National Card and Letter Writing Month

  April is National Card and Letter Writing Month.

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 and they still love hearing from you.

Don't know what to say?  How about starting off with "Hi" or "Hello"?    Maybe tell them what you have been doing with your time.  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 or just to let them know that you are thinking about them.   You can even send a "just because" note or card letting them know that you appreciate them.

By the way, this would be an excellent idea for a Girl Scout Troop!  Have the girls write letters to some of the seniors at a retirement home.  This gives the girls practice at their writing and communicating skills and also brings a smile to the recipients.  Who knows?  Maybe they will write back!

 
What are you waiting for???   Grab your pens and paper and start writing!

New England

 Spent some time up in the New England area over spring break.  It was so beautiful that I have decided that I plan on moving up there and writing a novel. (Doesn't everyone move there to write a book?)

Crispy Tempeh

 Thought I would give tempeh a try.  I've heard so much about it and how easy it is to use in vegan meals.  

Tempeh is fermented soybeans that are bound together and sold in a flat square or rectangle.  Much firmer than tofu, easier to work with and packed with plenty of protein.

Found this recipe for crispy tempeh.  I enjoy this tossed in salads, hummus and veggie roll ups (in a tortilla) or just as a little snack.

Here's the recipe:

Crispy Tempeh

ingredients:

tempeh (8oz square)

garlic clove, minced

1 TBSP coco aminos (soy sauce, tamari, etc)

1 TBSP nutritional yeast

directions:

Oven 400F

Cube tempeh and place in bowl.

Pour coco aminos/soy sauce over tempeh and mix gently until all pieces are covered.  Add garlic and nutritional yeast and mix gently.

Place on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper/silicone baking mat.  Make sure pieces are spread apart.

Bake for 25 minutes or until crispy and golden brown.

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

If you give tempeh a try, let me know what you think in the comments below!

Enjoy!

County Courthouse

 I mentioned a few posts back about my adventure as a witness at the county courthouse.  Very exciting stuff.  What I forgot to mention was my walk from my car into the building (and back again).

We live in a decent area.  The courthouse is in a very nice town.  Nice homes.  Friendly people.  A place where you feel safe walking down the street.

I parked in the back lot and walked up to the building.  When I reached the doors, I realized that I had my cell phone with me.  That's a big no-no.  Cell phones are not allowed, unless you are a juror.  So, I had to run it back to my car.  For some strange reason, I felt like I was going to be mugged walking back and forth to my car.  There were a few police cars by the doors, and I still felt someone was going to jump me.  

I'm sure I was safe (I think?).  I still ran to my car after completing my job as a witness.

Has anyone else felt this way at their county courthouse?

Raspberry Scone (vegan)

 I had a taste for raspberry scones and thought I would try my hand at making them.  

Here's the recipe:

Raspberry Scones (Vegan)

ingredients:

3 cups flour

1/3 cup sugar

1 TBSP baking powder

12 TBSP vegan butter, cut into pieces

3/4 cup oat milk

1 tsp kosher salt

1/2 tsp vanilla

1 cup raspberries*

Icing:

1 cup powdered sugar

1 TBSP lemon juice

1/2 tsp vanilla

Oven 375F.

Line cookie sheet with parchment paper or silicone baking mat.

In large bowl put flour, sugar, baking powder and salt and mix together. 

Add butter into the dry ingredients (use a pastry blender) until it becomes gritty. 

Add milk and vanilla to mixture and stir with a spatula until it is combined.  At this point, you can switch to using your hands or stick with a spoon. *

Add in the raspberries.  Knead quickly and firmly, until flour is combined and the dough holds together.

Transfer dough to floured surface and shape into a flat round disk, making sure it is only 1.5inches thick.  

Cut the disk into 6 wedges.

Move the wedges onto the baking sheet, leaving a little space between them. 

Brush the tops of the wedges with oat milk and lightly sprinkle with some sugar (optional)

Bake 25-30 minutes, or until the scones are a golden color and fully cooked through.

For the Icing:

In a bowl, mix powdered sugar and lemon juice together until smooth.

Add vanilla and splash of milk (if needed).

Drizzle onto the scones while they are still warm.

Let them sit for a bit while the icing sets.

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

*I used vegan butter and oat milk.  If you are not vegan, feel free to substitute butter and milk (same quantities).

*I used frozen raspberries and the scones came out beautifully

*Do not over mix, especially after adding the raspberries.  Gluten will develop and this will make your scones hard.  I didn't mix too much, and mine actually came out cake-like. (They were still delicious).

*Feel free to try blueberries if you aren't a raspberry person.

Enjoy!

The Mona Lisa

 I found a small photo of the Mona Lisa.  It wasn't at a store.  Instead, this small 4x6 photocopy was found inside one of my picture frames.  I figured either my husband or one of my kids was playing a game with me.  

So, I took the bait and moved the photo to another location and waited.  

It took awhile for my secret competitor to locate the photo.  One day, the photo was gone.  I searched for it.  I mentioned something to RT about it.  He seemed clueless.  Or was he trying to throw me off the trail?  

This game of hide and seek has been going on for quite awhile.  I was never quite sure who my competitor was at this game until....

The youngest child had a friend over.  This friend said, "Why is there a picture of the Mona Lisa up there?"  

The youngest child: "Shh!"  

Me:  Oh, you found it for me!  Thanks!

Turns out, the youngest child is the other player in this game.  She's pretty good, too!

Meanwhile, RT said, "Mona Lisa?  What are you talking about?"  

I guess he really was clueless about the Mona Lisa photo game.

Girl Scout Cookies

 Just finished up my last rounds at the cookie cupboard.  Also, my final time as "Cookie Mom."  Three trips to the cookie cupboard and I just found out that they are extending cookie sales through the end of the month.

Hit me up if you need a Girl Scout Cookie fix!