Tuesday-News and music. What's cooking!

Deb was woozy most of the day. By now you know that is a technical term we use! She saw Robin Roberts wearing a cover over her lines so she cut the end off a sock to make her own arm cover so the lines don't get hung or pulled. It's a style thing, 'ya know?

We have good news, in our opinion. The lesion on Deb's breastbone seems to be shrinking! PTL! We asked the doc what we would do to keep it shrunk and he replied 'that's the $64,000 question', referencing an old TV show by that title.

When we got Deb home she wanted to nap and has no appetite. For supper she had 1 English muffin dry.

I had to make a double pharmacy run, a hardware store run, and a grocery run. This evening I've used several of Deb' s recipes that were published in our church cookbook about 25-30 years ago. Since our copy is at home I asked angel Doris to email them. Thanks Doris!

 I cooked a batch of each to freeze. I am trying to build up a stock of quick breakfast items because it is tough and going to get tougher to get her  up and to the clinic each morning for the next few weeks and at least one of us has to eat!

So, since you know all our other secrets, here are the recipes Deb made up when we first married.

Bran Muffins

2 c. boiling water

2 c. 100% All Bran cereal

3 c. sugar or honey

1 c. shortening

4 eggs

5 1/2 c. all purpose flour, sifted

1 t. salt

1 t. baking soda

1 qt. buttermilk

4 c. 40% bran flakes cereal

1 c. nuts, chopped, optional

1 c. raisins, optional

Pour water over all bran.  set aside.  cream sugar, shortening and eggs.  add flour, salt and soda alternately with buttermilk.  add 40% bran flakes and all bran, nuts and raisins.  Mix.  Can refrigerate up to 2 months.  Bake in greased muffin pans at 350% for 30 min.  Yields 6 dozen muffins.

Here's one that I do that's a little simpler, makes fewer, and a little healthier:

Bran Muffins

3 c. all bran cereal

1 c. boiling water

1 c. sugar

3/4 c. applesauce (subs for oil)

1/2 c. egg substitute (or 2 eggs)

2 1/2 c. whole wheat flour

2 1/2 t. baking soda

1/2 t. salt

2 c. buttermilk (you can make buttermilk by mixing 2 c. skim milk w/2 T. lemon juice)

Pour water over bran cereal and let stand.  Mix together remaining ingredients then add softened cereal.  Bake as many as desired in muffin tins sprayed with cooking spray.  Bake at 400 for 15-20 min.  Keeps in frig. for 2 wks., add raisins, blueberries or nuts.

Vern's favorite appetizer

1 lb. bulk sausage

1 lb. ground beef

1 lb. processed American cheese

1 t. nutmeg

1 t. oregano

Rye squares

Brown together sausage and ground beef; drain.  Add cheese with nutmeg and oregano.  Mix well.  Spread on rye bread squares.  Heat under broiler until bubbly.  May be frozen and reheated later.  Yields 16 servings.

Got them all cooked and when they are cool, in the freezer they will go.

Now, you know I'm a sucker for beautiful piano music played on the grand in the foyer at the chemo clinic. Today, David, a 15 year old, was playing classics. Listen to a moment of his extended playing.