Do you Know METH

November 30th has been declared National Methamphetamine Awareness Day. As a part of the nationwide effort to further educate the American public about the effects of meth abuse on families and communities. Increasing awareness and decrease demand of the highly addictive drug. Our family was hit by the effects of Meth in the past couple of years. I learned much about meth that I had no idea of. Perhaps educating individuals of what to look for the effect and the number of families affected would not happen. 

Science has shown that even using crystal meth just once will make a person feel hooked. A survey conducted showed that one out of every 6 young adults has used illicit drugs in the last month. During meth awareness  prevention messages to potential meth users as well as to educate current users about programs that are available to them. 

There are many street names that Meth goes by: 

speed

meth and crystal meth

ice

crank

There are no certain types of Meth user. It affects all races, economic status and genders. 

Meth is either white or yellow chrystalline powder. Sometimes it can be found in the form of a large hard rock. Meth has no odor and has a bitter taste or no taste at all. 

Methamphetamine is taken in a variety of ways. It can be eaten, smoked, snorted, or taken through an injection. The effect the user gets depends on how it is used. Smoking or injecting will offer strong sensations resembling a "rush". It does not last more than a few minutes. Snorthing or swallowing meth will offer a feeling of temporary euphoria. Users after will be more talkative and confident, at times though the user may become paranoid, aggresive and agitated. 

After taking just a small amount of meth may produce short term side effects:

• nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea

• increased respiration
• irritability
• confusion
• tremors and convulsions
• anxiety and paranoia
• stroke
• death

The long-term effects of meth are even more serious than the short-term ones and include: 

• amphetamine psychosis
• extreme paranoia and hallucinations
• sensations of insects crawling under the skin and obsessive scratching
• violent behavior
• strokes
• irregular heartbeat and heart attack
• seizures
• death

Meth users often find their selves unable to stop the reason is that Meth is highly addictive. The needed amount will grow as well the longer the user uses. Some users will deprive their selves of food and sleep in order to taking the drug. If a user does stop they enter withdrawel with symptoms of stomach cramps, intense hunger, headaches, shortness of breath, exhaustion, and severe depression, 

Now that you are armed with information that I did not know when we faced Meth in our family I pray that you will be able to help someone needing help. 

White Chocolate Peppermint Cream Cheese Mousse with Peppermint Snow

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Take white chocolate, refreshing peppermint, cream cheese an whipped cream and combine them into a rich, light textured dessert for the holidays. Oh my how pretty this mixture looks piped into two ounce ramekins. Big on taste, easy on the eye and oh my how satisfying. This little bite with big taste is perfect to enjoy and celebrate the holidays with. 

I love to use top quality ingredients with lots of flavor. Whether it be flavored extract or crushed peppermint candies using the best with flavor is delicious. 

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 6 ounces good quality white chocolate, like Valhrona
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream, well chilled
• 1 1/2 teaspoons peppermint extract
• 1 tablespoons agave syrup
• a pinch of salt
• 6 ounces lite cream cheese
• Peppermint Snow, from Williams-Sonoma (or good quality peppermint candies, crushed fine)
• Red sugar sprinkles, optional (for more color)

Fill a medium saucepan with a few inches of water to set up a double boiler. Place butter and white chocolate in a stainless steel or glass bowl that will fit partially inside the pan. The water should not touch the bottom of the bowl. When the water comes to a strong simmer, place the bowl on top and turn the heat down to low. You want to slowly melt the chocolate and butter together. It will take just a few minutes. When it’s melted together, stir and remove from the heat. Allow to cool.
In a separate bowl or container whip the cream to stiff peaks. Add the peppermint extract, agave syrup and salt.
In the bowl with the cooled white chocolate, add the cream cheese and whip until smooth. Fold in the whipped cream by hand. Cover and chill for a few hours to stiffen up before serving if you are piping. Otherwise it can be served soft. Small 2 ounce ramekins work well. At serving, sprinkle with the peppermint snow. Red sugar crystals are optional for more color.

Introducing The Scrape Around

Illinois winters can be harsh. Working early mornings is rough at times as well. When you have to go out and scrape your windows on a cold working day is not good either. When, I found an alternative to scraping the car windows I though someone had made a superior useful invention.

The Scrape A Round helps your family stay safe by scraping the cars windows cleaner. This great gift idea only takes a portion of the time that it did in the past. Watch this you-tube video to see exactly what The Scrape Around is




Our family argues over whose turn it is to heat up the car and scrape the windows and none of us really like the task. If you are like us and tired of scraping your windows the old fashioned way then you have join the followers of the Scrape A Round. The tool is based on ice scraping engineering that has many positive aspects including:

made of a softer plastic that can bend around the windows curves. Want to see more?? Visit the Scrape A Round website www.scrapearound.com 

The Scrape Around has a 18" surface that will scrape the ice 
The Scrape Around is for everyone even those with arthritic hands or carpal syndrome sufferers. With a comfortable grasp the Scrape Around is easier to use.
The pressure you offer is the pressure that will go straight to the window making it easier to scrape
Instead of a vertical or horizontal direction The Scrape Around travels in a circular rotational motion. 
No need to stop and repeat action as The Scrape Around has a leading edge and trailing edge that can scrape the windows frost and ice in half the time
The Scrape Around doubles as funnel by removing the cap.

Makes a great Holiday gift for anyone that drives. Think about saving your loved ones from the process of scraping windows in the cold winter days. Best yet if you are interested through a special offer shared with just the readers of Annies Home you can get free shipping from the website www.scrapearound.com using the code LU8FBEZREU2 when checking out.
http://usfamilyguide.com/coupons.php?bid=13171&dealid=3099

Lemon and Sour Cream Tart

Just a couple of days ago we celebrated the sweet day of National Bavarian Cream Pie Day. The pie we celebrate today is a bit tarter and some may even say a bit sour National Lemon Creme Pie Day can be a large variety of pies. Each of the pies in this category should have a lemon flavoring whether with a lemon curd or a lemon flavored creme.

1 9-inch pie or tart crust

1/4 cup cornstarch
1 cup sugar
1 TBS finely grated lemon zest
1/2 cup lemon juice
3 egg yolks, beaten
1 cup milk
4 TBS butter
1 cup sour cream

Preheat oven to 400F.  Line a tart pan with pastry and trim edges.  Prick the bottom & sides with a fork.  Bake until light golden brown, about 20 minutes.  Remove from the oven and cool to room temperature.

In a saucier combine the cornstarch, sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, egg yolks and milk.  Cook on medium heat until thick, stirring constantly.  Stir in the butter until fully combined and let the mixture cool to room temperature.  Stir in sour cream and pour filling into the tart shell.

Refrigerate for at least 4 hours.  The tart can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours.  Top with fresh lemon zest, berries or whipped cream.

Enjoy!

Dancing Has a Rich History In Our Family

As we grow older we find out more and more about the generations that went before us. I had no idea til I was grown and married that my dads parents were square dancers. No-one had mentioned, not even once. I knew that they liked going out and about and would visit festivals and community gatherings more than most but I had no idea about square dancing.

It seems even they were young once upon a time It was not surprising to me to find out that it was the English, Irish and Scottish to bring square dancing to the U.S. as part of their own culture. My grandmother was from a large family rich in Irish customs.

It was in the U.S. that a caller was added. The caller's job is and was to help dancers to stay in step. There are many that still enjoy square dancing. The dance is lively, quick and lots of fun and also is considered exercise by many.

So Swing your partner round and round now dosey dos and turn her around.

How To Make a Doily Angel

When I was girl in grade school my mother would volunteer at many activities. From girl scouts to bible 

school she kept us all busy. Doilies were used in many different ways including for angels. Today 

I wanted to share with you a quick way to make doily angels. They are easy to make and great to 

decorate for the holidays. 

Doily Angels

Use it to top the Christmas tree or sit in a place where you need a bit happiness.

Doily Angel

Materials Needed:

2 pieces white felt, 9 × 12 inches each
2 white paper doilies: a 12-inch and an 8-inch doily
2-inch hard-pressed foam ball
Acrylic paint: beige, pink
Black permanent felt-tipped marker
Small amount mini-curl blonde hair
12-inch length gold tinsel stem
12-inch length of 3/8-inch-wide light blue picot satin ribbon

Trace and cut angel dress from white felt. Roll felt dress into cone shape, overlapping 

straight sides two inches on bottom of dress and 1/2 inch at the neck line.

Using glue gun on low, glue overlapped edges together with glue gun.

Use the glue gun to secure the overlap.

Cut the 12-inch doily in half; save other half for another project. Match dress pattern on 

doily and use pencil to trace neckline of pattern onto doily. Trim away doily above neckline

Wrap doily around felt dress, overlapping straight edges at back and glue with glue gun. 

Use a few drops of glue to attach doily to felt dress at back.

Trace and cut angel wing from white felt. Roll felt wing into cone shape, overlapping 

straight edges one inch at bottom of wing and tapering to a point at the top. Glue.

Wrap the doily around  the wing and the dress.

Cut the eight-inch doily in half. Wrap doily around wing, overlapping straight edges at side seam and glue. Use a few drops of glue to attach doily to felt wing at side seam. Apply glue 

to side seam of wing and place at side of dress. The top point of the wing 

should be even with dress neckline. Repeat with second wing.

For head, lightly sand foam ball. Paint with two coats of beige. Let dry. Using glue gun, 

apply glue to neckline of dress and place head into glue.

For hair, apply craft glue to top, sides, and back of head. Gently fluff curly hair and place

 into glue, slightly overlapping curls. Spot glue and add more hair as needed.

Paint pink cheeks on face; let dry. Use marker to draw eyes, eyebrows, nose, and mouth.

For halo, make a two-inch-wide circle in the middle of the ten-inch length of glitter stem. 

Twist ends together. Insert and glue (with craft glue) twisted ends into back top of angel’s 

head. Tie the ribbon into a bow. Glue to center front of neckline.

Need something to hand on the tree to which you've just added the angel? 

Thank You

Because today is electronic greeting card day and I wanted to thank you for not only stopping by but for everything you do from following us on facebook, twitter or pinterest , leaving comments as well as subscribing to our email.

the link to this an many more greeting cards is here

Countdown to Christmas

From now til Christmas there are :

25 days
3.59 weeks
26 nights to sleep
609 hours
36,541 minutes
2,192,452 seconds

To be exact that is
3Mondays
3Tuesdays
4Wednesdays
4Thursdays
4Fridays
4Saturdays
3Sundays
3Weekends

Christmas Cookie : Mexican Wedding Cookies

When I was a kid I can remember finding these sweet balls of dough covered with powder sugar. The Mexican Wedding cookies that I first ate were purchased rather than made. It was not until I was married as a teenager that I first made my first batch of these favorite cookies. Now if you would like to try them I can say that they are easy to make and take ingredients that you can easily find and may all ready be in the fridge in your house. Enjoy!!!

1 cup butter, softened
1⁄2 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1⁄4 cups sifted flour
1⁄4 teaspoon salt
3⁄4 cup chopped walnuts
powdered sugar (for rolling baked cookies in)


Cream together butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy; stir in vanilla.
Whisk together flour and salt; add gradually to butter mixture; stir in chopped nuts.
Chill dough if it seems too soft.
Form dough into 1 1/4" balls and place onto parchment-lined or ungreased baking sheets.
Bake at 400° for 10-12 minutes or just until the cookies start to turn light golden-brown; remove from oven and allow to cool slightly; while cookies are still warm (but NOT hot) remove them from baking sheets and roll, a few at a time, in powdered sugar until evenly coated; cool cookies completely on wire racks.
Cookies may (optionally) be rolled in powdered sugar a second time once cooled to room temperature.
NOTE: Forming dough into 1" balls will increase yield to 48 cookies.

Christmas Time Cookies

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup molasses
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 cup mini marshmallows
60 Hershey Kisses, unwrapped and frozen (For mine, I used Hershey's Hugs and Caramel Kisses)

Whisk. In a large bowl, whisk together the first six ingredients (flour, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt). Set aside.

Mix. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and brown sugar. Add molasses, egg, and vanilla, and mix until nearly combined. Mix in the flour mixture and beat until full combined. 

Chill. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and chill for 2-4 hours or overnight. 

Prep. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with a baking mat or spray with baking spray. Remove dough 20 minutes prior to baking- dough should be firm,but still easy to work with and roll. 

Roll. Roll dough into 1-inch balls, roll in sugar, and place 2-inches apart on baking sheet. 

If topping with just Hershey Kisses: Bake 8-10 minutes (mine were perfect at 8 minutes). Remove from oven and immediately press a frozen chocolate Kiss into the center of each cookie. Allow to cool completely.

If topping with marshmallows and Kisses: Bake for 6 1/2 minutes. Remove from oven and gently press 3-4 mini-marshmallows into the center of each cookie. Return to oven and allow cookies to finish baking for another 1-2 minutes, or until marshmallows begin to puff up. Remove from oven and immediately press a frozen chocolate kiss into the center of each cookie. Allow to cool completely.

Makes about 4 1/2 dozen cookies.

Source: Adapted from Baked by Rachel.

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Mommy Monday

Rudolph with song and recipe

Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer

song and recipe

yummy!!!

3/4 cup peanut butter

1 1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1/2 cup shortening

3 tablespoons milk

1 tablespoon vanilla

1 egg

1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 teaspoon salt

Chocolate-covered mini pretzels

Mini brown M&Ms

Regular-sized red M&Ms

Preheat oven to 375°F.

Combine brown sugar, peanut butter, shortening, milk, and vanilla in large bowl. Beat at medium speed until well blended. Add egg; beat until just blended.

In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Add to creamed mixture at low speed. Mix just until blended.

Form dough into 1-inch balls. To make reindeer-shaped cookies, pinch the bottom of the ball slightly to form a point, then gently flatten with your hand. Space cookies about 2 inches apart on a greased cookie sheet and bake for 7 to 8 minutes, until set or just beginning to brown. 

Remove from oven and immediately (and gently) press two mini pretzels into the tops of the cookies for the reindeer's antlers. Press two mini brown M&Ms in for the eyes and one red M&M for the nose (or any other color... some of mine ended up with green noses. They might be South Pole reindeer.). 

Allow to cool 2 minutes on the baking sheet and then transfer to a wire rack or paper towel to cool completely. 

Makes about 40 reindeer cookies.

Source: Peanut butter cookie recipe from Jif.

Quick Reindeer ornaments based on your Child's Hand

You can make these super cute ornaments using the one thing your heart will always want to capture your child or grand-child when they are young. The super cute craft starts with a tracing and cut out on pegboard, foam or felt of your child's hand. You can choose to back it up with a piece of thin cardboard that fits smoothly and evenly to the back of the ornament. The decorations can be decided upon by the one making the ornament. After all it is their hand so why not the way they want to decorate us glitter, colored glue, pipe cleaners, ribbons, foam pom poms, sequins and the list goes on and on what will you choose??

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inspire me monday

National Day of Mourning

Having been born into this world as part Cherokee and part White man American I must say I am proud to be an American but I am as much proud to be Cherokee. Being accepted into and learning more about the Cherokee ways of life later in life I must say this gave me a different outlook on life. The National Day of Mourning is a day to protest hosted since 1970 by the Native Americans of New England. It occurs on the fourth Thursday of November (which is also Thanksgiving in the U.S.)



The National Holiday of Thanksgiving is not a celebration but a reminder of a time in history that Native Americans would rather forget. The sufferings of yesteryear and those that still continue are part of the day of mourning but more importantly are the Native ancestors and their struggle through life. There is much more to American history than what is taught in the schools. The Day of Mourning is hosted and organized by Native American activism and general cultural protests. Through the Day of Mourning revisions of the U.S. history have taken place as well as an appreciation to the Native American culture. The Day of Mourning and protest of Native Americans will continue for how long.....

Some ask us: Will you ever stop protesting? Some day we will stop protesting: We will stop protesting when the merchants of Plymouth are no longer making millions of dollars off the blood of our slaughtered ancestors. We will stop protesting when we can act as sovereign nations on our own land without the interference of the Bureau of Indian Affairs and what Sitting Bull called the "favorite ration chiefs". When corporations stop polluting our mother, the earth. When racism has been eradicated. When the oppression of Two-Spirited people is a thing of the past. We will stop protesting when homeless people have homes and no child goes to bed hungry. When police brutality no longer exists in communities of color. We will stop protesting when Leonard Peltier and Mumia Abu-Jamal and the Puerto Rican independentistas and all the political prisoners are free. Until then, the struggle will continue.

Moonanum James, 29th National Day of Mourning November 1998

National French Toast Day and a Sweet French Toast Casserole recipe

Take a mixture of eggs, milk and cinnamon and dip some bread in. What you will have is the beginning of french toast. The savory sweet smell of the dip, the bread while cooking and toasted waiting on your plate has my mouth watering all ready. French Toast Day occurs on November 28th and honors an amazing breakfast treat.

French Toast dates back and was also known as  eggy bread, German toast, poor knights pudding, Bombay toast. No matter the name the main ingredients stayed the same being of egg, milk or cream and bread. The bread slices fried in a mixture of milk and egg has traditionally been served with sugar or syrup and fruit. In France the dish would have been made with stale or old bread and be known as "pain perdu" or "lost bread"

This dish may have been original to somewhere else rather than France. Ancient latin recipes from the 4th century mention dictate soaking bread in milk before frying. A bit later in fourteenth century Germany the term "poor knights" pudding was a frugal dish and a sweet treat. Italy served up a savory version called mozzarella en carrozza where egg soaked bread sandwiched slices of mozzarella cheese before fried. So as you can see French Toast no matter the name can be served every meal from breakfast to dinner or supper and include dessert as well.
.

French Toast Casserole

1 loaf Sourdough Or French Bread (I used sourdough)

8 whole eggs

2 cups whole milk

1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

3/4 cups Sugar

2 Tablespoons Vanilla Extract

Topping

1/2 cup + 2 tbsp all-purpose flour

1/2 cup + 2 tbsp firmly packed brown sugar

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 stick butter, cut in pieces

fresh fruit (optional)

Grease a 9 x 13 casserole dish with butter.

2. Tear bread into chunks and evenly lay out in dish.

3. Whisk together eggs, milk, cream, sugar and vanilla. Pour evenly over bread.

4. Cover and store in fridge for several hours or overnight.

5. In another bowl, mix 1/2 cup flour, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon and salt. Add butter and mash into the dry mixture until it all comes together. You can store this mixture in the fridge overnight if you'd like.

6. Preheat oven to 350 degrees the next morning.

7. Remove casserole and pre-made topping from fridge. If using fresh fruit, put it on now. Crumble pre-made topping and sprinkle over the top of the casserole.

8. For some extra topping to cover areas that aren’t covered by the pre-made topping (I like the cinnamon and spice on every bite!) combine 2 tbsp flour, 2 tbsp brown sugar and 1 tsp cinnamon (same stuff as the pre-made topping, minus the butter). Sprinkle over top of casserole and pre-made topping.

9. Bake for 45 minutes for a softer, more moist texture. Bake an hour or more for a firmer, less moist texture.

10. Sprinkle a little powdered sugar on top and serve with syrup.

Recipe originally from Pioneer Woman

Gumdrop Christmas Tree

This gumdrop Christmas Tree is perfect for decorating the table and enjoying during holidays conversation. It is also easy to make

The tree is made from a Styrofoam cone (available at the craft store), toothpicks and gumdrop candies. Just snip the toothpicks in half and place all the ingredients on the center of the table. Then let the kids go to town, making their very own table centerpiece.

source: Betty Crocker

Eight Festive Holiday Table Settings

Decorate your table with super cute and classy glass Christmas trees. All one size or different sizes the choice is up to you

This is a rustic table setting that can bring it all together with green and red plates and tall candles

Another table setting decorated with christmas trees. This time though it is a bit more whimsical with gingerbread styled trees

Love this table setting with all the red. Vintage or from the dollar store the look can be achieved and fit into anyones budget.

Love all the amazing blues in this table setting . What do you think??

No two snowflakes are alike and that is part of the magic that gives this table such appeal to me.

This holly jolly snowman helps to brighten this super cute table and leaves a happy feeling for all those that dine

Stockings and Mittens adorn the table. I love the silverware that is found in the stocking so super cute

Easy to Make Reindeer Ornament

Glue three puzzle pieces together (you may want to prep this ahead of time with a glue gun).  Have children paint pieces brown.  Attach googly eyes and a red pompom nose.

Advent Season Begins

Advent marks the beginning of the Christmas season. It is a four week period of time that helps to spiritually prepare our hearts before the celebration of the birth of Christ. The Roman Catholics believe it to be a time of penitence. During the Advent season we should all reflect about what it means for the world before Christ came and preparing the church and hearts for the true meaning of Christmas.

Each Sunday during the Advent season has a particular theme. The first weeks theme is faithfulness. The second and third Sunday's feature the stories of John the Baptist and represent hope and joy. The fourth Sunday tells the story of the events that led up to the birth of Jesus and represents love.

Each week a candle on the advent wreath is lit. The candles help represent the theme of the week. The wreath is normally made up of evergreen branches and holds four candles. There are three purple candles for the first 3 weeks of Advent an the last week is represent by a pink one. Our preacher shares that this candle is for Mary and I love that aspect. In the center of the wreath is a white candle that represents Christ.

Easy Bavarian Cream Pie

Turn these ingredients

into this 

by following this recipe

Bavarian Cream Pie (the easy way)

(inspired by this recipe )

Ingredients

Crust: 

1/4 cup sugar

1 cup cinnamon graham cracker crumbs

1/3 cup melted butter

Pie filling: 
1 package (8 oz.) cream cheese softened
2  (3 1/2 ounces) packages  instant pudding mix (vanilla for basic Bavarian Cream)
3/4 cup milk
1  16 oz. container of Cool Whip (thawed)

Directions

To prepare crust, in a medium bowl add all ingredients and mix until incorporated. Press into bottom and up sides of a pie plate. Set aside.

To prepare pie filling, mix cream cheese, instant pudding and milk together using a blender at low speed. (Be sure cream cheese is softened or it will be difficult to mix together.) When incorporated, using a spatula, fold in container of Cool Whip until the mixture is smooth. Pour filling into pie shell and refrigerate for 2 hours.

Happy Bavarian Cream Pie Day!

Notes: 

• Today I used Coconut Cream instant pudding mix instead of the vanilla but you could always use chocolate, banana or strawberry flavored mixes. I also toasted coconut in the oven at 375 degrees for 7 minutes and topped the pie with these crunchy bits of sweetness.