Friday, August 30, 2019

Not in Kansas Any More: Funny Friday

Today’s post is this month’s Funny Friday, a regular feature published on the last Friday of every month. Funny Friday is a collaborative project. Each month one of the participants submits a picture, then we all write 5 captions or thoughts inspired by that month’s picture. Links to the other bloggers’ posts are below, click on them and see what they’ve come up with. I hope we bring a smile to your face as you start your weekend.


Funny Friday:a multi-blogger challenge: one picture, five captions,  | developed and run by www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics

Here's today's picture. It was submitted by me.

Funny Friday, a multi blogger picture captioning challenge | Picture submitted by me, Karen of Baking In A Tornado | Featured on www.BakingInATornado.com | #funny #laugh



1. Passenger: Bobby Joe, I think we took a wrong turn somewhere.
Driver: Yeah, looks like we're not in Kansas any more.

2. Driver (to himself): Jeez, when dad said it was a dry season out in the alfalfa fields, he wasn't kidding.

3. Woman on vacation from Iowa walking the beach with her friend: See, Susan, I told you he was stalking me.

NOTE: Although I've said this in jest, stalking, true stalking, is not a joke, it's dangerous. If you need help, reach out and get it.

4. Little child on the second day of his vacation to his mom: See mom, I told you they go out in the morning and hide shells. It's just like Easter eggs.

5. trump (angrily, to his cabinet): I was talking about fires. I said to sweep the forests, not the beaches.



 And now for something yummy:


Refrigerator Whipped Peach Pie is an easy, no bake dessert. It’s light and fluffy and full of peach flavor. | Recipe developed by www.BakingInATornado.com | #recipe #pie

Refrigerator Whipped Peach Pie
Refrigerator Whipped Peach Pie is an easy, no bake dessert. It’s light and fluffy and full of peach flavor. | Recipe developed by www.BakingInATornado.com | #recipe #pie



Click on the links below and let some other bloggers make you smile:

Spatulas on Parade 
Follow Me Home 


Baking In A Tornado signature/logo | www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics


Refrigerator Whipped Peach Pie
                                                                          ©www.BakingInATornado.com


Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 tsp sugar
4 TBSP butter, melted

2 cups heavy cream
1 package (3 oz) peach jello
1/4 cup peach preserves
1/2 to 3/4 of a peach, pitted, skinned and chopped (can slice the rest for garnish)


Directions:
*Mix together the graham cracker crumbs, sugar and melted butter. Press into the bottom and up the sides of a 9 inch pie plate.
*Beat the heavy cream and jello granules until soft peaks form. While that is beating, whisk together the peach preserves and 1 TBSP water until smooth. 
*Add the peach preserves to the heavy cream and beat until stiff peaks hold. Remove about 1/3 of a cup of the whipped cream, seal in a sandwich bag and store in the fridge for the garnish.
*Gently fold the chopped peach into the remaining whipped cream.
*Pour into the crust, smooth so it's even and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Garnish with reserved whipped cream and/or peach slices if desired. 

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Counting Words, Just Because

Today is National Just Because Day. Why, you ask. I'm guessing just because. The celebratory instructions, as per the internet, are simple. Do something for no rhyme or reason. Easy for me, that's pretty much how I live many days. Not on purpose, but you know how that goes. One thing leads to another and the next thing you know, you're counting the chocolate chips left in the bag.

Of course I thought about how I might celebrate this day through blogging. And as usual, I decided to drag a few friends along with me.

Counting Words, Just Because | Graphic designed by, featured on and property of www.BakingInATornado.com | #humor #MyGraphics

Here's what I decided, we'd talk about anything we want. Where's the challenge in that? We'd do it using an exact word count given to us by another blogger. So I gave a blogger a number, that's her word count for her post, and another blogger gave me a number, that's going to be my word count. Got it? No? Too confusing? Just play along, OK?

I was assigned the number 43, by Diane of On the Border. So here's what you need to know, in 43 words. Three different times, actually.

About what I'm currently cooking: 

Sweet Chili Pork Kabobs are delish. I was looking for something to make with a pork tenderloin and started rummaging through the fridge and pantry. Sweet Chili Sauce. Garlic, of course. What else? Oh, there's Balsamic Vinegar. I'll marinate, skewer and grill. Perfect!


Sweet Chili Pork Kabobs: pork tenderloin, vegetables and pineapple chunks marinated, skewered and grilled. | Recipe developed by www.BakingInATornado.com | #recipe #dinner

Sweet Chili Pork Kabobs
Sweet Chili Pork Kabobs: pork tenderloin, vegetables and pineapple chunks marinated, skewered and grilled. | Recipe developed by www.BakingInATornado.com | #recipe #dinner


About my current thoughts:
Allergies should be outlawed. I love opening the windows, but am stuck with air conditioning because open windows makes my nose run. Nonstop. And bringing my gorgeous lilacs into the house in the Spring causes headaches. Who do I need to talk to?

About the current holiday:
Celebrate "Just Because" today,
seems it's a national holiday.
"Celebrate with me" I say,
To blogging friends, my favorite prey.
Join me, once again they did.
Well, a few actually hid. 
Worked with limited words amid,
Friends assigned their own word count lid.

 
You counted my words, didn't you? All three times, right?
 
Click on the links below to see how other bloggers did with their word counts:

Sarah of Sarah Nolan shares Counting Words: A Little Diddy.
Dawn of Spatulas on Parade shares Short Sweet and to the Point
Diane of On the Border shares Seventeen Seventeens



Baking In A Tornado signature | www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics





Sweet Chili Pork Kabobs        
                                         ©www.BakingInATornado.com

Printable Recipe

Ingredients:
1 1/2# pork tenderloin
1 green pepper
1/4 of a red onion 
1 summer squash
about a cup of snap peas
1/2 cup sweet chili sauce
3 cloves minced garlic
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1 cup pineapple cubes

Directions:
*Trim the pork tenderloin, then cut into bite sized pieces and place in a resealable bag.
*Seed the green pepper and cut into chunks. Peel the onion, separate the scales and cut into pieces. Cut the ends off of the squash and cut into about 1/2 inch slices. Trim the stem end and remove the string of the snap peas. Place all in a resealable bag.

*Whisk together the sweet chili sauce, garlic and balsamic vinegar. Put half of this sauce into each of the bags. Gently manipulate the ingredients to be sure all are covered with the sauce. Seal and refrigerate, turning now and then, overnight.
*NOTE: I use metal skewers. If you use wooden ones, soak in water for a few hours before using.
*Thread the pork chunks onto skewers. Thread the vegetable chunks and pineapple cubes onto other skewers.
*Preheat your grill to hot (about 450 degrees). Place the skewers on the grill and immediately lower the temperature to medium. Cook, turning now and then, for about 20 minutes or until the pork is cooked through. To serve, remove from skewers carefully.

Friday, August 23, 2019

Chokeberries and Old Lady Rain Hats: Fly on the Wall

Welcome to a monthly Fly on the Wall group post. Today 5 bloggers are inviting you to catch a glimpse of what you’d see if you were a fly on the wall in our homes. Come on in and buzz around my house. At the end of my post you’ll find links to this month’s other participants’ posts.

Fly on the Wall, a multi-blogger writing challenge | developed and run by www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics


Me: The appliances are revolting against me.
Hubs: Huh?
Me: Every time I close the washing machine now it locks itself. And the dishwasher used to chime when it was done but now it doesn't and I have to keep checking it.
Hubs: Well, it must be something you're pressing.
Me: It's not. I didn't do it.
Hubs: I don't know how else it could have happened.
Me: I know.
Hubs: Okay??
Me: It's the boys. They come into the house while I'm sleeping and press all the buttons on all the appliances just to screw with me.
Hubs (laughing): Yes, I'm sure that's it.
Me: Go buy me a nanny cam.
Hubs: {{blink, blink}}




Fly on the Wall, a multi-blogger writing challenge | developed and run by www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics


Hubs comes upstairs and sees me closing the front door and yelling.

Me: Stop that banging. Go away.
Hubs: Wow, I really hope that wasn't a neighbor.
Me: Birds.
Hubs: Excuse me?
Me: It was birds.
Hubs: Birds?
Me: There were 2 Swallows flying around under the portico and banging into the window over the door.
Hubs: So we'll still get invited to the neighborhood block party?
Me: As long as it's not being hosted by angry birds.
Hubs: We may be safe with the neighbors, but I'd cover my head when I go outside if I were you. Those angry birds have been eating the chokeberries out back.
Me: Did you come upstairs because you're going out?
Hubs: Yes, do you need something?
Me: Yeah, one of those old lady plastic rain hats.  
Hubs: Done!



Fly on the Wall, a multi-blogger writing challenge | developed and run by www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics


I've talked before about the fact that as I age, my eye sight isn't what it used to be. The other day Hubs and I were watching the Red Sox. They were playing their long time rivals, the Yankees.

Me: What the hell does that mean?
Hubs: What? 
Me: That sign behind the batters. It's an ad for Dunkin Donuts' frozen drinks. It says "cool relief for hot ovaries". What does that mean?
Hubs: Put your glasses on. Rivalries. It says "cool relief for hot rivalries".
Me: Oh, well that makes a lot more sense.


Fly on the Wall, a multi-blogger writing challenge | developed and run by www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics


There were 2 giant bees living somewhere near one of the flower pots on the front porch. I wrote about them, complete with picture in a post last month called Suckdom is for Mondays.

We had reached a fragile detente, of late. I would gingerly tiptoe out front at about 9 am and water the flowers in that pot and they would buzz back and forth keeping an eye on me but keeping their stingers to themselves (so far, anyway).
 

Late one morning, Hubs looked out the window in the kitchen (on the back of our house) and saw a giant bee buzzing up against the window.

Hubs: Do we have them out back now too?
Me: No, it's probably one of the ones from out front. I'm late watering the front flowers, he's probably just looking for me. 

Hubs just rolls his eyes and walks away.

Me (exasperated and mumbling under my breath): My friend Dawn has squirrels who come to her yard looking for her every day. I've got bees. Perfect. Just perfect.



Fly on the Wall, a multi-blogger writing challenge | developed and run by www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics


Hubs (checking the mail): What is this check sent to me for 44 cents?
Me: Don't ask.
Hubs: Are you going to cash it?
Me: Well, I'm not rushing off to the bank with it.
Hubs: I'll have to sign it.
Me: No you don't.
Hubs: It's made out to me, I have to sign it if either one of us is eventually going to take it to the bank.
Me: Let me tell you something, if you ever try to put a check into the bank that you signed, you'll probably get arrested.
Hubs (laughing): Why, 'cause you always just sign my name?
Me: Yup. But seriously, you may as well go ahead and sign it.
Hubs: No way, I don't want to get arrested.
Me: If you do, I have 44 cents for bail . . .



Pineapple and Corn Salsa Fresco bursts with fresh summer flavors. Serve with tortilla chips or as a complement to grilled fish, chicken, or over enchiladas. | Recipe developed by www.BakingInATornado.com

Pineapple and Corn Salsa
Pineapple and Corn Salsa Fresco bursts with fresh summer flavors. Serve with tortilla chips or as a complement to grilled fish, chicken, or over enchiladas. | Recipe developed by www.BakingInATornado.com
served with my Shrimp Enchiladas

Hubs (walking into the room): What's for dinner?
Me (looking up from my iPad): Roly Polies.
Hubs: What?
Me: Roly Polies.
Hubs: The bugs?
Me: Yes, I was just reading that they're actually crustaceans, taste like shrimp. And way cheaper, I just need to go out back.
Hubs: You're kidding, right?
Me: Would I kid you?
Hubs: I don't know, but I damn well hope so. 

What did I make for dinner? Shrimp. The real ones. And believe me, Hubs double checked. Right after he hid my iPad.


Fly on the Wall, a multi-blogger writing challenge | developed and run by www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics


Another night . . .

Hubs: I'm tired. 
Me: I'm retired. 
Hubs: Retired?
Me: Yeah, I was tired, now I'm tired again, retired.
Hubs: This is your way of letting me know I'm bringing in take out for dinner, right?
Me: I think you're starting to figure me out.
Hubs: And an added bonus, it's better than bugs.



Fly on the Wall, a multi-blogger writing challenge | developed and run by www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics


As anyone who reads this blog and especially my Fly on the Wall posts knows, I'm a major Boston sports fan. Especially the Red Sox. When I was growing up, my grandpa's company had box seats right by the dugout along the first base line. I didn't get to use them often, but those time that I did solidified my love of Red Sox baseball. Just like my grandpa.

This year, however, it's been really tough to be a Red Sox fan. I still love them, always will, but they suck. It's especially disappointing since they are the current World Series champions and to a great extent have the same team they had last year. 

I live in the Midwest so I don't have any local channel that shows all of the games. The MLB network shows some, but a lot of the time I have to stream them from my laptop onto the TV. I don't do it all the time any more though, it's too painful.

Hubs walks in late from work and sees me sitting in front of the TV in the den.

Hubs: Are you streaming the Red Sox tonight?
Me: Do I look like I'm crying?
Hubs: No.
Me: Then no.



Fly on the Wall, a multi-blogger writing challenge | developed and run by www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics


I've talked a lot about how frustrated I am with companies and the fact that there's no such thing as customer service any more. I've had multiple issues with our cable company, Amazon, and our local newspaper.

I'd canceled the newspaper (I was getting Sunday only) because every time I got a bill in the mail they were either raising my rates or adding inane charges. I don't need the paper for anything so I canceled.

A rep came to my door and listened patiently to my complaints and in the end talked me into signing back up at a great rate with promised no added charges for one year. A lot happened after that, cut to the chase, I objected to them adding, to the very first bill, a charge for sending me a bill and I canceled for the last time. 

Two weeks later Hubs hands me the mail. There's a letter from the newspaper company saying how much they want me back.

Me: So they lost me because they charged me for sending me mail. 
Hubs: Yes.
Me: And then they sent me mail for free.
Hubs: Yup, pretty much. 
Me: Great business model.


Fly on the Wall, a multi-blogger writing challenge | developed and run by www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics

It's no big secret that people's minds work differently. There are times when I have no idea how Hubs' mind works, or even if it is. In his defense, I'm positive he feels the same way about me.

Hubs' 50 inch TV from down in the man cave wasn't working. I wrote about it in my post Mondays are for Suckdom. Anyway, he took it to a dinosaur, one of the last TV repairmen still in business. I expected it to be fixable because it's not quite 4 years old. A week later he called from work.

Hubs: Bad news on the TV. 
Me: OK?
Hubs: The mother board is gone, it's not worth fixing, would be around $600.
Me: That sucks.
Hubs: I'm going to pick it up from the repair man, then I'll be home.
Me: Why pick that huge thing up?
Hubs: I'm going to hook it up and try turning it on one more time.

Me: And you think that will work.
Hubs: It could.
Me: Could it though?
Hubs: It's worth a try.

Me: Is it though?
Hubs: Yes, I'm on my way to pick it up.
Me: OK, I wish you luck.



Now click on the links below for a peek into some other homes:

Never Ever Give Up Hope  
Menopausal Mother 
Spatulas on Parade
Go Mama O 



Baking In A Tornado signature | www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics






Pineapple and Corn Salsa Fresco
                                                                       ©www.BakingInATornado.com

Ingredients:
1 ear of corn, cooked, cooled
1 jalapeno, seeded, diced
1/4 red pepper, seeded, diced
1 green onion, chopped
1 1/2 cups fresh pineapple, peeled, cored, chopped
2 TBSP chopped cilantro
2 TBSP lime juice
1 tsp pineapple juice
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp cumin

OPT: serve with tortilla chips or over grilled fish, chicken or with enchiladas

Directions:
*Cut the corn from the cob and place in a bowl. Discard the cob.
*Add the jalapeno, red pepper, green onion, pineapple and cilantro to the corn.
*Whisk together the lime juice, pineapple juice, salt, pepper and cumin. Pour into the bowl and mix well.
*Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour, mixing once or twice.

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Zins and Sins

The zinfandel made me do it. 

Hubs and I like wine, he's more of the connoisseur, can tell you facts and flavors and years. I, on the other hand, just like what I like. His favorite is full bodied French reds, and although I prefer a dry white, I've come to appreciate some of his favorites, like a Chateuneuf du Pape. We used to seek out expensive wines, now we like to explore less expensive options like a Beaujolais Nouveau or even a 2-Buck Chuck. Another that we found years ago is a zinfandel, 7 Deadly Zins.

And it was late one afternoon, as I was baking a cake and doing my dinner prep that I started to think about the cousins of the glass of Zins I had in my hand, or it's namesake if you will, the actual Seven Deadly Sins. I know where I stand on the Zins. But where do I stand on the Sins?

Zins and Sins, the seven deadly kind. | Graphic created by and property of www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics #humor


Googling, my first thought is that I'm off the hook. The seven deadly sins are not in the bible, they are Christian teachings. Being Jewish (and slightly pickled) I figure I have nothing to lose. Let's see where I stack up.

First up, lust. Does it count that it's for a cake? 'Cause I'm kinda looking at the one I just baked and wondering if I need to make dinner after all. 

Second is gluttony. Guess I covered that one already?

Cookies and Crème Bundt Cake is a moist cake that starts with a mix, adds in cookies and crème flavors and cookie chunks, then is double drizzled and topped with more cookie crumbs. | Recipe developed by www.BakingInATornado.com | #recipe #cake

Cookies and Creme Bundt Cake
Cookies and Crème Bundt Cake is a moist cake that starts with a mix, adds in cookies and crème flavors and cookie chunks, then is double drizzled and topped with more cookie crumbs. | Recipe developed by www.BakingInATornado.com | #recipe #cake


Greed. I'd be in a better position to argue against this one if I had left a glass from this bottle for Hubs. But if I throw out the bottle and take out the trash.

Sloth. Oh hell, that's too much work, I could probably just hide the bottle in the bottom of the trash bag and leave it for Hubs to take out. 

Unless you're talking about Sloth the animal. If so, I'm not guilty of this one. Anyone who has worked out a life of hanging upside down from a tree is a deity in my mind.

Wrath. Do me a favor, look up the definitions of wrath and the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. It's biological, it's not my fault.

Envy. I had a friend who (OK, behind her back, but lovingly) I called Olive Oyl. She's tall and thin and eats whatever she wants. Now I admit that I eat the cake, but truth is, why not? All I have to do is look at it and gain weight, may as well enjoy. Envious of Olive Oyl? Yeah, guilty.

And lastly, Pride. Well . . . I'm proud to say I don't really care about this last sin. Mostly due to this last glass of Zins.

L'chaim, friends. 


Baking In A Tornado signature | www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics





Cookies and Creme Bundt Cake        
                                                       ©www.BakingInATornado.com

Printable Recipe

Ingredients:
1 box white cake mix
1 box (about 4.2 oz) cookies 'n creme pudding mix
3 eggs
1/2 cup water
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup oil
1 cup chopped Oreos (about 8 - 9 cookies)

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, divided
1 TBSP milk
3 - 4 TBSP chocolate syrup
1 tsp vanilla
3 - 4 TBSP French vanilla creamer
2 Oreos, crushed

Directions:
*Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a bundt pan.
*Beat the cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, water, sour cream and oil for 3 minutes.
*Mix in the 1 cup of chopped Oreos and pour into prepared pan.
*Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, until the center springs back to the touch.
*Cool for 15 minutes in the pan before removing to serving plate. Cool completely.
*Place 3/4 cup powdered sugar into a bowl. Whisk in the milk, then the chocolate syrup one TBSP at a time until it's of a thick drizzling consistency. Place into a sandwich bag, seal, snip one corner and pipe over the cooled cake.
*Place the remaining 3/4 cup powdered sugar into another bowl. Whisk in the vanilla, then the creamer one TBSP at a time until it's of a thick drizzling consistency. Place into a sandwich bag, seal, snip one corner and pipe over the chocolate drizzle.
*Immediately sprinkle with the crushed Oreos.

Friday, August 16, 2019

Be Careful What You Wish For: 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 | developed and run by 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: genie lamp ~ movie ~ gas tank ~ elevator ~ vine
They were submitted by Dawn of Spatulas on Parade.

                          
One look at the words genie lamp, would have most people wishing, first of all, that they existed. Me? Not so much. Truth is, when you have anxiety, the most wonderful circumstances can be transformed into a traumatic experience. One thing I do, always, is overthink myself into paralyzation.

If I found one, before I could even start to think of wishes, I'd worry about using them too soon. What if something happens later in life, something serious or traumatic and I need my wishes then but had used them? I could literally convince myself to wait the rest of my life for the right time which, in a situation I'd created for myself, would never come. 

Or what if I dropped it and broke the genie? Or rubbed it the wrong way and got nightmares instead of dreams come true? 

Or what if I accidentally used them? Like the time I bought grape vines for my back yard, so excited not only to grow grapes but to have the vines cover a structure in the back that I didn't like looking at. Would I look out a those vines every day, as I did, and eventually just casually wish the vines would grow quicker (or, as it turns out, at all) and waste a precious wish? 

And then might I, standing in the kitchen covered with sugar and flour putting my precious new creation into the oven, make a little "please come out" wish as I gingerly closed the oven door?


These soft Pineapple Toffee Cookies are studded with pineapple, dried pineapple and toffee chips. Summer in your mouth. | Recipe developed by www.BakingInATornado.com | #recipe #cookies

Pineapple Toffee Cookies
These soft Pineapple Toffee Cookies are studded with pineapple, dried pineapple and toffee chips. Summer in your mouth. | Recipe developed by www.BakingInATornado.com | #recipe #cookies


Or, stuck in an elevator (probably having to pee, 'cause despite finding a genie lamp, that's my luck) would I wish the fire department would come and get us now, wasting that third wish on something that was invariably going to happen anyway?

Grape vines, food and an elevator, great waste of wishes. Too much pressure, having to go through the rest of my life with people pointing at me "there's that woman who wasted wishes, can you believe it?". I'd have to move away, change my name, get a nose job. Even then, I couldn't escape myself.

I think I'll have to take a pass on that genie lamp, thank you very much.

Hold on, hold on, on second thought, I'm already overthinking that. I can do it. Give me that thing. I want a bazillion dollars, to be a famous movie star, and an endless supply of free fuel for my gas tank. Wait, can I take that last one back? Can't take a wish back, can you? Damn. I knew I'd blow it . . .

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





Pineapple Toffee Cookies
                                                              ©www.BakingInATornado.com



Printable Recipe


Ingredients (makes about 3 1/2 dz):
1 stick butter, softened
1 stick margarine, softened
2/3 cup sugar
2/3 cup brown sugar
2 eggs, room temperature
1 tsp pineapple extract
8 oz can crushed pineapple
3 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup toffee baking chips
1/2 cup dried pineapple, chopped

Directions:
*Reserving 2 TBSP of the juice, drain the crushed pineapple, then press dry between paper towels.
*Cream the butter, margarine and sugars. Beat in the eggs, pineapple extract and the 2 TBSP reserved pineapple juice from the can. Mix in the pineapple.
*On the lowest speed, incorporate the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Mix in the toffee baking chips and the chopped dried pineapple.
*Wrap in plastic wrap and place in the fridge for an hour or up to a day.
*Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cover baking sheets with parchment paper.
*Using wet hands (dough will be sticky) roll dough into about 1 inch balls. Place in the baking sheets and gently flatten a bit with the heel of your hand.
*Bake 12 - 14 minutes until the edges are browning. Allow to sit on the baking sheets for 2 minutes before removing to cool completely.

Wednesday, August 14, 2019

Lazy Isn't What It Once Was: August Poetry

Another month has passed us by,
since my last dismal poetry try.
Monthly Poetry group and I,
chose Lazy as our theme {{sigh}}.

My poem's below, that much is true,
though I want to just mention to you, 
If lazy, I were to follow through,
I'd stop right now, let this much do.

But I won't (sorry).

Lazy, a monthly poetry challenge based on a theme. | Graphic property of www.BakingInATornado.com | #poetry


Lazy

If Lazy is as lazy does,
and lazy were as it once was,
I'd lounge in a hammock picking belly button fuzz,
listening to bees and flies as they buzz.

But lazy's different, this I know,
kids crush relaxation like a tornado.
Responsibilities, bills we owe,
relaxation hits an all time low.

Cook and they'll refuse to eat,
bake and they'll demolish that treat.
Each day there's laundry, wash, dry, repeat,
lazy's got a permanent back seat. 



Garden Vegetable, Ham and Twice Baked Potato Casserole starts with sautéed vegetables, layered with cooked ham and topped with mashed potatoes. | Recipe developed by www.BakingInATornado.com | #recipe #dinner

Garden Vegetable, Ham and Twice Baked Potato Casserole
Garden Vegetable, Ham and Twice Baked Potato Casserole starts with sautéed vegetables, layered with cooked ham and topped with mashed potatoes. | Recipe developed by www.BakingInATornado.com | #recipe #dinner


Even after those kids have grown, 
they'll wait til your birthday, then break a bone.
To speeding tickets, they'll remain prone,
still blowing through your life like a damn cyclone.
 
Getting old, it truly sucks, 
more rest needed . . . and more bucks.
And now I need a few nips and tucks,  
yeah, I'm one of those poor schmucks.

But back to lazy, I'm here to say,
don't put it off, lay down and sway.
This problem and that, they're here to stay,
seems lazy can actually save the day.



Before you go, click on these links to more poetry from some of my friends:
Lydia of Cluttered Genius shares Lazy No More
Dawn of Spatulas on Parade shares Lazy
Diane of On the Border shares Training My Lazy.


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Garden Vegetable, Ham and Twice Baked Potato Casserole
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Ingredients: 
1 TBSP olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1 large zucchini, rinsed, dried, ends removed and sliced
1 large yellow squash, rinsed, dried, ends removed and sliced
2 beefsteak tomatoes, rinsed, dried, cored cut in half and then sliced
salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder
2 TBSP seasoned bread crumbs 
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1# cooked breakfast ham steak, chopped  3 potatoes
4 TBSP butter
1/4 cup half and half
salt and pepper to taste
1 green onion, chopped
paprika

NOTE: I often make this recipe in smaller baking dishes for individual servings 

Directions:
*Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 8 X 10 casserole dish.
*Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic, zucchini and summer squash. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder to taste. Cook and stir until they are still crisp but start to soften. Add the tomato and cook one more minute. Remove from heat, drain the pan, then mix in the bread crumbs.
*Place the vegetables evenly into the bottom of your casserole dish. Top with the mozarella cheese, then sprinkle with the chopped ham. 
*Rinse the potatoes and pat dry. Pierce multiple times with a fork, place on microwave safe plate and cook for 5 minutes. Turn potato over and microwave for 5 more minutes. Pierce to be sure they're soft and if not, return to microwave and cook at 2 minute intervals until they are. Remove from microwave and slice in half.
*Protecting your hands, remove the potato from the skin and discard skin. Mash the potato with the butter, half and half, salt and pepper. Mix in the green onion. Spread the mashed potatoes over the top of the ham in the casserole dish. Sprinkle with paprika to taste.
*Bake for 30 to 40 minutes or until hot and the potatoes are browning.