Soup of the Day

With fresh organic beans in the fridge and one large leftover potato, today is the day for Old Fashioned Green Bean Soup.

While the cut beans were simmering and the potatoes cooking, I sauteed sliced onion in a lot of butter. Then I added the beans and potatoes and a small amount of beef broth made with bouillon and water from the beans. Next came just enough milk to cover the veggies and a little salt and pepper to season. Heat and serve. So simple, so good. 

Only one variation would take it to the next level - bacon! Old Fashioned Bean and Bacon Soup. Either way - delish. 😀

Christmas

Babies are not found in mangers. According to Luke's Gospel, an angel announced to shepherds in the night that the long-awaited Messiah was born! They would find him wrapped in swaddling clothes and in a manger. The shepherds could've said, "This can't be. Babies are not kept in mangers." Instead they believed and they hastened to look for the stable with the baby lying in an animal's feeding trough. They hastened with faith.

When they did find him, as the angel had said, it was a sign to them that what the angel proclaimed was true - that this baby named Jesus is the Messiah, the Savior, the Lord whom so many generations were longing for. They returned to their fields praising and glorifying God for what they had witnessed: Mary and Joseph and the baby who was lying in a manger. 

Jesus was found at a time and in a place not expected by the shepherds. May we, like the believing shepherds, hasten to find him in our lives, even in ways we would not expect.

Advent By Candlelight

Advent is a time of spiritually preparing for the Christmas season when we proclaim the historic coming of Jesus into the world. We welcome him and glorify him who remains with us. 

To celebrate the beginning of Advent, on Monday evening nearly 100 women from our community, along with our parish priest, came together for an event called Advent by Candlelight.

The evening began by meeting and sharing with one another. We met friends, we met acquaintances, we met new people. We then gathered at beautifully decorated tables, each prepared by a "hostess" who had invited seven other women to join her. A variety of desserts, hot cider, and coffee were served.

Next we dimmed the lights and lit one of four candles at each table. We listened to selected Scripture readings from the Old Testament beginning with Genesis and leading up to the birth of the Savior. After each reading we sang an Advent carole and lit one other candle, symbolizing light coming into the darkness. Finally we lit each of the votive candles at each place setting and sang "Christ be Our Light." The room was aglow with candlelight.

It felt good to take time at the beginning of what can be a hectic season, just to reflect on its real purpose and to do so with others in the community. Some women have already volunteered to host a table for next year. 

Christ be our light,

Shine in our darkness...

New Camera

I splurged on a new camera - another Panasonic Lumix, an upgrade. Lots to learn about this one. Here are some of my first shots.

I'm loving the camera. It's a keeper.  :-)

Chicken Piquant

I happened to be at a friend's home when I noticed a delicious aroma from the kitchen. I took a peek to see what was cooking and I saw that she had something in the slow cooker. It was a meal she was preparing for a dinner meeting that evening. "That's Chicken Piquant," she said. 

I knew I wanted that recipe. She generously shared it with me. From all her notes on the printed page, I could see that she made several variations of this dish. When I made it a few days later, I stuck to the original recipe with a few variations of my own. It was really good and really easy!

All the ingredients are in the Slow Cooker

and the cooking temperature is set on high.

After about 4 hours I dished out the chicken

and served it with egg noodles and peas.

I had all the ingredients on hand, except the rose wine that I needed to buy. I used two packages of organic chicken breasts that I had in the freezer and then thawed in the refrigerator overnight. After about 3 hours, I added chunks of carrots to the simmering chicken. I also used reduced sodium soy sauce, a scant 1/2 cup. Her recipe suggested four whole chicken breasts, but any part of the chicken would work. It was recommended to serve with rice, but all I had were the egg noodles.

So here are the ingredients that went into the slow cooker with the chicken:

1 and 1/2 cup rose wine

1/2 cup soy sauce

1/2 cup salad oil

4 Tbsp water

2 garlic cloves, sliced

2 tsp ginger powder

1/2 tsp oregano

2 Tbsp brown sugar

I am also thinking sliced onions would be a good addition. 

Just for fun, I added a splash of maple habanero sauce (totally optional)! I cooked it until the chicken was just about ready to fall apart, so it was very tender.

I'll definitely be making this again. Thank you to my friend Rita for sharing this with me.

Autumn Lily

For Easter this year, our daughter's mother-in-law sent me a gorgeous lily. It had lots of buds, and we enjoyed it for several weeks.

After the final bud opened, I put it out on our deck, then eventually cut the plant down to the soil to replant it in our garden. After many weeks it grew and thrived. I was expecting it to flower by the end of summer. I put it into the soil late in the season, however, and when Autumn arrived, there were still no new buds.

Maybe, just maybe, new buds are beginning to form?

So I dug it up and put it into a new flower pot to bring into the house.

Here's hoping for Autumn lilies. Thanksgiving? Anticipation...

Journey

It's been about eight months since my diagnosis and new treatment plan. Chemo and radiation are now behind me and immunotherapy has begun. I've looked upon these past months as a journey, and it's seemed awfully slow at times.

At the outset I felt really disappointed, that plans for 2019 would not happen as I had wanted and expected. This morning I thought about this and my journey, as I reflected on today's reading in the Magnificat booklet. What caught my attention was from Psalm 84: "They are happy, whose strength is in you... As they go through the Bitter Valley they make it a place of springs... They walk with ever growing strength."

Yeah, I'd call it a Bitter Valley what I've been experiencing, however, not nearly as bitter as so many others go through during life. It becomes so easy to be frustrated and sad and feeling sorry for self and to question "Why?" And maybe not come up with any satisfying answers to that why. I will say that I've been trying to make my situation "a place of springs." It takes perseverance to become still and to reach deep to find that inner joy that never ever really leaves and to let that joy take over, not the bitterness or discouragement or disappointments along the way. Joy makes a huge difference.

I am convinced I could not make it on this journey alone. Reaching out for help, support, and prayer takes a toll on my pride and independence, but that's been a very good thing. One of the best gifts is that many acquaintances have become true friends. And empathy, especially with those diagnosed with cancer, has given me a newly discovered purpose. Spiritually, I've experienced a connectedness with others in a way that I can better understand what it means to be part of the Body of Christ. My faith community is family, and that includes the saints who intercede for us. The Spirit of our loving God is very much alive and active in this family.

Running has taught me that we can do so much more that we think we can. When it becomes hard, and the finish is still ahead, it becomes, "left foot, right foot, left foot, right foot..." It takes mental as well as physical strength. As training continues and the weeks go by, speed and endurance improve, as does a sense of well being. "They walk (and run!) with ever growing strength." So it is on the journey through the valley. Some days it is a determined "left foot, right foot," until we progress through it. I am still on the way.

  

They are happy, whose strength is in you, who have set

 their hearts on pilgrimage. Psalm 84:5

My Sabbatical

I have had 24 chemo infusions and 33 radiation treatments and also one blood infusion along the way. At the outset, daughter Jen said I should consider this time as my sabbatical. I am reflecting on what I have been learning during this sabbatical. A lot of it involves the letter "p," so that's my theme. What have I learned?

Prayer: Prayer has been a part of my life, probably since I was about three, when my Mom taught me simple prayers. I am still learning. I am learning to "pray big" and be specific. I became part of a local email intercessory prayer group (who has been praying for me!), and I have a special inclination to pray for those diagnosed with cancer.

Priorities: Life is short and I have so many interests. I want to choose wisely how I spend my time. Often, it's doing the "small things" and doing them well, knowing that even seemingly insignificant actions can and do make a difference.

Patience: I have a real sense that I am being healed, but I need to be patient. This may not happen overnight. And I am really thankful for Geo's understanding and patience with me during this time.

Parish: I am experiencing the value of being connected to the local church, not just being a member, but truly involved in so many of the opportunities that are available. I am blown away by the care and support offered to us by friends and local people in our town, and the Federated Church, and our own parish - the meals, the rides to medical appointments, the gifts, the cards, even encouraging texts on my phone. The support from our own local parish has been amazing. Even one of the college students came to visit me while I was receiving chemo (and - just for fun - did my nails). What I am especially beginning to treasure is becoming part of a smaller LOTW faith community within the parish who meets in homes a few times a month for prayer and fellowship and mission. Because so many have reached out to us, I do want to become more deeply and personally involved in some of our parish ministries.

Puzzles: I've always enjoyed crosswords, and I am very competitive. Now I look forward to them nearly every day, especially from Geo's WSJ and the Sunday NYT. They've helped me focus and get my mind on so many topics other than some nagging discomforts I may be feeling. 

So there is so much of the Positive that is happening. The cancer diagnosis has slowed me down - a lot - but that is not a bad thing.It has been a time of re-evaluating and considering how life moving ahead can become even better and best. For this I am grateful.

Fitness Plan: What helped me with a diagnosis of cancer in 2016, and recovery during 2017, was looking forward to joining First Strides and becoming a runner. I am missing First Strides this year. Daughter Addie continues to inspire me with her running achievements. So my plan is to do another 5K before the year is over! YES!

#CancerBeGone

Here We Go, Again?

I sure didn't expect to be starting 2019 going through what I experienced back in 2016. I had hoped that all of that was behind me, and I wasn't looking back. Wait - this is not like going through that same "valley" again. I am told that this is a very different kind of cancer. It just happens to be in the same general area as before. Go figure! So the treatment will be different, and the cure rate is somewhat better. Okay.

Cancer is an abnormality, a disease that does not belong in the body. It affects not only the person who has it, but also family and friends. Life does not feel quite the same as before the diagnosis. Treatments and new schedules bring about inevitable changes. Change in itself is a stressor. So - how to deal with all this in the best possible way? How to come out of this in a better way than going into it? How do we get through the valley and to the mountaintop? Climbing a mountain will take some effort.

Looking at this as a battle to fight, I take with me an army of intercessors praying for me, and the love and care of supportive family and friends. I know there are people praying who do not even know me. Support in the fight is a huge key advantage. The hard part for me is relying on others, depending on others. I've got to give up some control. Step One.

Fighting this battle with me is an excellent team of Doctors and other medical professionals. I would say they are like the Generals in the army with the weapons at their disposal and the know-how to attack this cancerous invasion in my body. I am following the treatment plan in which they are in agreement as the best one for me at this time. Step Two.

So if cancer is an abnormality, my plan of attack is to be as "normal" as possible in my attitude and daily actions. That means no room for negativity, nor any fear in doing my usual activities. I may learn some new interests and discoveries along the way. There may be new and enriching friendships that come into my life. Yes, I do believe the best is yet to come. Step Three.

Sorry, cancer. My focus will not be on you. My focus will be on becoming as physically fit and as healthy as I can be. I want to get to the top of that mountain with as much strength and energy and sense of well-being that is possible for me. I'm in training for my next 5K. Step Four.

It begins in earnest tomorrow: New Treatment Plan - Day One. Chemo, Chair 5, Bay 2.

There is no doubt a new adventure is in store for me, my family, and for all those who are with me on this journey. As a friend reminded me, through great tribulations come great blessings.

In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Romans 8:37.

On with it. Left foot, right foot, left foot, right foot...

One Year Ago...

I met our little beagle for the first time. The rescue group called her "Minnie." When I saw her, I just knew she was the right one for us.

It was on the Feast of the Epiphany when I first saw her, so I started calling her "Stella," meaning "star." It is on the Epiphany when we think of that special star shining in Bethlehem around the time of Jesus' birth. So I thought that would be a perfect name for a new and very special Christmas dog.

For Christmas this year, Stella got a puffer vest from a "Secret Santa." AND it happens to be a Green Bay Packer puffer vest. What a wonderful gift for our walks around the neighborhood and on the rec path.

We are so grateful to have Stella as part of the family.

 

#GoPackGo

#GoStellaGo