Cranberry Jalapeño Salsa

Merry Christmas everyone.

I hope you are enjoying your day whether your visiting family, friends, or just staying in alone and getting some rest. That actually sounds great right now. Christmas always seem so busy and hectic. We say every year that we are not going to do so much the next Christmas, but then we do. It’s all fun though. 

My daughter will still come over and spend a few day at home during Christmas. We laugh, cook and shop and get on each others nerves at times but I love it. 

Christmas eve day we walked around and gave out some home made Cranberry Salsa to my sweet neighbors. 

We are so blessed to have nice, friendly and helpful neighbors on our street. Every time we are out at the same time, we end up talking forever about things going on in life. I just like to share some Christmas cheer.

Christmas eve we headed out over to mom and dads for a nice family gathering. We had all kinds of foods and sweets. My daddy read some scripture and sang us a little song. My mom stayed busy working in the kitchen despite she was not feeling well. Sometimes I don’t know how she pulls it all together, but she does. 

Now its Christmas day. I got up early and enjoyed a nice quiet breakfast. As I was sipping my coffee, I gazed at the Christmas tree with presents underneath. I smiled and said to my husband, “we did it”. We never think we can pull it off with our small income but we do. My daughter was happy to wake up for the 32nd year with presents under the tree. 

Cranberry Jalapeño Salsa:

• 12 oz fresh cranberries,
• 1 Jalapeño
• 1/2 Cup Cilantro
• Lime juice
• 4 Green onions
• Pinch of salt
• 1/2 cup sugar ( see instructions)

Chop all the above ingredients together, then mix in 1/2 cup sugar.

Let it set in the fridge for a few hours and enjoy.

It’s great poured over a block of cream cheese with your favorite crackers.

Or use for a sweet n spicy salsa for your tortilla chips.

It’s getting later now and Nick is making lasagna to take over to his brothers tonight for our Christmas dinner. Everyone will bring a dish. There are some small kids that we get to watch play and open gifts. 

Tomorrow I will rest. 

Merry Christmas from our family to yours. 

Old Fashion Nougat Candy

 Who remembers the Braches Jelly Nougat candy? 

I remember seeing them in the candy baskets at the candy stores or in restaurant lobbies. They were never one of my favorites. I would always lean more toward the powdered candy or those little waxy drink filled molds. 

Well, for those that enjoyed this kind of candy, I am going to share the recipe that’s quick and easy. I made a batch for the first time. I think I actually like it now. Ready? Ok. Get out a mixing bowl.

Old Fashion Nougat Candy

• 1 bag of mini marshmallows.
• 1 bag of white chocolate chips.
• 2 tablespoons of butter.
• 1 box of Dots candy -Cut each piece in half. 

1. Place butter and white chocolate chips in a microwavable bowl and microwave 30 seconds at a time until melted. Put in the marshmallows and microwave 30 seconds at a time until you can mix it all smooth together. 
2. Fold in the Dots candy and pour into a square dish lined with parchment paper (this will help get it out).
3. Place in fridge for 2 hours or best overnight. 
4. Once cooled, take it out of the pan and cut into pieces. 

Can be left out but best stored in the fridge.

Just look at how pretty they are.

These little candies have the consistency of taffy. People will be surprised at how good they actually are. I took some into the office to share and they disappeared in no time. 

How I’m Doing

Hey, remember me? I been MIA from the blogging world lately. I think about blogging every day. I need to find time for myself and start back blogging on a regular basis. It is a great way to relieve stress. 

As I’m typing this post, I am leaned back on my new acupuncture mat. Yes, I have resorted to pain to see if it can relieve me of the Meniere’s symptoms. It’s been over a month now since my last big vertigo attack and I still feel “off” I have had several emotional breakdowns not knowing how I will get through the day. But hey, here I am. By prayers, I am making it.  

I know this will soon pass and I will go into remission for a few months, maybe even a year or so. Right now it is hard for me to go to public places for long period of time. I start getting anxiety of fear that an attack will happen at any minute and it will be embarrassing. It’s not a pretty thing.

People are always asking me if I’m ok. I say yes as I hide the truth. Everyday is a struggle. I can feel balanced and on the healing side of things one minute, and in one breath, things can change and I’m spinning out of control, in pain, confusion, and vomiting. I have absolutely went to bed at night thinking I will not wake up the next morning. And the bad thing about that is…. I’m ok with that.  

I think now, my left ear is completely deaf. This usually fluctuates and the hearing can return once the fluid releases and the Tinnitus goes away but I’m not sure this time. 

I went back to my ENT two weeks ago on one of my worst days. He said the next step is to try steroid ear injections. They will insert a thin needle trough my ear and into my inner ear and inject. He gave me a name of a doctor in Charlotte that specializes in this sort of thing.  I have yet to call and set that up. I am on the fence about it as there is no promises it will work and it would take a series of visits to see improvement. I do not have the time, energy nor money to travel an hour away for this. I mean, I can barely make it to my office three miles away. 

I may still at least call him for a consultation visit. He knows more about Meniere's disease than my regular ENT. I will wait and see how I do next week. 

I do not plan to blog much more about my condition. I need to learn to deal with it and find myself again. I need to stop feeling sorry for myself and be the warrior that I am. I need to get out there and fight instead of getting anxious and scared of what might happen in public places. I have a lot of friends, family and church praying for me and that’s more than an doctor can do. God will heal me on his timing. If not, then there is a reason for this. I just need to keep the faith and enjoy life as I have it.