Breakfast For Dinner

 Yes, it's true, it was a breakfast for dinner kind of day! I had plenty of leftover in the fridge, but didn't feel like any of them. However, my little bro. came to the rescue!

The other day he brought home a bottle of maple syrup his boss had given him. Now this maple syrup had just been bottled within the last week...so it was fresh from one of our church people. Little bro. kept saying that we needed to use the syrup to taste it. So tonight we did just that!

What was on the menu? 

Hashbrown patties- made in our handy toaster oven!

French toast

Add some sausage and maple syrup and there you have it!

While my french toast recipe changes, here's the recipe that I made tonight:

French Toast

8 Slices Bread- I used regular split top wheat bread

6- Eggs

1 TBSP- Milk

Dash or two- Salt

Dash or two- Pepper

Butter

Beat eggs, milk, salt and pepper in a flat dish. Heat skillet over low-medium heat. Melt butter. Dip bread in egg mixture until soaked.

Place in heated pan and cook for 1-2 minutes or until light brown and egg is cooked. Flip bread to cook other side.

Serve with warm Maple Syrup.

Side ideas: sausage, hashbrown potatoes or your favorite fried potatoes, bacon, applesauce, fresh fruit.

Who says you have to follow the custom of having dinner foods for dinner? Sometimes breakfast can be just as good anytime of the day!

Writing: Figuring Out Your Niche

You know you need to write and write a lot, but what are you writing about? Perhaps you have a clear idea of what your niche will be, but aren't sure if it would sell. What can you do?

First, be sure you're writing what you know. This is assist you in writing clearly and succinctly about your topic. One of the reasons my first book was about gallbladders is that it was easy to write what I knew so well and lived everyday.

With my other books I had gotten stumped, not because I was writing out of my league, but I had to work harder to get it going.

As an example, let's say you work with computers everyday, but your hobby is reading romance westerns and therefore you want to write in that genre. While you may want to write the fiction books you are finding it slightly more difficult than you thought. Doesn't it make more sense to write about computers?

I'm not saying don't write the fiction book, but if you're desperate to get something out there, then write what you know. You know computers. You know what most peoples challenges are with computers. You also know there could be 100 books out there about computers, but remember, you can know who in those books is or isn't helping people and build off of that with your own material and knowledge.

Someone out there needs what you have to offer so get to it! Write what you know!

While you're writing what you know, you can be working on enhancing your skills as a writer. Use your computer book to practice and get better. This will help you when you get back to working exclusively on your fiction book.

What if you don't have a niche or skill you would write about?

We all have a story a tell and there are always people who need to hear your story. Write what has inspired you and keep a running log of those inspirations. Someday you will have enough to make a book and then there you go! You wrote what you know.

If you're not in a niche and just looking to see what's selling...then this part if for you:

On Amazon there is a spot where you can see what the top 100 books are that are selling. This can help you determine what main genre most people are buying.

Look at movie coming out: when the Twilight series came out everything vampire and werewolf was suddenly super popular. If you were a writer who cashed in on that then you would have found that authors couldn't write fast enough for the fans!

Lastly, if you are writing a book on computers and wonder how well similar books are selling, then look them up on amazon. Click on the book and scroll down to where it has the information on the book. It will tell you what number it is in sales for that category.

Still Hoping Part 6

The last and final video for the Still Hoping series! There was so much going on in my mind when I recorded this that it was hard to keep the videos under 15 minutes- I promise, I tried to keep them under ten but sometimes I just couldn't stop talking!

I hope you were blessed as much as I was as I went through Lamentations 3. Each time I read it I learn something new and am encouraged beyond what I expect. 

What are some of the things you learned from Lamentations 3?

Writing Tips 1.0

There is so much information on writing and publishing that it's hard to know where to start. From personal experience, I have found that I get caught in the research trap. By that I mean, the research of how to write, what to do and not to do, where to find publishers, self-publishing information, promotion, events and webcasts to attend...the list could go on.

Everyone has what worked or didn't work for their own situation and they share it. One person tried it one way and it stunk, another person did it that same way and they had super success. Ultimately, it's your journey and you will face your own person challenges and triumphs.

Your learning curve will be different than anyone else out there as you have been affected by your own personal experiences. With that in mind I have decided to add my two cents worth of information that has or hasn't worked for me.

And I guarantee that over the next whenever amount of time that passes, I will be learning on a continual basis. And I'm perfectly okay with that. Success in life comes firm stepping outside the box. Leaping from your comfort zone and standing in a place that might not always be familiar, but will allow you to grow, learn and change into the person you want to be.

So the first and biggest tip I've learned is very simple:

Write!

Whether it's just a small paragraph or a long two hours worth of writing, write, write, write.

You will learn how to use words to express what you want to say and over time, you will increase the quality of your words not just the quantity.

What does that mean?

Quantity means how many words. You can write a sentence 20 words long, but it could be a run-on sentence that takes up space.

Whereas, quality means you find yourself re-writing that 20 word sentence into 10 words that make it sound profession, classy and doesn't lose your readers in the process.

What are ways you can write, write, write?

• Blogging- start a blog that you will update at least a few times or more (preferably more) a month.
• Journal- keep a journal on hand and write about your day, thoughts, ideas. Even if it's just a simple story about how your day started. 
• Feelings/emotions- perhaps I'm just putting this in because I'm a woman and women are emotional. But I have found that by writing during an emotional time, it was both therapeutic and helpful in allowing me to work on my writing skills.
• Notes- write out the notes to story ideas you have. it can be simple, but effective in helping you to get a better idea of what you'd like to do in a story. Write out descriptive words that come to mind for a part of you're writing.
• Letters- write friends and family. Send them a letter or short message on facebook. it doesn't have to be long, but it's at least you writing something- and always use proper punctuation and spelling! No shortcuts! You're a serious writer, so BE a serious writer.
• Books- if you want to write a book, then work on it everyday! Even sitting for 15 minutes and challenging yourself to write something for your book...you may find that you make more progress then you realized.

But some days, I don't have any ideas! Been there, done that. I'm a simple person who wants everything to work just the way it should. I'm also creative. My imagination runs wild; every day I get tons of ideas for stories and writing. 

But there are times where I sit to write and my mind goes blank! Creativity and imagination just leave- in fact there are many times when I sit to write nothing comes to mind! Some days I even just start writing something like this:

I supposed to write everyday, but nothing comes to mind. How am I supposed to be a successful author if I can't even get my ideas on paper! At least I'm writing something...even if it's not for the story I want to work on.

I wish my ideas wouldn't leave as soon as I sit to work on them. This is so frustrating! 

Still can't think of anything but my 15 minutes isn't up....why is it that last week I sat for 15 minutes and ended up working for over 2 hours? Blah-hum-bug!

What to write....what to write....the sun was out today and I it made me feel really good. First thing this morning I did my bible reading. I wasn't hungry so I went outside and got some yard work done.....

I will then go on about my day. I may not have made progress with my book or project, but I did do some writing! In fact I used quite a few of the writing ideas I just offered. Can you figure out how many I used?

Challenge yourself to write a little everyday, no matter what it's about, no matter how long. Just write. 

Can you think of other ways to incorporate writing into your day?

Until next time! Write on!

Being Vulnerable

Being vulnerable is something that's not easy for everyone. For me, I'm a private person and my vulnerabilities are weakness that I don't want to share. I want people to see me as this person who has it all together and doesn't make stupid mistakes.

But the truth is....there are times I feel like I'm barely making it. Holding it together- it's a front and a fascade just for the benefit of those around me. Often inside I was crying out for help, but for some reason, felt that if I shared my need for help it would ruin my credibility.

What. A. Lie. True, some people could use a more restrain in holding back their problems, mistakes and feelings. I'm sure you know what I'm talking about. The people who talk about it so much that it's all you hear from them. And you eventually get to a point where you ignore and try to stay out of their way because- God forbid you start a conversation as you'll be stuck the next 45 minutes listening to: "blah, blah, blah....and then I just couldn't take it anymore! (cue the crying). Blah, sniff, sniff, blah."

Thankfully, most people I've met aren't like this. But why do we feel like that's what we're doing when we're being true about ourselves? Why is it that instead of being vulnerable we feel like we need to present this fake person who is on top of everything?

I know that from my upbringing, there was a time where I felt like if I was true to who I was- I wasn't a good person and probably backslidden. Or I'd get reprimanded or chewed out and it was inapropiate to stand for what I thought because then I was being disrespectful.

There is a fine line between disrespect and standing for what you believe it right and true. Being a hypocrite isn't the answer. And that's what I felt like I was. And I hate hypcrites. I'd rather a person be honest about themselves than live a lie. Or work to better themselves than hurt those around them.

Being a writer has been difficult at times as I've had to use my personal, deepest and most inner struggles, thoughts and who I am and bring it out for the world to see. But I've always appreciated when someone I looked up to spoke about something they went through and became vulnerable.

It made me feel like I wasn't alone. Someone had been through what I'd been through or was going through and if they could do it- and still be awesome- so could I!

It still isn't easy. I still wonder...what are people thinking? They must think I'm pathetic! But then I remember: what other's think of me doesn't matter. It doesn't define who I am, what I've done or what I will do.

Not everyone will be happy or like what I say, write or share. But that's okay. Obviously, they aren't who I'm called to reach in that moment. They may hate me...but really does that matter?

What's important is that I'm living my life doing what God has for me to do. If being vulnerable and being the real me is hard, then I have to trust that God will use that for a purpose greater than I can know and understand. Frankly, I'm okay with that because I believe that God's Got This and I trust in him!

Pork Shoulder Roast

When I was cleaning out my freezer I came across a pork should roast that had been in there for a few months. It had been given to me by someone, but as I'd never cooked a pork shoulder...I left it in the freezer until such a time where I would gain the courage to make it for dinner.

The time had arrived. I figured worst case scenario, it doesn't turn out and the dogs will eat it. That was not meant to be!

I researched some recipes and determined the best way to cook it and then proceeded with creating the following recipe (I didn't get a picture of it when it came out of the oven, but it looked fancy and delicious!):

Season Pork Shoulder Roast

1 Pork shoulder roast (mine was 7 lbs and had a bone-do they come without a bone?)

1 small Onion- quartered

2 Carrots- peeled and cut up into desired size (I threw in some pre-cut organic baby carrots)

2 cups Water

Garlic Salt

Pepper

Thyme

Place pork shoulder in a roasting pan (Click here to see the pan I used.). Season with salt, pepper  and thyme. Turn roast over-fat side should be on top- and season the top of the roast.

Place carrots and onion around roast. Add water. Back at 400*F for 15 minutes, reduce heat to 325*F and back for 4-6 hours more or until tender and falling off the bone. Let roast sit for a few minutes before cutting.

Side ideas: mashed potatoes, sauerkraut, applesauce, mac & cheese, green beans, corn, dinner rolls, or any other personal favorite!

Leftover ideas: barbecue pulled pork sandwiches, pulled pork nachos, shepherds pie, pork pot pie, pork sandwiches, pork enchiladas, pork, rice and bean dinner, chili, pizza, omelet with pork, cheese and any other delicacy you like with your omelet. Do you have any other ideas?

My notes:

I used one small onion and a two handfuls of carrots as I am the only one who will eat them. However, for larger portions it should be no problem to add more.

You can also throw in some potatoes to bake with the roast as well- just be aware that the cooking time may increase. I felt like mashed potatoes when I did this so I didn't put any in.

As for the range on the cooking time- that will vary depending on how many veggies or potatoes you use. I put mine in around 10:30 in the morning and had it baking until 4:00 pm- that's the total baking time, including the 400*F time. I then let it sit in the oven as even though the meat was perfect...it was too early for dinner!

You can use the drippings to make a gravy, but it be super fatty. The meat should be tender and juicy enough that any additional gravy isn't necessary.

Servings- the final product, all cut up, filled my 3 Quart Princess House Bake, Serve and Store dish!

Now that I have overcome my fear of making a pork shoulder roast...with so many leftovers the decision is up in the air: should I try and new recipe- I'm thinking Pulled Pork Nachos- or be content with enjoying it as is, a simple seasoned, luscious pork dinner?

Still Hoping Part 5

Here is part five of the Still Hoping series.

Are you listening to the lies that others are telling you about your life? Do you believe them? 

Keep your faith and belief that God will work cause- He's Got This!