Greetings all:
Today Tony had his tubes removed from the bubbling boxes, and by evening the tube were cut. Now, there's nothing tethering him to the bed. Our day was spent awaiting word about "the move" to SNU (Skilled Nursing Unit). As the move happened early evening, I wasn't able to stick around long enough to find out what the unit is all about. But, after I got home, Tony called to say he's encouraged to:
- Wear clothing from home (wonder if that means they'll be doing the laundry?)
- Eat his meals in the dining area (encouraging me to bring meals from home)
- Have pictures of family around the room
- and oddly enough I'm allowed to bring one of the pups to see him!
From what I gather, the SNU is a place where Tony will begin getting back on his feet and fending for himself. Each day he inches closer and closer to home.
THANKSGIVING CELEBRATION
Although I wasn't able to leave hospital till early evening, I'm planning on going ahead with the Thanksgiving meal I'd planned. After yesterdays meltdown, and after all the staff, doctors, interns and fellows on 9West have done for Tony, I think it the least I could do.
On the menu for tomorrow?
I ran into our MaryKay and Christy on my way out, and they were so excited about tomorrow's meal... I just couldn't cancel it. I know our CA, Annie, and Dave were also looking forward to dinner. MaryKay was leaving work to go buy some pies for tomorrow. I suspect we'll all be so amply stuffed with food, no one will want to do a bit of work!
8pm I got started peeling potatoes, turnips, the rutabaga, parsnips and sweet potatoes. I also cut in half the Butternut Squash, and cleaned out the seeds. Fond memories popped into my mind as I stood peeling and smelling each root vege.
When I was young my grandmother drove us up to the northern, Mississippi where my Great Aunt and Uncle had a meager little home. My Great Uncle Ray was such a kind and gentle soul. Every summer he planted sweet potatoes in his little 1/2 acre patch of clay soil. While we were there, he would let me help plant sweet potatoes with him. My sister and I very much enjoyed our summer on that lowly little farm.
While living in South Dakota, prior to the move to France, I rented a little community plot and planted all sorts of veges in the heavenly SD soil. My dear friend Linda joined me. We spent many a day weeding that little patch, keeping it watered, and watching with amazement at the many things we (and our plot neighbors) were able to grow. One man rented a couple of plots every year, and all he'd plant was oooooodles of butternut squash to share with the ladies at the nursing home where he lived. I'd never seen or tasted butternut squash before that time.
That same little plot in SD was where I grew my first turnips. Although I think they're a darned nasty little thing to cook, our Tony likes them. I also managed to successfully grow potatoes, corn and carrots for the first time. I discovered a long time ago that my sanity is directly rooted in my love of working the soil, watching the magic of little seeds turn into wonderful food producing plants. I miss my little garden plot in Watertown, SD, the many long hours sitting by the garden chatting with Linda, and looking with wonder on what we produced with our own two hands.
Must get cooking....
Much to be thankful for this time of year, especially that our Tony is well on the mend!
THANKSGIVING CELEBRATION
Although I wasn't able to leave hospital till early evening, I'm planning on going ahead with the Thanksgiving meal I'd planned. After yesterdays meltdown, and after all the staff, doctors, interns and fellows on 9West have done for Tony, I think it the least I could do.
On the menu for tomorrow?
- Roast Leg of Lamb: marinated in wine, fresh rosemary, mint, cracked pepper, olive oil, etc
- Roast Potatoes, Onions and Carrots
- Mashed Rutabaga and Turnips w/ butter and cracked pepper (Tony favorite)
- Mashed Carrots and Parsnips w/ butter and cracked pepper
- Roast Organic Turkey w/ stuffing
- Long Grain/Wild Rice w/ mushrooms, apples, capers and onions
- Cranberry Gelatin Salad (cranberry sauce, tart cherries, mandarin oranges in a cherry jello)
- Ambrosia: Naval Oranges, Coconut, Mandarin Oranges, Pineapple and marshmallows
- Corn Casserole
- Sweet Potatoes w/ roasted marshmallows
- Mashed Butternut squash w/ brown sugar, butter and shredded nuts
- Cheese and Grapes
I ran into our MaryKay and Christy on my way out, and they were so excited about tomorrow's meal... I just couldn't cancel it. I know our CA, Annie, and Dave were also looking forward to dinner. MaryKay was leaving work to go buy some pies for tomorrow. I suspect we'll all be so amply stuffed with food, no one will want to do a bit of work!
8pm I got started peeling potatoes, turnips, the rutabaga, parsnips and sweet potatoes. I also cut in half the Butternut Squash, and cleaned out the seeds. Fond memories popped into my mind as I stood peeling and smelling each root vege.
When I was young my grandmother drove us up to the northern, Mississippi where my Great Aunt and Uncle had a meager little home. My Great Uncle Ray was such a kind and gentle soul. Every summer he planted sweet potatoes in his little 1/2 acre patch of clay soil. While we were there, he would let me help plant sweet potatoes with him. My sister and I very much enjoyed our summer on that lowly little farm.
While living in South Dakota, prior to the move to France, I rented a little community plot and planted all sorts of veges in the heavenly SD soil. My dear friend Linda joined me. We spent many a day weeding that little patch, keeping it watered, and watching with amazement at the many things we (and our plot neighbors) were able to grow. One man rented a couple of plots every year, and all he'd plant was oooooodles of butternut squash to share with the ladies at the nursing home where he lived. I'd never seen or tasted butternut squash before that time.
That same little plot in SD was where I grew my first turnips. Although I think they're a darned nasty little thing to cook, our Tony likes them. I also managed to successfully grow potatoes, corn and carrots for the first time. I discovered a long time ago that my sanity is directly rooted in my love of working the soil, watching the magic of little seeds turn into wonderful food producing plants. I miss my little garden plot in Watertown, SD, the many long hours sitting by the garden chatting with Linda, and looking with wonder on what we produced with our own two hands.
Must get cooking....
Much to be thankful for this time of year, especially that our Tony is well on the mend!
