Oct 9, 2017 |
by Molly Jo Realy @MollyJoRealy

The Assault: Harbingers, Cycle Two
Infestation by Frank Peretti. No less exciting than the first Harbingers books I’ve read.
Now, I know some of you won’t read past this line, but that’s okay. Because there are a few SPOILERS that follow.
So.
Now is the time to stop reading if you don’t want to know anything about the book.
Seriously.
Go away.
Or not.
Still here? Awesome sauce.
Chapter One, all of two and half pages, narrates a scientist as he makes his way through a lagoon that was previously decimated. A lone dolphin comes close, closer, and the scientist is happy, intrigued, thrilled another form of life is making its way back. Until it comes even closer. And he sees its nasty eyes oozing green goo. And as he goes to touch its side, the green goo is there, too. He retreats, tries to get a sample, but the dolphin shifts . . . and explodes green goo all over him.
Jump cut to Chapter Two. And now we’re in the head of the miserable Professor. Poor guy; all he wants is to be left alone. Because he knows whenever the Team calls it means upsetting the status quo, seeing things he’d rather not, and experiencing things he’d, well, rather not experience.
Case in point: Brenda visits the Professor to let him know Andi is in Florida. No, not with her loving grandparents. But a mental institution. They rush to her, and the Prof is staggered to see her out of touch. She responds to no one, has disconnected from humanity, and only rambles what others can’t really understand.
Of course, Cowboy (Tank) joins them. His heart belongs to Andi, but she didn’t want him to begin with, and in her new, uh, condition, she affirms that. Quite strongly.
The book continues as the Team tries to fix Andi, to find out why this is happening, and what to do about it. And, as usual, I ain’t gonna tell ya.
But I will tell you, you won’t be disappointed as you continue the adventure.
TWEET THIS: THE ASSAULT: Harbingers, Cycle Two, Book Two https://ctt.ec/K52s0+ @RealMojo68 #amreading #Harbingers
And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!
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Oct 8, 2017 |
by Molly Jo Realy @MollyJoRealy

Frankly, On Faith.
We’re a busy culture. We are go-go-go with not just a lot on one plate, but many plates. The Bible warns us the sloth will perish in poverty, but we can take the opposite to extreme which is just as ignorant.
Scripture has many verses about the need for rest. It refreshes our spirits, gives us time to connect with God, allows our bodies to recoup and recharge.
Health experts have always praised the benefits of rest.
This doesn’t mean sleep, which we do every day. It means to limit your activity so you can refresh, to give yourself a moment of tranquility, a period of solitude and/or quiet.
It can also be a way of celebrating a job well done.
“And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy,
because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation.”
~Genesis 2:3 NLT

Frankly, My Dear . . . : Rest Easy.
Resting is a conscious choice to relax and enjoy the world around you. What does that look like to you?
TWEET THIS: What does resting look like to you? @RealMojo68 #resteasy #franklyonfaith
And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!
Oct 7, 2017 |
by Molly Jo Realy @MollyJoRealy
So a while ago I told y’all what memes are. Then I shared the power of three. That was fun. The power of three was a fun post to share. [See what I did there?]
Today I want to combine the above with one more: Your Message.
Let’s say you’re in the kitchen and don’t know what to cook. You have chicken in the fridge, but you’re not sure how to use it. Whatcha gonna do? Call Ghostbusters? [Sorrynotsorry. Had to throw a little October in here somehow.]

Frankly, My Dear . . . : What’s Your Social Media Recipe?
Back to the cooking without direction thing. If you don’t know what to do with the chicken, there are a few possibilities:
- You can let it sit in the fridge until it stinks
- You can eat it raw and get sick
- You can try to cook it and hope it turns out okay
- You can look for a recipe and give it a go
Where do you start when you don’t have a recipe but you know you need one? You ask, right? You call Mom, you Google “How to cook a chicken”, you buy yourself a cookbook. Whatever it takes. You research.
Now, let’s flip the switch. Let’s suppose you’re the one with the information. How are you gonna get that fresh-out-of-college, I-has-no-skills person to pick up your recipe? Easy peasy. You let them know you have it.
Social media platforms are your time to shine. This is where you say, “I have this to offer,” and then . . . wait for it . . . you offer it! Crazy, right?! I know, but there it is all sweet and sassy like the tea you know I drink.
- Don’t know what platforms to use? Ask.
- Not sure how to do it? Check Google.
- Hit or miss on your message? Try a few recipes. Change it up. Make it your own.
And don’t forget the seasonings. Ain’t nobody like eating a dry chicken. Add some fixins to the mixin’ and pretty soon you’ll be selling your recipe like the pro you know you are.
Ooh, one more morsel before I go: You won’t always be perfectly original. And a few times you’ll burn the toast. But when you find your stride, take what you’re given and add your own touches, you can make it better. Practice makes perfect. So don’t stop learning. Ever.

Frankly, My Dear . . . : F. Scott Fitzgerald
Now. Get out there and season your world!
TWEET THIS: What’s your social media recipe? @RealMojo68 #socialmedia #foodie #recipe
With a dash of media and sprinkling of marketing,
Happy Socialing!
~Molly Jo
And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!
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Oct 6, 2017 |
by Molly Jo Realy @MollyJoRealy
Y’all may have picked up on this month’s theme: Autumn. Go figure. But, for realz. What, I’m gonna blog about the Easter Bunny? Nah. Not for at least six weeks.
As soon as the calendar turns to October, I turn to Fall. Even in the SoCal desert with it’s almost-80-degree temperatures and you-call-that-a-yard?-dirt, there’s something quite lovely about it all. Scarves come out, Pumpkin Spice Lattes are everywhere. It’s as if the Pumpkin Grinch himself dusted everything with pumpkin seed glitter.

The Pumpkin Grinch
I could go on and on, but since this is just a five item post, let me share my top reasons for loving October:
- It’s at most eleven weeks away from Christmas. For me, the first of October kind of jump starts the holidays. I’ll be lacing the car stereo with my Harry Connick, Jr Christmas CDs this weekend. #truestory. And in a few weeks the family will start to get cryptic texts like “For ransom: Doo Dads. Send money now.” [Note to self: Coupons are awesome. Start clipping.] Pretty soon the decor will come out of storage, the evenings will get longer. It’s one of my favorite times of year.

Frankly, My Dear . . . : Holiday Doo Dads
- Baseball. Yup. That’s right. ‘Tis the season for my Yankees to bring it on home. And to watch Field of Dreams. And to eat Cracker Jacks. All these wonderful things are the zenith of my baseball watching experience. And I love it. Every. Single. Year. Does it matter that Jeter’s no longer on the team? Nah. We’re doing okay with Aaron Judge.

Frankly, My Dear . . . : If You Build It, They Will Come
- Pumpkin everything. I know, know. Y’all see it everywhere and are burnt out. This Girl say whaat?! How can you be burnt out of pumpkin? Pumpkin Spice Latte, pumpkin soup, pumpkin flavored Belvita crackers, pumpkin carving, pumpkin seeds. Did I mention Pumpkin Spice Latte?

Frankly, My Dear . . . : Hello, PSL
- Autumn TV/Movies. This time of year is a guarantee you’ll find me watching The West Wing, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, the aforementioned Field of Dreams, Something Wicked This Way Comes, Autumn in New York, The Godfather, and of course, Nightmare Before Christmas. I’m a sucker for all things autumn, New York, crispy leaves, and Disney. But I think all y’all already knew that, yes?

Pumpkin Spice Latte, Pumpkin Bread and the Nightmare Before Christmas
- Cat Cuddles. Like I could leave my furfamily out of this. They’re the best part of this time of year. This year, in Lizzie’s absence, Little has already taken to sleeping on the pillow, and Iris is always by my side. Berry is always with me, and Sparkles has even warmed up to being in my general presence without argument.

Frankly, My Dear . . . Lizzie Cat
There are so many more things I love about October, but these are the best. My bonus reason is it’s my mom’s favorite time of year, too, and when she’s happy, I’m happy. [Hey, Mom. Let’s go Christmas shopping this weekend, okay?]
TWEET THIS: What are your favorite reasons for October? @RealMojo68 #fivethingsfriday
With an orange scarf and pumpkin latte,
Happy Autumn, y’all!
~Molly Jo
And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!
Oct 5, 2017 |
by Molly Jo Realy @MollyJoRealy
Last week was our first taste of autumn here in the desert. Once the high temp doesn’t get above 80, it’s time to break out those winter coats. Okay, maybe not for the rest of the country, but here we celebrate the cool breeze and the ability to not sweat off ten pounds just by putting on a jacket.
Of course, something I love all year ’round are soups and slow cookers. And when the two combine, oi vey! Look out tastebuds!
Today’s recipe brings the tangy yet sweet flavors of pumpkin and cream together with spices for an amazing blend that will delight you.

Frankly, My Dear . . . Slow Cooker Pumpkin Soup
Recipe: Slow Cooker Pumpkin Soup
Ingredients
- 28-30 oz canned pumpkin puree
- 32 oz chicken broth
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 TBS pumpkin spices
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 TBS turmeric
- 1/2 TBS ground ginger
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- Parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients except whipping cream and parsley into slow cooker.
- Cook on medium for approximately three hours. Stir thoroughly. Cook for another hour.
- Remove bay leaf.
- Add whipping cream.
- Puree soup in blender. It's best to do this two cups at a time.
- Garnish with parsley and serve.
3.1
https://franklymydearmojo.com/2017/10/05/recipe-slow-cooker-pumpkin-soup/ (c) 2012 Frankly, My Dear... New Inklings Press
This autumn delight can be served hot or cold, so enjoy it however you like.
TWEET THIS: It’s never too early for slow cooker pumpkin soup. @RealMojo68 #pumpkinsoup #autumn
With autumn spices and a big spoon,
Happy eating!
~Molly Jo
And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!