Only Loves: 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 Only Loves.

 

~ Happy Valentine's Day! Taking a break from news (politics) to acknowledge loves, small and large. Looking for love in all the right places . . . everywhere.

~ My older son buys and sells limited edition and rare albums. I love seeing his face when he's scored at a limited edition drop.

~ And hearing the throaty growl of my younger son's car pulling into the driveway after a loooong drive home. And that very first hug.

~ An afternoon in the den with my family, hot drink in hand, a fire roaring in the fireplace, and whatever game in the background.

~ Hubs shoveling so I can grill in the winter. And just how delicious a grilled steak is when you haven't grilled in a while.

~ Those moments after the cleaners leave, before anyone else comes home. The house looks clean, smells clean, and I enjoy it in silent bliss.

~ Knowing I've made a favorite when I put dinner on the table and someone's eyes light up. Watching that meal disappear is validating, satisfying.

~ Talking recipes with my mom. Updating a recipe to make it easier. And one that's successful on the first try (and the pictures, too).

Sausage & Broccoli Penne

 

~ That first silent snow clinging to the tree branches, pristinely white. Those first flower buds in the spring. Catching sight of inchworms, praying mantis, hummingbirds.

 

~ Finding what I want on sale, hearing that certain song, snagging the cl0sest parking spot, a surprise visit, finding what I'd thought was lost.

~ An afternoon nap, a freshly washed sweatshirt, fuzzy socks, and all those little things that bring an unexpected smile to an otherwise ordinary day.

~The end of a productive day, meals served, dishes put away, coffee maker set up for morning, Kindle is loaded and warm bed awaits. 

 

Here are links to the other Word Counters posts:

On the Border 

Messymimi’s Meanderings 

Sausage & Broccoli Penne        
                                                       ©www.BakingInATornado.com

Printable Recipe

Ingredients:
1 box (12 oz) penne pasta

2 TBSP olive oil

1/2 onion, sliced

1/2 green pepper, sliced

4 oz mushrooms, sliced

3 cloves, garlic

5 oz smoked sausage: smoked links, kielbassa, linguica, andouille (I use the cajun style)

1 can (14.5 oz) Italian style stewed tomatoes with garlic, basil, and oregano

1/4 cup white wine

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1 tsp Italian seasoning

1 cup broccoli florets

Directions:

*Cook the penne to al dente. Drain and keep warm.

*While the pasta is cooking. In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Once hot, add the onion, green pepper, mushrooms, and garlic. Cook and stir for 5 minutes. 

*Slice the cooked sausage on the bias and add to the pan along with the stewed tomatoes, white wine, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring now and then.

*Stir in the broccoli and cook for 2 minutes. Add the warm penne to the pan, toss with the other ingredients for about a minute or two. Remove from the heat and serve.

 

Use Your F 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: frivolous ~ fatal ~ fluffy ~ featured ~ final ~ feeble
They were submitted by Diane of On the Border.

                          
What's the matter, Diane? You don't like fudge? It's fuel for the soul. And food you don't have to eat with a fork.

In fact, where's the fish (with fries, please)? Fresh fruit? Figs perhaps?

Now fava beans, I don't blame you for skipping. Thanks to Hannibal Lecter they're officially forgettable, fear inciting.

But there's always fondue. Feta's quite flavorful. If you like dipping (who doesn't) a flowing chocolate fountain is fierce.

What about drinks? It's only fitting we add a few. I favor a frozen frappe? Oh, add some Frangelico, now that sounds fab.

And just to be inclusive, how about some "f" words with international flair, French onion soup, fettuccine, falafel. And don't forget fajitas and frittatas. 

Jeez, wonder why I'm famished. Feeling faint, even.

Luckily, I can feast on today's featured recipe, these fluffy Orange Cinnamon Rolls. 

 

Orange Cinnamon Rolls

Had your fill? I'll bid you farewell (for today, anyway) with my final, frivolous, feeble (but hopefully not fatal), attempt at "f" word domination, let me just say this: I tried to embrace the frightening (but fair) nature of these word choices, Diane, and whether I succeeded or failed, you are still my friend. And that's despite your obvious floccinaucinihilipilification of fudge. Fact.

OK, I admit it, that was fun. 

 

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

 

Climaxed

The Diary of an Alzheimer’s Caregiver 

On the Border 

 

Orange Cinnamon Rolls

                                                                       ©www.BakingInATornado.com

Printable Recipe

Ingredients:

1 (1#) loaf frozen bread dough

4 TBSP butter, softened

4 TBSP cookie butter (speculoos)

2 TBSP fresh squeezed orange juice

2 tsp orange zest

3/4 cup powdered sugar

2 tsp orange juice

Directions:

*Lightly grease a piece of plastic wrap, enclose the dough in the wrap and refrigerate for 6 hours.

*Whisk together the butter, cookie butter, 2 TBSP orange juice, and orange zest. Set aside.

*Grease a 9 X 13 baking pan.

*Flour a rolling surface, place the dough on the flour, cover the dough with the plastic wrap and roll out to about 16 inches long and 9 inches wide.

*Spread the butter mixture onto the dough. Using one long side, roll the dough all the way up to the other long side, creating a 16 inch long tube.

*Cut the dough into 18 evenly sized piece. Place them, flat side down, into the prepared pan. Gently press down.

*Cover the top of the pan with the plastic wrap, and allow to rise for 4 - 5 hours.

*Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Remove the plastic wrap from the pan. Bake for 25 minutes.

*Whisk together the powdered sugar and remaining 2 tsp orange juice. Drizzle over the warm rolls.

Love and Smoothies: 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,

Frozen Yogurt's, what they chose.

Now it's up to all of us,

to put our thoughts into prose.

 

 

Love and Smoothies

 

Valentine's Day rhyming,

I was all set.

But our theme's frozen yogurt?

So here's what you get . . .

 

Roses are red,

violets are blue.

I like frozen yogurt,

well, don't you? 

Roses are yellow,

and violets are purple.

Frozen yogurt in the blender,

I watch it circle.

 

Violets are lavender,

and roses can be pink.

Frozen yogurt can make,

such a yummy drink.

 

Violets are violet,

and roses are white.

A frozen yogurt smoothie,

for Valentine's night?

Pear Ginger Smoothie

 

Violets are mauve,

roses can be peach.

Made frozen yogurt smoothies,

one for us each.

 

Violets are amethyst,

roses can even be black.

If you don't drink that smoothie,

I may take it back. 

 

 

 

Wait!

Read more poetry, 

you're not through.

Some talented writers

are in this crew:

 

On the Border

Messymimi's Meanderings 

Mother Owl 

 

 

Pear Ginger Smoothie Smoothie         

                                                                                      ©www.BakingInATornado.com

Printable Recipe

Ingredients: 

2 cups vanilla yogurt

2 medium sized ripe pears

1/2 cup spinach

1 tsp ginger paste

3 TBSP honey

Directions:

*At least 2 hours before blending, cover a small baking pan (toaster oven size) with a lip so the yogurt doesn't leak out, with parchment paper. Spread the yogurt onto the pan and lay flat in the freezer.

*Peel, core, and chop the pears.

*Clean the spinach and pat dry.
*Once the yogurt is frozen, remove from the parchment paper, chop,and place in a food processor with the chopped pear, spinach, ginger, and honey. Blend, then scrape the sides down, blend, scrape the sides down, and continue until smooth.