Mark came home from work on Valentine’s day with this blog all typed up on his computer. We’ve been having a rough couple of weeks, to say the least, and this seems to be the icing on the cake. Another bad day. Thank goodness we’re almost to winter break and a lengthy vacation for all of us. And now for your reading enjoyment: Mark’s first blog!
Sunday, I came home from church with a little tickle in my throat, but thought nothing of it because Mark had been sick with a scratchy throat and cough for two weeks and I figured it was my turn. Monday night, it was a little more than scratchy, but nothing more than the last three colds I’ve had (all of which only lasted a day at the most.) No big deal I thought. Well. . . Tuesday morning I felt like death was at my door. My scratchy throat was now a full on cough that felt like it was bruising my rib cage. Stuffy nose, runny nose. Chills followed by furious fits of sweat and overheating. And worst of all, a sleepiness that I could not fight off.
I managed to struggle my way through preschool and as soon as Miss Melody and Faith were out the door, I closed the curtains, locked the doors, popped some popcorn, filled up sippy cups with milk, checked Hunter’s blood, started Cinderella and crashed on the couch. . . for the rest of the afternoon. Noah joined me and fell asleep on the couch for more than four hours. Denver followed and fell asleep for almost three. Hunter, sweet wonderful Hunter, sat quietly by my side and played with his Transformers, occassionally asking if I needed anything and if I was alright. Mark came home and checked everyone’s temperatures, gave everyone a dose of Motrin and he and Hunter gobbled up some leftovers. Mark, my wonderful Mark, made me some strawberry pudding (which I was going to take to Homemaking) that I ate but never tasted. He put the boys to bed and we watched the season finale of The Amazing Race and crashed soon after.
That night, I was tossing and turning thanks to some wacko dreams about the Amazing Race and just plain feeling miserable. Noah was also miserable and let me know it every half hour from 1:00am to 5:30am when he finally crashed. Half an hour later Denver joined me in bed for a snuggle. Seven o’clock rolled around much too soon and I dragged myself out of bed and somehow managed to get Hunter ready and off to school. We dropped Mark off at the train, stopped to watch some construction trucks with Miss Melody and returned home, where I immediately popped in two more videos and crashed in bed, with Denver snuggled in. Feeling a bit better I managed to have a shower and get the boys dressed. I vacuumed up the popcorn disaster from the day before and picked up Hunter. When we got home I crashed again, Noah and Denver snuggled in on either side and were out cold within minutes. Hunter, again, sat at the end of the bed watching Cartoon Network and playing Transformers ever patient and quiet. I think we had cereal for dinner and used up every last clean bowl and spoon to our name, and yes, that includes the tupperware. I went straight to bed with Noah and left Mark with the remainder of the evening’s chores.
Thursday wasn’t much better, perhaps worse. Mark was quickly coming down with the same illness and Noah and Denver were not looking good at all. Noah was up all night again and finally out of desperation, I set him on the couch in front of the Disney channel at 5:00am, where he finally zonked. I got Hunter to school again for his 100th day of school and dropped Mark off at the train station. I took the boys to the doctor and found out that Denver still has an ear infection (this is his third dose of medicine–the first gave him the hives)and Noah has two full blown ear infections. My head is spinning with the amount of medication I am keeping track of. Hunter’s insulin and seizure meds. Noah’s poop medicine. Denver’s iron. Hunter’s penicillin. Noah’s penicillin. Denver’s zithromax. I do more than a med nurse and I don’t get paid! So, off we went to the store to pick up medicine and fresh fruit. While we were checking out, the school nurse called and said Hunter’s sugar was HI and that his tubing was full of blood. So we finished at the store and ran up to the school to change Hunter’s sight. While we were at the school Mark called and said he was coming home early–too sick. So we went and got Mark and I went upstairs with the boys where again, all three of us crashed within minutes. Mark picked Hunter up from school. Now Hunter needs some serious credit here because we’re going on day three of absolutely no attention on his part and I didn’t hear a peep from him while I was sleeping and while Mark was on conference calls. He just played quietly all by himself. And that is hard to do when you are only six years old. Anyway, I came down and helped him fill out his Valentine’s for school and managed to start a load of dishes in the dishwasher–on antibacterial of course. Miss Melody delivered us some fresh Crab Rangoo, which we all loved, but none more than Denver, who went into hysterics when the last dumplin’ was reserved for me. They hadn’t had a real meal in days and it tasted so good–I don’t blame him. Mark crashed on the couch this time so I got the kids in bed and read them several books. Thankfully, all of the kids slept soundly through the night.
Today has been a little bit better. The mornings seem to be the hardest–I haven’t been able to eat much and that makes me a little dizzy and lightheaded to start with. Then rushing about trying to get Hunter to school on time doesn’t help. But I managed to start another load of dishes and a load of laundry and the boys had naps and I’ve eaten a little more today and I think we’re getting better. We’re going to a hockey game tonight (we got free tickets in the mail) and then we’re going to Friendly’s for a free ice cream cone. Hopefully we’ll all have fun and won’t make ourselves any sicker.
I haven’t blogged for awhile due to some sick kids and a hectic schedule. But, I have managed to find some more great recipes for y’all to try out. All are simple but extra tasty!
Rigatoni Florentine
This one is extra healthy!
12 ounces uncooked rigatoni or large tube pasta
1-1/2 cups diced fully cooked turkey ham
1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
1 medium sweet red pepper, julienned
1 medium sweet yellow pepper, julienned
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 Tbsp. olive oil
3/4 cup chicken broth
1/4 tsp. pepper
1-3/4 cups baby spinach
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (I used a little extra cuz we really love fresh parmesan)
Cook pasta according to pkg. directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, saute the ham, mushrooms, peppers and garlic in oil until vegetables are tender. Stir in broth and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer for three minutes. Drain pasta. Add pasta and spinach to the ham mixture; toss to coat. Sprinkle with the parmesan cheese. (6 servings)
Cube Steak Parmigiana
Don’t be intimidated by all the steps. This is a very easy and quick recipe.
3 Tbsp. flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
2 eggs
3 Tbsp. water
1/3 cup finely crushed saltines (about 10 crackers)
1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp. dried basil
4 beef cube steaks (about 1 pound)
3 Tbsp. vegetable oil
1-1/4 cups tomato sauce
2-1/4 tsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. dried oregano, divided
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
4 slices mozerella cheese
1/3 cup shredded parmesan cheese
In a shallow bowl, combine the flour, salt and pepper. In another bowl beat the eggs and water. Place cracker crumbs, grated parmesan cheese and basil in a third bowl. Coat steaks with the flour mixture, then dip in the egg mixture and coat with the crumb mixture. In a large skillet, brown the steaks in oil for 2-3 minutes on each side or until golden brown.
Arrange steaks in a greased 9×13 baking dish. Bake, uncovered at 375 degrees for 25 minutes. Combine the tomato sauce, sugar, 1/4 tsp oregano and garlic powder; spoon over steaks. Bake 10 minutes longer.
Top each steak with mozerella cheese; sprinkle with shredded Parmesan cheese and remaining oregano. Bake 2-3 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. (4 servings.)
Mark’s Amish Bread Machine Bread
Yes! You heard me right–this is a bread recipe for a bread machine from an Amish recipe. Go figure!
2-3/4 cups flour
1/4 cup oil
1 tsp. yeast
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup water
1 Tbsp. dough enhancer (opt)
In the bottom of the loaf pan, dump the oil, water, sugar and salt. Next dump the flour, followed by the yeast and dough enhancer. Press start. (This makes a 1-1/2 pound loaf).
French Toast
From America’s Test Kitchen on PBS. I made a loaf of the amish bread last night. Then this morning, sliced the loaf extra thick and made this French Toast with it. It was very, very good. This is not a new recipe–just a new idea. Enjoy!
In a blender combine:
2 eggs
4 tbsp. melted butter
1-1/2 cups milk
1 Tbsp. vanilla extract
4 Tbsp. sugar
2/3 cup flour
1/4 tsp. salt
Pour into a pie plate, dip bread and bake in melted butter in a fry pan.