Scraps and Snippets ~ Almond Pastry ~ Easy Vegan

12 ounces vegan cream cheese (I like Trader Joe's) 1 and 1/2 tubs is 12 ounces

2 packages vegan crescent rolls (again, Trader Joe's are currently vegan and I like them)

2/3 Cup agave

2 tsp almond extract 

1 tsp vanilla extract

Additional TBSP or two of agave

1/4 Cup or so of slivered almonds

Preheat oven to 350

Press one entire package of crescent rolls into the bottom of a 9 x 13 pan sealing up the seams. I lightly greased the sides and bottom.

In a food processor/blender combine the 2/3 cup agave, the cream cheese and the extracts. Process until completely incorporated.

Spread mixture over the crust base. 

Open the other package and press into a 9 x 13 in one or two rectangles (you can get fussy and use waxed paper and a roller and roll it out into a 9 x 13 sheet. I pressed each half of the dough into long rectangles and overlapped them a bit.)

Squirt additional agave over the top crust. Spread out a bit, sprinkle with almonds. The agave helps the nuts stick.

Bake 24-29 minutes until top crust is golden (I baked it 29). Cool completely, slice and serve. 

Merry Christmas!

Scraps and Snippets ~ Bark Doggy Bark

Waiting patiently. 

Doggy Bark

Yumza

More please.

As I mentioned I was contacted by http://dogvacay.com/blog/holiday-recipes-dog/ 
asking me to promote a few dog treat recipes for Christmas etc. and asking me to check out recipes and share any of my own. 

The dog bark was a fun idea. But my grand dogs are vegan. So the bacon and cheese were out.

I also didn't have carob chips around. & aka dog mommy had carob powder though…so here's the recipe.

2 TBSP peanut butter
2 TBSP coconut oil
3 TBSP carob powder
1/8 cup of mixed add-ons that are safe for your four legged friends.
I used toasted coconut, peanuts, oatmeal and pumpkin seeds.
Melt peanut butter and oatmeal. Stir in carob powder until glossy and well mixed. Spread mixture over waxed or parchment paper. Sprinkle add-ons over carob mix and refrigerate until set. Give to dogs who've made Santa's good list. 


If you are looking for dog boarding in Omaha. Here's a link for that, too. 

Scribbles and Scrambles ~ Howliday Fun

I got an email the other day asking me if I'd be interested in checking out dog treat recipes and posting it. "We're getting in the holiday spirit, which for most of us usually includes bonding time with family and lots of tasty foods. Since dogs are often included holiday gatherings, we wanted to put together a list of holiday-themed recipes that can be used to make homemade dog treats." 

Here's the link to see my options. 

http://dogvacay.com/blog/holiday-recipes-dog/

And a link to the local dog boarding options in Omaha. 

Lily and Lola thought my participation was a great idea. 

So. This weekend, I'm going to be making a batch of doggie treats. I'm leaning towards the twisted candy cane cookies (with some changes, of course). Or the fun carob dog bark Vegan style.  

Serials and Scenarios ~ Frying Pan Nonsense...

Baby Steps...

A few years ago, I had a huge attack of insecurity. I decided that I was a mediocre writer and lost my will to write. 

I judged my ability to review books. Why on earth would my opinion account for any thing? It didn't help that I got a couple of personal attack comments and emails from people who didn't care for some of my reviews, or me for that matter. Who was I to judge when I didn't have a clue what I was even doing? Writing rules and regulations, the mechanics messed with my mind. And I honestly didn't feel like I had any thing of value to say. (This, by the way, is a theme I'm currently struggling with in music. Feel free to remind me of this if I rant and whine about music later…k?)

Of course I didn't shut up. I wrestled my thoughts and actions and kept on keeping on. I still wonder why I write my blog sometimes. I hit dry spells where I shut down and use the words of others or even better, God's Word. Other times I resort to empty humor or chatter and in hindsight I wonder at the thousands of words that have come from my mouth and off my fingertips and I hope that they aren't a cacophony of clashing cymbals. 

Occasionally, I get feedback that something I share makes a difference. And that helps me want to continue to pour out my thoughts. 

This novel has been extra challenging for me. The insecurity had me in bondage. So when I promised Michelle I would finish it I had some more wrestling to do before I could even begin. And once I started and found some enjoyment in writing it, I was pleasantly surprised. Even more so, Michelle emailed me and told me that somehow I had grown as a writer over my long hiatus. 

We are putting the final tweaks on the story. Michelle's editing skills are tight, taut and ruthless. The lady is gifted in grammar and she loves to slice and dice. Tonight, I got this comment from her. 

"Laughing Out loud. No, really. I know I've read this several times, but as I'm going over Fern & Zula for the last time before I send it off, I still freaking laugh out loud at lines like this: 

Fern knew by the glazed eyes and faraway stare that Zula had gone to the happy hostess in the sky banquet hall and might have the party already planned down to the folded napkin sculptures and number of M&M’s in each little hideous hot-glued theme-of-the-week candy cup.

You are such a freak and I love you." 

I'm pretty sure this will insulate my heart from insecurities and negative bombs that are sure to come my way. 

Scraps and Snippets ~ Vegan Peppermint Fudge and a Story Update...

I spent the last two days working on edits for Out of the Frying Pan. Can I be honest and tell you that I really like our story? Okay. That sounds so…so…prideful. But, it's the characters I like. Does that sound better? Because the characters are part and parcel, piece and pinches from lots of folks we know and/or would like to know. 

Okay, maybe this will sound better. Peppermint Fudge

I found this recipe in my inbox. Candy Cane Oreo Fudge. Yum. Right? 

Well, of course. The version I made of this hurts so good. So rich, so chocolately, just a perfect hint of peppermint and the mouth feel is crazy velvety. My good friend in grade school introduced me to Bavarian mints when I was a wee lass. I believe those are milk chocolate so they are off my radar, but I remember the feel and taste of those suckers and this is a more grown up version of that. I think I will leave the cookies out next time (after a few days the cookies get really incorporated and soft) and just go for the chocolate mint, or maybe add crushed candy canes with a sprinkle of candy cane on top. 

I live by a Trader Joe's and Trader Joe's has the Peppermint Jo Jos. Just saying. 

Change #1. 

Change # 2. I'm a cheapo. And I didn't want to buy coconut milk creamer. So easy the way she has it, but like I said,  I'm a cheap. So I found a recipe to make your own vegan creamer and since I wasn't putting it in my coffee, I was totally okay with trying it out in a recipe. 

And I wanted to take this a few places so I needed more fudge. So here's what I did, what we got, and here we go. 

18 Peppermint Jo Jo's, Oreos or Candy Cane Oreos (if using cookies)
1 1/8 cup of non-dairy milk
1 1/2 TBSP of agave 
3/4 tsp of cornstarch
3/4 tsp of peppermint extract 
5 and 1/2 Cups vegan semi-sweet chocolate chips (I used the dark, dark ones) 

Grease a 9 x 13 pan. Crumble 16-18 Peppermint Jo Jo's reg Oreos or Candy Cane Oreos on the bottom of the pan. 

Pour milk into a saucepan, add the agave, and cornstarch. Heat until very warm. Add the chocolate chips and stir over very, very low heat until melted. Add the peppermint extract. Pour the chocolate mixture over the cookies. Spin or use a spoon to fill in any holes. Refrigerate two hours, cut the fudge into bite sized pieces and run a knife around the edge of the pan to loosen the fudge. Return to and store in fridge. 

Scribbles and Scrambles ~ Dashing Thru the Fudge

Dashing through the fudge,

in an ugly Christmas sweater,

trying to find "the" gift, 

distracted by the glitter.

Bells in kettle ringers hands,

making spirits divisive,

try to keep upbeat,

someone will complain.

Oh, crazy days, crazy days, will it ever end?

Oh what stress to dash and spin in an overwrought holiday.

Join me in taking a deep breath. Remember that Christmas doesn't have to be insane and disappointing. The more consumerism we buy into the less satisfying it is because it's not about gifts and matching Christmas china and over-the-top recipes. It's about someone. Someone who came as a baby, who lived perfectly and died to give us a gateway to freedom from oppression. Even the oppression of our crazy selves who want desperately to grab all the gusto life has to offer. Life really only comes from accepting the life and gift of Christ and letting Him guide and direct us to become a mini-Him. 

I hope your Christmas season includes moments of wonder and miracles. I pray that you find truth that touches your soul and your heart. I hope you connect with someone you need to spend face time with, and that your days are filled with laughter and memories, fudge and music. I hope your new year is touched with growth and abundant life. Not abundant busyness chasing after life, but the real deal. The kind that cause you to relax into the knowledge that you are not alone and you are desperately loved. 

I'm going to be sporadic the next few weeks while I dash about, or stop and do the things that are important for my sanity. This message should maybe be delivered on Christmas eve, but I wanted to share my thoughts while they were on my heart and in my mind…use em or lose em.