My family and I recently traveled to June Lake, California for a short vacation. This was our second trip there. We stayed at a place called Boulder Lodge. It is located in the beautiful High Sierras, overlooking June Lake itself. The lodge is rustic and comfortable, and the staff is friendly and accomodating. The area provides excellent fishing in it's group of lakes and streams. We love to fish, and that is our focus when we visit. The June Lake marina has boats for rent, for either a half day or full day. There are small fishing boats available as well as larger pontoon boats. The pontoons are the ones we rent when we're there, although they are pricey at $200.00 for a full day. June Lake is peaceful and scenic, just the place I like to visit to get away from it all. My family and I plan to go there every year from now on.

               The company I currently work for, a large, prominent cosmetics firm, has offered me a new position out of state. They've asked me to relocate to Chicago and become the new senior vice-president of marketing. Life is funny. For many years all I wanted to do was climb the corporate ladder. That was when it was just me. Now I have a family, and it's just not that easy. If I accept this new position it means that we, my husband, son, daughter, and myself will all be uprooted and expected to start all over again somewhere new and unfamiliar. My company is also offering me more than enough money for the actual moving expenses, so that's one thing I wouldn't have to worry about. At this point I'm not sure what I will do. I'm going to give it some serious thought and talk it over with my family. Who knows? Maybe there's a future for us in Chicago.

       My four-year old son Christian just loves to be in the kitchen with me. We enjoy making all kinds of things together and he's a great little helper too. Besides cooking and baking, Christian also loves to play games on the computer, namely the Nick Jr. website. Recently we came across the Muffin Maker game from the Hey Girls of Hollie Hobbie fame. He liked the game, but more than that he loved the recipes that you can print out there, especially the one for applesauce muffins. He printed it out and we got right to work. These muffins are absolutely delicious and super simple to make. This would be the perfect recipe to share with your little one.


            Applesauce Muffins
Courtesy of Holly Hobbie's Hey Girls


            2 cups flour
            3/4 cup sugar
            2 teaspoons baking powder
            1/4 teaspoon salt
            1 large egg lightly beaten
            1 cup unsweetened applesauce
            1/2 cup butter (8 tablespoons) melted


             Grease or line a 12-muffin cup pan with paper cupcake liners. Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Whisk to blend.  Add the egg, applesauce and butter. Stir just until blended. Spoon into the muffin pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 18-20 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and cool for 5 minutes. Invert and cool completely.

               Every year during the 4th of July week my husband Dino and I attend the West Coast Believers Convention hosted by Kenneth Copeland Ministries. The conventions runs Monday through Saturday at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, California and admission is free, although you do have to pay for parking. It is a wonderful time of year for us that we always look forward to with great anticipation. Each day at the convention there are some of God's most anointed, faith-filled mentors that speak and teach including Jesse Duplantis, Jerry Savelle, Dr. Creflo Dollar Jr., Keith Moore and Kenneth and Gloria Copeland. They are ministers that encourage your walk in the Lord and show you how to remain faithful to what God has called you to do. There's even ministry for your children and young adults - from Superkid Academy (for ages 6-12) to 14forty (for junior high and high school students.) If you've never attended a Kenneth Copeland Ministry meeting, don't wait any longer. Make plans to attend the West Coast Believers Convention in 2009.

              For as long as I can remember my baby boy who is now four, has always been afraid of the shower part of the bathtub when he takes a bath. You know how sometimes you'll be in the bath fiddling with the spigot and somehow the shower part will go on? Well anytime that happened while he was taking a bath he would just freak out. I mean he would seriously scream like he would as if he was having a bad dream or something. At times I secretly fantasized about how much easier it would be once he was older and preferred showering over bathing. I tried several times to show him how much fun a shower could actually be. No dice. He wasn't biting. I had visions of him being grown up and preferring to sit in the bathtub as opposed to standing and taking a shower. Would he grow up well-adjusted? Would the woman he someday chose be okay with his bathing preference? I entertained all kinds of crazy thoughts like this. So the man likes to bathe. Big deal. I could live with it.

              Out of the blue my little boy looked up at me tonight and said "Mom I want to take a shower". You could have knocked me over with a feather. What?? My tiny little boy wants to buck up and take a big-boy shower? How could this be? He's only four. He loves his bath. I love his bath. He persisted until I relented and my little-big boy took his first shower, with much glee I have to say. He showered and played like he'd done it a thousand times before. How could this happen? I'm not ready to give up our baths yet. Ouch went the strings of my heart. My little one is growing up right before my very eyes.  It's happening. It's very subtle, but it's happening all the same. A little more quickly than I'd like, I must say.......:o)

              

     My family and I decided to go to the Los Alamitos military base for the 4th of July this year. It was so much fun. There were small carnival rides for children, military displays such as helicopters, tanks and jeeps, and food of every kind to choose from. After the sun went down there was a spectacular fireworks show that was so long it seemed it would never end. We loved it. We went last year too. It's a great place to spend the 4th because it's not jam-packed with people, the parking is easy, and the admission is free! It may be one of the best kept secrets in Orange County, California. Why don't you consider going next year?

                  Cold summer soups are refreshing, nutritious and easy. Most require little or no cooking and can be whipped up quickly in a blender or food processor. They're especially great because they can be prepared ahead of time. While cold soups are often served as an appetizer or dessert, you can actually build a summer meal around them. Add a loaf of crusty French bread, a wedge of your favorite cheese, a nice bottle of wine, and head for the patio table. Try this recipe for something really delicious.

                   Creamy Avocado Soup

                   4 ripe avocados
                   1/2 cup lime juice
                   2 green onions - white part only
                   1/4 cup cilantro - leaves only, no stems
                   1 1/2 cups sour cream
                   3 cups chicken stock
                   1 1/2 tsp. salt
                   1 to 2 tsp. Tabasco sauce


                  In a food processor puree avocado, lime juice, green onions and cilantro. Add sour cream and blend again. Pour into a large bowl. Stir in chicken stock and add Tabasco sauce. Refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours before serving. Adjust seasonings and check consistency. It it's too thick, add a little more stock. Garnish with sour cream, cilantro or tortilla chips. Makes 8 cups. Enjoy!

                  I like to camp and I especially love to hike. Excursions like these can be a great bonding time for any family. As you pack up your gear and head out with your family and friends this summer, make sure to prepare for a fun and safe trip. What you take will depend on where you are going and how long you plan to be away, but any campsite should include the following:

                  * Candle and matches
                  * Cell phone
                  * Clothing (always bring some warm clothes, extra socks and rain gear)
                  * Compass
                  * First aid kit
                  * Food (bring extra)
                  * Flashlight
                  * Foil (to use as a cup or signaling device)
                  * Hat
                  * Insect Repellent
                  * Pocketknife
                  * Prescription medications for ongoing conditions
                  * Radio with batteries
                  * Space blanket or a piece of plastic (to use for warmth or shelter)
                  * Sunglasses
                  * Sunscreen
                  * Trash bag (makes an adequate poncho)
                  * Water
                  * Waterproof matches or matches in a waterproof tin
                  * Water purification tablets
                  * Whistle (to scare off animals or to use as a signaling device)

              At times it can be pretty boring living here in the high desert. There is not much to do. To find any fun you really have to make your own, or go "down the hill" as we call it. We consider "down the hill" to be anywhere that is down at the bottom of the Cajon Pass; anywhere in the inland empire of southern California that has "real" civilization. I say that because here in the desert there aren't many good, or should I say popular shops or restaurants. The biggest thing that's happened here lately is the opening of the new Sonic Drive-In. Now I know this isn't really a restaurant, but to the people of the high desert it's that and more. Not only can you go there to eat, but you can take your whole family, dine in the comfort of your own car, and enjoy the experience with everyone else who realizes that this is not just eating out, but an event in itself; a happening. You can see it on everyone's faces. The feeling is festive, and people are just plain excited to have something new to do, not just to eat. The servers at Sonic are on rollerskates which just adds to the fun. The menu includes a wide variety of burgers, sandwiches, and drinks, and they even serve breakfast. Right now their big advertising campaign slogan is "Even sweeter after dark"  so you can imagine how much business they're going to do on the weekend nights considering the population of young people in this area. I think the decision to put a Sonic here in the desert was a smart one. I know my family and I will continue to visit regularly. If you do get to visit Sonic, have them make you a cherry lime Sprite with double lime. Drink-making is their specialty........:o)

               My father's doctor had been after him for a long time to have a colonoscopy done. My father being the macho he-man that he is, did not want to be subjected to that kind of test. I'm sure he thought it would be invasive and humiliating, but I think to his pleasant surprise he found it to be just the opposite. I took him to his out-patient appointment yesterday and thought that I'd have a lot of time on my hands waiting for him to be done. It was all finished in less than an hour and he felt great afterward. He said that he couldn't believe he'd put off having it done for so long, and that if he knew how easy and painless it was, he would have had it done a long time ago. The test showed no sign of cancer in his colon and the doctor said he is in very good health. I'm all for preventative medicine, and am proud that my father is doing the right things to take care of himself.