NOT for the faint in heart: my November recovery

These good looking photos were taken after my cast was removed.  Under that swollen stitched up skin is a large metal plate and 12 huge screws.  And let me tell you, it hurt worse than it looked.  The small circular areas of stitches were where the fixator was screwed into the bones in my leg and foot.  I believe it was in six places.  Sorry to be so gruesome but I'm kind of proud of my battle scars.  Even if the battle was just me and one large stair.  You may think the stair one but that stair will pay.  You'll see.  :)

Halloween 2011

Here is a picture of the kids for Halloween of 2011.  Can you tell I'm trying to catch up?  I was very sad that Halloween because not only was I bedridden, I was puking my guts out.  How was that fair?  The kids had a good time.  Hyrum said his favorite part was helping me hand out the candy.  What a sweet boy.  :)

Healing in October

Look at all my fun equipment. Yikes. I don't miss all that. This was one of the worst times in my life. I was not made to be dependent on everyone and anyone.
Left leg and its swelling.
The cool cast I designed. I also designed something to scratch my leg with. The problem was I had so many stitches in that I may have scratched them out. :)

September and the " freak accident"

Me in the hospital after my bones were set. Notice my wrapped legs. lol... I am doing an exercise to keep from getting Pneumonia. And am HATING using bedpans.
After surgery. I have the external fixator in my leg. Holes drilled into six places in my bones. Not fun and psychologically disturbing.
You can sort of see where the rods are drilled into my bone.
Cody took this just as the swelling in my left leg started in the ER. The picture below is my right foot in the ER before anything was set. Hurt like Hades. Can you tell?


Aren't you glad I posted the pictures Cody took in the ER? In September, I was on my way to get a diet coke when a step that is against building codes nearly killed me. I lay on the ground with my diet coke dreams on hold and a dislocated right ankle and four serious breaks in my leg. The left leg was sprained badly. 911 was called and they took my sorry butt to the ER. I had two surgeries two weeks apart to get things organized. This was the joy of my September.

Our newest addition... again with the pets!

If you know anything about me you know I'm a SUCKER for animals. And this little guy is no exception. He was headed to the pound and I just had to have him. He is a 10 year old "Shorkie" Shitzu and Yorkie mix named Grizzly. He is just like a little old man because he likes things his way and.... well.... he smells like one. His breath anyway. But we adore him and He adores me. Mostly me and just tolerates the others. He is a self esteem builder for sure. :) So here's to another of my endless parade of pets.

Stuffed Zucchini... so good

Stuffed Zucchini

1 ½ lbs zucchini squash

1 ½ cups soft bread crumbs

½ cup grated cheese

¼ tspn salt

1/8 tspn pepper

2 eggs, beaten

2 Tbspn minced parsley

2 Tbspns butter

¼ cup grated cheese for top

Wash, cut off ends, and cook in 1 inch boiling water with 1 tspn salt in covered kettle about 5-7 minutes. Cut squash in half lengthwise. Carefully remove center of squash from shells. Chop squash and mix with other ingredients except butter and 1/4^th cup grated cheese. Pile mixture into zucchini shells. Dot with 2 Tbspns butter and sprinkle with ¼ cup grated cheese. Put on a baking pan and bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

A few tasty dishes in a super busy week.

Tuna Noodle Casserole.... Something I've always thought was a bit white trash. I know, so rude. :) Cody love it though so I found a recipe I thought I'd give a try. I added some veggies in it to make me feel a bit better about it and to make the flavor more interesting. All in all I'd keep this recipe because it is cheap, easy, and actually quite tasty.
Next was what I was really excited about: Chocolate Banana Cream Trifle. Yum Yum! When I first saw this recipe I was intimidated because it was so long. But it was really easy. The only hard thing was getting it to look like the pretty picture (not the one above!) Oh this was a good recipe and it would impress company for sure! So these are going into my stash!

Tuna Noodle Casserole

8oz cooked noodles

1 can tuna fish

1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup

2/3 cup milk

(optional cooked vegetables)

Buttered bread crumbs

Mix all ingredients together except bread crumbs. Place in casserole dish. Top with Bread Crumbs. Bake at 375 for 25 minutes.

Chocolate Banana Cream Truffle

18 whole graham crackers

¾ cup chocolate morsels

1 12oz container whipped topping

1 ¾ oz box vanilla instant pudding

1 cup milk

4 large bananas, peeled

2 Tbspn lemon juice

Chop graham crackers; set aside. For ganache, place chocolate morsels and 1 ½ cup whipped topping into a small bowl. Microwave on high until melted and smooth, stirring every 15 seconds.

Combine pudding mix and milk in separate bowl; whisk until thickened. Fold in remaining whipped topping. Slice bananas, sprinkle with lemon juice and toss gently. Set aside 10-12 slices for garnish.

To assemble trifle, place half the graham cracker crumbs over bottom of trifle bowl. Place half the bananas on crackers and top with one third of the gananche. Spread half of the pudding filling over ganache. Repeat layer. Decorate with remaining ganache and sprinkle with graham cracker crumbs. Arrange reserved banana slices around edges.