I Am Thankful For..................

This is the view that I saw today out the window of the Cancer Center in Mason City, Iowa. Today this little squirrel was getting ready for winter by hiding his nuts and I got the pleasure of watching him. Got me thinking about how grateful he must be when he finds them again this winter when he is hungry. I have lots to be grateful for also.
Today I had my sandostatin injection that I get every 21 days for the rest of my life. It is for the type of cancer that I had surgery for 2 years ago November 17, the cancer is called carcinoid. You can google carcinoid to learn more about it if you want to or go to carcinoid.org to learn more.
What I am grateful for is the fact that I am alive and that there is this drug to keep me alive and to relieve the symptoms of carcinoid syndrome which I will deal with for the rest of my life.
I am grateful because I was given a second chance to live my life and I am living it differently than I did before the discovery of carcinoid. I am enjoying life in a whole new way and seeing things in a different light. I am enjoying my life more and loving every minute. I am doing things I would not have done in the past living each and every moment to the fullest.
It takes a major event like cancer to change a person. I know I have changed and continue to change every day.
If I haven't seen you lately or talked to you please forgive me. I want to tell you all how important you are in my life and how much I love you.
Have a great day!

Bean Soup

The weather is getting chilly out and the nights are getting dark earlier. To me it is soup time of year. Tonight I made this bean soup and I loved every bite. This recipe is courtesy of watkinsonline.com/denisepassehl in the recipe section. Enjoy!

Ingredients
1-1/2 pounds/680 g (3-1/2 cups/875 ml) dry navy or great northern beans
2 cups/500 mL coarsely chopped onion
2 tbsp/30 mL Watkins Original Grapeseed Oil
10 cups/2.5 liters water
1 cup/250 mL sliced carrots
1 cup/250 mL sliced celery
1/2 cup/125 mL Watkins Chicken Soup & Gravy
1 tsp/5 mL Watkins Thyme (Tin)
1 tsp/5 mL Watkins Garlic Powder (Tin)
1/2 tsp/2.5 mL Watkins Black Pepper 6 oz
1/4 tsp/1.2 mL Watkins Ground Cloves (Tin)
1-1/2 pounds/680 g ham bone or ham hocks or 1 to 2 cups/250 to 500 mL diced ham
Salt, if desired to taste


Cooking Directions
Soak beans overnight in enough water to cover. The next day, drain beans and rinse. Sauté onions in oil in large soup kettle. Add beans and 10 cups/2.5 liters water; bring to a boil. Add remaining ingredients, return to boiling. Reduce heat; cover and simmer at least 4 hours. If using ham bone or hocks, remove and strip off meat. Discard bones, skin, and fat. Chop meat; return to soup. Adjust seasonings at this point. Serve hot with crusty French bread or Italian rolls.

Makes 8 servings.


Nutrition Facts
Makes 8 servings.

Nutritional Information Per Serving:
Calories 440
Protein 27 g
Carbohydrates 63 g
Sodium 1250 mg
Fat 10 g
Saturated Fat 4 g
Cholesterol 25 mg
Dietary Fiber 4 g

Independent Watkins Associate #300500

Cinnamon-Scented Grilled Chicken Breasts

I love cinnamon and I love chicken, never thought the two would go together. You will enjoy this recipe. Your mouth will be happy!
This recipe and many more can be found at watkinsonline.com/denisepassehl



Ingredients
2-1/2 to 3 tbsp/40 to 45 mL fresh lemon juice
1/2 tsp/2.5 mL Watkins Garlic Powder (Tin)
1/2 tsp/2.5 mL
1/4 tsp/1.2 mL Watkins Purest Ground
Cinnamon 6 oz.
1/8 tsp/0.6 mL Watkins Black Pepper 6 oz
Freshly ground, to taste
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves


Cooking Directions
Combine lemon juice with all ingredients except chicken; mix well. Add chicken and turn to coat all sides. Allow to marinate at room temperature for 15 minutes. Grill or broil chicken 5 minutes per side, or until cooked through.

Makes 4 servings.


Nutrition Facts
Makes 4 servings.

Nutritional Information Per Serving

Calories 130
Protein 27 g
Carbohydrates 2 g
Sodium 80 mg
Fat 2 g
Saturated Fat 0 g
Cholesterol 68 mg
Dietary Fiber 0 g

Independent Watkins Associate #300500

Watkins Spaghetti Night

It's a spaghetti night in our house tonight. Watkins has a new product Watkins Pizza & Pasta Seasoning Grinder Article No. 00540 that makes the best spaghetti sauce and it is so easy.
I canned all my tomatoes this summer so I have jars of canned crushed tomatoes on my shelf waiting for me to create something delicious with them. If you don't have your own you can buy a can of crushed tomatoes, whatever size you want. I used a quart jar for my sauce adding 2-3 tablespoons of Watkins Pizza & Pasta Seasoning to my jar of canned crushed tomatoes. You can adjust the amount to taste. Heat to desired temperature. Once the spaghetti noodles were cooked and drained I put the sauce on top and shredded fresh parmesan cheese.
It took less than 20 minutes to prepare this meal tonight. Mama Mia this is good!

Want to order this product or view my online catalog visit my website:
watkinsonline/denisepassehl
Independent Watkins Associate #300500

Marbled Pumpkin Cheesecake

If you love cheesecake this is the recipe for you! Courtesty of watkinsonline.com/denisepassehl
Ingredients
1-1/2 cups/375 mL gingersnap cookie crumbs (about 32 cookies)
1/4 cup/60 mL unsalted butter, melted
2 packages (8 oz/227 g each) cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup/180 mL sugar, divided
1 tsp/5 mL Watkins Original Double-Strength Vanilla
3 eggs
1 cup/250 mL canned or cooked pumpkin
1-1/2 tsp/7.5 mL pumpkin pie spice

To make your own Watkins pumpkin pie spice:
1-1/2 tsp Watkins Purest Ground
Cinnamon 6 oz.
1/2 tsp Watkins Ground Nutmeg (Tin)
1/4 tsp Watkins Ground Cloves (Tin)
1/2 tsp Watkins Ginger (Tin)
Combine all ingredients. If you make extra, store in air tight container.




Cooking Directions
Preheat oven to 400°F/200°C. Combine crumbs and butter. Press firmly over bottom and up sides of pie plate. Bake for 5 minutes; remove from oven and let cool. Reduce oven temperature to 325°F/170°C. In large mixer bowl, beat cream cheese, 1/2 cup/120 mL sugar and vanilla until blended. Beat in eggs one at a time. Reserve 1 cup/250 mL batter. Add remaining sugar, pumpkin and Pumpkin Pie Spice to remaining batter; mix well. Alternately layer pumpkin and cream cheese batters over crust. Cut through batters with knife several times for marbled effect. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes or until cheesecake springs back lightly when slightly touched. Loose cheesecake from rim of pan. Let cool to room temperature, then chill.

Makes 12 servings.

Watkins Independent Associate #300500

Beth’s Apple Crisp

This recipe is a courtesy recipe from watkinsonline.com/denisepassehl under the recipes section. It is a very good recipe and easy to make. With apples so abundant right now I thought I would make this. Enjoy!

Ingredients
4 cups/1 liter tart cooking apples
1/4 cup/60 mL sugar
1 tsp/5 mL Watkins Purest Ground
Cinnamon 6 oz.

1/2 tsp/2.5 mL Watkins Caramel Extract
3/4 cup/125 mL brown sugar
1/2 cup/60 mL all-purpose flour
1/4 cup/60 mL butter, melted
Watkins Cooking Spray


Cooking Directions
Place apples into an oiled (you can use Watkins Cooking Spray) 9 × 9-inch/23 × 23-cm pan. Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle lightly with Apple Bake Seasoning. Mix caramel extract, brown sugar, flour and butter together; mix until crumbly. Spread over apples. Bake at 375ºF/190ºC for 30 to 35 minutes.

Makes 6 servings.


Nutrition Facts
Makes 6 servings.

Nutritional Information Per Serving:
Calories 290
Protein 1 g
Carbohydrates 54 g
Sodium 80 mg
Fat 8 g
Saturated Fat 5 g
Cholesterol 20 mg
Dietary Fiber 2 g

Independent Watkins Associate #300500

Apple Butter made the Crock Pot Way

Being an Independent Watkins Associate gives me the best possible spices and herbs on the market. No added fillers, no preservatives, just all natural spices and herbs.
I love canning and making my own foods so I made apple butter this week in the crock pot. Very simple, cut up and core your apples, if you want to peel them that is fine, I tend to leave the peel on for the nutrition. Then add your sweetener, Watkins Cinnamon to taste and Watkins Ground Cloves. I'm one of those cooks that doesn't measure, just use my own judgement so I am sorry I cannot give you the exact amount since it will vary with the amount of cut up apples that you have. That's it. Turn the crock pot on low for about 9 hours, I actually did mine over night while I slept. When they are cooked, I mashed them up and run my hand held food pureer through the crock pot till smooth. I then put in clean sterilized pint jars, sealed them and processed in the canner. That is how simple it is.
I use apple butter on cooked pork and many other things. My husband likes it on toast, french toast, english muffins or whatever he decides to put it on.

Popcorn

I love popcorn, it is my favorite snack. When I am traveling I like to get a bag and munch on that verses candy, chips or anything else. So today, on my travels to Clarinda, Iowa we stop at a Casey's in Villisca, Iowa to get a bite to eat. I grab a bag of popcorn, Smartfood Popcorn Movie Theater Butter Flavored made by Frito-Lay. Says it is made with all-natural ingredients so I thought I was going to have a great snack. I really got excited when it said Movie Theater Butter Flavored. I visit the Windsor Theatre in Hampton, Iowa the most and they have the best movie theater popcorn (I know they say it isn't the best for us, but I sure do like it). Well Frito-Lay needs to take some popcorn cooking lessons because the bag of popcorn I bought at Casey's is the worst tasting popcorn I have ever ate. I doubt the birds will eat this. Either the people who made this go to a really bad movie theater that doesn't know how to make good popcorn or they just plain don't know what good popcorn tastes like. Their product is not to be compared to Windsor Theatre popcorn because there is no comparison. So Frito-Lay, I will never buy another bag of your popcorn because it is not good, you disappointed me. This is only my opinion. You might like it, just does not taste good to me. Taste it for yourself and make up your own mind.

Zuchinni, Zuchinni Everywhere!

There is one thing about zucchini, you plant a few plants and your cup runneth over. It is easy to miss one under those big leaves they have on the plants, when that happens I don't let them go to waste. I pick them smaller for stif fry and just eating raw with dip also, that is my favorite way to eat zucchini. If one does get too large I will shred it and put them in vacuum seal bags and seal with my Foodsaver. I freeze the bags and have zucchini for the winter time that can be made into bread, cakes, bars, cookies and I will also put it in soups and casseroles to get those important nutrients. Nothing will be wasted from my garden that I tenderly grow and take care of throughout the season. It gives me great pleasure to serve a dish using the products I freeze or can from my garden knowing they were raised with love and no chemicals on them.

Freezing Sweet Corn

We live on a farm, raise field corn, soy beans and sweet corn. Plus I have a very large garden that I love to spend time in and reap the harvest. I have been picking produce for a couple weeks now and can and freeze what I can to get us by for the winter. There is nothing like fresh produce that you raise and process yourself. I know that what I eat is the best there is with no chemicals added.
Tonight I froze sweet corn. I work full time during the day so have to make use of the time I have in the evening. I only do a small amount each night until I have all that I need for the winter.
I have a Foodsaver vacuum sealer with bags. It makes freezing a breeze. I use this handy little tool that I got from Pampered Chef to cut the corn off the cob, this is one item everyone should have if they freeze corn. It makes life a whole lot easier. It is a corn kernel cutter and it works. Here is a picture of it.

My recipe is very easy and takes no time at all. Tonight I got ten 2 cup bags. Each night I will do about that much and by the weekend I will have it all done.
FREEZING CORN
15 c raw corn
3/4 c sugar
1/8 c salt
4 c cold water
Husk and wash ears of corn. Cut corn off cob and mix all together: freeze in freezer bags, the size of your choice.
ENJOY!

Pizza Night

Cooking is something I love to do and I love the look on the people faces when I create a dish that they really like. Both of my parents and grandmothers were great cooks. I also had a very good Home Ec teacher who taught my many useful tips. My motto is 'If it doesn't look good or taste good, then I wouldn't feed it to anybody'. I take pride in what I make and only use the best products. I can make a meal for much less than if we had gone out or ordered take out. Tonight I decided pizza sounded good. Below is how I made this delicious pizza.
I used Watkins Pizza Dough Mix, put it in my bread maker and let the machine do the kneading and raising. You don't have to use a bread maker, I have one so put it to work. You can do it by hand also, it is very simple.
I then sprayed my Pampered Chef Pizza Stone with Watkins Pan Spray. I rolled out the dough on my stone with my Pampered Chef roller. I made pizza sauce using Watkins new Pizza & Pasta Seasoning Blend in a very handy grinder. I put tomato sauce on the crust and sprinkled the seasoning on top. I then spread mozzarella cheese on top of the sauce, then added cooked ground beef, chopped onions & chopped green peppers. I then sprinkled more of the Watkins Pizza & Pasta Seasoning Blend on top of the pizza again.
You can use any topping you want, I love to do something different each time
I put the pizza into a pre heated 400 degree oven on the bottom rack, baked for 20 minutes. Done to perfection!
My husband is enjoying every bite!

Deviled Eggs

I love making deviled eggs. I take them to about any gathering we have. This is a simple recipe I use.



Ingredients
6 hard-cooked eggs
1/2 tsp/2.5 ml Watkins Dry Mustard (Tin)
1/4 to 1/2 tsp/1.2 to 2.5 ml salt
1/4 tsp/1.2 ml Watkins Black Pepper 6 oz
3 tbsp/45 ml mayonnaise or salad dressing
Watkins Paprika (Tin)


Cooking Directions
Cut peeled eggs in half lengthwise. Slip out yolks and mash with a fork. Mix in dry mustard, salt, pepper and mayonnaise; mix well. Fill whites with egg yolk mixture, heaping slightly. Arrange on serving platter and sprinkle with paprika. Cover and refrigerate no longer than 24 hours.

Makes 6 servings.


Nutrition Facts
Makes 6 servings.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION PER SERVING:
Calories 130
Protein 7 g
Carbohydrates 1 g
Sodium 280 mg
Fat 11 g
Saturated Fat 2 g
Cholesterol 220 mg
Dietary Fiber 0 g

Denise Passehl
Independent Watkins Associate #300500

Strawberry Smoothie

I was longing for a strawberry smoothie so here is a very simple and delicious recipe that I make. In my blender I added 1 cup ice cubes, 1 cup fresh strawberries, 1 carton Greek Plain yogurt, a cap full of Watkins Strawberry Flavoring and 2 teaspoons honey. Blended it all together until ice is crushed. Oh so good! Enjoy!
Independent Watkins Associate #300500

Dilled Vegetable Salad

Everyone who knows me, knows that I like to cook and I like quality when I cook. I use the best ingredients and want to make a product that looks good also. I am sharing a recipe from the Watkinsonline.com website. It is great for summer picnics or just anytime you want a great tasting salad.


Ingredients
1 pound/454 g fresh green beans
1 small head cauliflower, cut into small florets
1 small red onion
3/4 cup/180 mL Watkins Original Grapeseed Oil
1/4 cup/60 mL white wine vinegar
2 tbsp/30 mL Watkins Dill (Tin)
2 tsp/10 mL Watkins Italian seasoning
2 tsp/10 mL red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp/2.5 mL Watkins Garlic Powder (Tin)
1/4 cup/60 mL feta cheese, crumbled

Cooking Directions
Wash vegetables. Cut ends off beans and cut cauliflower into small florets. Steam beans and cauliflower until crisp-tender, being careful not to overcook the cauliflower. Cut red onion into thin rings. In a small bowl, combine oil, vinegar and seasonings. Pour over vegetables and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight. Top with feta cheese before serving.

Other uses for Dill Dressing:
Be sure to make extra dressing; it keeps well in the fridge and can be used to enhance other quickly-prepared ingredients for side dishes in the coming days. Here are some ideas:

•Combine dressing with feta cheese and serve with pita slices or wedges.
•Roast bell peppers, slice and toss with dressing to use on bruschetta (or use tomatoes).
•Roast tomatoes, slice and toss with dressing to use as a warm salad or side dish (or use bell peppers). Add feta or Parmesan cheese, if you like.

Denise Passehl
#300500 Independent Watkins Associate

Photo curtesy Watkinsonine.com

Italian Spaghetti Sauce

Here is a great recipe for spaghetti sauce curtesy Watkinsonline.com in the recipe section. This tastes great and is very easy to make. Enjoy!

Ingredients
1 pound/454 g mild or hot Italian sausage
2 cans (15 oz/425 g each) tomato purée*
1-3/4 cups/450 mL water
1 tbsp/15 mL sugar
1-1/2 tsp/7.5 mL Watkins Beef Soup & Gravy
1 tsp/5 mL Watkins Parsley (Tin)
1/2 tsp/2.5 mL Watkins Basil (Tin)
1/2 tsp/2.5 mL Watkins Garlic Liquid Spice
1/4 tsp/1.2 mL Watkins Oregano (Tin)
1/4 tsp/1.2 mL Watkins Italian seasoning
1/4 tsp/1.2 mL Watkins Black Pepper 6 oz


Cooking Directions
Brown sausage in large saucepan until lightly browned; drain grease. Add all remaining ingredients. Simmer over low heat about 1 hour. Serve over hot cooked spaghetti noodles with a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese on top.

Makes about 2 quarts/liters sauce, 1/2 cup/125 ml per serving.

*For a chunkier sauce, substitute canned diced tomatoes for tomato purée.

Nutrition Facts
1/2 cup/125 ml per serving

Nutritional Information Per Serving:
Calories 120
Protein 7 g
Carbohydrates 6 g
Sodium 500 mg
Fat 8 g
Saturated Fat 3 g
Cholesterol 22 mg
Dietary Fiber 1 g

Denise Passehl
Independent Watkins Associate #300500

Marilyn Monroe Contest-Why Would You Do That Denise?

June 1, 2011 I entered a Marilyn Monroe contest put on by KLMJ radio station from Hampton, IA. The contest was held at the Chit Chat Cafe in Thornton, IA which is 10 miles from my home. Two other friends, Deb and Mel, also dressed up for the event with blonde wigs and all the trimmings. We decided we looked like what Marilyn would look like as she was older. So off we went, 3 blonde bomb shells in my car headed to a contest.
The Chit Chat was packed-full house. I had no idea what we were up for but soon found out. There was only one other contestant and she was a knock out. She dressed exactly as Marilyn looked like, gown and all. She did win and she deserved to. As a contestant I did win 2 tickets to the REO Speedwagon concert. I am excited about that!
I had so many people ask me why would you do such a thing? We had to stroll down the run way for everyone to see us. We mingled with the customers and we even sang Happy Birthday do the owner. All in all we had a great time.
My reason for why I did this is simple. Since my cancer surgery and recovery I have done more things in my life that I would never have done before. Life has changed, I appreciate so much more and love every moment of life and the adventures I have had and more to come. I have gone way out of my comfort zone and never in my life would I have been so brave as do to this.
My message today, enjoy life. You make your happiness, either you choose to be or not. I choose to be happy.

Give Me Coffee!

I am now on my second cup of coffee this morning and I love every sip of it. I love the smell and I love the taste.
I own a Keurig Coffee Brewer and that makes my mornings easy when I am in a hurry or not. One of my favorite K Cups is Green Mountain French Roast Decaf. Nothing compares.
So if you want to come on over for a cup of coffee I would love to see you!

Pancakes Anyone?

Since I started eating Gluten Free for my health I have been on a mission to find products that taste good and look good. They also have to satisfy my tummy. Today I was in Ames, Iowa and went to Wheatsfield Grocery and purchased Pamela's Gluten Free Pancake Mix. Couldn't wait to get home to make some and eat them.
I am giving this product a thumb's up! They are excellent and I feel like I am eating regular pancakes. I topped them with Real Natural Maple Syrup, my mouth was having a party. So come on over and let's have some pancakes.

Gluten Free for Me Please

Why do I eat gluten free? I have lots of reasons but the main one is I feel really great eating this way and my health is improving every day. Since I had cancer surgery in 2009 eating has been a challenge until I did so much research and testing to figure out what was causing all my stomach and other(if you know what I mean) problems.
I have even lost weight and have more energy than I ever have. There really is so much more available for those of us who do eat this way. I never feel deprived, even when somebody says "Don't you miss eating _ _ _ _ _?" My answer is a definite NO. Not when you feel miserable, sick and takes hours to get back to normal. I never have those days anymore.
The stores are becoming more gluten free friendly also. I have so many more options to try now and haven't tried them all.
I am looking for more recipes from others who eat gluten free. Please send them to me. I love to cook and of course love to eat what is good for me.
Look forward to many more wonderful delicious meals and snacks.

Garden Time is Here!

Ok, garden just got tilled and I am going to be a happy camper soon. I bought some plants, my Burpee & NK seeds, and onion sets. That is only the beginning, there will be lots more to be planted. I can hardly wait to get them in the ground and reap the harvest.
Once in the ground, I anxiously await for the first sprout. I run outside every day to see if anything has popped through the ground. What a glorious site, the first tiny sprout that is soon to be loaded with mouth watering vegetables and fruits.
My two dogs go out with me to tend to the garden every day, they act like they know what to look for. I have had them steal the cut up potatoes out of the hole that was dug for my potato plants. They look like they are laughing as they run away.
Now that the weather is warmer I am ready to plant, love getting my hands in the soil and the smell of the dirt. I really don't mind weeding until the humidity and heat get up high and of course the mosquito's tend to cause some problems. The best part of it all is the produce that I harvest and preserve for us. It gives me great joy knowing I helped to make our life a little more easier.

Court Avenue Restaurant & Brewing Company in Des Moines, IA

Mother's Day, May 8, 2011 my sister Dyanne and I took a road trip to Des Moines, IA to visit the Science Center, meet with her daughter Megan (my favorite niece also), meet friends and eat out.
We live in a small rural area in Franklin County so going to the city was exciting. Eating out is also something we love to do when we get out and about.
After all the fun things we did that day we decided to eat at Court Avenue Restaurant & Brewing Company. We all had something different and the menu had some great looking dishes. I decided to go with the Blackened Salmon Ceasar Salad. Let me tell you this, I was so happy I made that choice. It was wonderful and the dishes my sister and niece had looked equally as good.
We had a great waitress who did a wonderful job, I wish I could remember her name to give her the credit she deserves.
So next time I am in Des Moines, IA I will be visiting Court Avenue Restaurant & Brewing Company. I saw many dishes I would love to try. This picture is my beautiful tasty salad. Eat your hearts out!

Prayers for a Friend

I am sitting here with a cup of tea, reading my bible and thinking about a dear friend of mine who needs some prayers. Her name is Linda Brady Mollenbeck and she has been in Iowa City since the beginning of January dealing with cancer. She has been in bed the whole time. What I am asking is that all of you take a few minutes out of your time to pray for her, she needs us.
My heart is heavy thinking about her and wish that I could do more for her. I have known Linda since I moved to Latimer in 1981. She is a joy to be around and has twinkle in her eye all the time.
I was down to see her in February when I went to Iowa City for an appointment with my cancer doctor. She still had that twinkle even though she has been going through so much.
If we all lifted her up in prayer I imagine she would feel it.
Thank you
Denise

"Carcinoid Cancer" I am Thankful For It

Okay, you wonder why I wrote that for a title, well it is true. I am so thankful that I got carcinoid cancer. Want to know why? Here's my why.
I am thankful because this experience has brought me so much closer to God. Without him in my life I would not have been able to be so grateful. He promises to walk with us and he did with me. He never left my side the whole time, I learned to depend on him for everything in my life and I am so glad that I did. He is there to help us with our trials and tribulations.
I am thankful because I have learned who my true friends and family are. The ones who have been there for me and continue to listen to me when I tell them about my experience. I now know what true friendship is. When you go through something like this that is life threatening you want somebody to share the ups and downs with.
I am thankful for our medical teams who operated on me and had the knowledge to treat this very rare form of cancer. I am thankful for the doctors who continue to monitor me and ask me how I am doing. I have some side effects which will be with me forever, but it is a reminder that I am alive and well.
I am thankful for the drug that I have as an injection every 3 weeks for the rest of my life. Without it my cancer would come back.
I am thankful I have insurance to help me.
I am thankful because I am now healthier than I have ever been in my entire life. I thought I was healthy before but now I am aware of everything my body tells me. I eat a healthy diet, I walk daily and I enjoy life more than I ever have.
I am thankful because I have learned to enjoy life a lot more. I laugh, I play and I do what makes me happy. I love each day of my life, it is an adventure and I look forward to what God has in store for me every day. I see things in a different way, like a child sees things. I don't take anything for granted anymore.
Most of all I am thankful that I am alive. My heart is so full of gratitude. Enjoy each day of your life, I pray that I can touch your hearts as much as you have mine.

Mother's Journey

As I sit beside my mothers bedside, looking into the gentle face that I have known for nearly 56 years I think back to all the memories I have had with her. A gentle, kind, loving, and gracious person. She never thought of herself, she only wanted to help others and make them happy. She loved her family so much, Dyanne and I, our children, her great grandchildren, our father and the rest of her loved ones.
Mom's journey with her life is nearly done. She suffered brain damage 2 1/2 years ago after surgery, leaving her unable to take care of herself. Dyanne and I found the Rehabilitation Center in Hampton, IA to be the best place for her. She has been in the Unit as they call it for Alzheimer's and those who cannot take care of themselves. The women who take care of mom have been wonderful.
About 3 weeks ago she got an infection and it has been very hard on her, leaving her bedridden. She seems to be in so much pain but is unable to tell us, I can see the pain in her face as she moans with anguish. My heart aches for her. She never wanted Dyanne and I to ever worry about anything. She was so proud of us even when I felt I didn't deserve her praises.
The pain medication only lasts so long before they give her more. It doesn't keep her as pain free as I would like it to. If I could take her pain I would.
I cherish the quiet times holding her hand, singing her favorite church hymns to her. I know she has to hear me but there is no sign of it. They say hearing is the last to go so I pray she is hearing my voice. I hold her hand next to my heart so she can feel the love I have for her.
Mom's life has not been easy since her brain damage, but she has been taken care of. Between Dyanne and I one of has been with her nearly every day. I will miss the mother I once knew. Her life's journey is coming to an end, God is in charge of her last day on earth. Her faith has always been strong, she loved her church and her church family so much. I have prayed for peace for her as she goes through this. I whisper to her about all the fond memories I have of our life and how proud I am to have a mother like her.
I mourned the loss of my mother 2 1/2 years ago after the brain damage happened. I lost my mother then, she has been like a child to me now. The roles have reversed, holding her hand as we walked down the hall, looking in the mirror making funny faces and talking about who knows what because she was not able to talk normal after that. Now I miss the voice, the smile and the touch. She loved to rub your back or your leg as you sit with her.
My prayers for her now are for a peaceful journey as she goes home to her Heavenly Father. No more pain, no more sorrow, healthy and seeing the family and friends she has lost. Good bye mother, I love you more than you will ever know. Godspeed mom, I will see you someday again.
Love your daughter Denise

I AM A MANAGER!

Today I got a card in the mail congratulating me on my success as a Watkins Independent Associate. I have made it to Manager level and I am so happy and excited. This puts me at a whole new level and I am looking forward to what lays ahead.
I would love to share this business with others, if only to use the products and to get a 25% discount. What other store do you get 25% off your purchases every day of the year? Besides if for any reason a product does not meet your standards or you want something different it is 100% money back guaranteed, no questions asked. Seriously, I have never found a product I didn't like with Watkins. They strive to produce the very best and everything is manufactured in the USA, right in Minnesota, not shipped from another country.
I have been with this company since 1982. I wouldn't stay with them if I didn't believe in the products and company. I don't need to shop elsewhere for cooking, cleaning, personal care and apothecary items that I use every day. I have a warehouse at my fingertips. Ordering online is so easy, saves me money on gas and time.
Visit www.watkinsonline.com today and read about it all. I know you will get as excited as I do. If you want to learn more, contact me 641-580-4052 or email denisepassehl@gmail.com. If you decide you would like to start your own business or just get products at a discount you can sign up online and use this number #300500.
Who doesn't want quality and learn how to save money?

Organizing Madness!

I love to declutter and organize. Once I start I cannot stop. It gives me a rush to see how organized everything looks when I am done. I do this a couple times a year. Out with the old and in with the new. If I haven't used it, don't love it and never think of it then it is out of the house. It is a great burden off my shoulders when I don't have clutter sitting around. Of course I have to take care of the small hot spots every day, that makes it easier to do a larger project a couple times a year.
My office is almost the way I want it, my kitchen is done, I am thinking my utility room needs some attention so that will be the next project. It is so nice to walk into a clean uncluttered room.
My dogs like to watch me as I work. Don't understand why but I secretly think they like order also.
One of my resolutions for 2011 is to keep my castle organized. I love my home and I think it deserves respect also.



“Three Rules of Work: Out of clutter find simplicity; From discord find harmony; In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” - Albert Einstein