tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10305998794569062192024-03-05T09:43:19.523-06:00This Home PlateBiking and Baking Beyond Breast Cancer with Alice MuellerAlicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18058888394679827396noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030599879456906219.post-17678936193722409882013-10-14T13:29:00.000-05:002013-10-14T16:44:33.782-05:00Sustainable Food Center <b style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></b>
<b style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Mamma Jamma Beneficiary #5 - This is Why I Ride:</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the Beneficiaries Mamma Jamma riders love raising money for is <b><a href="http://www.sustainablefoodcenter.org/">The Sustainable Food Center</a></b>. They provide the only cooking and nutrition class that promotes sustainable, healthy food to </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">promote recovery</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> & </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">prevent recurrence</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">for cancer survivors</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. The Happy Kitchen/La Cocina Allegre classes are taught in both English and Spanish by trained community-based facilitators.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>The Happy Kitchen Class</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">According to the American Cancer Society, at least one-third of annual cancer deaths in the U.S. are due to dietary factors. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Obesity or a high Body Mass Index is just one of the risk factors for developing breast cancer. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By learning how to properly shop, cook and eat healthy foods, survivors can prevent recurrence for themselves, improve their recovery from treatment, and prevent future cases among family members who also learn how to live a healthy lifestyle. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Happy Kitchen/La Cocina Alegre classes are 6 weeks long with 9 hours of class time. They include the Happy Kitchen Cookbook, fresh seasonal recipes and groceries from the classes so the recipes can be made again at the participant's home. The classes are offered both for free and for a fee. Free classes are grant-funded and include the food made at the workshop, recipes, and class materials. Money raised by the Texas Mamma Jamma Ride helps fund these vital workshops.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>La Cocina Allegre</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Your Donated $$ Put to Good Use:</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>$15</b> - the cost of a cookbook for one survivor</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>$20</b> - the cost of "recipe" groceries for 1 survivor, per 6 week class</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>$50</b> - the cost of 1 instructor for 1 class</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>$75</b> - the cost of educational materials for 1 six week class - serving 25 survivors</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>$165 </b> - the cost of a life-changing six-week course for 1 survivor. (This covers groceries to prepare the recipes at home with the rest of the survivor's family, 9 hours of instruction, multiple nutritional handouts and a cookbook.) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Check out one of the classes:</b></span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/43852382?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe> <br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/43852382">The Happy Kitchen, a program of Sustainable Food Center</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/sustainablefoodcenter">Sustainable Food Center</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
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<b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Sustainable Food Center </b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>is just one of the </b></span><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">10 Beneficiaries of the</span></b></div>
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<b> <a href="http://www.mammajammaride.org/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Texas Mamma Jamma Ride</span></a></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>THIS, is why I ride</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>You can support my fundraising efforts <a href="http://mammajammaride.org/goto/alicemueller" target="_blank">here</a></b></span></div>
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</span></span>Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18058888394679827396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030599879456906219.post-74735824452427533782012-12-11T18:10:00.003-06:002018-03-06T10:02:11.804-06:00A Tribute to Sheila...<br />
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<span style="color: navy; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Four years ago today, I was in Houston for my mastectomy that removed that nasty Breast Cancer from my body. As far as I know, I am still cancer free & I should be celebrating this CANCERVERSARY but my heart is not in it. I just found out that my friend Sheila passed away yesterday from this @%&*#@! disease. She lived in Illinois, and we only met once for dinner in San Antonio, but we drew close because of an online friendship at the <a href="http://www.her2support.org/" target="_blank">Her2 Support Forum</a>. Sheila was one of those special people who puts others needs before her own. Even though she was dealing with terrible burdens herself, she always lifted up and encouraged those on the forum that were dealing with much less.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cGfnEcctLnw/UMevBlGO0QI/AAAAAAAAFBA/2QkJD56r3QA/s1600/Sheila+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cGfnEcctLnw/UMevBlGO0QI/AAAAAAAAFBA/2QkJD56r3QA/s400/Sheila+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">MY DEAR FRIEND SHEILA</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: navy; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><u><b>HOW WE "MET"</b></u>:</span></div>
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<span style="color: navy; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In January 2009, just before starting my own chemotherapy, I spent one evening on the HER2 Forum. </span><span style="color: navy; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Most everyone that posts has a "signature" - a description of their unique cancer story and I was search</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy;">ing for others with a similar diagnosis to mine...how were they doing...will my future be similar to theirs? </span><i><span style="color: #cc0000;">That's what you do when you learn you have joined the Cancer Club - you look for a crystal ball.</span></i><span style="color: navy;"> Immediately, Sheila's signature caught my attention. She was diagnosed in 2002, and seemed to be one of the "lucky ones". Her cancer was caught early in her left breast by mammogram ...Stage 1...0.7 cm (barely 1/4 of an inch)...no lymph nodes were involved. </span></span><span style="color: #cc0000;"><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Okay I thought, my tumor was 2 cm with no lymph node involvement, found the same way and in the same breast. </i></span><span style="color: navy; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sheila had a mastectomy and that should have been the end of it.</span><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i> I also had a mastectomy, BU</i></span><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">T WAIT...SHE RECURRED 16 MONTHS LATER?? What happened?? No Herceptin??</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></i></span><span style="color: navy; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Checking the dates, and doing a bit of research, I learned that</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy;"> in 2002, you had to be Stage 4 to get Herceptin. It wouldn't be until 2008 </span><i><span style="color: #cc0000;">(wow, just months before I was diagnosed)</span></i><span style="color: navy;">, and only after many clinical trials later that the FDA would approve Herceptin for Neo-Adjuvant treatment - meaning it was available for early stage patients to </span></span><b style="color: navy; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">prevent</b><span style="color: navy; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> recurrence rather than treat it!! Approved for people like me...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy;">That night in 2009, I had been dreading my chemo and feeling sorry for myself. Reading the rest of Sheila's signature</span><i><span style="color: #cc0000;"> (I have copied it below, with her prior permission)</span></i><span style="color: navy;">, I couldn't believe all that she had been through. </span></span><span style="color: navy; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I realized that because the fate that my cancer was diagnosed 6 1/2 years later than hers, my life might just have a different outcome...and I cried for Sheila. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy;">It was a shock and my attitude did a 180. Friends have told me they couldn't believe how well I handled my cancer. What they didn't know was that Sheila was my secret weapon. </span></span><span style="color: navy; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">From that day forward, I felt a special connection with her and we became friends. I consider it a blessing that I was able to meet her in person at a dinner in San Antonio when she was there for the Breast Cancer Symposium. I sat next to her and we had a great evening filled with laughter and great stories. I was able to tell her how much she meant to me and how she unknowingly helped me endure my treatment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy;">For 2 months I have known this day was coming. Sheila's body could not tolerate any more punishment and she entered into hospice in early October. </span><i><span style="color: #cc0000;">That didn't stop me from hoping for a miracle though.</span></i><span style="color: navy;"> This has been a very hard year. Sheila has joined Brenda and Courtney, among other HER2 angels this year. </span></span><span style="color: navy; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">These women leave a legacy behind to be admired. </span><span style="color: navy; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I have a 10% chance that my cancer will recur. This statistic equals what I was told before my original biopsy...I had a 10% chance that the microcalcifications would be cancerous. I do not know if I will recur, but if I do, these women will once again be my mentors by the way they lived their lives. I only hope that I will be as strong as they were. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zadj13OL3jI/UMfIhEpU6rI/AAAAAAAAFBk/kSF0BncTwTc/s1600/Sheila+and+Brenda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zadj13OL3jI/UMfIhEpU6rI/AAAAAAAAFBk/kSF0BncTwTc/s400/Sheila+and+Brenda.jpg" width="345" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Brenda and Sheila</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: navy; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><u><b>SHEILA'S HER2 "SIGNATURE" </b></u>:</span></div>
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<i><i><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: navy;"><br /></span></span></span></i></i>
<i><i><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: navy;">"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet</span></span></span></i></i></div>
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<i><i><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: navy;">is fighting some kind of battle." </span></span></span></i></i></div>
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<i><i><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">(Sheila's favorite quote)</span></span></span></i></i></div>
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<i style="background-color: white; color: #000066; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "book antiqua";"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: red;">Hugs & Blessings,</span></span></span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; color: #000066; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "book antiqua";"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: red;">Sheila</span></span></span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; color: #000066; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "book antiqua";"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;">Diagnosed at age 49.99999 2/21/2002 via Mammography (Calcifications) </span></span></span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; color: #000066; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "book antiqua";"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;">Core Biopsy 2/22/02</span></span></span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; color: #000066; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "book antiqua";"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;">Left Mastectomy 2/25/2002</span></span></span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; color: #000066; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "book antiqua";"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;">Stage 1, 0.7cm IDC, Node Neg from 19 nodes Her2+++ ER PR Neg</span></span></span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; color: #000066; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "book antiqua";"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;">6/2003 Reconstruction W/ Tissue Expander, Silicone Implant </span></span></span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; color: #000066; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "book antiqua";"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;">9/2003 Stage IV with Mets to Supraclavicular nodes</span></span></span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; color: #000066; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "book antiqua";"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;">9/2003 Began Herceptin every 3 weeks</span></span></span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; color: #000066; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "book antiqua";"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue;">3/2006 <span style="color: red;">Xeloda 2500mg/Herceptin</span> for recurrence to neck nodes</span></span></span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; color: #000066; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "book antiqua";"><span style="font-size: medium;">3/2007 Added back the <span style="color: red;">Xeloda with Herceptin </span>for continued mets to nodes</span></span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; color: #000066; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "book antiqua";"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;">5/2007 Taken Off Xeloda, no longer working</span></span></span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; color: #000066; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "book antiqua";"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue;">6/14/07 <span style="color: red;">Taxol/Herceptin/Avastin</span></span></span></span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; color: #000066; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "book antiqua";"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue;">3/26 - 5/28/08 Taxol Holiday Whopeeeeeeeee</span></span></span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; color: #000066; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "book antiqua";"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue;">5/29/08 Back on <span style="color: red;">Taxol w Herceptin</span> q 2 weeks</span></span></span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; color: #000066; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "book antiqua";"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue;">4/2009 Progression on Taxol & Paralyzed L Vocal Cord from Nodes Pressing on Nerve</span></span></span></i><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #000066; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , "lucida" , "lucida grande" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;"><i><span style="font-family: "book antiqua";">5/2009 Begin Rx with<span style="color: red;"> Navelbine/Herceptin</span></span></i> </span></span><br />
<i style="background-color: white; color: #000066; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "book antiqua";"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;">11/09 Progression on Navelbine</span></span></span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; color: #000066; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "book antiqua";"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue;">Fought for and started</span> <span style="color: red;">Tykerb/Herceptin<u>.</u>..</span><span style="color: blue;">nodes are melting!!!!!</span></span></span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; color: #000066; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "book antiqua";"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue;">2/2010 Back to <span style="color: red;">Avastin/Herceptin</span></span></span></span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; color: #000066; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "book antiqua";"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;">5/2010 Switched to <span style="color: red;">Metronomic Chemo with Herceptin...Cytoxan and Methotrexate</span></span></span></span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; color: #000066; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "book antiqua";"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue;">Pericardial Window Surgery to Drain Pericardial Effusion</span></span></span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; color: #000066; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "book antiqua";"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue;">7/2010 Back to walking a mile a day...YEAH!!!!</span></span></span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; color: #000066; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "book antiqua";"><span style="font-size: medium;">9/2010 Nodes are back with a vengence in neck</span></span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; color: #000066; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "book antiqua";"><span style="font-size: medium;">Qualified for TDM-1 EAP</span></span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; color: #000066; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "book antiqua";"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue;">10/6/10 Begin my miracle drug, <span style="color: red;">TDM-1</span></span></span></span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; color: #000066; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "book antiqua";"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue;">Mixed response, shrinking internal nodes, progression skin mets after 3 treatments</span></span></span></i><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #000066; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , "lucida" , "lucida grande" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "book antiqua";"><i><span style="color: black;">12/6/10 Started <span style="color: red;">Halaven (Eribulen) /Herceptin</span> excellent results in 2 treatments</span></i> </span></span><br />
<i style="background-color: white; color: #000066; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "arial black";"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: magenta;">2/2011 I CELEBRATE my 9 YEAR MARK!!!!!!!!!!!!!</span></span></span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; color: #000066; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "book antiqua";"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue;">7/5/11 begin <span style="color: red;">Gemzar /Herceptin</span> for node progression</span> </span></span></span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; color: #000066; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "book antiqua";"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;">2/8/2012 Gemzar stopped, Continue Herceptin</span></span></span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; color: #000066; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "book antiqua";">2/20/2012 Begin <span style="color: red;">Tomo Radiation to Neck </span><span style="color: red;">Nodes</span></span></span></span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; color: #000066; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "arial black";"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: magenta;">2/21/2012 I CELEBRATE 10 YEARS</span></span></span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; color: #000066; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "book antiqua";"><span style="font-size: medium;">5/12/2012 Began<span style="color: red;">Taxotere/ Herceptin</span> is my next miracle for new node progression</span></span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; color: #000066; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "book antiqua";"><span style="font-size: medium;">6/28/12 Stopped Taxotere due to pregression, Started <span style="color: red;">Perjeta/Herceptin</span></span></span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; color: #000066; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: "book antiqua";"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span></span></i>
<u style="background-color: white; color: navy; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>A LINK TO A STORY IN SHEILA'S OWN WORDS:</b></u><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><i>http://rushinperson.rush.edu/2011/02/16/cancer-survivor-rush-patient-feels-truly-blessed/</i></span>Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18058888394679827396noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030599879456906219.post-32554532056774473132012-02-01T20:06:00.003-06:002012-07-19T15:06:33.552-05:00American Beauty Cake - Project Pastry Queen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ycDi6oGciG0/TyncLZrKvMI/AAAAAAAAB3g/HvqlXk5K_JI/s1600/DSC_1910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="320" sda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ycDi6oGciG0/TyncLZrKvMI/AAAAAAAAB3g/HvqlXk5K_JI/s400/DSC_1910.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is my turn again to be the host for this week's Project Pastry Queen. Looking through the remaining recipes, I chose the American Beauty Cake. Since Valentine's Day is just around the corner. The cake can be made ahead and kept frozen for up to 3 weeks. (At this point in my life, I need all the "do-ahead" recipes I can find!) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's also similar to another cake I've made that my family LOVES, <a href="http://www.thishomeplate.com/2011/07/triple-chocolate-mousse-cake.html">Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake</a> (TCMC) from America's Test Kitchen, and I wanted to see how it compared. They both start with a flourless cake that is very dense, but oh so delicious. The top layer for this cake is a light and airy milk chocolate mousse. The middle layer of the TCMC is a little denser and it also has a third layer that is a very light, white chocolate mousse. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Since my TCMC recipe called for using a 9" spring form pan, I decided to use that for this one as well - instead of the 9" cake pan the recipe called for. I'm glad I did because the sides of my spring form pan are taller and I only had about 1/8" to spare once both layers were in there. It was also much easier removing the cake in order to glaze it. There was no need to invert it onto a plate and invert it again to my serving plate. </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WGpvsb2l3SQ/TyncNpZx6BI/AAAAAAAAB3o/XDDqGlGe28U/s1600/American+Beauty+Cake.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="320" sda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WGpvsb2l3SQ/TyncNpZx6BI/AAAAAAAAB3o/XDDqGlGe28U/s400/American+Beauty+Cake.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span> Before and After Glazing</div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was pleased with how the first layer turned out. With the TCMC cake, it always pulls away from the sides of the pan no matter what I do. The instructions for this cake called for baking it in a water bath, so perhaps that was the difference. One other big difference is this cake is served frozen, where the Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake only needs to be refrigerated. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><b>Cooking Notes:</b></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Your prepared pan will need to fit into a larger roaster or baking pan that will be filled with water.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Melt the milk chocolate over simmering water NOT BOILING, or it will seize up on you. You must watch it constantly, and even then mine seemed a bit thick but it was fine once I stirred in the egg yolk mixture.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><b>You need to plan ahead because the cake must be frozen for at least 6 hours before you can glaze it.</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;">When removing the cake to glaze, first run a knife around the outer edge to free it from the sides. Dip the bottom of the spring form pan into hot water to loosen. THEN release the spring on the side of the pan and the cake should come free.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I'm sure this cake is delicious because of the sampling I did before cleaning my pans. The true test will come on Valentine's Day . . . if I can wait that long!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Be sure and check out the other members' version of the cake </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://projectpastryqueen.wordpress.com/2012/01/23/project-american-beauty-cake/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">here:</span></a></span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JITMXbC6rWg/TyncIjUkHLI/AAAAAAAAB3Y/kuNgbeCkQYU/s1600/DSC_1904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JITMXbC6rWg/TyncIjUkHLI/AAAAAAAAB3Y/kuNgbeCkQYU/s400/DSC_1904.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I melted white chocolate and piped the swirls onto some</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">parchment paper. They were easy to remove and place on the cake.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>AMERICAN BEAUTY CAKE: </b><span style="font-size: small;">(yields 14 to 16 servings)</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial;">Adapted from The Pastry Queen <i>by Rebecca Rather</i></span></span><br />
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #783f04; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Cake:</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">12 ounces premium-quality bittersweet chocolate, chopped into small pieces</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">6 large eggs</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">1 cup sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">1 tablespoon vanilla extract</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">2 tablespoons dark rum, such as Myers's or the liqueur of your choice, such as Kahlua or Grand Marnier (optional)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><b>Milk Chocolate Mousse:</b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1/4 cup unsalted butter</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">10 ounces premium-quality milk chocolate</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">3 large eggs, separated</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">3 tablespoons sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">1 tablespoon vanilla extract</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">1 cup chilled heavy whipping cream</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><b>Dark Chocolate Glaze:</b></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">4 ounces premium-quality bittersweet chocolate, chopped into small pieces</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">1/4 cup light corn syrup</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">1/2 cup heavy whipping cream</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Instructions:</span></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;"><u>TO MAKE THE CAKE</u>: Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line the bottom of a 9" spring form cake pan with a parchment paper round and coat evenly with cooking spray. Melt the butter and chocolate in a metal bowl set over a medium saucepan with 2 inches of simmering water. Stir until smooth. Remove the bowl from over the saucepan. Whisk the eggs and sugar in a separate large bowl. Whisk the chocolate mixture into the egg mixture until well combined. Stir in the vanilla and rum.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and place it in a larger roasting or baking pan. Fill the larger pan with enough hot water to come about two-thirds of the way up the sides of the cake pan. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes. The cake is done when it is firm to the touch. It will rise while baking and settle down to its original size when removed from the oven. Cool the cake COMPLETELY in the pan on a rack.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><u>TO MAKE THE MOUSSE</u>: Melt the butter and milk chocolate in a metal bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water. Set the chocolate mixture aside to cool. Using a mixer or whisk, beat the egg yolks and sugar until smooth. Stir in the vanilla. Combine the egg yolk mixture with the chocolate mixture. In a clean bowl, beat the egg whites on high speed using a mixer fitted with a whisk attachment until shiny, stiff peaks form. Fold the egg whites into the chocolate mixture, one-third at a time, using a large rubber spatula. Using a mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, whip the cream on high speed just until soft peaks start to form. If you beat the cream more, the mousse will get lumpy. Gently fold the whipped cream into the chocolate mixture.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Spread the mousse over the cooled cake, filling the pan to the top. Wrap with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and freeze at least 6 hours and preferable overnight.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b>At this point the cake can be kept in the freezer for up to 3 weeks.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><u>TO MAKE THE GLAZE</u>: Place the chocolate in a medium mixing bowl. Combine the corn syrup, cream, and vanilla in a saucepan; bring to a boil. Immediately pour the cream mixture over the chopped chocolate and whisk until smooth. Keep the glaze at room temperature to ensure that it will pour. If the glaze is too thick, add more cream.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">To assemble the dessert, remove the cake from the freezer. Run a knife around the inside edge of the pan. Dip the bottom of the pan in hot water to loosen, then release the side. (If using a regular cake pan, invert the cake onto a plate, then invert again onto a serving plate so that the mousse is on top). Pour the glaze over the mousse, making sure it covers the sides. Let the glaze set at least 1 hour. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze until ready to serve. The dessert is best when removed from the freezer just a few minutes before cutting. if left at room temperature, it will begin to melt.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>TIP: </b><span style="color: black;">It is easiest to separate eggs when they are cold, but egg whites whip up best when beaten at room temperature. separate the eggs as soon as they come out of the refrigerator, then let the whites sit on the counter until they reach room temperature, abut 10 to 15 minutes. NOTE: the very young, the elderly, and anyone immuno-compromised should avoid eating raw eggs. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span>Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18058888394679827396noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030599879456906219.post-24825244263535111802011-12-01T14:22:00.001-06:002013-09-17T07:09:42.440-05:00Snow-Tipped Sand Tarts - Project Pastry Queen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFn5-ZymetgdXv8LMlue2DEQ6fCvLjxzNN8Z9N4I7HL_6z47Mo51E8PtLXFRbeUYSqS3_AEYxkKP2qC01vofhWBlNqGD8gnwcAUkrPR_vdtR9yec2pcyAlgZZ48CPAr-EqpnY1IhHWY9l2/s1600/DSC_1746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" dda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFn5-ZymetgdXv8LMlue2DEQ6fCvLjxzNN8Z9N4I7HL_6z47Mo51E8PtLXFRbeUYSqS3_AEYxkKP2qC01vofhWBlNqGD8gnwcAUkrPR_vdtR9yec2pcyAlgZZ48CPAr-EqpnY1IhHWY9l2/s320/DSC_1746.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is my turn to host Project Pastry Queen this week. Since my pick fell just after Thanksgiving, and I LOVE Christmas cookies, I chose Snow-Tipped Sand Tarts. Living in Texas, this is the closest I will come to a white Christmas!!</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bXKLB4IhWOI/TtfLgu7sIsI/AAAAAAAAB1E/Vf0bIRIVJCA/s1600/DSC_1743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" dda="true" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bXKLB4IhWOI/TtfLgu7sIsI/AAAAAAAAB1E/Vf0bIRIVJCA/s320/DSC_1743.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is an easy recipe - only 6 ingredients and no need to let the dough chill. The cookies turned out festive as well as delicious. You will need to use your stand mixer because the dough gets pretty stiff at the end. The hardest thing was chopping up the pistachios. Don't try to chop them in a food processor, they end up too fine. Also, don't use ones that are already shelled - they are too salty and dark from roasting. The pistachios you shell yourself retain their pretty green color. I relied upon one of my favorite kitchen tools: an "Ulu"! This was a gift to us from my husband's parents that they brought back from an Alaskan cruise. Similar to an Italian mezzeluna, it does wonders on herbs & nuts. </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vhsIk5eosUs/TtfLSedH4PI/AAAAAAAAB04/luJDBQ1XaMo/s1600/DSC_1732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" dda="true" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vhsIk5eosUs/TtfLSedH4PI/AAAAAAAAB04/luJDBQ1XaMo/s320/DSC_1732.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The recipe calls for rolling the dough into 2" long, 1/2" logs. After the first batch, I felt they were a bit small. I changed that to 2 1/2" long, 3/4" logs and <u>still</u> ended up with more than 5 dozen cookies. After the cookies have cooled, they are dipped in white chocolate and rolled </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">in chopped pistachios. For optional color, I also chopped up some dried cranberries. Be careful with the white chocolate - it has a very low melting point. The bowl your chocolate is in should not touch the water AND make sure the water is simmering, NOT boiling away madly. Otherwise it will turn into a globby mess! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I wasn't sure if I was going to dust the sand tarts with powdered sugar, but I am glad I did. Here are some before pictures:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These are sure to become a family favorite. I definitely recommend dusting them with powdered sugar. I wasn't sure it would stick after the cookies had cooled, but it did! ENJOY!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Be sure and check out the other members' version of the Sand Tarts <a href="http://projectpastryqueen.wordpress.com/2011/11/21/project-snow-tipped-sand-tarts/#comment-497">here</a>:</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Snow-Tipped Sand Tarts:</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>Ingredients:</u></span></b><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2 cups (4 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">1 1/3 cups powdered sugar, plus extra for dusting (optional)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">2 tablespoons almond extract</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">4 cups all purpose flour</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">3 cups shelled, coarsely chopped pistachio nuts</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">8 ounces white chocolate</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">(I also use 1/2 cup chopped dried cranberries)</span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Verdana;"><u>Directions:</u></span></b><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana;">Preheat the oven to 325<span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;">° </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats, or grease generously with butter or cooking spray. Using a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and the 1 1/3 cups powdered sugar in a large bowl on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add the almond extract and beat until combined. Stir in the flour until combined. Stir in 2 cups of the pistachios. (<i><span style="color: #38761d;">I used 1 1/2 cups</span>).</i></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Roll the dough into 2-inch-long, 1/2-inch logs (<span style="color: #38761d;">I did 2 1/2"-long, 3/4" logs</span>) and shape each log into a crescent. Arrange the crescents on the prepared baking sheets about 1 inch apart. (They spread minimally.) Bake for 20 minutes, just until light golden brown. Cool the cookies for 15 to 20 minutes before removing from the baking sheet. Transfer to racks to cool completely.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Chop the white chocolate coarsely and place it in a medium bowl set over a saucepan with 2 inches of simmering water. Stir until the chocolate has melted. Dip the end of each cooled cookie in the melted white chocolate and immediately roll the chocolate-covered part in the remaining 1 cup pistachios (and/or chopped, dried cranberries). Place the dipped cookies on waxed paper. Use a small fine-mesh sieve to sprinkle powdered sugar over the portion of the cookies that have not been dipped in chocolate. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The chocolate will harden in about 45 minutes at room temperature or 10 minutes in the refrigerator. The cookies will keep in an airtight container about 4 days.</span></span></span>Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18058888394679827396noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030599879456906219.post-29978989740695923972011-10-11T16:24:00.002-05:002012-12-11T17:54:26.670-06:00Curried Butternut Squash Soup - Project Pastry Queen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was hesitant about the recipe choice for this week's <a href="http://projectpastryqueen.wordpress.com/">Project Pastry Queen</a>. <span style="color: #b45f06;">Curried Butternut Squash Soup</span> was chosen by Josie at <a href="http://www.pink-parsley.com/2011/10/ppq-curried-butternut-squash-soup.html">Pink Parsley</a>. Head on over there for the recipe. Given the huge health benefits of butternut squash though, I decided to give it a try.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is only been in the last 5 years that I have added sweet potatoes to my "Like" column. I never cared for the marshmallow, brown sugar version that is offered up at Thanksgiving. <<UGH>>!!! After I discovered their savory side, I now love them - especially roasted with rosemary and a touch of olive oil. Butternut squash falls into that same category. I haven't been a fan of most recipes I have tried. I'm also not a fan of the curry powder that is called for in the recipe. I thought of leaving it out, but I'm glad I didn't. I omitted the honey and cut the cinnamon in half. Next time I will leave it out and perhaps add in some rosemary.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Like most soups, this recipe is quick and easy to throw together - <u>especially</u> when you buy the squash already peeled and cut into cubes. (I HIGHLY recommend this!) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Like many soups, saute some onions and carrots in olive oil or butter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Add the cubed squash, russet potato, and the spices. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Add chicken stock, milk and cream (optional). I used less than 1/2 of the cream that was called for, and compensated with extra milk. .</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bring to a boil and simmer for 45 minutes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I used my immersion blender to puree the soup, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">but you could use a regular blender as well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Serve with a dollop of light sour cream and a sprinkling of paprika. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">This was a very tasty soup and I WILL make it again. It was nice that we had a little rain (finally) in Austin over the weekend, so it even seemed like fall - perfect soup weather! <a href="http://projectpastryqueen.wordpress.com/2011/10/03/project-curried-butternut-squash-soup/">Check out the results from the other PPQ members here!</a> Some roasted the squash before making the soup, sounds like something I will try the next time.</span></div>
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Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18058888394679827396noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030599879456906219.post-78212983684094349462011-10-09T16:57:00.004-05:002012-02-02T12:11:47.168-06:00Tuxedo Cake - Project Pastry Queen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2oI2RcLEck8/TyrRN_lFpSI/AAAAAAAAB4E/8STIoSajUq4/s1600/DSC_1774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2oI2RcLEck8/TyrRN_lFpSI/AAAAAAAAB4E/8STIoSajUq4/s400/DSC_1774.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Not only is this Tuxedo Cake the reason I found Project Pastry Queen, it is why I bought Rebecca Rather's cookbook "The Pastry Queen" in the first place. Needless to say, I was THRILLED when <span style="color: #cc0000;">Shawnda</span> chose this as her selection, you can find the complete recipe and a gorgeous picture <a href="http://www.jasonandshawnda.com/foodiebride/archives/8797">at her site</a>. The cake tastes even better than it looks. Unless I am pressed for time, this will be my go to Chocolate Cake from now on . . . so long cake mixes!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3YgVUNn1080/TpIWfOVE2OI/AAAAAAAABs4/KK_MPRFSKyk/s1600/DSC_1341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="720" kca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3YgVUNn1080/TpIWfOVE2OI/AAAAAAAABs4/KK_MPRFSKyk/s640/DSC_1341.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Franklin, my "Tuxedo" cat. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No, he did not get my last piece of cake!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(Don't ask how long it took to get this photo)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Even though I've owned the cookbook for at least 6 years, I have never made this cake. The picture makes it look like one of those elegant, yet difficult desserts to make. I shouldn't have been intimidated because it was not complicated at all. I chose to make the cake using two 10-inch round cake pans, but it can also be made with three 9-inch pans. The whole thing came together by hand, it was kind of nice not using my stand mixer. </span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Two sticks of butter are melted in a saucepan, and then water and canola oil are added. Sugar, cocoa powder and flour are sifted together with a whisk. The butter mixture is whisked into the dry ingredients until smooth. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yx3WFrpMAhQ/TpIWAEODUcI/AAAAAAAABsU/39rL4DD24y8/s1600/DSC_1312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="320" kca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yx3WFrpMAhQ/TpIWAEODUcI/AAAAAAAABsU/39rL4DD24y8/s400/DSC_1312.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Eggs are whisked in, one at a time</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OkqpVaX-yV8/TpIWCkVkCgI/AAAAAAAABsY/w3XWkpNXQOU/s1600/DSC_1314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="320" kca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OkqpVaX-yV8/TpIWCkVkCgI/AAAAAAAABsY/w3XWkpNXQOU/s400/DSC_1314.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Whisk in buttermilk, and then add baking soda, salt and vanilla</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The batter is then poured into your prepared pans. I saw a post of Shawnda's for </span><a href="http://www.jasonandshawnda.com/foodiebride/archives/1088"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fresh Strawberry Cake</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. She suggested wrapping the sides of your cake pans with aluminum foil - <em>"it would keep the batter near the edge of the pan cooler for longer so the cake baked more evenly".</em> I've never done this, but decided to give it a try. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xy4k5vXPkCY/TpIWLiiIeGI/AAAAAAAABsg/OC0TNxe6Op4/s1600/DSC_1321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="320" kca="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xy4k5vXPkCY/TpIWLiiIeGI/AAAAAAAABsg/OC0TNxe6Op4/s400/DSC_1321.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sX4l-sj2q1s/TpIWIDAYAsI/AAAAAAAABsc/Oz1Ue_oN9Ro/s1600/DSC_1318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="320" kca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sX4l-sj2q1s/TpIWIDAYAsI/AAAAAAAABsc/Oz1Ue_oN9Ro/s400/DSC_1318.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was VERY HAPPY with the way they turned out. Thanks Shawnda!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The cakes must cool completely, <u>at least 2 hours</u> before frosting. The frosting is made by whipping cream to the soft peak stage and then stirring in the powdered sugar. Once frosted, the cake needs to be refrigerated for <u>at least 1 hour</u>. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The chocolate glaze is made with bittersweet chocolate, whipping cream and something called <em>"Lyle's Golden Syrup". </em>This is imported from Britain, and if you can't find it in your grocery store, here is the link to a </span><a href="http://www.foodsubs.com/Syrups.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">substitution</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. The substitution suggests a combination of light corn syrup and molasses. I found something called <em>"Brer Rabbit Syrup", </em>imported from Britain, ingredients - corn syrup and molasses. GREAT, I thought, but once I tasted the chocolate glaze on the cake, I did not like it. <em>Next time, I will substitute with light corn syrup only!!</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once the glaze has cooled for 10 minutes, slowly pour it over the cake - covering the top and letting it drizzle down the side. Refrigerate for <u>at least 1 hour</u>. I made this cake for the Midweek Connections supper at our church, it was a huge hit. I barely had time to rescue a piece to take home with me for a picture. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YSdJ1ZuhEn4/TpIWQv4X9OI/AAAAAAAABso/BrsPcXJMoxo/s1600/DSC_1328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="320" kca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YSdJ1ZuhEn4/TpIWQv4X9OI/AAAAAAAABso/BrsPcXJMoxo/s400/DSC_1328.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DFas9ufUi0A/TpIWUa8A6CI/AAAAAAAABss/bHjxxF81he0/s1600/DSC_1334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="320" kca="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DFas9ufUi0A/TpIWUa8A6CI/AAAAAAAABss/bHjxxF81he0/s400/DSC_1334.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once again, you can find the recipe at <a href="http://www.jasonandshawnda.com/foodiebride/archives/8797">Confections of a Foodie Bride</a>. Be sure to also check out <a href="http://projectpastryqueen.wordpress.com/2011/09/26/tuxedo-cake/#comments">how the other Project Pastry Queen members put their own mark on the tuxedo cake this week.</a> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18058888394679827396noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030599879456906219.post-24341791156133091392011-10-08T17:32:00.001-05:002013-09-17T07:50:31.814-05:002010 Mamma Jamma Ride<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's been awhile since I have posted anything, but it's that time of year - Mamma Jamma time! I have been busy fundraising for my favorite cause. The ride was a week ago, and it was a fabulous day. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you have read about my own breast cancer story, you might remember how much the <a href="http://ow.ly/6yUCi">Inaugural Mamma Jamma Ride in 2009</a> meant to me. I will be writing about this year's ride soon, but first I wanted to put up pictures from last year. I've got a lot of posts to catch up on for <a href="http://ow.ly/6F0hT">Project Pastry Queen</a>, and <a href="http://tinyurl.com/3qvg8cb">Midweek Connections</a>, amongst others. In the meantime, enjoy what the 2010 Mamma Jamma Ride had to offer. Every rider raised <u>at least $500</u> to provide services and support for Breast Cancer patients, the ride is their reward!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Morning dawns at Reunion Ranch. A great day awaits as the </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2010 Mamma Jamma Ride is about to begin.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Riders begin to arrive. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love the tire tracks in the dew laden grass.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">More bikers gathering, what a beautiful morning!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Leah, myself and Andrea</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thank you David C. Smith, Executive Ride Director, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">for all of your hard work to make this ride happen!</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zNk6gdx-U2o/TpC3tlHqS-I/AAAAAAAABoo/j7xWUQpcD4s/s1600/62471_1561977245556_1119085130_31568166_1295822_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="360" kca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zNk6gdx-U2o/TpC3tlHqS-I/AAAAAAAABoo/j7xWUQpcD4s/s400/62471_1561977245556_1119085130_31568166_1295822_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My Hubbie, Mark (# 417), walking his bike over to the starting line</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's almost 8:30, rollout time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Riders had a choice of 13, 27, 46, 70 & 100 miles.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-guuGrsdEJ9U/TpDA0X5S4jI/AAAAAAAABqs/G1kSQGeKCWg/s1600/Search+results+for+Mamma+Jamma+Ride+2009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="360" kca="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-guuGrsdEJ9U/TpDA0X5S4jI/AAAAAAAABqs/G1kSQGeKCWg/s400/Search+results+for+Mamma+Jamma+Ride+2009.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">READY . . .</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">SET . . .</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XgGHaFNixVc/TpC32Y0ZH5I/AAAAAAAABpA/Yx_2JASR6d4/s1600/60220_1561987125803_1119085130_31568193_262950_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="640" kca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XgGHaFNixVc/TpC32Y0ZH5I/AAAAAAAABpA/Yx_2JASR6d4/s640/60220_1561987125803_1119085130_31568193_262950_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">GO!!!!<br />
Those are the wonderful SAG vehicles lined up and ready to support the ride!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">430 riders - raised over $400,000 to support Breast Cancer Patients. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now it's time to enjoy the Texas Hill Country on this tree lined country road!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9UCv50alMw7MHDNqxMHQdBv1gHIqiOyXiZ9pH3nBQavbn73uvw5Ph95rFutfdceCaJhF5Yxrz97Qsiu71vmWVES9oD9OhhOLnpy-f-reIOBVRlZRnU5yqVAIXm5WFqcbmGxs1QYg79IoC/s1600/62489_1561987525813_1119085130_31568197_4954046_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="640" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9UCv50alMw7MHDNqxMHQdBv1gHIqiOyXiZ9pH3nBQavbn73uvw5Ph95rFutfdceCaJhF5Yxrz97Qsiu71vmWVES9oD9OhhOLnpy-f-reIOBVRlZRnU5yqVAIXm5WFqcbmGxs1QYg79IoC/s640/62489_1561987525813_1119085130_31568197_4954046_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Heading into the mighty metropolis of Andice, TX.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjdyHmO2O72X52sNouwPzIFOVqmRjqu7glnzeTKiUJgWjpnQ4Ltplq8gUoSKSEDe9OOyBnDZ-j9SJF5JBXDo0GZWFzkx7g6RjpDC7WmEtEhkLqnGxw2bqW9m38HYfLOuTxztLMYsYpIaaJ/s1600/62489_1561987565814_1119085130_31568198_3712592_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="640" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjdyHmO2O72X52sNouwPzIFOVqmRjqu7glnzeTKiUJgWjpnQ4Ltplq8gUoSKSEDe9OOyBnDZ-j9SJF5JBXDo0GZWFzkx7g6RjpDC7WmEtEhkLqnGxw2bqW9m38HYfLOuTxztLMYsYpIaaJ/s640/62489_1561987565814_1119085130_31568198_3712592_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The sign said "Ride Single File" - riding safely is a Good Thing!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's hard to get a good picture of the beautiful scenery </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">while you are pedaling your bike.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jmJgGhctYuQ/TpC3-TyK9DI/AAAAAAAABpc/PzslgnVxc40/s1600/34715_1562004806245_1119085130_31568226_3598360_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="640" kca="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jmJgGhctYuQ/TpC3-TyK9DI/AAAAAAAABpc/PzslgnVxc40/s640/34715_1562004806245_1119085130_31568226_3598360_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">MARK . . . WAIT UP!!!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC0cxO9rjiu6-Q5Bm80hvt7Or124Am9OdDFdwSNc4i54WdpYR0Qk__BqQs4UhEHU76LEp_fKfV8Jz61I5i0xH_qGq9FfuyDbBv_IdnURuCPdWusFPRnlSVHcUe6UXKJYDL615IlP6TswhT/s1600/61912_1562042567189_1119085130_31568301_1677560_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="640" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC0cxO9rjiu6-Q5Bm80hvt7Or124Am9OdDFdwSNc4i54WdpYR0Qk__BqQs4UhEHU76LEp_fKfV8Jz61I5i0xH_qGq9FfuyDbBv_IdnURuCPdWusFPRnlSVHcUe6UXKJYDL615IlP6TswhT/s640/61912_1562042567189_1119085130_31568301_1677560_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">About to go downhill, my favorite thing to do. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Better put the camera away :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love this old bridge, just outside of the mighty metropolis of Joppa, TX.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YvMI2FPI80k/TpC4BMfObSI/AAAAAAAABpo/G7qICHXpsn8/s1600/34715_1562004886247_1119085130_31568228_7750375_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="360" kca="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YvMI2FPI80k/TpC4BMfObSI/AAAAAAAABpo/G7qICHXpsn8/s400/34715_1562004886247_1119085130_31568228_7750375_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lunch stop at Joppa, TX</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EICUvT4vthQ/TpC4CAB3ypI/AAAAAAAABps/dM-kUcFkuzs/s1600/61946_1564990040874_1119085130_31575962_3061839_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="360" kca="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EICUvT4vthQ/TpC4CAB3ypI/AAAAAAAABps/dM-kUcFkuzs/s400/61946_1564990040874_1119085130_31575962_3061839_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Joppa was Hoppin'</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Tu-fCiuGvkA/TpC4EeBrRfI/AAAAAAAABpw/OI5XbDTKRJo/s1600/62515_1562005246256_1119085130_31568230_7824514_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="360" kca="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Tu-fCiuGvkA/TpC4EeBrRfI/AAAAAAAABpw/OI5XbDTKRJo/s400/62515_1562005246256_1119085130_31568230_7824514_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is my bike - ArVi <br />
I named it after my Dad - ARt and my mom VIrginia. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That way I have them with me whenever I go out for a ride.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n6ZghVjuoAU/TpC4FFZlcKI/AAAAAAAABp0/IurHeow8i40/s1600/62515_1562005286257_1119085130_31568231_7953504_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="360" kca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n6ZghVjuoAU/TpC4FFZlcKI/AAAAAAAABp0/IurHeow8i40/s400/62515_1562005286257_1119085130_31568231_7953504_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bikes and their saddles patiently waiting for their owners </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">to mount up and head out on the road again.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRClZ50K1jSS8B8o2M8xUfZhx_hvsDw8tayrr_nzB0PniqVIHlAc2U6KO5ARat49pukhjYw5CrxY0pqDmSqrPb3G2OUu0wY24HiFGrHsqaffTPhCIdtC_6PyKyBUo8BbDnMBKZPNP5nMKX/s1600/62515_1562005326258_1119085130_31568232_6119951_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="360" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRClZ50K1jSS8B8o2M8xUfZhx_hvsDw8tayrr_nzB0PniqVIHlAc2U6KO5ARat49pukhjYw5CrxY0pqDmSqrPb3G2OUu0wY24HiFGrHsqaffTPhCIdtC_6PyKyBUo8BbDnMBKZPNP5nMKX/s400/62515_1562005326258_1119085130_31568232_6119951_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lunch was great - delicious wraps, fruit and OREOS!</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gemzmdN-XUQ/TpC4IZvwKMI/AAAAAAAABqA/sMe_L1K7WwA/s1600/60531_1562019486612_1119085130_31568276_4602595_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="360" kca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gemzmdN-XUQ/TpC4IZvwKMI/AAAAAAAABqA/sMe_L1K7WwA/s400/60531_1562019486612_1119085130_31568276_4602595_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The 46 milers on our Gethsemane Lutheran Team.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Fifteen more miles to go.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IC8PKVJzQfo/TpC4JEQIsTI/AAAAAAAABqE/agslnbsmbmU/s1600/60531_1562019526613_1119085130_31568277_4456689_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="360" kca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IC8PKVJzQfo/TpC4JEQIsTI/AAAAAAAABqE/agslnbsmbmU/s400/60531_1562019526613_1119085130_31568277_4456689_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I can't believe how green the grass was in 2010 compared to this year.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZh698u0FVGbOl0qOpUjwajNZ0z4LNXB0NK6hVABP4-k7V5fzb-sobpht2GPJE_n0U583hY_y_-TnmKkoYt0RApfVuFS2F0hIci8cIqYDFnPIa79YnzJeNtn-ZgUEhgCbGlJk_cYsojZE_/s1600/61913_1562042207180_1119085130_31568300_6851503_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="640" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZh698u0FVGbOl0qOpUjwajNZ0z4LNXB0NK6hVABP4-k7V5fzb-sobpht2GPJE_n0U583hY_y_-TnmKkoYt0RApfVuFS2F0hIci8cIqYDFnPIa79YnzJeNtn-ZgUEhgCbGlJk_cYsojZE_/s640/61913_1562042207180_1119085130_31568300_6851503_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was so good to ride with teammates Susan & Jane. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Memories for a lifetime!</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8sVmsLcjzSc/TpC4OMkl3JI/AAAAAAAABqY/wXuWhD28X2s/s1600/61912_1562042647191_1119085130_31568303_843699_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="360" kca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8sVmsLcjzSc/TpC4OMkl3JI/AAAAAAAABqY/wXuWhD28X2s/s400/61912_1562042647191_1119085130_31568303_843699_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Finish line in sight . . .</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9PUnchpDOsk/TpC4PLnyFYI/AAAAAAAABqc/9snlQiqM4wk/s1600/33635_1562042967199_1119085130_31568304_276975_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="640" kca="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9PUnchpDOsk/TpC4PLnyFYI/AAAAAAAABqc/9snlQiqM4wk/s640/33635_1562042967199_1119085130_31568304_276975_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">46 miles - check<br />
A great day spent with good friends - check<br />
Fundraising Goal met - check<br />
Thousands of Breast Cancer patients will have life saving services - PRICELESS</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4qQ4TJIpCCg/TpC4QmPBkRI/AAAAAAAABqg/T1bI544yueM/s1600/60393_1564257462560_1119085130_31574571_423318_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="360" kca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4qQ4TJIpCCg/TpC4QmPBkRI/AAAAAAAABqg/T1bI544yueM/s400/60393_1564257462560_1119085130_31574571_423318_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">David -ride director, and husband Mark - HEROES!!</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iR3usxXDXrI/TpC4SlKeanI/AAAAAAAABqk/EHe_m3FIqXs/s1600/62060_1564257782568_1119085130_31574572_1465496_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="360" kca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iR3usxXDXrI/TpC4SlKeanI/AAAAAAAABqk/EHe_m3FIqXs/s400/62060_1564257782568_1119085130_31574572_1465496_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cancer can sometimes give you a gift. These are 2 of my favorites!! We were the top 3 fundraisers for the 2010 Mamma Jamma Ride. It is our passion.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjRUcvHwJ3EfJDrYrWJdrTvj0wOx-reIbLpceiyzo_D50HF4uv-B_RK89kE97ZJdl2aahKpfjAnkoA67AAmWeJkYkqmFMecy0nw1F7NmXU3SmZ-b9PVDIoguTGmOq6CFtPGXYRBLrmufL-/s1600/IMG_4550+%25281024x794%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="360" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjRUcvHwJ3EfJDrYrWJdrTvj0wOx-reIbLpceiyzo_D50HF4uv-B_RK89kE97ZJdl2aahKpfjAnkoA67AAmWeJkYkqmFMecy0nw1F7NmXU3SmZ-b9PVDIoguTGmOq6CFtPGXYRBLrmufL-/s400/IMG_4550+%25281024x794%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At the Awards Party</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">When all was said and done with, after fierce competition with my friends Jan and Kerry, I ended up with the Top Fundraiser-Rider Award for 2010. Our team also ended up with the Top Team Fundraiser Per Capita Award. My total for the year was $12,756. Our team ended up raising a little over $20,000. Much would be accomplished in our local Breast Cancer community because of the Mamma Jamma ride. I'm so very proud to be a part of it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Finally, here is a video that was made of the ride last year, to promote the 2011 Mamma Jamma Ride:</span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/_RYCEdeScVk?rel=0" width="560"></iframe>Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18058888394679827396noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030599879456906219.post-52558013604524334372011-09-26T00:41:00.005-05:002011-10-10T14:29:10.292-05:00Caesar Salad Pizza - PPQ<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6smGvJlP0Yk/Tn_oD0cigAI/AAAAAAAABj0/JZkGhJs_rtg/s1600/DSC_1300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" hca="true" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6smGvJlP0Yk/Tn_oD0cigAI/AAAAAAAABj0/JZkGhJs_rtg/s400/DSC_1300.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's my turn to host <a href="http://projectpastryqueen.wordpress.com/">Project Pastry Queen</a> for the first time! It was hard to choose from the remaining recipes but I couldn't pass one up with pizza in the title. I also wanted to give it a try because I've never made Caesar dressing from scratch. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">There's one thing I've noticed about Rebecca Rather's recipes - they make more servings than suggested. I decided to halve the recipe for the crust and I should have done the same for the dressing because it made 20 oz. Even though half the recipe was supposed to make two 8" pizzas, the crusts were too thick for my liking and next time I would make three or four 8" pizzas out of half a recipe for thinner crusts. The crust was tasty, but would have been much better if I would have added the Parmesan cheese to the top before baking like the recipe called for. (oops!)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I used my food processor to make the dressing and it came together very quickly while the dough was rising. It was delicious, but since it made so much I might be having Caesar salad for lunch and dinner all week.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I added croutons & slices of a lemon pepper rotisserie chicken to the lettuce and tomato topping. I recommend the chicken if you want this to be a heartier meal, but skip the croutons - they were too much with the crust. One of the Chicken Caesar Salad Pizzas was enough for 2 of us. I will definitely make the full recipe the next time our whole family is home. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">The recipe below is the full version from the Pastry Queen cookbook. (Take care if you use a pizza stone, it gets extremely hot!) </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lrfpW6QuqaI/Tn_oA7_1AVI/AAAAAAAABjw/brumkGJLi1s/s1600/DSC_1296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" hca="true" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lrfpW6QuqaI/Tn_oA7_1AVI/AAAAAAAABjw/brumkGJLi1s/s400/DSC_1296.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I'm looking forward to next week's recipe: <a href="http://projectpastryqueen.wordpress.com/2011/09/26/tuxedo-cake/">Tuxedo Cake</a>. A search for this cake online, when I had misplaced my PQ cookbook, is what led me to <a href="http://projectpastryqueen.wordpress.com/2011/09/19/project-caesar-salad-pizza/#comments">Project Pastry Queen</a>. So happy I found this amazing group of bakers/bloggers! Be sure and check out the other members' version of this pizza here:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://iheartyummy.blogspot.com/2011/09/caesar-salad-pizza-ppq.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I <3 Yummy</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://agiltnutmeg.wordpress.com/2011/09/26/caesar-salad-pizzas/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A Gilt Nutmeg</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://homekeepingtheadventure.wordpress.com/2011/09/26/project-pastry-queen-caesar-salad-pizzas/#comment-15"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Homekeeping Adventures</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.jasonandshawnda.com/foodiebride/archives/8633"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Confections of a Foodie Bride</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://ruflove.wordpress.com/2011/09/27/caesar-salad-pizza/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ruf Love</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Cherry Cream Soda, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>(Chicken) Caesar Salad Pizza </strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Cherry Cream Soda, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong><span style="color: #351c75;">--- <em>yield: Four 8-Inch Pizzas</em></span></strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #351c75;"></span></div><div><span style="color: #351c75;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Cherry Cream Soda;"><u><strong>Crust</strong></u></span></div><ul><li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 1/2 cups lukewarm water (110 to 115 degrees F)</span></div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">2 (1-ounce) packages active dry yeast</span></div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">2 tablespoons olive oil, plus additional for brushing on crusts</span></div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">2 teaspoons honey</span></div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">4 to 5 cups all purpose flour</span></div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">1 teaspoon sea salt</span></div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)</span></div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">1/4 cup coarse cornmeal</span></div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">1 cup freshly shredded Parmesan cheese</span></div></li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Cherry Cream Soda;"><u><strong>Dressing</strong></u></span></div><ul><li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana;">2 cloves garlic, minced</span></div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">1 anchovy fillet (optional)</span></div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">2 large eggs, beaten, or 1/2 cup pasteurized egg product</span></div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice</span></div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce</span></div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">2 teaspoons Dijon mustard</span></div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">1 cup extra-virgin olive oil</span></div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">1 1/2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese</span></div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Salt and freshly ground black pepper</span></div></li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><u><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Cherry Cream Soda;"><strong>Salad</strong></span></u></div><ul><li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana;">1 large head romaine lettuce, washed and cut into 1 1/2 inch slices</span></div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">1 pint organic cherry tomatoes, halved</span></div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">2 rotisserie chicken breasts, sliced (optional)</span></div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Freshly shaved Parmesan cheese, for garnish (optional)</span></div></li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Cherry Cream Soda, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">Directions:</span></strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Cherry Cream Soda;"><u><strong>To Make the Crust:</strong></u></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Combine the lukewarm water, yeast, olive oil, and honey in the bowl of a mixer fitted with a dough hook. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Add 3 cups of the all purpose flour, salt, and crushed red pepper; mix on low speed. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">With the machine running, add 1 cup of the all purpose flour to make a soft dough. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Mix the dough on low speed about 5 minutes longer, until smooth. Add up to 1 more cup of the all purpose flour as necessary to keep the dough from sticking to the bowl.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 10 to 15 turns. Place in a large oiled bowl. Cover and let rest at room temperature for 30 to 40 minutes.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Generously coat 2 baking sheets with olive oil. Sprinkle the sheets with cornmeal. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. (If you have a pizza stone, use it instead of the baking sheets, preheating it along with the oven. No need to grease the stone, just sprinkle it with cornmeal just before you bake the pizzas.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Divide the dough into quarters. Roll each piece into a ball, place the dough balls on a baking sheet, cover with a damp towel, and let rest for 10 to 15 minutes longer. Use immediately, or cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate up to 3 hours.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Using a floured rolling pin, flatten each dough ball into an 8-inch circle. Brush each dough round with olive oil and sprinkle each with 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Transfer the crusts onto the prepared baking sheets and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, until browned and crisp.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><u><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Cherry Cream Soda;"><strong>To Make the Dressing:</strong></span></u></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Press the garlic and anchovy into a paste in a mortar with a pestle. Scrape the paste into a medium bowl. Whisk in the eggs, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and mustard, then slowly add the olive oil in a thin, steady stream, whisking until thoroughly incorporated. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and season to taste with salt and pepper.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em><span style="color: #990000;">To make the dressing in a food processor</span>, </em>place the garlic, anchovy, eggs, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce and mustard in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a metal blade. Process until smooth. With the processor running, add the olive oil through the feed tube in a thin, steady stream. Pour the dressing into a bowl, stir in the Parmesan cheese, and season to taste with salt and pepper.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><u><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Cherry Cream Soda;"><strong>To Make the Salad:</strong></span></u></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Toss the lettuce and tomatoes with the dressing. Place a generous amount of salad on top of each warm pizza crust. If desired, layer sliced chicken on top of the salad. Garnish with shaved Parmesan cheese. Serve flat like a tostada.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><strong><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Estimated Time: 90 minutes</span></em></strong> </span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://astore.amazon.com/confofafoodbr-20/detail/1580085628"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Source: Pizza recipe adapted from The Pastry Queen</span></a></div>Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18058888394679827396noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030599879456906219.post-77449029535068675652011-09-20T15:39:00.001-05:002011-09-20T15:59:46.019-05:00Green Beans Provencal<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SIyd03c3y0k/TnjJuFSFiuI/AAAAAAAABjE/G_0Hs9oDAB4/s1600/DSC_1241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="320" rba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SIyd03c3y0k/TnjJuFSFiuI/AAAAAAAABjE/G_0Hs9oDAB4/s400/DSC_1241.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Okay, I'm not a fan of olives. They are just too bitter for me. When Mark suggested that we make this for our first <a href="http://www.thishomeplate.com/2011/09/torta-di-mele-apple-cake.html">Midweek Connections</a> meal, I was a little hesitant. I don't like mushy beans, but I also don't like crunchy ones either. We cooked the beans a bit longer than the <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/virginias-green-beans-provencal-recipe/index.html">recipe</a> called for and served them hot. They were delicious (I just gave him my olives!!).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana;">GREEN BEANS PROVENCAL</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strong><em>INGREDIENTS:</em></strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">1 1/2 pounds haricots verts, ends trimmed</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">1 T. olive oil</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">1 clove garlic, very finely chopped</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">2 tomatoes, diced</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">15 kalamata olives, pitted and halved</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">2 T. freshly chopped basil leaves</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">1 T. red wine vinegar</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Freshly ground black pepper</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strong><em>DIRECTIONS:</em></strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil over high heat. Add the beans and cook until tender, about 8 - 10 minutes. Drain well in a colander</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">In the same pot, heat the oil over low heat. Add beans, garlic, tomatoes, olives and basil, and toss to combine. Drizzle vinegar over beans and toss to coat. Taste and adjust for seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve hot, warm, or cold.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl7uV8-kK0aWc6PDIjmeF_nRgAZDucP1PecrksEt-9J7MJqVVgnqSQkJ2sDXouJKbAVoprmG0f92AB4AaYcqwImYc2LAt2mQHc3eTjx8stOoQYP6QA7-Jt9kGFIhrtIAwYAfuJbAt9G3wd/s1600/DSC_1240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="320" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl7uV8-kK0aWc6PDIjmeF_nRgAZDucP1PecrksEt-9J7MJqVVgnqSQkJ2sDXouJKbAVoprmG0f92AB4AaYcqwImYc2LAt2mQHc3eTjx8stOoQYP6QA7-Jt9kGFIhrtIAwYAfuJbAt9G3wd/s400/DSC_1240.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><em>This is one recipe from <a href="http://www.thishomeplate.com/2011/09/torta-di-mele-apple-cake.html">Midweek Connections Menu</a> on September 14, 2011.</em><br />
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</div>Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18058888394679827396noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030599879456906219.post-56876125874805510822011-09-20T15:38:00.001-05:002011-09-20T15:59:46.020-05:00Hash Brown Potato Casserole - a lighter version<span id="goog_1955270082"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lLEH4pNG23Y/TnjfUejQoSI/AAAAAAAABjU/AErN6GDu5Ys/s1600/DSC_1275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="320" rba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lLEH4pNG23Y/TnjfUejQoSI/AAAAAAAABjU/AErN6GDu5Ys/s400/DSC_1275.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is one of our family favorites and it often gets served at special occasions or Holidays like Easter or Christmas. It's not made too often because it is not necessarily dietetic. I decided to try lightening it up a bit to see if it lost any of its flavor. I cut out 1 whole stick of butter and substituted lower fat versions of the soup, sour cream and cheese. It was still WONDERFUL! One of the things I did was to saute the onions a bit longer, just until the point of where they started to caramelize. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nX9fq2oQoM0/TnjilWAavFI/AAAAAAAABjo/qcl05nUoVx0/s1600/Midweek+Connections.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="320" rba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nX9fq2oQoM0/TnjilWAavFI/AAAAAAAABjo/qcl05nUoVx0/s400/Midweek+Connections.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hash Brown Potato Casserole</span></strong></div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">1 cup chopped onions</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strike>8</strike> 2 T. butter</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">2 lb. bag, frozen hash browns, thaw</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">1/2 t. salt</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">1/2 t. white pepper</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">1 can, cream of chicken soup, <strong>98 % fat-free</strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">16 oz. <strong>light</strong> sour cream</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">2 cups <strong>reduced fat </strong>shredded cheddar cheese</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">2 cups crushed cornflakes</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strike>4</strike> 2 T. butter, melted</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Saute the onions with 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat just until they begin to turn a light brown. In the meantime, mix together the thawed hash browns with the salt & pepper. Stir in the soup, sour cream, and cheese. When the onions are ready, add them to the potato mixture. Lightly spray a 9"x13" baking dish and add the potato mixture.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jv-bV1YRhTc/TnjI52GH5yI/AAAAAAAABig/Cz_t-kHTWFg/s1600/DSC_1213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="320" rba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jv-bV1YRhTc/TnjI52GH5yI/AAAAAAAABig/Cz_t-kHTWFg/s400/DSC_1213.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Stir together the crushed cornflakes and remaining butter. Since I cut the butter in half, I actually mixed them with my (clean) hands like I was mixing a meatloaf. This helped to distribute the butter more evenly. Sprinkle the crumbs over the potatoes.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-heuK6ybNqes/TnjIxSDwktI/AAAAAAAABic/oB9pMUj-EzA/s1600/DSC_1214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="320" rba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-heuK6ybNqes/TnjIxSDwktI/AAAAAAAABic/oB9pMUj-EzA/s400/DSC_1214.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Bake @ 350 degrees for about 1 hour, or until the potatoes are tender. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VURxoXs21Fg/TnjJkfV0rgI/AAAAAAAABi8/_wY5D4tFKKI/s1600/DSC_1239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="320" rba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VURxoXs21Fg/TnjJkfV0rgI/AAAAAAAABi8/_wY5D4tFKKI/s400/DSC_1239.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><em>This is one recipe from <a href="http://www.thishomeplate.com/2011/09/torta-di-mele-apple-cake.html">Midweek Connections Menu</a> on September 14, 2011.</em><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span id="goog_1955270083"></span></div>Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18058888394679827396noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030599879456906219.post-69272904958235629302011-09-20T15:36:00.001-05:002011-09-20T15:59:46.021-05:00Gluten Free Turkey Meatloaf with Feta and Sun Dried Tomatoes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MO5OEqmJJro/TnjfWvXiGaI/AAAAAAAABjY/OKnMr2UKl88/s1600/DSC_1271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="320" rba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MO5OEqmJJro/TnjfWvXiGaI/AAAAAAAABjY/OKnMr2UKl88/s400/DSC_1271.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last year I discovered Quinoa and have fallen in love with it. It is a substitute that is often used in place of wheat products to make a recipe gluten free for those who have Celiac's disease. Since most meatloafs call for some kind of bread crumbs, I have started substituting Quinoa.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I altered a recipe from Giada De Laurentiis just slightly. The quinoa makes the turkey very moist and the feta and sun-dried tomatoes add a ton of flavor:</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strong>QUINOA TURKEY MEATLOAF</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana;">WITH FETA AND SUN-DRIED TOMATOES</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><em>INGREDIENTS:</em></span></strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Vegetable cooking spray</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">1 cup cooked quinoa *</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">1/3 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">1/4 cup chopped marinated sun-dried tomatoes</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">2 cloves garlic, chopped</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">2 eggs, lightly beaten, at room temperature</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">2 T. milk</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">1 1/2 t. kosher salt</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">1 t. freshly ground black pepper</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">20 oz. ground turkey</span></div><ul><li><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><em><strong>COOKED QUINOA</strong> - </em>Bring 1/4 cup quinoa and 1/2 cup water to boil in a saucepan over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the quinoa is tender, and the water has been absorbed, about 15 - 20 minutes. Set aside to cool.</span></div></li>
</ul><div style="text-align: left;"><strong><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">DIRECTIONS:</span></em></strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Spray a 9"x5" loaf pan with cooking spray.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">In a large bowl, stir together the quinoa, parsley, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, eggs, milk, feta cheese, salt and pepper. Mix well. Add the turkey and gently mix together with your clean hands to combine - careful not to overwork the meat. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Lightly pack the meat mixture into the prepared pan and bake until the internal temperature registers 165 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer, about 45 minutes. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Serves 6 - 8.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ug5rl6o_wOo/TnjJEl4QaUI/AAAAAAAABio/kyNoz7CLz4w/s1600/DSC_1234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="320" rba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ug5rl6o_wOo/TnjJEl4QaUI/AAAAAAAABio/kyNoz7CLz4w/s400/DSC_1234.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><em>This is one recipe from <a href="http://www.thishomeplate.com/2011/09/torta-di-mele-apple-cake.html">Midweek Connections Menu</a> on September 14, 2011.</em>Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18058888394679827396noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030599879456906219.post-21080386111250929042011-09-20T15:35:00.001-05:002011-09-20T15:59:46.022-05:00Cucumber Salad<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lKbS74vNnjw/TnjJO47HXOI/AAAAAAAABis/LZJD1jz6J3s/s1600/DSC_1236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="320" rba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lKbS74vNnjw/TnjJO47HXOI/AAAAAAAABis/LZJD1jz6J3s/s400/DSC_1236.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mark's mom makes a delicious Cucumber Salad, but we can never seem to make it as good as she does. He found this recipe from the <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/cucumber-salad-recipe/index.html">Food Network Kitchens</a> and it comes close:</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana;">CUCUMBER SALAD</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strong><em>INGREDIENTS:</em></strong></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">3 medium cucumbers (about 2 1/4 pounds), peeled, halved lengthwise, & thinly sliced</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">2 T. kosher salt</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">1/4 cup + 2 T. sour cream</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">3 T. chopped fresh dill</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">1 T. white distilled vinegar</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Pinch of cayenne pepper</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Freshly ground black pepper</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">DIRECTIONS:</span></em></strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">In a large bowl, mix the cucumbers and salt and set aside at room temperature for 1 hour.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">In a colander in the sink, drain and rinse the cucumbers thoroughly under cold running water. Set aside to drain for 10 minutes.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Press down on the cucumbers to extract as much liquid as possible. Transfer the cucumbers to a large bowl and mix with the sour cream, dill, vinegar, cayene pepper, and season to taste with the black pepper.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
<em>This is one recipe from <a href="http://www.thishomeplate.com/2011/09/torta-di-mele-apple-cake.html">Midweek Connections Menu</a> on September 14, 2011.</em></div>Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18058888394679827396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030599879456906219.post-54342223902350141532011-09-18T08:46:00.003-05:002011-09-20T15:59:46.023-05:00Frosting for the Cause Project<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I hope you will head over to <a href="http://www.frostingforthecause.com/2011/09/alices-altons-brown-sugar-cookies/">Frosting for the Cause</a> today to see my FIRST GUEST POST!! I am so excited and honored to be included among the 365 bakers who are using their skills both as chefs and as bloggers to make a difference in the fight against Breast Cancer. Each one of them has been personally affected by this disease, and has taken a turn sharing their stories along with a delicious recipe. The baked goods they make are then donated to a local place that serves cancer patients. I will be taking my cookies to the same infusion room where I received my chemo treatments. Here is my post:</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">***********************************</span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am grateful to Paula for starting this <a href="http://www.frostingforthecause.com/">Frosting for the Cause</a> project. It is an honor to be writing this post today. Today, you see, is the THIRD anniversary of the date when my Breast Cancer was diagnosed.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In April, the only thing I knew about blogs was what I learned from watching the movie "Jule & Julia". I needed to make some sugar cookies for my niece Melissa's baby shower and I searched online for ideas. It didn't take long for me to realize the results I kept coming across were from BLOGS, and some very amazing and creative ones at that. In May, one of the blogs I had started following just happened to be the guest post for Frosting for the Cause. What a wonderful and thoughtful idea! I am a Breast Cancer survivor AND I love to bake, but there was one problem. I was not a blogger and I had no idea where to start. The idea wouldn't go away so I had no choice. I went to the bookstore, bought "Blogging for Dummies", did more research and in June started my blog. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The tagline for my blog is "Biking and Baking Beyond Breast Cancer". My idea was to write about the things I love and am passionate about. When I started writing down my own <a href="http://www.thishomeplate.com/2011/09/my-breast-cancer-story-part-iv.html">Breast Cancer Story</a> for this post, it became way too long. I ended up posting it on This Home Plate -- I hope you will take the time to read it. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One thing cancer has <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">taught me is that everyone affected by it has a story, whether it is the patient, the caregiver, the family, or the friend - and that is evident by the stories told over the past 261 days on Frosting for the Cause. I have enjoyed reading them all and getting to know your loved ones. </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My original plan was to bake a chocolate shortbread cookie, similar to one we used to eat when we lived in Italy. But the closer the time came for my guest post, I kept thinking of the tagline for <a href="http://www.thishomeplate.com/">This Home Plate</a>. Frosting for the Cause had the Breast Cancer and the Baking covered, but not the Biking. Then I found a bicycle cookie cutter and started thinking of the possibilities. More ideas popped into my head and I couldn't decide which one to do, so I did them all! (Well, except for the one where I was going to depict the Champion crossing the finish line in the Tour de France with all the bikers behind him, and the fans cheering. Now that would have been too much!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mzQNh8unvwc/TnVPu3vdVkI/AAAAAAAABhU/p8aGi9MdLlI/s1600/DSC_1246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="266" rba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mzQNh8unvwc/TnVPu3vdVkI/AAAAAAAABhU/p8aGi9MdLlI/s400/DSC_1246.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqC4uJD0iViqu0-E-jJgcHkKsMJ4U3dsnzaMaT4xe3WMnbQwDN8EkvOogbPc0jsB8bvzpMpeP-sXnHgQzeGWnHxYKULV8i5E9d-TCcJz2jsIybw7YtLf8rNX1e5mBj5N7-tAM_Ytctzfby/s1600/DSC_1251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="266" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqC4uJD0iViqu0-E-jJgcHkKsMJ4U3dsnzaMaT4xe3WMnbQwDN8EkvOogbPc0jsB8bvzpMpeP-sXnHgQzeGWnHxYKULV8i5E9d-TCcJz2jsIybw7YtLf8rNX1e5mBj5N7-tAM_Ytctzfby/s400/DSC_1251.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I can't think of biking without thinking of the Texas Mamma Jamma bike ride. So many people love Austin and want to live here - it's known as the live music capital of the world. In fact, thousands of people are here this weekend for the 10th annual Austin City Limits festival. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There's one other thing Austin is good at, but it's not necessarily famous for, and that is cancer support and services. I have come to realize that if I had to get Breast Cancer, I'm sure glad I live here. No matter what the need, there is a Non-Profit rganization (NPO) that is there to provide services and support to fill that need. The Mamma Jamma Ride raises money for these NPO's, some of which supported me on my Breast Cancer Journey. I found out about the ride when I was getting my last chemotherapy infusion, and it has changed my life. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vtj9x2MJSPU/TnVQTKgMn1I/AAAAAAAABiI/srZHMiewXbs/s1600/DSC_1268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="265" rba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vtj9x2MJSPU/TnVQTKgMn1I/AAAAAAAABiI/srZHMiewXbs/s400/DSC_1268.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_Jz1uF1D3I0/TnVQQLxO6-I/AAAAAAAABiE/3TwdftKdKI0/s1600/DSC_1267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="266" rba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_Jz1uF1D3I0/TnVQQLxO6-I/AAAAAAAABiE/3TwdftKdKI0/s400/DSC_1267.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is the logo for the first two rides in 2009 and 2010</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bKXQOWEMdkA/TnVQNmX1PzI/AAAAAAAABiA/rXXQQ5GC-vY/s1600/DSC_1266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="266" rba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bKXQOWEMdkA/TnVQNmX1PzI/AAAAAAAABiA/rXXQQ5GC-vY/s400/DSC_1266.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is a take-off of the new logo for this year.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Unfortunately, my cookies don't do it justice!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">People come from all over the country to do this ride in honor or in memory of their loved ones. The ride takes place in the Hill Country just north of Austin. Less than 5 months after my last infusion, my husband and I rode<strong> 100 miles</strong> in the inaugural Texas Mamma Jamma Ride.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x4GiewA_6MY/TnVQLDgNX4I/AAAAAAAABh8/hxO94mO0vAk/s1600/DSC_1265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="266" rba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x4GiewA_6MY/TnVQLDgNX4I/AAAAAAAABh8/hxO94mO0vAk/s400/DSC_1265.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7M33KEBO_Lg/TnVQIcdzaAI/AAAAAAAABh4/P0pzO0V5pg0/s1600/DSC_1264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="266" rba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7M33KEBO_Lg/TnVQIcdzaAI/AAAAAAAABh4/P0pzO0V5pg0/s400/DSC_1264.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Like I said, the ride benefits 11 different Non-Profit Organizations that provide life-saving services to Breast Cancer patients and their families. I decided to make a cookie representing each one of them. I will be handing out the cookies in the same infusion room where I received my treatments. They will be labeled with information for all of the Mamma Jamma NPO's so that way, these new patients that have followed in my footsteps will be able to find the same hope that I did. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tIS1ModgCvY/TnVQEEPuxDI/AAAAAAAABhw/B88yT6LDW7I/s1600/DSC_1261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="266" rba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tIS1ModgCvY/TnVQEEPuxDI/AAAAAAAABhw/B88yT6LDW7I/s400/DSC_1261.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You can learn more about these organizations </span><a href="http://www.thishomeplate.com/p/mamma-jamma-supporters.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">HERE</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">In the future, I will be sharing inspirational stories of women that I have met, and writing about the latest BC news I come across. My HOPE is that someday, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I will </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">only need to blog about Baking and Biking. My DREAM is for every state, not just Texas, to have their own Mamma Jamma Ride. Please feel free to contact me for more information.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I am participating in the ride again this year and have set a goal of $15,000. If you are interested in supporting me in this worthy cause, you can find more information <a href="http://www.mammajammaride.org/site/TR/Ride/General?px=1008986&pg=personal&fr_id=1070">HERE</a>. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I'm also interested in making things safe on the road for both bikers and car drivers. <a href="http://www.peopleforbikes.org/">People for Bikes</a> is a great organization that is working towards this. Their logo inspired me to make these cookies:</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iQ6_GXQYX4U/TnVP4m91vRI/AAAAAAAABhg/_EuiAP9wum8/s1600/DSC_1253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="266" rba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iQ6_GXQYX4U/TnVP4m91vRI/AAAAAAAABhg/_EuiAP9wum8/s400/DSC_1253.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Draw a line with white royal icing and let it dry.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ijxa5aUeua8/TnVP7lbsaVI/AAAAAAAABhk/mckLl0Sik1k/s1600/DSC_1254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="266" rba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ijxa5aUeua8/TnVP7lbsaVI/AAAAAAAABhk/mckLl0Sik1k/s400/DSC_1254.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Do the same with red icing below the white line and then flood it.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xWcU65XptA4/TnVP-SsTCHI/AAAAAAAABho/rFumqiwwPLE/s1600/DSC_1255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="266" rba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xWcU65XptA4/TnVP-SsTCHI/AAAAAAAABho/rFumqiwwPLE/s400/DSC_1255.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Let it dry.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cnuaEIjXeXs/TnVQBUrTbbI/AAAAAAAABhs/ZjfZgXctDL8/s1600/DSC_1258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="266" rba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cnuaEIjXeXs/TnVQBUrTbbI/AAAAAAAABhs/ZjfZgXctDL8/s400/DSC_1258.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Repeat with sky blue icing, and let it dry.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bCFuB20zrrM/TnVQWK1oabI/AAAAAAAABiM/4ydDJgSkQ80/s1600/DSC_1269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="266" rba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bCFuB20zrrM/TnVQWK1oabI/AAAAAAAABiM/4ydDJgSkQ80/s400/DSC_1269.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Draw on the "bicycle" smiley face with a thicker, white outlining royal icing.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VwQh5GXJH28/TnVQYSvqVII/AAAAAAAABiQ/ngMDE8X_wfA/s1600/DSC_1270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="266" rba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VwQh5GXJH28/TnVQYSvqVII/AAAAAAAABiQ/ngMDE8X_wfA/s400/DSC_1270.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I tried several sugar cookie recipes. Some were too sweet, and some used so much flour they were stiff to mix up. I stumbled across Alton Brown's Sugar Cookie Recipe from the Food Network and have been using it ever since. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><h2 align="center" class="kv-ingred" jquery1312783123746="37"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Alton Brown's Sugar Cookies</span></h2><h2 class="kv-ingred" jquery1312783123746="37">Ingredients</h2><div class="body-text" jquery1312783123746="37"><ul class="kv-ingred-list1"><li class="ingredient"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3 cups all-purpose flour</span></li>
<li class="ingredient"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3/4 teaspoon baking powder</span></li>
<li class="ingredient"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1/4 teaspoon salt</span></li>
<li class="ingredient"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 cup unsalted butter, softened</span></li>
<li class="ingredient"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 cup sugar</span></li>
<li class="ingredient"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 egg, beaten</span></li>
<li class="ingredient"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 tablespoon milk</span></li>
<li class="ingredient"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Powdered sugar, for rolling out dough</span></li>
</ul></div><h2>Directions</h2><div class="instructions"><ul><li><div class="instruction"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. </span></div></li>
<li><div class="instruction"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Place butter and sugar in large bowl of electric stand mixer and beat until light in color. </span></div></li>
<li><div class="instruction"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Add egg and milk and beat to combine. </span></div></li>
<li><div class="instruction"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Put the mixer on low speed, gradually add flour, and beat until mixture pulls away from the side of the bowl. Divide the dough in half, wrap in waxed paper, and refrigerate for 2 hours.</span></div></li>
</ul></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. </span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sprinkle surface where you will roll out dough with powdered sugar. Remove 1 wrapped pack of dough from refrigerator at a time, sprinkle rolling pin with powdered sugar, and roll out dough to 1/4-inch thick. Move the dough around and check underneath frequently to make sure it is not sticking. If dough has warmed during rolling, place cold cookie sheet on top for 10 minutes to chill. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cut into desired shape, place at least 1-inch apart on greased baking sheet, parchment, or silicone baking mat, and bake for 7 to 9 minutes or until cookies are just beginning to turn brown around the edges, rotating cookie sheet halfway through baking time. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Let sit on baking sheet for 2 minutes after removal from oven and then move to wire rack for complete cooling. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Ice as desired. <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm still experimenting on my icing, but either </span><a href="http://hanielas.blogspot.com/2010/04/royal-icing.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Haniela's</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> blog or <a href="http://bakeat350.blogspot.com/2010/01/royal-icing-102-or-201-or-whatever.html">Bake at 350's</a> has a great tutorial for royal icing. </span></span></li>
</ul><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This yields about 3 dozen, 2-1/2" cookies. </span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>THANKS AGAIN PAULA, YOU ARE AMAZING!!!</strong></span>Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18058888394679827396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030599879456906219.post-16423281219382098662011-09-17T21:11:00.009-05:002016-10-02T12:11:36.481-05:00The Inaugural Mamma Jamma Ride - 2009 <div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>PART V of MY BREAST CANCER STORY</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">(. . . You can find Part IV <a href="http://www.thishomeplate.com/2011/09/my-breast-cancer-story-part-iv.html">here</a></span>)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Over 182,000 women
were diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 2008 and 182,000 stories that could
be told. This is just one of those stories. </span></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This bandana has over 100 names written on its borders, </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>each one representing a different breast cancer story...</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">After my last infusion on May 5, 2009, the 3 weeks of recovery from chemo passed quickly and were NOT the worst like I was expecting. Learning about a charity bike ride in October that would raise money to support breast cancer patients gave me the mental edge I needed over any physical side effects.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">May 14, 2009 was the Kick-Off Party for the Inaugural Mamma Jamma Bike Ride that would be held on October 10. The party was outdoors on a beautiful cool night in Austin, TX; I went with the purpose of learning more and to register for the ride.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I talked with representatives for the ten non-profits </span><span style="font-family: "verdana";">that were the ride beneficiaries. <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I listened to the Ride Director - David C. Smith, and the Honorary Ride Chair - Kerry Tate, speak about what the ride would mean for patients and families dealing with this disease. </span></span><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Three</span> things became evident:</u></div>
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<b style="font-family: Verdana;">1. I felt like a selfish cancer patient</b><span style="font-family: "verdana";">. I had been so self-absorbed in my own cancer treatment that I hadn't thought about what it was like for others:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Women in their </span><span style="font-family: "verdana";">20's or 30's have young children who can't understand why mommy's hair is falling out. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Some face the disease alone and have no one to cook meals for them, or no transportation to treatment. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Others have no medical insurance and can't afford the care they need to save their lives ... just to name a few...</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Compared to any one of these, my cancer treatment - though difficult - had been a breeze. I always had someone to mentor or help me e</span><span style="font-family: "verdana";">very step of the way. What a blessing</span><span style="font-family: "verdana";"> to have these people in my life, making my cancer treatment "manageable". It could have been so much worse like it is for many.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";"><b>2. The Mamma Jamma was different kind of fundraiser -</b> A Gala on a Bike, money raised by the ride would provide numerous services & support to patients and their families. The impact is immediate - improving the lives from those newly diagnosed, to those whose cancer has metastasized. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana";"> It is a ride to let cancer patients know they are not alone. The 10 beneficiaries form a continuum of care for our community.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";"><b>3. I needed to form a team</b> and try to encourage as many friends as I could to join me. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Signing up to do the ride myself would not be enough.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana";"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Instead of just asking for donations from my biking friends, together our fundraising efforts could do so much more. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana";">I left the party that night feeling as if I had been given the biggest gift ever - the gift to "pay it forward".</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">By the end of May, the "Big Guns" chemo had ended, but the Herceptin infusions would continue once every 3 weeks for the remainder of the year. Fortunately the only side effect was an occasional runny nose AND I started noticing some stubble ... my hair was growing back!!!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I was SO ready to get back on my bike. My first training ride was a little frustrating. A year prior I was able to ride a hilly 65 miles, but the hint of a small incline that day had me panting for breath. Mark and my friend Samantha rode with me and we did about 12 miles. At the end I was elated, but exhausted and I went home and took a long nap.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Samantha & I, she had voluntarily shaved her head </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">as a fundraiser for children with cancer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> She was an example of hope that my hair would come back.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I made the decision to ride 100 miles in October, I couldn't think of any better way to convince myself that I had looked Breast Cancer straight in the eye & kicked its butt than to ride my first Century Ride for Mamma Jamma. Two mornings a week Mark & I would ride before he went to work. My friend Jane would join me for long rides on Thursdays (take THAT Puny Thursdays!) and Mamma Jamma offered free training rides for us on the weekends. I regained my strength quickly and by September, I was averaging 150 miles each week. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";"><b>RIDE DAY - OCTOBER 10, 2009</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Fall weather in Texas can be hit or miss. The forecast on Ride Day, called </span><span style="font-family: "verdana";">for cool temperatures and early clouds/drizzle with clearing by the afternoon. I was pumped and it was a struggle to keep my emotions in check. Just before the start for the 100-milers, I found the <a href="http://www.thishomeplate.com/2011/08/capital-of-texas-team-survivor.html">Capital of Texas Team Survivor</a> MJ team and posed for a pre-race photo with them:</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q-4iiQ4_DAY/TnQjvnocVlI/AAAAAAAABgw/zmnHP9hPONI/s1600/Mamma%252BJamma%252B002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="360" rba="true" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q-4iiQ4_DAY/TnQjvnocVlI/AAAAAAAABgw/zmnHP9hPONI/s400/Mamma%252BJamma%252B002.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Ride start for the Main Group</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Samantha had joined my team along with 2 of her coworkers, Keith & Andy - they were</span><span style="font-family: "verdana";"> doing the 100 mile route with Mark & I. About 50 riders were taking on this challenge and we got an hour head start as the rest of the riders cheered us on. The small numbers made it easier for us to ride together and enjoy the Hill Country of Texas. It was wonderful!!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggLL8PAz-8GiJ0_jwmtyTQ4essdiNYNch4hLLmpF8hSdHf6WMc_BTx4thJF25GD44prWXbrJW1RGJHGP7sqeNPp0fVld_4_ncKwt3gMgBO7-IQ1NFqoGXkh5d_-qd426veRaMN_ByGykLo/s1600/Mamma%252BJamma%252B025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="360" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggLL8PAz-8GiJ0_jwmtyTQ4essdiNYNch4hLLmpF8hSdHf6WMc_BTx4thJF25GD44prWXbrJW1RGJHGP7sqeNPp0fVld_4_ncKwt3gMgBO7-IQ1NFqoGXkh5d_-qd426veRaMN_ByGykLo/s400/Mamma%252BJamma%252B025.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">One of the volunteer SAG vehicles that provided route support</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">90 minutes into the ride, Mark got a flat tire. Instead of waiting for mechanical help he changed it himself. This proved to be instrumental in finishing the ride because it took him less than 5 minutes and we were on our way again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The lunch pit stop in Joppa, TX - the half-way point</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">There were pit stops about every 12-15 miles where we could stop for water and food. Each one had a party atmosphere, staffed by volunteers who were cheering us on. The lunch pit stop was especially fun; there was great music, carnival games to play, and delicious food. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">We <u>almost</u> lingered there too long. As we were getting back on our bikes, a woman walked onto the road with a sign saying 100 milers needed to turn around and go back. Panic set in as I rode up to talk to her. She told me there was a cut-off time but since we were getting on our bikes she would let us go through. I told her 3 more in our group were in the bathroom and she said if they hurried she would also let them continue. I rode back to tell Samantha, and then Mark & I took off. <u>If Mark had taken any longer to change his flat tire, we might not have been so lucky</u>. My mind was racing: I couldn't believe it ... I had trained so hard ... I told my donors I was riding 100 miles ... I couldn't let them down. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">The weather matched my mood. Instead of clearing, it was getting colder and drearier. The woman in the road said there were cut-off times at all the remaining pit stops. Instead of waiting for the others, we picked up our pace. Mark had not trained as much as I and was getting tired. He finally told me to go on without him. We had reached the hilliest part of the course and I was worried about him so I waited at the next pit stop. I didn't have to wait long but once again he told me to go on - he would wait for the others. I felt better knowing he would have someone to ride with.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My bike - "ArVi"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">As much as I loved riding with my husband and my friends, I realized </span><span style="font-family: "verdana";">I needed this time alone to reflect on events from the past year. But I wasn't really alone - I could feel the presence of my mom and dad with each pedal stroke. My mom, Virginia, passed away in 1999; my dad Art, passed away in April during my chemo treatments.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana";"> I decided to name my bike after them - ArVi so I have them with me whenever I ride. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkjNLfuDF-cFAswtKK06MGkznokYhkuB5l_r2IZxVIGteOfaQRBSTbgyuIEZ27nr45cyb1J5jINS_f-AZGIGhWbOQxKPXNnvkYoDE5Qp5lcuf2r1mhsF37eGEzRhpYNZ5Qrza6EXIPQlnV/s1600/Mamma%252BJamma%252B027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="360" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkjNLfuDF-cFAswtKK06MGkznokYhkuB5l_r2IZxVIGteOfaQRBSTbgyuIEZ27nr45cyb1J5jINS_f-AZGIGhWbOQxKPXNnvkYoDE5Qp5lcuf2r1mhsF37eGEzRhpYNZ5Qrza6EXIPQlnV/s400/Mamma%252BJamma%252B027.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Beautiful Scenery</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mwS_b2GeI8A/TnQjzxn7a0I/AAAAAAAABg4/RCuiCvJIilw/s1600/Mamma%252BJamma%252B026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="360" rba="true" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mwS_b2GeI8A/TnQjzxn7a0I/AAAAAAAABg4/RCuiCvJIilw/s400/Mamma%252BJamma%252B026.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">One of the many signs along the route, reminding us why we ride</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">With no other riders around, I was able to let all the emotions from the previous year come pouring out. I thought about the fears I had buried deep inside; fears of not being there for my daughters' weddings, not being there for grandchildren, not growing old with the love of my life - and the tears finally came, real tears. Up until now, most of the tears had been silent as I tried to stay strong for family and friends. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Oops, then came a hill, time to focus. More miles went by and I remembered each milestone that had come and gone the past year; the diagnosis, doctor appointments, the surgeries ... and ... oh, here was another hill to climb. I thought of the people I had met because of my cancer, fellow survivors, skilled physicians and the kind, gentle nurses in the infusion room. More tears came, and more hills. With each hill, I remembered the names I had written on the blue bandana that I carried on my bike. I thought of all the strength each one had showed through their treatments, and for some through their death. Their strength became my strength.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">The feelings culminated with a one-sided conversation I had with my parents. I remember tearfully saying out loud, "Mom & Dad, I hope I've made you proud." (Isn't that what we all want?) I wasn't sure I had done enough with my life up until then. This cancer was a wake up call and by gosh I was going to step out of my complacency and do something with my life that WOULD make them proud. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I was cold & I was tired and there was another really long and steep hill ahead. Suddenly</span><span style="font-family: "verdana";"> it dawned on me, you know what ... if I could make it through chemotherapy, I could make it up that hill. I realized at that moment that cancer had made me a stronger woman, and I was grateful. Then I noticed a sign that said "One mile to the next pit stop". Funny what that sign did for me, I wasn't tired any more! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">A short rest refreshed me and I got a surprise call from my BFF, Glenda. She had joined my team and was doing the 46 mile route. "Where are you?", she said. It turned out she had left that same pit stop a few minutes earlier. It felt like forever, but I finally caught up with her. As we rode I learned she had been talked into doing the 70 mile route, even though she had not been riding much. Before the ride, I was sad that our start times were different and I wouldn't get to ride with her. Another blessing just came my way. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I called Mark and learned he and the others were about 10 minutes behind me. This was going to work into my plan. I had been disappointed to find out the actual mileage for the ride was 98.2 miles. How could I "legally" say I had ridden my first Century ride? I was familiar with the area so instead of making a right turn I went straight and rode an extra mile out and back. Shortly after I got back to the turn, Mark, Samantha, Keith & Andy came riding up. We had 5 more miles to go.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Finish Line Cheerleaders</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>WE DID IT!!! 100 Miles!!!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The finish line soon came into sight. Once again I could not hold back the tears. As we crossed the finish line I could see not only my team members lined up to greet us, but also our middle daughter Sarah. The adrenaline in my body made me want to keep riding further, but it was time to stop and enjoy the moment. I'll let the pictures do the talking because words are inadequate:</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EUlUtCkKoLI/TnQhfZ8T7NI/AAAAAAAABf0/O23hSRA6Y-U/s1600/9523_1230469078059_1119085130_30716761_3159225_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="360" rba="true" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EUlUtCkKoLI/TnQhfZ8T7NI/AAAAAAAABf0/O23hSRA6Y-U/s400/9523_1230469078059_1119085130_30716761_3159225_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Most of my 2009 Mamma Jamma Team. </b></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Instead of the $500 check I was going to write if I rode by myself, we raised over</b> <b><span style="color: #cc0000;">$25,000</span>!!</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YaXYnHd_Bi0/TnQlPs13kzI/AAAAAAAABhA/_nCf7f6ae-Q/s1600/9523_1230466998007_1119085130_30716756_4020509_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="360" rba="true" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YaXYnHd_Bi0/TnQlPs13kzI/AAAAAAAABhA/_nCf7f6ae-Q/s320/9523_1230466998007_1119085130_30716756_4020509_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My ride bandana also went 100 miles. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Written on it were the names of the breast cancer</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> men and women I was riding in honor of, and in memory of. </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o4eSpOJtQpo/TnQhh3ORnhI/AAAAAAAABgA/YDSLrzFeTD0/s1600/62290_1560383365710_1119085130_31565094_5993723_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="360" rba="true" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o4eSpOJtQpo/TnQhh3ORnhI/AAAAAAAABgA/YDSLrzFeTD0/s400/62290_1560383365710_1119085130_31565094_5993723_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Getting a hug from David, the Ride Director and Kerry, the Honorary Ride Chair</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mWNt1hUQCgI/TnQhkUeeDII/AAAAAAAABgU/1ot4j5yiELo/s1600/10233_1234180207567_1021033423_729066_5802537_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="640" rba="true" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mWNt1hUQCgI/TnQhkUeeDII/AAAAAAAABgU/1ot4j5yiELo/s640/10233_1234180207567_1021033423_729066_5802537_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Parade of the SAG wagons, the last rider was back safely.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> My friends Deb Carroll, Alice Wilson and Sandy Kugelman</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">At the end of the day, there was time for reflection on loved ones lost and the seriousness of this disease. There is still so much more to be done. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Together our team of 20 raised just over $25,000. WOW! Originally I had planned to just write a check for my $500 fundraising obligation. This was enough to pay for an entire year of cancer treatment for one individual with $11,000 left over to spend on some many <a href="http://www.thishomeplate.com/p/mamma-jamma.html">other things</a> like mammograms, biopsies, bloodwork and so much more.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you have a diagnosis of Breast Cancer, Austin, TX is a good place to be. There are groups here to help you if you need it. I have learned that many other communities are not so fortunate. To quote Martin Luther King, Jr., "I Have a Dream." My hope is that someone out there will read a post about one of the local non-profits <a href="http://www.thishomeplate.com/p/mamma-jamma-supporters.html">here in Austin</a> and decide to start a similar one in their area. My BIG DREAM, is that every state will have their own Mamma Jamma Ride. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I don't know how my story will end, whether the cancer will ever return or not, but for now it doesn't end here. I am enjoying a life filled with wonderful family and dear friends. These loved ones are what life is all about, and I am so blessed. (<i>Update, almost 6 years and counting...)</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Other members of the Breast Cancer Club that have come into my life are also part of my story. These men and women continue to inspire me and I want to share their stories with you in future posts. I hope you come back to read them, and ... thanks for reading my story.</span></div>
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<i style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">As a way to pay it forward for those who have breast cancer right now but don't know it, please help me raise
much needed funds for cancer services. You can visit my donation page
here:</span></i>
<span style="font-family: "verdana";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana";"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><a href="http://fundraisers.mammajammaride.org/alicemueller2016" target="_blank">http://fundraisers.mammajammaride.org/alicemueller2016</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Oh, one more thing, here is the Mamma Jamma kickoff party video that first inspired me:</span></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/fSYhP37DavI" width="420"></iframe></div>
Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18058888394679827396noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030599879456906219.post-23357444234302431962011-09-14T21:17:00.344-05:002011-10-10T10:53:33.650-05:00Torta di Mele - Apple Cake<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sWAQElV9h5o/TnFUBDMeKXI/AAAAAAAABeE/6Wtxn4vJ6VI/s1600/DSC_1244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="320" rba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sWAQElV9h5o/TnFUBDMeKXI/AAAAAAAABeE/6Wtxn4vJ6VI/s400/DSC_1244.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once again this fall, Mark and I are volunteering to cook a meal for 65 - 70 of our dear friends on Wednesday nights. Our church has something called "Midweek Connections" that is full of classes & activities for all ages. Families are able to come straight from work for a meal and the evening ends with a short service (unless you stay for choir). We are always asked to share our recipes so I thought, "Why not Blog about it?". </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">MENU</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">September 14, 2011</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><a href="http://www.thishomeplate.com/2011/09/gluten-free-turkey-meatloaf-with-feta.html">Turkey Meatloaf with Feta and Sun-Dried Tomatoes</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/meat-loaf-recipe/index.html"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Ina Garten's Meatloaf</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Souperior Meatloaf</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">(recipe on the back of Lipton's Beefy Onion Soup mix, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">substitute cooked quinoa for bread crumbs)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/-%20http://www.thishomeplate.com/2011/09/hash-brown-potato-casserole-lighter.html">Hash Brown Potato Casserole</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><a href="http://www.thishomeplate.com/2011/09/green-beans-provencal.html">Green Beans Provencal</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><a href="http://www.thishomeplate.com/2011/09/cucumber-salad.html">Cucumber Salad</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><strong>Torta de Mele (apple cake) with Creme Anglais</strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><a href="http://ow.ly/6tAoa">Texas Pecan Pie Bars</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Brownies (Ghiradelli mix - the best!)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qzG-VL2np7Y/TnFds0B-6vI/AAAAAAAABe4/rLVDEYtG9XU/s1600/DSC_1238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="320" rba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qzG-VL2np7Y/TnFds0B-6vI/AAAAAAAABe4/rLVDEYtG9XU/s400/DSC_1238.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When our girls were little, we would occasionally have a <strong>backwards meal</strong> with dessert first. So, since I've already posted about the Texas Pecan Pie Bars, I decided the Apple Cake, or in Italian - <em>Torta di Mele</em> would be next.</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">If I had to choose something for the last meal of my life, this cake would be at the top of the list. It is my future son-in-law's favorite and everyone else I've made it for raves about it. The first time I had <em>Torta di Mele</em> was in a little restaurant named<span style="color: #b45f06;"> <a href="http://www.pallottaassisi.it/new/int/eng/trattoria_home.htm">Trattoria Pallotta</a></span>, in Assisi Italy. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w7k57TrsqxM/TnFTFFmkxKI/AAAAAAAABdc/hUoF5gr5qU8/s1600/Italy_Nov3-4+061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="640" rba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w7k57TrsqxM/TnFTFFmkxKI/AAAAAAAABdc/hUoF5gr5qU8/s640/Italy_Nov3-4+061.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yaM8J51QLpw/TnFTA8JSXhI/AAAAAAAABdQ/Mt3mBsEfm0Y/s1600/Italy_Nov3-4+058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="360" rba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yaM8J51QLpw/TnFTA8JSXhI/AAAAAAAABdQ/Mt3mBsEfm0Y/s400/Italy_Nov3-4+058.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tip to eating in Italy - eat where the locals eat. This is one of those places. They had a <em>tourist menu </em>where you get your choice between 1 of 2 appetizers, 1 of 2 Main Courses, and 1 of 2 Desserts. For dessert, Mark and our 2 friends chose the fruit & cheese plate. The <em>Torta de Mele</em> sounded too good to pass up, so I went with that. Good choice, GOOD CHOICE!! I rarely take photos of food I order in a restaurant but when this was brought to the table, still warm from the oven, I whipped out my camera:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqbuwcmIM1KghMl-ZEaQ_PotzRcHTWFyUIUr5UmKIL00_USP6BVciPZoG_7ylCEWxSFCvMPVIqXI9DejYg8sYLp6-swtSFai6Okld5da50E-XL3f4-4jeTW3maDdoxSpkrbSDHcxjUW6ZU/s1600/Italy_Nov3-4+059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="360" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqbuwcmIM1KghMl-ZEaQ_PotzRcHTWFyUIUr5UmKIL00_USP6BVciPZoG_7ylCEWxSFCvMPVIqXI9DejYg8sYLp6-swtSFai6Okld5da50E-XL3f4-4jeTW3maDdoxSpkrbSDHcxjUW6ZU/s400/Italy_Nov3-4+059.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Puoi darmi la ricetta per favore?"</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Each bite just melted in my mouth it was so moist. The flavor was not too sweet, and the texture was light and airy. I HAD to have the recipe! My gourmet friend Patty has been known to ask the chef of a restaurant to share their secrets, but I never had the courage, until that moment. We lived in Milano, Italy from '92-'94 so I knew some Italian. It had been 12 years and I was a bit rusty but all of a sudden the word "ricetta" - recipe, came to my head. When the waitress returned, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I pointed at the plate and butchered together some kind of a sentence as politely as I could. She nodded and headed towards the kitchen. She came back smiling, with a scrap of paper in her hand. "Grazie, molto grazie, per favore grazie alla chef", I thanked her over and over again. I hoped she understood. This is what was on the paper:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana;">TORTA di MELE</span> </strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>180 C, per 35 - 45 minuti</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4 uovi</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">2 etti di burro</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">3 etti di farina</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">3 etti di zucchero</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">succo - 1/2 limone</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">succo - 1/2 arancia</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">2-3 mele </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">una bustina Lievito dolce</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KUQtDkLKC9I/TnFSdFcBZqI/AAAAAAAABcg/s_amHIqd1pk/s1600/DSC_1220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="320" rba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KUQtDkLKC9I/TnFSdFcBZqI/AAAAAAAABcg/s_amHIqd1pk/s400/DSC_1220.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This can be found at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Paneangeli-Lievito-Angeli-Sweets-packets/dp/B004BV345C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1316057669&sr=8-1">Amazon</a> in a package of 10,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">but I have started using baking powder instead.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Notice anything:</span></div><ol><li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">The directions are missing</span></div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">NO mention of what size pan to use</span></div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Italian measurements (1 etti = 100 grams)</span></div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">and yes, it's in Italian. At least that was easy because I was used to that.</span></div></li>
</ol><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Here is what I came up with:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tksJpVbc4FU/TnFSdSP4KHI/AAAAAAAABck/TxndSD-jJ2w/s1600/DSC_1219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="320" rba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tksJpVbc4FU/TnFSdSP4KHI/AAAAAAAABck/TxndSD-jJ2w/s400/DSC_1219.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><strong><u>Apple Cake</u></strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><ul><li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">4 eggs</span></div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">14 T. butter - room temperature</span></div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">300 grams flour (about 2 cups)</span></div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">300 grams sugar (1 1/3 cups + 1 teaspoon)</span></div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Juice of 1/2 a large lemon (or all juice from a small lemon)</span></div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Juice of 1/2 a large orange (or all juice from a medium orange)</span></div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">2 large Braeburn apples (or 3 medium)</span></div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">2 t. baking powder (or 1 pkg of Italian sweet leavening if you can find it - see above)</span></div></li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Pre-heat oven to 355 degrees (F). Grease and flour a <strong>10" round cake pan</strong>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">1. <span style="font-family: Verdana;">Cream together the butter and the sugar:</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BLNGemZeAAA/TnFSX6z233I/AAAAAAAABcc/21jpCvHIt1c/s1600/DSC_1221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="320" rba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BLNGemZeAAA/TnFSX6z233I/AAAAAAAABcc/21jpCvHIt1c/s400/DSC_1221.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2. Add in the eggs, blending after each one:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x6ddc-pfqrg/TnFSka0mnMI/AAAAAAAABco/_M4uSUMQ67c/s1600/DSC_1224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="320" rba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x6ddc-pfqrg/TnFSka0mnMI/AAAAAAAABco/_M4uSUMQ67c/s400/DSC_1224.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3. Blend the flour and the baking powder (or leavening packet) together. Italian flour is different than American flour. Once I've weighed the flour, I sift it 2 or 3 times. Slowly add to the batter until it is blended in:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wc-zUAHmEIs/TnFStrAGSGI/AAAAAAAABcw/FJfa_bJhsmk/s1600/DSC_1226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="320" rba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wc-zUAHmEIs/TnFStrAGSGI/AAAAAAAABcw/FJfa_bJhsmk/s400/DSC_1226.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4. Peel and chop the apples. I like to have a mixture of coarsely and finely chopped pieces. Mix the lemon and orange juice into the chopped apples. Fold into the batter until well mixed:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisvjfR7Zw6HEkfLMjR1tkUT2xEhK35gSR23ySCfUEwGcc0MpOL4E_1TooTa4jgXjTz3iNn8tJkWopWByoycHpCGwikV7Mwo5b_trpneMi_nbsLi2ffm4eBfFrZr6Tydcui3IOum-d5ONkD/s1600/DSC_1227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="320" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisvjfR7Zw6HEkfLMjR1tkUT2xEhK35gSR23ySCfUEwGcc0MpOL4E_1TooTa4jgXjTz3iNn8tJkWopWByoycHpCGwikV7Mwo5b_trpneMi_nbsLi2ffm4eBfFrZr6Tydcui3IOum-d5ONkD/s400/DSC_1227.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">5. Pour into prepared pan:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JEXzp_uCu1w/TnFS0rbZvyI/AAAAAAAABc0/dbJOyEI7sY0/s1600/DSC_1229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="320" rba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JEXzp_uCu1w/TnFS0rbZvyI/AAAAAAAABc0/dbJOyEI7sY0/s400/DSC_1229.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">6. Bake for at least 45 minutes or until golden brown and an inserted toothpick comes</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> out clean. The first time I made this I set the timer for 35 minutes and it was far from done. I kept adding 5 minutes at a time until finely at an hour, it was ready. Sometimes it is done in 50 minutes, I think it depends upon the amount of apples you use. Let cool for 10 minutes and remove from pan:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirfRvdApjrWuPT0t11sX8qrUEoz11xmZYvUG2Zor7q2bTVMMbJdVbAAbmQfDE77Dm0lqzutYrRtm-_yYrBK5eOvDVRdrQywf9OIvx7fUamUkwbUwWh54eEum1EJSehgOOOvxCBmiU6t9HL/s1600/DSC_1232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="320" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirfRvdApjrWuPT0t11sX8qrUEoz11xmZYvUG2Zor7q2bTVMMbJdVbAAbmQfDE77Dm0lqzutYrRtm-_yYrBK5eOvDVRdrQywf9OIvx7fUamUkwbUwWh54eEum1EJSehgOOOvxCBmiU6t9HL/s400/DSC_1232.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The cake is at its best when served warm, but tastes great no matter what the temperature. I have served this with a warm butter sauce, but I think it was served in the restaurant with Creme Anglaise. One option is to spoon either sauce over the cake and then sprinkle with powdered sugar.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana;"><u>Creme Anglais</u></span></strong> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Ingredients</strong></span></div><div class="Ingredients" style="margin-top: 10px;"><br />
<ul><li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 cup heavy cream</span></div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2 teaspoons vanilla extract</span></div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4 egg yolks</span></div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1/3 cup white sugar</span></div></li>
</ul><h3><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Directions</span></h3><ol><li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Whisk together egg yolks and sugar until smooth.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In a small saucepan, whisk cream and vanilla together over medium heat until you see bubbles forming at the edges.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Remove from heat and, slowly whisk 1/2 cup of hot liquid into the egg mixture.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Gradually add egg yolk mixture back to remaining cream mixture, whisking constantly. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture coats the back of a spoon.</span></li>
</ol><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<div class="directions" style="margin-top: 10px;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I fell in love with Assisi and it wasn't just because of the Apple Cake. When we visited 5 years ago, it was late fall. The skies were so blue and the air was so crisp. Most cities in Italy are a bit on the grungy side, but not Assisi. It was stunningly beautiful. I found some of the pictures and thought I would share them with you. Hope you enjoy. But first one more look at the cake I made today. By the way, I bought the plate it is sitting on in Deruta - a little town just outside of Assisi. I could spend a week there shopping for ceramics ... but that is another post entirely!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Also posted on:</span><br />
<a href="http://itsablogparty.com/fall-fest-2011-week-3-apples/" target="_blank"><br />
<img alt="It's a Blog Party" src="http://itsablogparty.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/ItsABlogPartyweb.jpg" /></a> <br />
<br />
</div>Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18058888394679827396noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030599879456906219.post-42541210511616180262011-09-14T09:36:00.001-05:002011-09-19T10:27:35.160-05:00Purple Wedding Invitations<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Pp-uaDfJDc/TnC0imq55rI/AAAAAAAABb8/iqLzApu-kac/s1600/DSC_1212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" rba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Pp-uaDfJDc/TnC0imq55rI/AAAAAAAABb8/iqLzApu-kac/s400/DSC_1212.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A year ago, my youngest daughter and I were in the middle of a whirlwind of wedding planning. Her fiance is in the Army and was stationed in Italy, but deployed to Afghanistan. They wanted to get married during the time off he had after deployment, but the timing of that was uncertain (and we didn't want to lose deposits if things changed). Finally, we had a date - and <strong>4 months to put it together!</strong> It was a crazy, but fun-filled time and we did it. (Even though I was still putting zippers into Bridesmaid dresses the morning of the big day!!)</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GHT1R_rVy70/TnC3pC5aayI/AAAAAAAABcU/5-gqnGdv7l8/s1600/ReMarthable+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" rba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GHT1R_rVy70/TnC3pC5aayI/AAAAAAAABcU/5-gqnGdv7l8/s400/ReMarthable+Collage.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We did everything ourselves except the cake, the BBQ dinner, and the bridal bouquet. Our oldest daughter is getting married in May so I am starting all over again. It brought to mind the invitations we made for Kelly's wedding - <strong>250 of them</strong>!! I'm sharing pictures of them now, and will post a tutorial in the near future. By the way, can you guess what her favorite color is?? Hope you like them!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was so excited to see that <span style="color: #38761d;">King Ranch Casserole</span> was this week's </span><a href="http://projectpastryqueen.wordpress.com/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Project Pastry Queen </span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">recipe. It is one of my favorites, true comfort food. Even though I grew up in Texas, I never had it as a child since my Dad did not like cheese. (Yes, we had lots of meat and potatoes!). Its namesake, The <a href="http://www.king-ranch.com/legacy_overview.html">King Ranch</a> is a National Historic Landmark in South Texas that began in the 1860's. Today, it covers 825,000 acres which is larger than the state of Rhode Island! The ranch does not lay claim to this popular dish, and the history is kind of muddy. This makes sense, because what are ranches in Texas famous for? Ask Oprah ... BEEF!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The basic recipe helped to sell our house back in 1996. It had been on the market for months, and every time a realtor wanted to show it our family was asked to leave. When a realtor called one afternoon, asking to show the house again, I was in the middle of making this casserole for dinner. I told him to bring them over, but we were going to be there. Guess what? They bought the house. The reason? When they saw me cooking in the kitchen, it made them feel at home. They could envision their family living there. What do realtors know??!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Every recipe I have made (or seen) calls for using cans of cream of mushroom and/or cream of chicken soup. Using a rotisserie chicken makes it that much easier. The Pastry Queen recipe calls for stewing your own chicken, making your own stock and ... NO CANS OF SOUP! I was up for the challenge. <strong>Fair warning:</strong> If you make everything from scratch, this recipe is time consuming, plan accordingly. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have never roasted a poblano chile before, that was the first step. Next time I will roast them till they're a bit blacker. When preparing the chicken and the stock, I wanted more flavor. I added some garlic, onions and bay leaves to the water. I made this the day ahead since it is easier to handle the chicken when it is cool. I discarded the fat from the chicken broth to make the dish a "little" healthier.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The cream sauce is made by sauteing onions, peppers, mushrooms and garlic in butter. Stir in some chili powder and cayenne pepper. Add flour to thicken the sauce and whisk in chicken stock and then some cream. Finally stir in the diced roasted poblano chiles and add a can of Rotel tomatoes. The cream sauce should be thick. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Construct the casserole like a lasagna, substituting corn tortillas for the noodles. Layer tortillas, half the sauce, half the chicken and 1/3 of the cheese, repeat. Finish off with one more layer of tortillas and the rest of the cheese.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The recipe calls for using 18 tortillas and making it in a 9" x 13" casserole dish. I had enough chicken and sauce to make it in my 10" x 15" baking dish and I used 24 tortillas. I served this with a mixed salad with "Ranch" dressing and black beans, but you could do refried beans if you prefer. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">This casserole was amazing!!! Next time I will try using a rotisserie chicken to speed things up but I will never go back to the canned soup version again! Jody has the complete recipe at <a href="http://www.savorytosweet.com/project-pastry-queen-king-ranch-casserole/">Savory to Sweet</a>. Be sure and check out other versions at <a href="http://www.pink-parsley.com/2011/09/ppq-king-ranch-chicken.html">Pink Parsley</a>, <a href="http://agiltnutmeg.wordpress.com/2011/09/12/king-ranch-casserole/">A Gilt Nutmeg</a>, and <a href="http://homekeepingtheadventure.wordpress.com/2011/09/13/project-pastry-queen-king-ranch-casserole/">Homekeeping Adventures</a>.</span></div>
Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18058888394679827396noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030599879456906219.post-46613601702379380082011-09-13T00:51:00.011-05:002016-09-22T11:11:42.709-05:00My Breast Cancer Story - Part IV<span style="font-family: "verdana";"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">(. . . You can find Part III <a href="http://www.thishomeplate.com/2011/09/my-breast-cancer-story-part-iii.html">here</a></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">)</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Over 182,000 women were diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 2008 and over 182,000 stories could be told. This is just one of those stories.</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">After passing my Chemo 101 class, I got my first infusion on January 20, 2009. Highlights of the day:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "verdana";">My BFF Glenda drove me and stayed through the morning.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana";">The nurses and technicians in the infusion room were wonderful.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana";">I did not have an allergic reaction to the <strike>poison</strike> drugs of choice. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Husband Mark brought me my favorite lunch.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana";"> </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">The surprise </span><span style="font-family: "verdana";">of the day came that afternoon when I awoke from a nap to hear a nurse say, "Alice? She's right over here". I looked up and saw a stranger, but when she said "Hi", I recognized my friend Dolise. We had only previously talked by phone - she was a former patient of Dr. Spiegel's and had become my mentor when I was </span><span style="font-family: "verdana";">deciding upon the <a href="http://www.breastrestoration.org/">DIEP Reconstruction</a></span><span style="font-family: "verdana";">. She had brought me a care package filled with goodies - I couldn't believe it. Shortly after she left, it happened again. This time it was Laura, another Dr. Spiegel phone/mentor friend & angel - she too had brought a care package! (<i>I learned that's the kind of thing cancer sisters do for one another</i>.) How wonderful to finally meet them in person. The day that I had been dreading had been turned upside down. Before I knew it, my friend Kay arrived to drive me home and I left the infusion room that day feeling like a queen, and very blessed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Me, Dolise & Laura</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I treated them to brunch a week after my first chemo!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">After I found </span><span style="font-family: "verdana";">the <a href="http://www.thishomeplate.com/2011/09/my-breast-cancer-story-part-ii.html" target="_blank">cyst</a> on </span><span style="font-family: "verdana";">October 1st, I was not allowed to exercise. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana";"> </span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "verdana";">First there was the fear the cyst would rupture, </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Second there was 6 weeks of recovery after the hysterectomy/lumpectomy</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Third, 6 more weeks of recovery after the mastectomy/reconstruction. </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Before Christmas, January 21st was my "Exercise Release" date from Dr. Spiegel and I had been looking forward to a run. With the change in my treatment plan, I was not about to let getting chemo the day before stand in my way. Karen, my friend and running coach, told me about a new running class - it started the 21st - perfect. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana";">I knew about the positive effects of <a href="http://www.thishomeplate.com/2011/08/capital-of-texas-team-survivor.html">exercise</a> for those going through chemo. plus I looked at this as the first step in regaining control of my life. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana";">I took it easy, doing some of the warm-up and then managed 1-1/2 SLOW miles around the track. It felt free and liberating!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The second day after each treatment was always the worst, I called it <i>Puny Thursday</i>. Thank goodness for the advancements made in nausea medication however, because I never had to hug the toilet. I just had no appetite and a queasy feeling that lasted for 36 - 48 hours<i>.</i> The first Friday afternoon I felt good enough to go on a 12 mile bike ride. For the rest of the 2 1/2 weeks of recovery, things went back to normal as I waited for treatment #2.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This was taken on Puny Thursday #4. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">My cats, Benjamin(striped) and Franklin(black) would not leave my side.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I believe they could sense something was different on those days.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I stayed in bed a lot on Puny Thursdays.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It didn't take long to settle into a routine. My treatments consisted of:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Week 1: Taxotere, Carboplatin, Herceptin, Neulasta shot</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Week 2: Herceptin only</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Week 3: Herceptin only</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Repeat for a total of 6 times/18 weeks</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">At the end of 18 weeks, a triple dose of Herceptin every third week for the rest of the year</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The side effects for Herceptin, <a href="http://www.thishomeplate.com/2011/09/my-breast-cancer-story-part-iii.html" target="_blank">my miracle drug</a>, were minimal. Mostly I felt as if I was coming down with a cold. It is a monoclonal antibody that targets <b>only</b> the cancer cells, unlike standard chemo which targets all fast growing cells. So after 18 weeks when I only had infusions of Herceptin, my hair started growing back. There is a small chance for cardiotoxicity and I had to have a MUGA scan every 3 months to monitor my heart.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I've been blessed with a full head of hair so the thinning wasn't too noticeable until after TCH treatment #2. By week #4, what was left of it (not much) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana";">needed to go and I had already arranged for James, a very good friend to come by the house to do the shaving honors. Mark wanted to join me in solidarity but I said no. I could avoid a mirror if I wanted to, but every time I looked at his bald head it would be a reminder I did not need. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thanks James! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Wig shopping and trying to look happy</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">James thought I would have a good cry after he left, but I didn't. Maybe it was because my pity party over the hair loss had already come and gone. I think the Pollyanna in me was returning because I kept reminding myself of all the money I was going to save on haircuts and shampoo. Also, showering & getting ready in the morning was so much faster!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Treatments #2 and #3 came and went and the nausea was just slightly worse. The fatigue however, lingered longer each time. As the weeks went by, a horrible taste developed in my mouth. I would have to rinse with a salt solution before I ate. I'm blessed with a husband who loves to cook. Mark did his best to make things that were healthy and delicious. I felt bad when he worked all day, came home and cooked dinner, and then I had no appetite or nothing tasted right. HE WAS MY ROCK!! <i>(love you honey!!)</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Shortly after my fourth treatment on the last day of March, I got a call from my brother in Houston. Our 88 year old Dad had a stroke and he could no longer swallow. We made the decision to call in hospice. At the end of February I had gone there to help move him into a nursing home. His Parkinson's had progressed to the point where his caregiver could no longer take care of him at his home of 46 years. He passed away a few days later after the family was able to say goodbye. Dad knew about my cancer, but I never told him about the chemotherapy. I didn't want him to worry. I still miss his laugh and his twinkling eyes. He was my Hero.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">One of the last pictures I took of my Dad, March 2009</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">My fifth treatment was 10 days later. The stress of losing my father combined with a bad sinus infection made this one the worst so far. There was no gradual increase in the symptoms, it was like they tripled. The reason they give you the BIG drugs once every 3 weeks is to give your body time to recover. Well, #5 took the full 3 weeks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">May 5th was the sixth and last treatment and I was <b>dreading</b> it. I woke up that morning thinking, "Okay, let's just get this over with." The fifth one had been awful and I was expecting this one to be worse. I even asked Dr. Kampe if he could just put me in an induced coma for the next 3 weeks. Nope, not possible! </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I longed for it to all be over, for life to get back to normal. Yet, it was hard to remember what normal felt like. In the infusion room, the routine began again as the nurse accessed my port for the IV. The chemicals started dripping into my veins. I thought of the Danskin Triathlon coming up in a month and had to chuckle. I remembered how "excited" I was the previous fall to become a survivor so that I could start right after the Elite Athletes this year! Back in January I had high hopes: My plan was to train for my 4th Danskin while going through Chemo. It turned out to be wishful thinking. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">To pass the time, I got out my laptop to check my email. Going through my inbox I noticed one with "Mamma Jamma Ride" as the subject from <a href="http://www.thishomeplate.com/2011/08/capital-of-texas-team-survivor.html">Team Survivor</a>. As I started reading it, the dread I felt when I woke up that morning was quickly being replaced with hope:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There was going to be a new bike ride in town (<span style="color: #3d85c6;">hmm, I love to bike!</span>)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">The Texas Mamma Jamma Ride (<span style="color: #3d85c6;">clever name, I like it!</span><span style="color: black;">)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Team Survivor was one of the beneficiaries (<span style="color: #3d85c6;">great, they could grow and reach more women!</span>)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Breast Cancer Resource Center is one of 9 other beneficiaries (<span style="color: #3d85c6;">oh my gosh, this is a way I can Pay it Forward to thank them for the support they have given me!!</span><span style="color: black;">)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">The ride date was October 10th!! (<span style="color: #3d85c6;">I can do this! I thought it might be next month but it's not. I CAN DO THIS!! I'll have time to get back in shape!!</span><span style="color: black;">)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Oh, there's a <a href="http://www.mammajammaride.org/">website</a> already, I wonder what the ride distances are? (<span style="color: #3d85c6;">13, 27, 45 - doable, 70 - hmmm, <b>100 - wow, could I??</b><span style="color: black;">)</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I was so EXCITED!! I told every nurse that checked on me all about it. I called Mark to tell him to put it on his calendar. All of a sudden, I wasn't thinking about the 3 weeks of side effects that lay ahead, I was seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. I had a new goal to look forward to. My mood brightened and I was feeling better. Little did I know I then, but I had found a new passion for my life. Oh, and by the way, treatment #6 was easy - compared to #5 that is!! My new frame mind made all the difference...</span></div>
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<i style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">As a way to pay it forward for those who have breast cancer right now but don't know it, please help me raise
much needed funds for cancer services. You can visit my donation page
here:</span></i>
<span style="font-family: "verdana";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana";"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><a href="http://fundraisers.mammajammaride.org/alicemueller2016" target="_blank">http://fundraisers.mammajammaride.org/alicemueller2016</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">... <i><b>Part V </b>continued</i> <a href="http://www.thishomeplate.com/2011/09/my-breast-cancer-story-part-v-mamma.html"><i><b>here</b></i></a> <b><i>"The Light at the End of the Tunnel"</i></b></span><br />
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<br />Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18058888394679827396noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030599879456906219.post-46097368341856177252011-09-12T04:42:00.619-05:002016-09-22T11:12:22.371-05:00My Breast Cancer Story - Part III<span style="font-family: "verdana";"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana";"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">(. . . You can find Part II </span><a href="http://www.thishomeplate.com/2011/09/my-breast-cancer-story-part-ii.html"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">here</span></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">)</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Over 182,000 women were diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 2008 and</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">over 182,000 stories could be told. This is just one of those stories. </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: black;">I sat in silence as Dr. Kampe talked to me about chemotherapy because I was in complete shock. I was barely processing what I heard. "Wait a minute" I thought, "How can this be?? My mind started racing ... the tumor was only 3/4 of an inch ... no cancer in any lymph nodes." I pointed out where the pathology report said the results were a <u><i>positive</i></u> outcome and told him the breast surgeon said I would not need chemo.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: black;">"Oh dear, I've never seen THIS before, they really got this one wrong", he said as kindly as he could. "HER2+ is a very agressive type of breast cancer."</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: black;">The plan was to double check the pathology report (<i>maybe I was really HER2-</i>) and </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: black;">send a tissue sample for the </span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/testing/types/oncotype_dx.jsp#interpreting">Oncotype DX Test</a>. I tried to absorb it all, but this was like an out of body experience. Dr. Kampe recalculated my 'statistics'. When I arrived at his office that morning, I thought my chance of recurrence had been 2%, now it was 33% - <u>IF</u> I did nothing further. Chemotherapy and Herceptin would cut that in half to 17% and hormone therapy would lower it even further to 9%, or in other words - 91% odds of a 5 year survival. The choice was clear.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I know 91% is a great number, I know there are thousands of women lined up to trade with me. All I could hear in my head were the first numbers I was given by the radiologist before my biopsy (<i>90% of the time calcifications like mine were "nothing"</i>). That didn't turn out so good, I was in the 10% category then, why wouldn't it happen again? This time the Pollyanna in me was nowhere to be found. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It was hard telling my family (<i>they were all home for Christmas</i>). There were tears and lots of hugs. I had a 2 day personal pity party as I thought about the events ahead of me:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"<i>I'm going to be bald for my nephew's wedding"</i><i> </i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>"I'm going to be bald for my High School Reunion"</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>"I'm going to be hugging the toilet" </i><i><br /></i></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">then the real thing to be worried about ... </span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>"I'm going to have poisons put in my body"</i></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Instead of things coming to an end as planned, I was heading deeper into Cancerworld: cat scans, bone scans, MUGA scans, a port-a-catheter and Chemo Class 101. There was also more reading to do. You see when I checked out all the books from the <a href="http://www.thishomeplate.com/2011/06/bcrc-video-httpwww.html">Breast Cancer Resource Center</a> in the fall, I skipped over the chapters on Invasive Tumors, Chemo Side Effects, HER2+ (<b>H</b>uman <b>E</b>pidermal growth factor <b>R</b>eceptor) and my treatment drugs of choice TCH - Taxotere, Carboplatin & <b>Herceptin</b>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When it came to researching HER2+, I learned to be careful and look at the date of what I read. Anything earlier than 2006 said the same thing:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">". . . more aggressive disease, greater likelihood of recurrence, <span style="color: #cc0000;">poorer patient prognosis</span>, and decreased survival compared to women with HER2-negative breast cancer"</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Scary stuff, but more recent literature revealed that <a href="http://www.gene.com/gene/products/information/oncology/herceptin/timeline.html">Herceptin</a> had turned that diagnosis upside down. The best thing I read was a book written by Robert Bazell, <a href="http://jnci.oxfordjournals.org/content/91/15/1329.full">HER-2: The Making of Herceptin, a Revolutionary Treatment for Breast Cancer</a>. According to a review of the book by the <a href="http://jnci.oxfordjournals.org/content/91/15/1329.full" target="_blank">Journal of the National Cancer of Institute</a>:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"Bazell makes it clear from the beginning that Herceptin's story includes the realities of breast cancer patients and the activists who support them, <b>without whom this drug would have landed in the proverbial dust bin of history</b>. His </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">unvarnished account of Herceptin's development discloses the issues every American should understand as they try to grapple with the question of what is taking so long." </span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So here I was, reading about a drug that could save my life, and I learned it's development was a series of dumb luck coincidences - like finding a needle in 1000 haystacks. Then, Herceptin almost didn't make it through clinical trials. It's development had stalled until 1989, when the mother of a senior Genentech VP was diagnosed with breast cancer. Miraculously, the go ahead was given and it still took until 1992 for the first clinical trial to begin.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Words can't describe how I felt. My wonder drug </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">might have been delayed, or never even produced at all.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana";"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I highly recommend reading this. Here's more from an Amazon book review:</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HOxRDqJyh2w/UkD_BpcW3zI/AAAAAAAAFZ4/NnPVohRxj2c/s1600/The+Making+of+Herceptin.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HOxRDqJyh2w/UkD_BpcW3zI/AAAAAAAAFZ4/NnPVohRxj2c/s200/The+Making+of+Herceptin.JPG" width="128" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>"...throughout there are the stories of the heroic women with advanced breast cancer who volunteered for the trials, risking what time they had left on an unproven treatment. </i><span id="ps-shownContent"><i>Two years after she underwent a mastectomy and chemotherapy, Barbara Bradfield's aggressive breast cancer had recurred and spread to her lungs. The outlook was grim. Then she took part in Genentech's clinical trials for a new drug."</i></span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Okay, I'm a crier. I cried when I read the book, I cry every time I watch <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uk06ZOaaJq4"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Living Proof</span></a> - </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">the movie they made about the book,</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> I'm crying now as I write this. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm happy to tell you that <a href="http://www.mamm.com/highlights.php?&qbackid=4978e64258089938_88072&qbacktitl=Current%20Issue&seq=1&qpage=2">Barbara Bradfield</a>
is still alive today, and disease free. No one else in that initial
trial survived, that's how sick they were. But it is thought because her
cancer had such high HER2 levels, the Herceptin responded. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Remember that Oncotype DX test I mentioned earlier? My results came back and the HER2 levels were off the charts. My oncologist believes that indicates my cancer will respond to Herceptin just like it did for Barbara. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I have played the "what-if" game about when my cancer was found - partly due to my negligience in getting a mammogram. (see <a href="http://www.thishomeplate.com/2011/09/my-breast-cancer-story-part-i.html">Part I</a>). </span><span style="font-family: "verdana";">When I learned about the timeline of the FDA approval for Herceptin, I was blown away: </span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><b style="color: #674ea7;">1992</b><span style="color: black;"> - Phase I clinical trials began </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><b style="color: #674ea7;">1998</b> <span style="color: black;">- </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">FDA approval of Herceptin for <u>metastatic, HER2+ breast cancer</u></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b style="color: #674ea7;">December 2000</b> <span style="color: black;">- </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Enrollment of two Phase III clinical trials for the <u>adjuvant treatment</u> of early-stage HER2+, lymph node positive</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b style="color: red;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">November 2006</span></b> <span style="color: black;">- FDA approval of Herceptin for </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><u>early-stage HER2+, node </u><u>positive</u> breast cancer</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><b>January 2008<span style="color: red;"> </span></b></span><span style="color: black;">- FDA approval of Herceptin for </span><u style="color: black;">early-stage HER2+, node </u><u style="color: black;">negative</u><span style="color: black;"> breast cancer </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana";">(MINE!)</span><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><span style="color: black;">, in conjunction with harsh chemotherapy drug Adriamycin associated with cardiotoxicity (</span><span style="color: #cc0000;">also known as the red devil</span><span style="color: black;">)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><b><span style="color: #351c75;">May 2008</span></b> <span style="color: black;">- FDA approval of Herceptin for </span><b style="color: black;">early-stage HER2+, node positive </b><span style="color: black;">and </span><b style="color: black;">node negative </b><span style="color: black;">breast cancer in conjunction with a less cadiotoxic chemotherapy regimen of </span><b style="color: black;">TCH ...</b><b><span style="color: black;">...............</span> <span style="color: #cc0000;">MY CANCER TREATMENT</span></b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">By</span> <b style="color: #674ea7;">October 2008</b><span style="color: black;">, the 10 year
anniversary of the first FDA approval, more than 420,000 women with
HER2+ breast cancer have been treated with Herceptin worldwide. </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana";"><b><br /></b></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It took almost 30 years from the time Robert Weinberg first identified</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> the HER2 gene in 1979 to the time Herceptin was approved by the FDA</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">for my specific cancer - barely one year before I would need it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>What if</b> I had my mammogram 3 years earlier (<i>when I was supposed to</i>), and they had found my cancer then, I would not have been given Herceptin, and I believe my cancer would have metastasized without it. </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rJWSBR-Xp7k/UkEaJDm4gzI/AAAAAAAAFaE/CX3GQFYgLZA/s1600/Sheila.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rJWSBR-Xp7k/UkEaJDm4gzI/AAAAAAAAFaE/CX3GQFYgLZA/s320/Sheila.jpg" width="241" /></a></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I met Sheila on the <a href="http://www.her2support.org/">Her2 Forum</a>. Her cancer story stood out because we were about the same age when diagnosed</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> - and our tumors were similar in type - <b><i>but hers was smaller and found in 2002</i></b>. Her treatment was surgery only; her cancer was caught early, she was lucky. Less than 18 months later, it had metastisized. For the last 8 years she has gone through at least 7 different treatments. When one becomes ineffective, she begins a new one. She is one of the bravest woman I know ... this could have been me ... <b>what-if</b>. <i>(UPDATE: I'm sad to say that my friend Sheila passed away in December 2012. I miss her deeply. You can find more of her story <a href="http://www.thishomeplate.com/2012/12/a-tribute-to-sheila.html" target="_blank">here</a>.)</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";"><b>What if</b> I had procrastinated for another year, or 2, or 3? Would I be here today? Perhaps, but I think I'd be facing a different prognosis. PLEASE, please, get your mammograms annually and do self-exams in between. 1 in 8 women will get this dreaded disease in their lifetime. The odds of survival are great if it is found early. BREAST CANCER IS <u>NOT</u> A DEATH SENTENCE ANY MORE, BUT LEFT UNTREATED IT IS <u>ALWAYS</u> FATAL.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">H</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">erceptin is my wonder drug. If it weren't for the scientists who worked so hard to persevere, and if it weren't for the brave women who went through clinical trials I believe I would have metastatic disease right now and would be facing a completely different outcome. I like to think that cancer has changed me for the better. First though, I had to get through chemotherapy...</span></div>
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<b><i><i><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: navy;"><span style="color: navy;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet </span></span></span></span></span></i></i></b></div>
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<b><i><i><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: navy;"><span style="color: navy;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">is fighting some kind of battle."</span></span></span></span></span></i></i></b><br />
<i><i><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: navy;"><span style="color: navy;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">...Sheila's favorite quote - and now mine. </span></span></span></span></span></i><span style="font-family: "verdana";"> </span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="color: #073763;">
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana";">As a way to pay it forward for those who have breast cancer right now but don't know it, please help me raise
much needed funds for cancer services. You can visit my donation page
here:</span></i></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana";"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><a href="http://fundraisers.mammajammaride.org/alicemueller2016" target="_blank">http://fundraisers.mammajammaride.org/alicemueller2016</a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana";">...<b>Part IV </b><i>continued <a href="http://www.thishomeplate.com/2011/09/my-breast-cancer-story-part-iv.html">here</a> <b>"My Chemo Cocktail"</b></i></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana";"><i> </i></span>
Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18058888394679827396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030599879456906219.post-28365670845019375812011-09-10T23:15:00.005-05:002016-09-22T11:12:54.240-05:00My Breast Cancer Story - Part II<div style="text-align: left;">
(. <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">. . You can find Part I <a href="http://www.thishomeplate.com/2011/09/my-breast-cancer-story-part-i.html">here</a>.)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Over 182,000 women were diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 2008 and over 182,000 stories could be told. This is just one of those stories. </span></b></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana";">My quiet life was about to become one of doctor appointments, paperwork, blood tests, and screenings. I had 15 appointments and saw 3 new doctors in the first month alone.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Everybody's Cancerworld is different depending upon your diagnosis. The worst breast cancers have already metastasized before they are found. I was fortunate; mine was Stage 0, non-invasive, and my oncologist gave me an excellent prognosis. Grateful doesn't begin to describe the fact that I had 2 treatment choices and neither involved chemo:</span><br />
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana";">a lumpectomy followed by radiation,</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana";">a mastectomy</span></li>
</ol>
<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I researched my options, got first and second opinions and decided on the lumpectomy. Two weeks before my surgery, a complication arose. On a visit to my OB/GYN, an ultrasound found a suspicious cyst the size of a grapefruit on one of my ovaries. Quickly, a hysterectomy was added to the scheduled lumpectomy - giving me two surgeries for the price of one. Any cancer is scary, but the thought of ovarian cancer was frightening.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I knew going into the operating room I'd be in recovery by 4:00 - if all went well. If the cyst turned out to be cancerous, it would be closer to 6:00 because lymph nodes would need to be removed. Coming out of the fog of anesthesia I glanced at the nurse's watch -- it was 6:30 -- my heart sank and my fear rose. My husband Mark and my friend Susie were waiting for me after I left recovery. </span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Upon seeing them I sighed and said, "I guess I've got the BIG 'C'." </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana";">"What are you talking about" Susie said, "It's not cancerous!!". Surgery ran long</span><span style="font-family: "verdana";"> because the cyst was fused to my bladder and they had to call in a urologist. It wasn't even attached to my ovary! Oh...that's why I have a catheter.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "verdana";"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Two days later, the surgeon gave me more good news/bad news: </span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Good news - final tests confirmed there was NO ovarian cancer.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Bad news - only 1 of the 6 margins from the lumpectomy was cancer free. I would now need a mastectomy. </span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "verdana";">My reaction? WHO CARES if I have to lose another body part, <b>I DIDN'T HAVE OVARIAN CANCER</b>!! I was ready to celebrate!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Now I had to make a decision about reconstruction. Implants weren't for me, and I did not want the TRAM or LAT flap surgery that involved </span><span style="font-family: "verdana";">sacrificing my abdominal or shoulder muscles. Nothing set well with me until I learned about a new procedure called <a href="http://www.breastrestoration.org/">DIEP Flap reconstruction</a>. The surgery was relatively new & complicated - it involved microsurgery and required a skilled surgeon. But, it was less invasive than other options. I held my breath as I scanned the list of recommended plastic surgeons:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Austin - no</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Houston - YES! ... Dr. Aldona Spiegel. She was highly qualified... (<i>700 DIEP surgeries to date</i>), 3 hours away, I had family there.</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I5TUkXonvO0/Uj4O88YCajI/AAAAAAAAFZk/PS6LO83726Y/s1600/DIEP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" class="border-padding" height="360" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I5TUkXonvO0/Uj4O88YCajI/AAAAAAAAFZk/PS6LO83726Y/s320/DIEP.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">DIEP (Deep Inferior Epigastric artery Perforator) Flap Procedure</span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h3 style="font-size: 16px;">
</h3>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "verdana";">With this decision came more blood work, x-rays, a cardiologist appointment, a stress test, an echo cardiogram, and several trips to Houston. Unfortunately, Dr. Spiegel didn't have an opening until March and my breast surgeon recommended the mastectomy sooner than later. When her nurse said there had been a cancellation I grabbed the date: December 11th, two weeks before Christmas. The mastectomy would immediately be followed by the reconstruction. Another 2 for 1 BONUS!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Over Thanksgiving, I had a lot to be thankful for but I felt guilty when it came to my cancer story. I was about to get rid of the belly fat from 3 pregnancies in a 'paid for' tummy tuck-like operation AND get 2 new, perky "girls"; without having to go through the trauma of chemotherapy and radiation. Most are not so lucky, it didn't seem fair. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana";">The surgery lasted 6 hours and I spent 36 hours in ICU. Actually, my left breast spent 36 hours in ICU and the rest of my body went along for the ride. They needed to monitor the 'flap' every hour for proper blood supply. I was able to get out of bed and walk the halls the next day - bent over. After 4 days I left the hospital and stayed with family (<i>sleeping in a recliner</i>). December 18th my drains came out and we drove back to Austin. </span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Doppler wire inserted into the reconstruction site</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">to monitor the blood flow in my new breast.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">All goals were met, I can leave the hospital!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Christmas that year was wonderful! All 3 girls were home and there was not the typical hustle and bustle. For the first time EVER, all presents had been bought and wrapped before my surgery. We had time to eat, watch movies, eat, play games, eat, put together puzzles, and eat some more!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana";"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Christmas Eve 2008</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Two weeks after surgery</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">The pathology report from the mastectomy was supposed to be available before I went home to Austin. On December 21st, I still had no news so I called the doctor's office in Houston. I was told the report was in and he would be calling soon. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Christmas came and still no word. The phone rang on December 26th and it was Dr. Baker. I could hear kids in the background and learned that he and his family were driving to Missouri. He was making a special call on his own time to give me some good news and bad news. </span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Bad News - they had found a<span style="color: #a64d79;"> </span><b style="color: #cc0000;">SURPRISE 2 cm. invasive tumor</b> in the breast tissue they removed. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana";">In a moment I had gone from Stage 0 to within 0.001 cm shy of being Stage 2.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Good News - I was ER+, PR+ and HER2+. According</span><span style="font-family: "verdana";"> to the report, </span><span style="font-family: "verdana";"> <u>all</u> positive outcomes meaning still no chemo. The doctor had given me a special gift, that of a worry free Christmas. </span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana";">The day before New Year's Eve I went by myself to see my oncologist. After the usual </span><span style="font-family: "verdana";">hello's, <b>he dropped a bombshell</b>. </span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana";">"Looks like we'll be adding chemotherapy to your treatment after all". </span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana";">It turned out there was a <b>major </b>mistake on the pathology report. Being <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HER2/neu">HER2 positive</a> does <b>NOT</b> have a positive outcome. It doubles the chances of a recurrence because of its aggressive nature. Without chemotherapy, there was a 1 in 3 chance that my cancer would return as a distant recurrence ... as Stage IV ... meaning it might spread to my lungs, liver, brain, or bones ... there is no Stage V. This was the one time I should not have gone to my appointment alone...I cried the whole drive home. I would soon read many sentences that had "HER2" & "poor patient prognosis" in the same sentence...</span><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana";">As a way to pay it forward for those who have breast cancer right now but don't know it, please help me raise
much needed funds for cancer services. You can visit my donation page
here:</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana";"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><a href="http://fundraisers.mammajammaride.org/alicemueller2016" target="_blank">http://fundraisers.mammajammaride.org/alicemueller2016</a></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<i>...<b>Part III </b>continued <a href="http://www.thishomeplate.com/2011/09/my-breast-cancer-story-part-iii.html">here</a> <b>"Herceptin, My Wonder Drug"</b></i><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18058888394679827396noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030599879456906219.post-40856522927724151532011-09-07T23:00:00.009-05:002016-09-22T11:14:11.152-05:00My Breast Cancer Story - Part I<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Over 182,000 women were diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 2008 and 182,000 stories could be told. This is just one of those stories. </span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">One of my personality traits is that of being a perfectionist, but not always the most organized. I tend to follow rules & guidelines, but sometimes I fall short. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">On September 3, 2008, I finally got around to going through </span><b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">THAT</b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> box of papers. (<i>You know the one - the one you put everything in when you're having a party . . . or visitors are coming over. You never want to take a chance on throwing something important away, so instead everything goes into the "Box To Be Gone Through Later".</i>) As I worked, I vowed to myself to finally get organized and come up with a better filing system. My current one of going through papers once every 3 years just didn’t cut it. I began making four piles:</span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Things to file</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Things to recycle</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Things to shred</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Things TO DO . . .</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Suddenly, halfway through the box there it was - - the paperwork from my OB/GYN for my "annual" mammogram </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'd misplaced 2 years earlier</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">. It was the second one she had given me in 3 years. (<i>I think the first one got recycled with the newspapers by accident. The next 2 , well, I was simply too embarrassed to go in for my annual exam and tell her I'd misplaced another one.</i>) On this day, I wasn’t even looking for the form; is it weird to say that it was looking for me? I recognized the paper immediately and after a short pause, started placing it in the “TO DO” pile. At that moment <u>a really, really big voice</u> in my head said:</span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> <b>“DON'T PUT IT THERE!!</b>". </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"If you put it in the TO DO pile, you won't see it again for another year!" </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"Don’t put off your mammogram any longer" </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"Keep the paper in your hand. Pick up the phone NOW. Make an appointment - - <b>NOW!!</b>” </span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I found the phone number on the back of the form, made the call and was surprised they had an opening 2 days later on September 5th. The drive only took 5 minutes to get to the clinic; yes it is right in my neighborhood. The wait wasn’t long, and the mammogram wasn’t even that intolerable. The embarrassing part was I learned they kept records and it had been 8 years since my last, and only mammogram. (<i>In my defense, my <b>former</b> primary care doctor had told me that based on my family history and "estrogen record" ...# of pregnancies, breastfeeding, birth control pill use, etc., <u>IT WAS HIGHLY UNLIKELY THAT I WOULD EVER GET BREAST CANCER!</u> Was I ever dumb to let that lure me into a false sense of security? Yes, I WAS DUMB! I had even watched 5 very close friends go through this disease, including my sister-in-law and cousin. I knew better!!</i>) After a short wait, </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">the technician told me everything looked okay so I got dressed and went home. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The "Letter" from the clinic came in the mail less than a week later. It ominously stood out from all the junk mail that makes up 90% of our mail - but I waited till after dinner to open it up. “There were abnormalities in your recent mammogram. We recommend you return for an additional, enhanced screening", it said. The first thing the next morning, I made another appointment. They had an opening on Sept 15.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">At the clinic, they called me back and had me put on one of their fashionable gowns (<i>obviously designed by men</i>). This time, only my left breast had to get squished. It didn’t take very long, and the technician returned me to the row of small changing rooms with accordion-like doors. I could change my clothes, but I needed to wait while the radiologist looked at my films. In the room across from me, another woman was waiting. Soon I heard the technician tell her that everything looked fine and she was free to leave. When the technician came to see me, she asked me to follow her back to another waiting room. My mind started racing and I got a lump in my throat.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I waited by myself </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">in this fairly large room for what seemed like an eternity. Finally, the radiologist and the technician came into the room looking very grim. They sat across the room from me and the radiologist said there were some suspicious spots indicating calcifications in my breast tissue. He reassured me that 90% of the time these spots were nothing to worry about, but 10% of the time it was "something". I should have a stereotactic biopsy, and he proceeded to give me more details. I must have heard the “90% good” part, because I wasn’t too concerned. I think the female technician was there in case I broke down, but I managed to remain calm. (<i>Remember, I am still operating under the premise that I am immune to breast cancer</i>.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Breast Calcifications</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The morning of the biopsy</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> I felt great - wasn't nervous at all. The nurse found out otherwise - my blood pressure was sky high. Next thing I knew a guardian angel from <a href="http://www.thishomeplate.com/2011/06/bcrc-video-httpwww.html">The Breast Cancer Resource Center</a> was introducing herself. Ray Anne was there to be my patient navigator. She explained the biopsy procedure and told me she would be in the room with me the whole time. What a blessing! I don't remember much about the biopsy, but I do remember her calming voice and the way she was able to put my mind at ease.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana";">The next day, September 19th, the call came. "Good news/bad news", the doctor said. Cancerous cells were found, but they were all neatly contained within the duct walls in my breast. <u><i>Stage "0", pre-cancerous, we caught it early </i></u><i>(or so I thought)</i>. New terms I had never heard of came rushing at me through the phone line. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana";">"ER positive, PR positive, DCIS, Ductal Carcinoma In Situ". The good news, no need for chemotherapy, probably just a lumpectomy.</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana";">"So doctor", I said, "If it's pre-cancerous, can I say I have Breast Cancer?"</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana";">".....yes.....", he said hesitantly. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana";">"YES!!!" I said excitedly. (<i>I think I could hear his jaw drop.</i>) </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Then I explained. "You see Doctor, I do the Danskin Triathlons, and this means I can start in the second wave (instead of the ninth or tenth), the one for Breast Cancer Survivors, right after the Elite athletes start, cause heaven knows I will NEVER be an elite athlete!". (</span><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><i>It's not that I'm that competitive, the earlier you start the cooler the temperature. June in Texas can be really hot. Yeah, that's it!</i>) </span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "verdana";">In reality, the Pollyanna in me was simply trying to find something positive. I don't remember much else that happened <u>that day</u>. However, looking back I realize my life changed forever, <u>that day</u>. On <u>that day</u>, I had entered <b>CANCERWORLD</b>. Little did I know that 3 months later they would find an invasive breast tumor and I would indeed need chemotherapy...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana";"><br /></span>
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana";">As a way to pay it forward for the help I received from the Breast Cancer Resource Center, please help me raise much needed funds for cancer services. You can visit my donation page here:</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana";"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><a href="http://fundraisers.mammajammaride.org/alicemueller2016" target="_blank">http://fundraisers.mammajammaride.org/alicemueller2016</a></span><br />
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<i>... <b>Part II </b>continued <a href="http://www.thishomeplate.com/2011/09/my-breast-cancer-story-part-ii.html">here</a>, "Two kinds of cancer???"</i><br />
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<br />Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18058888394679827396noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030599879456906219.post-43938378481079737272011-09-05T23:18:00.004-05:002011-12-25T15:24:47.977-06:00Very Berry Pecan Salad<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuurXbSW-Es5NPyYHV_hu02aRsW2F7nHyUKiz3cJZAZTFdjK1Eyo-SmnEqzHKObgK8_or9tUqFngTF2-nQLlYLt0ca7LKVW-eUxhVMCZlild8cmlLo42H0KbLywMeXPpngZ-4u5aGrcrkI/s1600/DSC_1169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuurXbSW-Es5NPyYHV_hu02aRsW2F7nHyUKiz3cJZAZTFdjK1Eyo-SmnEqzHKObgK8_or9tUqFngTF2-nQLlYLt0ca7LKVW-eUxhVMCZlild8cmlLo42H0KbLywMeXPpngZ-4u5aGrcrkI/s400/DSC_1169.JPG" style="background-color: #cccccc; border-bottom: #0c0770 3px solid; border-left: #0c0770 3px solid; border-right: #0c0770 3px solid; border-top: #0c0770 3px solid; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px;" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm ready to say goodbye to summer, but before I do I want to share one of my favorite salads. It is super easy and so delicious, especially during berry season. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sugared pecans give this salad a pleasant surprise. When I first had a similar salad at a restaurant, I searched for a recipe to make these pecans. Everything I found said to toast the nuts (pecans, walnuts, almonds, etc.) along with some sugar in a pan on the stove. The problem is, the nuts became too caramelized for my liking. Then I found a recipe that used egg whites. Problem solved!! </span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sugared Pecans</span></strong></div><ul><li><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><em>egg white from one large, or extra large egg</em></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><em>12 ounces pecan pieces (or nut of your choice)</em></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><em>3/4 cup sugar</em></span></li>
</ul><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><em>Beat the egg white with a whisk in a medium sized bowl until very frothy. Stir in the nuts and then the sugar. Spread onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a Silpat. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes until the nuts look dry. TIP: make a large batch so you can have them on hand. Store in an airtight container.</em></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-obPKS9M4vRfzVLddYcO-Bq3gTVVQ0k03f5EhD5a4Y4V7FxH-9B56TfHxp6Nn03ugV920gvaCllOyxhbSHAFp6TcyunJF3x3PgoRmfdC_E1b1zkyh2tpm0neOOpZ_hwBmNmoVfspUUkq7/s1600/DSC_1147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-obPKS9M4vRfzVLddYcO-Bq3gTVVQ0k03f5EhD5a4Y4V7FxH-9B56TfHxp6Nn03ugV920gvaCllOyxhbSHAFp6TcyunJF3x3PgoRmfdC_E1b1zkyh2tpm0neOOpZ_hwBmNmoVfspUUkq7/s400/DSC_1147.JPG" style="background-color: #cccccc; border-bottom: #0c0770 3px solid; border-left: #0c0770 3px solid; border-right: #0c0770 3px solid; border-top: #0c0770 3px solid; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px;" width="400" xaa="true" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Before </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNuLG1wdF4VzN8Bkv5zrKpzTyCozqHvGeo9WkZxTUKKKeMH_txZYCbYPkSx5j0xiglafSVTXkKZjdFSA0rGFqJX88Zg2smP6pp4dOHrDAXqFDgowTHE5tLgXMUZQzZ0ZjlHomHhY2A8wP3/s1600/DSC_1150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNuLG1wdF4VzN8Bkv5zrKpzTyCozqHvGeo9WkZxTUKKKeMH_txZYCbYPkSx5j0xiglafSVTXkKZjdFSA0rGFqJX88Zg2smP6pp4dOHrDAXqFDgowTHE5tLgXMUZQzZ0ZjlHomHhY2A8wP3/s400/DSC_1150.JPG" style="background-color: #cccccc; border-bottom: #0c0770 3px solid; border-left: #0c0770 3px solid; border-right: #0c0770 3px solid; border-top: #0c0770 3px solid; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px;" width="400" xaa="true" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #990000;">VERY BERRY PECAN SALAD</span></strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><em>20 ounce bag of spring mix greens/baby spinach (either or both)</em></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>8 ounces of goat cheese, crumbled</em></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>2 cups of berries - any combination of strawberries, blueberries and blackberries</em></span><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">1/2 cup dried cherries</span></em><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><em>1 cup of sugared pecans (see above)</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><em>Raspberry vinaigrette</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><em>(Optional - if desired, you could also add some sliced red onions, diced avocado, or any other fruit of your choice such as diced pineapple of mandarin orange slices).</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><em>Clean the greens, if not already pre-washed. At this point, I like to toss the leaves with salad dressing. My favorite is </em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Girards-Light-Raspberry-Vinaigrette-Dressing/dp/B004UXIERO"><em>Girard's Light Raspberry Vinaigrette</em></a><em>. It's easier to toss this way and you don't run the risk of over dressing. Then I add in the crumbled cheese and toss again. Finally, I add in the fruit and the sugared pecans and toss just slightly. You want to keep these last ingredients mostly on the top. </em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You can substitute any greens you might have on hand. Crumbled feta cheese can be used in place of the goat cheese, or walnuts instead of pecans. This is more of a dump salad for me. I don't measure anything, just keep adding the various ingredients till it looks like enough! This is an approximation for the recipe, ingredients can be adjusted to your own tastes. If you want to make this into a meal, you could also slice up some rotisserie chicken to put on top.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKfTHj0mEdpcwSwKyXWxiRam-MHLSdjO7XUv5M4266od7fCJKKgjNkDRwF459QOuB_3_QFV1IaEMlM0ci9wC3zPw33viehug75pfE0Y-MLedRuTrRs0NxwvS3OsunIn4pym0ISgApZGenv/s1600/DSC_1173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKfTHj0mEdpcwSwKyXWxiRam-MHLSdjO7XUv5M4266od7fCJKKgjNkDRwF459QOuB_3_QFV1IaEMlM0ci9wC3zPw33viehug75pfE0Y-MLedRuTrRs0NxwvS3OsunIn4pym0ISgApZGenv/s400/DSC_1173.JPG" style="background-color: #cccccc; border-bottom: #0c0770 3px solid; border-left: #0c0770 3px solid; border-right: #0c0770 3px solid; border-top: #0c0770 3px solid; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px;" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div></div>Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18058888394679827396noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030599879456906219.post-1032946467358267522011-09-05T00:21:00.004-05:002011-10-10T14:29:10.294-05:00Texas Pecan Pie Bars - Project Pastry Queen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dblfz-XM40k/TmLeM1J8Q1I/AAAAAAAABYk/47CwNE4nhSk/s1600/DSC_1167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dblfz-XM40k/TmLeM1J8Q1I/AAAAAAAABYk/47CwNE4nhSk/s400/DSC_1167.JPG" width="400" xaa="true" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last July, a group of food bloggers began <a href="http://projectpastryqueen.wordpress.com/">Project Pastry Queen</a><span style="color: black;">.</span> The idea was to cook their way through Rebecca Rather's first cookbook titled, no surprise, <em>"The Pastry Queen". </em>I stumbled across the "PPQ" blog quite by accident and it was one of the reasons I decided to join the blogosphere. The cookbook was already a favorite part of my library (I had bought it 5 years ago when I stopped by the <a href="http://www.rathersweet.com/">Rather Sweet Bakery & Cafe</a> in Fredericksburg, TX). Each week a different recipe is chosen, everyone tries it out, and results are posted on Sunday. I am thrilled to be joining in the fun! Rebecca has published 2 more cookbooks and I'm hopeful PPQ will extend to blog about those too. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">This week Beth from <a href="http://powderedplum.blogspot.com/">The Powdered Plum</a> chose Texas Pecan Pie Bars, a variation of the southern staple of Pecan Pie. Mark's side of the family was getting together for Labor Day. We were also celebrating our nephew's graduation from college. If your family is like ours, you NEVER have enough food at these events (wink - wink)!! Still, I decided to halve the recipe and I am glad I did. It made plenty in my 2 qt. baking dish, and the family LOVED them! The crust is more like a shortbread instead of pie crust. The filling calls for coconut - which I added even though I'm not a fan of it. It wasn't too bad!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8WOF7fnqqcY/TmLeBDfr8_I/AAAAAAAABYc/R5mIupFuD1M/s1600/DSC_1162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8WOF7fnqqcY/TmLeBDfr8_I/AAAAAAAABYc/R5mIupFuD1M/s400/DSC_1162.JPG" width="400" xaa="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A variation of the recipe is to make Chocolate-Pecan Pie Bars by melting 4 ounces of bittersweet chocolate and stirring it into the filling mixture. I chose to decorate the top of the bars with pecan halves and a drizzle of chocolate. To make the drizzle I melted 1/4 cup bittersweet chocolate with 1 1/2 teaspoons of shortening in my microwave.</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--LpsSbwyLPk/TmLd4eNdfPI/AAAAAAAABYY/0dDneTwkivM/s1600/Texas+Pecan+Pie+Bars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--LpsSbwyLPk/TmLd4eNdfPI/AAAAAAAABYY/0dDneTwkivM/s400/Texas+Pecan+Pie+Bars.jpg" width="400" xaa="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Head over to <a href="http://powderedplum.blogspot.com/2011/09/texas-pecan-pie-bars-ppq.html">The Powdered Plum</a> for the <a href="http://powderedplum.blogspot.com/2011/09/texas-pecan-pie-bars-ppq.html">full recipe</a>. You can also see what other members thought of the pecan bars at <a href="http://projectpastryqueen.wordpress.com/2011/08/30/project-texas-pecan-pie-bars/#comments">Project Pastry Queen</a></span></div><div align="left" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hHTKD1IFZV4/TmLeFY-YK0I/AAAAAAAABYg/3T2U37wtkc8/s1600/DSC_1163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hHTKD1IFZV4/TmLeFY-YK0I/AAAAAAAABYg/3T2U37wtkc8/s400/DSC_1163.JPG" width="400" xaa="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em><span style="color: #134f5c;">p.s. Thought I'd edit my post and add this. Please pray for Texas, especially Central Texas. As we left our family celebration to return home on Sunday evening, we smelled smoke in the air. Upon returning to Austin we found that there are at least 8 different fires all around us.</span></em><span style="color: #134f5c;"> <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/US/texas-burning-wildfires-prompt-gov-perry-return/story?id=14449958">This story</a><em> shows video of the worst hit areas. You can check out pictures of our dry conditions <a href="http://www.thishomeplate.com/2011/09/hello-september-so-long-summer.html">here</a><span style="color: #134f5c;">.</span></em></span></span></div>Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18058888394679827396noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030599879456906219.post-40500091220574375882011-09-01T15:12:00.000-05:002011-09-07T14:14:25.517-05:00Hello September, So Long Summer!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g3MPz7J1Ofg/Tl-y6PExWrI/AAAAAAAABYQ/Okxis0gPse4/s1600/drought-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g3MPz7J1Ofg/Tl-y6PExWrI/AAAAAAAABYQ/Okxis0gPse4/s400/drought-10.jpg" width="400" xaa="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A cow looks for blades of green grass in the bottom of an empty stock tank</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">at a ranch near Manor on July 27, 2011 - </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">photograph by Jay Janner</span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have NEVER been happier to see summer coming to an end. This year it has been one for the record books all across Texas. </span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In Austin, we usually average 12 days above 100 degrees for the entire summer. We had 13 such days before summer even officially started this year.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We broke the record from 1925 for the number of days above 100 - previous record was 69, as I type this we are at 78 and counting. (Forecast for at least 4 more days).</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;">We tied the record for hottest day ever - 112, the next day it was 110.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;">New record for the number of consecutive 100 degree days - 27.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;">It's not just Austin, for 4/5 of Texas this is the worst drought on record. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;">15 inches of rain in the last 12 months.</span></li>
</ul><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Driving around town, it looks like winter. Except for watered lawns and landscapes, everything else is brown. I don't know how farmers and ranchers across the state are getting by. This past weekend our local paper, The Austin American Statesman had a few astonishing pictures of the devastation. According to the article by Brenda Bell, "The meanest <span class="il">drought</span> in modern Texas history looks different out here, away from the cities." While we worry about water restrictions, the livelihood of rural Texans is threatened. Livestock and agricultural losses are estimated at $5.2 billion and rising.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span><br />
The first picture above as well as the one below were both were taken within a few miles of where I live by staff photographer Jay Janner.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ9ZnBQGtfcVhMGcWLUNYehFSn1nc51RW8ihyphenhyphenucshvG69HUmOTrnJTw_FHYfEK1T1nKq80wRSRQhkvBW3seIiHk2wZB12eCkskpXno13dkMoepFJeT5e5x_pdAHOIsi7yCCq-9pbJemA93/s1600/drought-081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ9ZnBQGtfcVhMGcWLUNYehFSn1nc51RW8ihyphenhyphenucshvG69HUmOTrnJTw_FHYfEK1T1nKq80wRSRQhkvBW3seIiHk2wZB12eCkskpXno13dkMoepFJeT5e5x_pdAHOIsi7yCCq-9pbJemA93/s400/drought-081.jpg" width="400" xaa="true" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This corn stalk is typical of the condition of hundreds of acres of corn that was destroyed by drought in Round Rock</span> - <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">photo taken by Jay Janner on July 12, 2011</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You can find these and others equally devastating taken this July here: </span><a href="http://photoblog.statesman.com/dry-season-the-texas-drought-of-2011"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dry Season: The Drought of 2011</span></a>. <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Needless to say, we are praying for rain.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div>Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18058888394679827396noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030599879456906219.post-78064829424335840952011-08-30T15:42:00.068-05:002016-09-22T10:56:25.095-05:00Joy is Born of Ordinary Moments - - - The Care Communities<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Mamma Jamma Beneficiary #4 </span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"<em>A Burden, when shared, is cut in half. A Joy that is shared ... is doubled</em>." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> --- a Care Partner</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It is a very basic principle: No one should have to face a serious illness alone, and no one should have to die alone. It is the vision of <a href="http://www.thecarecommunities.org/">The Care Communities</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">to make this a reality. Volunteers go through a short training session and learn the importance of unconditional care. A personal community is then formed when 3 to 6 of these volunteers, the Care Team, are paired up with the person who is ill, the Care Partner. This video highlights 3 such caring communities:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Haley is a 34 year old single mother with a 12 year old son, struggling just to get by. In 2010, she lost her job and a month later was diagnosed with breast cancer. After her treatment began, not only did she lose her hair but radiation caused an infection in her teeth. She cannot get dental care because her emergency Medicaid does not pay for it. Two months ago, Haley found out her cancer medication caused her heart to go into congestive failure. Her treatment was put on hold and she was told to limit her activities to keep her heart rate down. Doctors told her after a month of being on new heart medication </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">her heart would heal, but it has not. She still needs 6 more months of her cancer medication, but the heart issue prevents this. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Fortunately, Haley has had a Care Team from <span style="color: #660000;">The Care Communities</span>. They help </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">keep her house clean, ensure there are clean clothes, do grocery</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">shopping when she is too tired, run errands and help maintain her yard. The team also plans to clean out her garage and help with a garage sale. These are ordinary things, but the Care Team is the lifeline that keeps things as normal as possible for her and her son. Haley is a mentally strong woman who is fighting to keep herself healthy and provide for her family. Knowing she has help allows her to spend her energy recovering. Who knows where she would be today if she did not have a Care Team?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Generally, each Care Team volunteer commits to 4 hours a month. They offer non-medical assistance such as:</span></div>
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<li><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi0MeY-vQwJWZhnBEiuVNHlBGmcDc1i6ME-ozrsMoSzJCcGA61vxD7XnFDoF3SecEaM1ODnaVdqGOn3B28pDt56q2seLQpLmLQSZXmT-fb8Fb-OSmdGik4H0l_nM9pY_KjqZ3SLApDVYGd/s1600/Care+Communities+volunteers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi0MeY-vQwJWZhnBEiuVNHlBGmcDc1i6ME-ozrsMoSzJCcGA61vxD7XnFDoF3SecEaM1ODnaVdqGOn3B28pDt56q2seLQpLmLQSZXmT-fb8Fb-OSmdGik4H0l_nM9pY_KjqZ3SLApDVYGd/s320/Care+Communities+volunteers.jpg" width="320" xaa="true" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Light Housekeeping</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Shopping</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Meal Preparation</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Supportive Child Services</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Yard Work</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Transportation</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Pet Care</span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "verdana";">A first time volunteer might expect a somber situation, but soon find themselves laughing and having a good time. They become part of their Care Partner's life at a deep level and find it a privilege to walk with them on their illness journey. These volunteers find joy, a journey of joy, daily amidst ordinary moments. As Care Partner Dory so eloquently states, "I can LIVE the rest of my life, not DIE the rest of my life".</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">You might think it is unusual for anyone to need a Care Team. Unfortunately this is not the case. <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: black;">"Do People Write You Off?"</span></strong> - was the title of a post in a cancer forum I frequented during my treatment. Reading the replies, I was stunned to see this was more common than I expected. According to the American Society of Clinical Oncology, "Terminally ill cancer patients have a higher-than-average divorce rate, and it's almost always the husband leaving his sick wife." </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It is one thing to learn you have cancer, it is even worse to face this disease alone.</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #660000;">The Care Communities</span> celebrated their 20th anniversary of unconditional care in 2011. They started informally, within the faith community in 1991, to provide compassionate, end-of-life support to AIDS patients in Austin. This was a time when many were shunned by their families and had no one to care for them. In 1997, encouraged by the Lance Armstrong Foundation, they expanded their services to the cancer community. They now provide Care Team Services, free of charge, to over 120 Care Partners each year with a waiting list for 30 more. If you live in Austin, please consider volunteering your time to this very worthy organization. For volunteer opportunities, contact Roger Temme at <a href="mailto:roger@thecarecommunities.org">roger@thecarecommunities.org</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><em><span style="color: black;">"Every human being has a great, yet often unknown gift: to care, to be compassionate, to become present to the other, to listen, to hear and receive-- If that gift would be set free and made available -- Miracles could take place"</span> -</em> Henri Nouwen</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>The Care Communities is just one of the </b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">10 Beneficiaries of the</span> <a href="http://www.mammajammaride.org/"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Texas Mamma Jamma Ride</span></a></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>THIS, is why I ride</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>You can support my fundraising efforts <a href="http://fundraisers.mammajammaride.org/alicemueller2016" target="_blank">here</a></b></span></div>
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Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18058888394679827396noreply@blogger.com3