Thankful for my new Ankle

Well, I got it! My new ankle. Can't try it out yet, but I'm going to be patient! I really think it is going to work this time. What an ordeal! What a trip!

Surgery: I was Doctor Feldman's 180somethingth ankle replacement. From what he explained to me there was much more involved with my procedure due to the previous procedures. The Doc is very confident that everything went great and my future is bright. What a great and kind man! We became close through my ordeal and when Scott and I were leaving the hospital, Doc gave us a bottle of champagne, saying "When you feel better, you can celebrate your new life." I have never had such a wonderful experience with a my physician in my entire life!

Pain: Holy cow. What pain! I got dilaudid injections up until we left the hospital to catch our plane home. Then it was hydro and oxycodone together. While I have weaned off a great deal of pain medication, it is still necessary when I am mobile, especially riding in the car. When I start physical therapy it will be a must!



Trip Home: The airport in Miami was CRAZY! But we were whisked through in my wheelchair with our walker, crutches and our huge bag of x-rays, MRI's and CT's. Things were OK until I needed to go to the bathroom. I had only been up and around for a day before leaving the hospital, and after five days in a hospital bed, I wasn't very strong. Scott wheeled me to the entrance of the Women's restroom and I struggled in with my walker. I couldn't fit in the regular stalls so I waited for a woman in the handicapped stall. And I waited...and waited. I thought I was going to pass out. Another woman pointed out that the occupant in the handicapped stall was cleaning her shoes with toilet paper. I pleaded out loud to hurry, but there was no answer. By now I was crying hysterically, Scott could hear me and asked what was going on. I told him the lady wouldn't get out of the handicapped stall. I knocked on the door and she pounded in return. She was not going to leave until she was good and ready. When she finally exited, I looked in her eyes with my face full of tears, and couldn't help but say..."I hope that someday this will happen to you!" I know it was not what God would have wanted me to say, but I apologized to Him, asking that he cut me some slack. The Airlines were awesome! When Scott and I got on the plane, the attendants knew something was up with one look. I couldn't get to my seat, Scott couldn't do it alone. A very well built off duty pilot came to help Scott deposit my hysterical and weary self into the seat. Our super-nice attendant gave us two bottles of red wine after hearing the saga. I was out after a few drinks and I don't remember a whole lot after that. The flights were packed but the airlines left the seats between Scott and I open to elevate my leg. The kindness of everyone on our flights was above and beyond! Even the lady behind me got me a cold washcloth to stop my tears.

Well...We made it home after a LONGGGGGGG day. From Miami to Atlanta to Miami to Green Bay to Algoma. Thank goodness we only had to do that once!

And thanks for all your letters and calls of support. Especially to the ladies from the Lakeside Community Church for helping us out with meals. I can't express how that helped my husband the first few weeks I was incapacitated. God Bless You!

That is enough for today... more to come later!!

Off On My Ankle Replacement Journey

Well, here it is...the big day before the big day.

Sorry I haven't been able to write more, but I would imagine you understand.

Today we leave for Florida. Tomorrow I start my Lovinox shots (for my blood clots), we meet with the Hialeah Hospital people, then with my main surgeon Dr. Feldman and his colleague for the final instructions. Friday is surgery with my team including a vascular surgeon and an internist along with the surgical tech and anesthesiologists. After five days of close monitoring in the hospital, I will be able to come home. Piece of cake... or bread pudding!! Speaking of...

...I promised the Rhubarb Bread Pudding recipe for Barb, Jan and the rest of you great people at Lakeside Community Church in beautiful Algoma, WI, and here it is.

Ingredients:

Kaiser rolls (to fill large stone bar pan about 7)
1 stick butter
8 jumbo eggs beaten
2 1/2 cups milk
3/4 cup white sugar
2 t vanilla

1 t cinnamon

1 t ginger
1/4 t nutmeg
2 cups frozen rhubarb thawed

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray Pampered Chef large stoneware bar pan with cooking spray. Break up Kaiser rolls into medium pieces to fill the pan.

2. Melt butter and drizzle over rolls.

3. place rhubarb on, and push some down into the rolls.

4. In Classic Batter Bowl, beat or whisk 8 eggs well.

5. Add 4 cups milk and continue to beat.

6. Add 2 t vanilla, 1 t ginger, 1 t cinnamon and 1/4 t nutmeg and beat one more minute.

7. Pour egg batter over rolls and rhubarb. Using a fork, push roll pieces into the egg batter, to thoroughly saturate. Bake for 45 minutes until golden brown on top and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.



ENJOY!!!

Continue to check the website http://www.blogger.com/www.belleisleinn.com for any updates regarding my condition or contact Scott at the Inn at 920-737-7733.

Thank you for your continued support. I am blessed to be surrounded by wonderful family, friends, neighbors, clients and guests!

Wish me luck! Tia

Okay, here it is...

Hello there, Here is the recipe for Cranberry Bread Pudding that you asked for. I hope that you enjoy it as much as we did. It does make quite a bit so you could probably divide it in half if you wanted. I just freeze it for an anytime treat.

Cranberry Bread Pudding

Ingredients
day-old bread to fill 9x13 glass pan (I use ½ of a 2lb home-made loaf of French)
6 tablespoons butter, melted (3/4 stick)
1 cup craisins
8 eggs, beaten
4 cups milk
1 cup white sugar
2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ginger
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Rip bread into 1 inch chunks and place into an 9x13 baking pan.
3. Drizzle melted butter over bread.
4. Sprinkle with craisins, push some down into the bread.
5. In a large mixing bowl, beat eggs, then add milk, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla beating until well mixed.
6. Pour over bread, and lightly push down with a fork until bread is covered and soaking up the egg mixture.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for 1hr 15 minutes, or until the top does not look wet and a toothpick comes out clean.

8. Let cool, then...indulge in the dreamy wonder of this warm, rich , breakfast, desert or anytime treat!

Switching gears now...

Soooooooooooooooooooooo... Check this out. I found this in the basement of the Inn. I thought "what a cute little cabinet." It will be perfect to sit on to put on your shoes." Then I sat on it. And hit my head on the top and my butt didn't fit on the seat. And realized it was for a little person. I knew just the person. My goddaughter and niece Lilly. Lilly is my only sister Gretchen's little girl and she is such a sweet child! Anyway, I knew the cabinet would be perfect, so I worked diligently to strip every layer of red and black paint to create such a beautiful and functional "ca-bin-net", as Lilly says, for all of her shoes and "stuff."

Look at how cool this turned out! One person's junk is another one's treasure!! Now on to another treasure, another project and another day at the Inn. See ya... Tia

Scarecrow Fest

It's happening isn't it...FALL. Color change, Halloween and Festivals, like Scarecrow Fest
When I think of scarecrows, I think of the Wizard of Oz. And when I was a kid, I was terrified of that movie. I HATED IT! But I think this year, it's about time I get over the "Wizard Fear", and I have just the ticket! I'm going to make a scarecrow for the Scarecrow Festival here in Algoma in a few weeks. It will be the last "hurrah" before I get my new ankle on the 17th.
From what I understand Scarecrow Fest is a really cool event where you can enter your scarecrow for a chance to win prizes. Everyone comes and checks out the entries, eats chili, has refreshments and a ton of fun. I hear there was even a jellyfish scarecrow one year and another year someone taped up her husband to create a see-through shell for her scarecrow. My brain is working overtime right now, thinking of something to do. I love projects. So put it on your calender, October 4th and 5th at Garden Angels, located just south of Algoma at N6695 Hwy 42. (Check out the Chamber of Commerce for more information.) In fact spend a night at the Inn with my husband and I. We've decided to stay open after my surgery. Belle Isle Inn will offer a re-construction special, you know, instead of a pardon our dust deal, we'll have a pardon our continental meal deal (since I won't be doing the four course breakfasts for a good 6 weeks until my cast is off.) My husband can take care of us. He is such a good guy, my husband, and a great Innkeeper!!

I can hardly wait to get my ankle fixed. I just need $6000.00 and I'm not kidding. Things always have a way of working out don't they? Speaking of...We had a wonderful experience at Lakeside Community Church on Sunday. We've been looking for a church since we've moved to Algoma. Several people told us to give it a try and I'm glad we did. We were welcomed with open arms, and it felt really good. The upbeat music, gourmet coffee,and the message about humility were all wonderful, wonderful, wonderful! I'm going to make something to bring to church next Sunday. Some YUMMY Breakfast thing like the cranberry bread pudding I made this week.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot... I want to leave you with this one...

Reuben Dip

1 small can Bavarian sauerkraut, 1/2 brick of cream cheese, four oz sour cream , four oz Renard's onion white cheddar, 6 oz home made corned beef and some fresh ground pepper. Place sauerkraut and sour cream in a pan on medium. Add cream cheese and melt. Add cheddar in small chunks and melt. Grind in pepper. Keep warm. Toast10 slices of buttered rye bread with caraway in toaster or regular oven until golden. Cut immediately into points with a pizza cutter. P.S. The Pampered Chef Pizza cutter is the best I've ever used. Honest. Enjoy!

Labor Day in Algoma: Life's a beach!

What a wonderful Labor Day weekend at the Belle Isle Inn! Look closely in the picture above and you can see me waving, just above the guy in the red shorts. I was laboring as you can see! The weather could not have been more perfect to labor or not to labor. We had filled the cooler and headed to the beach. The water was shades of aqua, teal and blue, and was warm enough to swim and play in as you can see. The day was really warm yet the breeze off the lake was blowing pretty good so we were very comfortable. Tourists mingled with locals, walking dogs, swimming, playing volleyball, enjoying a cold drink and watching whales (not really) but that would have been cool. I met so many people including Mike who teaches at Algoma High School and his wife, and Tom, retired from Green Bay, and his friend LuWaine, among others. We romped in the waves and played with the dog who was ecstatic to dig a hole and submerge herself in the cool sand. If you've been to the Algoma beach that's great. If you've been here and haven't taken advantage of it, c'mon back! There is a special area for dogs to the south, to the north are the volleyball nets and in the middle is the great view from the Algoma Chamber of Commerce where you can use the restrooms and wash the beach off your feet. The view of the red Algoma Pierhead lighthouse was especially beautiful against the many shades of aqua lake water. I saw may people taking photographs off the decks of the Chamber during our stay the beach. I'm looking forward to many more day days at our scenic Algoma Beach.

Harley and Iron Horse Hotel tied to $10 Garage Sale Find

Who'da thunk??? So I go to this garage sale and find this old dresser/mirror combo painted the most awful color of pastel green. I thought to myself that this is SOOO ugly it has to be beautiful underneath. So, for a whopping $10 I bought it. I would never have believed, that after stripping 10 coats of paint, at times using a toothbrush for the detail work, that I would find my most prized antique to date. I was so excited once I got the first glimpse of the wood that I worked day and night to complete my treasure. One day I happened to pay attention to the back and I noticed something peculiar. A tag that said Berger Bedding Company, Wholesale Furniture and Bedding, Milwaukee Wis. A clue to the history. I hopped on the internet to check it out. I was amazed to find that the Berger Bedding Company building had become the new Iron Horse Hotel which is close to the new Harley-Davidson Museum. To quote the hotel's website, the Iron Horse is unique for "Meeting the needs of business travelers and motorcycle enthusiasts alike forced design creativity. Many of the concepts arose from focus groups of “road warriors” of both the briefcase and biker persuasions, such as rugged wood floors that are welcoming to both high heels and riding boots, and chic yet durable furniture, able to withstand heavy zippers and buckles yet cool and refined for business attire." The hotel looks absolutely "right up my alley", beautiful and unique, a blend of the past, the present and the future. I am so proud to hold the dresser and mirror in my posession, and to have beautifully transformed, such an incredible piece of Wisconsin and Milwaukee history for the Algoma's Belle Isle Inn in Northeast Wisconsin. The historic prize is located in the King's Chamber. This room boasts a flat screen TV and DVD for a romantic evening watching movies in bed. The thick feather topped king bed beckons your tired body after a long hike on the Ahnapee trail or Lake Michigan boardwalk. And, of course, the beautiful antique dresser and mirror, built at Milwaukee’s Berger Bedding Company , most likely between 1886 and 1907. To see this and other beautiful pieces, visit us at the Belle Isle Inn, your Home away from Home! Our Bed and Breakfast gives you so much more than any area hotel, including the memories of feeling just like family.

Algoma B&B has an Evening at The Belle Isle Inn

Belle Isle Inn hosted a Pampered Chef tasting party, complete with White Peach and traditional Sangrias made with VonStiehl Wine, an artichoke dip breadbowl made with fresh Renards parmesan and a CCQ made with Renards Edam, Swiss and co-Jack. What fun we had! I'm hoping to have another one before my surgery so you'll have another chance to join us at the Inn.

If you couldn't make it DON"T WORRY!! You still have time to take advantage of both the summer and fall specials for a few more days. Just go to www.pamperedchef.biz/jennykennedy and place your order. Give me a call at 920-737-7733 if you need some help. Also...If you book a party with "yours truly" for September, you will have a chance to receive 60% off a piece or a full set of the Pampered Chef Cookware. Madonna LaFond of Green Bay booked a party to take advantage of the great deal. HOLY COW!!! And yes, because we had such a blast last night, I have decided to be a consultant so I'll be doing Madonna's party. Barb Clark from the Stone House Stay in Algoma booked a party at Belle Isle Inn for early October. It is nice to be able to offer my facilities for parties since my Kitchen was made for cooking!

I own and use alot of PC's stuff and have always loved both the durability and the various options for each piece of kitchen ware. (Funny, I had never been to or hosted a party.) The Pampered Chef features are really a chef's dream! Being in the "Algoma B & B" business, loving to cook and pamper people seems to be a perfect fit with PC.

The food was so great I had to promise the guests that I would post the recipes on http://www.belleisleinn.com/. Jenny Kennedy did and incredible job with a hands on demonstration so we could not only see, but feel how the tools worked. A couple glasses of Sangria, some awesome food, and as you can see, a lot of laughing completed the first of many "Evenings at the Belle Isle Inn."

I'll meet my ankle in Miami

Well, it's going to happen. I am going to have an ankle replacement. I also need a partial fusion. I'm so excited... and at the same time, I'm so scared!



It will be awesome to not have as much unbearable pain, to get my life back, to maybe be able to run again or at least walk more than a few steps without feeling like a crow bar is being shoved into my ankle or having my ankle just lock up for days at a time.



And Scared? This surgery will be the third in twenty five months. I will have a titanium ankle, spend 5 days in the hospital, 6 weeks in a hard cast and if things go well, then I can start to walk again. Then we can talk about finances, or the lack there of, not working, recuperation and how to possibly handle everything all over again?



So, I got to be Algoma's Belle Isle Inn-keeper because I could no longer function at the hairdressing/educator career that had been so great to me. Standing on your feet for hours with dead bones in your ankle isn't a peachy day!



I had thought that my only option was fusion, locking my ankle up completely. Of course this leads to it's own set of complications and difficulties.



But being proactive about my health led me beyond Green Bay, to Miami, and to not accept that fusion was the only option.



It is amazing what you can find when you look long and hard. It is incredible how fast technology advances. It is wonderful to have found hope. It is great to have another option; to have cutting edge doctors like Dr. Mark Feldman paving the way in new surgical techniques.



I thought I would have to settle, to accept, to struggle terribly. I would become a Kewaunee innkeeper, have a new career, but deal everyday with the consequences from my fall and my damaged ankle.



Instead...I have hope! I am excited! I have a new career, I will meet and pamper tons of people, I will cook my four course breakfasts at the B & B with a lot less pain (80%-90% less pain), I'll be able to walk on the Algoma beach boardwalk, and around the block, and the future, that a few months ago looked so disappointing, now looks so promising,(not only for me, but my husband and the others who have helped out so tremendously since my accident.)



"I'll meet my ankle in Miami" (It could be my new theme song.) "and we'll become one. Together we'll be stronger and life will move on!"

Shanty Days at B & B Huge Success

Well... what a weekend! Our guests needed to get ready from travel to attend a relative's funeral, so we gave them a noon check in. That evening we sampled the local Von Stiehl Winery's Chardonnay and Satin Red. Both were wonderful, though I am super partial to reds and kept that bottle close to me. From Renard's Cheese we had the fresh daily cheese curds (another of my favorites), 2 year old white cheddar and several other incredible Algoma Cheeses for our evening social hour. By 9pm we were placing the chairs on the lawn for Saturday's Shanty Days Parade at noon. Belle Isle Inn is right on the parade route so we were up close and personal. Breakfast before the parade consisted of: fresh white and golden peaches, warm banana sour cream muffins, portobella, zuchinni and swiss quiche, bacon wrapped water chestnuts, Creamed yellow potatoes followed by cinnamon cream cheese breakfast dessert with blueberry topping. Mmmmmmmmmm! Then it was parade refreshments; Bloody Marys and Corona were the top choices. The following morning during breakfast our guests gave us a gift with a note. A wonderfully perfect fit for our B & B, a wall hanging that says "Home Away From Home." The note says "Tia and Scott, Your hospitality has been the best! You Truly made us all feel at home! Good luck in you new "Home away from home" endeavor. Fondly, Dave and Chris, mark and Amanda, Denny and Wendy Di Maria What wonderful people! I was truly sad to see them leave our Inn. ! I can't wait for them to come back again.

Fresh Blueberry Bread Pudding

Hey All,
Yesterday was experimental recipe day at Belle Isle Inn. I think I gained 10 pounds and man, it was worth it.
This new B&B thing is so cool. Oh, you don't know about it? Well I was a hairdresser (check out the up do at left) for over 20 years when an inanimate something jumped out in front of me causing me to fall. I saved my new laptop but damaged three bones in my right ankle. Long story short, the bones died (became necrotic), I'm heading into an ankle replacement and hair dressers and dead ankles are not on the same page. In fact they are not in the same library! So here I am, presto change-o, an Inn Keeper at Belle Isle Inn in Algoma Wisconsin, Just south of Sturgeon Bay in Door County.
Anyway, back to the Scrumptious Fresh Blueberry Bread Pudding. I used a pint of fresh blueberrys from nearby Wienke's Market, and substituted Kaiser rolls for bread. A little cinnamon, a little half and half, a few eggs and some sugar and voila! Can you Smell it? It tastes as incredibly incredible as it looks!
This morning is Bacon, Broccoli and Cheddar Jack Quiche. Just add half and half to some eggs, some chopped up some green onions and some fresh ground peppercorns to the title and..The timer just went off! Gotta go enjoy. Then I'm taking some new pictures for the Inn website, http://www.belleisleinn.com/. Just waiting for the license to be able to pamper you all!!
Have fun, Tia

july 22 08

Hey everyone,

I'm trying out this blog for the first time. Tonight my husband and I went to grab a great burger at our favorite Kewaunee burger joint. As usual it was awesome! Go to the Waterfront for a super awesome double cheese burger!
I met with the Chamber of Commerce today. Getting ready for opening day. I found out that the Shanty Days parade goes right by the front of Belle Isle. How cool is that! Front row seats to the biggest parade in town. We’ll see if it is true that it goes a good two hours.
I hope that all of you like Belle Isle Inn and are able to enjoy our concept: we are guests with you at our own Inn. When you visit us you become a part of our family, but don't worry, you don't have to do chores.
I’m excited to share all of Belle Isle with you. The antiques, comfy beds, movie nights, quaint patios, incredible food, area attractions, Wii games, massaging chair, etcetera. And I look forward to learning about you. See you soon! Tia