Update on Uncle Buck

I just received a text from Martha.  Uncle Buck is out of surgery.  The surgery went well, but it was a very LARGE tumor.  They will not know if he will have to have Chemo until the path report comes back…typically 3 days to get those results.  He will be in ICU for the next 48-72 hours.

Martha is there and is currently trying to talk Aunt B into getting a hotel room across the street.

Will update when I hear more.

Paula’s Recipe of the Month: March 2010
Beef, Sausage and Cheese Manicotti

I’ve really been wanting to make a stuffed pasta dish for some time.  I found this recipe for manicotti the other day, and I knew it was going to be good.  I made a few modifications to it, so I’ve written it the way that I made it.  It was AMAZINGLY GOOD.  It was like eating at an Italian restaurant, but at a fraction of the cost.  We had this with French bread and Caesar salad.  Can’t wait to have the leftovers tomorrow!

The next time I make this recipe, we’ll be having my Deep Dish Mocha Tiramisu for dessert.  Maybe that will be next month’s recipe.  :)

Ingredients

• 4 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
• 1/2 lb ground beef
• 1/2 lb Italian sausage
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 14 (8-ounce package) manicotti ***
• 1 (15-ounce) container whole-milk ricotta
• 3 cups shredded Italian blend cheese
• 1 cup grated Parmesan
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves or 2 tsp dried parsley
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 cups marinara sauce (I used Prego Traditional)
• 2 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces

***The filling actually makes more than enough to fill 14 manicotti shells, so I’d cook an extra 4-5 shells.

Directions

Heat a heavy medium skillet over medium heat. Add 1 teaspoon of the olive oil, onion, garlic, ground beef and sausage. Season with salt and pepper. Saute until the meat browns and the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat, and cool.

Brush 1 teaspoon of oil over a large baking sheet. Cook the manicotti in a large pot of boiling salted water until slightly softened, but still very firm to the bite, about 4 to 6 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the manicotti from the pot to the oiled baking sheet and cool.

Meanwhile, combine the ricotta, 1 1/2 to 2 cups Italian blend cheese, 1/2 cup Parmesan, and parsley. Stir the cooled meat mixture into the cheese mixture.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Brush the remaining 2 teaspoons of oil over a 13 by 9 by 2-inch glass baking dish. Spoon 1 1/2 cups of the marinara sauce over the bottom of the prepared dish. Fill the manicotti with the cheese-meat mixture. Arrange the stuffed pasta in a single layer in the prepared dish and spoon the remaining sauce over.

Sprinkle the remaining 1 1/2 cups of  Italian blend cheese, then the remaining 1/2 cup of Parmesan over the stuffed pasta. Dot entire dish with the butter pieces. Bake the manicotti uncovered until heated through and the sauce bubbles on the sides of the dish, about 30 to 35 minutes. Let the manicotti stand 5 minutes and serve.

Paula’s Recipe of the Month: February 2010
Good Old Fashioned Pancakes

The girls are both sick.  It was a long night and a long day today, so we wanted something easy but yummy for dinner.   I found this recipe, and they were fantastic!  I even mixed in some mini chocolate chips for the girls pancakes.  YUM!  I can’t wait to try them again with blueberries!

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 Tbsp. sugar
• 1 1/4 cups milk
• 1 egg
• 3 Tbsp. butter, melted

Directions

In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar.  Make a well in the center and pour in the milk, egg and melted butter; mix until smooth.

Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat.  Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake.  Brown on both sides and serve hot.

Alahna’s new cast

Alahna says, “I think I will make a full recovery because so many people are praying for me!” Thanks to you all for your continued prayers. We got to make a Chuck E. Cheese trip this weekend and made some great memories. Alahna’s cast came off…..and then she got a new one. She is trying to keep her chin up for another three weeks in a cast. She can’t wait to get it off.
We continue to make progress here at the house; sorting through mail, organizing, going through Stone’s things, and also doing regular household duties. We are all ready for more normalcy (as much as we can have after our loss) though it is difficult getting there.
My hand is getting stronger and healing. It is still sore and I have a small range of motion, but it allows me to take off my brace for short periods of time without hurting too badly. I am thankful for that.
Keep praying for us. God is listening! Don’t forget to THANK Him when you pray also He has done so many wonders in our lives! We have so much to be thankful for! To Him be all glory and praise.

News

Daddy is doing good, he is so glad to have all the tests over with. He spent all day Thursday having some type of test done. Stress test, heart imaging, CT scan with/with out contrast. We will get the results March 1st -it will be a long week of waiting.

We just got a call today that Pete’s Mother – Shirley was transfered to Baptist Medical for a cardio workup. She was having chest pains. She is scheduled for a heart cath Sunday morning at 9.00.

A dear friend of mine from work, Callie Wilson, was transfered to Baptist Medical in critical condition Thursday. Callie is loved by everyone. So in her honor we are rapidly organizing a fundraising walk.  Callie is a 12 year colon cancer survivor and a major participate in the Ashley County Medical Center Relay for Life team. She walks 4 miles each morning before arriving at work by 7:00. Whew – that thought just makes me tired. It is set for April 24th. Alot to do in a short time – but it will be FUN.

Please keep Daddy – Shirley – Callie in your prayers.

Some of my Thoughts – just a few!

Daddy has had a little discomfort but is feeling better. He has an appointment with Dr. Irby, the Pulmonologist tomorrow afternoon in Monroe. They have  ordered  a chest x-ray and a breathing function test. Then Thursday morning he returns to Monroe to see Dr. Napoli, Cardiologist. That appointment will be followed with a CT scan. Then I believe all that is left is a stress test, we hope maybe that can be schedule for late Thursday, if not we will return to Monroe.

Many have asked about Mother, she is doing exceptionally well. I am so proud of her, she is being so strong. I need her to be strong.

I am so blessed to be a small part of this family. My heart and prayers are still with Paul, Vanessa, and Alahna during this time of  recovering.  Each of them are strong in Christ and that is such an encouragement to me.

On one hand I am an only child, but on the other hand I have my extended family that means the world to me.  I may not get to see you often, I may not call (text)  you much, or I may not send you a letter but I want you each to know that Y*O*U are an important part of my life.

So I ask that you pray for Daddy as he faces the unknown during the upcoming days. I ask that you pray for Mother as she cares for Daddy. I ask that you pray for Pete, Whitney and myself to make safe trips to Monroe carrying Mother and Daddy.

My last thought is – What can I do for you?

Hugs to all of you. (HUGS)

Bible as their main source

Scholars may quote Plato in their studies, but the hearts of millions will quote the Bible at their daily toil, and draw strength from its inspirations, as the meadows draw it from the brook.

a letter from Paul, Vanessa & Alahna

This Lord’s day was full of thanks and honor to our most gracious God. He is so good and showers blessings down upon us in times of distress. We are so happy that Alahna could join us today in spirit and in truth in our small group at services. She is a shining light to us. Though Stone was absent, we talked of him in class and reviewed his favorite songs and verses. It is empowering to know that he is in heaven and happy.

Thank you all once again. God blesses us through your support!

Alahna is home!

I just received this update from Vanessa.

“Thank you to everyone for your prayers and love for our family! We are so glad to be home and in our own bed! Alahna visited school after lunch on Friday and was surrounded by the love of all of her friends. She was so excited!! She has mastered the stairs at home now, and for those of you who wonder, she has no crutches or walker or wheelchair. She makes having a full cast look so graceful. We are so proud of her. Alahna’s memory continues to amaze us as it heals. It will be a long recovery for her. School will be a gradual thing. The doctors said for her not to learn anything new for about 5-6 months, so when she does go back to school it will only be one class for a while. She will gradually add another class later and will depend on the support of her friends for notes, etc. We do not anticipate full time classes for the rest of the year. We will see. More updates to come. We love you all.”

True Success

Keep steadily before you the fact that all true success depends at last upon yourself.