So...whats for dinner?

Susan, I'll be thinking of you tomorrow.

Bedo... Sharon and i...our DD is going to be 17 in a few days and I'm having a bad case of "She was born yesterday..wasn't she???" :-)

Hi to everyone else...keep warm....

Eric

Morning conversation.  "What kind of soup would you like," I asked dh.  "Beef soup," I thought he replied.  He added, "Or pot roast."  I thought that was an odd addition.  Some hours later further conversation revealed that he thought I asked, "What would you like for dinner?" and he replied, "Beef stew."  Now the mention of pot roast makes more sense! 

Back at home after a trip out into the world together to do some shopping, I asked if he would like to make the beef stew.  He said "Yes" without a lot of enthusiasm.  So here I am in the living room with my laptop and he has been busy in the kitchen.  So we will have whatever he is making, beef stew or beef soup.  If it's stew, I may make a cauliflower mash to go with it. 

Bedo, I don't have children but I can imagine that milestone events, like weddings or graduations, make a parent conscious of time passing. 

Nance, what a great attitude you have.  When you come back our way, you'll have to come and visit us. 

Waiting rather anxiously for news from Susan. 

Oh and I am making the famous Mexican chicken.  I have quilt guild tonight and I don't want to go because the temp is -24 right now with the wind, but I promised my Dad I'd pick up the "urn" with his kitty from the Emergency vet clinic (they open at 6pm and close at 8a.m) and my meeting is over on his side of town.

I cleaned my oven with this make yourself oven cleaner---2 oz dawn , 4 oz lemon  jluice 8 oz vinegar, 10 oz water.  Really spiffed up the oven interior.  This is the first time since I cleaned it I've used it and it has a soapy smell.  I rinsed and rinsed, so now I am a little perplexed.  (Maybe its just a clean smell, cause I couldn't believe how much stuff came off when I used this stuff on what I thought was a clean oven)...

It's been a rather interesting day. In spite of the 10 degree, minus 5 degree windchill, DH and I were feeling rather housebound so we ventured out in search of hardwood and birdseed. My cutting board is in need of replacement and dh usually makes them for me to my specification. We were looking for a place to buy wood other than one he frequently uses near us that tends to be rather expensive. In a random woodworker's forum on the internet I saw a place mentioned that just so happened to be right down the road from us. What a place! Carole, your dh would love this place. The guy had a barn full of all kinds of hardwoods and exotic woods. Of course my dh, the amateur woodworker was in hog heaven. I ended up with a piece of dark hardwood that will make a beautiful board, even though it's not quite as thick as I wanted it. The serendipitous part of all of this is that the guy is a hobby farmer and raises Scottish Highland cattle and sheep. I've never seen cows like that -- they have long horns and big thick fur coats. Very interesting looking. Both cows and sheep are grass fed and they sell the butchered beef and lamb. I told him I most certainly would be interested in both, although not for steaks. This breed apparently produces the big fur coat instead of fat so the meat is very lean. He will sell the lamb in a bundle, which will suit me since I'm the one who likes it the best. If I can get a leg or shanks, some ground and a few chops, I will be a happy cook. How about that, a new meat source and something to cut it on in one fell swoop!

It's not often that I have ham and roast pork at the same time, but today the stars were aligned, so we had cuban sandwiches for lunch. Awesome. Tonight will be ham steaks with stewed tomatoes and a side of sauteed baby kale. I've about reached the ham saturation point, so what's left will get cut up and frozen for deviled ham at some future time. The tagine also came today, so I'll be looking to put that to use this weekend. The knife hand is still plenty sore. I can cut providing I keep the knife very sharp and cut slowly. Anything that requires too much pressure is out of the question. I hope it's better when the stitches come out Monday.

Carole, we would love to get together again. I will let you know when we're that way again and if you find yourselves close to northern Missouri or even St. Louis, be sure to let me know. Would love if you make a detour on your next Decatur trip.

I too am anxious to hear from Susan.

Yes thinking of Susan today.

Salsa chicken does sound good but I need to make something plain and use up some of those darned potatoes. DH might be home reasonably early for him tonight.

Sounds like a great adventure in the frozen tundra Nancy. Food for you and something for DH too. Can't ask for much more than that. Glad your hand is feeling better.

Special - hope DD's weenie dog baby is on the mend. I have my rat terrier dressed in 3T T shirts. I have one dog sweatshirt that fits her and one 4 legged Harlequin print nylon "onesie" otherwise it's baby clothes. Weather is trying to decide if DFW will get any ice or just nasty cold rain off/on thru Tuesday.

Well, the meeting has come and gone. I am still distilling, but the bottom line is this is a progression. It is not minor since it has found a home in a new system, i.e. the bones. But, since these spots can not be biopsied due to location, we are going to continue with the Faslodex for three months and then do another scan. That scan will dictate the next step. As I knew, she stated that my only options from here on out are chemo. She thinks when we pull that trigger is the art of her job. As long as I feel well, and the cancer isn't on a rampage, we agreed that we want to use the Faslodex. She says even though we have had progression, the Faslodex is controlling the mets for now. But she cautioned me that this will change. "We might have to start chemo in April, July, certainly it will be before the end of the year." I mentioned the trip I had hoped to do in September and she suggested I do it this Spring instead.

Rotisserie chicken with mashed potato cakes for lunch with some sliced tomatoes. Tomatoes made us both sick. Ugh. Dinner was take out pizza. The kids have taken over the kitchen for a big cookfest. I have some chicken soup simmering and it smells wonderful. One more night to lick my wounds, and then I have to create a strategy to finish all my active projects in the next three months, just in case.

Sorry to be a bummer....

*susan*

Red I hear you about the cold. I've been sleeping in two shirts, socks, fleece bottoms. comforter and opened up cold weather outdoor sleeping bag to put on top with the cats.

Special, I'm so sorry that the doggy has to wear the "collar of shame" My dog hated it and got stuck in doorways. We always laughed and said he had too much partying and was wearing a lampshade.

Auntie A woodcutter! That seems to be getting popular these days! That's pretty cool

Carol and Eric thank you for your comments. This has gotten me kind of down

MOmmy fries and hot dogs are a step up from bread and butter!

Minus- the research job is still on the table, I sent in my resume 2 days ago and it is under consideration. I also have confirmed jobs in Boston part-time for the next three months if I want them. It would be nice to stay with my DD there before she is married in 1 1/2 years. Her fiancé is finishing his Masters at Yale out of town during the week.

My trip to Appalachia, Tenn is the last 10 days in March helping with RAM (Remote Area Medical) I am really looking forward to it.

I Made MORE eggplant parmesan today-or tried to- as I have just discovered that I do not have a cup of fresh basil. I hope the sauce and baked eggplant can wait until tomorrow in the fridge and will be OK. I'm making it for the not-blushing brides to be to take to their future hubbies after our get together on Sat

Susan my computer did a complete blip and I didn't see your post until after I finished wishing you well. That sucks. I am hoping that in 3 months things will change. Nothing is written in stone and no one can read the future. You're OK now and that's what counts. xx I really wish that there was a right thing to say that would make things all better.

Susan--- Triple my favorite bad word.......this SHIT brought us all together and it keeps us together doesn't it.......   Sounds like you have a wise, very upfront doctor. 

And you are a very intelligent woman, so you will figure out a plan and a priority schedule  that will help you sustain your level of health.  I feel it in my being.   And I am going to give this all over the God tonight, so try and relax.  My angel is staying over with you for the long haul.

Ditto, Lacey.

Dh made beef stew with veggies for dinner last night.  It was very good.  He must have made a roux (flour on floor was a clue) since there was brown gravy.  Side was romaine salad with cucumber, avocado and gorgonzola and kalamata olives.  Champagne vinegar and lime flavored olive oil dressing.  Enjoyed the meal.

Love the FUCANCER Nancy..... We need a little logo with that word on it on some sweatshirts....you know a tasteful small medallion kind of thing like on the POLO or Ralph Lauren clothing.....

Susan. Sorry to hear your news. Crap. Crappity crap. Vent if you need we are all here at the table for you. Your doctor sounds amazing. Truth may be hard but I need the truth no matter what. Hugs.

Carole. The beef stew saga reminded me of my younger daughter a long time ago. She was sick and I sent my older DD up to see what she wanted for lunch. She came down and told me DD2 wanted Butt soup. Butt soup? I told DD1 to go up and ask again cause i didn't know what she meant. She came ask down and said that, yes, she definitely wanted Butt soup. So of course I go up the stairs to find out what this crazy soup is that she wants so badly for lunch. Darling, what did you want for lunch????

Answer: ANY THING BUT SOUP.........

I definitely want a FUCANCER tee shirt. 

Moon, lol at the butt soup!

Took my mother to see a NP today.  That visit went well.  We got advice on safe OC meds for my mother to take for her head cold.  THEN we went to Bear's and picked up roast beef Po boys, dressed.  Sandwich heaven. 

On a scale of 1 to 10, today was about a 3 1/2.  But it's cozy here in the living room with the fireplace turned on, and dh, wonderful man, just served me a rye old-fashioned.

Dinner will be leftovers and salad much like last night's.

Nance, did the tagline arrive?

Moon, that is a great story!!!

Nancy, oooh... pretty toy. Will you make a lamb tagine to start? Or something else? I have some Meyer lemons "preserving" in the pantry. Three weeks until they are ready to start adding to foods. Can't wait.

Made some chicken enchiladas for dinner. Last of the roasted tomatillo salsa verde I froze when the tomatillos were in season here. These days I can only eat one, and husband can only eat two. There are three remaining in the fridge which I will throw in the oven tomorrow for either lunch of dinner. Since the tomatoes made us feel ill yesterday, I improvised. I have taken to shredding cabbage and dressing it with salt and lime juice when we make either tacos or enchiladas so that there is something fresh and crunchy on the plate. Today I extended this idea and added all the regular salsa ingredients minus the tomatoes. The avocado was not ripe sadly but we ate it anyhow. Served with some black beans. Can't warm up today. I am wearing two sweaters and still shivering.

*susan*

Minus, well wishes being sent for your friend.

Carole, I neglected to say how impressed I am with your DH's cooking ability. I may have to hire him as a coach for my resident DH!

Monica, that butt soupstory is hysterical!

Tonight I had more cabbage soup and two poached eggs...while DH is out in Western MA enjoying a sumptuous meal with his search team. I'd be more envious if I actually felt hungry! And it really is not bad being holed up with a virus, flu, whatever, when it is twelve degrees and blowing outside.

Susan, like the typical guy, I never know what to say....somehow crap or shit or something like that doesn't seem right. I'm sorry to hear about the progression and most certainly want it to go away again.

Eric