Happy Fat Tuesday, Mike!

For the past 19 years one of my co-worker's, Mike Johnson, has made a cake for Fat Tuesday, the first day of Mardi Gras.  Mike and his wife (who also work in my office), are big fans of the Carnival in New Orleans.  This past December, Mike passed away with cancer so I thought it would be fun and a treat for his wife Roz if I attempted to make the cake.  It is basically a cinnamon roll recipe that you shape into a circle.  I don't usually make bread that you have to knead and let rise.  It pretty much took all day, but it was so worth it when Roz saw it and was sooo happy.  The recipe made two cakes and it was completely gone by noon!  (I wish I would have remembered to to take the toothpicks out before I took the picture)

A few things....

I was diagnosed with an eye disease called Fuchs Corneal Dystrophy about two years ago.  When I went for my yearly check-up a couple of weeks ago, I was told that my corneas had quite a bit of swelling and was given eye drops to reduce the swelling.  I was referred to an eye surgeon who specializes in corneal cell transplant surgery and will be going to that appointment in 3 weeks.  My eyes have progressively gotten worse over the last three years so if this surgery will help me I am willing to have it done.  Since this eye disease is hereditary, it is important that my children know about it.  Neither of my parents was ever diagnosed with the condition but it is a fairly new disease that went undetected many years ago.  Here is a brief synopsis of the disease:

Fuchs' Dystrophy isn't well-known, since only about 1% of people have it.  It's an eye DISEASE, and needs to be monitored accordingly. When you have fuchs' dystrophy the cells in an inner layer of the cornea called the "endothelium" start dying off (sometimes this disease is called "Endothelial Dystrophy"). Since these cells pump the water out of the eye, the cornea fills up with water and swells. The cornea is the "window" of the eye, and assimilates the light, so the more advanced the fuchs' dystrophy is the blurrier and more indistinct your vision will be.

In order for YOU to have Fuchs' Corneal Dystrophy, at least ONE of your parents had the gene.  Keep in mind also that the equipment used to detect fuchs' dystrophy wasn't common in eye doctors offices many years ago.  Because it's genetic, it also means that if you have any siblings or children they should be checked over on an annual basis to see if they have inherited it. They may be looked over today and be declared "fuchs' dystrophy free"; but they may have the gene and not have it developed to the point where it can be detected; it may show up years later (hence the annual checkups for it) or it may never be diagnosed at all (even if looking for it) and be passed on to their children.

(The picture above is the way it is when I drive at night - this is why I try to avoid night driving if at all possible)

Here are the symptons of this lovely disease:
Watery burning eyes (especially in the sun)
Haze around lights
Blurry vision
  
Now onto a more pleasant subject:
I have become obsessed with a series on PBS on Masterpiece Theater called Downtown Abbey.  I am not normally a big PBS fan but a few of my friends recommended it and now I am hooked.  (Shauna I know you hate it)

Downtown Abbey - It is soooo GOOD!

  My daughter-in-law Kristine, has opened an Etsy shop of make-up bags and brush rolls.  She really has done an amazing job with these and is a very talented seamstress.  I love her fabric choices so hop on over to her shop  and see what you think.  I know you will be impressed! 

Love and other stuff....

It's really hard to come up with Valentines for boys.
Most of them are too frilly and fancy so when I saw these
Love Bug valentines I knew I had to make them for my special valentines

Grandkids valentines all packaged up and ready to be sent off to Utah.

Valentine cookies Megan made for me to give away
This picture doesn't do them justice so below is a sample of some more that she made

Here's a really quick and easy and yummy Carmelcorn recipe:

1/2 cup butter

3/4 cup brown sugar

11 marshmellows cut in half

2 bags microwave popcorn

Melt butter in medium pan, add sugar and bring to a boil.  Stir in marshmellows til melted

and smooth.  Pour over popped popcorn. (I spread on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper)

Here it is bagged and ready to give to special Valentines!

(The microwave popcorn is for a co-worker who is on Weight Watchers like me)

 

Lighten up!

Memories

I was cleaning out some files at work today and came across these pictures.

Jordan's homecoming from his mission - 12/31/05 (Too bad it's so blurry)

Jack was obsessed with Buzz

This picture of Jack reminds me of the pictures that Kristine does of Owen.  It is the same chair!

Lincoln's blessing day.  The Sacramento temple in the background was still under construction.