How to Make A Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich,
(For the sake of space, I am assuming you will be able to obtain the ingredients without a step-by-step guide, but I do understand that that would also be a process required in the process of making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich)
Firstly grab the ingredients: you will need to collect a pack of sliced honey wheat bread, one jar of grape jelly, and one jar of peanut butter. Secondly, you will also need to obtain, through legal means: a plate and a butter knife. Once you have your tools and ingredients you may perform the following.
Set the plate on a flat surface, a clean kitchen table will do, so that the foot (a ceramics term describing the small indentation on the bottom of ceramics that helps the ceramic properly stand uniformly on a surface) of the plate is facing down.
Remove the twist tie from the bag of bread, by unfurling the tie. Next comes the easy part, by holding the newly formed opening of the bag, drop the rest of the bag, letting gravity unwind the twisted bag. Place the opened bag lengthwise on the kitchen table. Put your hand inside the bag to further open it. Using that same hand, remove two slices of bread from the bag; (do not take the end piece, very few people prefer that piece). Place the two slices of bread on top of the the plate, making sure one of the two sides with the largest surface area is facing downward. Double check to make sure that the pieces of bread are analogous to each other, and not sitting directly upon each other: this will come in handy on later steps.
After your bread is properly plated we can move onto properly topping the slices. Grab the jar of jelly with your nondominant hand, curling your fingers around the cylindrical body of the jar. Maintain this grip. Secure the top of the lid (to the jar of jelly) in the palm of the other. Curl the fingers on your dominant hand so that your fingertips firmly rest on the lower lip of the lid (to the jar of jelly). By using force from your dominant elbow and keeping your (dominant) arm straight and holding the jar firmly in your nondominant, use the torque produced to unscrew the lid counter-clockwise from the jar (of jelly). Place the lid down on the table, making sure to keep the jelly-side up, as to avoid ruining your table. Grab the knife by its handle, using the now free dominant hand. Make sure the blade is properly orientated: you want the handle to be wrapped by all four of your fingers, and you want your thumb to be pressed gently upon the non-cutting edge of the blade, this creates the most control: if it still feels unwieldy, find a manner that feels best for you. When working with blades, it is important to feel safe and confident. Maintaining your grip on the handle, stick the knife blade into the open jar of jelly. Do not let the jelly touch your hands, to prevent unnecessary cleanup. Using a scooping motion, remove the knife from the jar, keeping the broadside upward. If done correctly, the upper side of the knife blade should be coated in a small dollop of jelly. If not, repeat this scooping maneuver until you do. (We will repeat this process with the jar of peanut butter, if you do not feel confident in your ability, that’s okay. I will walk you through the steps later) At this point you may release your grip from the jar of jelly. Select one of the two slices of bread you have set upon the plate, slowly move your knife-wielding hand over it, keeping it within a height of 3 to 5 centimeters from any flat surface (to prevent spillage), keeping the jelly in an upright position. Once your hand is directly above the center of this first slice of bread, quickly turn your hand, so that that the upper (jelly coated) side is now facing downward, let gravity pull the jelly to the slice of bread. Maintain your grip on your knife it will be useful for this next step. Using the same broadside of the knife, spread the jelly on the slice of bread, making sure you do not exceed the surface area of the single face. The thin coating of jelly should not exceed 1 cm in height. Maintaining your grip on the knife, wipe both broad sides of the knife on the other piece of toast to remove excess jelly. Set the knife on a clean portion of the plate, it will soon be useful again. Now grab the jar of jelly in your nondominant hand, again curling your finger around the cylindrical shape. Grab the lid, flipping it over so the jelly side is now again facing downward. Using a similar motion as before you are going to add torque to the lid, this time pushing it clockwise thus shutting the jar. Place the now sealed jar back on the table, with the lid facing upward. At this point both hands should be free to aid in the opening of the peanut butter.
We are using peanut butter second because it is stickier than jelly and thus harder to clean between steps, if we were to put it first. Now you can grab the jar of peanut butter with your nondominant hand, curling your fingers around the cylindrical body of the jar. Maintain this grip. Secure the top of the lid (to the jar of peanut butter) in the palm of the other. Curl the fingers on your dominant hand so that your fingertips firmly rest on the lower lip of the lid (to the jar of peanut butter). By using force from your dominant elbow and keeping your (dominant) arm straight and holding the jar firmly in your nondominant, use the torque produced to unscrew the lid counter-clockwise from the jar (of peanut butter). Place the lid down on the table, making sure to keep the peanut butter-side up, as to avoid ruining your table. Grab the knife by its handle, using the now free dominant hand. Make sure the blade is properly orientated: you want the handle to be wrapped by all four of your fingers, and you want your thumb to be pressed gently upon the non-cutting edge of the blade: again, if it feels unwieldy, find a manner that feels best for you. Always prioritize your safety, stick the knife blade into the open jar of peanut butter. Do not let the peanut butter touch your hands, to prevent unnecessary cleanup. Using a scooping motion, remove the knife from the jar, keeping the broadside upward. If done correctly, the upper side of the knife blade should be coated in a small dollop of peanut butter. If not, repeat this scooping maneuver until you do. At this point you may release your grip from the jar of peanut butter. Slowly move your knife-wielding hand to the undoctored slice of bread, keeping it within a height of 3 to 5 centimeters from any flat surface (to prevent spillage), keeping the peanut butter in an upright position. Once your hand is directly above the center of the second slice of bread, quickly turn your hand, so that that the upper (peanut butter coated) side is now facing downward. As peanut butter is more adhesive, gravity may not work here. Maintain your grip on your knife it will be useful for this next step. Using the same broadside of the knife, spread the peanut butter on the second slice of bread, making sure you do not exceed the surface area of the single face. The thin coating of peanut butter should not exceed 1 cm in height. Maintaining your grip on the knife, wipe both broad sides of the knife on innermost lip of the jar of peanut butter to remove excess peanut butter, and prevent wasting precious peanut butter. If done correctly the peanut butter should clutch the the inside of the peanut butter jar, and not get into the tap for the lid. Set the knife on a clean portion of the plate, it may still be useful coming up. Now grab the jar of peanut butter in your nondominant hand, again curling your finger around the cylindrical shape. Grab the lid, flipping it over so the peanut butter side is now again facing downward. Using a similar motion as before you are going to add torque to the lid, this time pushing it clockwise thus shutting the jar. Place the now sealed jar back on the table, with the lid facing upward. At this point both hands should be free.
Using both hands, lift the slice of bread with peanut butter on it, ensuring you use only the tips of your fingers on the crust of the bread to prevent getting peanut butter on your hands, and from crushing the sandwich. Flip this piece of bread over so it is now facing downward. Place on the jelly slice of bread, so that the crust of both slices is in line with each other, it won’t be exactly flush because of the peanut butter and jelly, this is normal.
This following step may be the most dangerous part of making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Only the professionals attempt this risky maneuver. It is perfectly okay and socially acceptable to stop now and consume this sandwich. Take the knife in the same grip as before. Grab the knife by its handle, using the dominant hand. Make sure the blade is properly orientated: you want the handle to be wrapped by all four of your fingers, and you want your thumb to be pressed gently upon the non-cutting edge of the blade: again, if it feels unwieldy, find a manner that feels best for you. We will actually be using the cutting edge of this knife; however, so we will take extra precautions to hold the knife handle firmer, but not exerting excessive pressure to it. With the non dominant hand secure the sandwich at one of the four corners, by pressing lightly on the upper piece of bread. Take the knife pressing the cutting edge gently into the top piece of bread, at one of the adjacent corners to the one you are holding, pressing until the blade cut through both pieces of bread, drag the blade diagonally across the sandwich, splitting it in twain.
Now you should have two smaller triangular sandwiches to enjoy with a friend.
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"dance recital" - hotch x mom!reader!
your family attends your daughter's dance recital
1480 words, domestic family fluff
cw: none? unless u hate kids then don't read this xD
a/n: i am looking at requests and actually have a couple of them started! inspiration just struck and i needed dance dad hotch xD plz keep sending requests i love getting them
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Lizzy had been practicing for weeks, at home, in the car on the way to school, even in the waiting room at the dentist’s office. If there was a free moment, she was up on her toes, practicing her dance routine.
When she turned four, she was so excited to sign up for dance class, and now her very first recital is later today. She takes it very seriously, and you attribute that entirely to her hardworking father.
You’re standing in the kitchen, packing the picnic lunch you’ll be sharing as a family after her recital in the park. PB&J, no crusts, for Jack. Even though he’s nearly ten and he should be eating his crusts, you can’t help but to baby him a little. He’s been such a good big brother to Lizzy. You were anxious about that when you were pregnant with her, since Jack was so used to being the only kid. And there would always be the looming presence of Haley and the family he was a part of before you came along.
But Lizzy became the center of Jack’s world when she was born. He’s so doting and always playing with her, from when she was an infant to now.
Nutella and peanut butter sandwich for Lizzy, because she has a sweet tooth just like her mother. Turkey and cheese for you and Aaron. “D’you want mayo, honey?” You call out to wherever Aaron is in the house. He was in the living room just a few minutes ago, but with your two crazy kiddos, he could have ended up anywhere.
“Just the mayo, no honey,” Aaron jokes and nearly makes you jump as he enters the kitchen, padding silently behind you despite being the largest person in the house. Must be that fancy tactical FBI stealth training.
He stops at the counter, leaning against it and facing you. Your eyes meet his and his voice is low when he speaks to you. “You need to make a big deal out of this,” he prefaces, nodding to the doorway. You don’t fully know what he’s talking about, but you understand enough, so you set your butter knife down and turn around to face the doorway. Aaron makes a drumroll on his thigh. “Come on in, kids!”
Jack enters first, in a bright orange t-shirt that is definitely a size too big. Written in blue, puffy fabric paint, no doubt by Jack himself, are the words PROUD BIG BRO. Jack’s also holding Lizzy’s hand, escorting her into the kitchen. She’s in her violet tutu and has her hair up in two haphazardly pulled-back pigtails that could only be described as the work of her father. She’s walking on her tiptoes, with her free hand arched up in a semicircle shape, mimicking all the ballerinas in her books.
You’re beaming, and take the sight in silently for a moment before bursting into uproarious (for one woman) applause. “You guys look so great!” You exclaim, grinning at the kids, and then back at your husband. He’s got this sly look on his face and you want to smooch it off. “When did you make this shirt?” You ask Jack, stepping forward and grabbing his face with both of your hands. You kiss his forehead and ruffle his hair.
“Dad and I did it while you were at the store last night,” Jack explains.
“I love it, baby,” you tell Jack, and he beams. You stroke the apples of his cheeks with your thumbs before releasing him.
Lizzy lets go of her brother’s hand and leaps for you. “My big girl is all dolled up for her first recital,” You lift her up, hugging her close. “Did Daddy do your hair for you?” you ask.
“Yes! He sang our song and I didn’t cry!” she says. You always sing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star to Lizzy while you brush her hair because she’s very tender-headed. It makes your heart soar to learn that Aaron did it, too.
“I’m so proud of you!” You kiss Lizzy’s face all over until she squeals and wriggles to get away. “Why don’t you guys go play in the living room for a little bit, and we’ll get going soon,” you suggest. Jack races Lizzy into the living room, leaving you and Aaron in the kitchen alone.
“You did her hair,” you say as you smirk up at Aaron.
“Yeah, I know. It's not as good as when you do it,” he settles back against the counter and you roll your eyes. He’s holding his palms out, wiggling his digits. “I’ve got sausage fingers, and she cries if you pull the twist-tie too hard. It’s heartbreaking.”
“And you made a shirt with Jack,” you say, ignoring his self-deprecation. Your smirk has turned into a full-force, Category Five Grin.
Aaron realizes what you’re doing as you inch a little closer. He takes your wrist delicately, tugging you toward him, and you kiss his lips three times in succession, each a quick thank-you for all he’s done. “You’re the one driving her to classes twice a week,” Aaron deflects. “And Jack to school, and to soccer practice, and doing all the shopping and-“
“Aaron,” you roll your eyes in warning. You hate when he butters you up like this. You’re just doing your job, just like he is when he’s away on cases.
“Okay, okay, I’ll stop,” he holds his hands up in defense, and you snatch them like they’re precious jewels. You kiss him again, this one longer and lingering.
You finish packing your family’s lunch into the cooler. Lizzy’s recital is at a small amphitheater in the park, and after you drop her off with her teacher backstage, you and your boys find a good spot on the green to set up your picnic blanket.
Aaron makes this small grunt when he squats to sit down on the ground and you hold back a snicker. Jack does not read the room and calls him an old man.
You’re giggling as you sit down, Aaron tugging you to sit between his legs. You affectionately run your hand through Jack’s hair a few times before the first class comes up onto the stage.
You watch the first class, and the second, clapping politely. Then, the four-and-five-year-olds are announced, and you are on your feet immediately. You hear a bit of rustling and Jack and Aaron are standing up, too. You grin when you see Lizzy with the other little kids, holding the hands of the boy in front of her and the girl behind her as they all walk in a line.
Their dance is simplistic and whimsical and joyful, set to a light, poppy tune that makes you think of spring. You’re grinning and watching Lizzy float across the stage. She’s not the most graceful, but she hits every move at the right time.
You hear rustling behind you and turn over your shoulder to see Aaron and Jack subtly performing the dance with the class. They’re not moving nearly as dedicatedly as the group on stage, but they’re helping Lizzy from the audience. It’s so sweet you want to cry.
When Lizzy’s group is finished, the three of you on the lawn explode in applause. Aaron wolf-whistles behind you and Jack is cheering, “that’s my sister!”
After the other classes go, you’re allowed to head back and pick up Lizzy. She’s giggling with the other kids in her class, but she freezes and grins like it’s Christmas morning when she sees you.
“Mommy!” she squeals, and runs to you. You lift her up off the ground in a hug and spin her around, before passing her off to Aaron. He does the same thing. “Dizzy! Dizzy!” She’s squealing, and Aaron finally sets her down.
“Dizzy Lizzy, huh?” Aaron teases, running his thumb and his forefinger down one of her pigtails. “You did so good, sweet girl!” He was never the best at baby-talking to Lizzy, but now that she’s a little girl, he speaks to her so excitedly and she always beams when she learns her father is proud of her.
“You got the leap at the right part!” Jack exclaims proudly, and you watch as Lizzy hugs her big brother.
You point out the picnic blanket with the cooler and tell Jack to take Lizzy ahead to it. Jack loves being responsible, so he takes Lizzy by the hand and leads her towards your family’s setup.
Hanging back with Aaron, you look up at him and brush his dark hair off his forehead. “You learned her dance?” you ask with a small smirk on your face.
Aaron’s dark eyes gaze into yours and he wraps an arm around your shoulders, tugging you close to him. “She was doing it every chance she got,” he shrugs, like it’s totally no big deal. “You’re telling me you don’t have it memorized?”
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