Mila's Daydreams. Deadly CUTE!

Mila's Mom writes, ""This is my maternity leave hobby. While my baby is taking her nap, I try to imagine her dream and capture it."

She then visually recreates her baby girl's daydreams and takes a photo.  SO inspired!  It makes me smile. And laugh.

Enjoy.  Here's the link ... Mila's Daydreams.  I also have it featured in the lower right column of my blog.

This photo is called "Up".  It's one of the more simple configurations. I love the way Mila's Mom uses simple props to create the scenes of Mila's daydreams.

Mila's Daydreams. Deadly CUTE!

More Pills. Hard to Swallow.

I wish I could say this photo is from my own backyard, but it's not. These beauties can be found in Don and Syl's yard. So pretty!

Life is busy in our house. Kevin and I are both working this week while still trying to fit in time with Hannah and Luke. I'm taking Friday off. I have things to do for Saturday's big event (Don and Syl's 50th Wedding Anniversary Party) and I want time with my kids. They both leave early on Sunday. Too soon.

Today I stopped at The Champion Centre to replenish my prescription for Tamoxifen. I left it to the last possible day. I was dreading going there. Last time was so difficult and I was afraid to run into more SNAFUs! Sure enough. Nothing is easy there. I hesitate to call it "the Champion Centre" anymore. This was another disappointing and troubling experience. If you recall, last time I was told by the very nice pharmacist that she would take my file and put things in motion so that my prescription for Tamoxifen would be officially renewed by an oncologist ... any oncologist ... since I have never been assigned to one in particular since mine left last October. Despite her best intentions, that didn't happen. But at least I got another very kind and helpful pharmacist (and not that insensitive, abrupt, and not helpful receptionist I got last time before the very nice pharmacist stepped in) and she helped me. I was so grateful for her willingness to both get my Tamoxifen AND find out why I hadn't been booked for an appointment with an oncologist yet.

First, she called an oncologist and had him sign my prescription so I'm good another 3 months worth. She was able to send me home with 3 packages of Tamoxifen. It was my intention to inquire as to when my next appointment would be scheduled since I hadn't received an appointment letter yet. I couldn't remember if I was to see an oncologist in 3 months or 4 months after my May 3 appointment. I had guessed that it must be 4 months because 3 months had already passed without a word from the Champion Centre and it's now closing on 4 months. As it turns out, I was supposed to see an oncologist the first week in August (3 months). Apparently my file is one among a very large stack of files. I'm not the only one waiting for an overdue appointment. I was told that I should get a letter in about a month. It's a little disheartening. I really do feel like it's been a struggle with the Champion Centre since my oncologist left. I remember getting a letter from the Centre assuring me that I would be assigned a new oncologist and that my care would continue as expected. Harrumph. They lied. I understand that they're swamped and there are others who are in need of more critical care than I need right now but I'm not very happy about this feeling of having fallen between the cracks. I have several very specific questions for an oncologist and I've been waiting very patiently, I think.

Suffice it to say that visiting the Champion Centre leaves me feeling "dark". Dissapointed. Distrustful. Angry. Fortunately, most of the people I've come in contact with there are excellent. Helpful. Kind. Conscientious. They must just be overloaded. Something should be done about that. Something is broken there. Far be it for me to know what exactly but maybe it's just more staff. Better yet ... less cancer! If more focus was put on preventing cancers we wouldn't need to increase staff at the Cancer Centre. That's the answer. Yes, that's it.

More Pills. Hard to Swallow.

Tahitian Sunset Roll-Ups

This is one of my kids' favourite recipes. Hannah and I made them for lunch at the lake on Saturday. I roll them small for lunch or appetizers and roll them bigger if we have them for dinner.

Here's the recipe if you want to make them.

Tahitian Sunset Roll-Ups

• 2 whole chicken breasts cut in half
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2 Tbsp curry powder (or more)
• 1 head of iceberg lettuce
• 1/2 cup toasted coconut

Tahitian Dip

• 1 cup sour cream (we tried plain yogurt this time but I prefer sour cream)
• 1/4 cup finely chopped chutney (there are so many kinds ... just pick one)
• 2 Tbsp finely chopped peanuts

Instructions:

1. In a medium saucepan, combine broth, curry powder and chicken. Bring to a boil and simmer about 20 minutes or until the chicken is tender. Refrigerate the chicken in broth until cool. 
2. Cut chicken into bite sized strips. Place each chicken strip across one side of a long ribbon of lettuce, roll it up, and secure with a toothpick. Refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.
3. Prepare Tahitial Dip by mixing the ingredients together in a bowl with a teaspoon of the chopped peanuts sprinkled on top. Put the toasted coconut in a separate little bowl.
4. To serve, dip the chicken rolls into the Tahitian dip and then into the coconut. SO YUMMY!! A perfect snack or lunch on a hot day

TIPS: I had a heck of a time making these rolls the first time. I soon found a method that is easy. I loosen a whole leaf of lettuce and cut out the rib with a sharp knife. I then cut the leaf into long strips. Sometimes I can get two rolls out of one strip of lettuce. I just tear or cut the lettuce when I'm happy with the amount rolled around the chicken piece. Stiff pieces of lettuce don't roll very easily or they break when you stick them with a toothpick.

Enjoy!!

Tahitian Sunset Roll-Ups

Clearwater Lake and Home Again

Too soon we had to get back to Saskatoon. We didn't want to miss the Sunday barbeque at 11:30 at Diefenbaker Park for "Scorpion Day". The Scorpion Alumni played a fun game against the current Scorpion U-19s. Lots of parents were there. It was a beautiful day ... if you like hot days, that is.

After that I, for one, was pretty much toast! There was a lot of book-reading, tv-watching, and napping happening last night. One particularly bright spot in the evening was having Hannah's friend, Ian, stop in for a visit. We hadn't seen him in a couple of years at least.

And then ... today ... back to work. I was a little over-tired ... probably from the busy weekend ... but got through the day. There was a little adventure at work when a bat was caught in the Diefenbaker Archives. They rescued the little guy and put him in a safe place outside where they were feeding him water with an eye-dropper. At lunch time, Nora went home and came back with a tin of cat food and the little guy chomped away happily at the bits Nora put in front of his face. We could see his teeny tongue lapping it up and then licking his lips! We weren't sure if it would eat during the day or if it would take cat food but it did! We hope it will have flown away in the night and will survive to eat lots of mosquitoes in the days to come!

Clearwater Lake and Home Again

Farm Fun

Darrel has some new/newer toys at the farm!

Grandma and Grandpa's shack brings back lots of memories.

Farm Fun

A Visit to Clearwater Lake and the Farm

Hannah had been dreaming about "the lake" and "the farm" while she was in New York so we needed to fit that excursion in while she was home. Luke was unable to join us because he had lacrosse here on the weekend. We (Kevin, Hannah, Meghan and I) were able to get there Friday night just as the rain was starting and just in time to head straight into White Bear for the grand event ... the lawn mower races! Woohooo! I can't remember the last time I saw so much traffic in White Bear ... and so many cars and people! There were 3 cars at the same intersection when we got there! When does that ever happen?! It was just a-bustling! Because the rain had started, people were running for cover all over the place ... to their vehicles or the hotel bar or the beer gardens! We spotted Jodi's van by the track and Meghan ran back fand forth through the rain to "get the scoop". Dawson had been set on seeing those lawn mower races for some time so they were staying. We found Darrel so Kevin and Hannah bailed and joined him in the beer garden. Meghan and I decided to head to the lake to have our own little Roughrider party! Dry and warm in the cabin ... just the two of us!

The rain poured down and the thunder cracked while Meghan and I tuned a very crackling radio. We were able to catch the 2nd half of the game. We cracked open a bag of "Rider Chips" and dip, cooked us up some pork and beans and had a nice little party ... except that the Riders lost! We walked to the beach once the rain stopped and then went for ice cream. Eventually ... after the races were over ... Jodi, Dawson and Mom joined us.

Hannah had a great time with her Dad and Uncle and various people she met in the beer garden! She said it was a blast and such a strange sight to see the lightning flashing on one side of the lawn mower races and a double rainbow on the other! It's not something she would have been able to see in Vancouver or New York! And then the three of them hit the hot tub at the farm. Hannah marvelled at the huge expanse of sky overhead and all those stars! She really appreciates the special features of the prairies.

On Saturday we went on a "crop tour" around the farm. We tasted baby lentils and admired the beautiful durum wheat and lentil crops. Everything is looking lush and thick! I hope the weather cooperates so Darrel and all the other farmers in the area can pull off some great crops. I can't believe how thick the mosquitoes were at the farm during the heat of the day! They were awful! Testament to the amount of moisture they've had. Both at the lake and the farm, I thought the sky looked hazy. It was most noticeable at the farm where the horizon is so far away and in some places I could hardly distinguish it from the sky. Darrel said the haziness is because of all the moisture.

It was a hot day on Saturday! A great day for swimming. Hannah said the water was warm.  Lynn and Kathy arrived just in time for dinner.  Kathy got back from working on the cruise ship a few days ago. It's wonderful to have her home again!  Of course, after dinner a game of hand and foot (canasta) broke out!  It was a lovely weekend!

A Visit to Clearwater Lake and the Farm

Hannah and Leah

You probably know that I SO LOVE when my kids' friends come by! Kevin and I both love seeing them all! So far, I've seen Kayla, Leah, Kaitlyn ... but no Gillian! Gillian ... if you're out there ... COME ON OVER!!

Hannah and Leah

Music to Soothe the Ravaged Body and Mind

It's so nice to hear piano music being played in our house again!

So ... back to my annoying joint/tendon/bone/muscle saga. Sorry. But it's still an unresolved issue.

I've tried 3 different medications in the past couple of months and this week I'm trying a 4th. We're up to Tylenol IIIs with Codeine. I got a prescription last week but was only able to get it this week ... complications with the company no longer making the particular version of Tylenol III I'd been prescribed ... and then Doctors on holidays ... missing faxes ... and you get the picture. It took a while to get it sorted out but now I have Tylenol IIIs and started them with great hope and some expectation.

I'm very disappointed to report that they don't seem to be helping at all. Rats!! I took a couple of doses yesterday and still, after doing a little driving and then having to walk a few blocks, I had to hobble along for the first block or so before the tendons that run from my calves to heels finally loosened up a bit. I'll try them for a little longer.

I took this week off work to spend some quality time with Hannah. I've found that at this point I can work full time OR I can have a life. One or the other but not both at the same time. I'm pretty much cooked by 6 or 7:oo most nights. I had also wanted to have some fun at Amigo's on Wednesday night. Hannah's friend from Vancouver, Edo, and his band "Brasstronaut" were playing at Amigo's and Kevin and I had been looking forward to it all summer. As it turned out, Kevin had to take another date. Kevin Kaschl joined he, Hannah and a bunch of Hannah's friends. Kevin Kaschl would have come anyway, of course, but I just couldn't do it. I was totally whipped by 7:00 and was in bed by 10:30 after trying very hard to muster a 2nd wind. Basstronaught wouldn't have even started playing until close to 11:00. I was sad to miss the fun and had really wanted to hear Edo's band live. I slept until almost 11:00 a.m. the next morning. I guess I needed a big sleep. I sure did feel well rested yesterday, which was a real treat.

Listen to some samples of Brasstronaut's music at their myspace page. I recommend starting with "Requiem for a Scene" and "Slow Knots". Explore. Enjoy.

It's so hard to judge what's temporary and what's permanent in this post-cancer treatment limbo. I was told to expect to be uncommonly tired for at least a year after chemo and radiation. I hold on to that notion ... that the fatigue issue will continue to improve. There are complicating factors, though, because the Tamoxifen can cause fatigue, as can some of the other drugs I've been trying for the joint issues, and this has all been going on for so long I no longer really know what to expect as "normal energy" and "normal fatigue". And maybe there's a new normal but what is that? I think it's just still too early to figure that out so I must be patient and just go with the flow.

My memory, too, took a hit with chemo. I can tell it's improved a bit but it's not as good as it used to be. I use the word "good" rather loosely. I'm very aware that my memory has been slipping bit by bit for the past several years. It's just not what I used to be and most people I know would say the same. I've taken that to be largely a normal part of aging and genetics. But after all of this ... where will it settle? I'm told that, just like the fatigue problem, it will mostly improve up until at least a year or so after chemo and radiation. But then again, the Tamoxifen can cause some cognitive sluglishness. Hmmm ... I don't know.

Weight. I MUST lose weight. It's an important to maintain a normal body weight to increase my odds of avoiding recurring breast cancer. It's hard to lose weight with the joint/bone/tendon/muscle situation like it is and top that off with the still frozen shoulder problem. Physical activity ... at least enough to really burn calories ... is a challenge. Top that off with the fact that Tamoxifen can cause weight gain and, in particular, it can cause fat development in the belly. I don't know why it causes that particular type of weight gain, but it sucks. Big time! I've always had a flat stomach and so I do not welcome this little fatty patch in addition to the other weight gain. I will really have to buckle down and fight to lose weight. Oh joy!

Hair. Hair's coming back and it's finally thickening up a bit. It still feels like clown hair ... I would not look out of place at the fringe if I died my hair a rainbow of colours and stuck a big, red ball on my nose. But, because Tamoxifen can cause thinning of hair, I can't possibly know if my hair is coming back as thick as it would have otherwise.

And these joints ... we'll continue trying to solve the problem. I did get an appointment with a rheumatologist, by the way. It's for June of 2011!! That's a whole year away!! OMG!!

So there's my health status documentation. I'm up to date and so is everyone else. Time for a big "groaner".

Music to Soothe the Ravaged Body and Mind

A Dawson Disaster!

We had unexpected company today! We walked in the door after having dinner at Nutana Cafe (a family tradition) with Don and Syl (for Sylvia's birthday) to a phone call from Jodi saying that she, Mom, Meghan and Dawson were in Saskatoon at the University Hospital having Dawson's broken elbow looked at by an orthoepedic surgeon! Oh my!! His first day at Clearwater Lake and, lickity split, he fell off the monkey bars and, as it turns out, broke his elbow. Last night after it happened, they thought he'd only just badly bruised it and Dawson didn't seem very bothered by it, but he woke up in considerable pain during the night so off to Eston they went to get it x-rayed and looked at by a doctor, who then sent them in to Saskatoon to see a specialist. Fortunately, he won't need to have surgery ... at least the surgeon THINKS it will be okay with a cast. It will be closely monitored.

So, we were happy to have houseguests for the night. We ate cupcakes, chatted, and soon said goodnight to a VERY exhausted Jodi and Dawson!

A Dawson Disaster!

Happy 50th Anniversary, Don and Sylvia!

... and still crazy in love!

Happy 50th Anniversary, Don and Sylvia!

Flowers from Nancy

While running errands on Tuesday, Hannah and I popped into Nosegay. I've stopped in a few times to meet Bridget and Nancy but my timing has been off. They weren't there. But on Tuesday, as we walked up to the door, Nancy was already on her way to greet us. She'd recognized Hannah walking across the parking lot!

It was so nice to finally meet Nancy! Even though we'd never met in person before, it felt like meeting up with a long-time friend. And look what she sent us home with! I mentioned that we were going to Don and Syl's and that we were looking for a birthday card for her. Nancy made sure there were some "Sylvia roses" in the bouquet. And I'm sure she knows my fondness for cheery gerberas, so there's a bouquet of them, too.

Thanks, Nancy!

Flowers from Nancy

Happy Birthday, Sylvia!

Happy Birthday, Sylvia!

Mini Cup Cakes

These are teeny red velvet cupcakes.

Mini Cup Cakes

Red Velvet Cupcakes

Aren't they pretty?!!

Hannah made a marscapone cheese icing and piped it on using a zip-lock bag with a hole cut in the corner.

We then decorated them with edible flowers from our garden. We selected the smallest ones, washed and dried them and then decorated the cupcakes.

Pretty and delicious, too.

We took them to Granny tonight (she and Don hosted a family dinner tonight) and we think she loved them!

I recommend team-baking! It's so fun and it goes a lot faster. Thanks Brenda and Jim for lending us a couple of extra muffin tins!

Red Velvet Cupcakes

Baking Party With Kayla

Hannah and I ran several errands early in the day and then Kayla joined us for a baking party! Hannah thought Granny would love some Red Velvet Cupcakes for her birthday and I concurred. Hannah found the recipe that duplicates the one used by the famous Magnolia Bakery in New York. It's goooooooood! Now I know why they call them "velvet" because that is the texture of the finished cupcakes ... moist, velvety ... and red. Very red. Lovely!

If you're not familiar with the Magnolia Bakery, it's the one frequented by the women in Sex and the City. Read about it here (with links) at Wikipedia.

Magnolia Bakery Red Velvet Cupcakes

• 3 ⅓ cups cake flour (not self-rising)
• ¾ cup (1 ½ sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 ¼ cups sugar
• 3 large eggs, at room temperature
• 6 tablespoons red food coloring
• 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt
• 1 ½ cups buttermilk
• 1 ½ teaspoons cider vinegar
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
  
• Frosting: 1 pound (two 8-ounce packages) cream cheese, softened and cut into small pieces (Hannah used marscapone cheese)
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened and cut into small pieces
• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• 5 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar
  
  
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Place cupcake papers in the tins.
• In a small bowl, sift the cake flour and set aside. 
• In a large bowl, on the medium speed of an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar until very light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the red food coloring, cocoa, and vanilla. Add to the batter and beat well.
• In a measuring cup, stir the salt into the buttermilk. Add to the batter in three parts, alternating with the flour. With each addition, beat until the ingredients are incorporated, but do not overbeat.
• In a small bowl, stir together the cider vinegar and baking soda. Add to the batter and mix well. Using a rubber spatula, scrape down the batter in the bowl, making sure the ingredients are well blended and the batter is smooth.
• Divide the batter among the prepared pans. Bake each tray for 20 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Let the cupcakes cool in the pans for 1 hour. Remove from the pans and cool completely on a wire rack.
• Frosting: In a large bowl, on the medium speed of an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth, about 3 minutes.
• Add the vanilla and beat well.
• Gradually add the sugar, 1 cup at a time, beating continuously until smooth and creamy.
• Cover and refrigerate icing for 2 to 3 hours, but no longer, to thicken before using.
• When the cake has cooled, spread the frosting liberally on the cupcakes.
• Makes 36 cupcakes.

And we finally got to see Kayla's ROCK! Knock-out choice, Mike!!

Baking Party With Kayla

Cranberry Orange Scones

Hannah and I made scones on Monday, too. This time we used the same recipe as I used for lemon blueberry scones but used cranberries and orange zest instead. They were delicious! I like them even better than the blueberry lemon ones.

We used my food processor to make them instead of working the butter in by hand with the pastry tool. SO much faster and I was very happy with the results. I don't use my food processor much but I will whenever a recipe calls for "cutting in butter" now.

They smell heavenly, too.

Cranberry Orange Scones

Hannah is Home!

Which means time for a feast!

Hannah flew in from New York on Sunday night. It's wonderful to have her home again. We get to have her here for 2 whole weeks! It's already going too fast. She and Luke will both leave at exactly the same time ... on August 15th. I am going to be a little blue for a while after that. Just a little. It will be a little shock to the system to have our home feel so empty all at once. But we won't think about that now. We'll just enjoy having them both here.

Hannah loves to cook and she really cares about what she puts in her body, so a large part of the fun of having her home is to cook together. We walked to Broadway on Monday and poked around the Fringe for a while before picking up some groceries to carry home. Hannah and I baked during the day and then, after Kevin and Luke were home from lacrosse try-outs, we set to cooking dinner.

Hannah husked corn.  Kevin cooked some freshly caught pickeral on the barbeque. Lots of lemon.  And then we had a rustic plum tart (with port) for dessert. Lovely! Rustic.

Hannah is Home!