Thank you, Mr. Ruhlman

Dear Mr. Ruhlman,
I didn't think it was possible.  Onions, a tab of butter, salt, pepper, and water.  Oh, and stale bread and cheese.  A bunch of kitchen staples that melded together to create the absolute best rainy day dinner I have ever had.  Yesterday, I made your French Onion Soup.  I cooked the onions for about 5 hours, until they were brown and deliciously caramelized with wonderful cooked bits on the bottom of the stockpot.

I wish I had a picture of my masterpiece, but BD and I ate it too quickly last night for dinner.  It was the best french onion soup I ever had.  BD actually blended his with a immersion blender, because he doesn't like the texture of the onions, but I loved it.  We both ate it up and wished I made more.

This morning, my tummy is tellling me different, but that's because I indulged.  And, for the calorie counters-- its seriously low in calories (with the exception of the bread and cheese) but amazingly filling and full of flavor.  I can't believe we didn't add anything but water to the onions (and salt and pepper).

Thank you, Michael Ruhlman.  Thank you for introducing me to the wonderful world of simplistic cooking.  There is a special art to this wonderful comfort food, anyone can do it...I just wish I had a picture to show everyone.  I ate too quickly!


For those who don't know Ruhlman, please visit his website:  www.ruhlman.com.  He is frequently seen alongside Anthony Bourdain on his many different incantations of his show.  He also authors many amazing cookbooks, including my boyfriend's (BD) favorite:

Charcuterie: The Craft of Salting, Smoking and Curing by Michael Ruhlman and Brian Polcyn

Michael Ruhlman on Amazon

Happy Easter!

© Johanna Goodyear | Dreamstime Stock Photos

What are your plans for Easter?  It is an absolutely beautiful day, and I have already been to church and soon heading out to see my family.  

This is a day to be grateful for what we have and to rejoice in the power of God.  

I wish everyone a wonderful and happy Easter.  Enjoy your day!

Along the way...

Waiting for Frank to get out of bed, thought I would consider this a journal experience for a few minutes. 
Today is going to be a wonderful day!  We might hit the 30s!!  I can't wait, but I am a bit nervous about the fresh snow from yesterday and the sun...its wildy too bright lately for my eyes.  Seems to trigger the worst migraine headaches.  My doctors tell me its from the ATRA pills, but it doesn't help that I've had migraines my entire life. 
Going to lunch with Mom at Cici's pizza buffet today.  Taking Frank to the park for a walk (if he ever gets out of bed), going to visit my pals at the office and finally work out, work on my sister's birthday present and do some organizing for tax time.


ahhh....thank goodness BD is also having a busy work day himself.  That gives me time to make a mess around the house...lol...hahahahaha

Recipe: Chicken and Mushrooms - Easier than you think!

Let's give credit where credits due:  I saw this page in the February Good Housekeeping and couldn't resist trying it for (of all nights) Valentine's Day Dinner with BD.  Thank you Good Housekeeping!! AMAZINGLY GOOD!!  FRENCH RESTAURANT GOOD!!

February 2014 Good Housekeeping

I saw this recipe for Herbed Skillet Chicken and thought of it as a suggestion or outline, a basic skeleton of a recipe that can easily be tweeked by the comfortable cook.  Here is what I came up with!

Look at all that yummy sauce and beautifully roasted skin!

There are those days

Everyone has bad days.  Today is just one of those days for me.  I can't really explain it, its just that kinda day where I want to eat dinner, take my pills and go to bed.  It feels like 10 am, even though its after 3 pm.  At least things are moving along. 


I don't feel like working out, but my body needs to.  I started knitting a sweater yesterday and unraveled it today.  A lot of knitters call that "frogging".  I think that word sounds funny, so I like to use "unravel".  I'm not very motivated, yet I managed to organize all my vehicle mileage for my taxes. 


I'm worried about my sister and her last month and a half of her pregnancy.  I'm excited but scared.  I'm so worried that something bad will happen to her.  This is her second child but she has had a few complications. 


I also just wish my life was back to normal.  I want to go backwards in time and just be how I was before I got sick.  I'm sure that's a common feeling for those battling a major illness, but it just sucks.  I want to go back to work.  I want to be normal (what I thought was normal for me). 


I just needed to vent.  I am sure I will be in a better mood tomorrow.

I'm slacking and its just the first week of February!!

I am such a slacker.  I blame it all on the flu shot I got on Tuesday.  Its Thursday morning and I still have a red circle on my arm at the injection site.  Its a bit sore, but I anticipated that.  I am more surprised it is still red.  I looked online at the cdc website, and it says the redness and soreness can last 3-7 days.  Yikes!  That seems like a long time.

Frank is still sleeping.  I am ready to wake him up, we need to get moving today.  I have big plans to vacuum the living room and kitchen.  I also want to work on another crochet or knitting project, possibly a hat.

That's about all I have today.  For now.

One Year Anniversary...my life was saved

One year ago today, I went to Urgent Care thinking I had the flu and was a bit anemic.  Instead, I was informed (bluntly) I had leukemia with only days to live, and an ambulance rushed me to a hospital in Chicago.  I spent 5 weeks in the same hospital room.  I had my gallbladder removed a couple days later, a hickman port installed in my chest with three tubes hanging out of it.  I lived attached to an IV that went with me everywhere.  I lost my hair.  I got used to vomiting (often).  I went from a probiotic and multivitamin every morning to over 10 pills with breakfast alone.  I experienced chemotherapy (a lot of it).  I found out what health insurance really is and what they cover.  I learned to fight for myself.  I learned that the drug that saves me costs $5,000 out of pocket each month.  Yep.  I learned a lot.


But...

Today is the anniversary I got my life back.  I almost died, but the wonderful doctors and amazing nursing staff saved my life.  This past year has been a gift.  I promised God one year ago today that I would make a difference in this world, and I wasn't ready to die.  I hope God knows I am trying to move in the right direction.  I've walked and raised money for the Humane Society.  I've walked for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  I've made cookies for others in chemo.   I've made cookies for a bake sale to help another person overwhelmed by medical issues and bills.  I've tried to be more helpful.  I care more about others than I ever did before.




This is only the beginning. 


I am happy to wake up each and every morning.  I love life and can't wait to get back to living!  I am committed to continue helping others through their own cancer story, as they heal so they can get back to living.


I am ever so grateful.