Croup and Spring Break

Last week on Monday, Jake and I decided the kids and I should take this week off for Spring Break. Last week on Monday Benjamin also came down with a fever of 102.5. The first fever he has had in years, I think. Anyway the fever and and gross cough which followed is croup, according to dr. mom, yours truly. The fever and cough have spread like wildfire and every child in the house has had it. Silas was the last to be inflicted and has handled it well. Though if he was our first child I am sure we would have landed in the ER, given how terrible he sounds. Today however, the children are better, the mild coughs that linger are ready to be done with. We are going to go enjoy the day and run some errands perhaps. The weather is in full cooperation and we are looking at 75 for a high. This will be our first celebrated day of Spring Break. Tomorrow is a change of command at Jake's Squadron. Another fun event that the children will be privileged to view.

Caution: Pop-Up Barriers Ahead

Today Ben had the priviledge of sitting up front with me in the Suburban.  This is usually a source of contention among the children and typically Colby wins the right hands down, because he's the only one who doesn't require a booster seat.  We dropped Colby off for baseball practice and headed to the base to buy gas.  A couple years ago the back gate entrance has had some changes and the military has added some in the ground barriers.  The idea behind this is that if someone were to storm the gate the bollards would instantly pop up trapping any would be attacker.  For several, several months we've driven over the barriers and passed the sign giving warning about them.  Today was a different day, because like I said Ben was in the front seat with me.  After we were waved through the back gate, Ben says to me, "huuuuuh(his voice is escalating in tone) mom, we need to look out today." I ask him why that is so. "Because the sign says that there will be pop-up Bears ahead."  I ask him what he is talking about, mind you I know what he has just read and am maintaining self control from pulling the car over so I can laugh to my hearts content.  He then says,"they must be bears that lay down really low on the ground and then they jump up and scare the people."  I had to tell him what the sign really said lest he start telling people at church that the base has pop up bears.  He may be on to something though.  I am thinking the idea of pop up bears is much scarier than a pop up barrier.  How about you?

Celebrations

We have good reason for celebrating Christ.  Our Savior, Redeemer was crucified in perfect obedience and rose again.  He could not be held in Hell and overcame it some 2000 years ago.  Thank you Jesus for resurrecting yourself from the grave for the glory of the Father, for the redemption of our souls, there is none like you!  

In our home most of our celebrations revolve around food.  We can hardly help it.  Christ himself was the "Bread of Life" and "Fruit of the Vine"  He has given us much and we will celebrate him, doing all for the glory of God.  

This Sunday before church we will enjoy some Hot Cross Buns for breakfast and after church we will have the privilege of dining with friends.  The Lord is sweet indeed!

This recipe was taken from the Joy of Cooking website.  No dried fruit was added, just chocolate chips.

posted by CLR

Look what I just found!

For those of you who might be tempted to think I have it all together... Not so, not so, not so. This finding is after I found her coloring her legs with a black marker. What next? The only thing I changed was the aim of the water flow and the soap, which were both pouring into the already overflowing sink.

Red Velvet Cake

Before I divulge the recipe I must express my gratitude to Myia Carreiro's mother. Thank you Mrs. Allen for sharing this recipe with me. It was my privilege to be at Graysie and Mick's party and enjoy a bite. The thought of this cake lingered with me for many days and I knew it would have to be made as part of my husbands return feast. The frosting in particular, referred to as Graysie as, "Magic frosting" is especially smooth and easy on the taste buds. Again thank you.

This cake should be stored in the Refrigerator!!
Cream together in a large bowl
1/2 cup Crisco
1 1/2 cups sugar
Add:
2 eggs and beat it good
Sift together the following, 3 times:
2 cups flour
1 TBSP Cocoa
1/2 tsp salt

In another bowl:
1 cup buttermilk
1 tsp. vanilla
2 bottles red food coloring
Alternately add the dry sifted ingredients and the milk/food coloring blend to the creamed shortening mix. Once combined Fold in 1 tsp baking soda dissolved in 1 TBSP Vinegar.
Bake in 2 prepared 9" cake pans
350 degrees for 30-35 minutes

Magic Frosting-Double This

Cook over low heat to pudding stage the following:
1 cup whole milk
1/4 cup flour
dash salt
Set aside to cool
Cream Together
1/2 cup Crisco
1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
Add 1 tsp. vanilla.
Add to the pudding mixture then beat it for several minutes. It should be fluffy and not gritty.

Photos from the Celebration

Here are some sweet photos of Jackie's Celebration.

I'll Pay for a Slice of Humble Pie as Well.

What a great day to go the commissary. We really need toilet paper and bananas. Along with cheese, eggs, meat, and of course vegetables. I plan the menu for the next two weeks. This menu includes the Resurrection Day feast along with a fun St. Patrick's Day dinner. It's a long pay period so we're going to have to have meatless dinners a few nights to compensate. This is all fine and the menu is set. The grocery list completed with the exact number of potatoes to purchase and pounds of coffee to get us through. We were out of beans this morning.. a minor headache followed. Off to the commissary I go. The grocery shopping is thorough and quick. I even remembered diapers this time. I go to the front to pay out. The tally could be much worse. I grab the purse, dig for my wallet. No wallet will be found. I begin to sweat and my face is hot. Oh no, I was recording receipts this morning and left my wallet on the desk. But wait, there is hope, I come across the emergency checkbook in the bottom of my purse. It has our old Okinawan address on it, however the cashier doesn't mind. She just wants the money. It'll be ok I think to myself, I can transfer the needed funds later. But wait, my ID card is in my wallet. I am nothing without it. What will the cashier say when I tell her? She says, "and how far away do you live?" I quickly make my exit leaving a trail of sweat as I go. I had to explain to the bagger that I would be back with his tip. What a dumb-dumb. Oh well, the wallet was retrieved, I paid for my groceries and left. Next time I'll be sure to double check the purse before I leave. The bagger assures me that this sort of thing happens all the time. I try to assure myself that, I'm not losing my mind at the ago of 30, just a little distracted. Could have been worse, much worse.