Thursday Thirteen Edition #11

13 things to do after work when out of town
1. Go window shopping
2. Go to Costco
3. Have a picnic in a scenic spot
4. Go to a movie
5. Join happy hour in the lounge at the hotel you are staying.
6. Play bingo, go to a comedy club
7. Take a tour of the area
8. Go to the library
9. Read a book
10. Check out if there is a church function for the denomination you belong to.
11. Get on the computer at the hotel.
12. Write letters.
13. Soak in a hot tub to your hearts content.

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Troubling news

Earlier this week I heard on the news of a black hawk helicopter going down in Iraq and soldiers died. After watching the news, for 48 hours I was anxious. I know my son is doing what he was trained to do and he is exceptional in his skill and abilities, however as a mother I will be relieved when he is deployed out of Iraq (which isn't scheduled any time soon). My heart and prayers go out to those parents and family members who lost soldiers in that crash.

Thursday Thirteen Edition #10

One of my son's favorite snacks "Double Fudge Nut Cake"
Preheat oven to 400 degrees

1. Ingredients:
2 cups sugar sift sugar & flour into a bowl, set aside
2 cups flour

1 stick butter (1/2 cup) put these three ingredients in a pan.
4 TBLS cocoa add water and bring to a boil
1 cup water While still hot pour over sugar/flour, stir well.

1/2 cup buttermilk add the last four ingredients.
2 eggs
1 teaspoon soda
1 teaspoon vanilla Mix well

2. Pour into buttered 11X16 pan (1/2 sheet cake pan).
3. Bake 20 minutes at 400 degrees (no longer)
4. While cake is baking mix up the frosting.
5. Frosting:
1 stick butter (1/2 cup) put first three ingredients in a pan and heat
6 TBLS milk (regular milk or buttermilk can be used)
4 TBLS cocoa When mixed well pour over:

6. 3&3/4 cups of powdered sugar, mix very well then add
7. 1 teaspoon vanilla

8. As soon as cake is removed from the oven take a knife around the edges.
9. Pour frosting over hot cake and spread with a knife.
10. Sprinkle with nuts.
11. Let cake cool.
12. When cool cut into pieces.
13. Serve to your family.

Enjoy!
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Thursday Thirteen Edition #9

13 things to be safe when traveling
1. Make sure your cell phone is charged
2. Have in the car the car charger for your cell phone
3. Get directions online if you have not been there before
4. Have fluid levels checked in your vehicle before leaving town
5. Have a full tank of gas before getting on the highway
6. Take the confirmation number of your hotel reservations
7. Be sure someone knows when to expect a 'check in call' from you when you arrive at your destination.
7. Before getting out of the vehicle whether at a gas station or the hotel look around and see who is near you, if you are feeling uncomfortable there is a reason why. Pay attention to your instincts.
8. When checking in be careful to not allow strangers to see your room number at the hotel
9. When you arrive in the hotel room; check to see where the nearest exit is located or the nearest exit stairwell is located.
10. If you get pulled over only roll down your window far enough to hear what the officer is requesting and keep the doors locked.
11. When alone do not stop to help strangers, if you feel they need assistance call on the cell phone to the highway patrol with the stranded motorist's location.
12. Should someone approach you when you are coming out of a store or hotel asking for help, tell them you will be willing to go back into the store to get them help and then prompltly do so; do not let them detain you.
13. When heading back home call someone to let them know your expected time of arrival to your destination.
Having travel thousands of miles for work, often times by myself, I am amazed at chances I see women taking when traveling. To be safe a strong sense of caution is your best defense.
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Thursday Thirteen Edition #8

Mick's Jerky Brine used for wild game jerky
1. 1 gallon water
2. 2/3 cup salt
3. 1/3 cup vinegar
4. 1 1/2 cup pepper
5. 1/4 tablespoon onion powder
6. 3 shakes of Tabasco
7. 2 tablespoons of Worcestershire's sauce
8. 1/4 tablespoon sage
9. 1 1/2 tablespoon A-1 sauce
10. touch of chili powder
11. soak the strips of meat in the brine for 9 hours in the refrigerator
12. remove from the brine
13. lay on smoking racks and put in smoker for 8 hours.

My son loves almost every flavor of jerky made.
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Added note: The last post now includes the link to the new website I mentioned.
Defendersown

New website to visit

Hard to believe we are into September. Time for hunting season and preparing for fall. We loaded 2 tons of pellets into our garage, purchased a new cover for our old camper (the wind demolished the cover we had) and looked at the catalogs with all the new Halloween items. Speaking of things that are new, I was notified of a new website Defendersown . It is a website for military personnel and family members. Take a moment and check the site out.
Please visit again on Thursday Thirteen where I will share a recipe for making jerky, one of my son's favorite snacks.