Miner Moments

A Repeat Offender

2012-02-13T12:09:00.002-06:00

{a perfect Valentine Cake too!}

This Year's Yummy Cake

Triple Chocolate Fudge Cake

so Delicious & Easy

Last Year's Yummy Cake

Kayley wanted a "Chocolately" cake last year for her birthday. Heather is my GO TO GIRL when I need a fabulous recipe. Once again,she came through again with shining colors!

Tripe Chocolate Fudge Cake

Ingredients:

1 chocolate cake mix (with pudding in the mix!)

1 large box chocolate pudding

1/2 c vegetable oil

1/2 c warm water

4 eggs

1 c sour cream

1 12oz package chocolate chips

Directions:

Grease and flour a 12 cup bunt pan and preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine cake mix and pudding mix. Blend in oil, water, eggs, sour cream.

Stir in chocolate chips. Pour into pan.

Bake 45 min-1 hour.

Cool 10 min, then slide knife around edges of pan and invert.

Cool completely and glaze.

Glaze:

Melt 1/3 c margarine and stir in 2 cups powdered sugar. Blend in 1/2 t. vanilla.

*my mom's friend sometimes just heats up a tub of frosting from the store and pours over the top instead.

Kayley didn't hesitate when asked what kind of cake or dessert she would like for her birthday.

Since it was the second year in a row I decided to add a festive banner with her birthday number on it. She's turned the big Two Five this year (which makes me age four when I had her, my story is getting harder and harder to believe)!

I found the cute printable number banner

HERE

Hope all those wishes come true LeeLee!

{all photos by Marci}

Valentine Twinkies

2012-02-10T10:46:00.000-06:00

Valentine Twinkies

Here is a last minute idea for Valentine's Day dessert!

Quick and easy strawberry shortcake ala heart shaped twinkies.

via Crazy Domestic

Simply cut your twinkies diagonally, and place them together in a heart shape! They topped theirs with strawberry jam (diluted with water-about 3 parts jam, 1 part water) and then garnished it with fresh strawberries!

You could even drizzle hot fudge or chocolate sauce over the top!

Thank You Thursday

2012-02-02T10:38:00.000-06:00

via doodle graphics

Valentine Chex Mix

2012-01-31T21:37:00.001-06:00

Valentine Chex Mix

via Betty Crocker

· 9 cups Rice Chex® cereal (gluten free)

· 1 cup white vanilla baking chips

· ½ cup peanut butter

· ¼ cup butter or margarine

· ¾ cup powdered sugar

· ½ cup red, white and pink candy-coated chocolate candies

· ¼ cup red or pink jimmies sprinkles

♥Step 1

In large bowl, place cereal. In small microwavable bowl, microwave baking chips, peanut butter and butter uncovered on High 1 minute to 1 minute 30 seconds, stirring every 30 seconds, until melted and smooth. Pour peanut butter mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated.

♥Step 2

Place 1/2 of the cereal mixture in 1-gallon food-storage plastic bag. Add powdered sugar. Seal bag; shake until well coated. Spread on waxed paper or foil to cool, about 15 minutes.

♥Step 3

Meanwhile, stir candies and sprinkles into remaining cereal mixture. Spread on waxed paper or foil to cool, about 15 minutes.

♥Step 4

In serving bowl, mix both cereal mixtures. Store in airtight container.

Super Easy, Delicious & Gluten Free!

Valentine Treat

2012-01-30T06:22:00.004-06:00

Feeling the need to make these!

Brown Sugar Blondies for Valentine’s Day

image & recipe via Baked Perfection

Brown Sugar Blondies
adapted from Allrecipes.com

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 cup to 1 1/3 cup M&M's

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).

Mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt and set aside. Melt 1/3 cup butter. Add 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar and mix well. Cool slightly. Add egg (beaten) and vanilla and blend well. Add flour mixture, a little at a time, mixing well. Mix in 2/3 cup M&M's. Spread in 9 x 9 x 2 inch pan. Sprinkle 1/3 to 2/3 cup M&M's on top. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Store in airtight container at room temperature.

Valentine’s Marshmallow Pops

2012-01-26T06:35:00.000-06:00

Easy peasy quick treat for Valentine’s Day:

Valentine’s Marshmallow Pops

via Glorious Treats

All you need...

One bag of Strawberry Marshmallows

Chocolate

Sprinkles

Lollipop sticks

Small cellophane bags (if you want to wrap them up)

1. ~ Directions ~ Push a lollipop stick into each marshmallow.

2. Melt some chocolate (chocolate chips are not recommended) I usually use Ghirardelli chocolate (found in the baking aisle). You will probably need 4-8 oz. of chocolate, depending on how many marshmallows you dip.

3. Dip one marshmallow at a time into the chocolate.

4. Allow excess chocolate to drip off, then sprinkle your choice of sprinkles onto the chocolate.

5. Set the marshmallow pop (stick down) in a mug to allow the chocolate to set (you can put the mug of pops in the fridge or freezer for a few minutes)

6. Once the chocolate is set, if desired, wrap each pop in a small cellophane bag.

7. Share with friends =)

FROM A SWEATER ....TO A CAT

2012-01-23T13:19:00.001-06:00

Sweet Heart.... The Sweater Cat

Awhile ago I did this post of all these fun ideas for

repurposing sweaters.

This is one of those sweaters I decided to hang on to.

Out of the Goodwill box and into the Repurpose box it went.

I love the variegated yarn!

What to do with it?

I know ....

a cat for Addie!

The sweater had a rolled hem.

It was perfect for the Sweater Cat’s tail!

meet

Sweet Heart

(Lovingly named by Addie)

Thank You Thursday-2012

2012-01-12T19:25:00.000-06:00

we love typography

via dzine

So many things to say ….. where should I start!

Well first, THANK YOU to everyone for sending so many wonderful wishes for my birthday! I love my birthday now. The thing is, I have had a Love/Hate relationship with the day for quite a while.

When I was growing up I loved that my birthday was on New Year’s Eve. It was the perfect night for a slumber party. My family endured many of those. I loved the excitement of waiting for the midnight hour to ring in the New Year!

Shirley Temple

We would run up and down the street banging pots and pans. Oh the thrill! My mom was always the best at making birthdays special. As a matter of fact, she did such a good job I actually thought ALL of the New Year’s festivities were about “me”! I know, but I did. It’s true.

Now that was the one hand. On the other hand, Aunts and Uncles often sent me a Christmas/Birthday present. When you are 7 years old that can be devastating.

My birthday was during the Christmas break so some of my best friends that went out of town every year for the holidays couldn’t be there.

Later on it seemed like everyone got a new calendar for Christmas and excitedly hung it up filling in their schedules for the New Year. “Hey, there are a few more days . Wait!”

And the worst .... I got all my new clothes all at once... so tragic.

via a cottage industry

These days I really do love everything about my birthday and I hope I get to have many more! I love turning a year older right at the start of the New Year. It is the perfect way to end one year and begin the next.

via sarahearn

Mark and I recently saw the movie New Year’s Eve. We loved it.

It’s a “feel good” movie similar to the Movie Valentine’s Day. I saw it with my girls ♥ after my infamous toe surgery .

In the movie New Year's Eve, Hilary Swank plays Claire Morgan the producer of the Times Square New Year’s Eve ball drop. When there is a malfunction and everyone is waiting for the drop she gives this impromptu speech from the heart.

Referring to the ball, she says,

"It's suspended there to remind us before we pop the champagne and celebrate the New Year, to stop and reflect on the year that has gone by.
To remember both our triumphs and our missteps - our promises made, and broken. The times we opened ourselves up to great adventures - or closed ourselves down, for fear of getting hurt.
Because that's what New Year's is all about: getting another chance. A chance to forgive, to do better, to do more, to give more, to love more. And stop worrying about 'what if' and start embracing what would be.
So when that ball drops at midnight - and it will drop - let's remember to be nice to each other, kind to each other. And not just tonight but all year long."

It's a NEW Happy Year!

via Nesting Place

via citified blog

Wishing a

via etsy

to you!

Saturday Morning Cartoons

2011-12-31T16:43:00.000-06:00

Saturday Morning

~~Cartoons~~

“CAT”toons

Bill ….. “Don’t you just love Saturday.”

Sally…………..…………………”I know~right”

Thank You Thursday

2011-11-24T09:42:00.001-06:00

via marta writes

Embraceable You

2011-11-09T08:49:00.000-06:00

Hope's duet with Nelson Mills III from Monday's nights Jazz Concert,

"Embraceable You"

Taylor High School Jazz Band

2011-11-08T10:48:00.005-06:00

The Taylor Jazz Band concert was last night.

Thank you to everybody that was able to come and support Hope.

She had quite a fan club!

Marci got Mr. Melville introducing Hope and Hope's solo, "The Look of Love" on tape for us.

Thank you to John for suggesting the idea and a big thanks to Debbie for helping make it happen!

The band was amazing! They had a guest trumpeter and vocalist,

Nelson Mills III there last night. Hope got to sing a duet with him.

I will try to post some other numbers soon!

Giving Thanks

2011-11-01T18:54:00.000-05:00

via LDS.org

I really can't believe it is November.

Like never before I feel excited to celebrate this month of "Thanksgiving".

Last month I did THIS post

“EveryDay Thanksgiving”

… where I shared some of my favorite talks and quotes on gratitude.

I also mentioned this book that I had just finished reading.

You can find it HERE.

This is the trailer:

We started a tradition in our family with a

“Thankful Tree”.

During the month we write things we are thankful for on little leaves and then hang them on a wire tree. It is so fun to watch the progression as the tree fills up with blessings!
Even more rewarding is the realization of so many gifts from heaven.

I hope this month, so perfectly timed before celebrating the birth of our Savior,

we can all do something in our lives and in our homes that will encourage

Intentional Gratitude.

Happy Month of

Thanksgiving !

Beautiful Heartbreak

2011-10-30T17:25:00.003-05:00

A little over three years ago I shared a POST about Stephanie Nielson. Then there was this one on the POWER of HOPE .... and this inspirational video on FAITH.

via Pinterest

The amazing "Beautiful Heartbreak"

that Stephanie has so graciously shared with the world is a testimony that indeed…

"We can do all things through Christ which strentheneth us." ~Phillipians 4:13

Although I don’t have the time to follow my favorite blogs as consistently as I’d like, I do love to when I can find the extra few minutes here and there. So I just recently did just that over at “Nie Nie’s Dialogs” where Stephanie mentions this amazing video that she got to take part in.

Hilary Weeks new song: "Beautiful Heartbreak".

I was so touched by this song. I think the two biggest things I took away from it are:

~Although sometime in our lives everyone will face heartbreak of some kind or another , we can still choose to make it beautiful because of the grace of our Savior and

~that if we all wrote our signs and were truly able to read everyone else’s, we would all be a little kinder to one another.

I couldn’t find all the lyrics but the Chorus was posted in the comments on YouTube.

via Pinterest

(Chorus)

Every fear, every doubt, all the pain I went through

Was the price that I paid to see this view

And now that I'm here I would never trade

The grace that I feel and the face that I find

Through the bittersweet tears and the sleepless nights

I used to pray He'd take it all away

But instead it became a beautiful heartbreak.

Zombie Pumpkins

2011-10-28T18:26:00.000-05:00

Zombie Pumpkins

via Martha Stewart

Don’t you Just love these guys!

How to Make the Zombie Pumpkins

Ogre Eye Cookies

2011-10-28T12:21:00.000-05:00

Ogre eye cookies

via All You

Preston would love these. If I don't have time to make them this year I will definitely put it in the file for next year!

Ingredients:

1 stick (1/4 lb.) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg yolk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
Green sugar
5 long strands black licorice, cut into 1-inch lengths
36 white-chocolate chips
36 brown mini M&Ms

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Cream butter and sugar in a mixer. Mix in yolk and vanilla, then flour and salt, well. Roll into balls (size of a large marble). Coat in green sugar. Bake on 2 baking sheets for 12 minutes; rotate pans halfway through.
Remove from oven. Lightly indent centers. Push licorice "eyelashes" into cookies; bake for 2 minutes. Push tip of whitechocolate chips into centers. Bake for 3 minutes. Immediately press a mini M&M in center of each chip. Cool.

Sally wants to be.....

2011-10-08T18:52:00.000-05:00

a Witch for Halloween

Sally and Miss Fiona have become BFFs♥

I suppose that has influenced her somewhat. I will tell you this.

When her mind is made up….her mind is made up!

So a witch she shall be.

We’ve been on the lookout for the perfect hat.

What do you think about this one?

It is rather small but don’t you just love the way the green trim

brings out the green in her eyes? She said, “possibly”.

To this one, her response was “no way Jose”.

I thought the fit was better. Sally said it was too heavy.

I guess she does look a bit weighted down …. so the search continues.

♥ til next time

Thank You Thursday~Reflections on Gratitude

2011-10-06T06:25:00.002-05:00

“EveryDay a Thanksgiving”

A grateful heart … comes through expressing gratitude

to our Heavenly Father for His blessings and to those

around us for all that they bring into our lives.
—Thomas S. Monson

The Divine Gift of Gratitude

The Magic of Gratitude

Just read this book and LOVED it!

You can find it HERE

Some Great Quotes about GRATITUDE:

“Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude.” — Denis Waitley

“Gratitude is riches. Complaint is poverty.” –Doris Day

“To understand the power and the magic of gratitude, you have to experience it for yourself. If you practice gratitude every day it won't take long before gratitude is your natural state of being, and when that happens you will have unlocked one of the greatest secrets to life.” — Rhonda Byrne

“Gratitude is a Spirit-filled principle. It opens our minds to a universe permeated with the richness of a living God.” —Bonnie D. Parkin

“We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.” — Cynthia Ozick

“You simply will not be the same person two months from now after consciously giving thanks each day for the abundance that exists in your life. And you will have set in motion an ancient spiritual law: the more you have and are grateful for, the more will be given you.” — Sarah Ban Breathnach

“Gratitude can have a profound effect on perspective, completely determining or altering the way we look at an experience — Vaughn E. Worthen, PH.D.

“Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has plenty; not on your past misfortunes of which all men have some.” — Charles Dickens

“He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.” — Epictetus

“We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.” — Thornton Wilder

“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” — Albert Einstein

“When we become more fully aware that our success is due in large measure to the loyalty, helpfulness, and encouragement we have received from others, our desire grows to pass on similar gifts. Gratitude spurs us on to prove ourselves worthy of what others have done for us. The spirit of gratitude is a powerful energizer.” — Wilferd A. Peterson

“Find the good and praise it.” — Alex Haley

“What if you gave someone a gift, and they neglected to thank you for it-would you be likely to give them another? Life is the same way. In order to attract more of the blessings that life has to offer, you must truly appreciate what you already have.” — Ralph Marston

“God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say “thank you?” — William A. Ward

“Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.” — William Arthur Ward

“Gratitude should not be just a reaction to getting what you want, but an all-the-time gratitude, the kind where you notice the little things and where you constantly look for the good, even in unpleasant situations. Start bringing gratitude to your experiences, instead of waiting for a positive experience in order to feel grateful.” — Marelisa Fábrega

“Gratitude is deeper than thanks. Thankfulness is the beginning ofgratitude. Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness. Thankfulness may consist merely of words. Gratitude is shown in acts.”

—President David O. McKay

“If you concentrate on finding whatever is good in every situation, you will discover that your life will suddenly be filled with gratitude, a feeling that nurtures the soul.” — Rabbi Harold Kushner

“If the only prayer you say in your life is thank you, that would suffice.” — Meister Eckhart

“There is a calmness to a life lived in gratitude, a quiet joy.” — Ralph H. Blum

“Blessed are those that can give without remembering and receive without forgetting.” — Author Unknown

“The best way to pay for a lovely moment is to enjoy it.” — Richard Bach

“There is a law of gratitude, and it is . . . the natural principle that action and reaction are always equal and in opposite directions. The grateful outreaching of your mind in thankful praise to supreme intelligence is a liberation or expenditure of force. It cannot fail to reach that to which it is addressed, and the reaction is an instantaneous movement toward you.” — Wally Wattles

Pictures and Typography via Pinterest

Mindful Monday

2011-10-03T20:09:00.000-05:00

A friend of mine had this on her Facebook wall and I just had to share it.

I've always loved this song!

Need a little R & R

2011-09-28T08:18:00.002-05:00

I sure wish I could go to

this!

Heather S. you better be♥

Seriously!

The Repurposed Skirt

2011-09-27T09:14:00.027-05:00

When its time to organize and declutter, I fill bags to donate for charities or pass down to friends with younger kids.
I have one separate bag where I place those items that have something about them I just can't part with. Sometimes it might be for sentimental reasons or sometimes there is just something unique or appealing about it and it seems to sing out,
"please repurpose me!"
While sifting through one such bag looking for project ideas I came across an old (really old) skirt of Kayley's and immediately thought Ella would love these colors.

When she was here for her "Nana Sleepover"
(our summer tradition)

I showed it to her and asked if she'd like me to make a skirt for her out of it.

Ella eagerly answered "yes"

so I couldn't wait to get started.

I loved the little pintucks in the original skirt.
(probably the reason it made it to the "special bag")

I just made a casing for an elastic waist band and a tulle under slip for an extra layer underneath to hang just below the hemline giving the skirt a little fullness.

I found a white tee to embellish. I added some lace and rolled roses and sewed a couple of rows of elastic thread at the waist to give a new look.
Now she'll have an outfit.

… and she would need a hair clip too .... of course.

and here's the little cutie wearing it.

Sweet Ella

She's growing up!

Mindful Monday

2011-09-26T21:06:00.000-05:00

via Pinterest

a Motto to Live By

Kindness

2011-09-19T09:21:00.000-05:00

via tumblr.com

Fresh Tomato Tart

2011-08-31T17:29:00.000-05:00

I really want to make this….

Fresh Tomato Tart

Midwest Living August 2009
Recipe from Geri Boesen

Ingredients:

1/2 of a 15-ounce folded refrigerated unbaked piecrust (1 crust)
1-1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (6 ounces)
4 Roma or small regular tomatoes
3/4 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves
4 cloves garlic
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup mayonnaise or salad dressing
1/8 teaspoon ground white pepper
Fresh basil leaves (optional)

Directons:

1. Unfold the piecrust according to package directions. Line a 9-inch tart pan with pastry (it's easier to remove the baked tart if pan has a removable bottom). Press the pastry into the fluted sides of the tart pan and trim the edges. Don't prick. Partially bake in a 450 degree F oven for 5 to 7 minutes or until pastry is slightly dry.

2. Remove from oven. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup of the mozzarella cheese. Cool in pan on a wire rack. Reduce oven temperature to 375 degree F.

3. Meanwhile, cut the tomatoes into wedges; drain the wedges on paper towels. Arrange the tomato wedges over the melted cheese in a baked crust.

4. In a food processor bowl, combine basil and garlic; cover and process with on-off turns until coarsely chopped. Or snip the basil and mince the garlic.

5. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the basil-garlic mixture, the remaining shredded mozzarella cheese, the mayonnaise, the grated Parmesan cheese, and pepper. Spread the mixture evenly over tomato wedges.

6. Bake in a 375 degree F oven for about 25 minutes or until cheese is golden. Let stand 5 minutes before cutting into wedges. Serve warm. If you like, garnish with additional basil leaves. Makes 8 appetizer or 4 main-dish servings.

The Fixer

2011-08-23T08:19:00.003-05:00

Over the years I've worn lots of different hats.

Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Maker .....

I now have a new hat to add to my collection.

I really do adore my new hat.

An appropriate nick-name might be

♥ The Hero ♥

I get to wear my new hat almost every week.

I fix zippers, glue pearls on flower clips, sharpen pencils, untangle necklaces and "find things".

I always feel so appreciated when I wear "The Fixer" hat!

One of my latest "missions" was particularly challenging.

Ella adopted Marci's blanket from her childhood.

A sweet little lady in our ward in San Diego made it for my baby shower.

She, by the way, was the only one that thought I was having a girl!

It was a cute white blanket with tiny pink rosebuds.

(That was VERY popular at the time.)

It was soft and plush, as she used quilted fabric as the top layer and then tied it with white yarn. I loved it and when Marci arrived, so did she!

Needless to say after "lots" of years with the original owner and now 7 years with the new owner, Ella ...

the pretty, plush blanket was no longer pretty and plush.

Marci brought it to me and pleaded ....

is there something you can do to salvage this?

"For Ella " ?♥? .... Of Course

Once again on with my New Hat ! ♥ !

The top fabric is very worn and the little flowers have completely faded away. The fabric is so very soft though and Ella wanted to change the blanket as little as possible.

The back of the blanket showed the most wear and tear.

I decided to keep the top fabric and replace the back.

The poor ole' batting was holding on for dear life around the edges but the middle had come away completely .

Poor Ole' Batting

I decided to replace it with a batting that is 50% organic cotton and 50% bamboo.

I used a thick flannel for the new back piece.

Ella approved the job!

Faces like this are why I love my new hat!

♥ aka ♥

"Nana Hero Hat"

Back to School

2011-08-22T22:49:00.000-05:00

Back to School Party


via

One Charming Party

Cute Back to School Printable


via It Is What It Is

HERE

Back to School Crayons


Would you believe these are yummy edible snacks? Well, they sure are! images via Gourmet Mom-On-The Go Get the How-To HERE She even has the crayon labels to print. Cute Back to School Dinner via Elizabeth Harris Get the Scoop HERE


via Lil' Luna

Get them

HERE

How about these:


via Tip Junkie by Anything but Perfect

HERE

via Deck the Halls Deck the Halls of Home with Joy

via Free Time Frolics

Me... Famous?

2011-07-08T15:35:00.000-05:00

Marci Made Me Famous!

If you having been reading along with me for awhile you know, I live "famously" through my kids!

Just a sampling of the many posts!

.....in random order .....

http://minermoments.blogspot.com/2010/04/our-first-birthday-girl.html

http://minermoments.blogspot.com/2008/06/photo-shoot.html

http://minermoments.blogspot.com/2008/11/big-day.html

http://minermoments.blogspot.com/2010/06/april-birthday-girl-celebration.html

http://minermoments.blogspot.com/2010/12/concert-season.html

http://minermoments.blogspot.com/2009/05/thank-you-thursday.html

http://minermoments.blogspot.com/2010/05/thank-you-thursday-congratulations.html

http://minermoments.blogspot.com/2009/06/june-10-1994.html

http://minermoments.blogspot.com/2009/03/thank-you-thursday_26.html

http://minermoments.blogspot.com/2010/05/birthday-wishes.html

Well back to the famous bit...

Marci has this incredible Menu Blog that I totally rely on now. She finds amazing recipes and has posted about many of our family favorites as well.

She spotted our "Miner Marinade" recipe at

Real Mom Kitchen!

It's featured

HERE

Okay, okay, so I'm not mentioned but my recipe should count for something. (right?)

Happy 4th of July!

2011-07-04T08:55:00.000-05:00

Happy Independence Day!

"I testify to you that God's hand has been in our destiny. I testify that freedom as we know it today is being threatened as never before in our history. I further witness that this land—the Americas—must be protected, its Constitution upheld, for this is a land foreordained to be the Zion of our God. He expects us as members of the Church and bearers of His priesthood to do all we can to preserve our liberty."

--Ezra Taft Benson, "A Witness and a Warning,",Ensign, Nov. 1979

Cute Candy Favor

2011-06-29T13:02:00.000-05:00

Flag Favors


via Martha Stewart

A spirited holiday celebration calls for a fun take-home treat, like this goody bag of candies arranged to resemble the American flag.

Start by partially filling a 2-by-10-inch cellophane bag with blue candies to stand in for stars. Then add red and white candy sticks to mimic stripes. Tie the bag with red waxed twine, and don't be surprised if you catch yourself humming "Stars and Stripes Forever."

The American Flag

2011-06-14T06:32:00.005-05:00

I posted this message about the American Flag on our Young Women’s Blog yesterday. I found it a couple of years ago and I love it so I decided to share it here too.

I am the flag of the United States of America. I was born on June 14, 1777, in Philadelphia.There the Continental Congress adopted my stars and stripes as the national flag.

My thirteen stripes alternating red and white, with a union of thirteen white stars in a field of blue, represented a new constellation, a new nation dedicated to the personal and religious liberty of mankind.

Today fifty stars signal from my union, one for each of the fifty sovereign states in the greatest constitutional republic the world has ever known.

My colors symbolize the patriotic ideals and spiritual qualities of the citizens of my country.
My red stripes proclaim the fearless courage and integrity of American men and boys and the self-sacrifice and devotion of American mothers and daughters.
My white stripes stand for liberty and equality for all.
My blue is the blue of heaven, loyalty, and faith.

I represent these eternal principles: liberty, justice, and humanity.

I embody American freedom: freedom of speech, religion, assembly, the press, and the sanctity of the home.

I typify that indomitable spirit of determination brought to my land by Christopher Columbus and by all my forefathers - the Pilgrims, Puritans, settlers at James town and Plymouth.

I am as old as my nation.

I am a living symbol of my nation's law: the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights.

I voice Abraham Lincoln's philosophy: "A government of the people, by the people, for the people."
I stand guard over my nation's schools, the seedbed of good citizenship and true patriotism.

I am displayed in every schoolroom throughout my nation; every schoolyard has a flag pole for my display.

Daily thousands upon thousands of boys and girls pledge their allegiance to me and my country.

I have my own law—Public Law 829, "The Flag Code" - which definitely states my correct use and display for all occasions and situations.

I have my special day, Flag Day. June 14 is set aside to honor my birth.
Americans, I am the sacred emblem of your country. I symbolize your birthright, your heritage of liberty purchased with blood and sorrow.
I am your title deed of freedom, which is yours to enjoy and hold in trust for posterity.

If you fail to keep this sacred trust inviolate, if I am nullified and destroyed, you and your children will become slaves to dictators and despots.

Eternal vigilance is your price of freedom.

As you see me silhouetted against the peaceful skies of my country, remind yourself that I am the flag of your country, that I stand for what you are - no more, no less.
Guard me well, lest your freedom perish from the earth.
Dedicate your lives to those principles for which I stand: "One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
I was created in freedom. I made my first appearance in a battle for human liberty.
God grant that I may spend eternity in my "land of the free and the home of the brave" and that I shall ever be known as "Old Glory," the flag of the United States of America.
~written by Melanie

Happya FlagaDay
Fly your Flag!

********************************

The American Flag:

source

Continental Colours
(Top left)

This 1776 flag reflects the sentiments of our forefathers: The British Union Jack acknowledged the colonies' origins; the stripes, their emerging independence.
Stars and Stripes
(Top right)
The Flag Resolution of 1777 specified that there should be one star for each state but did not specify configuration. Each flagmaker arranged the stars to his or her liking.

Star-Spangled Banner
(Bottom left)
Two stars and stripes were added in 1795 in recognition of Vermont and Kentucky. This version inspired the Francis Scott Key poem that became our national anthem.
Grand Old Flag
(Bottom right)
In 1912, President William Taft approved the first detailed standards for flag proportions. This flag, with 48 stars, was official until 1959 -- the longest-flying version.

Last Day!

2011-05-31T14:18:00.001-05:00

Today is the LAST Day!

Mindful Monday ~ Happy Memorial Day

2011-05-30T19:06:00.002-05:00

Wishing you a Happy Memorial Day!

Hope you are having a beautiful day enjoying time with friends and family! 

I just want to send a word of appreciation to all of the soldiers, past and present, who've given us the wonderful gift of freedom ♥.

We remember and honor your amazing service!

Thank  you  !

Old Glory Cherry-Blueberry Pie

2011-05-27T07:38:00.000-05:00

Sunset, JULY 2001

Ingredients

5 cups fresh sweet, dark cherries, rinsed and pitted, or frozen pitted cherries (see notes)
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 1/2 cups fresh blueberries, rinsed and drained, or frozen blueberries
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
Flag pastry
2 teaspoons butter or margarine, cut into small pieces
Vanilla ice cream (optional)

Preparation

In a large bowl, mix cherries with 2 tablespoons lemon juice. In a smaller bowl, mix blueberries with remaining 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Combine sugar and cornstarch; gently stir 1 cup of the mixture into cherries and 1/4 cup into blueberries.
Spoon cherry mixture over 3/4 of the pastry in pan, leaving 1 quadrant free. Spoon blueberry mixture into unfilled area. Scatter butter evenly over fruit.
Top filling with stars and stripes as directed for flag pastry. Set pie in a foil-lined 13- by 17-inch baking pan.
Bake on the bottom rack of a 400° regular or convection oven until fruit is bubbling in the center and pastry is well browned, about 1 hour. If pastry edges brown too quickly (check after 40 minutes), cover loosely with foil.
Let pie cool on a rack at least 3 hours; let stand at room temperature up to 8 hours. Cut into wedges and serve with ice cream, if desired.

Notes: If using fresh cherries, buy about 1 3/4 pound; if using frozen, you'll need about 1 1/2 packages, 16 ounces each.

Makes 8 to 10 servings