Monday, November 5, 2012

Another Busy Week

It's hard to believe that ten days have gone by since my last post.  I really didn't plan for such a long time between posts, but I have been very busy this past week.  Let's see, On the 27th we went to the funeral of a good friend that I used to be very close with when I lived in Northridge with my first husband.  That was some forty plus years ago.  We were both in Chatsworth Ward. (For those of you who are not LDS, a Ward is a congregation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, more familiarly known as the Mormon Church.)  Marilyn was also a musician.  In fact she used to accompany me when I played in various places throughout Southern California.  She was a very accomplished pianist.  It was suprising then, when one day a few years ago they moved to Indian Wells, which is the town just across the street from us.  Of course we were happy to be in the same ward again.  Both of us had pretty much retired from our music by then.  A few years ago Marilyn's brain started to deteriorate and to make a long story short, she ended up not even knowing her own family.  Her husband, Jack, (who used to be our dentist) took care of her for years until he finally had to put her into a small private care facility where she was for a little over a year before she died.  It was really sad because she used to be so active always. 

Then on Halloween we made chili verde and took it over to another friends house, so that we wouldn't be home when a zillion kids came by for "trick or treat".  We don't even have any kids in our neighborhood.   It's interesting to note that when we got home we found all the lights were on..........dumb, huh.  No damage anywhere though, so the kids didn't take their revenge for our not answering the door.  I swear that I think they must bus all those kids in from somewhere else.  These guys, Jim and Verna live in a gated retirement  community and  no children are there.  Her husband was in a rehab center at the time, being cared for, after his hip was replaced when he fell.  He is now home, thank heavens and seems to be doing well so far.

Friday I had to go to the infusion center to be infused with my second injection of iron.  That took about an hour and a half,  so it was pretty late when I got home as I didn't go until 3:00 in the afternoon.  It really did help though as I have felt quite a boost of energy since then and I just hope it lasts for a long time.

Saturday night we had the Pike's over for dinner and had such a great time with them, getting to know them better and  talking a mile a minute.  Of course we learned a lot more about his experiences with  The Lettermen, as well as a lot of other groups he sang in.  His new book has just come out, along with his new album.  I will have to tell you where you can go to get copies of both, because if you buy them both, you get a break in cost.  I have forgotten the address though.  You can probably find it by just typing in "Reunion", which is what his new group is called. The book is SO interesting.  It is titled "My Lettermen Years, The Journey To Hell  and Back".  He was in the group for about twelve years and then he lost his voice.  About ten years later, it came back.  He really did go through hell during that time.  I won't go into more, but you would really enjoy the book, I know.  When he was pretty much recovered, (he still has problems with his speaking voice but at least his ability to sing came back), he started the "Reunion."...........A couple of hours ago, Sue called and wanted the recipe for my wonderful baked chicken that I got from my daughter Sue.  Jim's wife's name is also Sue, hence the reference to "my daughter" whom most of you know.  She said that Jim has not stopped raving about how tender and juicy the chicken is and how he loved the sauce.   I guess I will have to give you all the recipe.  I have to tell you that it is one of my prized possessions and I always make it whenever I invite anyone to dinner for the first time.  I have surely given out this recipe to all of my friends and they make it often.

Sue's Baked Chicken:

6 boneless and skinless chicken breasts
swiss cheese, several slices
2 cans cream of celery soup
1 cup sour cream
2 Tablespoos sherry (I just use regular sherry, not the cooking kind)
French-fried onions
3 Talblespoons melted butter

Put celery soup, sour cream and sherry  in a bowl, stir and set aside  Place chicken breasts in a lightly greased 9x12 pan or pyresx dish.  Cut slices of swiss cheese and put on top of chicken breasts, completely covering.  Pour the soup mixture over the chicken, being sure every part of the chicken is covered.  Slightly mash French-fried onions with your hand as you sprinke them liberally over the top.  Add the melted butter by dribbling it across the top.  Put in preheated oven at 350 degrees for an hour.  Enjoy!!  I usually serve this with either white or brown rice, but you could use any kind of pasta too.

Sorry, no pictures (as usual)

Love to all,
Darlene

11 comments:

  1. I'm going to try this recipe too! It sounds really really good. My mom used to make something like it, and it was a favorite with everyone. I haven't thought about it in years, but now I can't wait to have it again.
    Sorry to hear about your friend. It's hard when friends and family leave us. But I'm glad you're feeling better after your infusion - that's good news!

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  2. Glad to hear you got some treatment and are feeling more lively.

    We missed doing anything for Hallow'een this year. With both children away we decided to opt out and we went out for a meal instead. We did have some peanuts and sweets laid in just in case we did get some guisers later, but in the end we didn't so now we have all those nuts and sweets to use up! We have 'giusers' (from 'disguise') here rather than trick or treaters, and there's no trick element or pranks.

    Thinking of you on election day - I may try to stay up for a bit tonight to watch some results come in, but I have work next day so can't be too late.

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  3. I'm glad that you are starting to get your energy back with the iron infusion. Our bodies are just like fine cars. They need just the right tune up get them up to speed,lol...

    We used to get lots of kids come to the door but lately we have no one since the kids have all grown up in our neighbourhood and the have Halloween parties at the church and the school for the kids. The subdivisions gets a lot of kids from everywhere because the houses are close together and it takes less effort to get their big pillow cases filled with treats. I love having kids come to my door with their costumes and I used to take pictures of them so I really miss them.

    I suppose that there will not be too much blogging today because of the elections. It will soon all be over and probably not a moment too soon for some. Religion and politic are two subjects that people feel strongly about.

    Thanks for sharing your prize Chicken Recipe. I'm sure that you only use great recipes at your house with two great chefs. Serving tasty food to your guests is so welcoming and you know that it's good when they ask for the recipe.

    Hugs,
    JB



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  4. Thank you so much for telling us about Jim Pike's new book! I just now ordered it through amazon and can't wait for it to get here. I didn't even want to wait till I could get the book and album at a better combined cost. I'll buy the album later when it comes out.

    I'm sorry about your friend Marilyn but I know you must be relieved for her that her hard life is over. My Mom died in that same way and it was a very long 4 years watching her suffer.

    Hope you continue to do well with those infusions.

    And thanks again for letting me know about that book!

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  5. Well, there you go Darlene, just sitting around doing nothing but eating bonbons all day....Ha! You are one busy lady! I bet you only get to "sit around" when you have to have that iron infusion. I'm glad you are feeling good and enjoying friends. I'm sorry you had to say goodbye to an old friend but I'm thinking she's enjoying that sweet reunion on the other side. Your chicken recipe sounds very yummy and I will have to try it out. I had company over on Sunday and we had chicken but it wasn't as good as yours sounds! I can't believe parents would bus kiddos into a retirement community for trick or treat. The cost of giving out all that candy is one thing...answering the door constantly is another. I love Halloween, but wouldn't think of intruding like that! Hope your week finishes out on a strong note and you enjoy the weekend.

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  6. That's one of our favorite recipes, for sure. And I think it's Matt's favorite thing I make. So easy, too.

    =)

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  7. Reading this I feel happy that Halloween is not big thing over here (but the business is trying to make it so) :-)
    Luckily it rained ...
    Sad about your friend. It is not nice when someone is there but at the same time isn't.

    Continue to take good care of yourself - that baked chicken seems to be just right!

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  8. The recipe sounds so delicious; I will need to try this one. You are so amazing. You have quite the social agenda. I am happy that the Iron is helping. You might ask the physician if Vitamin B 12 injections would be good too. My mother swore by those shots. She had low iron.
    I always feel sad to hear about someone having dementia. My father had Alzheimer and know I worry about having this, also. He started with it in his early 80's and died when he was 86. He was only bad the last year. My mother died when she was 90 years old and she had such a good memory. I visit her sister that just turned 99 years old in September. She has an amazing memory. I am afraid that I don't have a good one at all.
    I find that a lot of the kids that come into the more adult neighborhoods for Halloween come because they get more expensive candy. For some reason Halloween is not one of my favorite holidays.
    I will look into the Reunion. I think it is so awesome that you know someone well that was one of the Letterman.
    Blessings and hugs to you!
    I loved your comments on my blog. You are one of my very favorite blogs.

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  9. I'm looking forward to making your recipe but had to look up French fried onions - not familiar with them in Australia at the supermarket, but evidently they are at some Asian supermarkets or in the specialty or international food section occasionally. When I find them, or make them - something about dipping the onions in milk, I'll let you know how I go.

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  10. Dear Darlene
    Always fun to come by here and see that you have posted. As you know I love reading about what you have been up to.
    Thank goodness you had no problems with your home after leaving the lights on. You hear about stuff like that all the time.
    I live so far out that I don't have any treaters. I miss the wee little ones but don't care for it when their teenagers and bused in like you think they do.
    Sue's recipe sounds wonderful. I hope I get to try it.
    Glad your iron helped.
    Hope Darlene your having a wonderful week.
    Love ya
    Maggie

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  11. Just wanted to come back on here, Darlene, and let you know I just finished Jim Pike's book and I really enjoyed it! Amazing the things he has been through. Wow. And it was so interesting reading about his Lettermen years and what it was like being a celebrity. My parents only had 2-3 albums back in the 60s-70s and The Lettermen was one of those....so I listened to their music A LOT growing up. I was listening to some of their music tonight and I still know all the words. What voices...oh my there were good!! I'm also impressed how much he dearly loves his wife, and they are so good to each other...and to their sweet Kelly.

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