Scribbles and Scrambles ~ Ridiculous

My sense of humor is a little off the wall.

My family used to watch me during sad/touching scenes in movies because I'd always cry. But not that long ago someone made the startling realization that when I watch anything that others might be rolling around on the floor laughing at, I may remain stone cold sober....until someone gets hurt.

Sick and twisted I know, but I love me some good physical humor. And I love ridiculous and clever one-liners. I also kinda love jokes that are "innocently" socially unacceptable.  Along the lines of little Susie swallowed a spoon....or "Cat's Revenge"...

Anyhoo. As I got into the truck to head home after work, I saw a shopping list Rob had written that included some supplies for &'s apartment. One of the words triggered a memory of one of those socially unacceptable jokes that I find to be hilarious.

And I seriously chuckled all the way home.

I can't tell you what the joke is because a) it's socially unacceptable and b) because you would be so confused as to why the incident triggered the giggles...really...not that funny.....unless you are me...then it's stinkin hilarious.

Here's hoping you witness something that tickles your funny bone today.

Scribbles and Scrambles ~ Squeal-a-thon...

Time to fess up and tell those of you who don't know that I've embarked on one of the more challenging adventures in my life. I mean seriously challenging.

The picture is a clue. It's an unfortunate picture because I hit a little snafu this week. (story coming)

Here's the explanation...since sometime around Christmas, I picked up the violin again.

Let me clarify.... when I say "picked up the violin" I basically mean I pick it up and make it squawk in ways it should never squeak.

I now "know" and by "know" I mean kind of recognize and, if I stand just so, and hold my right hand, elbow and shoulder just perfect and contort my left arm, wrist and fingers into intense positions, can play 13 notes.

Trust me, 13 notes is almost a miracle. And this is one of the hardest things I've ever done. What I learned in 4th grade, I do NOT remember. What I tried to learn by teaching myself via books and the internet two years ago was surpassed in the first ten minutes in my first lesson.

And from what my teacher tells me, 13 notes is the tip of the iceberg.

Trust me, there will be more coming....

Scraps and Snippets ~ Garlic French Bread Pizza

Garlic French Bread Pizza

Make sure your bread is dairy-free, some bakeries may use an eggwash. 

Slice the bread in half lengthwise.  And then in half horizontally so you have four pieces of approx the same size. 

2 TBSP Earth Balance 
1 tsp (or to your preference depending on how much you like garlic, you might want to start with 1/2 teaspoon) garlic powder

Mix together and smear the mixture onto the four pieces of bread. (You don't want it to be thick, just a nice flavor enhancing covering.)

Let sit while you saute your vegetables. 

I used thin sliced asparagus, mushrooms and onions on this one. 3/4 to 1 cup of mushrooms and asparagus should do, the onion about half of that. Basil, tomatoes and garlic slivers would be amazing. As would olives. Just about anything you'd love on your vegan pizza would be tasty. This is a great way to use up extra veggies or leftovers.

Saute the veggies to doneness you desire. 

Broil the bread until the Earth Balance begins to brown. Don't let it get too brown. Ha.Ha. Like I did. When the middle of each section appears golden, add the veggies. Sprinkle. Really, lightly, you just want to enhance the flavor, not bury it in cheese, sprinkle, Vegan mozzarella over it. (Daiya or Trader Joe's are good choices) About 3 ounces or so. Broil again until the cheese melts. 

Scraps and Snippets ~ Cinnamon Pecan Date Bars

I found a date bar recipe online last week. Rob loved his Mom's date bars and I had a church potluck coming up. So I tweaked the recipe making it Vegan and decreasing the sugar and added cinnamon and pecans. Let me just say, Yum. 

Cinnamon Pecan Date Bars

Filling
 
12 to 16 oz chopped dates  (about 3 cups cut up)
1 1/4 cup water
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Combine chopped dates and water in a saucepan and bring to a simmer, stirring often.  Simmer gently until thickened, about 10 - 15 minutes.
 
Add lemon juice, stir well. Add cinnamon and stir again.

Crust and Crumb Topping

1/2 cup coconut oil softened
2/3 cup brown sugar
1/8 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/4 cup large flake oatmeal
1 Cup chopped pecans

Grease a  8 X 11 inch or 9 inch square pan or line with parchment paper.  Preheat oven to 350 F
 
Cream coconut oil and sugars together well. 
 
Add flour and baking soda and stir to combine.  Add the oatmeal and pecans and mix the ingredients with your hands.
 
Press 2/3 of the mixture into the pan firmly. Spread the date filling evenly over the base and sprinkle with remaining crumbs.  Spread evenly and pat gently .
 
Bake for 25 - 30 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool and cut into bars or squares.
 
Keep covered in the refrigerator or freeze.

Scribbles and Scrambles ~ Would You?

Plinky asked. 

 

If you could live your life over again, would you choose to do it? Why or why not? 

 

My answer? 

 

Hands down YES. 

 

Every mistake, every error, every challenge and every hurt has taught me, changed me and made me cling all the harder to life and what that means. 

 

I have found blessings in the darkest nights of my soul. God has proved Himself to me and given me reason for hope, regardless of circumstances. 

 

The people in my life, those near/dear ones have shaped me and  loved me, and I'm eternally grateful for their fingerprints on my life.

Scribbles and Scrambles ~ Summing...

Plinky to the rescue again. 

Choose and write about 5 (or 10) possessions that sum up who you are. 

 

 Hmmm. This may be easy...or then again, not. 

 

1.)  The item that makes me feel righteous to mention as number 1 is my Bible. Just like a little kid who answers all his Sunday School teacher's questions with God, Jesus or the Bible because chances are one of those will be the answer.  But the absolute underlying truth is that I want my life to spark in people a desire to know Jesus. And He is the central person in the Bible.  And He was not about religion. So. I hope as I walk with Him I grow more to look like Him. Knowing Him means I read His words and talk to Him. The Bible it is then.

 

2. )  Family pictures. My little band of six. There is nothing I love more than spending time with my kids and my husband. 

 

 3. ) Cookbooks and cooking tools. I don't need to explain that one further, right? 

 

4. ) This one is imaginary because it does not exist as one of my possessions, but I kind of wish it did. A DVD of all my favorite laugh out loud clips from my favorite movies and television shows. Not the full shows, just the clips. How fun to be able to watch all of those hilarious moments whenever I was having a bad day. The twist here is that my sense of humor is skewed and most of my favorite clips involve someone taking a tumble. And a book of stellar writing moments, too, would be amazing, all of those favorite turns of phrase or word art. Strange that my writing collection would be deep and mind tweaking. I don't know that I'd have much funny in the word keeper department.

 

5. ) Color. Seriously. Color. I need a variety. It makes me happy. Just like polka dots. And color and polka dots are the best combo. And texture. Gotta throw that in there. I need to get one of those super fuzzy floppy rugs in multicolored polka dot.  Then that would be me and my number 5.

 

 

Scribbles and Scrambles ~ Missing Anything?

The dogs officially moved out yesterday. Had I not had one of those days where I hit the ground at warp speed and then fell into bed an exhausted shell of a woman I might have grieved. 

But. Here is why I didn't feel sorrow when entering an empty, quiet house: 

1.) Well. There's the crazy to-do list that drove me. 

2.) The dogs came over to visit.

3.) Feral, bless his dear, sweet little kitty heart, decided he'd act bigger than life. First, he left me a small package, likely because he's a) become a litter snob b) his "water closet" is housed in our water closet/utility room/bathroom. And yesterday there was some dog laundry. And hearing the sounds coming from the dryer made me think I might want to find a quiet spot to do my business in, too. Clanging and clunking and an occasional moanlike shifting made me think that we were in a Bones episode. 

So I'm hoping Feral's delicate mental health compelled him leave a deposit for me...rather than litter preference, or passive aggressive punishment for something I'm not even aware I did to offend him.

Oh, and then the precious kitty hoarked up a few hairballs for me as well. Imagine, if you will, how much I was enjoying the idea of domesticated animals in my home.

4) The dogs are visiting again. They will come to my house to hang out while we are at work because the apartment below our daughter has a family of 4 little kids. And until the dogs get used to kid noises & decided days at Grandma's would be better for all concerned. And I do have a morning peanut butter knife. So there we go.