I clipped this out of the Oregonian on 4/17.

 

Farfalle with Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese

Serves 4

 

12 ounces farfalle (bow tie pasta)

coarse salt and ground pepper

1 small red onion, quartered and thinly sliced

2 oz bar cream cheese, cut into small pieces

1/4 c fresh dill, coarsely chopped or 1 teaspoon dried dill weed

2 tbsp capers, drained and rinsed

4 oz smoked salmon, cut into bite-sized pieces

 

Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve 1/2 c pasta water. Add onion to pot; immediately drain pasta mixture and return to pot.

 

Add cream cheese, dill, capers, and salmon to pasta. Toss, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time to create a thin sauce that coats pasta. Season lightly with salt and pepper.

 

I couldn't find it on the Oregonians website, but I did find it here:

 

I recent made this but modified it to be a little more Weight Watchers friendly:

 

Pasta with Smoked Salmon

 

Serves 2

 

4 ounces whole wheat Rotini

1/2 small onion, chopped

1 oz neufchatel cheese, cut into small pieces

1 teaspoon dried dill weed

1/2 tablespoon capers, drained

2 oz smoked salmon, cut into small pieces

salt and pepper

 

 

I counted it as 5 points per serving.

 

 

On Easter Sunday we woke up at Mom's. We were upstairs with Carl. I got up and made some coffee. I then went downstairs to check on Grandma and dig out Carl's Easter Basket (Mom had an empty basket from last year). Mom woke up and told me that last night was very bad. Grandma had awoken several times with bloody diarrhea. She was now exhausted. Mom didn't want to call the hospice nurse, as she would have to explain grandma's situation to her. She wanted to wait until Monday when Grandmas regular nurse was on duty.

 

Mom and I got a basket together for Carl and hid it. When he woke up we told him the Easter Bunny had left him things at different locations since he didn't know where Carl was going to be. Grandma had also gotten him a chocolate chick. It was really cute - it looked like it was breaking out of an egg.

 

After Rich got up and we had a little breakfast, we went home to shower, change and get stuff together for Easter. The neighbors were outside, so Rich and Carl went to talk to them while I rushed around with the Easter surprises for Carl. There was a basket from Grandma and Grandpa (Dad and Judi).  We also had a stack of books, a video and two board games and as well as a basket with chocolate Flopsy Mopsy and Cotton Tails (in boxes with the original Beatrix Potter drawings - too cute). I had also found a little Easter Train that ran on batteries (Big Lots had some great stuff) and a Cars egg (Sally was inside). I found the Cars egg at Target. We took the basket and some of the toys back to Moms to have another hunt.  I also found some Peeps bubbles - bubbles that were in bottles that looked like Bunny Peeps.

 

I had also made some Easter baskets for my brother's kids - some metal buckets, each got a chocolate bunny (I couldn't find anymore of the Beatrix Potter chocolates) and a pack of Peeps bubbles. I also got a few items that were more personalized. Angelina got a ponytail holder and some socks - including some Peeps socks. Joel got a bionicles kit and a robosapien puzzle. David E got a box to organize his scooter hardware and some bungee cords - David was the hardest, what do you get a teenage boy. I thought about stuff my husband would appreciate and tried that.

 

We went back over to Moms with the two pans of scalloped potatoes (I had made them up before I found out my brother's family wasnt coming.) We had our Easter dinner of steaks, scalloped potatoes and asparagus. Miracle of miracles - mom didn't mush the asparagus.

 

Carl was eating his chocolate chick. He took a bite out of the bottom and then to his surprise, discovered that the chick was empty! He was so amazed. It was funny.

 

During the day we would listen for Grandma, who was downstairs in her room. She only got up to use the bathroom and needed help with that. It got too hard to hear her, so I took a chair, parked it in the hallway next to her door and read for a while. Mom had been suggesting  for many months to Grandma that she move upstairs, but Grandma didn't want it. Mom that afternoon made the decision that we had to get Grandma upstairs in a hospital bed.

 

When Grandma was awake, Carl was in her room with her - playing with his new toys and showing her his candy. He would climb up on her bed next to her - it was too cute. We gave grandma her Easter basket - with an eraser that was a little jigsaw puzzle and a picture of Carl with the Easter bunny. Two of Grandmas major passtimes were jigsaw puzzles and crossword puzzles (hence the use of lots of erasers.)

 

Mom's neighbor, Laura stopped by with some flowers for Grandma. Laura often walked dogs in the late afternoon and Mom would join her with Clair (Mom's greyhound). Laura could tell by my face and relief to see her that something was wrong. I told her how Grandma wasn't doing very well. She went downstairs (with the dogs) to see Grandma. It was quite the commotion. Laura's dog Blitzen is a Samoyed and she was walking her sister Judy's dog, Emma. I don't know what breed Emma is, but she is the size of a St Bernard, but not as drooly as a St. B. Add to this mix Clair - a large Greyhound, and there was a lot of dog crowded into a little space.

 

Grandma, who has never been fond of big dogs, had some major fans in these dogs. She always had treats for them, talked to them and gave lots of pats and pets. She also could never get Laura's dogs names correct. The Samoyed who died about a year ago was named Boris - Grandma called him Brutus. Blitzen was Blinken. Grandma told Laura she would be seeing Brutus soon. Later while upstairs Laura said that he would come to the wrong name because he was so devoted to Grandma.

 

Rich, Carl and I walked Clair up to Laura's house - she took Clair for a few hours. Clair hadn't had a walk or exercise for a few days and really needed some activity. Carl got to see "The Other Grandma Carol" - Laura's mom. When Carl addresses her he calls her Other Grandma Carol.  It is pretty funny.

 

We make arrangements for Laura to bring Clair back later and help move some furniture. Mom had made arrangements with hospice to get a hospital bed and other equipment. Mom also asks if we would stay over again. So Rich and I run home to get my car, changes of clothing and food. We then move Mom's big bed down to the rec room, some chairs from the TV room into the living room and the day bed from the rec room to the TV room. Laura stays for a glass of wine.

 

That night we are sleeping in the room next to Grandma. I am up with every sound checking on Grandma. I do not sleep much at all.

 

This week we are trying to get back on schedule.

 

On Tuesday, Carl went to the dentist for his fillings - finally. Since we had rescheduled twice already, I was not going to change the appointment a third time. It wasn't because I felt like I was dragging on the dentist - they had a very large deposit. I was really worried about one of Carl's teeth. It had a huge cavity - the tooth wasn't doing well at all.

 

So my Dad drove down to our house and helped me take Carl to the Dentist office. This is a pediatric dentist. At first I didn't see the need for a pediatric dentist versus a regular dentist, but I am now a believer. The office is so geared for children, plus the employees are prepared to deal with issues of children.

 

Carl was given a mild sedation - he was awake but sedated. It took a while for the sedation to kick in. Our big problem was he felt fine, but was getting really wobble. So we finally got him to sit and read, so the sedation started to work a bit better. The dentist then carried him into the room. Carl told me he watched Higglytown Heroes on TV (they have TVs in the ceiling). The Dentist and Nurse said he was great - he was even trying to talk to them during the proceedure.

 

They recommended starting him on popcicles (he wasn't able to eat or drink before the procedure) so we stopped for some on the way home.

 

We got home and I made lunch for Dad and myself. Carl got a popcicle, which he devoured. We then tried some juice - that too was fine. He then got his macaroni and cheese.

 

The big trouble I was having was Carl was insisting on doing his normal things, even though he was still very wobbly. My resticting him was making him very angry too - more angry than he normally would be, plus he wouldn't listen to reason (less so than normal anyway after all he is three). He was trying to climb up on stools, walk the stairs with his hands full of cars (his favorites are the little metal ones from the movie Cars - more on that another time...)

 

Finally I got him to take a nap. The nap was a little bit longer than normal. but not outrageously long. He was much better after that.

 

On Wednesday, Carl and I talked about the experience. One comment from my wise three-year-old, "That medicine made me angry." How does a toddler get such insight?

 

The experience must have been a positive one in his little mind. He still wants to be a dentist when he grows up and one of his favorite books is "Going to the Dentist." I would definately recommend a pediatric dentist (especially this practice) for little children.

 

Going to the Dentist by Anne Civardi

I bought Carl's copy through a Scholastic Book flyer through Parks and Rec.

 

Plug for Carl's dentist:

 

Dentistry for Children
Eric A. Downey, D.D.S.
Carolyn A. Muckerheide, D.D.S.
(503) 579-0304 
(503) 641-8800 
 

Postive reviews from someone else on Dr Downey:

 

 

 

I thought I would share more of what happened in the last week.

 

On Saturday the 7th (Day before Easter), Mom went to work as she normally does on Saturdays. Since Grandma was now on the liquid diet, mom asked me to stop in mid day to make sure Grandma got her lunch (she was having some trouble opening the bottles). Rich stopped in earlier (as usual) with Carl after sports class. He got home and said that Grandma was not doing well at all. So I paged Mom and she went home for a few hours. After a bit Grandma went to take a nap. Mom went back to work - she only had one more case to see, so she assured me she would be home early. I did not need to come over to check on Grandma.

 

That morning I had stayed home from sports class. My friends Misako and Lisa were stopping by, so I was making a bite to eat, as well as getting ready for Easter dinner the next day. Our tradition is that Grandma, Mom, Carl and I go to church and Rich makes dinner, since he won't go to church. So I was getting the scalloped potatoes ready to cook. My brother and his family were coming down on Saturday, so I made a lot of potatoes. I also boiled 3 dozen eggs (yes 36 eggs!) so all the kids could decorate eggs later that day.

 

While Mom was home from work with Grandma, she checked her answering machine. My brother's wife had called that morning while Mom was in the shower, they weren't able to come down that weekend, but my brother had a business trip to Portland on Monday and would be there through Wednesday.

 

So Carl and I dyed and decorated 36 eggs on Saturday afternoon. He liked dying the eggs, but got bored decorating after the first dozen...

 

Rich and I were still worried, plus the disjointed day Mom was having was likely to be tiring, so we called to see if she would like us to bring over dinner. It took forever to hear back from her. She didn't get home till after 6. I was a angry that she didn't call to say there was a change of plans and have me run over to the house. She has always had poor planning and time management skills, I can't remember any project that she has ever done that wasn't running in crisis mode.

 

We went over that evening. Rich fried some bacon and I made Eggs Jeannette with some of the boiled eggs. We laughed wondering how we were going to get rid of the remaining 30 hard boiled eggs. We watched, "Marilyn Hotchkiss Ballroom Dancing & Charm School." Mom had borrowed the movie from the library. Grandma watched the movie with us. She didn't care for it, but Mom and I loved it.

 

We stayed the night as we were all very worried about Grandma.

 

Movie Links

 

Eggs Jeannette

My Grandma died on Thursday at 5:52 AM. She waited for my sister in law and two other children to get to Mom's house.

 

I will give more details after the funeral.

 

Since I know my friends in CO sometimes look at this, if you want to reach me please call my cell (sorry not posting it here... I know Kirsten has the number) we are trying to use the land lines to make calls and the cells to receive calls.

Grandma is not doing well. She had a blood loss on Saturday. She is now on O2 and pain meds.

 

I am helping mom.

by Carl

Tell mommy every three minutes that you want spaghetti and meatballs for lunch until she says, "ok we will make spaghetti and meatballs."

 

Step one - Defrost the tomato sauce from the freezer (mommy made it last summer from the tomatoes in our garden.)

 

Step two - crack two garlic cloves with a dinner knife, peel them and then squeeze them through a garlic press.

 

Step three - add garlic, 1 tablespoon oregano and one tablespoon basil to tomato sauce. Blame mommy for anything that spills.

 

Step four - have mommy heat up the sauce on the stove

 

Step five - have mommy cook three meatballs (from the big bag they bought at Costco) in a pan

 

Step six - have mommy boil some water and cook pointy spaghetti in the water

 

Step seven - place meatballs, spaghetti and sauce on a plate so that none are touching each other.

 

The proper way to eat this dish is to eat only the insides of the meatballs and pick up each of the noodles with your fingers and touch it in the sauce, then slurp it into your mouth.

 

 

I received the most wonderful surprise from my friends in Colorado - a bouquet from Edible Arrangements! It really made my day. Thank you so much Susan, Sue, Kirsten, Susan, Karen and Tish!

 

The chocolate covered strawberries did not last very long in this house!

 

Thank you so much!

 

 

 

 

Time to get a new clock!

 

For some reason our wall clock started chiming this morning every two minutes. I took the battery out and put it back in, the clock started chiming again. I moved the hands, also to no avail. So I put it in the garage. We are out of the batteries it takes, so working on this project will have to wait till I can get to a store.

 

I am postponing my weigh in. I was given a bye for this week by my leader with the surgery. I may weigh in later if I can get a ride in.

 

So today I will work on my PT exercises, practice my belly dancing (stop laughing) and keep working on toilet training my son.

 

 

My knee is doing much better. I am doing the exercises and walking without crutches. I have cut back on pain medication. The aches and pains I was feeling were not in my knee but other side effects of the surgery.

 

We picked up Carl on Friday. It was so good to have him home! Dad and Judi made some progress on toilet training. We are able to keep it up too. While Carl was staying with Dad and Judi, they took him to Costco. When checking out he indicated that it was now time to stop for pizza. So they stopped for pizza. Judi asked Carl what he would like on his pizza, he said pepperoni. He then sat down with his slice of pizza a proceeded to pick off all the pepperoni and eat the cheese pizza. Dad and Judi thought that was pretty funny.

 

I received some nice flowers recently, mostly as a get well wish. Dad and Judi gave me a bouquet of dark red carnations. Grandma gave me a bouquet of iris and a variety of white flowers. Rich gave me a bouquet of Lilies. He brought these home after he turned in his final for his last class.

 

Rich did well on his last class - he just got his grade - an A. Yeah!!!

 

I got a call from my friends Susan and Kirsten on Saturday. It was so good to hear from them and it really made me miss them and Colorado so much.

 

 

 

Patricia Green Cellars 2004 Estate Pinot Noir

 

Covey Run 1998 Barrel Select Merlot - this was a bottle from Moms, she had bought several but they weren't very good. She and Rich opened it Thursday evening and found that it had improved.