Onion Pie and So Much More.....

Much of the time I have trouble boiling water and most things I try don't seem to turn out these days.  When I find a recipe that is something that my hubby and I love, I get pretty excited.  When I make it (even remember to buy all the ingredients) and it turns out just as good as we imagined, then I am in heaven!!  I used to be a fairly good cook - no Martha, but decent.  Now it is hard work and way too easy for me to get confused and that is good for nobody - not even my dogs - even they know when to back away.

I tried this recipe last night and just crossed my fingers and hoped it would be eatable - well if I do say so myself it was fabulous -- just a fluke I'm sure but wonderful just the same.  The recipe is below - I did use fat free half and half and about a cup of the cheese and I added some garlic.   It all came together and it cuts so beautifully - could have been that Paula Deen Pie Dish - I don't know.......but who cares - it was Great!!!


Onion Pie
CDKitchen http://www.cdkitchen.com
Serves/Makes: 6 | Difficulty Level: 3 | Ready In: 30-60 minutes
Ingredients:
1 premade pie crust, 9"
2 cups thinly sliced Vidalia onions or other sweet onions
2 tablespoons butter (can use olive oil for half or all this amount)
3/4 cup milk (used fat free half and half)
2 eggs
3/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup packed grated sharp cheddar (used Swiss)
paprika (optional)
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 F. Melt olive oil in skillet over medium heat and saute onions until tender, about 5 minutes. Arrange onions in crust evenly.
Beat eggs, milk and salt in a bowl and season with pepper. Pour egg mixture over onions. Sprinkle with cheese and a dash of paprika, if desired.
Bake until knife inserted in center comes out clean, about 30-35 minutes.
Recipe Location: http://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/recs/67/Onion_Pie20310.shtml
Recipe ID: 31615
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Onion Pie http://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/print/31615,20310,s=6.html
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The Squeaky Wheel Gets the Oil.....

Yesterday while feeding our various pets (we have a zoo) I was reminded of the old adage, The Squeaky wheel gets the oil, meaning the one who complains the loudest and longest gets attention first.  We have two dogs and two cats - crazy, I know - especially for someone like me but they bring us so much joy.  Back to my story - the dogs - Maddie a Jack Russell and BJ - a Beagle-Jack Russell mix are normally always first.  As a matter of fact they get so excited about their breakfast that I don't feed them unless there is no one else around to do it.  They knock me down, cause me to spill the food and then commence to fight over the bowls and who might have more......then they beg for treats - bones, etc. - non dog food type stuff and believe it or not they both Love carrots - the little tiny sweet kind and will literally attack you for one.

Then there is the old cat who lives on the back porch - she just turned 19 on March 17 - no, really!  She is a calico and we got her when she would fit in the palm of your hand and she had a Siamese Daddy - quite a mix.  She is living on the porch now because it is warm and it helps her old bones and because she can't remember how to use a litter pan -- and we all know how that story ends. She is also very noisy like most Siamese and she makes the long MEeeeeee-OWwwwwww sound that will wake the dead and reverberate your brain.  Then there is the baby - Jessie - she is a tuxedo kitty and just turned 5 years old.  We got her at 5 weeks when we thought the old one was dying once again but turned out to be on her 15th or so life.  This little fat kitty does not meow or fuss or cause any real problems other than scratching a little now and then.

So when it is feed up time and I am handling the duties, I notice that she quietly watches me feed the others, tries to stay out of the way and then she makes a few little peeps and looks me in the eye as if to ask - my turn now?  So yesterday, I explained to her that the others make more noise and trouble so that is why they get attention first.  She turns her head sideways as she often does and looks at me as if to say "that's ok - as long as you don't forget me" - so sweet.

That brings me to my point - maybe those of us who have the invisible illnesses that we do, don't get the attention we need because unless we fuss and complain and call attention to ourselves, we are not noticed.  Personally, I have had a problem with that because I don't like complaining so I figure I don't want to be that person.  But......in this case we all must make an exception.  If you are ill and the problems are not apparent, you must stand up for yourself - be vigilant - keep track of your symptoms - call them to your health care provider's attention - don't sit and wait for them to be discovered because I am here to tell you it more than likely won't happen.  In this instance you must be the squeaky wheel and don't stop until someone comes with the oil can!!

Sun and Sand..........

My family has a vacation planned!  The first one in over 8 years - exciting - yes; worrisome - yes that too!  Why, you say??  Vacations have not notoriously been a good thing for me and I don't want to ruin my family's good time.  I hate being the downer in the room --- no fun at all. 

Believe it or not, even a vacation can be a stressful illness causing event for people with CFS/ME/Fibro and more.  The heat, sun, travel, having too much fun, can all cause exacerbation of symptoms and land you in bed for an extended stay.  I so remember years ago, going camping with my family (which I loved) and getting to much sun and then having a huge outbreak of fever blisters all over my mouth and nose - so sick and we had to pack up and leave early.  It took so long to get over that trip and I was still working full time at that time and no one could understand how I could go back to work and be worse off than BEFORE vacation.  Such is the life with these illnesses.

So here we are trying to give it another try and I am trying to be optimistic and get excited.....cautiously but excited.  Things to remember - lots of sun block (have to find one that does not cause breakouts), drink, drink, and drink water -- can't tell you how many times my hubby has had to go out in the middle of the night for meds for bladder infection while on vacation or at a conference (caused by the Interstitial Cystitis) and that is no fun - seems to always happen when all stores are closed.  Be careful what I eat and don't over do or over eat.....or over anything.  Easy right?  Takes practice but it is doable.  Then there is the drive to get there - don't get car sick - sit in the right place in the car; take meds before the headache comes and do all that you can to avoid any infections - sinus, bladder, ear, etc. 

I am surely not complaining --- just trying to make this an enjoyable time for my family and hopefully I will have some fun too.  ;o)  Just being with them is fun enough for me.  Many times I stay behind because it is just easier for them and for me and I do it knowing that they will enjoy the freedom; freedom from the worry and aggravation of having to deal with a chronic illness.  It wears you down and no one can understand unless they have lived with it.  Those of you who know - understand and relate.  We do what we have to and are happy to do it.  Sooooo here's to vacation!!  Enjoy ---- but not too much.  ;o)

Some Things Get Better While Others Go Down Hill......

For most of us, each day brings new challenges and struggles - for those of us with autoimmune issues, these can be complex.  It always amazes me that I will have a day or two that is fairly good by my standards, and I fall for the joke my body plays on me.  I start to think - am I better??  Am I really sick at all or is this all in my head?  Maybe I can do whatever I want and I just don't realize it.  Maybe all of my symptoms and conditions have disappeared and I was not aware of it.  Then --- as suddenly as the good days came, they are gone and the wave of pain, fatigue, confusion and too much more flood me with the reality that it is not in my head and yes I am still just what I thought I was  - someone who is very limited in function.

What is worse is when I begin to believe that I can do what I dream about doing -- over doing --- then I am quickly reminded what the cost of over doing is!!!  Days or even weeks of more debilitating symptoms than what I normally experience on a daily basis.  Therefore, we walk a tight rope - do enough to help but don't do too much.  Add to that the fact that this can be a different equation on any given day - it is not a sure thing or something that we can know for sure at any time.  Today - maybe I can wash and fold a couple of loads of laundry and be ok - tomorrow that may be too much.  It is all trial and error and more trial.  I tend to push the envelope and I personally believe that is I why I am not completely bedridden, but it could also be why my condition is moderate to severe rather than mild - who knows.  The only thing that I know for sure is that I am going to try to live this life that I have in the best way that I can as long as I can take a breath.  I would rather push a little to stay alert and enjoy my family and I believe that we each have to fight so that this monster does not over take us and take over our lives.  Don't ever give up the fight!  That is what keeps us going.