My Inheritance

 It's a sad, sad day.  My inheritance is spent  disappeared  is gone!

I really thought I would go on forever and maybe even leave some for my children.  But, no, that's not the case.  It's gone forever!

I had extra stashed away, you know, because of the kids.  I was all set.  Ready for retirement.  I thought I was looking at never, ever having to worry about   money  dental floss for the rest of my life.  

But, the sad day arrived when I used the last of my inheritance  dental floss.  

I will be setting up a GoFundMe account to provide dental floss to last me into retirement.  Please look deep into your heart and consider making a donation.

Thank you.

Red Velvet Cookies

 I had a request for Red Velvet Cookies.  I have to admit, I did not know that these existed.  I have only had red velvet cupcakes (If you're lucky, I might post that recipe here someday).

I did a little research and found a recipe for Red Velvet Cookies and thought I would give it a try.  They came out beautifully.  I was impressed with the process and the taste.  

The first batch I made were mailed out and I made a second batch of cookies.  Don't worry, we did a taste test with the first batch and that's how we  I decided to make them again.  This time I made them vegan (don't tell my family).  I put the adjustments in the notes below the recipe if you would like to veganize your cookies.

These would make someone a very nice Valentines Day treat.  Hint, hint...

Here's the recipe:

Red Velvet Cookies

ingredients:

1 1/2 cups plus 1 TBSP flour

1/3 cup cocoa powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 cup butter *

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup sugar

1 egg*

1 TBSP milk

2 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp red food coloring*

1 cup chocolate chips

directions:

Whisk dry ingredients in bowl and set aside.

In large bowl, mix butter until creamy.  Scrape down sides and beat in the sugars.  Add in the egg, milk and vanilla (remember to scrape down the sides of the bowl).  Add in your food coloring and mix until combined.  

Pour in dry ingredients.  Mix on low until dough is formed.  Add in more food coloring if you want more red coloring.  Mix in chocolate chips.  Dough will be sticky.

Cover dough and chill in the refrigerator for a couple of hours.  

Oven 350*F.

Scoop out dough into 1" balls and place on baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.  Bake for 15 minutes.

Cool cookies for 5 minutes on cookie sheet until moving them to wired rack.

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

*Butter and egg should be at room temperature

*I used Oat Milk and they came out great

*Want to veganize this recipe:  Use vegan butter, plant based milk (I used oat milk) and beet powder (for the red food coloring)

*Want less sugar in your diet?  I cut the brown sugar down to 1/3 cup

*Want to make them a little sweeter?  Feel free to add extra chocolate chips when the cookies come out of the oven.

If you try making the Red Velvet Cookies, let me know what you think!

Enjoy!

Valentines Day Cards for Seniors

Every year our Girl Scout Troop makes Valentines Day cards for Seniors.  This is a tradition that started when the girls were in Kindergarten.   This year we contacted three different Assisted Living facilities to deliver cards.  Our girls will be making over 180 Valentines Day cards (total).   This will be the first year that our troop will not be able to hand deliver the cards to the seniors.  

If you are looking for an easy, fun girl scout project, consider making cards for seniors.  It's not too late, and believe it or not, there's a patch the girls can earn, "Cards for Seniors."  A little fun and love the girls put into decorating cards will put a huge smile on someone's face.  There are some fun Valentine card ideas on the blog.  Check here and here for Valentine inspiration.

Having a hard time finding the right words for your Valentine's card?  How about one of these sayings:

I hope your Valentine's Day is as Sweet as you!

You are special.

You make each day just a little brighter.

Don't ever forget just how special you are.

You are out of this world amazing!

You are loved.

Can you think of any sayings to add to our list?  Leave a message in the comments below.

Super Bowl Snack Ideas

 It's that time of year!  The Super Bowl!  Great time for lots of snacks and desserts!  You probably can't have a Super Bowl party, but you can still make something for yourself or family to snack on during the game.  

Need some ideas for today?  Check out these recipes on the blog:

Avocado Jalapeno Hummus

Baked Falafel
Guacamole
Hummus

Roasted Eggplant Hummus
Meatballs

Meatballs, Vegan
Pretzel Bites

Soft Pretzels

Roasted and Stuffed Poblanos
Vegetarian Chili

Sweet idea's:

Bacon Brownies

Black Bean Protein Bites
Brownies (Vegan, Dairy Free)
Chocolate Avocado Cookies
Chocolate Chip Cookies

Energy Bites (Vegan)
Nutella Cookies 
Butterscotch Chip Cookies

M & M Cookies
Peanut Butter Bars
Peanut Butter Raisin Bran Cookies
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Sugar Cookies
Trail Mix
Vanilla Pudding Cookies 
Yummy Cupcakes

For more ideas, check out my Recipes page!

Phantom Mask Syndrome

My ears are really getting a work out wearing a mask all of the time!  Since I am wearing them all day long at work, I had to go out and purchase a few extra that are a little softer on the ears.

While I'm at work, if I want to take a sip of water, I unhook one side of my mask while the other side dangles from my ear.  I have also been known to get into the car and drive with one side dangling from my ear.  That's for those short distances you have to drive, and you can keep track of your mask until you need to use it.  It makes it easier when you jump out of your car to run into a store/restaurant.

But, then, there are those times where I feel like my mask is dangling from my ear.  When I reach for it, I realize that it isn't on my ear.   It isn't even on my face!  

Does anyone else have this problem?   

You are beautiful

 I stepped into a bathroom at a coffeehouse in Michigan and noticed the positive message on the walls,  "You are beautiful."

It worked.  Reading that message made me smile.  

But, then I started to really think about the message and where it was placed.  

A coffee house.  Sure, we can all use a little pick me up in the morning before our morning coffee (or tea).   

Inside a women's bathroom.  Maybe our partner was struggling without his or her caffeine and didn't hand out compliments that morning.  

There was not a sign like this in the men's bathroom (I didn't go check, I had a little help doing the dirty work  investigating for me).  

Why do women need confirmation of their looks?  Why do we need to be told that we are beautiful?  Was it how we were raised?  Social Media?  Magazines?  Models?  Celebrities?   You don't see men needing affirmation of their handsomeness.  I never had to reassure my boys about their physical attractiveness.

I do think that giving compliments should be the norm.  We should be building one another up instead of tearing them down.  I tried to do some research so I could provide answers.  All of my searching resulted with how to give yourself affirmations and that it is healthy to need affirmations.   

Do you make sure that you compliment people?  

Do you give out compliments every day?  

Do you just compliment women?

Valentine's Day Craft Ideas

 It's February!  Love month!  Hearts and all things red!

Valentine's Day is coming up and I thought I would put links to some Valentine's Day crafts we have done here on Scary Journey to get you ready for Valentine's Day. Some of these crafts are pretty easy and would be great to do with your Girl Scout Troop!

Valentine's Placemat (children't craft)

Valentine's Day Bookmarks

Pallet (he)art

Homemade Valentine's Day cards

Felt Heart Pin or Barrette

Valentine Photo Book

Valentine Love Picture

Valentine Love Frame