Thought For The Day

A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him."

- David Brinkley

A Moment of Sincerity

Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear
Jon Stewart - Moment of Sincerity
www.comedycentral.com
Rally to Restore Sainty and/or Fear The Daily Show The Colbert Report

Enough

Joe Heller

True story, Word of Honor:
Joseph Heller, an important and funny writer now dead,
and I were at a party given by a billionaire on Shelter Island
I said, "Joe, how does it make you feel
to know that our host only yesterday
may have made more money
than your novel Catch-22
has earned in its entire history?"
And Joe said, "I've got something he can never have."
And I said, "What on earth could that be Joe?"
And Joe said, "The knowledge that I've got enough."
Not bad! Rest in peace!

- Kurt Vonnegut
The New Yorker, May 16,2005

Quote of The Day

‎"Some people see more in a walk around the block than others see in a trip around the world."

- unknown

Quotes For The Day

What hurts the victim most is not the cruelty of the oppressor but the silence of the bystander.

– Elie Wiesel, Holocaust survivor and Nobel laureate.


Thou shalt not be a victim. Thou shalt not be a perpetrator. Above all, thou shalt not be a bystander.

– Holocaust Museum, Washington, D.C.

Happy Birthday Mom!

Happy Birthday!

Today is my birthday!

To celebrate I went on a Segway tour of downtown San Diego. I had a blast!



I did my tour with We Love Tourists. I got a smokin' deal with a groupon. Even if you have to pay full price - it is totally worth it. The Segway tour is a fantastic way to see our beautiful city!!

Awesome Icing

I made the most amazing chocolate cupcakes today. I think the following icing is what made them!

Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

• 80 oz (227g) cream cheese
  
• 1 stick (113g) unsalted butter, firm but not cold
  
• 1/8 tsp salt
  
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  
• 3 3/4 cups (375g) icing sugar
  
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
  

Use the flat beater, use the electric mixer to beat the cream cheese, butter, salt and cinnamon.
Use med-low speed and beat until smooth and creamy, 2 to 3 minutes.
reduce the speed to low, gradually add the icing sugar and beat until incorporated.
Add the vanilla. Stop once the vanilla is incorporated.
It should be creamy and dense like ice cream.
Add milk, 1tsp at a time, if frosting does not have a spreadable consistency.

Quote Of The Day

Dance like your photo's not tagged, love like you've never been unfriended, tweet like nobody's following.

~ Unknown

Go Rachel!

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Banana Bread (Vegan)

I *love* banana bread!

The other day I saw this unique banana bread recipe online and decided I should give it a try. As usual I took the original recipe as a 'suggestion' and was a little creative with it. The end result is not as sweet and moist as traditional banana bread. But pretty darn good for a vegan variation and the Maple Syrup makes it taste Canadian :)

Maple Syrup, Pecan, Chocolate Banana Bread

1 cup 100% Pure Maple Syrup
1/2 cup Earth Balance butter spread
2 tablespoons ground flax seed mixed with 6 tablespoons of water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup pecans
1/4 cup carob or chocolate chips

Directions
Add ingredients to food processor in order listed above
Mix ingredients until desired consistency and pecans and chocolate are shaved bits mixed in the dough
Bake at 360 degress for 50 - 60 minutes.

Pete vs The Deep Fried Klondike Bar

I was off to the fair again tonight. This time with my friend Pete. We had a blast checking out the funky displays where they try to sell you the latest 'slicer,dicer' or 'super duper can't live without it' mop.

Of course no trip to the fair is complete with a crazy deep fried treat.



Pete was brave and took on the deep fried klondike bar!

The God Question

"Is God Good? Or Is God Violent?"


Nearly all religions seem hell-bent on inspiring people to kill each other... So we ask: Why does God seem so violent and genocidal in many Bible passages? Does God sanction elitism, prejudice, violence, or even genocide? Is God incurably violent and is faith capable of becoming a stronger force for peace and reconciliation than it has been for violence in the past?


~ Brian McLaren, A New Kind of Christianity

Happy Canada Day!

... and nothing says Canada Day like a little Stompin' Tom!

Neighbourhood Trees Get A Haircut!

As usual I was off to the vet this morning with The Pickster. Today, was unusually exciting. It was haircut day for the neighbourhood palm trees!

Strategy Meeting

Father's Day

I miss my Dad.

Take Me Out To The Ball Game

I went downtown tonight to enjoy a ball game at Petco Park.

Padres didn't play very well - but I had a blast anyways.

There is a great little park, appropriately named 'Park at the Park'. For just $5 you can enjoy a picnic, play with the kids and watch the game at the same time!

Mr. Seagull

When I arrived home tonight - Mr Seagull was waiting for me. He was none to happy with me and let me know it!!

A Trip To The Beach

Stopped by LaJolla Shores to do some cache maintenance. Saw this fun bumper sticker on a car in the parking lot.

Sunday

What Do You Want For Me

P!nk wrote this song but gave it to Adam Lambert (who got a hit from it). She felt he sang it better.

I am not so sure - I think it is P!nk through and through. What do you think?

Words Matter.

Words Matter. Think Before You Speak

Breakfast At The Beach

Enjoying a breakfast burrito at the beach. Let the l-o-n-g weekend begin!

Thought For The Day

What I have come to realize is that obsession with the large and successful clouds our ability to see the small and engaged as being significant.

- Rev. Dr. Gary Nelson

Look Who Is Turning One

Homemade French Toast (Vegan)

o.k. I admit the ingredients in this one are a little funky - but trust me it is delish.

Ingredients
bread
1 cup firm tofu
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 tablespoons brown rice syrup
1/2 cup almond milk (or soy)
two pinches of sea salt
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 tsp vanilla

Oil of your choice ( olive, sunflower etc) for frying

Directions

In blender, blend all ingredients together until smooth and creamy
If too thick add more milk
Dip bread in batter and fry in oil until brown on both sides


Recipe hi-jacked and modified from here (a.k.a. The Kind Life).

Thought For The Day

Go and Do Likewise

On the one hand, we are called to play the Good Samaritan on life's roadside, but that will be only an initial act. One day we must come to see that the whole Jericho Road must be transformed so that men and women will not be constantly beaten and robbed as they make their journey on life's highway. True compassion is more than flinging a coin to a beggar.

-Martin Luther King Jr.

Geocaching 101

Whaaaaat? 'Milk in bags,eh?

Article from the Toronto Star.

A video by Sheryl Ng's instructional video on drinking milk from a bag has weirded out Americans and stirred up controversy. Who'd of thunk it?



Click on picture above to enlarge and read.

Praying With Lior

"Lior means 'my light'... He is a light, he's a light for us and many other people too. Kind of like a spotlight on what is important."
- Lynne Iser, Lior's Step Mom


More about the documentary here

In the Director's Own Words

Searching for spiritual inspiration outside the stale synagogue experience of my childhood, I attended a retreat for the Jewish New Year. As I sat in the service, anxious, distracted, counting the pages until I'd be free, I heard Lior's unabashed, off-key, ecstatic voice. When I turned to look at the source of this sound, I was struck to see a boy with Down syndrome. And I was surprised to find myself envious of this "disabled" child, who could pray as I wished I could.

Over the course of this retreat, I stalked Lior, looking for the secret to his prayer. When I heard he was having a Bar Mitzvah, I pictured the movie version. And then I realized that I could make it.

Soon after, I read "Praying with Lior," the article Lior's late mother had written 7 years earlier, about her 5 year-old son who had Down syndrome and could pray like nobody's business. Devora ended the article wondering what Lior's Bar Mitzvah would be like, wondering if she would live to see it. Reading that prophetic question, and knowing that she died, I felt compelled to tell the story where the article left off.

Be Part Of The Solution

"No matter how insignificant what you do may seem, it is important that you do it."

-Gandhi

We Are The World 25 For Haiti

Details In The Fabric

Songwriters: Mraz, Jason; Wilson, Dan


Calm down, deep breaths
and get yourself dressed instead
of runnin around and pullin on your threads and
breaking yourself up
if it's a broken part replace it
if it's a broken arm then brace it
if it's a broken heart then face it

and hold your own, know your name
go your own way
hold your own, know your name
and go your own way
and everything will be fine

hang on, help is on the way
stay strong,
Everything will be fine
everything in no time at all
hearts will hold...

Quote of the Day

"All I ask of you is one thing: please don't be cynical. I hate cynicism -- it's my least favorite quality and it doesn't lead anywhere," he concluded. "Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard and you're kind, amazing things will happen."

- Conan O'Brien as he leaves The Tonight Show

New Shoes

Let It Rain

Shields Up Cubical Smurfs

Happiness Shield from Tippie Canoe on Vimeo.

Martin Luther King Day

Through The Mist

I spent the day in beautiful Balboa Park ... but the real beauty was in my neighbourhood park when I got home!


Mist Passing Through

A Trip To The Shoe Hospital

It is Friday, Chucky T day ... and Lefty has popped some stitches.

So.... we spent lunch today at the shoe hospital

Palm Trees through the Car Wash

A much over due car wash for Wanda!

Thought For The Day

May peace fill all the empty spaces around you and in you, may contentment answer all your wishes. May comfort be yours, warm and soft like a sigh. And may the coming year show you that every day is really a first day, a new year. May you be true love.
- Author Unknown

Gardien Beefless Stew

Ingredients:
1 package Gardein beefless tips
3 tbsps vegetable oil
10 ozs pearl onions, peeled
4 celery stalks, thinly sliced
4 medium carrots, 1/2 inch diced
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
3 tbsps flour
3 cups vegan "beef" broth (try Better than Bouillon brand) or roasted vegetable stock
1 cup dry red wine such as Cabernet Sauvignon
4 medium potatoes, 1/2 inch diced
1 Bunch of Broccoli
salt and pepper to taste


Preparation:

1. Chop beefless tips in quarters
   
2. Heat oil in a large saucepan on medium high heat, add beefless tips and brown on all sides. Remove from saucepan and set aside.
   
3. Add to saucepan pearl onions and celery to saucepan and cook for 3 minutes.
   
4. Add carrots, thyme and rosemary and continue to cook for an additional 3 minutes.
   
5. Sprinkle in flour, then slowly add broth and wine while stirring.
   
6. Add potatoes and broccoli and bring to a boil.
   
7. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 30 minutes. A
   
8. Add beefless tips back in and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
   
9. Season with salt and pepper and serve.
   

Original recipe by Chef Tal Ronnen here

Spring?

The ice plant is blooming ... Spring is on its' way.

One of my favourite San Diego scenes is when all the ice plant along the highway is in bloom!

Cupcake

My local Whole Foods Market makes the coolest looking cupcakes!

Wanda Gets A Tatoo

My car, Wanda is now sporting a Travel Bug Tattoo.

Fellow Geocachers ... keep an eye out for us!

Sunday Soup

Wild Rice, Butternut Squash and Bean Soup

1 medium onion
1 lb peeled and cubed butternut squash
2 zucchini, chopped
3 carrots, chopped
5 celery ribs, chopped
5 asparagus stalks, chopped
2 tbsp olive oil
1 1tbsp dried thyme
1 tbsp rosemary
1 32 oz box of low sodium vegetable broth
1 bunch of kale
1 can of small white or cannellini beans
2 cups wild rice
salt, pepper

1. Cook wild rice
   
2. Chop onion and celery. Over medium heat stir oil, celery, rosemary and thyme and cook until onion is soft
   
3. Add broth, squash, zucchini, carrots, asparagus and beans. Cook 10 minutes. Salt and Pepper to taste.
   
4. Add rice and kale. Simmer until the kale is limp (approx 10 minutes)
   

Recipe adapted from here

Contradictions

Saw this on my morning run through the park.

A sea of brown fallen leaves on a bed of beautifully green grass.

Life - the beauty lies in the contradictions.

Crosswalk

Took this at my favourite neighbourhood crosswalk. Makes me smile every time I see it!

New Shoes

Friday is Chucky-T day at work.

Today we proved peer pressure is alive and well. We finally wore down my cube neighbour ... and she bought a pair of brand spankin' new black Chuck Taylors

Tippie and R- in their Chuck Taylor Shoes

Canadian Alienation - No More!

Risking Life & Limb

Today I risked life and limb in pursuit of a sandwich.

Here is the sign on the door of the local Deli

Sunday Soup

Spicy Tomato Soup with White Beans and Swiss Chard

2 Tbs Olive Oil
1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes (more or less depending on you 'spicy' tolerance)
1 medium onion, chopped
3 medium carrots, chopped
4 celery stalks, chopped
2 small zucchini, chopped
1/2 tsp. rosemary
1 32 oz box of low sodium vegetable broth
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can diced fire roasted tomatoes
2 cans small white or cannelli beans
1 bunch of Swiss Chard
1/2 tsp thye
1 cup torn fresh basil

1. Heat Oil in large sauce pan over high heat. Add red pepper flakes and stir in onion, carrots, celery, zucchini and theyme. Cook 10 minutes or until onion is soft.
   
2. Add broth, 1 can of tomatoes and 1 cand beans. Stir. Scoop 1 cup of mixture and put in blender. Puree and then return to pot. Add remaining tomatoes and beans. Salt and Pepper to taste. Simmer 10 minutes
   
3. Add Swiss Chard and thyme, simmer until chard is limp (5 minutes)
   
4. Remove from heat, stir in basil
   

Adapted from here

Start The New Year With A Smile

Call the Nestle Crunch Hotline at 1-800-295-0051.

When you are asked if you want to continue in English or Spanish, just wait quietly for about 10 seconds and you will smile.

Promise!

Keep going and press 4.

Listen to the options...then press 7.