Jacqueline Patterson’s Key to Success

Feb 9, 2017 | 2 comments

Jacqueline Patterson’s Key to Success

by Jacqueline Patterson @jacpatterson

Frankly, My Dear . . . Jacqueline Patterson's Key to Success

Frankly, My Dear . . . Jacqueline Patterson’s Key to Success

“The more we work to help others,
the more we begin to enjoy the life we’re living.”

I raised my heavy-lidded gaze from the laptop screen and the quote on the coffee cup stared back at me. Like I really have time!

My eyes shifted to the blinking light on the phone, the sure indication that yet more messages were waiting for me.

I couldn’t take care of the rest of the world.

I turned my phone so I could no longer see the blinking light.

I had too much to do, too much to plan and consider and rewrite if I hoped to finish my book by my self-imposed deadline. After all, this was  my story,  my words, and that meant my work was most important, right?

Right.

And I wouldn’t let this distract me.

I turned back to my laptop, but my fingers were lead on the keyboard. I added a solitary word here, a phrase there, but my gaze continued to stray back to the quote.

“The more we work to help others . . .”

“No,” I said, and my voice was firm with resolve. “You will finish this story.” My friends would take care of themselves, the way they had a hundred times before. I would pray for them, then check up on them once I finished these edits. Surely things weren’t so severe they needed me right now.

I started at the half-empty page on the screen, and found myself rereading the words I had added since spotting the quote. Most were repetitions, rambling and distracted. How long had I been locked into this writing frenzy anyway? Days? Weeks? I couldn’t remember the last time I sought out contact with a friend other than with a quick writing question. I had simply burrowed away into my writing shell, where all that mattered was my story . . . and me.

As if friendship wasn’t even important.

But . . . Wasn’t it my duty to put my book first? After all, I was the one who went around reminding everyone they were the only ones who could write their story, and how would it look if I didn’t keep up my reputation for busyness? I shouldn’t step back from my writing. Even for an hour.

I had work to do.

I glanced between my laptop and my phone, my mind rebelling as I made my decision.

There would be time to work on my book later. I would always make time. There were no guarantees that all my friends would last until tomorrow.

The key to success was not to push myself forward, but to care for others. Even my writing was not for myself, as much as I wanted to hold to the comfort of that illusion. Why seek publication except to reach others?

It would be an empty journey without friendship. Without sharing dreams.

I closed my laptop and reached for my phone.

CLICK TO TWEET: Frankly, My Dear: Jacqueline Patterson’s Key to Success.

Jacqueline Patterson

Jacqueline Patterson

Jacqueline Patterson wrote her first book at the age of five: the tale of an assassin hen on the trail of a crafty fox. (OK, so the story wasn’t that epic, but the hen was mean.) That first story hooked her, and she hasn’t stopped since. She is currently editing Primate, the first book in her Forever in Time series, in the hope of publication . . . If she can ever convince herself that she’s found the perfect draft. Talk to Jacqueline about books, and she will be your friend forever. You can connect with her on Twitter and Instagram.

And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!

 

Sweeten my tea and share:

Recipe: Basic Slow Cooker Meatloaf

Feb 2, 2017 | 2 comments

Recipe: Basic Slow Cooker Meatloaf

by Molly Jo Realy @RealMojo68

Five simple ingredients. Three hours. Can’t-get-enough-of-it taste.

Frankly, My Dear . . . : Basic Slow Cooker Meatloaf Recipe

Frankly, My Dear . . . : Basic Slow Cooker Meatloaf Recipe

So, last month I promised y’all a new meatloaf recipe every month in 2017. But here it is, February, and you’re thinking (I can tell), “Where’s my meatloaf?! Where’s my recipe?!” Am I right?

Well, first. Thanks for not, you know, yelling through the blogosphere. Much appreciated. Second, aren’t you lucky. You’re gonna have two ~ yup, count ’em ~ two meatloaf recipes this month. Before the end of February, and just in time for Mardi Gras, I’ll share my Creole Meatloaf recipe.

But today, it’s all about the basics. Let’s face it. After the rush and scurry of the holidays, and during the cold weather rains and storms, we don’t always want or have time for complicated. But we still want good. Hearty. Delicious.

Ladies and Gentlemen, today I give you my wonderfully easy-peasy, palate-pleasing, no muss no fuss January (or should have been) Meatloaf.

I can’t believe how easy it is to put this together, and how not dry the meatloaf is. How flavorful, how . . . Well, I could continue but let’s just say you and your taste buds are gonna thank me for this.

Print
Recipe: Basic Slow Cooker Meatloaf

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs ground beef
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 packets onion soup mix
  • 16 Saltine cracker squares
  • milk

Instructions

  1. Line slow cooker with foil. Spritz with cooking oil or nonstick spray.
  2. Crush crackers into small bowl. Add just enough milk to cover. Set aside.
  3. In separate mixing bowl, combine ground beef, eggs, and soup mix. Add crackers. Mix thoroughly.
  4. Shape into loaf and place in slow cooker.
  5. Reshape, keeping meatloaf away from sides of slow cooker.
  6. Cover. Set on high.
  7. Let cook at least three hours on high, or five to six hours on low.
  8. When ready, slice and serve.
https://franklymydearmojo.com/2017/02/02/recipe-basic-slow-cooker-meatloaf/

Here’s a few tips:

  • Shape the loaf into an oval. It will retain its shape while cooking.
  • Crimp the foil around the edges of the slow cooker and gently press the lid into it.
Frankly, My Dear . . . : Basic Slow Cooker Meatloaf

Frankly, My Dear . . . : Basic Slow Cooker Meatloaf

And that’s it. Simple, right? Delectable, yes? How stinkin’ excited are we for another recipe? So tell me: Do you cook your meatloaf in an oven or a slow cooker?

And do you let your family lick the plates clean?

Frankly, My Dear . . . : Berry Sunshine enjoying the last licks

Frankly, My Dear . . . : Berry Sunshine enjoying the last licks

CLICK TO TWEET: Frankly, My Dear . . . : Recipe: Basic Slow Cooker Meatloaf.

And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!

Sweeten my tea and share: