28: Thanksgiving Nom Nom's...Harry Potter: Pumpkin Juice & Pumpkin Ice Cream Recipe!

Hello All,

Took a break from life. The book is my main focus now. I got something going on over seas at the moment. It's quite a hush hush... for now. Its Big but in the mean time, we have Thanksgiving is among us so I got (2) recipes to share: Pumpkin Ice Cream (P.I.C.) and the Harry Pumpkin Juice.

So, Let's get started:

Recipe one: Pumpkin Ice Cream: No churning needed, just freeze

Ingredients:

-4 large bananas (quicker if frozen)

-1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree

Optional:

-Raw honey, pure maple syrup, non-irradiated cinnamon, or chocolate chips

Instructions:

-Blend ingredients together for soft serve texture, and freeze for firmer ice cream. 

-If in the freezer for a while, let it soften for about 5 minutes.

Recipe Two: Harry Potter's Pumpkin Juice

Ingredients:

-3 cups Apple Cider

-200 ml Apricot nectar

-1 1/4 cup Pumpkin Puree

-1 tbls Pumpkin Pie Spice

-2 tbls. Sugar
-For a little more kick add Bailey's Pumpkin Spice liquor (adults only!) 

Directions:

-Add sugar and pumpkin pie spice together in a separate bowl and set aside.

-Pour water, apple juice & apricot nectar into a large bowl and stir.

-Whisk in pumpkin puree until fully incorporated.

-Take sugar and spice mix and add to juice mixture, mix well.

(Serve chilled or strained with ice. Enjoy!)

#27 Hannah

A lot has been going on in my life right now. I'd like to put my problems a side and focus on Hannah Hutchinson. To my understanding, she has been sexually harrased at her school in U.P. Michigan. This needs to stop! We need all educational institutions to keep our students safe! Phillip Hutchinson has stretched his resources and talked to the admin, superintendent, school board, and now the govenor. Still this continues. Please show your support, and leave a comment! I will help bring awarness and help Hannah the best I can! Please read below on Phillip's struggle to keep Hannah in a safe enviroment! Thank you.

Phillip Hutchinson

November 8 at 2:28 PM ·

"What I have to tell you now is horrible. Hanna is being sexually harassed again in school. This time it's by two boys. I reported it 2 days ago and it happened again yesterday. They filled out the "what's the problem" report and not the "harassment" report. This is how they get away with it. Because wasn't reported as harassment it can't be a second second offense if it happens again! However it already has. How much you want to bet these kids don't miss a day of school. Just like the last kid. And the kid before that."

Phillip Hutchinson

November 3 at 1:09 PM ·

"Some of my friends and family wanted an update on the Inland Lakes school situation so here it is. Not only is your principal under investigation by the school board but also by the office of civil rights your superintendent is now being investigated by the school board, so is your vice principal Frank Schneider. At the last board meeting I explained to the school board that the counselor Hannah was talking to after all these incidences has been sharing privileged information with the superintendent Brad Jacobs! The one man we would not want to have this information! We're accusing him of aiding and abetting in the harassment of my daughter and he should not have privileged information from the counselor. I also stated the fact that he received privileged information on many occasions and that he knows receiving privileged information is wrong let alone sharing privileged information. Not sure if there's any law against receiving privileged information but I know it can't be right if you're harassing a child and receiving privileged information on that child. That doesn't sound right at all does it? So I guess you can throw the counselor Miss Taryn DavisHanson from Cheboygan Otsego Presque Isle School District on the list of people harassing my daughter. And how is it these people have not been held accountable? The school has neglected the safety of a child for over a year. The school has neglected the safety of a child repetitively. I got to believe it's no longer child neglect it's child abuse. I've caught them in lies, filing knowingly false reports, disregarding reports, failing to follow policy, sharing privileged information on a child to a person that is harassing that child and Delaying investigations. Miss Taryn Davis- Hanson has shared reports on medical condition, medical status private phone conversations with Hannah's mother, custody status, School issues, private conversations with me and did this with a computer. Not only did she share information on my daughter but shared information on me and Hannah's mother also. We now have it in writing at Cheboygan Otsego presqu'ile School District that Miss Taryn Davis-Hanson is not allowed to talk to my daughter. And now it is up to the school board to take action.
It just never ends.
Lord help me"

Phillip Hutchinson

October 15 at 9:14 AM ·

"A principal a superintendent a vice principal and the counselor could not keep 1 kid off of my daughter for 8 months. Or should I say "would" not keep a kid off my daughter for eight months? I'm going to say would not due to the fact it was 8 months!
Let this sink in.
4 adults would not separate one boy from one girl with charges of bullying and sexual harassment"

#26: Uesugi Pumpkin Farm!

The family and I escaped to Gilroy and bought some pumpkins at the Uesugi Pumpkin Farm in Morgan Hill Ca today.

At this point, I should label it a tradition. We go, because Lizzie loves...loves picking out pumpkins. In the picture above, she already had her eyes set out on that perfect pumpkin. The rule we tell her is, "If you can pick it up. It's yours." Lizzie always attempts to get one her height and breaks the huge stem picking it up. I can't blame her for trying. My younger self would have tried just the same technique, lol.

Obviously, Lizzie got a traditional wheel barrel ride, I lost another 20 pounds in the picture above, making my weight loss 120 pounds. Geez, I'm wasting away!

The family hopped on the train, and took it around the park. Whether I was 400 pounds or 260 pounds, I still cant sit in those seats at 6'1 feet, lol.

Lizzie did her regular animal zoo visits, and rode another pony named, "Smiley." The employee there stated, "If you blow on Smiley's nose, he'll smile!"

Any who. So, after the rides, we went into the pumpkin patch and got 3 baby sized pumpkins, a fairytale pumpkin and I believe a Cinderella pumpkin shaped ordeal. 

After this adventure, we made a stop to go eat. Keeping up on the weight loss, I had shrimp. The girls went to Popeye's Fried Chicken. We also made another stop and got some frozen yogurt.

Man, when we got home, I was drained, and had zero energy? Not sure what happened? Amanda took a long nap. When she woke up, she tagged me out and I laid in bed for a good couple of hours.

As far as the book series goes, I am working on the 2nd book, and I'll be posting characters sketches on FACEBOOK. 

As we enter another Halloween theme month, be sure to stay safe, but at the same time have fun!

Stay Frosty Friends!

~D

#25: Facebook Page!

Hello there! I do believe this will be one of my shortest blogs yet! I spent a good time on a Saturday afternoon creating my FACEBOOK page to promote and create a voice for my novel THE WORLD IS RIGGED.

There, you will find all my characters from the book, promotion, release date(s), and where I'll plan my meet and greet locations.

So, lets cut to the chase. Go there and check it out!

FACEBOOK PAGE

Boom! That. Just. Happened, lol.

Have a great rest of the weekend!

~D

#24: Lizzie's Birthday 5am-9:30pm

My day began at appx 5am in the morning. Knowing on what Amanda and I decided on celebrating Lizzie's birthday party a few days early, I knew this would be a long...fun...day, lol.

My mom joined us for this extremely long road trip, which was nice. we all hopped in the car and left around 8:45am. As we went down the road, I asked if Amanda had her iPhone? She said, "No." We turned around and drove back to the house, just to find out it was in my pocket all along. Back off, I'm already tired damn it, lol.

As I drove towards highway 1, Amanda went online to buy tickets for the Mystery Spot in Santa Cruz. Low and behold, families were all ready purchasing tickets in the morning (our plan to get back early). So, we were able to buy tickets for 1:45pm.

So, plans were changed. Now, We needed to do something up until we have to go to the Mystery Spot. The decision was made to hang out at The Santa Cruz Board Walk. "The Plan" was to go on some rides at 10am for an hour or so, before we head over to the Mystery Spot in order to kill time. As we arrived, ides were not open until 11am. The family was unaware that the Boardwalk had a family tent sleep night. Rolling our eyes (Why us?), we had to entertain Lizzie, and make this day frigging memorable, even though, it seemed like A National Lampoon's Griswold's vacation to Wally World deal (look up the movie for you younger generations and watch it). The arcade saved us. As we checked out the games, I saw a claw machine where you "COULD" win a stuffed animal. Well, I walked passed one with dinosaurs. Can you believe it...Lizzie at 4 is seriously into dinosaurs, seriously! So, I had my mom and Amanda keep Lizzie occupied with games, so I can surprise her with this giant Dinosaur. There I was. Left alone. Me and this cheating machine. I swiped the card and played. I moved and angled that damn claw over the dinosaur. I hit the damn red button to descend the claw, and it picked up the dinosaur. As the claw pulled up the dinosaur about half way into the air, the claw flinched slightly open, dropping the helpless dinosaur back to the stuffie depths of hell with the other prisoners of war. This was a repeat of my 3rd attempt to win the damn thing for my daughter. My luck took a turn for the worse as Lizzie stops in the middle of the blinking lights taking her attention away from all the games to say, "Where's Daddy?" She runs over to me and says, "Oh! Dinosaurs. I love dinosaurs!" Lizzie smiles up at me, squeezes her face to the glass, wanting that dinosaur. I'm thinking to myself, "I need that. Damn. Dinosaur..." So, I:

-Swipe the card on the 4th attempt.
-Grab the joystick.
-Move the joystick over the dinosaur.
-Moved three times closer to the hole.
-Hit the red button to descend the claw.
-Hop, like a Black Widow, the claw goes down for the kill.
-Saw the claw grab and pick up that dinosaur.
-The claw "MID-WAY" jerks to drop the dinosaur AND FAILS.
-The dinosaur is "STUCK" in the claw.
-The claw is forced to bring my daughters dinosaur to the "Exit" hatch!
-The dinosaurs is dropped into the hole, but is now stuck from dropping.
-"DAD" (me) punches the damn glass arena, and rattles the dinosaur to drop through he exit.
-Lizzie jumps up and down in excitement fist bumping in the air for her dinosaur.
-"DAD" (me) aggressively shoves arm into the hole:
a) Grabs the dinosaur
b) Gives dinosaur to Lizzie
c) Takes that damn trophy (picture above) to remember the damn experience, lol!

It was time for ice cream! Lizzie agreed to be, "All hands on deck." So we all packed up and went to Mariannes Ice Cream. They are the Willy Wonka with 105 flavors. Check out the link I provided! My mom, she got Blackberry ice cream, Amanda got white mint, Lizzie got Watermelon, and I got sugar-free green mint ice cream (picture above). Of course, Lizzie had to sample everyone else's flavors, and we were happy to help. I take it upon myself to snap off another (picture above) photo of Lizzie and Amanda making ridiculous faces for the viewer.  Next, Lizzie just wanted mom to feed her the ice cream? I get it. Before we left, we had Lizzie use the bathroom, before heading out to The Mystery Spot. I know my kid hits the bathroom every 60 minutes or so. Finally, Lizzie stops in front of a mother and older daughter and says this in a lisp, "Hello!" She waves and then finishes with, "My name is Lizzie, and I am four years old!" Lizzie then holds up four fingers to the mom. The mom laughs and says, "Hi Lizzie. I'm (so and so)!" Lizzie then replies, "Okay! Bye," and leaves the ice cream shop with us.

As I fast forward, the family magically arrive at "THE MYSTERY SPOT." as I do my research. It is not a mystery. The original location was in fact in Prunedale, California in the mid 1970's. They say the location is mysterious due to the gravitational pull of the land, and they prove that with a tilted house built at an angle. They have some interesting points to prove this fact like: rolling a ball at an angle for it to fall, but rolls upward as if it launches into space. As an end result, because everything is built at an angle, it throws off ones perception and makes it believable (Similar as working at a job and how everyone curbs their office dialect to talk and manipulate one another). It was fun for the kid, and that is what counts, right? My mom got nauseated from the steep walk, and tilted architecture. Amanda was already kind of sick, and had to step out. Lizzie had a blast, so this made me smile that she had a great time (pic above).

From here we headed home. Around 5pm, we met up with Amanda's mom, and headed over to Sapporo. It is equivalent to Benihana, just way better! The did the choo-choo train with the onion and did, "FIRE," and, "EXPLOSIONS!" Lizzie had a blast! The chef even played basketball using pieces of chicken to shoot into our mouths. The chef bricked pieces of chicken off my face three times. The chef then tossed a piece perfectly into Lizzie's mouth, and she ended up choking a little bit (She's perfectly okay). 

At the end of the meal, the Sapporo's crew sang happy birthday to Lizzie and gave her a pineapple boat of fruit. So, ya, in my 16.5 hour day, I believe Lizzie had a great time. Her dad (me) won her a big dinosaur that she now sleeps/ protects her from the monsters bumping around at night. The Mystery Spot gave her super human powers that allowed her to walk on walls. She got to see "FIRE" & "EXPLOSIONS" in a far away country who was nice enough to sing her a farewell birthday song. To a four year old, it was an adventure. To her, she did the daring adventure some kids won't get to have. For Lizzie, she knew without her parents, this would never have happened. When Lizzie reads this blog as she becomes an adult, she will probably cry, hug me when I'm old, and say "Thank you" for these great times. 

Happy 4th birthday my love. I wish you more smiles to come!

~D




16.5 hours spent awake!

#23: The Santa Cruz County Fair

What does one do when they have artist's block? Pack up the family and head to the Santa Cruz County Fair, that's what?

Welcome back. Today, we played it smart. We got up early (7am), took showers, ate breakfast, and head out to the fair grounds. The plan was to get there at 9:30, get close parking spots, and jam out by noon... or 1pm the latest to avoid the heat, and the crowd.

The fair is pretty much for Lizzie (our daughter), because our job as parents is to make sure we keep her safe, and a smile on her face. What made this time special was that G.G. came with us. This is a blue moon, because she does not get out much, and the kid always wants her to come with us, so that's why it was special for Lizzie.

Once in, we walked the strip, and checked out what food stands were there so we had a plan for lunch as we made our way to the opposite end of the fair to meet and greet the animals. Lizzie is a true animal lover. So... Lizzie got to ride a pony, pet the goats, and fed the donkeys, sheep, and pigs. We actually got Lizzie to pose with a turkey outside at the pheasant house. After using the bathrooms, we washed our hands and headed towards lunch.

Back on the strip, the family headed towards the food tent we picked. On the way there, we ran into a lady in a tiny cartoon truck holding a blue bear puppet. Lizzie loves stuffed animals, so she immediately ran to her. The lady was really good making this blue bear animated and magical for Lizzie, so I took the iPhone and snapped a picture (look above). I almost forgot, we also bought Lizzie her traditional watermelon/strawberry mixed ice. For lunch we decided on getting "Dinosaur" fries and nachos, before we hit some carnie rides.

After fueling up, we hit the rides, before we decided to leave. Lizzie got the courage to go in a blown up bubble and play over the water (pic above). We have seen these before at circuses and other fairs, but Lizzie was super timid at the time. The results, she flipped off her cowgirl boots and hopped right in. Lizzie's courage spiked even further and decided to get strapped into bungee cord, and jump 25ft into the air (picture above). It's like today she had no fear. It was if she was trying to jump to the moon. After this ride, Lizzie tells us she doesn't like her jump house at home, she like the one at the fair, lol. We did one more ride, a three story slide, and she went on it twice. Once with me, and the second with mom. There must be a expiration date regarding age, because when I went down the slide with Lizzie, my stomach turned with the Dinosaur Fries as we hit mock 3. The slide had "3" jumps. On the second jump, the kid and I caught air and my ass hit back down on the slide pretty good. We came to the end with a smooth stop.

Our judgment for leaving around noon to one p.m. was on Que. By the time we left it got hot, and it got packed with the locals. As we exited we saw the blow up alien Lizzie wanted, and she won it by taking the sledge hammer, and smacking the bottom to ring the bell. She named her green alien, "Buddy." When we asked, "Why?" Our three year old daughter said this, "I need a buddy to sleep with me at night to scare away all the monsters. 

As we got home, Lizzie runs in her room with her 5 foot buddy, and places him next to her bed to stand guard at night. 

What an amazing kid I have. Next week is her forth birthday. So we plan on going to  the Mystery Spot in Santa Cruz. And buying Lizzie a specialty cupcake instead of a birthday cake (Lizzie's request).

Take care everyone!

~D

#22: Cancer

Josh has a deadly brain tour. From what I understand, He loves the Avengers. For his support Ryan Reynolds, Chris Evans, Chris Pratt, Tom Holland, Hugh Jackman, and others contacted Josh to support him on his journey. Here is his twitter link: https://twitter.com/josh_braveheart

I fought cancer, obesity, and abuse as a kid. I continue to live a pretty hard life involving health.

For now, if you have a second, please use just a bit of your free time to send your love to him. Its the least we can do for him. Its hard to understand, if you never were in his shoes.

Thanks,

Dustin