Hotel Pens

I just want you to know that I brought a number of hotel pens with me on this trip with the hopes that I would use them all (I have a whole section of my backpack dedicated to house the hotel pens that I currently own).

I did not take any new hotel pens.  I wasn't even tempted.

You will be happy to hear that one pen kicked the bucket on this trip.

Only 9 million more to go.

2020 Campaign for President

During out little Spring Break trip to Washington D.C. we visited memorials, museums and even The White House.  We took the usual White House tour.  We also took a tour of The West Wing.  All of these political and presidential vibes rubbed off on RT and he decided to launch his 2020 Candidacy for the Presidency.

He has yet to put together his platform and his running mate.  So far, he is enjoying all of the media and paparazzi attention.

Stay tuned.

An Entire Day Using the word Historic

If you know me, then you know how much I dislike the overuse of the word "Historic."

It started during the 2008 Presidential Election.  The press used "historic" when talking about the election.  After the election, historic was used even more.  It got to the point that you knew someone was going to refer to an event as "historic."

Think about it.

Everything you do.  Everything that happens in the world, will someday be considered historic.  Something that future generations will look back on, learn or read about in history books (or history books online).

I thought it would be fitting to go an entire day using the word historic in our everyday communication.

This was the perfect day to try this experiment.  What better place to use the word than in an historic place like Gettysburg?  Battle of Gettysburg.  Civil War.  The Gettysburg Address.  All historic!

Regular everyday activities like eating breakfast turned into eating an historic breakfast that consist of historic eggs (or cereal, fruit, toast, etc).  Of course, you can't eat that breakfast anywhere.  It had to take place at an historic restaurant.

We visited historic battlefields in historic Gettysburg.  The Battle of Gettysburg was an historic battle.  It was also an historic bloody battle of the historic Civil War.

We visited one of the historic bloody battle fields.  We also visited the historic cemetery.

When we had our fill of historic Gettysburg, we hopped onto the historic Pike and headed out of town.

Bella said she was hungry (historically hungry) and wanted to stop and eat at an historic restaurant.  Everyone wanted to stop at an historic bathroom (one that uses historic toilet paper).

After reading this post, I'm sure you feel the same way I do about the overuse of the word historic.

Lucky Penny

While on vacation, RT found a penny in front of the hotel.  He dubbed it his Lucky Penny.

We were getting ready the next morning (cheesing out of the hotel)RT went to put his "lucky penny" into his pocket and it fell onto the floor.  He looked for it for  20 minutes  quite awhile.  He got down on the ground, searching for the penny.  He even pulled a flashlight out of his backpack.

Bella tried giving him a penny to take the place of the "lucky penny."  Unfortunately, the luck doesn't pass on to another penny, so, he declined the offer.

Right before we left our room, I got down on the floor to look for the penny and found it under the bed.  RT was quite happy (and shocked that I found it in seconds).

For the rest of the trip, we made sure that RT had his "lucky penny" on him before leaving the room.

Elections and Voting

This is a little late to write and post, but, I'm putting it out there anyway.

We just had an election and I feel the need to talk about the candidates.

I'm not going to talk any specifics.  I'm not that political.  I'm going to talk about doing the job.  The candidates come forth with a platform of what they plan to do if they are elected.  Some actually complete one or two of the items on their promise list while others, well, they try (I think?).

I think what would help me in my decision making is knowing that a candidate is going to pick up (remove) all of their campaign signs.  I mean, it's the day after the election (sometimes weeks after) and the signs are still out there.  How do I know that the candidate that won can do the job if he/she can't even clean up the  mess  signs that were used to elect him/her?

I want a candidate that cleans up their signs.  A person that cares about his/her town/state/country.  Not one that litters.  Cleaning up the signs tells me that they make sure things will get done.

Seeing those lone signs out there makes me want to demand another election.

April is National Card and Letter Writing Month

For some reason I always forget to post this on the first of the month.  That's OK, though.  You still have time to get started on your letter writing.

I mean, who doesn't love getting a handwritten letter in the mail?  I know that's the first piece of mail I open.  A handwritten letter is a lot better than opening up a bill.

It's time for you to get out all of that pretty paper and cards that you are saving for a special occasion.  Now is the time to use it!  And, don't worry if you don't have pretty paper.  Grab some paint, stickers, washi tape, crayons, or markers and create your own artistic paper.

Letter writing is also a great way to practice your penmanship (I think we all need the extra practice). Don't worry about bad handwriting.  Loved ones know you and your  bad  handwriting.  They still love hearing from you.

Don't know what to say?  How about, "Hi" or "Hello"?   Instead of wishing a friend or family a happy birthday on social media, how about sending them a physical card?  You can write a few lines in the card wishing them a happy birthday. Let them know that you are thinking about them.   Send a "just because" note or card letting them know that you appreciate them.

Go ahead!  Grab your pens and paper and start writing!

Vegan Diaries - Black Bean Protein Bites

Thought I would give these little protein bites a try.

Black beans are packed with protein (15 grams per one cup).  The rest of the ingredients are pretty healthy, too.  Great when you want to include some protein in your snack.  Also a great "no guilt" sweet treat.

Here's the recipe:

Black Bean Protein Bites

ingredients:
1 cup oats
1/2 cup peanuts
1/2 cup coconut flakes
15 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
4 TBSP agave (or maple syrup)
1 TBSP coconut oil
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/3 cup dark chocolate chips

directions:
Put oats, peanuts and coconut flakes in Vitamix (or you can use food processor or blender).  Blend until close to a powder.
Empty powder mix into separate bowl.
Put beans, agave, coconut oil, cocoa powder into blender and mix.  Add in the powder mixture and mix until combined.  Add in chocolate chips and gently mix.
Scoop and roll dough into balls and place on parchment paper.  Place in refrigerator for 20 minutes to set.  Store in container in the refrigerator.


*can use cashews instead of peanuts
*I like agave.  Personal preference.   Feel free to use maple syrup.

These little bites make a tasty (and healthy) snack.

If you try them, let me know what you think.

Enjoy!