SnackWell's Cookies

Tried these cookies and didn't like them, or like them but would like even a better way to enjoy them? Try freezing them! They really taste better frozen. I have a couple with a cup a tea in the evening when I sit down to relax.

April is National Autism Awareness Month

Some information about autism from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
"Autism is characterized by impaired social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, and unusual, repetitive, or severely limited activities and interests. Other ASDs include Asperger syndrome, Rett syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (usually referred to as PDD-NOS). Experts estimate that three to six children out of every 1,000 will have autism. Males are four times more likely to have autism than females.
There are three distinctive behaviors that characterize autism. Autistic children have difficulties with social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, and repetitive behaviors or narrow, obsessive interests. These behaviors can range in impact from mild to disabling.

The hallmark feature of autism is impaired social interaction. Parents are usually the first to notice symptoms of autism in their child. As early as infancy, a baby with autism may be unresponsive to people or focus intently on one item to the exclusion of others for long periods of time. A child with autism may appear to develop normally and then withdraw and become indifferent to social engagement.

Children with autism may fail to respond to their name and often avoid eye contact with other people. They have difficulty interpreting what others are thinking or feeling because they can’t understand social cues, such as tone of voice or facial expressions, and don’t watch other people’s faces for clues about appropriate behavior. They lack empathy.

Many children with autism engage in repetitive movements such as rocking and twirling, or in self-abusive behavior such as biting or head-banging. They also tend to start speaking later than other children and may refer to themselves by name instead of “I” or “me.” Children with autism don’t know how to play interactively with other children. Some speak in a sing-song voice about a narrow range of favorite topics, with little regard for the interests of the person to whom they are speaking.

Many children with autism have a reduced sensitivity to pain, but are abnormally sensitive to sound, touch, or other sensory stimulation. These unusual reactions may contribute to behavioral symptoms such as a resistance to being cuddled or hugged."

To read more about the causes, diagnosis, treatment, and more go to:
www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/autism/detail_autism.htm

You might also want to check out the Autism Society of America at:
www.autism-society.org

Happy Easter!

From the website www.familyfun.com here's some Easter crafts for the kids.
http://familyfun.go.com/printables/craft-templates/specialfeature/easter-printables-ms/

I've printed out these little baskets to fill with some candy and use as placecards for the dinner table. (When you go to print be sure to set it to just print page 1.)
http://a.familyfun.go.com/Resources/global/printables/0306_Easter_Basket_Template.pdf

Have a Happy Easter!

Wine

First let me say I know nothing about wine and seldom ever drink alcohol but I had some of this wine last weekend when we out for a family celebration and liked it. It wasn't too sweet or too dry. It comes in a frosted bottle with a "window" in the center which shows a landscape. The bottle says: Moselland - Arsvitis - Riesling - Qualitatswein
I bought this bottle to have with Easter dinner.

Maundy Thursday

The word "Maundy" comes from the Latin for 'command' (mandatum). It refers to the command given by Jesus at the Last Supper, that his disciples should love one another.

and from www.howstuffworks.com website:
"The word "maundy" may have come from the maund (or mand) basket used by the fishermen in the English counties of Norfolk and Suffolk. Centuries ago, there was a fair held on this day in Norwich (Norfolk), at which vendors sold horses, cattle and general merchandise. Some of the fisher-folk brought their maund baskets filled with items to sell, including fish. Clothing and hats were sold, as it was customary to buy a new item of clothing for Easter Sunday. This may well have been the origin of the Easter bonnet and the notion of wearing new spring attire for Easter.
Maundy Thursday may also have come from the Latin word mandatum, meaning "commandment," as in the Biblical words of Jesus:
"A new command I give you. Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." (John 13:34, NIV)
Many Maundy Thursday services begin with these words."

Enchanted Learning

I came across this website and I think it offers lots of good activites for kids. It says at the site:
"Enchanted Learning® produces children's educational web sites which are designed to capture the imagination while maximizing creativity, learning, and enjoyment.
Ease of use is a hallmark of our material. Children need the clearest, simplest computer interface, and our material is created so that the navigation and controls are intuitive. Our mission is to produce the best educational material, emphasizing creativity and the pure enjoyment of learning."

If you are a teacher or home school your kids you can find many things here that you could you to enhance your lessons. You can become a subscriber for $20 a year but there are tons of pages for prospective subscribers to sample!
Even if you just want some rainy day activities this is a good place to look!

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/Home.html

Bunny Cut-Up Cake

1 pkg. (7 oz.) BAKER'S ANGEL FLAKE Coconut (2-1/3 cups), divided
2 baked 9-inch round cake layers, cooled
1 tub (8 oz.) COOL WHIP Strawberry Whipped Topping, thawed
Suggested decorations, such as licorice, assorted ring-shaped candies, gumdrops

LEAVE 1 cake whole; cut remaining cake as shown in illustration. Arrange cake on serving tray as shown in illustration, using small amount of the whipped topping to hold pieces together. Frost cake with remaining whipped topping.
SPRINKLE coconut over bunny's head and ears. Decorate with licorice and candies. Store in refrigerator.
Variation
Prepare as directed, using regular COOL WHIP Whipped Topping and tinted coconut. To tint the coconut, mix 1/2 tsp. water with a few drops of food coloring. Add to coconut in resealable plastic bag. Seal bag; shake until coconut is evenly tinted. Sprinkle center of bunny's ears with tinted coconut.

We made this cake when I was a kid without the coconut and just covered it with vanilla icing and decorated it. I made it for my boys when they were little for Easter.
This is from: www.kraftfoods.com
Search for - Bunny Cut-Up Cake
To see how to cut it up more clearly go to the link and click in the recipe where it says Bunny Rabbit Cut-Up Cake.
What are your special Easter recipes, traditions, or stories? Pass them along to be posted.

Software Easter Eggs

What are software Easter Eggs might you ask? Go to the link below to find out!

http://h30046.www3.hp.com/news_article.php?topiccode=20060310_314114_225_121_0_0&pagesite=SMB_OOV®ioncode=NA&cat=tafriend

Life Lesson

When putting the canned dog food into the bowl, this would not be a good time to sample the just baked meatloaf, while answering the phone. Why may you ask? Umm...because you just take a mouthful of dog food by mistake! That's what my husband did the other night. Ugh! Of course he spit it right out .......... after noting it was dry.

Meatloaf .... the way I make it.

In a large bowl.
ground beef - pound or more. 80/20 Break the meat apart.
8 oz. can tomato sauce (Hunt's makes one with basil, garlic, and oregano that's nice. I never use ketchup.)
1 envelope of Lipton Onion soup mix
1 egg
garlic powder and fresh ground salt & pepper to taste
parsley flakes
bread crumbs - seasoned or unseasoned - whatever I have on hand. I don't measure. I just sprinkle them over the meat to lightly cover. Too much will make a mushy meatloaf.
You can add a little basil and/or oregano if you like.
(or other spices you like for that matter.)
I sometimes add some finely diced carrots and celery.

Mix everything together with a fork until well combined. Now put a wire rack in a 13 x 9 pan and cover it with foil. Reynolds Wrap "Release" Non-Stick Grill Foil is excellent for this. Form the meat into a loaf that's about 1 1/4" - 1 1/2" thick. Put water in the pan to catch the drippings.
Bake: 375' for about 45 minutes or desired doneness. We like ours to the browner side.

Be Careful Where You Stick Your Nose...

... because you just never know what might end up on the end of it! It's seems Maggie found a little velcro ball to a target game. I had one heck of a time getting her hair detangled from it.

Beliefnet

This pass-along comes from my friend Diane. It is for the website: www.beliefnet.com

Here's a story I found there about a seizure alert dog.

Our little Maggie will at times bark wildly while David is having a seizure, and will often lay beside him while he is recovering, ocassionaly sniffing his head or licking his face.

The Rug is Done!

Finished size 34" x 29 1/2". I've started on a second one. David thinks it looks like Joseph's coat! The picture below shows a close up and how I finished off the back with iron-on Bondex rug tape.
To see the second completed rug go to the April 18th, 2007 posting.

April

"April is the cruellest month, breeding
Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing
Memory out of desire, stirring
Dull roots with spring rain.
Winter kept us warm, covering
Earth in a forgetful snow, feeding
A little life with dried tubers."
-TS Eliot, The Waste Land

No April Fool's

Today completes the first year of Hodgepodge. I think Barbara would agree that the following quotation is a good discription of me and that's why Hodgepodge is a "perfect fit"!

"Nothing will ever please me, no matter how excellent or beneficial if I must retain the knowledge of it to myself. No good thing is pleasant to possess without friends to share it." - Seneca

That quote pretty well encapsulates my philosophy of what Hodgepodge is all about. Sharing. I can't believe a year has already passed. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to keep it going but you, my faithful readers, have been a great support. I couldn't do it without you! Please keep "passing-along" all those things that you want to share too.

Hugs to you all,
Debbie

Email from author Faith Andrews Bedford

If you go back to 12/29/05 post you'll find: "Guess It's About Time For The Kids To Be Writing Those Thank You Notes". In it I passed along a story by Faith Andrews Bedford entitled, "Thank you, Uncle Arthur". Well, the following is an email I received from the author herself and I thought I'd share it with you!

Dear Debbie,

While Googling my name, which I do from time to time to see what people having been doing to it, I came across your Geranium site and your mention of my story "Thank you, Uncle Arthur." It is one of my personal favorites. Thank you for mentioning it. It is included in my latest book, Barefoot Summers. I'll be touring and doing signings this summer. Perhaps our paths will cross. Check my personal website for dates and places - that is when my dear webmaster brings things up to date!

Faith Andrews Bedford
www.faithandrewsbedford.com
www.frankwbenson.com

Be sure to read Faith's latest book, Barefoot Summers: Reflections on Home, Family and Simple Pleasures (Sterling/Hearst) available wherever books are sold. Signed copies can be found on Faith's website.

Happy 1st Year to M.O.L.C.

Today is the first Anniversary of More or Less Church by Deacon Joanna Depue. Click on MOLC and send her your best wishes.

Happy First Anniversary DJ from Debbie and the "boys" and little Maggie too!

Quotation on Friendship

The following quote came through on an Oprah Newsletter as the "Thought for Today".

"In each person I catch the fleeting suggestion of something beautiful and swear eternal friendship with that."
—George Santayana

Well, it got me to thinking about the unique characteristics that I love about my friends. I'm glad they have varied interests. It's nice to be able to enjoy different things with each of them. We give and take from each other that which makes us special to one another.

Copyright © 2006 Deborah Sharp Loeb

Revolution Tea

This company makes some very interesting teas. The one pictured above is their Honeybush Caramel Tea. It tastes to me, like the dessert, creme brulee, as a tea.
If you know a tea lover you can have their teas sent as gifts. You can also order variety packs so you can sample their wide array of teas.

Visit their website at: www.revolutiontea.com

Baby Quilt - White, Pink, Purple

Here's a picture of a new baby quilt I made for a gift.

Baby Magic

I had previously recommended this Baby Magic with Lavender and Chamomile. It now comes in this new bottle. It's not just for babies. Adults will love its calm soothing scent too!

T-Shirt Throw or Duvet Cover

Hey, here's something to do with those cherished, but maybe not worn any more, T-Shirts that you've collected over the years. I just bet some of you have your most special rockin' T's from your youth that you were never able to part with, or not an old rock n' roller then perhaps you have a collection from your favorite sports team. Well, there is this company called stitch'T that "specializes in designing and manufacturing handmade throws and duvet covers in a wide spectrum of colors and a countless variety of themes. stitch'T will also craft custom designed throws upon request using your own t-shirts."
So if you're really stuck for a special gift it might be something to look into, but just make sure it's OK that those old T's get cut up.
You can get information on pricing and see samples at their website:
http://www.stitcht.com/stitchthome.html

Reality Check

OK, I'm on my soapbox again. If you look back to the 3/7 post, "Cancer Sticks", you know just how much I hate smoking and yes I did send out my postcards, for all the good that it will do, but it makes me feel better. You see it's not just because I see smoking as a disgusting habit, but I am also repulsed by the way the scheming tobacco companies do their filthy business. Go to the follow link to learn more:
http://www.realitycheckny.org/RCNY/
There you'll see the quote by a tobacco industry executive, "If you are really and truly not going to sell to children you are going to be out of business in 30 years."

Here's some other facts from the site:
*The tobacco industry spends $11.22 BILLION a year trying to get us to smoke.
*Smoking kills more people than aids, murder, drugs, suicide, alcohol and car crashes.
*The number of people that start smoking at or before the age 18 is almost 90%.
*Ammonia is added to cigarettes to make the nicotine reach the brain faster to make people crave it even more.

You see.........the way they do business is just as horrible as the addiction they are peddling.
Big money equals no conscious.

A Prayer in Spring - Robert Frost

Oh, give us pleasure in the flowers today;
And give us not to think so far away
As the uncertain harvest; keep us here
All simply in the springing of the year.

Oh, give us pleasure in the orcahrd white,
Like nothing else by day, like ghosts by night;
And make us happy in the happy bees,
The swarm dilating round the perfect trees.

And make us happy in the darting bird
That suddenly above the bees is heard,
The meteor that thrusts in with needle bill,
And off a blossom in mid air stands still.

For this is love and nothing else is love,
To which it is reserved for God above
To sanctify to what far ends he will,
But which it only needs that we fulfill.

Update - Locker Hook Rug

Almost done.