Chynna T. Laird's Blog, page 9

Foodie Fridays ~ An Easy Recipe For Leftover Beef

One of my major pet peeves is wasting food. With the amount we spend on groceries each week, I get a little cranky when food goes bad or leftovers are forgotten about in the abyss at the back of the fridge. So, I've started making leftovers (sometimes, leftovers out of the leftovers) that will be eaten and the flushing of fridge-made science experiments that used to be food.

This week I made a nice roast beef dinner. For the most part, I was happy to see that there was very little left. Tuesda...

Writing Sample Wednesday ~ Chynna's Award-Winning Short Story (The Gray Felt Hat)

After a trying and rather stressful morning, nothing brings me back to me than my writing. I feel truly blessed that I have been given a gift that I can share with others. I know that I'm not the greatest writer alive (or dead). All I hope is that my words, no matter what they focus on, are able to reach someone else out there who may really need to hear them.

My focus and thoughts have been filled with having to help some very important people to me through some extremely tough times. Th...

Music Mantra Monday ~ A Mother's Eternal Love

(WARNING: Kleenex may be required for this post.)

Today's mantra carries with it a very personal and important message to parents out there, especially moms.

Raising children is one of the most difficult jobs in the world. There is such joy welcoming a living, breathing miracle into our lives that is an extension of ourselves. As joyful as the new life is, suddenly we're hit with the huge responsibility of having a little being whose needs come before any of our own (with the exception of our h...

Writing Prompt Saturday ~ Writing In A Youth's Perspective

I thought we'd go a different route today and focus on writing for youth.

No, this isn't going to be a 'how to' because either you 'get' how to write for young people, or you don't. It's not as easy as learning what we as adults believe is the 'in' lingo or what is depicted on television or movies. The true way to be able to write for this group, without sounding like a moron, is to learn from them.

Hang out with them. Be open-minded enough to listen to what they have to say. Encourage their id...

Foodie Friday ~ Crock Pot Pulled Beef Sandwiches

Let's face it. There isn't always time to create a fantastic meal from start to finish. But even when days are overwhelmingly busy, I try to make sure my crew always has something in their tummies.

My kids have labeled me the 'Queen of Leftovers' because I can often make a great new meal out of leftovers no one wants to eat on their own. Although this can save a lot of time, the house chef can only do so much with leftovers. Not everything from the last couple of nights tastes good together an...

In The Spotlight ~ An Important Interview With Jennifer Landhuis (SPARC) On Raising Awareness About Stalking

Welcome to our Thursday segment.

Last Tuesday, we began discussion on a very serious and highly overlooked issue many people, especially women, face today. Stalking. We are committed in doing our small part in helping to raise awareness on this subject.

Since January is Stalking Awareness Month, we have asked the director of the Stalking, Prevention, Awareness, and Resource Center (SPARC), Jennifer Landhuis, to join us today to help shed a brighter light on this terrifying experience. She is a...

Writing Sample Wednesday ~ Writing To Your Younger Self

Welcome to our Wednesday segment. I apologize for missing yesterday's post. It was one of those days where I had more things to do than I had time.

From time to time, I'm asked to contribute to a blog or site. It's actually a huge honor, especially if I'm having a particularly frustrating writing day, as it's a small reminder that there are readers out there still interested in what I have to say.

A few months ago, I was asked to write a short with the following prompt:

If you could sit for a fe...

Music Mantra Monday ~ Don't Let Me Down

Welcome back to our first Music Mantra segment of 2019! I hope that everyone's Holidays were happy, blissful and restful. God knows that many of us truly needed that time.

As we're getting back into the swing of things around here, I can already feel that this year will be much better than the one we just said goodbye to. I won't lie to you. We've had a few hiccups to face already, but I am a bit stronger to face things this time around. And I have no fear in doing all that is within my power...

In The Spirit ~ An Important Message For Fathers/Dads

After a rather emotional experience over the weekend, I was inspired to write a special note today that I dedicate to fathers/dads out there. This comes from the perspective of a daughter and a mom.

Although fathers/dads can be two in one, which is a beautiful thing, the true meaning of each is very different, at least from a child's view. Let me explain.

Any man who is physically able to can be a father. All that has to happen is his sperm has to unite with an egg at the right moment. In this...

Writing Prompt Saturday ~ Using Our Words To Heal Addiction

Today's topic of discussion may be a difficult one for many out there, but I've always felt that the first step in dealing with a tough situation is to face it head-on. Once we're in that mindset, we're more able to move forward, or to help another to.

Addiction can take on many forms, the most prominent and know are drugs and alcohol. But we all know that in this day and time, addiction has many areas it can stem from and it can trickle down to lead to further addictions.

It's important to und...