Please check out this blog for a fun giveaway

Rachel athttp://thelittlejewelrybox.blogspot.com/ is having a fun giveaway and all you have to do to enter is stop by her blog and make a comment. Rachel makes beautiful jewelry and you should go and see what she has done. There is no obligation, just stop in and say hi.

p.s. Look at my cool new backround that I snatched from Kitty Designes.http://kittydesignes.blogspot.com/ Go and check her out please!!

Mondays Crazy Questions

Its time for Mondays Crazy Questions a fun idea hosted by http://mondaycrazyquestions.blogspot.com/

Please visit and get more information

Monday Crazy question : Likes Or Dislikes
This weeks meme: personal likes or dislikesWelcome to the June 29th version of Monday Crazy Questions (which will be posted by Sunday eve)Every Monday we will post questions that we hope are a little thought provoking! Have fun!

1. What would you say is your biggest blessing ? Without any doubt my family and my faith in God

2.Do you shop on line...Home goods or personal items? Can you tell us what personal items you look for?? I do shop on line for clothes, dvds and some household items. I love catalogs from Lakeside.

3. Name a song from your past that you have always loved. what year was it recorded?Bob Seger We've Got Tonight. 1978 originally(yes I had to look up the year).

4. If you found out there was a pedophile living in your neighborhood, would you take any action or ignore the fact?? I would do whatever I had to do to keep children safe from an animal. I would not ignore it.

5. If you could live in any city In the USA...what would it be. Colorado Springs, CO I don't know why.

6. What is the one city you wouldn't live in even if you were paid to!?Los Angeles,CA

7. If you were strapped for cash would you ask a parent or sibling for money?
Yes I have had to borrow money from my Mom in bad times.

8. What is your most favorite thing to do to relax when you are not working? Sit back in my recliner with a big bowl of popcorn watching a movie with my family. Sasha begging for popcorn of course.

Sending a Package to a Soldier in Afghanistan

We have 2 friends who have been deployed to Afghanistan. Carol is in the army, she is a sgt. who is in charge of setting up camps for other soldiers in the field. Janae is in the air force and I am not sure yet what she will be doing. I am sending care packages and I thought it might be nice to share with you. I have e-mailed Carol and made sure of what I can send and what she likes and needs. Right now she has access to personal items but wants treats(chocolate) and also some lotion. It is very hot there so I cannot send chocolate. Her Mom tried and it didn't work. I did find some tootsie rolls which are chocolaty. I was looking chocolate skittles that were out for a while but couldn't find them. First I went to the post office and got the correct box and label to put on it

I used a local newspaper to line the box. I thought she might enjoy reading it.

This box will cost $10.95 to ship no matter what I put in it, as long as its not bulging.
Above is the form from the post office, they were very helpful in telling me what to fill out.
Above are her favorite candies and I checked and these things should travel ok. I found some jelly belly's that are ice cream flavors , hopefully some will taste like chocolate.
Carol loves animals and has many that she left at home with her husband. I got her Burt's Bees lotions because I know they don't test on animals and she likes that brand. The rest was just for fun and I am going to sprinkle the red and blue stars over the inside of the box. I am also going to put each item in a zip lock bag just in case something does break open in shipment. I know Carol she will reuse the ziplock bags. I haven't heard from Janae yet but she is next.

God bless our soldiers and keep them safe.

"How important it is for us to recognize our heroes and she-roes.~Maya Angelou

Saturday Small Talk Six

If I had magical sunglasses name 6 things I would like to see with them.

1. I would like to see inside of someones brain while they are thinking, I bet that would be cool.

2. I would like to see what Sasha(my shih tzu) looks like inside especially when she is running

3. I would like to see where very evil world leaders from certain countries are hiding

4. I would like to see what the traffic will be like before I go out so I can plan my route(no gps yet)

5. I would like to see inside of that darn watermelon before I buy it and all melons as well.

6. I would like to see inside my husbands body to make sure everything else is still working ok, even though his kidneys aren't

If you would like to participate please check out http://www.momdot.com/blog/. They have lots of cool ideas on that page.

Have a great weekend. Anne

Salute to the Young Bloggers Out There!

I have come accross some wonderful new blogs that are written by young people and I want to share them with you and with each other. I have checked all these blogs and there is nothing objectionable on them just information and fun for other young bloggers. I wish I would have had something like this when I was younger. I was very shy and didn't make friends easily so I would have enjoyed this. I know that we live in a world that isn't always safe but there is also a lot of good in it that we can share. Please if you are a young blogger always check with your parents on rules regarding visiting other blogs.

Here are some very special blogs and if you have any to add, please do in your comments and I will add them to the list.

From Lexi to Ali with Love Ali (girl)is 11 and her blog is beautiful and so is she, I especially love her story about going to a Banana Split Festival. This is something I have dreamed of.

Current Events Minky (girl)is also 11 and has all kinds of fun blogs with quizzes and yummy food stories
Inside Jade Jade(girl) is also 11 and likes to write about whats on her mind

Lindsey Loves Animals Lindsey(girl) is 8 and has a fun blog with great animal pictures.

Off to See the Wizard Georgie(girl) is 17 and is in a production of The Wizard of Oz, she has another blog The Author's Desk and she also her dog just passed away so she needs some comfort.

Sky Watch Friday

http://skyley.blogspot.com/

This was taken on a recent trip to Milwaukee to visit relatives. Have a nice weekend all. Anne

Thirsty on Thursday ( Its almost the weekend)

Image by Cool Text: Logo and Button Generator - Create Your Own

Frozen Margarita

Add the following to a blender:

4 cups ice cubes

1/2 cup Tequila

1/2 cup Cointreau(orange flavored liqueur)

1/4 cup fresh lime juice

Mix all together until nice a smooth, pour into

4 glasses or 2 glasses or 1 big glass and enjoy

Frozen Watermelon Slush

Add the following to a blender:

3 cups seedless watermelon cubed

1 cup strawberries

2 scoops lemon sorbet

1/4 cup pineapple juice

1 TBSP fresh lime juice

1/2 cup Vodka

Blend until nice and smooth and follow above instructions

Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!

Drink Responsibly Please

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY(ART BY MY DAUGHTER)

Heads or Tails

Welcome to the June 23rd edition of Heads Or Tails! Week #96 -The theme/prompt for THIS week, June 23, is:TAILS - "Summertime memory"Since this is TAILS your summertime memory needs to be a real memory of yours. It can be a childhood memory, a memory from teens years or later. It can even be from last week.
If you are interested in more info about this just click on my cows tail.
I love this one because we had a great summer vacation when I was growing up. I am the youngest of seven and we didn't do a lot of travelling when I was younger. I am certain this had to do with having a large family and saving money. Each summer in August, we went up to northern Wisconsin to a place called "Idle Hour Resort". It was in Lac de Flam beau. We would rent a cottage for 2 weeks. We got friendly with the owners and the other families so that eventually the same families came up every year. I always had friends to look forward to.

The cottage was old and had that cedar smell when you walked in, no air conditioning of course. It was off of a beautiful lake that we would go swim, water ski and fish in. The lodge had deer heads and antlers everywhere and a stuffed bear that was alive at one time, I never really liked that part but I did like the ice cold soda they had in the cooler in glass bottles, all flavors, black cherry, root beer, orange, lime. It was so cold and good, I can still taste it. Once a day I was allowed to go for ice cream, the owner whose name was Chuck would go to the back and scoop out of big tubs of ice cream. Butter pecan was my favorite, I don't think any ice cream ever tasted so good even now. There were activities every day such as "weeny roasts", " outdoor movies", " pot luck dinners". It was hot and buggy and it was the first time I got stung by a wasp, but I don't remember caring. My family was there all having fun, I had friends, a playground, the lake, at that time I couldn't imagine being anywhere else. I never even thought about going to Europe or California, I wanted to go up north every summer. We would take trips to the nearby towns and always I would get some cool treasure to take home. They had candy that looked like rocks, I loved those.

The ride up there could be tight since there were so many of us, but my Mom would have a special treat box and every 100 miles we were allowed to choose a treat. I had books and mostly I think I just slept. The ride home was always a little sad for me, the vacation was over. Which also meant summer was almost over and soon school would start, but for that 2 weeks every summer none of that mattered.

What a cute award! Thank you

I got this award from http://supermommytotherescue.com/ stop by and visit for recipes, stories and fun. Thank you! This one has no rules except to pass it on. What I would like to do is ask you to visit THE LIFE OF A RESCUED POUND PUPPY IN HER OWN WORDS . This is a heart warming blog with a really nice story. Misty is a beauty. Please take a look.
For pure enjoyment please visitThe Retirement Chronicles. I found this blog on one of Sandi K's blogs and it is a delight. The photos are wonderful and she has a very funny sense of humor.

I like this award because I think that commenting is a very important part of blogging, it gives you encouragment and makes you feel at home. Thanks everyone for all of your comments. Please keep them coming as I will do with you.

Anne

Breakfast Puffs for Recipe Swap Monday

I love this recipe, these are melt in your mouth sort of muffins, rolled in cinnamon sugar.

Spray 24 mini-muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray and set aside. Heat oven to 350.

Sift together the following ingredients:

1-1/2 cups flour

1-1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

1/4 tsp. cinnamon

Set this aside and in with a mixer cream together:

1/3 cup butter

1/2 cup sugar

1 egg

Mix well and then add the flour mixture alternating with 1/2 cup milk beating well. Fill each muffin cup 2/3 full and bake at 350 for 10-15 minutes until golden brown and they bounce bake when you push on them.

While they are baking mix together 1 cup sugar and 2 tsp. cinnamon. Melt 1/2 cup butter.

When muffins are done, turn pan over on a flat surface and while warm, dip each into the butter and then the sugar/cinnamon mixture. Serve warm if you like or they are delicious cool also. If they don't all get devoured as mine usually do, put them in a tight container overnight.

Hints: My husband is a diabetic so I use Splenda instead of sugar which does cut back the calories. I have also just dipped them plain (omitting the butter dip)while still warm into powdered sugar. One other thing I tried was making a glaze with powdered sugar and dipping them into the glaze while warm. All were enjoyed by us. I hope you like them as well.

Greenfield Village in Michigan

This is a wonderful place to visit if you can. It is a step back in history. My daughter took these photos I hope you enjoy them.

MY AWARD

Thank you so much to Kristen at Hands, House, and Heart Full for this beautiful award. She designed this one herself and passed it on to her followers. I love that. Please visit her blog, she and her husband have 4 beautiful children and recently they adopted 2 dogs that needed a home, Blade and Josie.
I love this one because there really aren't any rules, except to thank all the faithful followers that are always there. There is no amount of people to name, its just full of love in my opinion and that is how I am passing it on to you.
Since she really didn't have any rules I am going to pass it out like this. My most faithful followers you know who you are and I have passed awards on to you. So I am going to ask you to check out these new blogs that I have found that. I love you all and please check these out:

A Puggle's Life An adorable dog
All Things Caribbean Cuisine Beautiful pictures and food
Brett's Good Deed of the Day I love this blog, Brett is trying to better the world one good deed at a time
Cooking with Passion and Trader Joe's (or not) Great recipes
From Lexi to Ali with Love A fun young blogger to brighten your day.
Honeygo Beasley Try not to fall in love with this beautiful dog
To all my faithful followers please accept this award also and pass it along with love, Through Squirrel Eyes, blahwg!, Burnt Chicken Republic, A hard life for my daughter, Dad's Tackle Box

Thank you for finding your way in when my blog wasn't working. Happy Blogging.

Sky Watch Friday

A Good Traveler Has No Fixed Plans And Is Not Intent On Arriving. -Lao Tzu

Thanks to Squirrel for posting her sky watch so that I could learn from her. If you want more information http://skyley.blogspot.com/

A Word to the Wise

This one almost makes me laugh. If you follow my blogs, you know that I began in an effort to make some income off of Adsense while I was blogging. Well about 3 weeks into my journey, Adsense dropped me and gave me no reason and kept the income I had earned. I was sad, but I moved on and discovered the love of blogging. What initially brought me to Adsense was a program that my husband found for me. My Internet Payday by Joel Comm. I started the program because after all it only cost $1.00, yes just 1 thin dollar to do it so what could I lose?

Ok here is where it starts to hurt. I did follow the program, but honestly it didn't pertain to me for the most part, so I learned what I needed to learn just from fellow bloggers and from another group I belong to called Hubpages. I forgot all about My Internet Payday and moved on, until last night when I went to check a suspicious withdrawal on our bank account. Guess what I didn't read the teeny tiny fine print that said: If you don't cancel the program within 7 days, you will be charged $78.64 each month until you do cancel. The only way to cancel is to call them. I am doing that, but I doubt I will ever get my money back. So here is the irony, not only did I not make any money with Adsense but now I lost almost eighty bucks because I was so naive. I feel so stupid and sad and angry all at the same time. So please my friends learn from my mistake. Nothing is ever as it seems. I know that what Joel Comm does is probably legal, but I don't think it is ethical. I think that he assumes that many people are not going to bother to read the fine print and only see the part that says you will have a paycheck in 48 hours. Ok I am done, thanks for reading and beware of get rich quick schemes.

PLEASE VISIT THE BLOG I HAVE POSTED

PLEASE VISIT Once Upon A Miracle FOR A STORY THAT WILL TOUCH YOUR HEART. IT MAY EVEN MAKE YOU CRY BUT PLEASE READ IT AND LEAVE A COMMENT. THERE IS A VERY GOOD REASON. THEY HAVE A QUEST AND DONATIONS WILL BE MADE BASED ON THE NUMBER OF COMMENTS THEY RECEIVE. PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT AND VISIT. THE BEAUTIFUL FACE YOU WILL SEE AT THE BEGINNING WILL BE WORTH IT ALONE AND NO MATTER WHAT PROBLEMS YOU HAVE THERE IS ALWAYS SOMEONE WHO HAS IT WORSE. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO MAKE A DONATION JUST A COMMENT PLEASE.

Once Upon A Miracle

THANK YOU ANNE

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

BIRTHDAY PIE??

LAST YEAR MY DAUGHTER ASKED FOR A BIRTHDAY PIE INSTEAD OF A CAKE. I WAS THRILLED SO MUCH EASIER TO MAKE. I DIDN'T HAVE TO MAKE FROSTING AND DECORATE A CAKE. I DO LOVE CAKE, DON'T MISUNDERSTAND ME, BUT IT WAS A NICE CHANGE. WHO SAYS IT HAS TO BE A BIRTHDAY CAKE? AS LONG AS WE SHARE AND CELEBRATE I DON'T THINK IT MATTERS. DO YOU?

RECIPE SWAP MONDAY

HERSHEY PIE

CRUST: 1-1/2 CUPS GRAHAM CRACKER CRUMBS, 3 TBSP SUGAR, 1/3 CUP MELTED BUTTER. MIX TOGETHER WELL AND PRESS INTO A 9 INCH PIE PAN. BAKE AT 350 FOR 10 MINUTES. OF COURSE YOU CAN JUST BUY A GRAHAM CRACKER CRUST, IT WORKS JUST AS WELL.

FILLING: YOU CAN USE A DOUBLE BOILER, BUT IF YOU DON'T HAVE ONE PUT THE FOLLOWING INTO A 2 QUART POT. 1-1/2 CUPS MINIATURE MARSHMALLOW, 1/2 CUP MILK, 7 HERSHEY BARS(1-3/8 OZ) HEAT UNTIL ALL ARE MELTED, STIRRING CONSTANTLY SO THAT IT DOESN'T BURN OR STICK. BLEND IT TOGETHER WELL AND REFRIGERATE UNTIL THICK (ABOUT 1 HOUR) AFTER IT IS THICKENED WHIP 1 CUP WHIPPING CREAM AND FOLD THE CHILLED MIXTURE INTO IT.

POUR MIXTURE INTO PIE SHELL AND REFRIGERATE AT LEAST A COUPLE OF HOURS BEFORE SERVING. IT IS GOOD WITH A LITTLE COOL WHIP OR WHIPPING CREAM ON TOP.

IT IS DELICIOUS AND EASY TO MAKE, ESPECIALLY IF YOU BUY THE CRUST. I MAKE A SIMILAR VERSION FOR MY HUSBAND WHO IS DIABETIC. I MAKE THE CRUST USING SPLENDA INSTEAD OF SUGAR, I USE NON-DAIRY CREAMER INSTEAD OF MILK , I USE DARK CHOCOLATE INSTEAD OF MILK (AS IT CONTAINS LESS SUGAR). IT STILL WORKS NOT QUITE AS THICK BUT GOOD.

PLEASE ENJOY AND HAVE A GREAT DAY.

STRAIGHT OUT OF CAMERA

I LOVE INVESTIGATING NEW BLOGS. WHILE I WAS

VISITING

Once Upon A Miracle , (WHICH IS A BEAUTIFUL BLOG, WHEN YOU OPEN ITAND SEE THAT LITTLE FACE LOOKING AT YOU, TRY NOT TO FALL IN LOVE WITH HIM), BUT ANYWAY I FOUND THIS LINK TO A PHOTO BLOG AND IT IS BEAUTIFUL SO I AM POSTING A STRAIGHT OUT OF THE CAMERA SHOT http://slurpinglife.typepad.com/

PLEASE CHECK THEM BOTH OUT. MY DAUGHTER TOOK THESE ON HER CAMERA PHONE AT THE DETROIT ZOO. PLEASE NOTE THAT I ADMIRE PHOTO BLOGS SO MUCH AND I DON'T HOLD A CANDLE TO ANY OF YOU, BUT IT IS FUN TO SHARE PHOTOS.

HAVE A GREAT DAY ANNE

SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS

Spiritual Sundays is where you can write a little something spiritual, a favorite scripture, poem, song or even a prayer. It is hosted by Charlotte and Ginger. Click on the link to join or to read other Spiritual Sundays posts.

I THINK THIS IS A WONDERFUL IDEA. I AM GOING TO PASS IT ON TO MY READERS AND HOPE YOU ALL ENJOY IT.

HERE ARE A FEW QUOTES THAT I ENJOY

AS LONG AS THERE ARE TESTS, THERE WILL BE PRAYER IN SCHOOLS. AUTHOR UNKNOWN

WHEN AT NIGHT YOU CANNOT SLEEP TALK TO THE SHEPARD AND STOP COUNTING SHEEP. AUTHOR UNKNOWN

IT IS MORE BLESSED TO GIVE THAN TO RECEIVE. ACTS 20:35

HAVE A WONDERFUL SUNDAY EVERYONE

Small Talk Saturday

I am always learning fun things from Harriet at http://iamharriet.blogspot.com/2009/06/small-talking-saturday.html

This weeks lesson is Small Talk Saturday;

Want to join in? Go here to learn how and to view the weekly list Small Talk Six topics for 2009.
Today’s topic is “6 things you’ve made during your lifetime that you were proud of (can be a craft, a dish, . . . anything).”You can answer this with a list of 6 words, 6 phrases, 6 sentences, 6 paragraphs, 6 photos, 6 videos, etc . . .

Here goes

1. My beautiful daughter Katy

2. My best friends wedding cake

3. My daughter's christening gown

4. My daughter's Easter basket( I took a basket weaving class)

5. My daughter's Christmas dresses when she was little

6. My family's meals, snacks, desserts, etc for the last 27 years.

HOW ABOUT YOU??

GREENFIELD VILLAGE IN MICHIGAN

GOD MADE RAINY DAYS SO GARDENERS COULD GET THE HOUSEWORK DONE. -AUTHOR UNKNOWN

ONE OF THE MOST DELIGHTFUL THINGS ABOUT A GARDEN IS THE ANTICIPATION IT PROVIDES.--W.E. JOHNS

LISTERINE MOUTH WASH A MOSQUITO REPELLANT??

MY HUSBAND SENT ME ANOTHER INTERESTING EMAIL THAT I AM PASSING ON TO YOU. I HATE THE SMELL OF LISTERINE, BUT I HATE THE SMELL OF BUG SPRAY MORE. I THINK IT IS WORTH A TRY.


WOW !! Who knew I will have to try this.
Mosquito Spray...Worth a try
I was at a deck party awhile back, and the bugs were having a ball biting everyone. A man at the party sprayed the lawn and deck floor with Listerine, and the little demons disappeared. The next year I filled a 4 -ounce spray bottle and used it around my seat whenever I saw mosquitoes. And voila! That worked as well. It worked at a picnic where we sprayed the area around the food table, the children's swing area, and the standing water nearby. During the summer, I don't leave home without it.....Pass it on.

I FOUND THE FOLLOWING ON ABOUT.COM URBAN LEGENDS

Comments: Unfortunately there are no scientific studies to confirm or disprove these anecdotal claims, though laboratory tests have shown that standard chemical-based mosquito repellents are generally more effective and longer-lasting than botanical-based alternatives (and Listerine Antiseptic mouthwash would have to be counted among the latter).
The primary active ingredient in Listerine is eucalyptol, a derivative of eucalyptus oil, which in turn is commonly used in botanical repellents. According to various clinical studies it actually does repel mosquitoes. However, the eucalyptus-based compounds tested in these studies contained much higher concentrations of the essential oil than that found in Listerine Antiseptic — 40% to 75% concentrations as opposed to Listerine's .092% — and were applied topically, not simply sprayed in the air or on surrounding objects. Given Listerine's extremely low eucalyptol content, it's doubtful the product would function very effectively as a repellent — not for long, at any rate — even if applied directly to the skin.
The claim that Listerine sprayed around door and window frames actually killed mosquitoes is even more dubious. Listerine consists mostly of water and alcohol, which means it would evaporate quickly whenever and wherever it is sprayed. I have no doubt that drenching mosquitoes with the stuff would kill a significant number of them, but there is little reason to suppose that spraying it on hard surfaces would have any lingering effect

WHO KNOWS IF IT IS TRUE, I JUST THOUGHT IT WAS KIND OF INTERESTING AND MAYBE WORTH A TRY. IF NOTHING ELSE THEY WILL HAVE CLEAN BODIES AS THEY ARE SUCKING OUR BLOOD.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

COCONUT COOKIE NESTS

I always make these for Easter and my family loves them, but they are so easy to make, I think they would be good for any time of the year. It sort of tastes like a Mounds candy bar.

Start with 2 egg whites, whisk them until frothy and add 2 cups coconut, 1/3 cup sugar, 2 TBSP flour, 1/2 tsp vanilla, 1/8 tsp salt and mix together well.

Now for some fun, you can divide the mixture and put food color in to make a few different colors or just leave them plain, its up to you. Green is fun, but I usually make them different pastel shades for Easter.

Lightly grease a baking sheet, if you have parchment paper I really recommend it for these. Drop by tablespoons into mounds, you can control the size of the cookie, here but after you drop the cookie, form a little well in the center for the treat you are going to add after it comes out of the oven. This recipe only makes about 12 - 15 cookies, depending on how big you make them.

Bake at 325 for about 20 minutes until they are just slightly golden browned. As soon as you take them out of the oven, add a chocolate kiss or a few chocolate chips or chocolate covered raisins or use your imagination to the well in the cookie so that it looks like a nest. The treat will melt slightly but keep its shape. Transfer to a cooling rack and let them sit until the chocolate is set again.

These need to be stored in a container with a tight lid, they do dry out pretty quickly. Better yet just eat them and then you don't have to worry about storage. I like these also because I can adapt them for my diabetic husband just by changing the sugar to a sugar substitute and they taste just as good to us.