I try to count my blessings all through the year. There are times when I'm successful, there are times when I'm just so overwhelmed that I can't see past whatever's going on. And although I do understand the need to keep our blessings in mind every day, I like that there is a time of year when it really becomes a priority. We all, collectively, stop, take a breath, and give thanks.
Blessings
Thanksgiving approaches. The troupe gathers,
parts assigned.
Prima Ballerina.
Toe shoes.
Barre work.
Plie, Releve, Changement, Jete.
A week to go. This year's production, choreographed.
To the second.
Lists.
Shopping.
Defrosting, prepping, par-baking, plating.
Days to go. Dress rehearsal,
adjustments.
Set the stage.
Costumes.
Airport run!
All focused on opening night.
The day has come. Places, everyone.
Light the fire.
Heat the oven.
Stuff the bird.
Time the sides.
Plie, Releve, Changement, Jete.
parts assigned.
Prima Ballerina.
Toe shoes.
Barre work.
Plie, Releve, Changement, Jete.
A week to go. This year's production, choreographed.
To the second.
Lists.
Shopping.
Defrosting, prepping, par-baking, plating.
Days to go. Dress rehearsal,
adjustments.
Set the stage.
Costumes.
Airport run!
All focused on opening night.
The day has come. Places, everyone.
Light the fire.
Heat the oven.
Stuff the bird.
Time the sides.
Plie, Releve, Changement, Jete.
Brown Rice Stuffed Maple Acorn Squash
Thanksgiving dinner. It's palpable,
anticipation.
Raise the curtain.
Engage the audience.
Applause.
Take a bow.
And count the Blessings.
Before you go, click on these links to more poetry by some of my friends:
Diane of On the Border shares Blessings.
Lydia of Cluttered Genius shares Hidden Blessings.
Jules of The Bergham Chronicles shares Blessings Overflowing.
Joy of Evil Joy Speaks shares Blessings of Change.
Dawn of Spatulas on Parade shares Thanks.
Candice of Measurements of Merriment shares Life Blessings.
Sarah of Not That Sarah Michelle shares My Blessings.
Brown Rice Stuffed Maple Acorn Squash
©www.BakingInATornado.com Printable Recipe
Ingredients:
1 acorn squash
2 TBSP olive oil
salt and pepper
4 TBSP butter, divided
2 TBSP maple syrup
1/4 cup pignolis
1 cup vegetable broth
1 cup instant brown rice
1/4 cup cranraisins
Directions:
*Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Cut the squash in half from the stem to the tip. Using a spoon, scoop out the seeds.
*Place the squash on a roasting pan, flesh side up. With a sharp knife, gently score the flesh, do not puncture the skin. Brush the olive oil onto the flesh, sprinkle with salt and pepper.
*Place 1 TBSP maple syrup and 1 TBSP butter into the center of each half. Place in oven and cook for 40 minutes or until the flesh is softening.
*While the squash is cooking, heat the other 2 TBSP butter in a medium sized sauce pan on medium heat. Add the pignolis. Cook and stir until they start to brown.
*Add the vegetable broth to the pan, season with salt and pepper. Raise the heat and bring to a boil. Stir in the rice and cook according to package directions. When cooked completely, fluff with a fork, add the cranraisins, set aside but keep covered.
*Remove squash from oven. Leave oven on. Place the rice into the center of each squash half. Return to oven for 20 minutes.
Nice job. Love how you compared your Thanksgiving to a perfectly timed ballet. Because it is exactly how it is! That recipe looks delish too! Happy Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Candice, glad you enjoyed the poem and the recipe.
DeleteAbsolutely marvelous. Just read it to my daughters. They concur!
ReplyDeleteSo proud that you shared my post!
DeleteTerrific poetry and amazing recipe as always. Maybe it's a good thing I don't live close. I'd probably weigh 500lbs.
ReplyDeleteNaaaa. We'd walk it off.
DeleteYou just made me instantly hungry! Pinned! Your subtitle is perfect!
ReplyDeleteSorry about those hunger pains!
DeleteAlthough I do not dance or act, I really enjoyed your poem. The squash - how I love butternut squash with some honey flavored with cinnamon, or maple syrup. My wheels are turning - I wonder if the "cauliflower rice" so popular now (and point free in Weight Watchers) would work with this. In the meantime, I pinned this. Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteI would definitely give the cauliflower rice a try, you've got nothing to lose!
DeleteI love acorn squash.
ReplyDeleteI do believe your poetry is improving.
Ha ha, I certainly hope so.
DeleteI do think you are a ballerina. I love the image of you spinning around the kitchen. :)
ReplyDeleteI don't know about a ballerina, but I'm a huge ballet fan!
DeleteHow do you make someone hungry with a poem? Witchery I suspect...
ReplyDeleteWitchery is as good an answer as any! And I've been called worse . . .
Delete