happy tofurkey day!

“Save the bird, ride a tofurkey!”

I may not be vegetarian, but quite a few of my friends are. Which is why I am posting this recipe. The other day I heard about quite the invention. Something that is eaten on thanksgiving, but has absolutely nothing to do with a real turkey? How odd, how bizarre, how very interesting!

With a little help with a borrowed computer I took the case. There are quite a few recipes for vegetarians on thanksgiving, but this one by Becky on Allrecipes seems to be the best. I hope all of you veggies out there come across this or a recipe like it, but that would be absurd because you would already know about it, or if you don’t then why not give it a try? (Save the bird ride a tofurkey!) Always try something, even if it is only once. Where’s your sense of adventure?

INGREDIENTS

* 5 (16 ounce) packages extra firm tofu
* 2 tablespoons sesame oil
* 1 red onion, finely diced
* 1 1/3 cups diced celery
* 1 cup chopped mushrooms
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 1/8 cup dried sage
* 2 teaspoons dried thyme
* salt and pepper to taste
* 1 1/2 teaspoons dried rosemary
* 1/4 cup tamari
* 3 cups prepared herb stuffing
*
* 1/2 cup sesame oil
* 1/4 cup tamari
* 2 tablespoons miso paste
* 5 tablespoons orange juice
* 1 teaspoon honey mustard
* 1/2 teaspoon orange zest
* 3 sprigs fresh rosemary

DIRECTIONS

1. Line a medium sized, round colander with a cheese cloth or a clean dish towel. Place the crumbled tofu in the colander. Place another cheese cloth over the top of the tofu. Place the colander over the top of a bowl to catch the liquid. Place a heavy weight on top of tofu. Refrigerate the colander, tofu and weight for 2 to 3 hours.

2. Make the stuffing: In a large frying pan saute onion, celery and mushrooms in 2 tablespoons of the sesame oil until tender. Add the garlic, sage, thyme, salt and pepper, rosemary and 1/4 cup of the tamari. Stir well; cook for 5 minutes. Add prepared herb stuffing and mix well. Remove from heat.

3. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease a cookie sheet.

4. Combine 1/2 cup sesame oil, 1/4 cup tamari, miso, orange juice, mustard and orange zest in a small bowl; mix well.

5. Remove the weight from the tofu. Hollow out the tofu so that there is one inch of tofu still lining the colander. Place the scooped out tofu in a separate bowl. Brush the tofu lining with a small amount of the miso seasoning. Scoop the stuffing into the center of the tofu shell. Place the leftover tofu on top of the stuffing and press down firmly. Turn the stuffed tofu onto the prepared cookie sheet. Putting the leftover tofu side of the “turkey” (the flat side) down. Gently press on the sides of the “turkey” to form a more oval shape. Brush the tofu turkey with 1/2 of the oil-tamari mixture. Place the sprigs of rosemary on top of the tofu. Cover the “turkey” with foil.

6. Bake for one hour. After one hour, remove “turkey” from the oven and remove the foil. Baste the “turkey” with the remaining tamari-oil sauce (reserving 4 tablespoons of sauce). Return “turkey” to oven and bake another hour or until the tofu turkey is golden brown. Place the tofu turkey on a serving platter, brush with the remaining tamari-oil mixture and serve hot.

more than just mere thanks.

I quickly wanted to say thank-you to all of you who previously commented on my sunday scribbling, your blessings were needed and genuinely made me lose myself in all this chaos, which is so grand!

A true merci to Rinkly Rimes in Australia, Linda at Linda’s Poems, Paisley, Tumblewords in Idaho, Linda May, J at Jelly Jules, Rambler, Sis at The New Me, and especially a big hug out to Granny Smith.

Also, I would like to thank Gia at NYSCASA for her lovely post. Not too long ago I was apart of  a 5k run sponsored by NYSCASA at the SUNY University at Albany. Magically I won a Free Trade Gift basket, which Gia, I absolutely adored! To learn more about NYSCASA and what they do, or to volunteer, go to their website at http://www.nyscasa.org/.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!!

thankful.

"Tree Hugger" by Christina Silverio

“To be a human being is an honour, and we offer thanksgiving for all the gifts of life. Mother earth, we thank you for giving us everything we need. thank you, deep blue waters around mother earth, for you are the force that takes thirst away from all living things. we give thanks to green grasses that feel so good against our bare feet, for the cool beauty you bring to mother earth’s floor. thank you, good foods from mother earth, out life sustainers, for making us happy when we are hungry. fruits and berries, we thank you for your colour and sweetness. we are all thankful to good medicine herbs, for healing us when we are sick. thank you, all the animals in the world, for keeping our precious forests clean. All the trees in the world, we are thankful for the shade and warmth you give us. thank you, all the birds in the world for singing your beautiful songs for all to enjoy. we give thanks to you, gentle Four Winds, for bringing clean air for us to breathe from the four directions. Thank you, Grandfather Thunder Beings, for bringing rains to help all living things grow. Elder Brother Sun, we send thanks for shining your light and warming Mother Earth. Thank you, Grandmother Moon, for growing full every month to light the darkness for children and sparkling waters. We give you thanks, twinkling stars, for making the night sky so beautiful and for sprinkling morning dew drops on the plants. Spirit Protectors of our past and present, we thank you for showing us ways to live in peace and harmony with one another. And most of all, thank you, Great Spirit, for giving us all these wonderful gifts, so we will be happy and healthy every day and every night.” ~Giving Thanks by Chief Jake Swamp

Appreciation. Appreciation for the things we have, the little things, the big things; the things we never give much thought to. This week’s Sunday Scribble is supposed to be about “Thanks.” In the spirit of the holiday coming up on thursday, it is on everyone’s mind, or it should be on everyone’s mind, especially those who are truly thankful. I am one of them.

This past sunday night my home was taken away. I lost every materialistic possession I have ever owned, with the exception of my vehicle. My journals, my books, my pictures, my memories made manifest- stricken away by the mighty powers of fire.

So, sitting here on my friend’s couch, watching my friend’s television, whilst using her laptop. I am thinking. Thinking of all the things I am truly thankful for. And I am thinking of a Meme. Thus, in true wordpress fashion, let the meming begin!

Meme-ing Thanks:

The Ozone layer
Warm sunlight
Birdsong
The smell of fresh flowers
Artistic representation
Rainy days
Sleeping in
Love of friends & family
100 Billion+ years of evolution fission
Hot chocolate
CHOCOLATE
LOGO
My Grams’ Recipes
Magick of Life
Ripped men in tight clothing
Good food, good service
Music
The Written Word
“The Gay Agenda”
Pedicures
Peanut butter
Hate mongers who make themselves to look like idiots
Painkiller addicted medical geniuses
Multiculturalism
Tofu eating, Peace sign wearing, Tree huggers
Snow globes
Natural wonders
Warm hugs
Pumpkin spice cappuccinos
Fresh air
Trips to foreign places (Canada)
Old movies
Martha!
Stonewall
Tylenol, lots of Tylenol
Green living
Alternative energies
The internet
Smiling faces
True laughter
CRMovements
Cheap white wine
Fine living
Optimism
Good hearted people
Open-mindedness
Cheeky Bitch Syndrome
The Human Ability to Adapt
Being Alive.
Having the strength and love to go on.
My boyfriend.
Random acts of charity.
The ability to laugh.
Acts of Mother Nature that TEACH.
My heart that still burns bright!

Breaking News: Fire in Guilderland

"Burning Down the House" by Ann Lynott

“Neither fire nor wind, birth nor death can erase our good deeds”~ Buddha quotes (Hindu Prince Gautama Siddharta, the founder of Buddhism, 563-483 B.C.)

Well, I’m alive. I’m homeless, but I’m alive. Guilderland has officially been guilded. Guilded by the flames of destruction. But where destruction falls, rebirth and rejuvenation is not far behind. Yes, it is horrible this has happened to us, but it only brings us closer together. And the amount of compassion- far larger than what I would have ever thought. Random people, are simply showing such a kindness, such a level of humanity that it is simply peaceful. And where there is not a hand offering help, there is a jovial person offering a laugh. In times like this comedy is the best thing anyone can offer. Life is uncertain right now for us, we will be living out of a hotel for the time being , but it’s just another chapter for me to add in this life’s natural bookcraft.

VIDEO: Guilderland apartment complex catches fire

(http://www.cbs6albany.com/video/?bcpid=1137806146&bclid=1143371293&bctid=2389392001)

Comments 0 | Recommend 0

November 16, 2008 – 8:54 PM

Shawn Strack

Two suffer from minor smoke inhalation and many more are without a home after a Sunday night fire at a Guilderland apartment complex.

The Guilderland Fire Chief says that the management company for the Brandywine Apartments will “put up” all residents who were evacuated after a second floor cooking fire broke out.

Water pooled on the sidewalk in front of the building, and melted siding piled on the lawn after the flames were extinguished.

No serious injuries were reported, and the two treated for smoke inhalation were released on the scene.

Two treated after fire in Guilderland apartment complex

Monday, November 17, 2008

By Jill Bryce (Contact)
Gazette Reporter

GUILDERLAND — Two people were treated for smoke inhalation and many others were displaced from their homes Sunday night after a fire at Brandywine Apartments.

The fire was caused by cooking in a second-floor apartment, according to police. No serious injuries were reported.

The management company for Brandywine Apartments is providing apartments for anyone displaced by the fire, police said.

happy and full…

 

Full Moon by designer Kara Lock

“May you have warm words on a cold evening, a full moon on a dark night and a smooth road all the way to your door.” ~irish door blessing~

happy full moon everyone! Even before I knew the physical significance about the moon- it’s pull on the earth’s tides, impact on magnetic fields, birds, ocean life, etc. i knew and felt the other effect. the effect on our human minds. that is after all where the word lunacy comes from, and further lunatic but these are negative aspects humanity has attributed to the lunar orbital around our planet. there was no other expression, to describe what could not be described. lunacy developed a bad wrap so to speak and now lunacy, true lunacy the beautiful effects of lunar energy, have become synonyms to crazy or even deranged. Something so beautiful has turned ugly. and all because of ignorance, the ignorance of not knowing. not knowing or simply not acknowledging the truth. and the truth is the moon does in fact effect life on earth. it is the true crazies that commit murders on full-moons because the cinematics have poisoned their

the high priestess by joanna powell colbert

minds, poor cinematic mind you because i simply love the cinema, Hollywood has kept up the negative wrap the moon has on human culture. As much as it is romantical, is is seen as diabolical. As pure and white as it can be, it can also turn the blood colour of red. from signifying the(a) apocalypse, to being an actual calendar, the moon has played a heavy role in the development of the human species. and tonight is the night. when the moon is fullest. a truly romantic night! a truly magical night!

And on this most special of nights we give thanks to the bounty of th emoon. it’s rich and full glow casts it’s beautiful waters upon our facea and quenches our thirst. it’s light brightens our grieving darknesses. It’s powers soothing and protective, it allows you to see. To see with it’s light. Look in your life, what do you wish to come to fruitation? What did you wish so much at the new moon? Now is the night of that wishes, strongest power. My card for this phase was the high priestess. To day, tonight, and the next three nights is the time of happening. I am now that which was hidden. I am now that ;witch’ that was hidden. I have looked in behind the willow curtain, I have tasted the fruit of the pomegranate, I have listened to the owl and i have listened to myself. My own inner heart has been telling me things, and I know them to be true. However, after every high there is a low. After every marathon, there is a rest. And as we come to the next new moon, yours and my own next phase will emerge. And another goal will be present for you and I to achieve!

The OPPORTUNITY

 

20 – Awakening
Getting conscious“You have the opportunity to raise your consciousness and “wake up” in some way. Perhaps you will make a commitment to eating locally-grown organic foods, or perhaps you will begin a new spiritual practice. You now perceive yourself to be part of the global community. You know that your choices and actions affect the entire web of life, and you live your life accordingly, as best you can. As you continue to open yourself up to the life of the Spirit, your heart is filled with compassion and you begin to let go of the judgments and criticisms you have made in the past. To live in alignment with your deepest, most authentic Self is not possible without the help of spiritual allies. It’s this knowledge that keeps us humble. You know that your life has purpose and meaning, and this gives you deep joy and peace. Service to others may not have been part of your life in the past, but it is now. When each person gives their own unique gift to the world, the entire fabric of the planet is strengthened and enriched.”

 

The CHALLENGE

1 – the Magician
Spirit made manifest“You are being challenged to access your personal power and use it to manifest your desires in a responsible way. You have learned how to focus your will and your passion towards a goal. You may be uncertain about using that power, or you may be tempted to use it unethically. Remember that when you align yourself with the heartbeat of the earth, you have the power to bring forth healing for the planet and all her creatures.”

 

 

The RESOLUTION

 

13 – Death
Dying and being born“Resolution comes as you accept the fact that something in your life is dying and something else is nearing its time to be born. Take the time that you need to grieve for that which is dying, whether it is a cherished dream, a relationship or a belief system. Don’t rush the process or deny all your turbulent feelings. Death isn’t pretty; it hurts. It’s painful. Whatever dies, is dead, and it will never return again in the same form. But just as the Dark Moon gives way to the New, and Winter gives way to Spring, Rebirth will surely follow Death. When you are ready to let go of grief, you will find yourself emptied out and clean, and ready for the next stage of your journey.”

 

the origins of bookcraft in my subconscience?

“I am The Pagemaster, keeper of the books and guardian of the written word.”
-The Pagemaster

“When in doubt, LOOK TO THE BOOKS,” said The Pagemaster. I was 7seven. And the imprint of the love of books was permanently fixed on my retinas by walt disney… There is one note of point I wish to make though. Life’s natural Bookcraft is not all about books. They hold life’s secrets yes and every tale comes from somewhere. This is where bookcraft, book-making comes from. Real life. Books arent just about horror, adventure and fantasy; although life may seem like it sometimes. My own life has had plenty of all THREE aspects. Which is why last night while induced by niquil and sudafed that i decided to pop the old VHS in. When the Pagemaster first comes out he explains who he is, and I thought he’s a witch! All powerful, and all-knowing, in the land of books and made manefest through the library’s librarian. Life and Bookcraft are alike. They are apart of eachother. It’s about finding that horror, that adventure, and that Fantasy in your life everyday. All you have to do is “look.” And then I thought, well that’s going to be me in 30 years…. Haha…

wassail recipe.

Wassail!

 ”Here we come a-wassailing, Among the leaves so green, Here we come a-wand’ring, So fair to be seen.” Portion of a Wassail song that is more natural~*

Here is something yummie for you to drink with family and friends on holiday gatherings. This drink adds a touch of magick to a boring and tradtional celebration (You can even add rum to it if you like, hehe.) Also it provides warmth during the cold nights to come, and Yes it can be frozen and reused whenever you wish for a bit of warmth with your meal!

unknown artist

2 quartz apple cider

1 cup orange juice

1 cup lemon juice

1 cup pineapple juice

3 sticks of cinnamon

2 tsp of whole cloves

2/3 cups of sugar
(Add rum to taste)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. COMBINE all in a pot.
2. SIMMER for 1 hour to combine flavours.
3. STIR often!
4. SERVE warm, but not so warm that your guests burn their bloody tongues! However entertaining that may be for you. Haha.

Enjoy! I will post pictures and my own little tweak to the recipe on thanksgiving! I plan on adding actual orange & lemon slices, and perhaps apples and pineapples as well. Be creative tweak it is you may. That’s where the REAL magick comes from. Warmest blessings and best of times!

the cold of creation…

 

“George, a camel, stepped on the foot of a Rockette; six sheep came off the elevator as three kings bearing gifts got on; human Christmas trees bumped into eight maids-a-milking at the water cooler and an elf came down with the flu.” ~William E. Geist

You would think that countless OTC’s, nose sprays, day&nightquil, chloraseptics, herbal teas and a good swig of jack daniel’s would get this flu hitting the road with his pal mr. mucus, but sadly, i am on day four of it’s grip. Granted, Mr. Fever has left, but Mr. Pink Eye has taken up room and board in his absence. Mr. Mucus, has taken his opportunity to set up a few shops in my nasal cavities as well as some much higher reality property on sale in my vocal cords. In sum, today I was mute, blind, unable to smell, taste and have lost half of my ability to hear. But I haven’t given up the fight. Through this entire ordeal, waiting to pick up my heart at the bar for 3 in (this) morning, with a steaming cup of tea, nose and eye drops within reach, I exhausted my soul into finally coming up with something for a header that means for me what the essence of bookcraft is.

please, I always look for constructive criticism, comment and tell me; when you think of life’s natural bookcraft, what comes into your mind?

and i almost forgot..

 

How could I almost forget?! That’s what trying to blog under the influence of flu medication will do to you.

Thank-you for all who voted! Now lets get this country back on track!

…And now I will go back to my flu-induced coma. Au revoir!

so the last few weeks…

“In the attitude of silence the soul finds the path in an clearer light, and what is elusive and deceptive resolves itself into crystal clearness. Our life is a long and arduous quest after Truth.” -Mahatma Gandhi

The last few weeks have been hectic in a way that I have had very little time to blog let alone check out my blog-community. With my new position as second in command so to speak, things have had a heavier quality to it. in addition to work, my personal life has been crazy. Samhain was amazing, even though i didn’t quite share it completely with my beloved. with some spray-on glitter on myself and in my hair, I fashioned myself an archangel for the night’s evening out. Scott posed as the devil himself with red and argyle, and i his only link to heaven! lol. Amy came over as a rather sultry police officer, which is when i came up with the idea of the two of us being her conscience. From the apartment we traveled to Troy to see Amy’s sister Julie’s gallery opening. What a treat that was! The streets of Troy were lit with vendours and candles, casting a glittering glow to the night’s events. At the gallery I was immediately draw to a shot, all fo her works were photography mind you, with a woman’s plush red lips sewn shut. It made me think of censorship, something that has been on my mind lately. Come to find out, that very image received an award, and what more can I say than, I’ve got the sight for beauty and of true art? Ha, this is a bit of self-righteousness, but with a fever of 101.7 degrees F., I am a little doped up on flu medication.

From there I traveled the city and got my way to Trinity Temple for Circle, with a group of people that were strangely familiar. Maybe it was the magick of the night, or the combined compassion and open mindedness of it all, but it all seemed very familiar, all very deja-vois, and very homey. We called the quarters, did some guided meditations, and the part which struck me the most was about the three meanings of samhain. Two being very well known and the third not so much. Everyone knows in some sense about the harvest and Halloween celebrating that harvest, the second point is the respect for life and death, reincarnation. But the third part of samhain, the lesser known part, was and is about reverence for our ancestors. Not just our bloodline, but of our own inner ancestor for we all have walked many paths before and have within us countless impressions of our past selves. 

Through the guided meditation I was able to see my own inner past self, well one of them at least, in a field of golden grain stems about ot be harvested. My ancestors were talking with her, oh yes it was a SHE! and not a he. haha, which makes me think a bit more about my sexuality, but regardless the experience was impressionable. She had deep green eyes, golden brown hair and a crown of some sort. Warn by a countess of old Britain. She was beautiful and bid me to learn. She told me to trust and to learn. After the night’s ritual was finsihed I traveled home with this new insight into myself and awaited the night’s more festive plans. Dance, drink and merriment. However, it was cut short on my way home because my beloved was already at home, in a stupour and he Amy’s charge after partying at Savanna’s Bar.

With that, I returned home in a slight disappointment, and let him sleep on the couch. Rightfully so! The next night we changed up our costumes a bit. My beloved changed into a magickal rabbit pulled from a hat, and I the Magician! We celebrated in Amsterdam with people I did not know. But the night was what I lacked the night before: dance, drink and merriment!

With all of this being said, that was my holiday weekend.

This week had changed it’s course and I have come down with a spout of flu. But my dreams could not be more entertaining, with apartments completely covered by white plaster, falling into crystal caves, and opening ancient burial mounds with a pic-axe. These have all been quite insightful if not down right hilarious to a point. But now I leave you readers for the day, because I think I hear a cup of echinacea, crackers, and a bowl of chili gently calling me by name…..