In my head today. . . . .
When I was 8, I had an Aunt who chewed the mess out of gum.
I was envious of her jaws. They way they barely moved, as they maneuvered there way, up, down, and around. And every 2-3 seconds the gum would pop! Kind of like Pop rocks, but in a much more sophisticated way. I thought, one day my gum is going to pop like that.
When I was 10, I noticed my mom had a lovely long straight nose. It reminded me of a witches nose, less the warts and bumpiness. Pronounced. Out There. Beautifully Arranged.
My nose was smaller. Buttoney, and a little broad, too much like my father’s.
I wished my nose would lengthen and fashion itself just like my mother’s.
And as an odd stroke of craziness hit me yesterday,
Heaven helped me.
Literally.
Because these things have come to pass.
This .
Yesterday while driving Phoebe to school in my clean ride and strategically messy ponytail and shades. . .
I suddenly heard Pop Rocks.
Only it wasn’t pop rocks, it was my gum.
I am what I thought I’d be.
A sophisticated gum chewer.
Only, maybe that’s not sophisticated.
Maybe its annoying, to anyone but an 8 year old.
And then when my possibly/possibly not sophisticated gum chewing self got home and looked into the mirror, I noticed something.
A long, pronounced nose, like my mothers.
No longer cute. No longer buttoney and broad.
The nose I’d always wanted . . .
I had.
And I couldn’t help but think,
all these things that I’ve been wishing for all my life,
I’ve gotten.
Silly or not, the HARD wishing seems to bring them out of the ether.
The type of wishing where it weaves into the mind during the quiet moments.
During the stillness.
Before and after the dreams.
Sophisticated gum chewing.
Long Pronounced Witch Nose.
Kids.
Love.
Man.
Wife.
Peace.
Hope.
Harmony.
Sometimes.
Just enough.
Money.
Clean house.
When needed for sanity.
Somehow, it all just appears when it should.
— – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
The latest thing that is appearing just when I need it.
Meals.
Quick Meals.
Like I’m gonna rock this meal! Kind of meal. With meat and veg and yum!
Like grubbin’ that only comes out on Hillbilly Sunday.
I’m not kidding.
I’ve been on a role this week.
I’ve made my sister’s homemade meatloaf (recipe coming) , California Burgers, and Fajitas for dinner this week. And it all took me less than 15 minutes to prepare.
I think it came to me
Because I needed this.
I needed good food.
That my kids would eat. That I could enjoy. That would somehow make all the craziness of sports, and school and whatever, seem not so. . .lunatic.
This flank steak did that for me.
It was AWESOME.
Let it do that for you too.
FLANK STEAK IN THE BROILER: DINNER DONE IN UNDER 15 MINUTES!!!!
We ate these on homemade tortillas (that I bought from HEB’s Tortilleria). Maybe I served it with salad, and beans or rice, I can’t remember. But I do remember everybody gobbling these suckers down. Seriously shoving it down their throats. And it only took 15 minutes.. . .I really should make these more often.
Ingredients:
2 1/2 pound flank steak
Creole Seasoning (favorite seasoning salt)
Olive or Canola Oil
2 tablespoons olive oil
Tortillas, optional
diced tomatoes, fresh spinach and salsa as garnish.
Directions:
1. Turn broiler on high. Season flank steak (on both sides) with Creole Seasoning. Drizzle with oil. Place on broiler pan and cook for 4 to 5 minutes per side. Remove from broiler. Allow to rest for 10 minutes.
2. Slice the flank steak into thin strips, against the grain. Serve with tortillas and other accouterments.
