Why I blog

A bit about me and this journey.

Welcome to my blog! I hope you find it useful, and an enjoyable read.

As I mentioned in my "About Me" link, this blog is a bit of a brain dump for me. It's something I've wanted to do for several years, but I was just never motivated enough, and I really wasn't sure what to make my focus...

I have a lot of different interests, including reading murder mysteries, photography (primarily birds, butterflies and wildflowers), cooking, baking, Project Life and a little scrapbooking and cardmaking. My mom is an awesome decorator and she likes to help me out in that department. I'm also on a faith journey as Jesus draws me back to Him after a season of being a bit of a prodigal.

My faith has really been stretched and tested this year as there have been a lot of big changes in my life. Not the least of which was my Dad being diagnosed with Bulbar ALS in April 2018. It was quite devastating initially, and we still have some pretty emotional moments. One verse that has really spoken to me is Romans 12: 12.

Be joyful in hope

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer.

When I am feeling most fragile, I try to remember that God has called me to be faithful in prayer, and patient in affliction, whether I feel like it or not. Easier said than done, but I am working on it... One day at a time.

It's been a ride, watching as my Dad slowly becomes unable to eat things that he once enjoyed (at least in their usual form), and requires more time to eat, along with much softer foods. He is able to eat ground meat, but generally it needs some sort of sauce or gravy to help him swallow it. Salads are out, and Mom has been pureeing a lot of his vegetables.

I have loved to cook and bake ever since Grade 9 Home Economics class, and I come by that passion honestly. Both my paternal and maternal grandmothers loved to cook, and many other family members, especially on my mom's side, feel the same way. Some have even gone into business with Christmas cookies or catering. I have a pretty massive recipe collection, and try at least one new recipe (and probably more!) each week.

For more than two years, I have been meal prepping and working hard to cook healthy, nutritious meals for my son and I. My Mom has been awesome to adapt her cooking to suit Dad's needs, but recently I took on a more active role as they have been very busy with appointments, and are finding themselves more easily worn out.

Cooking for the whole family has been somewhat challenging since the diagnosis, as Dad's diet requires high fat, high-calorie foods, which the rest of us don't really need or want to eat. Most foods should be cooked in some sort of sauce or liquid so they are tender enough for him to eat, which kind of rules out a good tenderloin steak or Chicken Parmiagiana. There is a delicate balance between too soupy and enough liquid, so it's nice to be able to strain out more of the solids when needed. It is also important that his meals have good nutritional value and that he is able to finish them during a 20 minute "eating window" as he calls it. After that the phlegm starts, and eating is no longer enjoyable or really possible until after he has a giant coughing spell.

I plan to document this cooking adventure as I do my best to serve healthy, appetizing meals that suit the needs of people with ALS or swallowing difficulties, and that the rest of the family enjoys as well.

You may see some of my other interests on this blog from time to time as I feel led, and I plan on some of my crafty and/or foodie friends guest posting, too. I hope you'll join me on this journey and be blessed.

Love Robyn

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