The Way Back

Luke and I watched a good movie last weekend called The Way Back that I’d recommend to just about anyone.  It was a 2 hour 15 minute drama based on a true story (see disclaimer below) of World War II Siberian labor camp escapees.  The small group journey from Siberia, through the Gobi Desert, and traverse the Himalayas to find freedom.  Even though many people challenge the book that the movie is based on, The Long Walk as a fraud, I enjoyed the story and the cinematography nonetheless.  For those of you who haven’t tried Netflix yet, I suggest you start your free trial this weekend!

Surviving Kidney Cancer

As some of you already know last Monday, January 24^th my dad was diagnosed with kidney cancer and had a blood clot that was traveling to his heart.  Thankfully we live near some of the best hospitals in the country and he was immediately admitted to St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, MN.  The next day it was determined that the cancer had spread from his right kidney up the vena cava (main blood vessel to the heart) and into his heart.  It had also begun spreading to his left kidney.  After multiple tests and a biopsy, the doctors concluded that he had renal cell carcinoma kidney cancer.  However the doctors did not find any cancer cells in the brain or bones – hallelujah!  The following Friday my dad made it through a very risky 12-hour surgery to remove his right kidney, the blood clot, the cancer in his heart, and repair all affected blood vessels.  The doctors were successful and the cancer is completely gone!  Right now he's recovering quite well and expected to come home tomorrow or Monday.  He should be back to "normal" in 6-8 weeks.

I really appreciate everyone’s support and prayers over the last 2 weeks.  I’m very lucky to have you all in my life!  Thank you to all my friends and family!

Paradise found on Providenciales

We’re officially back to reality and the weather sure helped with that.  When we left Providenciales on Friday it was 81 degrees and when we arrived in Minneapolis it was -6 degrees!   However, I can’t complain because Luke and I couldn’t have asked for a better 7-day vacation.  Here are some pictures from our trip:

I took this picture while at Leeward Beach on Sunday.  Look at the awesome blue hues in the sky and water!

This beautiful pink hibiscus flower was in full bloom when we arrived at our villa.

Luke swam out to Smith’s Reef for some snorkeling.

Here is a little Curly Tail Lizard perched on a rock.  This type of lizard is native only to the islands of the Caribbean.

This is just one of many red cushion stars we saw.

What an amazing sunset!  You can even see Turtle Rock on the right side of the horizon.

If you ever go to Providenciales, you have to go to Taylor Bay beach - it was my favorite!

There are several different types of plants on Providenciales.  Here is a picture of me by a Sea Grape plant on Taylor Bay beach.

Grace Bay beach is the most popular stretch of sand as it borders most of the resorts.  Even though it is the most popular beach, it isn’t overcrowded.  We stayed there until just after sunset, which created these soft pastel colors.

That's me hiking the bluffs on the southwest side of the island.

Thanks to our camera’s self-timer, we were able to get this picture of us at Pirate’s Cove.

I found all these little shells washed up on the beach.

Luke and I stopped by this mangrove habitat on our way back to our villa from Pirate’s Cove and Osprey Rock.  These Red Mangroves are found directly in coastal waters and are important for water quality control, shoreline stabilization from hurricane winds and waves, and they provide a sanctuary for marine life.

Thanks for the memorable vacation, Luke.  I love you!

Adios 2010!

Happy New Year everyone!  We spent our New Year’s Eve with the Erickson’s and enjoyed every minute of it.  However, Luke and I couldn’t help but look forward to 2011.  One of the first things on our calendar for 2011 is our vacation to Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands.  The official countdown has begun – only 12 days until we say “adios” to Minnesota!

Merry Christmas!

Wow!  It's almost been a month since my last post and what do I have to show for it?  How about two of my favorite pictures from Christmas with my family...

Me and Brandie

Troy

So very thankful

Luke and I had a very busy Thanksgiving and it all started on Wednesday with a 16-hour round trip to Illinois.  My dad and Luke made the trip to help my brother Troy move home from college.  While they were doing that my mom and I made 2 pumpkin pies, 2 coconut cream pies, whipped cream, and more than a dozen dinner rolls!  Little did I know that the following day my sister Brandie would be flying in from New York to celebrate the holiday with us.  What an awesome surprise!  It’s so true that time flies when you’re having fun because before we knew it we were on the road again to spend Saturday with the Erickson side… and by Sunday we needed a siesta!  Tonight, Luke and I decorated the house for Christmas and I’m once again reminded of everything that I have to be thankful for… a loving husband, an awesome family, good health, my job, and a God who will always take care of us!  Amen!

Real Life

Below is a link to the first video of many in a series called "Real Life".  The videos document the true ongoing story of one man's unexpected encounter with drugs in south east Kentucky.  I've enjoyed it so far and you may too!

Real Life by MadBadVoodo

Comfort Food

Today I spent some time in the kitchen cooking up some good ol' comfort food.  I started with a beef stew recipe from Luke’s Grandma Marilyn and finished off with a batch of banana bread.  Since both recipes turned out amazing, I thought I would share them here.  Enjoy!

Five-Hour Oven Stew:

3 lbs venison or beef stew meat

2 medium onions

4 stalks of celery

8-12 carrots

4 large potatoes

4 tablespoons small pearl tapioca

2 tablespoons sugar

1 tablespoon beef bullion

1 29-ounce can of diced tomatoes

Salt

Pepper

Parsley

Thyme

Tarragon

Slice the meat into 1-inch pieces and place at the bottom of a 5-quart casserole dish or stockpot.  Add the tapioca, sugar, and beef bullion to the meat.   Then sprinkle the meat with a generous amount of salt, pepper, parsley, thyme, and tarragon.  Chop the onions, celery, carrots, and potatoes into hearty, but bite-size pieces and add them to the casserole dish.  Cover and cook at 250 degrees F for 5 hours.  Stir approximately every hour.

Banana Bread:

½ cup sugar

4 tablespoons butter

1 egg

1-½ bananas

1-½ teaspoons milk

1 teaspoon cinnamon

½ teaspoon vanilla

1 cup flour

½ teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F and grease 2 mini loaf pans (about 5 ½” x 3" x 2").  Cream the sugar and butter until fluffy and then add the egg.  In a separate bowl, mash the bananas and then add the milk, cinnamon, and vanilla.  In another bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.  Add the banana mixture to the creamed mixture and stir until combined.   Then add the dry ingredients, mixing just until the flour disappears.  Pour the batter into the pans and bake for about 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Set the pans on a rack to cool for about 15 minutes prior to slicing.