May We Motivate You?

As the month of May draws to a close, we here at TSR would like to offer up some motivation - and a little humor! Let's start the second half of 2018 with a kick in the creative "oomph" and a chuckle or two . . . .

"YOUR INTUITION ALREADY KNOWS

WHAT IT WANTS TO WRITE,

SO GET OUT OF THE WAY."

(Ray Bradbury)

"There are a million talented writers out there

who are unpublished only because

they stop writing when it gets hard.

Don't do that."

(Gillian Flynn)

"UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 

HEALTHY STRIVING AND PERFECTIONISM 

IS CRITICAL 

TO LAYING DOWN THE SHIELD 

AND PICKING UP YOUR LIFE." 

(Dr. Brene Brown)

"My theory on housework is,

if the item doesn't multiply, smell,

catch fire, or block the refrigerator door,

let it be. No one else cares.

Why should you?

(Erma Bombeck)

"IF I WROTE A DR. SEUSS-ESQUE BOOK

ABOUT THE RESEARCH I DO FOR MY NOVELS

IT WOULD BE TITLED

'OH, THE THINGS YOU NOW KNOW.'

IT WOULD BE TOTALLY INAPPROPRIATE

FOR CHILDREN."

(Mindy McGinnis)

"MY WISH FOR YOU IS THAT

YOU FEEL NO NEED 

TO CONSTRICT YOURSELF 

TO MAKE OTHER PEOPLE

COMFORTABLE."

(Ta-Nehisi Coates)

*****

How was your May? Your first half of 2018? What creative plans and projects do you have coming up? What are you looking forward to this summer - books, movies, TV shows, vacations?

Introverts Unite! *

* But, don't worry, we only have to unite in spirit. We don't actually have to go outside or talk to people or anything. 

I am an introvert. My husband not only accepts this but also celebrates it. He wants me to appreciate myself and all my eccentricities the way he does. Because, for a long time, I thought there was something wrong with me and the way I moved in this world. So, when my husband recently presented me with Introvert Doodles by Maureen "Marzi" Wilson, it was with the best of intentions and a heart full of love. 

Here are a few favorites from her book:

I don't know Marzi, and the only thing I get from promoting her here is the knowledge that by sharing her work, we'll all get a laugh or two, along with the realization that we're not the only ones curled up in yoga pants, binge-watching Big Little Lies and eating chocolate chip cookies. Right? Right? Oh, come on, I can't be the only one . . . .

Available on Amazon

*****

Are you an introvert? Do you know one? Married to one? Did these cartoons make you chuckle and nod your head in recognition? Plan on checking out Marzi's website and book?  

Don't Make Bacon Naked

Even I didn't need cooking classes to figure that out. 

But, in my continued quest to live creatively in 2016, I'm finding that reminders definitely have a place among new-to-me concepts, and that humor helps with pretty much everything. 

A few recent takeaways from the Basics of Culinary - 

*  There are Five Mother Sauces from which hundreds of other sauces are made. (Now, for some odd reason, what I hear in my head is this - The Mother of All Sauces - spoken in a loud, booming announcer-like voice. I swear this happens without me having wine.)

*  Toasting whole spices then grinding them yourself gives a whole different depth to the flavor. I know, it sounds like a hassle, but I was surprised by how easy it was. Whole spices are just as cheap to buy, and the packets are smaller so they won't go to waste. (Raise your hand if you have spices sitting in your cabinet that might be older than you?) We made part of a marinade/rub for Marinated-Grilled Skirt Steak by toasting cumin, coriander, black pepper and cinnamon then grinding it in one of those little coffee grinders. The smell was heavenly!

*  You don't need a fancy squeezing thingy to juice lemons and limes. A contraption like that can be considered a "uni-tasker." Instead, put the cut lemon or lime up at the tightest part of a set of tongs and squeeze. This turns the tongs into a "multi-tasker." (I love tips like this because even though I am fortunate to have a nice kitchen with lots of storage, I have a thing about clutter and items used once every three years. This is why I don't own good china and silver.)

*  The juice from those lemons and limes? Went into my new favorite, go-to sauce - chimichurri! (I'm still working on a way to have it for breakfast....)  

Previous posts in this "series" - 

IWSG: The Year of Living Creatively

It Cuts Like a Knife . . .