Scribbles and Scrambles ~ A Different Take on Training.

Charlie is a smart one. 

Let's think this one through shall we? Lil Laura is going to be at Charlie's licking level for a few years. He's probably seen how messy children's faces get. He's maybe seen children in high chairs tossing bits all over the place. 

I think that Charlie is training Laura to share. And while he's at it, teaching her the beauty of a good game of fetch. And making sure she knows who her best friend truly is. 

Oh, yeah, it's not the smart move of tossing toys to the baby, it's the baby training behind the ball game. 

Thanks Mom for sharing the video. 

Scribbles and Scrambles ~ Just a Paws...

Last night while working on my post for today my computer decided to be challenging. So here's a puppy paw. That's all. 

Serials and Scenarios ~ drips coffee/gallery - review

 I have been negligent, again. How could I go to a coffee shop many, many times and not review it?  

I will rectify this now. 

drips is the most unique coffee shop I've ever been in. For starters, there are limited coffee house sounds such as screaming, steaming milk. When coffee is ordered the owner/artist, Tres, grinds the perfect number of beans and crafts a delicious pour over. 

Pretty much, those who want frou-frou with chocolate or caramel drizzle with meh coffee shouldn't plan on having that itch scratched. However, fans of coffee...the real deal with all the diverse qualities that make each estate, each coffee growing region unique will adore Tres's pours. Tres chooses beans with coffee lover palates in mind. And he's more than happy to talk about the subtle and not-so-subtle qualities of the coffee. 

Tres also experiments with other drinks, I watched him make an iced coffee yesterday, and I've heard about some amazingly decadent creations that include things like butter. 

Right now he is serving a unique bean and he updates his Facebook Page often.  He even offers a little historical coffee information about the limited-time newest bean offering. 

drips atmosphere is cool and ever changing. Different artists hang their pieces in the gallery, and Tres often is hard at work on his own creations. 

I think drips is the only non-chain coffee location in Council Bluffs. If you are a coffee lover you owe it to yourself to check it out if you are a Council Bluffs or Omaha resident or visitor. Located in the historic Main Street section of Council Bluffs, it's near the Dodge House and infamous Squirrel Cage Jail. 

Scribbles and Scrambles ~ Just Cute Dogs..

 When I got home yesterday I found bonus dogs. Ha Ha. Lily and Lola visited while I was at work. I miss those girls. Then I looked at pictures of more cute pups. http://www.boredpanda.com/growing-up-before-and-after-dog-photos/

Serials and Scenarios ~ If You're Looking for Something to Read...

 I've got three book recommendations for you.  (BTW Gertie gives each of these books a solid 4.5 tail wags) I'm linking the books to an online bookseller so you can read the back cover copy and other reviews. But I'll give you my thoughts. 

Lisa Wingate's The Story Keeper. Lisa Wingate's novels have become some of my favorites. 

She has this cool story within a story thing that has presented itself in the three novels of hers that I've read...  an unfolding mysterious story line within a story where a heroine needs to solve the mystery to enhance/change/find hope/healing etc in her life. Wingate writes as smooth as high quality chocolate and some of her paragraphs/scenes are as satisfying. In this particular novel, The Story Keeper, Wingate introduces us to Jen, a newly hired editor at a highly respected small publisher in New York. Jen has a secret past, though. One that is painful and haunts her at very inconvenient times. A file ends up on her desk and once she opens it her story begins unfurling and her carefully guarded past slops over into her present. One of my all time favorite books is Francine Rivers's The Last Sin Eater. Wingate's story within a story is set in the hills of Appalachia and the cadence and mysterious beliefs and language of the people of the hills reminded me of the beauty of Rivers's novel. If you love great writing and powerful stories, give this one a shot. 

Next: Marvelous by Travis Thrasher. 

Thrasher creates complex, living breathing characters and puts them in some pretty sticky situations. Brandon, the summer before his senior year, is working two jobs to repair/replace the car his friend borrowed and crashed. Marvella is a new, funky girl in town.

The two of them meet at the quirky record store where both need a job. Brandon had already snagged it, but inspired by instant attraction for Marvella, he interviews her and offers her the job. Brandon then has two jobs but only gets paid for one. But he receives another form of payment, time with Marvel and her friendship. And if the story was just that it'd be sweet and adorable, the end.

But that's not the story line. 

Marvel is loaded with dark and twisty secrets that will rock Brandon's world as she shares them as their friendship grows. Brandon has a shameful secret of his own. And unsettling things are happening all around them.  A former classmate is found in the river and it's not an accidental drowning, is there a serial killer living in their small town? Then Brandon ends up on half the football team's whuppin list when he stands up to a gang of bullies. Marvel finally reveals a piece of the puzzle to Brandon, that she is destined to save people and that destiny is galloping toward them. 

Whew. This is a page turner. It could be too intense for younger teens because of the subject matter. However, those who love nitty gritty fiction should adore this one. The writing is tight enough to bounce a quarter off and Thrasher has come up with a page turner. I was so disappointed when Marvelous ended because I now have to wait for the other shoe to drop. Or shoes, there are four books in the series.

Finally. 

Prime of Life written by P. D. Bekendam. 

This one was a huge surprise. Okay. Call me snotty, but my expectations weren't high. It's written by a doctor. (I work in medicine, and though my docs are brilliant and wonder and all that, the focus and dedication to medicine doesn't leave a lot of time for the focus and dedication required to write well, just saying.) My interest was piqued because a purchase = a donation to a terrific cause though. I put the novel in my purse and to read when I had wait times during my activities of daily living. 

However, once I began reading the novel it became a must-finish-this-book-as-soon-as-possible read. The writing clips along nicely. The characters are quirky with a capital Q. Prime of Life is a charming read. Moments of deep or melancholy pepper the book along with loads of humor and sarcasm. The one caution I have is that there is a little bit of curmudgeonly humor that might offend more sensitive readers. 

Scribbles and Scrambles ~ Month of

I have mixed feelings about not participating in Vegan MoFo this year. (Vegan Month of Food). It's not like it's ubertaxing to post 20 times in a month. I do that regularly. But I didn't plan ahead like I should have in order to do it up right. 

So, September won't have a theme. 

I think November might promise a little NaNoWriMo, though. I haven't mentioned this yet, but Out of the Frying Pan has received another offer from a house we'd love to be part of. One comments was that there would be some interest in our series ideas. 

We have the basic plot ideas, but I've been thinking about the nuts and bolts lately. And I have a couple scenes in my head that probably should find their way into a document. So. There's that. 

My long weekend was the best. Super low-key. I didn't even leave the house on Saturday. The best. And Monday included a long walk with &, her kids and Lily and Lola. Beautiful morning. And though there were a few moments of weeping on the trail it was lovely none-the-less. Those weeping were the under 6 crowd and I believe most of those issues had to do with the word "no."

Sunday evening Rob and I packed the three kids up and drove them to an epic kids/family event. &'s boss's bakery/coffee house was providing cupcakes and treats and & needed to work the event. One problem. Weather. As we arrived big, fat raindrops were just beginning to fall out of the sky. Scads of people left and scads more hauled all the outdoor items into the church. The kids got to do a bouncy house obstacle course that took up half the large church's foyer. And they each got balloon sculptures. A pink hat with a bumblebee, (the 3 year old insisted she'd seen one there), a parrot that actually perched on a shoulder, and a stripey unicorn hat that ended up becoming a weapon used against me. 

The rain finally stopped and they church was able to set off the planned firework show. The best part was the distant lightning that punctuated the event. And the occasional boom that set off a car alarm in the parking lot. Ha. Ha. 

Serials and Scenarios ~ Restaurant Review. Omaha's Block 16

 I have been remiss. And I apologize. Somehow. I have not reviewed Block 16. That's going to change, now. 

Located on Farnam Street at the outskirts of the historic Old Market district in Omaha is a row of restaurants. Smack dab in the middle between 16th and 17th is Block 16. 

The restaurant is simple with a neighborhood bar/bistro feel. The line drawing art of a pig, butcher-style, bike with areas of interest noted, and a M or W written on waiter pad paper for the bathroom doors kind of says it all. What you see is what you get. 

I've been to Block 16, or been treated to their menu items a dozen or so times over the past 2 years. I have yet to be disappointed. 

Fries. PB Bean Burger and Vegan Reuben.

Simple decor. Local feel. 

Several times, as I've waited for take out I've had the opportunity to chat with staff members and have  enjoyed doing so. The chef owners are well traveled and have perfected some sweet skills with seitan and other vegan meat subs. The menu is not going to annoy any meat eaters in the group either. This isn't a hippie joint and there are many hearty animal flesh items on the menu. 

However, as a vegan I really appreciate the fact that the chefs can pull off very satisfying alternatives. 

I think the vegan Reuben served at Block 16 might just rival any Reuben on the planet. Seasoned strips of seitan, capers, thin slivers of beets, and slaw on rye. I am drawn to it every time I step foot through the door.       

Additionally, Block 16 is where I first tasted jack fruit. BBQ pulled pork style and dang, it made a fan out of me. A "fish" Tartine sandwich made with breaded tofu and smeared with mayo and lettuce is a delicious, satisfying meal. Other monthly specials have been buffalo "wings" and Mexican offerings. I attended 2 Vegan Omaha events there and one offered some delicious Thai food. The chefs know their stuff. 

Finally, Block 16 offers a peanut butter smeared bean burger that is off the charts. Pickles, peanut butter and a very satisfying burger that doesn't turn into mush when you bite into it or taste bland. 

Most sandwiches are under $9.00 and you can get fries and a drink for around $11.00, too. They use a local bakery for the sandwich bread and shop our local farmer's market. With influences from some of the best vegan communities in North America they know their vegan. 

If you are headed to Omaha and you are intrigued to have a taste of Omaha in all it's local, simple glory, give Block 16 a try. I don't think you'll be sorry.