Peter's Pumpkin Shell: The "Helipad" is Done

After almost a year, our deck (AKA the helipad
because of its size) is finally done. Peter has
worked really hard on it.

He built me two beautiful planters like this for
Mother's Day this year. They really add a lot to
the deck.

It has been a lot of fun to use the deck so far this summer.

My Journey

Part of my journey to getting pregnant requires that I lose weight. I have been diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), among several other things. PCOS makes it very difficult to get pregnant. One of the issues is that the PCOS makes it difficult, almost impossible, to lose weight, but at the same time, the only way to fix it is to lose weight to get your hormones balanced out.

After 4 months, I have decided to post my progress on my blog rather than waiting to lose all of the weight before sharing my journey with others. It has been an emotional journey, but one that is well worth the end result. When I have days that make me want to give up, I remind myself that the hope of bearing a child is why I am doing all of this, and that seems to get me through one more day.

I have posted my beginning weight below and then the most recent picture that we have taken when I am down about 53 pounds. I was actually down 62 pounds, but have gained
a couple back the last week or so with the holidays.

I hope by sharing this with you, I am able to stay more accountable to myself and to others so that I can achieve my goal.

Thanks for sharing the journey!!!

Really Great Food Storage Recipes

I know it sounds crazy, but these are all actually quite good.

Pinto Bean Fudge
1 cup cooked soft pinto beans, drained and mashed
1/4 cup milk
1 Tbsp. vanilla
6 oz. unsweetened chocolate
6 Tbsp. butter
2 lbs. powdered sugar
nuts (optional)

In a large bowl, stir beans and mikl together, adding enough milk to resemble mashed potatoes. Stir in vanilla. Melt chocolate and butter and stir into bean mixture. Gradually stir in powdered sugar. Knead with hands to get it well blended. Spread into lightly buttered 9" baking dish or form into two 1-1/2 inch rolls. Chill 1 - 2 hours.

Pinto Bean Pie

1/2 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar, packed
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup soft butter
1 heaping cup mashed, cooked pinto beans
1 unbaked 9 inch pie shell, whipped topping or ice cream

Beat until creamy: granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and butter. Add pinto beans, blend well. Pour into unbaked pie shell and bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes, or until a knife inserted in center comes out clean. Serve with whipped topping or ice cream.

Bean Brownies

3/4 cup cooked great northern beans
1 cup butter, melted
1 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup cocoa
2 eggs
1 cup flour
1-1/2 tsp. baking powder
1-1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 cup nuts, chopped

In mixing bowl mash beans. Add butter and beat until smooth. Stir in sugar and cocoa. Add eggs and blend it all together. Add remaining ingredients, stirring just to combine, being careful not to over mix. Bake in oiled 9 x 13 pan for 25 minutes at 350 degrees. Enjoy brownies plain, dusted with powdered sugar or frosted.

Peter's Pumpkin Shell

Monday, June 30, 2008

The "Helipad" is Done

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