The Box and This and That

A box arrived for me last week. My sister in law and cousin had set aside Mom's wedding dress for me. She had talked to me about giving it to me before she got so bad. I left a sweater behind and so Lorri (cousin) was going to send the dress when she sent the sweater.  She had room in the box and asked if there was anything else I wanted. I suggested filling the box with Mom's shirts. I told her that I wanted to make a quilt for Dad. 

The box arrived and sat in the entry way for the rest of the week. I finally brought it upstairs today and opened it. 

I suspected it would be hard to see the clothes. It was. I'm not sure how inanimate objects can convey so many memories.  I have no clue HOW to make a quilt. I had thought to cut out squares, sew them together and back them.....then I realized sometimes you put the rectangle borders on them.....Tammy, a friend, sent me this photo when I mentioned on Facebook  that I was going to make quilts with mom's clothes. I like that it's smaller than I was thinking - but it is considerably more involved than I was thinking too.  I may wait to work on this until I make another to see how it's done. 

I wanted to surprise Dad quickly, but I think maybe I should take a bit of time on this.

In other doings today.....Michael helped me with the scary pressure canner and I canned 16 pts of turkey broth.

We also ran to the Burrough office and discovered the way most military arrive back in state and simply begin getting their in state waivers and such is they "lie" and "no one catches it." We told the truth and so it will be until 2019 before we can get a partial property tax exemption due to Michael's VA disability. Seems you have to be a resident (all agree we are), but you have to reside here a full calendar year before you can claim the exemption....and most military just fudge, according to them. They also said if we'd continued to take the PFD all these years we would have gone under the radar - but the rules are still the same - just you don't get caught doing it.  So.....we did what we thought was honorable and didn't take the PFD as we weren't contributing to the economy of AK while we were active duty.....and now it is biting us. ::snort::  If we'd taken the PFD for these 15 years and saved it, I would have my hot tub and sauna now. ::snort:: They kept the application and said they will process it on Jan 2, 2019.  At least we have the application in early. 😊

Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation

Michael has been authorized for 30 some sessions of specialized swallow therapy. This was after a barium test which showed he was losing ground from where he had previously been.  We go to the town over the way, three times a week for therapy.

The therapy is called  Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation and is in addition to his traditional swallow therapy. This is in an effort to supplement the traditional therapy and provide better results - swallowing matters - a lot. He has about 2 hours of exercises he does daily for swallowing and vocal chords, and he has these sessions 3x a week, where they hook electrodes up to his throat, turn up the juice until he's at full zinging power and have him do exercises for 30 minutes. (He is sure his hair stands on end and lightning comes from his fingers - it doesn't really).

He has another week of sessions and then they will retest with the Barium Swallow test. IF he is showing improvement, they will continue this therapy for another month or so. If he is NOT showing improvement, therapy will be discontinued. At that point, he will continue the traditional hours of daily exercise - but basically it would mean there is nothing else they can do to strengthen his swallow and vocal chord muscles.  ::Blush:: can't remember the name of the muscles for swallowing...pharyngeal? Please join us in praying the therapy has improved Michael's swallowing issues.

Michael has a new referral to a dietician. This is due to the fact he's starting to eat less, or avoid certain foods,  because of the swallowing. We are really hoping that's a one time visit.

This has been a rough couple of months for us as we continue to face the reality of Parkinson's. Michael is at the BEGINNING of this disease...but more and more we are being asked to consider what options he will want "as the disease progresses." One we'd never considered was if he would allow a G tube - and under what circumstances.  We don't have answers - but we're working on them.

Sunday Sledding

The recent warm weather caused snow to melt, then freeze, leaving a nice icy sheen on the top of the kids' sledding hill. It's not steep - but it's fast and fun.  Today, when the guys came out for Family Sunday Dinner, they spent some time outside in the snow. 

Evidently, Bella is content to watch from inside.....

Um.....Stacia takes the prize for longest run....and we'll be redirecting. She was totally NOT hurt....just exhilarated.  

Jared gives it a try 

Cheeseburger Macaroni (Instant Pot)

*This is another go-to Wednesday night meal. LOL  The original recipe is  here.   I dump spices in. 

Ingredients:

1 lb lean ground beef or turkey
16 oz whole wheat elbow macaroni, dry
2 C chicken or veggie broth
1 T Franks Red Hot (I subbed salsa)
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp parsley flakes
28 oz can diced tomato (I used Rotel tomato and chili)
2 T tomato paste (I was out and used ketchup)
small - med onion (my addition)
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
Press saute and add ground beef, oregano, parsley, onion and garlic.

Cook until the meat is no longer pink and is crumbling.

Add all other ingredients except the cheese, give it a good stir.

Close the Instant Pot valve, press manual and cook for 4 minutes.

Quick release when it beeps.

Stir in cheese and stir to melt.

"Fresh" Berry Compote - Instant Pot

I ran across the idea to make berry compote to add to yogurt when searching for yogurt recipes. I've tried several and this is the one I settled on for Michael. I've seen it made with no sugar - but he likes sweet and it is going into tart yogurt. This could also be used on waffles, oatmeal, cheese cakes.....

Ingredients:
1 lb strawberries
1 lb blueberries
1/4 C sugar
2 t lemon or orange juice

Optional add ins:
Vanilla
Cinamon
Ginger
Nutmeg

Directions:
Put fruit in bowl and cover with sugar. Let sit for 20 min.

Add lemon juice.

Set Instant Pot for manual/high  - 1 min.

When it beeps; allow a 15 min natural release.

It will thicken some as it cools. I did simmer and add cornstarch the first time.

Notes
1. I use frozen fruit if I don't have fresh. . If you thaw the fruit and drain off some liquid first it works best.

2. If you have too much liquid, I simmer with a bit of cornstarch.

3. I mistakenly put 2 T of lemon juice in this batch and I liked it better.

4. Yes, it can be simmered on a stove instead of pressure cooked. Takes about 20 min, stir OFTEN. IP doesn't save time here - it allows me to walk off. LOL

4. Yes, any berry or stone fruit could be used.....I'm going to try strawberries and a couple of bananas next - omit the sugar. I must often use a lb of mixed berries and a lb of blueberries.

Chicken Tacos - Instant Pot

I have found this to be a great Wednesday night or busy night meal. 

Ingredients:
2 lb of Chicken
1/4 C Ranch dip mix
1/4 C Taco Seasoning
16 oz Salsa

Desired toppings, tortillas, taco shells etc.

Directions:
Click Saute on the Instant Pot and heat to hot.

Add chicken and saute.  Remove chicken and shred. Add back to Instant Pot.

Add the next three ingredients.

Click Poultry setting and walk away. Takes about 15 min.

Quick release the pressure, add your toppings and eat.

*NOTE to speed things along by keeping the pot warm, I leave the pot on saute, add the other ingredients and let them begin to simmer - while I shred the chicken. Then I add the chicken. Turn the pot off and turn it back on by clicking the poultry setting. 

The Nook or Sanctuary Space

This post is apt to seem weird to some of you. As we looked for a home, I felt like God dropped a thought into my spirit. "Build a sanctuary for me." I did a topical study on sanctuary; complete with word studies and cross references. Yes, I felt I was to look for a home that would have a space for me to build a Sanctuary....not in a legalistic way. I recognize God's presence is everywhere - but still I wanted a physical spot dedicated to meet with God, filled with rest, a place to study, a place to encourage others - it would also serve as my spiritual "war room." I envisioned it as a place bathed in prayer and adoration, a welcoming spot. I envisioned others in the family drawn to the space. 

Obviously, in the 6,000 SF home we put an offer on, there were a zillion options for this space. 

But here, in this home we bought, there was a "nook." It's off the kitchen.  It has a pantry in it. When we visited the home, there was nothing but a high chair in the nook.  I knew it was my sanctuary space. One, it's open and I don't like being in closed space. The room is lined with windows - and I like light. It turned out everyone had thoughts of how the room should be used. It should be game room, an office, a play room for the grands....the list went on. I shared with Michael what I was thinking and he immediately said, that sounds right. 

Mom had given us furniture and some things when we thought we were moving to the BIG HOUSE....we worked hard to fit it all into this house. This was a challenge as we've tried not to put a lot in the family room - so CoRielle have a sitting area with their bedroom and kitchen.  We moved the antique furniture Mom had from her Aunt Della's restaurant into the nook. My grandpa's old rocking chair ended up in here too. My cross collection fit on the walls, My tea cup collection and tea set up fits perfectly in the entrance to the nook. I guarded this space so it would be a sanctuary and not another work area.....

Recently, we acquired a new-to-us desk top and printer. The study is small - actually it sits below the nook. Michael suggested moving the desk down there (gift from Mom G) up to the nook, along with a printer. I've learned not to say, "NO," immediately. I took a few days to think about it...to pray about it....and in the end, I agreed. 

I've not mentioned it much, but I'm having more and more trouble with my hands. Some days I can't hold a pen to write without my knuckles dislocating as I write. Some days I can't hold the pen. ::snort::  I think it will be good for me to be able to do my Bible study on the lap top....and it does take care of the problem of having files up and down stairs....I'm not thrilled with a printer in the nook - but it works. 

No one refers to the room as our Sanctuary Space...it's Mom's nook or the nook.....and I do love finding various ones drawn to stop by the nook. We have had some nice conversations in here, I do feel the room is special in some way....I suspect, as God's presence is EVERYWHERE in our home, that mostly it feels special as it reminds ME that His presences is everywhere...and that we are consciously building a sanctuary for HIM - not just a calm place for us.  His purposes. His way. 

Today, the boys brought the desk up. We moved one of Krista's end tables (a gift from Mom G) down to the study. The other one is covered with a lace cloth mom had sent up in June and the printer. 

Note some of my tea cups and the tea area as you walk in from the kitchen...and the pantry door holds prayer requests.....The tea cups are in the entry way, this is the pantry/prayer wall....

As you continue looking around the room - this is the next section. It is taken standing in the tea area. It is working really well for Bible study. I especially like having the laptop right here because after study, the next stop is to check in with Bible Babes - a virtual study group. Lest anyone think I'm really scholarly, the Bible and my notebook are there  - the  other books are my personal journal and my bullet journal. 

To the right of the desk is another chair and that ottoman is left as a table....which currently houses library books on greenhouses and chicken coops. 

In Alaska, we leave our Christmas lights up until the last dog reaches Nome in the Iditarod race. I love Alaska.  I have candles in the front windows as well - and I really love how cheery it makes a dark afternoon feel. BTW we have 5 or 10 min of extra light every day...soon it's going to be 20+hours of sun and believe it or not, that's harder for this gal. LOL 

It wasn't supposed to work out this way, but many of my favorite things are in here. My tea cup collection, all the furniture is from Mom or Mom G, things on the wall were gifts or made by the kids and my two antique photos are in here too.  This is a very relaxing and restful space.

The rest of the story: We invited the original builders of the house over a few weeks ago. We found him when trying to locate a 2nd septic vault the owners we bought it from said existed. It doesn't. But we enjoyed getting to meet Wayne and Cynthia. We had a great time swapping life stories. They have 10 children. They lived in the basement while they built the upstairs. The tiles are laid out in the basement in one of Cynthia's favorite quilt patterns. Wayne shared stories with Michael, and info about the house, Cynthia and I shared more of the personal stories....We discovered we have a giant driveway because they often hosted church fellowships here. The nook was built to be an eating area for kids when they entertained.  Wayne said he wasn't sure why he changed the shape of the room and put all the windows in.....I know why. I love it. God was looking down the road. ::wink:: It was a blast to get to spend time with them and learn more about the place.