Menu Plan Monday

Well. . .its Monday today! I'm actually posting on time!

And it was my first day back at work. Hmmm. . .I guess summer is over for me!

But my past week has been filled with canning and creating and freezing and the like! I have some great relatives who live on farms. . .and have fruit trees! We picked up a bunch of pears and plums this week. . .so I was busy! Here is a photo of the plum salsa I made for dinner today. My opinion of it: a little heavy on the onion flavour, so I may reduce that next time, but otherwise. . .mmm!

Monday-Grilled Chicken, Plum Salsa, rice or noodles, corn

Tuesday-Pita Pizzas--here is a link. I don't use it. I pretty much put pizza sauce and toppings on the pita and put it on the BBQ.

Wednesday-Pizza Meatballs, potatoes, beans

Thursday (CP)-Thai Chicken, rice, salad

Friday (OAMC)-Mostaccioli Casserole, veggies

Saturday's Snack-Plum Chutney

Sunday (BFS)-Pancakes and bacon

The snack. . .Plum Chutney. I decided to make this recipe because it looked like something I would actually eat with chicken or fish. . .or maybe with crackers on a platter with cheese and meat. The only thing I changed was that I added more plums. In the end the leftovers that we tasted were perhaps not AS spicy as the recipe was originally, but there was still a decent kick! And it was yummy!!!!

(The bottom photo is the chutney. . .the others are plums, and apple salsa. Mmm. . .lots too look forward to this fall and winter!)

for more MPM and recipes, visit http://www.orgjunkie.com/!

Our sun tent

This post is mostly for my sister, so the rest of you, read if you like, but otherwise, ignore this one!

This is what mom was talking to you about on the phone. We got is shortly after everyone was out because I had seen a similar "pop-up" type of tent on this same beach a few weeks earlier. That is what I had originally wanted, but then we saw this at Canadian Tire and thought we would give it a shot. And we LOVE it! It's by Coleman, has UV protection, has a shade part that sticks out (kinda better image in the second photo) and the bottom part (under the sonic bright red blanket! lol) can zip up like an actual tent so the kids can be changed in there if needed. so even though you love this one, we have grown to love this one!

{This bottom photo is just my kids being silly. thought I would share!}

Words from Wednesday (Devotional)

Walking on Water

We've gone to the beach a few times this summer. (And oh, how I am going to miss my summer!) One of the first times we went, my son was hesitantly walking out by the shore. And then he had one of those "child-like-faith-moments." He turned to me and asked if it was true—if Jesus could really walk on the water. Then he wanted to know if I thought he could walk on water, too, just like "that other boy Jesus knew" (which I am assuming he was talking about Peter). Now how do you answer a question like that? I told him that I thought Jesus would probably let him walk on the water. Eli tested it out—it didn't work—and he decided that maybe he should try it again on another day.

So I read Matthew 14:22-36. I read Mark 6:45-52 and John 6:16-21 as well, and while they are good and add details and further understanding of the first part of the Matthew passage, they don't speak of "that other boy Jesus knew."

So here are the disciples in a boat at night, alone, because Jesus had "escaped" the crowds to pray on his own for a bit. Early in the morning (the fourth watch= between 3 and 6AM), Jesus goes to meet them, walking on the lake . . .yah, pretty normal, right? The disciples were terrified, thinking it was a ghost (falling for popular Jewish superstition, rather than believing the same God who, through Jesus, multiplied food to feed 5000 just hours ago!) Jesus told them not to be afraid,--"It is I" (vs. 27). And then the story adds in this piece that the other two Gospel accounts don't mention. Peter asks for proof. Jesus tells him to walk on water and he just ups and gets out of the boat. And all is fine. His foot stays up. He's standing there on the waves. He starts walking toward Jesus. But then the reality of the whole situations bombards his thoughts—he notices the water and the wind and perhaps the absurdity of it all—and he starts to sink. He cries out for help, and Jesus immediately helps him. And asks him: "Why did you doubt?"(vs. 31).

Oh, I know exactly how Peter felt! "Why did you doubt?" I believe in that same Lord that the disciples got to become intimate friends with. I may not have seen the miracles that are recorded in the Bible—no loaves to feed 5000 in my repertoire of memories, but I can tell you so many instances where it could only have been God working, where the impossible happened by His grace alone. But I, like Peter, so often doubt the Creator of the universe—the one who sets the planets in orbit, who sets the seasons to cycle, who makes the sun rise each morning and set each evening, who takes care of the little ants and beetles and the little flowers caught in the blackberry bushes. The one who ordered all of our days before they came to be and the one who neither slumbers nor sleeps, but promises us our daily bread. The one who can hear our every prayer and who is the beginning and the end. For some reason, I lose my focus and notice how "God's plan" isn't logical, doesn't make sense, and takes sheer faith. Just like Peter, I fall.

But I am thankful for my God who is not only in control of everything, even in my doubt, but one who immediately reaches out to me and saves me. Who brings my focus back to where it should be. Who forgives my lack of faith. Who continues to be the great I Am—now and forever. And I can't help but respond in the same way the disciples did, but to worship him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God" (vs. 33).

I'm working on my "child-like-faith" moments. I'm thankful for my son who can demonstrate God's message to me so clearly. And I'm thankful for such a clear example from him—to try it out another day. To exercise my faith again . . . and again . . . and again.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this:

He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.

Psalm 37:3-6 (NIV)

Other verses to look up: Philippians 4:13, Proverbs 22:19

(image from www.culturefeast.com/wp-content/uploads/walking_on_water.jpg)

Menu Plan Monday

It's Monday again. . .

Last week was a good one and I took advantage of the weather and my few short weeks left before its back to work, so we didn't eat all I planned. Oh well. That's just how it goes sometimes.

This week, I'm going to try something new. See, I've been growing this garden. It helps to get my son eating veggies, because he "helps" me in the garden. So, in turn, he needs to eat the vegetables that he grew. It doesn't always work, but I try. Anyway, I grew some butternut squash. My hubby said he remembered his mom making squash, so we should try it. But now, he has no clue what she ever did with it or if he even liked it! I'm gonna try some soup this week. I remember going to a restaurant once and having it, and loving it (which is a big deal for me to love soup!!!) so, hopefully the recipe I chose is a good one! And, I'm gonna try make calzones. Again, had them at restaurants before, but never made them. Hopefully all turns out well. . .

Monday- Tacos (on taco chips, not shells) and fixings

Tuesday-Butternut Squash Soup. My choice is between the cinnamon one and the curried one. Hmm. . .what to choose. . .the first one?

Wednesday-Calzones (BBq Chicken) with this crust maybe?, salad

Thursday (CP Day)- Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff, noodles, corn
Friday (OAMC)-Moroccan Chicken, rice, beans

Saturday's Snack-Apple Crisp (see below)

Sunday (BFS)-Omelette's

So. . .my hubby picked some corn from his uncle and aunt's farm. His aunt offered him some apples. They were better for cooking, not apple sauce. So, he jumped on the offer because he LOVES apple crisp!!! His favourite is the one from the Purity Cookbook--from ages ago! I found this one on the web (it has a nice picture!!), but its not the one I make. So. . .here is what my (okay, my mom's) Purity Cookbooks says (or at least the recipe card I copied down 10+ years ago):

The condensed recipe-card version of:

Apple Crisp

Preheat oven to 375F. Grease 1-1/2 quart square baking dish.

Cream: 1/3 c. butter and 1-1/4 c. brown sugar

Stir in: 2/3 c. flour and 1/4 c. cinnamon.

(Here is the VERY important step for my hubby: instead of using the above direction, you make it the "Crispy Apple Crunch Recipe and stir in 1/3 c. flour, 2/3 c. rolled oats, and 1/4 c. cinnamon).

Arrange in dish: 6 peeled and sliced apples. Sprinkle with crumb mixture. Bake in oven for 4o minutes or until apples are tender and topping is golden. Serves 6.

So. . .enjoy your week. I'll let you know how my cooking adventures go!

A Little Camping

A few weeks ago, our family went camping in Vernon. We met up with my sister, brother-in-law and niece. For us, this was our first time going camping as a family. We had been to the family cabin a few times, but this time we decided to do tenting with the kids. It turned out to be pretty fun! (Lots of work and lots of laundry in the end, but also lots of fun!)

Above are the kids having lots of fun. (okay, the one top left one, was our last day when A was saying, "Home now! Own bed!" I might have agreed with her by then!)
We did okay in terms of the weather. The first day there, everything was covered with ash from the fires. The second day turned stormy in the afternoon, and after that things slowly got better. We checked the weather before going, saw it was supposed to be super hot, and didn't bother to take enough tarps for if it did rain. Oops! We managed not to get wet and to stay cozy. Finding entertainment for the kids to do in the tent got old, so I was glad when the weather started looking up!

Here was one of the most exciting things for E (and my hubby!)--the campfire! E refused to sleep at night because he wanted to see Daddy and the fire. So, like any good parents, we gave in to his wishes! The first few days we were allowed to have fires. During the last two days, the burning ban started. We were glad to have been able to get at least one night of s'mores in. . . but the "no campfires" rule sure messed up some of our cooking plans!

And of course, here are the others we were camping with! Isn't my niece adorable???

Words for Wednesday

True Joy

"True joy, as it turns out, comes only to those who have devoted their lives to something greater than personal happiness." These words come from John Ortberg's book, The Life You've Always Wanted (Zondervan, 2002, p. 68).

As mentioned in an earlier post, I've been trying to read through the Psalms this summer. One thing that stands out to me, especially as I am also trying to read Ortberg's book, is the reference that the psalmist makes about finding joy in the Lord. What I discovered in most of these Psalms with reference to joy is exactly what Ortberg is referring to in the above quote—that joy in the scriptures isn't a happiness I can construct or a feeling I can create by lining my life up in the "correct" way. It isn't about what I have, what I want or what I need. It isn't about what I am doing for others or even what others are doing in return for me. It is simply offering my life—all of it—to God. It's knowing that I am because of Him and for Him.

According to the NIV Study Bible, Psalm 16 is believed to be a written by David as he is pleading for safekeeping against death. It is likely that he wrote this in a situation of great danger. But it also is reported as a "psalm of trust." Reading it from the possible perspective of David hiding from King Saul or from his very own son who was taking over his throne, David shows an incredible dependence on God, his Sustainer and Protector. It also shows David's faith as he declares God's promises to him. Reading this same passage as a "psalm of trust," I hear those same promises (although not with the impending threat of death looming). I hear God's promise of a delightful inheritance in Christ. I hear God's instructing my heart. I hear the importance of keeping God always before me.

"You have made known to me the path of life; you fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." Psalm 16:11

We all have situations in life that bring us down and diminish joy. I can look in my recent past and see many, many, many times where I didn't agree with God's plan, where He made no sense, where my joy was being robbed, where I was trying to work out my own happiness . . . It is a yucky place to be. And it is mostly that way because my focus wasn't solely on God at all times, who is Joy and gives me joy to make it though any situation.

Ortberg also says this: "We must arrange our life so that sin no longer looks good to us . . . the joy of the Lord brought strength." (p. 66) Ortberg suggests that we can become joyful people. I tend to agree with him as I believe that is what God intended for us to be when He created each of us! Here is a (very) paraphrased list of some suggestions from his book to restore joy to its proper place in your life—a few suggestions I found useful for myself anyway.

1. Begin now—don't put off trying to restore true happiness. Choose to start today, whether that means stopping everything and reading your Bible now, switching your radio from its current station to a Christian CD, or turning off the TV to take a walk in His creation.

2. Find a joy mentor—find someone who will speak joy into your life and encourage you in your quest to restore this fruit of the Spirit back into your life. This could mean deleting some conversations or even people from your life for the time being. This could mean refusing to engage in certain conversations or finding a new common ground in some situations.

3. Set aside a day to "celebrate."—Find ways to participate in and celebrate His joy, set aside a Sabbath, or even set aside a short time daily to reflect on God's goodness and your interactions with His gift of joy.

4. "Unplug" for a week—Cut out distractions. It's kind of like fasting in a sense. Most distractions tend to be electronic, but it could be anything that is not refreshing you or building your spirit.

5. Discipline your mind to view life from a biblical perspective—probably one of the hardest (for me, anyway) to start looking at life through God's eyes, to rid myself of judgment and to indulge more in His Word. A change of perspective can make a world of change!

So . . . I think I am going to continue in my quest for joyful living. My trials can turn bitter or better. With my eyes fixed on God, I'm hoping for all to turn out better. "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:13)

Here are a few other "joy" passages to look up (or memorize?): Psalm16:11, 43:4, 48:2, 67:4, 126:5, Psalm 118:25 and 31:7, Hebrew 12:1-3, Nehemiah 8-9, Romans 5:8-11

Menu Plan Monday. . .a little late!

Busy week, busy weekend, company. . .so I am finally here! So sorry this is a little late.

Monday- Homemade pizzas. We had a meat lovers and a BBQ chicken
Tuesday- Lemon Pepper Chicken Skewers, corn on the cob, tomato bruschetta
Wednesday-Left-overs
Thursday (CP Day)-Chicken Curry and rice
Friday (OAMC)- Hamburgers, french fries
Saturday's Snack-Apple dip (see below)
Sunday (BFS)- Pancakes and bacon

Recipe for Apple Dip In Cooking on Purpose from Weaton CRC, p. 1) Great for encouraging your kids to keep eating apples when you might have too many in the house! It's kinda sweet, but good fora treat! (and it is so easy!)
1-8oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
3/4 c. brown sugar
1/4 c. sugar
2 t. vanilla
1 shake of salt
*Put ingredients in a blender and mix until creamy. Serve with sliced tart apples.

*I'm still gonna post on www.orgjunkie.com Go on over there for more great MPM!

Air Show

A week ago, my hubby and Opa took E to the airshow--the frugal version of it, of course (see last photo). They spent an entire afternoon just watching the airplanes and everything else. I was amazed that E could actually spend 5+ hours there!!! Opa took along his binoculars and hubby took along the lawn chairs and coffee. . .and life was good for an afternoon. Now, my hubby is not a big camera-kind-of-person, so I was pleasantly surprised by the pictures he got!

E having the time of his life. . .and looking a little "red-neck!" (My son is a little sensitive to noise, so these 70s earphones "tricked" him into thinking he was just like a pilot and the noise wasn't as loud. Oh, the tricks us parents can pull!) When the planes weren't up in the sky, Eli ran around the blueberry bushes a little with his own toy jet (see in his lap?)

Using "Blue" in the Classroom

As a way to get my Kindergarten students making "oral presentations," I came up with this idea (a "few" years ago) based on my brief moments flipping through the kids TV program, Blue's Clues. I made up 3 bags (3 students from the class took a bag home each night) similar to that shown in the picture below. Inside each bag were instructions and three recipe cards. Basically what the students were supposed to do (along with the help of their parents, of course!) was to find a special item in their house and write down three clues (one on each recipe card) to "read" to the class so that the class could guess what the items might be. The item would remain in the bag during this time. I say "read" because some of the students needed picture clues in their hints, just as in the show. This was an excellent way to make sure all students has an opportunity to speak in front of their classmates, and gave them a chance to do it with confidence using an item they were an expert on. And it was fun for the listeners to guess what might be inside. It was also great for me as a teacher to see which kids were listening to what was read and using that information to form answers. :) Another great benefit is the opportunity to practice writing in a safe context, but also a unique way. It's not your everyday journals or reading response. The writing part can be read by others only if the teacher chooses to display the entire sharing, otherwise the spelling can be inventive or read-able to the writer only.
In the above photo, the bag I made is using a colouring page found here.
Also shown is a "treat bag" (the small one) found at a website called the FamilyShoppingBag. (If you want each student to do a small item, these are easy enough to print off and put together in an evening). This website is great if you are throwing a themed birthday party, as it has many printable items to use (ie: stickers (shown above), bookmarks, invites, note cards, etc). It also has a link where you can print off Blue's Clues themed recipe cards, which would have been great to use in this Kindergarten project to write down the three hints.

This idea is easily transferable to other grade levels, although you might want to change the icon used. I'm not sure Blue would be the appropriate token character at the intermediate grades! But, for example, you might want to use Sherlock Holmes and have students write clues to . . . just about anything (favourite items, book response, math shapes, events in history, Bible stories, etc)! One idea for students at the intermediate grade levels might be writing descriptive paragraphs without actually saying what the topic is--that would be a great challenge! Some books to inspire this thinking at various grade levels might be the Cam Jansen series or Encyclopedia Brown.

What would you do using an idea like this?

Words from Wednesday (Devotional)

Un-understandable

"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that previals." Proverbs 19:21 NIV

(written but not posted from last week)

I did some reflecting in the last two weeks about how un-understandable God is.

Two weeks ago, my sister learned of a woman in her church whose husband was killed by a drunk driver. While I've only had a handful of conversations with this woman, my sisters and many of my friends are close to both her and her young family. What an unexpected and tragic event. Right now there is an entire church community grieving over the loss of a wonderful, Christian man.

A week or so ago, I was able to attend the Steven Curtis Chapman and Michael W. Smith United Concert. Aside from having GREAT seats at an AWESOME concert, Steven Curtis Chapman talked about finding hope in God after the loss of his 5 year old daughter in a car accident just over a year ago. He spoke about his journey and sang a "Blessed Be Your Name." He came to the conclusion that God and His ways might be even more of a mystery to him these days, but he is continuing to serve his Saviour. Right now there is someone proclaiming a God of Hope to millions of people.

Last week was the "anniversary" of the day my father-in-law passed away quite suddenly from a stoke. We went out to dinner together to spend time together as a family and to remember what a great husband and father my better half's dad was. We laughed over some memories and talked about some of the weird mannerisms he had. And right now, I am seeing God's faithfulness to people whose lives have been touched by the affects of sin.

I thought about Job, a man who was plunged into a series of terrible events that robbed him of his family and friends and health. But it never robbed him of his God and he remained faithful, refusing to curse God for the bad things happening in his life. In the end he recognized that God is powerful and mighty; that He has a plan that we are part of, but don't understand. It's a plan that we will never understand, but we do need to choose, as Job did, to follow God even when life seems so un-understandable. What a powerful testimony Job leaves for us as followers of that same God. What a powerful testimony the above individuals leave for all to see and learn from.

One song that Steven Curtis Chapman sings is called God is God. He sang it at the concert, and it has a powerful message about the awesome God we serve and who deserves our praise even in circumstances we do not understand. All of us have situations in our life that we don't understand, whether they are small disappointments or tragic events. But we serve a God who knows about each of them, and is working things out for the good of those who love Him. (Romans 8:28)

And the pain falls like a curtain
On the things I once called certain
And I have to say the words I fear the most
I just don't know

And the questions without answers
Come and paralyze the dancer
So I stand here on the stage afraid to move
Afraid to fall, oh, but fall I must
On this truth that my life has been formed from the dust

God is God and I am not
I can only see a part of the picture He's painting
God is God and I am man
So I'll never understand it all
For only God is God

And the sky begins to thunder
And I'm filled with awe and wonder
Til the only burning question that remains
Is who am I

Can I form a single mountain
Take the stars in hand and count them
Can I even take a breath without God giving it to me
He is first and last before all that has been
Beyond all that will pass

Oh, how great are the riches of His wisdom and knowledge
How unsearchable for to Him and through Him and from Him are all things

So let us worship before the throne
Of the One who is worthy of worship alone

(Lyrics found at http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/s/steven_curtis_chapman/god_is_god.html)

Other verses to read: Isaiah 49:16, Isaiah 49, Job 40-41, Job 42:1-6, Proverbs 19:21

Menu Plan Monday

Monday again. . .

Last week was a busy one. . .as you can see, I was quite absent to the blogging world. . .so here I am again! Hopefully this week goes a little better.

In review of last week. . .the Hula Chicken. I made that one on Wednesday because I had some wonderful company come (with kids, and thought this might be more kid-friendly). I served it with rice and cut up veggies. My verdict. . . the flavour and all was very good, but DON'T use frozen chicken! All those side comments are not kidding about how the sauce gets really thin. And it is a bunch of work to thicken it, and what is the point of more work when you are making a crock pot meal for the ease in cooking??? the other thing was not to cook it so long. It was a tad dry for my liking. The good part. . .my company said all good things and I was the one being more anxious about it all. (unless you are secretly bashing behind my back, K & P!!!)

This week. . .us adults are getting some dental things looked at. . .so this week is full of a few "softer" foods, just in case we need it. I'm gonna encourage my wonderful hubby to stop eating a tub of gummy candy in a day. . .every couple of days. This would solve the problem of having soup two days in a row. . . :) and the unnecessary visits to the dentists and specialists!

Monday-Tomato & Basil Soup (While this link is awesome, we're going the Campbell's route (with added spices)with a loaf of cheese bread as a side)

Tuesday-Baked Potato Soup (this isn't the link we use--mine is from who knows where, but this is close to what I make)

Wednesday-Spaghetti and Meatballs

Thursday (CP Day)-Cranberry Pork (I'm not using a roast though! Hopefully with a few cooking changes, it will taste just as good!), rice, carrots

Friday (OAMC)-Creamy Dill Noodles, chicken strips, salad

Saturday's Snack-Potato Skin Poppers (see below)

Sunday (BFS)-Pancakes & bacon

So. . .we had a bunch of family in town. . .lots of fun/super busy. We had a BBQ and this is the appie my SIL, Ann, made. (BTW--she could have taken over the entire BBQ--she loves to cook so much!) This recipe is from the Cooking on Purpose Wheaton CRC cookbook (p. 12) See our photo? Nope, we are not big during our BBQs on the fancy serving platters. But that is the finished work of none other than Ann. (Couldn't find the recipe for the other strawberry appie, so. . .I'll keep you posted when I get it from her!)

Potato Skin Poppers

3 c. frozen, diced potatoes or hash browns

2 c. shredded cheddar cheese

16 oz. sour cream, divided

3/4 c. cooked bacon pieces

1/3 c. chopped green onions

1 dash salt

pepper to taste

14 flour tortillas (smaller size)

2 T. melted butter

Preheat oven to 350F. Cook potatoes in skillet according to package directions. In large bowl, stir together cooked potatoes, cheese, 1 c. sour cream, bacon, green onions, salt and pepper. Warm tortillas. Scoop filling onto tortilla. Fold in two sides of each tortilla to meet in the middle and then roll burrito-style. Brush outside of each rolled tortilla with melted butter and place on a baking pan with seam down. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool for 5 minutes, then cut diagonally into halves. Serve with remaining sour cream.

*Check out more MPM at www.orgjunkie.com

Menu Plan Monday

Happy Civic Holiday--whatever your province is calling it! Ours is BC day, I believe. I have family in town, so we are doing a family barbeque today. Lots of food, lots of kids, lots of talking, lots of everything! Hope you are enjoying your day too--even if you don't have a holiday!

Monday- because of the BBQ, I'll post two appies for you (that is what we had to bring!) One is Bruschetta Pizza and the other is Cilantro Garlic Dip (see below)

Tuesday- Omelettes

Wednesday- hamburgers, potato wedges

Thursday (CP)-Crock Pot Hula Chicken, rice, veggies

Friday (OAMC)- Pizza Pasta Casserole, salad

Saturday's Snack- It's a drink this time because of all the appies from earlier! And with the heat, a nice cool drink on the deck sounds good! Icy Fruit Punch (see below)

Sunday- Blueberry Pancakes, bacon

Some recipes for you. . .

Garlic Cilantro Dip

I believe this is from www.homebasics.ca/printrecipe.asp?recipeid=5393. It is used with corn fritters, but we have grown to love this dip with veggies, crackers and bread sticks as well (which is what we are bringing along to the BBQ)

1/2 c. Hellmann's Roasted Garlic

1/4 c. cilantro leaves, packed and stems removed

1/4 c. plain yogurt (I often use sour cream)

dash each: salt, hot pepper sauce (to taste)

In blender of food processor (or Magic Bullet!) combine the mayonnaise, cilantro, yogurt, salt and hot pepper sauce. Blend until the cilantro is finely chopped. Place in bowl and serve.

Since I've given you enough appies, here is the drink recipe for Saturday. This is from Chatelaine, some years ago. Have no clue which one, just a ripped out recipe article called "Refresher Course."

Icy Fruit Punch

Pour 750-ml bottle (3 c) ginger ale into 2 ice cube trays and freeze. Pour 48-oz (1.36L) can unsweetened apple juice into a large container. Add 3 T. lemon juice. Thinly slice 1 orange, then cut rounds in half. Thinly slice 2 plums and 2 peaches or nectarines. Add to apple juice with 1/2 to 1 cup raspberries or strawberries. Chill for up to 1 day. When ready to serve, add ginger ale ice cubes (and 2 cups of white wine, if you like). Makes about 12 cups.

Enjoy your week! We're looking forward to a busy week of family and friends visiting! And a lot more hot weather. I love summer time!