Buckeye Mike

Five years ago, I was remembering my mother and reliving the last memories I have of her. It was a very emotional and cathartic time for me, and using this blog to recount that terrible time was very therapeutic.  I go back and read them often, especially when I find myself in times when I need to find peace. They are my refuge, and help me find my center when nothing else makes sense. During that time, I wrote a blog entitled "The Pocketwatch". It is my favorite Christmas story, and has become an annual tradition on this blog. Please enjoy and I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas! As a kid growing up, Christmas Eve was always the most special day of the year. Aside from the Santa visit, the day was filled with so much tradition and family that is was more like an event than a holiday. Everyone would gather at my grandparents house for Christmas dinner. Cars would fill the drive way, be parked on the hill, and even in the front yard. It was always a feast, with us k

I am no stranger to Little Debbie. I remember when I was a teenager, hiding boxes of zebra cakes behind the never-used-no-one goes-behind-bar in my parents basement. I would come home from my job at Kroger, stuff my mouth with a whole box, and no one was ever the wiser. At 42, I wish I could say my love for these scrumptious delights has waned over the years. But alas, I still cannot resist the craving whenever I pass the aisle. And as if the regular temptation of fudge rounds wasn't enough, they have the special ones they only bring out once a year. The big pink heart at Valentine's Day. The Halloween Brownies. And of course, the coup de gras, Christmas Tree cakes. Twice the size of any other selection, this red white and green cake with the sprinkles has been calling my name every year for as long as I can remember. And, difficult as this might be to believe, I took it to the extreme. 2 for breakfast. Another at lunch. All of  December. Throw boxes in the freezer for Chri

So we bought a cow. No, we didn't add to the zoo. There will be no fresh as it can get milk, cow patties, or "eat mor chikin" signs around the house anytime in the near future. Scratch that. Never, ever. But we did buy a cow. See our friends, the Burnhams, suggested to us that the two families should split the cost of a side of beef before winter truly kicked in. After checking into it, we agreed. On Saturday, the delivery was made. And our freezer is stuffed to the lid In the coming months, the Slusher family table will see many meals out of this purchse. Meatloaf and burgers, ribs and roasts will all make their appearance as the winter passes. And of course that doesn't even include the best part. There has to be 100 pounds of steak. And that is where this post truly begins. As you may or may not know, my awesome little wife is also my sick little wife. And she is my stubborn little wife as well. Last Monday, she had surgery at the Richard Ross heart h