What do you see?

I have quite a busy day ahead, as were the two before this one.

I do have something that has been on my mind to share with you though.


I was stumbling the internet the other day and came across this!



Perspective is an unusual thing, is it not?
See the cute little doggie ears, eyes, and nose?

See if you can make it happen on this picture too!



Yikes, that dog is looking a little angry!

Just something to get ya thinking, and smiling.

Have a great Wednesday!

Fish for lunch

Nicoll, I couldn't possibly do a whole blog post about silly bands,
however...


When I pulled back the curtain in my middle sons room this morning, as I do everyday, this is what greeted me on the windowsill.
(I rearranged them for this purpose.)
He said that he figured some of them were glow in the dark, so he had them there soaking in what would prove to be a sunny spot later in the day.

Silly bandz, in the window!
Now that is something to blog about!

Here is what Wikipedia said about them.
"The original shaped silicone rubber bands were created in 2002 by a Japanese design team who wanted to introduce a more environmentally-sustainable rubber band as an office product. Robert Croak, owner of Toledo, Ohio-based BCP Imports (known for distributing the Livestrong wristbands^[2]), encountered the bands on a business trip and decided to re-purpose them as a toy by making them larger and thicker, and marketing them as a kids' fashion accessory."
I had no idea...did you??
I have got to admit, those little colorful shapes are fun to look at!


I might possibly be able to write an entire post about chocolate pie, but not today.
I did, however, make chocolate pie the other day.
Why did it take me almost 40 years to figure that one out??
It is really not that big of a deal, and oh so yummy.
Along those lines I am thinking about making this Cafe' au lait pudding!!!
But after making my chocolate pie the other day this recipe makes me have so many questions which will send me on several wild goose chases to find out what I want.
Why are there no eggs?
Can I make it without so much cornstarch?
Why do I care that there is so much cornstarch?
Could it be more chocolaty and still maintain the integrity of the au lait part of it?
Do I have to put it in an ice bath??

Sigh!!
I wish it was like the Matrix and I could just download a program and have instant pudding making knowledge and skills!
Maybe my cooking friend will come to my rescue!?!



See my little dog?


I put the nerf bullet there for you as a size comparison, and to work it into the conversation!
She is less than 20 pounds and as strong as an ox!!
Those little legs which happen to be
...hold on a minute let me measure.
Ahhh yes...
9 1/2 inches long,
can walk faster than my 3 1/2 foot long legs!
How can that be possible??
She is relentless in her energy and speed!
And aren't those ears just the bomb? They are so expressive!
That is just a nice way of saying HUGE! That is some big ears on a little dog!



Did I tell you about the new plecostomus (a large common algae sucker catfish looking fish)?
I can't remember.
This one I am referring to, had outgrown his tank and needed a new spacious dwelling!
He has been living here in our pond for a good 3 weeks or so, and is very elusive.
Yesterday I finally spotted him, hiding near the base of the water lily plant!
He seems to be quite content.
Not that I am sure how I would know otherwise.



How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?
I have always wondered that?


I went to the fish store yesterday!


I couldn't get over these fish, and their soft colors!
Lavender, pale blue, soft pink, seafoam green, butter yellow.
They would all swim around then all at once turn and look at you as a group, then take off again!
FREAKY!!!
I was entranced!
I was creeped out!
I don't like it when fish look at me.


Is it wrong that I am thinking about having fish for lunch?

Is it wrong that I am thinking about chocolate pie?

I am trying to think of a fantastic way to tie all of this stuff together and wrap up this post with a bang.
I can assure you that it is not gonna happen.

I am gonna have fish for lunch though...
and chocolate pie!

My walk today!

Soooo, you know how I am supposed to be walking my dog everyday per the advice of my good friend Cesar?!
Well, I have been.
Except for weekends and holidays...just like government work! hee hee

Well, she has been out of control the last few days and I have found that I have not taken the time to enjoy God's creation like I want to when I am walking.
Today was the day to put an end to that.
She is not the boss of me!!
So I brought along my handy cell phone,which as you know takes amazing photos!!

And I will now chronicle my journey in pictures!



With all of the rain we have been having the toadstools are rampant around here. They range from little bitty about the size of a dime to really large, about the size of my dog's head. I mean her head isn't large, but that is a big size for a sh'room!


Wowza, see how amazing that is. I forgot to say, but it is obvious that the sh'rooms range from white to tanish brown.






I loved that there was this gorgeous rounded smooth one, hanging out next to the ripply, frilly stacked crazy one.

There was one other variety, which is small and almost see thru. Didn't take a picture of that one. I thought...ok...surely 3 fungus pictures is overkill as it is!!







These here roses grow just outside my front door.
They seem to be ever giving.
I really appreciate that about them!






Check out these crazy bean things.
I should have done some research, and maybe I will.
But for today I am trying to get this post up in ten minutes or less so photos and brief commentary is all ya get!
Those beans were at least 7 inches long. My favorite is the gorgeous yellow tops holding them on! Fantastic!






These are called Beauty Berries.
Of this I am certain, I had to draw 'em once for something and did the research then.
They start off green then turn this amazing color. The are quite prolific around here.








I hope this photo is clear enough for you to see the little dew drops on Shelby's nose.
She of course sniffs around in the grass and gets those tiny little drops clinging to her hair.
Adorable!!




I was soooooo very glad that I chose today to do my photo chronicles when I came upon this as I rounded the corner!!!



A yard full of pink flamingos!
Now, I don't know about where you live, but where I live this is a big no no!!!
We have very stiff rules about what can and cannot go in your yard and what color your house can be, and when your trash can has to come off the curb, and and and.

So this made me laugh out loud to see.

Enjoy your day...I gotta get!!!!

Riveting

Wow, I started this post 5 days ago, and never got it finished.
( I think the time and date stamp on it will still say the old date, but I don't want to risk erasing everything by trying to make a copy!)
Such is the life of a busy Mom!
Somethings have got to give some days!
This place for writing is one of those things.

So, I am supposed to be telling you about this plant which is growing in my pond.
As far as I can tell it is a Sagittaria latifolia - Arrowhead Duck Potato.

A duck potato???
Strange!
Being the responsible blogger that I am, I simply had to do some more research on this topic!
I mean you can't just throw the words "duck potato" out there with no explanation.

This is such an interesting topic, that I found another guy who had done some writing about it as well. Please click here for his riveting post on our topic!!!
I mean Duck Potatoes are fascinating and awe inspiring!!

I actually had no idea that they were such an amazingly entertaining and edible plant, I just thought they were a great place for bugs to live.
Ah, yes... on to the original intent of this post...finally.



I went outside to take a series of blurry, low quality pictures with my cell phone.
This plant is the one I was aiming for, you know the duck potato plant.
I just had to say it again.
But upon further inspection, I noticed a tiny little orange fly on there.

Do you see him??
I know, it is hard to see clearly, so just imagine if you will that tiny cute little orange fly is on that leaf. I mean, it is on there, but the photo is so bad that you might have to imagine it.
The leaf alone is spectacular, right?
As these age they begin to turn yellow, all except for the veins. This creates quite a spectacle for the eye don't you think!
But having the extra bonus of the little orange fly on that leaf really made my day.

Now check this out.

This is a younger leaf.
They grow on the top of tall, strong, straight stalks which are probably a good foot and a half high.

Now, I know you didn't miss that big black fly on there did ya???
Ok, some of you did.
Scroll back up and look at him there.
I took lots of pictures and he never moved!

It made me wonder if a spider had sucked all his guts out and left him just sitting there.
If I were braver I may have poked him...but brave I am not.
I know, I know... it is just a fly but I am not much into bugs of any type.

Except for the exception of badly photographing and blogging about them.

Since I was already there, and this was turning out to be a bug condominium kind of day, I continued to inspect the leaves.
Just look what I found next!

It is a preying mantis!!
Won't you be glad when I get a new camera and you can actually see details that I am going on and on about? Sigh! Someday!!
Unlike the gutless fly, this little guy swiveled his triangular shaped head to follow my every move.

My

every

move.

It was creeping me out bad! I thought for sure he was gonna jump out and get me.
And do what???
I am not sure, but it wouldn't have been pretty, you can bet on that!

I went out the next day and Mantis was still there.

We were getting pretty tight, so I feel like I can refer to him by just the one word.

So as I was saying Mantis and I were hanging out by the pond.
He greeted me warmly, then jumped from one big leaf to another...freaking me out in a huge way! I may have squealed a bit.
But he said, "Hey lady, chill."
Then he crawled to the edge of that leaf and looked down at the fish, and looked at me, and looked down at the fish, and looked at me, and looked down at the fish, and looked at me, and looked down at the fish, and looked at me, and looked down at the fish and looked at me.


And I was like..."Hey Mantis, I am a busy girl. If you can't pay attention to me, then I am outta here"
And I walked away, just like that!
When I went back the next day to feed the fish, Mantis wasn't there.
I guess our relationship wasn't meant to be.

Hey!?!
Maybe he sucked the guts out of the fly???

If that is the case then good riddance...who needs a fly gut sucker hanging around negatively influencing the fish, right?


Maybe next I will write about nerf bullets and the places they land.
Or, how I sort my laundry.
Or, the best way to load a dishwasher.
Or, about the silly bands craze.

You just can't ever tell, now can ya!?!
Hey, I do what I can to keep you riveted.
Yep, doing my part.

Those cookies I promised

I got "in trouble" on Monday from one of my loyal readers!
Apparently, I mentioned in passing, a plant in my yard and did not follow thru on that (either).

Maybe tomorrow!!

I mean, really....just who does he think he is bossing me around about what I did and did not write about???

Actually

You know what...

just for him...

There is one of the photos I was going to include!
Hee hee, that oughta teach him!!
And don't believe him if he leaves a comment that he was just urging me on to great things.
I will deny it.

Truly, he is one of the few men who reads my blog, that I know of anyway.
(The other two don't really count since they are my husband and my "Dad")
(Okay, they do really count, in a big way, but don't tell them I said so)
C.D. is a loyal reader and encourager, so I had to give him a hard time here, in a public way. Thanks for reading and urging me on to great things C.D.

Hey, speaking of...
C.D. has had these cookies that I finally came to write about today!!
He was horrified that I used the "H" word to describe a cookie, but managed to eat quite a few anyway, or so I hear!
(I dropped them off as a treat for the kind people who helped my sis in law load up her moving truck a few weeks ago.)

I didn't have time on Monday to post that modified, "H"ealthier recipe, but will take care of that now.

On to the recipe!!!

Well, almost.
First I want to have a coconut chat.
We have talked a bit about coconut oil here in the past.
Remember it is still a fat, but it is a medium chain fatty acid type, so your body processes it differently. "They (medium chain acids) do not require the liver and gallbladder to digest and emulsify them. This means instant energy and increased thermogenesis (increased metabolic rate in the body) which leads to more heat production as well as improved circulation."
WHAT did that quote just say exactly???
More blah, blah, blah healthy talk.
I appreciated this post, where the above quote came from, explaining fats in an easy to understand way.
My point being, it is still a fat.
A saturated fat!
But, unlike butter it contains no cholesterol.
This is the reason I am trying to work it into my baking in combination with butter.
So, use it knowing that!
Moderation is key of course!
And I do NOT believe in the mantra "all things in moderation" but I bet you could have guessed that about me by now.

I recently purchased a "not off the grocery store shelf" variety of coconut oil.
It is organic, unrefined, cold-pressed, extra virgin.
I think that probably means the other cheap-o kind I bought before must have been the opposite of this product. Live and learn.
The other neat thing about this, that the cheap-o kind didn't have, is a distinct coconut smell and subtle taste.
I personally LOVE coconut, but know many people who don't like it.
Seemingly, the only reason they oppose it, is the texture.

I mean it is a really unique texture, and I get that!!

My all time favorite description of this is from a darlin' Texas lady who delicately cringes and says
"Ah just couldn't possibly eat coconut, it is like having a servin' of fingernails".

Ewwwww!!!
If you weren't opposed before, you might be now!
Cringe....fingernails!!!

What was I talking about??

Oh, yes...coconut flavor.
I adore how including this oil in my chocolate, chocolate chip cookie recipe, gives that delish coconut flavor without the unappealing (to some) crunch.
Mmmmmm, mmmmm, mmmmmm!
Yes, I did use the word adore...it was suitable in my opinion.

So here is my double batch (because I could get it to work out that way) version of the melt in your mouth buttermilk cookies that I referenced in the last post.
Remember my goal was to get a little bit of healthy in them while still maintaining the yumminess factor.
I haven't had any complaints around here, but what do these people know! HA!

NOW on to the recipe for...
let's call 'em
Choco-coco cookies

Start by making "sour milk" if you don't have any buttermilk on hand.

Pour 2TBS. vinegar into a one cup measure,
then add milk until it makes one cup worth of liquid.
Let this sit and get gross looking while you work on the other stuff.

In a medium bowl, whisk together
2 cups all purpose flour
2 cups white, wheat flour (not plain wheat, but white wheat...trust me)
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt

Ohhhh, look at my cute, cute bowls my friend gave me for my birthday, specifically for blogging!!!
Also take note of the milk looking mighty scary!

Next

Melt 1/2 cup butter
stir in 1/3 cup coconut oil until both are combined and liquid.
If you don't have or won't have coconut oil, maybe just use all butter here.
I assume the outcome will be the same, but haven't tried it to be sure!
Microwave as necessary!
Whisk in 1 1/3 cup cocoa powder until very smooth (that is 1 and 1/3)
Stir in 2 cups sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2+ tsp. vanilla
1 cup buttermilk

I decided to use my mixer today to save my wrists a bit, but in the past have done it all by hand. BTW, doesn't that chocolaty drip hanging on the whisk look so very yummy??
Well, take my advice, it is not! Do not, for any reason, lick your fingers at this point in the operation.
Ewww, bitter!
Wait till the sugar is mixed in!


Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the liquid, just until combined then throw in
a generous amount of chocolate chips.
2-4 cups depending on your taste.
I use the Ghiradelli dark chocolate chips, which I think brings the adoration level of this cookie up by bounds!
I chose to measure my chips today and started with 2 cups.
It couldn't have been a more perfect choice! Just don't even try more...you might possibly die of chocolate overkill, if there is indeed such a thing.

Next make rough shaped balls 1-2 inches round and drop them onto the cookie sheet
These are firmer than the original recipe, so you may have to squish 'em down a bit, if you are into that kind of thing.

Bake 10-12 minutes at 350*
A good thing to look for here is the edges firming up. You do not want to over bake these and that can happen fast!
Cool these on the baking sheet for close to 10 minutes before removing from pan to transfer to a wire rack to cool until you can resist no longer.

I made squished ones and not squished ones.
I like the look of the shaped and squished better, though the other is a lot less work.

What do you think?

I went ahead and shaped the rest of the dough and put it in the freezer to chill. When the cookies are firm I will transfer them to my cookie dough tin. This is just a container which stays in the fridge that I fill up with pre-shaped cookie dough should the need arise for instant cookie happiness.
Do this.
You will thank me someday when you are having a meltdown and need chocolate to get you through.
Not that I would ever do that.
But for a friend in need of help, yes... I would definitely pop of few cookies in the oven so she can sit and drink coffee with me and eat them and feel better because of the love, and chocolate, and the coffee, all together, all at once!!!
Anyone...
anyone in need of help???
I am here, and I have cookies!

Feeling inspired

I know I keep promising recipes, and I keep not delivering.
I just don't feel inspired, and inspiration is important when it comes to creativity.

Are you wondering just how much creativity is needed to write out a recipe?
Well, I am not inspired to explain it.
I want to get all sassy here and say..."hey, this is my blog and I am gonna write about what I want to write about and you can come here or not, and you will get your stinkin' recipe when I am good and ready to write it."
But, the truth is I have an insecurity issue and haven't gotten past that to share yet.

I start looking at recipes and then changing them to better suit what I want for my healthy eating goals and start thinking that maybe I am way more strict on those things than many other people and will anyone really even take the time to make this altered recipe, so why am I wasting my time creatively writing things out?
And then I also think....it is a cookie, why does it even need to be healthier??
Does it really need wheat flour in it, since it is a treat?
We just really love sweets around here and I know how my little family will consume them, so it makes me want to make it healthier.

I really want that for you too....is that so wrong of me?
I know everyone is not at the same place in their life and I hate to be the crazy lecture lady who people whisper about and don't want to spend time with because they think I pick apart their choices and condemn them.
I don't do that. I truly make an effort not to be that kind of girl.
Now I may try to give you some info to hopefully sway you toward what may seem a better choice....oh yes, I will definitely do that!!!
But condemn?
No way, because I have been where I used to be, and now I am not.
As I know more, I am gonna grow more.

That said, knowledge is power and part of the reason I started this blog was to help impart knowledge in a gentle, easy to manage way.
And one of the main ways I set out to accomplish that, is to make good food and recipe choices to share.

Then I go and start doubting myself and get all defensive and feel like I have to explain my position and say things like...
Do I always, 100% of the time choose the best options for myself and my family???
No, of course not!
In fact I will tell ya right now, on my birthday I fixed chicken nuggets and fries for my family for supper.
Yes I did.
I do this so rarely and therefore have few regrets about it.
I thoughtfully read the labels on the products I bought, carefully checking to be sure that they did not contain anything from my naughty list.
I didn't take the time to think ahead about my family this day and fell short on dinner prep.

I am not gonna beat myself up for this...it was my birthday after all.

Now back to the other hand again, I do have my absolutes.
For instance...
I was so angry last night when that "full of hope" little McDonald's commercial came on. The one about how they donate a portion of the sale of every happy meal to the Ronald McDonald House Charity.
The tiny little fine print at the bottom which flashes quickly lets you know that it is 1 cent per meal.
Ok, fine...they sell a lot of meals and that will surely add up to contribute to a very good cause, that is not what I have a problem with.

Here is my issue.
The ingredients in those meals!
Here is a really concise blog article on this particular topic.

I just have to wonder how much of what is in there is contributing toward hospital stays, and how much less would we need hospitals should we make better food choices??

Better food choices MOST of the time.
Thoughtful food choices.
Gaining knowledge and changing our habits food choices.
Knowing better and choosing to do something about it, choices.

Oh GOOD GRIEF!!!!
I came here today to write about a particular plant in my back yard and got all soap box on you.

I don't apologize for it though.

I was inspired by that commercial.

And ya know what???
I am gonna stop apologizing for trying to do better and in turn sharing that with you.
I am gonna be okay with healthifying my recipes and realize that there are plenty of places for you to go for the alternative to that.
I am not really sure why I suffer such grief about this anyway.
Yes, I do!
It is because it is important to me.
It is because I hope that someone who accidentally stumbles across my words will find something good there whether it be a cookie or a main dish.

And ya know what???
Right here I am gonna put a link to the recipe which also helped to inspire this post.
The recipe which is totally killer in its own right.
The recipe which I have now made 5 times changing and altering to give it a healthy twist that still delivers a cookie worth drooling over.

And on Monday, inspired or not, should time allow it...I am gonna share the version I have been working on despite my insecurities and doubts.

Love and coffee

Well, I had to change my "about me" section this morning!
I am no longer almost 40, it is the real deal now.

I have three chunks of cake in my fridge, because for some reason all of my buddies who took me for dessert last night thought I should have all the leftovers!
I can't decide if I love 'em or hate 'em for that. ha ha ha

My automatic timed coffee pot clock got bumped, so my coffee was gurgling an hour earlier than necessary this morning.
I went ahead and got up.
I really like my coffee fresh!

Actually I can admit that I have a bit of an addiction problem, with coffee that is.
It is more of a love affair actually. Yes, I feel much more comfortable with that term.

My friends last night fanned the flame but supplying me with a few bags of beans. This isn't the first time I have been given beans for my birthday, and I certainly hope it won't be the last!!!
Three birthdays ago, when I was still in my thirties, a dear friend of mine gave me some coffee beans. This in turn prompted me to write a poem, which I will share with you now.

You must know before you read...
Canasta is a card game.
I am an artist.
I really, really like coffee.
I really, really can't think very clearly in the morning til I have had some.
Starbucks has certain coffee's that they only sell at certain times of the year. Look for Casi Ceilo in January, Gazebo in July, etc. These are to my palate exceptional tasting coffee's and I am so sad when the season is over and there is no more available.
I recently had a birthday and was given some coffee as a gift and wanted to pay honor to the giver. This poem had been percolating in my brain for a week, and had finally worked its way out!!


The young woman awoke, her alarm was beeping
She wished very much that she could stay sleeping
She thought
those late nights can do you in
playing canasta til 11pm

Shuffled...she did...to the kitchen with glee
having in mind a hot cup of coffee

The grinder was ready for its dasterdly deed
and accepted the beans with what seemed like greed.
She thought
Was that the last bean???

just poured from the pouch???

Her mind was a whirling, her heart was aghast
for she knew when she bought them that they wouldn't last.

The taste of summer comes but once a year
in a bag called Gazebo, from a Starbucks found near.

The beans...
then the water... she pushed on thru her stupor
then with a press of the button she felt like a trooper

The counter, it managed to just hold her up
while she was waiting for the very first cup

The dripping of that first gorgeous brown drop
caught her attention, so she chose a cup

The sugar
the cream
and a spoon for the stirring
created a stillife which set her mind again whirling.

The gurgle...
you know just the sound
signaled the end...it was almost profound.

The fog of the day... it began to clear
as she sipped on the beverage that she holds so dear.

Her birthday she celebrated just the day before
with a surprise
and good friends
and oh so much more.

A thought...
it struck her mind like a hammer
her heart skipped a beat,
and to her gifts she did clamor.

There...
in a bag...
nestled in lightly
a gift of Gazebo, she grabbed on to one tightly.

Lovingly she carried the pouch to its new harbor,
settling it there with just a hint of ardor.

with a sigh she returned to her cup of brew,
wondering what other dangers she must yet go thru.

Face them she could, that much she knew
with good friends and a God that would carry her through.


I went to bed last night really feeling the love!
From my husband and kids, to all of my Facebook friends, my church family, and my buddies...I was showered with Birthday wishes yesterday and just felt like I was walking on sunshine!
I really like being me, right where I am, right now at this time.

I am blessed.