Sunday, October 31, 2010

Sunday 160 (Boo) and Sunday's Savory: Spinach Rolls


These ghastly gourds line the stoop
in anticipation of the unsuspecting parade
of costumed kids in search of treats
for unbeknownst to them
A trick is in store.
BOO!


To participate or read other samples of this new genre of fiction, 
please visit Monkey ManThe idea behind Sunday 160 
is to write a short piece in exactly160 characters, 
spaces included. 


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Spinach Rolls


I came up with a recipe, earlier this week, when I had to bring a dish to a mid-morning brunch. What I made was a hit with the ladies and I thought I’d share my recipe with you.  

In today’s recipe, the measurements are approximations. I never measure when I am making up a recipe. I just go with the flow.  A touch here, a dash there, a sprinkle of this, a splash of that. Anyway, to make the 2 dozen spinach rolls, pictured above, here is what you’ll need:

3 cans Crescent Roll dough
A “goodly amount” of fresh spinach (If frozen, thaw and drain) 
Note: I used about 1/3 to 1/2 of a Costco-sized bag of fresh spinach
½ package bacon
6 beaten eggs
½ chopped onion
2-3 cloves minced garlic
¼ cup Feta cheese
A touch of Greek seasoning (oregano, thyme, basil, crushed rosemary)
Salt and Pepper to taste
A couple dashes Signature Spice Blend
A dash or two (or three or four) Red pepper flakes

Cook bacon until done, crumble and set aside.  Drain all but a little of the bacon grease. In reserved grease, sauté onion and garlic until tender. Add a dash of olive oil to the pan and add the spinach. Cook until completely wilted. Drain excess liquid. Add eggs, feta, crumbled bacon and seasonings. Continue to stir and cook until eggs are set. Remove from heat and set aside.

Line 2 greased muffin tins with 1 crescent each, stretched to fit. Fill with a couple of tablespoons of spinach mix each. (I find it easier to line the muffin tins with cupcake liners and fill only one row at a time.) Fold over extra dough. Repeat row by row.  

Sprinkle tops of spinach rolls with a touch of basil and a pinch of spice blend for added color and visual appeal. Bake in a 375 oven for approximately 15 minutes. Best if served warm. Leftovers can be frozen and heated in a microwave for 1 minute as a handy breakfast treat or snack.

Enjoy. 

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Saturday Centus: Startled

Ms. Jenny has thrown a kink into the regular Saturday Census party. Instead of 100 words, today we are only allotted 50 to tell our story, excluding the prompt. She's a task master, that Jenny! I decided to meet that challenge head on and below is what I came up with before tackling the duties of the day. (The prompt is in bold and underlined)

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Cold, dark, and dreary describes that particular moonless night. Quite unusual this far south of the Mason-Dixon Line.  Curled up by the comforting fire within the hearth, I was startled by sudden, incessant, ceaseless pounding. Carefully cracking open the front door amid animated shouting I was surprised to learn that  Abraham Lincoln was a lot shorter than I thought he would be.

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Happy Trick or Treating! 
Don't forget tomorrow night is All Hallow's Eve.
May many superheroes, fairytale princesses
and magical, mystical creatures 
show up at your front door!



Jenny Matlock

Friday, October 29, 2010

Flash Friday 55: Halloween Night



Fairytale creatures, magical beasts
Begin their quests for sugary feasts
Goblins galore, ghostly ghouls
The scarier the better is only rule
Howling, shouting up and down the street
At each lighted door “Trick or Treat!”
Anticipating with utter glee
Gumdrops, lollipops, and sticky candy
A medley of fantastical delights
All gobbled up on Halloween night. 

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I am participating in G-Man's Flash Friday 55 meme, where the object is to come up with a story or prose in exactly 55 words. Please visit his website, Mr. Know it All for other stories. 

Thursday, October 28, 2010

F is for Faraway Friend

A faraway friend, a faithful fellow,
Found o’er the fields down yonder,
Speaks in fables of fairytales
And fantastical fiction to ponder.

A faraway friend, fair of face,
Flustered by this flow of words,
Flees, flooded with the force of fear
When façade’s fake front is disturbed.

A faraway friend, a favored son
Filled with fervor from his God
Helps free that long forgotten soul
From the festering, fiendish fog.

From faraway friend, forgiveness earned,
Foundation of faith helps heal,
Fortitude now fuels desire
For the fresh future fate fondly yields. 


Jenny Matlock

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

We Interrupt this Blog for Breaking News.

This just in! Munchie Boy, of Untoasted Waffles fame, in a stunning victory, has been elected to the 6th grade Student Council at the local charter school. Is this a fortuitous beginning to long and lucrative career in politics? Could Munch possibly become a future leader of our great country and of the free world? Will more “dress down days” and “ice cream Fridays” actually come to fruition? And will that fall dance have that awesome theme as promised by his campaign? It is encouraging to note that a positive political campaign, run with integrity, has proven successful. There is hope for the future!




(For those who have access to my Facebook profile, you may have already read this. Please forgive this proud mommy of spreading the good news)

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Tuesday's Tip: Spiced Pumpkin Seeds.


As Halloween approaches I thought I'd share with you one of my very favorite ways to roast pumpkin seeds. The original recipe can be found on All Recipes

Ingredients

1 1/2 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
2 cups raw, whole pumpkin seeds

Optional: 
I always add several dashes of my Signature Spice Blend
For added heat, a dash or two of extra cayenne works well. 

Directions

1.  Preheat oven to 275 degrees F
2.  Combine all ingredients, mixing thoroughly 
3. Place in shallow baking dish and bake for 1 hour, stirring occasionally


Monday, October 25, 2010

Microfiction #54 and Monday Musings


The carnies were not amused when the bearded fat lady suggested they all go skinny dipping after lunch. 


For details on the "rules" of participation, please visit Susan over at Stony River.

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I survived my marathon work weekend. It was busy. It was exhausting. And you could definitely tell that there was a full moon. Bare with me while it may take some time to get back in full bloggy mode.

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Dear Carolina Panthers,

Unfortunately, I was at work and too busy to sneak a peek at the game. I hear it was a nail biter. Congratulations on your 1st win of the season. You made my daughter very, very happy.

A truly surprised 5th

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Dear Pop Tarts,

I really should invest in your company. It's always a major crisis, in the mornings, if we have run out. It is Munchie-Boy's favorite food group, next to mac and cheese. I, however, have yet to eat one myself...I just can't get past that scary ingredient list!

A wary 5th

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Dear St. Anthony,

You are amazing! You truly are a favored friend of Jesus! Thank you for your intercessions.

A constantly amazed 5th

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Anyone else watch that "hoarding" show on TV? I don't know why I am inexplicably drawn to it. I find it both fascinating and disturbing. But, then again, I also watch Ghost Hunters as well. Maybe I'm the one that's fascinating and disturbing? Hmmmmm. 

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I was thinking the other day how life, as I know it, will change in just 3 short months. Bethany gets her driver's license. And I do believe a little bit more "mommy freedom" will be the result! Although I will worry as heck whenever she takes her place behind the wheel, I will also be doing a little "happy dance" in my mind. 

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Today is the the Student Council election at Munchie's school. He is such a sweet, gentle natured kid brimming with self confidence. I do hope and pray that, whatever the outcome, his heart is not broken. Go Munch and rock that vote!!!!

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It is now time to take on the day. I wish you all a happy Monday with a wonderful week to follow. 


Thursday, October 21, 2010

Flash Friday 55: E is for Enigmatic


An enigma she endearingly was
Edgy, exciting, embittered as well
Sparking love's embers aflame
Where emptiness once dwelled.

He empowers and enables her
Exulting in love ‘neath the stars
She ever endangers him by
Exhuming emotional scars.

He spends eternity
Looking towards the eastern lights
Where love first found him
On a cold autumnal night

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This post will have to suffice for 2 of my favorite memes: Ms. Jenny's Alphabe-Thursday and G-Man's Flash Friday 55. And if I knew the prompt ahead of time I may have even pulled off a Saturday Centus (in 55 words, of course)! 

I am working the next several days so my time is quite limited as far as visiting other blogs participating. I do hope you understand and know that I truly appreciate each and every single comment. I will try my best to respond back to you via email if time permits. 

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

The Shoes

Mr. Sister has occasional foot "issues". Sometimes bad enough to require assistance from crutches. He was researching shoes the other week and found a pair that had "gravity defying trampoline spring technology". He figured he'd give them a try and ordered himself a pair. I knew they were coming but what I did not expect to see was this:



What's the first thing you notice? 
Go ahead. Be honest. 
Yes! That is correct. A sperm. 
There is no way it can be anything else.
Even the shoe company calls it their "slick seed of life" logo. 
Imagine the look on my face when I saw these shoes for the 1st time. 
Exactly! Just like the look that's on your face right now. 

Besides the ill advised logo, did you also notice the height of the sole? That's a mighty significant platform.  I guess it has to be in order to fit the proven "Versoshock Trampoline Technology system" within the heel. (Not that, at 6'4", my husband needs to be any taller)

Oh well. These are Mr. Sister's shoes and not mine. 
And for that I am grateful. 

And no, this is not a paid endorsement. 
This is not an endorsement at all. 
But maybe Mr. Sister will be gracious enough 
to give his review of these shoes, in the comments section,
after he tries them out at the gym. 
I am eager to hear if anyone there noticed the logo. 

For more on Gravity Defyer (TM) footwear, please visit their website

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Tuesday's Truth: An Afternoon with Munch

It was a beautiful and glorious day this past Sunday. Since we had nothing else going on, Munchie Boy and I ventured out for some quality Mother-Son time. We decided to walk around and explore the sleepy town of Davidson (home of the Davidson College Wildcats). We walked around and took a few photos.




We then found a park bench and sat down. Munch agreed to an impromptu interview. Please enjoy his pontifications and discover why girls are like squirrels.

Monday, October 18, 2010

Microfiction Monday #53: The Wall


In the depths of her despair
she went beyond
what most tortured souls do
building a physical wall
to represent the emotional
one within her soul
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Microfiction Monday is a weekly meme where you design a story, in 140 characters or less, around a specific picture. For more information on Microfiction Monday, and to read other stories, please visit Susan over at Stony River.

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Sunday 160: Tears

(Image courtesy of http://www.allthepages.org/)

Silent tears emerge and flow
upon the banks
of the Smoky Hill River  
when she suddenly realizes
 this is the very first time
she has ever known
and truly felt love

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To participate or read other samples of this new genre of fiction, 
please visit Monkey ManThe idea behind Sunday 160 
is to write a short piece in exactly160 characters, 
spaces included. 

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Saturday Centus: Trick or Treat

Jenny Matlock



"Trick or treat!" they shouted as the door opened by the exuberance of their earnest knocking. Giggling excitedly, the children rushed forward in search of the tasty treats Mrs. Murphy always gave out each and every Hallow’s Eve. What they encountered, instead, was something so terrifying, so grotesque, that they were stopped dead in their tracks.  Struck dumb by their fright they slowly tried to back out the front door. There was no escape. No one knows what horror these kids witnessed and the unexplained disappearance of Mrs. Murphy and nine neighborhood children remains a complete mystery to this day. 


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This week's prompt for Saturday Centus (a story or poem in 100 words or less) is in orange bold above. For other entries for this weekly meme, please visit Ms. Jenny's blog.

Friday, October 15, 2010

Flash Friday 55: What I Learned This Week

There are facts of life that many learn while quite young. Then there are those where it takes a whole lifetime. For example, this is what I came to know earlier this week: It is particularly freeing when one comes to realize that you cannot change others. You can only change your response to them.

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I am participating in Flash Friday 55, a meme hosted by our very own Mr. Know it All (aka G-Man). The purpose is to write a story or prose in exactly 55 words, no more, no less. Care to join the fun? Just link up in G-Man's comment section.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

D is for Derrière


Her derrière is in the air…
Which some might find quite odd.
Upon her bended knees in prayer
Is how she worships God.


His derrière is in the air
When hunting down his prey
Stalking with stealth, finesse, and care
The choicest snack of day.


Her derrière is in the air…
It’s how she worships me.
When I awake and come downstairs
For morning cup of coffee.


His derrière is in the air…
His way of studying,
Page by page with meticulous care,
His Nintendo magazine.                                               

These derrières are everywhere
In every place I seek.
I bet you’ll find them in the air
If you “butt” take a peek. 








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Photo Credits: All photos, with the exception of my Munchie Boy and sweet Daisy Dog, were obtained from Google Images. 

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I would like to thank Ms. Rachel, RN, my ICU pal at work, for coining the phrase "derrières in the air".

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Jenny Matlock

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Tuesday Tidbits: Panther's Pictorial Edition

I had too much going on yesterday and more of the same for today. Hence, I am taking the easy way out with a pictorial honoring our pitiful Panthers, who currently have a perfect losing record.


The pyrotechnics, prior to the game, 
are about the only thing worth watching.


Mr. Sister expresses his extreme displeasure 
at the way our Panthers have been playing this season


This photo was taken just prior 
to one of the many interceptions 
thrown by our 2 quarterbacks this year. 

I do believe they must plan 
for that very play while in the huddle. 

How else could our offense be 
performing so poorly?

(Not that the defense have been of any help at all!)


Win or lose, Bethany and I always have fun 
when we are able to attend a Panther game together. 

Monday, October 11, 2010

Microfiction Monday #52: Class Reunion


Heading out to her 40th class reunion, 
Hermione surmised that time hasn’t been very kind 
to Platform 93/4 and the Hogwarts Express as well. 


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Microfiction Monday is a weekly meme where you design a story, in 140 characters or less, around a specific picture. For more information on Microfiction Monday, and to read other stories, please visit Susan over at Stony River.

Friday, October 8, 2010

Flash Friday 55: Autumn

Nature’s breath,
crisp and cool,
blows across the land.

Sweaters and boots awake,
from summer’s sleep,
setting about their seasonal work.

Orange colored gourds
Gather in fields and homes
Beginning their annual service work.

Foliage takes the stage  
With one last costume change
before the final curtain call.

…for they shall shed as autumn leaves. 

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I am participating in Flash Friday 55, a meme hosted by our very own Mr. Know it All (aka G-Man). The purpose is to write a story or prose in exactly 55 words, no more, no less. Care to join the fun? Just link up in G-Man's comment section.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

C is for Change of Course

Cunning is that chilled Chablis
Clever, corrupting, conniving is she
Conquering a will that’s no longer free
Callous and cold…why can’t he see?

A capacious chalice: his coping way
Captive, controlled by Cabernet’s sway
Consuming, concealing, he concocts his day
Caring, compassion have been led astray

Cursing into Crown Royal and Coke
He’d cry, complain, command when he spoke
Chicanery, calamity became his yoke
Remembering not a thing when he awoke

Courage to change course is but a start
Confronting cowardice, playing it smart
Coping, hoping these cravings depart
Cutting the chains constricting his heart.

Jenny Matlock

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Sensational Haiku Wednesday: Waves


"Don't make any waves!"
was her family's demand
her voice still silenced

With ocean tides' help
secrets have special knack for
washing up on shore

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Sensational Haiku Wednesday

Monday, October 4, 2010

Monday Musings: October 4, 2010

My son has been having girl troubles. There is this girl whom he likes. He told another boy about this and this boy proceeded to shout it out to the girl in carpool line a few weeks back. Since then, this particular girl has refused to speak to Munchie Boy. He's been heart broken. You needed to know this to understand the deeper significance of the after school conversation I had with my son last week.

Me: How was school today, Munchie Boy?

Munch: Well, it was both good and bad.

Me: How so?

Munch: The good part is that I asked Sally* out.

Me: What?!

Munch: Yeah, but the bad part is she said no.

Me: That is probably for the best because, after all, you're not allowed to date.

Munch: But the good part is that when I asked her if we could still be friends, she smiled and nodded her head.

Me: Well then, I guess that is, indeed, a good thing.

Munch: Yeah...and I am now considered a "player" at school.

Me: Just for asking Sally out?

Munch: Well, not exactly...I also asked an 8th grade girl out, too.

Me: *shaking my head* And?

Munch: She also said no...but SHE GAVE ME A HUG!

Munch is now considered a hero among his 6th grade classmates. One of his friends has even asked him about relationship advice. Sigh. This is all happening way too soon for my taste.

*Name changed to protect the innocence of Munch's love interest.

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Bethany had a  performance this weekend. This is not her best but, considering she only had a few days notice and just received the music the morning of the performance, I think she did pretty well. Enjoy. (oh and no comments on the poor video quality please...the sun was directly in my eyes)



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Dear Carolina Panthers,

A perfect start to a perfect season....a losing season, that is. 0 and 4 is unacceptable. It's unfortunate that you are not providing convincing evidence for us to keep our season tickets.

A very disappointed 5th

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That's it for today's musings. I must get started on a very busy start to a very busy week. Have a great day. 

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Sunday 160: The Mask


Before stepping into the light of day
she carefully applies her makeup
in hopes of concealing her true identity
and her carefully hidden secrets from the world.



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To participate please visit Monkey Man. The rules are simple and as follow:

1. The Sunday 160 only uses 160 characters (including spaces).
2. Keep on schedule - post Sunday.
3. Let Monkey Man know you have posted via a comment on his site.
4. Visit at least one other Sunday 160.

Saturday, October 2, 2010

Saturday Centus: The Pumpkin Patch


Way down deep near the wooded dale
Lies a pumpkin patch whose story I’ll tell

Misshapen gourds lie quietly in wait
For children to pass through the garden gate

Playfully they all run and romp
And along the paths they tread and tromp

Inspecting each squash with innocent eyes
Carefully selecting their orange orbed prize

“Oh, pretty please!” they cry out to mother,
“This is the one we want! We want no other!”

Carefully they carry their chosen one
Down the path ablaze by the midday’s sun

For Halloween would not be complete
Without a jack-o-lantern for trick or treat!

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One hundred words exactly!

Leave it to Jenny to mix things up! This week's prompt for Saturday Centus (a story or poem in 100 words or less) was a photo rather than words! For other entries for this weekly meme, please visit Ms. Jenny's blog. The stories others come up with are always a delight to read. You won't be sorry. 

Jenny Matlock

Friday, October 1, 2010

Flash Friday 55: Birthday Boy


Last week my son turned 12.
Oh, he was excited!  
(it’s one year closer to 13)
What a unique kid.
How many 12 year olds are thrilled 
to receive video editing software as a gift?
Or have created their own You Tube channel?
Or have written a blog or two?
Keep on being you, dear Munch!


I am participating in Flash Friday 55, a meme hosted by our very own Mr. Know it All (aka G-Man). The purpose is to write a story or prose in exactly 55 words, no more, no less. Care to join the fun? Just link up in G-Man's comment section.

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