Scribbles and Scrambles ~ Walnut Rain

Remember the YouTube sensation that rocked the world? Chocolate Rain? Well, I'm not going to sing or do a video about something similar. I'm just going to ramble a bit about walnuts. And rain. Not even rain. I'm just going to ramble about walnuts. 

You see, we have a walnut tree in our back yard. This would be great except for the fact that we are talking Black Walnuts vs. English Walnuts. Black Walnuts taste....looking for an appropriate word....nasty. That's it. To my palate, they are horrible. I love English Walnuts. Black Walnuts are their sweeter, mapley, burnt tasting cousins that grow in my back yard. 

Our neighbor has a shop building 100 feet down from us. And when the walnut tree sheds the walnuts it is sometimes real loud. And I've had the dog alarm sound at the bang of a walnut hitting the shed. Not pretty. Even when one of the walnuts, which by the way is encased in a covering that will turn your fingers black for two weeks if you try to pry it open, drops onto the dirt from 50 feet up it makes a thud AND leaves an indentation. I have yet to get hit in the head with one, but there is evidence of this phenomenon all over my yard and patio And if I wanted to make up a song about it and put it on YouYube it would be a scary thing indeed. It would would contain words that imply violence.  So for all out sakes Walnut Rain is just going to remain rambling. You are welcome.  

Scraps and Snippets - Hoo Doggie

I 've been fascinated with the whole carrot dog vegan hot dog sub idea. I went so far as to make baby carrot "beanie weenies" a couple of years ago.  If you missed that it was a crock pot full of baby carrots slathered in whatever sauce you like for your little smokies or beanie weenies and slow cooked until the sauce caramelizes a bit and the carrots are soft but with just enough tooth feel to fool the mind. 

But recipes for the real deal vegan carrot dogs are more complicated, involving ingredients and soaking and brineing. But on Pinterest I happened to just see a pin for brats cooked in beer and garlic and I wondered. What if I cooked carrots in beer and garlic?  So I bought a big old cheap 40 ounce beer and dumped it in a crock pot with peeled full size carrots cut into hot dog lengths. I sliced up about 6 cloves of garlic and threw in a teaspoon of salt. Then I put them on high for 5 hours. I cooked them until they were fork tender but still had a little resistance. With dill relish and mustard these were amazing and satisfying and guilt free. I even charred one over a camp fire and the one pictured was under the broiler and got nice grill marks so these are winners on several levels. (And because no meat touched the beer and garlic, I am going to do something with it,  probably a beer cheesy soup or sauce with cauliflower or potatoes. I'll post it when I get er done. 

Scribbles and Scrambles ~ Weekend Update

 My daughter had a rough weekend. Labor, C-Section, worry, sleepless nights. The first of many...the sleepless nights and worry anyways. Rob and I got to welcome a grand baby into our lives. Biologically number one for Rob, but in our hearts an equal four-way share. 

I generally dislike photos of myself. However, I think holding this baby is the magic trick I've been needing to look good on film. :  ). Little BC is struggling with low blood sugars. But he needed an emergency C-Section because he was not doing well with contractions. We are trusting the Lord to work out those minute body system details. 

Scribbles and Scrambles~ The Curious Case of the Mistaken Identity

A few weeks ago I spent a lovely day it with my little grandloves and we took a trip to the zoo. Oh, so many exciting things to see. We even saw a turtle giving another turtle a piggy back ride!  Those silly turtles.

My daughter loves bulldogs. I must admit I think they are pretty stinking cute too. While we were driving down the street with the kiddos a bulldog popped his cute little mooshface out the window. My daughter and I oohed and ahhed but she couldn't get her phone out quick enough to snap a picture. So I maneuvered through traffic to get close. We crept up, camera at the ready but the dog had apparently decided to lie down. Sigh.

Of note, this whole conversation and unfolding paparazzi drama was outloud and the children were kind of interacting. The bulldog car turned after we passed it and my daughter mentioned it. A few blocks later the 6 year old pipes up from the back seat, "Mom! I see the dog. Is that the dog?" My daughter looks around, I look around. She says" he turned a ways back. I don't see his car." The 6 year old points and says, "that car right there!"

My daughter started laughing. "Oh, Honey, that's not a dog. That's a little old lady with fluffy hair."

not a mooshface bulldog, not a little old lady either. just a beagle butt. 

Scribbles and Scrambles ~ To Purge or Not to Purge.

The more I get rid of the more I question my motivation for having so much to purge. The five scarves (this purge round) still leave ten in my closet. Though there are eight mugs headed out the door I have enough mugs for significant number of folks for brunch. 

The clothing....I can't imagine being a capsule wardrobe kinda gal who only owns 30 something pieces total. But I know I have too many items in my closet so I ruthlessly throw items into a bag when it can't stand and fight under my scrutiny anymore. I can't wrap my brain around the idea that two button blouses, two tees, two cardigans, three pairs of pants, a cute dress, three skirts, one sweater, two purses, three pairs of shoes, a jacket, a coat, a trench coat, two scarves, two necklaces, a lacy/fancy tank(...that's 29...I could add more?) is enough. I can't picture this being a workable scenario for me, just because my mind wants to panic at the idea of three pairs of pants and five tops. But the idea is that each of these pieces meshes with the others and with them there are a bunch of different outfit scenarios. One source said 72 outfits with 12 pieces. Here's a website that has interesting links, info etc. I'm too scared to go crazy ruthless...but if I have six pairs of pants and six skirts and ten blouses and ten tanks or tees and six cardigans/jackets....that's a lot of outfits if they coordinate. Hmmm. I maybe need to get even more ruthless. Dare I?  

I'm also really starting to think of what I spent for my collection of stuff. I am truly grateful I'm a clearance and thrift store shopper or I'd be depressed. Honestly. One of the mugs that is leaving my home was part of three purchased because they were a bargain at $.99 each. I have never needed all three, or two. Another couple of ideas that seemed good at the time and were seriously discounted were $6.00 a piece and they haven't done a single thing but gather dust for four years. Someone else needs them.  I do not. But you know what, I want that money back. A buck at a time adds up pretty quick. Just those three items is $13.00 equal to two coffee splurges with tips. 

In spite of all my questions, I do know this...it feels better to give and purge than to buy and hoard.

Scribbles and Scrambles ~ Officially Unique

According to BarkPost Gladys and Gertrude are not on the list of most popular dog names. 

However, the top 7 food inspired dog names were amusing. 

Olive. 

Snickers.

Nutmeg.

Sake.

Kahlua.

Pumpkin.

AND Kale!!!! 

Scribbles and Scrambles ~ NDD Recap

Wednesday = National Dog Day. 

This photo = Gladys's reaction to her day.  Maybe I should've made cupcakes.