Shout Out To My Peeps

I have been mia this week, so sorry! I had a doctors visit Tuesday and that kind of wiped my out for days, and okay maybe sent me back a few notches in happiness.  So remember that infection I had awhile back? My infected abscess? Well I need to have surgery on it on the 10th (just a day procedure it shouldn't be a huge deal, but pain and recovery none the less) and while this happens, and I am waiting for it to happen I am inactive on the transplant list.  You see, they can't give me new lungs with an infection - it would likely spread and kill me very quickly.   So this needs to be taken care of before I can go back on the list.  The thing is, I really need new lungs, I'll rarely say it, but I do! And I had high hopes for getting them in April or May (and attending my friend Betsy's wedding in CA).  It could still happen near the end of May, but if I am attached to this oxygen hose and pretty much not doing a lot when summer breaks, I fear for what that might be like.  I'm normally cheerful and roll with the punches and what comes my way I can take, but this has been a very slow process of being sick, getting sick enough, being really sick, getting on the list, etc....So it hasn't been the best week ever, BUT I seriously have some really amazing people in my life that helped cheer me up, even without knowing it, and I must give them some credit.  One of my BFF's Aly came to visit me from nyc on Monday and then came to the doctors with me all day Tuesday, that was a nice treat! Thursday night I got to have an awesome burger with my other BFF and her hubby, they always make me laugh, and I got a very sweet text from my other bestie Lindsey which made my day! And then to my surprise Friday I got a brownie delivery from my amazing friend Kerri! Big shout out! This totally made my week to get an unexpected gift like this and know someone was thinking of me, seriously like I think it made my eyes water.  I might not come out and say a lot that I'm down or it's been a hard week, but seriously all the texts (shout out Crystal & Amber), comments, emails and FB messages (shout out Betsy & Michelle & Terry) really make a huge difference in keeping my spirits up when it gets harder....And my family that always checks in (my grandma, Alisha and Karen!)

Lots of people need to be mentioned here like Laurie, Jess, Becca, Jan, Judy and tons of others that I am not sure want their name in the blogosphere....but sorry if you did want to be mentioned and aren't...

So....new lungs at the end of May please come my way!

As close to St. Tropez as I can get right now...

Essie Sand Tropez

I baked!

On a whim yesterday I was inspired by Real Simple Magazine to make a cake - I made mini cupcakes, but the same thing!  They have a whole section in this months issue about cake and frosting and fillings and toppings! Very inspiring!

I used this recipe for the yellow cake
and I chose a chocolate sour cream frosting which sounded so yummy to me

Stuffed Cabbage

I feel like stuffed cabbage is like an old lady food, but I really love it.  My grandmother used to make it all the time, and my mom used to make it quite a bit too and it's so easy.  All you will need is: rice, tomato soup, cabbage, and ground meat. 

This is how I make it, but there are a lot of different ways to make it.  I cook the rice first, I cook about 3 cups of rice and I steam the cabbage first too.  I then let the cabbage cool and take each leaf off so they are all ready to be stuffed.  Once the rice is done cooking I mix it with the ground hamburger (I probably use about 2 lbs, which uses up an entire head of cabbage leaves) The only thing I add is salt and pepper and then I put the mixtures into the cabbage leaves and roll them.  In a big pot (a lot of people cook this in the oven, but I assure you this way makes it better!) I put 4 cans of tomato soup and bring it to a high warm tempature, I then gently place the stuffed cabbage leaves in the soup (gentle so they don't fall apart, make sure they are rolled well!) and then put another one or two cans of tomato soup over them and let them cook until the meat is done, about an hour, but the longer you can simmer it of course the better.  I add some dill to the soup for a little flavoring, but you could really add any spices you want, and use any kind of ground meat you want, and add whatever you really wanted to be honest, some people use this same recipe and stuff it into a pepper instead if you don't like cabbage.  But this is a really good warm comfort food kind of meal!

 

"Pom" Sunday

Pretty new pom colors for this weekends Easter festivity (replacing the red and black that were around for winter celebrations)

Eggs

Me and my little friend Maggie colored eggs this weekend

We had a visitor

Last Sunday we had a visitor (my old roomate Laurie and her dog Sadie) Here is a cute little video

Sparkly

When sparkly things come in the mail they make me smile.  Like this skirt:

imagine courtesy of jcrew

Easter Fun Continued

The early Easter Bunny stopped by my house today and left me Easter themed play-doh.  I rejoice! I love play doh! The bunny knows me so well!

And yesterday I myself stumbled upon Easter themed ring pops.  Amazing!

What fun Easter things have you gotten this year?

I'm here!

Sorry I haven't posted all week guys - didn't mean to scare you! I've just been really really really tired, that happens when your lungs are working so hard, so I've been sleeping a lot lately.  I remember those days from the first time around.  But I am still here!

Have any of you seen any funny/romcom movies lately that I can rent that you recommend?