RoundAbout San Diego

Yum, Yum, Yum! Another great dessert from Martha Stewart. I love anything with a hint of ginger flavor and this recipe didn't disappoint. I didn't have an 8" square baking pan so used an 8" circular cake pan. This is another recipe I served when Janet was visiting. I cut into thin wedges and it looked so pretty - unfortunately I forgot to take a photo. This could be served on its own as an afternoon snack, with ice cream or whipped cream for dessert or with a fresh raspberry or strawberry sauce. Anyway you choose to serve it, it is really good. Very, very moist.

Chocolate Gingerbread Bars

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted, plus more for pan
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, plus more for pan
3/4 cup all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon pumpkin-pie spice
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup packed dark-brown sugar
1/4 cup unsulfured molasses
1 large egg
1/4 cup sour cream
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
confectioners' sugar, for dusting (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter an 8-inch square baking pan. Line bottom with a strip of parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides; butter paper. Dust paper and sides of pan with cocoa; set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together cocoa, flour, ginger, pumpkin-pie spice, and baking soda; set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk together butter, brown sugar, molasses, egg, and sour cream until smooth. Add flour mixture; stir just until moistened (do not overmix). Stir in chocolate chips. Transfer batter to prepared pan; smooth top.

Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack; let cool completely. Using paper overhang, lift gingerbread from pan. Transfer to a cutting board, and cut into 16 squares. Before serving, dust bars with confectioners sugar, if desired. (To store, keep in an airtight container at room temperature, up to 3 days.)

16 bars

While this is definitely not Risotto it's still not a bad rice dish for a weeknight dinner. I served this a couple of weeks ago with some grilled chicken when Janet was visiting. This is something I will cook again as an alternative to plain rice. You could substitute many things for the carrot; zucchini, mushrooms, asparagus, cauliflower, broccili, etc.

Parmesan-Carrot Risotto

2 cans (14 1/2 ounces each) reduced-sodium chicken broth
2 tablespoons butter
1 medium red onion, finely chopped
6 medium carrots, grated
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1 1/4 cups long-grain white rice
1/2 cup dry white wine
1/4 cup grated Parmesan

In a saucepan, bring broth and 2 cups water to a bare simmer over medium.

In a large saucepan, melt 1 tablespoon butter over medium. Add onion and carrots; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in rice. Add wine; cook, stirring, until absorbed, 1 to 2 minutes.

Add 2 cups hot broth; simmer over medium-low, stirring frequently, until mostly absorbed, 10 to 12 minutes. Continue to add broth, 1 cup at a time, stirring occasionally, until absorbed before adding more. Cook until rice is creamy and just tender, about 20 minutes (you may not need all the broth).

Remove risotto from heat. Stir in Parmesan and 1 tablespoon butter, and season with salt and pepper.

Serves 4

Well, I'm not sure that Alex would actually call me mellow but I'm definitely yellow today. My bruises are turning the color of the rainbow which is always a good sign and I'm now moving into the lighter spectrum of the healing process. I'm still swollen around the nose and cheek and noticed that my lip is swollen just enough to be almost sexy - wish it was permanent and also on both sides of the mouth (I'm looking somewhat lopsided at the moment). I had my stitches removed this afternoon and as usual I wussed out and got all hot and bothered to the point they had to stop and get me some cold water. It was quite painful but I'm glad it's all over and now I can just forget about it all. I have to go back in 2 weeks for a final check up - maybe I should ask about a lip job?

At my doctor's suggestion I'm off for the rest of the week so I can "rest" and try to minimize the swelling. I think I should ask Alex to cook dinner and clean the house - doctor's orders.

One other thing - a filling fell out of a tooth last night but I can't go to a dentist because I can't yet open my mouth wide. If it's not one thing it's another.

The patient got up somewhat discouraged this morning (and if you don't like whining you should probably stop reading now) but as the day progressed things got better.

I'm still swollen around my cheek, lip and nose but it is so much less than on Saturday. The bruising is also fading and turning a beautiful shade of yellow. However, last night I lay awake for over 2 hours because of a dull throbbing in my cheek and also the whole area was itching like crazy. What makes it itch so much? Come on Bookwoman, I know you have an answer for me.

I was on vicodin all day on Saturday to help with the pain but it made me feel really groggy so on Sunday afternoon I decided to take just Tylenol and that's what I've been taking since, making me feel a lot better. I can't wear glasses for more than 10 minutes at a time and they leave indentations on my swollen nose. I still can't smile or laugh but at least I can talk (poor Alex, I'm sure he was enjoying the peace and quiet for that short period of time). Eating is still a bit of a problem but if I cut my food up into tiny pieces it's not too bad.

Tomorrow the stitches will be removed, or at least that is the plan. I plan on going to work on Thursday so let's hope all goes well.

Here's a tip if you have stitches inside your lips - don't eat salty products. Stings like crazy!

A couple of months ago I went to the dermatologist to have two small growths on my face biopsied and the diagnosis was Basil Cell Carcinoma (BCC). I had one on the side of my nose and one just touching the top lip - both tumors were tiny. Because it's the most common type of skin cancer and the easiest to treat I wasn't too worried about it but knew the tumors would have to be removed. Well, they were removed last Friday and gosh, darn (that's for the kids reading this) does it hurt! Not even the vicodin makes up for the pain.

It didn't start out too badly. My surgeon used the Mohs surgery process and actually removed all the BCC in one slice for each tumor. Before he removed them he had to numb the nose and I have to tell you I can't ever remember being in such pain as having those numbing shots. My wussiness really came through because while it was being done the doctor was telling me what a trooper I was being, the assistant nurse was holding my hand telling me to squeeze hard if I needed to and some other random person was rubbing my legs telling me it would all be over soon. I felt quite the five year old for a while and waited for someone to tell me what a brave girl I was being. After it was all over the assistant nurse patched me up quite neatly and I was amazed at how quickly it had gone. As you can see in the photo below I didn't look too bad.



From there I moved over to the skilled hands of the plastic surgeon who was to repair the hole in my nose and my split lip. Everything was as it should have been. I was prepped and had an IV hooked up to my hand and as they wheeled me into the operating room they started me on the anesthesia. And that was all I remembered until I heard someone in the back of my dream telling me to wiggle my toes which I obviously did because they then left me alone saying I was fine. My face felt tight with the swelling but I wasn't in any pain at that time. However, I must have looked awful because when Alex walked in he looked quite shocked at my appearance.

And indeed I did look awful - so bad that you have to click on the link to see the photos. If you're a little put off by blood and gore don't click on the links

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Everytime I look at these pictures I wonder to myself, what was Michael Jackson thinking to go through however many nose jobs he had? I was in terrible pain all day yesterday and was so thankful for the vicodin although I hated being in such a groggy state. Today, I'm just on tylenol so feeling much better.

And finally, Boo knew I wasn't feeling well and here she is keeping me company.

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If anyone from work is reading this - I will not be in on Monday morning.