In honor of Easter !!!!! Let's cook

BOILED EGGS...who knew?

http://bakewritesleep.blogspot.com/2012/07/my-cooking-how-to-make-perfect-hard.html

Found this blogger, Jordan on Pinterest, of course....love her "sassy" mouth !

Little did I know....saw her walking by the side of the road in Auburn !

Before we continue with "real" cooking, too many Easter eggs left over?   Egg Salad....my mother didn't make this, but my Aunt made this for lunch and I always think of her when I have leftover boiled eggs.

I used six boiled eggs and mashed with a fork.   Add salt and pepper, then one heaping teaspoon (as you can see I didn't use regular teaspoon, just a regular teaspoon) of mustard, 1 heaping teaspoon of sweet pickle relish and 3 heaping teaspoons of #Hellman's mayonaise !   That's it, stir with fork and heap onto your favorite bread and enjoy !


NOW for the real meal !


TURKEY

16 to 20 lb Turkey - Preheat oven to 325 degrees

Remove all contents from cavities....there will be packages of giblets and neck in cavities.

Place turkey breast-side down in large roasting pan...insert one stick of butter into large cavity...salt top of turkey....fill pan with water half way up sides of roasting.  Cover tightly with aluminum foil and place in oven.    I do this at midnight before going to bed and it is done at 6:00 a.m.

Remove from oven and uncover.  This is a very moist and delicious turkey, but it will not be browned as pictured in most magazines for carving at the table.  If you want that kind of turkey, ask Martha Stewart or Paula Deen for their versions !  It is falling-apart good.  Pour liquid into large pot and set aside.

Let turkey cool and slice.


GRAVY

Take turkey broth and add more chicken broth and heat to boil.    Take 1/2 cup of corn starch and place in measuring cup then add 1/2 cup cold water and stir with a fork until all corn starch has dissolved.  When turkey broth comes to a boil, add corn starch mixture and stir with a whisk and reduce heat to medium.   When broth thickens add three minced boiled eggs and chop giblets (if desired and add to turkey broth.    Salt and pepper to taste and you have GRAVY !

Left to right, #Pepperidge Farm Stuffing Mix, onions & celery, bread, cornbread

SOUTHERN CORNBREAD DRESSING

4 stalks celery- minced
1 large onion-minced
1 package Pepperidge Farm Seasoned Stuffing (this has all seasonings in it, thus eliminating need for sage, etc.)
12 cornbread muffins (see recipe) on blog
10 slices of white bread
11 or 12 large eggs
3 sticks melted, salted butter
Chicken broth....several boxes

In small saucepan, add 1/2 cup chicken broth, onions and celery and cook until translucent.  Cool

In HUGE aluminum bowl crumble cornbread and white bread, add Pepperidge Farm mix.  Add cooled onions and celery.  Be sure to cool onions and celery as you don't want it to scramble eggs ! Add melted butter.

Add eggs and mix with hands !  Now for the fun part, begin adding chicken broth...you need it to be rather soupy consistency.  Better too much than not enough broth.

This makes enough for two Pyrex 9x13 dishes.   I usually freeze one for later use.  (Freeze,  uncooked, in Tupperware containers, when ready to use, thaw and place in Pyrex dish and bake as directed)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and place in oven.  Takes almost an hour.  It will be brown around edges and be sure it is done in center.   If browning too fast lower heat to 350 degrees.  Better to be too dry than uncooked, you can always add GRAVY !!! Ha

Dressing, yum

Now add your favorite holiday sides and you're done !! enjoy

Favorite sides:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/corn-casserole-recipe.html

Paula Deen's Corn Casserole

Another favorite -- Ree Drummond, #The Pioneer Woman.    I love her TV Show and the way she cooks, down home and good !  Would love to spend a day on their ranch with her !!

Here is her broccoli casserole:

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2011/11/broccoli-cheese-cracker-casserole/

Another favorite with ham leftovers....yum

The Pioneer Woman does it again!!!   Scalloped potatoes and ham casserole !

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2012/04/scalloped-potatoes-and-ham/

Searching for a new RA doctor...ugh...benefits of hobbies and Pinterest !!!

Yellow Hammer

When the issue of Rheumatoid Arthritis comes up most people think about pain and inflammation and how it affects every day life.  There are so many underlying issues that RA patients must deal with on a daily basis.   One major problem is depression and how it affects RA patients.  Writing entries in this blog has helped me.   I am not the type of person who surfs the net every day trying to learn more about the disease.   I am trying to live and forget the disease that has changed my life.

The more I read the more depressing the disease.   I have to have outlets in order to keep myself going.   Being an artist helps at times and other times I have to make myself paint.  Getting started is hard but once the painting process begins, it truly does take me away.   The same goes for crocheting.  I enjoy making throws and scarves because they are relaxing and somewhat mindless tasks.  You also reap the benefits of taking your mind off your troubles and when you finish a project, you feel fulfilled.

After to moving to a new town, I have found it very difficult and depressing not having friends in a new area.  Also after having a wonderful RA doctor for several years, taking on the process of finding a new one is not my idea of fun. 

As I read my Facebook news feed this morning I came across the following article about moving to a a new town and searching for a doctor:


http://www.everydayhealth.com/news/things-arthritis-patients-wish-their-docs-would-do/

A quote from this article hit home with me,  “RA patients will fall into depression because we’re mourning the people we once were".  I had never thought of it this way but it is so true.  I am 62 years old and in my mind I am still young, but thinking of what I CAN'T do anymore really sets of huge bouts of depression.

Another reason for finding a new hobby or re-visiting an old one can benefit RA sufferers.

Update:   It’s now January, 2019.  Have been here a number of years now and I did find a wonderful RA doctor, Dr Christopher Adams and have met some wonderful, caring people through his office.  Don’t know what I would do without them.  The struggle is still real every single day.

Also when reading all the "happy, happy" posts on Facebook gets you down, I have found another relaxing hobby, Pinterest !   When all you feel like doing is sitting at the computer, try Pinterest.  It will take you away and yes, make you feel good.  And you ask, "what is it"?  Pinterest is a visual discovery tool that people use to collect ideas for projects and interests.  People create and share collections (called "boards") of visual bookmarks (called "pins") that they use to do things like plan trips, projects, hobbies, diy, household hints, recipes, wish lists and anything you are interested in.  It is a huge file cabinet of pictures and information that you can refer to later.  Here is a link to Pinterest that explains in better detail.   Jump in and try it for yourself, but watch out, it IS addictive.

about.pinterest.com

If you are, for instance, an avid photographer, you can also upload your own photos to Pinterest for others to enjoy.  And for recipes or how-to videos for that new stitch you want to try later, it's always there.  No keeping up with bits and pieces of paper that you always misplace.

Here is my Pinterest page....and yes I have a "Board" entitled "Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis" along with many other interests...take a look and get started pinning!

http://www.pinterest.com/johnel52/

Headboard by: Johnel

Nature has always been a calming space for me

As you can tell, I have been shy about publishing what I have written.  Reading happy blogs sometimes makes me happy but other times put me into the depths of depression.  This blog will hopefully help people in similar situations.   I have "Googled" many phrases over the years for help, comfort and to hopefully pull myself up, up and away and just to find other people who are struggling with life occurrences and illnesses.  

Finding out other people need help and what tools they use to conquer their problems sometimes is the best medicine.  Most of the time people just need someone to listen.   People from all walks of life suffer in their own little worlds.  We all make fun of Facebook but we still log in every day.   It is a "bridge" for what is happening in the every day life of friends and family, especially families who are separated by miles.   Some posts are always, happy, happy, happy (and we all wonder if this is bull shit) and while others post their political views (which I don't want to read and/or don't want it shoved down my throat, but to each his own), what they did the night before, how much they partied, what they had for breakfast, lunch and dinner, how many times the baby laughed, cried or pooped, how fabulous their homes are, their hobbies and crafts, sporting events, what to buy for that special person and occasion, glorious, fattening and decadent recipes (I do love "The Pioneer Woman"), health food, funny quotes.  We are all caught up in the wilds of the "information highway" and truly overloaded.

I, myself, do like to smell the roses, when I can pull myself up and out of the dregs.   Nature has always been a calming space for me.  The "little things" in life are so special.   #Photography has been my friend for many years.   I began with a splurge purchase of a Nikon N 70 camera in the late 80's and dove right into Photography classes (drug my husband with me!!!), had the developed the film for my homework, shared with the class and truly discovered I knew nothing.   I was so excited when my husband bought my first digital camera, a Sony Cybershot.    Better than sliced bread.    It is so wonderful to just click and go.  When you get home and load the hundreds of pictures you took on your journey it is like a shot of adrenaline.   Maybe you get one fantastic shot out of hundreds, but that one shot is worth it.  I am definitely not a professional photographer, but I take my trusty #Canon SX50 HS with me everywhere.  Just a little note for those fellow #RA sufferers, this camera is small and easy to hold when the hands are inflamed and hurting.

In our neighborhood...

Took this shot in my backyard...

Stella, our #Labradoodle, loves to accompany me on photo shoots!!!  (Taken through side mirror on car, love the raindrops)

I am fascinated with the farm animals in our area.   You never know what to expect, from cattle and horse farming to donkeys to Llama to Alpaca...and of course, goats, sheep, chickens, rabbits and birds.




In the following pages you will read about what life has thrown at our family (if you can just bear with me after the first few posts, I will try to lift the reader up and out of our disasters but I had to get it off my chest) along with cooking, photography, my artwork, reading and probably TV and movies (love old movies), crocheting, sewing and my struggle living with #Rheumatoid Arthritis.  

"Doberman" - sold

Pet Peeve # 1...I'm sure there will be more to come !

Has anyone noticed that when you get in the shower and grab for the shampoo and someone has moved the bottle from its previous location, that there is no way in hell to read the fine print?

There is a myriad of writing on shampoo and conditioner bottles telling you exactly what this product will do for your fine, limp, color-treated, burned out, shabby, oily, fried, thin, thick, short, long, medium length, grey, shriveled up, bug-infested head of hair!   Why do you have to read the "FINE PRINT" stating whether it is shampoo or conditioner when you are soaking wet in the shower and your eye glasses are in another room?   AND, now instead of a bar of old-fashioned soap, there are thousands of bottles of "body wash" flavored with every scent known to man or beast.  Just like the shampoo and conditioners "body wash" is also written in fine print.   It would be simple if everyone used the same shampoo, conditioner and body wash, but everyone in the household uses a different flavor. 

All the people hired by Suave, Redkin, Clairol, Tone, Ivory, Caress, CVS, Nivea and other manufacturers to design the packaging for the various products must be under the age of 40 !!!    As you can see the larger type indicates volumizing, complete moisture and serenity !!!! Wake up people, give me a call when you turn 40 and everything on your body goes South, including your eyesight !!

Let's put the 'SHAMPOO", "BODY WASH" AND "CONDITIONER" labeling in 1/2 inch letters so the old and decrepit can grab the correct product, get down to business without running around the house dripping wet, sagging, slipping and cussing to track down the glasses!

"Kevin & Kelly" by johnel - sold

Bitching and Stiching.....a great past time for Rheumatoid Arthritis sufferers and crocheters alike !

"Red Chair" - by: Johnel -Sold

On a day-to-day basis, I manage.  Rheumatoid Arthritis rears its ugly head every day.   It drains you of every drop of fortitude you once had.   It also conjures up depression and anxiety.  Dealing with every day tasks is sometimes excruciating.

I never thought of taking a twist tie from a loaf of bread to be difficult, but some days it just doesn't work.  Taking a pile of clothes to the laundry room can be an over-whelming task.  Placing a large casserole dish into the oven takes a deep breath and a heave-ho!  Walking to the mailbox is sometimes all the walking I can manage for one afternoon.

The days you do feel better, it's like GET ME OUT OF HERE and you want to do everything in one day not thinking that you may pay for a day of pleasure the next day with pain or swollen knees.

You also have to live with the fact that every time you move and hurt, you can't say anything to the people around you.   They don't want to hear it.   What does hurt is being left out of activities.  I had to deal with NOT being able to participate in certain activities my children were involved in because of Panic and Anxiety Disorder.   That was also debilitating and embarrassing when you had to stay at home because of the fear of an anxiety attack.  No one understood and the kids were too small to explain and/or they just wouldn't understand, so you were sitting at home alone and missing out on their accomplishments and looking like the unconcerned or uncaring mother.  All the while you are hoping that it is not hereditary and they don't have to go through it at some point during their lives.

Same with Rheumatoid Arthritis...you pray, as a mother, that your children or grandchildren aren't affected by this disease when they get older.   I am grateful that I wasn't diagnosed until I was 55 years old.  At 62, I don't feel old, but I think I am perceived as "old" because of this disease and how it affects my ability to enjoy life.

"Cemetery in New Orleans"

Taking photographs is still a favorite pastime.  My aunt, Margie LaGroue taught me a long time ago to "stop and smell the roses".  She always found beauty in nature and was an avid gardener.  She loved flower arranging and won many ribbons for her creative arrangements.  We spent many an hour at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens and taking drives through the countryside.  We always took a shovel and clippers with us on our road trips.   We would spot a beautiful vine in the woods and go tramping through the brush to get a cutting or in some cases the whole plant, bring it home and transplant it in my garden.  

I have to give credit not only to my grandmother for teaching me how to crochet, but Margie for continuing that craft with me.   We spent many hours drinking coffee and crocheting until the wee hours of the morning.  This is a photo of the "Ripple Afghan", now known as the "Chevron" pattern like the ones I worked on with Margie.

"Ripple" Afghan

Go to this blog for the classic ripple afghan pattern:

http://amray1976.blogspot.com/2012/02/crochet-classic-ripple-afghan.html

These was the closest instructions I could find to my original pattern that my aunt and I used. I prefer the single crochet in the back loop pattern and we used four rows of each color.  There are many variations of this "Ripple" or "Chevron" pattern on the internet which are free, so just shop around.

Tunisian Crochet

Being addicted to "Pinterest", I came across instructions for Tunisian Crochet and decided to try my hand at this type of crochet.  The stitches resemble knitting and will be good for scarves, easy to carry small projects to keep busy at the coffee shop.  

http://crochetingthedayaway.blogspot.com/2011/10/tunisian-crochet-how-to-basic-tunisian.html

Mary's instructions were very clear and easy to follow and here is the result of my first lesson:

Still at it....and am loving Tunisian crochet....on it's way to becoming a scarf !

Having Rheumatoid Arthritis tends to envelope you in anxiety and stress.  Crocheting is a great way to occupy your mind.  I tend to have several projects going at one time and having a small project that is easy to throw into your bag and hit the road is always a plus.   When you nestle in to watch an old movie, grab a crochet project and you kill two birds with one stone.  RA also makes you feel worthless some days and creating a project brings me back to life and provides a sense of accomplishment. 

by Johnel