Purging

I wanted to share something I did tonight as I am working on lightening all the stuff I have. My mom, who is 82 and getting into the last stages of Alzheimers, made my First Communion dress. I have kept it all these years. I haven't known what to do with it but felt by hanging on to it, I was holding on to a part of her former self...tonight I cut a piece of it and am going to put it in my art journal and I threw the rest away. I had a few tears of anguish at first but then felt so much better after I put the rest of it in the trash can. She isn't the dress...I didn't throw away my memories or her.

Blurry week

Thought thread for this past few days... hospital and surgery for mom, sleeping next to her in hospital bed so she wouldn't get out, good care, verbalizing exactly what would best help my mom in being away from dad and I during surgery, saying no and yes as necessary, saying " she doesn't understand what you are saying", "she doesn't remember", saying "thank you" alot, mom climbing over the footboard during the middle of the night, with dad next to her, her not falling several times, close though, pain med, mom always thankful, many baths, dad grateful, moving their bed upstairs via outside, moving upstairs bed downstairs, Chicken and Dumplings, home again...

Happy Birthday Mike

He's the dark headed one on the right.
Today happens to be my brother Mike's birthday! Woohoo!I love my brother. He is a very kind, gentle soul. He rarely angers, unless it has to do with the poor. He blesses me and I wish I could make him a delicious meal today. I love you Mike!

Tapas Style Roasted Almonds

1 1/2 cup of whole blanched almonds.
4 tbsp olive oil or grape seed oil
Coarse sea salt
1 tsp or more of paprika (I used hot smoked paprika)

Preheat the oven to 350 F. Put the olive oil in a roasting pan and swirl it around so that it covers the bottom. Add the almonds and toss them in the pan so that they are evenly coated in the oil, then spread them out in a single layer.

Roast the almonds in the oven for 20 min or until they are light golden brown, tossing several times during the cooking. Drain the almonds on a paper towel then transfer them to a bowl.
While the almonds are still warm, sprinkle with plenty of sea salt and the paprika.

Enjoy!

You probably shouldn't read this next post-unless you have a serious need for dark chocolate!

Three-Layer Peppermint Bark

Adapted from Bon Appétit, December 1998 edited by me (Cathy) and Molly from her Orangette Blog

When you’re shopping for white chocolate, make sure that the words “cocoa butter” appear in the list of ingredients. Ghiradelli is fine. Also, to crush the peppermints coarsely, Bon Appétit advises tapping the wrapped candies firmly with the bottom edge of an unopened 15- to 16-ounce can. I used a heavy glass jar, and that worked fine too.

Another most important point is make sure there are no stray drops of water in the measuring cups, utensils etc. It will absolutely ruin the chocolate and make it “set up”.

17 oz. white chocolate, such as Callebaut, finely chopped
30 red-and-white-striped hard peppermint candies, coarsely crushed
7 oz. bittersweet chocolate, such as Ghirardelli 60%, finely chopped
6 Tbsp. heavy cream
¾ tsp. peppermint extract (or some peppermint oil)

Turn a large baking sheet upside down, and cover it securely with aluminum foil. Measure out and mark a 9- by 12-inch rectangle on the foil.

Place the white chocolate in a pyrex (2 cup size at least) measuring cup. Place in microwave on high for about 1 minute, stir gently and if it is not completely smooth- nuke for another few seconds. Pour 2/3 cup of it onto the rectangle on the foil. Using a spatula, spread the chocolate to fill the rectangle. Sprinkle with ¼ cup of the crushed peppermints. Chill until set, about 15 minutes.

Microwave the bittersweet chocolate in another heavy measuring glass. Melt until the mixture is just melted and smooth. Add in the Peppermint Extract and heavy cream, whisk gently but thoroughly, immediately, until all is incorporated. Cool to barely lukewarm, about 5 minutes. Then remove the baking sheet from the refrigerator, and pour the bittersweet chocolate mixture over the white chocolate rectangle. Using a spatula – make sure you cleaned it after using it for the white chocolate, spread the bittersweet chocolate in an even layer. Chill until very cold and firm, about 25 minutes.

Re-warm the remaining white chocolate in the microwave. Working quickly, pour the white chocolate over the firm bittersweet layer, using your (again, clean) icing spatula to spread it to cover. Sprinkle with remaining crushed peppermints. Chill just until firm, about 20 minutes.

Carefully lift the foil from the baking sheet onto a large cutting board. Break or cut into uniform pieces.(You know, depending on if you are anal or not)

Pack into an airtight container, with sheets of wax paper between layers of bark to prevent them from sticking to one another. Store (hide from yourself) in the refrigerator. Serve cold or, to emphasize the slight softness of the bittersweet layer, let stand at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving.

Note: This bark will keep for up to 2 weeks, (no it won’t) if not more. If you plan to pack it in a tin or baggie with other holiday sweets, be sure to wrap it separately in plastic wrap. Or maybe wax paper and then plastic wrap, so that it doesn’t sweat.

Yield: about 36 pieces, or more, if you cut them smaller

Mom and Dad time

It has been a very busy few weeks. Mom has been sick. She probably has C-Difficile. Lots of medication changes, starting to turn the corner a little although sleeping easily 15 hours daily. Made some yummy Chicken Soup for her and not nearly as good as MaryAnn's Split Pea Soup as requested per Dad.

On a softer note, every time I see Mom, her comment is "you are so beautiful". Last night she wanted me to call David to see if I could spend the night.

Many times when I am resting next to her, when she awakens, she will smile the most beautiful smile and say how much she loves me. Sometimes... just sometimes, I wonder if she still connects my name even though I am sure she knows she knows me. Is this such a sad thought...

Mike comes in Friday-yea!! Raining, raining in Birmingham.

Made some crazy good Peppermint Bark supposedly for Mom's doctor as a thank you for his wonderfulness. I really am going to take him his portion today. See previous post, if you dare.

Update on Daily Granola!

The Granola is killer! Addictive; I didn't say the thing about soy milk,however any milk wiould be delicious. Or in a baggy in the purse, hidden away so you don't have to share. Oh my, it is unbelievable!