Scrumdiddlyumptious! December 4, 2009

 

Maybe it was the colors in the photo of the finished product that drew me to this recipe. I was a little hesitant to try these, because to me, the idea of mixing the flavor of mint and texture of coconut seems a bit odd. Anyhow, I made these new-to-me bars last night and brought them to the office this morning to share with coworkers. They were definitely well-received. Yay!

Scrumptious Chocolate Mint Bars

 • 2 cups finely ground crème-filled chocolate sandwich cookies

• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine

• 1 1/2 cups chopped nuts

• 1 cup flaked coconut

• 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk

• 1 2/3 cups (10-oz pkg) Nestlé Toll House Dark Chocolate/Mint Morsels

 

 

Preheat oven to 350° F. Melt the butter in a nonstick 13 x 9-inch baking pan in oven. Remove from oven. Sprinkle cookie crumbs over butter. Stir well, and press mixture onto bottom of pan. Sprinkle with nuts and coconut. Pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over top. Sprinkle with morsels, and press down slightly. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until coconut is light golden brown. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Cut into bars.

 

 

Regarding the recipe, just note that the cookies mentioned are regular Oreo cookies or the like with a chocolatey cookie and white cream-filled goodness. For this recipe, you need about 15 cookies to make the crust. I found that 1/2 stick of butter seemed like a bit much. Next time, I will probably add more cookies to compensate. Best part of all – coupons! The Nestlé morsels are on sale at Target stores right now thorugh December 26, 2009. Save even more by printing and using these:

Carnation sweetened condensed milk coupon

$1 coupon on a bag of Nestlé morsels

Coupon for savings on 2 bags of Nestlé morsels

If you bake ‘em, let me know what you think of the recipe. I cannot claim it as an original. Kudos go to Nestlé Toll House for the recipe.

The Doughboy Adds A Little Love December 1, 2009

I recently decided that I do want to utilize this a bit more as an outlet for thoughts, ideas, sharing things that make me laugh, feats around the home, and all that jazz in between.

Therefore, I hereby present a smile for the day. Meet the dancing and oh-so-adorable Pillsbury Dough Boy! Create a dancing version of this tubby little guy! And, be sure to spread the dancin’ doughboy cheer. He could get away with almost anything, I do believe.

Three is the charm! And, so is she. June 27, 2009

It has been almost 3 months.

Three months ago, Bradley called to say Anita was going into surgery. Three months ago, we were glued to the phone and unable to sleep, waiting with anticipation for another call to tell us how well the transplant surgery went. Three months ago, Anita’s surgeon said that if she had not received that donor heart in the wee hours of Wednesday morning, April 1st, she would have been with us 2 days longer – at best.

Today, Anita talks. Anita walks, even unassisted.
She can climb stairs.
She does laundry and washes dishes.
She can sit up. She can get out of bed. She can leave the house!
Anita can eat on her own, eat REAL food.
She can ride a stationary bike.
She can backhand Bradley when needed.
She cracks jokes.
And, Anita smiles.

It has been 3 months since her heart transplant. At this week’s check-up, Anita’s body still shows no signs of rejection. Three months post heart transplant surgery, and Anita is still smiling as are we.

Lindy Hop and New York City April 26, 2009

 

 

For Frankie’s 95th birthday, it’s a break from the intimate setting, as have been the past birthdays I have spent with him. There is a festival planned in New York with Lindy hop galore. I am still figure out housing and still hope someone wants to tag along for the adventure of New York City (my first.) Email me!

 

Schedule

Thursday, 5/21
3:00 PM Registration opens and Hellzapoppin Competition registration
6:30 PM Hellzapoppin Open Prelims1
7:30 PM Presentation
8:30 PM Ballroom Opens with dancing to Gordon Webster and the New Orleans Jazz Vipers
10:30 PM Performances
11:30 PM Hellzapoppin Open Prelims 2
3:00 AM Night Ends

 

Friday, 5/22
10:00 AM Master Class Workshop Auditions
12:30 PM Dance in Central Park
3:30 PM Jack & Jill Prelims in the Park
7:00 PM A Talk with Frankie Manning
8:30 PM Ballroom Opens with dancing to the Blues Vipers of Brooklyn and Ron Sunshine & Full Swing
10:20 PM Performances
12:00 AM Hellzapoppin Semi Finals
12:30 AM Late night with the Cangelosi Cards and the Paul Tillotson Trio
4:00 AM Night Ends

 

Saturday, 5/23
10:00-3:30 PM Classes
6:30 PM Savoy Era Panel Discussion
8:30 PM Ballroom opens for a black tie birthday gala with George Gee and His Make Believe Ballroom Orchestra, The Harlem Renaissance Orchestra, and Frank Foster and The Loud Minority. Plus the Hellzapoppin Finals, special performances, and presentations throughout the evening.
4:00 AM Night Ends

 

Sunday, 5/24
11:00-3:30 PM Classes
7:00 PM Dance Show
9:00 PM Ballroom Opens and starts with the Jack and Jill semi-finals followed by dancing to the Boilermaker Jazz Band and Jonathan Stout & His Campus 5
11:00 PM Performances
12:00 AM J & J Finals
1:00 AM All Star Band Jam
4:00 AM Night Ends

 

Monday, 5/25
11:00-3:30 PM Classes
12:30 PM Informal picnic and other activities
3:00 PM Presentation
7:00 PM Presentation
8:30 PM Ballroom Opens with dancing to the Houston Person Quartet and the Battle of the ‘Bones with the Wycliffe Gordon Quartet
10:00 PM Performances
2:00 AM Night Ends

She Made It April 2, 2009

 

It’s a new day, a brand new day.

 

Anita’s heart transplant lasted about 6 hours last night. Anita’s old heart was in much worse shape than the surgeon had predicted. Her old heart had about 15 blood clots in it that could have become dislodged at any moment. Her cardiologist said that Anita would have only had about 1-2 days of life left had she not had a transplant last night.

 

Since the surgery took longer than anticipated, Bradley was not able to see her until the wee hours of the morning once the surgery was over. She was on a ventilator and several machines, as was to be expected. This morning, Anita was able to be taken off several medications, and after lunch time, Bradley was told that they were going to start waking Anita. If you recall, a year ago Bradley and Anita were told that she would be in a chemical-induced coma for about a week after the transplant surgery. This just goes to show you how advancement in medicine can take place in the course of just one year. Bradley spend some time talking to Anita, and he was able to get her to respond! He has the touch. He is a gentle tall man, he is. Just give him a hug and you, yourself, will melt.

 

After Steve, Dallas, and myself conquered traffic delays and made it to Duke, Bradley told us that Anita was going to start breathing on her own. She had been progressing beautifully, and her breathing tube was being removed. Bradley was able to talk to her a bit more tonight, and Anita stated that she was ready to hit the beach and walk her dog. That’s the draw of Wilmington!

 

Bradley said Anita already looks so much better than she did yesterday. The doctors told him that she would start to feel better instantly, in the sense that she will not be as fatigued. Anita has still kept her since of humor throughout it all. While her story of this five year quest is very moving, her tenacity is admirable as well. She keeps pressing on, and Bradley has been right there alongside her.

 

She had her first dose of antirejection medication today, which will continue for years to come. Anita is expected to remain in the hospital for about 5-10 days, and they will say in the Triangle for a few weeks as Anita continues to improve so she can be closer to rehab among other things. And, her rehabilitation starts right away: tomorrow. I want to encourage you to still show your support. Anita had the heart transplant, but regular care, medications, and rehabilitation are still going to be a part of Anita’s daily life. If you would like to donate to Anita’s transplant fund, please consider sending a donation to the address below. It does reach Anita and Bradley directly. Your thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated. Anita and Bradley love you all, though they may not be able to talk to everyone directly right now. As updates about Anita’s progress are available, I will be sure to share.

 

Thank you all. Thank you so much for your love and support. She made it!

 

 

 

Donations may be sent to:

The Anita Trivette Heart Transplant Fund

PO Box 16688

Wilmington, NC 28408

It Happened! April 1, 2009

 

Anita had a heart transplant last night. It really did happen. How amazing!

 

A little before 9 PM, the transplant surgery started, and it took longer than expected. She was moved into recovery around 1 AM and will remain on a ventilator plus other machines for about 12 hours. Her doctor said she would have had only a few days left with her old heart had she not received a donor heart last night. Anita is doing well right now. She is a remarkable and strong woman.

 

Friends, strangers, or in between, I know the encouraging words, thoughts, cards, and prayers touch Bradley and Anita.Thank you, everyone, for your love and support. I am heading to Duke today to be with Bradley. And, I will continue to share updates as they happen.

Maintain hope. March 16, 2009

 

The transplant did not happen. The heart was too small for Anita, and she will go home later today.

Keep the hope. There are details in a previous entry about what you  can do to show your support and donate to the Anita Trivette Heart Transplant Fund.