A trying week. And all the while I was trying to keep my head above water. Work has been very stressful with my work load.
I had my 2 MRIs and MRA on Tuesday morning. It took 3 hours and I had many thoughts during this time. It's very hard to sit absolutely still for 3 hours straight. They are looking at my soft tissue, bones, blood vessels and nerves. The results came back today and I have to see my neurosurgeon on Monday at 9am to go over everything and what is going on with me. Hopefully he'll have an answer for me.
I had a great week foodwise. We ate healthy and felt better for it. Lots of salad, chicken, Mediterranean food, fish and veggies. I do feel good eating this way.
The kitchen remodeling project is coming along beautifully. Ray is putting up the brick along the wall by the bar area. Our new viking microwave with convection arrived today and it's gorgeous. My cook book stand arrived and Aaron bought me a torch to make creme brulee with. He's such a great support to me.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT:
I wanted to say a little something about poetry. We recently watched a great movie called Blue Car. It is a new movie that went straight to DVD. It's about poetry, coming of age, writing what you truly feel inside and it's also about divorce and the pain it causes the children involved. It inspired these thoughts...
"One night recently, Aaron, me and my Mom sat down with Wallace Stevens's poem: "The Emperor of Ice Cream" and we looked at that poem for about 2 hours and it looked so much different than it did when we first glanced at it. It's a great poem, a sarcastic twist underneath the surface of his words. Some poems are not good, meaning they don't have a root or a nucleous, they are just fluff and gush and I hate this kind of poetry, it makes me want to throw up. However, when you experience a great poem, (Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night by Dylan Thomas) it will change you and you will remember it forever. One of my favorite poems is "The Lovesong of J. Alfred Proofrock" by T. S. Eliot. Have you ever read it? It took him 8 years to write it. It will probably take 8 years to analyze it, but once I got the meaning of the root of the poem, I never forgot it. The sound of a good poem is musical and it will touch a nerve that you didn't even know was sensitive until it's too late and you feel sucker-punched. Your guts will be twisted and you'll react emotionally and may not even understand it. That's why analyzing a poem is so important. You may end up loving a poem that you first hated. You may hate it because it touches you and you don't want to be vulnerable but you can't help it. It's telling the truth and you know that truth..."
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Friday, September 17, 2010
MRI-MRA
I haven't written for awhile because I haven't been able to get to my computer. Our loveseat and 2 recliners have been in our office all week while our new floor was being installed. It's beautiful!
We took today off and Aaron, me and Mom went to the eye doctor then out for lunch at Pappadeaux in Westmont. I had a Shrimp Po Boy, which was very good. I could only eat half of it. Then we went to a wine tasting at Phil's store, Wine Knows, in Grayslake. We came home, took a nap and then watched a movie. It was a nice day off.
Tomorrow we are going to be with some friends who we haven't seen for about 5 years. It will be nice to catch up with them.
I've been making some pretty nice meals in our little kitchen in the basement. I've made egg plant parmesan, tuna melts, lamb and beef over whole wheat pita, meat pies, spaghetti, etc. It's worked out very well.
Since I've written last, I've found out that my dizziness may now be related to my herniated discs in my neck. I went to see a neurosurgeon who needs to get a few MRI views and an MRA. This is an angiogram. They will shoot die in my neck to look at my blood vessels to make sure they are all ok when I turn my head certain ways. I have a feeling my herniated discs are pressing against my spinal cord, which is why I'm getting dizzy. But the tests will be able to tell that and hopefully this can be fixed...surgery? Most likely.
I'll keep you posted. My tests are on Tuesday morning.
Until then,
-Jill
We took today off and Aaron, me and Mom went to the eye doctor then out for lunch at Pappadeaux in Westmont. I had a Shrimp Po Boy, which was very good. I could only eat half of it. Then we went to a wine tasting at Phil's store, Wine Knows, in Grayslake. We came home, took a nap and then watched a movie. It was a nice day off.
Tomorrow we are going to be with some friends who we haven't seen for about 5 years. It will be nice to catch up with them.
I've been making some pretty nice meals in our little kitchen in the basement. I've made egg plant parmesan, tuna melts, lamb and beef over whole wheat pita, meat pies, spaghetti, etc. It's worked out very well.
Since I've written last, I've found out that my dizziness may now be related to my herniated discs in my neck. I went to see a neurosurgeon who needs to get a few MRI views and an MRA. This is an angiogram. They will shoot die in my neck to look at my blood vessels to make sure they are all ok when I turn my head certain ways. I have a feeling my herniated discs are pressing against my spinal cord, which is why I'm getting dizzy. But the tests will be able to tell that and hopefully this can be fixed...surgery? Most likely.
I'll keep you posted. My tests are on Tuesday morning.
Until then,
-Jill
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Fantastic Weather Today!
What a fantastic day! The weather was beautiful and I spent some time outside weeding my flower gardens. I bought a couple purple mums for my pots on my front steps and an orange mum for Dolores's flower box.
I made 2 different recipes - Tyler Florences's mac n cheese and Rachel Ray's meat pies in phyllo dough. Both very good.
Then I spent some time outside on my deck thanking God for such a beautiful day. I wanted Him to know it didn't go unnoticed.
__________________________________________________________________
We had a terrific time with my Mom this weekend. Friday we brought over some White Castle hamburgers for her birthday along with some champagne and 4 champagne glasses, which were a gift from Aaron. I bought her a blue topaz bracelet to go with her earrings. We watched some music videos - Dream Theatre.
Saturday we went to Johnny's Chop House for dinner and then back to our house to watch some more Dream Theatre. We were so tired that I was in bed by 9pm. I slept until 9:40am this morning. It was wonderful.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
We're in the midst of chaos with our home renovations and this week is going to be intense, but it's all going to be wonderful after it's completed. So in the midst of chaos, I hope to remain calm and creative.
I made 2 different recipes - Tyler Florences's mac n cheese and Rachel Ray's meat pies in phyllo dough. Both very good.
Then I spent some time outside on my deck thanking God for such a beautiful day. I wanted Him to know it didn't go unnoticed.
__________________________________________________________________
We had a terrific time with my Mom this weekend. Friday we brought over some White Castle hamburgers for her birthday along with some champagne and 4 champagne glasses, which were a gift from Aaron. I bought her a blue topaz bracelet to go with her earrings. We watched some music videos - Dream Theatre.
Saturday we went to Johnny's Chop House for dinner and then back to our house to watch some more Dream Theatre. We were so tired that I was in bed by 9pm. I slept until 9:40am this morning. It was wonderful.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
We're in the midst of chaos with our home renovations and this week is going to be intense, but it's all going to be wonderful after it's completed. So in the midst of chaos, I hope to remain calm and creative.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Labor Day update
Oh, what a great long weekend we had!
We spent so much time with our cats this weekend, it was very soothing. Dolly and I actually took a nap together on Monday afternoon in the recliner. We didn't turn the TV on all day. What a joy.
I finished reading "Alice I Have Been." It's an historical fiction novel based in the real life of Alice in Wonderland. I really enjoyed it and it convinced me that I need to start writing my own story. Now I'm reading Michael Symon's new cookbook and Jim Butcher's latest Harry Dresden novel - "Changes."
We spent some quality time with my cousin, Lynette, who is at the beginning of a divorce. She is going to be ok and will eventually love again. We pray for her daily and ask God to hold her hand through this difficult process.
Our kitchen renovations are coming along and we're happy with the progress we're seeing. Tomorrow the new stone floor will be laid in the kitchen/dining room and it will be tricky in the living room and hallway for awhile until the tiles dry and set, then we can walk on them.
We gave our couch sectional to my Mom and had the love-seat that matches our 2 leather recliners delivered on Wed. It's beautiful and the cats love it too! ha .
Baby, our 17 year old cat, has grown so attached to me that he now meows at me in the morning to get up and pet him. I get up and he follows me in the bathroom, then in the living room, then downstairs to his food bowl. He is sitting next to me now as I right this snoring away. What a little lover he is.
Dolly, our 10 year old, waits until I'm done on the computer each night and then jumps in my lap, kneads my fingers and chest while I pet her, purs like a boat motor and then falls asleep on my lap. She's such a precious little princess kitty.
As you can tell we have really fallen for these cats. We wouldn't have chosen to have pets, but Dolores passing away 8 months ago sealed that commitment for us.
As far as my relationship with food goes, we have been in a torid love affair as of late. I've been cooking 4 simple meals during the week in the basement kitchen, which has turned out quite well. On Fridays we order food to be delivered, on Saturdays we go out to Johnny's Chop House and on Sundays I cook a more elaborate healthy meal and include my mom when she's up to it.
Today is my Mom's 64th birthday! Happiest of all birthdays to you! I hope you find at least 365 reasons to smile this year.
We will bring over to her some White Castle hamburgers tomorrow night and a bottle of some fine wine to share. Hey, when I turn 64, I just may want White Castle hamburgers too!
Tonight we went to Roti Mediterranean Grill for dinner and each had a steak wrap with baba ganoush, egg plant, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, red pepper sauce, kalamata olives and feta cheese. We also shared an individual chicken roti pizza with onions, olives, and parsley. It was fantastic! We must eat there more. How delicious and healthy!!
In my new kitchen there is now a pasta faucet installed. This is getting exciting! No turning back now, I must learn to be the best cook in Lindenhurst, IL.
We spent so much time with our cats this weekend, it was very soothing. Dolly and I actually took a nap together on Monday afternoon in the recliner. We didn't turn the TV on all day. What a joy.
I finished reading "Alice I Have Been." It's an historical fiction novel based in the real life of Alice in Wonderland. I really enjoyed it and it convinced me that I need to start writing my own story. Now I'm reading Michael Symon's new cookbook and Jim Butcher's latest Harry Dresden novel - "Changes."
We spent some quality time with my cousin, Lynette, who is at the beginning of a divorce. She is going to be ok and will eventually love again. We pray for her daily and ask God to hold her hand through this difficult process.
Our kitchen renovations are coming along and we're happy with the progress we're seeing. Tomorrow the new stone floor will be laid in the kitchen/dining room and it will be tricky in the living room and hallway for awhile until the tiles dry and set, then we can walk on them.
We gave our couch sectional to my Mom and had the love-seat that matches our 2 leather recliners delivered on Wed. It's beautiful and the cats love it too! ha .
Baby, our 17 year old cat, has grown so attached to me that he now meows at me in the morning to get up and pet him. I get up and he follows me in the bathroom, then in the living room, then downstairs to his food bowl. He is sitting next to me now as I right this snoring away. What a little lover he is.
Dolly, our 10 year old, waits until I'm done on the computer each night and then jumps in my lap, kneads my fingers and chest while I pet her, purs like a boat motor and then falls asleep on my lap. She's such a precious little princess kitty.
As you can tell we have really fallen for these cats. We wouldn't have chosen to have pets, but Dolores passing away 8 months ago sealed that commitment for us.
As far as my relationship with food goes, we have been in a torid love affair as of late. I've been cooking 4 simple meals during the week in the basement kitchen, which has turned out quite well. On Fridays we order food to be delivered, on Saturdays we go out to Johnny's Chop House and on Sundays I cook a more elaborate healthy meal and include my mom when she's up to it.
Today is my Mom's 64th birthday! Happiest of all birthdays to you! I hope you find at least 365 reasons to smile this year.
We will bring over to her some White Castle hamburgers tomorrow night and a bottle of some fine wine to share. Hey, when I turn 64, I just may want White Castle hamburgers too!
Tonight we went to Roti Mediterranean Grill for dinner and each had a steak wrap with baba ganoush, egg plant, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, red pepper sauce, kalamata olives and feta cheese. We also shared an individual chicken roti pizza with onions, olives, and parsley. It was fantastic! We must eat there more. How delicious and healthy!!
In my new kitchen there is now a pasta faucet installed. This is getting exciting! No turning back now, I must learn to be the best cook in Lindenhurst, IL.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Professional Kitchen = mail order business?
Hello to my new follower, Annie. Glad you're going to follow along.
I have been thumbing through my new Michael Symon cookbook - "Live to Cook." I also watch his every move on his TV program - "Cook Like An Iron Chef." This guy is phenomenal and he makes it seem so easy. The ingredients that he chooses to blends together are very inspiring.
In fact I made a dish inspired by Chef Symon tonight for dinner. I sauteed some veal liver and hot Italian sausages with some red onion, Kosher salt and crushed black pepper and set it aside. I then mixed chopped roasted red peppers with green olives stuffed with pimento and some capers and set that aside. I grilled some whole wheat pita bread and used that for a base on the plate. I placed some liver and sausage and onions over the bread and topped it with the pepper/olives/capers mixture. I added some sour cream and sliced raw red onion for a garnish. As a second dish I made a salad with feta cheese, tomatoes, croutons and Caesar dressing. For a fun appetizer I took some seasoned pita chips and melted feta cheese over the top to make some Greek Nachos. These dishes were so delicious, full of flavor, simple to make and beautiful to look at. Aaron (my husband) was licking the sautee pan!
I have never used liver in that way before, but it was so easy and fun to make. And with my anemia, my body appreciated the iron.
I'm getting very anxious to see my professional kitchen materialize. We have our Viking 6-burner stone, our Samsung french door refrigerator (the one with the blue light), and our Samsung dish washer in our garage. The Viking microwave/convection oven is on order. (All stainless steel). We've purchased a coffee/espresso combo machine and a coffee grinder, a pizza stone and peel from AKitchen.com - a professional restaurant supplier. We also purchased a stainless steel 4-slice toaster that has a blue digital light and defrost option, a grill/griddle for our middle 2 stove burners, a grill press, a double basket deep fryer with a funnel and strainer and a cook book holder. I'm hoping to begin cooking with all my new equipment in about a month or so. First dish? Chicken Paprikas a la Dolores Hattie Langlois! We're going to put her urn on the counter next to the stove for inspiration!!!
FOOD FOR THOUGHT:
Aaron has been encouraging me to start a mail order cooking service. I would cook all my own recipes and freeze them, then ship them out overnight in dry ice. Hmmm, not a bad idea at all. I must contemplate this...
I have been thumbing through my new Michael Symon cookbook - "Live to Cook." I also watch his every move on his TV program - "Cook Like An Iron Chef." This guy is phenomenal and he makes it seem so easy. The ingredients that he chooses to blends together are very inspiring.
In fact I made a dish inspired by Chef Symon tonight for dinner. I sauteed some veal liver and hot Italian sausages with some red onion, Kosher salt and crushed black pepper and set it aside. I then mixed chopped roasted red peppers with green olives stuffed with pimento and some capers and set that aside. I grilled some whole wheat pita bread and used that for a base on the plate. I placed some liver and sausage and onions over the bread and topped it with the pepper/olives/capers mixture. I added some sour cream and sliced raw red onion for a garnish. As a second dish I made a salad with feta cheese, tomatoes, croutons and Caesar dressing. For a fun appetizer I took some seasoned pita chips and melted feta cheese over the top to make some Greek Nachos. These dishes were so delicious, full of flavor, simple to make and beautiful to look at. Aaron (my husband) was licking the sautee pan!
I have never used liver in that way before, but it was so easy and fun to make. And with my anemia, my body appreciated the iron.
I'm getting very anxious to see my professional kitchen materialize. We have our Viking 6-burner stone, our Samsung french door refrigerator (the one with the blue light), and our Samsung dish washer in our garage. The Viking microwave/convection oven is on order. (All stainless steel). We've purchased a coffee/espresso combo machine and a coffee grinder, a pizza stone and peel from AKitchen.com - a professional restaurant supplier. We also purchased a stainless steel 4-slice toaster that has a blue digital light and defrost option, a grill/griddle for our middle 2 stove burners, a grill press, a double basket deep fryer with a funnel and strainer and a cook book holder. I'm hoping to begin cooking with all my new equipment in about a month or so. First dish? Chicken Paprikas a la Dolores Hattie Langlois! We're going to put her urn on the counter next to the stove for inspiration!!!
FOOD FOR THOUGHT:
Aaron has been encouraging me to start a mail order cooking service. I would cook all my own recipes and freeze them, then ship them out overnight in dry ice. Hmmm, not a bad idea at all. I must contemplate this...
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