The Straw that Broke the Camel's Back

I have debated whether or not to post this. This is first and formost a recipe blog and I know you are coming for that. However, it is also a little of my life and what's going on. I've already shared with you about my Dad's cancer and my Father-in-law's car accident, and how each of those events sent us into shock and sadness.

Today I've decided to be blunt in desperation. This might be the straw that breaks me.

Today I am reeling.

Today I am in the hospital with my sweet baby girl, our youngest one, the two year old, she of the Sesame Street party. She has been diagnosed with kidney cancer.

We came to the emergency dept
and we now reside in the oncology ward.

Shock.

We would love to have your prayers for our little girl. We are depending on God and the amazing doctors to pull her through this. Yesterday was removal of her kidney and all went well. Today is recovering from surgery and getting rid of some of those tubes. Down the road is potentially chemo.

A share this burden with you as a reminder to give all of your loved ones a hug today and let them know how special they are.

You just never know what might happen.

Cranberry Cheesecake Shakes

 

This was a start of the summer treat for my kids. It turned out with a beautiful pink color that would make a great drink for a girls summer party. Frosty pink happiness!

I keep cranberries in my freezer year round, because I love their tartness and they freeze so well. And then I always have cranberries to make Cranberry Coffee Cake or Cranberry Spice Granola or good old fashioned cranberry relish, which should not be relegated to just the Thanksgiving table.

I remembered years ago I tore a page out of Family Fun for a cranberry milkshake. I thought it was a little strange, but why not? Today was finally the day to make them. All the kids liked the recipe, since ice cream before dinner is a big deal. I think next time I'll actually make them with ricotta cheese instead of the cream cheese. I also used sweetened almond milk which I think added another layer of flavor, but you could use the original plain milk.

Cranberry Cheesecake Shakes
1 c cranberries
1 1/2 c almond milk
2 tsp vanilla
3 oz cream cheese or ricotta cheese
vanilla ice cream

Put the cranberries and milk in the blender. Pulse until smooth and a beautiful pink. Add vanilla and cheese, pulse again. Add enough ice cream to fill the blender and make a thick rich shake.

You could also add some vanilla whey protein powder to this one easily.

Shark and Beach Cupcakes

Aren't these little guys so cute? End of the year meant we needed some summertime cupcakes according to Banana Girl. She insisted on sharks "for the boys" and "beach for the girls". I'm not sure that all were eaten according to her rules, but I know the kids enjoyed them.

The beach cupcakes are icing and then sprinkled with crushed ginger cookies (which I think taste better than graham crackers, but either would work). Add a little Teddy Graham bear and a drink umbrella that I picked up from the grocery store and...total cuteness!

 

The sharks were just as easy. Ice the cupcake with blue tinted frosting and make sure to leave peaks for yours waves. Cut out blue shark fins and insert them into the frosting right before serving. If you do it ahead of time the icing will create grease stains on the paper. You could go all out and create fondant fins, but I was a taking the easy way out on this one!

Happy Summer!