Cancer

Cancer- Latin (genitive Cancri) (1)

a : a malignant tumor of potentially unlimited growth that expands locally by invasion and systemically by metastasis

b : something evil or malignant that spreads destructively 

We all know what cancer is.  It is an atrocious word that you never want to hear attached to the name of a loved one, although recently it seems like it is everywhere, “contagious” if you will like a common cold. It surrounds us, rears its ugly head into the lives of the ones we love, taking over their body, poisoning their will and dampening their soul.

It symptoms show in us too, somehow, as we are also constantly tired, anxious and frightened. Afraid to leave their side, tired of the ups and downs of the emotional roller coaster that is Cancer.

It seems as if everyone around you is full of empathy, but is scared of approach. What can one say to bring comfort to one who has lost faith?

References

1 - merriam-webster

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cancer

Friendship Worries

It has been almost a whole season since I have last written – not my intent. I have had so much to write, but have felt lost for words.

So much has happened that I am finding it hard to express my emotions in a healthy, constructive way. Would my words seem immoral or egotistical to the ear of my peer? Maybe that is why I tend to fall into the background when particularly challenging experiences arise.  

It seems that when I do step out of the comfort of the lines, I am met with this unusual competitive point of view. Naturally, it is merely human behavior to compete – but compete for misfortune? This is all new to me.  I do not wish to rival about who “has it worse” nor have never asked for that form of response.

You reach out to others to take comfort; looking for your friends to console you’re qualms. It is unfortunate that when you need friends the most, you have to re-evaluate their pose in your life.

“The best time to make friends is before you need them.”  ~Ethel Barrymore

Apple Orchard and Apple Crisp

Today was a beautiful fall day. It was slightly cold but it did not deter me from my goal of Apple Picking! So away we went, Josh, Josh's mom and I took a "big" adventure down the road to the apple orchard that we have been to many times. The place was packed with families with arms full of yummy donuts, pumpkins, and of course, apples. Unfortunately I decided it would be a good idea to wear my new high healed boots out to the orchard, (It was not) but hell, I thought I looked pretty snazzy! But, as we (and I, painfully limping in my boots) made our way down the orchard, we discovered that all the trees had been picked bare!  We couldn't find any kind of apples anywhere! We were informed that Apples came in early this year, and the season was almost over. Luckily after turning every nook and cranny of the orchard, We found some golden delicious apples( just right for apple treats!) and I bought a whole bag of them (only cost me $1.70)!

So we are all back home and I am trying to rest up from my recent surgery and of course nurse my aching feet, but am getting ready to make apple crisp in my oven. I have created my own recipe, and I am constantly adding new improvements. I am one of those cooks who tries not to measure things and go on taste, so if you're NOT that kind of chef, I wouldn't recommend this recipe.  Enjoy!

Liz's Apple Crisp

For the Apples:

6-8Apples (I used Golden Delicious) 6- 8 apples Usually, peeled, and sliced.

1/4 cup of sugar 

3-4 dots of butter

Sprinkling of Cinnamon ~ 1-2 tsp

2 tsp of Lemon Juice

For the Crisp

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/2  of Oats (this is optional, I usually do - makes it more crunchy)

1/2 cup of White Cake Mix

3/4 cup of Brown Sugar

1/2 cup of Butter - added a little at a time

2-3 tsp of Apple Pie Spice (more or less depending on your taste, I usually eyeball it, and taste)

• Preheat the Oven to 350degrees F.
• First you peel and cut your apples into thin slices and add them to a 9 x 13 baking dish. I add the lemon juice and toss to coat
• Add the Sugar to the apples, Toss to Coat
• I cut a few chunks off a stick of butter, and place in various places over the apples
• Sprinkle with Cinnamon
• In a bowl, add all the dry Ingredients
• Melt 1/2 cup of butter, and slowly add to the dry mixture a little at a time while stirring with a fork. The topping should be crumbly, not doughy. 
• Cover the Apples with the Crisp, and place in the middle rack of the oven. 
• Cook until apples are tender, usually around 25-30minutes.

 Yum!

We are all cuddled together on the couch (Josh and I, and the 3 dogs) while he is watching football, and I am crocheting, the smells are alluring, I cannot wait to taste! 

Indian Pudding Recipe

When I sat on my deck the other morning, sipping on my first cup of coffee of the day - I stood to take in the smell of the moist saltiness of the ocean air (God, I just wish I could see it too!) but also that distinct sweet smell of fall. The leaves are changing, beautiful colors of red, orange, bright yellows that dance and dot along what is left of green in the trees - they remind me so much of  Claude Monet landscape. These senses brings to my mind all the delicious things I can now cook! What goes better with fall than Molasses? Pumpkin? Nutmeg? Allspice? Cinnamon? All of the flavors that are attributed to the fall season.

I cannot help how much of a sucker I am for "old fashioned" taste in food. Searching for a while, I finally found this recipe from the CDKitchen website, and it was by far the best I've ever made.

Old Fashioned Indian Pudding
3 cups milk
1/2 cup cornmeal
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 eggs
1/4 cup light brown sugar
1/3 cup molasses (I always add more, I love Molasses!)
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1/2 teaspoon ginger
Directions:

Lightly grease crockpot. Preheat on high for 20 minutes. Meanwhile bring milk, cornmeal and salt to a boil. Boil, stirring constantly, for 5 minutes. Cover and simmer an additional 10 minutes.

In a large bowl, combine remaining ingredients. Gradually beat in hot cornmeal mixture and whisk until smooth. Pour into crockpot and cook on high for 2 to 3 hours or low for 6 to 8 hours.

Enjoy! I added Raisons, I love it and would eat it forever (if only Joshua would learn to like it!)

Quote of the Day

If you know me really well, You'll know I'm a sucker for good quotes. I search for them, try to find hidden messages and post like hell on face book hoping people will see through them and know exactly what I'm talking about!

Here's a great one I found today!

“Maybe you don't like your job, maybe you didn't get enough sleep, well nobody
likes their job, nobody got enough sleep. Maybe you just had the worst
day of your life, but you know, there's no escape, there's no excuse, so
just suck it up and BE NICE.” Ani Difranco

Just a Personal Thought....

Recently I've been dealt with a great loss of health, and I am overwhelmingly surrounded by love, kindness and the generosity of  some really great friends. BUT then, out of the ashes I can really start to see certain people lurking in the shadows, backstabbers, liars, cheaters.
It surprises me how often I look back at certain situations and think, Really? Which team are you rooting for?  Mostly we’re adults, so why can’t we act that way? Sure, being a kid is all shits and giggles, but as adults – hell, lets be crazy and have ice cream for dinner! We finally have control of our lives, our bodies, our souls! Then Why do adults constantly need to play these games with each other?
One of the most valuable lessons that this whole situation has taught me is to to keep your eye on the road, please only those who you need to please to get ahead in life, and the fuck with all the rest of you. I mean, in the nicest way possible, Im not out to make you happy and you’re either with me, or against me.
It’s been a personal struggle, to let go of those who have held me underneath the water and let those in who help lift me to the surface. I'm making changes in my life, and if you do not hear from me, You were one of them. Say what you need to say, be who you need to be.