It is true winter in my city. I know this because: a) my face hurts b) I am wearing socks (hate) c) abs of steel are required to walk down the street while navigating ice ridges and grooves.
With true winter in my city also comes a new year.
My #1 objective in 2018 is to strengthen my core. I intend to achieve this by:
One of my loves has left this world and I am very sad. I want to celebrate my sweet Buttercup because she was the best. Loving her was worth it. 
The English language has been hijacked! “You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.” (Inigo Montoya – the Princess Bride)
What if the simple meaning of the ‘#metoo’ hashtag movement stretched beyond denouncing sexual harassment &/or assault? There are a lot of hurts in this crazy world of ours. What if ‘me too’ meant ‘I also’.
‘I also feel alone in a crowd.’
‘I also wake up at 4 a.m. fueled by anxiety.’
‘I also feel misunderstood.’
‘I also am afraid of spiders.’
`I also feel deeply sad sometimes.`
`I also want to auction off my children to the first bidder.`
`I also feel `less than`.`
`I also hate onions.`
`I also feel like I`m doing it wrong.`
`I also think putting on jeans fresh out of the dryer should count as my workout for the day.`
#metoo #ialso — you are not alone.
What are some of your #ialso struggles?
Have you ever noticed that guys of a certain age or life stage are often fully surrendered to the inevitable ‘Dad bod’?
I think the attitude is an enviable one. There is an ease to the ‘Dad bod.’ There is a quiet confidence.
May we all settle into the ‘Dad bod’ mentality a little more today.
P.S. Also, crack (plumber’s) kills.
Here is a list of a few things I have said to actual humans recently:
At a soap store: “Would you like to pick one of those up today?” Me: “I don’t think so, it makes me think of boogers.”
” I just accidentally gave myself a super wedgie.” *said to a new acquaintance*
*to cashier at grocery store* “do you ever judge your customers for their purchases?”
“This place smells like armpits,… old person armpits.”
*to waitress* “did you know your seats make rude sounds? *wiggles bottom around vigorously to demonstrate.*
“this song makes me want to stab myself in the ear.”
re: kombucha “what does it taste like?” Me: “like death and vinegar …. but it is good for you…”
“My name is Sam,…. Starbucks Sam.”
Salesperson at clothing retailer “what do you think of this color?” Me: “I think it is a cross between vomit and baby poo so I guess I will pass, thanks.”
“Do I have something in my teeth? *smiles a toothy grin at a stranger*
“So, I just discovered that I put my underwear on backwards… again…”
*shoe squeak* “You have got to hear this!” *sachets across the floor*
1)I have had diarrhea for over 300 consecutive days (you’re welcome … feel free to stop reading now….)
2)I have worn my bathing suit bottom as underwear 3 times
3) I lit our food on fire 6 times
4) I slipped in dog drool daily
5) I peed myself 4 x (that is another story….)
6) I lied to 75 Starbucks Baristas about my name
7) I cleaned up cat vomit 6 times
8) I shared 150 memes with friends
9) I danced interpretively weekly in my kitchen
10) I messed up on radio song lyrics 2x / daily
11) I cancelled ‘date night’ with my husband every second week because ‘I had already taken off my bra’
12) I have 10% new grey hairs
13) I pocketed dozens of barely used Kleenexes to ‘save for later’
14) I shared daily ‘random thoughts with Jerral’ with friends and strangers alike
15) I have had 7 giggle fits ( NOT ENOUGH!!!)
16) I binge watched all seasons of ‘The Office’ over a 2 month period
17) I swam through a pool coated with caterpillars once (never again!)
18) I killed 6 plants
19) I swallowed 2 flies
20) I had 4 temper tantrums
I would love to hear some of your fun facts from 2017
I have learned the key to keeping a plant alive….
Trauma.
I have two hybrid hibiscus plants that have moved inside for the duration of the winter.
The one that my son accidentally backed into with our van and subsequently had to be transplanted is amazing! Each new bloom is like ‘pew! pew! pew!’ every second day.
The other one however, it is shy. Now that it has moved inside, it is very, very hesitant. Little by little, with a little coaxing I am confident that it will not only survive, but thrive.
These plants are not dissimilar from my life. HE makes beautiful things.
I made food that transported my family back to a different time, a different place, a different life.
I love that food can be so transformative for the mind and body. Food for me is family, friends, fellowship, feelings and sometimes epic fails. Thankfully, this one was a win!
Morocccan Rghaif/Msemen
Msemen – also known as rghaif – are Moroccan pancakes that have been folded into a square shape before being fried in a pan. This is a recipe for the dough used to make msemen. The dough is kneaded like bread dough until soft and smooth.
How to Fold & Make Msemen: -Flatten portions of the dough and fold them into squares. Frying the dough in a pan yields a layered pancake or flatbread that is crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside. – The recipe below uses a little semolina flour for texture and taste. The use of semolina is a matter of personal preference. Substitute more semolina for the white flour if you like a coarser texture. Or, you can omit the semolina entirely.
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 60 minutes
Yield: Approx. 20 msemen (4″ square)
Ingredients:
3 1/2 cups flour (340 g)
1/2 cup fine semolina (90g)
2 teaspoons sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon yeast
1 1/2 cups warm water (approx. 1/3 liter)
For folding and cooking the msemen:
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
1/2 cup fine semolina
1/4 cup very soft unsalted butter
Preparation:
Mix all the dry ingredients in a large bowl.
Add 1 1/2 cups of warm water, and mix to form a dough. Add more water if necessary to make a dough that is soft and easy to knead, but not sticky. If the dough is too sticky to handle, add a little flour one tablespoon at a time.
Transfer the dough to a lightly floured work surface and knead by hand for 10 minutes, (or knead the dough in a stand mixer with dough hook for 5 minutes), until the dough is very smooth and elastic.
Proceed with folding and cooking the dough.
Serving Suggestions:
Serve the msemen plain, with butter and honey, or jam.
To make a syrup from butter and honey, simply melt equal portions of butter and honey in a pan until hot and bubbly. Carefully and quickly dip the msemen in the syrup and place on a serving platter.
Hey friend I know who reads this… remember when we broke the wall???
There is something to be said for leaning into the new normal of depression. Leaning in means more kindness towards self. Leaning in means getting help. Leaning in means transparency with the people in your life. Leaning in means that who you are is less about what you do and more about the essence of your being. And when I think about how my depression has strengthened my faith life, I can almost weep with Gratitude. God is good. All. The. Time.
projectlipstickismysuperpower 