Yesterday I had a visit from Billy and Gary to update me on the sick neighbor who was suddenly in the midst of a serious, life threatening, setback, rushed into hospital at the weekend, is now doing better, and may get home today.
We've had a tense couple of days. This was after she'd completed the series of radiation and chemo, and was hoping to start feeling better. Sadly, I think this complication can be a side effect of the treatment. But now we're hoping for the best.
My role is to be the person the caregiver gets to unload on, and I'm doing it gladly. Every caregiver needs a nonjudgmental listener who's been there. It's exhausting taking a person into the hospital, all the treatment days, then visiting and worrying.
Her daughter has been attending as possible, but she's young, early twenties, and has to keep up with her job, so Gary has been very much needed, with occasional visits from friend's brother and sister who live several hours away.
Meanwhile, since Good Friday is this week, and I needed to make bread anyway, I made a version of hot cross buns.
I mixed half a recipe of my usual wholewheat bread, and added in fresh ginger chunks, dried cranberries, and the zest of lemons and blood oranges. The spicy ingredients are symbolic of suffering..
Then I formed half a dozen rolls
Alfredo's German cousin! I bet it was good. I don't believe I've ever had a hot cross bun.Hopefully your neighbor will soon be on the mend.
ReplyDeleteNever had a hot cross bun?? Oh dear. You need to remedy that. Bakeries have them at this time of year.
DeleteBeing a caretaker is about the hardest job in the world. You are good to be a shoulder, an ear.
ReplyDeleteI've never made hot cross buns. I'm sure yours were delicious and the ingredients can represent life, as well as a religion.
Yes, they're about life in a larger sense, as is bread anyway.
DeleteI am going shopping momentarily, and I will look for hot cross buns for Sue. When they are done fresh in-store, she likes them. but not the pre-packaged and manufactured ones.
ReplyDeleteYes, the bakery buns are best, fresh as possible.
DeleteGary sure is a good neighbour, worth his weight in gold. You too, for letting him debrief with you! I plan to buy some hot cross buns this weekend and gorge on them for Easter. I love hot cross buns! Carbs be damned!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the hcbs! Live a little!
DeleteOur family Easter celebration is on Saturday too. Time is zipping by since spring came for a visit.
ReplyDeleteI expect quite a few people celebrate on a different day for one reason or another. It's all fine!
DeletePrayers for your friend, family & caregivers
ReplyDeleteThank you
DeleteTaking care of a caretaker is a very important, and often thankless, role. Enjoy those buns.
ReplyDeleteIt's a pleasure to do what I can, so little compared to what the friend is going through.
DeleteI hope your neighbour recovers well - especially when they have gone though so much. The buns look mouthwatering - now I need to find my own!
ReplyDeleteAt this point I hope she can start enjoying no doctor and hospital trips, just getting well. She'll be living from scan to scan from now on, not easy.
DeleteGo for the buns! This is the first year I ever didvtgem, and they're okay. Split and toasted for breakfast, or afternoon tea, good.
Did them! Not that weird word that got in there!
DeleteAll good wishes for your neighbor's recovery, Boud, and you are right that a caretaker also needs care, so kudos to you for being there for Gary. It's been years since I've enjoyed a hot cross bun and now on a carb-restricted food plan, that enjoyment may have to wait, but then I could always bake them later as you have done. Best wishes to you and you son for a Happy Easter get together. We will be heading to our native NJ this week to celebrate with family and celebrate my brother's birthday.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy Easter, with your additional celebration.
DeleteI'm doing winnowing myself. You've inspired me!
ReplyDeleteI'm seeing that word appearing in readers' blogs, too! I think it's more appealing than saying decluttering.
Deletenot being religious despite my upbringing, I don't do anything to mark those holidays. mostly because I would have to get it all out and I would have to put it all away. I consider religious holidays to be free days when the rest of the world's attention is elsewhere. I always wondered why they were called hot cross buns. now I know, it's the icing.
ReplyDeleteAs they say, you do you! This year, Jewish, Christian and Muslim observances are pretty much simultaneously happening. So a lot of people will be paying attention elsewhere.
DeleteSo sorry that your neighbour is dealing with yet another health issue. God bless Gary for being more than just a good neighbour.
ReplyDeleteI've never been a fan of hot cross buns, namely because I can't stand eating peel. Yours, however, sound as though I could enjoy one. You've reminded me that I should buy some for Resident Chef who really likes them.
I didn't have any candied peel, just used what I had. If made them for you, I'd leave it out.
DeleteOhhh everything looks so delicious. Have a very nice day.
ReplyDeleteThankyou, it was good. I do like home cooking.
DeleteTwo of my favourite food groups - pasta and bread, especially of the hot cross variety. Even though I attended catholic schools I wasn't aware of the actual significance of the spices and crosses. Must have been day dreaming in that catechism lesson. Thank you for the tutoring.
ReplyDeleteA lot of the symbolism is kept culturally, not in doctrinal form. So it's possible the information escaped your teachers, too. I do love bread, all kinds.
DeleteI like that you'll get two Easters! An early one is always a plus. Your buns look very good. That's something we've never done. I should consider it!
ReplyDeleteTry them, they're good.
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