Pinwheel Sandwiches

Good Tuesday morning!

I've posted more Shower pics in the Gallery today... along with a step-by-step Pinwheel Sandwich tutorial. If I can make them, anyone can!

RANDOMNESS #1 - In yesterday's TRUE story, we left off with me having just thrown a very wet rag toward Mikie in the bathroom for him to hold on his forehead. (Not my finest moment, I must admit.)

It was Day Five of the Ten-Day Illness, and Mikie had cheated by starting a whole new set of symptoms... throwing up, etc., etc. (Some of the new symptoms seem inconsequential compared to the first one mentioned, so I won't specifically address those.)

When I arrived home at the end of Day Five, Mikie had assumed his position on the sofa. I poked and prodded him until he took a shower. I fixed the obligatory Ten-Day Illness meal... soup and cheese toast.

When he came back from his shower, he smiled weakly and said, "Only five days left."

For some reason, that totally infuriated me. "No," I said. "No. In the real world, you could actually feel better tomorrow. You never know. This could be the end of your illness. Things could be looking up for us. YOU ARE NOT EVEN TRYING!"

He shook his head, slightly patronizing, and said, "The next five days will fly by. You'll see."

"You've lost your job, haven't you? You don't have the will to get better because you know you don't have anywhere to go, and you are no longer able to support me in the manner in which I've become accustomed. You know. The two bedroom apartment/tiny kitchen/brown shag carpet 'manner.'"

Mikie just looked at me.

"And you know I'm not just talking anymore. When you go to sleep tonight, I'm going to hit you with the baseball bat."

Finally, he spoke. "I get this two or three times a year. It lasts ten days. No more, no less. I still have a job." Here's the kicker. "And if you were sick, I would not threaten to hit you with a baseball bat when you finally fell asleep after a miserable day of sitting on the couch watching TV, eating stale crackers and drinking flat Sprite. I just wouldn't."

I should have been totally ashamed. I should have become a better spouse then and there. However, all I heard of that little speech was the first sentence. "I get this two or three times a year."

"I thought you said you only got this twice a year. There's a chance you're going to get it three times a year? Are you kidding me?"

He wasn't. Mikie had his Ten-Day Illness two or three times a year until Roxie's first Christmas. He got sick five days before the big day... so on Day Six of the Ten-Day Illness he actually HAD to get up, shower, get dressed and have Christmas with his three kids... two of them being in the throes of Christmas hysteria (ages three and five) and one of them being brand-spankin' new.

Did he feel great that Christmas Day? No. He was weak and tired, and he napped off and on all day.

Did he get worse on Day Seven of the Ten-Day Illness? No. He was actually a little stronger, and felt a little better.

Has he had a Ten-Day Illness in the past 13 years? Nope. He cut it down to a Five-Day Illness... which he has once or twice every year.

Am I a better caregiver than I was 23 years ago? I would have to say, "Yes. Yes I am."

If Mikie answers that question differently, I may have to hit him with a baseball bat after he goes to sleep tonight.

RANDOMNESS #2 - Sorry. I went a little long finishing that sad, sad tale. I'll tell the story about Austin's first (and only) stitches tomorrow. I was a rock, I tell you! A rock!

Pinwheel Sandwiches

My Mom and I first made these for my MamMa's 90th Birthday Celebration in February. It's not rocket science, but new things tend to intimidate me. Fun fact for you... Anything I have to roll or stuff intimidates me. (Homemade cinnamon rolls, chicken cordon bleu, etc., etc.)

As you will see below, I have conquered my fear of Pinwheel Sandwiches!

You will need the following:

10 large flour tortillas
1 (8 ounce) container of whipped cream cheese
1/2 packet of dry Ranch Dressing
1 1/2 cups shredded cheese (Cheddar or blend)
1 (16 ounce) package of ham or turkey sandwich meat
1 small package of spinach leaves
Wax paper

1. Mix dry Ranch Dressing and whipped cream cheese together.

2. On a tortilla, spread a thin layer of cream cheese over the entire surface.

3. Sprinkle a light amount of shredded cheese on top of cream cheese.

4. Place and slightly overlap four pieces of sandwich meat in the middle of the tortilla. (The sandwich meat should NOT touch the outer edge of the tortilla.)

5. Wash and place spinach leaves (6 to 8 depending on size) on the outer edge of the sandwich meat in a circle. (Be sure to tear off any stems attached to the spinach leaves.)

6. TIGHTLY roll the tortilla into a thin tube. You will need to "tuck" the meat and spinach leaves in as you roll. If you do not "tuck," the meat and leaves will be pushed to the edge of the tortilla. (That would be BAD.)

7. After you have made a very tight roll, place the pinwheel sandwich tube on a sheet of wax paper. Once again, you will TIGHTLY roll the wax paper around the sandwich tube. Twist the ends of the wax paper, and place it in the refrigerator.

8. The sandwich rolls need to be refrigerated at least 24 hours to set.

9. Prior to serving, unroll the tube from the wax paper and cut into 1/2" to 3/4" slices. Place the slices on wax paper side by side. You should be able to get 10 or 11 sandwiches per roll. When you fill a piece of wax paper, place a sheet of wax paper on top of the already cut sandwiches and start a second layer.

10. Seal and refrigerate until time to serve.

I know. Ten steps. It looks like too much, but believe me... it isn't.

Oh. I forgot to mention they are SO good! Even the kids love them. Spinach and all!

Have a blessed Tuesday. Wednesday I have some wisdom to bestow upon you. As always, it is from someone much wiser than The Enchanting Belinda. But you already knew that, didn't you? I also have an Easter tradition for you to try with your family this season. I will have another "Reason I'm Not in Nursing" story, more Randomness and some new pics to share, too.

Take care, and I'll talk to you in the morning.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda