American Indian Heritage Month : Native American Taco Recipe

The state of New York hosted the first "American Indian Day" in 1916. It was not until the 1990's that a whole month was declared. George Bush declared the first National American Indian Heritage Month on August 3rd. Senator Daniel K. Inouye of Hawaii and Congressional Delegates Eni Faleomavaega of american Samoa introduced the bill to make the holiday a month rather than a day.

During the month of August we should take note of injustices that the American Indian people have suffered. There are many that still do not enjoy all that America has to offer. In the future Americans, American Indians and Alaska Natives will face challenges in the coming years. We are all a union of people and must make sure all are cared for. Tribal America must be included in our future but the past should never be forgotten.

Try a great Native American Indian inspired recipe:

Native American Indian Tacos

2pkgs Active Dry Yeast
6 cup Warm Water
½ cup Dry or Liquid Milk
½ cup Sugar
1 cup Cooking Oil
1 tsp Salt
5lbs Flour
Shortening, for frying
Makes Bread, for a crowd (12-15pieces depending on the size you make the bread

Taco Topping
5lbs Ground Drained Hamburger
4 Packets Taco Seasoning
2 cans Cooked Pinto Beans
Chopped Tomatoes
Shredded Lettuce
Grated Cheddar Cheese
Salsa
Sour Cream

FOR BREAD:

Add yeast and warm water, mix until yeast is dissolved, add sugar, milk, and salt, mix well until dissolved, add oil. Add flour 2 or 3 cups at a time mix until you can’t mix with spoon any longer, turn out onto counter and knead the remaining flour into the dough. Dough will be sticky but manageable, you may not need all of the flour it just depends on the weather and your location, please adjust as needed.

Let dough rest about 20 minutes before frying. Heat oil to about °350 and precede to fry your bread. Grease your hands with shortening when handling the dough, use a handful of dough and pat out plate sized. While frying poke a few airholes into the bread and pour hot oil over the top while frying. Fry both sides of the bread for 1-2 minutes on each side or until you are sure the bread is not doughy on the inside. Cool Bread on oil absorbent paper towels and keep covered until ready to use.

TACO TOPPING:

Combined cooked hamburger and taco seasoning according to directions on seasoning packet. Keep beans separate for the guests who don’t like beans. Prepare your taco just as you would a regular taco except build it on the bread, serve warm and top with salsa and sour cream, enjoy!

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Bouquet of Talent

American Artist Jackson Pollock

The great American Artist Paul Jackson Pollock was born January 28, 1912. He would become known simply as Jackson Pollock. He was a major player in the artistic  world of abstract expressionist. His style of drip painting is what helped make him famous.

During Pollocks short life during the early 1900's in America he would enjoy considerable fame and notoriety. He was rather reclusive as his volatile behavior and alcoholism kept him in the shadows while his art work shined. At the age of 44 Jackson died in a car accident while driving. Shortly after his death a retrospective exhebition of his artwork was placed on display as a memorial. In 1967 a larger exhibit was hosted in the Modern Art in New York City Jackson Pollock left a legend behind as his art technique and many pieces of art work, Enjoy a few:

Clown Week and My Favorite Clown

International clown week takes places the first week of August. August 1-7th can be one of the funnest times of the years but we know clowns are all different some where smiles and others wear frowns.

My favorite clowns of all times is Bozo the clown. As a Kid I loved watching the show and have to say I enjoyed watching it with my kids when they were younger as well.

Alan W. Livingston and Capitol Records introduced Bozo the Clown to the world in 1946 via a children's record. The title of the record Bozo at the Circus featured an illustrated read along book set. It was the first time that such a set had been sold. The record landed on Billboards Best Selling records lasted for 200 weeks on Billboads list of Children's records chart. Thus a clown star was born.

Bozo's circus first appeared on T.V. in Los Angeles KTTV in 1949. Pinto Colvig the voice of Bozo on the record starred in the t.v. show. Bozo had white face makeup, a red nose, tuffs of red hair and a blue one piece suit. The show was live and aired for 30 minutes each show. The show lasted a little over 1 year.

That would not be the end of Bozo as in 1956 Larry Harmon would bring Bozo to a tune of $20 million in sales. A daily half hour show with Bozo, a live audience of children, and 5 minute cartoon clips would air. There would not just be one Bozo but many in the U.S. with more in Germany, France and Japan. Bozo would coin phasees such as "what are you doodly do doing" and "wowie Kazowee"

During the 1960s Bozo would air on WGN and become the most successful bozo of all time. In 1986 the Bozo show celebrated The Bozo 25th Aniversary Special.
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Many men have wore the big shoes, rubber nose and bright red wig. One of the most famous was WIllard Scott from the Today show. But no matter what man wore the suit they were all "Bozos" for the moment.

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Ice Cream Sandwich Day

You scream , I scream We all scream for Ice Cream and when we scream on August 2nd we will be making up a few ice cream sandwiches. Like these great Smores Ice Cream Sandwiches

• 1/2 cup butter
• 4 oz unsweetened chocolate, chopped
• 1 1/2 cups semi sweet chocolate chips, divided
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 4 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 cup half and half
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 3 egg yolks
• 1 cup whole milk Greek yogurt
• pinch of salt
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 7 oz marshmallow fluff
• 1 cup graham cracker crumbs.

Combine the butter, unsweetened chocolate and 1 ½ cups of semi sweet chocolate in a saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring until butter and chocolate have melted. Stir until smooth, remove from heat and let cool.
Combine flour, baking powder and salt in a small bowl. Set aside.
Beat eggs, sugar and vanilla in the bowl of mixer. Carefully beat in flour mixture. Beat well. Add in cooled chocolate. Beat until well combined
Using a large cookie scoop, drop dough onto lined baking sheets.
Bake in a 350-degree oven for 10 minutes. Let cookies cool on baking sheets for 1 minute before removing to a cooling rack. You should get 24 large cookies.
For the ice cream: in a saucepan, stir together half and half and ½ cup sugar over medium heat. Bring mixture to a boil. Whisk egg yolks and remaining sugar in a large heatproof bowl. Carefully whisk hot liquid into egg mixture until completely blended. Return everything to saucepan and stir over medium heat until mixture begins to thicken and start to resemble custard, this should take about 3 minutes. Strain custard and pour into a small bowl, which is set in a large bowl of ice. Let cool to room temperature. Remove and stir in yogurt, vanilla and salt. Refrigerate until completely cooled.
Pour custard into the bowl of an ice cream maker and proceed according to manufacturers directions. Transfer to a container and fold in marshmallow fluff until it is fully incorporated. Cover and freeze ice cream until firm.
To assemble. Top one cookie with a scoop of ice cream and top with a second cookie. Repeat until all the cookies have been used. Freeze for 30 minutes. Place graham cracker crumbs in a shallow bowl and dip sandwiches into crumbs, rolling to get all sides. Refreeze until ready to serve. Makes 12 sandwiches.

recipe resource here 

Coloring Book Day

As a young child I recall having a great time coloring. My own children had the same experience and I must also share that my grand-babies love to sit at their tables coloring. Coloring is something that we all love to do. Getting that new coloring book or coloring a page in our favorite coloring book makes us all smile. My oldest daughter has joined in the event of adult coloring as well after her dr recommended her to do such. Today, August 2nd is a great way to join in on the coloring bandwagon as it is coloring book day. So take a few minutes color with your friends, children or grand-babies or spend a few minutes coloring alone.

Car Brake Safety Month

August is Brake Safety Awareness Month If you have been waiting for a better time to get your brakes checked on your car this is the time. Often there are some great deals on brake jobs at this time. Highly trained technicians can inspect your car or truck's brakes and ensure that you and the ones you love will be protected.

Did you know:
When a car is driving a mere 30 mph it still takes 80 feet for the brake system to stop the car.?? A bit scary to think about. Is your brakes working well in your car??

The brakes on a car helps to keep your car safe and running properly This is why it is important to keep the brakes on your vehicle in good working order. Staying up with your brakes can also prevent more costly repairs down the line. The braking system on all vehicles is complicated and contains many components. This is why you should have your braking system inspected at various times paying close attention to ensure they are working properly.

Warning signs brakes may need checked:
car brakes are not responsive as they normally are
the brake pedal is low, spongy or soft or if the brake pedal is too high or hard.
the brake pedal pulses or hops
wheels lock during braking
car pulls to one side when using brakes
brakes squeal or make grinding noise.
steering wheel vibrates, shimmies or pulses during braking
brake warning light is on alerting you that you have  a problem with your brakes.

simplify your life

If your life is anthing like mine there are times that everything seems out of controll. When this happens I try to return the simplier times. Many times we can not go back to where it was truly simple but there are things we can do:

As bloggers we spend time on the internet working. I consider this part of my job but if you are spending to much time on the great www. then you need to back off a bit and relax. Spending more time with my family makes me very happy. 

There are those individuals that do not make me happy. in fact they make my life very stressful. It is those individuals that I try to avoid. The goal is to make my life simplir and happier there are those times that due to drama life can become more complicated and very unhappy.

Is your cell phone driving you crazy?? Do people call you at all times of the day and night?? If you are not expecting an emergency phone call or have to keep your phone on due to work reasons then shut your phone off a bit before bedtime so you can rewind a bit. This may just help you have a better morning the next day. 

Help clear your mind by jotting down items that are on your mind. This way you have a list of them, you will not worry about having tto recall anything and be able to free your mind as well. Think about decluttering your home as well it may make you feel better and have less stress. 

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sunday link up

a bit of everything

Help Your Body By Eating

Our bodies have many issues that can bring it down. One of those is digestion, when our stomache hurts the whole world seems to be wrong. I mean look at the word stomache the word ache is very visual. The ingredients in this easy Indian dish will aid our digestion system

150ml bio-yogurt
1 tbsp finely grated ginger
½ tsp ground turmeric
1 tsp ground cumin
4 skinless chicken thighs fillets (about 250g), cut into big chunks
200g butternut squash, cut into bite-sized chunks (no need to peel)
1 tbsp coconut oil
2 red onions, halved and thickly sliced
1 garlic clove
4 sprigs mint
, leaves picked
25g coriander, chopped
300g can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
grated zest and juice ½ lime
1 head of chicory
, thickly sliced


Put 2 tbsp of the yogurt in a bowl with the spices, chicken and a really good grinding of black pepper, and set aside for 30 mins, or longer if you have time, to marinate.
Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Arrange the squash on a large baking tray, crumble over the coconut oil (as it will be solid at this stage) and roast for 20 mins. Add the onions and chicken, spaced apart, and roast for 20 mins more until everything is cooked.
Meanwhile, put the rest of the yogurt in a bowl with the garlic, mint and two-thirds of the coriander, and blitz with a hand blender until smooth. Tip the beans and remaining coriander into a bowl, and add the lime zest and juice with a couple of tbsp of the yogurt dressing. Tip in the squash, onions and chicken, add the chicory and toss everything together. Pile onto plates and drizzle with the remaining dressing. (If eating cold as a packed lunch, take the dressing in a pot and dress the salad when ready to eat.)

recipe source here

Has Your Child Been Vaccinated

As parents we want to do all we can to ensure our children are happy, healthy and protected. This should include (my opinion may differ from others) making sure that they are vaccinated to protect them diseases. Vaccinations help protect our children from serious illness and omplications of vaccine preventable diseases that could cause our children to be ill and in pain.

Vaccines to protect our children from measles, mumps and whooping cough are all available and needed. Each of these illnesses are still a threat. Children contacting these illnessees often results in them being hospitalized or leads to deaths. Vaccinations has led to dramatic decline in number of U.S. cases of several infectious diseases which are still very popular in other countries. Children who are not vaccinated could easily get one disease from an international traveler or by traveling. Outbreaks of prevntable diseases occur when many parents decide not to vaccinate their childreen.

Organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention all strongly urge parents to vaccination their children. Vaccinations are safe and effective and have been tested by scientists, doctors and the federal government to make sure they are safe.

Vaccinations not only protect our children but other family members as well. Grandparents and others with poor immune systems that may not have been able to receive vaccinations can be affected by various illnesses that may have been stopped with propeer immunization. Children too young to be vaccinated are included in family members who may catch a disease from a child who could have been vaccinated.

Find out if your child has received the CDC recommended immunizations by going here 

Historical Pie Recipe

I love studying history. One time in history I admire is the civil war era. I truly believe that both sides gave all they had for they knew that life as they knew it would be changing. Many say state rights others say it was freeing the slaves, I say that there were many direct and indirect reasons. There were rich slave owners that wanted to maintain their way of life and fought for the south. There were many that fought for the North that had brothers and family in the south. All men that fought on both sides should be recognized and honored for they shed their blood for reasons that they believed in.

This recipe is a civil war recipe that was recorded in 1856 near philadelphia. I found it on the blog World Turned Upside Down It is a rather frugal recipe taking few ingredients.

Crust:
- 1/2 Pound Butter
- 2 1/2 cups Flour

Filling:
-Peaches, peeled, pitted and diced
-Sugar

Cut the cold  butter into cubes and add to the flour, rub the pieces of butter though your fingers until entirely flaky. Divide the dough in half.  Roll out one half of the dough on a floured surface using a floured rolling pin. Place the dough in the pie tin. Fill the pie crust with the peaches and add sugar to taste. Roll out the second crust and cover the pie. Crimp the edges together and put some holes in the top crust. Bake for 10 minutes in an oven preheated to 450. Turn the temperature down to 350 and bake until golden brown, around 45 minutes.

How Successful Was It?: The crust was delicious. I definitely did not add enough sugar to the peaches. I was being conservative as I had never made it before.  I wish I had added some spices and more sugar to the filling and  a little sugar to the crust but was trying to keep as accurate as the recipe said.

Respect Your Child they WIll Respect You

When our children are young their parents are hero's to them. We are the ones that they look up to and they desire to be mom and dads just like us. Somewhere along the way a few stumbling blocks may get in the way. It seems that at times their is a barrier between parents and our children at times during the tween and teen years. I can remember what I was like at that age and now that I have raised my own children through those years I can see both sides. Today, August 1st is Respect for Parents Day This may be hard to see but it can be done Start with some easy steps:

Children no matter how old they are learn by example. Take a few moments examine your own way of living. Do you respect others?? Do you yell and curse?? Are your children doing the same?? They have simply adopted your way of living.

Respecting your child will offer them a reason to respect you. I can not tell you as a teenager and working with teens I heard "there is no respect". These words came from both sides of the aisle both parent and child. Remember that children will mimic our behavior, words we use, tone of voice and actions that we use .

There will never be a perfect person. There was only one individual that was perfect and he went to the cross many moons ago. Tweens and teens go through emotional moments due to hormones that are raging and there may be mood swings possible present as well. Small moments of disrespect are expected. Keep realistic expectations for children but understand they may error occasionally.

When you do observe respectful moments from your child let them know. Give them a bit of praise this lets them know that this is the behavior you appreciate. Rewards are not needed but occasionally are nice but offering a reward each time leaves them wanting one each time they act respectful.

Overreacting is something that comes natural to many parents. After all, we have dreams and goals for our children and when they are thrashed we may over react. Tweens and teens via hormones often make quick mood changes. When they do disrespect dont over react. Do let them know that what they did is not acceptable behavior and disrespectful. Use moments like this as teaching moments

Raspberry Cream Pie

One (already baked) pie shell  remember to poke the bottom and sides with a fork anytime you bake an empty pie shell.
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
3 cups milk
4 eggs
1 Tablespoon margarine
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

For filling, 
combine the sugar and cornstarch in a medium saucepan.  Gradually stir in milk and cook on medium heat until mixture becomes thickened and bubbly.  (Stir continually and make sure that the mixture does not scorch or burn.  Sometimes this happens and I notice darkened pieces that are scraped from the bottom while I stir.   As long as this is not too bad you can strain them out when you pour it in the pie shell.  You just don’t want it to taste scorched.)  Once the mixture is thickened and occasionally bubbles, reduce heat and stir for 2 more minutes.   Then, remove from heat. Separate egg yolks from whites.  (Discard the whites.)  Gradually stir about 1 cup of the hot filling into the yolks.  Return all to saucepan and bring to a gentle boil.  Cook and stir for about 2 more minutes.  Remove from heat and then stir in margarine and vanilla.  Pour through strainer into baked pie shell. This helps remove any small burnt parts or cooked egg.  It removes the little imperfections.  Place pies in the refrigerator to firm and cool for 5-6 hours or overnight before adding topping.  You can make the topping now and place bowl into the refrigerator to cool before adding to pies later. 

For Topping:
1 bag of frozen raspberries, about 3 cups (or if you are lucky enough, use fresh, amazing, picked from the bush, luscious raspberries)
1 cup+ sugar
1 cup reserved rasp. juice (Strained from the bag of thawed raspberries.  I usually only get about 1/2 cup of juice from each bag so just add water to whatever you have to equal 1 cup.  If you are using real raspberries, just crush enough to make 1 cup of juice.)

1/4 cup cornstarch

In a saucepan combine 3/4 cup of the sugar and the cornstarch and mix well.  Stir in the cup of raspberry liquid.  Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly.  Cook for about 2 minutes more.  Once it becomes a little transparent and is thickened… remove from heat.

You judge your type of consistency

  After removing from heat, add the remaining sugar and stir until melted.  Add the 3 cups of raspberries and stir until mixed.  With frozen raspberries from the bag, the berries sometimes fall apart but the topping still taste wonderful. Taste the completed mixture.  Depending on your taste and the bitterness of your berries… you may want to add more sugar.

Place into the refrigerator to cool.  Once cooled, spoon enough filling to completely cover pie.

Sandwich Generation

As I get older my world seems to change. As a young mother, my children have all grown and left the nest. A few of them have returned for one reason or another and brought with them husbands, wives and children . We have been every present as my husbands mothers health went down and stayed by her side as she left this world for what I hope is a city of gold to see her heavenly father. Now my mother, is getting on in age and while she is still very much independent I worry about her lots. So , you may ask yourself why am I sharing all this here today?? Well, there may be many of you who relate to my story.

As we get older it seems more of us are becoming members of the "sandwich generation" We are the generation that will take care of both our parents and our children and if you are like me your grand-children. In fact, there are times that many tell me that my family reminds them of old t.v. shows where the entire family lived together. 

All of this can and often does become over whelming. There are things you can do. Start with a talk with your parents before the going gets hard. Discuss their wishes and how you can help. Living arrangements, financial resources, fears and concerns should all be discussed early on. It will not always be easy, will it be worth it?? I can say that I loved having the extra time with my mother in law and helping her in and through her final stage of life. It will not be easy and your story may be different than mine. 

About 1/2 of all adulst are currently providing some sort of financial support to their grown children. About 1/2 of those adults are also financially supporting their parents as well. Roughly about 1 in every 8 adults are taking care of both. This can make us feel good and often does but it is also very stressful. An estimated cost of $10,000 goes toward taking parents and grown children. There are thousands of volunteer jobs as well. Between running errands, dr. appointments, house cleaning chores, and more will make us feel tired as well. 

We are not superhuman. There are many that depend upon us but we must take care of ourselves or we will not be able to take care of anyone. Our husband, siblings, children, and other individuals are often willing to help. Our problem is that we often do not want to let go of controll. Many of us still have to work, take care of our family and then the additional chores that we have taken on. The goal must be to find some "me time" to have some time to relax, quiet time, time to chat on phone, spend time with your mate whatever makes you happy. 

How Do You Like Your Hotdog

How do you eat your hotdog?? There are several different ways to eat a hotdog. Here are a few ideas 

Special Day for Lasagna

National Lasagna Day in America falls on July 29th, Like many I love Lasagna So super yummy 

16 pieces (about 16 oz.) lasagna noodles, uncooked
1 pound ground beef
1 jar (about 28 oz.) spaghetti sauce
1/2 cup water 16 ounces ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 eggs
2 teaspoons chopped oregano
2 teaspoons chopped basil
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

In large skillet, brown meat; drain.
Stir in spaghetti sauce and water; simmer 10 minutes.
Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Lay flat on foil to cool.
Heat oven to 350°F.
In large bowl, stir together ricotta cheese, 1-1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, eggs, oregano, basil, garlic, salt and pepper.
Spread about 1/3 cup meat sauce on bottom of 13 x 9 glass baking dish. Arrange 4 pasta pieces lengthwise over sauce, overlapping edges. Spread one-third cheese mixture over pasta; spread with about 3/4 cup meat sauce.
Repeat layers, beginning and ending with pasta. Top with remaining meat sauce; sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese and additional Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Cover with foil. Bake 45 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Remove foil; bake about 10 minutes longer, or until lightly browned. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting.

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Cola Barbq WIngs

For the wings:
• 2-3 lbs. chicken wings or wingettes
• salt
For the sauce:
• 1 can Cola (12-oz.)
• 1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
• 1 medium vidalia onion, chopped into small pcs.
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon chipotle powder
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 3 tablespoons water

For the wings:
1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
2. Bring a large pot of water to boiling on the stovetop, and season it with salt as if you were cooking pasta. Add the chicken wings to the boiling water, and parboil for 7-8 minutes.
3. Remove the chicken wings from the water and place them on a wire cooling rack to drip dry. Pat them completely dry with some paper towels, and place the wire rack with the wings on top of a baking sheet.
4. Bake the wings for 25 minutes at 450 degrees. Baste the wings with the Cola sauce, and place them back in the oven to bake for an additional 5 minutes.
5. Place the wings on a platter and pour the rest of the sauce over top. Serve warm.
For the sauce:
6. In a medium saucepan, combine the Cola, brown sugar, onion, garlic, soy sauce, and chipotle powder, and bring to a boil over medium heat.
7. In a small bowl, combine cornstarch and water. Add the cornstarch mixture to the sauce, and simmer until the sauce thickens.

Cola Barbq WIngs

For the wings:
• 2-3 lbs. chicken wings or wingettes
• salt
For the sauce:
• 1 can Cola (12-oz.)
• 1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
• 1 medium vidalia onion, chopped into small pcs.
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon chipotle powder
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 3 tablespoons water

For the wings:
1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
2. Bring a large pot of water to boiling on the stovetop, and season it with salt as if you were cooking pasta. Add the chicken wings to the boiling water, and parboil for 7-8 minutes.
3. Remove the chicken wings from the water and place them on a wire cooling rack to drip dry. Pat them completely dry with some paper towels, and place the wire rack with the wings on top of a baking sheet.
4. Bake the wings for 25 minutes at 450 degrees. Baste the wings with the Cola sauce, and place them back in the oven to bake for an additional 5 minutes.
5. Place the wings on a platter and pour the rest of the sauce over top. Serve warm.
For the sauce:
6. In a medium saucepan, combine the Cola, brown sugar, onion, garlic, soy sauce, and chipotle powder, and bring to a boil over medium heat.
7. In a small bowl, combine cornstarch and water. Add the cornstarch mixture to the sauce, and simmer until the sauce thickens.

Nacho Dogs

Nacho Dogs Recipe

4 all beef hot dogs

4 hot dogs buns

1 (9 ounce) container nacho cheese dip

1/4 cup onion (chopped)

Pickled jalapeno slices

Chunky Salsa

Ingredients for Guacamole-

2 ripe avocados (flesh scooped out and pitted)

1/4 cup cilantro

Juice of 1 lime

1 garlic clove (minced)

Salt (to taste)

1. For the guacamole- using a large bowl add avocados. Add lime juice, and mash together with a fork. Stir in garlic, cilantro, and salt to taste. Cover and refrigerate until needed.

Step 2: Heat an outdoor grill or over a camp fire (or in indoor grill pan) cook hot dogs until they are slightly charred on the outside.

3.  Heat nacho cheese dip according to package directions.

Step 3: Place hot dog buns onto the grill and grill until lightly toasted. Place grilled hot dogs onto the buns. Top with nacho cheese, guacamole, onion, salsa, and jalapeno slices.

Tips for using cell phone in public

If you have to use your cellphone in public then try to keep your speaking volum in check. No one wants to know your personal business. While the person on the other end may not be able to hear you be considerate and step away from the loud noise so they can hear better and you do not interrupt anyone else.

When out with others such as at a party, dinner or other social gathering, you don't want to be rude to your peers. Limit time on your cellphone so that you ar not rude. You may seem as if you do not want to be at the gathering if you put to much attention into using your phone.

By all means if walking and talking on your cellphone dont walk into others. Texting and walking can be dangerous as well.

Make sure your phone has a subtle ringtone or vibrate. Songs with curse words, loud obnoxious sounds etc... may suit your personality but may make you look bad in public

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Banana Split Bites

12 1" pieces pineapple
1 banana cut into bite-sized pieces (make sure your bananas aren't too ripe)
6 medium sized strawberries, cut in half
2.5oz dark chocolate
1 teaspoon coconut oil
Chopped nuts or coconut (optional)

Cut fruit and assemble into stacks.
Press a popsicle stick through the fruit and freeze until solid.
Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Melt the chocolate along with the coconut oil on the stove-top or in the microwave, stirring frequently to prevent burning. Once completely melted, remove the frozen fruit from the freezer.
Dip the fruit in the chocolate, let the excess drip off and then place on the sheet to harden.
If desired, dip the chocolate covered side immediately in chopped nuts or coconut before placing them on the sheet to harden.
Once the chocolate is completely hardened, remove from the sheet and place in an airtight container to store in the freezer until ready to serve.

recipe source here 

summer vegetable soup

This soup can be easily adapted to suit the season and the vegetables you have on hand - try replacing some or all of the zucchini with a few handfuls of fresh spinach leaves, or a cup of trimmed green beans and chopped ripe tomato. Also, tender young fennel bulbs are in the markets now (and I prefer its delicate flavor to celery), but feel free to use 2 chopped celery stalks instead.

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 leeks, white part only, quartered lengthwise and sliced
1 small onion, chopped
1 fennel bulb (fronds reserved for garnish), tough outer leaves removed, finely chopped
3 carrots, sliced into thin coins
2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1 1/2 cups cooked cannellini beans
Kosher salt
2 small zucchini (preferably 1-inch diameter) quartered lengthwise and sliced
1 cup ditalini pasta
1/2 cup Italian parsley leaves
Parmigiano or grana padano cheese
instructions

Pour the oil in a large saucepan or pot and place over medium heat.
Add the leeks, onion, fennel and carrot and cook until the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes, stirring frequently so they don't brown.
Stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the cannellini beans, 6 cups water and 2 teaspoons salt and bring to a simmer. Adjust the heat and continue to cook at a gently simmer for 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, cook the pasta in a separate pot of boiling water until al dente - drain and reserve.
Stir the zucchini into the pot and cook until crisp-tender. Add the pasta and parsley.
Taste and season with more salt as need. Serve the soup garnished with chopped fresh fennel fronds and grated Parmigiano cheese.

Hodge Podge Wednesday

1. We've reached edition number 315 here in the Wednesday Hodgepodge. So tell us, what were you doing at 3:15 yesterday? Is that typical? On a scale of 1-10 (with 1 being low and 10 being high) what's your energy level usually like at 3:15 PM?

I was working as it was another 12 hour shift for me going in at 6 a.m. and off at 6 p.m It is not typical but does happen a couple times a week. Wow, after 2 days in a row with 12 hour shifts I am a bit wore out. Normally it is pretty good

2. A frisbee, a tantrum, a towel, a party, a punch, or a curveball...which have you most recently thrown or had thrown at/for you? Elaborate.

I threw a frisbee in the yard 2 days ago , a towel may have been thrown at me today at work as I was helping behavioral patients with daily care, a party it has truly been a while and I hope the last 2 are never thrown at me.

3. What are three things that would help you right now. Tell us how or why.

good night sleep because I need it.... a personal shopper so I would not have to as tommorow is payday and I do not feel like doing it myself there are so many other things I could be doing.... a hug because one is always a good thing

4. Do you think you're strong? Why or why not? What makes you strong?

I would like to think so there is a lot of lifting in my line of work so I know I am muscular strong but there are times it becomes to much of a load for me where I have to get help. This same scenario plays out in life

5. Do you enjoy reading historical fiction? What's your favorite book set sometime in the past?

I truly do like historical fiction and it is what I read most often. I can not think about a book title right now but anything set in the great depresion or civil war times

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Looking for an easy summer time craft to do here is one for butterfly made from coffee filter 

Being A Lumberjack Builds Up Appetite

One great contest that has been around for the past 50+ years is the Lumberjack World Championships. The contest recognizes a history of logging industry across the United States. Skills that would be perfected in the nations great forest and later to become a past time event that grew into an exciting and growing sports event. Held in Wisconsin the Lumberjack races has grown in popularity and has many loyal fans. 

Hayward, Wisconsin was blessed with both history and natural beauty. The contest was held this past weekend located where previously a lumber company was. Men and women both compete for prize money. Strength and skill helps determine winners in the various chopping and sawing events. Agility, grace, endurance and exhilaration will determine winners.

Working up an appetite would be easy to do. Perhaps that is why they say you have the appetite of a lumberjack for a lumberjack breakfast