I would just like to say...

...that washing your B-12 energy vitamins down with Red Bull is NOT a recommended combination.

My head is actually hissing.

WHATcam?

I have no idea what to say about this.

Justine/Justin Cam.

They mounted CAMERAS on their HATS to record their EVERY MOVE on the INTERNET.

It just seems exhausting. Also they look really goofy.

WHOA.

Wouldn’t you know it? All I had to do was write that little blurb in my previous post and suddenly the words came flowing out of my fingers onto the keyboard.

ZZISSHHHHHHH.

SO. Let’s see. My aunt has been visiting us to help with my dad (who is doing phenomenally well by the way) and we had a wonderful time together. She left for Philadelphia this morning and I will miss having her around. Each weekend since she’s been here I’ve taken her around and shown her some fun things in this area. We’ve gone to Ninth and Ninth, the University of Utah’s campus, City Library, Sugarhouse, a really great Vietnamese restaurant and other awesome places.

Let me say this however before I continue. Most of the time I didn’t have my camera. My aunt and I enjoyed the time we had and to be honest, it would have been a bother. I love sharing pictures with all of you but sometimes it’s not possible for whatever reason and that is going to have to be okay. Cool?

Cool.

So…moving on…here are the pictures I DO have of her and I enjoying tea at Tea Grotto. It’s one of my favorite places to go.

Auntie Pat!

The Menu!

Apricot Ginger deliciousness. Mmm.

We also made a stop at City Library and went to the roof garden.

Hi!

Lemongrass I think.

We really had a wonderful time visiting (I haven’t seen her in ten years) and getting to know each other (TEN YEARS). I was also delighted to find she has the same affinity for Asian cuisine that I do. It’s proof I wasn’t adopted! Hooray!

I hope things are going well for all of you and thank you for sticking around. I promise to be more blogilent (?) in the future.

Or something.

What?

Hi.

Just so you know, I'm still here. I have many things to say and pictures to share with you but can't get enough time to blog all about it. Everything is fine, I am just very busy - happy though.

I will see you very soon. :-)

Summer Squash Crunch

Do you have extra squash or zucchini lying about? Try this. I made it last night and it was lovely. Nothing was really measured out (as is my m.o.) so it's really up to you to decide how much to use.

Two people have commented on the deliciousness today (I brought some to share).

Summer Squash Crunch

1 large squash (or zucchini OR EGGPLANT EVEN)
Olive oil
Sea salt
Fresh ground black pepper
Oregano
Panko bread crumbs
Parmesan cheese
Marinara (for plating)

Wash and slice the squash, lie slices flat on a glass baking dish. Coat one side lightly with olive oil and sprinkle on sea salt, ground black pepper and oregano. Turn the pieces over and repeat, but add the parmesan and bread crumbs.

Bake at 450F for 15-20 minutes or until crispy. When plating, pour marinara on the plate first and place the squash on top.

Delicious with a fresh green salad. Mmm.

Sunday Morning

Hello. My dad is getting better each day and he is enjoying time with his sister. I have also been enjoying visiting with her - I haven't seen her in 10 years!

He is able to walk around at a regular pace and get up from the sofa without help. It's amazing how much you have to re-learn after major surgery! Each day he makes more progress and gains more confidence.

Things are going well. I will, of course, keep you posted.

Home.

My dad has been released from the hospital and is now resting at home. His sister is coming in tomorrow from Philadelphia to help care for him until the 29th and he is relieved to be home.

That is all.

Sunday

My dad needed another pint of blood (his second) because the nurse gave him Plavix, a blood thinner, the night before his surgery - and he wasn't supposed to. Luckily everything worked out. My dad is doing just fine, can talk, can walk around and is eating solid food. He should be moved to a regular room today and is in very good spirits.

Everyone else has been absolutely wonderful. The service my dad has received has really impressed him and put us all at ease. We know he is being cared for extremely well. To view it from another angle, that one mistake could have had a disastrous result had everyone else not been so attentive. Thank goodness for them. Really.

My mom came over for dinner last week and I made salmon with vegetables and broiled ciabatta bread. I feel secure enough to post the picture. Things are getting back to normal.



The salmon was baked at 450F for, well, I wasn't looking at the time. Until it flaked. 20 minutes? Something like that. It was rubbed in olive oil and coated with "Slap Ya Mama" Cajun seasoning (thanks Rebecca), Asian Panko bread crumbs (thanks mom), and a little grated parmesan. The vegetables were steamed and then tossed with raspberry vinaigrette and I think there was some black pepper added too. The bread was just broiled in the oven with part-skim mozzarella on it.

Aaahh. That felt good to write.

Happy Sunday!

Today.

My dad had his surgery this morning around 8 a.m. It all went smoothly. His blood was a little too thin still so they had to give him some platelets, but other than that everything went well.

He was moved into his room in Critical Care at 2 p.m. and we saw him briefly. We went back about an hour and a half ago (6 p.m.) and he was awake and able to move a little bit. He isn't nearly as pale as we thought and he could crack jokes which is definitely a good sign. When we left he even pushed the button to move his bed up to get a better view outside.

Things are going well. Again, we can't thank all of you enough for all your supportive prayers and wishes.

Talk to you soon.

Quick Update.

Hello.

My dad's surgery will be tomorrow at 8 a.m. He is in very good spirits and after talking to the surgeon it looks like he'll be home in about a week and could be golfing by September. Without using his driver, that is.

Again, thank you all for your prayers, good thoughts and wishes. We are very grateful to know all of you.

I will keep in touch.