In a space of three days our bathroom fan broke, our furnace needs to be replaced, and I snapped the vacuum hose in two and had to buy a new one. Not a great few days from a financial point of view. :) But in those three days I also had a day off to attend my daughter's spelling competition and have some time with Julia, cooked some great meals (Super Garlic Chicken Legs and Asian Inspired Braised Beef Short Ribs), spent some time with my husband and kids, read a great book, had a nice glass of wine and got some rest. It's all in how you handle it right? So, a phone call to the bank, a talk with the heating company, a new bathroom fan installed and a vacuum shopping trip yesterday, all is good. A little poorer in the bank account, but still rich in life. I am looking at things so differently lately. Things that I thought were important to me or that I thought should be important to me, just aren't. I have all that I need in life, I really do! Every day I carve out my happiness a little more, surge forward and fall backwards again, but I never really lose much ground, I find it easier and easier to get back up again. "Find your happiness, and dance with it". (Love that)
On Tuesday I am going with my Mom and sisters to check out Dad's resting place. My Mom is really an amazing woman. She is so strong. She misses my Dad so very much, but knows that she still has a very full life and so many people who love her and depend on her and who are there for her to depend on. She goes at things with the same attitude that I have, if you can't change it, you have to deal with it. If you can, make it better. If you can't, make it the best that you can. Friday was seven months since we lost Dad. Hard to believe. Life just keeps on going, and is going so fast.
Danette
Monday, January 17, 2011
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Artichoke Pizza - YUM!!!
This recipe is the shizzle!!!! I found this on recipegirl.com (I'm a daily recipe shopper there). I made this for our Christmas Eve potluck, it was a huge hit. I find myself thinking about it a lot, I guess it's time to make it again!
½ cup pitted ripe olives, sliced
½ cup (2 ounces) grated fresh Parmesan cheese, divided
zest from 1 lemon (and always always use real lemon, you CAN taste the difference :)
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1 clove garlic, minced
13.8 ounce package refrigerated pizza crust (DS: I made my own crust, but in a pinch, I buy crusts from The Bulk Cheese Warehouse and as they are pre-baked, lower the oven temperature to about 350, or you will burn the bottom crust)
2 medium Roma tomatoes, thinly sliced and then cut in half
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
2. In a medium bowl, combine artichokes, olives, ¼ cup cheese, lemon zest, mayonnaise and garlic; mix well.
3. Unroll pizza dough and arrange on large round baking stone, shaping into a circle. Using a lightly floured rolling pin, roll dough to edge of baking stone. Spread artichoke mixture evenly over crust to within ½-inch of edge. Arrange tomato slices over pizza; sprinkle with Italian seasoning mix and remaining cheese.
4. Bake 20-25 minutes or until cheese is melted and crust is golden brown. Remove from oven; let stand 10 minutes. Cut into squares using a pizza cutter; serve immediately.
Servings: 16
Cooking Tips:
*If you don’t have a baking stone, use a greased cookie sheet instead.
Throw together a caesar salad and you are in business... have I posted my (Sharon Genge's) caesar salad recipe? No! Well, I'll have to post that next! It's the easiest and best tasting dressing I've come across, my supper guests have started to ask for it when I invite them over! Bon Appetite!!!!
Danette
EASY ARTICHOKE PIZZA BITES
www.RecipeGirl.com
14 ounce can artichoke hearts packed in water, drained & chopped½ cup pitted ripe olives, sliced
½ cup (2 ounces) grated fresh Parmesan cheese, divided
zest from 1 lemon (and always always use real lemon, you CAN taste the difference :)
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1 clove garlic, minced
13.8 ounce package refrigerated pizza crust (DS: I made my own crust, but in a pinch, I buy crusts from The Bulk Cheese Warehouse and as they are pre-baked, lower the oven temperature to about 350, or you will burn the bottom crust)
2 medium Roma tomatoes, thinly sliced and then cut in half
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
2. In a medium bowl, combine artichokes, olives, ¼ cup cheese, lemon zest, mayonnaise and garlic; mix well.
3. Unroll pizza dough and arrange on large round baking stone, shaping into a circle. Using a lightly floured rolling pin, roll dough to edge of baking stone. Spread artichoke mixture evenly over crust to within ½-inch of edge. Arrange tomato slices over pizza; sprinkle with Italian seasoning mix and remaining cheese.
4. Bake 20-25 minutes or until cheese is melted and crust is golden brown. Remove from oven; let stand 10 minutes. Cut into squares using a pizza cutter; serve immediately.
Servings: 16
Cooking Tips:
*If you don’t have a baking stone, use a greased cookie sheet instead.
Throw together a caesar salad and you are in business... have I posted my (Sharon Genge's) caesar salad recipe? No! Well, I'll have to post that next! It's the easiest and best tasting dressing I've come across, my supper guests have started to ask for it when I invite them over! Bon Appetite!!!!
Danette
New Year, Continuing Life Goals
I just read the book "Made from Scratch: Discovering the Pleasures of a Handmade Life", by Jenna Woginrich (http://www.amazon.ca/Made-Scratch-Discovering-Pleasures-Handmade/dp/160342086X). I could not put it down and it left me wanting more!!! Jenna bought the farm she always wanted in April of 2010 and I follow her blog (http://coldantlerfarm.blogspot.com/). She is living the life that I yearn for. She has the balance, a day job and a manageable plot of land where she can have animals and grow her garden and have space!!!! Just reading about the satisfaction she gets from doing what she is doing makes me smile, I am sure it is not without hardships, but she is living her dream. I am certainly not unhappy with my life but I do yearn for more. Most people never really live their dream. In her book Jenna says, "Find your happiness, and dance with it". I love that.
Then I ripped through "Prairie Feast, a Writer's Journey Home for Dinner" by Amy Jo Ehman, and I follow her blog as well (http://homefordinner.blogspot.com/). A wonderful read! Lots of great recipes and local, local meaning Saskatchewan. We have a wealth of resources here in Saskatchewan and most don't know they even exist, I know it was an eye opener for me! I am going to grab my friend Amy and hit the Blueberry Festival, it sounds like heaven!!! Amy Jo Ehman is a local gal, living in Saskatoon and she and her husband built a post and beam house, another dream of mine! The beauty is in the simplicity and reminds me of a time in life when "fast" just didn't equate with life. (I think I was born in the wrong era). Don't get me wrong! I like my computer as much as the next gal, and Tim Horton's, and buying gorgeous boots... but I also think we rely on these things a little too much. I am not going to become a hermit and sequester myself somewhere, in the middle of nowhere... I just want my life to be simpler.
Leigh has an aunt and uncle that live just outside of Hudson Bay, on a farm, they raise their own beef, have chickens, bunnies, goats, cats, a dog... and they have a little slice of heaven. Gloria is a retired teacher, Mo is an electrician and farmer. They have it all. A great life, a great balance. All I want to do when I go there is sleep, ha!!! You feel the change of pace as soon as you drive down the path to the farm. But when you are there, they get you out walking, collecting the eggs in the chicken coop, going on weiner roasts in the bush, or whatever else you want to do. There is no hectic schedule. They bird watch, the TV isn't on very often, there is always something delicious to eat... and no dishwasher!!! That is refreshing! You talk as you wash the dishes, you plan the next meal, you plan what you will do the next day.
Sitting on my nightstand I have "The Backyard Homestead: Produce all the food you need on just 1/4 acre!" (http://www.amazon.ca/Backyard-Homestead-Produce-food-need/dp/1603421386/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_b.) I haven't read it yet, but have perused it. There is a lot in there that us city dwellers would never use, but there is also a ton of other information to infuse into daily life, and lots of gardening tips! I'll let you know how it is.
My Dad was an amazing gardener, he always kept a huge garden in the backyard, right up to his 86th year, as well as any friends backyards that had some extra space. He was amazing! Not a weed in site, he worked tirelessly, slowly and efficiently, and his yield was always huge, green and gorgeous!!! I remember as a kid sitting in the backyard shucking pees for my mom, eating a lot of them too, fresh out of the garden, still warm from the sun! Friends and family always loved it when Dad showed up on their door with a bag full of veggies for them, he always shared. I miss my Dad, so much. The other day I was mulling over the fact that my new raised beds did not do too well last year, possibly due to the amount of rain we had, but most likely my soil was not prepared correctly... I thought, I'll just call Dad and talk to him about it, he'll know why... then remembered that I couldn't. And that hit me right in the face. Smack. When my Dad died, all of his knowledge went with him. I didn't take the time in my "busy" life to sit down with him and learn all that he had to teach. I always meant to. I regret that. But, it has made me realize that by simplifying things, I also have more time to sit down and learn things. It is so important to pass on life experience and life knowledge to our children, our family, our friends, and keep that knowledge alive.
I have four books on order:
(a cookbook) The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Recipes from an Accidental Country Girl, by Ree Drummond. I follow Ree's blog, she is so hilarious! A great cook, very easy to follow recipes!!!
You Grow Girl: The Groundbreaking Guide to Gardening, by Gayla Trail
Homegrown: A Growing Guide for Creating a Cook's Garden, by Marta Teegen
The Cook's Herb Garden, by Jeff Cox
Do you see a theme forming? :)
Then I ripped through "Prairie Feast, a Writer's Journey Home for Dinner" by Amy Jo Ehman, and I follow her blog as well (http://homefordinner.blogspot.com/). A wonderful read! Lots of great recipes and local, local meaning Saskatchewan. We have a wealth of resources here in Saskatchewan and most don't know they even exist, I know it was an eye opener for me! I am going to grab my friend Amy and hit the Blueberry Festival, it sounds like heaven!!! Amy Jo Ehman is a local gal, living in Saskatoon and she and her husband built a post and beam house, another dream of mine! The beauty is in the simplicity and reminds me of a time in life when "fast" just didn't equate with life. (I think I was born in the wrong era). Don't get me wrong! I like my computer as much as the next gal, and Tim Horton's, and buying gorgeous boots... but I also think we rely on these things a little too much. I am not going to become a hermit and sequester myself somewhere, in the middle of nowhere... I just want my life to be simpler.
Leigh has an aunt and uncle that live just outside of Hudson Bay, on a farm, they raise their own beef, have chickens, bunnies, goats, cats, a dog... and they have a little slice of heaven. Gloria is a retired teacher, Mo is an electrician and farmer. They have it all. A great life, a great balance. All I want to do when I go there is sleep, ha!!! You feel the change of pace as soon as you drive down the path to the farm. But when you are there, they get you out walking, collecting the eggs in the chicken coop, going on weiner roasts in the bush, or whatever else you want to do. There is no hectic schedule. They bird watch, the TV isn't on very often, there is always something delicious to eat... and no dishwasher!!! That is refreshing! You talk as you wash the dishes, you plan the next meal, you plan what you will do the next day.
Sitting on my nightstand I have "The Backyard Homestead: Produce all the food you need on just 1/4 acre!" (http://www.amazon.ca/Backyard-Homestead-Produce-food-need/dp/1603421386/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_b.) I haven't read it yet, but have perused it. There is a lot in there that us city dwellers would never use, but there is also a ton of other information to infuse into daily life, and lots of gardening tips! I'll let you know how it is.
My Dad was an amazing gardener, he always kept a huge garden in the backyard, right up to his 86th year, as well as any friends backyards that had some extra space. He was amazing! Not a weed in site, he worked tirelessly, slowly and efficiently, and his yield was always huge, green and gorgeous!!! I remember as a kid sitting in the backyard shucking pees for my mom, eating a lot of them too, fresh out of the garden, still warm from the sun! Friends and family always loved it when Dad showed up on their door with a bag full of veggies for them, he always shared. I miss my Dad, so much. The other day I was mulling over the fact that my new raised beds did not do too well last year, possibly due to the amount of rain we had, but most likely my soil was not prepared correctly... I thought, I'll just call Dad and talk to him about it, he'll know why... then remembered that I couldn't. And that hit me right in the face. Smack. When my Dad died, all of his knowledge went with him. I didn't take the time in my "busy" life to sit down with him and learn all that he had to teach. I always meant to. I regret that. But, it has made me realize that by simplifying things, I also have more time to sit down and learn things. It is so important to pass on life experience and life knowledge to our children, our family, our friends, and keep that knowledge alive.
I have four books on order:
(a cookbook) The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Recipes from an Accidental Country Girl, by Ree Drummond. I follow Ree's blog, she is so hilarious! A great cook, very easy to follow recipes!!!
You Grow Girl: The Groundbreaking Guide to Gardening, by Gayla Trail
Homegrown: A Growing Guide for Creating a Cook's Garden, by Marta Teegen
The Cook's Herb Garden, by Jeff Cox
Do you see a theme forming? :)
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Dad's Eulogy
Leigh wrote a wonderful Eulogy for my Dad... I had to share...
Danette
Eulogy for my Father in Law – June 18, 2010
Good Evening. Thank you all for coming. My name is Leigh Stang and I’m proud to say I am Contrad Hebert’s son in law. My wife Danette and her mother Eileen asked me to say a few words over Con. Not because I knew him the best, but because I look at things kinda sideways and they thought I might provide a different view of Con then would be expected.
As you may or may not know, Con suffered a heart attack two weeks ago. So he’s lying in the hospital bed and the thoracic surgeon comes to speak to him. He tells Con that they performed an angioplasty to clear a blocked artery. He tells Con that if wants to live a little longer, he’s gonna have to change his life a bit. He’s gonna need some more excersice, but not too much. He’s gonna have to take blood thinners and beta blockers and 8 other mediations every day for the rest of his life. Con says OK. He’s gonna have to change his diet. Alright. No more salt. Sure. No more caffeine. Makes sense. But the final demand was too much for Con… The doctor said no more ice cream and he said that’s it, there’s no point now. The prospect of no ice cream stopped his heart.
It’s ok to laugh at that, it’s kinda funny. But at the same time it sums up the kind of man Con was. A man who actually, ACTUALLY, did enjoy the little things in life. Because, some time before I met him 16 years ago, he figured out that the little things are the big things. That the best thing you could do for yourself every evening is to sit down and slowly savor a big old bowl of ice cream. The slowness of it, the smoothness of it, the velvety, decadent luxuriousness of it, that there isn’t much in life that can’t be helped with a generous dollop of ice cream.
I thought about that on Tuesday as I drove to Edmonton to get my son Braedon and my nephew Scott from the airport. I thought about all the lessons Con taught me over the years. Always without saying anything. He was riddled with arthritis. Hips, knees, hands, back. But the only time I heard him complain was when he said he didn’t want to take the medication because it made him feel out of sorts. Fight through the pain. It’ll go away eventually. Ever notice that he smiled all the time? No matter what was thrown at him? The more he smiled, the lesser the problem seemed. Never hears a cross-word. Anger didn’t seem to have a point in Con’s life. I dare anyone here tonight to think of a time when he spoke an unjustified word about a person, or a situation, or an event.
As I drove along the highway with the rising sun at my back, ruminating on my loss, I started to notice how green the surrounding countryside was… is. That made me put something else together, that I never noticed until that day. When I would go to Con and Eileen’s, and if I was in a bit of a snit, about whatever petty thing was bothering me that day, Con would amble over to where I would be brooding and take me into his garden. HE never asked me what was bothering me, but instead showed me his giant tomoato plants. He never prodded my problem out of me, but would talk about how those damn birds were eating all of his Saskatoon’s despite his most valiant efforts. Then Danette would come out of the house and we would leave to do, whatever…and I always felt better. Whatever I was stressing about would seem a little bit ridiculous and a lot less important. These are all great lessons… great lessons.
Which got me thinking about great men. men that lead countries., men that have gone to the moon, men that have climbed Mount Everest. Great men. Not really. Great achievements, certainly, but not necessarily great men. Deeds don’t make men great. It’s how they interact with their fellow man that shows who they truly are. How they quietly and with momentous humility open their hearts to strangers and friends alike. And Con did that. Every day that he was on this planet he did that. He didn’t have to be a President, or an author, or a captain of industry. He wore many hats during his life. his last being a jeweler. A humble job. But think of all the lives he touched doing that. Men buying rings to ask girlfriends to become wives, husbands buying wives anniversary presents, children choosing something for Mothers day, Father’s day, birthdays, holidays, retirements, celebrations… always. A humble job, but massive impact. And in the middle of it, Con, with his immaculate suite and teddy bear charm. He never tried to be more than he was. A simple man, loving a simple life. And in that humility he exceeded his restrictions and became a great man living a great life.
The simple man idea got me thinking about the Zen story of the old man of the mountain. You know what I mean? The really old guy that lives at the top of some mountain, and dispense wisdom to those worthy to hear it. Well that’s Con. He’s the old man on the mountain. He’s the one with the answers that never offers his opinion. Except in my story, he lives in a garden, not a mountain. And some young fool, me, comes to seek the old master and after finally finding him in some secluded corner of this lush and vibrant place, tending to a little plant that everyone else would have given up on, the young fool asks. Master Con, tell me, please, what is the answer to all the questions?” And Master Con slowly straightens his creaking back, wraps his leathery gnarled fingers around the worked and smooth handle of his treasured dutch hoe… you know the hoe he’s had since 1958 or something like that, which is a lesson in itself… anyway, he leans on his hoe, lifts his face to the warm summer sun and is quiet for a long moment. Then he lowers his face, looks directly at the young fool and says with solemnity “I don’t know, let’s go have some ice cream and think about it.”
Thank you Con for being in all our lives and for giving us the lesson of ice-cream.
Danette
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Gone, but never forgotten
Long time since my last post.
The last month has been full of emotion and it has been a month of immense change. My Dad had a heart attack on June 4th, they fixed him up and he came home on June 11th, they were very optimistic, told him he was only 87 years old on paper, not physically. Told him he had a lot of years ahead of him. We were very happy. He looked good, still had his tan, came home with 9 new medications, but he was doing well. He spent Friday, Saturday and Sunday tired, napping, puttering around a bit in his garden, frustrated because he didn't do much, couldn't do much, I told him I'd come and weed for him. He even got a few games of cribbage in with my sister Danielle, his favorite game. I spent the weekend getting my own house and yard in order, being at the hospital so much, we hadn't had time for it. We thought we had time to take a break from heart attacks and hospitals, thought we could afford one weekend away from Dad to catch up.
Monday morning, June 14th, Kennedy isn't feeling well. Not sure if she had heat stroke, flu, or just needed a day. Pretty sure she was meant to be at my parents that day. I called Mom and Dad that Monday morning and asked if they were up for a day with Kennedy, a quiet day of her resting and recovering from whatever was going on. They both said yes, they would love to have her. We got there at about 8:45am, Dad was sitting in his new chair that Mom had bought him when he was in the hospital. She didn't want him to be walking up and down the stairs so much to sit in his chair, she was going to go and get him a new flatscreen for upstairs too, but we hadn't gotten to Costco just yet. Kennedy and I plopped down in front of Dad, me on the floor, her on the stool. He had on his burgundy pajamas, a blanket around his legs and the heating pad on his lap. He told me he was chilly, all the time it seemed. I said it was probably because of the blood thinners. Mom came around the corner, cup of coffee in her hand, in her housecoat, smile on her face, welcoming us and I could feel the peace they both felt, the peace in the air, having Dad back at home, he looked great, he was smiling... but chilly :). I sat and talked for longer than my start time at work allowed, I was late getting in, but I was enjoying the morning and our visit so much, and I knew I would be forgiven. I kissed my Mom goodbye and told her I loved her. I kissed my Dad goodbye and told him I loved him, he kissed my cheek and held me tight and told me he loved me too, and as always, told me not to work too hard. I gathered up my daughter in my arms, told her to rest, gave her a kiss and was out the door. I got to work at about 9:30.
10:30, I am in a meeting in my office, informal but important. My phone rings, it is not a direct call so I let it go through thinking that they will leave a message and I can call them back when I am done. Two minutes later Melissa calls through again, I pick it up and it is Kennedy. She is crying, she is telling me I have to come. Grandpa has had another heart attack.
I can't find my keys. Where are my keys. I run to Mandy's office and she grabs hers and we are gone. We race to Mom and Dad's house. The ambulance is there. Everyone is in front of the house. Kennedy runs to me, I cling to her. My Mom is there, I go to her. She is going to drive with the EMT, not go in the ambulance. She tells me that she is sure Dad is already dead. The EMT tells me they will do everything they can. I let my Mom go with her. I tell her I am right behind them. Alice stays with Kennedy, my Kennedy who watched her Grandpa have a heart attack, ran to get Alice while my Mom stayed with Dad, after she talked to him for almost an hour after I left, telling him everything that was going on in her life. Grandpa listening with a smile on his face, Grandma listening with a smile on hers. She is being strong, her breakdown comes later.
Mandy drives, I don't even remember getting there. I call Leigh first, I don't have to say anything but "come". I call my siblings and tell them to come. They are crying, asking me questions, I just tell them to come.
My Dad passed away on June 14th, 2010.
They assure us he was in no pain. It was quick... we know he died at home. A good place to die, the place where you lived your life with a loving wife of 55 years, children that thought you were Superman, turning to you for your quiet advice, always wanting to be around you... grandchildren that adored you. My Dad was the kind of person I strive to be... happy, happy in life, happy with all that life gave to him. He truly did bring out the best in others, and gave the best of himself. He had a wonderful 87 years, and he would have been the first one to tell you that As we mourn for him, I can hear him saying, don't cry for me, I had everything in life that I ever wanted. Remember me, but don't cry for me. I try not to cry for you Dad, it is very hard, but I pull a memory out, a memory of you, and that helps.
We will take care of Mom, she misses you very much. We all miss you very much. Thank you for being the person you were Dad, they don't make 'em like you anymore.
Danette
The last month has been full of emotion and it has been a month of immense change. My Dad had a heart attack on June 4th, they fixed him up and he came home on June 11th, they were very optimistic, told him he was only 87 years old on paper, not physically. Told him he had a lot of years ahead of him. We were very happy. He looked good, still had his tan, came home with 9 new medications, but he was doing well. He spent Friday, Saturday and Sunday tired, napping, puttering around a bit in his garden, frustrated because he didn't do much, couldn't do much, I told him I'd come and weed for him. He even got a few games of cribbage in with my sister Danielle, his favorite game. I spent the weekend getting my own house and yard in order, being at the hospital so much, we hadn't had time for it. We thought we had time to take a break from heart attacks and hospitals, thought we could afford one weekend away from Dad to catch up.
Monday morning, June 14th, Kennedy isn't feeling well. Not sure if she had heat stroke, flu, or just needed a day. Pretty sure she was meant to be at my parents that day. I called Mom and Dad that Monday morning and asked if they were up for a day with Kennedy, a quiet day of her resting and recovering from whatever was going on. They both said yes, they would love to have her. We got there at about 8:45am, Dad was sitting in his new chair that Mom had bought him when he was in the hospital. She didn't want him to be walking up and down the stairs so much to sit in his chair, she was going to go and get him a new flatscreen for upstairs too, but we hadn't gotten to Costco just yet. Kennedy and I plopped down in front of Dad, me on the floor, her on the stool. He had on his burgundy pajamas, a blanket around his legs and the heating pad on his lap. He told me he was chilly, all the time it seemed. I said it was probably because of the blood thinners. Mom came around the corner, cup of coffee in her hand, in her housecoat, smile on her face, welcoming us and I could feel the peace they both felt, the peace in the air, having Dad back at home, he looked great, he was smiling... but chilly :). I sat and talked for longer than my start time at work allowed, I was late getting in, but I was enjoying the morning and our visit so much, and I knew I would be forgiven. I kissed my Mom goodbye and told her I loved her. I kissed my Dad goodbye and told him I loved him, he kissed my cheek and held me tight and told me he loved me too, and as always, told me not to work too hard. I gathered up my daughter in my arms, told her to rest, gave her a kiss and was out the door. I got to work at about 9:30.
10:30, I am in a meeting in my office, informal but important. My phone rings, it is not a direct call so I let it go through thinking that they will leave a message and I can call them back when I am done. Two minutes later Melissa calls through again, I pick it up and it is Kennedy. She is crying, she is telling me I have to come. Grandpa has had another heart attack.
I can't find my keys. Where are my keys. I run to Mandy's office and she grabs hers and we are gone. We race to Mom and Dad's house. The ambulance is there. Everyone is in front of the house. Kennedy runs to me, I cling to her. My Mom is there, I go to her. She is going to drive with the EMT, not go in the ambulance. She tells me that she is sure Dad is already dead. The EMT tells me they will do everything they can. I let my Mom go with her. I tell her I am right behind them. Alice stays with Kennedy, my Kennedy who watched her Grandpa have a heart attack, ran to get Alice while my Mom stayed with Dad, after she talked to him for almost an hour after I left, telling him everything that was going on in her life. Grandpa listening with a smile on his face, Grandma listening with a smile on hers. She is being strong, her breakdown comes later.
Mandy drives, I don't even remember getting there. I call Leigh first, I don't have to say anything but "come". I call my siblings and tell them to come. They are crying, asking me questions, I just tell them to come.
My Dad passed away on June 14th, 2010.
They assure us he was in no pain. It was quick... we know he died at home. A good place to die, the place where you lived your life with a loving wife of 55 years, children that thought you were Superman, turning to you for your quiet advice, always wanting to be around you... grandchildren that adored you. My Dad was the kind of person I strive to be... happy, happy in life, happy with all that life gave to him. He truly did bring out the best in others, and gave the best of himself. He had a wonderful 87 years, and he would have been the first one to tell you that As we mourn for him, I can hear him saying, don't cry for me, I had everything in life that I ever wanted. Remember me, but don't cry for me. I try not to cry for you Dad, it is very hard, but I pull a memory out, a memory of you, and that helps.
We will take care of Mom, she misses you very much. We all miss you very much. Thank you for being the person you were Dad, they don't make 'em like you anymore.
Danette
Friday, June 11, 2010
Yum Yum Yum - Tequilla Lime Chicken
I follow a blog/site called "The Pioneer Woman", that a girlfriend of mine turned me on to. Love Ree! She has some great recipes. Last weekend I made Tequila Lime Chicken, with all the fixins! It was amazing!!!!! One word of caution, I did mess up the rice :). I overcooked it, I kept adding water, too much water... don't do that. Just cook it very slowly, and add water slowly as needed. It still tasted delicious, but wasn't quite right.
Slightly flatten chicken breasts with a mallet or the bottom of a heavy skillet. Place in a plastic bag and pour in marinade. Seal bag and marinate for several hours or (preferably) overnight.
When ready to cook, remove chicken from bag and place on the grill. Cook until completely done. Toward the end of cooking, top chicken breasts with grated Monterey Jack and allow to melt. (You can also top chicken with cheese and melt under the broiler.)
Serve topped with pico de gallo or salsa, alongside refried black beans, Mexican rice, sour cream, avocado slices, fresh flour tortillas…and whatever other garnishes make you smile!
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/06/tequila-lime-chicken-with-all-the-fixins/
Check out the link for the full meal, it is so worth the effort! The re-fried beans with the Pico De Gallo stirred in was pure heaven. I made guacamole (and I am making it again this weekend) with a generous amount of Pico De Gallo, and it was amazing! Had this meal with some Coronas... Grandpa Tarcy stopped over and joined us for dinner... it was a great evening.
I need to learn to take pictures of my food, whenever I do it, my girls tease me :). Leigh also advises that everything looks better on plain white plates, need to get me some of those!
Danette
Tequilla Lime Chicken!!! (A keeper)
Ingredients
- 3 whole Limes, Juiced
- 5 cloves Garlic, Peeled
- 1 whole Jalapeno, Sliced
- 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
- ½ cups Cilantro
- ½ cups Tequila
- 5 Tablespoons Olive Oil
- 4 whole Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
- 1 cup Monterey Jack Cheese, Grated
- Pico De Gallo (OMG - perfect food)
- Refried Pinto Or Black Beans
- Mexican Rice
- Sour Cream
- Avocado Slices
- Homemade Flour Tortillas (recipe is available thru link below)
Preparation Instructions
Combine lime juice, garlic cloves, sliced jalapeno, salt, cilantro, and tequila in a food processor or blender. Pulse until combined. Turn on the blender/food processor and drizzle in the olive oil until it’s all combined.Slightly flatten chicken breasts with a mallet or the bottom of a heavy skillet. Place in a plastic bag and pour in marinade. Seal bag and marinate for several hours or (preferably) overnight.
When ready to cook, remove chicken from bag and place on the grill. Cook until completely done. Toward the end of cooking, top chicken breasts with grated Monterey Jack and allow to melt. (You can also top chicken with cheese and melt under the broiler.)
Serve topped with pico de gallo or salsa, alongside refried black beans, Mexican rice, sour cream, avocado slices, fresh flour tortillas…and whatever other garnishes make you smile!
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/06/tequila-lime-chicken-with-all-the-fixins/
Check out the link for the full meal, it is so worth the effort! The re-fried beans with the Pico De Gallo stirred in was pure heaven. I made guacamole (and I am making it again this weekend) with a generous amount of Pico De Gallo, and it was amazing! Had this meal with some Coronas... Grandpa Tarcy stopped over and joined us for dinner... it was a great evening.
I need to learn to take pictures of my food, whenever I do it, my girls tease me :). Leigh also advises that everything looks better on plain white plates, need to get me some of those!
Danette
Scary week... Lots of reflection
7am. Friday, June 4th. I get a call from my Mom. Dad has had a heart attack. Horrific, scary, emotional, have to get to the hospital. My Dad doesn't get sick. Besides being riddled with arthritis for most of his adult life, we are not used to him being in the hospital, not used to him "down". Last year he scared us for the first time by ending up in the emergency room with ruptures on his intestine, they couldn't get the bleeding to stop, but then figured it out, clamped that all up and sent him home. One year later, he is in emergency again, and then CCU, two stints in, blood thinners and closely monitored for days (great staff at the University Hospital, thanks guys). He is at home now, with nine prescriptions (87-years old and my Dad has never had to take anything before this) and my Mom at his beck and call. I'm going to make him some banana-raisin loaf this weekend. He hated the hospital food. Lost some weight and a lot of energy, but still cracked jokes and made me smile. :)
I'm not ready for my parents to get old, seriously. I've never viewed them like that before. No thanks, don't want it. Realistically? I've watched my Dad age a LOT over the last two years, a lot. Realistically? this is a wake up call for his mortality as well as all of ours. Anything can happen. I am going to be 40 years old in October. I am already feeling my body start to rebel. Time to get that under control, for as long as I can. Aging is such an invasive process. We need to do everything we can to keep it at bay. Even that doesn't guarantee anything, but it sure can't hurt to try.
Love you Dad. Love you Mom.
Danette
I'm not ready for my parents to get old, seriously. I've never viewed them like that before. No thanks, don't want it. Realistically? I've watched my Dad age a LOT over the last two years, a lot. Realistically? this is a wake up call for his mortality as well as all of ours. Anything can happen. I am going to be 40 years old in October. I am already feeling my body start to rebel. Time to get that under control, for as long as I can. Aging is such an invasive process. We need to do everything we can to keep it at bay. Even that doesn't guarantee anything, but it sure can't hurt to try.
Love you Dad. Love you Mom.
Danette
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