Games Without Words

 

 I cheated. Well, not so much cheated really, but screwed up.

 

The difference? Intent. And although there was no intent, there was a screw up.

 

And the screw up? Inevitable. How far it went, though, now that's a story!

Listen. I'm human on my best day, so making mistakes isn't really noteworthy. But I am also two other things: an extremely organized over thinker, and I'm aging. Resulting in a bit of a mental tug of war. Previously, the extremely organized over thinker went for the most part unchallenged. That progressed to there mostly being a precarious balance maintained. But more and more the fuzzy aging brain is becoming a bit more . . . assertive. Tipping the scales in my favor isn't that hard, Googling words, and proofreading posts and recipes the day after I write them.

 

So, on to that story I promised you. It's about a personal Wordle game I host on my Baking In A Tornado facebook page. I've talked about it in a few different blog posts (Wordle, Nerdle, Curdle) so I won't go into it again, I will say that it's gone on SO much longer than I could have expected.

Each week, Monday through Friday, I post the link to a Wordle game, the results of which are a word I've chosen for that day. All of the words are food, cooking, and baking based, of course.

 Gingered Squash & Apples

 

I thought it might last a week or two, maybe a month, and people would lose interest. That's not what happened. Today I posted the link to our 212th game, and people are still playing.

Which is kinda shocking, considering what happened last month.

Now, as I said, I knew I'd screw up at some point. And I did. In a moment of . . . I don't know what . . . in October, I posted a link to that day's game, AND the answer. Ooops, sort of takes away the challenge of playing.

Fortunately, I caught it immediately, deleted the post, moved that word to another day in the future and chose a different word for that day.

Inevitable screw up under my belt, I went happily along posting daily links to games. And those who play went happily along posting their daily results. Fun for them to play, fun for me to see how they all did.

Until one month ago. I announced the day's game and went along my merry way.

When I had a chance, I went back to my page to see the results being posted, and whether I'd stumped anyone (insert evil laugh here). Yes, lots of people played, each one showed their results, but they all also made the same comment: this word is spelled wrong.

Huh?

I went to play the game myself, putting in the correct answer as my first guess.

Umm, stupid game, trying to tell me the last 2 letters needed to be switched. Which I did, and which won me the game.

OK, that's embarrassing, I SO wish this was April 1st, I could have tried to sell it as a (deliberate) joke. No such luck. But when I went back to my FB page to fess up and delete the game, I noticed something. More and more people were playing, and enjoying it, finding the whole thing funny.

 

I learned two things from that screw up. 

 

First, my friends all have a good sense of humor (phew).

 

Second, that word games are fun. Even when you're playing a word game . . . with a word . . . that isn't a word.

        Gingered Squash & Apples               

            ©www.BakingInATornado.com 

 

Printable Recipe

Ingredients:

1 acorn squash

1 large Honeycrisp apple (can substitute apple of your choice)

1/2 cup ginger ale, warm

1/2 tsp minced ginger

1/4 tsp cinnamon

2 TBSP brown sugar

1 tsp orange zest

Directions:
*Grease an 8 X 11 baking dish. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

*Slice the squash in half, clean out the seeds, and slice each half into 8ths.

*Peel and core the apple. Cut into 16 slices.

*Place the squash slices into the prepared pan. Top with the apples.

*Whisk together the ginger ale, ginger, cinnamon, brown sugar, and orange zest. Slowly pour into the pan.

*Bake for 50 minutes. Spoon the squash and apple slices into a bowl, top with the sauce from the baking dish, stir gently.

Not So Mysterious

 

 

I've written the beginning of my first mystery novel. 

 

Before you get too excited for me though, perhaps I should explain that it's only the first 16 words. And I wrote them years ago.

 

I even made a graphic to go along with the it. Not that, of course, novels have graphics in them {{sigh}}. 

Two things come into play here, both of which I've talked about many times on this blog before. One of them, I greatly enjoy. The other? Not so much.

I love mysteries. I always have. From TV shows to movies to books, mystery is my thing. Suspense, thrillers, intrigue, whodunits, especially those with a twist ending. I love trying to figure it all out, and am equally happy when I do (unless it's too overly obvious), and when they take me totally by surprise.

I've mentioned, many times on here, both my love of mysteries, and my favorite writers. I even wrote a blog post called From A to Y, A Tribute, about how much I'd miss Kinsey Milhone after Sue Grafton died. I wrote a very (very) short mystery, not a whodunit but a who-is-she blog post called Speculation, which became interactive. So much fun to see all the guesses in the comments of that post. 

 

I even, on one rare occasion, wrote a book review, despite the fact that we all knew the whodunit of that story: Book Review, The Mueller Report.

The spoiler that comes into play here, and the reason I may have to abandon my masterpiece permanently (good thing I've only got 16 words . . . well, and a useless graphic . . . invested), is something else I've written about here on the blog, aging. There was a birthday post called Bah Humbug, and a seniors comparison when my son was a senior in high school and I was getting AARP solicitations. And that was years ago. 

 

Maybe you can see some of what I'm talking about in this FB decade challenge I participated in a few years ago.

 

 

 

Or maybe not . . .  

Truth is, aging has added a lot to my life. I now have some new color in my hair (and it's free), music (OK, creaks) coming from my knees, contacts, glasses, AND readers (in multiple rooms . . . and my purse, no less), you know, all that good stuff. 

It's taken a lot too. Not my love of reading, or the joy I get from baking (phew). But it has kinda taken the fun out of the whole who-done-it mystery thing.

 

 

Raspberry Speculoos Cookies

 

The collision of these two formerly unrelated pieces of my life now has me, instead of writing mysteries, living them. Figuring out who done it in my everyday life? Not so much fun.

For instance (and SPOILER ALERT: since they're certainly not going to be the topic of any book I may write, I'm giving away the endings). You've been warned . . .

 

Who kept the envelope and shredded the bill?

     It was me.

 

Who didn't save the post before leaving the site?

     It was me.

 

Who put the pick-up pizza order in the cart but never placed the order?

     It was me.

 

Who's almost sure she put all of the cake ingredients in the mixer?
     It was me.

Who started preparing a family celebration meal and realized she bought everything but the lasagna noodles?

     It was me.

Who put the sponge in the refrigerator?
     It was me.

 

Who charged her laptop when it was her cell phone that was dying?

     It was me.

Who baked the Summer Citrus Cake, then went to the cook out without it?

     It was me.

Who drove to the gynecologist's office for an appointment with the opthamologist?

     You know who.

As I said, I'm still an avid reader, I'll never stop (contacts, glasses and/or readers notwithstanding). But there's a pretty good chance I'm going to need to find a new genre to delve into. 

 

And I'm thinking, just in case what I'm reading continues to spill over in my life, I'd best not go with horror.

Raspberry Speculoos Cookies       

                                                                              ©www.BakingInATornado.com

Printable Recipe

Ingredients:
1 stick butter, room temperature

1/2 stick margarine, room temperature

1/3 cup speculoos (cookie butter)

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 egg

2 1/2 cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

3/4 cup raspberries, quartered

1/2 cup white chocolate chips

Directions (makes about 32 cookies):
*Preheat oven to 357 degrees. Cover baking sheets with parchment paper.

*Beat the butter, margarine, cookie butter, and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg. Slowly and carefully beat in the flour, baking soda, and salt.

*Mix in the raspberries and white chocolate chips.

*Roll the dough into balls, about 3/4 in round. With wet hands, fatten the cookies slightly. Bake for 14 minutes, until they are set and the bottoms are brown.

*Cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before removing to cool completely.

It's a Mystery: 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 24. 
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 It's a Mystery.  

 

~ I often mention what I'm reading and watching, you probably already know that my favorite genre is mystery, fact (mostly television) or fiction (books). 

 

~ Why the long term love of mystery? I think it's engaging because it's more interactive, a challenge to figure it out before the ending.

~ But it's genesis, the very first books I can remember loving, owning, and reading entirely (multiple times) were two series: Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys.

~ And televsion shows? A friend actually called me to express his sympathy when Raymond Burr died. Can you guess what my favorite show was?

~ As I age, though, mystery has morphed from enjoying figuring out "who done it," to more of a lifestyle. One I'm decidedly NOT embracing.

~ Who put the canned mandarin oranges in the silverware drawer? And who preheated the oven on a hot day for a no bake pie?

 

Mandarin Pineapple Refrigerator Pie

 

~ Who forgot to buy the main casserole ingredient? Who preheated the oven, then didn't put dinner in? And why is dinner now sandwiches? Again.

 

~ Who has never used (and has no idea how to) the television recorder, yet recorded the shopping channel in the middle of the night?

 

~ Just wait until I get my hands on whoever left my glasses out on the back deck. Overnight. And in the rain, no less?

 

~ Perhaps the underlying reason why I'm not enjoying this new mystery lifestyle revolves around the ending. Everyone knows "who done it." And it's me.

Here are links to the other Word Counters posts:

On the Border 

Messymimi’s Meanderings 

Mandarin Pineapple Refrigerator Pie        
                                                       ©www.BakingInATornado.com

Printable Recipe

Ingredients: 

1/2 cup orange juice

1 box (3 oz) pineapple jello mix

1 can (11 oz) mandarin oranges

1 can (15 oz) pineapple chunks

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs

1 TBSP brown sugar

4 TBSP milk

1/2 cup heavy cream

3 TBSP powdered sugar

6 oz cream cheese, room temperature

 

OPT: whipped cream for garnish

Directions:

*Heat 1/2 cup orange juice in the microwave for about 1 minute or until hot. Whisk the pineapple jello mix into the orange juice and set aside.

*Drain the mandarin oranges and the pineapple chunks. Set aside about 1/3 cup of each for the garnish, and gently pat the rest dry. Cut the pineapple chunks in half.

*Grease a 9 inch pie plate. Mix together the graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar, and milk. Pat into and partially up the sides of the greased pie plate.

*Whip the heavy cream until soft peaks form. Add the powdered sugar and whip until stiff peaks hold.

*In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with the jello and orange juice mixture. Once smooth, gently mix in the mandarin oranges and pineapple chunks, then fold in the whipped cream. 

*Pour into the crust and refrigerate for at least an hour. Garnish with the reserved 1/3 cup each of mandarin oranges and pineapple chunks, and whipped cream, if desired. Store, covered with plastic wrap, in the refrigerator.

Mindfield: Obstacles Poetry

 

 

 

 

Last Friday of the month is for

Monthly Poetry Group to rhyme.

Diane and I take turns to pick,

"Obstacles," the theme this time.

 

As usual, today I'll try,

a poem to write . . . or fudge.

Whether I'm successful or not,

you get to be the judge.

 

 

 

 

MindField

"I think I can, I think I can,"

the little engine said.

"Must be optimistic 'bout

the obstacle ahead."

 

And ant, he knew that he could do

what others said he can't.

Move away that obstacle,

big green rubber tree plant. 

Great for inspiration but,

I'm (sadly) here to say,

sometimes math's what's needed to,

get you your own way.

Started on a day when I

didn't see it coming.

Started with a smile and then,

ended with me grumbling.

 

I'd not expected issues, which

is always when they come.

Should have stressed ahead of time, 

my "ward it off" rule of thumb. 

 

No, was not a recipe,

I know you expected that,

but with Covid, substitutions had

pretty much become "old hat."

 

Everything Seasoning Chicken

 

I'd run out to the store with just,

license, debit card, mask.

But why did I not take my purse?

I was rushing through my task.

 

'Twas a kitchen towel that pushed me

right over the edge.

Cotton, the way I like them,

no scalloping on the edge.

 

Picking up prescriptions was

when I saw them there,

kitchen towels, much needed,

mine had holes, even the spare.

 

"Ma'am, you cannot buy this,"

kid said at my turn in line,

"I think you're at the limit,

your card has been declined."

 

Not just embarrassed but afraid,

my bank account had been hacked!

Turns out it was my own mistake,

guess I'd forgotten how to subtract. 

 

Didn't replenish bank account,

I thought that I had plenty, 

but the mortgage had just debited,

and I only subtracted one twenty?

Took away one hundred when,

one thousand was the price.

Just like when you're building, guess,

need to check my numbers thrice.

 

An uphill climb? Rubber plant to push? 

Nothing as difficult as that.

My obstacle? Old lady brain.

Got a cure for this old bat?

Before you go, more Obstacles poetry:

 

Diane of On the Border shares Overcoming. 

Everything Seasoning Chicken

                                                                       ©www.BakingInATornado.com

Printable Recipe

Ingredients:
1 1/2# thin sliced chicken breasts

2 eggs

3/4 cup panko bread crumbs

1 TBSP sesame seeds

1 TBSP poppy seeds

1 TBSP dried minced onion

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp garlic salt

1/4 tsp Kosher salt

2 TBSP butter, melted

1/2 pint grape tomatoes, halved

Directions:
*Cut each slice of chicken into 2 - 3 pieces and place into a gallon sized sealable bag. Whisk the eggs, add to the bag, then seal the bag and refrigerate at least 2 hours, turning now and then.
*Grease a 9 X 13 baking pan. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

*Mix together the panko bread crumbs, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried onion, garlic powder, garlic salt, and Kosher salt on a plate.

*Coat both sides of each slice of chicken with the bread crumb mixture, pressing to be sure it sticks, and place the chicken into the prepared baking pan.

*Drizzle the melted butter over the chicken, then sprinkle the tomato halves over the top. Bake for 45 minutes (be sure the chicken is cooked completely).

It's 4 am, Do You Know Where Your Brain Is?

I may have mentioned a time or two ten that I'm struggling with the signs and symptoms of getting old as dirt further up on the maturity spectrum. I've written Take That Hot Flashes, Bah Humbug, and I Smell Smoke, to name a few. But this latest challenge, well, it's beyond frustrating.

I usually fall asleep at around 1 am and stay asleep till morning. I figure I've earned this right. Between pregnancy, then young kids, then teens not yet home I've had my share of not sleeping soundly. I've paid my dues, this is my time, sleep is mine. NOT.

You see, I used to be able to hold my water. OK, fine, TMI, I get it. But I so long for those days. Other than when I was pregnant, I always slept through the night without being woken by my bladder. Let me just say here and now that I miss those days. Because it appears that my bladder has declared war. This must be one hell of a vendetta because reveille at 4 am seems to be the battle strategy. 

Once I've fallen out of the bed tangled up in the covers, zig zagged to the bathroom, banged into a wall or two, missed the light switch and am finally back in bed I do not fall back asleep. That damn brain that lets me down every time I'm writing and need a word is suddenly on stimulants.

What earth shattering, life altering, highly consequential thoughts go through my brain at 4 am?

~ I better check social media. I've been asleep for 3 hours, what if someone's looking for me? What if someone's talking to me? What if something really important is going on. I better check. I'm missing something, I can tell.

~ I could go for a donut.
 
~ The whole idea of a colonoscopy is bad enough. You could not pay me enough to have it done on live TV. Or could you? Hmmm, I wonder how much "enough" is . . .

~ Did I leave the light on in the den? Wait, did I turn the oven off after dinner? I hope I closed the slider in the kitchen. I forgot to check and see if the garage door is down. Last time College Boy left it up everything was stolen out of our cars. I should go check. Shouldn't I go check? Screw it.

~ I need something to make for dinner tonight. Something quick and easy since I'll probably be exhausted from this whole lack-of-sleep thing. I have leftover Turkey Cutlets with Raspberry Sauce, I can do something interesting with them. I know, sandwiches. I need to remember this idea in the morning . . . I need to remember this idea in the morning . . . I need to . . . I could go for a donut.

Breaded Turkey Cutlet Grilled Cheese

~ I wonder if Frito-Lay is working on dustless Cheetos. 'Cause all that orange cheetos dust really makes the whole eating-in-bed thing a problem. I should write them a letter. There's missed sales here. They'll thank me.

~ I put the trash out at the curb before I went to bed. But dammit, it's Tuesday. Our trash guy comes on Thursday. Why the hell did I put the trash out on Tuesday? 

~Who decides what the citizens of a country are called? We are Americans, there are Koreans, Cubans, Indians, Lithuanians. Why aren't Irish Irelandans, the Dutch Netherlandans, the French Franceans, the Israelis Israelians?  

~ I hear something up in the attic. Do I hear something up in the attic? What if it's a mouse. Or a raccoon. What if it eats a hole in the wall and gets into the house. I should wake Hubs up. He needs to go check the attic. Oh, what if it's a bat? It could get stuck in my hair. And bite my neck. I'll be a vampire. Then I'll never sleep again.

~ I could go for a donut. Do vampires like donuts?
 
~ I need to get back to sleep. Maybe I should count sheep. No, it's a new day in America. Maybe I can count how many people the president has picked fights with on twitter. That should do it:

Nordstrom's
Mexico
Canada
North Korea
Angela Merkel
Hillary Clinton
Neil Young
Barack Obama
The intelligence community
Muslims
Journalists
Bernie Sanders
Jeb Bush
SNL 
Meryl Streep
Megyn Kelly
China
Macy's 
Whoopie Goldberg
MLB
Mitt Romney 

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Breaded Turkey Cutlet Grilled Cheese         
                                    ©www.BakingInATornado.com

 
Printable Recipe
 
Ingredients (makes about 3 sandwiches):
1 # turkey cutlets 
1 egg
1 cup seasoned bread crumbs
6 TBSP butter, divided
2 TBSP olive oil

1/4 onion, sliced thin
1/2 green pepper, sliced thin
6 - 8 mushrooms, cleaned and sliced
garlic powder to taste
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 TBSP balsamic vinegar

6 slices bread
3 slices smoked provolone cheese 

Directions:
*Prepare the turkey cutlets, without the sauce, as per this recipe: Turkey Cutlets with Raspberry Sauce. Set aside and keep warm.
*To the same large frying pan, melt 1 TBSP butter and add the onion, green pepper and mushrooms. Sprinkle with garlic powder to taste. Cook, stirring, until the vegetables start to soften.
*Add the Worcerstershire sauce and balsamic vinegar. Cook and stir until the vegetables are completely soft. Set aside.
*While the vegetables are cooking, use the remaining butter, the slices of bread and the provolone cheese to make 3 grilled cheese sandwiches. 
*While still hot, carefully open the sandwiches. Place one to two turkey cutlets and 1/3 of the vegetable mixture into each sandwich. Close the sandwiches back up, slice and serve.