Kaake Family Blog

Friends, the year 2020 has definitely looked different that’s for sure.  It’s been interesting talking to my other friends with chronic illnesses and getting their perspective.  For me this is what has changed.   Positives: There have been more online freebies as far as events than I have ever seen. This has been great for the person with chronic illness and we all hope some of these things continue.  Things such as online church, zoo, ballets, concerts, etc.   No more trying to fake feeling good when I had to go out because I’m not getting out.   So many more places are doing online pick up instead of just Walmart and Kroger. I needed those services before coronavirus hit the United States. Now having so many more options; it’s been a wonderful!! People finally don’t guilt trip me into going to events and family functions because they know I’m high risk. Before I felt like I had to explain away everything if I didn’t feel good enough to go somewhere. ...

  I combined a few recipes I've seen online to make this lovely dish.   There were a few criteria that I needed to hit for this specific recipe.  1. It had to be fast.   2. It had to be easy. 3. It had to be tasty. My Lyme disease is kicking my butt.  My brain fog has been at an all time high and my energy has been at an all time low.  While not vegan myself, I do eat many vegetarian or vegan meals per week.  It's good for my overall health as well as my heart health.  I was up one night craving some good vegan food but my favorite vegan restaurant wasn't open.  So...this was born.  I hope you enjoy it.  It took me under 10 minutes to put this together. Vegan Broccoli, Rice and Cashews with a Spicy Nut Butter Sauce Serves 2 Ingredients: 1 package microwavable pre-cooked brown rice 1 cup fresh or frozen broccoli, chopped handful cashews, raw or roasted, salted or unsalted - your preference salt Spicy Nut Butter Sauce Ingredients: 1/4...

I have been making monthly posts on facebook with book recommendations.  But...when I came to the month I'd be posting about my favorite kids books I couldn't narrow it down to just a couple.  So, how about a blog post.  I won't get too chatty.  Below are great books for boys, and girls, young and old.  Enjoy!  Please tell me what your favorite children's books are in the comments.  I'd love to add more to our personal reading list. Early Readers/elementary: Caps for sale The giving tree Pete the cat Catbug The boy who gave his lunch away The Little Engine that Could Curious George Winnie the Pooh Beatrix Potter books Serenity books Ivy Cottage by E.J. Taylor The jacket I wear In the snow How groundhogs garden grew Stone soup The boy that cried wolf The jingle in my pocket Heidi Little house on the prairie The wild robot The Lion, the witch and the wardrobe Mandie and the secret tunnel My Fathers dragon. Pinocchio The prince and the pauper ...

A couple days ago I had enough energy to do some cleaning in the basement.  Oh that dark hole in the ground that I almost never enter for various reasons.  It holds many things; some of which include my memories in print as well as items.  The reason for the clean out; I figured it would be easier if I separated my husbands belongings in one area of the basement, and mine in another.  That way we could much more easily access what we wanted.This kind of cleaning and reorganizing is bittersweet.  I am the spouse who doesn’t just like but needs order.  Everything has a place and when something is not in that place my anxiety rises.  I don’t do well in anything remotely resembling chaos when it comes to possessions.  So, in walking down the steps to our dungeon I knew it may be hard in some ways but when it was all said and done, I’d be happy.  I’d feel a burden lift.  And lifting it certainly did; but in ways I didn’t expect. ...