And Now We Have a Plan

We're back from seeing the radiation oncologist and we've got a plan. It isn't what we were expecting (gamma knife). I'm going to start getting whole brain radiation (wbr) tomorrow. From the sound of it, the cancer isn't growing in clumps, but in sheets, so it doesn't lend itself to gamma knife. Having wbr after having the partial brain radiation I had in November isn't ideal, but it is the best option (according to the doctor). There is a chance of damage to my cerebellum (since it will be getting radiated again). The cerebellum controls balance and coordination, so we'll just see how that goes. Radiating the front of my brain may leave me with some short term memory issues, but since I'm in good shape now she doesn't seem overly worried that I'll have serious issues (just things like forgetting my keys - and I do that already!). I'm not excited at the prospect of having to go and get radiated every day for 10 days (not including weekends), but I am relieved that it can get started quickly and my doctor expects my symptoms (headaches) should ease after just a couple of treatments.

Having a plan is good. I know I'll get radiation for the next two weeks or so and then I'll wait 6-8 weeks before I get another brain scan. Here's hoping this time it really works!!

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And the Winner Is... (& My Favorite Recipes)

Congratulations, Sarah, Comment #4!! I hope you enjoy your Cake Decorating Kit!!

Thank You for entering, if you did, into the giveaway. If you didn't win this time, I hope to have more giveaways soon. And as a consolation prize, I offer you a wrap-up of my five favorite recipes from the last 8 months:
This was a lot harder to choose than I thought it would be. I do love sugar!

#5- Vanilla Sugar Cookies

I also love adding the mix-ins to these, which I recently discovered. Rich, buttery, yum!

#4- Pumpkin Cake Pops

They're just sweet enough, without being the sugar bomb that so many cake pops become.

#3- Chocolate Caramel Cookie Bars

 I know these are brand new, but I hadn't made them in so long... and one bite reminded me why I love them so!

#2- The Most Ridiculous Chocolate Cake Ever

Okay, it's not maybe MY favorite cake because I think it is a little too chocolatey, but I do love each part of it, and my husband and his family loved it.

#1- Banana Split Cupcakes

I'm totally cheating here because really I love the icings and the cake, and because this combines all three, I only have to use the one spot. But they are SO SO yummy!

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bridal hair INSPIRATION

{Source: The Beauty Department}

FOR MORE BRIDAL HAIR IDEAS

call Mana 02. 8919 0146 to make an appointment

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Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins

 Ingredients

1 cup granulated sugar

4 ounces butter, softened
1 1/2 cups mashed bananas
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350. First, cream the butter and sugar. Then, beat in the mashed bananas, eggs, and vanilla. Mix in dry ingredients and fold in chocolate chips. If making a loaf, spray loaf pan with cooking spray. If making muffins, line muffin pan with cupcake liners. For loaf, baking about 1 hour or until done in the middle. For muffins, bake for 20-30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

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Breaded Shrimp

 Ingredients

16 oz jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined (weight after peeling 12.5 oz)
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup egg substitute (egg beaters)
6 tbsp whole wheat Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
2 tbsp panko
2 tbsp grated parmesan cheese
Cooking spray

Preheat oven to 400. Spray baking sheet with cooking spray.

Put egg beaters in one bowl. Combine bread crumbs, parmesan in another bowl.

Wash shrimp. Season with salt and pepper, place in egg beaters bowl. Then in bread crumb mixture, then on baking sheet. Spray tops of shrimp with cooking spray. Place on middle rack for 6-7 minutes. Turn over and cook for additional 3 minutes.

Recipe from here.

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The BEST Pizza Crust and Semi Homemade Garlic Knots

At our house, we have a weekend tradition of making homemade pizza! So, I've gone through quite a lot of different pizza crust types to find the best (and easiest) one! My absolute favorite one is Fleischmann's pizza crust yeast! It is so freaking good!

To make an awesome homemade pizza, you'll need:

1 pack of Fleischmann's Pizza Crust Yeast

1-3/4 to 2-1/4 cups flour 

1-1/2 teaspoons sugar 
3/4 teaspoon salt 
2/3 cup of very warm water (120° to 130° F) 
3 tablespoons oil 

Pizza sauce

Shredded cheese ( I always use 2% Mexican blend)

Black olives, sliced

Marinated artichokes

White onions, chopped

Mushrooms, sliced

Turkey pepperoni

1. Combine 1 cup flour, undissolved yeast, sugar and salt in a large bowl. Add water and oil

2. Mix together until well blended; about 1 minute

3. Add 1/2 cup flour gradually until dough forms a ball. Add additional flour, if needed to handle

4. Spoon dough out of bowl onto floured surface. Dough will be slightly sticky

5. Knead on floured surface

6. Knead until dough is smooth and elastic; about 4 minutes

7. Press dough out to fill greased pizza pan or roll dough to a 12-inch circle and transfer to greased pizza pan

8. Top as desired with pizza sauce, cheese and toppings

Bake on bottom oven rack at 425 for 12 to 15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and crust is brown.

Add these garlic knots and some salad and you have the perfect weekend meal! 

Garlic Knots

1 can Pillsbury crescent rolls

6 tbs butter, melted

1 tbs minced garlic ( I use jarred.)

Combine 4 Tablespoons of the melted butter with the minced garlic in a small bowl. Reserve 2 Tablespoons of melted butter.
With each triangle of crescent dough, roughly form into a snake shape and dredge through the garlic butter, then knot and place on your baking sheet.
Bake according to crescent roll package directions then baste with remaining butter when finished.
Serve & enjoy!

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Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies

 Ingredients

1 cake mix

2 eggs

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup mix-ins (chocolate chips, coconut, m&ms, anything you want!)

Mix all the ingredients together.  Drop by tablespoonfuls onto a greased cookie sheet.  Bake in a 350F oven for about 10 minutes, or until set in the center.

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