Peonies and Power Tools

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My BUDGET DIY basement is almost done! My goal for the new year is to finish it!

January 14, 2021 By Ellie 11 Comments

One of the goals I have for the new year is to continue working on and finish up my DIY basement room.  Make it look like the above picture.  This has actually been my goal for a couple of years and, to be honest, I have run out of steam for this project.  Has that ever happened to you?  The grandkids are using it in its current almost done condition and it would be so easy to leave it as it is.  I want to be proud of this room, though, so I am determined to finish it up.  Here it is now. 

 

Almost done!

 

Where it started

I wish I had a before picture of this room, but it was such a disaster in the beginning that a picture wasn’t really possible.  Imagine if you moved into a house and put all of the boxes in the basement, piled up from floor to ceiling.  That’s what happened when we downsized. 

 

Similar

 

The dream in my head

  • Shiplap walls
  • Beautiful built-in cabinets, shelves and closets for storage
  • A stone corner wall with built-in fireplace and a TV over it
  • Wood floor, or one that at least had a wood look
  • A finished ceiling that didn’t look too commercial
  • Comfy furniture for the grandkids
  • Everything light and bright

In my dream I was going to accomplish all of this by myself on a tiny budget with a little help (or a lot) from Pinterest and YouTube. 

A summary of what I have done

I have done nearly everything in this renovation myself, having started out without much knowledge.  It has been very slow going.  Here is how I did it…

Shiplap wall

There was one outside concrete wall.  This is where I wanted to put the shiplap, so it needed insulation and studs. Since there is more than one way to stud a wall, I didn’t go with the old fashioned way, the way that requires two people or at least one very strong person. I did it another (easy) way, one that I, a grandmother, could do all by myself!  I didn’t invent this product, nor am I being paid to tell you about it.  However, this 2-in-1 product, called InSoFast, literally made it possible for me to finish my basement by myself!  I can’t tell you how much I love InSoFast.  

 

 

I did all of this in one day with the very easy instructions provided by the company.  Believe it or not, the panels are applied with glue!  Those black lines are the studs.  After the insulation/studs were up, I applied the shiplap planks with my ryobi brad nailer.  My favorite tool!

 

 

I used this tool for everything except nailing into cement.  Unfortunately, it wouldn’t do that.  With this tool and my table saw, I put up my planks pretty easily.  You can find more details here.

Wall of built-ins

This was fun.  I took my ideas to Lowe’s and sat down with the cabinet guy.  In a few minutes I had this:

 

 

I had them deliver (2) pantry closet cabinets (one for each end) and (4) 36 inch upper wall cabinets which I installed on the floor, plus all the lumber for the shelving units.

 

 

Since I was installing wall cabinets on the floor, I built a box out of 2X4s to serve as a base for each of them.  I used a lot of shims as the floor wasn’t even close to level.  For the wood counter, I used (2) 2X8 pine boards 12 feet long glued together to form a 15 inch wide counter. 

 

 

The shelving units were made entirely from half inch plywood.  I used this product to accommodate my budget.  

 

 

I made a 36 inch wide box with a back to fit over each cabinet.  Then I used 1X2 inch pine to hold up the each shelf.

 

 

I used the 1×2 pine to trim everything as well.  See that nasty pipe hanging in front of the built-in wall??  It was a pain in the a** to work around!

 

 

When the wall unit was almost done, I actually hired people to do the ceiling, the electric and the floor.  I realized my limits.  The floor is Pergo which I purchased from Lowe’s on a big sale.  I really wanted a much fancier ceiling, one that looked like beadboard.  Not in the budget, though, so I settled for this drop ceiling.  I don’t love it.  In the meantime I had:

  • boxed in the 2 lally columns
  • boxed in the I beam
  • built 2 closets with sliding barn doors

Fireplace wall

I originally wanted a gas fireplace with a remote, like the one I have one upstairs and love.  It turned out that with all the venting issues involved, the price was going to be way too high.  This is what I found instead when I went to the August West Fireplace Store .

 

Gorgeous!  Not gas, electric, but it looks real.  More or less.  Let me say that it was not cheap (about $1000) but I splurged on this one thing.  My sons built the diagonal wall in the corner to install it in and I put up the drywall.

 

 

After the drywall was up, I started to apply the ledger stone panels.  I bought them for a great price at Floor and Decor.  Each “tile” is 6 by 24 inches and put up with mortar.  I had to cut nearly every one.  Luckily I was able to borrow a wet saw.  The mortar I bought was already mixed.  That helped.  Really difficult to open that container, though.  Wow.  I have since discovered that there is a special tool for this purpose.

 

 

People told me this would be easy.  It wasn’t hard, but it took me forever.  Like I said, I had to cut nearly every panel.  Still have all my fingers, too.

 

 

What is left to do

I am still working on the stairs.  I have torn up the ugly carpeting and am refinishing the worn out oak treads that were underneath.  They will match the new floor and have white risers.

All the finicky details:

  • baseboard
  • closet doors
  • door hardware
  • sanding and painting
  • fix mistakes (yup, there are some)

The grandkids don’t notice these things but I do.  I have vowed not to start another room until this one is finished.  Bummer.  

So, onward I go!  Finish it up, Ellie!

 

Filed Under: Basement, DIY Projects, Uncategorized

A Christmas Gift Round Up For A Difficult To Buy For Person

January 13, 2021 By Ellie 1 Comment

 

Do you have a person on your list who is absolutely impossible to buy for?  I am one of those people.

How did this happen?

It all started years ago when my parents sold their condo and retired south.  I was in charge of the move and the clean-out which followed.  OMG!  This is when I vowed to never do this to my kids.  I would start culling my belongings.  “Please don’t buy me any more stuff,” I pleaded. 

Well….. that didn’t work and this is why; I personally love gifting.  Completely my fault.  It brings me such joy to watch my family members open their gifts.  If there is any squealing involved, I am especially happy!  I admit that I have let the amount I spend get a bit out of control and know I should cut back.  And I understand why my kids feel the need to reciprocate.

So what to do?

 

We have started to use the wish list system, which works pretty well.  If I think of something I need, I put it on the list.  There is never much on the list, though, because I really don’t need much.  So yes, I am one of those difficult-to-buy-for-people.

Gifts that made me smile

Now I’m cleaning up after Christmas and putting my lovely gifts away.  I am enjoying them again as I realize how thoughtful they all are.  

Thank you to my son-in-law for a whole bunch (6) of HOT DATES.  God knows, at my age, it’s difficult to get just one!  Isn’t this a hysterical gift?  Not on my list, by the way, but incredibly delicious.  And…10% of the profits are donated to causes that help combat climate change and reduce poverty.  My kind of company.  You can get them here…hotdatekitchen.com

 

Look at this beautiful wine bottle bag from my daughter-in-law!  I don’t know where she bought it, but there are similar bags on Amazon.  And, of course, it came with a bottle.

 

Don’t scoff, this was on my list!  I haven’t tried it yet but it’s the iron I wanted and the best thing about it is, it can be used vertically as a steamer!

 

Isn’t this bag funny?  I love it and can’t wait to take it grocery shopping!  There is a similar one here.

 

Another item from my wish list.  When Covid-19 hit I bought a bike to keep myself in shape during my quarantine.  But, in order to ride it, I needed to get it out of my hilly neighborhood!  Bottom line, I’m ashamed to say that I haven’t ridden it yet.  Now I have no excuse!  Get moving Ellie!

 

My first sleep mask.  Sometimes I am literally awake all night.  This comes with age, I’m told. This mask is so soft.  And it’s weighted!  I find that the gentle pressure really does help calm my mind!  It can be found here.

 

This is really neat.  A refresher to spray on my mask between washings.  It may be found at Mono Mono Boutique.

 

Isn’t this the most gorgeous rain gauge?  I was expecting a plastic one! Available on Amazon.

 

Who knew that Ryobi makes a glue gun?  Woohoo!  Two great things about it; first, of course, no cord.  The other great thing is that it stands up!  So much easier to control.

 

The gifts I have shared with you here are my actual gifts and the links are here to help if you would like to find them.  I am not receiving a stipend of any sort for recommending these gifts.  

 

In summary, what to do if you have a difficult to buy for person on your list

  • Try the wish list system.  It will at least give you ideas.
  • Think of something funny in a thoughtful way.
  • Favorite consumables are great and won’t take up space for long.
  • Remember that it really is the thought that counts.

 

 

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Filed Under: Holidays, Uncategorized

No Thanks to New Year’s Resolutions

January 11, 2021 By Ellie Leave a Comment

 

I told a friend the other day that I was planning to have the best 2021 ever!  When he responded that he couldn’t wait to hear my plans, I realized that I didn’t actually have any plans.  After a horrible 2020, I just planned to be happier.  I’m not a big fan of new year’s resolutions because I believe they are doomed to guilt-inducing failures.  So I say “no thanks” to New Year’s resolutions.

History

An interesting article by Sarah Pruitt, which I’ll summarize here, tells the history of New Year’s resolutions.  4,000 years ago the ancient Babylonians are said to have been the first people to make New Year’s resolutions.  During a massive 12-day religious festival known as Akitu, the Babylonians crowned a new king or reaffirmed their loyalty to the reigning king. They also made promises to the Gods to pay their debts and return any objects they had borrowed.

The ancient Romans offered sacrifices to the Gods and made promises of good conduct for the coming year.  For early Christians, the first day of the new year became the traditional occasion for thinking about one’s past mistakes and resolving to do and be better in the future.  Instead of making promises to the Gods, most people today make resolutions only to themselves, and focus solely on self-improvement.

From what I have read, the most common resolutions are the following:

  • Exercise more
  • Lose weight 
  • Get organized
  • Learn a new skill or hobby 
  • Live life to the fullest
  • Save more money / spend less money
  • Quit smoking
  • Spend more time with family and friends
  • Travel more
  • Read more

How many of those items have I failed???  All of them, except for smoking.  I have never smoked.  

Resolutions, no thanks!

Instead of major unachievable resolutions, I prefer to set small daily goals. Changing behavior is a difficult and complex task, and it’s most often successful when it’s done a little bit at a time.  For example, years ago I vowed to make a “to do” list every day.  I never vowed to complete the list in one day!  Years later, I still make that list every day while I drink my morning coffee.  If there is something left from the day before, I add it.  Sometimes an item is on the list for a long time!  It’s OK.  At the end of the day, I feel such a sense of accomplishment for the items I did complete.

I set my daily goals over a cup of coffee every morning

Making the list of my daily goals

After spending a week or so of decadent eating and drinking, January 1 is a terrible day to start a program of self improvement.  Is this the day I’m going to feel motivated to diet?  Really? I don’t know about you, but I have trouble just getting through the long, cold, depressing month of January.  For me, this is more a month to just take stock of my life.

The older I get, the harder I try to avoid setting myself up for failure.  This isn’t a good feeling for me.  This is not to say that I don’t try to implement healthy changes.  I do.  But I do it slowly and I try to remain positive.  If I slip, I forgive myself and continue on.  So, do I have any goals for 2021?  Of course I do.

My Goals

  • Continue working on finishing my basement.  I’ve been working on it for several years now and I want to keep going until it is finished.
  • Start playing the piano again.  Not to play for others, but for myself because I love it.
  • Continue learning the technical side of computing.  It’s good for my brain and, after all, I am trying to write a blog.
  • Continue sorting and discarding my belongings.  All this extra stuff is making me crazy.
  • Be thankful for all that I have and for every day.  I do realize how lucky I am.

Favorite New Year’s Quote

“Many years ago, I made a New Year’s resolution to never make new year’s resolutions. Hell, it’s been the only resolution I’ve ever kept!”  

D.S. Mixell

 

As we pick up the pieces and move on, may the gift of the New Year be filled with hope.  Keep smiling, everyone, and have a wonderful, healthy year.

 

 

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Downsizing Christmas

January 2, 2021 By Ellie 8 Comments

The family has gone home, the house is quiet and the the dishwasher is humming along for the 4th time. Another wonderful Christmas has been put to bed. This was my 5th Christmas since becoming a widow, and I am slowly becoming used to doing it alone.

I have kept everything the same, as much as possible, for the kids and grandkids; all the family traditions we loved when Grandpa was alive. I have to admit that it is getting harder, not just financially, but also physically, and I’m thinking more and more about how to downsize Christmas.

For my whole married life I have nearly killed myself starting the day after Thanksgiving making gifts and wrapping them, shopping for everyone and his dog, making and filling stockings, baking, entertaining, decorating the house inside and out and every other thing I could think of to make Christmas “merry.” But why??  By the time Christmas arrived, I was exhausted, and never ready. Time to reevaluate.  

Downsizing Christmas is a gradual process.  This is how I started:

Before Jim died, we reluctantly bought an artificial tree. We fought it for a long time, but when it was no longer fun for us to buy a fresh tree, due to Jim’s illness, buying an artificial one was the practical solution.  

It is a gorgeous, lifelike tree! Guests have been known to touch it to see if it is real. I am so happy that I have it, and can’t imagine dealing with a real tree by myself.  For the last 4 years I have lugged the boxes of tree ornaments out of the attic, down the drop-down ladder, and decorated the tree.  And then, back up.  



This year I left my tree unadorned and it was still lovely.  It is so covered with those pretty little white lights, it doesn’t need anything more, in my opinion.  To my surprise, I liked it and I was so much more relaxed. 


I also decided that not every surface needed to have Christmas on it!  I brought down only a few favorite decorations.  Next year maybe I’ll rotate them for others.  The Santa collection didn’t make an appearance at all!  Except for my Beach Santa.

So this was the start of my downsizing Christmas.  I have offered the tree ornaments to my children who have politely declined, so I will have to figure out how to somehow pass them along to others.  I could try these possibilities:

  • ebay, craigslist, facebook marketplace:  I imagine there are many baby boomers just like me trying to rid themselves of these things as well, so who knows.  
  • donate:  Goodwill etc., facebook marketplace free

In either case, I think the smart thing would be for me to place the ads next fall when people are looking for them again.  If I remember…

This year my granddaughter addressed all my Christmas cards. And wrapped most of my gifts.  Thank God for her.  Accepting help is new for me and I now gratefully accept!

I swear to have a serious talk with myself next year about how much cooking and baking to do.  I always do too much and have so much left over.  Wasted expense, energy and time!

The most difficult thing for me to downsize is the amount of my gift giving.  I know I will have to do it, but it is so hard for me.  Watching a grandchild open a gift which then brings a squeal of delight, oh my goodness, I live for that!


Emma opening her Dr. Martens.  They are in style again!

This year, the Covid epidemic forced me to simplify Christmas somewhat.  We were very limited in the size of our Christmas celebration, so we had just the immediate family as we did for Thanksgiving. https://www.peoniesandpowertools.com/traditional-thanksgiving-menu-2020/  That got me to thinking about the holiday parties we usually have.  Maybe, in the spirit of simplifying our lives, we don’t need so many of them.  Being with family is what is important.  

Are you ready to downsize Christmas?  In summary, this is what I did:

  • I bought an artificial tree
  • I left the tree undecorated
  • I limited the decorations I brought down from the attic to a few
  • I accepted help!
  • I vowed to not overdo baking and cooking next year
  • I am seriously thinking about cutting down on gift giving.  We’ll see.

To me, the best thing about Christmas is spending it with my family.  And in my family our get together isn’t usually on Christmas.  No matter.  I hope you all enjoyed yours as much as I did mine!  If you enjoyed this post, please let me know!

Happy New Year!

Filed Under: Holidays, Uncategorized

Thanksgiving Lasagna; What To Do With All Those Leftovers

November 27, 2020 By Ellie 1 Comment

Thanksgiving is over and my refrigerator is bursting its seams with leftovers.  Did they actually eat anything?  We had a lovely, peaceful day; I’ll post some pictures later.  Here’s one for now of Olivia’s fantastic charcuterie board.

Didn’t she do a great job?

 

 

So What To Do With The Leftovers?  My 2 Favorites

 

#1     Thanksgiving Leftovers Lasagna

Everyone knows the best part of Thanksgiving is the leftovers, and it just so happens that layering those leftovers into a lasagna is a fantastic way to guarantee that every bite is the perfect bite.

By Ivy Odom
Recipe by Well Done

Recipe Summary

Active:
10 mins
Total:
35 mins
Yield:
Serves 9 (serving size: 1 square)
Thanksgiving Leftovers Lasagna image

Ingredients

Ingredient Checklist

Directions

Instructions Checklist
  •         Step 3
  • Remove from oven.  Cut into squares.  Spoon gravy over each square.

    #2

    Leftover Holiday Turkey Wrap

    posted by ASHLEY on NOVEMBER 28, 2014
  • This copy-cat Earl of Sandwich Restaurant recipe uses up those holiday leftovers in a hearty turkey wrap: turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and gravy inside a wrap or your favorite bread.

    This copy-cat Earl of Sandwich recipe piled high with slow roasted turkey, stuffing, gravy and cranberry sauce, will put your Thanksgiving leftovers to good use.

     

    This copy-cat Earl of Sandwich recipe uses up those holiday leftovers: slow cooked turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and gravy inside a wrap or your favorite bread.

     

    This hearty sandwich, piled high with sliced turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce, makes the most of holiday dinner leftovers.

    Leftover Holiday Turkey Wrap
    Prep time:  5 mins
    Total time:  5 mins
    This copy-cat Earl of Sandwich Restaurant recipe uses up those holiday leftovers in a hearty turkey wrap: turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and gravy inside a wrap or your favorite bread.
    Ingredients:
    • Flour Tortillas or Bread of your choice
    • Jarred or homemade cranberry sauce
    • Homemade stuffing
    • Turkey Breast
    • Gravy
    Instructions
    1. Assemble sandwich with turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce and top with warm gravy. Heat the bread or wrap ahead of time, if you prefer.
    2. Serve with baked sweet potatoes or sweet potato chips.

     

Happy Thanksgiving Leftover Day!
×

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Traditional Thanksgiving Menu Ideas 2020

November 16, 2020 By Ellie 15 Comments

Our Thanksgiving will be small this year, just 9 immediate family members instead of the usual 20.  We will miss our special family members and friends who won’t be able to attend due to Covid-19. They will get zoom calls from us.  I know that it’s been a tough year.  Hopefully you are all OK.  I’m going to be upbeat and make it as festive as possible.  I’ll have to try really hard to cut the menu down, though. So hard for me.

Look how cute this is!  The kids will love it.  I found it at http://sassyeats.com/turkey-charcuterie-board/.  She is such a clever girl.  I have to hold myself back or I’d make all of the turkey ideas on her post.

My family members are basic eaters so I have to resist my urge to jazz up the menu.  Just the basics will make my group very happy.  Keep it simple will be my mantra this year.  Here is the menu:

  • Turkey ~  For decades I have used the cheesecloth (aka sacrificial dish towel) soaked in butter method that my grandmother taught me and have always had a wonderful, juicy turkey.  It didn’t matter what kind of bird I used either; fresh, frozen, brined, dry rubbed…..they all came out the same fantastic way.  But last year I did something different, I used a roasting bag!  I had always considered this the lazy way to roast a turkey, but I have been converted!  It was just as juicy and it cooked faster, giving me oven space to keep the veggies warm.  Bonus!  I used the directions from 12tomatoes.com and highly recommend it.  The one thing I will add is that I always use a meat thermometer.  Not the little pop-up that comes in the turkey, you can throw that away.  This is the one I use and it is awesome.  It will call you on your phone when your meat is done!  Well, almost.  It has bluetooth connectivity.  I absolutely love this thing and use it for the grill outside and the oven inside.  Best gift ever.. How To Cook A Turkey In A Roasting Bag

Ingredients

  • 1 oven roasting bag, 19×23 ½-inch
  • 1 turkey (8 to 24-pounds), thawed, giblets and neck removed, rinsed and dried
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 1 large onion, quartered
  • 4-6 cloves garlic, peeled
  • 3 carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon coarse salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • ½ teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. In a medium-sized bowl, mix salt, pepper, poultry seasoning, paprika, crushed red pepper flakes, ground ginger, and dried thyme until well combined. Set aside.
  3. Shake flour inside the roasting bag. Place bag in a large 2-inch deep roasting pan.
  4. Place onion wedges, garlic cloves, and carrot pieces in bottom of roasting bag.
  5. Rub turkey with melted butter. Evenly spread and rub seasoning mix around whole turkey.
  6. Place turkey into the bag, resting on top of onions and carrots. Roasting bag opening should face one end of the roasting pan and not open upwards.
  7. Close and seal with cooking twine. Cut 4-6 slits in top of roasting bag.
  8. Transfer roasting pan to oven and bake according to the weight of the turkey. (See weight and cooking times below)
  9. When turkey reaches an internal temperature of 180°F in at the thickest part of the turkey thigh, remove from oven and rest in oven bag for 15 minutes to allow juices to settle back into the turkey.
  10. Use a carving fork to lift turkey from bag and transfer to a carving board. Carve and enjoy!

Turkey Cooking Times

  • 1.5-2 hours for 8-12 lb turkeys
  • 2-2.5 hours for 12-16 lb turkeys
  • 2.5-3 hours for 16-20 lb turkeys
  • 3-3.5 hours for 20-24 lb turkey

 

  • Stuffing ~ The family loves stuffing!  As long as I don’t sneak any meat or fruit into it, they are happy with Pepperidge Farm Stuffing out of the bag.  I make it according to the package directions, adding the onion and celery, and I cook it in the bird.  This year, for the first time, I’m going to make home made stuffing.  I still can’t add any fun stuff, but it will be home made.  This is the recipe I am going to use, courtesy of Buzzfeed.  I am definitely still cooking it in the bird.  I can save my Pepperidge Farm for day 2 if I need it.
  • Cranberry Sauce ~ My family likes cranberry sauce!  Not the kind I make, with fresh cranberries, but the gelatinous blob that comes out of the can, complete with ridges.  Oh, they are so easy.  So I serve them what they like, but I slice it up and try to arrange it in a pretty way in a cut crystal dish.  However, I also serve my home made version because it is Thanksgiving and because I like it.  Hopefully someday one of the grandchildren will try it.

Ellie’s Simple Cranberry Sauce

1 (20 oz.) can crushed pineapple in juice, drained (save juice)

2 (12 oz.) packages fresh cranberries

1 1/4 cups granulated sugar

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Add water to saved pineapple juice to make 2 cups liquid.  

Place liquid, cranberries and sugar in saucepan and heat and stir until sugar is dissolved and mixture comes to a boil.  Boil for about 10 minutes until most of the cranberries have burst and the mixture is thick.

Remove from heat and add the lemon juice, cloves and drained pineapple.  Stir to combine.  Transfer to bowl and refrigerate for 24 hours. 

  • Mashed Potatoes ~ Everybody eats mashed potatoes!  Luckily I have one of these, which I don’t believe is sold anymore.  Westinghouse steamer/masher.  Apparently there were issues.  Too bad because I love mine, and I (actually my son does this job) use it every year.  It does everything but peel the potatoes. So simple! If you find it somewhere, (like the Amazon reviewer who said he found it at Christmas Tree Shop) pick it up.  This is the recipe I use:

  • I double or triple it on Thanksgiving.  Of course, without the steamer/masher, you’ll have to do it the regular way; cook the potatoes in water for 30 minutes or until done, drain, mash and mix in other ingredients.  I generally use a ricer instead of a masher to get all the lumps out.
  • Gravy ~ My daughter picks this up at a local turkey farm.  Thank you!!!  It’s delicious and frees me from this last minute job.  
  • Vegetables ~ This is always a problem.  My grandchildren just don’t like them.  William said he’d prefer frozen peas this year, as in still frozen.  Enough said.  So this is what I’m serving this year:

 

RUTH’S CHRIS SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE

INGREDIENTS

Crust Mixture:

  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 3/4 cup chopped nuts (pecans preferred)
  • 1/4 cup melted butter

Sweet Potato Mixture:

  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 cups mashed sweet potatoes (3 medium)
  • 1 egg, well beaten
  • 1/4 cup butter

PROCESS

  1. Combine Crust Mixture in mixing bowl and put to one side.
  2. Combine Sweet Potato Mixture ingredients in a mixing bowl in the order listed. Combine thoroughly.
  3. Pour Sweet Potato Mixture into buttered baking dish.
  4. Sprinkle Crust Mixture evenly onto surface of Sweet Potato Mixture.

Bake for 30 minutes at 350°. Allow to set for at least 30 minutes before serving.

 

Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots

  • Preheat oven to 425F
  • Cut carrots diagonally into 2” lengths. Cut the thicker ends in half so they are all about the same width.
  • Toss in a bowl with:
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • Spread on cookie sheet and roast 15 minutes. Toss, then roast 10 minutes more until soft and caramelized on the edges.
  • Toss carrots in the glaze.

Neither of the above recipes is difficult.  I am hoping that the added sweetness will tempt the grandkids.  However, I’ll still serve assorted frozen vegetables for them, with plenty of butter.

 

Star of The Meal

 

  • Cinnamon Rolls ~ In most families the star of Thanksgiving dinner is the turkey.  Not so in my family.  In my family, it’s the cinnamon rolls.  The recipe was passed down through my husband’s family and has been always referred to as “Grandma’s Cinnamon Rolls.”  This is what it looked like when I got it:

I was 19 and clueless in the kitchen, but I figured it out.  Over the years I have realized that I needed to make a larger batch (makes about 42) so this is how I make them now:

Ingredients:

  • 2 packages dry yeast
  • 1 cup lukewarm water
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar, to proof the yeast
  • 6 tablespoons shortening or unsalted butter
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 9 cups unbleached all-purpose flour (more if the dough is sticky, up to 10 cups)
  • 2 cups hot water
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1 cup softened butter, divided
  • 2 cups brown sugar (about)
  • ground cinnamon

Directions:

Dissolve the yeast in the 1 cup of lukewarm water.  Add a teaspoon of sugar to “proof” the yeast.  After 5 or 10 minutes, the yeast should start to foam up.  This proves that the yeast is active.  Do not skip this step!  Always have extra yeast.  If the yeast doesn’t foam up, throw it out and start again with fresh yeast.  

In a large bowl, put 6 tablespoons tablespoons shortening (I use Crisco), 1 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon salt and 2 cups very hot water.  Stir to dissolve.  Set aside to cool a bit.

In a separate bowl, beat the eggs.  When the water mixture is lukewarm, add eggs and yeast to it.  Then add the flour, a bit at a time, until it is no longer sticky.  You can do this by hand or with your mixer with a dough hook.  I use the mixer.

Put out on a floured pastry cloth or counter and let rest for a few minutes.  Meanwhile, soften the butter.  I use the microwave.  

Cut dough in half.  With a floured rolling pin, roll out each piece of dough into a large rectangle, about 12 by 18 inches.  Spread the softened butter over each rectangle.  Next spread a lot of brown sugar over the butter.  I wing the amount, but it’s about 1/4 inch thick or a bit more.  Sprinkle cinnamon over this.  Now roll them up so that you have 2 rolls, each approximately 18 inches long.  

Cut the rolls with a serrated knife into 1 inch wide slices and place them into greased muffin tins.  Cover with clean dish towels and let rise until double.  

Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for about 20 minutes.  I always start checking a few minutes early so they don’t overcook.  You want them to be just slightly brown on top.  

YUM

 

 

  • Grandma’s Apple Pie ~ I always make 2

Crust:

In large bowl, put 4 cups unsifted all purpose flour, 1 tablespoon sugar and 2 teaspoons salt.  

Add 1 and 3/4 cup crisco shortening and mix with fork until crumbly.

In separate small bowl, beat together 1 large egg, 1 tablespoon vinegar and 1/2 cup water. Combine the 2 mixtures until well mixed.

Divide dough into 4 equal portions (makes 2 pies) and shape each into a flat round patty ready for rolling.  Wrap each in plastic wrap and chill for at least 1/2 hour.  

When ready to roll out, lightly flour both sides of patty and put on lightly floured pastry cloth.  Keeping pastry round, roll from center until 2 inches larger than inverted pie pan.

Apple Pie Filling For Each Pie:

Peel, core and slice 7 cups of apples (2.5 to 3 pounds)This is what I use and it is an awesome time-saver.  I’ve been using it for decades.

Mix apples with 1 cup sugar, 2 tablespoons flour, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg and 1/4 teaspoon salt.

Mix in 2 tablespoons lemon juice.

Fill pie crust with apple filling.  Dot with 2 tablespoons butter, cut up.  Top with remaining crust.  Try to make pretty edges.  I cover the edges with foil so they don’t over brown.

Bake in preheated 425F oven for 45 to 50 minutes until apples test fork tender.  It’s a good idea to place a cookie sheet under the pie to catch drips.  

I always make the pies a few days ahead and warm them in the oven while we eat our dinner. 

I have never had a failure with this pie.  It’s not always pretty, but it’s always delicious!

 

From my family to yours…Have a wonderful, safe and Happy Thanksgiving!

 

I participate in select affiliate advertising programs. This means that if you make a purchase through certain links on this site I may make a commission from that purchase. All opinions are my own, and all brands included are those I personally like and recommend. Thank you for your support!

Filed Under: Holidays, Uncategorized

Best Christmas Gifts For A Cool 10 Year Old Boy

November 11, 2020 By Ellie Leave a Comment

I absolutely love my 10 year old grandson, William.  One minute he is a snuggly little bunny and the next he’s a world philosopher.  Which means… buying gifts for him could be difficult.  Luckily he’s pretty talkative, so I just needed to listen to make a pretty good list.  So here it is, straight from a 10 year old’s mouth.

 

William has recently gotten super excited about using his skateboard, and he is ready to move up from his little beginner board.  As a grandmother, I’m always concerned about safety, so it goes without saying that he must be decked out with complete safety equipment. This includes:

  • a top-quality helmet
  • wrist guards to support his wrists during falls
  • knee pads and elbow pads
  • closed-toe shoes that have soles that don’t slip
  • goggles or shatterproof glasses

Advantages of this board

  • Small enough to be easily carried around, even for a 10 year old
  • High quality bamboo and maple deck that is strong and durable and has a grit finish to grip the feet
  • Reliable and sturdy trucks made of cast aluminum.  No plastic parts. 
  • Double kick tails that add fun and versatility.  Mannies, ollies, flip tricks and general tick-tacking are all made possible because of these kick tails. Asymmetric front and back kick tails makes for a cool directional surf style design while maintaining the performance of a great skateboard. Asymmetric front and back kick tails makes for a cool directional surf style design while maintaining the performance of a great skateboard.  OK, Grandmas, you know what all this means, right?

 

TOMY Screwball Scramble Games for Kids

Designed for 1 to 4 players, your 10 year old can challenge himself or play with the whole family. This is a exciting game of skill and coordination.  Kids love mazes!

Take it up a notch and double the fun with the addition of this game:

 TOMY Screwball Scramble 2 Maze Game 
NERF Ultra Pharaoh Blaster

OK, this one is hard for me.  After all, it’s a gun.  My kids didn’t have them. But love them or hate them, they are a hit with kids. That would explain why it’s a best seller, with comments like “tremendous range, highly accurate, farthest flying Nerf darts ever, up to 120 feet.” It is huge, it’s a blaster and the kids really love it.  It’s Christmas so use your best judgement on this one.  Oh, and you’d better buy one for Dad too.  And extra darts.  Just sayin.

 

Ninja Box (Choose Your Own Adventure)

I love these.  Choose Your Own Adventure books are like readable video games.  The reader starts out on a mission and is soon presented with a number of possible choices.  Each decision creates branching plots that lead to more options as you try to decide the best ending.  So creative.  According to Amazon, “Choose Your Own Adventure is the 4th bestselling gamebook series for children of all time.”  There are many other themes in addition to Ninja.

ThinkFun Domino Maze STEM Toy and Logic Game for Boys and Girls 

This is a brain and logic game…so I automatically like it.

LEGO Speed Champions Lamborghini Urus ST-X and Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo EVO 76899 Building Kit, New 2020 

A perfect Lego building set for race car fans with a nice degree of challenge for a 10 year old.

Ravensburger Gravitrax Starter Set Marble Run & STEM Toy For Kids Age 8 & Up – Endless Indoor Activity for Families

 

” Logical thinking, Hand-Eye Coordination, Problem Solving, Spatial Awareness, Kinetics, Creativity, Physics,” this is my kind of toy.

 

Legend 1:10 Scale RC Truck

Remote controlled cars are not new, but wow, boys really love them.  There is a new one on William’s list every year.  The reason I might not want to get him yet another RC car is that they seem to break so fast.  This one, however, is very rugged and can be repaired as well.  It has almost 2500 5 star ratings on Amazon.  Wow. 

Good things about RC cars:

  • Playing with RC cars can significantly develop and improve a child’s eye-hand development
  •  Remote control cars must be used outside.  Outdoor time, away from their electronics, is a good thing
  • Going outside to play with RC cars is a great way for families to spend time together

What is NOT on William’s Christmas list:

Clothing.  Never, ever buy clothing for a boy for Christmas.  Ask me how I know.  The poor guy will try to look appreciative, but it will be hard.  Don’t put him through it.  Of course, there may be an exceptional item he has been begging for, but otherwise, pass on clothing.

 

Other Cool Stuff:


I love Christmas shopping for the kids.  Hopefully I have given you a jumpstart for your 10 year old.  Happy shopping!

 

I participate in select affiliate advertising programs. This means that if you make a purchase through certain links on this site I may make a commission from that purchase. All opinions are my own, and all brands included are those I personally like and recommend. Thank you for your support!

Filed Under: Shopping, Things I love, Uncategorized

Sweater Roundup

November 7, 2020 By Ellie 2 Comments

 

It has been a beautiful fall here in New England and I have finally become resigned to the fact that winter is coming.  I’ve been getting the house ready for fall, adding pumpkins here and there, getting my Thanksgiving menu ready, my fall chores done and suddenly I realized… baby, it’s cold out there!!  Time to get out of these flip flops and summer clothes!  Has the cool weather snuck up on you as well?

If so, you’re in luck because now is the perfect time to freshen up your wardrobe.  Sweaters are a great way to do this without spending a ton of money. You can add them to your existing pants, camisoles and shirts from last year and have a whole new look!  Here’s a pretty sweater roundup to get you started and some of them are under $50!

 

I love this comfy, chunky, oversized sweater.  I ordered it in this gorgeous blue, and it comes in many other colors.  Wear it with jeans or dress it up with black pants and heels.

When I was a teenager my boyfriend (who later became my husband) gave me a hot pink cashmere sweater just like this.  I loved it so much that I wore it until it was  threadbare.  It still resides in my cedar chest.  And look, here it is again.  You can get  this one at Macy’s.This piece is essential!  It can be worn all year long and goes with everything.  Very long (hits me just below the knee) and chic.  

This soft, cashmere tunic/poncho is fabulous!  As it has sleeves, it can be worn under a coat!  It’s a little pricey, though.  I’m saving up.  Available at Ann Taylor.

My absolute favorite!  A fleece-like fabric, it feels like a dream.  I don’t wear it with the front tuck as that isn’t my most flattering look.  It looks great untucked!  And this color (powder puff pink is how I ordered it) is yummy!  You can buy it at Express.

The asymmetrical cashmere poncho shown above is available at Macy’s.  I have it in gray (heather cinder).  

Are you beginning to get excited about updating your winter wardrobe?  Happy shopping!

I participate in select affiliate advertising programs. This means that if you make a purchase through certain links on this site I may make a commission from that purchase. All opinions are my own, and all brands included are those I personally like and recommend. Thank you for your support!

Filed Under: fashion, Uncategorized

Grief; A Few Tidbits

August 22, 2020 By Ellie 3 Comments

 

Jim was gone and I felt like someone had shot a hole through my life.  I knew about the 5 stages of grief; denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance.  That’s not how I felt at all.  I must have gone through those stages during the last year while I was expecting his death.  What I felt now was an immense sense of guilt.  And emptiness.  I had failed in finding and getting Jim into a clinical trial that might have saved his live and I had not honored his last wish to keep him alive at all costs.  Logically, I knew that I hadn’t had much control over that possibility, but this little voice in my head kept saying “he’s so disappointed in you.”  It didn’t make sense to anyone else but it made sense to me; I had failed.

Because I had spent every moment taking care of Jim, I really had nothing to do now.  That’s not really true, I had to plenty to do learning how to take over Jim’s responsibilities!  I didn’t even know which bank held our mortgage.  So there was that, but I really felt lost, like my life no longer had a direction, a compass.  It’s been 4 years now and this is my little bit of advice:

Realize that recovery from a loss will take time

Appreciate every baby step that you accomplish.  I found it helpful to find something to be grateful for each day.

Take care of yourself

This is the last thing I felt like doing and I had to force myself.  As a matter of fact, I probably would have starved if I hadn’t had a wonderful neighbor watching out for me.  So force yourself to sleep, exercise (at least get outside and walk a little) and eat.

Learn something new

This is what helped me the most.  I started to turn my basement into a finished room.  It was the next thing on the list my husband and I had intended to do, so I just decided to learn how to do it.  And I did!  I also joined a hand bell choir.  In addition to learning something, it made me actually leave the house.  I bought a bicycle which I am still afraid to ride.  I’ll get to it!  I also wanted to write this blog, but it took me 4 years to get to it.  All of these things took me way out of my comfort zone and kept my brain distracted somewhat.  Speaking of that…

Make a list every day

The thoughts in my head were so jumbled that I could never have gotten through a day without a list.  First thing everyday was make the bed.  (I really loved the “Make your bed” speech by Admiral William McRaven.)  I had so many extra things to do now including putting accounts in my name and cancelling others, etc. that it would have been extremely easy to forget what I was doing. Or what year it was!

Do something frivolous that makes you happy

I got eye lash extensions!  Talk about frivolous!  I also revamped my sad wardrobe.  Both of those things still make me smile.  Smiling keeps the negative thoughts at bay.

These are a few of the things that worked for me

Everyone is different.  Hopefully something I have written will help someone else.  Please let me know.

 

                                Grandpa’s shirts that I made into pillows for my grandchildren

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Grief, Uncategorized

Pros And Cons Of Stitch Fix, A Review

August 16, 2020 By Ellie Leave a Comment

I was passing a mirror and I actually thought I saw my mother in there.  My mother was a beautiful woman, but 24 years older than me.  It was then that I realized that while I had been caring for my sick husband, I had not been paying attention to me.  UGH, time for a change.

Where to start??  My daughter suggested Stitch Fix and I was leery.  I couldn’t believe that someone else, even a professional stylist, could select clothing that would look good on me!  However, my daughter was enjoying her experience with Stitch Fix, so I gave it a try.

What is Stitch Fix?

Stitch Fix is a fashion clothing subscription service where a professional stylist selects items for you based on a profile you have filled out in advance.  There is no membership fee and you are not locked in.  There is a very reasonable $20 styling fee, which can be used towards the purchase of any of the 5 items in the box.  And, if you decide to keep all 5 items, you get a 25% discount.  Very cool.  Shipping both ways is free.

My First Box

Exciting.  The first thing I unwrapped was a tiny pair of jeans that I almost sent back without trying on.  No way would they fit me, no less look good!  I also got a sweater, a couple of tops, and a purse.  It was 4 years ago and I am still wearing those jeans!  My first pair of skinny jeans, which I never ever would have purchased on my own.  They are high rise and extremely flattering.  The other items were OK and looked good with the jeans.  Why did they send me a purse??  I’d told them I didn’t need purses, but it was nearly free if I kept it with my 25% off.  So the first box was a definite winner. 

Going Forward

After that my experience was mixed, I kept some and sent some back.  I believe I sent the whole box back once.  I discontinued after a while.  By then I was getting a handle on my new style.  By the way, I did this review for your information.  It is not a paid review.  

Pros

  • Great way to try out new styles!  Like the skinny jeans I never would have purchased otherwise.
  • Shipping is free both ways so you can exchange for size or just send things back without paying postage.
  • You get a personal stylist.  How cool is that and for only $20?!
  • They carry all sizes, Women sizes 0-24W (XS – 3X).  They also do men and children now, but I’m not covering that as I have no experience with it.
  • Request specific items. If there’s a certain piece you want, just tell your stylist. If it’s available in your size, it’ll be included in your next box. This is new since I was a Stitch Fix customer.  I would have loved another pair of those skinny jeans!
  • Not locked into a subscription. You don’t have to choose a subscription service. You can choose “on demand” shipments. There is no penalty for doing this. This is a more affordable option if you don’t want new clothes every month. 
  • Try on new items with your own clothes. This is something I really like.  It’s nice to be able to try the pieces on at home with the proper undergarments, shoes and accessories.  That way you can see if you have items that match.  No guessing.
  • There is no sign up fee and shipping is free both ways.   

Cons

  • $20 styling fee is nonrefundable.  This is lost if you return everything.  This never bothered me.  I think it only happened once. 
  • You pay full retail prices.  If you are a bargain shopper, you may not like this.  There are no sales.
  • You only get the 25% discount if you keep everything.  This never bothered me either.  I considered it a bonus.
  • You might find it expensive.  No sales, remember?

So, In Conclusion…

Stitch Fix did exactly what I needed it to do; it got me out of my style slump.  I also found it fun!  I discovered a new and better way to dress.  And I still love those skinny jeans!

 

Stitch Fix Skinny Jeans

Me in my Stitch Fix Skinny Jeans

Filed Under: fashion, Uncategorized

How To Cut Plywood All By Yourself; I Am Not A DIYer, I Am A DIAer

August 12, 2020 By Ellie Leave a Comment

It has recently occurred to me that I do all my work by myself.  That makes me a DIAer, not a DIYer.  What is the difference, you ask?  My definition of a do-it-yourselfer is a person who builds, modifies, or repairs things without the direct aid of experts or professionals, but perhaps with the aid of others.  A do-it-aloner works alone.  All alone.  Is this a problem?  Not usually, but sometimes…

Cutting plywood is very difficult to do alone

  • How to figure out how much plywood to buy.  This requires a bit of math.  Measure the dimensions of your wall.  For instance, my wall was 24 feet wide and 7.5 feet tall.  To get the square footage of the wall, multiply those two numbers together; 24 X 7.5 = 180.  Plywood is 4 X 8 or 32 square feet.  To determine the number of pieces you need, divide the square footage of the wall, by the square footage of the panel.  180 divided by 32 is 5.6.  So I purchased 6 pieces of plywood.
  • Have the plywood delivered.  Do not try to squeeze a piece of plywood into your SUV.  It will not fit and will damage your car in the process.  Here is a great hint.  If you open a Lowe’s American Express Business Card, you can get your purchases delivered for $20 instead of the regular $60.  You also get 5% off every purchase.
  • Getting the plywood on the table saw.  Handling a full size sheet of plywood can be problematic.  I found that I could maneuver a piece onto the saw, but it quickly wanted to twist, turn and fall off!  It is possible to do if you stabilize the sheet throughout the cut.  In order to do this stabilization, and hold the sheet steady, I built myself a couple of helpers, one to catch the plywood after it went through the saw, and another to hold the plywood on the left side and keep it level.  Without this support, I wouldn’t have been able to maintain a steady rate of speed as the piece went through the saw.  I made a catch table from a couple of saw horses with an old door on top.  Nothing fancy, but just the right height!  Then I scrounged around and found a couple of chairs that worked to hold up the plywood on the left side of the saw.  Great, I had two helpers!  Like I said, nothing fancy!  Make sure you have the best side up because, if there is going to be chipping, it will most likely occur on the bottom, not the top.  
  • Start cutting.  I was really careful cutting the plywood.  My kids were counting my fingers at this point when they came to visit.  Every time!  I set the fence on the saw at 5 and 7/8 inches so that I would get 8 equal pieces.  With such a large piece, it was difficult to put equal pressure from the end and the left side of the piece.  So don’t rush. Turn on the saw.  Yikes.  I pushed it through slowly, making sure the edge of the plywood was always tight against the fence.  Amazingly, that first piece was perfect!  Phew!  Each cut got easier after that as the plywood got smaller and lighter. 
  • Feel terrifically proud!  Good job!

After using the table saw I still have all 10!

Filed Under: DIY Projects, Power tools, Uncategorized

Is It Really Possible To Put Up Shiplap By Yourself??

July 29, 2020 By Ellie 3 Comments

So, is it really possible to put up shiplap all by yourself?

I have done it and the answer is yes!  I applied shiplap and finished my basement all by myself!

How I applied my shiplap

  • Lightly sand the edges and good side of the planks.
  • Now you should apply primer to the planks before hanging them.  I didn’t do this and immediately regretted it.  It’s really difficult to get paint in between the boards once they are hung.
  • Install the first plank.  I know some people start at the top, but I started at the bottom.  This is why; I knew that I would be installing planks to above the ceiling line and wouldn’t have to worry about cutting and fitting up there.  I did not want to bother cutting and fitting the last planks if I ended at the floor.  
  • Keep the planks level.  The first plank is the most important as it needs to be level.  My basement floor was by no means level so I had to adjust with shims before I nailed.  Here, I did need a helper.  My neighbor, Susanne, came over and helped me hold and level the planks while I nailed them in with my handy Ryoby brad nailer.  This is a fantastic tool!  It is so light that I can use it with one hand!  
  • Use spacers to keep the look consistent.  I used nickels for spacers between the planks and continued nailing the planks, being careful to keep them level and to keep the seams staggered.
  • Nail into the studs.  Nails elsewhere will be useless.  The studs in my Insofast Panels were easy to see as they were black.

 

                                 

 

Having great, easy to use tools sure helped make this project easy.

Here are the tools I used:

  • Ryobi Chop Saw to cut the planks when needed. This is the only corded Ryobi tool I have.
  • Ryobi Jig Saw to cut around outlets, etc.
  • Ryobi Brad Nailer.  My favorite tool of all!  It made nailing up the planks a snap!
  • Ryobi Cordless Sander

They can be seen here: https://www.peoniesandpowertools.com/how-i-fell-in-love/

So this is how I installed shiplap in my basement by myself.  You can too!

 

Filed Under: Basement, Power tools, Uncategorized

The Last Year

July 23, 2020 By Ellie Leave a Comment

I spent the last year of Jim’s life searching the internet for a clinical trial to save his life.  It was 2015 and he had been a cancer patient for almost 20 years.  He had taken early retirement and was now running up and down the basketball court refereeing school basketball games.  I don’t know how he did it.  

We had heard that there was a new cancer immunotherapy utilizing T-cells in clinical trial. This gave us a glimmer of hope.  I had discovered by then that it was difficult to be accepted into a clinical trial; so many desperate patients and so few available slots.  You almost had to know someone.  As it happens, Jim’s doctor did know someone, the doctor who was running the CAR T-cell therapy clinical trial at Memorial Sloane Kettering Hospital in New York.  Mass General did not offer this trial back then, but the therapy is now offered right here in Boston.  Good article on the therapy here:

https://www.massgeneral.org/cancer-center/clinical-trials-and-research/immunotherapy/car-t-cell-therapies#:~:text=The%20Mass%20General%20Cancer%20Center,with%20lymphoma%2C%20Yescarta%20and%20Kymriah.

Jim was seen at MSK in October of 2015.  Unfortunately, he was too sick by then to receive the therapy.  I remember the doctor’s words “You have a good 6 weeks or so of life left.  I don’t want to take that away from you.”  Jim, on the other hand, completely ignored those words and went home determined to build himself up so that he could go back to New York in January and take part in the trial.  

One of the most difficult things for me and the rest of the family was that Jim never accepted that he was dying.  As far as he was concerned, he was going to beat the cancer. This was his way of coping.  He never lost hope.  So we supported him in his fight.  We raised funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society https://www.lls.org/ (another great resource), we printed tee shirts and we never used the word “hospice.”  He died in January of 2016.  His last words to me were “I don’t know why you are upset, I am going to beat this.“

 

 

A word about clinical trials…  be prepared to do the research yourself!  I discovered that doctors cannot do this work as it is very time consuming.  Unless the clinical trial is being run at his or her hospital, he probably will not know about it.  I used the searchable registry http://clinicaltrials.gov.  It is wonderful and up to date.  When you find a good fit, contact the trial team directly.  Fast.  Do not worry about “bothering” them.  This is a life you are trying to save!  Of course, discuss it with your doctor, but don’t expect him to do the work for you.  

 

P.S.  I have no medical qualifications, but feel free to contact me if you need help with your journey.

 

 

Filed Under: Grief, Uncategorized

Jim’s Journey

July 21, 2020 By Ellie Leave a Comment

The bone marrow transplant had failed.  No one had actually said that.  It was hinted that even though Jim’s tumors were reappearing, the BMT could be working.  In any case, chemotherapy was started, first CVP, then CVP-R.  This drug combination worked extremely well and Jim continued his normal, everyday life; racquetball, basketball, work every day.  On the days of his scheduled outpatient treatment, he went directly from Mass General to his job in Boston.  He suffered very few side effects.  No one even knew he had cancer.  He was determined to beat it.

At some point, the CVP combo started to work less well.  His tumors weren’t fully going away between treatments.  As they were subcutaneous, they were visible.  Depressing.  Luckily, at this time a number of new targeted therapies became available in clinical trials.  One at a time, he was able to qualify for many of them:

Velcade

Romidepsin

Ibrutinib

Zydelig

I think there were more, but it’s been a few years now and I don’t remember them all.  This cancer was smart.  The therapies all failed.  How about a second BMT, they asked?  UGH.  But OK, it was really the only choice.  We were told that the chances of success were real, but small.  

This would be a “mini transplant”, meaning that the pre-transplant chemo would be less harsh and less harmful to Jim’s body.  This procedure didn’t work either.  BUT during these years of treatment, our other two children had gotten married and given us 4 grandchildren.  Jim was even more positive that he was going to beat the cancer.  These kids were his reason to live.                                             

Filed Under: Grief, Uncategorized

Becoming A Widow

July 21, 2020 By Ellie Leave a Comment

Looking back, it seems now that I always knew that I would someday become a widow.  At least since the mid 1990’s when my husband Jim, a Vietnam veteran, was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma.  We had 3 children; 2 sons, 24 and 21, and a daughter, 12.  The 24 year old son was about to be married.  Sitting in the oncologist’s office with a calendar, we tried to figure out the best time to schedule the life saving bone marrow transplant (from stem cells) so that it wouldn’t interfere with the wedding.  The doctor reacted negatively, to say the least.  How could we put a “social engagement” ahead of Jim’s life??  I guess at that point we really weren’t taking it seriously enough.  In any case, the wedding went on and so did the BMT.  After 4 weeks or so Jim came home, looking like death, to be nursed by me and kept in isolation.  There is a good article by the American Cancer Society about transplants here:  

https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/treatment-types/stem-cell-transplant/types-of-transplants.html

We live in the Boston area and Jim’s treatment was done at Mass General.  We had day 100 circled on the calendar.  I’m not exactly sure why, but I think the new cells were then supposed to be safely attached and starting to do their job of making new blood cells.  This is also the day when Jim noticed that one of his tumors had reappeared.  Also, the day I realized I would eventually become a widow.

 

P.S.  I have been a widow for 4 years but a blogger for only 4 months.  If you like this post, please pin me.  Or leave a comment!  I’m a newbie, I need help.

 

 

 

Filed Under: Grief, Uncategorized

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