Scribbles and Scrambles ~ Fishing for Truth

Albert Einstein said

“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”

Look for the admirable and strengths in others … and in yourself. 

A fish isn't equipped to climb a tree. A human isn't capable of spending life swimming in the coral reefs. A bird can not carry a man. A horse can not sing. But all, in their unique ways, are genius by design and are created to be the best creature they can become. 

A bird glorifies God by singing the song created for it to sing. A horse running toward it's goal is fulfilling it's purpose. A fish, brilliant in color and design, swimming amongst the coral is genius in simplicity and complexity. 

And what about a human? The value, the spirit, the soul of a human? Designed to bear God's image and fulfill the call of God, to walk in the works He prepared for each one…how can we call any human less than magnificent? Life is a gift and we are designed to live it to our full potential. 

Scribbles and Scrambles ~ Endings and Beginnings…Thoughts for a New Year...

Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate, but that we are powerful beyond measure. 

It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, handsome, talented and fabulous? 

Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. 

We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us. It is not just in some; it is in everyone. 

And, as we let our own light shine, we consciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our fear, our presence automatically liberates others. 

Nelson Mandela 1994 inaugural speech

Scribbles and Scrambles ~ Thoughts...

The year ends and a new one begins. 

I don't usually make new year's resolutions. It's not that I don't think they are a great idea. On so many levels they are. 

As a matter of fact, I read a statistic that if a person has a resolution they are ten times more likely to keep it. I think this is slightly amusing. How does one measure that? If I wish vs. set a goal, okay. it makes sense setting a goal vs. a wish is definitely engaging the brain and pushing one into making different choices. If I write down a goal vs. just state it, okay, there are studies showing that writing something down makes the brain view it as more concrete. But the ambiguous statement I mentioned is an interesting spin and I wonder how much that study cost. 

Can people change? Absolutely. Do the majority choose to change without pressure to do so? Not so much. Why should we change when life is comfortable? 

This year has been about some changes in my thinking and actions. And I'm not interested in coasting this coming year. I want to live my life, not sit it out. 

I'm going to be tossing out some quotes and thoughts over the next few days or weeks. Maybe even a goal or two. 

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.