Filler

I am not lost or gone, but different.

BIG updates soon on my wild and exciting life.

Shea

Goofy meetings

General Assembly for my co-op was recently, and instead of listening (more so, i can listen and draw), I made this little scene. It was inspired by an orange massacre. I love it. We left it as a center piece on the table.

I bring you my first sculpture... The Grapes of Wrath

May Day @ Brushwood

Oh, what is there to say? I accepted a spontaneous invitation to go to a Pagan festival camping ground called Brushwood Folklore. It was a great decision! I'll share some of my photos. I had two great tour guides, and plenty of time to explore. There was a giant labyrinth that I walked (ok...medium labyrinth, but still beautiful). I challenged myself to pray the entire labyrinth and did. Praying over long periods of time is difficult for me, so that was a nice and rewarding challenge.

I ran a maypole for the first time in my life. It was fun, and sortof tiring. I danced the entire time as the photos will show. A narrator talked of beginnings and wishing on what we want to nurture. It was fun.

I met up with a bunch of people I knew there, and we helped set up their camp. They rent a lot for the summer. We drank some maywine and it was truly a relaxing place. The atmosphere was positive, despite some little naysayers. It was a peaceful and good recharge. I needed this. I feel like i've been gone for a long, long time, and i'm filled with positive energy.



Happy Beltane! The fire has truly returned to the Earth.

Beltane May Day

Just got an invite that friends have an extra seat in a car going to Brushwood. I said yes, got dressed and AWAY WE GO!

MAY POLE!!!!!

New Recipe Alert!

Hello!

It is bittersweet that I write today. The Sabres were eliminated, a good friend and house mate moved out (in the middle of the night...literally) ((like a bandit!)), and I've been so into meetings and work, that i've done nothing for myself this week.

That is my goal. I've completely lost myself this past year, and I'm starting with baby steps. I'm doing something each week for myself, that isn't giving to another person or organization.

With that said, there was a Nickel City Potluck, held at Plankton House (we just planted two trees and a spreading shrubbery!) ((Shrubbery!!)). Blinis were made (russian pancakes) and our job was to make toppings for them. I decided to make a cashew butter thing, because cashews are so sweet. It was an exciting hit. People loved it. I mean it! They looooved it. So we're calling this one "Shea butter". haha get it! Oh, i wish I were the one who had come up with the pun.



Edible Shea Butter
2-3 cups cashews (raw)
oil (I used Canola)
soy milk fresh squeezed orange juice (one orange)

In a mixer (cuisinart), demolish the cashews and add oil to make a paste. Add soy milk till creamy. add the juice of one orange. Mix for a minute or two, or at least until it's creamy and smooth. Serve.

I let mine chill for a few minutes because I had to answer the door. It's edible, its spreadible and its vegan. It is sweet. I also was told that this could make a good vegan alternative to whipped cream.

So there is my fun creation. I'm not a chef here, but I am enjoying trying these little things out and having good reviews.

WE ARE THE BUFFALO (Vikings) SABRES!!!
ARRIVING FOR THE BOSTON MASSACRE!!!
Effin up one bruin at a time!!!
ONWARD KALETA, MAIR, MYERS, GOOOOOSE, RIVET, MCORMICK!!!
RAPE AND PILLAGE THEM YARRRR!

the rich people and playoffs and my hair... catching up

The Rich People had me house sit. I was extremely bored with a billion television channels, unlimited internet, and a huge kitchen. I was entertained for a while, but generally spent most of my time either sleeping or playing with the dog.

The Playoffs are here and it's Sabres hockey time. I've gone to Party in the Plaza. I've gone to a few bars to watch. I even got food poisoning from one restaurant. That's sortof how this playoff series has been for me. We're 2-1 losing to the bruins. Tonight is game four and I feel like a Viking.


HAIR OH MY! I am weaning myself off of Shampoo and conditioner. For shits and giggles. It's a mixture of Baking soda on the scalp and Apple Cider Vinegar for the rest of your hair. I love my hair. In fact, i'm deeming it NEW hair. It's beautiful hair. I'm telling everyone and I'm going to make them touch it.

Seriously. NEW hair.

Vermont

Ah, we should all be aware that I have a love obsession with Vermont. It's a beautiful, serene, calmer place than where I live currently. It's a mental state, a perspective, a culture that I need. Some people needs spas, some people need therapists... I need Vermont.

My older brother is a Constable in a small Vermont town, and I went up to visit him and his girlfriend in their home. He has an old fixer-upper... and I do mean that. He's transformed what was pretty much a shack into a beautiful two person home, cozy and lovely. We went up for maple syrup and family, but unfortunately, due to the weather getting warm, maple syrup season was short and not plentiful in the least bit. I still managed to get a pint to bring home to Buffalo.

We went hiking around Lake Morley (or Morrey... I can't recall) with a bunch of his friends and all their dogs. It was fun, relaxing. We drank around a campfire and I made some very nice friends... who happen to be excellent photographers.


I'll update with pictures once I find some. For now, enjoy a photo of Ryan Miller at the Olympics closing ceremony wearing his silver medal. It is completely unrelated.

One night in Bangkok... what?!

Last night was Ol' Wonder Moth's (the other co-op house) Spring Equinox-Crystal's leaving-Happy Birthday Robert!-VAUDEVILLE party!


It was a fantastic night. As one might see, I am wearing a red corset, my underwear and body painting. The other woman is my housemate Amy.

Now, the space we're using to paint our bodies is our new social common space ART SPACE. Look at us, doing that whole art thang. We had no real body paint, so we used house paint. I am trying to procure more pictures with the paint job completed. I also, to make it classy, wore pearls.

Our faces were wonderfully painted as well. I wore a crown of holly, and we danced to an accordion in the middle of the eating area at Wondermoth. It was fun. I brought vegan bread and brie. There were plays, fire eating and performing, songs, music, dancing, eating, drinking wine and rum and beer. Mark and Katie showed up and I haven't seen them in months. Katie gave me her knit afghan. I am honored, its beautiful.

The party raged on, we danced, and I fell asleep, after a shower and woke up for church.

And realized I had no pants. I found a shirt and skirts and away I went, for Faszchnats and youth group kids. HUZZAH!


I'll post my bread recipe soon!


It was a beautiful night.

Vegan almond cookies - another Shea creation


Preheat oven to 375


2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
3/4 cups sugar/turbinado/cane sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup ground flax seed (made into a gooey paste with water)
1 cup earth balance, melted or softened
1/4 cup oil (veggie, canola, olive)
two hands full of almonds, ground
teaspoon of baking soda
teaspoon of salt
teaspoon of vanilla extract


mix. make into round balls (they don't spread, so size of ball is size of cookie).

bake for 10 minutes or until golden brown.


FINIS!

Remedies

I'm fairly sick. It started as a throat tickle, and then got worse. Being that I have no health care, I have decided to not go to the doctor. Yes, yes, Sherlock, I know, my skills of deduction are improving. I'm such a good student, sir. Ahem.

Anyway... The general consensus was that I drink teas made with ginger and honey, and have garlic as well as copious amounts of whatever alcohol is near me.

I have gin, but I left it alone. I haven't really had a drink in days. Which is probably why i'm sick.

The first clove of garlic was horrible. The second made my mouth burn to such an extent that I felt like regurgitating and I ran my tongue under the sink. Cool refreshing water is a deceiver and does nothing for the harsh burn of raw garlic. After the third one, I was praying to God that this would work and I also presumed that I had died and was in fact, in hell.

I swigged Ginger honey tea, which was sweet, but began to burn the back of my throat, but i sortof liked it. It was the good burn, the raw garlic making me want to yell safety words, except that it was self inflicted.

I was told to bundle up and go to bed, and to quote a very good friend, "burn that shit out of you". I did not burn "that shit" but myself. I am now worse for wear. I think it actually made me worse.

I was given dayquil. It worked for about an hour. Then I got worse. A dear friend gave me three pills and said "HERE! Take this. Three is more than enough. You won't need more. If you do... well... then you're seriously sick."

So here is to the home remedy. In all my 28 years, it has never steered me wrong. And here is to a dead phone. I cannot call into work because the phone number is in the phone. And Here.... is to finally opening that gin.

Vegan Carrot lemon mini cake with a honey almond raisin filling

Yes, you read that title correctly.

I created my very first recipe today. I really enjoyed making it, and so far people said it's good. I am calling it a Plankton Cake. It is completely vegan (unless you don't eat honey. it does contain honey).

Plankton Cakes

Preheat over to 350 degrees.

Cake batter:
1 cup whole wheat bread flour
3/4 cups turbinado/cane sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
2.5 teaspoons baking soda
1 cup applesauce
2 whole carrots grated
1 lemon peel zested
pinch of salt
handful of pumpkin seeds
1/2 cup ground flax seeds mixed with water (until gooey)
3 tablespoons coconut milk

Mix all ingredients and place into small cake pans (like cupcake pans but with a hole in the center). Bake for 40-45 minutes. The batter will spill over the sides, so do not fill completely.
Let sit.

Filling:

1 cup of almonds ground/chopped
1 cup of raisins
1/2 cup of honey
1/2 cup of agave sweetner (replace with honey if you want)

Mix together and spoon into the indent on the finished cakes.

Chill. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Serve.





I have never tried it hot, but it tastes good cool. No camera, no pictures. Sorry.

Run through August to now?

Pictures will explain it all. I've been away for a while.

dun dun dunnn


It begins.



again.