Juicy Juice

My 12 year old son doesn't like fruit. He won't eat it. At all.

He likes broccoli, cauli flower, green beans and corn... but that's about it for vegetables.

He likes juice... apple, grape, and orange.

Enter: JUICY JUICE HARVEST SURPRISE

100% FRUIT & VEGGIE JUICE
No sugar added
120% Vitamin C
The first three ingredients are pear juice, apple juice & carrot juice.
A good source of BETA CAROTENE

Juicy Juice Harvest Surprise contains 25% of your child's recommended combined servings of fruits & vegetables in every 8 ounce glass.

He loves it. I was pouring it for him every morning because I didn't want him to see the label. (See pic)

One day, he went to pour himself a glass. He happened to see the label (darn it), started backing slowly away from the counter as if he were going to catch cooties from the bottles contents and said:

"Whoa!... Hey... whoa.... whoa... wait a minute... what's this veggie juice stuff?"

I said:

"Relax. That is the same juice you've been drinking all along for weeks now. Ignore the label. You already like it."

And he does.

(Gotcha little boy!)

The Dentist

I have a Dentist appointment for my 6 month cleaning next Tuesday.

But... as luck would have it, the dentists office tracked me down yesterday, on my way to pick up my kids, through my cell phone with exciting news ....

They had a cancellation and could fit me in a week early ... meaning today.

I HATE (HATE HATE HATE) going to the dentist... HATE IT!!!

I can't handle the scraping. And no matter how well I floss and brush... there is going to be scraping.

I clench my fists. Every muscle that I didn't know I had gets tight. I get hot. I can't breath. Did I mention that I hate it??

Oh.... how easy it would be to just NOT go....

But I'll go. It will take less than an hour. I will be slightly dizzy and white as a ghost. I will check out, pay my deductible and make my next 6 month appointment.

And at last... Before I drive away... I will have no choice other than to sit in my parked car for a few minutes awaiting the return of normal blood pressure and color to my face.

I hate it ...

Good Morning Recipe

Good Morning ...

I thought I'd share a favorite recipe of mine. You can prepare it the night before and just put it in the oven to bake the next morning. It makes a terrific "special" breakfast for the holidays and weekends.

It's a family favorite in our house.

BAKED FRENCH TOAST

1 Loaf of Cinnamon Swirl Bread (or Raisin Bread)
6 Eggs
3 Cups Milk
1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
1 Tablespoon Vanilla

Layer the bread in a 9x13 glass pan that has been sprayed generously with Pam. Use the whole loaf. (You'll have 2 full layers of bread. I just put any remaining "odd" pieces across the top too.)

Beat the eggs, milk, brown sugar and vanilla together with a whisk and pour over the bread. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.

The next morning, bake at 350 degrees for about an hour. (Check on it after 45 minutes. The top should be golden brown and slightly crisp while the inside is soft)

Serve with butter and syrup or fruit topping & whipped cream.

Speaking of Elvis

I am a HUGE Elvis fan! Everyone who knows me knows this about me. I'm not the kind of fan that would have thrown myself at him. It's not love or lust. I just have this tremendous empathy for his struggles near the end of his short life. I have cried watching his last concert performance. My heart breaks because he's no longer here.

And so of course ...

I have most, if not all of his music. I have seen many of his movies.

I have an Elvis overnight tote bag that I get many compliments on from older folks down to the girls on my daughter's volleyball team.

I have an Elvis figure that hangs from the rear view mirror of my car. The hips are attached to the torso by a spring and so with every movement of the car... so goes Elvis.

I have an Elvis clock in my kitchen.


I have an Elvis purse complete with sequins that I take with me every year when I go to Las Vegas.

I've been getting Elvis Christmas ornaments from my kids and/or husband for years now.

Elvis is popular in my house and with my children. We listen to his music all the time. My kids sing along. They know all the words to his songs. And they like to introduce the music of Elvis to their friends. It was the popular CD of choice when I would chaperon their elementary school field trips in my car. My favorite song is Suspicious Minds followed closely by Blue Christmas. The kids like Jailhouse Rock and Hound Dog.

Whenever we are out at a restaurant, or shopping, etc and I hear an Elvis song come on, I'll say "Who's that on the radio?!" And whoever is with us at the time, be it kids, friends, parents, family .... they will simultaneously shout out "ELVIS!" I love it!

When I'm gone from this earth, (hanging out with Elvis) ... I hope that whenever my kids are together and they hear an Elvis song, they will turn to each other and simply smile.

Who's The King?

In the summer of 2000, we took our two youngest kids to Mackinac to visit all the "must see" tourist attractions in this historic city.











At Fort Michilmackinac, there was an interactive demonstration where the children got to go up with the soldiers. They were taught briefly how to handle the rifles and march within an army. During this demonstration, our group was also getting a mini lesson in history about the French, Europe... and whatever. (I wasn't really listening well because I was so busy watching how cute my kids were)

At one point in the lesson, one of the soldiers asked "Does anybody know who the king was?"

One little boy shouted ... "ELVIS!!"

The entire group was cracking up. Every parent was videotaping the event including my husband.

Two years later we were all watching "America's Funniest Videos" (It's still a family Sunday night ritual for us) The video was part of the show! My kids faces were blurred out, (legal reasons, I'm sure) but there they were! So cool.

Cousins

My sister and I are 9 months apart. We are the best of friends.
Between us, we have 5 children. They are growing up together.
We hope our children will be best friends too!

07/1999

12/2000

06/2001

12/2001


07/2002


12/2002


7/2003


12/2003


12/2006

05/2007

I love Fall!

And Scrapbooking!