Granny Mountain

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Baby Steps

Mom, me and my brother~1952

Mom had her follow-up appointment yesterday at the doctor. It's been 5 weeks now since she fell and fractured her neck. Since then she has worn a padded brace to stabilize her neck. The good news was that the fracture is very faint now so it is healing, the bad news...the doctor says it's a good idea for her to wear the brace indefinitely. Mom's progressed Dementia makes it hard for her to understand why she must do this, she doesn't even remember the fall.

I've mentioned many times my gratitude that Windcrest takes such good care of my Mom. The staff is trained, professional and caring. If you have ever been a caregiver you know that the day in-day out schedule can leave you exhausted mentally and physically. It's a calling when someone wants to take care, to be a nurse. I admire the girls who patiently dress Mom, put lotion on her hands and walk slowly with her as she makes her way down the hall to her bedroom.

Joy Colleen ~1952

When my daughters were small, they too took very small steps. The dribbled on their cute little dresses and didn't understand the rules we made some times. I see Mom in a different light these days, but she's still with me and that's all that counts.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Secret Recipe

Pioneer Woman's Apple Dumplings

Last winter B.I.S.B. (before I started blogging) I had my favorite blogs that I visited daily for recipes. I am always thinking about "my next meal," and Pioneer Woman was a great place to laugh, get away to the ranch and figure out what was going to be served at GrannyMountain that night! Ree is an open book, sharing her life with all of us. From birthing calves to dishing family dirt, she shares and complains just like a best friend would do if she were sitting in your kitchen. You can't help but love her and her brood. I must warn you, her blog is addictive. She has a whole novella on there of her life before marriage. Marlboro Man is her dearly beloved, soul mate and mother of her children. So in love, she often goes off into dreaming of baby making mode when she takes a picture of him herding cattle! You just have to go there and see what I'm talking about...

While Daughter Stephanie and family were visiting last week, I made PW's Secret Recipe Apple Dumplings. Ree tells us how she got (stole) the recipe from her Mother! Simple, it uses Granny Smith apples, Pillsbury Crescent Rolls, and…GULP: a can of Mountain Dew. These apple dumplings are SO indescribably delicious, I made the recipe again the next day! My Grandson has a "Mountain Dew Collection" so this was the perfect dessert to make. Since I am Nana, I made homemade ice cream too.

After all, I am in the Memory Making Business!

Apple Dumplings
2 Granny Smith apples
2 cans crescent rolls
2 sticks butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoons vanilla
cinnamon
1 small can Mountain Dew

Peel and core apples. Cut apples into 8 slices each. Roll each apple slice in a crescent roll. Place in a 9 x 13 buttered pan. Melt butter, then add sugar and barely stir. Add vanilla, stir, and pour over apples. Pour Mountain Dew around the edges of the pan. Sprinkle with cinnamon and bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Serve with ice cream, and spoon some of the sweet sauces from the pan over the top.

Printable Recipe

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Small Town America Rocks!

Daughter Stephanie and family were here on vacation last week. She loves the area and always looks forward to sightseeing and visiting old friends. Northwest Arkansas has some pretty unique landmarks. Popeye waves at you from the Allen Canning Factory in Springdale, Arkansas.