It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness….(I know there is more to this but this is as much as I can remember.)

I think the beginning of A Tale of Two Cities could also describe the recovery period after surgery. I’ve had days this past week where the Best of times can be seen in my recovery progress. I get excited about things that I haven’t done in weeks. When can I plan an outing? What cooking classes are coming up? Maybe I’ll wear pants today?

But then the Worst of times arise and my pain level brings tears to my eyes. I get frustrated with little things like not being able to blow my nose, sit up on the couch or read a book. Why does it hurt so much? When will it end?  What part should I wash in the shower today?

Luckily for me the Age of Wisdom (otherwise know as my husband) is here by my side. Earl continues to cheer me on with every achievement. He sees what I am unable to visualize and makes each day better. His wisdom is our strength right now and I am glad he is here to hold me up. (And Earl likes that I am not wearing pants so he really doesn’t see that as a bad thing.)

But then we get to the Age of Foolishness and that is all me! Recovery makes me a whacky especially when it comes to food. My stomach is a little upset these days so if it isn’t appealing to me….I’m not gonna eat it!!!

I want my food in certain bowl on top of a bread plate. My spoon must be small and don’t even think of putting a fork near me unless it is plastic.

The food I want is usually due to the power of suggestion after I see something on television or on the Internet. If I had the ability to drive right now, I would spend most of my meals eating food from the drive-thru because those restaurants have the most advertising.  (It is magic how they make that stuff look so good.)

My foolishness took over the other day when I saw on Facebook that a friend made her son waffles for dinner. Gee, I like waffles. We don’t have waffles.

I called my husband at work and asked if he would go to the store and get me waffles. Earl was so happy that I was hungry for something that he was willing to oblige. What he didn’t know was that this may not be an easy mission.

I didn’t want any waffle. He couldn’t pick up one at a local breakfast restaurant because it wasn’t a restaurant waffle in the picture. It was a frozen toaster waffle. Square…not round.

My poor husband searched the freezer department over and over and couldn’t find what I wanted. Wise Earl knows that there really isn’t going to be a huge difference in taste between a square and a round waffle but he knew that there might be a revolt if he dared came home with a round toaster waffle!

My downfallen husband asked one of the stock boys for help. They perilously searched the cases pushing past the cold of each freezer. Mere seconds before they were both going to wave a white flag…there it was….one box of square toaster waffles.

With the resurrected spirit of a soldier who accomplished an impossible task, Earl offered to make me a waffle. My response was that I would love a square waffle on a square plate with homemade maple peanut butter drizzle.

It was the best of times.

Maple Peanut Butter Drizzle (this makes enough for two toaster waffles)

Ingredients

1 Tbsp butter

1 Tbsp smooth peanut butter

1 Tbsp maple syrup

Directions

In a glass 1 cup microwave safe bowl, melt the butter (about 20-30 seconds). Add the peanut butter and maple syrup and whisk together. Microwave on high for another 20 seconds. Whisk some more. Taste. If you want it sweeter….add more maple syrup and microwave for another 10 seconds. If you want it nuttier, add more peanut butter and nuke for another 10 seconds.

Drizzle onto your square toaster waffle with a spoon and don’t miss any of the squares!

Hmmm, I wonder if this is how the revolution really began…or maybe it was over French Toast?