Don't Forget About Leukemia

About 8 months have gone by since my astounding announcement last July regarding the diagnosis of Chronic Leukemia, reported to me while getting the results from  a routine blood test. Scrolling forward, most  days I completely forget about it but then at night the scary thought of Cancer sometimes creeps into my shadowy dreams. So far, it is a No contest, a Nothingness. This is the way the Chronic or Slow growing version can begin. If I am extremely lucky, it might go on like this for many years. I do have a friend who has dealt with this for 14 years and still needs no "Meds". All this sounds great and very encouraging. Maybe I will outlive this annoying disease with no harm done. My daily routine continues on without any compromise to my diet or change in my sport workout. Why I am bringing it up at all, is the fact it is still lurking in my system like a bad penny. I would compare it to having the Shingle virus; a condition that could be activated at any time without warning.

I will not mention it again until there is a reason to do so.

The spring season here in Florida,  is giving us lovely warm weather and lots of activities. It is still not too hot for most outside endeavors. It is still OK to take the dog in the car as long as the windows are down and maybe park the car in the shade. The time is right for gardening, setting out  new bedding plants and lots of mulch or decorative stone. I look at the fabulous display over at Chicanes Restaurant and only hope I could accomplish the same reward.Their beds of flowers and artistic rough landscape viewed from the inside window seating  at the waters edge are spectacular. Please send that landscape designer over here!

Just joking but is does impart optimism that something similar could be done here at my house. I think next week will be the real start of improvements here. I have resisted new plants and mulch but soon it must be dealt with. When I get the before and after pictures I will be sure to attach them. 

Today is Friday and we will have Mike's sister Sue and her husband Steve here for dinner. Sue and Steve live in Wisconsin. They will drop in at Ray's first and later arrive here for dinner. It should be a good time. We have planned grilled steaks, baked potatoes, all the trimmings, asparagus and a nice salad to start. Ray is bringing Strawberry Cheesecake, and I have made a Key Lime Pie. (Remember we have our own lime tree).  Of course drinks of various kinds and a mellow Pinot Noir for the table.

Tournaments and March Happenings

All the month of March, Pickleball has used up my every waking hour. Finally the last two meets are over ! My total effort produced two gold medals and one silver. This allows me to register for the Florida State Games in December and on to the National Senior Games in 2017 in Alabama. (I  might not want to keep playing, (I would be 85),  but the requirements are in place just in case).
   Now I am still looking forward to several dates on the Tanglewood Ladies Travel Team Roster. This is a fun group and I am pleased to be included, as the team captain chooses those players that she considers at competition level. We will be making a challenge with Highlands Ridge tomorrow, the 15th,  and on the 19th a return appearance at Dell Web. Both these locations are not far away but generally we use two cars, (10 players altogether), and one or two drive separately. Also challenges from, Lake Ashton and maybe the Sun N Lake Racquet Club if they can get the ladies together. It is all in fun with a few bragging rights when we pull of a Win! While my mind is forever thinking about this sport because it is so much fun, gives a great work out and the players are all vigorous and fit,  I am still finding in a few hours to bake up a storm when the pantry is low or we have an event to attend, (where we are expected to add to the menu). Of course I can't just bring something simple or from Publix , so here are 2 of my recent contributions.
  Because it is spring and lots of flowers are in bloom, rose petals of various hues are abundant and have captured my imagination. Beware though,  these bushes must be free from insect spray when used as  decoration because I want them to be safe to eat. I harvest the petals and spread them out on a large sheet pan . I use one egg white, just whisked a little to make it less gloppy, and brush the petals with the egg white,  coating as much as possible. the next step is to sprinkle granulated sugar over all, toss several times and leave them spread out to dry. Toss again with the remaining sugar on the pan. They can be stored in a zip lock bag for use later.
The cupcake ideas and cookie recipe and royal icing recipe follows,

The cake uses two colors of batter, (vanilla on the bottom and pink on the top). I used a small scoop for the vanilla and then added a scoop of pink on top. They baked like a regular muffin at 350, just watch the timing as it is a bit less than for cake rounds. The icing pictured was lemon butter cream in two shades. Use 2 small plastic pastry bags of the chosen colors, without a tip, and insert into one large pastry bag side by side, with the large bag's decorating  tip in place. Squeeze firmly from both bags and a two toned icing will appear.

Basic Sugar Cookies                 oven 350
4 cups flour
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, (soft)
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup milk

Method
Sift dry ingredients together
In a mixer bowl, cream butter and sugar until light
Add eggs and milk
Turn out onto counter, finish gathering mixture together.
Divide dough into 2 parts.
Chill in fridge for 1 hour. Roll out on lightly floured counter to about 1/8 thickness, using 2 -3 " cutter
 (I use hearts).
Bake at 3.50 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned on edges.
Cool on cake rack.

Royal Icing
1 cup icing sugar
1 egg white
few drops lemon juice- also food color,(optional)
In mixer bowl, combine egg white and icing sugar. add lemon juice only a few drops at a time, (it doesn't take much juice to make an icing for design or writing. Use a small pastry bag and plain tip.

 Pass over cookies with thin icing to make a random pattern. (test texture of icing for correct consistency).
Add an extra dot of icing to the edge of a petal and position on top of each cookie. Don't they look great?

                                                          Have fun with the flower idea.

 Shredded, fresh  blossoms of mixed petal colors can also be used to scatter on top of a cake. Just add before serving if using fresh, (not sugared).