Scribbles and Scrambles ~ Trip Review

Twin Cities…Minneapolis and St. Paul thoughts.

Seeing the world through baby eyes...

Do I recommend Minnesota in January? Well, it's going to be 23 degrees BELOW zero today. Nuff said? 

While we were there last week we did have some warm indoor fun.

At the Chatterbox we ate black bean burgers among other things and played a rousing game of Scrabble. 



We visited the science museum for the first time.

Newborn baby glasses...

Not wearing baby glasses, just shades...

We've visited the history museum, the art museum on previous trips over the years. 

I was a little "meh" about the science museum. I hate to admit that, but it just wasn't all that exciting. If I had little kids along, it would've been a different story. There are dinosaurs and fascinating exhibits that are geared toward kids. The interesting bits for me… a demonstration involving fire that toad boy would've loved back in the day. & and I played around with glasses that gave us the perspective of a newborn baby and magnified our eyes. Note to new parents, get in your baby's face if you want them to see you, seriously, six inches is about as far as they can see. There was a mummy exhibit with a CT scan and interesting mummy facts.  

The negative aspects for us beside the lack of kids, we had to stand in the indoor line queue for an hour just to get into the museum. And the cost was up there, too, $13.00 for just the basic exhibits and $10.00 to park. Overall, I would recommend the art museum for the cost as well as the pretties…when we went it was free. I'd also recommend the history museum because of the diverse areas that appealed to kids and adults at a few dollars a head cheaper. 

Michelle always loves to try out new recipes when we visit so we always eat well and way too much. She did tone it down a bit and offer a leftover night. I came home with some new recipes that are delicious, including falafel and vegan tzatziki sauce.

We also managed to slip in a visit to Comedy Sportz. At $14.00 a piece it's pricey but worth it for the two hours of LOL fun. They are ridiculous and funny. 

I wouldn't venture out to Minneapolis today. But, it's definitely worth a visit especially if you know any good cooks/hostesses. If you offer me enough of a finder's fee I'll even hook you up with Michelle's contact info. 

Scribbles and Scrambles ~ Clear...

I stumbled here http://365grateful.com on the 1st of 2014. I like the simplicity of this idea. 

I want to take a daily picture of something that brings me joy, or peace or thoughtfulness every day.

This is my photo from the 1st of January.

Oddly, I love light shining through glass. Why? I don't really know. Maybe it's a spiritual picture of what I long to be…a light bearer, transparent, without shifting shadows. This is a pretty realistic picture of where I'm at complete with shadows and some opacity. 

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!