Listening to my Heart

August 22, 2020

Hi y’all,

I talk more about my writing than I do my art on this blog. When I was twelve years old (in the 6th grade) one of my teachers, **Sherry Miller said she wanted to know what each of us wanted to do when we grew up. Luckily, I wasn’t the first person. As I listened to what the other kids wanted to do it occurred to me how much of a creative weirdo I am. Not one student wanted to be an author and artist except for me.

This simple action revealed the reason why I never fit in. As an adult I embrace the freedom of having a creative mind and soul. Growing up it was okay for me to be good at art, but wanting a career in the creative arts was forbidden. Sometimes my Dad and step-mom would like a project I was working on. Offering words of support and encouragement never came. When I stopped sketching I became depressed so I learned early on not to tell anyone anything.

**Krystal Higgins was my art teacher. She made art class exciting and fun. I wanted to be like her, a free spirit, a strong woman.

I would love to tell these two former teachers that I have fought and slogged through life’s trials to achieve my goals to become an artist and author just like I said I wanted in the 6th grade.

I hope you enjoy my photography and watercolours. They are a work-in-progress just as I am. Thank you for your support and subscribing to my blog and newsletter.

**Denotes Beech Grove Middle School (Indiana)

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Sending you love and blessings!

Tambra

Valentine’s Day Recipes and a Few Ideas

I have an Instant Pot IP-Duo60, which is a 6-quart size. The size is great for just us. I use it this appliance frequently. In fact, my sweet hubby got me an IP Lux Mini for Christmas.

With Valentine’s Day coming up I thought I’d offer up some menu ideas for those who are celebrating at home instead of going out. When you’re loved by family and good friends, your richly blessed. A day to celebrate love is a good idea.

I’m sure there are those out there who are going to complain about the commercialisation. Well, quit grumping about it and celebrate it in a less commercialised way. Make them a card and write the words of your heart. How good they make you feel when you’re with them. How you appreciate the things they do for you.

A sincere effort should be appreciated by the recipient. Giving a token that means something, an item they will treasure by you. Take look at what Etsy has to offer. There are many great artisans and a price range to fit most budgets. Plus, you’ll be supporting craftspeople and their unique items.

So, here are two recipes for your consideration:

Garlic Herb Pot Roast from WellnessMama.com

5 minutes prep time, 40 minutes cook time

Serves 6+

3-4 pound beef chuck roast

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon white pepper

1 teaspoon garlic powder or 3 cloves fresh, minced

1 Tablespoon Italian Seasoning or equivalent dried herbs of your choice

2 Tablespoons coconut oil or butter

1 onion, peeled

6 large carrots, peeled

1-pound of chopped potatoes

2 cups bone broth

¼ cup of red wine, optional

4 ounces of cremini mushrooms, optional

½ teaspoon dried thyme, optional

Cut beef into 2-inch or smaller cubes. Place on a plate and sprinkle evenly with spices and set aside.

Turn Instant Pot to “Saute” setting and melt the coconut oil or butter in the pot.

Thinly slice an onion and add. Saute for 4-5 minutes until tender and slightly browned. Deglaze the pan with the red wine if you’re using it.

Add roast pieces in a single layer on top of the onions.

Pour broth over the roast.

Put on the lid, lock and set to seal.

While roast is cooking chop the carrots into 1-inch pieces.

Press the cancel/warm button to stop the Saute setting, then press the “Manual” button and set the time for 40 minutes.

When the time is up, turn off the Instant Pot and carefully release the pressure by pushing the lever to the “venting” position until all of the steam is released.

When the pressure releases open the lid and add the carrots and potatoes. Quickly replace the lid, turn the lever back to seal and press the Manual button for 10-minutes.

Repeat the venting process and check the carrots and potatoes for doneness. (You might have to add another 10 minutes.)

You can use the liquid to pour over the roast and vegetables or you can use it to make a gravy.

 Heart and flower graphic by Larisa Koshkina/Pixabay

Tambra’s Pork Loin with Mushrooms (Instant Pot)

45 minutes, plus 5 minutes then Quick Release

You might not have exactly the same ingredients I do, so use what you have. Don’t have A1 or Lea&Perrins, but you do have French’s Worcestershire, use it instead.

2-pound pork loin, cut in half

Brush on A1 sauce or Lea & Perrins Steak Sauce to all over pork loin

Sprinkle some steak seasoning or chicken seasoning

2 tablespoons Olive Oil or Coconut Oil to brown

1 ½ cups Bone Broth/Vegetable Broth or Chicken Broth

*I use Better than Bouillon and it works great, too

Small can of mushrooms, add the liquid with the broth

Trivet that comes with the Instant Pot

Plug in Instant Pot and turn on the Saute function. Add the olive oil or coconut oil. Take one half of the pork loin and lightly rub around the bottom of the pot. Now, add the other half of the pork loin. Brown. Remove to a plate while you add the broth and the can of mushrooms.

Place the trivet in the Instant Pot and the pieces of pork beside each other.

Put the lid on and make sure the lever is set to “Seal”.

Press the Manual button for 45 minutes. Let it go 5 minutes more and then do a Quick Release.

You can serve this with rice or mashed potatoes; the liquid is great to pour over the meat or you can make gravy. Add some steamed vegetables and you have a meal. Leftover meat can be shredded and barbeque sauce mixed in for sandwiches the next day.

For other recipe ideas, pick up my book The Scottish English Texas: 56 Teatime Recipes, available at Amazon.com. A Valentine’s Day tea would wonderfully romantic. You could make the pork loin and some of the recipes from my tea book. Take some photos and put them in a memory book with notes written by both of you about the special things that were said, how you felt.

Kids can write messages on construction paper hearts with chores or things they’ll do without complaint. Maybe have 5 hearts. This needs to fit in with the child’s age. Example: Fold their clothes and put them away. Empty the dishwasher. Clean their room. Have the kids think of what they want to do. Place them in a decorated container so the recipient can pull one out.

While the craft supplies are out they could make Valentine cards for their grandparents. Pinterest has lots of great crafty and DIY things to do.

Whatever you decide, I hope your holiday is filled with love and happy memories.

Hugs to all, Tambra

PS: My website is up https://tambrakendall.com It still needs a bit of tweaking but at least I’ve got one again. Yay!

 

 

 

 

 

 

A New Year: What will you write on your life pages this year?

There’s nothing like the feeling of a brand new year. January is like crisp like new fallen snow or the scent of pine trees riding a brisk wind. Many people don’t make New Year’s resolutions, but I think a good portion of us do pause and review the passing of the old year. Life isn’t static. It’s fluid and we must adapt. Attitude and how you look at the world makes a big difference.

I used to always put others before myself because I craved their acceptance and love. It took many years crawling out of a terrifying, dark place to discover I like myself and I am worthy of being loved. With this acceptance came a sense of peace that I’d never experienced before.

Sometimes the family you were born with manipulate and use you for their personal gain and amusement. This isn’t love and its unacceptable behavior. Love doesn’t stomp a person into the ground or control a person’s every move. You are worthy of love and respect. Perhaps 2015 will be the year for you to drop the negative, defeatist ways and move toward peace. It’s damn hard physically, mentally and emotionally. Taking baby steps and learning proper boundary setting skills isn’t easy. I’m speaking as the voice of experience and I’m continuing to learn this life skill. I can say all the struggle, pain and tears have been worth it.

Our minds consider may go over what worked professionally and socially to reach the goals set both long and short.  The heart celebrates the numerous blessings bestowed by the Creator of All Things. (To me, this means God. To you it may mean something else or nothing at all.)

When you fight a multitude of chronic illnesses, adapting and learning new ways to live is vital. When you’re a creative person even more so. You find a way to express the beauty bubbling just below the surface. I know there are days when you feel ragged and threadbare. Physical and mental exhaustion take their toll. Some days curling into a fetal position and crying is all you can do. Don’t dwell there. After the tears have fallen, dry them and re-plan.

Being given another day to see the sun rise and set, to accept love and be loved, to write, create and share. I don’t take any of this or each day for granted. I don’t blame others for the physical limitations I have. It is what it is. The choice in how you deal with what you’ve been given is up to you. In many ways I’m stronger because of all I’ve had to endure. There have also been opportunities to help others along the way. I never would have had the chance to do so otherwise. I pray their lives were made better by the connection we shared.

A compliment, a word of encouragement to someone doesn’t cost a thing. Consider what you can do and accomplish in 2015. From what I’ve observed, the people who accomplish the goals or resolutions they made on January 1 are reachable, not impossible. Why would you list the impossible, setting yourself up for failure?

Use this New Year to write the book you’ve always wanted. Learn painting or photography. Take some classes, online or at your local college. Share your skills by donating some of your time to organizations or to a local school. Make the world a better place.

Life is a gift. We are here for such a short time. Twelve bright, shiny months await. What will you write on your life pages this year?