October 20 Update: Recipe - Peanut Butter Reese's Cookies

We'll finish off with a yummy cookie recipe - a real treat for the peanut butter fan!

Peanut Butter Reese's Cookies

Ingredients
1 package peanut butter cookie mix (e.g., Pillsbury, Betty Crocker)
Reese's miniature peanut butter cups

Prepare
Make cookie mix according to package directions.
Put about 1/2 of a tablespoon into greased/sprayed mini pans.
Bake according to package directions.
Remove from oven.
Place an unwrapped miniature Reese's in the middle of each cookie.
Let the candy melt and cookies cool.
Remove carefully with a spoon.

These are better served the day you bake them.

Note: You can save time by purchasing pre-made peanut butter cookie batter (e.g., Eileen's, Pillsbury).

October 20 Update: Recipe - Very Easy Corn Soup

Here's the second one for today, from our daughter Cindy.

Very Easy Corn Soup

Ingredients
1 package chicken ramen noodles
1 can whole kernel corn
1 can cream style corn
1 cup whole milk

Prepare
Make noodles according to package directions.
Combine all ingredients and heat.
Optional: Add crisp bacon, onion and parsley.

Delicious!

October 20 Update: Recipe - Chicken and Noodles

I've been wanting to share some "comfort food" recipes that are easy for the caregiver to prepare, yet still delicious. Here's the first one: Chicken and Noodles!

Chicken and Noodles

Ingredients
Can chicken
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 stick butter
Nearly all of a carton of chicken broth
1 package frozen noodles

Prepare
Put all but the chicken and noodles in a pan or crockpot.
After warm, add chicken and noodles.
Simmer an hour or so, until noodles get soft.
Season with salt and pepper.
You can add cream or half and half.

Great over mashed potatoes.

Delish!

October 2 Update

What a memorable evening Gene and I had last Thursday evening!

We are so blessed to have such a wonderful daughter. Cindy is so concerned about her dad and of course me – she is so thoughtful, and it has transferred to her children. Taylor and Samuel, our grandchildren, are naturally the highlight of our lives ... and it showed in Taylor's special tribute to her grandpa on Thursday.

We drove to Broken Bow to watch Taylor play volleyball that evening. Broken Bow is such a special community, one that is very supportive of its youth. Every home volleyball game, most of the town comes to watch; the band performs as do the cheerleaders. It is so energized – you just feel the community is out there to support their local youth.

Right before the game, Taylor and all the volleyball team came over to Gene. They presented him with a "Team Gene" special sign, which all of the team signed.

And after the game (which Broken Bow lost but Taylor had seven kills), Taylor had arranged for the Broken Bow newspaper to interview Gene in recognition and awareness of pancreatic cancer. They took pictures, and we will watch for that in the Broken Bow newspaper.

Gene and I feel so fortunate to have such a wonderful family. Not only our daughter, Jim, Taylor and Samuel ... but all our family members have been so supportive of both of us. What can we say about our family and friends except this: They are priceless.

October 1 Update

Thank you God, thank you family and all our friends!

Your prayers have made a huge difference in Gene's cancer. Gene has been in remission for 8 weeks now, and Dr. Ramaekers said he can't explain it. I said, I can: It is all the prayers from everyone!!!

I will never underestimate the power of prayer again!!!

It almost feels like this has all been a bad dream, but I know it is real. Gene goes back on the 14th for another scan, labs and doctor appointment. Of course, this makes me worry even more as it has been such a wonderful 8 weeks.

Gene is feeling much better, of course – not taking chemo makes a big difference. He still gets very tired, but I know that goes along with all his treatments.

We have been so fortunate to have such wonderful family and friends, and our AQHA Family is always checking on us. This means so much to both of us. Speaking of AQHA ...

We just returned from a wonderful vacation!

We were so fortunate to be able to go to the Paws Up resort for the American Quarter Horse Association Foundation. This is the most fabulous resort we have ever been to. Paws Up is owned by a wonderful couple, Nadine and David Epson, who are wonderful supporter of the American Quarter Horse.

Their resort is located 45 miles from Missoula near Greenough. The moment you drive on to the ranch you know you are in a special place. We shared a beautiful home with Jim and Mavis Jennings and Chris Sitz. Actually, it was about 3,500 square feet with a huge fireplace, big bedroom suites ... and we had the most sophisticated shower ever! It was a 2-person shower with all the bells and whistles, but we had to read the instructions to operate it. We opened the windows in our huge master room, to view the beautiful Montana mountains.

It was even more special, as 34 AQHA supporters were there also, many we knew previously but made many new friends. Every day was special. Gene and I went on a trail ride Friday morning and then an amazing ATV ride through the beautiful countryside. Every evening was a special night with great gourmet food and entertainment. ... We could get used to this lifestyle.

Needless to say, all good things have to come to an end and coming home took an extra day as our flight out of Denver was cancelled, but we finally made it home.

Thank you again for all your support!

Barbara