Meet Tayna

This is Tanya. She is my mobbed up neighborhood raccoon. She came by this morning so that I could pay up. You know, 'cause you never know what could happen. I didn't pay her. And I am a little worried that she is gonna bring some guys around to break my kneecaps.

Seriously, she is around all the time, her babies are in a tree just behind the shed. She doesn't bother the cats at all and just snoops around when it has been dry. I keep water for her behind the deck. No, I do not feed her. I am fully aware that despite her adorableness, she is indeed a wild animal. But it is kinda fun to write a little story about her every so often.
Peace
K

I was doing so well,

And then I just wore out. The end of the school year does that to me. We try to squeeze too much into too small a time frame.

I haven't been doing a lot other than reading. Lots of new books since my birthday. I have made a few cards, but have not done much more than that. Sometimes the down time is critical for recharging the batteries.

The in-laws are visiting this week. Naturally, this means lots of good, vegan food. Everyday, really means lots of good vegan food. Cooking is my husbands hobby (go HERE for some awesome recipes). When company comes, though we up the ante. In our fridge right now are chick pea burgers, Moroccan soup, and seitain. This week we are feeding omnivore folk stromboli.

I have no idea what to bake for them. The girls are voting for lavender cupcakes. But I was hoping for inspiration for something new. So any ideas are welcome.

The picture in this post is from my friend who owns boundinbeauty.com. Need something custom, ask her. Her work is amazing!

That is all for now.
K

Lavender Sugar Cookies, The Vegan way

Ever since getting a bottle of lavender coffee syrup for my birthday, I have been trying to find creative ways to use it in my baking. Aside from the lavender cupcakes, I have made lavender lemondade.

This yummy little cookie is the first incarnation of a lavender sugar cookie. The basic recipe is from the standard Better Homes and Garden cookbook. But I veganized it by using EnerG egg replacer, and vanilla soy instead of milk and eggs. I then added some of my lavender essential oil, and some of the syrup. I am pretty pleased, but think that next time I will try flax seed instead, for the egg.

Enjoy
K

Sneak preview

This is just a sneak preview of a new bunch of cards that I am doing. Just the one today, maybe more tomorrow.

Also, I couldn't resist sharing a pic of the disaster that my desk has become. I think that it is actually worse today then it has been for weeks. I have been getting ideas left and right and sitting down right away to try to get them started. This method of madness is leaving a trail of half finished projects. Well, tonight I will whip up a batch of Lavender Sugar cookies, and then finish at least two projects.
On a side note I have blogged three days in a row. I might be sick. At least it is a productive illness (not a lie on the couch and do nothing and whine all day illness, which I never seem to get and would make for a nice little vacation).
Peace
K

Have a Voodoo Doll

Some friends of mine are vacationing in New Orleans this summer. I am jealous, just a little bit. And when I think of New Orleans I think of three things, vampires, graveyards, and voodoo. I have been promised lots of graveyard pictures! And as long as the vampires don't sparkle I am happy.


But, the closest I can get to a voodoo doll is the original voodoo doughnut from Voodoo Doughnuts! I love this place. My aunt live very close to them and brought us some for my birthday last month. The pretzel stake through this ones heart was soggy, so we could only do minimal damage that way. However, I thought that eating it's head was pretty much the same thing as a stake through the heart of... whatever, it was chocolaty goodness!

Here's to kitchen expirements.

Those who know me, know I can not cook. And they greatly prefer that I don't. But I can bake your pants off! And today was a special day to try something new. Sister turned 12 last Wednesday and wanted us to do bbq for dinner. We decided that we would wait until we could have other parts of our family over and share a big wonderful meal together.

I knew I was going to make vegan cupcakes. I use Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World, and I thought I would keep it simple and light by using the Vanilla Cupcakes. I thought I might make the Raspberry Buttercream frosting, using raspberry syrup (like for coffee). And then I eyed my Lavender Syrup and realized that a lighter version could be made. I added lavender essential oil to the oil in the cupcake recipe, about 2 drops was enough. It adds a very light background flavor that is sweet and earthy at the same time. I then substituted the lavender syrup for the raspberry in the frosting. So over all the flavor is light and summery.
Peace
K

I think I am back

And I am also pretty sure I am better than ever. I am spending the next couple of days cleaning and giving away. Sharing my wealth, such as it is, with those who are in need. That is my hope. I am giving away, or gifting away, all of the things that I do not use any more and do not need any more.

I turned 40 on Sunday. And I feel amazingly good about it. I was surrounded by people who love me and who support me in what I do. They offer to me only words of support and encouragement. I told a new friend this week, that I feel as though I am finding the people who were supposed to be in my life all along.

So, now with a bunch of birthdays behind us and the summer stretching out before us, I think we can get down to some serious work. Part of the giving away feels like bringing in. I give away that which I don't need, both literally and figuratively, so that I can bring to me the things I want. Getting rid of the chaos and drama and dishonesty, so that there is only room for art and creativity and fun and adventures, as well as a little peace and joy.
Peace
K