Jul 19, 2013 |
TGIF
There was no doubt that this had to be another TGIF post. Because as I write this, I am so very thankful.
I’ve been blessed to be able to share my Penny Parable with more people than I imagined. I continue to find pennies every day, and I’m so thankful when I do. Some are found at home, some in my car. Some are tiny savings in my checkbook. At the end of the week, 7 cents adds up. And since posting the Parable, I’ve been finding far more than just 7 a week. It makes it worth it: that positive outlook, the hope that even the smallest thing can bring magic and miracles to a day.
Penny, Penny
As I’m teaching myself with my yard work, there has to be a starting point. A beginning. And eventually, little things add up to big things. Or, as my friend Danny likes to quote from Bruce Springsteen, “From small things, Mama, big things one day come.”
My Penny Jar
I have long-range goals and short-term projects. But I’m understanding that nothing gets done until the first step is stepped.
Over a year ago, one of my closest friends was searching for a new job. He’d heard of a few colleagues who were receiving interview after interview after interview… but he wasn’t. He was frustrated. We prayed for him and his family. Dot and I prayed for direction, answers, openings. And God heard us. He said, “Why does he want so many interviews? He only needs one.” Of course, God was right. And shortly thereafter, that one right interview came.
I have many writing projects in the works. I always will. As a writer, I can’t write just one story without formulating more. I’ve never heard of any writer who can. But I have a schedule now, a plan. Each day I focus on one writing task. Mondays I work on my assignments for the Institute of Children’s Literature. On Thursdays, it’s all about The Grenalia Chronicles with Megan. Sundays are when I catch up on my Trekaroo reviews. See? Many projects. But each day, one focus.
Terrace of the Cafe at Night
The most complex recipe begins with one ingredient. All books start with one word. When one day is too long, clocks tick one second at a time. The sun rises one inch at a time.
First Morning
Movies are filmed one frame at a time.
And blessings overflow… one at a time.
This weekend we get to see family we don’t see regularly. My Big Brother and his family are coming to visit. How appropriate that he’s the first-born. I can’t wait to spend time with them all!
Today, I’m thankful for one more second with family. One more penny in my wallet. One more word to write, hug to share, smile to give, moment to just breathe.
One more blessing to count.
Today, I’m thankful. One more time.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Jul 15, 2013 |
It’s the beginning of the summer season. We’re having a strange-ish summer here in the High Desert. Most days are either filled with a high haze that obliterates the blue sky, or a feeling of humidity we don’t often experience. There have been moments of clear heat, those days that have melted us into the submission that comes with a tall glass of ice water and no more exercise than button-pushing on the remote control.
And in between, in the days that allow for outside movement and recreation… those days are filled with the day job and the errands and the catch-up events like dollar movies and friends and writing clubs and grocery shopping and baking…
What this summer is boiling down to is my List. I have a list of so many things to do in my front yard (backyard, too, but that’s a separate list!). Don’t get me wrong, my yard is turning out nicely with the bits and pieces we’ve been able to accomplish. But there’s so much more I want. Looking at the Big Picture, I easily become overwhelmed.
I’m tired of living on a dirt lot with shrub stumps and broken water lines. I’m upset that the homes around me have color and tidy yards while I have lumpy dirt and a stump that won’t die.
Overgrowth
Corner View
Stumpy
And so, in what will soon be detailed further in a Faith-based Blog post, I was nudged by God to “go back to the beginning”. He reminded me of how I came to own this house I’ve christened Bedford Manor. He brought back those moments of joy and satisfaction when it started to all come together. He inspired me again with the promise of things to come, and the security and beauty of what’s already here.
First Morning
I have beautiful plans to turn my Great Outdoor into a lovely Italian-themed desert landscape. I’ve done my research (thank you, Pinterest!). On my nearly non-existent budget, I’ll be dreaming more than doing at least for a while.
But there are two lessons here, maybe three.
First, I can’t do it all. But I can do one thing at a time. I can’t do it all at one time, and I can’t do everything I want. I can’t build a Koi pond in the same area I want to build a Pagoda or lay a container garden. I have to choose what it is I really want, and how I want it. While I’m deciding the Wants, I need to take care of the Needs. The tree stump that we tried to cut last year keeps growing back. The dying roots are unsettling the ground. So I can’t do it all. I can’t snap my fingers and have my yard insta-scaped. But I can cut back the growing stems. And I can drill the stump and keep it from growing back. Making my yard the garden spot I know it will be begins with one Project. And that one Project begins with one Step.
Second, I have Faith in my yard. I know what it will be like when it’s finished, but I don’t know how to get from now to then. I’m (mostly) okay with that. I have little ideas that will collect and grow and join together and soon my little ideas will be big ideas. It’s okay if I don’t see the Big Picture as a reality right now. Because I can still work on the design. I can plan. And plot. And save. And work. And try. And do whatever little beginnings I can do. God has given me this beautiful house that we’ve turned into a home. He answered my specific, bold, detailed prayer when house hunting. How could I not have faith that He will also answer my specific, bold, detailed prayer for the landscaping? I have to admit… I’ve forgotten to ask Him. I look around and sigh and struggle through the weeds and the dead stumps and the uneven ground and get discouraged. Got discouraged. Not any more! Because obviously this yard came with this home that is such an obvious blessing from God. And I believe He will help me turn it into a lovely yard, not just a dirt lot.
The third lesson is the First. That is, the most important. Stop, Look, and Listen. Stop being in such a tizzy over what needs to be done. Look and see what’s already been accomplished. Listen to that creative muse inside leading me to grand ideas. Go back to the Beginning.
I have simple, inexpensive ideas for my yard. The more research I do, the more I realize how do-able it is. I need to finish off the stump and cut down another tree. Pull out the dead lilac shrubs. Level the lot a bit more. Then comes the fun part. Pallets for a walkway and container garden. Rockscaping throughout the yard to cut down on dirt and dust and heat. A simple Pagoda that also supports a bench swing and grapevines. Pomegranate trees to add color and attract birds. Sugar Maples to splash their brilliance in the fall. A hedge of Boxwood along the front fence, and Oleander on the side. A wood deck under the side trees. A new coat of paint on the trim.
And that’s only half my list. But I’m no longer looking at the whole list. I’m looking at just the first item. The one I can take care of. The one I can start with.
One step at a time. One project at a time. One section at a time. And eventually, the little things will join together and I’ll have One complete yard.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Jul 6, 2013 |
I write this in anticipation of the weekend. It’s Friday night, but you’ll be reading this on Saturday morning.
Dot and I have decided to unplug. I’m not sure how long I can go without any internet, smart phone, social media, television, Kindle or computer.
It’s so automatic for me to wake up and check my phone before my eyes are fully open. I fall asleep to Netflix.
I’m really not sure how long this will last.
I have a list of tasks and treats to keep us busy:
- Clean the house
- Bake more cupcakes
- Listen to old records
- Plant a shrub
- Remove the dead jade plant
- Clean the patio
- Play board games
- Look at photo albums
- Start a new scrapbook
- Balance the checkbook
- Finish reading Louie L’Amour
- Start reading Anne Rice
- Plan July’s Menu
I’ve been wanting to do this for quite a while, but the truth is, I’ve been chicken. I’m afraid I might find out I’m incredibly addicted to my electronics. Oh, heck. Let’s not pretend. I am incredibly addicted to my electronics. And that’s why I’m doing what I’m doing. I need to remember there’s life beyond the keyboards.
Dot might have a hard time giving up the television. She loves the noise even if she’s not really watching it. And she plays the PlayStation during summer break. But I’ll keep her busy.
When I go to bed tonight, I’m going to box up the phones, remotes, and Kindles. I’ll keep the laptop so I have something to fall asleep to, but come morning it’s all hands off.
It will be interesting to log back in on Sunday (or even Monday) and see what we’ve missed.
I’m thankful there’s plenty of paper and pens around me so I can write old-school style when the Muse hits.
And with that, it’s time to go offline. Wish me luck…
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Jul 3, 2013 |
Recently I was given the opportunity to review one of McDonald’s new Quarter Pounder Burgers. I chose the spicy Bacon Habanero Ranch, not sure what to expect. I don’t generally go all-in over something that might clear my sinuses after one bite, but I was looking for something with a little more kick than the norm. And since it was free, I figured why not?
I also had this great coupon to include a free medium fries and beverage with any new Quarter Pounder purchase.
McDonald’s Coupon
Not a bad offer, eh? So after a day at work followed by two hours of errand-running, Dot and I drove through our favorite local McDonald’s and made use of the coupon along with a $5 gift card provided by McDonald’s through Klout.
The aroma from the warm bag was more than enticing for the short route home. We burst through the door, grabbed paper plates and chowed down!
McDonald’s Bacon Habanero Ranch
It smelled so delicious, I almost forgot to get some decent photos. Luckily for you, I remembered.
Hababero Ranch Sauce
But after I took the first bite, I decided if you want any more photos, you’ll have to take your own.
Just one bite.
It’s hard to impress me with fast food burgers. What’s all the rave around town just doesn’t seem to grab my taste buds. But this one did. After the first bite, the Habanero sauce kicked in, but mildly so. Each juicy bite was full of burger, bacon, tomato, lettuce and sauce. The quality sesame seed bun was firm and flavorful.
McDonald’s is trying to boost their menu to make it more competitive with other burger joints that offer “premium” or “quality” burgers. I’d have to say, with the Bacon Habanero Ranch Quarter Pounder, they’re definitely off to a good start.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Influencer Disclosure:
I was given a free product or sample because I’m a Klout Influencer. I am under no obligation to receive the sample or talk about this company. I get no additional benefits for talking about the product or company.
All opinions in this review are my own and not influenced by any product, company or promotion offered to me.
Jul 1, 2013 |
What better way to celebrate a birthday than with deliciously moist cupcakes? And what better celebration than the birth of our nation?
I wanted to do something fun for the Fourth of July that would inspire you into your own kitchen with a touch of creativity.
Independence Day Cupcakes
Looks great, right? You ain’t seen nothin’ yet! And the recipe? Easy-peasy.
But first, take a look at these mouth-watering photos:
Independence Day Cupcakes with Flag
Hooray for the Red, White and Blue!
Look at those layers!
Independence Day Cupcakes
This festive Fourth of July cupcake is sure to please everyone from young to old.
Ingredients
- White cake mix from a box
- 1 1/4 Cup water
- 1/3 Cup cooking oil
- 3 eggs
- Red and blue food coloring
Instructions
- Prepare a white cake mix according to package directions.
- Divide uncooked batter into three equal parts.
- Set aside the white batter.
- Mix blue food coloring into the second batter.
- Mix red food coloring into the third batter.
- Line a cupcake pan with red, white, and blue cupcake liners.
- Drop one large spoonful of blue batter into each liner.
- Using a clean spoon, drop one large spoonful of white batter onto the blue.
- With another clean spoon, drop one large spoonful of red batter onto the white.
- Bake according to package directions.
- Allow to cool completely. Top with white frosting, then add red and blue sprinkles.
- Decorate with a small flag.
3.1
https://franklymydearmojo.com/2013/07/01/recipe-independence-day-cupcakes/ (c) 2012 Frankly, My Dear... New Inklings Press
She’s a Grand Ol’ Flag!
These cupcakes will definitely add a delicious flare to your table this week. Enjoy!
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Patriotic Fruit Kabobs
For more Fourth of July ideas including this Patriotic Fruit Kabob,
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