As I was sitting with John today as he struggled to complete a sentence and to take a breath I began to reminisce. About photography he’s taken: for the cookbooks I’ve written; from nature hikes; from our travels. The funny thing is, we have always traveled with two cameras…and once the photos were developed (film—yes, …
Twist and Zest and the Blues Brothers
I had a fresh lemon and some buttermilk, which somehow reminded me of that line from The Blues Brothers, “It’s a hundred and six miles to Chicago, we’ve got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it’s dark, and we’re wearing sunglasses,” spoken by Elwood. It was time to try my 3 …
Do Not Let What You Cannot Do…
…interfere with what you can do. [John Wooden] I took John to the Ohio State Fair on opening day. It was, in my mind, the perfect summer day. A light breeze was whipping the just bloomed flowers around in the yard and the sun was warming the day to an ideal temperature of 79°F. He …
Funky Shaped Fresh Lemon Cake
The local berries were abundant when I went to the local orchard. There were blueberries, currants, blackberries (the size of my thumb!) and luscious looking red raspberries. I knew once I brought those red raspberries home they needed to top something fun, something tasty, something special. So—it was time to make a Funky Shaped Fresh …
The Hospice Nurse and Denial
It’s been over a month now since we’ve had in home hospice care. We are focused on care and comfort…and keeping John at home and out of the hospital. Sometimes I think it’s a moment of (or maybe it’s moments of) sanity for all of us. No sleeping (well, it’s more like a very …
Jimmies and Butter Cake Cupcakes
I love to make cupcakes. Little rounds of cakey goodness that turn any day — and every day — into a party. My faves are simple—a butter cake with a sweet vanilla frosting, both enhanced with Tahitian Vanilla Extract. Perfect flavor profiles. But eating those cupcakes without embellishment is just, shall we say, boring! Listen …
Observations
When you’re thrown into uncomfortable situations you learn a lot about yourself. Over the past several years since my husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and I’ve navigated this life that we find ourselves living, I’ve learned a lot about me. Things that were important before have undergone constant evaluation. I’ve been a long time fan …
One Leftover Baguette
A dear friend who owns a gardener’s dream of a plant farm and gift barn had asked me to teach a class on herbs. I’d taught there many times, in one of the greenhouses, surrounded by the sights and scents of seasonal flowers and greenery. The students and I had great fun, talking and tasting …
Appreciation
Alzheimer’s changes the brain…and affects areas in that lovable cerebral cortex responsible for language, reasoning and social behavior. Repetition is part of what John is going through. Serious repetition. He will ask me the same question over and over and over and over and over and over (and probably more). At first, I thought I’d …
Buttermilk
Honestly, I’ve loved buttermilk for quite some time. I make a mean buttermilk bread…and, considering I’m a “Jersey girl” at heart my buttermilk biscuits would make any Southerner proud. And did I mention my buttermilk waffles with buttermilk fried chicken tenders? Yum. But — when I make my Buttermilk Fruit Cobbler, all bets are off. …