Blessed by Bashert

I know I'm truly blessed to have found my Bashert.

Bashert: Soul Mates

According to the Talmud, Rav Yehuda taught that 40 days before a male child is conceived, a voice from heaven announces whose daughter he is going to marry, literally a match made in heaven! In Yiddish, this perfect match is called "bashert," a word meaning fate or destiny. The word "bashert" can be used to refer to any kind of fortuitous good match, such as finding the perfect job or the perfect house, but it is usually used to refer to one's soul mate.
Source: Judaism 101: Marriage

I've been afflicted with the green eyed monster recently but I always try to remind myself that it's foolish to be envious over things when I have been truly blessed by things no money can buy.  I have Edd, Joanna, and Jacob in my life.  Even though there are things I want, I don't really need anything else.

Meat Loaf Minis

This is one of the recipes I had saved on FB but it's gone from there. I'm putting it here so I don't lose it again :)


Ingredients:

Serves: 6 (not in my house!)
Yield: 12

• 1 lb extra lean ground beef
• 1 (6 ounce) package stuffing mix (any kind)
• 1 cup water
• 3/4 cup shredded cheese
• about a teaspoon of various spices 
• 3/4 cup of BBQ sauce, spaghetti sauce, or salsa

BBQ sauce is the 'American' version

Spaghetti sauce is the 'Italian' version

Salsa is the 'Mexican' version

To be honest, I don't measure the spices or the cheese.

As far as the spices go, the original recipe said something like garlic powder for the American version, Italian seasoning for the Italian version, and chili powder for the Mexican version.  I usually just use what ever I have on hand (but always garlic, often minced onions and some form of Mrs. Dash).

As far as what cheese to use, that's up to you!  I frequently get the Italian blend no matter what kind of minis I'm making but have used cheddar and Mexican blend.  I've also used sliced cheese too.  It works just as well (and actually, it's not quite as messy as the shredded cheese.  I can never get the shredded cheese just on the minis - it always ends up spilling over and cooking onto the tin)

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375.
2. Spray a 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray.
3. Mix meat, stuffing mix, water and the spice add-in for the version of meatloaf that you prefer.
4. Divide equally into the muffin cups.
5. Make an indentation in the center of each meatloaf with a spoon; fill with the sauce add-in for the version of meatloaf that you prefer.
6. Bake for 30 minutes or until cooked through, 160 degrees.
7. Top with cheese; continue baking 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
8. Let them cool off then NOM NOM NOM!

My super secret way to make this easy is to mix all the ingredients in a freezer size zip lock bag - no meat stuck under my fingernails that way!  

They don't always look 'pretty' but they are super easy and super delicious!

'everything happens for a reason'

The picture is from PostSecret but I would like to say that sometimes, 'everything happens for a reason' can be the worst thing to say to someone. I know. I've been there and I'm sure you have to. I hope I've never said that to you, but if I have, I apologize from the bottom of my heart.

Bitter Heart

'In the Desert'  
Stephen Crane

In the desert
I saw a creature, naked, bestial,
Who, squatting upon the ground,
Held his heart in his hands,
And ate of it.
I said, "Is it good, friend?"
"It is bitter – bitter", he answered,
"But I like it
Because it is bitter,
And because it is my heart."

This has been one of my favorite poems since I first read it in high school.  To me it's about embracing our imperfections. My heart may be bitter but I like it for what it is and also because it's part of who I am. I'm not a literary analyst but that's what I've always taken from this poem.

Warning (by Jenny Joseph)

Warning

When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired
And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells
And run my stick along the public railings
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
And pick flowers in other people's gardens
And learn to spit.

You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat
And eat three pounds of sausages at a go
Or only bread and pickle for a week
And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes.

But now we must have clothes that keep us dry
And pay our rent and not swear in the street
And set a good example for the children.
We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.

But maybe I ought to practice a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised
When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.

Jenny Joseph

That is one of my favorite poems.
But I don't think those who know me would be shocked or surprised when I 'wear purple'.

A fresh start

I've decided to focus more on the positive.  You may (or may not) notice that I deleted all previous posts except for the very first one. It became tedious and depressing always focusing on the negative.  I don't know what I'll do with this blog now but it won't be acrimonious any more.  Thus the change to Aimless Allocution :)  Maybe I'll post recipes, or news commentary, or who knows what...

Here's to new beginnings!