Breast Cancer Survivor Gingerbread Ornament

I just realized that I hadn't shared my gingerbread breast cancer survivor ornament I designed and painted. I do still need to paint some of these up for ovarian cancer as well since that is what I have been fighting and there just isn't much awareness about this cancer. This can be ordered at my Etsy shop cyndimacsnickknacks.etsy.com. Enjoy!

Hysterectomy...DONE!

Sorry I have been MIA. I had my hysterectomy on May 14th and am recovering from it right now. I had so dreaded it since I just had surgery in October for a colon obstruction. This surgery was a result of them finding ovarian cancer through the colon surgery. Still praising the Lord for blessing me in them finding it early. After the surgery my doctor said I had "no cancer" and he high fived me. That was music to our ears.

So far, this surgery doesn't seem to be near as bad as the colon one. It just took so many months for my system to start functioning right after the colon surgery. Not the case this time around. Just feeling very tired and I seem to sleep more than usual. I am not a napper usually. LOL I guess it is because I can't seem to get comfortable in the bed since I am not a back sleeper. I manage to sleep a little bit on my side but not for very long. Once I can do that I am sure I will feel more rested.

Was really bummed out when my pathology came back. I had microscopic cancer cells in my uterus, ovaries and omentum. So glad they took the omentum! Who knew we had one of those? Seems that cancer loves to go to the omentum. I guess because it serves as a shelter over the girl parts. Close proximity. My doctor wants me to have 6 more chemo treatments for precautionary measure since my cells were microscopic. Sort of scares me because if they can only been seen by a microscope and not a CT scan, then how will we really know if I am cancer free? I have 100% faith in my doctor and the man above, so I will do whatever I have to do. I have come too far to turn back now. Just dreading the hair loss, bad tastebuds and neuropathy that come with the chemo. Hoping 6 treatments won't make that much of a difference but who am I really kidding? Trying to keep the chin up and go through the motions...it isn't like I haven't done this before. You just hope that once the surgery is over with and all the cancer is cut out of you that you are ready to move on with your life. Guess this is just another little detour. Life interrupted for sure! This just may very well become my "new normal." I know I will certainly have to stay on top of my follow ups and scans.

I have managed to paint a little bit the last few days. I got a big Etsy order last night so that will perhaps motivate me a little more. I am still hoping to participate in a big craft show in October so I really do need to get a lot of inventory done. I just don't know what I'd do if I didn't have painting as a hobby. It makes me so happy and content. It keeps me moving on! Hope all of you are doing great! Hugs!

Chocolate and Peanut Butter Cake - Happy Birthday to Me!

Today is my 59th birthday and I can't begin to tell you how grateful I am for that number! I will take every birthday that comes my way with open arms. After getting diagnosed with cancer you certainly have a different outlook on every single day you wake up. You appreciate the good days and you certainly appreciate your physical appearance after going through chemo. Every eyelash that is beginning to grow back makes me so happy and that is happening right now. I look forward to washing my face in the mornings to take a closer look at my eyes and eyebrows. Looks like the eyebrows are gonna be a bit slower. Thank goodness for brow liner. I did manage to keep a thin layer of hair on my head as I was never bold enough to just shave it all off. It looks and feels like cotton...it is just so fine and so white. I have colored my hair since I was 16 so I had no clue how gray or white I would be. As soon as I have enough to color, you can bet that will be one of the first things I do. LOL Oops...didn't mean for this post to be about the cancer but I guess having another birthday, it just took me there. Onto the delicious cake recipe. This is a new recipe for me that I found on the internet and it came from Taste of Home. It is quite delicious! I have forever loved the combo of chocolate and peanut butter and the beauty of this recipe is that you most probably have all the ingredients in your pantry or kitchen. I chose to make this into a sheet cake and it came out really nice. I hope you like it! Enjoy!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Sheet Cake

2 c. all purpose flour
2 c. sugar
1 t. baking soda
½ t. salt
1 c. water
½ c. butter, cubed
½ c. creamy peanut butter
¼ c. baking cocoa
3 eggs
½ c. sour cream
2 t. vanilla extract

Frosting:
3 c. confectionery sugar
½ c. creamy peanut butter
½ c. milk
½ t. vanilla extract
½ c. chopped peanuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray jelly roll pan with Pam. In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking soda and salt. In a small saucepan, combine water, butter, peanut butter and cocoa; bring just to a boil, stirring occasionally. Add to flour mixture, stirring just until moistened. In a small bowl, whisk eggs, sour cream and vanilla until blended; add to flour mixture, whisking constantly. Transfer to prepared pan. Bake 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Prepare frosting while cake is baking. In a large bowl, beat confectioners' sugar, peanut butter, milk and vanilla until smooth. Remove cake from oven; place on a wire rack. Immediately spread with frosting; sprinkle with peanuts. Cool completely. Yield: 15 servings.

Patriotic Santa Wine Bottle

Told ya I am trying to get ahead for a change and paint up some 4th of July items. This is my latest design. Hope you like him. This wine bottle would make a perfect patriotic decoration for your home. He is very detailed. I have him listed in my Etsy shop for $40.00. A lot of work goes into this bottle. You can find him at cyndimacsnickknacks.etsy.com. Sure wish I could get the link above to work but have tried numerous times and it just doesn't work. Thanks for looking!

Santa Clothespin Ornament

Don't know why but this santa is one of my favorites. Might be because I love how you just perch him on a branch of your Christmas tree and he just stands there. I know, I'm weird! LOL I finally bought some clothespins to paint some more of this lil' guy. Can't wait to get started. So many things to paint and such little time. You can find this santa at my Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CyndiMacsNickKnacks?ref=hdr_shop_menu

Mexican Cornbread Salad

This salad has everything in it but the kitchen sink. I just love this salad and wonder why I always wait to make it in the spring/summer. It would be great year round. You can use it as either a side item or as a meal in itself. It looks great in a big clear bowl because it is layered. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. On my "to make" list very soon. Enjoy!

Mexican Cornbread Salad
1 package Martha White Mexican cornbread mix
8 oz. sour cream
(2) 16 oz.) cans pinto beans, drained
(2) (15-1/4 oz.) cans whole kernel corn, drained
10 slices bacon, cooked & crumbled
Cheese
1 c. sliced green onions
Tomato wedges, optional
1 package ranch style salad dressing mix
1 c. mayonnaise
1 c. chopped green pepper
3 large tomatoes, chopped
1 (8 oz.) package shredded cheddar cheese

Prepare cornbread mix per directions. Combine salad dressing mix, sour cream and mayonnaise, set aside. Crumble half of cornbread into bowl. Top with half each of beans, sour cream mixture, green peppers, corn, tomatoes, bacon, cheese and green onions. Repeat layers. Cover and chill 2 hours. Serve in individual lettuce lined bowls and top with tomato wedges if desired. 8 servings.

Bride & Groom Gifts

I have expanded my line of bride and groom lightbulb ornaments. If you are looking for a unique gift for your favorite bride and groom, look no further. These are also very cute used as wedding toppers. I am open for any ideas and can custom make these for you. I personalize them with the names of the bride and groom and the date of the special day. These can be found in my Etsy shop at cyndimacsnickknacks.etsy.com. They are $35 per set with free shipping. Thank you!