Christmas is here!

Christmas is a time to reflect on the positives....

Christmas is here and in spite of all the fuzzy feelings we experience at this wonderful time of Jesus's birth, there's still a certain amount of frustration that comes with it. We just have to learn to get past the negativity and focus on all the positives. Here are some pictures that make me happy: Crissy in Jerusalem, Ash and me in Paris, and the four of us in Galway, Ireland.

Snap Krackle 'n Pop!: Reflections of an Aging Woman: Pain and Beauty in ...

Snap Krackle 'n Pop!: Reflections of an Aging Woman: Pain and Beauty in ...: Reflections of an Aging Woman: Pain and Beauty in a Crazy yet Precious World The unfiled tips of my finger nails want to snag one of my...

Reflections of an Aging Woman: Pain...

Reflections of an Aging Woman: Pain and Beauty in a Crazy yet Precious World

The unfiled tips of my finger nails want to snag one of my favorite tops. I wore it to Mass this morning and have been too tired to get out of it. I managed the bra but have not changed into my night shirt. It's one of those nights the Northeast is famous for around this time of the year. I decide it's too damp and drafty inside our late 40's Reese Colonial to go looking for tops buried who-knows-where. I manage to get into bed and reach for my book (Fred Vargas might just be the #1 thriller writer around). After a while I put the book down, switch off the night light and snuggle under my down comforter. 

My wispy unruly locks cover my face: nose, ears, eyes. My head ached so much, I skipped picking it up tonight. My stomach starts churning—even after a previous trip to the john, mild gastric pains follow me to bed. For the life of me, I can't find any level of comfort. I've endured three days of flu-like symptoms. Is it the real McCoy or just some other nasty bug? It's a conundrum that eludes me. Suddenly my heart starts fluttering and it's not over a handsome man. Stress must have raised my blood pressure level to new heights. I get out from under the warm comforter and reach for the valsartan. I bite into one of the pills, swallow half and throw the other half back in the small plastic bottle. I'm ecstatic. Yesss!!! I can look forward to at least fifteen trips to the bathroom tonight! Being facetious here.

Should I bow graciously and accept the inevitable old age creeping up on me, or is this merely a case of incidents—a series of unfortunate events?!

But hello, why am I complaining? My day was splendid. I rose earlier than usual, jumped in the shower, attended Mass then drove in search of take-out breakfast. I haven't had much of an appetite lately and I'm craving junk food. I settled on MacD's because it's the fastest. But after I drive to the establishment, someone's pulling out of the parking lot and signaling me that they're not opened for business yet. I wave back at the young girl in a gesture of thanks. I make a u-turn in the direction of Route 4. A glimmer of hope fills me as I cross Kinderkamack. As I pass the corner building, I note the address: 111 in big white numbers against a red brick background. I remember Mom fondly and her quirky obsession with the "three sticks" as she used to call them. Three sticks marking the highway to her son's in Utuado, PR, or to our house in Long Island. I am heartened at the sight of the 'three sticks' and take it as a good sign. Mom's looking out for me. Hope's on the horizon!

But, wait! There's more! There's something greater in store for me. With breakfast safely stowed on the passenger seat, I head back home. As I make the turn from Forest into Howland, I take note. The driver up ahead in the opposite lane signals me to stop. A family of deer has appeared out of backyards on my side of the road, to cross into Van Saun Park. I count 4, 5, 6, 7. I wait, just as the other driver does. A line of cars has formed behind us both, waiting for our cue to move. 

Two more fawns appear nervous and lost. They wait then cautiously cross the road after the others. I still wait. Suddenly a yet smaller fawn appears—the runt or youngest has been left behind. After some trepidation, wobbling, he takes a leap of faith and also crosses over into the park's wooded area in search of the others who have abandoned him. 

Emotion overcomes me and a small tear trickles down my cheek. Why am I suddenly crying? Are these  tears of joy? Then I realize yes, I am joyful, and hopeful. God has gifted me in a special way this morning, precisely at a time when I needed it most. He knows what I'm going through and allows me to take time out from my hurried life to take in His handiwork, nature in all its beauty and splendor, even on this busy road. 

As I counted the ten beautiful creatures I was reminded of my own blessings, and more importantly that God knows my struggles and my pain, and that He will never abandon me.

His timing is always perfect.

The pain of everyday life

To say i'm emotionally drained and overspent is putting it mildly --I am utterly devastated. That a mother and her young ones should be taken from their home and put down. I will never see my fireplace and our comfy den in the same light. Heck, I may never be able to use that room or the house, for that matter. Again!

I'm in the process of selling our vacation home and discovered  our chimney was home to a family of raccoons. "What are you going to do with them?"

 "We have to put them down. That's what animal protective services does."

"Are you serious?"

"No, that's what they do!"  

I had heard enough. Their cries and their chattering were all I heard (and gotten used to for the last three days. ). All over the place--but today there was nowhere in the house I could go and not hear the pups and the mom carry on. I was devastated. I tried hiding in my bedroom listening  to music, I tried getting on my computer. Hiding in the farthest  bathroom. Nothing worked. I couldn't do it. I had to leave the house while they were being taken out.

The torrential rain sheeted, bucketed, you name it. I sought refuge in my car. There was nowhere I could run to. I ran out under the rain to seek solace outside the house, but because it poured so hard I could only sit in my car. I was relieved finally. And then I turn and see them stacked inside the cage. My heart was ripped out.

Why does life have to be so cruel? What or who determines what animals live and which don't?  

I see my Maltese whom I love with all my being, comfortably snuggled in my bed after taking her bath and I ponder about life. Why?

The salad will kick your arse!

I've always loved Cheesecake Factory and everything they whip up, but my favorite by far the antioxidant salad. This salad is truly underrated. 

I set out to mimic their salad but I must admit that since I didn't have all the ingredients on hand I substituted for what I had. The finished product: WOW!  Truly unbeatable. This salad will kick your arse!

Antioxidant salad

1 bag Greens: romaine, spinach, kale

Broccoli flowerets

1 medium apple

1 large mandarin orange

1/4 cup mix of dried fruit and nuts

I can of diced beets

Dressing

White wine vinegar dressing

2 packets duck sauce 

Extra virgin olive oil

Salt and red pepper flakes

Mix all first ingredients then mix all dressing ingredients and pour over salad. Mix well and serve with your favorite crusty bread. 

Don't forget to pair with your favorite wine. 

Taking the fear out of homemade pizza

Homemade pizza is easiest when you buy fresh store dough found in the frozen foods aisle. 

We start by thawing the dough to average temperature.  Using floured hands stretch the dough to either round shape or rectangular depending on your pan. Prep your pan beforehand with a film of olive oil topped with a light sprinklings of breadcrumb to cover the pan. 

Ingredients

Fresh Pizza dough

Extra virgin olive oil

Breadcrumbs 

Toppings: 

Any or all shredded Italian cheeses

Your favorite store or homemade sauce

Roasted, grilled or pan fried seasoned Vegetables: zucchini, red, green, yellow peppers, mushrooms, onions- put aside and let cool for a little bit.

Preheat oven to a 450 degree temp. 

Roll out dough using flour surface and hands then place on oiled pan with breadcrumbs.  

Add 1 teaspoon olive oil then spread the sauce. Add the cheese, then the assorted veggies.  You may want to spray the veggies to keep them from burning the tops with a bit of cooking spray oil.

Bake in the middle rack of the oven for 20 minutes.  

Your pizza should be bubbling hot, extra crispy and the vegetables should be to perfection. 

Enjoy with a glass of robust red wine such as Shiraz or merlot. 

that time of the year....

For cool dishes and delicious salads. 

I love me a good hummus. This is the easiest recipe for hummus I've found. It takes a can of chickpeas or chickpea flour. We used chickpea flour. 

Recipe for easy Hummus

Ingredients 

1 cup of chick peas (or chick pea flour-

Enough water to make a paste to your liking. About 1 1/2 - 2 cups of water)

Salt and red pepper flakes

Juice of one lemon

1 1/2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, garlic, cumin, and ¼ teaspoon of salt to a food processor. 

Process until smooth and creamy. If needed, add additional water to thin out the hummus and ¼ teaspoon

of salt to your taste. 

It's easier to use canned chickpeas since they're already cook. If you use chickpea flour you must cook it first by adding enough water and salt. Cook over medium heat and stir to avoid lumps.  Cooked for about 10-15 minutes.  Transferred to a bowl and put in the fridge to cool off. 

When it's cooled completely mix all ingredients together either by hand or in a food processor. 

If you have tahini sauce on hand add a tablespoon to the mix. You can also add sesame seeds to the mixture for crunchiness. Either way you will love it. 

Serve with tortilla or pita crisps or with your favorite crackers. 

Enjoy.