Holiday Happenings

I love the holiday season. One thing I love most is that in general people seem to be more friendly. Today I went to the post office and sent off my holiday cookies (my new tradition). I told my daughter to go stand in line why I got the packages ready to mail off. When I joined her and my son, I was greeted by a lady who immediately told me how well behaved my children are and thanked me for how my daughter had calmed down her youngest. Her youngest was crying uncontrollably and stopped when my daughter started speaking to her. Then the lady says to me, "So I hear you are shipping vegan cookies." This sparked a whole new conversation in which I found out that her youngest was allergic to dairy and so she had been vegan for a while. The lady said that she couldn't take being vegan because she had a hard time giving up red meat.

Veganism is definitely a lifestyle change and is not for the faint of heart. :) We chatted some more in the line until it was my turn and then we were parked next to each other outside and chatted a bit more. She talked about how she noticed such a huge difference in her body while she was vegan. Her acne cleared up completely. She didn't have any flare ups with her asthma and her energy levels were higher.

I should have exchanged numbers or e-mails with her. Not sure why I didn't (maybe because I am moving soon?). At any rate, I sure did enjoy our short visit and she and her family will be in my prayers.

Have you ever met someone and felt like you should ask for them info, but didn't for one reason or another? I would love to hear about it!

Book Review: My Read and Rhyme Bible Storybook

I received an e-mail a while back asking if I would review a book. Being the book lover that I am, I happily agreed. The name of the book is My Read and Rhyme Bible Storybook by Crystal Bowman & Cindy Kenney. It is illustrated by Chritiane Engel

The book says that it is geared for ages 4-7 and I believe that it is great for that age range. Each Bible story included is told in poem form. What I like most about the book is that there are questions at the end and it gives an activity suggestion for each story. Also included at the end of the story is a list of words that the child can read and a list of rhyming words to match.

To take a peek inside, you can visit the Amazon link here.

2nd Annual In His Image Awards

This past Sunday was my church's second annual "In His Image" Awards. This is the end of the year banquet where those who have worked hard are recognized. My husband decided he didn't want to go so I made it a girls night out with just my daughter and me.

i had no intentions that we would match and didn't even realize that we did until I saw the picture! I found my daughter's dress at Macy's for $20. She absolutely loved it. I found my dress on sale at JCPenny. I wore the black wrap with it because I don't like to wear sleeveless clothes and the dress was a bit to big and reavealed a little more than I would have liked at the top. I really do like it though so I plan to have it altered and maybe wear a camisole under it to give me complete coverage. :)

I think this was my first formal event with my hair in its natural state. Loved it and can't think of any reason to go back.

Holiday Nut Loaf

I made this recipe last year and it was a big hit. I am making it again this year for my Thanksgiving main dish. The recipe is from the Seven Secrets Cookbook by Jim and Neva Brackett:

1 cup tofu and 1/2 cup water (or 1 cup soaked soybeans with 1 cup water)

2 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 tsp garlic powder)

1 TBS Bragg Liquid Aminos or 2 tsp soy sauce

1/4 cup gluten flour or cornstarch

1 1/2 tsp salt

1 TBS onion powder

1 tsp ground sage or Italian seasoning

3-4 cups soft whole grain bread crumbs

2 cups pecans (may use walnuts, almonds, peanuts, sunflower seeds or cashews)

2 cups finely chopped onions

1. Blend tofu (or soybeans) with water, garlic, and seasonings.

2. Combine remaining ingredients in a mixing bowl. Add blended tofu or soybeans and mix well.

3. Place mix in lightly oiled or nonstick loaf pan. Cover with foil and bake at 350F for 1 hour. Remove foil and bake uncovered for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool for about 5 minutes to give it a chance to set up before removing from the pan. Turn upside down onto a serving dish. Garnish with fresh parsley or kale and serve with Simple Gravy or Sweet and Sour Tomato Sauce.

Sweet Tomato Topping

8-ounce can crushed pineapple

8-ounce can tomato sauce

1 TBS molasses

1/2 tsp basil

1/4 tsp garlic powder

Combine ingredients in a small bowl.

Animal Assisted Therapy-4H Group Lesson

The 4H Vet Science programs has 10 group lessons per year and 10 individual lessons. Yesterday was the group lesson on Animal Assisted Therapy. For this lesson a woman came in with her guide dog in training. We learned that this woman has been training guide dogs since she was 9.

We also learned that a candidate must be at least 17 to receive a guide dog and the candidate only pays $1. That dollar gives them full ownership of the dog! The dogs can only work for about 10 years before they must retire. I guess since dogs years are approximately a multiple of 7, that sounds about right. :)

The dog that we got to meet is named Ziva. Ziva is a black lab and is very playful and sweet. Given the command "find the girls", Ziva can locate the women's restroom. She has been known to insist that the water fountain is the restroom, but she is still learning and doing quite well.

Around May or June of next year, Ziva will go on to school with a professional trainer to learn the other necessary skills of possible leading a blind person. If she passes with flying colors, she will then be placed with someone based on need and temperament. If she fails, there are a few other jobs she may be able to qualify for, or some will get her as a pet.

We learned that one dog is being trained to detect high and low blood sugar levels from the smell of the saliva of his caregiver. Wow, who knew??