Cancer

When Matt went to rent his tuxedo for the black tie event in Chicago, he thought it would be most appropriate to go with pink. Apparently, they call him pinky at work because of his pink golf balls used at company golf outings. But more importantly, he took this opportunity to help support the cancer foundation.

Just about a couple months ago, Matt's step-sister was diagnosed with breast cancer. She is only 42 years old and has two young children. Fortunately, the cancer was caught early enough through a routine mammogram. However, doctors did find cancer cells within her lymph nodes, which meant surgery. The good news is they have not found the cancer spread to any major organs, and she has been advised by some, not to react too quickly on deciding whether or not to have a mastectomy at this point.

She is recovering well after going through the removal of lymph nodes this past week. There will be some ongoing problems with her arm on the side they took the lymph nodes. The good news is she can live with those problems and now has more time to determine whether or not to have a mastectomy. Chemo and radiation treatments will be next with the hopes she can be completely cured of the horrible disease which has taken over her life.

The 42nd Annual Gambol

My husband received an invitation from the president of Fair Oaks Farms (his employer), Mike Thompson, to attend the Gambol. The Gambol is an annual event which helps to benefit the United Cerebral Palsy Association of Greater Chicago. This was the first black tie event, aside from our wedding day, we had ever been invited to and it was quite an honor to be guests. Mike Thompson was recognized for his hard work with the foundation. There was an incredible video presentation of his dedication as well as the work of the foundation. Matt and I realized just what a great individual Mike is in this world. If you ever have the opportunity to meet Mike Thompson, he is a genuinely kind person, and an amazing businessman. While attending the Gambol, we both realized just how amazing Mike is, and what a perfect addition to society he really is.

The event was held at the Hilton on Michigan Avenue in Chicago. There was a fabulous appetizer buffet including a lamp chop station, silent auction items, champagne and just about any other beverage you wanted. Dinner was outstanding! The menu included:

Smoked sturgeon with egg mimosa and salmon roe caviar
Salad of butter and Lola Rosa lettuces with citrus and sun-dried cranberries dressed with pomegranate vinaigrette
Grilled petite filet mignon with red-onion marmalade in a red wine reduction paired with bronzed mahi-mahi
Chunky cherry tomato, caper and kalamata olive compote
Fall root vegetable smash
Bundled green beans and butternut squash mousse
Artisan dinner rolls

The dessert platters were alternating between guests (so you could share with your spouse):
Vanilla sponge with white chocolate mousse and fall berry compote
Bailey's Irish Cream mousse paired (the mousse was in the center of a white chocolate dice) with a chocolate espresso tartlet

Wine pairings:
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
Robert Mondavi Private Select

After dinner there was dancing, a voice auction, the presentation and then we were invited to gamble and eat more desserts with a full buffet of finger desserts and an incredible copper cappuccino machine.

I did not want the night to end, but all good things must come to an end. Matt headed home with his co-workers on the private coach they rented and I made my way back to my brother's in Oak Park, IL.

Inspiration

Part of my daily ritual includes reading a page out of the book 365 Prescriptions for the Soul Daily Messages of Inspiration, Hope and Love. This book provides a great start to my day in the right direction. A good start to the day always helps to soften the bumps in the road during the day.

Today's quote is created by Joseph Campbell -

The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek.

Solution of the day -

Spend some time in the dark today.

Warm Breakfast

Fall is a great time of year to cook up a warm breakfast and oatmeal is one of my favorites. I decided there were just way too many oats in the cupboard to let go to waste, so I searched the web and found a recipe for Baked Oatmeal. I added chopped apples to this recipe and used raisins instead of the dried cranberries. The oatmeal was good, although a bit on the dry side. I would add less oats or more milk to the recipe the next time I make it. When reheating a bowl of this oatmeal, just add some milk into the bowl and heat thoroughly in the microwave.

Fall Comfort Food

Families no longer have dinner at a family dinner table due to schedules gone wild. Instead of quality family time at home, family time has now become racing from one activity to the other in the family car, and dining on McDonald's while in route. Our house is no different. In fact, this has been a crazy fall, with coaching, volleyball, soccer practice, or some school activity literally every night of the week since August. Although I am quite exhausted by the weekend, and we are still running around to activities, I am attempting to bring back dinner table time on Sundays. There is something very meaningful about sitting as a family at the dinner table on a Sunday.

This past Sunday, I decided to take advantage of the huge pork loin in my refrigerator, and the tons of sweet potatoes and squash in my pantry. I surfed the web for recipes that looked worthwhile trying and was quite pleased with my findings. On the Epicurious site I found a wonderful recipe for Bacon-Wrapped Maple Pork Loin, which was a fabulous meat dish, and all the flavors of fall. Next for a side dish, I found a scrumptious recipe for Butternut Squash and Sweet Potato Gratin with Manchego Cheese. One thing I would maybe add to this dish is some Yukon Gold potatoes to cut some of the sweetness from the squash and sweet potatoes, but even as is, the dish was yummy.

What is a Sunday dinner without dessert? Fall brings a harvest of great apples, therefore, I could not resist trying an apple crisp which I found on my favorite foodie site - Food TV Network. I chose an apple crisp recipe created by the Neeleys. The recipe was easy and quite flavorful, however, I did not care for the green apples in the original recipe and would definitely use McIntosh apples the next time I make this recipe. With a dollop of caramel dipping sauce, some whipped cream and a side of hot apple cider to sip on.....our Sunday family dinner was complete.

A Reflection In the Mirror

On October 11th, I turned the ripe age of 45 years old. It is a known fact that I have never liked the 'fives'......25, 35, and now 45. I feel as though I have climbed to the top of the hill and now I am on my downward travel to yet another decade and one closer to the end of life. My personality is one of a child....even at 45 years of age. However, the mirror does not lie.

As a woman, I notice all the changes taking place to my body and my mind. There have been days I looked into the mirror and had no idea who it was staring back at me. Yes, the wrinkles and sags are starting to become the norm. Gray hair is in abundance. And, well, quite honestly things are moving downhill fast.

Don't get me wrong. Being a forty-five year old woman does have some advantages. In the workplace you are much more respected. Younger generations call you "ma'am" (which I absolutely hate). People tend to listen to a forty-five year old because you have the experience of life. Salaries tend to be higher because of your experience. Positives, yes, but I still don't want to grow up nor do I want to deal with the changes age has to offer to me as a female.

With my entrance into what I like to call "the center of life" stage, I have been doing a lot of reflecting. What I have found is that something is still missing and I don't quite know what it is yet. Even though I feel completely blessed, satisfied, and happy with my daily surroundings, I feel an underlying pressure to save the world, or make a difference, be known for something great, find success, and find the true me. A bit ADD....definitely.

Focus has not been a strong characteristic for me recently and seems to be more difficult for me as I age. So focus is one area I am going to work extremely hard to fix. With that said, I am also going to record my journey into "the center of life" stage and beyond, working hard to post more and hope to create a captive audience. Join me on my journey....I have no idea where it is going to take me.....but it is going to be a bumpy yet fun ride.

Cheers!