Lis'Anne Harris's Blog, page 12

Sadly, Utterly Abandoned Railways

My Uncle Bobby was an engineer on the former Baltimore & Ohio, now known as the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad. He retired several years ago, but his great love for all things train-related infected everyone in the family. It’s sad to see so many abandoned rail lines, but there’s also something innately compelling, something that draws me to these forlorn, derelict pieces of history. I feel deeply for these relics of the past and sometimes need to immerse myself in what was and is now longer.

This...

Salmon & Vegetable Wraps

In all my years, I’ve never seriously embarked on a whole healthy eating lifestyle change until now. I was talking with my bff (who’s been eating healthy for eons) and getting some pointers from her. I’ve decided I’m not going to count calories, fat, carbs, etc. I’m just going to choose food items that I know are less processed, more wholesome and better for me. There are things I’ve never tried and things I’ve never even heard of that I just might find I love that are good for me. I’m on a q...

Sweet Liberation, Visuals for the Reader

I’ve searched for months for images to match what I saw in my mind as I wrote Sweet Liberation. None of these are perfect, but each one speaks to me. Imagination is a wondrous, fascinating, and sometimes crazy thing. People often ask from where my stories come. I don’t know how to explain it really, other than, it’s like a movie scrolling through my mind. I “see” everything, hear, smell, taste, and even feel what each of my characters experiences. I do my best to describe the most important f...

To Die For Cinnamon Roll Cake – Better Than Cinnabon!

I was on the hunt for a good cinnamon roll recipe, but wasn’t having much luck finding exactly what I wanted, until I stumbled upon this recipe for Cinnamon Roll Cake. Oh. My. Word. This is the moistest, cinnamonyiest, icinged cake kind of thing I’ve ever put in my mouth. Absolutely best when eaten warm, right after you pour on the glaze! I’ve made this 3 times in the past 2 months (and this Super Moist Yellow Pound Cake 3 times!), that’s how much my guys love it!

It was amazingly easy to put...

It’s Finally Time to Share It: Greek Hilukis

I fell in love with Hilukis at first bite. They’re crazy good giant meatballs roasted in cabbage, green bell peppers, and stewed tomatoes. That’s it! Nothing more – except a little salt and pepper. My sister-in-law, Carol, made it for a family gathering many, many, many years ago and the smell alone sucked me in. Her husband’s family is Greek and it came to her from her mother-in-law. Thank heavens Mr. Lis’Anne and our boys loved it too! Even if they hadn’t, I would’ve forced them to eat it a...

Cause and Effect: What My Surgeon Found

Before I give the gory details, I want to give a giant hug and thank you to a few special friends.

Mr. Lis’Anne, I don’t know how on earth you’ve put up with my complaining for SO long. You are a real man of the highest integrity. Love, loyalty, and compassion are your middle names. I can’t imagine my life without you and I thank God every day that you are mine!

Momma, you are the greatest blessing God could ever give me. We’re so very thankful you were able to drop everything and run down here...

Cause & Effect: Update

I just realized I’d only told a few friends/family the date for surgery has changed to the 19th, and from laparoscopic to open. The cyst/mass has grown significantly. It looks like I’m about 7 months pregnant and the pressure feels like I’m at the end of the ninth month. Most days I don’t know if I can wait, but I’m doing my best to hang on. Mom will arrive on the 17th and I don’t want to go through this without her. One never grows too old to need one’s mother!

I’ve tried Tramadol, Lortab, an...

Yummy Tomato Dip & An End to the Reading Doldrums!

Two things of great import occurred last night. First, I noticed my husband bought a bag of Frito’s Scoops. They’re obviously made for scooping up something scrumptious, but we didn’t have a dip in the house (other than me when I’m being a dingbat). Then I remembered! I could make this awesome tomato dip my Aunt Beth turned the family on to many years ago. I hadn’t made it in an age and it’s SO easy! And the best part: I had all 4 ingredients. Yes, that’s right. Just 4 ingredients. I almost a...

Homemade Pizza Dough: Was it worth the effort?

I should be working on updating this site and making a new book cover for Sweet Salvation. I loved that one at first, then after publication, the more I looked at it, the less I liked it. I’ve been searching almost non-stop for the perfect background image for the last few days. I’ve seen many I’ve fallen in love with for future covers, but none that really speaks to me yet for this one.

In the mean time, we still have to eat. Fellow Chicklet of Chicklets in the Kitchen, Carla Kempert, poste...

Cause and Effect – My Strange Afflictions, Part 3

Continued from Cause and Effect – My Strange Afflictions, Part 2

* I’m sorry I’ve strung these parts out. Had I left it all together it would’ve made for a very long story all in one sitting.

In the mean time, Dr. J, my primary, referred me to Gastroenterology at Shand’s because I’ve been on omeprazole for over 6 years and I’ve been having break-through GERD. I went to Dr. X on December 17th, 2012. Her physician’s assistant examined me first. He found a mass the size of a grapefruit (don’t they...