Friday, February 14, 2014

Use Your Words, Valentine Version

Today’s post is a monthly writing challenge. If you’re new here, this is how it works: participating bloggers picked 4 – 6 words or short phrases for someone else to craft into a post. All words must be used at least once and all the posts will be unique as each writer has received their own set of words. That’s the challenge, here’s a fun twist; no one who’s participating knows who got their words and in what direction the writer will take them. Until now.

Use Your Words, a monthly group writing challenge | developed by and graphic property of www.BakingInATornado.com | #bloggingchallenge #MyGraphics

At the end of this post you’ll find links to the other blogs featuring this challenge. Check them all out, see what words they got and how they use them.
I’m usting: Cupid ~ Tylenol ~ breaking ~ bent out of shape ~ caterpillar ~ pole
They were submitted by: The Bergham's Life Chronicles

There’s more than one Cupid. Did you know that? Well think about it. One day a year to do your true work? There’s just no way. You see, Cupid is actually a last name. Each one has their own first name. The story I’m telling today is about poor little Stupid Cupid.

The way it works is this: in the early morning hours of February 14th, each Cupid secures his loin cloth, grabs his bow and joins all his cousins standing in two different lines. In the first he receives his assignment in the form of a picture. Cupids are not given names and locations, just a picture. They have sharply honed Cupid-instincts that lead them where they need to go, and all day to do it. In the second line he takes possession of one single magic arrow.

Now Stupid got his name exactly as you’d think, he earned it. Year after year on that one special day he’s received his assignment, double checked the fit of his attire (things were bad enough, he could not chance a wardrobe malfunction), and headed out. And year after year one thing or another stood in his way. But this was his year, he knew it. This was the year he’d change his name, he even had one picked out: he’d be Qupid Cupid. Perfect.

Tirelessly, endlessly he searched for his mark. He hovered over houses, schools, libraries and office buildings. Towards the middle of the day he could feel he was honing in and followed his Cupid-instincts to a bakery.

Turns out that was not his Cupid-instincts he was following after all. More like his tummy.

Strawberry Filled Cookie Cups and Parfait | recipe developed by www.BakingInATornado.com | #recipe #dessert


Strawberry Cream Cookie Cups & Parfait

As dusk came, then evening and finally night time, Cupid knew he was running out of time. His heart was breaking. Hovering around aimlessly on tired wings he suddenly felt something he had never experienced before. He was in the right place, he just knew it.

“Hmmm” he thought upon entering, “Men’s Club, I wonder what that could be.” He looked around and immediately shut his eyes. “No, no, no, no, no” he repeated to himself over and over again. “This cannot be right”. Clearly, yet again, it wasn’t his Cupid-instincts he was following.

And then he looked up. Straight ahead of him was a stage and on that stage a pole. Wrapped around that pole like a caterpillar was exactly the woman he was seeking.

He carefully removed his arrow and aimed it with precision. His heart swelled. This was the moment he was born for. Cupid would be Stupid no more.

He took a breath in, steadied his hand, and just as his beautiful target twirled, released his precious arrow. Which promptly hit the pole and bent out of shape.

"Guess I’m in the right place after all”, he thought. “I’m gonna need a good strong drink. And Tylenol”.

Happy Valentine’s Day to all who take the time to read Baking In A Tornado. I hope your Cupid isn’t Stupid. Unless you like them that way.

Links to other Use Your Words posts:


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Strawberry Cream Cookie Cups & Parfait
                                        ©www.BakingInATornado.com
 
Printable Recipe
 
Ingredients, cookie cup:
1 stick butter, softened                               
1 stick margarine, softened                          
1 ½ cups brown sugar                              
1 tsp vanilla                                              
1 egg                                                       
1 ¾ cups flour                                            
¼ cup baking cocoa
¼ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
Ingredients, filling:
3/4 cup heavy cream
1/3 cup strawberry syrup
1 can Evaporated Milk
1 package instant white chocolate pudding mix
¼ cup strawberry syrup
Ingredients, Parfait:
Whipped cream
Crushed oreos
 
Directions, cookie cup:
*Cream together butter, margarine, brown sugar and vanilla. Beat in the egg.
*Mix in the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt.
*Refrigerate for one hour up to a day.
*Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease 24 muffin cups.
*Take approx. 2 TBSP of cookie dough and flatten with the palms of your hands. Place into each muffin cup and gently pat down into the cup and up the sides (if it gets sticky, wet your fingers).
*Bake for 20 minutes. Allow to cool completely in the muffin tin for 10 minutes, then gently tamp the center partially down with your fingers or the bottom of a wooden spoon. Cool completely, run a knife around the sides and remove.
Directions, filling:
*Wisk the Evaporated Milk, pudding mix, and Strawberry Syrup until completely combined.
*Beat the heavy cream until soft peaks hold. Add 1/3 cup strawberry syrup and continue beating until stiff peaks hold.
*Gently fold the pudding mixture into the whipped cream.
*Pipe or spoon the mixture into the cookie cups.
*Refrigerate until set before serving and store the leftovers in the refrigerator.
Directions, Parfait:
*In a glass cup, layer a handful of crushed oreos, approximately 1/3 cup of strawberry filling, approximately ¼ cup whipped cream. Continue to layer, ending with the whipped cream.
*Refrigerate until serving.

36 comments:

  1. Very, very cute, Karen! I like Stupid Cupid. I'm always bent out of shape.I can't believe you got all those words in there! Happy V. Day to you and your cupid . xx

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  2. Stupid Cupid's arrow hit the pole, baahahahaha! Great read! I think if I was Cupid I'd be Cupcake Cupid and abandon my original assignment upon arriving at your house! Your strawberry thingie looks delicious! Happy V-Day, Karen ♥

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  3. LOL, well Stupid Cupid is a male right? haha
    Love the dessert and as always your story cracked me up.
    Happy Vday!
    Dawn
    Spatulas On Parade

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  4. Another great story and recipe, Karen! You have a GREAT imagination!!!!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Betsy, most of the credit goes to the words I was given.

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  5. Haha, Men's Club! Not exactly his 'cupid' instincts leading him to that one!

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    Replies
    1. No, we don't need any further discussion as to how he got there!

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  6. TOO FUNNY!!!! Love the way you used your words!!!! Hilarious!

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  7. Fabulous!!! Love it!!! Your mind is so creative. I love reading your posts!!! Also, this delicious recipe and I need to be Valentines. Yummy!!!

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    Replies
    1. You should try this recipe, it was so easy and we loved it.

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  8. I'd love to make these, if I had any energy left today after an hour with my trainer. But then I'd undo all the good we did today. Oh, it looks yummy!

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    Replies
    1. Then you'll just have to eat vicariously through my family.

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  9. Happy Valentine's Day to you and your loved ones! I would so love that parfait as my V-Day dessert!

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    Replies
    1. Happy Valentine's Day to you too. If there are any parfaits left I'll be sure to let you know.

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  10. Hello Karen,

    Hahaha! Very clever! I saw Tylenol as one of your words along with Cupid and I didn't know how you were going to put both of those together. You did a great job of using Tylenol. I am making these cookie cups tomorrow morning.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have to admit that when I saw my words I really had to think about them for a while.

      Hope you enjoy the cookie cups.

      Delete
  11. I think Stupid Cupid has been my cupid for a few years now. He's always waaay off mark. Excellent job Karen very well done.

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  12. Replies
    1. Thanks, once I realized where the words were taking me, it was fun.

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  13. I can only imagine how many stupid cupids got their arrows bent right out of shape last night as their romantic plans were dashed and their hope deferred. Hope you have a lovely romantic weekend Karen.

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    Replies
    1. I'm afraid you're right. Expectations are often difficult to meet.

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  14. I can't take these delicious recipes! I want to stick my spoon in that cup for breakfast :). Happy Love day to you and your family. xx

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Monica. Happy Valentine's Day to you and your family too.

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  15. Hahahahahahhaha!! Love your twist on a sweet Valentine's story!

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    Replies
    1. Well, I guess someone had to take the Valentine story off the deep end1

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  16. I can't tell you how many of my days ended with," I could really use a good drink. And some Tylenol" Haha. Loved this, Karen. This is sooo fun. I'm gonna have to join in soon!

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    Replies
    1. Silly, but once I figured out what to do with my words, this was a fun one to write.

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  17. Lol bethtehilo, most of my days end like that! Karen, Baker and writer. I promise I will make one of these delicious recipes soon. I finally baked my own bread. It was delicious! I think I have the baking bug.

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    Replies
    1. So glad you're catching the baking bug. It really is fun.

      Delete
  18. Stupid cupid! Love it! I miss you mama! It's been too long and I'm sorry. Time is rare commodity for me these days. I hope you are well!

    xoxo
    Lanaya

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Lanaya, hope you're enjoying your new home and your new job.

      Delete

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