Oh the stories I could tell! Over the few weeks, it has been crazy around here. We had Grammy's birthday, we had a cancer diagnosis after it was cured, we have had much drama with The Sad House, we have had even more drama about The Lawyer's Fee-Generating Lawsuit (fittingly just before Mother's Day...thanks to my MIL and the big bad scary abusive law firm...way to go!), and last but so very not least, Baby C is now a year old.
I also was heavily involved with a project concerning my beloved and recently departed Papa Doty. During the archeological dig that is his home, his World War II journals were unearthed. To describe them as chilling, moving, amazing, beautiful would be selling them short.
If you are feeling curious, and would like to read them, they are here and here.
During all of this, turmoil, angst, busy-ness, I have been fretting about my neglect of vertigobcooks. I have been trying desperately to come up with a post. I have about a half dozen half-written, half-hearted posts, but not a single one has been right.
Truth be told, I have been fretting about many many things...for about two years. In that short space of time we have gotten sued (by my Mother-in-Law...Happy Mother's Day!), found out we were having Baby C, gone bankrupt (I don't recommend it), lost my grandfather, had a cancer scare, had countless stress-related medical problems, lost a house, got a house back, paid far too much money to lawyers that failed to get results, kept a business going in this economy and a bunch of other stuff that got lost along the way for obvious reasons.
Last week the notion of anti-depressants was floated by our therapist. For now, I (after much discussion and thought with Mr. Smith) have decided to ride this out. I am hoping that this will pass and that it will not become necessary to take them, but none of us know what the future holds. Our situation may get worse or our situation may get better.
In the meantime, we are seeking comfort where we can find it. Naturally, food provides comfort and heaven knows, I (we) need it now.
We will just have to wait and see and that is the hardest part.
For now, I choose to focus on these two little faces. They will make me laugh, will make me smile, will brighten my day when I need it brightened. The caption for this photo comes from Mr. Smith, "No drooling on the piano!"
I rediscovered this gem the other day. It is one of those that you can whip up after dinner, or have for an after school snack, or just because you need some chocolate to tide you over while you wait for the next disaster to sweep over you.
No Bakes
1/2 cup butter
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup milk
4 tbsp. cocoa
2/3 cup peanut butter
3-3 1/2 cups quick oats
2 tsp. vanilla
Combine butter, sugar, milk and cocoa in a medium sauce pan. Heat until boiling. Boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat and add peanut butter, oats and vanilla. Once mixture is thoroughly blended, drop by teaspoonful (or tablespoonful, if you are feeling ambitious or particularly in need of comfort) onto wax paper or parchment paper.
Allow to set, if you can. I keep them in a plastic storage container in the fridge, but what you do with them at this point is entirely up to you. They are pretty tasty, even while still warm, comforting too!
7 comments:
Wow. There's been a lot going on.
Hope it's feeling more back on track. Sued by your mother in law??
That photo is very, very, sweet.
;)
We are working on it. It is amazing how much better spring cleaning can make you feel.
We are slowly cleaning out The Sad House, the source of said legal action and that too is helping enormously.
Some day, in the not too distant future, I will tell the whole sad story. I am convinced there is a book in this experience. Actually, there are many funny moments, events, etc.
I just don't want to tell it while the money-sucking lawyers are still grubbing around for all available cash. I also don't want to tell the tale until I know the end...and that is still very much up in the proverbial air.
Thank you for your comment on the photo. It always kills me that my mother was 24 when she had me and I was an elderly 39 (!) when I had my son. There are pros and cons either way.
My grandmother made those oat cookie things! And my mother used to make them with us. It was one of the few motherly things she did - making cookies.
Thank you for the nice memory. And I do hope things get better for you.
Thank you so much for your kind words. I can't say that things are better yet, we are still hoping for that and working toward that goal. Today it seems particularly far away.
You, however, made my day brighter. Thank you so much for that little light. I appreciate it more than I can possibly convey!
I sure hope it all gets sorted out soon. It sounds like there is a book in this. But I hear you on taking some time. Like Woody Allen said tragedy + time = comedy.
Once again. Hope this is cleared up soon.
PS. We had your marvelous meatballs again last night.
Alan-
I think of that Woody Allen line almost EVERY DAY!
However, today may be another No Bake day.
Another day at The Sad House, another mutilated childhood photo of Mr. Smith, and about six more bags of hangers, not to mention the bags and bags of toxic waste (literally and figuratively) left behind by my MIL.
Something, anything, good must come from this. I am determined to make some frickin' lemonade here, dammit!
Oh my. That is just SO much to deal with! I will be praying for you and your entire family. The thing about hitting rock bottom is - it has to get better. On a positive note - thanks for the recipe; my oldest was just mentioning those cookies and requesting them. And your kids are just SO cute!
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