March has been a busy month for me… and not in the way I would’ve liked. I’ve spent more time at doctors’ offices and radiology centers than I care to count. But I’m glad I went—because it turns out my boobs are trying to kill me!
I’ve been diagnosed with left breast papillary carcinoma. The good news? It’s very small and slow-growing. It doesn’t typically spread, which makes it one of the better types to have—if you have to have one at all.
It also reinforces how important those annual mammograms are. Catching this early means my outlook is good.
There’s been a whirlwind of tests, consultations with the surgeon and oncologist, and just trying to wrap my head around the fact that I have cancer.
My surgery is scheduled for April 8. After that, I may need radiation and will likely take a daily pill for the next five years. All things considered, I’m thankful it was caught early.
Puzzles
With all of that going on, I’ve neglected a lot—but I’ve also found comfort in the things I enjoy. I finished two puzzles, both from Ceaco. One was Paws Gone Wild – Kitty Chaos (500 pieces), and the other was London Dogs (1000 pieces). Both were a lot of fun to work on.
Unfortunately, one piece from London Dogs is missing. I suspect my little puzzle helper, Chester. He’s been caught walking off with puzzle pieces before!
The completed puzzle missing a piece. Can you find it? Neither can I!
Books
I’ve also been reading—a lot. Getting lost in someone else’s world has been a welcome escape. And that’s saying something, considering I love apocalyptic fiction! Here’s what I read this month:
- Flashpoint: The Complete Series (6 books) by Tara Ellis and Mike Kraus. Half the earth’s population is wiped out by a sudden Gamma Ray Burst, and the survivors must navigate a collapsing world. A small town called Mercy might be their only hope—if they can stay safe and united. This series had me hooked.
- Toledo Fall 4 (in the October Fall World Series) by Ray Wenck, Boyd Craven Jr., and L.A. Bayles. This series is 69 books strong, and I’ve read them over time. If you enjoy life-after-EMP stories, this is a great series to dive into.
- The Dark Road Series by Bruno Miller. Fifteen books that follow Ben and his son Joel as they try to reunite with family after an EMP. I didn’t want it to end—I got really attached to the characters.
- I’ve also started re-reading Daniel Silva’s Gabriel Allon books. In March, I read The Kill Artist and The English Assassin. I’m currently reading The Confessor. Each one can stand alone, and Gabriel—an art restorer and occasional Israeli intelligence officer—is a good read.
I’ve definitely read more than usual this month. There was at least one long weekend where reading was the only thing I did.
Cooking
In the kitchen, I’ve made a lot of homemade meals—though no baking this month. I’ll share one of my favorite comfort food recipes from March: Cowboy Meatloaf and Potato Casserole.
Cowboy Meatloaf and Potato Casserole
I found this recipe on the food network, which states the recipe is from Ore-Ida. From start to finish, the recipe takes about 45 minutes to make, with a cook time of 30 minutes. It yields 6 servings.
Ingredients:
- 1 Pound Lean Ground Beef
- 3/4 Cup Finely Chopped Onion
- 1/3 Cup Seasoned Dry Breadcrumbs
- 1/4 CupHoney Smokehouse Barbecue Sauce
- 1 Egg, lightly beaten
- 2 Teaspoons Chili Powder
- 3/4 Teaspoon Salt
- 1 Package Ore-Ida® Steam n’ Mash Cut Russet Potatoes
- 2/3 Cup Canned Evaporated Milk
- 1 Tablespoon Butter
- 1 Tablespoon Chopped Fresh Flat-Leaf Parsley
- 1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 Cup Cooked Bacon Crumbles
- 1/4 Cup Canned Crispy Fried Onions
- 2/3 Cup Shredded Mexican-style Cheese Blend
Directions
To make Cowboy Meatloaf and Potato Casserole, start by preheating your oven to 375°F and lightly coating a 9×9-inch baking dish with nonstick spray. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef with chopped onion, breadcrumbs, barbecue sauce, an egg, chili powder, and a pinch of salt. Mix everything together until well blended, then press the mixture evenly into the bottom of your prepared baking dish.
Bake the meat mixture uncovered for about 20 to 25 minutes, or until it’s fully cooked through. Once done, carefully remove the dish from the oven and drain off any extra fat, if needed. At this point, adjust your oven to the broil setting and move the rack so it’s 6 to 8 inches below the broiler.
While the meatloaf bakes, prepare your mashed potatoes. Follow the directions on the package to heat them, then transfer the hot potatoes to a bowl. Stir in milk, butter, chopped parsley, and a little garlic. Mash everything together with a potato masher, or use a hand mixer if you prefer a creamier texture. Fold in crumbled bacon and crispy fried onions for extra flavor and crunch. Spoon the potato mixture over the baked meat layer, smoothing it out evenly, and top with a generous handful of shredded cheese.
Broil the casserole for 3 to 5 minutes, just until the cheese is melted and starting to turn golden. Serve it warm, with a drizzle of extra barbecue sauce if you like.
Gardening
As for the garden… well, my Winter garden was a bust. I didn’t give it the attention it needed, and I wasn’t able to harvest a single thing. No broccoli, cauliflower, or Brussels sprouts.
But that’s okay. I’ve made peace with it and plan to spend some time outside today, tomorrow, and Saturday cleaning up the garden beds and starting fresh. My April garden update will be better—I’ll make sure of it. Even while recovering from surgery, I’ll go outside, water my plants, and do what I can.
I will not neglect my garden.
I will not neglect my garden.
I will not neglect my garden.
Bonus Content
Each post, I’ll include links to other articles I’ve written that relate to this topic (if available), so you can explore more helpful tips and ideas.
You’ll also find affiliate links for Amazon or Botanical Interests to help you find the tools and seeds you need.
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To make your homemade journey even more rewarding, I’ll share a freebie or two each month, whether it’s a printable guide, checklist, or another resource to keep you inspired.
There are no resources to share for this blog.
Affiliate Links
- Ceaco puzzle: London Dogs (1000 puzzles)
- Ceaco puzzle: Paws Gone Wild (500 pieces)
- Tara Ellis, Mike Kraus: Flashpoint – The Complete Series
Freebies
- The National Breast Cancer Foundation has a national mammography program as well for. Through their partner facilities, they provide free mammograms and diagnostic services for women in need. They manage a network of partner medical facilities across the United States. Through this network they provide grants for free breast screening and diagnostic services to those in need (low-income/uninsured/underinsured). These facilities have the systems and partnerships in place to ensure access to treatment for patients who are diagnosed.