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.

Then and Now: Family Poetry Monday

 

Poetry Monday's once a week.

I bet you know which day.

I don't participate every time,

But today I've come out to play.

My friends assign each week a theme,

Family is what they chose.

Now it's up to all of us,

to put our thoughts into prose.

 

 

Then and Now

F is for the farts they share while laughing in your face.

A is for the anguish when they break your favorite vase.

M is for the million bloody stitches, cast or brace.

I is for the innumerable times they make a diaper squish.

L is for the longing they'd, just once, do what you wish.

Y is for the "yuck" they say at your new dinner dish.

    (Although, to set the record straight, it really was delish.)

 

 

Creamy Horseradish Pork Medallions

 

But they grow up, and they become,

the people they choose to be.

And often you will find yourself,

looking back, nostalgically.

But with the realization you've

built a beautiful family. 

 

 

 

Wait!

Read more poetry, 

you're not through.

Some talented writers

are in this crew:

 

On the Border

Messymimi's Meanderings 

 

Creamy Horseradish Pork Medallions         

                                                       ©www.BakingInATornado.com

Printable Recipe

Ingredients:
1 (about 1 1/2#) pork tenderloin

1/2 cup sour cream

1 TBSP cooking sherry

1 TBSP honey

1 1/2 tsp horseradish

1/2 tsp minced garlic

1/2 tsp pepper

1/2 tsp paprika

Directions:
*Slice the tenderloin into about 3/4 inch medallions. Place into a gallon sized plastic bag.

*Whisk together the sour cream, sherry, honey, horseradish, garlic, pepper, and paprika to make the marinade. Pour into the bag with the medallions. Seal the bag and manipulate so all of the meat is covered with the marinade. Seal the bag and refrigerate for at least 4 hours to overnight, turning the bag now and then.

*Preheat your grill to about 425 degrees. Place the pork medallions on the grill and lower the heat to medium. Discard any remaining marinade.

*Cook for about 12 minutes, turning over halfway through. How long it will take to cook will depend on the thickness of your medallions and the heat of your grill. Pork should be cooked to a temperature of 145 degrees.

The Whisper Game: Monthly Poetry Group

 

 

 

Last Friday of the month is for

Monthly Poetry Group to rhyme.

Diane, Mimi, and I take turns,

Your Favorite Text is 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.  

 

The Whisper Game

When the boys were little,

was a game that we would play.

Started off as silly,

but it went on this way . . .

"Come here, I have a secret,"

how I'd entice them near.

They'd snuggle up beside me,

to my mouth, they'd put their ear.

At first they were confused by,

the words that I would say.

"Some boys love their moms," was what

I whispered, that first day.

Soon, though they would get it,

the answer, it was clear, 
"love you, mom," exactly,

what I needed to hear.

Fast forward many years to,

family dinner with older son,

off to college in the morning, for

independence (and some fun).

  

 

Strawberry Jalapeno Chicken

Next day, I was determined,

his independence to respect,

I'd let him reach out first to me,

but . . . so hard, I almost wept.

I'm sorry, I admit it,

I quickly failed, it's true.

Didn't make it out of the parking lot!

Saying "good bye," too hard to do.

Just two words I texted to him,

my feelings to impart,

"Some boys . . ." my simple message,

his "love you, mom," warmed my heart.

 

Before you go, stop by these blogs for more poetry:

 

On the Border

Messymimi's Meanderings

 

Strawberry Jalapeno Chicken

                                                                       ©www.BakingInATornado.com

Printable Recipe

Ingredients:
1/2 jalapeno pepper

1/3 cup Italian dressing

2 TBSP red wine vinegar

3 TBSP strawberry preserves

2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Directions:

*Remove the seeds from 1/2 of a jalapeno pepper. Chop.

*Whisk together the Italian dressing, red wine vinegar, and strawberry preserves. Mix in the chopped jalapeno. Pour into a resealable plastic bag and set aside.

*Cut each chicken breast half into 3 - 4 pieces of similar thickness. Add the chicken to the bag with the marinade. Seal and refrigerate for 4 hours, turning the bag now and then.

*Preheat your grill to medium. Place the chicken pieces on the grill. Discard the marinade.

*Grill, flipping once, for about 7 minutes per side, until the chicken is completely cooked.

Moonlight Moonshine: Poetry Monday

 

Poetry Monday's once a week.

I bet you know which day.

I don't participate every time,

But today I've come out to play.

My friends assign each week a theme,

Moonshine's what they chose.

Now it's up to all of us,

to put our thoughts into prose.

 

 

Moonlight Moonshine

They'd been together forever,

she and her handsome young man.

Surely they would marry.

someday . . . when they can.

They talked about it in general,

not seriously, not quite yet,

the economy was difficult,

with money, they'd need to be set. 

But she was getting impatient,

would it ever be the time?
She'd marry him in a minute,

didn't care if they lived on a dime.

One day he broached the subject,

at least that's what she thought.

With his words he had convinced her,

and engagement ring he'd bought.

"I have something to tell you,

a decision that I've made.

It's about our future, and I

hope you won't be afraid."

"I have dinner (and dessert) for us,

then later, by moonlight,

I've someplace special to take you,

been working to make it just right."

 

Butterscotch Biscoff Dessert (no bake)

 

Holding hands, they walked together,

through the woods on that dark night.

Doubt began to niggle at her,

this just didn't seem quite right.

"Close your eyes," he told her,

when a clearing they could see,

She knew that when she opened them,

he'd be down on one knee.

"Look, no more money worries."

Her eyes opened to what . . . a still?

"Moonshine, that's the answer," he said,

" . . . though I wouldn't drink that swill."

Shock doesn't even describe it,

this is definitely no wedding vow.

"Hand me one of those cups," she said.

"I think I need some now."

 

 

 

 

Wait!

Read more poetry, 

you're not through.

Some talented writers

are in this crew:

 

On the Border

Messymimi's Meanderings 

Mother Owl 

 

Butterscotch Biscoff Dessert (no bake)         

                                                       ©www.BakingInATornado.com

Printable Recipe


NOTE: This dessert soft sets, so it works well served scooped out with a spoon as an option to slicing.

Ingredients:
1 box (3.5 oz) butterscotch cook and serve pudding mix

1 1/2 cups milk

5 TBSP cookie butter

2 TBSP butter

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs

10 Biscoff cookies

8 oz cream cheese, softened

1 jar (7 oz) marshmallow creme

OPT: whipped cream for serving

Directions:
*Whisk together pudding mix and milk in a microwave safe medium sized bowl. Microwave on high for 6 - 8 minutes, whisking every 2 minutes, until it comes to a boil. Set aside for 20 minutes, vigorously whisking every 5 minutes.

*Crush the Biscoff cookies and set aside.

*Lightly grease an 8 X 11 baking dish.

*Melt the butter and cookie butter. Mix with the graham cracker crumbs until it holds together. Press into the bottom of the prepared dish and refrigerate.

*Lightly coat your beaters with non-stick spray. Beat together the softened cream cheese, marshmallow creme, and about 2/3 of the crushed cookies, then beat in the pudding mix. 

*Pour evenly into the crust. Sprinkle the remaining cookie crumbs around the edges of the filling. 

*Cover the pan (not touching the filling) with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before slicing or scooping to serve.

*OPT: serve topped with whipped cream. 

*Store leftovers, covered, in the refrigerator.

For a Friend: 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:  pretty ~ peaceful ~ perforated~ punctual ~ pip
They were submitted by Diane of On the Border.

                          
These words inspired a little bit of fiction today. Although, sadly, for many of us it will have a haunting ring of truth.

She was punctual for the appointment, all five of the women arrived within minutes of each other.

But it went downhill from there. 

Not that the expectation had been for a peaceful afternoon, not when you have 5 women shopping for the same thing at the same time. Agreement would be impossible, but if nothing else, the afternoon would be full of laughter and friendship. They were, after all, a happy, boisterous, fun-loving group, forever friends. With, really, the same individual goal, everyone wants to look pretty, after all. 

So in the next hour a decision would be made. It would have to be. And the hope was it would be a decision all could (at the very least) live with.

Because, in the end, although tastes and opinions, and perspectives would be voiced, it would not be a democracy. One voice would rise above the rest, that was a given.

As is the case with these things, expectations were not met.

She looked in the mirror at the dress she had on. It was aqua colored. With navy piping and a white collar. She looked like a life preserver someone might throw in the water. Hard pass.

But no matter how many objections she voiced, they fell on deaf ears. Penelope was just going to have to admit that it was Piper's wedding. And she, as the Maid of Honor, was going to have to walk down the aisle in front of 200 people, looking like a nautical accessory.

Unless she came down with a perforated appendix that day. It could happen . . . 

"Somebody buy me a drink, she thought.

Black Raspberry Martini

"On second thought, someone grab a life preserver, I may need a boatload."

 

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

On the Border 

Climaxed

Black Raspberry Martini

                                               ©www.BakingInATornado.com

Printable Recipe

Ingredients (makes 2):

2 oz Blue Raspberry Vodka

4 oz Chambord

7 oz black raspberry sparkling juice, divided

red or blue sanding sugar

6 raspberries

Directions:

*Refrigerate the black raspberry sparkling juice. Mix together the vodka and Chambord. Refrigerate for at least 1/2 hour.

*Add 6 oz of the black raspberry sparkling juice to the liquor and set aside.

*Pour the remaining sparkling juice into a saucer, and he colored sugar onto a plate. Dip just the rim of each martini glass into the juice in the saucer, then into the sugar to rim the edge of the glasses. 

*Place 3 of the raspberries into the bottom of each glass. Stir the martinis, then pour into the glasses, avoiding the rim.

Six Red Roses: Poetry Monday

 

 

Poetry Monday's once a week.

I bet you know which day.

I don't participate every time,

But today I've come out to play.

My friends assign each week a theme,

Red Roses is what they chose.

Now it's up to all of us,

to put our thoughts into prose.

 

 

Six Red Roses

Young and inexperienced,

as nervous as could be,

he entered the town flower shop,

to plan his delivery. 

Has a date with someone special,

he's wanting to impress.

The sweets? His mama bakes, you see,

but flowers? Couldn't even guess.

Raspberry Mascarpone Cupcakes

 

He'd ask the woman in the shop,

which roses he should send.

He wanted to get it all just right,

no matter what he'd spend.

"Pink's for admiration,

and yellow's joy," she said.

"Orange speaks to your desire,

green is strength for what's ahead."

"Purple means enchantment,

and mystery is blue.

Red comes from the heart, it means

romance, a love that's true."

Perplexed is what he felt,

as he gave it all some thought.

Then came to a decision,

and this is what he bought:

A pink, yellow, and orange,

a green, purple, one blue.

And six more, for a dozen.

all red, so his love shines through.

 

 

 

Wait!

Read more poetry, 

you're not through.

Some talented writers

are in this crew:

 

On the Border

Messymimi's Meanderings 

Mother Owl 

 

Raspberry Mascarpone Cupcakes         

                                                       ©www.BakingInATornado.com

Printable Recipe

Ingredients:

1 box white cake mix

1/2 cup oil

1 1/4 cups milk

4 egg whites

3 oz fresh raspberries, quartered

1 cup mascarpone

1/4 cup raspberry preserves

1 can cream cheese frosting

3 TBSP raspberry preserves

OPT: 2 drops red food coloring

Directions:

*Gently whisk together the mascarpone and 1/4 cup of the raspberry preserves. Cover and refrigerate for 1/2 hour.

*Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place cupcake liners into 18 cupcake pan wells.

*Beat the cake mix, oil, milk, and egg whites for 2 minutes. Gently mix in the quartered raspberries. Divide into the cupcake liners.

*Bake for about 20 minutes, or until completely cooked and the tops spring back to the touch. Cool completely.

*Whisk together the mascarpone and 1/4 cup of the raspberry preserves. Using an apple corer, core out the center of each cupcake (not all the way to the bottom). Pipe the mascarpone mixture into the hole made by the apple corer.

*Whisk together the cream cheese frosting, 3 TBSP raspberry preserves, and food coloring. Pipe or dollop onto the cupcakes.