Peanut Butter Pumpkins

Blogging Friends.... Thank-you for all of your sweet comments the other day!! I am in better spirits, and my mood swing-infused pity parties have since diminished!!

 

Now. Look for a Thanksgiving-themed story to be posted on my other Blog, "Minuscule is good!"--Lord willing!!--tomorrow!!

 

Yesterday was Halloween. I received an entire glass jar-full of chocolate candy from my Mom, and, thus far, this recovering addict is eating it "in moderation", as that phrase goes!! What is happening to me....? And we have some extra candy because not one single Trick or Treater came knocking!! Uh.... Their loss? I baked Rose a batch of treats yesterday. By the way? I have decided that professional bakers would absolutely hate me. Why? Because, nothing pleases me more as a rebel than to alter people's recipes!! Nothing. Pleases. Me. More!! This recipe is not exempt!! I changed an ingredient. Plus I broke more than a couple rules....

 

Rose would rate this recipe: Four 'paws' way, way up!!

Peanut Butter Oat Biscuits

Most dogs love the flavor of peanut butter. If you use health-food-store peanut butter, that's basically nothing but ground peanuts (you can grind it fresh yourself at some stores), it makes a healthy flavoring for treats.

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup wheat germ
1/2 cup oat bran {Yeah. We do not have any oat bran. So!! I used quick oats, instead!!}
1 cup milk
1/2 cup natural peanut butter {I just used what was already in our pantry!! Which is definitely not natural!!}
1 egg

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients. In a food processor, combine the milk and peanut butter and process to liquefy. Add the egg and process until egg is mixed in. {Yeah. I just threw every ingredient into my bowl and beat them!! Because we own a cheap food processor, anyway!!} Pour the liquid mixture into the dry mixture and stir into dough. {Whoops!! I did not see this rule!! Oh well!!} Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface {A "lightly floured" surface? Hmmm. My dough was so gooey, that I kept adding more and more flour to it. And our rolling pin. Plus the kitchen counter!!} and roll to 1/4-inch thickness. {I cannot do such measurements when baking. I simply roll my dough flat!!} Use cookie cutters to cut into shapes. {Okay. I own twain pumpkin-shaped cookie cutters!! Of course, I used them!!} Place biscuits on a baking sheet with greased or non-stick foil. {I just sprayed our pan!!} Bake for 30 minutes or until lightly browned on top. {Close enough. It required 31 minutes!!} Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

I baked 16 treats!!      

"Howl"-o-ween

Blogging Friends.... It is quite timely that I need to repost this today. I am still riding the waves of mood swing-infused pity parties. There have been conflicting thoughts/feelings/emotions, plus tears. It is really very healthy, as God grows/matures me!! I'm learning how to take my board and surf sans drowning, I suppose. So. Surf's up!! When I'm riding the waves of mood swing-infused pity parties, I need three things. I want chocolate. {Which, surprisingly, I have not binged on!! I am a recovering chocolate addict, remember?} I need Robert Downey Jr.  And I find myself writing as though life depends on it!! This time, however, it isn't posts about Rose for Beautifully Unique. Not yet!! No, I have been writing creative fictional children's stories for "Minuscule is good!". November's post? It is "in the can", as that phrase goes. And December's Christmas-themed story? It should be finished today!! Stay tuned!!

        

My goodness, is it really that time of year again? Halloween!! It is merely two days away!! Last night, I carved my plump, very, very unique-looking, nearly hollow pumpkin. It has "scars" all over one side, {Which, I love!!} and looks so disfigured, it may as well have craniosynostosis!! {No offense to any of my Beautifully Unique Kindred Spirits out there!! I am only poking fun at me!! And the weird-looking pumpkin!!} I was unsure of what, exactly, to carve this year. So, I just stabbed the knife in my pumpkin, then gave "him" one square eye and smirk!! Done!! As Halloween is so swiftly looming ahead of us, here are some tips for assuring our beautiful four-legged canines' safety!! I hope that they're helpful!!

 

{Words taken from our local dog shelter's Web site, plus a HealthyPets e-mail}

 

Halloween can be a fun time for our children, but not necessarily for our pets. Please follow these tips, and share them with others, to help keep pets safe this Halloween. Protect your pet by keeping {him} indoors. Trick-or-treaters' excited voices and costumes could spook your dog causing {her} to run off and get lost. Make sure your dog is wearing identification just in case. Many pets get spooked and escape. Unfortunately they end up in shelters without identification. Pets can also easily become victims of trick-or-treaters if left outside and unattended. Keep your pet confined away from the door as you greet trick-or-treaters to prevent it from darting outdoors. {We do not encounter many trick-or-treaters, other than neighbor kids!! During this time, Rose is kept--against her own will--in our great room behind closed French doors!!} On Halloween, your dog may feel {his} territory is being invaded by the onslaught of odd visitors. Keeping your dog in a secluded area of the house will help {her} stay calm and prevent {him} from growling or possibly biting a visiting ghoul or goblin. {Although my ever-friendly Rose would never feel invaded, and her worst defense against ghouls or goblins would be a series of excitable "Beagle" bays!!} It may help to provide a chew toy or a toy stuffed with treats, like a KONG which may help reduce stress. You may also want to crate your dog. Keep Halloween candy out of your pets reach because it can make your pet sick. In fact, chocolate can be fatal to dogs! {Because chocolate contains twain hazardous ingredients: Caffeine and theobromine. If Rose were to eat an ounce per pound of her body weight, she could be in grave trouble!! Thus say the experts!! That is when it would be absolutely necessary to induce vomiting!! Plus rush her in the direction of our nearest emergency center.} The wrappers, such as tin foil, can also get stuck in your pet's digestive tract, making them sick. If you have to take your dog with you outside, make sure you use a short leash for the most control, and that your pet is highly visible at all times. Also make sure your pet doesn't stop to eat anything off of the ground. Don't dress your pet in a costume unless you know they love it. {I'm afraid that Rose would disown me for dressing her in a costume!!} Otherwise, it will put a lot of stress on your pet. Be sure costumes are safe and will not choke your pet. Also, make sure your pet has a clear view and that their noses are not covered. Your dog can also be a hazard to {her}self. If your house has a lot of decorations, your dog may knock them over with a wag of the tail and burn {him}self. Be sure that your decorations are not pet accessible. And, when the trick-or-treaters have gone home for the night, don't forget to reward your pet's good behavior with treats made especially for him/her, like dog biscuits. {I intend to bake Rose a batch of peanut butter biscuits. On Halloween. A recipe post will soon follow!! So stay tuned, dear Friends!!}

 

A Misquote

Whoops!! I just watched that YouTube video with Robert Downey Jr. again--yes, I'm insane!!--and realized something. I misquoted him!! Ugh. Here it is in accuracy!!

   

"You gotta to adjust yourself for life, and you'll finally be pretty happy." --Robert Downey Jr.

Ah, Mood Swings

He is a deep thinker.

 

When I began learning about Robert Downey Jr. in June 2012, while "getting to know" him, I had several preconceived ideas about who he was. Of course, I have since forgotten most of them!! {I did see Robert Downey Jr. as being tough. You know, the Pit Bull-owning type. This dude has repeatedly been to prison, for Heaven's sake!! I never would have seen him as a sensitive, Buddhist hugger!! And this was before I learned about his past, mind you.} However. One thing about Robert Downey Jr. that immediately surprised me the most?

He is a deep thinker.

 

I mean, really. This man is profound!! Because, my gosh, some of the things which spring forth from deep within his soul!! I suppose, if you travelled the wayward roads which he did {Don't even think about it!!} you, too, would be a deep, profound thinker. But, this revelation still took me by surprise. He was not always a deep, profound thinker. This has come with years of experience, continued evolution, therapy, and sobriety. If you look past seemingly everybody's type-casted notions that Robert Downey Jr. and Tony Stark are equals--please stop--then you may actually learn something from this comedic actor!! Seriously!! You know what? I have lost count of how many Robert Downey Jr. quotations have really changed me as a person for the better. And which ones still are. I have been experiencing some wild mood swing-infused pity parties lately. Riding them like a terrifying, amusement park roller coaster. So. The other day, I was watching Robert Downey Jr. YouTube videos solely for his witty, quirky, dry sense of humor in search of some good laughs. Robert Downey Jr.'s dorky, eccentric mannerisms. The witty things he says. His comical facial expressions. He delivers laughter every time!! Every freakin' time!! And I love him for this!! But, while watching a YouTube video as he was out "selling soap", or promoting "The Shaggy Dog", I did not expect something deep and profound which he said to jump out at me. Whoa. I must be in a vulnerable state of healthy soul-searching right now.... Here is the quotation.

 

"You've got to adjust yourself to life, and you'll finally be happy." --Robert Downey Jr.

 

Well said, Robert. Well said.

               

 

The "Houdini" Harness

Blogging Friends.... Thank-you for your comments on the other day's post!! I truly appreciated them!! I did not realize until clicking "publish", just how heavy a subject that Blog post was!! {The concept of my mortality all those year ago. How, by God's grace and plans, things have a way of mysteriously working out.} Well. Do you believe in karma? They say that "karma bites". I really haven't a clue, exactly, what "they" mean by this. However. I now sit here typing away on this black computer keyboard, feeling a bit under the weather. Is this what "they" meant by saying "karma bites"? I write a positive, uplifting Blog post. Then--BAM!!--I catch my brother's cold germs. Ugh. Now, mood swing-infused pity parties have hovered over me like some hungry hawk. Karma bites?   

 

Stuff happens. This is a sentence that my Dad often says. And I have always liked it. Stuff happens. This statement leaves room for little excuses. The "blame game" is out of the question. There are no explanations. See, around here, we do not believe in coincidences or flukes, despite our very human minds attempting to make sense of such mysteries. Stuff happens. Last week, I was power-walking Rose up and down our suburban cul-de-sac. There appeared to be some smell--which apparently seemed inviting to her ebony nostrils--along the sidewalk. Now, occasionally, what follows her nose is a wet, pink tongue. And, since I cannot use my inner Sherlock Holmes to decode what, exactly, Rose is sniffing {Aside from tasting it, of course, which he does. I will leave that part to him!!} I usually pull Rose away from her sidewalk treasure. Do I allow my hound to sniff bushes? Certainly!! Do I allow her to sniff grass? Certainly!! But sidewalks can contain heaven-knows-what!! As I pulled Rose away--her strong, stubborn "German Shepherd" shoulder muscles tensing up, an entire cul-de-sac away from home, a busy street lurking in front of us--the red harness came unsnapped!! It happened so fast. Fortunately, I did not have time to panic. Thoughts such as this never crossed my crazy mind. Her harness is undone!! What if she slips out and runs away? The busy street!! What if she runs out into traffic and gets killed by a car? Rose, who shares my attention deficit disorder, was completely unfazed, her ebony nostrils continuously sniffing that sidewalk. I only had time to react. "Oh my gosh!!", were the sole words I recall saying. Then, I stooped over, and--SNAP--my hands re-linked her harness. Just like that. Then, I remember saying this, as my eyes glimpsed toward the busy street's raging late afternoon traffic. "Thank God you have A.D.D.!!". I also investigated the red harness. It was not broken. Or tattered, even. I know that I snapped it on right. I always double-check!! The red harness simply came unsnapped. Obviously, this was some sort of a fluke, right? Not really!! Because, the other day, it occurred again!! This time, we were nearly home, at least!! Rose was sniffing a bush, right in front of our next-door neighbor's house. It was time to go home, so I pulled my little girl away, as her strong, stubborn "German shepherd" shoulder muscles tensed up. And--SNAP--the red harness came undone!! I recall saying this. "Not again!!". And, to my utter shock, as I stooped over to fix it, I noticed something. This time the red harness strap also slipped through a loop!! Rose was nearly harness-free!! Then, our friendly Beagle-owning next door neighbor drove home from work. Rose, my Little Miss Sociable, turned her head to the right, because she wanted him. Again. I did not have time to panic. I only had time to react. "Oh no you don't!!", were the words that slipped through my lips concerning thoughts of losing an almost harness-free dog to our neighbor's. Then. I stooped over, and grabbed Rose's red collar, the harness/leash dragging behind us. We most likely looked like idiots to neighbors, but I did not care!! My canine is safe and sound!! We will not be using that red "Houdini" harness ever again!!   

Maturity

Blogging Friends.... I know, I know. I have promised Rose stories!! And I am writing them!! Honest!! Today, I plan to write another Rose story!! However. This is also a Blog about me. That being mentioned. God has been working some incredibly profound maturity in me lately. It feels so weird. Maturity....

 

Moms of my "Cranio"/C.D.H. Kindred Spirits. This can apply to you, and your children, as well.

 

{Taken from my private Word Document Journal. Some changes were required!!}

 

God is in control. God doesn't make mistakes and any baby is never a mistake. Who cares if {you} never get a job or go to college or get married or have children? Do those things validate your existence? Are you loved because of what you can accomplish or because you exist? You are valuable because you were created and God saw fit to create you for Himself. Are you still trying to validate your existence by what you do? Let it go. Look up right now and smile and say "Thank you God for making me!" I am a firm believer that God doesn't make mistakes. You aren't a mistake.

 

I read these words on someone's Blog quite some time ago. She has since deleted her Website. But, I liked this post enough to copy and paste it upon a Word Document!! Anyway. Through these very words, God was conveying a message to me about self-acceptance and contentment. Which. As per usual, I paid very little attention to. But then again. Everything works out!! See, if I had heeded God's message to me about self-acceptance and contentment through that Blogger's words, then, chances are, I never would have been profoundly impacted by Robert Downey Jr./Tony Stark/Iron Man. "It's a... terrible privilege.". No, these words were meant for me right now. Why? Because just this morning, they randomly reappeared within my head, like some sign. God is in control. I was born with a rare birth defect called craniosynostosis. Loosely translated. I was born sans a soft spot. One out of 2,000 babies born are affected by craniosynostosis. Yes, One out of 2,000 babies. We accepted Christ because of craniosynostosis. God doesn't make mistakes and any baby is never a mistake. I am not exempt from this truth. Who cares if {you} never get a job or go to college or get married or have children? Do those things validate your existence? Are you loved because of what you can accomplish or because you exist? You are valuable because you were created and God saw fit to create you for Himself. Are you still trying to validate your existence by what you do? Yes. I have been doing this. Ever since someone who I am in close proximity to began preparing for college. It was then when I worked feverishly on my Life Story in high hopes of getting it published. Of becoming a published author. Look up right now and smile and say "Thank you God for making me!" I am a firm believer that God doesn't make mistakes. You aren't a mistake. I was also born with this rare and potentially life-threatening birth defect called congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Loosely translated. I was born with a hole in my diaphragm. One out of every 2,500 live births are affected by C.D.H. . Yes, one out of every 2,500 live births. Plus. Approximately 1,600 babies are born each year with C.D.H. . Yes, 1,600 babies. It was right-sided C.D.H. . {I think!!} Only 10% of C.D.H. cases occur on the right side. Yes, 10%. My liver was elevated. Doctors were unsure, exactly, of what ailed my skinny, long-limbed little body, so they closely monitored me. Meanwhile. My heart became enlarged, and a lung collapsed. Here are some very sobering facts concerning this birth defect. Some, but not all, research studies show that right-sided C.D.H. is associated with a greater mortality rate than left-sided C.D.H. . I wonder why? Infants with a large amount of "liver up C.D.H." have higher mortality than those whose liver remains down below the diaphragm. And. Approximately 50% of babies who are born with C.D.H. don't survive. They pass away due to complications. Yes, approximately 50%.

 

Wow. I was never placed on the E.C.M.O. machine. I did not reherinate. I never needed any G-tubes. Nonetheless. These C.D.H. statistics scream that I never should have survived. Either God was really watching over me--because He has plans for my life--or I am "hard to kill", as that phrase goes. How about both? Whoa. How do you psychologically handle something as profound as these statistics? And I wasted over ten years of my life to mood swing-infused pity parties. Over one decade....

 

Look up right now and smile and say "Thank you God for making me!" You know what? I do not need to look up toward clear blue skies, and thank my Heavenly Father for creating me. No. All I need to do is trace my fingers across a lengthy C.D.H. scar. Because. He protected my skinny, long-limbed little body....

 

 

Remembering Shadow?

Blogging Friends....I do have a Rose story which I've written!! {Plus more to come!! I am currently on a writing frenzy!!} However. Lately, I have been thinking about Shadow, my first girl. I actually like it when this occurs. It means that I will never forget her....   

 

It always touches my deepest, most heartfelt emotions when people {Children especially!!} remember Shadow. She was, after all, a part of my life for ten years and nearly five months before being euthanized. Over one decade. And she was our first Beautifully Unique mutt. My nine-year old neighbor buddy often voluntarily brings Shadow up in conversations. He remembers her well, and asks some deep, deep questions about how she passed away. Which, I answer with sincere honesty, because that is how I am with children. You know what? Sharing how Shadow suffered from repetitive falling spells for five months until one night I could not catch her, and she didn't rebound, never gets easy. Never. But still. It always touches my deepest, most heartfelt emotions when people {Children especially!!} remember Shadow. Well, how about this? What if the child is my nearly two-year old niece, Little Munchkin, who has never even met Shadow? See, we have something that we do together. Little Munchkin runs toward this very desktop computer and asks for Rose. She wants to see digital pictures which I have stored on here. But really? Little Munchkin is a budding pen artist, and loves to sit upon my lap while scribbling in yellow notepads!! She has an impressive photographic memory {At least one of us does!! Curse my premature short-term memory loss!!}, and when we first started looking at pictures, I found Shadow, but swiftly changed to Rose, as Little Munchkin actually knows my Mystery Dog. Fast forward. Yesterday, I was chasing my very outgoing, energetic, busy niece though our house. "I'm following you," I playfully announced. "You have a shadow!!". Then--be still my touched heart!!--Little Munchkin said this. "Shadow?". Next thing I realized, she was standing at this very desktop computer, asking to see digital pictures of my first canine!! Whoa. How do you respond to that? I pulled up some pictures of a "blond"-furred, white-muzzled Shadow from her final year, which was 2010. And, sans any prompting, Little Munchkin pointed to photographs of my first girl. Then, clear as day, she said this, as though they were best friends."Shadow!!". Someday I shall tell Little Munchkin about Shadow. Because after all. She left over ten years' worth of memories....