Win a Ride in a Duesenburg!

My husbands new company was instrumental in securing the Duesenburg Drag Races this year during the ACD Festival! If you have a child between the ages of 7 and 17, check this out. It will be an awesome event! Normally only a handful (7 or 8) of Duesenburgs are here for the Labor Day festivities, we already have close to 30 signed up!

http://www.classicaleventauctions.com/index.php

Scroll down to the lower right and click on the link under "Coloring Contest" to download the pdf file.

If you are interested in buying or selling a car at our Labor Day Auction, let me know! We will be holding our auction at the Classic City Center across from DeKalb High School. Our event is a family friendly event with activities for everyone in the whole family!

Come out and see Ayron auction live! We are also in talks to have the world's only blind (and licensed) auctioneer on the podium as well! It will be an awesome time!

I'll take a Nicholas Sparks book and a side of mayo

This one is for my sister (a librarian).

Woman, 74, put mayo in book drop

BOISE, Idaho (AP) - Police in Idaho think they might have solved a yearlong condiment crime spree.

Authorities said a 74-year-old Boise woman arrested after pouring mayonnaise in the Ada County library's book drop box is a person of interest in at least 10 other condiment-related crimes.

Joy L. Cassidy was picked up Sunday at the library, moments after police say she pulled through the outside drive-through and dumped a jar of mayo in the box designated for reading materials.
Cassidy was released from jail and faces a misdemeanor charge of malicious injury to property.
Boise police say Cassidy is under investigation for other cases of vandalism that started in May 2009. Library employees have reported finding books in the drop box covered in corn syrup and ketchup.

I had to laugh. What did the library do that made her soooo mad that she thought, "Hmmm... some mayo in their drop box will teach them not to mess with me!" She has done this at least 10 other times. I have to wonder if she chose Mayo or that nasty impersonator, Miracle Whip. Why did she exclude mustard? All of these thoughts and no answers.

I have tried to edit this so when it posts it's not all smooshed together, but I just can't get it to work....sorry!

My Sick and Twisted Mind

Ok, so I am sitting in Magistrate Court at the moment and I forgot to bring my book with me. I have been surfing news sites for the past hour killing time and came across this article.

First thing that got me was the name of the company. Please tell me I am not the only one who giggled at that!

I am not saying that obesity is an issue to take lightly. I myself could stand to shed some pounds and am currently working on that issue.

After reading the article I then began to wonder, "Where in the world am I going to get a casket for Ayron?" (When the time comes, I love him and don't want him to go anytime soon).

For those of you who don't know who Ayron is, he is my husband. Ok, so no biggie right? Wrong. he is 6'10" and will not fit in the normal casket. I have to wonder if they make a "big and tall" casket store or if the one in the article could custom build something long enough. Heck, where to pro basketball players go to get their caskets?

I know death is a sad thought, but this article has me thinking that maybe cremation is the way to go!

10 Years.

Saturday night we went to Ayron's ten year high school reunion. I started realizing that if he has been out of high school 10 years, then I have been out 9. It seems like 9 years is a lot of time, but then again, it doesn't.

I was amazed by one of his former peers who now lives in Switzerland. She is married to a gentleman that I went to high school with and while they were living in Boston they both decided they wanted to live overseas. So they up and moved. I can't imagine moving across the state, let alone across the ocean. I can't imagine living in a country were you don't speak the language and your parents aren't close. I admire anyone who has the knowledge and emotional strength to move to a different country. I wouldn't even know where to begin.

I started thinking about what I had managed to accomplish since graduating high school. I earned a BS, got married, bought a house, started a family, got a great job. It may not be a new life in a foreign country, but I'm happy with what I have accomplished. I have strong family ties and a job (although it can be frustrating) that is rewarding and allows me to inspire young minds that would normally be misunderstood in a public high school. No, it's no foreign country, but I will stick with what I have.

Jell-O Cookies

Here is a new cookie idea I tried today. They turned out good and Ayron liked them so I think they are a "winner." I did make some "tweeks" that made it easier so I'll incorporate them below.

3 1/2 C. Flour
1 tsp. Baking Powder
3 Sticks butter (softened)
1 C. Sugar
2 pkgs. Jell-O (small packages of your favorite flavors, you could probably "mix and match")
1 Egg
1 tsp. vanilla

Sift the flour and baking powder together in a medium bowl. In a large bowl beat the butter with an electric mixer until fluffy. Slowly mix in the sugar and 1 package of the jello. Beat until incorporated. Mix in the egg and vanilla. Gradually mix in the flour mixture until completely mixed. Place dough in fridge or freezer for a couple of minutes (keeps the mixture from sticking to your hands).

Shape dough into small balls and place 1" apart on cookie sheet (I recommend you line the pans with parchment paper). Then place the cookie sheet in the freezer for another couple of minutes. Use a clean glass to flatten the dough balls into circles (I actually dipped the glass in flour to prevent sticking). Use the 2nd package of Jell-o to "sprinkle" the cookies. Then place in a 400 degree oven for 8 to 10 minutes.

I am assuming you could mix and match your two favorite flavors of Jell-O. I stuck with strawberry and Ayron liked them. I was certain that shaping the balls would dye my hands red, but it didn't. I was surprised!

I discovered that chilling the dough just made the process a lot easier.

Adventures in Soap Making

I knew you could make your own laundry soap, but I had never tried it. Due to sensitive skin, I have to buy the All "Free and Clear" detergent and that can be costly with as much laundry as I do (Husband, 2 year old, and a dog create a lot of laundry). I knew my sister in law made her own soap and a lady my mom knows makes her own as well. My mom brought home some soap for me to try and I loved it. It doesn't have the dyes or perfumes that cause me to break out in hives.

We had to go to Rural King this morning to get something for the dog, so I decided to get the supplies needed to make my own soap. Here is how is broke down cost wise to make roughly 30 gallons of laundry soap.

Arm & Hammer Washing Soda $3.29
Fels Naptha Bars (we bought 6) $7.74
20 Mule Borax Laundry Booster $3.99

I also bought 2 large buckets for $2.99 a piece, but those are a one time expense, so I didn't add them into my cost analysis.

So the grand total of my purchase was 15.02 (without tax). Divide that by the 30 gallons of soap it will make and the final cost is roughly 50 cents a gallon! You can't beat that! I was spending at least $9 a month on laundry soap, but not anymore!

Here is the recipe for the homemade laundry soap that I will use.

1 bar of laundry soap (Fels Naptha)
1/2 C. Borax
1 C. Washing Soda

Grate the bar of laundry soap and melt on stop with just a little bit of water. Fill 5 gallon bucket 1/2 full with hot water. Add soap, borax, and soda. Mix well. Fill bucket with more hot water (enough to fill the 5 gallon bucket). Stir. Use 1/2 C. of the soap per load. Makes 5 gallons.

Start Strong: Building Healthy Teen Relationships Initiative

I was browsing through newspapers (on line of course) and came across this article from the IndyStar.

I have to say, I LOVE THIS IDEA!!! What took so long for someone to create something like this? We do something similar with our students in my program, but we are flexible enough and can make the time. Why couldn't this idea be incorporated into EVERY Health class in the nation?

Another School Year Has Come and Gone

Yesterday I ended my fourth school year running the Youth Improvement Program. For those of you who don't know what I do, here is a brief idea.

I run a school for local juvenile delinquents. Some students I get are in trouble with the law,
some are just in trouble at school. I get what most teachers would categorize as the "worst
of the worst." We choose to see them as misunderstood and seek to help them become not
only better students, but well rounded members of the community.

This past school year was our biggest yet. We had 39 students come through our doors, and of those 39, 35 were successfully readmitted back into their "home" school. It was a busy and crazy year, but it was also fun. We had some "repeat" offenders, but it was great to watch how they grew and matured and took responsibility for their actions.

As we were playing "Hillbilly Golf" in the yard yesterday with all the kids we noticed a former student (let's call him T)moving into a house across the street. He came over to visit and it was great to see a success story 2 years after we had him in our program. He is working a great job. His girlfriend is a stay at home mother to their two children and they are planning their wedding. He starts school at Trine this fall and she starts Trine next week. He and his girlfriend have even taken in his younger brother and are making sure he completes his education as well. The visit from T reminded me why I do what I do.

Now it's time to take off the teacher hat and put on the criminal justice hat. I spend my summers working for Community Corrections and this summer I will be leading some juvenile work crews (hoping to score a tan as well!) as well as my normal court duties. As I sit in my quiet office, just 16 hours after the last student of this year walked out the door, I am lonely. I got used to having all 8 of the students here early asking questions or just hanging out and reading the paper.

Olympic Mascots

I was doing my usual morning check of yahoo news and came across this sports blog. I have to agree with Chris Chase, those are two goofy looking mascots.

The so called "taxi cab" light on the head reminds me of a pop up turkey timer and I simply want to push it back down. The one on the right looks like he we his pants. Heck, if I had creepy blue lobster claws for hands, I just might wet myself too!

I can't tell what the orange design is supposed to be. I can tell you that it looks like the orange guy has some serious cellulite going on around his midsection and legs, but then again, who doesn't have that issue?

The video only made me wonder how "George" is able to stand upright with such a gigantic head! Guess we'll just have to wait and see what other crazy things London does for the Olympics.

Not Sure

I am not sure what to think about a situation that accrued earlier this week at work. Before I tell you what happened, let me give those of you who have no clue what I do, some background knowledge.

I run a school for juveniles who are in the court system and have been suspended or kicked out of school. My program prevents the judge from having to use tax payer dollars to lock a student just so they can get their education. At a cost of $200 a day for lock up (per kid) times the 90 (or so) students I have had over the last 3 years, I have helped save the county a lot of money. In order to keep a full house of kids (my program is run out of an older ranch house that has had some conversions done) I will take school referrals (kids who are just in trouble at school, but not legally). This helps the schools out because they can still count the students in their head count (and receive the money from the state for the kid), but they don't have to deal with their problematic behavior. I take these kids at NO COST to the schools. I have a great working relationship with all the schools in the county I work and I LOVE MY JOB. That being said, here is what happened.

I had some school officials just drop in, unannounced. They had never been here before and thought they'd stop in to check on their student. I am sure I looked like a bum. I have been fighting a bug and wore jeans and a hoodie that day to work since I didn't think I would be seeing anyone official. So, I'm sure my laid back apparel through them for a loop. Like I said, my program is run out of a small house. It isn't much, but we make it work. If I need anything, I have to write grants for the money. I don't mind, sure I may complain, but it keeps me busy. So after taking a look around, one of the officials said, "Oh, so this is it?" It was said with a nasty derogatory tone and they were standing right next to me. I must have had a shocked look on my face because they immediately said, "Oh, you weren't supposed to hear that." What did they think was going to happen? I was standing right next to them. I bit my tongue and replied, "Well, we are small, but we are able to accomplish things with these kids that the public schools can't. We truly are the definition of 'No Child Left Behind.' AND we do it all without any financial help from your school. So far this year, we have helped 38 kids, 5 of them being your districts students. We aren't much, but we can work miracles because we give the kids a chance and we work with them, not against them."

So, was my reply to snotty? I was just appalled at their comment and had to defend myself. So many of the kids I get have been written off by their schools and their parents. They just want someone to give a crap about them and take an interest in their lives. We do that, we show them that someone cares and is willing to advocate for them. What I really wanted to say was, "Look here, you guys write off these kids and we take them in. We take in the kids you refuse to help and all the baggage they carry. We work miracles when you can't and we don't even charge you. You should be happy we exist." But I didn't. I still have to wonder if my response was appropriate.

I have to wonder if administrators see me as young and a bit juvenile myself. I am 26 (I actually had to stop and do the math in my head) years old and have been doing this job for three schools years now. I truly think I have grown more in this last year, and I know I have more growing to do. I have to wonder when people will stop seeing me as a young, novice teacher and more like an experience professional that can handle the toughest kids and help them succeed.

I am excited to say that a local guidance counselor "went to bat" for me during a meeting and praised our program. It made my heart swell. It was nice to hear someone verbalize that my program is working. The judge is happy with my program (he is the brain child behind the original program) and that also makes me happy. This Thursday Senator K is actually coming to visit our program and see just what it is that we do here. I look forward to showing him how we are able to work miracles with the students who have been left behind or just plain forgotten.

The Forgotten Mothers

I was chatting with a friend yesterday about Mother's Day. We both agreed that Mother's Day had gotten a bit blown out of proportion and turned more into a "Hallmark" holiday than anything else. She asked me if it was odd for me to buy someone else a Mother's Day present when I am a mother myself. I thought about it and to me it isn't odd. But that is not the part of the conversation that stuck with me. As I thought about our conversation I realized that several of my friends are mothers without haven given birth. So this is my "Happy Mother's Day" to them. I am not going to name them by name, but by initials.

C.B.: You are a mother. Each year you help mother/teach/inspire 30 kids to become great learners for the rest of their lives. You spend countless hours planning and teaching each child. You recognize their learning styles and help them become who you know they can be. You deal with problematic students on a daily basis and yet you keep going. For that, you are a mother. You help with your 5 nieces and nephews. For that, you are a mother. You care about the students your husband coaches. For that, you are a mother. So Happy Mother's Day to you!

D.Y.: I know I speak for several mothers when I say, thank you for helping us keep our sanity when it comes to our own children. You are always willing to help nanny our kids when we are at our breaking point. You take our kids so we can have a weekend away. You let our kids sleep in your bed. You take our kids trick or treating (so you can have a cut of the candy ;) ).For that, you are a mother. You deal with kids all year long during play/musical productions. You teach them how to dance, act, and sing. For that, you are a mother. You are more of a mother than you realize. Happy Mother's Day.

N.R.: You let me crash at your place in college. You provided me a place to escape a witch of a roommate. You stood up for me when said witch roommate turned me in for having a weapon (it was a freaking pocket knife!) and the police came and all that happened due to it. For that, you are a mother. I couldn't have made it through labor without you. You stood by my side the enter time (I am still surprised you didn't pass out!). You listened to me call you every name under the book through the pushing process, and yet you just calming told me, "You have to breathe. Do it for Taylor." For that, you are a mother. You helped me become a mother and helped me kick our mother (gee, guess I really didn't need to use initials on this one since that gave it away) out of the room. I see how you play with Tj and encourage him to read. For that, you are a mother. You help "mother" college students through their research projects and papers. For that, you are a mother. So Happy Mother's Day!

Financial Food for Thought

While browsing on line I came across this article. I TOTALLY agree with what Jeff Yeager said, "But what we're missing is the golden epiphany of the time -- not can we save, but what do we need?"

I used to be a coupon FREAK! Scouring websites and papers and cutting out ANY coupon I found. It didn't matter if I used that product or not, it was a coupon! Who knows when I would want to save 30 cents on 5 cans of Pringles?! I finally realized I was spending time throwing out coupons that I didn't use. Now I browse the coupons and if it's a product I use (or one I know a friend uses: diapers, etc). I'll clip the coupon. 9 times out of 10, I just buy the store brand because it ends up being cheaper than the name brand (even if I had a coupon for the name brand).

I still plan our our weekly meals and use that to plan my grocery list. Make the weekly menu not only streamlines the grocery buying process, but eliminates the "What's for dinner?" question that so often used to lead to, "I don't know. I didn't get anything out to thaw so lets just go out to eat."

I also liked Yeager's thoughts on housing. Sure, I'd LOVE a bigger house, but a bigger house would lead to more space, which would lead to me feeling the need to fill all the new space with new stuff, stuff we didn't really need. I like my small house. At times I wish I had more cupboard space, or a bigger bathroom, etc. but who doesn't?

We are actually in the process of getting rid of crap we have that we don't use. If it truly is crap, it is going to to the curb for spring clean up. If it is decent and something we could sell, then it goes on craigslist, ebay or in the garage sale. Everything else gets put in a place. I think we have 3 lawnmowers right now. Only 1 of which we actually use. We have a lawn rake, it's a gas powered thing and to tell you the truth, I'm not sure what it is supposed to do. All I know is that Ayron thought we needed it so when my Dad offered it to him (My dad moved from MI to SC), Ayron took it. We have 3 snow blowers. One doesn't work. One does work, but is smaller. Our third one was given to us by Ayron's dad when they moved. It is a monstrosity, but it clears the driveway in 2 passes down and back, so I think we'll keep that one! I have boxes of Corelle dishes that I have yet to open. They were given to us as wedding presents. If I haven't used them in the five years we have been married, why am I hanging on to them?

As for "less destructive habits," we have discovered a few. About once a week we bike to the local school park to let TJ play. We get our exercise biking and he gets to run off energy in the playground. It often turns into a social event because the school is a halfway mark between our house and friends house (she also has a two year old boy who loves to run around). We go to the mentioned friend's house and feed the fish in the pond behind her house. The boys LOVE to throw the bread into the water and watch the fish fight over it. If I have a bread product that goes hard, it gets tossed in the "fish" baggie and when the baggie is full, we go feed the fish. We also let TJ play outside in the rain. That was the most entertaining for all involved. He loved it! Sure I had a muddy two year old and an equally muddy husband afterwards, but they wash, and so do their clothes.

The authors last remarks about toilet paper made me laugh. What good is buying the cheap 1 ply toilet paper when one drop of liquid makes the whole sheet disappear? I will stick with my White Cloud toilet paper thank you very much!

So I am curious. What things are you doing to keep your spending habits under control (or to change them)?

Brown Eyed Susans

I decided to try another recipe from my Grandmother's cook book. This one was incredibly easy and fast.

Brown Eyed Susans

1 1/2 C. Bisquick
1/3 C. oil
1 lrg. box instant vanilla pudding
2 eggs
1 box junior mint candies

Mix the first four ingredients. Drop by teaspoonful on ungreased baking sheet. Place a candy on top of each cookie and pat flat. Bake in a 350 oven for 12 to 14 minutes.

Here are the before and after pics.

Another Sleepless Night

Last night I was absent minded listening to the news while I was cooking dinner. I discovered that they were talking about a former student of mine. Thank goodness for my DVR because I was able to "rewind" and listen again. She had been missing since Monday evening. I immediately called my staff and alerted them and started brainstorming. Who could she be with? Where would she have gone? Etc.

I formulated some ideas and called the Auburn Police Department and informed them of who I was and gave them my "ideas."

I was up all night wondering where she could be and what made her think that leaving home would solve any problems she was having. I racked my brain trying to think of anything she could have said while she was in my program that would lead us to her. Needless to say, I didn't sleep.

This morning I learned that she had been found and was safe and all was well.

It's events like this that make my job difficult. I love my job, I get to work with so many interesting students. Yeah, I get pain in the bottoms who can be problematic, but what teacher doesn't? Every student I take in, I become emotionally attached to. Obviously they need help and to know that someone cares about them or they wouldn't have made it to my program. I get to know them in a different manner than their public school teachers would have the opportunity to. I become emotionally invested in their lives and I didn't realize how much it got to me until last night. I was worried all night like she was my daughter. I was pacing the house and racking my brain.

I love my job and the crazy kiddos that come with it, but I could do without the worrying and sleepless nights!

Ayron Did It!

On Saturday Ayron graduated from Reppert's School of Auctioneering. Reppert's is a two week intensive course (Monday through Saturday, 8am to 9pm). Ayron passed with flying colors and is now preparing to take his state license test on May 5th.

Since Ayron was the only "local" student (Reppert's is based out of Auburn and run by Senator Kruse and his family), he had quit a cheering section at "Graduation." TJ even got mentioned in the graduation speech! Here are some pictures from the "graduation ceremonies."

Part of their "final exam" was to auction off the Reppert "hoe" (the garden variety), the original Reppert desk and the Batmobile.

Ayron and Senator Dennis Kruse

His "official" graduation picture.

Ayron and Chad Beach, the only blind auctioneer to ever attempt and graduate from Repperts. When he takes his state license test in May, he'll be the only blind auctioneer in the USA (that we know of. Look for him on Jimmy Kimmel Live and check out this video of him.

Chad is an amazing auctioneer. Chad's final remarks were, "Hi, I am Chad Beach and I am graduate of Repperts School of Auctioneering. I did it with my eyes closed, because I had to!" I do have a video of Chad auctioneering during his "final exam" but it failed to load.....oh well!

Is It Summer Yet?

This past week has taken a toll on me! Ayron has been in school from 8am till at least 9pm every night. He will graduate this Saturday. So far he has earned a 91% on a written test and a 93% on an auction calling test.

I have discovered how difficult it is to be a single mother. I NEVER thought being a single mother was easy. I have a friend who is a single mother of two and I know that it is hard. I am thankful that I live a mile from my mother and she is willing to help me out. I am also thankful for friends who provide me with much needed adult conversation in the evenings.

I think that I am experiencing more "spring fever" than my students. I am eager for the summer to get here. I can't wait to get back into the garden and enjoy being outside!

One Crazy Night

I had one night away from TJ and my husband and boy did I make the most of it! I took my sister to the Ft. Wayne Roller Derby. We decided it was time to derby de-virginize her. We actually decided to brave suicide seating (sitting on the ground right at track level about 3 feet from the action. It was awesome! Bomb Squad killed the other team. The final score was 249 to 45.

After the game we went out with the Yingling sandwich (Kerry, Dawn, and Keith) and had some dinner. When they took us back to my car we discovered we had a problem. Afdent had locked the gate to their parking lot. We always park at Afdent and then car pool across the street to save on parking. Afdent has never locked the gate before. So we had to steal back my car (I'd like to thank Nat for being the one who actually stole the car).

As I was turning around in Casa's parking lot my high beams accidentally provided a spot light for the lovely gentleman that was peeing on the bumper of his truck. That set off a laughing fit for my sister and I. The whole way home we were laughing so hard about the nights events that I almost puked on myself. Thankfully (?) it got stuck in my throat. That brought on more laughing as I made every obnoxious sound known to man in an attempt to get my stomach contents back to my stomach. Laughing lead to almost wetting ourselves on the drive home. It was a great night!

After a lovely ashma attack at 1 am (I haven't had one in years so I didn't have an inhaler on hand) Ayron and I were finally able to calm down and attempt to fall asleep. As soon as we turned out our lights we heard TJ crying. We opened the door in time to watch him puke all over his pile of stuffed animals. After cleaning up the mess, the kid, the stuffed animals, etc. We brought TJ into bed with us. About 20 minutes later TJ started to fuss. Ayron picked him up and got a nice warm vomit shower down his back. This time I put both boys in the shower! By 2:30am we were finally able to get everyone back in their own beds and to sleep.

TJ was up and ready to play at 7:15am like nothing happened. Needless to say, I am ready for a nap!

Learning As I Type

I have been typing my way through my grandmother's old recipes. I have been texting with my aunt and mom throughout the process to clarify things, etc.

In my older post I wrote about how the term "nutmeats" made my giggle like a teenage boy. Immature, I know, but come one, it's a silly term. I got the following text from my cousin this morning (a 17 year old boy, er....young man): Mom was telling me about your recipe card adventures, and when she said 'nutmeats,' my first thought was 'calf fries?' But they're not sold in stores!

For those of you who don't know what calf fries are....look it up. The reason my cousin thought this is because he currently lives in Vinita, Oklahoma. Vinita boasts the largest calf fry festival.

I then discovered that the name "Kirsch" was written at the top of several of the recipe cards. So I texted my aunt (she has a faster texting response time than my mom). While I was awaiting her reply, I ventured over to google and discovered three things. Krisch is a curtain rod company, it is also used in the making of swiss cheese/fondue, and it is also a hot dog company. My aunt texted me back and informed me that Grandma Carma worked for Kirsh Company for 27 years. They were a local family-owned, worldwide curtain rod company. They supplied curtain rods to the world. I'm pretty sure that I knew this, but for someone reason I was thinking Grandma worked at a light bulb factory.

Odd Recipe

Ok, today's odd recipe is brought to you by Carma Eaton's (my maternal grandmother) recipe box.

Chocolate Sauerkraut Cake

1/2 C. margarine

1 1/2 C. sugar

3 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

2 C. sifted flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 C. cocoa

1 C. water

1 C. sauerkraut, drained, rinsed, and chopped fine

Cream margarine and sugar. Beat in eggs, one at a time; add vanilla. Sift all dry ingredients together. Add to mixture alternately with water. Beat well after each addition. Stir in sauerkraut. Pour into greased and floured 13x9" baking pan. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 40 minutes. Cool in pan. Frost with any favorite creamy chocolate frosting.

So, anyone out there brave enough to try this recipe? I texted my mom and aunt when I found this and my smart alec mother texted back: Must be an Amish barn raising special? Feeds 144? Then uses 'wind' to blow walls into place.

My aunt just replied to my text (as I was writing this) and said: Ewwwww! My mom loved sauerkraut! It just stunk up the house 4 us.

I did find a recipe for a coca cola cake though. I think I might attempt that.

Grandma's Kitchen

For Easter my mother gave me two recipe boxes that used to be my Grandma Carma's (thus you now know where my name came from). She doesn't know how the recipe boxes ended up in her possession, but seeing as how I am the adventurous cook in the family she decided to give them to me. I decided to type up all the recipes and any neat information that may have been associated with them. My goal is to get all of the recipes typed up and then "publish" the cookbook for close family members.

I am discovering that recipes have changed over the years. I know that is a, "No, really? DUH!" statement, but I've had to actually do my research. Many of the recipes do not have oven temperatures, but rather they refer to the "speed" of the oven; slow, moderate, fast. I had to explain to Ayron what the modern day word is for oleo. The word "nutmeats" made my laugh. Still cracks me up (I am juvenile in that sense, I admit it. But come on, can you imagine going to the store and asking someone, "Excuse me, where do you keep your nutmeats?"). There is one term that I still can't figure out. Peanut crunchies. It is for a cookie recipe. I have to wonder if my grandma was referring to crunchy peanut butter. If anyone knows what "peanut crunchies" are, please let me know!

It is interesting to read the extra information grandma put on the card. This lady was all about speedy frosting. I have several recipes for 5 minute and 7 minute frostings. She also had about 10 recipes for devils food cake. Oh, and if she could sneak dates (the fruit, not calendar dates) into the recipes, she would! I have some recipes that were my great great grandmothers. Some recipes (a majority of the bigger recipe box) were a class assignment for my grandmothers "home ec" class during her junior and senior year.

I never had the opportunity to meet my grandmother. Sadly, she passed when my mother was pregnant with me (now my parents choice is name become even clearer doesn't it?). I can't help but picture her in her kitchen cooking up some kind of vegetable stew and fresh bread while a devil's food cake is baking and she is whipping up some 5 minute frosting. I can see the red apple cookie jar on the kitchen table (funny story behind that for another time) and my mom and her siblings reading or doing homework. For some reason I picture my grandfather sitting at the kitchen table reading the paper and smoking a pipe. This is odd because as far as I know, my grandfather never smoked. But the pipe adds a nice affect doesn't it. Maybe too much "Leave It To Beaver" for me, who knows.

I just finished typing up all of the hand written recipe cards from the smaller of the two recipe boxes and I came across a radio "transcript" from WOWO that had been mailed to my grandmother (under her maiden name). It was from the August 15, 1946 broadcast of "Modern Home Forum." After I looked at the recipes and read the transcript I realized that all of the recipes had been submitted by my grandmother's Junior Brighton 4-H girls group. I found that kind of cool.

I am now inspired to attempt to bake a lot of the sweet treats that I came across! Needless to say I have started my shopping list. Tonight I am going to attempt to turn my grandmother's recipe for Applesauce Nut Bread into muffins.

Applesauce Nut Bread

2 C. sifted flour

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1 C. coarsely chopped walnuts

3/4 C. sugar

1 egg

3 tsp. baking powder

1 C. applesauce

1 tsp. salt

2 T. melted shortening

1/2 tsp. soda

Sift together dry ingredients. Add walnuts. In mixing bowl beat egg; add applesauce and melted shortening. Add dry ingredients. Stir until just blended. Pour into greased loaf pan. Bake @ 350 for one hour.

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After I posted this, my aunt forwarded it to my uncle. This was his email response.

Also the kitchen wasn't big enough for the number of people in the picture, but hey Carm, it's your image, so its kitchen can be as big as you need! :)

"The pictures (and odors) _I_ remember involved me in the living room with my shiny new birthday stopwatch timing the strawberry jam; Sloppy Joes on Saturday evenings with Jack Drees narrating Saturday Night at the Races and all of us huddled around our "betting tickets" from Garden City Thrif-T-Mart; and the horrible smells of fried eggplant, fried green tomatoes, steamed dandelion greens out of the backyard, and a few other foods Mom liked but I couldn't stand. (Finally made my peace with fried eggplant, but that's about it.)"