For many months, I've wrestled with whether or not to resume A Spoonful of Grammar. But I woke up this morning and decided to JUST DO IT! I hope my faithful readers have been saving up lots of grammar and punctuation questions for me!!

It's A-OK when we tell ourselves to JUST DO IT (cue up the Nike ad for inspiration). But telling others is akin to saying, "My patience is wearing thin. Do it before I blow my top!" If you want to instigate verbal sparring between real people or fictional characters, go ahead and use this phrase.

Now let's discuss just plain JUST. 

JUST has a way of sneaking into written and oral sentences. "Just remember to sign your name" is an example where JUST can easily be removed without changing the sentence's meaning. Isn't "Remember to sign your name" more direct?

When is JUST appropriate to use? When something was recently completed or a person or character wants to say they'll be ready soon. Here are two examples: 

I just finished waxing the floor. Don't step on it yet!

Just a minute! I'll be downstairs in two shakes of a lamb's tail. (Believe it or not, my mom occasionally used that expression!)

Now for two examples where JUST could easily be dropped:

​Do you just want to mull it over before making a final decision?

Will you just quiet down? 

Here's my advice to writers everywhere: do a JUST check of your writing, whether it's a story, a paper for school, a speech, or a business presentation. Don't be afraid to give JUST a swift kick if it sneaks in where it doesn't belong. 

I hope you enjoyed this spoonful! If you know anyone who would enjoy this or any of my earlier spoonfuls, please feel free to share! 

Sincerely,
Laura F. Cooper

Hailing from the Mrs. Fields Cookie Book, CINNAMON SUGAR BUTTER COOKIES are a holiday crowd-pleaser that doesn't require fancy decorating skills. Just shape the dough into balls, roll in a cinnamon-sugar mixture, and ENJOY every tasty bite! This recipe yields 3 dozen cookies. 



STEP #1: Heat the oven to 300 degrees

STEP #2: Gather the INGREDIENTS 

For the cookie:
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup dark brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup butter, softened
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 

For the topping:
3 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
(mix together in a small bowl and set aside)

STEP #3: MIX, SHAPE, and ROLL

*In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix well with a wire whisk and set aside. 

*In a large bowl, blend sugars with an electric mixer set at medium speed
*Add the butter and mix to form a grainy paste
*Add the eggs and vanilla extract and mix until light and fluffy
*Add the flour mixture and blend at low speed until just combined 

*Shape dough into 1-2 inch balls 
*Roll each ball in cinnamon-sugar topping
*Place balls on ungreased cookie sheets two inches apart 

STEP #4: BAKE for 18-20 minutes
*You'll know these cookies are done when you touch them and they spring back without falling apart

* Using a spatula, immediately transfer cookies to a cool, flat surface 
 
​STEP #5: ENJOY EVERY TASTY BITE!!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND BEST WISHES FOR A HAPPY, HEALTHY 2021. A Spoonful of Grammar is taking a little holiday break and will return in the new year. 

Sincerely,
Laura Fineberg Cooper

As I watched the changing precipitation yesterday, the homophone trio REIGN/RAIN/REIN popped into my head. Gather 'round (virtually) while I provide definitions and sentences for each word. 

REIGN/REIGNING = To rule or hold sovereignty over a kingdom or sporting event. Synonyms: rule/ruling, incumbent, lead/leading, prevail/prevailing

#1: Elizabeth II was crowned Queen of England on February 6, 1952 and still reigns today. 

#2: The reigning Super Bowl Champions are the Kansas City Chiefs, whose 2020 win over the San Francisco 49ers marked their first since Super Bowl IV. 

RAIN = this type of precipitation falls from the clouds in the form of drops

Rain, rain go away! Come again some other day. 

There are four types of raindrops and four types of rain. Check out sciencing.com for more information! 

REIN = restrain, bridle, or control, or limit. FREE REIN, which means freedom, is the antonym or opposite.  

Tug on the reins gently or the horse will spook. 

Rein in your anger, or you'll fall prey to the dark side like Anakin Skywalker was. 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The rain has turned to snow, and the latest forecast calls for 6-12 inches in my neck of the woods. Stay warm and safe, everyone! 

Sincerely,
Laura Fineberg Cooper
A Spoonful of Grammar

#1: THANKFUL
#2: THANK YOU 
#3: GRATEFUL
#4: APPRECIATIVE
#5: GRATITUDE
#6: HEARTFELT
#7: SINCERE
​
These are tumultuous times, but it helps to remind ourselves that we have much to be thankful for. I'm intensely grateful for my health,  family, friends, dog, neighbors, students, and ability to walk, read, write, and virtually connect with readers of my posts on A Spoonful of Grammar and Writers' Rumpus. ​

Please accept my sincerest wishes for your continued safety and good health. 
​
​Laura Fineberg Cooper

What's the difference between PHRASES and CLAUSES? Clauses contain both subjects and verbs, while phrases contain one or the other. In this spoonful, we'll join forces to turn five phrases into sparkling sentences: I'll write two different sentences for each and leave room for you to add your own. Have fun with this and share if you dare!

PHRASE #1: MY COMFORTABLE CHAIR
**Everyone fights to sit in my comfortable chair, even my boxer Honey.

**My comfortable chair is starting to fray, but it's my favorite place to read. 

** (Your turn)

PHRASE #2: A HUNGRY CAT
**A hungry cat meows outside my door, rain or shine.

**A hungry cat pounced atop a field mouse and slurped it down. Yuck!

** (Your turn)

PHRASE #3: MY FAVORITE COOKIES
**My favorite cookies are snickerdoodles with fresh cinnamon.

**Actually, my favorite cookies are whichever ones you want to bake for me!

** (Your turn)

PHRASE #4: THAT CRAZY SQUIRREL
**That crazy squirrel uses our patio furniture as an obstacle course. 

**Every day, that crazy squirrel tries to vault from the Viburnum bush to the bay window to the bird feeder, adjusting its trajectory with each new attempt. 

** (Your turn)

PHRASE #5: TURNS IN CIRCLES AND DANCES
** My boxer Honey turns in circles and dances whenever she wants to get my attention. 

**Maribelle raises her arms, turns in circles, and dances her heart out. 

** (Your turn)
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I hope you enjoyed this latest Spoonful of Grammar and wish you a happy and healthy week ahead. 

Sincerely,
Laura Fineberg Cooper