Poetry at Midnight!

A Haiku:

Middle of the Night,
I've Lost who I used to be,
Someone send a Map!


lol, that was interesting.
It's fun to just write and see what comes out sometimes.

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Quote for the day:

"The main dangers in this life are the people who want to change everything - or nothing." -- Nancy Astor

Let the Fresh Cream Begin!

A new year is upon us!
Did everyone resolve to do something with their life?

I promised myself, that I'd complete the edit and re-write of my book, and then try to get it published. That would be exciting!! I really want to finish it, so that I can get another book out of my head that's been nagging me to get out.
Of course, I made the usual promise to get into shape, eat right, blah, blah, blah.

A friend of mine sent me a recipe for Creme Fraiche (I guess that means 'fresh cream' in french, which is funny because its not fresh cream, it's basically soured cream) and it turned out really good!
It's such a simple recipe and a delicious alternative to store bought sour cream.

All you need is 1 cup of heavy whipping cream, and 2 tablespoons of cultured buttermilk.
Pour the cream into a clean glass jar (use the dishwasher to sterilize it).
Pop it in the microwave and heat it only enough to take the chill off. maybe 30 seconds.
You don't want it hot, as it will kill the buttermilk cultures.
After you've warmed the cream to about room temperature, pour in the buttermilk.
Cover it and set it in a warm place for about 12 hours (or up to 24 hours).
It will thicken up as it sits there. Don't worry about it, it's safe! The cultures in the buttermilk will protect it. Stir it up about every 6 hours or so as it sits out at room temperature.
After it has mostly thickened, pop it into the refrigerator for another 12 hours or so.
VOILA! You've got creme fraiche! Use it in anything you would normally use sour cream. It's a healthier, lighter, tastier alternative! Thicken sauces with it. Whip it and top some fresh fruit! It supposedly doesn't break or curdle when you add it to sauces. Haven't tried it yet, except on some spanish rice (yes, it was delicious), but I will!
It's good for up to ten days in the refrigerator, but I doubt it'll last that long once you've tried it.

My British friend tells me I should bottle it and sell it, because you can't find the stuff around here. I say, make it yer effin self! lol

What else is going on.... hmmm.
Oh, School starts soon! That'll be nice to be able to concentrate on things a little better this semester. I was pretty distracted last semester (which sucked big time) and got a 'B' in one of my classes. (GASP!)
Actually, I was pretty disappointed in myself for that. I shall endeavor not to let that happen again. At least I got A's in the other two classes, so I'm happy with that as I'm trying to bring my GPA up. We shall see my friends!

I've decided that I'm tired of alot of things. Physically tired. Sleep deprivation and the events of the past few years have taken their toll on me. It's definitely not easy to watch your parents die. The stress of being in the house while trying to clean it to prepare it for things just didn't give me time to grieve appropriately. Now that I have the time to do so, a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders. But, I can't just stop and smell the nectar and do nothing. Life just isn't letting me. Which is fine I guess. At least I have my sobriety, an accomplishment that I hardly think about, but I should. If only to remind me that I can do things and to keep moving forward.
Little steps will lead to bigger ones. I'll be running before I know it. I better get some new shoes.


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Quote for the day:

"When there's snow on the ground, I like to pretend I'm walking on clouds." -- Takayuki Ikkaku, Arisa Hosaka and Toshihiro Kawabata, Animal Crossing: Wild World, 2005

A 10 by 10 by 10 Box

Here I sit,

The last night I will stay here,

Wanting to make them proud,

Wanting to be strong,

As they were.

I miss them so much,

As I will miss the life they made here,

For myself,

And for my Brothers and sister.

A new life I contemplate,

One without them,

For me to lean on them,

For them to lean on me.

For now,

As I'm forced to move on and detach,

I'll take life one day at a time,

Putting what I can save,

Of their life and mine,

In a ten,

By ten,

By ten box,

Filled with their memories.

A Lil Poem about a Man and a Boy

A Boy and a Man
(11-11-03)

There was a boy,
Once upon a time,
Living in a mans body.
He was struggling to get out,
To show himself to all,
Growing up a part of history.
The man struggled too,
To keep the child in,
Not wanting to show him.
Two people as one,
The young and the not so old,
Trying to deny each other.
Focus on the now,
No, focus on the future,
The argument never ends.
Hey, it’s playtime,
No time for play, I have to work,
Where has all that time gone?
There will come a time,
When the two will come to terms,
And accept the fact that they are both each other.
Then perhaps the man can show the boy,
And the boy can show the man,
Just what life is all about.

*****

Quote for the day:

"You can't do anything about the length of your life, but you can do something about its width and depth." -- Evan Esar

Zuppa Di Pasta E Prezzemolo

Wondering what that title is aren't ya.
Well, it's the name of an italian soup.
" A Pasta and Parsley Soup" to be exact!
I just tried it today for lunch, and Oh....MY...GOSH it was delicious!
Simple, quick, and delicious. My kinda meal!

Here's the recipe! ENJOY!

"Zuppa Di Pasta E Prezzemolo" (parsley soup)

2 tbsp Butter
1 tbsp Olive oil
1 Medium sized onion, finely chopped
2 Medium sized Red Potatoes, finely cubed
1/2 cup chopped fresh Italian Parsley
1 Bay Leaf
1/4 tsp dried Thyme
3/4 cup dried string pasta (broken up) or a small soup pasta of your choice
2 Quarts of chicken stock or broth (I used better than bullion paste and water)
Salt and freshly ground Black Pepper to Taste
3/4 Cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese (or Asiago)


In a heavy FN pot, over medium heat, heat the butter and oil together. Add the FN onion and cook for a couple minutes, or until soft (don't brown it). Add the potatoes, half the parsley, the bay leaf, thyme, and broth. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes. Stir in the pasta and cook per directions until al dente. Remove and discard the bay leaf. Taste, then add salt and pepper, if needed. (I added about 8 twists of my pepper mill)
Just before serving in hot bowls, stir in 1/4 cup of the parmesan cheese. Serve with the remaining parsley and cheese at the table and let your guests add to their taste. Serves 4 to 6.

Finished mine in a little over 10 minutes for everything!
Goooo for it! Make some!

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Quote for the day:

"Hollywood is a place where they'll pay you a thousand dollars for a kiss and fifty cents for your soul." -- Marilyn Monroe

He'll Put His Heart Out There.

A man with a broken heart,
Sits alone.
Letting himself feel safe,
Putting his heart on the line,
Is the kind of man he is.
He believes it's always worth it,
Even if he's not rewarded in kind.
He wonders why he's not the chosen one,
Those involved have to live with that fact.
It's the mornings,
Nectar with the one he's loved,
Such a simple pleasure,
Torn asunder by actions, not words.
It means a lot to be in her life,
If only he could be her friend,
When seeing her with another.
He'll heal what's been torn,
Putting his heart on the line again in time.
He'll be the man he's become,
Because he likes that man.
He can live with that.
He'll still put his heart out there,
For the simple reason,
The rewards await.


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Quote for the day: (I totally agree with it)

"Walking is man's best medicine." -- Hippocrates

Some Days

Some days I don't want to wake up.
Some days I miss people.
Some days I'm depressed.
Some days I want to see the ocean.
Some days I can't think straight.
Some days I can write really well.
Some days I am so pent up.
Some days I read a lot.
Some days I want a lover.
Some days I want to be alone.
Some days I love the sun.
Some days I love the rain.
Some days I love the wind.
Some days I dream of winning the lottery.
Some days I'm overwhelmed.
Some days I'm so happy I could burst.
Some days I don't know what to do.
Some days I see my reflection and don't know who I am.
Some days I persist even though I have no reason to.
Some days I resist.
Some days I write poetry.
Some days are yesterday.
Some days are tomorrow.
But Today, is what I have right now.


*****

Tomorrow I celebrate my 300th day of sobriety.
I need a drink. LOL

*****

Quote for the day:

"When life seems chaotic, you don't need people giving you easy answers or cheap promises. There might not be any answers to your problems. What you need is a safe place where you can bounce with people who have taken some bad hops of their own." -- Real Live Preacher, RealLivePreacher.com Weblog, August 12, 2003