Daily Prompt: The Gift That Bites

May24

You receive a gift that is bittersweet and makes you nostalgic. What is it?

I didn’t receive a gift, but rummaging thought old furniture at a thrift store, I came across a vintage replica of what use to be our stereo system back in the 60’s and 70’s and it brought back so many wonderful sweet memories.  I had forgotten about all those delightful experiences of what seems like eons ago…

My dad use to treasure that old contraption.  He would come home from work every afternoon and play his classical music for all to enjoy, but we all hated it.  As soon as he turned it on, we scattered…  This was a daily ritual in our house back in those days.

I am so grateful though for the experience…  I now enjoy the same music I once hated.  It’s amazing how much we grow and learn and how some occurrences shape who we are today…

Thanks dad…

vintage stereo

Daily Prompt: Goals

May22

When you started your blog, did you set any goals? Have you achieved them? Have they changed at all?

The idea of blogging came to me when I saw and read a blog from my daughter’s friend. She gave me a few ideas and sites and once I did a little research, I opted for WordPress.

I use to sit and write for hours, but I stopped the flow and my writing also stopped along with it… I wanted to begin writing again, but couldn’t get it together. Her blog was an inspiration.

My goal for my blog was to write whatever came to mind, but then I started writing poetry and began doing the Daily Prompts and Weekly Challenges… I also, started to notice how articulate and bright some of the blogs were/are and I know, I need to step it up a bit which I haven’t done yet.

My intention was not to blog in order to pick-up thousands of followers or to compete for anything. All I wanted was to get back to writing and I believe I have accomplished just that. If I learn all about widgets, themes, and other technical things out there, great! But if I don’t, great too… I like to keep things simple and by blog is just that, “Very simple”…

Circumstances…

May22

pink_flower

Sometimes we get caught up in the weirdest of circumstances and can’t seem to focus on anything else…  Well!  Know that it will pass rather quickly and other things will take precedence…

I remember thinking while going through labor pains, “It’ll be over soon”…  That phrase kept me from screaming and ranting… I just kept repeating it over and over again in my mind…  I was calm and I knew it would be over soon.

I did have complications and was given a choice of a C-section or forceps.  I knew I didn’t want to jeopardize my child’s brain or health; therefore, I opted for the C-section.  We all go into the delivery room wanting one thing, but then we need to adjust to the circumstances…  That’s when we need to set our ego aside and think of the best alternative…  That is life…

We stumble, but then get right back up and continue…  We have a choice to sulk or be happy…  Learn from the mistakes…  That’s how we grow…

There are so many ways to get a result.  Take a little bit from here and a little bit from there and make this mishmash your own…

Don’t get stuck with just one thing…

Namaste…

DAILY PROMPT: DULLED

May21

You encounter a mysterious man offering you a magic potion that, once sipped, will make one of your senses (sight, hearing, taste, smell, touch) super sharp — but dull the others. Will you sip it, and if so, what sense do you choose?

Gee!  I don’t think I want any of my senses dulled for the purpose of sharpening just one…  I might want to heighten all the senses equally, but not too much or too little.  There’s not one in particular I would like to sharpen more than the others.  In my opinion, all are equally important…  Balance is the key to a healthy life…

I don’t need super sight since I’m not superman… 

I don’t need additional octaves in hearing since I care about my sleep… 

I don’t want to taste anything more than what I already do…

I don’t need to be sniffing around for anything…  I like good odors, but what about foul ones…  No!!!!  I don’t think I want to over kill myself with smells…

And I’m fine with my sense of touch…  I wouldn’t want to feel no pain if injured; therefore, I don’t want to play around with this one… 

Here’s a good saying:

Hearing says the blind man
Sight signs the mute
Touch says the masseuse
Smell says the florist
Taste says the gourmand

I say them all!

5senses

Daily Prompt: Helping Hand

May19

Tell us about the most surprising helping hand you’ve ever received.

Long long time ago, I was a single mom, working full-time, and a student. I was going out with a group of friends to dinner one evening and asked my kids what they wanted to have for supper. They didn’t want a home cooked meal, but rather burgers and fries from McDonald’s.
It had been raining for the past week or so and this evening was no different. I bundled up since it was a chilly night and off I went. On the way back, there was a road block, but part of the road was opened so I figured it would be fine to go through. Straight ahead three blocks down was my home and I didn’t want to go around the long way. It was a dark night and started driving in very cautiously, but I still couldn’t see a few feet ahead… To my surprise the brook had overflowed and when I realized what was happening, my car shut off and started to head towards the brook. I started to scream and managed to get out with water reaching my neck and all I grabbed in my haste was the soda. I walked home soaking wet and crying hysterical. My poor children. Can’t imagine what was going through their minds when they saw me like this.
 I spent the entire night and part of Sunday crying. I had just started working in a new job and didn’t know anyone I could call for a ride. I had no credit and no money. My family were all in Florida and I couldn’t just call out of the blue to ask for a couple of thousand. I was inconsolable. By the end of the weekend, my son didn’t know what to do with me and phoned his dad. To my surprise, he got on the phone with me and told me to stop crying that he would go out the following day and purchase a car for me and I would be able to go work by Tuesday…
I never expected my ex-husband to come through for me like that. I thank God every day for answering my prayer and for sending me this angel when I needed it the most.

road closed

Provolone and Arugula-Stuffed Flank Steak

May19

Flank Steak

Ingredients

  • 1-1/2 lb of flank steak
  • 2 small cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 1 5-oz pk baby arugula
  • ¼ lb very thinly sliced deli provolone
  • 3 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, quartered
  • ½ small red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • Kosher salt and pepper

 

Preparation

  1. Heat grill to medium-high, Butterfly the steak: Cut it in half horizontally (don’t cut all the way through) and open it like a book.
  2. Rub the garlic over the inside of the steak.  Scatter 1 heaping cup of arugula over the steak, then lay the cheese on top.  Roll up the steak and tie with kitchen twine.  Season ½ tsp salt and pepper.
  3. Grill the streak, covered, turning occasionally and brushing with the vinegar, 15 to 18 minutes for medium-rare.  Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
  4. In a large bowl, toss the tomatoes and onions with lemon juice, oil, and ¼ tsp each salt and pepper.  Toss the remaining arugula; serve with the steak.

 

Found this wonderful recipe in woman’s day…