

Oh Michelle!



I am very sorry about your mother... My FIL had to have emergency surgery due to a substantial blockage of his carotid artery. My poor DH was in California on business and had to get home quick. I know he felt so helpless and said that it was the longest flight of his life.



I pray that she is able to pull through long enough for you to get there. I certainly hope the nurses read your letter to her over and over and that she knows how very much you love her!



You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers....

auntienance

Oh Michelle, I'm so so sorry. I know what a risk it is to try to leave for any length of time with elderly parents. We were called back from a month long trip when my mom was diagnosed with end stage liver cancer. Now I worry about my 86 year old dad even when we go on short trips. I'm glad you have people available to cover things for you. Wishing you all the best.

chabba

Michelle, I was posting when you posted about your Mother so just now learned the sad news.  My prayers are with you, your Mother and family. 

Tazzy

Michelle - so sorry for your news.  Thoughts are with you and your family.

Laurie08

Michelle- So sorry about your mom.  I too hope she is able to hold on until you get there.  Safe travels and I hope you are able to enjoy your night despite everything.  It really is an awful situation- being so far away from home and being so worried and sad and sitting in paradise:(  My thoughts and prayers are with your mom, you and and your family.

debbie6122

Joyce- Michelle is very lucky to have you as such a dear friend. I know you feel the same about her too. You are very special to be there for her in a time like this.

deborye

Prayers for you and your family Michelle.

Even though my Dad was dx with dementia, he knew who we were till the very end.  His body just had enough and the QOL was not there for a long time, he went peacefully.

susan_02143

My grandmother died on the side porch, watching the birds in the pond and the sun setting behind. She had her 5pm cocktail in her hand. One moment she was breathing, and the next moment she wasn't. Her life was one filled with hard losses. I am forever grateful that her death didn't add to her pain.

*susan*

carberry

Michelle  I cried when I read your post.  Hope your mom stays as comfortable as possible  Prayers to your family. Was just going to tell you that we did an impromtu trip to your favorite casino  Foxwoods  thought of you the whole time.  The trip was fabulous with fall colors and lots of sunshine.

Sounds like everyone is cooking up a storm.

We ate way too much on this trip, they really kept us happy every minute (business trip)  Had lots of seafood.  They were also giving complimentary massages, so I got one.  I have a lot of stiffness on the shoulder of my surgery side and she did a great job of loosening up that muscle.

Debbie  Awww  first cold of the season? I can always count on at least one bronchitis for the season. Both of my parents are just getting over a bout with bronchitis, my mom actually needed antibiotics,  maybe we are going to see an early flu season.  I know that some of my nurse colleagues are just starting to do flu clinics.  Hope you get better really fast.

carolehalston

Michelle, I'm so sorry about your mother.  But she's a fortunate woman to have a daughter like you and two granddaughters like your daughters. 

Tonight's dinner was panfried grouper, tossed salad and sauteed bok soi (I think).  The latter is similar to spinach.  Might be misspelled.

Glad the earthquake was mild.

auntienance

Carole, I envy your grouper. Impossible to get here. Was your veggie bok choy perhaps?

Lacey12

Oh Michelle, I am so saddened about your mom's sudden critical condition. As Laurie already expressed, how hard to get such bad news while in paradise. But how relieving that you have such wonderful daughters and of course, Joyce, to care for your mom until you can get back. I love that you left that beautiful letter for her. She is a lucky woman to have such a caring daughter! Safe trip, Michelle.

apple

Michelle.. i am sending prayers for you and your mother.

Short ribs is not my type of thing.. but you know they were good when the kids invite their friends to eat leftovers after dinner is over.

I browned the short ribs with flour, took them out of the huge slow cooker pot, added chopped onions and garlic and let them brown.  Put the ribs back in the pot, added water and started cooking.  In the meantime I prepared potatoes, cabbage, celery, sweet potatoes, carrots and cooked them later.  total time 4.5 hours.  I strained off a lot of fat).  I awoke from a deep slumber to see 6 teenagers stuffing their faces at the table.  did they clean up?  nope... not too much.  I forgot to ask them.

My grocery store has 1/2 price meats first thing in the morning.  I take Klara to school then stop at the store.

Kay_G

Oh I want to express my sympathies too Michelle. I am so sorry, but as you said, it is a blessing to be able to die with dignity. I saw my mom deteriorate from Alzheimer's and it is so hard to see. I am sure you have seen people too. I think the letter you left was beautiful. Your mom is a lucky woman to be surrounded by such love. Make sure you take care of yourself too. (((((Hugs)))))



Deborey, glad you got a good report. It's good that your bs is being careful. I go into the city to see my doctored too, but it is only a 20 minute drive, if there's no traffic. But then there's parking and walking to the offices. That can be another 20 minutes or more. It would be nice to have them closer, where parking would be easier. A lot of ties I take the train down town for appointments.



Carole, did you lie your book choi? That is one item that I haven't cooked yet. I've had it from the CSA, but traded it for something else or it ended up spoiling in the fridge. I have some in there nw though that I'd lie to do something with.



Made the squash and leek soup with some apple croutons again yesterday. It was quite good. I did buy an immersion blender. That made it so much easier to make! Hopefully I will Mae a lot more sous with it. Had some pinko breaded tallapia, some mashed turnips, some steamed turnip greens and a salad with it too. I am turning into such a cook! This thread inspires me to try new things. Thanks everyone!

susan_02143

Oh, forgot to post last night's dinner. This was our first meal with this year's lamb. So different than last year's... a bit tougher, but delicious. Found some gorgeous fingerling potatoes, so I made a pumice of salt, thyme, sage, and rosemary. Tossed the taters in some melted butter/olive oil and then rubbed with the salt mixture. I had enough left over, that I rubbed the lamb loin chop as well. So dinner was roasted fingerlings with herbs, grilled lamb chop, and a broad bean and feta salad.

After dinner, I made a roasted squash curried soup which is stashed in the fridge. When I get home from treatment, I always feel nauseus so soup always feels perfect. That will be today's lunch.

Hope Michelle has a safe trip.

*susan*

LuvRVing

Last leg of the trip about to begin...salt lake city to Boston. Should arrive about 4:30.

susan_02143

Ugh. What a horrible time to start your drive north on I93.

*susan*

carolehalston

The veggie wasn't bok choy but it had an oriental name.  It was small green leaves no more than 2 in. in diameter.  I had dh cook them like mature spinach.  A spray of oil, several chopped garlic cloves, grated nutmeg.  Sauteed.  I put pepper vinegar on mine.  He used an aged balsamic that he really likes on anything.  The greens were a little tough.  I think they would have been good if blanched a minute or two prior to sauteeing.  That's what I do with kale. 

Kaara

Michelle:  So sorry to hear about your Mom.  Sending you prayers!

auntienance

Carole, my last guess is tatsoi. I'm wondering where you find your Asian veggies. Do you have an Asian food market where you live? I wish I did.

Laurie08

Carol- Wish I could help- but I have no idea....

Debbie- I hope you are feeling better today.

Michelle- I hope your last leg of your trip goes well and you are able to get to the hospital and see your mom. 

I have no idea what I am going to make for dinner.  I have pork chops out that I need to freeze or use...but I don't feel like eating them:/ I was thinking of making Michelle's spaghetti sauce and doing chicken parm, I suggested it to DH on the phone and he said he wasn't in the mood:/  Ohwell...we will see I suppose.

I am so frustrated with this sinus infection that is lingering.  I did 2 rounds of antibiotics and have been doing a sinus rinse twice a day and I still feel like crap.  Why can't I just get a cold like everyone else and have the damn thing go away?  The ENT Dr said the only other thing he can suggest is a CAT scan...so if I call him thats what he will want to do...I don't want to.  It will either show nothing or that I need some sort of sinus surgery.  Lose - lose situation.

auntienance

Laurie, so sorry you're dealing with that. I don't know why sinus crap loves to hang on and hang on.



I keep hearing about Michelle's spaghetti sauce. Did she post it a while back? I seem to have missed it.

debbie6122

Michelle- Thinking about you and hopeing you have arrived by now to the hospital to see your mom. (((((hugs)))))

Kay- Lie about book choi ha ha!

Laurie- I still have this lingering infection too. I seem to be getting a lot of recurring infections this last year, like you! Maybe we both have picked up new allergies this year? Hope you won't have to have surgery and it clears up. Might be worth a scan to rule anything serious out though.

Nothing sounds or taste good to me right now so havn't cooked in a couple of days made my poor husband buy fast food. Tonight I will make pork chops with apple sauce and green beans.

Laurie08

Thanks Nancy and Debbie.

Debbie I am going to follow your lead and have pork chops and apple sauce, no green beans so I will do pea pods.

Nancy- You probably keep hearing about Michelle's sauce from me!  I use it quite often.  Where she is so busy I will post it for her.

Michelle's Sauce

Heat 1 tbsp oil and saute 1 lb ground beef, 1 cup chopped onion, 3 cloves garlic, 1/2 cup chopped parsley.  Add 2 cans (28oz) crushed tomatoes, 1 6oz can tomato paste, 2tsp sugar, 2 tsp basil, 1 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp, dried oregano, 1/4 tsp pepper and simmer a good half hour.

I also add fresh basil to this and sometimes I use shallots instead of onion.  It is super easy and really good.  Thanks again for sharing Michelle!