Christmas 2015

There is always great anticipation for the Christmas season. So many things to do to prepare the household for festivities. The normal daily tasks of clean up from everyday meals, the dog to brush,  tables and pictures to dust are just taken for granted;  The beds need fresh sheets, bathrooms need fresh hand and bath towels, new flowers in the dining room and of course the tree to be decorated with lights and ornaments.

I cannot resist multi cookie recipes and always try some new chocolate concoction.
Food and Wine's color picture of tiered shortbread and almond paste chocolate dipped morsels was too amazing to pass up. The construction was one cookie, brush with apricot jam, another cookie and brush with apricot jam, one thin round of almond paste on top,  and then dip the top in chocolate glaze.  I had all the necessary ingredients on hand so spent one day producing 50- 2" bases and the next day during a lull in the afternoon, dipped the tops. What should have been the easy part turned out to be a bit tricky. The chocolate got a bit too hot and lost it's beautiful shine. Me of all people should know better!  I will include the recipe after the next try with a little addition to it all. I have made a note to myself, to pay attention to the chocolate part and make them perfect next time. The cookies do taste really good tho. It turns out Almond paste is one of Mike's favorite flavors.

                                                  A few of the front ones are the best!
                                    Also a few shots of the tree with past cookie ornaments and all.

 

 A visit with Mary Lou enjoying a dessert of Panna Cotta, Raspberries

and a Linzer cookie.

                                            These are 2 photos of our 2015 tree. I keep recycling the sugar stars.                                                             
  This is all right now, maybe later I will get a picture of our front door entrance. More to come.

Life Interrupted

My whole summer was a wait and see thing, so many tests, so much anxiety, and nothing to really show for it all except a screwed up calendar. So many disappointments! I still look back to my missed event in Minneapolis, the age group USA  Sports Happening, and my chance to tick one thing off my bucket list by qualifying and playing at such a high level. I almost had it in my grasp. I even had a letter from Govenor Scott and  the Florida Sports Council thanking me for participating, therefore promoting Florida in the event.That was a nice touch.
Without warning, the diagnosis of Leukemia was a big shock. If I had known more about it right away, even if I felt sick, I might have still played in the Minneapolis event. All water under the bridge now!!!

 My calendar for July and August now had notes about cleaning the cupboards, dusting the drapes and sorting out of date clothing to give away. I was trying to put the hours to good use. Of course I was still baking bread and filling up the cookie containers with Biscotti and Shortbreads. Both these recipes are in my first book. But while my mind drifted as I baked, a new book wanted to edge into this space.

Now would be the time to create a new plot for my next book. Just wishing for a starting point has not produced anything yet. I will  seriously start to make notes of any and all past adventures not already in my first book. It's all a bit hazy and needs fleshing out with dream-scapes and early morning wanderings before becoming fully awake. My Life Interrupted is a good title and would land the reader on the time line where my first story ended.

 However, before I get into more about a new book, let me tell you about our new puppy . We were not going to get another dog! I know everyone says the same thing after a trusted  companion dies. The pain from such a loss is so difficult that we nearly always say we won't do it again. But after 5 months we decided to do it anyway and give another rescue a good home.Our connection with the Beardie website produced a possible choice. After a short discussion we decided to be brave and go for it again. here are three pictures of our new "Brena"

She is an Aussiedoodle, yes, a real breed and as it turns out quite valuable money wise. Aussidoodles, listed for sale as puppies sell for $1500. So apart from the fact that she is already a wonderful addition to our family, she has registered papers and a micro chip: the perfect rescue. Now I won't have so much time to moan about my missed tournament!

Summer Blues

It is the end of July 2015,  and what have I accomplished ? It seems like the days just float along and all my creative ideas have fallen into a stagnate pool. Why? It is because of an innocuous blood test from a May, yearly Dr. appointment meant to only keep me up to date on my every day functions! From out of the blue, this test came back with serious implications that could not be true. Leukemia? That was the middle of June and it is now almost the end of July and I still am not sure what it will mean for my future. So far it cancelled out my one chance to take part in the 2015 National Games just past. At 83 I was in a perfect category, 80+.  Nothing fills the void left by this major interruption and all the changes that will occur. My life has been altered.
I must gather all my strength and create a new direction. I am still baking and finding rewards with that but am I only filling time and space?
When I was younger and busy creating food events to stay alive, I pressed every minute to accomplish my daily "To do list". I wanted to think I could have it all.  Sometimes when I ran out of hours I would remind myself,," It's OK because I can work all night". I had endless energy.
So now after lots of years, challenges, surprises and disappointments I know I did have it all, just not all at the same time!

How can I get the wheel rolling again? I am searching for clues to imagine a second book, a new plot  that would be of interest to my readers. I need to keep writing ideas down, a story on a scrape of paper, a scribble on the end of a recipe. My baking must take a new twist for reasons unknown to me at this time.  I will dwell on it in my sleep and something will surface.

In the meantime here are pictures of my latest sweet treats, Key Lime Pie using 1.1/4 cups fresh juice and zest from our lime tree in the back garden. The crust uses chocolate flavored  graham wafers, crushed with melted butter, baked briefly. Then with a lime custard spooned into the crust and finished for another 20 minutes in the oven. It cuts perfectly when chilled. I loved every mouthful! This is far from the spongy, light mousse passed off as key lime in commercial pies.
Think of having a taste test between the two and you will experience the difference.
Here is the recipe
Key Lime Pie with Almond Crust 

6 tbs unsalted butter, melted
1 cup crushed chocolate flavored graham crackers 
 1/3 cup sugar
-------
 1 1/4 cups fresh lime juice
1 tsp finely grated lime zest
two 14 oz cans sweetened condensed milk
2 large eggs room temperature, lightly whisked
 -------
 Method
Mix crumbs and sugar with melted butter. Press into a glass 10" pie dish across and up the sides.Bake in 375 oven about 20 minutes.
Let cool on rack

In a bowl, whisk lime juice, zest, condensed milk and eggs to blend thoroughly.
Pour into crust and bake about 20 minutes, set around edges but still slightly jiggly in center. Chill well, and best over night. When ready to serve, whip
2  cups heavy cream, 1 tb sugar and 1/4 cup sour cream.
Pipe around edges of pie or in criss-cross over top. Serve with any extra cream. Yummm


                                                               

                                The Coconut Cream Pie below has a macaroon/ground almond  crust and uses canned coconut milk to increase the filling flavor. Around the edges of the custard and whipped cream topping, rough slivers of chocolate dusted with coconut and ground almonds dresses up the edges.



                                                                  

                                               You can see I can't resist custard fillings! I still keep trying new crust and filling recipes to find ever more perfect ones.

July 23, 2015
So I have now had the important meeting with the Dr. The best news is that it is good news, mostly. all the recent tests proved negative, nothing obvious. So I take a deep breath. However the white cells are still looking scary and need to be reorganized to a more normal number. Some form of Leukemia is still there in the side lines. The Dr. is still uncertain which kind it is? Maybe more analysis to fine tune. For the time being, I can carry on my everyday routine and only report in if I feel any sickness. I will do regular blood tests to determine any shift in numbers. I will continue to read all I can about it all.
The story continues.I am now a Cancer Patient!

Addendum to my Pickleball Life.

This is an addition to my April 27 review about my Pickleball Life.

I have just scrolled back to my enthusiastic review of my Pickleball  Life as of April 27. I wrote down my thoughts a few months ago; then it was a very big part of my day with clear goals and energy. I had been training religiously towards taking part in the 2015 National Senior Games in Minneapolis in July. No matter where you are in your pattern of life, a crisis can sneak up and throw you a whamie without warning. We are never ready!
It was all so perfect. My senior partners, 80+ for woman's doubles and mixed doubles were wonderful choices. This was a one time chance to prove to all , (and myself), that I was a top player in my age group.
Just to get quality partners at this skill  level, this age group and eagerness to travel and participate was an accomplishment. Over 55 and in groupings of 5, the senior  players do thin out in the upper brackets. The 50,-54, 55-59 and so on, each group might  have 30- 40 teams. But how many players are over 80?

So back to the  up coming tournament. The competing teams from all across the US, had been registered and in 80+ for women's doubles, there were only 3 teams???  We would have a great chance to medal. Wow, where are all the over 80 women? My excitement continued to increase.

Back to the 5th of June and heading home after another morning of vigorous, healthy play. I noticed a soreness in my throat. I am never sick, but the scary thought slid into my mind that if this was the flu or?--- I needed to get better fast as the tournament was not far off. The week end progressed with a lot of pain and by Monday I was at the Dr.s office right away. I went on and on about the tournament trying to impress him of the importance of fading time, and finally went home with some antibiotics and hoped for the best. Several more days slipped away and my infection continued. I couldn't get out of bed so resisted all other efforts to do so and rested. Several more visits and other useless drugs kept me in bed for most of June. I was now a basket case trying each day to get better. I was frantic and desperate confirming to myself that I would still be going to the tournament, hell or high water. The Dr. just let me rant on. Finally a blood test revealed a real possibility that I had Leukemia!

It took several days for this to sound real to me. I had to recover: even if I was sick I would still fly to the games and get on with some sort of treatment when I came back. I mean I couldn't let my partners down.They were my first priority.

The rude awaking came when I tried to play a few practice games here at our own courts. I appeared to be too sick; unstable, jittery and overwhelmed by it all. I tried to play 3 mornings in a row. It was now clear that I would not be going. Back home after that day, I phoned my partners and gave them the bad news that I had to withdraw. I was so despondent  and heart broken knowing I was so close to the "Perfect", game, but now the combination would be gone forever.
Some people say "It's just a game", but to me it was a mile marker in my current life. At 83 this was not going to come together again! When I talked with my partner, Marion from Delaware, I said all the right things to her; I know you will be lucky and find a new partner before game time, you will still be able to compete, you can now pair with my super mixed partner etc. but I was only hiding my jealous side, that it would still be good for her and I would be the loser because of some wild infection that had  suddenly taken root in my system. Life is so unfair!!!

As I accepted the fact I would not be traveling, I was now waiting for the results of a second blood test, this one  by the Oncologist specialist. What will it reveal? Maybe it won't be so bad? Something simple could be the reason my white cells are off the page. Today was the arranged time to contact him. I typed in the number and nervously waited for him to come to the phone. Well, he didn't have a clear picture yet because he had not included some technological item in the line up. This didn't make me feel very confident so far. Would I go and do a third blood test and then maybe we could talk for some results. Punching off the call, I was furious and felt very out of control. So much time fooling around, week to week. I needed to get answers soon. The medical system was playing Dr. with my life.

This time next week, we will meet and I hope to get some answers and maybe it won't be all bad.
Well I still am waiting for clarification  as I was next set up for a bone Marrow biopsy and then an unpleasant  Cat Scan.
The Dr. is away on vacation this week, so I now have an appointment for the 22 July. that will be the important  event with all the results. Waiting...Waiting.
Will it all be a big relief when he says it is something that can be easily controlled with meds or? I hope so and get on with my life. I will add to this story soon. Today's date is July 14th.

Still Baking

It is mid May, and we are getting into the hot part of the year here in Florida, so a new routine comes to life. More things to do inside after 10 AM. Of course there is still Pickleball first thing the morning at 8, while the dew is still heavy on the grass and the sun starts to sparkle, warming the flowers. Our garden is nicely underway for the summer so after a quick review of all the spent Geranuim heads to pick off, I return back inside the house again. How lovely and cool it is inside. Here in the house I start to look at all the dusty places that I have missed during the year; the tops of pictures, the drapes, pleated lamp-shades and all the places the regular vacuum misses. Amazing how it collects! Anyway, after 2 hours of real dusting with the mini Bissell,  and the sheets on the beds changed, I look about for my next inspiration. Of course it will be baking.
This is the time to try one of those recipes that has been hanging in the background of my files waiting to be the next best thing ever! With my big lettering added on the top of each recipe, it shouts--- Try this- it sounds good. However there are about 12 such sheets of hastily torn out pages from various magazines or from friends that are still hiding in the file cabinet. What to start with? What does my mouth salivate for? Ah ha, I pick up the alluring Cherry Tart picture and read it through. Yes, I have everything in the pantry, so this is the one I choose for today.

I give no thought to weight loss or calories, just the challenge of a new flavor and beautiful presentation that the picture suggests.
All the ingredients are now on the counter and I begin by lightly greasing the tart pan as the recipe suggests. I look fondly at the pan: it is nice to be able to use this 5/10 shape instead of the normal round tart tin.
My mind floats back to Oregon and my custom bakery there. I had every cake tin shape times 3, plus my own collection and equipment of every description. I had a big garage sale before we moved to Florida thinking we might end up living on a boat!  8 years later I have been collecting baking pans of various sizes once again after frivolously giving away all my baking things. The wild thoughts of living on a boat did not happen.  Did I really think I could give up baking? So back to the Cherry Tart.

The pastry easily comes together using butter and the usual flour with the added flavor of ground almonds to the mix. ( A nice touch). I divide it in two and proceed to press part of it into the fluted long tin,(removable bottom), and set it in the freezer for 10 minutes. (ps don't make the pastry too thick), Meanwhile, I roll out the other half  between plastic wrap, (wax paper if you have it), and score off long strips one inch wide,to use as lattice for topping.  This goes in the freezer too, to firm up for easy handling.

My oven is preheated to 400.
The tart goes in for 10 minutes to be briefly baked blind, (without filling). If it puffs up too much, press back down with the back of a fork.
The cherry pie filling is scooped out of the can and spread nicely over the pastry.
Next the lattice pieces come out of the freezer and are fitted across the top in a cross hatch fashion.  Everything is looking wonderful!

Reduce the oven to 375.
Egg wash the surface of the tart and into the oven for 15 minutes.
Remove to egg wash again and add crushed Pistachio nuts around the edges.
Back into the oven and finish for about another 15 minutes or until well browned and puffy, altogether about 40 minutes baking time

                        Here is my finished product. We hold off until it cools and then enjoy every bite.

                                                                               Yummm!

Cherry Tart
2 cups flour
10 oz ground almonds
3/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 sticks of unsalted butter plus 2 tb Crisco
1 cup sugar
2 eggs

1 can cherry pie filling or cherry preserves

Method
Preheat oven to 400
Lightly grease  tart pan 5/10, set aside.

In food processor, add flour almonds, salt and sugar and process together.
Add cut up butter and Crisco and whirl to lightly combine.
add eggs and finish to large crumbly stage.
Turn out on counter and press together. divide in two, adding one piece to the fridge to chill.
Follow all next instructions from above description.

ps this pastry dough recipe makes more than enough for one tart. Save leftovers, label and freeze for another day.

Pickleball Life

  It has finally occurred to me that Pickleball is a permanent part of my retired life. For almost 6 years, I have begun my day here in Tanglewood, with a rousing game of Pickleball. Every morning, before 8 o'clock, an energetic group of players appear at our outside courts, waiting for the start time. This short waiting time allows for lots of tid-bit back and forth gossip before the real game begins. Why do we have a ridged, set in stone, start time? Because some of the non playing  residents who live nearby the court area, claim to be able to hear the balls as they hit the paddle, and it wakes them up! Hah!This might be a good thing for them: that they actually get a good early start to their day without using an alarm clock.
  2015 is a National Senior Year for Competition, an age level event, held every 2 years, for seniors all across the USA. In order to be accepted as qualified in your sport, you must compete in your state games the year before and win gold at your age level. So now at age 83 and qualified, I feel this might be my chance to do well as the competition thins out as the ages go up. How many over 80-84 competitors might there be? How many more years will I be fit? In 2013 there were only three couples over 80. I am sure by now there will be more. When the brackets are posted prior to the July start-up we will be able to see who has registered!
It is a wonderful goal to have created for myself, to push myself to keep fit. All this year since Christmas I have had it in my mind every day to use each game as a learning experience, to concentrate on one technique at a time throughout the whole game.Of course I don't share this information with the other players.
This has been my form of self coaching.
Like many sporting games, the first part is easy but then the finer points come into play. Pickleball is very fast back and forth across the net, so one must be quick on the feet, moving front to back and side to side while  having an idea where the next shot should go. Pickleball uses a paddle a bit like Ping Pong and a whiffle ball similar in size to Tennis. Oh yes, accuracy for placing the ball says it all! All the other parts of the game are useless if you are not accurate.

                                                 Here I am with partner Clayton Farrar enjoying a recent gold moment.

My regular daily chores and housekeeping continue around my Pickleball. Some residents here are Golfers or play Petanque or Shuffleboard or enjoy Cards, but I have chosen this game with the funny name: the most vigorous of all.
I still cook and bake almost every day and still eat lots of chocolate but it is tempered with Pickleball.
I will add to this story as soon as I have new results to share.
Look ahead in my Blog to a more recent addition to my Pickleball Life.

After Gracie

Where do I start this? I am in disbelief that my precious "Gracie" has had to move onto her next life. Only yesterday she was bouncing along for her morning walk, giving lots of happy barks and greeting her friends along the way. Now she is with all her former doggie friends, without Mike and me! The golden bridge was waiting for her, a rainbow up ahead glowing in the mist, welcoming her to her next life. We didn't know it would happen this way. A sudden shock, some kind of stroke, leaving her unable to stand or move, paralyzing all her body except her head.She valiantly struggled all night to get up, but all was frozen immovable. It was awful to witness.
Gracie, we will miss all your beautiful  ways to get our attention; the morning wake up with a gentle paw, the nudge for a treat, a little woof for walk time. Laughs and giggles when you rearranged all your fluffy hair over your eyes just the way you wanted it. We think of so many smiles you brought to our life with all your loving ways. How to go on without you?
I know we must put aside all sorrow soon, and think only of how lucky we were to have you for three short years. I know you loved it here with us, so grateful to be rescued, but we were the lucky ones that you found us.
I am finding it hard to type more thoughts as the rears stream down my face.

 I am finally more composed so can write more.Here are the pictures to keep her image alive..

                                                              Just so cute, a heart-breaker.
So this is as much as we need right now. She was one in a million  and we were chosen.

 B