Friday, March 16, 2018

Rebuild and Recharge: Use Your Words

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. All of 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 recipient will take them. Until now.


Use Your Words, a multiblogger writing challenge | www.BakingInATornado.com | #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 used them.
I'm using: stomping ~ music ~ screaming ~ brown leaves ~ green grass. They were submitted by Dawn of Cognitive Script.

                          
The brown leaves gave way to bare trees and, like it does every year, winter arrived. Shaking my fists and stomping my feet (and that's even before they were snow covered) I railed against the cold and the ice and the snow, but still, as I knew it would, it came.

Today, for the fourth glorious day in a row, I'll walk past the beautiful, vibrant emerald green grass, over the bridge and onto the beach. Waves lapping is music to my ears I'll walk barefoot with my tootsies in the gulf, eyes peeled for some of my favorite shells: conch, spiral, and of course the elusive sand dollars. I'll feel the sun on my sunscreen covered shoulders and sigh, as I always do as I head towards Tigertail beach, or the other direction, towards the Marriott.

My mindset switches to content here, my soul is nourished. The sun, the beach, the salt air, it all does that. I'll be back here this afternoon with my boys and a beach chair but for now I just walk. And breathe. Grateful that the island is still here. Battered and bruised but here.


picture taken by cousin Mira Dee

In September Hurricane Irma hit this beautiful little island head on. Smacked it silly. Streets were flooded, homes and businesses destroyed. Never in my life have I seen a bare naked palm tree and I hope to never again.

picture taken by cousin Mira Dee

She will carry her scars, but the beauty of this island will live on, and for that I am eternally grateful. Because, it turns out, I need her. I realize that every time I return and walk this beach. Just as this island is making her way back to her best self, she lifts me up to my best self.

Tonight after a dinner of fresh fish, we'll sit on the deck with a cocktail (Pina Colada for me, thanks), my mom and my sons and I, and watch the big red glorious sun slowly sink into the Gulf. If we're lucky, a pod of dolphins will show themselves just before dusk takes one more day of heaven on earth away.
Pina Colada Popcorn, Kettle Corn drizzled with flavored butter and tossed with dried pineapple and toasted coconut. | Recipe developed by www.BakingInATornado.com | #recipe #snack

Pina Colada Popcorn



In 6 short, way too short, days I will say "good-bye" to my mom and to my younger son, to this glorious island, and get on a plane and head back to the land of the coats and gloves and scarves. And although I know I must go, chances are College Boy will have to drag me onto that airplane, kicking and screaming.


Here are links to all the other Use Your Words posts:




Pina Colada Popcorn
                                               ©www.BakingInATornado.com


Ingredients:
1/2 cup sweetened coconut flakes
3 TBSP salted butter
1 tsp of rum extract
2 tsp grenadine syrup
1/2 cup chopped dried pineapple
about 12 cups Kettle Corn (sweet popcorn)

Directions:
*Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread the coconut flakes on a baking sheet. Place in the oven and bake until it just barely start to brown, about 5 minutes. Remove immediately and set aside to cool.
*Melt the butter in a microwave safe bowl. Stir in the rum extract and the grenadine.
*Place the popcorn in a large bowl. Drizzle half of the butter mixture over the popcorn, mix well, add the rest of the butter, mix well. Last, mix in the toasted coconut and dried pineapple.


16 comments:

  1. Aaaaaaah, Marco Island, your power place! This isn't a fictional post, you're really there, right? I do hope so for you, it'll recharge your batteries. Is there a way I can have your bartender charge a PiƱa Colada on me?

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    1. Yes, I'm here. And I had a Berry Pina Colada last night before dinner that was absolutely delish.

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  2. Wow...I love popcorn and Pina Colada's. Can't wait to try this recipe Karen!

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  3. Fresh fish and pina colada popcorn? That is sure to lift the spirits and make the most of your time spend there. I think you're definitely right.....she will carry her scars but her beauty will shine through, as well as her strength and resilience to overcome and rebuild.

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    Replies
    1. Yes, I can see her beauty right through it all. And there is a beauty in resilience too.

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  4. Oh, do I ever hear you. I had my 4 days of paradise in January. It really got me through the rest of winter-well, until recently.Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com

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    1. It tends to carry you through. I'm hoping this trip will keep me going till Spring.

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  5. Sounds like you are loving your vacay. Yes, the weather here in Florida could not be more beautiful this time of year. I really shouldn't take it for granted.....

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    1. I can tell you I'm not taking it for granted, making the most of every day.

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  6. I hope that picture wasn't your mom's place! I'm so happy you're getting so much relaxation on your vacation. Mine didn't go as well I'm afraid. Ended up having to take mom with us and well you can imagine!

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    1. I'm so sorry you didn't get the alone time you wanted. Wish it had turned out better.

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  7. Such amazing lines. You have used the words so well. Loved reading every bit of it. Haaha those last lines absolutely resonated with me: "get on a plane and head back to the land of the coats and gloves and scarves."
    I absolutely hate the end of vacay especially if it's in a sunny place.

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    Replies
    1. I agree, the anticipation is fun, the vacation is fun but heading home? Not so much.

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