Cat Crap Cookies.....

This is my recipe for the Carnival this week. I cannot take any credit for this. My Dear Husband located the recipe on Funny Tummy.comCAT POOP COOKIES RECIPE. I will admit this is just gross enough to try. It does look gross......but anything with butterscotch, and chocolate cannot be half bad.


Ingredients:
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup molasses
2/3 cup butter
1 egg
2-1/3 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp. each ginger, cinnamon, cloves
Grape-nuts™

Mix-ins:
Coconut (tapeworms)
Chocolate chips
Butterscotch chips
Peanut butter chips
Cooked spaghetti al dente (roundworms)
Shelled peanuts

Microwave the honey until it bubbles. Add the butter, molasses, and egg. Mix well.

Add the rest of the ingredients (except Grape-nuts™) and mix well.

Stir in the mix-ins. Warning: if you add too many mix-ins your dough will not hold together!

Chill one hour in the freezer or several hours in the fridge.

Roll dough logs of random length and diameter to simulate cat poops.

Roll logs in grape-nuts and bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes. (The quantity of mix-ins used affects cooking time.)

Serve in a disposable cat litter box on a bed of grapenuts, with a cat litter scoop as a serving utensil.

List of things to do today.....

1) Go to Seans site, and wish him and Tragic well. I think they are married by now. I am sure they will post photos in the next couple of weeks. Give each other a soft place to fall, the World is rough enough, without being being rough on each other......

2) Go to see Luke, and wish him well on his endevours, the guestbook is finally up. I see he has already had a couple of nasty trolls. Please go lend support to him, and tell him thanks. I am sure he would love it, if you gave him a link, or even bought a copy.

3) Clean my house and prepare it for Dear Husbands family. They are coming for a reunion!!! Brother in Law visiting, while trying to shake Afghanistan off. He is bringing my neices, who I have not seen since I was pregnant with Dash. I must go food shopping as well. It is a good time to host a week long party. I feel rested, and there is plenty of corn on the cob and watermelon around to make meals EASY!! My Mother in Law is coming as well. We will be taking a load of photos, and video. Who knows when we will be able to visit again?

4) I need some snuggle time with Dear Husband.....some serious time alone.

First Annual Bloggers For Books.....bookdrive.

I have read the book, and literary Memes around here enough to know, you folks are readers!! I also know a lot of us have sooo many books we do not know what to do with them all. If you are like me I lend books I fall in love with, out. I am soon disappointed when I find out the book or books are going unread.

I also have read enough of your blogs to know, you do what you can, when you can. I know most of my readers support Soldiers Angels, and other projects concerning our Service Men and Women. I know you are working families just like mine, and you want to do all you can, but might be strapped for cash. So I have found a great home for your books!! You can always donate to Books For Soldiers, a great organization, and since I am married to a soldier, I am thankful to them.


Yep, I am following Contagions lead here, I will be leaving this post at top.


I really think a lot of us could do a great service by donating our GENTLY USED books, or if you have the pocket NEW books. I will preface with the following, even though I do no think I need to, but ya never know. Please do not send books that are in poor condition, falling apart, musty. Chances are if you don't want them, someone else doesn't want to be on the receiving end.

I have been in contact with Chris, a librarian at Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. The need for books is great there. There is no library and no bookstore, and a population of approximately 40,000. I think the closest place to "really shop" might be Rapid City South Dakota. Pine Ridge is the second largest Indian Reservation in the United States. . There is a fantastic website dedicated to photographs of Pine Ridge, and Wounded Knee, although I will warn you, some of what you see will be hard to look at.


Chis provided me with several addresses at Pine Ridge that could use books, however the need is so great, it is overwhelming. I have decided to post just 2 of them for now. If you have further inquiries contact me, or go to Friends of Pine Ridge, and inquire there.


Childrens Village is a foster care home that can use kids books appropriate for toddlers through teens.
Ship to:
Children's Village, Inc.
100 Main Street
Box 1034
Pine Ridge, SD 57770



Wounded Knee Community Center can use book donations of any type for distribution to the general public adults and children. Novels, nonfiction, kids books, etcArere all welcome.
Ship to:
Wounded Knee Community Center
P. O. Box 48
Wounded Knee, SD 57794


I certainly hope you find the time to go through those boxes of books. I know it will certainly take me a while. Also do not forget When mailing ask post office for MEDIA RATE!! It is less expensive than regular postage, although I am guessing, you all know that as well.

Pass this on, and leave a comment, let me know if you participate. I want to know how many books are being donated. I plan on sending at least 25. My goal for "bloggers" was 300, but I think we can beat that. Would you mind labeling boxes that you send "Bloggers for Books"?

Join me in getting good books to good people!!

Thanks.

Dream....

It has been ages since my Grandma has visited me. I cannot recollect the last dream of her. My Grandma Tessie had sufferred terribly with alzheimers disease for years. My Grandpa too care of her as long as his body allowed, but I think he must have been 90 when he just couldn't do it any longer.

So in my dream, my Sister and I took her for a wheel chair ride, Grandma didn't say much in the dream. I could tell she was unwell. We just took her for a ride through the mainstreet and down to the church of her hometown. It is a little town, about 500 people. We bought her a hat.

It was nice seeing her agin, and it was sad to be reminded of her illness, and passing. I do know she will visit again.

She is leaving on a jet plane...

Yesturday, I woke late again.

My Sissy had gotten up with the children AGAIN!! SLEEP, after 7am....ahhhhh gotta love it!! My Sissy took Pink and Dash out to play, and I folded laundry one time, and put it away. I made the bed one time, without a giggling toddler climbing into it, just because "they" know it gets my goat. There were no toys on the floor in the morning, I did not trip on a mega-block, baby-doll. I did not trip or cuss under my breath once.

I then got in my truck ALONE, and drove to my salon, had a cup of coffee leisurely, and thumbed through trashy magazines. I was even offerred a glass of wine, although I thought it a bit hedonistic to drink before 11:00, so I declined.

Over the last couple weeks while my Sissy has been here, My Sister and Dear Husband SPOILED me ROTTEN. I got to sleep late, go out to eat a lot....I went to a movie with Dear Husband alone. My Sister and I went to our first movie together since I think I was 9 or something, we couldn't remember. (Although we think the movie was a Pippi Longstocking mantinee.) I got 2 bike rides. My Dear Husband, ironed his own pants, and took me to a 3 hour dinner with friends. Dined on lamb, and fried polenta. Delish.

Heck I even went on 2 long walks with my Sister, got to go to yolates, Memphis.....I feel better.

I feel a little more girly, refreshed, and rested.

Thanks guys I OWE you both.


I wish every Mom I knew, could get that sort of break.

If I were Emma Peel....

I would be kicking ass on the beach, instead of cleaning bathrooms.

Last Stop Sun Records

My Sister and I were only in Memphis, for 36 hours. We took in as much as we could. I guess that is what happens when you grow up poor. You never get to go on "vacation". So when you get your own money, and have the chance, you do not "vacate" while vacationing, you run though the town without sleep, taking as much in as you can.

The last time I was in Memphis 9 1/2 years ago I really wanted to go to Sun Records, The Birth Place of Rock and Roll. We did not have time, so this time, I INSISTED on going.

I took a TON of pictures in the little studio, until my batteries died in my digital camera. I was mad, and used the rest of the film on my Sister's disposable camera, much to her dismay.

It was amazing to be in the same room as Elvis, Johnny Cash, BB King, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Merle Haggard,Howlin Wolf, Patsy Cline, Roy Orbison, the list goes on and on. The hair on my neck was up, the entire visit.

I was surprised to learn that "Rocket 88" might be considered to be the first "rock record" , and that Sam Phillips, did not care for Elvis first recording much, Sams secretary fell in love with the recording. Marion Keisker.....the woman behind rock and roll......I knew it had to be a woman.

Happy Birthday Blog-Momma

Seems as if I am late, I am late for a VERY IMPORTANT date. A happy birthday to my very svelt Blog-Momma Tammi, and the social director of the Bad Example family. Tammi likes firemen, dogs, football, candles, and good people.


So what do you get the gal who needs sidewalk chalk, and some new neighbors, and doesn't want to wear shoes?

I hope a random photo of an almost nude fireman, with a dog, kills 2 birds with one stone......

Going to the Chapel

You better get your bag of rice, dancing shoes, and whatever else you need for an old fashioned *shivaree. Run over to Seans, at Doc in the Box.

Sean gave me the following update!!

"74 hours 15 minutes but who's counting? Almost over this hump though,
whew, we'll be glad when it's done and over with!"

Sean, I won't say a word, but really...."over this hump"......I mean really.


*The Shivaree: shivaree' originally spelled as 'charivari,' The dictionary describes it as 'a noisy mock serenade to newlyweds. Shivaree also known as belling is a country tradition where the boys and men congregate around the honeymooners, hoot-and-holler, banging pans and what ever they could get their hands on. Sometimes they kidnap the groom and take him to an unfamiliar place to have him find his way back to his bride. The night before the wedding the groom is to gather some coins so he can toss them at his kidnappers so they will leave him alone. Sometimes that night or the following day the gang of noise makers would return and serenade with romantic music for the newlyweds.

At other Shivarees the friends and family do the clanging of pots and pans and making mischief outside of the newlyweds home. Then after a period of time the wedded couple would appear and invite all in the house for coffee that the bride provided. The friends and family provided sandwiches, cakes, and cookies.

Over the years the Shivarees has gone by the wayside. But a little bit of the tradition is still around. You see it in the way friends and family will decorate the bride and groom's car tying cans to the bumper creating loud noises not unlike the banging of pots and pans.

Nightstand?

Andi, Mrs. Hell on Heels herself, and Some Soldiers Mom want to know what is on my nightstand.

This is complicated by the following, I am in the middle of a remodel of sorts. Our nightstand is no where near the bed, so currently, there is nothing on it. However, Dear Husband and I are currently using our dresser as a "nightstand".

1 lamp
1 decorative large handcut pewter bowl....gorgeous.
2 alarm clocks
8 candles
6 books
5 coins in decorative bowl


*note to self, get this furniture moved, ALREADY.*

Pink Ninja Training Camp, lesson #290

The following has been transcribed by my Momma, as told by me "The Pink Ninja".


"Mom, Dash, and Aunt Ne' drove me to the orthopedic clinic. I have been doing my very Eastern "transcendental, healing and resonance" practice. It has worked. My ulna, and radius are healed, within the 2 weeks. Just as I had calculated.

I was also pleased to find out from the Physicians, that they have studied my head to toe series of x-rays, and they find no evidence of osteogenesis imperfecta. So I do not need to see the geneticist, this was great news. I knew they were simply trying to obtain some of my DNA to create an entire Pink Ninja Army.

The Physicains think I landed just right, so I must work on falling correctly. I keep trying to perfect this art of falling, but my Mother and Father, seem to be entertained from telling me to get down, putting me in time out, and removing even more great climbing objects. I wish Dash would build less, read less, and run around more, it might distract these people, they obviously have nothing better to do with their time, than tail me all day long.

Longevity

The last time I was in Memphis, we drove by The Lorraine Motel. The motel where Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King was assassinated. It was simply standing there, empty. Now adjacent to the motel stands The National Civil Rights Museum. My Sister and I did take the tour.

The Civil Rights Act of 1964.....I was born in 1970.

So I stood outside the glass encased room where Dr. Martin Luther King slept for the last time, and listened to his last speech.

"We've got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn't matter with me now. Because I have been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind.
Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now.

I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land.

I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people will get to the promised land. And I'm not fearing any man.

Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord"


The following day, April 4 1968, as he was leaving his motel room Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was shot and killed.




Longevity does have its place.

Sweaty palms, in Graceland

Of course we stopped at Graceland while in Memphis. Even if it was 113 degrees out. Hence the sweaty palms, hell I was sweaty everywhere, and so was everyone else. HOT.

I had been to Memphis, about 9 1/2 years ago. I like Elvis, respect him, enjoy his music, but Graceland is not my Mecca. I did enjoy the tour at that time, and so did Dear Husband. Elvis was a great entertainer. This being my second time through, I did notice that this tour, was shorter. 9 1/2 years ago, Pricilla's voice led the tour through Graceland, over your headphones, and she filled you in on little snippits about Elvis. I recall standing in that kitchen, listening to her tell us, Elvis would eat the same thing for weeks at a time, how he loved meatloaf. The narrorator mentioned nothing of the meatloaf this tour. Huh? I did not figure out whothe narrorator was either. I also noted some of the things have dissappeared. He had a collection of badges, marshel arts things, they were mostly gone. Huh? I do recall hearing that Pricilla and Lisa Marie had sold the "rights" or something to Graceland...maybe they have some of these things, maybe they are putting his things on a "mobile tour"?

I enjoyed 2 things about this visit, the "true" fans. You know the people that show up "looking" kind of like Elvis, with elvis tatoos, poofy, slicked hair, sunglasses. I also loved watching the people from outside of the United States, people from all over the World.

Can you imagine being so missed, that people made the trip to your home, to look at your glass encased things? I wonder if his Momma, had any idea what would become of this little boy born in Mississippi?

Rendevous in Memphis

I was told by at least 6 people to EAT at Rendevous in Memphis. A rib joint that has been in a back alley since 1938. All 6 people that had suggested I eat these ribs were also well trusted people. These were supposed to be THE BEST.

Well guess what, I did not care for the ribs, at the Rendevous. Oh and before you say anything, nope it wasn't the dry rub, it was the way the ribs were prepared. They just were not smokey enough for this girl. It was like eating "slow roasted pork, not barbecued pork. I like roasted pork, but I can do that at home. I also thought that the service was not what it should have been.

Maybe I am spoiled. I have access to great barbecue here in town. If you ever pass through Little Rock, you have to stop at "The Whole Hog". Yummy. They also give the men in uniform 50% off, which always gets a HOOO-ah from this house. There are great barbecue joints all over here. All pretty good too.

When people visit our home, they ALWAYS request a trip to "The Whole Hog", always good food, and when they aren't swamped, Mike will give you a tour of his CLEAN kitchen, and you will get to see his cooking in action.

MAD

Go to Mr. Blackfive, and read this. I am mad.....I did leave the Gov. a note, and I think you should too.

Hair Haiku

I am back home, a short, but busy trip to Memphis. The Weather was HOT and humid, some say it was 113 degrees with the humidty.

Hair Haiku

Chesnut curls falling
Damp on the back of my neck
Yes it is summer

To Memphis Jeeves....

Well I am off to Memphis. I am sure you will all let me know what I missed while away. I am going to try and start a new "blues genre", and see if I can get myself discovered in 36 hours.

Can I get a gig singing the Momma blues?

I can change a poopy diaper
in 2 seconds flat

make macoroni and cheese
what you think bout that

I can can clean up a spill
or finger paint

Can wrap a broken arm,
and not even faint

Maybe this isn't such a great idea after all.
I can't rhyme, and I sing like crap.

What ever happened to butterflies and puppies?

I am sure the manufacturer of sidewalk chalk, was not thinking of "this" over at Tammi's , or "this" at Katy's. I am sure "Mrs. or Mr. sidewalk chalk thought that his invention would be used to draw rainbows, make a hopscotch board, teach a lovely child the alphabet....who would have thought?

A recipe for Bou.....

Bou, honestly we already adore you, and think you are the Queen. Still you give of yourself, and help a fellow blogger out.
5 boys, I do not think I could be left alone to supervise 5 boys without a cocktail.

I thought you might need one of these.......both of you!

Dirty Martini

2 oz. Vodka or Gin
3/4 oz. Dirty Martini Olive Juice
1/2 oz. Dry Vermouth
2 large olives

serve very chilled, I prefer mine stirred.

Pink Ninja Training Camp lesson # 284

See, Hear and Speak no evil......look innocent ALWAYS......

Snicker Apple Dessert!!

If you like caramel apples, you will LOVE this!


This is another one of those recipes, people will beg you to bring!! You will never have any leftovers with this. NEVER.


SNICKER APPLE SALAD



INGREDIENTS

1 small box instant french vanilla pudding

2 small boxes instant butterscotch pudding

1 large (12 ounce) cool whip

6 Snickers candy bars, cut into chunks (chill in fridge, easier to cut)

8 granny smith apples with skin left on, cut into chunks

1 cup milk



INSTRUCTIONS

Mix puddings, whip cream and milk. Fold in Snickers and apples. Chill.



I AM NEVER SURE WHETHER TO CALL THIS ONE A SALAD OR A DESSERT!!


If you want to make this look special, drizzle caramel topping, chocolate topping, and sprinkle peanuts on top.

Cleaning Day

Those fucking "Swiffer" commercials....

Dash: "Mom.... I must have the swiffer, it is a dust magnet"

Me: "Dash, only on the floor."

Dash: "but I am dusting the mantle"

I am waiting for my one and only nice thing in the livingroom to be broken. How does a 3 year old know what a mantle is anyway?

Ribs, Elvis, Blues

The lack of Posting is due to a couple of things. First of all My Sister does not know of my blog, Second, I have been taking full advantage of having help here, and have been "sleeping in", slacking, letting Aunt Ne' entertain toddlers. I feel LAZY. AAHHHHH.

I have managed to get the truck cleaned out, french fries, cheerios and all. ick. I also have managed to go on 2 bike rides with Dear Husband. We even went to a movie together, first one since Dash was 3 weeks old. We ended up going to Wedding Crashers...Which was hilarious for about 30 minutes. I had tears coming down my face for 30 minutes, and then it turned into boring and predictable.

Today I need to CLEAN, deep CLEAN. Not fun.

Dear Husband is kicking us out of the house for the weekend. We are headed to Memphis, for a girls only weekend. Hoooray......Any suggestions folks?

Dash KNOWS sandwiches

Tonight I was toasting bread for BLT sandwiches, as the toast popped out of the toaster I placed it onto a plate.

Dash sees the stack of 9 peices of toast and says.

"Mom, that is the biggest sandwich ever."

It's not the heat, it's the humidity....whatever

Lavender Crape Myrtle, in my front flower bed.



I am one of those people that cannot WAIT for Summer. It must be all of those years living on the Great Plains through 30 below Winters, living in wool, longjohns,and flannel. Brrrrr. I grew up fantisizing about Summer. Well now that I have lived down South for almost 5 years, I am learning to dread Summer. The humidity is going to kill me. I do not believe we have had a day below 90 degrees for 4-5 weeks. The humididty....whew, unbearable. It does not cool down at night, it is still "muggy". When it rains, the roads and roofs have steam rising off of them. I do not believe I had ever seen a road or roof steam before moving down here.

I will try and remain focused on the positives Summer brings, so I can tolerate a couple more months of this.

My garden looks great, everything is thriving.

Produce....bread and butter sweet corn, ripe tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants, strawberries, cantelopes, peaches, and watermelons..........yummmmmy.

It is nice to let the children play in the pool, (When Pink Ninja is sans cast, which has been rare this summer)

air conditioning.....ahhhhhh.........it has been on since April.

iced tea, with mostly ice

katy-dids

lightning bugs

flower beds

ice cream

thunderstorms

ok-ok I think I can make it a couple more months.

Night Rider

I finally got my first ride on the bike last night.......finally.

Between not being able to find a reliable sitter, and Dear Husband being out of town, it just hasn't happened.

Last night we got the children to bed. Dear Husband made Aunt Ne' a Chambord and cream, and we got our boots, helmets, and jeans on and went for a ride.

Ahhhhhh alone, just the two of us, and the sound of the Katy-dids, scent of magnolias, and the sight of the dark clouds rolling over the moon. It was a quiet night on the road. I have learned Monday nights are a great night for a ride. Not much traffic, quiet.

I didn't have to do a thing, I just had to hang on to Dear Husband's waist. I am ready to go again tonight.

It is true what they say about the apple falling.....

My Sister Aunt Ne', was on ground for an official 5 minutes, before she fell on her face. She came running toward us calling the childrens names.....and boom face down. Minor injuries only, but there was blood, embarassment, and of course her pride sufferred far worse injury than her knee.

I see now where "Pink Ninja" has gotten her grace. I think it is from her Aunt Ne'. Aunt Ne' is prone to injuries, and by the way, she had no drinks on the plane.

Sister arrives bright and early!!

My Sister arrives in town tomorrow morning. She is here for 2 weeks, she was in desperate need of a vacation. The last time was about a year ago, she came to help me for a couple weeks during Dear Husbands deployment. She is unable to have children, is 7 years older than I , and LOVES these babies. So she will spoil them, and play with them, and give me a little breathing room I hope. I also have some projects to get done round here. I have some "spot painting" to do, closets that need cleaning, curtains to take down and wash. Her presence here, will free me up to get some of the "deep cleaning done". Don't worry, it is not all business. We are planning some shopping trips, and fun things as well. It is too damn hot to do much in the way of out of doors activities. We are going to give it a try though. I miss my Sister, she is about 12 hours away by car. I go visit as often as I can, but it has been difficult traveling alone with 2 toddlers. I am homesick for company, she is dying to eat my cooking. I can cook just like our Mom. So I will be taking requests! Our relationship has evolved since Mother's passing. Our relationship seems so much better now. I think we were too busy competing for Mom when she was alive. We would knock ourselves out for that woman, and it always seemed like it wasn't enough. We are fine with all of that, we have talked about it at length. Mom just didn't know any different.


I will pack up the children and take them to the airport for "an activity". Dash, loves the airport. Has a fondness for the escalator, baggage claim, and just the buzz of the place. Maybe, it is because he has frequented airlines so often. I am unsure what Pink ninja will think of the place, she has been experiencing some separation anxiety, which is pretty typical for her age. The clinging to Mom, got worse after Dear Husbands trip to England. She appears to be a little upset by the trip. This has thrown us for a loop. We were not expecting this from the "happy, and laid back" Pink Ninja.

Happy Birthday Sissy!!

Happy Birthday to Sissy!! Go over wish her well, be quiet, she has had a long week. Another Cancer? What is the Bad Example, and Frizzen Family going to do about this loyal, and moody breed?

You saved my life: episode 320

While sleeping sweetly, haunches curled into my lovers hips, snug under down I was awakened. Screams of terror. I quickly look at the clock. It is 2:07 am. I discern the cries and screams are from Pink Ninja. I shake off the sleep, and prepare myself emotionally for the following:

kidnapper
poopy diaper
sick baby
arm or leg caught in crib



Before I enter the room, I conclude that she is probably lying on her cast.

She is standing up in crib, face tear stained, screaming. Terrified. ALMOST hyperventilating. I look to the floor, which is her focus and I find the culprit.

A 2 1/2 foot tall Teddy Bear face down on her floor, I am sure this scoundrel was crawling, and was about to climb into the crib and attack poor Pink Ninja. It is a good thing she woke up, and started screaming loudly enough to alert Mommy.

I wrap her in her white afghan, and try and soothe her, I validate her feelings of terror. I pick the bastard bear off of the floor, and stuff him into a box. I carry Pink Ninja to the Master Suite where there is not a bear in sight.

Laundry

Sunday Morning

Sunday Morning, will greet me with a list of things to do.

Make the coffee.

Drink 1/2 cup.

Hear the babies wake.

Kiss them.

Go to the porch and retrieve the paper.

I think I will make the children sausage, eggs and toast.

I will try and drink 2 cups of coffee while they dine.

I will read the paper, ending with the funny pages.

I hope it rains again.

Prepare a beef roast, with potatoes, carrots, onions and mushrooms.

Wash bedding.

Prepare guest room for company.

There is a bathroom to clean, laundry to do, and bills to pay.

Sundays are too short.

Tell Me Something Good.......

I was unloading the dishwasher this morning singing along with Ms. Chaka Khan singing "Tell Me Something Good", in my best soul singing voice and the children were dancing. They were an easy audience this morning.

I had a moment where it occurred to me "you better enjoy this second where the children are loving your music and singing, in 7 or so years they are going to think you are a dork for singing old peoples music".........

You ain’t got no kind of feeling inside
I got something that will sure ’nuff set your stuff on fire
You refuse to put anything before your pride
I got something that will knock all your pride aside

Chorus:
Tell me something good (tell me, tell me, tell me)
Tell me that you love me
Tell me something good (tell me, tell me, tell me)
Tell me that you like it, yeah

Got no time is what you’re known to say
I’ll make you wish there were 48 hours to each day
Problem is you ain’t been loved like you should
What I got to give will sure ’nuff do you good


I better sing all day......

The Chaplain is awake

I just got off the phone with Dear Husband. He is returning to his office, after a visit with the Chaplain of the 39th Brigade. Chaplain McLemore is out of his coma, he has been awake for a few days. My husband says his sense of humor was intact, and Chaplain said "laughter is the best medicine for everything"... The prayers appear to be working.

Thanks!!

Yes they call her the streak~~

Like most babies Pink Ninja LOVES to be naked. Most babies do. This has become more complicated recently by the fact that she can undress self, at will. We are also potty training, so she is in pull ups, and can take them off easily. So through the day I will find her in various stages of "undress". Today I found her with her dads baseball hat on, my tennis shoes, and a pink ribbon as a scarf. Nothing else. She thought she was gorgeous. She was also SO proud of herself. She was beaming. SO I went ahead and left her "outfit" as she wanted. The problem lies here... when it is time to leave the house, and she needs to have clothes on. She tends to protest a bit, she can arch her back, and have limp extremities all at the same time, and now with her arm in a cast she is even more difficult to dress. If she swings the cast just right, I will have officially been hit 9 times with the thing.

I am not used to the "naked baby" thing. Dash, is hypersensative, wired a little tight at times. (Wonder who he gets that from?) He rarely runs the halls naked begging us to chase him. Whenever he gets out of the tub it is into the towel for a snuggle. He almost immediately will request to be dressed. "Mom I need clothes, I am naked and cold." He is not interested in dashing through the house squealing. He wants his "pajamas on". He knows the routine, he will help us pick out books, turn down the lights, and go to the reading chair. Meanwhile Pink Ninja is screaming, and giggling, and beaming, and would love to be engaged in a chasing game, or climbing game.

I think she may be feral.

Breastfeeding is an art...

Once again she "illustrates" eloquently. Texas Ducks explains how she feels as a breastfeeding Mom. I breastfed both children until they were 15 months old, and there were some days I felt like I walking breast.

Looks like Rain

Pink Ninja is napping, Dash is drawing in his notebook, I am tired. I think I was up too late celebrating my birthday.

I have decided to make myself a pot of coffee, and listen to my birthday from Dash. He bought me Earth Wind and Fire's Greatest Hits. I am sure this was done with Dear Husbands assistance, because Dash can't drive, has no job, and no credit cards to my knowledge.

I will be folding clothes, drinking coffee and teaching Dash the words to "After the Love is Gone". We will watch the rain falling through the kitchen window. We love watching it rain.

Kids say the darndest things!!

Seems as if there is a case of saying "the wrong thing at the wrong time"......Moms and Dads everywhere are blushing and having a terrible time keeping a straight face.
Contagion, and Air Force Family lead the pack.

Soldiers need Supplies!!

Some Soldiers Mom, says the "folks fightin" need some basic stuff. Lets see what we can do!!

You say kolace, I say kolache...lets call the whole thing delicious.

Czech it out.

My entry for this weeks Carnival of recipes, is a treat that I grew up on, and miss. My sister is coming for a visit, and I want and need to do some baking while she is here. I am hungry for my Grandmother's kolaces.

The herstory and the folklore of the kolace~

Food is an important part of the legacy handed down from generation to generation. The most important food product at the festival is the “kolache” and this one word says to everyone “Czech." The kolache is a unique product of the Czechs. It consists of sweet yeast dough, topped with a liberal spoonful of sweetened poppyseed, pureed prunes or other fruits, including glazed apricots, sweet cherries, apples, or cream cheese, then baked to a golden pastry. The origin of the kolache is a part of the folklore of the Czechs. The story is told that in the early eighteenth century a mother was baking the weekly family bread. Her small daughter was helping. The mother sweetened a small amount of the dough and gave it to her daughter, Libuse, to keep her busy. Libuse made her dough into small flat cakes. Then she added some sweetened plum jelly into the center where she had made an indentation with her little fingers. These cakes went into the oven along with mother’s bread. They had just come out of the oven when the father came in from the field. He immediately snatched one of Libuse’s cakes. The hot pastry burned his mouth. He danced around and around as he tried to cool his burned tongue. While he was jumping around and around Libuse clapped her hands thinking her father was entertaining her. She sang “Tatinek, do kola, do kola” which translates “Daddy go around, go around.” The following week the father asked Libuse to make him some more of those little cakes. She said they were “kola’s” because they made daddy go around. So every week Libuse made her “kolas”. The family began to call them "kolache," meaning “go around things.” Friends and neighbors learned about Libuse’s kolaches and they began to make them. Over the next century they spread over Europe, then were brought here by the immigrants.





KOLACE DOUGH

1 cake yeast
1/4 cup shortening
1 egg
1 cup milk 3 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoons salt
3 cups flour
Dissolve yeast, sugar, salt, in warm milk. Add beaten egg and shortening. Mix well, add flour, and stir thoroughly. Let rise and form into small balls. Place on greased pan, brush with grease, and let rise. Make depressions for filling. Fill and let rise until light. Bake at 400 degrees for 12 minutes.

KOLACE FILLING

My personal favorite filling is apricot!!
Apricot - Place 1 pound dried apricots in a pan with cool water. Let soak several hours. Bring to slow simmer and add sugar to taste, if desired. Cook until very soft. Stir vigorously to get a smooth consistency or run them through the food processor. Re-cook until you get the desired consistency. You can add a few drops of lemon juice for a little added zip.

Poppy Seed
1/2 pound ground poppy seeds
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Add enough milk to make a thick mix. Let stand overnight to absorb the liquid.
You can use just about any fruit filling in the kolaches. Just don't use jam or jelly. Jam and jelly will liquefy in the heat of the oven and make a big mess.

On my walls and in my mind...

Gustav Klimt. Possibly my FAVORITE artist, although I cannot pick a favorite piece. I have three framed poster prints hanging in my home, and want more. I would love to see an original. Must wait to get to New York, or Vienna. Has anyone that reads my blog seen any of his original work? Please leave me a note if you have, tell me about it. I have only seen prints and cannot imagine the detail and beauty of the originals.

I am thrilled to find out they are making a film of Gustav Klimts life. I assume his family gave permission for the production of this, and I am grateful to them.

I think he captures the beauty and frailty of physical being, and the trasendence of the spirit.

The Kiss

The fountains mingle with the river
And the rivers with the ocean,
The winds of Heaven mix forever
With a sweet emotion;
Nothing in the world is single;
All things by a law divine
In one spirit meet and mingle.
Why not I with thine? -

See the mountains kiss high Heaven
And the waves clasp one another;
No sister-flower would be forgiven
If it disdained its brother;
And the sunlight clasps the earth
And the moonbeams kiss the sea:
What is all this sweet work worth
If thou kiss not me?
-- Percy Bysshe Shelley, Love's Philosophy

ArmyWifeToddlerMom is 35 today....

Well it is my 35th birthday tomorrow and all I have hoped for is mine. I married the man I fell in love with, I have 2 beautiful and bright children, I am in good health, I have a beautiful home, and when I do dishes I can look upon my beautiful fushia crape myrtle blooming in my yard. There have many suprises, some good, others bad. Everything that has happenned, has been picked apart, and many lessons learned. My Dear husband is home, and my babies laugh often, I am able to stay home to hear them. What more could a 35 year old want. No gifts today, I have everything I want, and need.

Dash Knows Astronomy

"Mom, the cow can't jump over the moon. The moon is too big, and jumping over it is dangerous."

Abstinence makes the "heart" grow fonder....

Sissy over at And What Next, posted this application today. I think most daddies out there would benefit from printing this out. I am sure some of you, have some great suggestions, that you would like to see added.

I wonder if this sort of threat works? Or if we need to stick to "gun and knife cleaning" on date night. My Dad's favorite used to be machete wielding.

Ladies what was your Dad's favorite "scare tactic", and did it work? Fathers, what kind of crazy shenanigans do you intend to pull?

On the homefront....

Sean and Tragic will be married soon, and today he posts the following.

"All of this concentrates the impact of the deployment down to mostly the family and friends of the military members. With an all volunteer force, tours of duty a year to eighteen months long is going to weed out many of the people that weren’t that weren’t too ......"

Go over and read the post in it's entirety, it deserves some attention.......

Rhubarb Tour

Powder milk biscuits, they are tasty, and expeditious! 

You don't have to turn on the red light

My gut is more important than my brain sometimes.

My gut has saved me, and those around me often.

I recently went to Garrison Keillor's Rhubarb tour. I went alone, because my husband was in England. I wasn't about to miss the show. I have been waiting to see Mr. Keillor for a long time. He puts on a great radio program, and his tales of Lake Wobagon, are written with such a delightful essence. I am there in "his town, in my town, in Tammi's town, in that town we all want to raise our children in."

So I bought one of the best seats in the house, and found a sitter. Ka-ching ( as Bou says). I head South for the evening. I spent too much going over details with the sitter. I had left both sleeping bags out in living in case the toddlers had trouble sleeping. Dear Husband and I rarely go out, and when we do, we typically wait until Pink Ninja and Dash are in bed, and our sitter has a light night. No one has ever put them to bed cept us. Anyway, I spent too much time showing sitter the usual "stuff", and left later than I had anticipated.

I get to the "auditorium", and there is not a parking place anywhere....Garrison typically attracts an over 50 crowd, and they are called "early birds" for a reason. They snatched up every good parking place. I drive around the auditorium for 10 minutes, and see the area is "shady". There is a woman walking around with denim coveralls on, nothing underneath, head down, obviously suffering some pyschiatric problems, there are a lot of bars on windows, and old homes converted into falling down apartments, lots of shirtless, toothless guys drinking spirits out of brown bags on porches. I have lived in some rough places mind you, and I am used to some rough types. I also worked hard to get out, and don't wanna go back.

I check my purse, and I have a leatherman, a knife, a LED flashlight, that if pointed directly in eyes could possibly by me some running time. I did not carry my gun, because this is a Garrison Keillor show, I was not anticipating a rough crowd. I look down at my feet, and note, my shoes are not made for running. I have a pair of brown, 3 inch wedge heels on. These are not running shoes, but I could slip out of them and dash if I had to. I have my phone, and it is charged.

I decide to park as close as I can, so when I leave the show, there will be a crowd to be with. Area is still shady. I find a streetlight and park. I put my best "I can kick your ass" face on, and walk the 5 blocks to the show. I have to walk by 3 groups of men, all shirtless and toothless, there is a group drinking on the porch, a group working on a truck, and another group drinking on the porch. I am alone.

When I step into the auditorium, I can hear the first sing-a-long of the evening. "Beautiful~beautiful~ brown ~eyes". What a difference a block can make. I get in my seat, which was an aisle, center seat and fantastic. (Although I swear I had a hyena sitting behind me) I start to sing along. It is a simple song, with a great melody...and we all sat singing......

Beautiful Beautiful Brown Eyes

Beautiful beautiful brown eyes
Beautiful beautiful brown eyes
Beautiful beautiful brown eyes
I'll never love blue eyes again.

Last night I staggered in the bar room
Fell right down on the floor
These were the words that I uttered
I'll never get drunk anymore.

Oh Willie oh Willie I love you
Love you with all of my heart
Tomorrow we were to be married
But liquor has kept us apart.

For seven long years I've been married
Wish I was single again
A girl doesn't know half her troubles
Until she has married a man.


We finish singing, and the show begins. It is a fantastically funny show, lots of music, and of course they do the usual skits. The band is fantastic, as are the players. Fred Newman who does sound effects for Garrison, is a genius.

However, through the show, I am having a terrible time relaxing, and enjoying myself. I am recalling that the walk from my truck, to the auditorium was scary in the day, I imagine the walk in the darkness will be less assuring.

The show ends, and I leave the auditorium with the masses, and happen to find a group of 7 that parked on the same block. I made it to the safety of my vehicle without incident.

I love and hate that red light in my gut.

Mother and Child

All The Kings Horses......

Friday was a very busy day for us here at the Casa de Dust. I took Pink Ninja to her pediatrician in the morning, because she had "cold signs and symptoms" that seemed to exasperate. She was sounding very consolidated in her chest. So I took her in to hear "ahhh its a cold, push fluids." Good news.

Ok 7:30pm Friday night, we are getting ready for story time, and Pink Ninja and Dash are "wound"...They want to play with Dad, they love that he is back from England. . Dear Husband and I are sitting on the couch, catching up on the week, when Pink Ninja tackles his right leg, starts climbing up his leg and then looses her grip. Down she goes, she falls onto the carpet, which is also covered with a Persian rug. However the fall was weird looking, and she tried to break her fall with her left arm. I just sit and hold my breath. It happened FAST.

My husband and I are just sick, she is whimpering and crying, and her left wrist, looks a bit floppy to me. She can move her fingers, hand, and arm, but still I KNOW something is not right.

I go get a magazine, make a splint, and off we go.

I have husband stay at the house with Dash, because I know this will take forever, it is Friday night at the children's Hospital ER. There is simply no reason for the entire family to go and loose sleep.

CONVERSATION IN THE ER WITH THE RESIDENT

RES DR. It doesn't look broken.

Me: The last time we were here they didn't think it was broken either"

RES DR. She is not crying like it is broken.

Me: She did cry when it happened, and the last time she didn't cry at all.

RES DR. Let me get another Dr. to look at it.

Me: OK, but can we get an x-ray?

Other DR: hmm, she doesn't act like it is broken.

Me: I know.

Other DR. How did this happen?

Me: I explain to them the speed of the incident, and the short distance to the heavily carpeted floor.

Other Dr. Well we will go ahead and x-ray it, but I doubt that it is broken. These breaks are really close together. Didn't she just get her cast off?
Me: Yes.

Other Dr. Can you undress Pink Ninja, so we can take a look at her.

Me: (concluding they want to make sure she is not an abused child. This is ok with me, I am glad they are vigilant about this.)

Other Dr: There isn't a mark on her, except for that small scrape on her knee, that arm isn't even bruised?

Me: Can we get that x-ray.

(It must be about 9:30-10pm by now. Pink Ninja is exhausted. The adrenaline from the injury has worn off, and she is up past her normal bedtime, I am sure her arm hurts, and she is fussy. Fussy is not normal for her)

Other Dr. Let me call radiology, and get this arm x-rayed.

(sit alone in the patient waiting room, they also left her arm unspilinted....ouch.)

(It is now 10:30)

RES DR and Other DR: "Ok we have an x-ray set up, and since these injuries are so close together, we are going to have to call Social Services. We have to persue all angles of this. It could be a mild case of Osteogeneis Imperfecta. We are going to draw blood, and do a head to toe series of x-rays on her. You will have to follow up with a geneticist this week for a consultation and skin biopsy."



Me: that's fine, I understand that.

The thoughts are crashing in, and none of them are good. My head is spinning, and I have a dark hurt in my gut. No not my little girl-sick? My little girl with a disease?

Pink and I are both getting tired, and it must be 11:00 when we go back for x-rays. The radiologist are inept, and unprepared for a series of head to toe shots. Pink Ninja is screaming throughout, she is scared, her arm hurts, and she wants to go home. I am trying to help the radiologists, but the screams are making me tear up. The process is inhumane, she is screaming, and writhing. She is a fighter and wants these people to leave her alone. I beg them to let me do it. She would fair so much better if I were alone, and positioned her and talked softly. Who wants 3 strange women wrestling them on a cold table? The techs continually forget the films, the letters to indicate views, they miss the shots when she is still.

Those fucking x-rays must have taken 2 hours.


The social service person comes to interview me. I offer my philosophy on parenting. That I believe in attachment parenting, breastfed for 15 months, co-slept with my children, we have routine, we read every night....Etc. I had my camera in my purse, and offered to show her pictures of my home, the children rooms, our activities. I offered her my address book so she could call family and friends if she needed to. She declined my camera, and address book.

She asked me 3 things. "what do you and your husband do for a living?" "what is your education level?"..."Where is your husband?" I did answer the questions, but found them odd. There must be other questions that might determine abuse?

We are sent back to the "patient waiting room in ER", so they can draw blood. The Drs. come in at that time to tell me, "yes her arm is broken."

The Drs. put the temporary plaster cast on the arm, and tell me, that there will be no "report" filed re: the possibility of abuse.

We are also informed, we have to go get a regular cast put on Tuesday, and we are to follow up with the geneticist.

It is 2:00am, Pink is tired and whimpering, I am tired, insulted, sad, upset, and concerned that Pink Ninja could be sick with "brittle bones" disease.......


The exhaustion from Friday, has carried over, I am tired. I will be swamped this week with Drs. appointments as well. Pink could use some prayers.

I am hoping she just fell just right.

Keep Praying, Updates.....

Chaplain McLemore, is still in coma, although I hear General Chiarelli from 1st Cav came down for a visit, and Chaplain saluted him-eyes closed and all.....keep praying.
Also, a great reminder to be careful when driving, and watch out for our brothers and sisters who are on motorcycles.

Chuck's wife gives us an update. Chuck has recieved 9 pints of blood, since his arrival. He has also gone through some skin grafts, wounds are healing. Please go over and let her know WE are thinking of them, they are not forgotten.

Seems like our list of things to pray for gets longer everyday.....

Pink Ninja Training Camp, lesson # 276

I am a sick little girl.

Getting ready to go to Dr.

I must master the following....

#1 handwashing

#2 not licking everything I see

#3 no sticking fingers in nose (not hygienic from what Mom says.)

#4 find a "dictionary look up hygienic

#5 taking a daily nap, so I don't get "worn down"

#6 stay away from children with slimy noses (avoid them at all costs)

#7 develop a "children's cart" for grocery shopping, with antibacterial capabilities

Extension....

Please go over and see Sally, and Helen. Let them know you are thinking of them today.

Oh and Helen, I imagine you did not realize your tag line "I'm Just An Ordinary Girl Living in Extraordinary Circumstances" would ever fit like it does today.

Parade of the Patooties....

Is up over at this weeks Karnival of the Kidz!!. Letters From NY City does a great job hostessing. Knock on the door and please wipe your feet!!

If I were Emma Peel....

In continuing with todays obvious English theme. If I were Emma Peel I would be a Woman of international intrigue and mystery.

Spotted DIck.

Dear Husband has been away with work for the last 2 1/2 weeks. He was in England hob knobbing with the Royals while I was doing the very opposite. (He did get to meet the Duke and Duchess of Kent. He said the Duchess was very personable.)

It is strange being married to a well traveled person, when you yourself are not. I have only been out of country one time, and it was Jaurez, Mexico nuff said. I had my first ride on an airplane at 23 years of age. I am not exactly an International Woman of mystery or intrigue.

So when he comes home from his travels, I ask odd questions, I make him eat and drink weird things while he is away. I made him try "spotted dick" this visit. I told you, I have the sense of humor of a 13 year old boy.



Title: Spotted Dick
Categories: desserts, English
Yield: 6 servings

8 oz self-raising flour
1 pn of salt
4 oz margarine
2 oz castor sugar (superfine)
4 oz to 6 oz sultanas (big
-raisins)
6 tb water

1) Have ready a sheet of foil or a double thickness of grease proof
paper brushed with melted margarine. 2) Make the pudding crust: Sieve
the flour and the salt. Rub in the margarine. Add the sugar and
sultanas. Mix in the water to make a soft dough. 3) Turn out onto a
floured board and form into a roll. 4) Wrap loosely but securely in
the grease proof paper or foil. Tie or seal the ends. 5) Place in the
steamer and cover tightly. Steam for 1.1/2 to 2 hours. 6) Serve with
hot custard sauce or sprinkle with castor sugar. Variation: At stage
3: Put the mixture in a medium-sized (1.1/2 pint) pudding basin with
a round of grease proof paper in the bottom and brush all round
inside with melted margarine. Smooth the top. Cover with foil, or
double grease proof paper brushed underneath with melted margarine
and steam for 1.1/2 to 2 hours. Serve with hot Custard sauce or
sprinkle with castor sugar.

Title: Stirred Custard Sauce
Categories: Sauces Fruits
Servings: 2

2 ea Large Beaten Egg Yolks
2/3 c Half & Half Light Cream
4 t Sugar
1 x Dash Salt
1 T Galliano,Brandy, or Ameretto
1/2 t Vanilla

I did note while searching the internet, there were several different variations of this treat. If someone has a tried and true recipe, please leave it here for me.

Dear husband returns from England.....

with this package of England's snack sensation.

I have the sense of humor of a 13 year old boy.

Update: Here is company information, husband says the "ad campaign is hilarious". Main advertising slogan being "Nibble Nobby's nuts".  

GREAT NEWS!!

Brother in Law called his Mom from Germany this morning. OUT of Afghanistan!!!! He will arrive at Fort Bragg at 6:00pm tonight!!! YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!

EXHALE!!!!

Fourth of July

Dash and Pink Ninja at Fourth of July parade in our hometown. As you can see they loved the candy, and are both instant gratification junkies. They didn't care how much candy was thrown they're way as long as they had something to chew on. Dash found a tree snake prior to the parade and wanted me to put it in my purse. I declined. I can NEVER get a great photo of them together, this holiday, was no exception. Oh by the way, he is not raising his fist to hit his sister, or out of anger. He has a hand full of candy, and wanted the World to see.

This year's Fourth of July theme was "honoring those who serve". I was thrilled to see so many in the crowd thanking these service members. Felt bad that they had to march in the heat AGAIN. Maybe next year the town will buy them each a cold drink.  

Pinkasso

Pink Ninja, spent 30 minutes painting this beautiful masterpeice. I spent 40 minutes cleaning the highchair, and giving her a bath. Was it worth it. Yes. 

Perpetual Motion.

It took 20 minutes, and 20 photos, before I got a great one of Dash "still". It was worth the 20 minutes.

Update on Chuck...

We get another update from Cpt. Charles Ziengenfuss, via his wife. Sounds like all is going well, and our prayers are working. He also got a visitor today, guess who?

GO over and leave a note of encouragement!!!!

Balance

Alexander Calder (1898-1976) lived in Roxbury, Connecticut. He is famous for inventing mobiles, suspended sculptures based on balance and movement, and for his abstract sculptures and paintings of animated form. His work has been characterized as Surreal Constructivism. Many of his large metal sculptures, now exhibited all over the world, were fabricated by metal workers in Waterbury.

Why do I love this Artist? I was introduced to this artist when I was 7, by my FAVORITE teacher of all time. Why wouldn't a 7 year old love bright colors, and movement?

Is that a halo in my pocket?

Haloscan commenting and trackback have been added to this blog.

I know I know....I have no comments...should have done it sooner.

Night and Day

I've never seen a night so long
When time keeps crawling by
The moon is gone behind the clouds
To hide his face and cry.

Hank Williams

Some of you recall writing about my Father and Mother. They were married for 41 years and one day when my Mother lost her battle, with an even more stubborn colon cancer. So my Dad has spent the last 3 years in deep mourning, and depression. Working 12 hour shifts at his factory job he loathes. He was coming home at night, sitting in the darkness with a television as a companion. I do believe a broken,or lonely heart can kill a person.

Then this. Which has led, my Father to become involved with a very nice lady. She too a widow, which has worked out fantastic for them both. They have an understanding, about loving someone, and having them snatched away too soon. All of the plans, and dreams.....Left as that. They found each other just in time. It seems they were both ready to find someone to live out this life with.


He is smitten, and although I have not seen him, I have noticed a change in him in the last 9 weeks. He is smiling, I can hear it. So Cupid, you did good. You have made two people, and children, and Grandchildren happy!!



Night and day, you are the one
Only you beneath the moon or under the sun
Whether near to me, or far
It's no matter darling where you are
I think of you
Day and night, night and day

Cole Porter

Got Picnic?

The Carnival of Recipes is up over at Anywhere But Here. Just in time for America's Birthday!! SO if you have a picnic to go to, get over there and take a peek. There are plenty of great recipes, with those great seasonal fruits like peaches, rhubarb (rhubarb could be a veggie?), peaches, and strawberries. All looks delicious!! Oh, and you better try out my chicken recipe. So please have a safe, and fun Fourth of July.

OH and here is a bonus recipe just for the kiddos...OH and the big folks like it too.

RED WHITE & BLUE SALAD

1 qt. (4 cups) boiling water
1 pkg. (8-serving size) JELL-O Brand Berry Blue Flavor Gelatin
1 pkg. (8-serving size) JELL-O Brand Strawberry Flavor Gelatin
2 cups cold water
1 cup blueberries
1 tub (12 oz.) COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, thawed
1 cup strawberries, sliced



STIR 2 cups of the boiling water into each flavor of gelatin in separate medium bowls at least 2 minutes until completely dissolved. Stir 1 cup of the cold water into gelatin in each bowl.
REFRIGERATE blue gelatin 1-1/2 hours or until thickened (spoon drawn through leaves definite impression). Stir in blueberries. Pour into 4- to 6-quart glass bowl. Refrigerate 30 minutes or until set but not firm (should stick to finger when touched and should mound). Spread 3-1/2 cups of the whipped topping evenly over blue gelatin. Refrigerate until ready to use. Meanwhile, refrigerate strawberry gelatin 1-1/2 hours or until thickened. Stir in strawberries. Gently spoon over whipped topping layer.
REFRIGERATE 3 hours or until firm. Top with remaining whipped topping. Garnish with additional fruit, if desired. Store leftover dessert in refrigerator.

Caption This....

Arts and Crafts time, one day in June. I gave the children each glue sticks, glitter, googly eyes, color books, crayons, and pipe cleaners, so I could mop the kitchen floor. Imagine our surprise, when we saw Dash's creation!