45 Days

My Snowmen Display

Five years ago yesterday I took Ray for his first (and only) “routine” colonoscopy.  I decided to support him by fasting along with him the night and morning before.  Thank God I didn’t have to drink the “stuff!”  We both planned to go to eat at Panara Bread after the procedure as he had never been there before.  After waiting an hour and a half in the waiting room a nurse called me to the back.  I figured they just need me to help him out in the wheelchair.  When they took me into a room where Ray was sitting and asked me to have a seat I knew it wasn’t good.  This is when the whirlwind happened.  Little did we know he only had 45 days left to live. 

The last four years I have not really been very excited about Christmas.  All the reminders come back.  The snow, the decorations, the early darkness, the cold, it brings back those horrible 45 days and the months and years following.  However, this year for the first time I am actually excited about Christmas.  Not about gifts, but about the fun with friends, decorating, putting lights up, yes, even the snow!  I’ve already got the tree up with lights on it (no decorations yet) and many boxes from the storage unit pulled out ready to unpack, unwrap and decorate.  I hung lights along our outside second floor screen porch too!  I went through the motions in years past, and had some good times, but I just feel so at peace this year and excited!

The snow is heavy here in Saugatuck/Douglas right now.  It came even earlier than last year!  However, it is supposed to go into the upper 40's at the beginning of next week so there will be a lot of melting, slush and probably ice.  It's so nice to live so close to work!

OK, so it's almost Thanksgiving.  Here is Ray's Aunt Mae's pie crust recipe.  After Ray died I decided to make a quiche.  I went to the store to buy a pre-made crust.  I got home and forgot to buy it.  I could hear Ray in the back of my mind..."you can do it."  So I pulled out the recipe and made it.  And..it worked!  Just follow the recipe and you will have a great pie crust!

Aunt Mae's Pie Crust

3 Cups all purpose flour
1 Cup Crisco Shortening
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1 Tablespoon Vinegar
6-8 Tablespoons Ice Water - ICE COLD

Place flour in bowl and add shortening. With shortening in the flour and using two knives cut into pea size chunks.

In a separate bowl beat egg with a fork and add vinegar. Sprinkle into flour mixture.

Mix lightly with spoon and add water slowly. Do not overmix or pastry will be tough.

Using hands, form together adding water if needed.

Split into two balls and roll on lightly floured surface into sheets.

　
-Jimmy