Raggedy Ann (my favorite doll)

As you should be able to tell I am a large raggedy ann fan. I have always been and I don't see that changing anytime soon. While my collection has been slimmed down over time I am still the largest Raggedy Ann collector that I personally know. Many of these dolls and items many years older than I am.

Raggedy Ann is not a doll like barbie that is concerned with her image and adventures that only Barbie could dream about. Raggedy Ann and Andy was the heroine of 25 children's books. The author of these great books Johny Gruelle. Gruelle was a newspaper cartoonist around the early 1900s. Raggedy Ann was inspired by Gruelle's daughter.

The first Raggedy Ann doll was based on the library character that Gruelle created. The doll was created and changed the lives of little girls everywhere. 

Helen Keller Birthday

My sister being 4 years older than me often found out about the school stuff before I did. One great hero of mine that she read all about before I even knew about was Helen Keller. Now we knew a Mrs. Keller that lived in our hometown and I loved her to death she was the nice old lady that always talked to kids and have us sit down and tell us all about our day. Not many adults did that back then and not enough take time to pay atteniong to kids now days (my own opinion).

With the last name of my favorite neighbor I reckoned that Helen Keller had to be awesome. I was right in many aspects. She did teach me many great lessons. The first deaf-blind person to earn a bachelor of arts degree, has her name down as an author, a political activist and teacher. This hero of mine taught me the great lesson to never quit. The movie The Miracle Worker told Helen's story about who she was and started the story at her birthplace in West Tuscumbia Alabama. In the home town also stands a museum where an annual "Helen Keller Day" is held. 

Helen Keller never let her disability get her down. She was a fighter and often fought for the rights of the masses. From being involved in campaigns for women's suffrage, labor rights, socialism, antimitarism and other causes. In 1971 Keller was inducted into the Alabama Women's Hall of Fame. 

Helen Keller Day is the same as her birthday June 27th. Tuscumbia Alabama welcomed a fighter in the year of 1880 to a family that lived in the home that the grandfather had built decades before. Helen had two siblings a sister and a brother, she also had two older half brothers who belonged to her father.

Helen's father Arthur spent many years as an editior for the Tuscumbia North Alabamian. He had also been a captain in the confederate Army. Helen's grandmother was the second cousin of Robert E.Lee. Helen's mother Kate was the daughter of a confederate general. 

Helen was born with the ability to see and hear but at 19 months old she came down with an infection some think similiar to scarlet fever or meningitis. The illness would leaver her blind and deaf. She would learn home signs to try to communicate with others as she grew. The family would reach out for help and find many that would help including Alezander Graham Bell. Anne Sullivan would become Helen's instructor as well as friend. 

Anne would come to live with the family when Helen was 7 years old. The work of understanding new language practices started at once. The break through point would be the word water. 

Read much more about her life here

National Sunglasses Day

National Sunglasses Day occurs each year on June 27th. The Vision Council is the group that sponsors the holiday and it shares the day with a day that celebrates the importance of wearing UV protective sunwear. 

Sunglasses may be shady for your eyes but the holiday is very important that everyone takes note of. Summer is in full swing and the sun is high in the sky and giving off a very bring blindingly light. Sunglasses that have a UV protective wear should be worn to protect eyes. 

While there are many reasons why sunglasses or shades as they are commonly called are worn. These reasons include:
Have the appearnace of a movie star
you want to travel unseen like a spy who wants to hide behind those big dark sunglasses
part of a fashion statement

the most important reason is to protect our eyes from the UV rays. On a sunny or cloudy day the most important decision about your eyes you can make is to wear sunglasses or other UV protective eyewear.

UV radiation has long been believed to be the reason for sunburns and skin cancer. In the same nature that many believe that they do not recognize the dangers of UV rays for their eyes. Unprotected eyes can be burned just like skin. Spending a day outside without eye protection can lead to temporary symptoms like swollen or red eyes as well as eyes that are hypersensitivity to light. Long term exposure can result in cancer of the eye or eyelid, cataracts growth as well as age related macular degeneration.

Sunday Stealing

1. Would you post a picture of you for us  

picture of me and my grand-daughter

2. Would you date an 18 year old at the age you are now??\

I would have to say no. My youngest son just got married a week ago at the age of 25 Not to mention I have been married for 30 + years. 

3 Do you prefer to work with women and men??

In my profession it does not matter what the sex of my co-worker is The only point that matters is how they respect the one we care for and that they do their best to do their job.

4. Do you have any opposite sex friends

Yes, I do have several including one that I have had since birth. Being born one day after him in the small town hospital and our moms being friends gave us a bond from the beginning

5 can you commit to one person ??

most definetly as I said I have been with hubby for 30 years +

6. If you're in a marriage or relationship have you ever been tempted to cheat??

no I have never and would never. 

7. Do you think your life will change dramatically before 2018??

no I do not see that happening. I have children that are trying to start families so that would be a blessing. I would love to start  a business but not sure how that will go . So I am not sure what 2018 will bring but hoping and praying that it all turns our tok

8. If the person you are interested in says they like someone else, what would try to sway them??

I have been with my Ahusband for 30 + years. If he would choose to go to a greener field and leave all we built I believe I would let him. He needs to be happy and I need to be happy so while it would be a terrible time that I do not even wish to think about somehow we would get through it

9. Are you good at hiding your feelings

I can be when I want to Mostly everyone know how I feel on most subjects. 

10 When was the last time you cried

not for sure been a while I guess (I have been blessed) I always cry when I get mad 

11.Have you ever fell for someone you did not expect too??

my husband, the day we met we were at the alternate poles as far as north is from south but he grew on me and we never seperated

12 what is something you have to do tommorow

WORK

13. Name something you dislike about the day you are having

top thing would be the heat but then it is summer time so it's expected the unexpected was the mess I made in the kitchen

14. Have you ever wanted more from one of your best friends of the opposite sex??

I had a few friends in my early teens that I would love to have had as boyfriends. Then my husband came along

15 Have you ever wanted someone you could never have

fantasy yes there have been several movie stars that were so yummy like. 

16 Who was last person you talked to before you went to bed lastnight

my darling hubby

17. Do you have someone of the opposite sex you can tell everything too??

yes my son 

18 When was the last time you were jealous in a romantic situation??

ages ago maybe in my early 20s when the girls my hubby worked with continued to tease and hit on him

19. If you had to delete one year from your life completely, which would it be?? 

I would never as the years are long full of happiness, sadness, love and drama but I would never let go of any of them as they all were years that I learned and lived in I would have missed the dance

20. Did you have a good day yesterday?? What did you do?? 

YES we had a family day out and enjoyed life. We traveled through the foothills of Kentucky and ended up purchasing fireworks for the holiday

21. If a person you had wished you could have a relationship with for a long time and you suddenly found yourself together together alone, what would you be doing right now

we may find ourselves in a long conversation if together long but no romance would be present

22. Do you replay things that have happened in your head

certianly i am not sure who has not re-thought something whether good or bad to figure out where something is or how it happened

23. Don't tell me lies was the last person you texted attractive

I messaged my daughter this afternoon and I think she is beautiful

24 Is your life anything like it was two years ago?? Is it a good or bad thing

No , my life has changed for the good. My daughter left her abusive husband and well, my grand-babies are at my house now nearly every day

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Cornmeal Crusted Catfish

Cornmeal-Crusted Catfish

* 1 egg, lightly beaten
* 2 tablespoons lemon juice
* 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
* 1/4 cup yellow cornmeal
* 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
* 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 4 (6 ounce) fillets catfish
* 3 tablespoons vegetable oil

In a shallow bowl, combine the egg and lemon juice. In another shallow bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder and salt. Dip catfish into egg mixture, then coat with cornmeal mixture. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Fry fillets, two at a time,
for 5-6 minutes on each side or until fish flakes easily with a fork.

serving suggestion 

Veggie Kabobs

A healthy way to eat and enjoy the grill this summer is through veggie kabobs. You can follow the easy recipe below or create your own using what you like.


1 pound Zucchini, cut into 1/2" slices
1 pound Summer Squash, cut into 1/2" slices
2 green peppers, cut into 1 1/2" pieces
20-24 Cherry Tomatoes
20-24 whole Mushrooms (not too big)
1 cup Italian dressing
1 tablespoon garlic, crushed or finely minced

Alternate vegetables onto six skewers.
In a small bowl, mix Italian dressing and garlic.
Brush Italian dressing and garlic onto vegetables.
Grill on medium heat, turning frequently.
Brush more Italian dressing onto the kabobs a few times as they grill.
Cook about 10-15 minutes, until vegetables are crisp on the outside and tender on the inside.
Serve hot.

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Chocolate Pudding Dessert

One of my favorite childhood desserts was pudding. I even took it in my lunchbag. Back then it came in a little stubby tin can with a pull top lid. Here in the U.S. and Canada pudding is a custard based dessert made of milk or cream, eggs and sugar. Gelatin or startch help to cool the dessert and then it is cooled before serving. A variety of flavors is available. One of my husbands favorites is chocolate. Lucky for him today is chocolate pudding day. 

CHOCOLATE PUDDING DESSERT

crust:    1-1/2 cup flour

3/4 cup (1-1/2 cubes) butter

1/2 cup chopped nuts (your favorite kind)

Cut butter into flour until finely mixed.  Mix in nuts.  Press into bottom of 9 x 13" pan and bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.  Set aside and cool completely.

1(8 oz) cream cheese, softened

1 cup powdered sugar

1 cup cool whip

3 cups cold milk

1 (3oz) instant vanilla pudding

1 (3oz) instant chocolate pudding

2-3 cups cool whip

Whip cream cheese and powdered sugar with a hand mixer.  Gently fold in 1 cup cool whip.  Spread over cooled crust.  Mix milk and puddings together with wire whisk until completely dissolved.  Spread over cream cheese layer.  Frost with remaining cool whip. 

NOTES:  Sometimes I'll use finely crushed Oreos in place of the flour called for in the crust.  You can also use other pudding flavors:  lemon, pistachio, banana cream, etc.

Log Cabin Day

National Log Cabin Day is always the last Sunday in June. Some organizations may celebrate the holiday on June 25th. This year since the last sunday in June falls on the 26th the whole weekend may be celebrated. The holiday was created by the Log Cabin Society founded by Vigrinia Handy. The Bad Axe Historical Soiciety in Michigan created the annual Log Cabin Day on June 25th 1986.

The Besser Museum Log Cabin Day in Michigan host an annual event on the last Sunday in June. They offer old fashioned family activities and places a spotlight on their two log cabins. The holiday is one that promotes taking care of the history and legacy of the log cabins. It is also a great time to place awareness and educatioin of life during the era in America when log cabns were common.

Log home owners also spend the day at their cabins celebrating by hosting feast. Many in our area build and live in their own modern day log cabin others choose to rent one at a state park. Log cabin living can be a simplicity and a great way to celebrate Log Cabin day.

A log cabin is a small house built from logs. A simple home possibly a one and one half story structure. These homes were often less finished as well as less sophisticated. Normally created from round rather than hewn or hand worked logs erected quickly for frontier shelter. Created by stacking tree trunks one on top of another overlapping the logs at the corners. The interlocking corners were created by notching the logs at the ends, resulting in a strong structure that was weather tight. Moss or soft material was also stuffed into the joings.

The early pioneers often lived in log cabins. It allowed them to settle far north even into the mountains. The log cabins would protect them from extreme weather conditions. The first cabin constructed in the U.S. was in 1638. The early English settlers did not use the log cabins but settlers from other countries adopted the log cabin method easily. There are few log cabins dating from the 18th century that still stand. Log cabins were the first homes of settlers while permanent dwellings were constructed. The cabins then were used for outbuildings, chicken coops, or animal shelters.

Today log cabins have become more sophisticated just take a look

"

Learn A Few Tips To save Money This Summer

Summer time is a great time to have fun but also a time where monthly expenses may raise. With all the kids home from school eating a bit more, not to mention the electric bill with the air conditioning or the extra expenses for the summer fun the bills can mount up. When most of us are on a budget and trying to make ends meet we start looking for way to cut corners. One way to do this is to cut the food budget and still eat great. Many believe this can not be done but if you make a plan and stick to the budget it is possible to trim the bills and catch up a bit. 

To start with create a budget. You can save money simply by having a plan. Set a limit on the amount of money you will spend on groceries and stick to it. Create a weekly / monthly budget. Another great way to save on groceries is by using coupons.

1. Spend time each week looking for recipes. ...
2. Create a place to save recipes, and keep it SIMPLE. ...
3. Ask your partner, family, and roommates what they like to eat. ...
4. Check the weather. ...
5. Keep a meal journal. ...
6. Start a calendar. ...
7. Go with theme nights (soup night, pasta night, beans).

Create a menu plan also helps stretch the budget. This saves time as well so those hot summer days when you are out and busy you will be able to know what supper will be. Another great thing is that those extra trips to the store will be unneeded. One expense is snacks. do away with junk food, snacks and other stuff and this will not only slash grocery bills but help you stay healthy as well. Drink water rather than soda will save you money as well. Look for good buys on meat and consider creating vegetable based meals once or twice a week.

Consider changing your shopping time. Shopping alone and one time a month may be the best. Prepare a shopping list and stick to it. Bulk shoppng for grocery and food items is often the cheapest way one can rely on to incur hefty savings. Buying items your family uses the most in bulk can help cute down your grocery bill.

Coupon shopping helps cut grocery bills. Taking a few cents off each item on the shopping list may lead to saving a portion of your grocery bill. Matching store sales with double coupons works even better. Wait for a sale and then use your coupon works great as well. 

Store brands are normally cheaper as well. Many are just as good as those with brand names. Try them keep using the ones your prefer and notice how much they will save you in the pocketbook. Canned and frozen foods work great and have longer shelf life as well. Prepared foods come with a real expensive price tag.

Learn to use leftovers. in different ways. Preserve leftovers by putting in containers and use them for the next meal. Freeze them in the freezer instead of the fridge. Casserole meals make great leftovers and save dollars as well. Use leftover veggies in soups, salads, and more. If you question leftovers then they need toss. Our house only saves leftovers for 2 days 3rd day they are tossed out.

Planting a garden will save you money. You do not have to have a large area to have a garden. Do a quick search here on my blog and find lots of great ideas and recipes for gardening. Growing tomatoes, onions, garlic, pepper, broccoli, sprouts, beans and etc.... would be rewarding in saving money and add extra nutrition


Planning, clipping coupons, all takes a bit of time. The time can show up in saving money though in a way you are paying yourself.

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Swim a Lap Day

Looking to have a bit of summer fun, get some exercise and participate in today's special event. Well you can do all three of these as Swim a Lap Day. 

Around here everyone waits for summer to come and the pool to open. My boss lives her off time in and around the pool. You can tell this by her beautiful tan. So today participate and take a lap or two around the pool. Its a great fun way to get some exercise to help keep you fit. 

The weather here is sunny and hot and the pool will help us all cool off. Get together with a few friends, have a pool party and celebrate by taking a lap around the pool. 

Before visiting that pool and taking a lap be sure to keep in mind some safety tips. 

• Be sure to swim where there is a lifeguard on duty.
• There are rules to keep your safety in mind. Be sure to see and obey all rules                                                                     
• If you choose to go swimming somewhere keep life jackets and first aid kit near by
• Take a buddy when you go swimming, swimming alone could be and is dangerous
• When near or in water always keep close eye on children. Likewise, when walking beside or near pools don't run and walk slowly.
• Be sure to swim where your level of experience in swimming allows you. In other words if you are a learner, swim at the shallow end instead of the deep part. 
• Swimming and eating or chewing gum is never a good idea.
• Remember the waterproof sunscreen with higher SFP leve. This will help protect your skin from the dangerous rays. Wear a hat and sunglasses. 
• Never share your beach towels with others
• In the heat remember to drink lots of water while outside the pool
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Ornamental Grass

Are you doing some land scaping or perhaps need something special to fill in that empty garden or yard spot?? Then you should consider ornamental grasses. Avaliable in perennial or annual ornamental grasses come in a great variety. Some grow a foot tall others several feet tall. With attractive leaves and colorful flowers ornamental grasses do their best to blend in but also offer flair of their own. Some ornamental grasses are dried for indoor decorations.

Blue Fescue ornamental grass grows nicely in containers. With a bright blue hue the color stands out nicely and grows to 6 to 12 inches tall.

Pampas Grass is fast growing and very eye catching. The grass grows in plumes that remind you of feathers. This plant can grow to 10 feet tall and 5 feet wide.

Muhley Grass is best planted in mass The plumes of this plant are purple haze color and give off in the fall winter. Grows 3 feet tall and tolerates salt, cold, drought, and cold weather. 

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Sauteed Peppers and Onions

2  Bell peppers, cleaned, seeded, and cut into strips
One large onion , cut into strips
One Clove garlic chopped
1/4 cup olive oil
1/8 cup burgundy  or red wine (not too sweet)
1/2 stick butter or margarine
1/2 tsp.Beef Bouillon

Add olive oil and butter into a large frying pan. Melt on low heat.
Add strips of peppers, onion and chopped garlic.
Add beef Bouillon
Sautee on low heat until peppers and onions are soft.
Stir occasionally.
Serve hot

recipe source here

Easy Supper Idea:

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Enjoy dessert on National Chocolate Eclair Day

Do you enjoy delicious cream filled pastries?? The Chocolate Eclair Day is just that plus overed with a smooth mouth watering chocolate 

Eclairs are piped into an oblong shape with a pastry bag and baked til crisp and hollow on inside. Pastry is then cooled and filled with a vanilla flavored custard, whipped cream or flavored cream. Finally they are iced with chocolate. 

Eclairs originated during the nineteenth century in France. These sweet treats originally went by the name of "pain a la duchesse" or "petite duchesse" Food historians eclairs were first made by French chef Antonin Careme during the time period between 1784 - 1833. 

The first known english recipe for eclair appeared in the 1884 Boston Cooking School cook book written by Mrs. D.A. Lincoln. 

Many are familiar with the name of Long Johns. They are similiar to eclairs but not quite identical. Long Johns are made from donut pastry and filled with pudding or custard and less expensive to the ecliar. 

No-Bake Chocolate Eclair Dessert

Filling:

• 2 (3.5 oz.) boxes vanilla instant pudding
• 3 c. milk
• 1 (8 oz.) container Cool Whip non-dairy whipped topping {or 3 c. homemade whipped cream}
• 1 (14.4 oz) box graham crackers

Topping:

• 1/3 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 c. granulated sugar
• 1/4 c. milk
• 1/2 c. butter {1 stick}
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

FOR THE FILLING:  Combine dry pudding mix and 3 cups milk; beat until well mixed. Stir in Cool Whip
Place a layer of graham crackers in the bottom of a 9x13" dish. Spread 1/2 of the pudding mixture over the graham crackers. Repeat with another layer of graham crackers and pudding; then top with a final layer of graham crackers.
FOR THE TOPPING:  Bring cocoa, milk, and sugar to a full rolling boil; boil about 1 minute, stirring very frequently. Remove from heat and cool one minute. Add butter and vanilla; stir until butter is melted.
Pour chocolate topping over the top layer of graham crackers. Spread evenly to completely cover graham crackers.
Refrigerate over night.

Enjoy!  (Seriously, enjoy! ... this stuff is soooooo good.)

recipe source here

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National Onion Rings Day

Onions rings are onions that are dipped in batter or in bread crumbs and deep fried. Tasty onion rings have been popular for quite a while. whether as a snack, an appetizer or a side dish. Onions rings are popular in Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and parts of Asia as well. Where the first onion ring was created, cooked and enjoyed is unkown.

In the early 1920's there was a restaurant named the Pig Stand in Oak Cliff Texas that served up delicious onion rings 

A Crisco ad in 1933 shared a recipe for deep fried onion rings that are dipped in milk then dredged in flour 

The A&W restaurant in the 1960s helped popularize the onion rings as they were served at the fast food restaurant  

.

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup sugar
3 tablespoons baking powder
2 teaspoons salt
2 cups club soda
vegetable oil for frying
2 large sweet yellow onions, cut into 3/8-inch thick slices and separated into rings

In a large bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Whisk club soda into mixture.
In a large soup pot, heat 2 inches of oil over medium heat until hot, but not smoking. Dip each onion ring into the batter, allowing the excess to drip back into the bowl. Fry a few onion rings at a time for 5 to 6 minutes, or until golden, turning once during cooking. Drain on a paper towel-lined platter before serving. 

recipe source Mr. Food

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Enjoy Peaches and Cream

Fresh Peach Dessert

2/3 cup powdered sugar

3/4-1 cup butter, softened

2 pkg. graham crackers; crushed

12-14 medium peaches or 7-8 large; peeled & sliced

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1/4 cup lemon juice

1 pt. whipping cream (I don't use it all, maybe 3/4 of it)

Mix cracker crumbs, powdered sugar, & butter. Save a small amount to sprinkle on top, press the rest into the bottom of a glass 9 x 13 pan. Whip the cream and add a little vanilla and powdered sugar until set, set aside. Mix the sweetened condensed milk with lemon juice. Then place the peaches on the crust and pour the milk/lemon mixture on top. Spread the fresh cream on top of that and sprinkle with remaining crust. Refrigerate.

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International Day of Yoga

Yoga an exercise that has been around for eons of years. The valuable tool of yoga originated in India over 5,000 years ago. A combination of mental, physical, and spiritual exercise. With proven health benefits as well. Some of the health benefits include:

• Increased flexibility.
• Increased muscle strength and tone.
• Improved respiration, energy and vitality.
• Maintaining a balanced metabolism.
• Weight reduction.
• Cardio and circulatory health.
• Improved athletic performance.
• Protection from injury

December 11, 2014 the Prime Minister of India introduced the exercise of yoga to the United Nations and suggested declaring a day for yoga. June 21st was selected to be the day to celebrate.


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Secret Message

Before there was text messages or instant messages there was Morse code. Morse code is a method of transmitting text information as a series of on and off tones, lights, or clicks that can be understood by those skilled observers without special equipment. Each Morse code symbol represents either a text character (letter or numberal) and representd by unique sequence of dots and dashes. A dash has a duration three times that of a dot.

Samuel Morse created the code that has been a wonderful aid to individuals in need of help. This very important code can be fun as well. Today on the day that the Morse Code was invented take time to use the code or one that you create yourself to leave someone a clever note. Of course they must be supplied with the code if you want them to understand it.

This Date In History: The Great Seal

Have you ever wondered where the seal of the U.S. came from. Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams among others asked artist Pierre Eugene du Simitiere to create a design that would be affixed to all official documents issued by the country. 

proposed seal that congress did not agree with

The three fore fathers did not agree on a design with Jefferson and Franklin requesting scenes from the bible and Adams selecting Greek myth motif. Congress agreed with none that that was designed. Congress asked Charles Thomoson to create a seal based on the elements of previous committees. June 20th, 1783 the design was approved by congress and became the Great Seal of the U.S.

Thomosons Proposal 

The seal would not be officially used until 1790. The seal would go through several more changes. James Trenchard an engraver from Philadelphia would randomly place stars on the obverse side as well as rays of glory emanation outward from the eagle.