A few weeks back I injured my neck. I’m really not sure how I did this, but suffice to say, it hurts like heck, and it is sidelining me. Just being on my feet to make meals, caused me a lot of pain.
But I think the thing that scares me the most is the numbness in my left arm and hand, and the shooting pain from my neck to my shoulder to my fingers.
I’ve had strained mussels, I’ve torn ligaments and tendons, and I have broken bones, but nothing even comes close to this.
The MRI should be done at the beginning of the week, and once we have a firm diagnosis, we will have to figure out what to do next.
Quite honestly, I just want the pain to stop! Despite pain pills, and a sedative to relax me, I’m really not doing too well.
So, if it is not too much, please keep me in your prayers.
This weeks Friday Five sort of centers around my neck. I hurt it a few weeks back and it became so painful Wednesday that I finally broke down and went to the doctor.
Picture courtesy of my cousin, Janet!
Not quite sure how I did this. With discs, as you get older, you can move the wrong way and blow one out!
Wednesday it was so bad, I broke down and finally admitted it was just getting worse.
Well, here we are during the holidays and I am waiting for an appointment for an MRI.
Meanwhile, I am living a quiet life. Thankfully my cousins, Janet & Dave came up and helped Hubby prepare Thanksgiving for the four of us.
I am so thankful for the love and support of my family, as well as the pain pills that are keeping me comfortable!
1.What’s something you wish you knew how to do, but feel like it’s too late to learn?
Not necessarily too late, but I would love to learn to quilt. In fact I’m thinking it would be fun to find a quilters group in 2016.
2. Your least favorite thing to shop for? Why?
Bathing suits. Why? Surely you jest! Every woman over the age of 30 hates to do this. And now in my 50’s, my late fifties, nothing seems to be where it was when I was in my teens and twenties!
3. How has the celebration of Thanksgiving today changed from when you were growing up?
I think it is less about being thankful, and more commercial. Many people, myself included, will not shop on Thanksgiving. However, many people literally eat and run to the Mall!
4. What’s something that when other people see it, reminds them of you? Explain.
A dackel. Specifically, a wire-haired dachshund. I get pictures from friends and family when they see a dackel like mine.
5. If you could guest star in a TV show, what would it be and why?
Oh, Blue Bloods. I would love to play a cousin of the family who comes to visit and then get embroiled in some tense crime spree! LOL
6. Have you ever farmed or spent any time on a farm? Are there farm stands in your little corner of the world and do you make it a point to shop there? If so, what item do you particularly like to buy from a roadside stand or farm shop?
I have lived on a farm. When Hubby and I first married. He owned an apple farm, complete with a barn full of animals too. I loved it there. Currently we supply apples, peaches, plums and grapes to a local farm stand. The owner’s wife bakes the best lemon squares ever!
7. What’s something you’ve experienced recently that made you feel a sense of awe or wonder?
Well, a few things. First, spending my birthday with Savannah, and the rest of the family was special. What left me in awe, was how sweet, and loving Savannah is. Her parents are doing such a great job raising her. It was fun to share my birthday dessert with her.
The second thing that leaves me in awe, is Amanda’s new baby boy! I can hardly wait for him to arrive (February-March 2016!)
8. Insert your own random thought here.
It is nearly Thanksgiving! My favorite time of the year. Today I will be baking a few things, and then tomorrow I will do the prep work on the vegetables and make the stuffing.
My cousin Janet made these rolls for me and they quickly became a favorite! Best of all you use, basic frozen dinner rolls! You can find them in the frozen bread section in the grocery store.
Now here is what you do. Generously coat a heavy cast iron skillet with some olive oil…or some cooking spray. Trust me, the olive oil is best all by itself!
Now place the frozen rolls in the pan, leaving plenty of rising room around each one.
I wouldn’t want it any more crowded than this since the rolls will probably double in size by the time they’re finished rising. Of course the larger the skillet the more you can add. Now cover them with plastic wrap or a dish towel.
And put them in a non-drafty spot in your kitchen. Walk away for a good three hours (check the directions on the package) and allow them to rise.
After the rolls have risen, using fresh rosemary, strip off the leaves and chop the rosemary. Throw a little butter (regular, salted) into a microwave-safe bowl…And melt it in the microwave.
Brush butter over the tops of the rolls. They’re light and fluffy and risen, so don’t do this too forcefully.
Sprinkle rosemary all over the top. It’s very, very flavorful, so you don’t have to do too much.
Now, very gently brush a little more butter over the top, just to coat the rosemary.
If you have any good, coarse sea salt, grab it. And sprinkle a tiny bit of sea salt over the tops of the rolls. It does make the first bite a little salty, but there’s enough plain bread underneath the crusty top to balance it…and it really brings out the flavor of the rosemary. Now just pop the skillet into the oven a bake. I did 400 degrees for about 16 or 18 minutes, I think.
Note: Definitely bake them for an adequate amount of time; let the top get really golden brown. You want the bottom of the rolls to be done too. For this reason, it’s best to keep the skillet no higher than the middle rack of the oven.
Note #2: Don’t be alarmed if you look in the oven and the rolls have risen way over the top of the pan. They’ll settle down slightly when you take them out.
1 Big bag of Pepperidge Farm Stuffing
1 cup chopped onion 1 Tbs. Sage
1 cup chopped celery 1 Tbs. Savory
1 Tbs. minced garlic 2 Tsp. salt
1/2 cup minced carrot 1/2 tsp pepper
1/ cup chopped green pepper 1 stick butter
chicken stock 1 Tbs. Parsley
24 chestnuts,
Roasted, shelled, broken up and soaked in 1/2 cup of rum. I soak them for a day or two. I also use the rum in the making of the stuffing.
Melt butter, saute onions, celery, garlic, carrot, green pepper, sage, savory, salt, pepper, and parsley until vegetables are cooked. Add in bread crumbs, and chestnuts. Moisten with chicken stock until you have a nice moist, yet fluffy stuffing.
Play with it. Add the seasonings that you like. Most of all, enjoy!
My new bed arrived on Saturday. (As I write it is Saturday Night.) It’s simply beautiful! I am so excited at the prospect of sleeping on it tonight. In fact, ever since I made the bed this afternoon, I have wanted nothing more than to dive in. But, Hubby says I must wait until a decent time.
I had my old mattress since 1987! It started to get uncomfortable about 15 years ago, but I got a foam topper and was able to make it last. Thinking about this made me wonder if this will be the last new bed I get?
I’m thinking no. I do not want to go quite so long before getting a new mattress again.
Still, I’ve been living with a Scotsman, for a very long time now and I swear I have become cheaper than he is!
I will let you all know how I sleep tonight. One thing is for sure, I will be sleeping with a smile on my face!
I decided that this Thanksgiving, I want to make a Cranberry-nut quick bread to have at the dinner table. Now here is my problem. I don’t have a good recipe for a real Cape Cod Cranberry-nut quick bread!
I’ve been looking over all sorts of recipes, but none of them sound anything like what my Mama used to make.
Growing up on Cape Cod I’ve tried my share of Cranberry Breads. I love the ones that are nice and moist, have a little bit of orange zest in it, and of course wonderful walnuts!
The week is drawing to a close and what a wonderful week it has been. Without further ado, here is this weeks Friday Five.
It was my 57th birthday this week. I was very happy about this. I feel good about myself, and my place in life. I love my amazing family and friends, and in turn, I am loved!
I was given two beautiful bouquets of flowers for my birthday! I love flowers and they have really perked up my house!
My eyelid surgery is over, and is a complete success! Aside from a feeling of having eyelashes in my eye, I am doing well!
My new mattress comes tomorrow! I can hardly wait!
This past week Lili has learned about going out to do her business alone and coming right back when she is done. This is a big step! In many ways Lili is finally growing up!
1. What’s surprised you most about your life, or about life in general?
I guess the fact that life is not fair. As a kid, I grew up believing that if you were good and kind, life would treat you well. Unfortunately that is not the case.
I’ve been lucky though. I have a wonderful family, and I am loved dearly. So, it sort of makes up for the thing
2. Among others, these ten words were added to the Oxford English Dictionary this year…awesomesauce, beer o’clock, brain fart, buttdial, cat cafe (apparently this is a real thing), fatberg (gross-read the definition here), fat shame, hangry, Mx (gender neutral), and skippable.
Your thoughts? In looking over the list, which word do you find most ridiculous? Which word would you never in a million years say out loud? Which word would you be most likely to use in conversation?
Most ridiculous, Mx. Come on, really? What word would I never say, awesomesauce. And which word, have I actually used? both butt-dial and skippable!
3. Do you like gravy? Is there a food you’d rather not eat unless it comes with gravy? Do you make your own or buy the canned or store-made variety? Turkey and gravy, sausage gravy, mashed potatoes and gravy, country ham and red eye gravy, biscuits and chocolate gravy, pot roast and gravy…which one on the list is your favorite?
I make my own gravy, but I only like gravy on turkey meat and stuffing. Not on mashed potatoes or beef or anything else. Very picky on what I put on my food.
4. Do you have a plan? Do you need a plan? Have you ever had a plan fall into a trillion pieces? Explain.
Oh, I’d like to think that I plan things out, but I have had my best laid plans blow up into smithereens! Still, I sometimes think plans are good.
5. November 19 is National Play Monopoly Day. Do you own the original or some version of the game? Do you enjoy playing Monopoly? How likely is it you’ll play a game of Monopoly on November 19th? Ever been to Atlantic City? Ever taken a ride on a railroad? Is parking in your town free? Last thing you took a chance on?
We have an original game. But I have not played in years and years. Yes, I have been to Atlantic City!
6. A song you like that has the word (or some form of the word) thanks in the title, lyrics, or meaning?
7. In keeping with this month’s theme of gratitude….what is something you’re taking for granted that when you stop and think about it, you’re grateful for?
You are talking to a woman who takes nothing for granted. I’ve learned through bitter experience, to value every person I love and all that I have.
8. Insert your own random thought here.
Yesterday was my 57th birthday. Mandy, Matt, Savannah, Janet & Dave all joined Hubby and me at a steak and seafood restaurant for a fabulous meal and a visit. There is nothing better than sharing my birthday with those I love.
