We wish you....

a Merry Christmas!  
The pictures are out of order..but cookies are out and we are ready for Santa! 

The cancer...

 First club

 Second club

 Bandage

I haven't wanted to write about my health.. I didn't want to bring people down this close to Christmas, but since I have good news to report I will fill you all in.  This all started about two weeks ago. Chad put me up on Marshall's bed. I don't like it up there, it is very high.  While I was up there Heidi noticed something on my right paw. It looked like a large blackberry.  We called the vet the next day and took me in.  They took a sample and sent us on our way. Friday afternoon they called and told my people it was melanoma.  It needed to come off right way. Surgery was scheduled for Monday. My people were very nervous the whole weekend and until they called to say I was out of surgery.  They were able to remove the tumor, but had to take one of my toes.  The vet was worried if they took a toe I might never walk or run again.  I had to stay overnight. Chad and Marshall came to see me. I was very tired.  I was happy to go home the next day!  They put a cast on my leg.  It was hard to walk and very loud.  The tumor was sent off to a lab to see if they got it all.   I went back in Friday to change the cast.  Wednesday I went back in to have the cast removed and just bandages on my foot.  Could I walk.... YES!!  Yesterday we finally got the results.  They removed all the tumor!!  My vet is talking to a cancer to vet to see if we need to do full body x-rays to see if there is more. ( I hope we don't have to.)  We are trying to decide if we are doing to send the tumor to a big lab out of state for further analysis. It will show what stage, and chance of it returning.  The bad news.. other than I lost a toe. I have an infection.  I have to have antibiotics by injection daily.  They are strong so they have to check my kidneys too.  My people are hopeful all is well. I have had a rough couple months. I am walking and running! 

Aebelskiver by Heidi

 

 

Of course the holidays conjure up many memories for everyone. Every Christmas I think about my Grandma and her baking.  She made so many wonderful things every year.  Rosettes,  popcorn trees, krumkake, peanut butter cookies with the chocolate stars and aebelskiver.  Aebelskiver, Danish meaning apple slices (singular: æbleskive ).   I  know she would fill them, but I am not sure what all she used.  ( I can not get the italic to turn off...)   Apples? Chocolate? Jam?   Banana?  If anyone can remember please tell me.  I always wanted her pan, but my Dad couldn't find it. This summer my Mom bought me one.  I made my first batch tonight.  



 I miss my Grandma very much, especially at the holidays. I know I made her smile tonight.

 

 

 The pan and her NOEL in the background.

 Batter. I don't have her recipe. Anyone?

 Flipping and filling them. She used knitting needles.  It was really fun to watch. She was very fast. I used skewers.  We filled them with apple cinnamon jam, chocolate chips and bananas.  I rolled them in cinnamon and sugar.

They are yummy!  Marshall liked them too. 

Doors and trains

 Waiting for the train.

 Marshall looking down the tracks.

 Cool big tree waiting for Santa.

 Santa! 

 The train cars.  They were decorated inside.

 Decorating the front door.

Marshall and Heidi rode the Santa train. It is about a 20 minute train ride to another station. When you stop there are cookies and cocoa and Santa!  They rode the train back in the dark. It was a fun time. They had a big group of people.  Heidi felt like she took a bunch of pictures.. but not really. Maybe some of her friends got more she can add.