Paper Towels

I know paper towel use is not eco-friendly, but, there are times when they are absolutely necessary.

Hey!  I use towels and rags when necessary, but, there's always that one time that using just one paper towel is mandatory.  I can buy a case of paper towels and they will last me years (that's how few I use).  Just one roll can get me through several months.  I have taken to buying paper towels in packages of two since I don't use them that fast.

Recently, it has come to my attention that "someone" has been carelessly using my paper towels.  My full roll is empty in a week or two.  Since I don't buy in bulk, my paper towel stash is disappearing rather quickly.

So, I did what any normal person would do in this situation.  I hid my paper towel roll.

It didn't take long for Nick "someone" to notice that the roll was gone.

"So, we are hiding the paper towels now?"

"Yes.  The paper towels were granted asylum.  They are now being protected by the government.  They will be protected until it is guaranteed that they can return to a safe environment."

Pet Peeve

All these years writing this blog and I never talk about my pet peeves.  I'm sure I have many, but, there is one in particular that is currently driving me crazy.  The multiple texting.  It's when you send a single text message but send it in three or four texts.  So, instead of your phone buzzing once for the message, it buzzes four times.  Something like this:

  Hi How are

  you

  doing?  I'm having  a great

  day!

Seriously?  You couldn't put all of that in one text message?  (Now the two people that I know that read this will send me multiple texts just to tick me off).

The take away from this post is to just send one text.  Who cares if it's too long.  If it's going to be too much, then call or send an email.

Inspirational Quote of the Day

"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted."  Aesop

The Cool Mom

The other night, B had some friends over.  I gave them a little time to hang together and then I decided to see what they were doing.

First of all, I have to say that I like to get to know my kids' friends.  Know who they are hanging out with, what they are doing, how they get along, personalities, etc.

While talking to the girls, I started joking around with them.  I had them laughing.  I then said I better go so I don't embarrass B.  That's when B said it.  "You're not embarrassing.  You're the cool Mom!"

Those words you always want to hear.

Both of her friends agreed.  They said their Moms aren't cool like me.

A little later, all three girls came in to the kitchen.  They were talking about dance moves.  The one girl started teaching me the dance move (the dental floss - yea, don't ask me to show you...could be a little embarrassing).  She even said I did the move better than B (I think she was being nice).

I know the title isn't going to last long.  Give her a little time and I will be the farthest thing from cool.  Right now, though.  I'm enjoying my reign.

Bucket List

You hear a lot about people making bucket lists.  They put down all of the fun things they want to do before they die.

Jump out of an airplane.
Visit the Great Wall of China
Swim with dolphins
Climb a mountain
Run a marathon
Backpack across Europe.
Swim the English Channel.

I have never made a Bucket List.  I usually have very little free time to think about what I want to do in the future.  The future to me is tomorrow.  I'm usually just trying to get through the current day.

Last week was RT's birthday (March is a big birthday month for us) and I made him a cake.  Not just any cake.  A double tiered cake.  It was a first for me.  I was excited to make it and even jokingly said that I can cross it off my bucket list now.  RT told me that if making a double tiered cake is on my bucket list, then, I need to get out more.

I guess I'm going to have to try to schedule some time for research and for the actual making of my bucket list.

Do you have a bucket list?

If yes, have you crossed anything off your bucket list yet?

My Weird Dog

I know how much everyone enjoys my weird dog posts.  I thought I would let you know that today is his birthday.  I know everyone wants to help him celebrate his birthday today.

He is born on "the ides of March."  Beware the Ides of March.  That probably should have been a warning to us when we rescued him.....

So, go ahead and have an extra cookie today on Pippen.  And, maybe grab a nap or three.

Vegan Diaries - Jambalaya

I've been missing my days in New Orleans.  I miss the music.  I miss the weather.  I miss the history.  But, most of all, I miss the food!  

While in New Orleans, I was lucky to find places that served vegetarian meals.  Finding Creole and Cajun vegetarian meals was difficult, but, possible (if you walked far enough).   I found this recipe here and thought I would give it a try. This is my first time making Jambalaya, so I was a bit nervous.  Especially after tasting delicious Jambalaya in New Orleans!  Turns out, this Vegan Jambalaya brought back lots of good New Orleans memories.  

Here's the recipe:

Slow Cooker Vegan Jambalaya

Ingredients:

1 TBSP olive oil

1 28oz can diced tomatoes with juice

8oz seitan, cut into cubes

8oz smoked vegan sausage, cut into 2" slices

1/2 onion, diced

1/2 green pepper, chopped

3 stalks celery, chopped

okra, chopped*

1 cup vegetable broth

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 TBSP miso paste

1 1/2 tsp Cajun seasoning **

1/2 tsp thyme

1/2 tsp oregano

1 cup rice

1 TBSP chopped parsley 

Directions:

Drizzle bottom of slow cooker with olive oil.  Stir in tomatoes with juice, seitan, sausage, onion, green pepper, celery, okra, vegetable broth, garlic, miso paste, Cajun seasoning, thyme and oregano into crock.

Cook on low for four hours.  Add rice to crock and cook on high until rice is cooked through (about 30 minutes).  Garnish with parsley.

*I added okra, because, what's jambalaya without okra?  I added about 8-10 whole pieces (then chopped them).

**Don't have Cajun seasoning?  Make your own.

Cajun seasoning:

1/2 TBSP sea salt

2 tsp black pepper

2 tsp white pepper

1 tsp cayenne pepper

1 TBSP paprika

1 TBSP dried oregano

1 TBSP onion granules

1 TBSP garlic granules

1 tsp dried thyme

Mix together in a bowl and store in a small jar.

Hope you give this recipe a try.  If you do, let me know what you think!

Enjoy!