Use Your Words: Plausible Deniability

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: bare ~ lies ~ circumstance ~ grass ~ email ~ silence
They were submitted by Jenniy of Climaxed.

                          
I used to start these posts by using all the words in just a few sentences. It's an added level to the challenge and, honestly, if the post doesn't work out the way I want . . . well . . . technically I've completed my contractual obligation.

So . . . 

If circumstances found me bare naked in the tall (or short for that matter) backyard grass, I'd be forced to tell lies about having been there. You know, a flat out denial (and possibly a threat of suit for slander) to silence anyone traumatized by the incident who may have witnessed my momentary lapse in judgement. 

Unless a picture were to arrive by email . . . then I'm screwed.

Grilled Nutella Crunch Sandwich

It started like any other day. I was in the kitchen playing with food, trying to see if my latest recipe idea would work out in the execution. College Boy had put the finishing touches onto the vision for the dish, choosing the cereal to dip the sandwich into, as I had been at a loss. He was now there as my captive taste tester.

In my defense I have to tell you that this growing old thing is kicking my butt. I'm forced to learn to function normally with all kinds of aggravations, basically with one hand tied behind my back. It's especially challenging when I'm in the kitchen, oven on, chopping and cooking and trying to do what I've always done, cook and bake. 

Impatience. Well, lets just say I've never been known for my patience to start with. But it's worse when I have to hold myself back from throwing a cake against the wall. 

Farsightedness. What a pain in the a$$ this has turned out to be. I'm already wearing contacts but I have to put on my glasses to read my notes, take off the glasses to start the recipe, put on my glasses to read the next part, take off the glasses to make the next part. But it's worse when I have to hold myself back from throwing the glasses down the disposal.

Hot flashes. Holy crap, these are killer. They come on without any warning and I'm broiling from the inside out. But it's worse when I have to hold myself back from whipping off my clothes and jumping out the window.  

So . . . 

If circumstances found me bare naked in the tall (or short for that matter) backyard grass, I'd be forced to tell lies about having been there. You know, a flat out denial (and possibly a threat of suit for slander) to silence anyone traumatized by the incident who may have witnessed my momentary lapse in judgement. 

Unless a picture were to arrive by email . . .then I'm screwed.

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

Not That Sarah Michelle 

Spatulas on Parade 

The Bergham Chronicles 
The Diary of an Alzheimer’s Caregiver
Dinosaur Superhero Mommy 
Climaxed 
Confessions of a part time working mom 
On the Border 
Evil Joy Speaks 

Grilled Nutella Crunch Sandwich

                                                                          ©www.BakingInATornado.com

Printable Recipe

 

Ingredients (per sandwich):

2 slices bread
2 - 3 TBSP Nutella
1 egg
1 cup Cap'n Crunch's Peanut Butter Crunch cereal 
1 TBSP butter 

Directions:
*Freeze the bread. This makes it easier to work with.
*Finely crush the peanut butter crunch cereal. Place on a plate.
*In a bowl, whisk egg with 1 TBSP water.
*Remove bread from freezer and spread Nutella onto one slice. Cover with the other side and press gently.
*Dip one side of the sandwich in the egg mixture. Flip over and dip the other side.
*Place the sandwich onto the cereal crumbs. Press gently to coat the bread. Flip the sandwich over and gently press the other side into the cereal crumbs.
*In a saucepan, melt half of the butter over medium heat until hot. Place the sandwich in the pan and cook until the cereal browns and crisps. Reduce heat a little if it gets too hot too fast.
*Remove the sandwich to a plate. Melt the other half of the butter in the pan. Place the sandwich back in the pan, uncooked side down and cook until this side browns and crisps too.

Blessings: November Poetry

I'm proud to bring you, once again this month, a poem based on a theme. For November the monthly poetry group chose the theme Blessings.

I try to count my blessings all through the year. There are times when I'm successful, there are times when I'm just so overwhelmed that I can't see past whatever's going on. And although I do understand the need to keep our blessings in mind every day, I like that there is a time of year when it really becomes a priority. We all, collectively, stop, take a breath, and give thanks. 

Blessings

Thanksgiving approaches. The troupe gathers, 
parts assigned.
Prima Ballerina.
Toe shoes.
Barre work.
Plie, Releve, Changement, Jete.


A week to go. This year's production, choreographed.
To the second.
Lists. 
Shopping.
Defrosting, prepping, par-baking, plating.


Days to go. Dress rehearsal,
adjustments.
Set the stage.
Costumes.
Airport run!
All focused on opening night.

The day has come. Places, everyone.
Light the fire.
Heat the oven.
Stuff the bird.
Time the sides.
Plie, Releve, Changement, Jete.

Brown Rice Stuffed Maple Acorn Squash

Thanksgiving dinner. It's palpable, 
anticipation.
Raise the curtain.
Engage the audience.
Applause.
Take a bow.
And count the Blessings.

Before you go, click on these links to more poetry by some of my friends: 

Diane of On the Border shares Blessings.
Lydia of Cluttered Genius shares Hidden Blessings.
Jules of The Bergham Chronicles shares Blessings Overflowing. 
 Joy of Evil Joy Speaks shares Blessings of Change. 
Dawn of Spatulas on Parade shares Thanks.
Candice of Measurements of Merriment shares Life Blessings.
Sarah of Not That Sarah Michelle shares My Blessings.

Brown Rice Stuffed Maple Acorn Squash

                                                                          ©www.BakingInATornado.com
 
Printable Recipe
 
Ingredients:
1 acorn squash
2 TBSP olive oil
salt and pepper
4 TBSP butter, divided
2 TBSP maple syrup
1/4 cup pignolis
1 cup vegetable broth
1 cup instant brown rice
1/4 cup cranraisins

Directions:
*Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Cut the squash in half from the stem to the tip. Using a spoon, scoop out the seeds.
*Place the squash on a roasting pan, flesh side up. With a sharp knife, gently score the flesh, do not puncture the skin. Brush the olive oil onto the flesh, sprinkle with salt and pepper.
*Place 1 TBSP maple syrup and 1 TBSP butter into the center of each half. Place in oven and cook for 40 minutes or until the flesh is softening.
*While the squash is cooking, heat the other 2 TBSP butter in a medium sized sauce pan on medium heat. Add the pignolis. Cook and stir until they start to brown.
*Add the vegetable broth to the pan, season with salt and pepper. Raise the heat and bring to a boil. Stir in the rice and cook according to package directions. When cooked completely, fluff with a fork, add the cranraisins, set aside but keep covered.
*Remove squash from oven. Leave oven on. Place the rice into the center of each squash half. Return to oven for 20 minutes. 

Cranberry Holiday Jello: Thanksgiving Favorites Blog With Friends

Today’s post is the next in our series of Blog With Friends theme collaborations. Each month a group of bloggers get together and each publish a project based on a theme. What I love about this partnership is that it’s not bloggers with similar interests or strengths but a diverse group coming up with a variety of posts. In any given month we may have a recipe, sewing tutorial, crafts projects, book review and/or a technology post all related to the theme of the month.

This month's theme is Thanksgiving Favorites. There will be individual project pictures and links to what everyone else has to offer at the end of my post, but here’s a peek at what we all came up with:

I made Cranberry Holiday Jello.

Cranberry Holiday Jello

I know many people think jello is dessert, and it is. But for us, on Thanksgiving, it's served as a side dish. It's a version of cranberry sauce, I make two versions. I have posted my Festive Cranberry Sauce, which tends to appeal more to adults, especially since I make it with liqueur. And to leave the adults only dish for adults, I make this one for the kids. This holiday treat has canned cranberry sauce in it, as well as fruit and nuts. Not only is it delicious, but it's so pretty on the Thanksgiving table.

My Cranberry Holiday Jello is a version of one my mom made on Thanksgiving while I was growing up. As with most dishes, I changed it up a bit, but it's so similar that it brings back memories. A favorite from my childhood had become a favorite for my kids.

I start with a can of jellied cranberry sauce divided into two bowls and mashed then I add the jello powder.

Whisk with the liquids, add the mix ins, then refrigerate to set.

Mix up the second layer, carefully add onto the first layer, refrigerate, and you're done for now.

When ready to serve, remove from the mold to a serving dish.

It's not only easy to put together, but I also love that I can make it a day or two in advance, cover with plastic wrap and leave in the fridge. 

Although I make this for the kids, adults love it too.

As always, any time you make one of my recipes, feel free to post a picture of it to my Baking In A Tornado Facebook Page. I'd love to see it!

Be sure to visit all of this month's other Blog With Friends projects:

Lydia of Cluttered Genius shares Best Thanksgiving Traditions Ever. 

Dawn of Spatulas on Parade shares how to make a Tree of Thanks.

Rabia of The Lieber Family Blog shares The Ultimate Thanksgiving Planning Printable Pack.

                   

Cranberry Holiday Jello

Printable Recipe

Ingredients:
1 (14 oz) can jellied cranberry sauce
1 (3 oz) box Kool-Aid tropical punch jello
1/2 cup ginger ale
1 (7 oz)  small can crushed pineapple, well drained
1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts, divided
1 (3 oz) box cranberry jello
1 (10 oz) can mandarin oranged, well drained. 

Directions:
*Divide the cranberry sauce into 2 bowls. Mash well.
*To one bowl, add tropical punch jello powder and 1 cup boiling water. Whisk until the powder dissolves.  
*Mix in the ginger ale, then the well drained crushed pineapple and half of the walnuts.
*Pour into jello mold and refrigerate for about an hour or until just set.
*To the second bowl, add the cranberry jello powder and 1 cup of boiling water. Whisk until the powder dissolves. 
*Mix in the drained mandarin oranges and the rest of the walnuts. Carefully, being sure to layer on top of not mix into the first layer, add to the mold.
*Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until completely set.
*Do not remove from mold until ready to serve.