Cornbread Recipe

Homemade Chili

Cornbread, soup, and the desire to stay warm go hand-in-hand with the cooler seasons, however, do you have a good cornbread recipe?

Like many good recipes; they have been handed down from generation to generation, and cornbread is no different.  Why serve your homemade soups with just plain old crackers?

Cornbread Chili topped with Cheese

 
Change it up from time to time with a good homemade cornbread.

Ingredients for Cornbread:

• Mixing bowl
• 1-cup cornmeal
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp baking soda
• 2/3 cup milk
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1-cup all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup sugar
• ½-cup sweet cream
• 2 eggs
• ¼ olive or canola oil
• Electric mixer
• 8 or 9-inch square pan

 

Instructions to make Cornbread:

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and grease the pan.
2. Taking a mixing bowl, combine all dry ingredients.
3. Add the eggs, milk and cream. Using the electric mixer beat until smooth.
4. Pour into the greased pan and bake for 25-30 minutes. Insert a toothpick in the center and when it comes out clean, it is ready to remove from the oven.

Cowboy Cookie Recipe: not just for cowboys

I saw the recipe for Cowboy Cookies on Facebook. Social media is a great way to get new recipes and after baking my first batch of Cowboy Cookies, I am glad it is. 

After seeing the initial recipe for Cowboy Cookies, I was curious to how many the recipe made. Googling the Cowboy Cookie recipe I discovered there were many sites with a recipe; however, the only thing that was consistent was the main ingredients. The walnuts, coconut, pecans and or raisins were different and or even optional.

Knowing my husband and daughter do not like coconut made that choice easier; no coconut here. I love all the options; therefore, I attempted to make them as the recipe I came across had.
I suddenly ran into a snag as the walnuts I had tasted bad, I had clearly had them far too long so into the trash they went. Seeing the pecans in the refrigerator drawer, and I really like them better, pecans now where part of our Cowboy Cookies I was making to give away.

Ingredients for Cowboy Cookies:

• 1 cup butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp pure vanilla
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½  tsp Himalayan salt
• ½  tsp baking powder
• 2 cups all-purpose flour; or gluten free flour if needed
  
• 2 cups organic oats
• 1 cup  dark chocolate chips
• 1 cup crushed walnuts or pecans as I used

Instructions to make Cowboy Cookies:

 

1.     Preheat the oven 350 degree Fahrenheit.

2.     Cream together the butter and sugars; add the eggs and mix well.

3.     Add the vanilla, baking soda, salt, and baking powder.

4.     Mix in the flour and oatmeal and after all is blended; add the chocolate chips and walnuts or pecans.

5.     Drop by large spoon on a parchment lined cookie sheet.

6.     Bake at 350 degrees for 12-16 minutes. 

**The baking time will vary on how big you make your Cowboy Cookies. I got 2 dozen per batch so they are fairly large and baking time longer.

Frozen Coloring Pages: Printable and Free

Queen Elsa

Our granddaughter loves many subjects; and Frozen's Elsa, Anna and Olaf are among them. I really enjoyed the movie and understand why she does too.

Wanting just a little more for her Christmas, I have chosen to use Print Artist to design her a small coloring booklet using all her favorite Frozen characters.

Frozen Coloring Pages

If Bees, Barbies, Cars, Brave or Captain America is more your child's interest; there are many other movie pages and options for you. 

Since she does like so many things I had to choose which movie color page to design, I may (if time allows) put together another coloring booklet, however, for now I have only designed a Frozen coloring booklet.

Captain America

Cartoons and Movies Coloring Pages

Po Did a No No

Our new puppy Po is a large breed puppy and at 4 months 42 pounds and getting taller. He had never attempted to eat anything we had setting on the counter, however, this afternoon the smell of the Jell-o cheesecake was apparently more than he could resist.

I had mixed the jell-o cheesecake and had one in a graham cracker crust, one in a pie pan without a crust for my sister that is gluten intolerant, and what was left over, in a bowl in front of the sink.

If Po was going to be bad, I really am glad he dug into the one he did and with no mess. Well, he did leave one tell tell sign of pink on his side about the size of a dime and I am not sure how he managed to do that.

With that said, I will take the Jell-o Cheesecake to one sister for her birthday a tad early and the bowl with no crust that I intended to leave here, for the other sister and gluten intolerant to enjoy.

Po did a no no.

Hawaiian Rolls: Copy Cat Recipe

I am not sure where I found this copycat recipe for the Hawaiian Rolls a couple of years ago; however, no matter the occasion, whether Thanksgiving, Christmas or an everyday dinner they are fantastic and will not last long.

 

Ingredients for Hawaiian Rolls:

• 1/2 cup pineapple juice; room temperature 
• 1/2 cup warm milk (100 – 110°F)
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 6 tablespoons sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Himalayan salt; my preference
• 2 1/4  teaspoons instant yeast
• 4 1/2  cups bread flour

For baking:

• 1 large egg plus 2 tablespoon of water for the egg wash

Directions for making Hawaiian Rolls:

 

I use a bread maker for making all my breads. At one time, my younger years, I mixed and kneaded it all by hand. I do like my bread maker, however, you use the method most comfortable for you.

1. Combine the pineapple juice, warm milk, melted butter, eggs, sugar, salt, and yeast.

   

   Egg washed and ready for the oven

2.  Add the flour little by little and stir and mix until it's a ball.  Keep kneading the dough until it becomes a smooth ball of dough. (See why I like my bread maker)
3. Place the dough in a clean bowl. Cover with plastic wrap. Let rise until puffy and doubled in size, about 1 hour. In the bread maker this step is not necessary, on the dough setting it will mix, heat and rise automatically.
4. Preheat the oven to 375 Degrees Fahrenheit. 
5.  Spray a 13-inch×9-inch glass baking pan with baking spray. Punch down the dough and divide to 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball and place in the prepared pan, brush each roll with the egg wash and allow them to rise once again.
6. Bake the Hawaiian rolls for 20 minutes, or until golden brown. 

Homemade Sage Bread Dressing

I grew up watching my mom make sage bread dressing; however, it was not until an adult learned the real secret is the fresh Turkey broth and sage that goes with it. I also learned the hard way; you can use too much sage. Be careful too much will make your dressing bitter. Therefore, forget that box stuffing; this recipe for homemade sage bread dressing is made in our home and I hope it is in yours too.

Ingredients for Sage Bread Dressing: 

• Bread crumbs from fresh or stale bread; 1-2 loaves
• 2-cups celery; chopped
• 1 large onion; chopped
• 3 or 4 eggs
• 2 tbsp sage
• Garlic powder; to taste
• Onion powder; to taste
• Salt and black pepper; to taste
• 2 tbsp chicken bouillon; simply for added flavor
• 4-cups Turkey broth
• Turkey; chopped
• 13-inch x 9- inch baking dish

 

Instructions to make Sage Bread Dressing:

 

1)    Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. If you do not have a timer on your oven, 10 minutes will be sufficient.

2)    Use any inexpensive fresh or day old bread, and tear it apart and put in your 13-inch x 9-inch baking dish.

3)    Chop up two cups of celery and one large onion and add to the breadcrumbs.

4)    Add two tablespoons each, of sage and chicken bouillon. Add garlic, salt and pepper to taste.

5)    Put three or four eggs in the breadcrumbs and mix.

6)    Snitch four cups of juices from the turkey.

7)    Bake 30-40 minutes.

 Trash  Can Turkey

To me homemade sage bread dressing  is good all year round; why wait until a holiday.

Homemade Egg Noodles

My family loves homemade egg noodles, therefore, I used this cold snowy day to make, cut and dry the noodles we will eat on Thanksgiving Day.

Homemade Popeye Noodles

When I was growing up my mom made homemade popeye noodles. They are a thicker cut square noodle verses the think cut noodle using a noodle machine. I am not sure when mom purchased the noodle machines and started making them in bulk to sell at the Fall craft show we sponsored, however, when she did a day of making noodles was a huge project.

After mom passed away in November 2009 her things were divided and the noodle makers went different directions. Some time back in the spring my oldest sister asked me if I would like the one she had. She is gluten intolerant so doesn't make noodles like she once did, and I was happy to get it.

I made noodles early summer; some with all-purpose white flour and some whole wheat. The whole wheat noodles were good, however, they are a much heavier noodle.

While I have many times, made the dough by hand with the mixing, punching and kneading method, I have to confess, the bread maker comes in handy to make the job a little easier. 

I still knead the dough a little as it is poured out onto a floured cutting board to get the texture firm enough to run through the noodle maker, however, the bulk of the mixing is done in the bread maker.

Ingredients for Homemade Egg Noodles:

• 6 Eggs
• 3 Cups flour 
• garlic powder; optional
• onion powder; optional
• salt and pepper; optional

 

Instructions for Homemade Egg Noodles:

1. Using a large bowl pour the flour making a well in the center for the eggs.
2. Add the eggs, using your hands mix it all together to get a soft dough ball.
3. Pour it out onto a well floured board and punch it around (knead it) until you have a soft and pliable dough. You want the dough soft yet firm, therefore adding more flour may be necessary.
4. If you are cutting by hand, you will need to roll the dough on the floured board as thin as possible before cutting into noodles. If you are using a noodle maker start on the thickest setting and roll it out until you get to the desired thickness before running through the cutter. 

No matter which way you choose to make your homemade egg noodles they will taste great, however, if you are not going to cook them the same day; lay the noodles out to dry completely before storing them.

Sad Goodbye to Bubblews

It is a sad goodbye to Bubblews. I joined in February 2013. It was a rocky road to say the least with building and making new friends and connections. 

The spammers and scammers made it nearly impossible at first causing the team to make changes in which I lost my profile for nearly 4 months. When the new and improved version came out in July 2014 everyone rejoiced thinking all is well.

Well for some that meant writing their hearts out just to be cheated out of their income by December. I however not being the real money making individual received full payment for the redemption in December 31, 2014 although it took months to do it.

Once again, Arvind Dixit promised greater changes for 2015 trying to keep everyone hopeful. Well that great change never happened. I worked 11 1/2 months only to have banked $7.17, which I am cheated out of due to the closing of the site. When I logged on November 18th this is what I saw.


Greetings,
After being up and running for almost 3 years now we regrettably need to inform you that we will be shutting Bubblews.com down. The climate for display advertising has drastically changed and made it impossible for us to sustain the business model and operations.
We want to thank everyone that was a part of this journey. We wish you all the very best.
–Bubblews

I guess I am not surprised as in the spring Arvind Dixit launched a new site and really abandoned Bubblews making everyone question where is the Bubblews Support team. I was ripped off of $25.00 when the change was made in August 2013. Arvind personally told me that was simply a glitch and I would receive it. Well as of the closing of Bubblews I am still owed that $25.00 and the $7.17 that was in my bank the last time I was able to log on and check it. I found this petition online and question if I should file against them. I saved the picture of the back payment for a long time, however, as of late had given up and deleted it.

I guess for any future writers, if you see this name as the CEO you may want to think twice before joining. Arvind closed the site without warning and taking many writers posts with them. In reality add Bubblews, to yet another failed attempt at earning money online leaving me with many broken backlinks.

Apple Cinnamon Dog Biscuits: Homemade, Healthy and Delicious

 Do you buy or make your dog biscuits? I have done both, the dollar store dog biscuits are great to have on hand,  however, this healthy and delicious, easy to make recipe for apple cinnamon dog biscuits made with fresh organic apples and homemade apple juice is a healthy treat and will have your dog begging for more.

 

Ingredients to make Apple Cinnamon Dog Biscuits:

• 4 Cups wheat flour
• ½  Cup Cornmeal
• 1 Egg
• 2 Tbsp Olive Oil; or preferred choice
• 1 Tsp of Cinnamon
• 1 Apple; grated or chopped into pieces
• 1 1/3  Cup apple juice or water
• Baking dish sprayed with a non stick spray

Instructions to make Apple Cinnamon Dog Biscuits:

1.     Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.

2.     In the mixing bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, egg, oil and cinnamon.

3.     Add the chopped up apple, apple juice or water; mix until it starts to form a dough ball. Pour out onto floured counter top or cutting board. Knead the dough until it looks like bread dough.

4.     Spread the biscuit dough onto a baking dish until it is ¼ -½ inch thick. For smaller dogs such as Hope, score the biscuit dough horizontally then vertically to make 1-inch squares. If you puppy is a large breed such as Po, you may prefer to make them a 2-inch x 2-inch square.  Reminder you are not cutting all the way through just scoring the dough.

5.     Place the pan of biscuits in the preheated oven for an hour. The cinnamon is going to smell like heaven while the biscuits are baking, and they will look good enough to eat.

6. Let the biscuits cool completely and you will see how well your dog likes them. Our dogs Hope and Po liked them really well.
7. Break the biscuits apart and store in an airtight container or plastic bag.

The homemade apple cinnamon dog biscuits smelled so good while baking, I actually thought about eating them. Try making your dog some of these dog biscuits soon.

Raising a New Puppy: His Name is Po

We were not really looking to get a new puppy, especially not a large breed; however, our son’s puppies before getting fixed got together and formed this adorable yet stubborn puppy. He got his name when independently both son and daughter determined he looked like Master Po from Kung Fu Panda. I really did not have any real name choices so Po it was.

Po’s daddy is a Great Pyrenees, a very large dog. Po’s mommy is a Labrador mix, mixed with what they do not know. Needless-to-say, Po has large genetics. At 14 ½ weeks Po weighed in at 35 lbs. That was a 5 lb increase in just one week and he has doubled his weighed in the month we have had him.

Our greatest problems are he chews everything. He has an abundance of toys and yet he likes the sofa ties, my pillows the oven mitts and even me. Thank goodness, so far he has not decided to chew on our shoes or anything expensive.

He also is not getting a handle of not pooping on our living room area rug or any place else he decides to squat. The peeing is not as bad; however, he has had accidents. If I take him outside regularly and tell him to go potty, he usually does, however, for example, yesterday I took him out and he peed but a few minutes later, he decided to poop on the floor. OK Po, I had you outside to do this, why didn’t you do it there. Ugh…

For now raising a new puppy is a challenge and his name is Po.

Vitamin D3 Deficiency and Symptoms

S.A.D. (Seasonal Affective Disorder) goes hand-in-hand with Vitamin D3 deficiency. Doctor Mehmet Oz explains that our skin color determines how much direct sunshine a person needs. For many it is 10-15 minutes of sun however for dark skinned individuals you many need an hour. In the cooler months, 2/3 of the USA lacks Vitamin D. Dr. Oz suggests supplementing with a multi vitamin that contains Vitamin D and then add in some sunshine, vitamin D3, cod liver oil liquid or capsules. He said add in a minimum of 1000 units a day. However, Dr. Oz stresses the importance of getting a blood test done to determine your levels as some need much more. His father-n-law requires 5,000 units a day to achieve his proper levels. 

Read more about S.A.D. and D3

Vitaminddeficiencysymptomsguide.com gives us the following symptoms.

• depression
• chronic fatigue
• weight loss
• diabetes
• heart disease
• stroke
• osteoporosis

According to the Mayo Clinic, “Rickets and osteomalacia are classic vitamin D deficiency diseases. In children, vitamin D deficiency causes rickets, which results in skeletal deformities. In adults, vitamin D deficiency can lead to osteomalacia, which results in muscular weakness in addition to weak bones. Populations who may be at a high risk for vitamin D deficiencies include the elderly, obese individuals, exclusively breastfed infants, and those who have limited sun exposure. Also, individuals who have fat malabsorption syndromes (e.g., cystic fibrosis) or inflammatory bowel disease (e.g., Crohn's disease) are at risk.”

*Disclaimer, I am not a physician and information listed above is just a guideline not an absolute.

Tan Safely-UVB Ray for Vitamin D3

Tanning is popular in the summer at the beach or pools and in the cooler fall and winter months in tanning beds. However, are you tanning safely while getting your golden tan?
Dr Oz and Dr. Mercola differ in their opinions about tanning and vitamin D 3, however, they both agree in taking care of your bodies and or yourself and doing it safely.
According to DoctorOz.com, “Dr. Mercola proposes that people use a “safe” tanning bed that uses electronic ballasts versus magnet ballasts, and one that relies on UVB rays (which convert cholesterol in your blood to vitamin D) instead of UVA rays. If you pursue this method, Dr. Mercola recommends you ask the manufacturer or owner of the salon for a bed with at least 5% UVB radiation or better yet, 10%.”

Locate a Tanning Salon

Find a reputable tanning salon. You can do this by asking family and friends what they know and what they’ve heard. Find out why they like it and why they don’t.

Ask Questions

After taking friend’s suggestions call and talk to the owners of the salons using Dr. Oz and Dr.Mercola’s suggestions of UV rays. Tanning beds produce UVB and UVA rays. Our body’s need UVB rays to produce vitamin D3 we need. We get D3 from the sun however; the northern states either have cloudy skies, cooler temperatures and lack of sun forcing us to use tanning beds. If you are interested in tanning for color, UVA rays help to tan and a little vitamin D. If you are going for health and color, the UVB rays are good for Vitamin D3 production.
If you are new to tanning beds other questions to ask are how old are the bulbs? Do you clean and sanitize the beds? How long should I stay in the tanning bed? Do I need special tanning lotions? Do I need protective eyewear? Don’t assume they will offer this information; ask!

 Go Prepared

You have done your homework and selected your tanning salon. When you start tanning, make sure you have tanning lotions that meet the requirements of the salon, there are lotions that can damage the acrylic.
Have proper eye protection. The lamps can damage your eyes and a tan is not a good reason to be stupid.
The salon worker will set the time on the bed and they will ask you how long you want to be in the bed, therefore be smart and start slow. The idea is to tan not burn. Dr Oz suggests a good UVB ray for 3-5 minutes. He says go for the Vitamin D3 and not the tan.

Tips:

• Summer months bring sunbathers; use lotions or sun block, limit prime sun hours, cloudy days will still burn your skin, wear sunglasses or eye protection and ask your Doctor about any medication you are taking.

Even if you owe your own tanning bed, practice safe tanning.

Himalayan Salt Eye Drops

Himalayan Salt Bowl

Himalayan salt eye drops are a crucial element for today’s technological world. Many people suffer dry eyes and use over the counter eye drops constantly. Have you ever considered your dry eyes are due not only from the environmental and age factor but also with all the electronic devices in our home? Our eyes need good eye drops, such as Himalayan salt eye drops, to keep our eyes hydrated.
According to Lee Swanson, president of Swanson Health Products, Dr. Barbara Hendel studied medicine at the Ludwig-Maximilian University in Munich, Germany, and brought to America Himalayan salt crystals and all the benefits. As Hilde F. Bschorr, owner of Himalayanlivingsalt.com, explains, "a Himalayan Salt/water solution can alleviate these problems and can even reduce impaired eye-sight due to old age, when applied regularly over a long period of time."
According to Wikipedia the Polish physician Dr. Feliks Bopczkowski, was a physician in the polish salt mines at Wieliczka, he recorded in 1843 that the miners there did not suffer from lung diseases and his successor set up a spa based upon these observations. The modern day use of salt therapy started in Germany when Dr. Karl Hermann Spannage patients noticed health improvements when they escaped from heavy bombing and hid out in caves.
Traveling to Europe for your health, or to purchase Himalayan salt, to make eye drops is no longer required. You can purchase Himalayan salt online from suppliers, such as, Swanson’s Health or many health stores in your area. The demand is getting greater making it easier to find.

Supplies for Himalayan Salt Eye Drops:

• ¼ tsp. to 1 tsp. Himalayan salt crystals granulated or salt rock
• 100 ml/3.4 oz lukewarm water; distilled or filtered water
• Eyewash cup
• Glass container
• Glass bottle with an eyedropper

Instruction to make Himalayan Salt Eye Drops:

1. Prepare the solution by dissolving ¼ tsp Himalayan granulated salt in 100ml/3.4 oz of lukewarm water. 
2. If you prefer to use Himalayan salt rocks instead, follow directions on Himalayan Living Salt to make the solution, using one tsp. in 8 oz of lukewarm water. "The salt binds the water, and the eyeball regains its natural form," Bschorr explains. . "This concentration ... does not burn or sting your eyes because it equals the salt concentration of your tear fluid."

Using Himalayan Salt Eye Drops:

 

1.     Remove all make-up before using the sole solution to wash your eyes. Pat your eyes dry with a soft clean towel.

2.     Fill the eyewash cup approximately ½ full; hold the cup close to your eyes letting no liquid escape.

3.     Tip your head back letting the sole solution saturate and wash your eye. Repeatedly open and close your eye followed by rolling your eye around for several minutes.

Alternate use for Himalayan Salt Eye Drops:

• Use as a daily eye drop by making your 1 percent solution with granulated Himalayan salt crystals and storing in a glass bottle with an eyedropper. 
• If in doubt what 100 ml/3.4 oz of water is, use slightly more water.

Amish Drop Sugar Cookie Recipe

With the holidays right around the corner, people are baking cookies for family and friends. If you are one who will be baking cookies, you might consider the Amish drop sugar cookie recipe.

Unlike some sugar cookies, these are easy to make and soft and delicious. Amish drop sugar cookies start with real butter, which is so much healthier than margarine and shortening containing hydrogenated oils. Hydrogenated oils have trans fat that can lead to heart disease, cancer, bone problems plus so many other health problems and diseases.

Good cookie recipes such as the Amish drop sugar cookie recipe start with real butter. Not only are they healthier, provided you do not eat the whole batch, they simply taste better.

According to Mercola.com butter is better than imitations because; “Butter is a rich source of easily absorbed vitamin A, needed for a wide range of functions, from maintaining good vision to keeping the endocrine system in top shape. Butter also contains all the other fat-soluble vitamins (D, E and K2), which are often lacking in the modern industrial diet.”

Both Dr Mercola and the Mayo Clinic agree that butter is better than hydrogenated margarines or shortenings, as they are contain trans fat, which leads to heart disease, cancer, bone problems so many other health problems and diseases.

“When it comes to fat, trans fat is considered by some doctors to be the worst type of fat. Unlike other fats, trans fat — also called trans-fatty acids — both raises your "bad" (LDL) cholesterol and lowers your "good" (HDL) cholesterol. A high LDL cholesterol level in combination with a low HDL cholesterol level increases your risk of heart disease, the leading killer of men and women.” Therefore, when baking cookies for your family and friends, consider making your recipes a tad healthier yet still delicious.

Ingredients needed for making Amish drop sugar cookie recipe:

• Non-stick spray
• Baking sheets
• 1 ½ cups sugar
• 1-cup butter
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup sour cream or yogurt
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 3 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp vanilla
• Sprinkles or colored sugar

Instructions on making Amish drop sugar cookies:

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Prepare the baking sheets by spraying with a non-stick spray.
3. Cream together the sugar and butter; add the eggs and beat well.
4. Add in the sour cream or yogurt, baking powder, baking soda and vanilla; little by little add the flour and beat until completely mixed.
5. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto the baking sheets.
6. Sprinkle on the cookie dough, candied sprinkles or colored sugar.
7. Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 8-10 minutes.

 If you are one that will be baking cookies for Christmas, consider my recipe for Amish drop sugar cookies.

 

Fall Break for our Grandsons

Grandson #2 and Po

Well it is fall break for our grandsons, which means while our son is at work, I get to see the boys; well at least I thought that was how it was going to go.

I arrived this morning, however, instead of leaving I told the boys they could sleep in and I would stay in town until Bible Study. Well 1 ½ -2 hours went by before the youngest emerged with tablet in hand, saying good morning and asked how long I had been here. It then took a few more minutes before grandson #2 came out to wish Po and I a good morning.

I did not see grandson #1 until I needed something in the kitchen to make breakfast and could not find it, however, they all retreated quickly to the dark bedroom. When brunch was done, they all came out and then took it back into their rooms. Seriously, what is the attraction of a dark room?

Grandson #1 in tree house

With the weekend temperatures so cold and windy and the temperature being 63 degrees today I thought they would want to be outside but I was wrong. I hope they enjoy it today as tomorrow I will pick them up, head to the gym and then to the Farm. Well it is not really a farm but we are in an old farmhouse surrounded by fields. Anyways, it is to be 72 degrees with sunshine and that will be enough for me to want to hit the outside and take in some natural vitamin D3. Besides, I do not have cable TV or a dark room for them to retreat too; therefore, I hope they are enjoying the seclusion.

With all seriousness, they have been in their room a lot but I have seen them a few minutes this afternoon to talk. Dad is on his way home so they will come out to be with him. I guess after all it is their fall break.