Thursday, May 21, 2009

A Red, White and Blue Dessert


Looks so good, had to share this from: http://busycooks.about.com I am going to try this recipe this weekend!!!!! Think everyone will love it.

You can make this trifle recipe anytime, just vary the types of fruits you use. For the picture, I used bing cherries and blueberries.

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 1-1/2 cups cold whole milk
  • 4 serving size pkg. cheesecake flavor instant pudding mix
  • 8 oz. container frozen whipped topping, thawed
  • 1 frozen loaf pound cake, thawed
  • 2 cups pitted cherries or sliced strawberries
  • 1 cup blueberries
  • 1 cup sliced bananas
  • 1 cup raspberries
  • 1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted

Preparation:

In medium bowl, combine milk and pudding mix and beat with egg beater for 1-2 minutes until smooth. Fold in the thawed whipped topping. Cut the thawed pound cake into 1/2" cubes. In large glass bowl, layer 1/2 of the cake cubes, 1/2 of the fruit, and 1/2 of the pudding mixture. Repeat layers. Chill at least 2 hours before serving. Sprinkle with toasted almonds. Serves 12

If you try it, please let me know what you think!!!!

Hugs,
Barb

Memorial day Dates back to the Civil War

I got this information from: http://www.history.com/content/memorial/the-history-of-memorial-day

Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day because it was a time set aside to honor the nation's Civil War dead by decorating their graves. It was first widely observed on May 30, 1868, to commemorate the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers, by proclamation of General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of former sailors and soldiers. On May 5, 1868, Logan declared in General Order No. 11 that:

The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

A Civil War Story for Memorial Day

Hero-Story of the Civil War

By Ben La Bree
(Adapted)

I. Bravery Honored By a Foe

In a rifle-pit, on the brow of a hill near Fredericksburg, were a number of Confederate soldiers who had exhausted their ammunition in the vain attempt to check the advancing column of Hooker's finely equipped and disciplined army which was crossing the river. To the relief of these few came the brigade in double-quick time. But no sooner were the soldiers intrenched than the firing on the opposite side of the river became terrific.

A heavy mist obscured the scene. The Federal soldiers poured a merciless fire into the trenches. Soon many Confederates fell, and the agonized cries of the wounded who lay there calling for water, smote the hearts of their helpless comrades.

"Water! Water!" But there was none to give, the canteens were-empty.

"Boys," exclaimed Nathan Cunningham, a lad of eighteen, the color-bearer for his regiment, "I can't stand this any more. They want water, and water they must have. So let me have a few canteens and I'll go for some."

Carefully laying the colors, which he had borne on many a field, in a trench, he seized some canteens, and, leaping into the mist, was soon out of sight.

Shortly after this the firing ceased for a while, and an order came for the men to fall back to the main line.

As the Confederates were retreating they met Nathan Cunningham, his canteens full of water, hurrying to relieve the thirst of the wounded men in the trenches. He glanced over the passing column and saw that the faded flag, which he had carried so long, was not there. The men in their haste to obey orders HAD FORGOTTEN OR OVERLOOKED THE COLORS.

Quickly the lad sped to the trenches, intent now not only on giving water to his comrades, but on rescuing the flag and so to save the honor of his regiment.

His mission of mercy was soon accomplished. The wounded men drank freely. The lad then found and seized his colors, and turned to rejoin his regiment. Scarcely had he gone three paces when a company of Federal soldiers appeared ascending the hill.

"Halt and surrender," came the stern command, and a hundred rifles were leveled at the boy's breast.

"NEVER! while I hold the colors," was his firm reply.

The morning sun, piercing with a lurid glare the dense mist, showed the lad proudly standing with his head thrown back and his flag grasped in his hand, while his unprotected breast was exposed to the fire of his foe.

A moment's pause. Then the Federal officer gave his command:

"Back with your pieces, men, don't shoot that brave boy."

And Nathan Cunningham, with colors flying over his head, passed on and joined his regiment.

His comrades in arms still tell with pride of his brave deed and of the generous act of a foe.

It's more than a 3 day weekend!!!!!

About Memorial Day

Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day. It is a day of remembrance for those who have died in the service of our nation.

Waterloo N.Y. was officially declared the birthplace of Memorial Day by President Lyndon Johnson in May 1966, but it's difficult to prove the origins of the day. There is also evidence that a women's group in the South decorated graves before the end of the Civil War. In either case, Memorial Day has had numerous starts due to the human need to honor the dead. Though some people think it's a day to honor any and all dead, Memorial Day is intended to honor those who have given their all in service to our country.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

It's been a while for this blog

It's been a while since I worked on this blog but will try to give it the attention it needs. Holidays are wonderful times for families and groups of people to get together and share past memories as well as make new ones.

SO Father's Day is the next holiday on the calender. That is what we will concentrate on for the time being.
So come back often to see ideas and stories about fathers and what they new to us and how to celebrate a day dedicated to them.

Hugs,
Barb

Thursday, May 7, 2009

A good idea for mom


Since we have goats, I thought that it would be appropriate to share this recipe I found for using goat cheese. Goat cheese also has a great and unique taste. We like it.


Onion & goat's cheese tarts

A great vegetarian snack, and only 5 ingredients
Ingredients:
  • 225g pack ready-rolled puff pastry
  • 1 batch Basic sticky onions
  • 2 x 100g rounds goat's cheese , sliced
  • 4 thyme sprigs
  • olive oil , to drizzle

BASIC STICKY ONIONS

Preparation and cooking times

Prep 5 mins

Cook 10 mins

Method

  1. Heat oven to 220C/fan 200C/gas 7. Cut the pastry into 4 rectangles and place on a baking sheet. Mark a border 1cm in from the edge of the pastry with a sharp knife. Spoon the onions into the middle, smooth then top with the cheese and thyme. Drizzle with oil and bake for 15-20 mins, until the cheese has melted and the pastry has risen and is golden brown.
  2. For the onions: Makes 600g, which is 3 batches. Prep time 5 mins, cook time 30 mins. Melt the butter in a large, deep frying pan and stir through the onions. Cover with a lid and cook gently for about 10 mins, until softened. Remove lid, add sugar, then cook 15-20 mins, stirring, until all of the liquid has evaporated and onions have turned golden. Divide into 3 batches to make the recipes, right. Will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 1 month.

482 kcalories, protein 15g, carbohydrate 30g, fat 34 g, saturated fat 18g, fibre 2g, salt 1.44 g

Recipe from Good Food magazine, September 2006.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Dear Lord
Author: Unknown

Dear Lord, it's such a hectic day
With little time to stop and pray
For life's been anything but calm
Since You called on me to be a mom
Running errands, matching socks
Building dreams with building blocks
Cooking, cleaning, and finding shoes
And other stuff that children lose
Fitting lids on bottled bugs
Wiping tears and giving hugs
A stack of last weeks mail to read
So where's the quiet time I need?
Yet when I steal a minute, Lord
Just at the sink or ironing board
To ask the blessings of Your grace
I see then, in my small one's face
That you have blessed me
All the while
And I stop to kiss
That precious smile



p.s. even when they are grown up!!!!!

Mother Day is Coming

Looking forward to Mother"s Day.

Three of my four children will be home for Mother's Day. The missing son is in the middle of finals and will be home the next week. Actually he is graduating from college.

Being a mother is the best and hardest, rewarding and heart breaking job I have ever had. I would do it allover again. I really like my kids.

Anyway, I know that this Sunday I will give my mother, who is the best, some extra attention. My mom showed me how to give unconditional love and also be tough enough when needed. She taught me how to be a mom through example.

When we went camping, she would color code our clothing so she would know quickly where we were and could do the headcount efficiently.

She taught me many little tricks of being a mom. She was a formidable foe in our water balloon fights, strict on curfews and forgiving when needed.

Thanks mom and Happy Mother's Day.

It's been a while!

Things got a little busy around here and finally are slowing down. Spring is always extra busy in farmland. At night the tractors are out in the fields and I actually find the sound soothing. It's that way in the autumn during the harvest when the combines are out. The only lights, other than the stars are the lights from the equipment in the fields. It's s smooth, dull sound that is actually quieting and calming.

So I am back and will be posting regularly and happy to see you and share holiday memories in the making.