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Saturday, July 15, 2017

Pet Fire Safety

Did you know that nearly 500,000 pets are involved in house fires each year?? Believe it or not, about 1000 of them are started by the pet. July 15th is National Pet Fire Safety and was created to spread awareness about how to keep your pet safe during house fire and how to safe guard your home so they don't accidently help start one. 

You can help protect your families pet by taking a few precautions. First let someone know there are pets inside the home:

Know where you pet loves to sleep, play and hide. If a fire was to start it would be easier for you to find them if you know where they may be. When your pet is not using them keep leashes and pet carriers near the door so they are ready to use incase of emergency.

UV Safety Month

Ultraviolet Light is a form of radiation that refers to the invisible high energy rays that come from the sun. They are invisible rays that our eyes can not see.

Some ultraviolet light is good for us. UV helps stimulate the production of vitamin D. It only takes between 5 to 15 minutes of sun exposure to achieve this so we must be careful. UV light will affect the skin eyes, our entire body. Prolonged exposure can cause blindness and loss of vision. It can also cause skin and eye cancers

We should start by preventing the dnagers by limiting exposure to the sun. Always wear sun protection, wear sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays. A hat will help prevent rays on your skin as well. Since skin cancer is most common type of cancer in the U.S. we must remember to cover up when we go out. UV damage can be blamed for wrinkles and blotches or spots on your skin. 
Some good tips for UV protection include:
  • staying out of sun between 10 am and 4 pm
  • use sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher
  • cover up with long sleeves and a hat
  • check your skin regularly for changes

Dirt and Worm Dessert Cups

This easy to make dessert is perfect for summer time. My kids loved it when they were younger and now my grandkids love it as well. The ingredients are simple

1 15-ounce package chocolate sandwich cookies (like Oreos)
1 3.9-ounce package chocolate instant pudding
2 cups cold milk
8 ounces whipped topping (like Cool Whip)
24 gummy worms

The first step is to use the chocolate sandwich cookies to make dirt. Place cookies in large zip top plastic bag. Use a rolling pin to crush them into small pieces. There is no need to remove cream center The cookies should result in small crumbs.

Make pudding mixing both pudding mix and milk. Mix til mixture is smooth Let mix sit and thicken for 5 minutes

Mix 1/2 crumbs and whip topping into pudding mix. 

Mix until the mixture resembles

Dip about 1/2 cup of pudding mix into cups and top with a gummy worm  and cookie crumbs

1 15-ounce package chocolate sandwich cookies (like Oreos)
1 3.9-ounce package chocolate instant pudding
2 cups cold milk
8 ounces whipped topping (like Cool Whip)
24 gummy worms

The first order of business when making “worms in dirt” is, of course, to make the dirt.
Place the chocolate sandwich cookies in a large zip-top plastic bag, and use a rolling pin to crush them into small pieces. Don’t worry about removing the cream filling before putting the cookies in the bag–at first they will clump together, but as you continue to crush them, the cream will blend with the cookies and you won’t even notice it.
Continue to crush the cookies in the bag until they are in fine crumbs. A few larger pieces are okay, too–after all, dirt comes in different sizes!
Next, make the pudding. Pour the dry pudding mix into a large bowl, then add the cold milk. Whisk everything together until all of the dry pudding dissolves and it’s smooth and free of lumps.
Let the pudding sit for about 5 minutes, until it thickens and is no longer liquid. If it has the delightfully gloppy texture of pudding, you’re ready to go on.
Add the whipped topping and approximately half of the cookie crumbs. You don’t have to measure, just eyeball half the bag and pour it in.
Gently stir everything together until the streaks of whipped topping disappear, and the cookies are well-mixed into the pudding.
Divide the pudding mixture evenly between eight cups–each should hold a little over ½-cup of pudding. You can fill them however you’d like–I prefer to use a large ice cream scoop because I think it’s a little neater and faster that way.
Tap the cups on the countertop a few times to level the pudding, then insert 3 gummy worms into the pudding and press them down a little so that they’re embedded.
Pour the cookie crumbs over the pudding and gummy worms so that the entire top is covered with “dirt.” Smooth it into an even layer with your hands.

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sugar and spice party

Baked Tapioca

Baked Tapioca Pudding Recipe
Serves 3

1 teaspoon sago
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg yolks
1/2 cup coconut milk
2 tablespoons milk
2 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 teaspoon custard powder

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cook sago until transparent, combine with sugar, butter, and mix well. remove from fire. Combine cornstarch, custard powder, and coconut milk in mixing bowl, add in milk and mix well. add sago, cook over slow fire till well mixed. Add egg yolk to the mixture and mix well. Put mixture in glass bowl and bake for 15-20 minutes.

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wined down wednesday

Happy Cow Appreciation Day

Many of you may think that we just celebrated Cow Appreciation day a few days ago how could this be that we have 2 in the same week. The truth is that today, July 15 is Cow Appreciation Day sponsored by American Library Association, the other is a complete advertising piece for Chi fil A. I myself say celebrate both if you want. The cow will not mind as he will get 2 days with lots of attention.

The word "cow" refers to an adult female bovine that has a calf. However, the word cow is often used as the single form of cattle.

Cows are part of a religious practice for Hindus. They are characters in many religious stories and are respected in same manner as a mother. It is illegal to slaughter a cow in Indian states because of religion.

cows have 4 stomaches

Some great books for kids about Cows

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Juvenile Arthritis Awareness

July is National Juvenile Arthritis Awareness month. A catch it all term that is used to describe the many autoimmune and inflammatory conditions all are placed in the Juvenile arthritis category of health.Rheumatic diseases that develop in children and teens are also placed in this category. 

Arthritis in children has been documented for more than a century. The pain and inflamation issues date back to the mid 1800s. Other rheumatic diseases such as lupus and sleroderma have been described in detail as well with less attention. While, the issues were documented many years before children with chronic arthritis did not receive significant medical attention until years after the discovery of penicillin. However, it was not until the 1970s when the field of pediatric rheumatology gained great attention and proffesionals and organizations of rheumatologists took note in the u.S.

Juvenille arthritis differs greatly from rheumatoid arthritis of adults. Their are many sub-categories under Juvenille arthritis and the disease can affect every stystem in the body. While there are many types of JA they all share common symptoms of pain, joint swelling, redness and warmth. There are no known causes, neither is there proof that toxins, foods or allergies cause children to develop JA. There is proof that genes play a factor in developing arthritis and that means that one parent could have genes for onset of JA.

While there is no cure for Juvenile arthritis the goal is to be able to diagnose early with aggressive treatment to ensure remission. Treatment often includes medication, physical activity, eye care and healthy eating as well as a combination of these. Goal of treatment is to relieve inflammation, control pain and improve child's quality of life.

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moonlight and mason jars

Are You A Couch Potato You will love this Recipe

Definition of a couch potato:
a person who spends little or no time exercising and a great deal of time watching television.

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wow me wednesday

Friday, July 14, 2017

Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Baked Macaroni and Cheese

2½ cups uncooked macaroni
2½ Tablespoons flour
1¼ teaspoons salt
Pepper to taste (I use about a teaspoon)
4 Tablespoons margarine
3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup milk

Cook pasta until tender, drain.
Mix all dry ingredients together, set aside.
Spray oven safe bowl or dish with cooking spray. Place half of macaroni inside. Sprinkle half of the flour mixture over top and top with half of the margarine, sliced into small slices. Sprinkle 1½ cups cheese over. Repeat. Pour milk over all.

Cowboy Goulash

Cowboy Goulash find more great wild west recipes here

2 pounds ground beef
1 tablespoon oil
1 large onion, chopped
1/4 cup parsley, chopped fine
2 celery stalks, chopped
4 large tomatoes, chopped
3 jalapeno peppers, chopped
2 cans red beans, drained

1 (10 ounce) package spaghetti, cooked
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
salt to taste
pepper to taste
1 tablespoon chili powder
2 cups Parmesan cheese

Brown the ground beef lightly in oil.   Add onion and celery and cook until the veggies are softened.

Add beans, tomatoes, parsley, jalapenos, spaghetti, seasoning plus 1 and 1/2 cups of parmesan cheese.  Place everything in a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish and bake at 350 degrees F until hot and bubbly (about 20 minutes).

During last 5 minutes, top with remaining parmesan cheese and remove from oven just before the cheese browns. 

GBS what is it

An average of 1 in every 4 pregnant women carries GBS. GBS is the leading cause of sepsis and meningitis in newborns according to the U.S. CDC Babies can be infected during pregnancy and during the first few months of life. While, not all babies will become infected, the result for those that do can be devastating.

Expecting mothers with GBS can miscarry, have still born babies, or have their baby born prematurely. Babies with GBS are born very sick, may have lifelong handicaps or the worst they may die. Babies born to moms who test negative for GBS can be infected by group B Strep.

There are ways to protect babies from group B strep. But first we must understand what Group B Strep is. It is a type of bacteria that is naturally found in the digestive and lower reproductive tracts of both men and women. One in Four moms will carry GBS but this does not mean that they are unclean as anyone can carry GBS. It is not sexually transmitted diseease or transmitted through infecdtion and can occur on its own.

Babies can be infected by GBS before birth and up to 6 months of age. IF contacted before birth it is known as pre-natal onset. The second group occurs between birth and the first week of life this is called early onset GBS. The third group known as Late onset can occur up through babies first months. Group B strep is leading cause of meningitis and sepsis in newborns and causes over 1200 babies to become infected. There are things that you can do to protect your baby from GBS if you have questions you should ask your physician.

Celebrate Bastille Day with Crepes

Earlier this month you may have celebrated the Red, White and Blue. Today, July 14th is the day that the French celebrate their independence. Known as Bastille Day, July 14th, 1789 the citizens of Paris started a coup that would over throw the government. French commoners stormed the Bastille in rebellioin agains imperial rule. The Bastille was a prison of sorts.

The day is celebrated with a large parade, art festival and lots of parties. While I am not from French heritage I want to celebrate their independence as well so lets make up som party food Crepes is a great Bastille Day party food. Crepes can be made with fruits, vegetables, meat , puddings, or mousse. 

2 eggs
2/3 cup of all-purpose flour
1 cup of milk
1 1/2 teaspoons of vegetable oil
A pinch of salt

1. Blend milk, eggs and all-purpose flour. Add salt and oil to it. 
2. Process the mixture till it turns smooth. 
3. Cover the mixture (or crepe batter) and keep it in the fridge for an hour. 
4. Brush a skillet with oil after heating it over medium heat. 
5. Add 1/4 cup of crepe batter into the pan such that it coats the surface of the pan. 
6. Cook for 5 minutes till the crepe batter turns golden.

Town Crier News

a person employed to make public announcements in the streets or marketplace of a town

The town crier would have been like the man to bring the top news. He would travel through town and share the news of the hour. On our blog he may share the stories of:

Being careful with both prescription and herbal medications

Yummy recipe of white chocolate and berry recipes

why hotdogs are considered the ultimate summer time treat 

or the news that you can make your own room air freshners 

What would the town crier talk about if they were to visit your blog?? What have you shared as of late?? I would love for you to leave it in comments so I can come visit

inspiration monday 
friendship friday
fresh market friday

Shark Glacier Punch

Looking for a great idea for a birthday, pool party or any fun time you need some shark food?? Check this recipe out where the sharks are part of the punch itself


Small resealable containers
Water or blue drink of choice
Gummy Sharks
Access to a freezer

. For the small Mini Rounds, place one gummy shark in each container, then fill them nearly to the top with water or your favorite blue drink. Let little pieces of the shark peek over the edge.  For the larger container(s) use several gummy sharks. Place containers in freezer.

. Once frozen solid, pop the glaciers out of the containers and float them in a big bowls of sparkling blue punch. You can run a little warm water over the outside of the container if necessary to help loosen the “glacier”.

Blue Raspberry Punch

  • 1 package blue, berry flavored unsweetened drink mix, like Kool-aid (0.13 ounce)
  • 1 bottle lemon-lime flavored carbonated beverage (2 liter)
  • 1 bottle white cranberry juice (64 fluid ounce)
  • 1 cup white sugar or to taste
In a large punch bowl, stir together the drink mix, lemon-lime soda and white cranberry juice. Taste, and stir in sugar to your liking. Add Artic Shark Glaciers to keep the punch cold!

recipe resource here 

Charlie Birger modern day Robin Hood

Charlie Birger was his name and some considered him a hero and others an outlaw. It seems to depend on what side of line you were on. Birger served as a soldier, cowboy and even a bronc buster.
Chicago had Al Capone and Kentucky had the McCoys and Hatfields it was in southern Illinois where Charlie Birger was famous.

It was Prohibition that brought Birger to "Little Egypt" as it was known and coal fields that seemed to be every where in the 1920s. Birger would supply the men and area with whisky and beer. He did not do this alone as he had his gang known as the Sheltons and his home place known as Shady Rest.

Birger was known as the "protector" in Harrisburg Illinois. The kids loved him as he would make sure all Saline County families had coal and food and toss coins to kids on the streets. In Williamson County he would bootleg liquir, gambling and hide rum runners. He was a mobster but it seemed a good kind hearted one. In 1923 Birger would be hanged for his wrong doings but the good he did still lives in the stories of many here in Southern Illinois.

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talk of the town

Cell phone Courtesy

The world of telephone use has changed over the years through my life. The main way that they have changed is that you can now take that phone with you. Before, it was connected to the wall with the greatest invention being the cordless phone. Now days with cell phones they can go most places that you do, there are still some limits. While, for the most part this is great news the problem is that many have forgotten how to politely use their cell phones. 

Let me ask you: have you ever bothered anyone with your usage of your cell phone?? Have others irritated you with the way that they use the cell phone?? Here are some stats that may or may not surprise you:

One of the most irritating things for me is to be sitting at the table for a meal and their phone will ring or someone will text. The conversation then seems to stall as they text back or answer and chat while we are sitting at the table together. I have a no cell at meal table rule that all must follow

Another area that can get touchy is in calling others. If they work their job may not allow them to hold their phone with them, if they are a minor then their parents may have cell phone usage hour rules or who knows the time distribution can be tricky so be aware that if they do not answer there may be a reason.

If you are the one that is unable to use your phone be sure to shut it off so that the constant buzzing will not irritate others.

Finallly, if you are in a public area, excuse yourself and answer your phone and carry conversation away from the main area. This will not interupt conversation and will allow you to chat on phone when needed.