A Life Unexpected

May 13, 2026May 13, 2026 - JustPlainSusan

This post is mostly for my husband who likely will never read it. Not sure he knows I have a blog LOL

I think it was Allen Saunders originally who said “Life is what happens while you’re busy making other plans.” That has never been truer for our family than the past 2 years months. Life isn’t fair. I have no idea how many times I have said that in my life. Too many to count. But sometimes it is completely UNfair. We lost one of the most precious members of our family who was an amazing dad in May, two years ago. He is truly so missed.

If I haven’t completely lost track of time, a little over year ago we set out on a journey that we never, ever planned. No one does. It’s heartbreaking, stressful, frightening. It’s ALS. Bulbar Onset ALS. It’s been extremely aggressive and progressive and my husband has been unable to speak for a year now. His very thin having lost most of his muscle mass. His breathing gets more difficult all the time. We are now in Colorado with very good medical care and surrounded by 4 of our six and the others visit often.

So here we go – into the unexpected – together. That last word is the most important one in the sentence. This is not how we expected or planned your retirement to go. But the last 16 months we have spent every day together. I certainly am not complaining about that. I feel so fortunate to spend my time with the man I love so much. None of us know what the future holds – for any of us. So let us strive to be kind to ourselves and each other, appreciative of what we have and do like we have always done, lean on one another and support the tribe.

Thank you dear husband, for helping me keep the offspring alive (that first one was a challenge), fed, clothed, schooled and out of jail (as of this moment). NO one expected us to be able to get married as teenagers, raise six kids, live apart for most of each year and stay married and all the kids still be speaking to us. I hope you feel appreciated and loved every day because you are. I love you Like LOVE love.

Chicken & Dumplings

March 5, 2023 - JustPlainSusan

These are a favorite at our house. My Ganky (my mom’s sister) made THE best. This is a slight variation on her original recipe. We thoroughly enjoy these. I always wonder why I don’t make them more often. Let me know if you have any other questions. Or if you think I misspoke or left something out.

Your dumplings can be made way ahead and frozen. But make them at least a few hours before so they will be very well chilled if not frozen.

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp salt

Stir together and set aside.

1/2 cup all vegetable shortening ( I know lard would be amazing but I have never tried it -quite sure my Ganky used regular Crisco)
1 cup boiling water
1 large egg, well beaten

Put the shortening in a heat proof bowl and pour the boiling water over it. Stir to melt the shortening. When it has melted pour this into your flour/salt, stir a couple of times, then add the egg.

Stir with a fork until well blended. Then give it a little beat with a wooden spoon to be sure you get all the flour off th bottom of the bowl.

Cover and set aside for 30 minutes to rest.

On a well flour cloth with a well floured rolling pin, roll out the dough using a approximately 1/4 of the dough at the time.

Cut into strips or squares using a knife or pastry cutter.

Layer on a parchment or waxed paper lined cookie sheet, putting parchment or waxed paper between the layers of dumplings

Place a piece of parchment or waxed paper over the last layer and then wrap in plastic wrap and place in the freezer while you prepare your chicken. If however you are making these days or even weeks before you intend to use them, they freeze very well. Simply allow them to become completely frozen and then remove them from the cookie sheet and put them in a zipper freezer bag or freezer safe plastic container, label them with the date and return them to the freezer, using them within 3 months.

I have a large white enamelware pot I make dumplings in. But a dutch oven or soup pot with a good fitting lid will do.

Boil a chicken or enough chicken pieces to make a rich broth in enough water to cover the chicken well. Salt and pepper to taste. You certainly may need to add more water as the chicken cooks. But keep it well covered with water. After chicken is completely cooked remove from the broth to cool and when cool enough, pick meat off the bones and return it to the broth. To the broth add 2 (16 ounce)cans chicken broth, 2 chicken broth cans of water and 2 cans cream of chicken soup. Bring this to a rolling boil and stir so the cream of chicken soup is well incorporated.

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Drop the still VERY cold or frozen dumplings into the boiling pot one at a time, shaking to move the dumplings around so they don’t bunch together. Best not to stir but you can press down on the floating dumplings with the back of a spoon to make room for more.

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When all your dumplings are added to the boiling liquid. Turn the heat down to simmer and put the lid on your pot. Cook undisturbed for 25 minutes. If you like add a little more freshly ground black pepper to the pot.

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Serve right away while piping hot! We usually do not have any sides with this – just dumplings…and more dumplings.

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A plain and simple meal. And I told you, they are easy!!!

Merrily We Lark About

September 1, 2021January 18, 2022 - JustPlainSusan

It has been a lovely Summer. I actually got to make another quick trip to see Sully (and his parents) the week of August 14 (my 62 birthday). As always I cherish every moment I spent with the little man. He is excited for school to start and I am excited for him. There are some very important things coming up in our lives – more on that later!

You never know…

July 11, 2021July 11, 2021 - JustPlainSusan

what you will find going through old pictures. Stuck in amongst all the photos of people I don’t have any recollection of and no way of finding their identity, was a letter dated July 7, 1895. Yes, 1895. It was from my great-grandfather Ira Smith to his true love, future wife and my great-grandma Lula Holland. Hannah has said she will try to get me a transcription today.

This is Ira and Lula and their children.