Chicken Stock

Tomorrow is Easter. Today I am cooking some things for two family dinners.
So, I have my chicken stock started for a big ol' double batch of homemade noodles.
I got my stockpot going and now I am sitting here sipping on my protein shake for the morning.

Don't forget that I don't cook just weight loss surgery friendly stuff. I have a big family and they love Mom's home cooking. If I let a family dinner go by without making my noodles, I believe there would be a mutiny!

My noodles are something else that I need to thank my former mother in law Ellen for, along with my crochet.
You see my first marriage was at the ripe old age of 17! Well, 1 month before I turned 18, but still a dumb kid.
I knew nothing about nothing, but thought I knew it all. My mother in law gave me some good instruction and I will be forever grateful to her for that.


Chicken Stock

Big pot of water,
chicken, in this instance I used chicken leg quarters
carrots, onions and celery (of which I forgot to include pics)
salt and pepper

Let boil until chicken is tender and falling off the bones.
remove chicken from the pot, strain, making sure you get all the veggies and pieces of bone out of your stock, but reserve all your liquid.
Allow chicken to cool, then pick the meat from the bones, tossing bones, fat and skin.

Chicken can be used in other recipes so I usually bag and freeze the extra.
Sometimes I pressure can my stock for later use in other recipes or I put it into freezer containers and freeze. I think there is a post of that here under the "Canning" label.

When making noodles, I put some of the chicken back into the stock and bring it back up to a boil before adding the noodle dough.

I will add another post after bit as I get the noodles made and the finished product going.

Hat and Blankie for great grandson Hodge

This is my latest finished project. A little hat and blanket for the great grandson due very soon.
I just spoke to his grandma and she says they thought he was coming last night, but it appears that he has changed his mind. Mama just had a little infection that caused a few contractions. But everything is good, and he will make his debut just as soon as he decides that he is ready to see everyone.
Granny needs to get a car before he comes!

1 year ago today

It's been 1 year today since you went away.
I go on, but sometimes I wonder why.
I know I have to, but, at times I feel guilty because I am, and you aren't here to share life with me.
There have been so many joyous things happen this past year that I know you would have loved to see.
3 beautiful new grand babies, and a beautiful great niece have joined us since you passed. Plus, a new great grandson due very soon.
I had my surgery in August and have lost a lot of weight. My health is getting better, the diabetes is gone, high blood pressure is gone, off all that medication.
But, I can't help feeling so sad. As hard as I try to pretend life is good, it just isn't.
Yes, at times I wanted to hang you for your grumpiness, or your controlling ways at times, but right now what I wouldn't give to hear your voice, even if it was to be barking orders like you were still that drill Sargent in the Marine Corp.
But, even more, I would love to hear you tell me again how much you love me and how pretty you think I am, like you used too. Even if you were half blind like I always said you were,,,LOL
Deep down I know I have to keep on going. I just needed to tell you that it's not easy without you. And, sometimes I just don't want to. But I will, because the kids and the babies make it worth it. I wish you could be here with us though.
Oh, Lily had her first ice cream cone and Jammie says you would have been proud.
You gave the others their first one. It's times like those, that make me miss you more each day.

New baby afghan pattern

I told you all I was working on a new baby afghan pattern. Well this is it. Since it is pink, I think Jovie gets this test one.
Now to get started on a blue one. Just got word a week or so ago that Wayne has a new great grandson due next month.
So Step Granny Liz is going to make some things and send them down in grandpa's memory.

Jovie Lynn Carr Dedicated to the Lord 3/14/10

Jovie with her mommy and daddy, Travis and Joanie
Mawmaw Shirley and Pawpaw Nick Carr and me, Granny Liz
Travis, Joanie and Jovie on her special day.

120 lbs down

Since the picture in peach to the picture in jeans and black tee. I am now down a little over 120lbs.
Weightloss surgery was the best thing I ever did.
It is still a struggle because of the mental anguishes the last yr and a half, but I am getting there with the help of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Thank you Jesus.

Mothers Birthday

Today would have been my mom's birthday. She left for heaven about 6 months before Wayne did. Maybe they are up there celebrating together?

My newest granddaughter Jovie Lynn is being dedicated to the Lord at church this morning. I think its a good way to celebrate Mama's birthday.

I miss you Mom. I love you so much.

Wayne's Birthday

This would have been your birthday.
I sure wish you were here. But then I wish that every day.
I am going to bake your favorite carrot cake I think.
I know, I am not supposed to eat that stuff anymore, but I have to have a small piece for you.
I am sure the kids will eat the rest.
Happy Birthday Honey. I hope the angels are singing to you.
I love you.

Afghan #2

I have completed my second afghan in the same amount of weeks.
The blue one goes to my friend Lisa, who loves blue as much as I do. She is the one who took the trip with me in November to help clear my head.
This one goes to my friend Brenda, who has been with me through all the hard times in the last year.
Thank you to both of them for being such dear friends and looking out for me. I love you both.

I am now working on a new pattern for baby afghans. I will post some pics when I get this one worked out just the way I want it. I am picky!

My latest craft project

I have been spending some of this cold snowy winter crocheting some afghans for friends.
You can tell by how old my pattern looks that I have used it a lot over the years.
Someday I need to sit down and type it out before I can no longer read it. Its getting close to that point now.
I don't follow the pattern exactly all the time. I adapt it to my colors and what I feel like doing to it at the time.
Just thought I would share!

Comfort Food Made Over

I had a friend over for dinner and decided I needed a little comfort food.
So, I decided on Sheppard's Pie, or hamburger pie.
Even with my surgery I can have things like this in moderation.

1 lb ground turkey breast or extra lean ground sirloin
diced onion
1 can green beans
tomato sauce
Tablespoon minced garlic
Package instant roasted garlic mashed potatoes
Fat free cheddar cheese
salt and pepper to taste

Saute diced onion in skillet sprayed with Pam. I used an iron skillet so that I only dirtied one pan. Add your turkey or ground sirloin and brown, add a can of drained green beans a tablespoon of minced garlic and a small can of tomato sauce.
salt and pepper to taste and heat through.
Prepare the instant potatoes according to package directions. Spread over the top of your meat mixture and sprinkle with cheddar cheese. Bake in a 400 degree preheated oven until cheese is melted and bubbly.

I could not eat very much, but it was sure comforting to know that I can still have normal foods once in a while. Plus, I have leftovers for a couple of days. I will freeze in individual containers and just heat and eat!

Moving Day

I think the move is finally going to happen today.
I thought that I had better get a post in because I am not sure when my Internet will be turned on.
My friends Brenda and Mark got their truck fixed so that they can help me get some of my stuff moved in today.
There is still a lot of snow around here, so for now, we are just moving enough that I can live there. We will move the rest when the weather straightens up a bit.
It's pretty darn cold outside. I am grateful for my friends and family who are willing to get out there and help me get at least part way settled in.

Doing the Fat Math

I borrowed this from another site that I am on. It is some useful information for those of us who are now avid label readers.


Doing the Fat Math
By: Reader's Digest

Nutrition labels list total fat content, but that number may not tell you everything

For instance, you should take into account:

Percentage of calories from fat. Most labels don’t tell you this number. To figure it out, divide the fat calories per serving by the total calories per serving and multiply by 100. So a food that contains 90 calories per serving and has 30 calories from fat would get 33 percent of its calories from fat. A food that gets less than 30 percent of calories from fat is considered a relatively low-fat food; food that gets less than 20 percent of its calories from fat is considered a low-fat food.

Fat you add. Combination foods and mixes, like Hamburger Helper, often have two sets of numbers on the label--one “as packaged” and one “as prepared.” If the “as packaged” numbers are good and you can prepare it with low-fat or nonfat ingredients, the product is a good choice.

Servings per container. Read these carefully; often you may assume a package contains only one serving, when in fact it contains two--and therefore double the fat on the label.

Pan Seared Tilapia w/ Homemade Salsa

I love my deep fried fish with oodles of tarter sauce or even ketchup. But, that's not on my menu plan these days. So, instead, I have my fish like this sometimes.

Do you see the juice oozzing from the salsa? That makes the fish softer to help it slide through my pouch.

1 frozen tilapia fillet, approx. 4oz.
1/2 tbs. extra virgin olive oil
1/2 tsp. chopped garlic
a pinch of salt and pepper

I heated the EVOO to just the smokey stage, not too hot. Sauteed the chopped garlic for a minute or so, then pan seared my fish on both sides until white and flakes easily with a fork. I topped it with about 2 tablespoons of my friend Brenda's home canned salsa.
That was my protein dinner for tonight. It's not battered and deep fried and smothered in tarter sauce, but it still tastes pretty darn good! Remember, if you aren't like me, and you have more than one mouth to feed, just double, triple or quadruple the amounts.

Nutrition Facts
1 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 171.1
Total Fat 8.1 g
Saturated Fat 1.5 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.0 g
Monounsaturated Fat 5.0 g
Cholesterol 55.0 mg
Sodium 179.4 mg
Potassium 79.4 mg
Total Carbohydrate 2.9 g
Dietary Fiber 0.6 g
Sugars 0.0 g
Protein 21.6 g
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Learning

I am working on learning to live again. Not only am I learning to eat a whole different way, I am learning to live alone.
When I get moved, it will be the first time in my 51 years to ever live alone.
I went straight from my parents to a marriage at 17 and 2 children by the age of 20.
A second marriage and 2 more children by the age of 26. Then on to live with my children and a 3rd marriage at age 42.
When Wayne passed I came to live with my son and his family. Now I feel it's time to learn to live on my own.
Yes, it's a bit scary sometimes, but I think it is what I must do to learn to live again.
Financially, I am a mess. Mentally too, in some ways. Physically, I am hoping for much improvement since I had the gastric bypass.
I am planning on searching for a way to earn a little more income, perhaps by going back to school and finishing a degree that I started over 20 years ago. Possibly something completely different. I guess my world is open for anything these days.

If anyone has any ideas or suggestions for me, please leave a comment on here. I would love to hear from you and hear any cool things you have to say. Who knows, you may have a great idea that will make me a self made millionaire!!
Seriously tho, I don't need or even want millions. I just want to learn to live again, on my own and be able to take care of myself until I really am too old to do so. Lets face it, at 51, I don't have a whole lot of years left to waste!

The new family

My oldest son Travis, his wife Joanie and my new granddaughter Jovie.
Aren't they a great looking little family?
Jovie has had to stay in the hospital for a few extra days due to making sure she did not inhale her meconium, or bowel movement that she had before birth. The doctors thought maybe she had a little breathing problem, but so far it all looks good. Now she is under the billirubin light because she was slightly jaundiced.

I can't wait until she comes home so that I can hold her in my arms again. My 6th gift from God.

Snow on The Plains (Ohio that is)

I finally got a place of my own to rent. I felt it was what I needed to do to move on. I woke up to this mess this morning. Yes its pretty and all that, but kinda puts a damper on moving.
Things are going to be really tight for me finacially, with rent, utilities and all. My income is not so great. Some of the kids are worried that I took the wrong step by renting my own place right now. I just felt like I needed it to move on after the loss of my husband, so I am going to put my trust and faith in the Lord, that my needs will be met.
Now, to get the weather to cooperate so that I can get moved in!

My great niece

With my neglect of this thing the last few months, I forgot to mention my new great niece Mackenzie Jo.   She is the daughter of my niece Laura and her husband Shane.

Mackenzie was born on Dec 2nd weighing in at 7.1 lbs.  She is a month older than my new granddaughter Jovie.
She is the first grandchild of my brother Jim.  The proud grandpa is holding her in the picture.
We lost a few family members in the last couple of years, but we have also gained 4 new lives.
Mackenzie Jo and Jovie Lynn both have a Jo in thier names in honor of my mom who was always called Jo as a nickname.

A new years baby!

My second granddaughter and 6th grand child, Jovie Lynn, was born today, New Years Day at 12:12pm. Weighing in at 6lbs 12 ozs and 20 inches long. Isn't she adorable? Thank you Lord, I love being a GRANNY!!!

Happy New Year

I know I have been AWOL for quite some time. I am battling the depression demon. But, I am pretty much determined not to let him win.

A new year is right around the corner. I am praying hard that its a much better one than the last couple have been.

Wayne has been gone 9 months now, but it still feels like only yesterday.

My weight loss is still going well, and I am learning each day how to use my new tool. Weight loss surgery is not a cure all, but a learning guide that I must use daily. I fall down, I get back up. The same way that I need to learn how to live my emotional life as well.

It hasn't been easy learning to live again, and I have a long way to go. But I am putting my trust in the Lord and my life in Gods hands.

Happy New Year to all my friends!

All my love,

Liz