It's Tia Anne's turn now!

[Laurie]

Hi Tia,

  Congrats on being free of extra add accessories and a good meal. Sorry about that back though. I went to the store today and now have to figure out what to do with chicken broth, garlic heavy cream, onions, flour  and four funny looking dark green things. (think they call them poorblamos or something like that, I got kicked out of Spanish class sorry).
  When you and Deb do head for home you be sure to take it easy.
 
Loves ya two,
   Laurie
 

[Anne Blake]

Laurie, that shopping bag contents sure does sound delicious! You almost make me want to return home via a west coast swing. You get some practice with that stuff and we will definitely be out your way for a visit.

Love you girl,
Tia Anne (and Deb of course)

[Laurie]

Never tried a poblano sauce but Rachael Ray's sounds good and you mentioning it  Twice, I figured I would try it. I understand it freezes well too.

laurie

[Anne Blake]

I can't say if it freezes well or not, it never got the chance around us.

[Laurie]

I can't say if it freezes well or not, it never got the chance around us.

I guess I'll find out 2 things. the recipe is supposed to make several cups.

Do you recommend cilantro in it? My sister won't be trying it so I could cook it with the cilantro. She hates the stuff.

Laurie

[Anne Blake]

To me the magic of the poblano sauce is all about the buttery smoothness with warmth that is not overpowering but complimenting. The presence of cilantro is not in my taste memory. In fact the my favorite versions of it has nothing standing out and stating their presence but rather blending in and contributing to the whole, as most good sauces do. A good spaghetti sauce is the focus and needs the contributors to make their presence known but the softer hollandaise like creations need to quietly contribute with out overtaking the primary meal. Just this old lady's humble opinion.

[Laurie]

To me the magic of the poblano sauce is all about the buttery smoothness with warmth that is not overpowering but complimenting. The presence of cilantro is not in my taste memory. In fact the my favorite versions of it has nothing standing out and stating their presence but rather blending in and contributing to the whole, as most good sauces do. A good spaghetti sauce is the focus and needs the contributors to make their presence known but the softer hollandaise like creations need to quietly contribute with out overtaking the primary meal. Just this old lady's humble opinion.

Hmmm Perhaps I need to hire a chef

[Anne Blake]

Today is day nine post op and things are continuing to look up. Alas, no, my back is still allowing me to walk slowly bent over my cane but helping me prepare the character of an ancient old crone of a witch for Halloween. Body parts are continuing to heal and I haven't yet needed the "Pillow" for sitting in chairs or riding in the car. We just spent an hour at the Breakfast Club for a casual late breakfast. The seats were of a woven rattan and forgiving enough for me to find comfortable positions more limited by back pain than my lower regions. Hopefully I will find the same when we are joined by Dena for an early dinner this afternoon. Perhaps throwing one's back out should be part of every girls distraction plan during healing from surgery.

I am not going to get into details without specific requests but so far, no opened stitches, excess bleeding, granulation, and of course no dilation (at least for now, very happy with that choice, no judgement and time will tell). No it does not look pretty yet and it does feel swollen and sore but not consumingly so. We are still considering getting on the road home next Wednesday if things continue as they are going. Not able to tell if the past couple of months of physical training and getting in shape has helped or not but no complaints yet and I have sent some thank you posts to my trainer (perhaps the sweat and the sore muscles paid off).

[LizK]

Hi Tia

Great to see how well your recover is going. I would love to pick your brains about a couple of things but will do that at a later date when you have healed and are feeling well. Take care and I hope the rest of your recovery goes as well as the first part.

[Anne Blake]

Hi Liz, nice to hear from you. Feel free to pick away but I am not sure what you may find there, endeavor at your own risk. You know how to get hold of me, ask away, pm me if you want more than some would want to hear.

Luv you girl,
Tia Anne

[Anne Blake]

Day ten post op and not a lot to report. My back is getting better but way too slowly. This was the first time that I wished that I had taken my pillow with me as sitting through breakfast was pretty distracting. I tried for a longer walk today but a quarter mile really drained me. Maybe more tomorrow. Planning on five more days in town and heading home slowly next Thursday morning, day 16 post op. It is about nine hundred miles and we plan to break it into a couple of days driving with a one day layover in Santa Fe, NM. (a little retail therapy for the jewelry box)

[Rachel]

Congratulations, I am sorry I missed your early days of recovery. 

[Laurie]

Hi Tia,

I thought I'd share a picture with you.

[Jessica Lynne]

Hi Tia,

I thought I'd share a picture with you.

Dang Woman, those are some fine looking Poblano's. I'm hungry! adios!

[Laurie]

They are all peeled, deribbed, and seeded and waiting in the fridge for the time to use them. recipe called for 2 and as you can see I  have 4. I'm an overachiever.. It's supposed to make about 4 cups.

Laurie

[Anne Blake]

Oh Laurie honey, you can come visiting anytime.

Tia Anne

[Anne Blake]

Day eleven post op, slow continued progress. I am finding it strange that I had no interest or need for "My pillow" until yesterday. Sitting on most types of surfaces was not a major source of discomfort. Yesterday and today it is becoming a need.

Energy levels are slowly growing but growing pain is sucking it back out. Swelling is continuing to diminish but pretty is not yet an applicable adjective. Still looking for enough more healing in the next five days to handle hours in the car but dare I say, doubt is creeping in.

[Laurie]

They are all peeled, deribbed, and seeded and waiting in the fridge for the time to use them. recipe called for 2 and as you can see I  have 4. I'm an overachiever.. It's supposed to make about 4 cups.

Laurie

(note to self: next time find gloves....)

[Jessica Lynne]

(note to self: next time find gloves....)

did you cut yourself, Laurie?

[Laurie]

did you cut yourself, Laurie?

No Jess, but I have discovered that pablano peppers though considered mild to medium heat when eaten can be quite potent on the skin. Several hours after peeling and cleaning these four peppers, and washing my hands after, my hands and fingers began to sting as if burned. Repeated washing did not help. The sensation took several hours to go away.

laurie