Savory Sauerkraut Bread Pudding

OK, I know that Sauerkraut is a winter dish and we’re in the middle of a June mini-heat wave in Southern Oregon. But sometimes you get a hankering for a specific taste delight...and for me right now, that’s a good batch of Sauerkraut. However, I have not abandoned my pledge to being lazy and taking advantage of newly available food products...so when I saw Fresh, Organic Sauerkraut in a jar just calling to me from the refrigerated grocery section in the Roseburg Costco, I had to buy it. My standard was always available in a small plastic bag elsewhere, but hey I wanted show my appreciation for the free food samples at Costco (that included one with the Organic, Fresh Sauerkraut). In addition, I also wished the PR folks to be rewarded for their clever packaging and labeling. (And my neighbor’s fabulous home made Sauerkraut was no longer in my pantry.)

I had just finished baking 23 loaves of bread in the WFO and the temperature was down to about 450°F (~232°C), so I figured I might as well fix myself a batch of Sauerkraut with the residual heat.

I cut some chicken sausage and chorizo into nice chunks and added a little olive oil to get them cooking in my Dutch oven. I set the pot in the WFO and browned the meat chunks.

Next I removed the browned meat and set it aside. Into the heated pot went a medium, sweet Maya onion that had been rough chopped, added a splash of olive oil and set them (uncovered) in the oven to get some color. When I started to get some nice carmelization on the onions, I added a batch of small, halved red and gold potatoes, stirred with the onions, and then covered the pot.

After about 30 minutes the potatoes were getting soft, so I returned the cooked meat to the pot with the content of my Sauerkraut jug (I decided since the container was plastic, not glass, jug seemed to be the correct terminology to use here). A good stir to mix things up and then I covered the pot, put it back in the oven and waited about 30 minutes to heat through and blend flavors. While the pot was working on my dinner, I brought out a steel pan and some cubed, home made bread. A little olive oil and a brief crisping of the bread cubes in the pan created some pretty tasty croutons. I intended to use the croutons to absorb some of the extra liquid in the bottom of the Dutch oven and provide a bit of crunch on top of the Sauerkraut.

When the Sauerkraut was hot, I stirred half of my croutons into the pot and put the other half on top. I left the cover off and returned the Dutch oven to the WFO for another flavor meld. Since my dinner was smelling great, but looking rather drab, I decided to roast/pan sear a batch of sugar snap pea pods as a color spot (many thanks to my gardening, beer and bread baking neighbor, Diane). Into my already hot, still oiled, carbon steel pan...which still retained even a bit of bread crumb crispies. In went the pea pods and in only a few minutes with a couple of tosses, they were bright green and looking fabulous.

I served myself up a nice plate full, poured a cold adult beverage, and thoroughly enjoyed my “out of season” dinner. The croutons had absorbed all of the liquid in the bottom of the Dutch oven, so with the crisp croutons on top, my creation actually was more of a bread pudding than the normally wet batch of Sauerkraut that I was used to...but it was excellent and I will have several more Savory Sauerkraut Bread Pudding dinners ready to be reheated this week...YUM!

Life is Good! (And tasty...!)

Passing Notes (3)

I have just come back from a week in Southern Oregon (around Plush) with a close friend and his dad. We were "glamping" off the grid and miles from any other people. It was extremely helpful to me soaking in that wide open solitude, without thoughts of house chores, yard work, or self-imposed duties. I was much better prepared to return home and begin to create my "new normal" in the place Susan and I created great memories together for over 30 years. 

I hadn't been able to sleep much since Susan passed and have felt at times like I was walking in jello. Being away allowed me to get several full night's sleep and do a "reset" on my feelings. I've focused on not my sense of loss, but rather on how much I have gained over the last nearly 50 years that I have loved Susan. I also know that my love for her will continue unabated, how could it not? I chose to turn myself away from grief, which I now firmly believe is a selfish act that detracts from joyful memories of our timeless love for others. Susan would not want us to cry over her passing, but rather to laugh and smile at all the fabulous times we have shared with those we love. Susan is not gone, but rather she's become a tangible, internal part of who we are and how we will live our future...ultimately a positive influence on all of our tomorrows.

     Mike

***

“...she was always the best company one could have. She always told a good story, loved to laugh, was upbeat and positive and a joy to be around. The earth is a poorer place without her
smiling face and life just isn't fair to some of the best people.”

     Leslie Graybill

(NOTE: I would modify Leslie’s last sentence to read “The earth is a better place in which we shared her smiling face and I treasure life’s gift to us having her in our lives for as long as we did.” – Mike)

***

“Annually, Altrusa of Roseburg travels to their conference somewhere in the Pacific Northwest.  In the late 90’s and early 2000’s we often traveled in a large van owned by one of our members. This gave us an opportunity to discuss club problems.  One year we were discussing fund raising, not a pleasant topic, but Susan turned it into one the funniest trips we’ve ever taken.  She suggested that if we could find a sponsor who would pay $20,000, she would bungee jump naked from one of the local bridges.  This was done while laughing and smiling, but in all seriousness.   NOW THAT IS DEDICATION.”

     Maxine Durst

***

“I have so many memories of good times spent with the both of you. Andy and I both remember fondly our trip out west when we were 11 spending time at your house and canoeing, hitting golf balls (I’m not sure if it was the first time hitting golf balls, but I don’t remember an earlier time so I’ll say it was), watching Goldfinger and then spending a week driving cross-country back to Shell Lake. I remember it snowing as we were driving through Yellowstone, and seeing the first Batman movie in Idaho. I don’t remember exactly where, but I also remember at one of the places we stayed, waking up to see mountains shrouded in fog. That was a wonderful adventure. I also remember the three of us going to visit Hoover Dam in 2000, when all of us got together in Las Vegas. I vaguely remember a few years later Susan telling me that the credit card you used for that excursion was never charged for, and that she considered me something of a good luck charm.

Finally, I’ve included a couple pictures of our daughter {...} I’m sure Susan would have loved to see her great-niece. At her baby shower a few weeks before {her birth} one of the last gifts we opened was from Mom and Dad, and they included a sleep sack {baby bunting} that Susan had made for me when I was a baby. When I heard that Susan had passed I hugged both {my wife and new daughter} and told the Hoover Dam and Oregon stories. I have a captive audience now to tell {my daughter} those stories again, as well as the stories about Susan traveling to all of the state capitols to use their restrooms. I will tell her about her great-aunt’s and great uncle’s love of travel and spirit of adventure.

Susan will be greatly missed. We love you Uncle Mike.”

     Tony Garrido-Harrington {and family}

NOTE: I did a little editing of Tony’s note, taking out both the name of our great-niece and his wife’s name since I hadn’t received permission to publish them. If I get an OK from Tony and his family to use their names, I will edit/update this post. 

FYI: Susan and I wondered at the time of our road trip with the twins, if either of them saw any of the landscape as we drove by. They both seemed totally absorbed in the Batman comics they had brought with them. It was amazing to me to read the impressions and memories that Tony related of their vacation/trip with us. I also remember that they voiced only two requests about where we stayed each night on the week long drive from Oregon to Shell Lake, #1 There had to be a swimming pool and #2 There had to be color, cable TV in our room.  – Mike

***
5 June 2019

I baked 17 loaves of bread yesterday for the staff at the Roseburg Community Cancer Center and delivered it today. It’s been a month since Susan passed away, yet going up to the “chemo lounge” to deliver the bread, was one of the hardest things I’ve done in a long time. I wanted to tell them how much I appreciated all their kindness and attention to us over the past two years of Susan’s chemo treatments. I wanted them to know that through the Cancer Center’s knowledge, staff, compassion, respect, and empathy–I believed they had given me two extra years to spend with my beloved Susan. 

Two extra years with Susan, that precious boon of time was one of the greatest gifts I have ever received from anyone. I could barely speak as I immediately choked up when the nurses gathered around me and gave me hugs. I found myself unable to express my gratitude to them through my gathering tears and had to exit fairly quickly before I totally lost control. I spent quite a while in the car crying and trying to regain my composure. I know I’ll go back (as soon as I can keep my tears and voice under control) to express my appreciation directly to them–as they had become like family to Susan and I over the last two years...but I thought it was important that I put my thoughts into words now.

     Mike

Passing Notes (2)

More notes and stories sent to me about Susan, again in no particular order. I hope you enjoy reading these as much as I did in the first Passing Notes post.  

     Mikee
---
“Patti & I are so sorry to learn of Susan’s passing. She was a great colleague, a great teacher and a delightful friend. It was my privilege to have worked with her for over ten years. I have many fond memories of that time including COBOL & HP Computer Ops (two classes that I took from Susan), Computer Club, EOT’s*, and just day to day life at UCC*. It was a great time in my life and Susan’s pro-active, positive, & good-natured approach to things was a significant part of it. For that, I will always remember and appreciate her. Thanks to both of you for being a positive part of our lives.”

*EOT - End of Term party for a small group of our computer and math fellow instructors at UCC (Umpqua Community College)

Pat and Patti Boyd
---
“Dear Susan, I’m sending this card to let you know how much I miss seeing and talking to you. I simply miss you!”

Maxine Durst
---
“I send this to let you know my thoughts are of you and Susan today. Long, long ago, 1978 or 79, I first knew Susan, when I was UCC Director of Personnel & she provided computer assistance. Susan was, always for me, such a sparkling light of positive service. I always noticed the devotion you both shared for each other, your work purpose at UCC and that both of you were so full of life.”

Jacky Hagan Sohn
---
“Hey ‘Grandma’ Susan, Just a quick note to let you know that I’m thinking about you. My mom fills me in on your card games (I hope your win record against her is better than mine!) And I’m grateful that you help keep her out of trouble. Thank you for that and for being such a fiercely loved, tough as hell, part of our wolverine family.”

Erin Barnhart
---
“Susan was one of the most positive and determined people we have known. Nothing tentative about her–she kicked ass every day! She taught us all to enjoy every moment.”

Paul and Mariah Beck
---
“In the late Spring of 1994 the Stansbury’s and the Kuhn’s went on a great European adventure. It began in Geneva but quickly moved to a quaint little ski town just over the Swiss border called, Megeve, France. Because it was off season, this gorgeous place in the mountains was very quiet and we all loved it immediately. There was a canal running right through the middle of town with small boutique shopping and restaurants in abundance. People were friendly and helpful, and we didn’t run into a lot of English speaking locals, but we were all quite good at “pointy-talky” sign language!

The four of us were booked into an RCI timeshare condo that was uphill from the town, and probably less than a mile away. It was an older three level unit ... not fancy but had everything we needed for a great time. The guys, as was their habit, quickly found a place to go golfing and took off in our rental car to humiliate themselves on a local course. Susan and I wrote out a shopping list and headed down the hill to a grocery store that we’d already spotted the day before.

Our plan was to stock the refrigerator and buy what we needed to fix a great dinner for that evening when the triumphant golfers returned. The plan was a good one except for one tiny detail ... we were loaded down with groceries, which, of course, included beer and wine that needed to be carried back up a very steep hill to our condo. After several stops to rest and lots of huffing and puffing, we made it back “home” and got right to work ... DRINKING!! It seemed only fair that we reward ourselves with some alcoholic libations ... while we put everything away and began the dinner preparations.

Naturally, there was the usual “trying to figure out all of the appliances.” One big goal was to use the gas stove and not blow ourselves up ... or even singe off eyebrows. We were preparing some “mystery meat,” which we hoped was a form of sliced pork and would turn out like bacon ... the ultimate goal being a wonderful chef salad! As time went by and the drinking continued we seemed to get funnier and funnier ... a regular Abbot and Costello comedy team. I don’t think I’ve ever laughed harder in my life ... it was truly a miracle that the condo was not destroyed in a blaze of glory!!

When the guys returned from golf if took them about two minutes to figure out that we were sloshed to the gills ... and another two minutes to join right in. My memory is that it was the most fabulous “mystery meat” chef salad that was ever created.

I know that Susan and I did not do well the next day ... but it was worth it. Laughing that hard is just good for the soul!!!"

Lynn Kuhn Engle

Passing Notes (1)

I found tremendous comfort reading notes of what people remembered most fondly of Susan. I can’t think of a better tribute to Susan than to post some of those notes here for everyone to enjoy and hopefully bring a smile to all. These “passing notes” are in no particular order...simply a matter of when I transcribed them into the following posts.  

     Mikee

---
“Dear Susan, Well my friend, I know it’s your birthday month and certainly could not let it pass without acknowledgment. You and Mike have made retirement to Sable Drive a rich and wonderful experience. Adopting us into your lives and induction to Club Dragonfly (AKA, The Densters) has been such fun. The bread is divine of course, the shared repast always tasty, but getting to know you both has been the best of all.

You are such an intriguing person. Smart as anyone I know, witty and fun...and more than a touch naughty. We love a little bit naughty!!! I’ve loved to cook for you because I know you appreciate eating well and are willing to try most things.

Your hostess skills give me something to strive toward. What I’ve always envied is your “mis en place”. The prep work that you do to float around effortlessly once the guests arrive so that it looks like everything took no effort at all. You’re amazing girlfriend. The thoughtful hostess gifts you always seem to show up with–gifting the beautiful orange casserole pot, that steam generator iron–these are received with much gratitude and I will treasure using them. As a matter of fact, the casserole is soon to showcase some tasty baked beans for the Summer’s brew club Rendezvous.

I really just want you to know how much we appreciate you and all you’ve shared with us. We really miss you Susan. You are in our hearts and on our minds, today and always.”

Diane and Peter Griffin

---
“...We wanted to let you know how much we loved Susan. Our friendship with the two of you is one of our longest. We had such good times over the years. We cherish our travels starting with the wine country trip, weeks in Central Oregon, Crater Lake and the cruise through the Panama Canal. The hundreds of games of Pinochle were such fun and I’m sure Susan and I won more than you men. There were so many good times that they are too long to list. Susan and I shared so many interests from books to recipes (mostly from Susan to me), “Got It”, Movies and puzzles. I will miss her friendship so much.
     The two of you were so wonderful to our children. Geoff and Stacy have wonderful memories of our times together. We also have been rooting for you as you cared for Susan and know that you are missing her so much. We love you and know that we will be friends with you forever.”

Grant and Sandy Thurston
---
“As you all know Susan was very resourceful and creative.  Mike, Susan, Jerry and I had just spent the night in our first campsite in New Zealand (2017).  We were camping in a beautiful camper van which came completely supplied with dishes and linens, but no washcloths.  We had gotten groceries before going to the campsite, but we didn't find any washcloths.....no problem, there is always tomorrow, right?

In the morning, Susan came down the ladder from her over-the-cab bed, went to the sink, and proceeded to wash her face with her underpants!!!!!    They were very pretty panties, however.”

Barb and Jerry Graf

Note: As a point of clarification, Susan was using the "correct side" of her panties... Mike

---
“To be honest, I’ve procrastinated writing you, because it makes Susan’s passing real. I’m so thankful for and cherish the memories I have of Susan. I remember the week Grandma Graf & I came out to visit. We tried to “ride the rapids” in the river behind your house. Susan got sucked under in the current. When I told you, you jokingly said, “Great, she’s wearing my watch!” I loved Susan’s laugh, quick wit and sense of humor. Her eyes were always sparkling. Every year, I’d look forward to your holiday card to see what adventures you’d been on.”

Holly Peterson

A Girl NOT Named Sue - Sorry Johnny!

When I first met my wife to be, she was known as Sue. Her family all called her Sue and that’s how she introduced herself until the late 1970s. She was friendly but sometimes a bit subdued those early years of our marriage, maybe constrained is the right word. I had the reputation of being the joker & entertainer when we were with other people and she just enjoyed being there. That said, every once in a while she would do something totally out of character* and it was obvious in those moments she relished making people laugh, smile, and enjoy just being together.

*(I was a representative in student government at the UW–Seattle and we were invited to a somewhat formal student government gathering at the University President’s home. Not too long after the gathering began, she spied the long curved banister to the second floor and decided to go slide down it...in her best dress. She did and immediately was surrounded by people congratulating her for breaking the ice and turning the gathering into a party. Even the President and his wife came over and had an animated conversation with her as “the party” really began. Later her comment to me was that she got a little bit of friction burn between her thighs and decided that next time she did something like that and wanted to be the “Life of the Party”, it would be smarter to be wearing pants!)

Back to the name issue...In January of 1977, we had gone to Kaua’i with my Mom (Carole) and Joen (my Grandma) for a couple of weeks after we’d moved to Roseburg. Mom knew all the entertainers and really had a knack of telling stories. Frankly I think she just plain enjoyed laughing with everyone and competing to be the “Life of the Party”. I needed to return to Roseburg after my two week vacation was over, but Mom convinced Sue to stay for another week...or two since she had no commitments back in Oregon.  I should have been concerned leaving my Mom, Party Hardy Joen, and my wife together when every day was going to be a party in paradise with little or no holding back. Here’s a picture of Carole (sitting) and Joen, plotting the evenings activities at the condo across from the Prince Kuhio Memorial Park in Poipu...their favorite spot on the island.

Mom really loved to spend her evenings at the piano bar of the Sheraton Kaua’i with the extraordinary Norman Young (the piano player there). Norman was incredible! Not only was he a tremendously talented musician, but he remembered the name of every person who came into the piano bar since the day he started there. Anybody who came in and sat down would be introduced around the piano bar by Norman. He truly made everyone feel like a close, family friend. So Carole, Joen, and Sue made the Sheraton’s piano bar their primary party location. As it was later related to me, one night after I’d left for the mainland, the party trio were having fun and drinks at the piano bar. Norman stopped playing after being interrupted by one of their loudest laughing sessions that night and with a warm, smile told Sue she was worth much, much, more than a one syllable name suggested. He introduced her as Susan to everyone from then on...and she really took that name “upgrade” to heart.

When she came home from Kaua’i, she seemed a slightly different person to me–happier and more comfortable with herself. From that time on she also made it very clear to everyone, that her name was not Sue it was SUSAN ...and we all recognized from that new glint in her smiling eyes, that she was a force to be reckoned with in this world!

Here’s a slide from January 1977 that shows Norman and the “new Susan”.

The Adventure Together Begins

On June 12th 1971 in the hot & muggy Wisconsin afternoon, we tied the marriage knot. I was 19 and Susan was 21. After a brief honeymoon in Spooner, we returned to spend a few nights in a tent staked out in the backyard of the farmhouse where Susan was raised. During that time and those nights, we planned our upcoming move from Shell Lake, Wisconsin to Spokane, Washington and the West Coast. I have to admit that I spent far too much time watching fireflies those nights in the warm, Wisconsin evenings...but Susan eventually forgave me. My firefly fascination also played into a quote that she enjoyed throughout our lives together...

"Good decisions do not make for good stories."

Here's a poor scan of our escape in the VW after the wedding.

...and so our Adventure Together Began...

Close Friends and Loved Ones Matter Most, Hold Them Dear!

Keep Kicking Ass Susan!

Adventure and travel always have been a part of our lives. We visited and explored 55 56 countries, visited all 50 states, and especially loved traveling with close friends and relatives as we journeyed around the world. We could never have guessed how fortunate, happy, and well traveled we'd become when we first met in Madison, Wisconsin in the Fall of 1969.

Susan was diagnosed with stage 4 peritoneal cancer in the Spring of 2017. Although many are saddened with her passing, I am extremely thankful to have had almost two more years of her companionship, love, and warm smiles than her prognosis indicated. I wish to thank the wonderful and caring staff of Steelhead Specialty Group and the associated Community Cancer Center in Roseburg for their support and empathy. I also wish to thank Mercy Medical Center in Roseburg for the exceptional Comfort Care given to Susan in her final weeks...I can't express the immense gratitude I will always feel towards everyone there who expressed concern, treated her with dignity, respect, and helped her escape the pain of her cancer.

After almost 48 years of our marriage, Susan Helen Stansbury passed away peacefully in her sleep on May 5th, 2019. I firmly believe she has gone ahead to seek new adventures, travel, and explore what we all hope lies beyond this life.

In trying to summarize Susan's life and adventures for an obituary, I realized that it was an impossible task to reduce the almost 50 years we've known each other into just a few pages. So, my solution is to try and recount as many of our adventures together as I can through continuing blog posts under the tab Living Well Together. I also am aware that my memory is nowhere near as good as hers was, but I hope you will enjoy our tales and travels as I remember them.

I will continue to try living up to her mantra of 2018: Wake Up, Kick Ass, Repeat!

Susan's full obituary


We both believed in donating to worthy organizations that served our local communities and contributed to the betterment of everyone through their efforts. Since we did not have children, helping those organizations succeed became our legacy goal. If you wish to donate to a great cause as a tribute to Susan's legacy, I can think of no better one than the Roseburg Community Cancer Center. I've put a link to their donation page below if you would like to make a contribution.

Roseburg Community Cancer Center - Donations