by Sarah | Nov 23, 2012 | All About Denver, Cystic Fibrosis, Hospital, PICC, Special Needs
When Kennedy was diagnosed with CF we were assured that we were likely to see more trouble from her myriad of other issues than we would for CF. With the exception of one hospital stay two years ago, that’s been mostly true.
When Denver got his diagnosis at the age of 13, we knew his situation would be different. Already he had chronic lung issues (pneumonia, bronchitis, etc).
Still, given the unique nature of both his and K’s CF…and the fact that I have a document stating that genetics can not confirm the diagnosis in either child – therefore making them “atypical” CF cases…
We still never realized how fast it would happen.
We didn’t realize how soon he’d end up in the hospital.
How quickly one hospital stay could change his day to day existence.
Or the perceptions of those around him.
How he would go from being “Oh, I don’t see how they could diagnose him with that” to becoming, “Is it safe for him do this? What about his illness? We need his doctors information to let him do…”
In heartbeat.
In a cough.
In a moment’s time he went from one life to another.
Change happens fast for everyone.
This lightning speed attack of time & reality threw us all for a loop.
We’re all still adjusting.
It takes time.
Let’s just hope time gives us a little breather to catch up before we get blind-sided with another dose of reality.
by Sarah | Nov 20, 2012 | Books, Challenge, Hump Day Hook, Morgana Chronicles, Writing
Time for another Hump Day hook. I did miss last week because of all the hospital craziness with Denver, but I’m glad to dive back into it this week.
In the past few weeks I’ve started another new story. It’s taking a lot of world building, but the idea started small and really blossomed from there. Can’t get into too many details, but it’s a new series that’s going to be a dark urban fantasy – probably a few romantic elements thrown in.
So, without further ado, I give you the first paragraphs of “Into a Mirror Darkly” – book 1 of the Morgana Chronicles.
Red held her breath and kept every muscle relaxed to avoid twitching. The tiniest move would reveal her hiding place. She kept her long sword against her chest, her right hand folded in the familiar grooves of the handle. In her left she clutched the dagger still sticky with green blood.
Damn ogres.
Hump Day Hook asks authors to post one paragraph of one of their stories, whether a WIP, one contracted, or already published. Please visit and comment on the participants – you might just stumble on the next great read for your library! To see more participants, click on the HHH banner below:
by Sarah | Nov 19, 2012 | All About Erik, All About Family, All About Indiana, All About Kennedy, All About Me, All About Molly, All of Us, Indianapolis Zoo, The Reluctant Hoosier
Two years ago I took a leap of faith. Despite initially cringing at the cost of a membership to the Indianapolis Zoo – I splurged and bought it to cover our family. I knew that one of the leading factors behind us never going was the cost to get in. I thought, if it’s “free” after that onset – maybe we’ll use it.
And use it we have. I re-purchased it last year and go on a moderately regular basis, weather and time permitting. Sometimes just me, but most often with the kids.
One thing about going to a smaller zoo – you learn some of the quirks. Like the brown bear always hides, the wild dogs are always asleep, and the gibbons are always chirping like mad.
This past weekend we went with the girls on a gorgeous sunny day and the zoo had turned on its head. The Gibbons were silent, letting us hear the chirping of the otters they share a cage with. The wild dogs were awake and moving all over their enclosure. Best of all, the brown bear was up close and personal – with a big friendly grin on his face.
I’m so glad that this time I took my camera – because I get to throw some of my favorites at you. Of course I have SO many, I’m struggling to pick just a few so I will beg you to please head on over to my FLICKR account to see the rest. It’s worth it, I promise…everyone was posing for my camera.
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by Sarah | Nov 18, 2012 | All About Home, All About Me, Story of Me
My mom taught me to cook and bake as I grew up. I would help her tear bread for the stuffing at holidays. Cut apples for applesauce or pie. I’d stir the batter for the most delicious brownies.
All along the way I’d glean tips and tricks to what makes my Mom’s meals delicious. Little nuggets of information that have stuck with me into my marriage.
One of my favorite secrets happens to tie in with my favorite fall treat.
Apple Crisp.
My Mom’s secret lay in the citrus that you add. Instead of a tart lemon, she used orange. Now, before you go crying that the citrus isn’t necessary because you expect the apples to brown in this delicious dessert…of course you do. But, if you add a touch of orange as your citrus – it’s a sweet little kick that punches up the flavor. The way you put in that citrus is up to you. I favor orange juice concentrate (a couple of tablespoons), you could use orange juice – heck, my mom has been known to use Tang. Yes, TANG.
Try it – along with my other secret (vary the apples, I use up to 4-5 different kinds). I bet you won’t regret it.
Recipe: Apple Crisp
Summary: Recipe is for one pie sized dessert. Increase as needed for larger desserts (as I did in my example pictures)
Ingredients
- Filling:
- 6 apples – at least 1 granny smith
- 2Tbs White Sugar
- 2Tbs Brown Sugar
- 2Tbs Flour
- 1Tbs Orange Juice concentrate
- Topping:
- 1/2 Stick Butter
- 1/8 C Brown Sugar
- 1/4 C Flour
Instructions
- Peel & Core apples
- Slice – granny’s hold up better so slice them thinner, the other varieties slice thicker
- Mix with rest of filling ingredients and put into pie plate
- Using pastry cutter or fork, cut together topping ingredients
- Sprinkle topping over pie
- Bake 50-60 minutes at 350*
- Turn on broiler for 3-5 minutes until topping is crisp to your liking.
Preparation time: 20 minute(s)
Cooking time: 1 hour(s)
Number of servings (yield): 6
by Sarah | Nov 18, 2012 | Photography, Scavenger Hunt Sunday
A few planned photos & a trip to the zoo rounded out my week.
All taken w/ Canon Rebel XS.
1. Vision
The eye sees a thing more clearly in dreams than the imagination awake. ~Leonardo da Vinci
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The crow wished everything was black, the owl, that everything was white. ~William Blake
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2. Strong
The grizzly bear is huge and wild. ~A.E. Housman
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Strength does not come from physical capacity, it comes from indomitable will. ~Mahatma Gandhi
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3. Buttons
I call him buttons. Buttons the fish.
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If it keeps up, man will atrophy all his limbs but the push-button finger. ~Frank Lloyd Wright
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4. Map
Home is not where you live but where they understand you. ~Christian Morganstern
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The cheetahs pace a mapwork of paths through the tall grass
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5. Favorite Fruit
One that would have the fruit must climb the tree. ~Thomas Fuller
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Goodness comes out of people that bask in the sun, as it does out of a sweet apple roasted before the fire. ~Charles Dudley Warner
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You can find more pictures over at my flickr account.
Scavenger Hunt Sunday is run by the beautiful Ashley. Head on over to see more Hunters.
