Aug 4, 2017 |
by Molly Jo Realy @RealMojo68
Frankly, My Dear . . . : Five Things Friday
Today I’m focusing on Food and Fun. Which reminds me, it’s time for y’all to head on over to Facebook and vote for what I should put on the plate next week. Just click on the photos below to get there. You can also vote on my Instagram post, or by leaving a comment here. This week’s choices are: Egg Salad, Potato Chip Casserole, or Slow Cooker Ratatouille.
The kitchen is always a haven for me, a safe place where I can keep my body busy with cooking while my mind works out this week’s budget or next week’s character crisis. It’s near nirvana, blending and creating flavors, and one of the best ways to accomplish that is by mixing spices, and I’m not just talking sugar and salt.
This is the part where I tell you this post is in no way endorsed, sponsored, or whatevered by anyone or anything else. No body paid me, suggested to me, or offered me goods in exchange for my opinion. I just thought it’d be a fun topic for today’s 5TF.
Of course, I’m a fan of the McCormick brand because, and I think you know this, they’re the home of Zatarain’s. Yes, the Zatarain’s. The I’m-writing-and-need-inspiration spice. The I’m-so-glad-they-exist rice mixes. The blacken-that-salmon-more flavor. Yes, that Zatarain’s. Who can forget the lovely care package they sent me a few years ago? Gee, it’s almost time for a new one . . . *nudge, nudge, Jazz Man!*
Zatarain’s Care Package
Foodie Peeps, I give you this week’s Five Things Friday:
- Cinnamon It’s not just for Christmas. This great spice comes in both stick and ground form. I love adding a broken stick or two to my cider, hot tea, or latte. Of course, it’s a staple in my hot cocoa as well. But you already knew that. It’s got a crazy amount of healthy properties too, like soothing upset stomachs, and energy and brain boosts. Remember that for next time!
Mocha Flavored Coffee Mix
- Oregano. Ah, molto bella! What true Italian kitchen is without this pungent addition? Great on sandwiches and pizzas, in soups, and on salads. Oregano is my all-purpose main-dish spice. In oil form, Oregano is an immune-system booster and helps conquer the common cold faster than without it. Its warming properties make it a natural pain reliever, too.
- Bay leaf. Say what?! You say. That’s not a spice. Ookkaayyy, (in my long, drawn-out voice), so technically it’s an herb. But for realz. I’ve had soups and other dishes both with and without this seasoning. I’ll take the bay leaf for two hundred, Alex. Hands down. Every. Single. Time. The oil compounds are used in prevention of heart disease, and to help digestion.
- Ginger. Now contrary to some arguments, ginger really is a spice. Hey, I don’t make this stuff up! Tangy ginger root has some amazing health properties. A few shavings in your hot tea will knock that cold right out of you. Okay, maybe not SuperMan fast, but definitely Jimmie Johnson fast. It boosts your immune system and help handle the nausea that comes with allergies.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice. This blend of other spices brought together into one ahh-mazing mix? When I say, “more,” you say, “please!” Am I right? Snap the finger girl, you know I am. A dash of this in your frothy coffee or on top a scoop of French vanilla ice cream. Mmhmm. That’s what I’m talkin’ about. There is never, I repeat, never, a bad time for pumpkin pie spice. And since September is just four weeks away (I know, right?!), it’s Game On for all-things-pumpkin season!
Frankly, My Dear . . . Sugar and Spice
In the kitchen, you can combine spices to suit your palate. Experiment with a dash of this, a sprinkle of that.
Tonight I created a new dry rub recipe: Two parts turmeric, two parts smoked paprika, and one part ground coffee. I’m pretty much in love with it already and can’t wait to try it with different coffees, and on different foods. It smells so good I almost want to use it as a body scrub. Too much? Yah, I guess you’re right. Okay, we’ll keep it on the food.
Frankly, My Dear . . . MoJo Spice Blend: Turmeric, Smoked Paprika, Ground Coffee
Nearly every spice has culinary, aromatic, and health benefits. What are your favorites?
TWEET THIS: How do you spice up your life? @RealMojo68 @mccormickspices @Zatarains #franklymydear
TWEET THIS: Five Things Friday: Spice Up Your Life @RealMojo68 @Zatarains @mccormickspices #franklymydear #fivethingsfriday
With a dash of salt and a zest for life,
Happy eating!
~Molly Jo
And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!
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Aug 3, 2017 |
by Molly Jo Realy @RealMojo68
Gah! I’m running into the eleventh hour ~ literally ~ and I almost forgot to post. Zoiks!
Well it’s a good thing I was already working on the blog, because now I know what to tell y’all.
Frankly, My Dear . . . Thank you!
First, THANK YOU. Since the new website launch a month ago, y’all have endured a few changes, participated in some fun activities, and overall made me feel like I’m doing a good job here. And, well, Frankly, My Dear . . . that’s everything!
So I thought I’d share a few navigational tips with you today. On the right side of the page, I’m sure you’ve noticed the neat photos, video, and whatnots. Well, they’re not whatnots, they’re widgets. And they’re all there for a purpose. This week, I added a link to my daughter’s Etsy Shop, Hannah’s Lace.
inspire-create-repeat
I also added this neat design which links back to the free PDF downloads. Not sure if y’all remember, but I promised you at least one new download a month. Yes, I know the link is also in the top menu. But this was just fun. Now, Frankly, My Dear . . . is themed toward Faith, Family, Food, and Fun; so who knows what the download will be? I guess you’ll have to push that button to find out.
I wish I could take the credit for the design, but my very creative brother did this as a surprise. He’s pretty nifty, too, yah?
You can check out his website at RealyCreative.com. Tell him I sent you.
Now that we’ve covered the widgets, let’s talk surveys. I hosted and/or moderated two Facebook Events in the last month, and if you were around for either of them, I sure could use your feedback. If y’all wouldn’t mind, click here to complete my Facebook Events Participation Survey. It sure would help me know how to better tailor events in the future. The survey is anonymous, so if you choose to leave comments that require feedback, leave your name also.
Finally, we’ve come to the Like portion of our post.
You like me! You really, really like me!
And I can’t tell you how much your comments, shares, likes, follows and mentions have meant to me.
I know when I very first started this blog it had no direction, and even up until a few years months recently it seemed that way.
I found my voice. A Southern Belle in Southern California, on her way to Oz. But I’m not alone on this journey. You were there. And you. And, yes, you too, Toto.
TWEET THIS: Widgets and Surveys and Likes, Oh My! @RealMojo68 #franklymydear #OnToOz
And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!
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Aug 2, 2017 |
by Molly Jo Realy @RealMojo68
Frankly, My Dear . . . : Hannah’s Lace
It’s official! My sweet tea of a daughter has opened her Etsy store. Folks, this has been a project in the works for quite some time and I don’t mind telling ya this momma is strutting around like a proud peacock!
Dot’s Peacock
Y’all remember when she gifted me this peacock painting? Yeah. Sorry to break a million hearts, but it’s one of a kind, and not for sale.
But a whole lotta other stuff is!
I mean, this girl has been creative since the day she was born. Who in the family can forget her little 18-month-old fingers peeling wallpaper from the nursery? Or the handcrafted centerpieces she made for her wedding reception?
Hannah’s Wedding
Yes, the creative genius I gave birth to is expanding her horizons with Hannah’s Lace. She graciously donated a collection of her handcrafted cards for my website launch, and now those cards (and more) are available!
Frankly, My Dear . . . Hannah’s Lace – Hello
Do I sound like an infomercial? Gads, sorry. I just really am pleased as punch she’s excelling with her creativity. And photography. I mean, my girl does it all, folks!
Check out her soon-to-be-available matching painted Bible and journal sets.
Frankly, My Dear . . . : Hannah’s Lace – Painted Bible
I can see I’ll be spending quite a bit of money at Hannah’s Lace. Not that her creations are pricey. They’re very reasonable. There’s just too much beautiful to choose from!
Want to see for yourself? Knew you would! Just click on any of the photos in this post to be taken to her Etsy shop.
You can also follow Hannah’s Lace on Instagram for more.
Frankly, My Dear . . . : Hannah’s Lace – Thank You
TWEET THIS: She’s a creative genius. #HannahsLace @RealMojo68
TWEET THIS: Frankly, My Dear. . . : Hannah’s Lace #Etsy Store is now open. @RealMojo68 #hannahslace
And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!
