Nov 3, 2012 |
Lately, I’ve been seeing food and mommy bloggers talk about Bento Boxes. I’m late to the party, so I don’t have all the details. But what I’ve seen, I like.
Bento is a lunch form that originated in Japan. My brief research indicates that “Bento” means:
- A packed lunch, typically consisting of healthy items rather than fast food.
- Food styling. That is, creating art with your food to make it visually appealing.
- The container itself.
Most Bento lunches are designed for young school children. Moms send them off with themed lunches like sandwiches cut into cookie cutter shapes, boiled eggs sliced and decorated with cheese, fruits and vegetables peeled and curled, meats cut into various triangles and squares…
You get the picture.
Bento for adults is also coming on strong. A box can be packed with sushi or steamed rice and meats in the large container, fruits and vegetables in the medium section, and dessert in the smallest.
From the various articles I’ve read, many Bento boxes are divided into three sections: Large, Medium, Small. The rule of thumb is to pack the food into the containers. Pack being the operative word, so it doesn’t slide around. Make sure it’s durable (food). The less juice/water, the better as this prevents the food from getting sloppy. You can also purchase small cupcake wrappers to act as dividers/holders to keep small foods from spilling.
Another reason for packing it to the hilt, is the average stuffed Bento box holds approximately 600 calories. Now, I’ve never been one to remember the difference between calories, carbs, or chamomile tea. But I figure if I even add meat to a healthy side salad and it fills me up, that’s better than visiting the local burger joint every day.
I’m going to buy my own Bento box soon and give it a try. I’m looking forward to steamed rice and chicken or fish; vegetables; boiled eggs and yogurts. Not only will these foods keep nicely in the Bento box, but they’ll also give me energy and brain power I need to get through my busy day.
I’m so enamored with the creativity of the Bento! And so very excited I’m not the only one. Search “Bento” on Pinterest and see what comes up! Many wonderfully, creative ideas.
I can’t wait to track my Bento for this first week of work and tell you what I learn:
- About how much food it holds
- About what kinds of foods are energizing and Bento-compatible
- About new themes (maybe a Vegan style lunch, or autumn leaf shapes)
- About my beginning food styling skills
In fact, I just created a new Bento! Pinterest Board for my inspirations.
What kinds of foods do you pack in your lunches?
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
[My Bento inspirations originated with Rachel over at Following In My Shoes. Give her a glance!]
Nov 2, 2012 |
Today, for the first time in so very long, I am breathing a bit better than I have. Today (Thursday), I received a call I’ve been waiting for: I start a new job on Monday. I went to the office today to sign documents and pick up the Office Manual to re-introduce myself to the work.
The work itself is insignificant for the purpose of this post. What is important, is that I am finding my footing somewhere between elation and anxiety. I’m not one to publicly display my fears any deeper than voicing a minor concern. And there are circumstances that prevent me from divulging certain aspects of what has been going on around here.
I lost my job on Monday, July 11, 2011. Since then, we (myself, Dot, and the rest of my family) have struggled with keeping the household running. Struggle is a good word, yet not good enough. There have been many times I felt strangled. Many times I felt the cosmos was playing dice with my life. I am thankful this last season did not include any health ailments or accidents, as I’m prone to collect those like baseball cards every few years.
It’s not been easy. And unless you truly are in the midst of poverty, you can’t understand what it’s like. There are many jobs I can’t do. Not won’t do. Can’t do. Through no fault of my own, I’ve been in ten car accidents in 25 years. These have left me with consistent left hip, back and neck muscle/tendon issues. On a good day, I can walk. I can’t ever run. And on a bad day, I can barely get out of bed. Applying for a part-time cashier or retail position has never been an option for me.
There’s a common perception with employers that if you’ve been unemployed for any length of time, it must mean your unemploy-able. For over a year, I’ve been able to land many interviews. I just haven’t landed the jobs.
This last month was the hardest. I found myself trying to make such decisions as what to sell and when to sell it. Whether or not I should move, and if so, where? Michigan keeps calling me back. But so does Minnesota. I’ve always wanted to live in New York. Or just down the street.
There’s only so many ways a person can cook white rice without getting tired of it. There’s only so many times I can rake the leaves off the dirt yard to stay busy. There’s only so much pain a person can take.
Last Friday I couldn’t even get out of bed. I rolled over after Dot said goodbye on her way to college. When I knew the house was empty and no one could hear me but God and the cats, I screamed. I screamed loud and long and then I screamed some more. I thought it might help, but it didn’t. So I sobbed.
I’ve been exhausted for months, hiding behind this facade of a happy person fully trusting in God to take care of us.There’s a difference between being taken care of and barely getting by. I thought perhaps I’d reached the end of what I could take. And I sobbed even more.
I can’t fix the noisy toilets without help. I can’t pay for help. If something happens to the car, we can’t afford to fix it. I have to choose between cat litter and a gallon of milk. It will take more than a few months to repair my credit. I’ve made my payments, but not always on time. And as soon as I get fully current on my bills, something has happened to upset that apple cart. Sometimes it was just life getting in the way. Sometimes it was bureaucracy.
I can’t explain the agony that comes with poverty. How painful it is to choose between driving to a friend’s house or saving the gas for church. Some friends stopped calling. But others have blessedly been a great source of comfort and dialogue. It’s not fun having to refuse invitations to go out because I can’t afford it; but neither is always being the Charity Project of the week.
I’ve been labeled. That’s the worst. There are people I know/knew, who have labeled me as Unemployed. Emotional. Needy. Without truly finding the depths of me, they have labeled me with names that scream Poverty. Poor. and Problematic. I’ve been unable to reach out to those I once trusted, because they see me now as only a financial burden or emotional wreck.
I have lost the ability to be ME.
I’ve done my best to keep these influences away from Dot. Of course she understands we’re in dire straits. She’s well aware that there’s not as much food in the pantry as there used to be. But she’s in college. She’s driving herself around town. Her happy life is just beginning, and I won’t let this negative season weigh her down any more than it absolutely has to.
And I feel guilty. Oh-so-guilty. Because I’m alive. And my friend’s brother isn’t. Because I’m healthy, and a girl just had life-changing surgery. Because I still have a roof over my head, gas in the car, a very smart, dedicated, healthy, Godly daughter, a wonderful relationship with my family and many friends. And I’m tired of eating rice.
Last Friday, I sobbed and screamed for hours, until I exhausted myself enough to just be quiet. I was too tired to even sleep.
And here it is, six days later, and I’m okay. We’re okay. We’re gonna be okay.
I woke up this morning not knowing what the day, week, or month would bring. Not knowing if the child support would be paid. Not knowing how these bills will be taken care of. And something happened.
I had no more money in my account than I did yesterday. The bills still aren’t paid. But I was breathing. I was awake. Healthy. Sheltered.
And today I understand the meaning of Daily Bread.
God doesn’t care that my bills aren’t paid. He cares about me.
It doesn’t matter that it’s rice we’re eating. Because we’re eating. It doesn’t matter that the child support stopped. Because we’re gonna be self sufficient.
It doesn’t matter why I haven’t worked for so long. Because I finally have a job.
I’m so afraid it won’t last. I’m so concerned the economy will continue to fall or even stagnate and I will once again find myself back here.
What matters is that we’re still breathing. And we’re still together. I didn’t have to choose between my daughter in California or a job in the Midwest. I’ll be back on my feet in a month or so. And I’ll be okay.
For all I’ve gone through; for a better understanding of those who truly struggle with poverty; and for the blessing of a new job,
THANK GOD IT’S FRIDAY.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
This post has been linked up with Shell at Things I Can’t Say for POUR YOUR HEART OUT
Nov 1, 2012 |
Welcome to the first Giveaway for Frankly, My Dear…’s Holiday Gift Basket Giveaway!
I love books. You know this about me, right? So how wonderfully thrilled am I to offer one as my first giveaway! There’s nothing quite like the crisp scent of turning pages. Whether it’s a brand new spine that crackles when you open it, or a well-worn favorite that you’ve memorized years ago,
books are magical.
Some writers have an instinctive style that draws you in effortlessly. Within a few words, you’re transported to a different world. One in which Words are living, breathing creations giving birth to wondrous events.
Max Lucado is a wonderful Christian author who has inspired millions with his books and UpWords Ministries graciously provided his book, CHRISTMAS STORIES for this giveaway.
Christmas Stories
I can’t think of a better way to cozy up on a chilly winter evening than with this collection of ten short stories celebrates Christ as the reason for Christmas. Over 250 pages of inspiring, calming, and even exciting stories await as you turn the pages.
Cozy Christmas Stories
This book is quality. Quality bound. Quality printing. Quality reading. The front cover says it all:
Heartwarming Classics of Angels, A Manger,
and the Birth of Hope
Although the birth of Christ is most often associated with Christmas and winter, this book is wonderful reading throughout the year.
Of course you can run out and get one for yourself, but how would you like a chance to win it? It’s simple. Just follow the instructions on the Rafflecopter widget below.
Good luck, and Happy Reading!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Oct 31, 2012 |
We’re really getting in the Harvest atmosphere around here. With Dot being out of school and our neighborhood being a quiet, keep-to-yourself kind of place, we never get Trick-or-Treaters. And in case you think I’m embellishing, I’m really not.
My Mummy used to buy just one bag of candies to give away on her street. When Dot was young, we were her only customers. Now she just gives us the bag the day before to save time.
But we definitely like the Harvest-Thanksgiving mindset. We took Mum to the Pumpkin Patch today and had just as much fun as we did on Saturday.
Pumpkins!
We followed it up with a stop at the local Frozen Yogurt Shop. As you can probably guess, it was dee-licious!
Frozen Yogurt – Yumm!
Tomorrow will feature the first product for the Holiday Gift Basket Giveaway, and I’m so very excited! It’s the first of several wonderful items for your house, home, and holidays so I hope you’ll come back for your chances to win!
Just Some of the Items in the
Holiday Gift Basket Giveaway
And now, since today is Hallowe’en, I’m opening up this week’s “What’s the Word?” Wednesday for something a little different: I’d love to see photos of your little ghosts and goblins, Falling for Fall, and all things Thankful. Post up your Harvest celebrations whether it be prose, poems or pictures; or, for that matter, any wonderful thing you want to share.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
“What’s the Word?” Wednesdays is a link-up that allows other bloggers and readers to share whatever they want to talk about. Think of it as a virtual coffee date with some great friends. What’s going on in your world? Tell us all about it!
A few things to remember:
- Each week’s link-up is valid from Wednesday through the following Tuesday. So if you link a post today, you can still come back and link another post tomorrow! In fact, you can link up as many posts as you want.
- If you add a link, please put the badge on your post as well.
- Each week has a new link-up. Please make sure you grab the correct Badge Code.
- Be sure to check out what others are posting, and even leave a few comments.
- You can now show your “likes” by voting for your favorite links.
So, c’mon. Join the conversation. After all, a great coffee date is one where everyone gets to chat, dontcha think?
Oct 30, 2012 |
I just filled out my ballot. I’m an absentee voter. It helps, because I don’t have to face long lines and crowded rooms (neither of which agree with me unless it’s at Disneyland).
It will go in the mail tomorrow, to be delivered in a timely manner to the Registrar of Voters.
You’ve heard me say it a lot. In fact, if you’re around any of my family lately, you’ve heard us all say it. A lot.
VOTE.
America is at a crossroads right now. It’s not just differing opinions. Politics are getting uglier and more conniving. I’m not talking about just the ads. I’m talking about how the elected are taking care of themselves when they should be taking care of business.
It’s so important that you choose the best candidate to keep America strong, and to rebuild what’s been weakened.
I’m not here to tell you the simple answer. Because there isn’t one. The solution to my struggles is the same for you, because your struggles are different. My views on life may not be the same as yours.
The important thing is that you find your voice. Take a stand.
VOTE.
For the last few Presidential elections, there’s been a sense of apathy that we can no longer afford. Too many people are taking the easy way out, shrugging their shoulders and then complaining when things don’t get better.
I urge you, I plead with you, please:
VOTE.
There is nothing more important we can do for our country, our states, our governments, our economy, and our future.
Don’t just choose the pretty names or the candidates with the most signs. Learn what they stand for. Make sure you choose the one that will best represent your interests for long-term success.
Read. Research. And cast it.
VOTE.
No. Matter. What.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
