The car was all packed and I was rounding up the kids. Vacation time at the lake was over and it was time to head home. I found two of our three boys and I was in search of our oldest child, 11-year-old Jacob.
Looking around by the shore, I saw a kneeling figure by the water’s edge. There was young Jacob splashing some lake water on his face. A final splash of water, sunshine, and vacation. Son, no worries. Soak it all in, it’s good stuff.
Summertime, the best time.
Watching my kids play kickball, a summer joy. Summer pain and sadness, taking your eye off the game and receiving a ball in the gut. #OfCourse #NotthatIwouldknow #Ithappenedtoafriend #ThatismystoryandIamstickingtoit
Now, for tonight’s exciting conclusion to “Lumber…”
Here’s what we built with the lumber, our very own Carpetball Court!
It’s okay to be jealous. It’s healthy to get it out of your system.
If your aren’t already jealous, here’s your link to the NCA (the National Carpetball Association). Now be jealous, be very jealous.
——
“The Clue” you’ve been searching for is right here…
What would be your superhero name and power? Examples include “Sarcastic Man,” which sort of explains itself, or “Cartography Carrie,” who can actually travel places without the assistance of Google Maps
You get the idea. Please, don’t find a web site to do it for you, even though I imagine that there is one out there. Also, originality and creativity is encouraged. The Goodness Coffee House will at their sole discretion award the prizes on Friday. Winners must pick up their prizes at the Goodness.
This week’s prizes include cookies (of course), a www.CookiesbyDave.com mug (yes!), and a free beverage from the Goodness (yum-o).
Good luck!
There is perhaps no greater promise of things to come than a visit to the lumberyard with your 8-year-old son. A boy who can only envision possibilities, wonderful futures, and amazing things that could happen. Lumber, tools, downloaded blueprints, a credit card, and an inspired dad.
What shall we build? What shall our imagination produce? Stay tuned for tomorrow’s exciting conclusion, “What did we build?”
MEXICAN FLEUR-DE-LIS COOKIES
“Confession time, I have previously made this recipe, but I have a very good reason for revisiting it… I own a new cookie cutter. Well, actually I own two new cookie cutters. Let me explain.
Two years ago, I entered (and won) the County Fair with a cookie medley entitled ‘Cookies around the World.’ I used Russian Tea Cakes, which strangely enough are also referred to as Mexican Wedding Cookies, for my Russian entry, so I needed another Mexican cookie. Perusing my cookie cookbook library, I ran across these cookies entitled ‘Mexican Aniseed Cookies.’ Everything worked fine, but I was haunted by a portion of the recipe which reads, ‘The traditional shape for biscochitos (another name for this cookie) is a fleur-de-lis but you might find this a bit too ambitious.’ It certainly sounded like a challenge, but the problem is trying to find a fleur-de-lis cookie cutter outside of France or Quebec. By the way, what is up with a fleur-de-lis (that French flower shaped thingy) being the traditional shape for a Mexican cookie? First Russia, now France. It certainly looks like Mexico is the Cookie Melting Pot of the World.
So I have waited and looked for the elusive fleur-de-lis cookie cutter and to be somewhat of a pain, every time my wife would ask what I would like for a gift giving holiday, I would respond, ‘A fleur-de-lis cookie cutter.’ Well, this past Father’s Day, my beautiful, caring, talented, observant, and someday-reading-this-post wife ordered me a fleur-de-lis cookie cutter from some French sounding bakeware company online. Plus, in order to get free shipping, she also ordered me some smiley face oven mitts (awesome), a doughnut baking pan (yum-o), and (drumroll, please) a really cool squirrel cookie cutter.
Now, that is why I have revisited this recipe. An opportunity to utilize the elusive fleur-de-lis cookie cutter and I’ll tell you, if you thought that a fleur-de-lis cookie cutter is ‘ambitious,’ just wait ‘til you try ‘the squirrel.’
This cookie is light and very much resembles a thin sugar cookie in texture. The taste however is a lovely surprise, as the brandy and aniseed complement each other creating a delightful cookie experience. Enjoy!”
Cookie Ingredients
½ cup Butter
½ cup Sugar
1 Egg
1 teaspoon Whole Aniseed
1 Tablespoon Brandy
1½ cups Flour
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
Pinch of Salt
Topping Ingredients
¼ cup Sugar
½ teaspoon Cinnamon
Cream butter and sugar.
Mix in the egg, aniseed, and brandy.
Mix in the flour, baking powder, and salt.
Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
On a floured surface, roll the dough to a thickness of 1/8 inch. The dough tends to be very soft, so don’t worry if you need to place it in the freezer for 10 minutes to make it easier to roll.
Use a fleur-de-lis cookie cutter and place cut dough onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet.
Bake for 10 minutes or until lightly brown.
Makes about 30 cookies.
Revised Source: “Mexican Aniseed Cookies” recipe from “The Great Big Cookie Book” by Hilaire Walden.
In honor of America’s birthday, I would like to play the Supreme Court’s favorite game, “What would the Founding Fathers do?”
Today’s situation: the Cheddarwurst. Oh come on, know your meats. Cheddarwurst = Cheddar-filled bratwurst.
So there I was, preparing to enjoy a Cheddarwurst, just like our Founding Fathers would have done, if they were alive today. Biting into the delicious cheese filled meat creation, I misjudged the length to bite ratio. Yes, that’s right, my bite caused the remainder of the Cheddarwurst to rise from the bun and lightly “thwap” me on the side of my nose. Wiping the mustard and shame from my face, I took another tasty bite.
Now, WWtFFD?
George Washington – Would have prepared a surprise counterattack on the bratwurst, but would wait until the next major holiday (Labor Day) to launch his strike.
Thomas Jefferson – Would have written a lovely poetic verse about how the Cheddarwurst violated basic human rights.
John Adams – Would have penned a very long letter to Abigail detailing the experience.
Alexander Hamilton – Would have invested money in a bakery that produces “bratwurst flip prevention buns.”
Benjamin Franklin – Would have had a stiff drink and made a not-so-subtle move on the remaining Cheddarwurst.
Aaron Burr – Would have remained somewhat unstable.
What have I become?
My clothes no longer fit.
I yearn to shed pounds.
My mouth consumes small portions.
I wander with hunger.
Forced to lick what clings to the yogurt lid.
There I was at work today. Sitting in my cubicle. Clearing out my email. Scanning the recent minutes of a partner organization’s board meeting. “Hum, hum, hum,” the imagined sound I make while I am scanning minutes. Ah, such a good little bureaucrat was I.
Well, there I was reading, when I saw the following quote, “The program continues through the summer with great vigilance by Dave Paulsen…” Hey! That’s me! Not only that, I was referenced as “vigilant.” (Okay, it said “vigilance,” but same difference. An adjective version of the noun. Just back off, already.) Yes, “vigilant.” The adjective that means “keeping careful watch for possible danger or difficulties.” Awesome! Sort of like a crime fighter description.
Not only that, but it signaled just how far I have come. Yes me, the young intern who was once referred to as “flighty” (Yep, “flighty” with the awful definition of “fickle and irresponsible.” Personally, I think “flaky” was always a better fit, “crazy or eccentric,” but oh well.) has blossomed into “vigilant.” Ha! Take that! Now, I’m something that is watchful and protective. Fighting off danger and difficulties. A real bureaucratic bad a$$. Yep, that’s me. Plus, it’s official. It’s in the minutes.
On Tuesday, I participated in a breakfast meeting at work. As the meeting wore on, the table was strewn with donuts, coffee cups, and strangely a tin of mints. Approaching the two hour mark, I could see that my participation was no longer needed, so I bowed out of the discussion. I went on about my day and thankfully some super helpful co-workers cleaned up the meeting remains.
Entering the office this morning, what did I find on my desk? The tin of Altoids. What stronger hint could be sent? What dastardly discussions took place after I left? “Oh, thank goodness Dave left. Could you believe his morning breath? I move to give Dave the remaining mints. Is there a second?” Ouch.
Sad and mopey (in a joking sort of way), I started to grumble about the mints, as I gobbled them up, one-by-one. Ah, minty wintergreen fresh breath. After my second or third rant about the mints, I received some relief. “Dave, I put them on your desk, because it looks like the type of thoughtful thing that you would bring to a meeting.” Aw, how sweet. I take it all back. My frown turned upside down. Well, either a nice recovery or something so sweet. Regardless, now I have minty fresh breath, as I grumble away.
The planted mints. A nice thought or a subtle hint. Either way, I’m the winner (plus, all those who now get a whiff of my delicious breath. Yummy wintergreen freshness.)
Sheryl and Craig have experienced the wonder of “Blog as Art.” Did someone say, “amazing solar powered spinning sheep?” Yep and now, it’s your turn. “Blog as Art” now showing at the Goodness Coffee House in Downtown Willmar. The Blogosphere will never be the same.
What’s that? Breaking news? Yes, indeed. Stay tuned for an exciting “Blog as Art” cookie giveaway spectacular. Details coming soon…
Cookie Cups? Is that one of the details? Hold on and soon all will be made clear…
Okay, time to make it clear… Now, here’s the deal and this is going to seem a little encrypted, but if you want in on this game visit The Goodness Coffee House’s (Willmar, Minnesota) Facebook page and search for the appropriate post. Then the skies will open and everything will make sense… I promise.
“The Clue” you’ve been searching for is right here…
Translate your first name into a coffee product. Examples include “Dave au lait,” “Samuccino,” “Chuck the Americano.”
You get the idea. Please, don’t find a web site to do it for you, even though I imagine that there is one out there. Also, originality and creativity is encouraged. The Goodness Coffee House will at their sole discretion award the prizes on Friday. Winners must pick up their prizes at the Goodness.
The prizes? Well, three will be granted on Friday and here they are…
Homemade “Cookies by Dave” Cookie Cups! Yum!
Be the first kid on your block to own a limited edition “www.CookiesbyDave.com… 25,000 cookies and counting” Mug. That’s right, you could be one of those cool kids.
A free beverage from the Goodness Coffee House. This prize was earned with my hard work enjoying many a delicious Chief Kandiyohi Caramel Latte. (Again,) yum!
Good luck!