Fudgy Nutella Mug Cake

Fudgy Nutella(R) Mug Cake

• Prep

  5 m

• Cook

  2 m

• Ready In

  12 m

Recipe By:Sarah

“I created this recipe for a somewhat healthier version of an easy Nutella(R) mug cake so I wouldn’t use so much Nutella(R). Let it rest for 2 to 4 minutes after cooking, but enjoy it warm.”

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons coconut flour
• 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder

• 3 1/2 tablespoons almond milk, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 tablespoons chocolate-hazelnut spread (such as Nutella(R))

Directions

1. Stir all-purpose flour, coconut flour, cocoa powder and baking powder together in a small bowl; add 3 tablespoons almond milk, vanilla extract, Nutella(R) and 1/2 tablespoon milk, respectively, stirring between each addition until you finally have a smooth batter. Transfer batter to mug.
2. Cook in microwave for 1 minute. Allow to rest for about 5 seconds and continue cooking until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 30 seconds more.
3. Let cake cool for 2 to 4 minutes.

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Printed From Allrecipes.com 5/21/2018

We Just Have to Seek It

I wrote a post a day or two ago about how life changes, people change. We drift into relationships and out.  I was just telling a friend that I wish I could hold time in a bottle until I was ready to move forward, and then pop the lid off the top.

I never dreamed I would be in the place I am at this point of my life. I didn’t think I would need help with someone watching over me. I assumed me and family would remain close forever. I never thought about losing family to death before it actually began to happen.

I thought friends would be around until death separated us. This does not happen, and like Al Forbes said, it is not always something I have done wrong. Life just changes. Interests open new doors, children grow and move on with their lives. Grandchildren sometimes live near and far.

I certainly have changed. I didn’t mean too but I know that losing Al and my parents had a negative effect on me. There is always good though; we just have to seek it. Now that I am no longer working taking care of other people, I can concentrate on watching my grandchildren grow.

I have been able to get closer to at least one of my children. In fact, I surprised myself at how easily I confided in my son, and he understood and offered his advice. It was awesome to have that time with him and I hope for more.

I have the ability to chat and message or call my other son. He is a great man, with beautiful kids. He has a heart of gold. He seems to always hear my words. He doesn’t criticize me or offer support unless asked. He just loves me, nothing expected in return.

I have a daughter who I am proud of as far as her work career goes. She is pretty, smart, and aggressive in her stride to make her place in employment better. I am sure she will succeed in many more areas even after I am gone.

Of course I will always wish for things to be even better in life; but who doesn’t? We just have to accept what is today, realize that negativity is going to happen and remember to seek the good in every situation.

 

 

 

Al Forbes Encourages Me When I Need It

I took a walk when I went to get my mail. I saw these and used my camera. I don’t know when I discovered I enjoyed a camera. I think it had something to do with being friends with Alastair Forbes, one of my friend bloggers. http://kattermonran.com/

Here is what I saw.

 

Happy Memorial Day

http://kattermonran.com  I consider Al to be one of my very close blogging friends. He helps me in ways I didn’t realize that I needed help with. When I saw the post just now, it once again hit home. I copied and pasted it so you could read it also below.

 

… Remember, You Are Listening. ~ Bob Proctor

When we talk to people about ourselves, a lot of the time we run ourselves down, and if we do it enough, we start to believe it. When you talk to someone, and they steer the conversation to you, tell them what you can do, not what you can’t. Tell them the good things about you, not the bad. Tell them what makes you smile, not what makes you sad. You are deserving of happiness, and you know why? Because you make a difference in this world just by being you. You will never find a better you.

The first thing I catch myself doing when I am talking to just about anyone is cut myself down. I don’t want to do it, but I do it anyways. I dog myself about  my age.

Sometimes I am so fearful of getting old that I blurt out that I am old or getting too old for this or that. I have been going to see a job coach and the first thing she told me was to quit knocking myself down about the age thing.

I hadn’t even realized that I was doing it, but obviously, she had heard it. Why do I do it? We all are going to die at some point. I think about the horrid pain and death my brother went through and then I quietly whisper to myself the word wimp.

If he could be in constant pain for over a year and go through the internal changes he did, then surely I can deal with my injured tendons, aches and pains and be thankful for the facts that I can still walk. I can feed myself, dress myself.

If a soldier can be placed in a setting where his life could be placed in immediate danger, than what is my problem. A soldier can be torn from his family for months at a time.

I am sure he is not dining on steak and mashed potatoes and doesn’t have the wide choices of eating healthy or not at times. Carrying the heavy equipment on his back, slithering through dusty ground, sleeping in less comfort of  his own bed.

Oh Terry, you have life so good. Your pain and fears are so unworthy of cutting yourself down. Live for today girlfriend, give thanks for every single thing you have and quit worrying about your age or how close to death you are. You have a long way to go baby, make each day count.

Thank-you Al from A mixed bag,  for being the wonderful friend and confidant that you have been for so long. Thank-you God for allowing me to go through the circumstances I have been through.Thank-you Al, my brother, for giving me the opportunity to care for you. Thank-you Jesus, for loving me with all my weak areas. Let me help those who need a comforting shoulder or to be able to recognize their hurting soul. Amen

 

I Did It!

Well, I did it. I got through the million questions. She asked, I cried and answered. So much brought back again. I listened to you, my friends. You cheered me on. You told me I could do it. Al even told me he would be here with me emotionally. I clung to those words as she asked things like, ” How did he die? Did he have MSA? How many years did you care for him? Why did you place him in a nursing home?” It went on and on.

Hospice promised they would stay in touch with me after Al’s funeral. The last time I saw or heard from them, was his funeral. I am so thankful that my daughter took me home with her and her family.

I am so thankful for my daughter-in-laws, Heather and Kristin for taking out of their family time and spending time with me. I am so thankful for Peggy and Sue, who have made me get out of this house.

Oh Lord, I am so thankful for all of my blogging friends, my Facebook friends. You don’t know how much I have counted on all of you. I thank Shona for picking me up off the floor emotionally and telling me I can do this.

When I am here in the house alone my heart spills out on to the floors. When the silence comes at night and the lights go out, the sense of Al not being here is extreme.

With all of your help I am able to get through each day. I am having more minutes that are calm, which must mean I am slowly healing.

Please, if you have a family member or friend, or someone you think about and tell yourself you need to give them a call, don’t hesitate. You never know when you may not have that chance.

For me, I knew Al wasn’t going to be here forever. I got that chance to say everything to him I ever wanted to. We were able to do so many things together when the illness was in its lighter stages.

So many of us don’t get these warnings. Instead we get a phone call in the middle of the night. Or we hear about it elsewhere. Take a moment my friends, and thank God and your lucky stars that you have people in your life. I know I do it each and every day.

Sunday Photo Fiction; March !6th, 2014

http://sundayphotofictioner.wordpress.com

 

Veins cold as ice

Heart made of steel

Nails withered and blue

Hair tousled and mussed

Blood thin as water

Skin tough and worn

These are the effects

Of a heart once alive

A soul now broken.

Written by,

Terry Shepherd

03.22.2014

Photo Fiction; The Alley

http://kattermonran.com/

Every minute, every day

The chains do bind me

Locking me in my own mind

Ne’re letting me escape

Oh why must you do this

Have I not suffered enough

For I have tried to free myself

For so long now

But you tighten more

And you gag my lips

You keep me within your sight

For ever more I am yours

Your puppet on a string

I dance for you and sing

And afterwards I weep

As this is truly not who I am

Nor who I want to be

The chains, the fear

That once was yours, now mine

Help me O Lord, set me free

Let me for once be

The woman you cast in me.

Written by,

Terry Shepherd

01/18/2014

Look Outside the Box

Life is hard here at home. You all know it by following my blog. I try very hard to find one thing that I can see to show me life is still alive and hope is still something I can cling to.

Today, I raced down to the mailbox to see if a gift has arrived that Al; http://kattermonran.com, has arranged for my brother, Al.

When I came back I heard some strange sounds. I looked up into the skies and these were flying in circles above our house. I hurried inside and grabbed my good friend, my camera and stood outside waiting for them to return. Here is what I captured.

If you don’t take time to notice the small stuff, you won’t ever appreciate the big stuff………..T.S.

Sunday Photo Fiction; November 10,2013

http://sundayphotofictioner.wordpress.com/2013/11/10/sunday-photo-fiction-november-10th-2013/

The idea is to write a story – Flash Fiction – of around 100-200 words based on the photo below.

 

Tears rolled down my eyes. I reached up and touched one of the sails. I had just picked this piece up from the renovator. I hadn’t seen it in almost two weeks. Every day as I was growing up I saw this. Every time I went to visit Pop mention was made of the craftsmanship and love that went into making this beautiful ship.

My tears aren’t just for sadness, they are also for joy.  Mom had passed on years back. Pop was never the same since she was gone. He lost his vigor and he slept much more. This particular time his sleeping and smoking just didn’t mix.

He had fallen asleep in his easy chair and the hot ashes fell onto his clothing. A small red amber took off burning him and the house.

Now, today, it is just me, standing at my mantle, touching the only thing that wasn’t damaged. A piece of my heart I place inside this ship and I will continue to love it each day as much as Pop did.

Sunday Photo Fiction; Flash Fiction

http://sundayphotofictioner.wordpress.com/

It was date night. The two will have been married 25 years tomorrow, but tonight, this is special. Once a month Bob and Sue planned a date; a time to spend with no other. No cell phones, no grandchildren, no TV.

They decided on this outing they would meet as potential strangers at the entry way of the theater. He dressed in his finest, she in layers of frills, perfumed from the heavens, their eyes met.

He flirting, she acting coy, they touched hands and electricity went through them bringing desire from deep within from each.

The two stood together holding hands watching people drift in and get their ticket passes. Admiring the clothing, smiling into each others eyes. One by one the crowd thinned as each took their seat.

Sue and Bob were about ready to get their pass when at the last moment he squeezed her hand and pulled her towards him. Leading her down the darkened hallway past the exit sign, he stopped in front of the ladies restroom.

Peeking in, seeing no one, he drew her in and leaned her against the wall pulling her dress up, lowering his hands, finding love.