Today

Sitting in the sunshine. Enjoying the warmth and the bounty of fall. Love this time of year.  My phone says its 68 degrees. 

We are going to the football game tonight. We will help the community celebrate the new addition to our high school. Free admission tonight and free popcorn. Fun!

Blessings.

Salsa and Zucchini Banana Bread

Wow, we've been busy. I know, everyone has. The end of summer and beginning of fall brings such bounty from our gardens (not mine, not this year). My sister-in-law brought me fresh tomatoes, jalapenos, green peppers and onions when they came to see us recently.

Those ingredients make me think of fresh salsa immediately. Have you ever tried making your own? I promise you, there is really minimal effort on your part for maximum taste.

I took:

7-8 roma tomatoes
1/2 - 1 medium onion
1-2 cloves garlic
1 green pepper
3 or 4 jalapenos or peppers of your choice
juice of 1/2 lime - squeezed

I took my immersion blender and blended everything together. I don't like chunky salsa but you might. Blend to your heart's content.

Season with salt and pepper. Really this isn't much of a recipe because so much depends on your taste. Adjust accordingly.

Get a bag of chips and chow down! That easy! Such a good snack for you. (Not including the chips.)

The other thing I've been making a lot of is Zucchini Banana Bread. This is a recipe from my grandmother, Opal. It is almost a near death experience because it's so good. :) There's nothing better than bread, just baked in the oven and butter slathered generously over it. Mmmm good! This is not low cal or low fat, no siree. Here's the recipe:

Zucchini Banana Bread

4 eggs (told you)
2 c. sugar
1 c. vegetable oil
2 medium ripe bananas (mashed and mash 'em good)
3 c. flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 tsp. soda
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 c shredded zucchini (peeled or unpeeled)
1 c chopped nuts (Iomitted these)

Mix sugar, eggs and oil. Add bananas and mix well. Add zucchini and stir in. Combine flour, baking powder, soda, cinnamon and salt. Add to mixture. Add nuts and stir in.

Oven at 350 degrees. Makes two loaf pans. Bake 1 hour.

That's it! Yum is right. Now you know what to do with all those zucchinis! :)

Lots of this and that

I had another spinal tap today. It went very well and I was home by fourish. We seemed to have settled into a routine of some sorts.

I saw my doctor today and he said that I was just a "miracle child". I don't mind being called that. I don't mind being used by God that way either. I just have to give it up to him each day. I think I've already done that and then something else comes up. I reminded again to open my hands and give everything back to Him.

I had a small lump on by left breast for awhile but really though it was more of a pimple, It's been around for a long time but just recently got bigger. Another chance for my mind to run away with all sorts of unhealthy thoughts. What if.... I've also had several bouts with dizziness and vomiting. I have this for several days and then it goes away.

My doc wants me to watch and write down when I'm feeling sickly or throwing up but doubts it's the tumors because it would be more regular. He agreed with me that the "thing" on my chest looks more like a zit. Yay, I was so glad to hear that.

So, on with life. We look forward to having company over the Labor Day weekend. Hopefully, we will have nice weather and the sticky will go away.

My cousin and his wife visited us last week.We had such a fun time. I will have to share her recipe for chocolate zucchini cake that was to die for! Maybe next time. Take care!

Worn

I heard a beautiful song today. I had heard it before but the words really sank in. It's called Worn by Tenth Avenue North. Seems like some days I could've written these very words.

Click here to hear the song.

Here are the lyrics.

I’m Tired I’m worn
My heart is heavy
From the work it takes
To keep on breathing
I’ve made mistakes
I’ve let my hope fail
My soul feels crushed
By the weight of this world

And I know that you can give me rest
So I cry out with all that I have left

Let me see redemption win
Let me know the struggle ends
That you can mend a heart
That’s frail and torn
I wanna know a song can rise
From the ashes of a broken life
And all that’s dead inside can be reborn
Cause I’m worn

I know I need to lift my eyes up
But I'm too weak
Life just won’t let up
And I know that you can give me rest
So I cry out with all that I have left

Let me see redemption win
Let me know the struggle ends
That you can mend a heart
That’s frail and torn
I wanna know a song can rise
From the ashes of a broken life
And all that’s dead inside can be reborn
Cause I’m worn

My prayers are wearing thin
Yeah, I’m worn
Even before the day begins
Yeah, I’m worn
I’ve lost my will to fight
I’m worn
So, heaven come and flood my eyes

Let me see redemption win
Let me know the struggle ends
That you can mend a heart
That’s frail and torn
I wanna know a song can rise
From the ashes of a broken life
And all that’s dead inside can be reborn
Cause all that’s dead inside will be reborn

Though I’m worn
Yeah I’m worn

Where have I been...

Well, I've been squeezing every bit of summer I can out of July and August.

 We have had some cool days but its recently decided to be summer again. We've spend two days already at the beach this week. 

My sisters came up so we could celebrate our birthday (I'm a twin) last week. They spent the week here and we shopped and ate and boated and sunned. It was wonderful. 

Two of our children went home to Colorado with the aunts so its been quiet here this week.

We took the remaining two out for ice cream and miniature golf at a fun place in Brainerd.

We played the game chairs on the porch tonight. What a beautiful day.

We are busy with the last days of summer. Hope you are getting chances to be out in the sunshine.

I have treatment again this coming Tuesday. Please pray for me as you always do. 

Tap 101,922 (oops, now they call it lumbar puncture)

Hello. I did a treatment today. It's been over three weeks since my last one. LOVE that there's more time in between. 

I'm feeling not too bad since I came home and went to sleep straight away. I thank God that I have less side effects recently.

Probably helps that I made the Dr swear on her life that she would never leave me for another cushy job somewhere. I've learned to be very picky about who can touch me. Guess I've been around the place too long. :)

Anyway, life goes on. Its all in God's hands and that makes me feel better. Thank you for your prayers and concerns. 

Huevos Rancheros

I think I just fixed one of my favorite breakfasts out there. I had made home made pork green chili last night so that was the prerequisite for my huevos. There are many recipes for huevos out there but this is what I've come up with.

This morning I fried corn tortillas in hot oil for a few minutes each side. Then I cooked the eggs. Dan wanted his over easy and Shelby and I like our eggs hard - not hard boiled but NO yolky middle (I made pancakes for the triplets as they are not into spicy foods so much). After the eggs were done we started assembly.

corn tortilla
refried beans
eggs
pork green chili
cheese
sour cream
salsa

Wow! Major yummy in my tummy. I love to start Saturdays with a tasty breakfast.

Wish I had a picture but we ate 'em almost faster than I could make them.


*** If you are not into making your own pork green chili a canned version would do. Not as good as mine ;) but it will do in a pinch.