Put a Fork in It

 

These past 12 months, March 2020 through March 2021, have been full of difficult choices and decisions. Consequential forks in the road. So many, in fact, I hope the Chinese will forgive me for saying that this less the year of the Ox, and more like the year of the fork.

You'd think it would be easier now, with so many people vaccinated. But in a state that puts politics over science, I personally can't count on anything. I'm still waiting to be fully vaccinated. I even wrote an email to the Director of Public Health suggesting ways to make their system more efficient. Yes, I did (mostly just to make myself feel better). And she did answer, was very kind and thoughtful, but I'm still waiting to be able to feel safe.  

Even with the vaccinations going on, I must admit it's still hard to know what the true situation I'm considering entering may be. Shouldn't everyone who's been vaccinated wear a t-shirt saying so or something? So we all know who among us has a brain and a heart {{sigh}}. Even then, we have all the Covid mutations to consider. It's exhausting.

At this point it feels like there are more forks than road. 

I plant flowers in my outdoor pots in May. Last year I knew I wanted to spend the summer in lockdown able to see the beautiful colors of those flowers out front and on the back deck. But how? I drove by many stores that sell them and they were packed, no social distancing and most not wearing masks. I ended up going to an outdoor nursery very early in the morning in a drenching downpour (and pretty much had the place to myself). Every minute of life requires thought and planning. Still.

What's so frustrating is that one year later, I still miss family, miss the normalcy of grabbing a cup of coffee, shopping for nothing in particular, I even miss picking my own damn tomatoes in the grocery store. What long ago and far away was the easy stuff continues to require thought and compromise. Even what to have for dinner. Do I have all of the ingredients? If not, can I use a substitute? Or is it worth the risk to run out to the store? The answer to that question depends on so many things, who's vaccinated and who is not (which I can't know), who will walk into a store with a mask but then drop it down once they're in, who will social distance and who will walk right up to me.

Spicy BBQ Chicken Sliders

 

I recently saw a picture of a piece of Russian art based on an old folk tale. The painting, from the late 1800s, depicts a knight on his horse sitting before a stone tablet (which looks suspiciously, ominously, like a tombstone). As the tale goes, the knight has come to a fork in the road. There, he sees a stone with an inscription telling him of his choices. Choosing the road to the left will result in losing your horse, it tells him. Choosing the road to your right will result in losing your head.

Personally, I'd consider turning back, going home, pulling the covers over my head and forgetting the whole journey. But then I don't have the bravery of a Russian knight. Then again he might benefit from a dose of my reasoning skills.

But in the world of Covid, a laissez-faire, "frankly my dear, I don't give a fork" attitude isn't an option. There is no turning back on this road. There are just choices. And consequences.

Here's my advice: next time we come to a fork in the road, grab a knife, something yummy, and dig in. Because when life is full of forks, may as well put them to good use.

And all of those difficult decisions? Make them over dessert.

Spicy BBQ Chicken Sliders        

                                                       ©www.BakingInATornado.com

Printable Recipe

Ingredients: 

about 1 1/2# boneless, skinless chicken breasts

salt, pepper, garlic powder

11 cup barbecue sauce

2 TBSP pepper jelly (mild or hot, your choice)

1/2 tsp cumin

3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1 package slider rolls (15 count, attached to each other)

1/4 cup jarred pepperoncini peppers, drained, sliced (can substitute jarred, drained, sliced banana pepper for less heat)

1 TBSP melted butter

1/4 tsp paprika

Directions:
*Slice the chicken into strips. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

*Spray a saute pan with nonstick spray and heat to medium. Add the chicken, cook and stir until completely cooked through. Remove the chicken, drain the saute pan, and chop the cooked chicken.

*Return the chicken to the pan with the barbecue sauce, pepper jelly, and cumin. Reduce the heat to medium low and cook, stirring, for 10 minutes. Remove from heat.

*Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 8 X 11 glass baking dish.

*Keeping them attached, slice the rolls into top and bottom halves. Gently press the bottoms of the rolls into the baking dish so they fit snuggly. 

*Spread the chicken onto the rolls, sprinkle with the shredded cheese, dot with the sliced pepperoncini, then gently press the top of the rolls onto the cheese.

*Mix together the melted butter and paprika. Brush onto the tops of the rolls.

*Bake for 20 - 25 minutes until the sandwiches are hot and the tops are brown and crispy.

Worthy Pastimes: Hobbies Poetry

 

Hobbies is the theme Diane chose, 

I must admit, it's true, 

not sure what I will have to say,  

'cause hobbies? I've got very few.

 

But I'll try to amuse you,

as I so often do.

And if by chance I don't succeed,

next month, I'll try anew.

Worthy Pastimes

 

"You need to have a hobby,"

he came to me to say.

"Covid's got you in the house,

what will you do all day?"

"Well, I do the laundry,

whenever a pile is there."

"Are you really claiming fun

is cleaning underwear?"

"Each night I cook our dinner,

try out recipes that are new."

"Any hobbies that are NOT a chore,

things you wouldn't normally do?"

 

 

Stuffed Chicken Breasts

 

"One pastime is sudoku,

put numbers in the right square."

"There you go, a hobby,

we're finally getting there."

"I love to read, always have

who-done-its I adore."

"Reading's such a fun escape,

great hobby, any more?"

 

"I recently took up hunting,

big game, if you recall." 

"That ended, though," he's right to say,

"you got the big prize, after all."

 

"Minding others' business,

takes up lots of my time."

"Micromanaging our kids," he said

"not a hobby, that's a crime."

 

"Now hold on just a minute,"

I said to him, really stressed.

"You best not dare to take away,

the one hobby I do best."

Before you go, more Hobbies poetry:

 

Diane of On the Border shares Hobbying Along. 

 

Stuffed Chicken Breasts

                                                                       ©www.BakingInATornado.com

Printable Recipe

Ingredients: 

1 chicken bouillon cube or 1 tsp chicken bouillon granules

1 sleeve Ritz crackers (about 35 crackers)

2 oz mushrooms, sliced

1 green onion, chopped

1/2 cup Wish Bone Russian salad dressing

1/4 cup orange marmalade

1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

2# thin sliced boneless skinless chicken breasts

salt, pepper, garlic powder

 

Directions:

*Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8 X 11 baking dish.
*Dissolve the chicken bouillon in boiling water. Set aside.

*Crush the crackers into a bowl. Add the sliced mushrooms and all but about 1 tsp of the green onion. Set aside.

*Whisk together the Russian dressing, orange marmalade, and Worcestershire sauce. Set aside.

*A little at a time, add the dissolved chicken bouillon to the cracker mixture until it comes together and the cracker crumbs absorb the broth, you don't want it too wet. You can adjust by adding water if it's too dry.

*Sprinkle the sliced chicken, both sides, with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Place about 2 - 3 TBSP (depending on the size of the breast) of the cracker stuffing into the center of each. Roll, pin together with a toothpick, and place each stuffed breast into the prepared baking pan. Spread any leftover stuffing into the center of the pan.
*Drizzle the sauce over the top and sprinkle with the remaining green onion.
*Cover with tin foil and bake for 1 hour. Remove the toothpicks for serving.

Vaccination Information Stagnation

 

 

There was another tragic mass shooting yesterday. This one hit close to home, it was in Boulder, where my son lives. My heart was firmly planted in my throat until I heard from him. And although he is safe, my heart is broken that this has happened in our country, yet again.

Today's scheduled post was originally called Just shoot me. Please. Although I'm still publishing it, I got up at 6:00 am to change the name. Obviously it just felt wrong.

 

I'm not a gun person. Never liked them. When we moved in together, Hubs had to give his to his brother for safe keeping. His brother later sold it. Fine with me, just keep it out of my house.

 

Back then I was living in Connecticut. Way, WAY different from the Midwest where I ended up. Here people keep guns. There are lots of hunters, it's more popular in the Midwest, but people also just keep them for . . . I don't really know why. Fun, I guess? I don't really see the point. If it's not a rifle used for hunting or you have some reason to feel you need one for safety, I don't really get it. 

 

But I do acknowledge that there's a difference in the attitude towards guns when you grow up with them as opposed to not being at all used to having them around. And although I hate it, I do understand that the whole gun issue has become a political hill to die on. Somehow, the right to bear arms lives in a vacuum on one side of the spectrum while expectations of safety for all cowers on the other. Guess you know where I stand (cower) on that issue.

 

When I was growing up, my mom would have to meet the parents of any new school friends before I could go over and play. Of course she wanted to be sure there was age appropriate supervision. I don't know what she asked those parents, but being a virgin Midwesterner when I had kids, I was shocked when a friend told me what I needed to ask all parents of new friends who'd invited my young kids over:

 

"Do you live in a safe area?" No, all our schools are neighborhood schools so I know they do. 

 

"Do you drink during the day?" No, and who would blame a mom for a little afternoon nip? Not me.

 

"Do you let your kids eat lots of sugary foods when they have friends over?" Pfft, as if I'm one to throw stones.

No, what my friend told me to be sure to ask was
"are your guns locked up?" Yikes.

 

 

 

Apple Raspberry Breakfast Cake

  

When the boys were much older, a friend was taking his kids, the same age as mine, to a range to target shoot and asked if my boys could go. Yes, he target shoots for sport. He's a former marine and a close friend so I trusted him, but I held out the first few times he asked, I just don't like guns. Eventually, though, I gave in. Once. Truth is, if they're going to live here (well, these days anywhere, really) I did want them to have a working knowledge of gun safety.

 

Given how I feel about the weapons, it's surprising that for the last few months I have a new mantra: Just shoot me. Please.

 

That's because everyone I know and plenty of others I know of (thanks, FB, twitter, instagram) who live in civilization (as opposed to a denier state), has been shot. Not with a gun, of course, but with a needle. And I'm still waiting. Not so patiently. 

 

I'm frustrated with and honestly quite sick of hypocrites like the ones in congress who rail against the science yet get their shots publicly, supposedly to set a good example. Yeah, right. No need for you citizens to be protected, but I'll not only get mine, but before the rest of you? 

 

I'm also disgusted by the science deniers who won't wear masks or social distance, as is my experience here. So if all those people aren't getting shots, there should be more of them for those of us with a brain, right? Yet this state is so far behind most of the others. They're allowing appointments for those 65 and over. Still. The moron governor has cruelly mandated no appointments for those with health issues as well.

 

Nothing I can do about it.

 

I have to just sit here, watching friends and acquaintances 10 and 15 years younger than me (some well run states have even opened appointments up to all adults) taking their turn for the greater good, and hoping my turn will soon come.

 

Someone, load up that syringe and just shoot me. Right in the arm. Please.

 

Apple Raspberry Breakfast Cake  

                                                                                            ©www.BakingInATornado.com

Printable Recipe

Ingredients:

1/2 large apple (I use Honey Crisp)

1/2 tsp cinnamon

 

1/2 cup raspberry jam

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 tsp almond extract

 

1/2 cup canola oil

1/3 cup sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

3 eggs, room temperature

1 cup sour cream

1/2 cup milk

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp almond extract

2 1/4 cups flour 

1/2 tsp salt

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 cup powdered sugar

3 TBSP raspberry jam

1/2 tsp vanilla

1 TBSP milk

Directions:

*Grease and flour an 8 X 10 baking pan. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

*Core, peel, and chop the apple. Sprinkle with the cinnamon and set aside.

*Whisk together 1/2 cup raspberry jam, 1/4 cup brown sugar, and 1/4 tsp almond extract. Set aside.

*Beat together the oil, sugar, and remaining brown sugar. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then the sour cream, 1/2 cup milk, 1 tsp vanilla, and 1/2 tsp almond extract. Mix in the flour, salt, and baking powder just until incorporated. Fold in the apple and cinnamon mixture.

*Pour about 2/3 of the batter evenly into prepared pan. Carefully dollop the raspberry jam mixture onto the batter, then gently top with the remaining batter to cover the jam.

*Bake for about 40 minutes, until the edges start to brown and the center is set. Cool completely.

*Whisk together the powdered sugar, remaining raspberry jam, 1/2 tsp vanilla, and 1 TBSP milk. Spread over the top of the cooled cake.

Powdered Sugar Fiasco Cookies: Fly on the Wall

    

 

 

Welcome to a monthly Fly on the Wall group post. Today 4 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.

College Boy's car was making a loud, loud screeching sound.

 

Me: What is that sound?

College Boy: My car.

Me: I know, what are you going to do about it?

College Boy: Nothing.

Me: Nothing. You can't drive around with it screeching like that.

College Boy: Yes I can, I don't have time to do anything about it right now.

Me: How can you stand it?
College Boy: As loud as that gets, I can play my music louder.

Me: Ignore it instead of finding out what it is? Interesting strategy.

College Boy: What you don't know can't hurt you.

Me: I'm thinking that's not going to end up being true.

The loud music thing, that he got that from me. But the ignoring problems part, that's gotta be his dad.

 

 

 

Hubs comes into the kitchen and looks at the desk, which is sort of the hub of the home these days. The calendar is there with everyone's schedules color coded on it, any pending items that need to be taken care of, and the mail once it's been brought in. I was up to my elbows in raw chicken I was preparing. Although, in general, I don't need any excuse for my snark.

Hubs (seeing there's no mail on the desk): You didn't get the mail?

Me (possibly looking daggers at him, but I cannot confirm or deny): No, YOU didn't get the mail.

Hubs: I think I'll walk up and get the mail.

Me: Good idea.

Although the cluster box is only 2 houses away, somehow that seemed to have taken him a good half hour. Wonder why . . .

I'd been fine all day and had even made Mint Marshmallow Brownies in the afternoon, but after dinner Hubs was downstairs doing some work, I had a sink full of dishes when College Boy walked in the house.

Me: Can you do me a favor?
College Boy: Yeah, what?
Me: I have a splitting headache, can you get all the dishes into the dishwasher?
College Boy (sitting down and starting to eat the brownies): Sure, as soon as I finish this pan of brownies.

Me: Finish them?
College Boy: Wouldn't want to do all the dishes and leave the brownie pan out.

 

Hubs and I are complete opposites. Sometimes that works out great, like if we're trying to look at an issue from all sides and make a decision. At other times it's just infuriating.

 

After one of the latter of those conversations:

 

Me: If you ever agreed with me, I'd think the shock of it would strike me dead.

Later:

Me (teasing): I think you should cook dinner tonight.
Hubs (who can't even boil water): I think so too.

Me: But you can't cook.

Hubs: You're right, I can't.

Me: What are you doing?
Hubs: I'm agreeing with you.

Me: So you're trying to strike me dead?
Hubs: Umm . . . I agree?

 

 

I'm in the kitchen making dinner and Hubs is in the den. I keep hearing him clear his throat, clear his throat, clear his throat.

Me: What's going on with your throat?
Hubs: Allergies are bothering me.

Me: I didn't hear you doing that when you were downstairs. 

Hubs: Not as much, but they're really bothering me now.

Me (kidding): So you're saying you're allergic to me?
Hubs (who takes everything seriously): I'm guessing this isn't one of those times when I should agree with you, right?

Dusted PB & Cocoa M&M Cookies

  

This is from the "only me" files:

 

I was trying a new cookie recipe (see above) and decided I'd roll them in powdered sugar before baking. I put the powdered sugar onto a plate, that I was holding when I reached into the silverware drawer for a spoon.

 

So far so good, right? 

 

Nope.

 

I sneezed the powdered sugar into the silverware drawer.

 

Change of plans, instead of baking cookies, I spent the day cleaning the silverware drawer. And all of the silverware. 

 

And as an added bonus, my family was just as pleased with the change in my plans as I was.

 

PS: Don't worry, I was able to make the cookies the next day. 

 

 

The next day Hubs comes into the kitchen.

Hubs: What are you doing?
Me: I'm baking.

Hubs: What are you baking?
Me: Those cookies I was going to make yesterday.

Hubs: Oh, the Powdered Sugar Fiasco Cookies.

Me: Well, I'm actually not going to use that name for them but, yes.

Hubs: Don't sneeze.

Me: Thanks for the baking tip.
Hubs: Just trying to help.

Me: You're never going to let me live that one down, are you?

Hubs: Probably not.

 

Hubs (looking at his laptop): What's another way of saying "weddings"?

Me (thinking he must be doing a crossword puzzle and quite sure that the word he's looking for is "nuptials"): Peaceful transfer of power. 

Hubs (under his breath): I know better now, but there was a time when I would have argued that "peaceful" part.

Me: Guess what?

Hubs: Oh, no.

Me: Oh no?
Hubs: What did you break?
Me: I didn't break anything.

Hubs: What did you forget to do?
Me: I didn't forget to do anything.

Hubs: Where do you need me to go?

Me: I don't need you to go anywhere.

Hubs: What then?
Me: {{blink, blink}}

Hubs: What? Just tell me.

Me: I forgot.

These boys and flat tires, seriously, I've talked about it before but I just don't get it. A recent text between PurDude and I:

 

Me: Your brother's catching up to you. I think this is his 3rd flat tire. What are you up to? 8? 9? And he's only had his car for one year, but then you've done 3 in a year too, haven't you?

 

PurDude: That's funny. I think it's 6 total.

Me: I think you're fudging that number . . .

 

No response.

 

Next morning:

PurDude: OK, you're right. It's 7.

 

I think I can actually feel my hair graying.

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

Never Ever Give Up Hope  

Menopausal Mother 

Wandering Web Designer 

Dusted PB & Cocoa M&M Cookies

                                                                       ©www.BakingInATornado.com

Printable Recipe

Ingredients:
1 package (about 17 oz) peanut butter cookie mix

3 TBSP canola oil

1 TBSP water

2 eggs

1/3 cup baking cocoa

2/3 cup mini M&Ms

1/2 cup powdered sugar, divided

Directions:
*Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

*Place 1/4 cup of the powdered sugar onto a small plate. Set aside.

*Mix together the cookie mix, canola oil, water, eggs, baking cocoa, mini M&Ms, and the remaining powdered sugar.
*Roll the batter into about 36 one inch balls. Press the tops of the balls into the plated powdered sugar and place, sugar side up, on the baking sheets.

*Bake for 10 minutes. Allow to sit for 2 minutes before removing from the baking sheets to cool completely.

Think Wrong, Do Right: Word Counters

 

Counting my words again. 

Today my fellow Word Counters and I are sharing our monthly group post. Each month one group member picks  a number between 12 and 50. All participating bloggers are then challenged to write something (or a few somethings, as the case may be) using that exact number of words. Today we all share what we came up with. 

 This month's number is 36. 
It was chosen by Mimi of Messymimi's Meanderings!

As I've been doing in these Word Counters posts, I've chosen a theme and am using my word count multiple times in keeping with the theme. This month I've chosen the theme Think Wrong, Do Right.

~ I've mentioned before those silly national holidays people celebrate. There are websites listing them, they're good for a laugh. Sometimes I use them for inspiration, like my National Rationalization Day post and Be Nasty Day poem.

 

~ I was checking out one of those websites a few days ago and, as I was looking down the daily list, yesterday's holiday caught my eye. Monday is National Everything You Think is Wrong Day. Everything?

 

~ Intrigued, I worked my way down to Tuesday (which is today), and saw that today is Everything You Do is Right Day. Balance, follow up a day full of wrong with a day full of right.

 

~ Here's what I was thinking (on Sunday, by the way, so it wasn't wrong), follow Everything You Think is Wrong Day with Everything You Do is Right Day and what do you have? A (devious) plan. 

~ Monday came and I (deliberately) thought about my closet. There's so much that needs to be sorted through in there, shirts, shorts, pants, dresses, purses, shoes . . . I haven't used in years. I should do that tomorrow.

~ On Monday I thought that tomorrow I'd tell Hubs I'd broken the lower kitchen cabinet door handle. Again. I've been waiting until he's downstairs to open it with a screwdriver because I'll get that look . . . again.

~ On Monday I even thought (you're catching on now so you know this was planned out) that it's already three months into the new year, I really should start that diet. On the list for tomorrow.

 

 

Chocolate Glazed Peanut Butter Blondies

 

 

~ Today I won't be cleaning out my closet. All of those clothes and items I haven't worn or used will stay where they are. Because, you know, it's not like they're doing any harm there anyway.

 

~ Turns out today won't be the day of my kitchen cabinet handle confession either. I've got a well hidden but perfectly good screwdriver to open that cabinet with, and I've gotten pretty good at using it.

 

~ And today I will not start any new diet. I won't count calories, will not avoid carbs, nor throw out all the chocolate in the pantry, No, I'll sit here eating and drinking whatever I want.

~ I'm glad I checked out that website, to learn that everything I'd (choose to) think yesterday would be wrong, and everything I today is right. And know what? It's shaping up to be a great day.

 

Here are links to the other Word Counters posts:

On the Border 

Messymimi’s Meanderings 

 

                      Chocolate Glazed Peanut Butter Blondies    

                                                                         ©www.BakingInATornado.com                                      

 

Printable Recipe


Ingredients:

1 cup regular or reduced fat creamy peanut butter

6 TBSP canola oil

1 1/2 cups brown sugar

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

1/4 tsp almond extract

2 eggs

1 1/2 cups flour

1/4 tsp salt

1 tsp baking powder

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1/4 cup roasted (no salt) peanuts, shelled and chopped

Directions:

*Grease an 8 X 11 baking pan. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

*In a large bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, oil, brown sugar, vanilla, and almond extract. Once smooth, whisk in the eggs.

*In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder, then mix into the bowl with the peanut butter mixture until fully incorporated.

*Spread evenly into the prepared baking dish. Bake for 25 - 30 minutes until the edges are brown and the center is set. Remove from oven but leave the oven on.

*Sprinkle the top of the blondies with the chocolate chips. Return to the oven for 2 minutes.

*Remove from the oven and gently spread the melted chocolate chips over the top of the blondies. Sprinkle with the chopped peanuts. 

*Allow to cool before slicing.