Saturday

Not a lot happening this week. I did go to Michael's to buy some individually wrapped crafts to give to Phil's Friends a Christ centered group that makes up care packages for cancer patients. The crafts were originally one dollar and were on clearance for 40 cents.
 In October a few of us will be going to the LWML  [Lutheran Women's Missionary League] Convention and our service project will be to make up packages for Phil's Friends. Cancer patients are very close to my heart and helping them is something that I feel would give them hope. www.philsfriends.org

Here is a list of the items they are looking for:
NIV pocket size New Testaments
small boxes of tea
individual serving coffee packets
non-flavored lip balm
extra soft toothbrushes individually wrapped
packages of blank note cards
boxes of pre-printed Christian cards of encouragement
pre-packaged crafts for children or teens
trial size Eucerin or Keri lotion
$5 gift cards for Panera, Dairy Queen or Starbucks
thick fuzzy women's socks
monetary donations

I plan on asking my Dentist for a donation of tooth brushes and my artist friends for a donation of blank note cards. I can purchase the New Testaments for $1.99 each, if I receive any monetary donations.  If you know of any place or person that would be willing to donate, let me know and I will give them a call. I know that the convention is a ways away, but I figure if I start early I could collect more stuff.

Sharing Sonshine

We started a new ministry in  our Church, going to the nursing home and spreading some sonshine. Yesterday 12 of us went to the Lemont nursing home to help with their bingo game. We brought bright crosses on a beaded string that they can use as a book mark or a sun catcher. Each of them were signed by one of the kids at VBS. They normally win 50 cents if they get a bingo, in addition they won  artificial flowers in bud vases to put in their room that we brought.  I helped two ladies; one couldn't see too well and the other had had a stroke and was a little shaky. Unfortunately neither of my ladies won. We also had a drawing for some lap quilts that we are making in our cut and sew group.

My Birthday

Yesterday was my birthday and Karrie came out (Ryan was working) and we went to a late lunch at Wildfire.  we both love their fillet medallions encrusted with different kinds of topping. You get 3 medallions and each can have their own topping. We had parmesan cheese, blue cheese and mushrooms. Next time I go, I'll skip the mushrooms and go with the horseradish. I also went out Friday with my sister and her family to celebrate Samantha's and my birthday. We went to Carrabas, I had veal piccata with a side of pasta which was delicious.

Wolf

So playing with my tent and different backgrounds I present three views of the wolf.  What color works best? I also have a black background but I think that it would be too dark.

Busy Day

Went to the farmer's market this morning and picked up a few things including Mirai corn, its the best. Then had to run over to church to put on the coffee for our Cut and Sew group. Thirteen ladies came out for some fellowship and coffee and goodies, thanks to Norma B. and Marge. Then it was off to the nursing home to visit a member that is in there with a leg infection and she has shingles on top of that. Tonight its the Leadership Council meeting at Nancy and Ken's. I made rollups to take. They are made with buddig beef, minced onion and cream cheese. Buddig changed the shape of their meat from square to round, so they don;t look as nice as they used to. I personally don't eat them because I've made them so many times, I hardly can look at them. But people love them.

Bark Carving

I'm still burning in the hair of the wolf that I carved, so he's not ready for display. But, I recently carved this bark house for fun. Thought you might like it. It's about 8 inches high and had a unique roof line to start with.

Nothing in the Trap

The Wildlife Police guy will be removing the trap today and I will put up the boards to block any other critter from entering. Since we didn't catch the pesky raccoon, I post a picture of one I carved a few years ago.

Now its back to concentrate on the ants and hope no one else comes along and eats the ant traps.

The Trap

Last night the trap caught a skunk. I wouldn't take a picture of it for fear of being sprayed. The Widlife Police came and took him away. He reset the trap to see if we get the raccoon. If we don't get the raccoon tonight, I will board up the place where he gets under the deck. The WP says a skunk wouldn't be living under the deck because they want a straight shot in and they would have to work to get under the deck. So in lieu of a picture of the actual skunk, I include a picture of one I carved a few years ago.

The Trap

The trap has been in my yard for 2 nights now and no raccoon. I hope the ant poison didn't kill him and he is rotting under the deck. I'll call the Wildlife Police to see what he thinks. Maybe we will have to somehow look under the deck by taking off the boards that surround the deck's bottom. I have already purchased the wood to block off the area where a raccoon can enter, now to paint it and be ready to install it. He enters under the bottom rail that surrounds the basement window, a space of about 4 inches.

Ants and Raccoons

Will ant killer kill a raccoon or just make him sick? My deck has a lot of ants and they seem to be going in my potted plants. I first set out these little plastic ant traps and the ants seemed to avoid them. Then one morning I noticed one was missing. Do I have giant ants coming in the night and carrying the trap away? Since these weren't working I bought new traps[Terro] and set them in the flower pots that the ants were going to. This morning all three of the new ones were broken into and the the liquid gone. Now it could be these giant ants but I suspect a raccoon or maybe a possum as I have seen both out around my deck.That was $ 6 for ant traps that only were out one day and they seemed to be working; the ants were all over the traps. I think it is time to call the  Wildlife Police. It is a private firm I have used in the past. If I don't get rid of the big critters I'll never get rid of the ants.

April's Holiday Squares Recipe

April's Easy Time Holiday Squares

1-1/2 C. sugar
1 C butter
4 eggs
2 C flour
1 Tbs lemon extract
1 can cherry pie filling

Combine all ingredients and spread into greased 9x13 pan. Before baking mark off 20 squares and put 1 heaping tablespoon pie filling in the center of each square.
Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 45 minutes. Sprinkle with powdered sugar & cut into squares

Heritage Fest

We gave out bottles of ice cold water for about 3 hours until we ran out. We started with about 14 cases. It was fun to watch people's reactions when we said it was free and some didn't want it free or not. Here are some of the volunteers passing out water or are they just drinking it? The group that was in charge of this had put on labels identifying our Church and the phone number and web site. There were a couple of French nuns selling pastries and bread and Kathy handed them some water and they looked at it weirdly, but Kathy told them it was OK to drink it, its just water.

This morning I was in charge of bringing in cake for our coffee during Bible study. I made April's Holiday cake with cherries[this is it before I put powdered sugar on it]. I also brought in some sliced muskmelon, which was refreshing. Unfortunately I have cake left over.

Heritage Fest

Today Lemont celebrates Heritage Fest. Its an old fashioned down home fair. No rides, a bicycle parade, music, games for the kids. It starts at 1:00 today. I'm going down there to help with giving out bottles of water from St. Matthew Lutheran Church. Its just a way to share God's love. It should be fun to see people accept a free bottle of water, no strings attached. I read this somewhere "Wherever the Spirit is, there is fun."

Farmer's Market

Went to the farmer's market in Lemont. I bought a couple of cucumbers, a zucchini and a tomato. The orchard people were there, had a sign for peaches, but they were all gone. Besides these two that sell fresh fruit and vegetables, there also is a farmer that is selling sweetcorn. It will be a couple of weeks before the Mirai corn people will be there.  Best corn ever.

Monday

A little hot and muggy today. Good day to stay in. I tried another new recipe yesterday and have it posted on the Mom Whats Cookin? blog that you can access by clicking on it on the right. It is made with 12 inch wraps, asiago and ricotta cheese, onions and mushrooms. Very tasty.

Rib Fest

You are never too old to try something new. I went to the Naperville Rib Fest yesterday for the first time. We got there about four and left somewhere after seven. There were a lot of people there at four, but later there were many, many more. I sampled 2 different rib places which were good but not spectacular.  A sample of 3 ribs cost $6. Small beers were $5. We brought chairs and managed to find a place to sit in the shade and was a quite enjoyable afternoon.

This is my sister licking her fingers. One cannot eat ribs with finesse.

Appetizer a Success

The Caprese Pesto Margherita Stackers were a success. The recipe says that they taste incredibly "upscale". I know that some of you might want the recipe. It takes a bit to make them, but I guess well worth it.

Caprese Pesto Margherita Stackers

1 container (8oz.) fresh mozzarella ciliegine cheese(24 cherry size balls)

1 can Pillsbury refrigerated bread sticks(12 breadsticks)

3 Tbs. basil pesto

1 Tbs extra virgin olive oil

2 Tbs grated Parmesan cheese

24 frilled toothpicks

24 grape tomatoes

24 fresh basil leaves

Directions

1. heat oven to 375. Spray 24 mini muffin cups with no-stick cooking spray. Drain cheese balls, pat dry with paper towels.

2. On work surface, unroll dough; separate into 12 breadsticks. Cut each breadstick in half crosswise; press each 1/2 into 3x2 inch rectangles

3.Spread rounded 1/4 tsp of the pesto lengthwise down the center of each rectangle. Place cheeseball on each rectangle. Carefully stretch dough around cheese; pinch edges to seal completely.[take extra care to make sure they are pinch good and no holes for the cheese to escape]; place seam side down in muffin tin. Brush with oil, sprinkle with Parmesan.

4. Bake 14 to 20 minutes until deep golden brown. Cool in pan 5 minutes. Carefully remove from pan. With each toothpick, spear tomato and basil leaf. insert into cheeseball. Serve warm.

The party was very nice, too cool for swimming. One of the appetizers that the hostess's daughter made was a baked brie with a cream cheese crust and apricot  jam. Very tasty. I'll have to get the recipe. 

Party

Kathy H. is having an open house this evening so Peter, the intern can meet more of the Church folks.  Its a beautiful day today, but might be a little chilly when the sun goes down. I should be home before then. Kathy just requested finger food so I am trying a new recipe, Caprese Pesto Margherita Stackers, made with Pillsbury bread sticks, mini fresh mozarella balls, pesto and a grape tomato and a fresh basil leaf. I will report on its goodness and success tomorrow. I don't know why they are called "margherita" as there is no tequila in them. Maybe I am supposed to drink tequilla as I make them?


I just looked up Margherita and its not the drink with tequilla but a dish that was favored by Queen Margherita, of Italy I presume.