the MOLE

My middle child had a mole that was changing and as a precaution we had it removed today. He handled it like a trooper. The doctors were very impressed as he was not at all nervous or upset about the whole thing. The mole was honestly bothering him - he said it itched. So he really wanted it gone.

It was amazing to my husband (who loves surgical stuff and had to watch the whole procedure) how deep a mole really extends into the skin. He has quite a few stitches inside to pull things back together and probably about 15 stitches on the top. Still, it was all handled in the doctor's office with a local.

Chicken Veggie Casserole

This recipe came from Taste of Home - The Ultimate Casserole Cookbook

This one my family told me is a definite make it again recipe. It reminded me a bit of chicken soup but this is a thicker, casserole version. It was very, very good.

3 cups cubed cooked chicken

4 medium carrots, cut into chunks

3 medium red potatoes, cut into chunks

3 celery ribs, sliced

1 can (10 3/4 ounces) condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted

2/3 cup water

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1 teaspoon Mrs. Dash Original blend seasoning (I just decided to add this - and it added nice flavor)

Place chicken in a greased shallow 2-qt. baking dish. Top with carrots, potatoes and celery. Combine the soup, water, seasoning and pepper; pour over vegetables.

Cover and bake at 350 degrees fro 60-75 minutes or until vegetables are tender.

Very easy to make and delicious.

reason for history

Those who don't know history

are destined to repeat it.

Edmund Burke (1729-1797)

Free DVD from NASA about the Stars

click here

There is also a free educator's guide.

click here

While this is a good resource it does contain evolution --- so preview it first and see if it will work for your family.

The Cross Gardener by Jason F. Wright

This was different than the Amish books I have been reading lately.

John is the main character and many people close to him die in various accidents or due to illness. Then, the love of his life, his high school sweetheart - his wife - dies in an auto accident along with the child she was carrying. John sinks into a deep depression and the story is about his climbing out of the pit of despair.

It is a wonderful book talking alot about the after life. I don't agree with all of his statements on how the after life looks but it is fiction - so keeping that in mind --- it is good to open the mind and think about it. He talks about the cross gardener painting away sins.

Sailing scout badge

It was J's turn to do the sailing badge and he loved it. He got to go out on Lake Michigan and had an opportunity to steer the sailboat. It turned out to be a great day for sailing. Not too windy but enough wind. No rain. A bit chilly but no rain. He had a very good time.

Great quote

The truth will set you free,

but first it will make you miserable.

James A. Garfield