Under The Sea Jello Salad

June 8th offers a salute to Oceans Here in the United States on the North American Continent. The United States of America is bordered by the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, Canada to the north, and Mexico to the south. So on one side you can enjoy the beauty of the Pacific and on the other the beauty of the Atlantic. I offer a salute to Oceans with a vintage under the Sea Jello Dish

Under-the-sea salad

Pears and cream cheese lie beneath a clear sea-green layer after unmolding.
1 package (3 oz.) Jell-O Lime or Lemon-Lime Gelatin
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup boiling water
1 can (1 lb.) pear halves
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 packages (3 oz. each) cream cheese
1/8 teaspoon ginger

Dissolve Jell-O Gelatin and salt in boiling water. Drain pears, measuring 3/4 cup syrup; add water, if necessary. Dice pears and set aside. Add pear syrup and lemon juice to gelatin. Measure 1 1/4 cups into a 1-quart mold. Chill until set, but not firm.

Meanwhile, soften cheese until creamy. Gradually add remaining gelatin, blending until smooth. Add ginger. Chill until very thick. Fold in pears. Spoon into mold. Chill until firm. Unmold on crisp lettuce. Makes about 4 cups, or 8 side salads.

Jelly Filled Donut Cupcakes

June 8th is national Jelly donut day. My mother who was a wonderful baker has made jelly donuts for the family and we loved them. Today, I will not be following in her footsteps. Rather, I will be making what many that I know consider the next best thing. 

Jelly Donuts Cupcakes are to me easier to make and taste great as well. On top of that it is a vegetarian recipe that tastes delicious. The recipe comes from an older vegan cookbook by the title Veganomicon

Jelly Filled Donut Cupcakes

Source: Veganomicon 

1 cup soymilk

1 tsp apple cider vinegar

2 tbs cornstarch

1 1/2 cups flour

3/4 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

1/2 tsp salt

1/3 cup canola oil

3/4 cup + 2 tbs sugar

2 tsp vanilla

1/3 cup raspberry, strawberry or grape jam

2 tbs powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350º and line a cupcake tin with paper liners. In a mixing cup, combine the soymilk, vinegar and cornstarch and set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg and salt. Create a well in the center of the flour for the wet ingredients.

Mix the soymilk mixture with a fork to dissolve the cornstarch and pour into the flour mixture. Add the oil, sugar and vanilla, and mix well.

Fill the liners with batter 3/4 full. Place a heaping spoonful of jam into the center of each cupcake, being careful not to overfill. The jam will sink into the bottom of the cupcake during baking.

Bake cupcakes for 21 to 23 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack, and then set uncovered overnight in a cool and dry place. This will make the tops slightly crispy, like a donut crust. Using a sifter, sprinkle with powdered sugar.

You can use your choice of jam. Raspberry I believe is a good choice but you can choose whatever you like best

Sifted flour really is so much better!

Note the well in the center...

I mixed this by hand. I rule...

I want this framed in my house...

Beautiful!

Who ordered the muffin top? *tee hee*

Yum!

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Strawberry Moon

Were you aware that a full moon would appear in the sky 12 different times in the year of 2017 There have been many times that the full moon has been given a bad rap. There are other times that the full moon can symbolize luck a few of these times include

A growing Moon and a flowing tide are considered good signs to be married under
If your area is in need of rain then know that a good rain commonly happens following a new or full moon.
The full moon has also been considered a sign that a lady nearing the end of pregnancy will follow into labor shortly after.

Each time a full moon occurs it has a name and a meaning. Naming of the moons dates back to the Native Americans. The full moon in June is called the Strawberry moon. It is the season during which strawberries can be harvested happens in June. 

In Europe this fool moon is known as "rose moon" because strawberries do not grow in Europe. The full moon in June has also been known as the "honey moon" or a "mead moon" because of its location low in the sky. This moon refers to the sweetness of marriage in the "honeymoon" There is a custom in Europe that gifts newlyweds enough mead to last a month. June is one of the most popular months to get married. Leaving the newlywed couple to take their "honeymoon" during the "honey moon". 

Junes full moon has also been known as "hot moon" June is the start of the summer season. 

Many have seen the blood moon and may mistake it for the strawberry moon. The blood moon occurs during a total lunar eclipse. Direct sunlight cannot illuminate the moon when the earth eclipses the full moon. This effect leaves the moon a reddish or brown color. 

I hope you get a chance to get out and see this beautiful moon that He has provided for us. 

Watermellon Lemonade

6 cups cubed seedless watermelon, chilled (2 lbs after peeling)*
4 cups cold water
3/4 cup fresh strained lemon juice, chilled
2/3 cup granulated sugar (more or less to taste)
Ice and fresh mint for serving

Add watermelon to a blender and pulse until well pureed (there should be about 4 cups). Pour through a fine mesh strainer into a bowl.
In a large pitcher whisk together water, lemon juice and sugar until sugar has dissolved. Stir in pureed watermelon. Stir in ice and mint (alternately add ice and mint directly to individual cups and pour lemonade over). Store in refrigerator.
*If you don't have time to chill the ingredients then just use more ice in place of some of the water.

recipe source here

Up for Grabs Sweese Butter Dish

I love cute serving dishes. They not only make the meal more fun but also are great for serving in as well. This butter dish by Sweese is adorable and can easily do the job it is meant for. This cute butter dish is the prize in a blog giveaway. The blog is located at the blog Heck Of A Bunch Hurry on over and enter to  win this super cute and functional butter dish

I Scream You Scream We All Scream For Ice Cream

I Scream You Scream We all Scream For Ice Cream. Today, July 7 is a day to celebrate Chocolate Ice Cream. Chocolate is one of the favorite flavors of Ice Cream. The first ice cream flavors are thought to be fruit based but both vanilla and chocolate were quite common during the 18th century. We may have Thomas Jefferson to thank for bring Chocolate Ice Cream to United States after having tasted it in France

4 (1-ounce) squares bittersweet chocolate
4 (1-ounce) squares semisweet chocolate
10 tablespoons (1 1/4 stick) butter
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
3 large eggs
3 egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 t. salt


Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
Grease 12 muffin tins. Melt the chocolates and butter in the microwave, or in a double boiler. Add the flour and sugar to chocolate mixture. Stir in the eggs and yolks until smooth. Stir in the vanilla.. Divide the batter evenly among the muffin tins. Place in the oven and bake for 10 minutes. The edges should be firm but the center will be runny. Run a knife around the edges to loosen and invert onto dessert plates. Serve with chocolate syrup or hot fudge drizzeled plates, a scoop of ice cream and a sliced strawberry! Sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Daniel Boone Day

June 7th sees a special day close to my heart honored. I can only imagine how it would have been in the 1700 and 1800's to walk the forests of the blue grass state. Daniel Boone who was born November 2, 1734 explored the valleys and forests of kentucky starting on June 7 1769. The village of Boonesborough Kentucky was formed by Boone. This village was one of the first American settlements west of the Appalachians. 

Daniel Boone was an American pioneer, frontiersman and folk hero. He helped create a route that more than 200,000 European people would use to migrate the states of Kentucky and Virginia. 

Daniel Boone and his wife Rebecca Bryan would live in a cabin on his fathers farm and raise ten children together. Earlier in life Boone had been captured by the Shawnee warriors during the revolutionary war in 1778. The Indians adopted him into their tribe and taught him many great lessons. 

Dont Let The Bedbugs Bite

When I was a little girl part of my night time routine was to tell everyone in the house goodnight and then to remind them not to let the bed bugs bite. At that point and time it was just a cute saying but now as we find out more and more we have realized that there are bed bugs and yes they do bite. 

Bed Bugs are tiny insects no longer than 7 mm normally but can do so much damage. They eat at nigh and feed off the blood of mammals and birds. Bed bug infestations have been found in mattresses, bed linen and clothes where it is dark and warm. The problem is that bed bugs do not stay in any one position. When bags and clothing are put down near an infestation the bed bugs attach and are brought home with the unsuspecting traveler. 

When you are the traveler keep in mind to watch for signs of bed bugs. Inspect the mattress by starting at the head of the bed and working your way down. Focus on the seam and tuts of the mattress where bed bugs can hide. Rust colored blood can be tall tell signs of bedbugs. Bedbugs do not come out in daylight so keep the light off and use a flashlight to search for those dreaded bugs. Check the sheets and blankets and lift the corner of the mattress to check the box springs. 

Hang your clothes in the closet. Yes, I know you are not moving in. You do this so that the bed bugs will not attach to your clothes. You should also use the luggage racks that have been provided but first inspect the rack for any signs of bed bugs. If you was not provided with a luggage rack then use a light colored surface to put your suitcase. This will help you notice any signs of bed bugs. Placing your suitcase on the bed may allow any possible bugs to attache to your luggage. 

Once you return home be sure to wash your clothes and clean your luggage. After all you dont want any unwanted hitch hikers to come home from you 

Do you like to dress up and feel stylish?? Perhaps you like to look good in blue jeans and a great pair of earrings?? This giveaway located at Susan Said What is for you. You have the chance to win a pair of double sided earrings so no matter what way you look at it or how you will wear them You will be ready to look great

Camping Out Season

Time to enjoy a camp out. This can be done anywhere even if it is only in your backyard or at one of the campgrounds like in the Shawnee National Forest. Good food , good times and the outdoors goes great side by side To get you started here is a potato dish that is easy to fix on the grill, over an open fire and even in the oven if you choose. Enjoy:

1 lb Yukon Gold potatoes, scrubbed
½ red onion, chopped
2 Tablespoons olive oil
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3 green onions, sliced
½ cup sour cream

Dice potatoes into 1-inch chunks. Place in a pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil, cook for about a minute, then drain and cool completely.
In a bowl, toss potatoes and red onion together with the olive oil, salt and pepper. Transfer to two large squares of aluminium foil and wrap up into airtight packages.Refrigerate the foil packets until ready to cook.
Rake the coals of an open fire until they are flat with no flames. Place the packets on top and cook for about 10 minutes per side. Use tongs to flip the packets. Check on them occasionally to make sure the potatoes are not burning. If they are, move off the coals and onto the hot ashes.
Open the potato packets and sprinkle generously with chopped green onion. Serve at once with plenty of sour cream.

 make up a smore  making station filled with a few different types of chocolate, graham crackers, mallows and anything else you would like. This way everyone can have fun creatively inventing their own Smore

Eye Safety

June is National Safety Month and has been developed to help draw awareness, offer suggestions and educate. Protecting ones is eyes is one form of safety that we should always keep in mind. Each day more than 2,000 U.S. workers receive some form of medical treatment because of work related eye injuries. In addition are all those accidents that happen at home.

At work we should always wear eye protective wear when needed. OSHA demands that employers ensure each affected employee uses eye or face protection when exposed to hazards. Bones will mend, skin will heal, but eyes if injured can rarely be fixed.

Approximately 9,000 individuals will have their eyes injured due to fireworks. If fireworks and sparklers are part of your holiday fun be sure to keep safety in mind. If children are allowed to participate with their own sparklers make sure an adult is always present. In the case that an eye injury was to occur be sure to seek medical attention at once. Do not rub eyes, rinse eyes or apply pressure to eyes. 

I wish you a great month of July with lots of fun.

Homemade Strawberry Milk Recipe

Strawberry Milk

serves 2

1 cup strawberries, chopped (I used organic frozen with great results)
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup water
1 1/2 cup whole milk

In a small pot, heat strawberries, sugar and water until boiling (it's a bit like making jam). Let boil for about 10 minutes; mixture will reduce and thicken slightly. Using a fine sieve or mesh strainer, strain the mixture into a small bowl. You can save the cooked strawberries to add to yogurt or put on pancakes. Set the strawberry syrup aside.

Chill two small glasses in the freezer for about 10 minutes. Add 3/4 cup milk to each glass. Swirl in 3 tablespoons of the strawberry syrup into each glass of milk (more or less, depending on desired sweetness). You will have a little strawberry syrup left over, perfect for pancakes or adding to soda water.

Proud to be a Christian

For what my Lord Jesus did so many years ago on that wooden cross there is nothing I will not do for him. He stretched out his arms and showed me how much He loved me then He died. For the love he offers me stretches from the East to the West

As distant as the east is from the west, that is how far he has removed our sins from us. 

First Drive In Movie Theater

Forty seven years ago today the first drive in movie premiered. What movie was shown?? The movie went by the title "Wife Beware"

The man behind the Drive In theater was Richard M. Hollighshead. He began his inventing by hanging a sheet for a screen in his backyard. Later he would experiment in the driveway of his home in New Jersey. Hollingshead mounted a 1928 Kodak projector on the hood of his car and projecting it onto a screen nailed to trees in his backyard. Behind the screen was a radio to create sound. He tried the system in his car with windows at different levels and in a variety of weather conditions.

Two shows a night on a screen 40 x 50 No need to wear anything special show up in your old clothes or P.J.s if you prefer. This activity was devised to allow you to be comfortable at the movies.

As a child I went to the drive in movies a couple of different times. My mother took us and we enjoyed the movies Star Wars and Nine to Five  Do you have any memories of the drive in theater?? I would love to have you share them. 

Get Fit Working IN the Garden

So many love the hobby of gardening. They also know that  it is very hard work. In fact, Gardening can be considered a form of exercise. Gardening is an activity that encourages everyone to get into the garden, grab a gardening tool and work. Gardening task helps build muscles as they rake, dig , and plow. The activities that take place in gardening is both aerobic and muscle strengthening.

Burning calories while gardening is a great way to help one get in shape. Digging and shoveling top the list burning the list followed closely by mowing and weeding. One half-hour of working in the garden helps burn approximately:

• Digging and shovelling: 250 calories
• Lawn mowing: 195 calories
• Weeding: 105 calories
• Raking: 100 calories

Using the hoe in the garden and trimming the hedges will not only help you work up a sweat but also help you tone up. Muscles in your arms and shoulders will get into place while raking, forking, and mowing Muscles in your thights and buttocks can be toned by lifting objects and squatting. 

Gardening can help lower blood pressure and cholesterol, help prevent diabetes, heart disease, depression or osteoporosis. Working in the garden will help you build muscles in your body. Your brain gets a chance to workout as you think about how you will design your garden and research what will grow best. You can help your body become fit doing something you love No need to be in a hurry simply work on your garden and the work you do will help you become a bit healthier. Just 10 minutes of moderate activities in the day can help. Break the gardening chores down and take a break then go back to finish the job. 

Garden is great for your mental health as well. Gardening will help stimulate all senses, sights, sounds, textures, scents and taste. You may even recall earlier garden experiences. Stress may even go away while you work on the garden. 

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Healthy Pina Colada

1 1/2 cups fresh pineapple chunks
1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
6 oz plain or vanilla Coconut Dream Non-Dairy Yogurt use this Buy One Get One Free coupon
1 tbsp honey as needed for sweetening
1 cup ice cubes

Toss the fresh pineapple chunks into a blender, followed by the unsweetened coconut flakes.
Then, add 6 oz. Coconut Dream non-dairy yogurt to the blender. (For this shake, I like to use either the plain or vanilla flavored coconut dream - plain leaves the smoothie a little more tart while vanilla makes it a little bit sweeter.)
Next, add in the honey and the ice cubes.
Blend until smooth.
Depending on how thick you like your shake, you can add more ice at this time.
If your pineapple happens to not be sweet enough, you could add in a little more honey, as needed, for additional sweetness.

blog resource here

June Bugs

June Beetles are also commonly known as May Beetles or June Bugs with the later being more of what I remember as a kid. There are a few hundred species of beetles. June bugs are reddish brown in color and are common to be found during warm spring evenings. These beetles will feed at night on shrubs, flowers and other edible plants. 

I can remember sitting outside watching the june bugs be attracted to the font porch light. The bugs would swarm the front porch and the bugs would dance around the lights on the porch as well as the street lights. It seems like a different world back then as we played flash light tag and the beetles swarmed.

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Camping Recipe : Chuck Wagon Casserole

Minutes to Prepare: 15
Minutes to Cook: 30
Number of Servings: 6

1/2 Cup onion, chopped
1/2 Cup green bell pepper, chopped
1 pound lean ground turkey
1 can (15 1/2 ounces) mild chilli beans
1 clove garlic
1 tsp chilli powder ( to taste)
1 cup black beans (canned)
1 package Jiffy Corn muffin mix
1 can (11 ounces) Mexican styles corn, drained

Cook onion, pepper, garlic, and ground turkey in skillet until browned.
Drain & add chilli beans and black beans, and chilli powder. Bring to boil. then spoon into 9" square pan or stoneware.
In a bowl, prepare muffin mix according to package directions, and stir in mexican corn.
Spoon mixture over meat mixture. Bake 30 minutes at 400 degrees F.
Yields 5 servings

Number of Servings: 6

recipe source here

First Hot Air Balloon

Did you know that the first hot air balloon was invented by two brothers Joseph and Jacques Montgolfier. In France on June 5 1783 the brothers would fill a balloon they had made with hot air and what happened next would change history. The hot air balloon would rise 1500 feet into the air. The wind would carry the balloon over a mile in distance in 10 minutes before it went down. That was the first attempt and three months later the brothers would try again. On board of the second balloon was a duck, rooster, and a sheep as passengers. This balloon would fly for 8 minutes with all passengers returning to land safely. The same year the brothers would release yet another balloon two men were on board this time and the balloon floated for 25 minutes and traveled a distance of 6 miles.

The Hot Air Balloon would start a revolution in air flight

Gemini

Many of you may not know zodiac signs , astrology or read your horoscope. I can say that many of my friends do not but there are a few that do. I like to know what is being talked about so while I do not believe that a zodiac sign can control life or that a horoscope comes true because someone says I still think they are fun. So today I share with you the sign of the Gemini"

Gemini (♊) is the third astrological sign in the zodiac, originating from the constellation of Gemini. Under the tropical zodiac, the sun transits this sign between May 21 and June 21.Gemini is represented by The Twins Castor and Pollux.

The Gemini in our lives lives up to her sign. Always mood changing, busy finding herself with many projects at the same time, she can enter a room and its like the party begins and she loves with all she has but mess with her and you will deal with her bad side. 

Famous Individual who are Gemini's include

Barbara Bush June 8

George Bush Sr. June 12

Henry Kissinger May 27

John F. Kennedy May 29

Clint Eastwood May 31

Marilyn Monroe June 1

Johnny Depp June 9

Morgan Freeman June 1

Nicole Kidman June 20

are you a Gemini or do you know someone who is?? Do they live up to the defining of their sign

Applesauce Cake

½ cup canola oil
1 cup organic granulated sugar
2 cups unbleached flour
1 ½ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg
2 cups applesauce
½ teaspoon vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Mix oil and sugar well.
In a separate bowl, mix the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and nutmeg.
Mix the applesauce and vanilla into the oil and sugar mixture.
Mix in the dry ingredients and beat until smooth.
Pour the batter into an oiled and floured 9" x 13" pan and bake at 350 degrees for 45 - 50 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

Fruit Salsa and Cinnamon Sugar Crackers

INGREDIENTS

• 16 ounces strawberriesfinely chopped
• 1 Granny Smith applefinely chopped
• 2 mangoes peeled and diced
• 1/4 - 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon or lime juice

Cinnamon Sugar Chips

½ cup certified gluten free old-fashioned oats

⅝ cup gluten free flour blend I used the King Arthur Gluten Free Multi-Purpose Blend

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 Tablespoons organic cane sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1½ Tablespoons vegan buttery spread melted

1 Tablespoon maple syrup

1/8-1/4 cup water the amount may vary depending on the flour you use

cinnamon sugar for on top

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

Put the gluten free old-fashioned oats in the food processor and process until a coarse flour forms.

Put the melted vegan buttery spread in a bowl, and add the maple syrup and sugar. Stir well.

Add the oat flour, gluten free flour blend, cinnamon, and salt. Stir.

Add the water a little at a time, alternating with stirring, until the dough comes together into a ball.

Place the ball of dough on parchment paper, and lay another piece of parchment on top.

Use a rolling pin to roll the dough out to a thickness of 1/8 of an inch. Remove the top piece of parchment and transfer the dough to a cookie sheet.

Score the dough into squares or triangles. Do not separate. Sprinkle water on top and smooth over the dough with your fingers. Dust the crackers with cinnamon sugar.

Bake at 400 degrees for 13-16 minutes.

Let the crackers cool completely before breaking apart.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Place the chopped fruits in a bowl.
2. Add the lemon juice and the sugar, stir well.
3. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Serve with crackers or cinnamon sugar tortillas.