Monthly Random Acts of Kindness - September

Here is my update for September.  My monthly Random Acts of Kindness.

As I said in my January post, it's pretty easy to reach a goal of one random act of kindness a month.  Especially if you look at all of the little things that you do.  This is a summary of some of the kind things that I have done this month.

Paid the difference that a customer owed*
Gave away some produce from my garden
let people ahead of me in line
Greeting people on the paths during my walks
Helping a customer pick out gifts for her grandchildren

*It was small change.  I felt good about doing it.

How did your list for Random Acts of Kindness look this month?

Looking for ideas for Random Acts of Kindness?  Check out this post here.

Tooth Fairy Update

Just wanted to let you know that the Tooth Fairy came last night.  She found the tooth and left some money.

Maybe we'll keep her a little longer.

Tooth Fairy

The Tooth Fairy forgot to visit two nights in a row. I set my alarm last night so I could have words with her.  I got up a couple of times during the night and finally bumped into her.  Apparently she has spent the last couple of nights trying to find the tooth.

This morning, after inspecting the site, I could see why she could not find the tooth under the pillow.  The tooth was on the bed side table, surrounded by tons and tons of things (bowls, books, wrappers, lip balm, napkin, cup, clock, etc).  It's pretty hard to see at night and then trying to figure out the exact location of the tooth.  The Tooth Fairy doesn't have time to waste looking for a tooth.  She has too many people to visit.

Hopefully she finds the tooth tonight (Day 4).   Keep your fingers crossed.

I still think we need to find another Tooth Fairy. 

The Disappearing Soap

I believe I have mentioned how bars of soap seem to disappear in our house.  Well, mainly in the kids shower.  Here's more proof in case you don't believe me.  And, while we're at it, HERE, HERE and HERE.  Wow, I write about soap a lot.

I keep supplying bars of soap for the kids bathroom only to find them completely gone in a day or two.  That's usually with just one person taking a shower.  That same person will take a shower if there isn't any soap (or shampoo/conditioner).  He(1) (yes, it's a "he") also takes the LONGEST showers.  I'm sure if you looked up LONGEST shower in The Guinness Book of World Records that you will find "him."

The other he(2) always points out the missing soap in the shower.  He(2) then asks how he(1) takes a shower without using soap.

Not sure I have an answer for that one.

We went away for a few days and I took the soap from the hotel.  I figured they were going to throw it out and we can always use soap in the kids bathroom.  I think I brought home 3 bars of soap.*

*they didn't last very long

Zucchini Cupcakes

My zucchini plant was just okay this year.  A lot better than last year.  I have been creative with recipes using zucchini (cake, bread,  grilled zucchini).

I found this Zucchini Cupcake recipe here.  Love her pictures.  I thought I would give it a try.  Everybody loves cupcakes, right?

Here is the recipe:

Zucchini Cupcakes

ingredients

1 cup vegetable oil
2 ¼ cups white sugar
3 eggs
3 cups flour
2 ½ tsp baking powder
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ginger
½ tsp nutmeg
2 cups zucchini, shredded

Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting
1 cup butter, room temperature
8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
1 tsp vanilla
3 cups powdered sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
1 Tbs milk

Directions:
Oven to 350 degrees.

Prepare the muffin tin with cupcake liners or baking spray.

In a large bowl, combine the oil and sugar until well mixed.

Add the eggs and beat on medium-high until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.

Meanwhile, combine all of the dry ingredients in a separate bowl.

Add the dry ingredients to the mixer and combine to a thick batter.

Add the shredded zucchini to the batter and stir until the batter is uniform.

Spoon the batter into the muffin tins and fill them to about ¾ full.

Bake the cupcakes for 15 minutes or until just golden brown on top and a toothpick stuck in the middle comes out clean.

Let the cupcakes cool before transferring them to a cooling rack.

While the cupcakes are cooling:

In a mixer, whip together the soft butter and cream cheese.

Add vanilla and whip until fluffy.

Add powdered sugar and cinnamon and the milk. 

Whip everything to a light, fluffy frosting.

When the cupcakes are cooled completely, frost them with the cinnamon cream cheese frosting.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

*Yes, I added less sugar.  I used a little over a cup

*I did not get to try the cinnamon frosting (next time).  We used a plain vanilla frosting and they were delicious!

*The kids were a little skeptical at first (I mean it's zucchini!), but once they tried these cupcakes they loved them. (psst!  You can't taste the zucchini!)

Enjoy!

Metal Umbrella

What is it about umbrellas?  They seem to break quite easily.  You would think that after all of these years (umbrellas were invented in the Victorian era (using wood) and updated to steel in 1852) they would have perfected them.  Make them a little stronger.  Durable.  Able to last more than one use.

Why did they decide to use metal when making umbrellas?  We are told that metal attracts lightning and here I am walking down to the bus stop in a thunderstorm holding a broken metal umbrella.

Whoever invented clear plastic wrap probably never used it.

I would write more but I'm a little tied up at the moment. 

Sick Post

I'm just calling to let you know that I'm sick and won't be in today. You know that cold that's been bouncing around the kids?  I finally caught it. So, I thought I would lay around a few days and rest until I feel better.

Oh, yea, you're right. I completely forgot.

I'm a Mom and I can't take time off.  There's laundry to be done and errands to be run. Someone should probably go to the grocery store.  The dog needs to eat and go outside.  And I'm sure there is a sink full of dirty dishes waiting for me. 

OK. Well, I guess I better get up and get going then. Thanks for the call. 

Like us on Facebook

Another trend is to like a company on social media (i.e. Face book, Twitter, Instagram, etc.).

Face book is pretty popular with most companies.  A company sets up a page, tells a little about their company and will give you updates of what's going on (i.e. new products, recalls, sales, etc.).  If you purchase from their store they will ask you to "like us on Face Book."  Sometimes it's printed on their receipt.

I thought this trend was for larger companies, but realized a lot of start ups and even bloggers (no, I don't have a Face Book page) have created pages on Face book.

While on vacation I came across a gas station in the middle of nowhere that had a sign to, "Like us on Face Book."  I'm not sure how many likes they have on their page.  I'm also not sure what updates they could give their customers.

"Gas is $2.50 a gallon."

"Come on in and get gas."

I guess I found it odd that this gas station had a Face Book page.

Have you liked any (weird/strange) companies on social media?

Teenage Boys Sense of Smell

I really think teenage boys sense of smell must not work.  Maybe their sense of smell doesn't develop until later in life?  I say this because they live in their room.  A room that has a floor of dirty clothes.  Not just any dirty clothes.  Clothes that have been worn to play basketball in the 90 degree F heat.

We were all ready to go for a drive on a hot day.  Alex came down and, lets say the scent came with him.  I said, nicely of course, something smells on you.  He sniffed his shirt and said "oh."  By the way, I didn't have to sniff his shirt to know that there was an "odor."

Thankfully, he went upstairs to change.  I don't think I could have that odor circulating in the car (with the windows rolled up and the air conditioning on) on a long car drive.

Trial Size

I think RT needs help.  Yea, not the first time I've thought this.....

RT has this habit of taking the trial size samples when we stay at hotels.  You know, shampoo, conditioner and lotion.

I don't see a problem with collecting them from hotels.  If you use part of a sample, the hotel probably throws the rest out.  I mean, who wants part of a sample of shampoo when taking a shower?

The problem is when we get home, RT has drawers and drawers full of these trial size samples.  When I suggest he use some of them, he replies, "I might need them."  < He's referring to when we go on a trip.   He plans on bringing the samples to use when we stay at hotels.  I know this isn't true because he doesn't bring any samples with him on vacation and, since most hotels supply them, we end up with more and more samples to bring home.

A few of the samples of lotion have disappeared.  Hey!  They are small enough to fit into my purse.  Um, not saying that I took them or anything....just trying to justify why they might have disappeared...yea, that's it....

I guess I shouldn't complain.  We have enough shampoo and conditioner to last us a lifetime.

Now to get him to move onto the soap bars.*

*more on soap bars later

Nothing like your child yelling at the top of their lungs, "Mom, your zipper is down!" 

As I was trying to adjust myself I realized it wasn't the zipper on my shorts. Apparently my backpack was unzipped. 

Glad I could provide the humor for everyone around me. 

Mental note:  payback to that child when I'm old. 

Attack of the Condiment Packets

Somehow we get extra condiment packets when we order Chinese food.  I save them thinking we might have a need for them (Trick or Treats for Halloween, maybe?) so I store them in the refrigerator.   I think they end up multiplying because when I go to clean out the refrigerator, there are millions and millions of these condiment packets throughout the refrigerator.

The next time we order Chinese food, there are more packets, so we don't use the packets we have on hand.  Of course there are too many to use, so, again, the extras go into the refrigerator.

Does this happen to anyone else?

Maybe I have solved the question, "What's for dinner?"

Avocado Jalapeño Hummus

I tried a small sample of this hummus at Costco and was determined to make it on my own.  I used a fresh jalapeño from my garden.  I left the seeds in so it gave it a little kick.  The avocado makes it real creamy.

I made the hummus using my Vitamix.  I just threw everything in and turned it on for a few minutes.

I know this hummus was a hit.  The kids liked it.  In fact I don't think it lasted very long.   Good thing we have jalapeños growing in the garden.

Here's the recipe:

Avocado Jalapeño Hummus

3  Tbsp of olive oil

1/4 cup water

1/4 cup sesame seeds

2 Tbsp lime juice

1 jalapeño, stem chopped off

1 avocado

1 can 15oz garbanzo beans, drained, rinsed

1 garlic clove, peeled

cilantro

I put the ingredients into the Vitamix (in order) and turned on the machine.  Blended for about 45 seconds (or until smooth).  If you don't have a Vitamix, you can use a food processor.

*I don't add salt when I cook. Feel free to add salt if needed. 

I have a few more hummus recipes that I want to try.  If they work out, I'll share them with you.

Enjoy!