The Holiday Marathon: Use Your Words

Today’s post is a monthly writing challenge. If you’re new here, this is how it works: my friend Diane and I picked 4 – 6 words or short phrases to submit to each other to craft into a post. All words must be used at least once. Both posts will be unique as we each have our own set of words we're working with.

At the end of this post, you'll find the link to Diane's post, be sure to check it out, see what words I sent her and how she used them.

 
I'm using: drool ~ doodle ~ dodge ~ deem ~ dramatic




                          
Holiday time is bittersweet. While most of you reading this are still up to your eyeballs in holiday cooking and baking and buying and decorating and preparations, I'm mostly done. I will make a turkey on Christmas for Hubs and College Boy and I, but the sides will mostly be leftovers from Thanksgiving. 

But only because I had everything else crammed into two hectic weeks. I ran that holiday marathon in record time. 

And I ran it sick. Although family is a time of sharing and caring, we could have done a lot less of the sharing part. Since what we were passing around was sicknesses of various sorts and kinds.

PurDude arrived late on the Saturday night before Thanksgiving and for me, it was on. The two weeks he was here I made all of his favorite meals, along with desserts and snacks. I made College Boy's birthday dinner, Thanksgiving. And, although Hanukkah started a few days after he went back to Boulder, we celebrated that too. I mean he couldn't be deprived of Crusted Prime Rib and Air Fryer Latkes.

We had Saturday night. After that, medical chaos. And although we were desperately trying to dodge each others' symptoms, we still managed to get all of our celebrations in. We Blessings take our holidays and family time seriously. We will not be denied.

As hectic as those 2 weeks are, I still try to extend it, dodge the lightening quick passage of the limited amount of time when I have PurDude home, when we're all here. Sick or well. 

But in the blink of an eye, his final full day here comes {{sob}}.

And on that last day, just in case I can bribe tempt him to stay just a little longer, I make another drool-worthy dessert.

Peppermint Toffee Bars

But, of course, he has obligations, work, and those ski mountains are open and calling his name. {{sigh}}

Not to sound overly dramatic, but when that travel day came, I kinda felt like an online meal service as I packed up 10 frozen dinners (leftovers of all of his favorites), 3 loaves of quick breads, snacks, and desserts for him to take back to Boulder.

Now, as I sit here, absentmindedly drawing in (and doodlling not nice words in the margins of) the trump coloring book College Boy bought me to make me laugh, I'm grateful that College Boy is local, that I can see him every day. And when my mind goes to Boulder, I deem that his eating those homemade meals is a virtual dinner together. 

Because that's all I get . . . for now. 

Well, that and some much needed rest.

 

Here's the link to Diane's Use Your Words posts:

On the Border

Peppermint Toffee Bars         
                                                       ©www.BakingInATornado.com

Printable Recipe

Ingredients:
1 stick margarine, softened

1/2 stick butter, softened

3/4 cup sugar

1 egg yolk

1 1/4 cup flour

3 TBSP baking cocoa

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 cup corn syrup

1/2 stick butter

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup heavy cream

1/2 tsp peppermint extract

1/4 cup mini chocolate chips

1 (9 oz) package Hershey's Candy Cane Kisses

Directions:

*Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9 X 13 baking dish.

*Cream margarine, 1/2 stick butter, sugar, and egg yolk until smooth. Mix in the flour, baking cocoa, and salt until it forms a dough.

*Press into the bottom of the baking dish. Bake for 15 minutes, remove from the oven and set aside. Leave the oven on.

*Microwave corn syrup, remaining butter, brown sugar, and cream for 1 1/2 minutes. Stir and microwave for 1 minute more until hot and bubbly. Stir in the peppermint extract, then barely swirl in the mini chocolate chips. Pour into the crust and bake for 20 minutes.

*While the toffee layer is baking, unwrap the candies and and coarsely chop.

*Remove the baking dish from oven, but leave oven on. Sprinkle the chopped candy over the toffee layer and immediately return to the oven for 1 to 2 minutes, until the kisses are melty.

*Gently swirl the melted kisses around the top of the bars, then allow to cool completely before slicing.

Working and Class

And just like that, it's Labor Day. For us, most of us anyway, it's a celebration of the unofficial end to the summer, the beginning of a new school year, and a nod to the coming cooler weather.

But, of course, Labor Day was not created for any of those reasons. It's not just about acknowledging societal achievements brought about by our work force, but more than that, it was created to address a serious issue, their rights in the workplace.

I'm not going to debate the issue of unions. There are pros and cons, but I'll leave that issue alone.

Mostly.

I do want to tell you a story, though.

My grandfather and some of his brothers owned a company. They started a factory and made a product. They were hands on bosses. My grandfather could and did do many of the tasks, work the machines, from the ground up. He was well liked, and I know this not only because of stories passed down in our family, but from, many years after his retirement, when he died at the age of 99 years and 9 months, how many people who knew him through that company crowded his funeral.

Grandpa was a little naive at the start. Remind me some time, to tell you the story about him building credit. But that's a story for another day. Today's story is about character, it doesn't take much more than character to make a man do the right thing. Not the least of which is appreciation of the worker who keep their company running.

Some of the specifics of what happened are either not retained in my memory, or maybe I never knew them to begin with. Some of what I do remember may be a little fuzzy as well. I'm not sure whether the entire work force: front office, sales, manufacturing, shipping . . . but I do know that union representatives began approaching at least some level of the workers.

I believe that initially Grandpa was unhappy, maybe a little insulted by the union interference, didn't want outsiders dictating the personnel policies of their heart and soul, this company they built. 

Whether you like unions or you don't, they are designed to function as protection of the rights of workers. And in the end, the union did, of course, address the employees. They promised a minimum number of sick days, vacation days, holidays, breaks during the work day, pay levels.  

Unionization was voted down, all they offered was resoundingly declined.

Why?

Because the benefits Grandpa's company provided their employees exceeded what was promised by the union.

The man had class.

Whether it comes from the intrinsic benevolence of management, is mandated by law, or acquired via the strength of unity, this is what I know: safety matters, health matters, the ability to afford shelter, nourishment, it all matters.

No one should worry about their safety, a place to sleep, where their next meal will come from.

Quick Ramen Chicken

 

So, what you do, how and where you do it, unions, labor laws, workplace rules and regulations, all of that aside, it is humanity that should be guiding us.

Humanity dictates that every worker earn, at the very least, a living wage.

Quick Ramen Chicken         

                                                                                      ©www.BakingInATornado.com

Printable Recipe

Ingredients:
2 packages Ramen Soup, soy or chicken flavor

1 tsp dried ginger

1/8 tsp dried chili flakes

2 tsp cooking sherry

2 green onions, sliced, divided

1 1/2 cups cooked chicken, shredded, room temperature

1/2 cup snap peas

1/2 cup broccoli florets

1 carrot, shaved

2 radishes, sliced thin

Directions:
*Break up the noodles from both soup packages in a large bowl with 3 cups of water. Microwave 5 minutes, until the noodles are soft.

*Mix the flavor packets, ginger, chili flakes, sherry, and one of the sliced green onions into the bowl with the noodles.

*Once incorporated, add the chicken, snap peas, and broccoli florets.

*Cover with plastic wrap and allow to sit for 5 minutes, until most of the broth is absorbed.

*Serve topped with the remaining sliced green onion, the shaved carrot, and the sliced radish.

For a Year: 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 19. 
It was chosen by Me!

 

 

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. Today I'm talking about having all of the family at home together last month, for the first time in a year.

 

~ I hadn't seen him for a year,

at least his brother remains here,

which is something I hold dear.

 

~ I hadn't seen him for a year,

he's out west on the great frontier, 

OK, Colorado (which isn't near).

 

~ I hadn't seen him for a year,

the distance, a punishment severe,

though I applaud him, following his career.

 

~ I hadn't seen him for a year,

but for Thanksgiving he was here!

Perhaps you actually heard me cheer.

 

~ I hadn't seen him for a year,

then . . . make his favorite foods? I volunteer.

(Enticing him to remain near)? 

Raspberry Pistachio Cake

 

~ I hadn't seen him for a year,

dinner chair now held a rear!

You reading that with a sneer?

 

~ I hadn't seen him for a year,

savoring every moment, a sentiment sincere,

stop him leaving? Tried to interfere.

 

~ I hadn't seen him for a year,

our family time together was premier,

the wonderful memories, my souvenir.

 

~ I hadn't seen him for a year,

then good-bye, I dreaded to hear,

hugged him tight, shedding a tear.

 

~ I hadn't seen him for a year,  

blinked, then watched his car disappear.

When I'll see him next? Unclear.

 

 

Here are links to the other Word Counters posts:

On the Border 

Messymimi’s Meanderings 

Raspberry Pistachio Cake

                                                                       ©www.BakingInATornado.com

Printable Recipe

Ingredients:
1 box (15.25 oz) white cake mix

1 1/4 cups milk

1/2 cup oil

4 eggs

1 box (3.4 oz) pistachio instant pudding mix, divided

1/4 cup pistachios, chopped

1/2 tsp raspberry extract

3 TBSP raspberry jam

1 can (16 oz) cream cheese frosting

OPT: 2 - 4 drops red food coloring and/or 3 - 5 drops green food coloring

Directions:

*Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9 X 13 baking pan.

*Beat the cake mix, milk, oil, and eggs for 2 minutes. Remove about 1 1/2 cups of the batter to another bowl and set aside.

*To the mixer, add 4 TBSP of the pistachio pudding mix and 3 drops green food coloring (if desired). Beat until just incorporated, then pour evenly into the prepared pan and sprinkle with the chopped pistachios.

*To the reserved batter, add the raspberry extract, raspberry jam, and 2 - 4 drops red food coloring (if desired). Whisk until incorporated. Spread onto the pistachio batter and swirl in slightly.

*Bake for 30 -35 minutes, until the center springs back to the touch. Cool completely.

*Once the cake is cooled, mix the cream cheese frosting with the remaining pistachio pudding mix and 2 drops green food coloring (if desired).

*Reserve 1/4 cup of the frosting for piping, if desired, spread the rest of the frosting onto the cake. Pipe with the reserved frosting, and decorate as desired.

Lonesome Furniture and Shredded Cheese: 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.

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: shredded cheese ~ capital ~ lonesome ~ furniture ~ lopsided ~ future

They were submitted by Jenniy of Climaxed.

                          
We were coming to the end of PurDude's visit {{sob}}. I had finalized the assignments or this Use Your Words post, and was looking at my prompts without a thought in my head.

 

It's no secret I've asked my boys a million times to write me a guest posts, always to no avail {{sigh}}.

 

Nothing wrong with a little persistence though, right? In the spirit off nothing ventured, nothing gained? Although with these boys, so far something ventured is also nothing gained.

 

Me: I could use a little help here.
PurDude (looking at me skeptically): Help in what way?

Me: Well, I have to write a post, about anything at all, but it has to use certain words.

PurDude: What words?
Me: I'll show you the list.

PurDude, who doesn't cook, even needs specific detailed instructions, and copious amounts of cajoling to heat up the leftovers I send home with him (along with disposable pans, btw), looks at the first prompt: Forget it, mom, you don't need any help. Shredded cheese, really? You'd know what to do with that better than I would. Just put it in your recipe.

Me: Just put it in my recipe? Do you know much work is involved with the food? I have to develop a recipe, name it, cook the food, photograph it, edit . . . that requires working a month out. I already have a recipe for his post, and there is cheese, but it's not shredded.

PurDude: That's easy then, just add shredded cheese over the top. Everything tastes better with shredded cheese spread over the top.

Me (exasperated): Ugh! It doesn't work that way.

 

Apricot Mozzarella Crostata

Me: And anyway, what about my lopsided future? My lonesome furniture?

PurDude: It's OK, Mom, you're not alone, since covid, everyone's future is a bit lopsided. And the furniture is only lonesome because we'd all spent so much time at home with it and now we're going out more. it'll get over it. And if not, there's always therapy.

Me: That may be (illogical) logic, (lopsided) advice even, but not so much a blog post.

PurDude: Listen, Mom, I've done what I could here. And you're welcome. But for the rest of it, you're on you own.

 

A lot of help he was. Although . . . I guess I could capitalize on the whole conversation . . .

 

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

On the Border 

The Diary of an Alzheimer’s Caregiver 

Climaxed

Part-time Working Hockey Mom

 

Apricot Mozzarella Crostata       

                                                                                      ©www.BakingInATornado.com

Printable Recipe

Ingredients:
1 refrigerator pie crust

2 oz prosciutto wrapped mozzarella (can substitute chopped prosciutto and sliced mozzarella)

1/4 cup chopped pecans

about 4 dried apricots

Directions:
*Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cover baking sheet with parchment paper.

*Unroll the pie crust onto the parchment paper and, using a rolling pin, roll out to about 13 inches in diameter. Roll the edges in, just barely, then roll once more to form a border. Your crust should now be about 12 inches in diameter

*Slice the prosciutto wrapped mozzarella into about 1/3 inch slices and spread around on the crust. Top with the pecans.

*Bake for 25 minutes. 

*Chop the dried apricots and sprinkle over the crostata. Cut and serve.