Writing prompt Wednesday

Another week means another writing prompt, a little motivation to kickstart your muse.

I give you the beginning of a sentence and you run with it. Write the first thing that pops into your head and see how far it takes you; a paragraph, a page, an entire chapter. Who knows, it may be the beginning to you next great novel.

Whatever you come up with, just have fun with it and enjoy the free writing time. If you feel like sharing then send your writing in the comments. If you feel like keeping to yourself then that's okay, too.


Writing Prompt: Is this how she was going to die...

Rainy day summer Sundays

Rainy day Sundays are some of the best days! They are days you should grasp with both hands and hold on with two fists. Enjoy the renewed energy and wrap yourself in the relaxation that comes from the rain.

Why?

Because how many days are there where you have an excuse not to mow the yard? While the grass and earth soak up mother nature's water, you can clean your kitchen or rearrange your furniture. Maybe rearrange your office furniture to boost creativity.

Embrace the slight chill that comes with the rain. Snuggle into a grubby pair of shorts and a sweat shirt and have a hot café mocha or a rare hot cocoa in the middle of summer. Take a long, relaxing read of a book that's been on your to-be-read pile. If a book doesn't suit your fancy, how about a rented movie. A good chick flick would be a great way to pass a lazy day.

Let's not forget comfort food. There's nothing more than a rainy day Sunday to make one seek out comfort food. Throw a pot roast into the crockpot along with some onion, mushrooms, and some beef broth. Let it all slow roast for 5 to 8 hours then mash some potatoes and enjoy a home cooked meal.

If you're a writer like me, take advantage of the rain and write your next scene. Write it slow and savor every moment, every nuance of your characters and their latest predicament, explore their feelings.

Take the time to call your grandmother who you haven't spoken with in a while. Ask how she's doing, what she is doing. Maybe reminisce over an old memory of when you were younger and went camping with your grandparents or how she always made your favorite apple pie when you visited.

Be like one of your flowers in your garden and soak up the day. Take in every moment, every nuance, and make the day special. Be crazy and step outside and get drench in the rain. Let it wash over you like a summer breeze after a dip in a lake; crisp and refreshing.

Enjoy rainy day summer Sundays!

Writing prompt Wednesday

Another week means another writing prompt, a little motivation to kickstart your muse.

I give you the beginning of a sentence and you run with it. Write the first thing that pops into your head and see how far it takes you; a paragraph, a page, an entire chapter. Who knows, it may be the beginning to you next great novel.

Whatever you come up with, just have fun with it and enjoy the free writing time. If you feel like sharing then send your writing in the comments. If you feel like keeping to yourself then that's okay, too.


Writing Prompt: Was that creak. . .

Writing prompt Wednesday

Let's see if this writing prompt kick starts your creativity and writing for today.

I'll write the beginning of a sentence and all you have to do is finish it. If the inspiration hits then let it take you and write a paragraph or more. Enjoy and have fun!

Writing prompt: The squeak of a door...

Ultra Around the Lake for our Heroes

In three weeks I will endeavor to run my next ultra, a 24-hr race. GASP! I know, right. But I do this not just for me and my addiction to running (some would say I'm obsessive). I do this for our Heroes, our Veterans who have come home with PTSD.

The run is called the Ultra Around the Lake and takes place on July 25 and 26 in Wakefield, Massachusetts. It starts at 9 PM on Friday and goes until 9 PM Saturday. While I hope many of my friends will come out to run or walk a lap with me or two and just generally be my moral support, I'm asking everyone for a little more.

In my attempt to run a 24 hour ultra, I hope to raise awareness and funds for a fantastic organization called Heroes Project. Heroes Project mission is to give back to our Service men and women by providing them with fitness equipment, gym memberships, personal training, and life coaching. They provide all this and more to help boost the mental and physical fitness of those Veterans who struggle with PTSD.

My part is simple...run, but I'm running for what I believe is a tremendous cause. To aid those individuals who have sacrificed so much for us and our freedom.

Won't you help me help Heroes Project and our Veterans? It's simple. Reach into your pocket and pull out whatever cash you have on hand. Now, set it aside, click this link --> Run for Heroes and donate that amount. It's that simple! All the money you donate goes directly to Heroes Project.

You want to give more? Please do so. No one will turn you down.

If you want some incentive, here is my goal for the race. I will definitely run or walk for 50 miles. My goal beyond that is to run, walk or crawl if I must for a total of 75 miles.

Help a runner out and donate. Thank you! Run for Heroes Donation link

What are you BBQing?

Before we talk BBQ, I want to thank the men and women who serve and have served. You are the reason we have our Independence. Thank you!

As this wonderful, holiday weekend approaches where fireworks light the sky, parades entertain, and friends and family celebrate, I thought it would be fun to talk BBQ. I mean seriously, who goes out to eat on July 4th?

What will you be grillin' or smokin'?

Hot dogs, burgers, chicken, ribs? Maybe some pulled pork or beef brisket?  Any of the above will soothe my growling tummy. As long as it is on a wood-fired grill or smoker and not one of those fancy gas or electric dohickeys. It just ain't the same.

Do you do a fruit salad? Or just go for the slices of watermelon WITH seeds? Give me a good old-fashioned watermelon and a seed spitting contest any day.

What's for dessert? Cookies, cake, or my favorite...Strawberry shortcake WITH whipped cream!!

Have any great recipes that you will be using this weekend for your family and friends BBQs? I am not a fan of bottle barbeque sauce so when I grill or smoke some meat I pull out the ingredients and slave over a hot stove and make homemade sauce. Yummy!

I mean truly, isn't homemade anything the best?!

Here is the recipe I use and friends and family have come to expect and enjoy. I like my sauce like I like my men...hot and spicy. The best part about this recipe is you can make the sauce hot and spicy or not.

Sauce Ingredients:
1 Tablespoon Vegetable Oil
1 teaspoon minced garlic
3/4 cup ketchup
1/2 cup cider vinegar (vinegar is the best part of the recipe and key to a good BBQ sauce)
1/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar (I actually use Turbinado sugar)
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1-1/2 tablespoons yellow mustard (I actually used dry yellow mustard and the kind you put on a hot dog)
2 teaspoons soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon chili powder (use Mexican chili powder if you want more heat to your sauce)
Tabasco sauce to taste (I use habanero Tabasco sauce)

To make the sauce:
In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, warm the vegetable oil. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the remaining sauce ingredients, including Tabasco sauce to taste, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 15 minutes. Set aside. Pour some of the sauce in a small bowl to use for basting the ribs. (I don't actually baste. I leave sauce to everyone's taste.)

Have a Happy 4th of July! May you and your family eat and enjoy each others company all weekend long.

Denise