Wild Weather

Nothing like some wild weather to make your Saturday evening complete! Spent the day cleaning up the backyard and having a friend over with her dogs. Snuggled up with the hounds on the couch to watch the race in the evening when the storm blew in. Here are the results.

Of course the dogs found it to be a new playground!

This morning its all cleaned up. The swing set can be repaired. All is well!

2012 Bark for Life

On April 21,2012 our family participated in the 1st annual ACS Bark for Life Relay. A group of dog lovers who wanted to support cancer research did some fundraising and did a walk around "The Draw" Park in Ramsey. It was a chilly chilly day! Mary Beth and the kids stayed for about half an hour before heading to the warmth of home. Perry, Bones, Gracie and I completed the walk and I'm happy to say we came in fourth place for fundraising! Enjoy a few of the photos from the event:

Major kudos to Emily Theisen Photography. What an amazing job she did!!

New Traditions

Its been awhile since our family has had any type of Easter Tradition. We've always gone to church, to my aunt's house for a delicious dinner...but nothing our immediate family has done.

2012 brings about changes.

We started out with the traditional coloring of the eggs on Saturday morning.

"Hurry up, Mom!"

"One, two, three...."

While waiting as the eggs soaked in the dye Cailin and Mary played Easter Egg Concentration.

Cailin liked playing the matching game more than coloring the eggs!

Joey and Papa hung out in the living room disappointed there was no eating involved.

Later in the evening Papa decided to surprise everyone with their Easter present a little early. A new swig set!

Everyone wants to help with the construction project.

"What do you mean what did I do with the screw driver...again?!?"

Easter Sunday dawned bright and chilly. After a breakfast of French Toast Bake it was time for the Easter egg hunt!

Once the eggs were found it was time to finish the swing set and have some fun!

Our family hopes your family has a blessed Easter!

¹⁶ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17 NIV

Praline French Toast Bake

Baked French Toast Casserole with Maple Syrup

Prep Time:

20 min

Inactive Prep Time:

8 hr 0 min

Cook Time:

40 min

Level:

Easy

Serves:

6 to 8 servings

Ingredients

• 1 loaf French bread (13 to 16 ounces)
• 8 large eggs
• 2 cups half-and-half
• 1 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Dash salt
• Praline Topping, recipe follows
• Maple syrup

Directions

Slice French bread into 20 slices, 1-inch each. (Use any extra bread for garlic toast or bread crumbs). Arrange slices in a generously buttered 9 by 13-inch flat baking dish in 2 rows, overlapping the slices. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, half-and-half, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and beat with a rotary beateror whisk until blended but not too bubbly. Pour mixture over the bread slices, making sure all are covered evenly with the milk-egg mixture. Spoon some of the mixture in between the slices. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.

The next day, preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Spread Praline Topping evenly over the bread and bake for 40 minutes, until puffed and lightly golden. Serve with maple syrup.

Praline Topping:

• 1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and blend well. Makes enough for Baked French Toast Casserole.

Catching up

Its been awhile since I last posted. Mostly for good reasons! Its been busy busy busy here "At Wits' End!"

Health wise I am doing very well! Just had an epidural steroid injection into the lumbar region of my back. Although I was a bit freaked out by the thought of them sticking a needle into my spine it ended up being a breeze! It typically takes up to 2 weeks for the full effect of reducing the herniated disc's inflammation and pain relief, but I was surprised to have a great deal of relief the next day!

The grandbabies are doing wonderfully! Cailin loves her little brother Joey! No doubt about that!

Of course the hounds are thriving and, in fact, retain control of the house. We don't let them know that...but we humans know the truth. Here Bones and Gracie cuddle for a mid morning nap. If you want to keep with with the hounds make sure to check out MnHoundage...Tails of Bones & Gracie.

Anna and hubby JT came home for a visit in February. After living in Savannah, GA, they both really missed the snow. As luck would have it the snow came just in time for their arrival! Here they are building a snow fort with Cailin.

More to come...Soon!

Italian Sausage & Pepper Pasta

Italian Sausage and Pepper Pasta

This is one of those easy meals that has so many variations. It does call for red wine but being an alcohol free home I just omit that.

• 1/2 pound uncooked turkey sausage, Italian style with casings removed
• 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 medium yellow peppers, cut into strips (I like to use yellow, green and/or red for a little color variation)
• 1 medium uncooked onion, thinly cut (I have found that using green onions works well and those onion-dislikers in the house to not mind them as much)
• 1/2 cup red wine
• 1 1/2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes, fire roasted garlic is suggested, do not drain
• 1/2 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes (or to taste)
• 1/4 teaspoon coarse table salt (I prefer using sea salt)
• 8 ounce uncooked whole wheat pasta (I use whole wheat and rainbow rotini combined)
• 1/3 cup fresh basil, chopped

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. 

Meanwhile, to make sauce, in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, cook sausage, stirring and breaking up meat with back of a wooden spoon, until cooked through, about 3 to 5 minutes; remove to a plate.

• Heat oil in same skillet. Add yellow peppers and onion; cook, stirring frequently, until vegetables are lightly colored and crisp-tender, about 5 minutes.
  
• Add wine and garlic; cook until most of liquid evaporates, about 1 minute. Add tomatoes, crushed red pepper, salt and browned sausage; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer until vegetables are tender and sauce is heated through, about 10 minutes.
  
• While sauce simmers, add pasta to boiling water and cook according to package instructions. Drain pasta; return to pot. Add sauce and basil; toss to mix and coat. Yields about 1 1/3 cups per serving.

A few notes:  I use different meats. pork Italian sausage and venison work well with this recipe. I also may add fennel for a bit of zip to the flavor. The sauce is great over rice, too. 

I Am The Mother of an American Soldier

I give my complete and unwavering support to my soldier. As my daughter serves the people of the United States, so I humbly offer up my prayers for her safety and the safety and health of those she serves beside. I respect her choice to adhere to a strict moral code and system of values that has preserved our great country for over two centuries. I accept that my soldier's first duty is to her country and I understand that this sacrifice she willingly makes is what keeps our nation great. I will never expect anything but the best from my soldier for I know she is capable. I know that a soldier's heart is true and strong, and that my soldier will endure. I will never abandon my soldier, my daughter, my love. I will love her unconditionally.  She will know I am there for her, even when she is alone. I am disciplined, emotionally and mentally tough, learning to wait for phone calls and letters or emails home. I, like my soldier, am an expert. I stand ready to do what ever I can do to let my daughter, my soldier, know that we are here for her, beside her, we love her and I will pray for swift destruction of the enemies of our country. I am the person who stood guardian of this woman who has become my soldier, now our guardian of freedom and the American way of life.

"I AM THE MOTHER OF AN AMERICAN SOLDIER."

author unknown

Under the Knife

Just a super quick update this morning. At 12:15 PM I will be reporting to the hospital for the "fixing of the fixing."

At the end of September I ended up with an infection in the left tissue expander. Because of the infection the tissue expander was removed. After a few weeks to heal and a consult with the infectious diseases doc I was cleared to have the surgical repair!

Originally a simple tissue expander was placed. Saline was used to gradually expand it until the desired breast size was reached at which time the expander would be replaced with an implant. Because of the scar tissue from the removal surgery the skin will not stretch so a little more complicated procedure will be done. Just like with the right side a Latissimus Dorsi Flap procedure will be done. I'll be in the hospital for a couple days to make sure the flap takes.

Could that be the light at the end of the tunnel?

This past Wednesday I saw an Infectious Diseases doctor. I was referred to her by Dr. Cantwell (my plastic surgeon) for the purpose of determining the status of my next surgery. As you might recall I ended up with an infection in my left breast tissue expander. On September 23rd I had it removed and since then have been healing.

This wasn't easy for me - which surprised me to be honest. But as I reflected and realized it had been 13 years since this all began I came to the conclusion that it was time for it to be over!

You can imagine how happy I was to be given the all clear from the Infectious Diseases Doc....and then it shot up to ecstatic when we were able to schedule the procedure. Soon the "fixing of the fixing" surgery will be happening. This time a Latissimus Dorsi Flap will be done which means I will have to remain in the hospital for a couple days.

I really think I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!

Halloween 2011

Here is the Halloween 2011 photo album featuring Cailin and Joey! And, of course, Grandpa!

Halloween 2011