Contest winner
And the winner is comment #5! Cheryl S., e-mail me your snail mail address, and I’ll drop your signed copy of The Warrior’s Touch in the mail. Hope you enjoy it!
All this week my son has been enjoying Safety Town, a program sponsored by local businesses, the fire and sheriff’s department. I think it’s a great program for kids because they not only teach them about fire safety and stranger danger, but they also covered topics like school bus safety (the kids took a short bus ride around a neighborhood), animal safety, poison safety, personal hygiene and playground safety. I was a fan of the hygiene one. Five-year-olds think absolutely nothing about sharing cups, drinks, food, etc. Today they had a Safety Fair, which was actually more interesting than I expected it to be. The kids could go inside a fire engine, an ambulance, and the fire department had a portable trailer that was used for fire education. We sat in a “kitchen” and he asked the kids questions about everything from keeping pot handles turned inward to what they should do in the case of a real fire. He had a cellophane “fire” in one of the pots, and my son’s eyes grew so wide, he was ready to bolt out of the trailer.
Then they had a bedroom where they talked about fire ladders, detecting heat in a bedroom door, and the last thing was a smoke simulation where the kids would crawl out the trailer exit. I think no one was happier to get out of there than my son. It really bothered him to see the smoke. But in a way, I think it’s good for them to have a healthy fear of fire. His favorite activity was taking his picture with Sparky the Fire Dog and eating his first Sno-Cone. 
And yes, bonehead here forgot to bring the digital camera. I do have the one printout with Sparky, though.
Tomorrow we’re attending a cookout and I’ve been asked to bring a side dish that could accompany hot dogs, shrimp, and grilled chicken. Anyone have any suggestions? It has to be kid-friendly, so I was thinking about homemade macaroni & cheese, but I don’t have a good recipe. The last time I tried, it was basically like pasta with baked cheese on top–ugh. If you have any ideas for good side dishes for cookouts, send them my way! 
Michelle posted in Writing @ 12:03 pm | Viewed 2474 times
Tori Lennox Says:
You need to do like I do and keep the digital camera in your purse at all times!
Bonnie Ferguson Says:
Congrats, Cheryl S!
beth Says:
How hearty do you want the side dish to be? I have a really good recipe for celery sticks stuffed with pesto (pine nut and gruyere) that is a hit with kids and adults (I was surprised the kids really liked it, but they seemed to) but it’s definitely not hearty like mac & cheese.
Holly Says:
Congrats Cheryl S!!!
Mac and cheese…My homemade recipe is a bit vague because I do it by memory more than direction.
I cook the macaroni, then while it’s draining in the colander, I put a little bit of stick butter in the pan the mac was in over a low heat, a little milk and then about 1/4-1/2 of a velveeta block and 4-8 oz shredded cheddar and get it melted and mixed and then put the mac back in and get it stirred up. I eyeball the recipe, just depends on whether I’m doing an 8oz box or 16oz (for big family gatherings).
I usually don’t use but maybe 2-3 TBSPs of the butter and just enough milk to cover the bottom of the pan and if I need to thin it out a little after that, I add just a little more milk.
If you use the 8 oz bag of shredded cheddar, you can save 1/2 of it and top the mac with it in a casserole dish and then just put it in the oven under the broiler and keep an eye on it to just melt the cheese on top to how you want it.
My husband and kids love it and I made the mistake of making it to take to my parents for the 4th of July a couple of years ago and was told that from now on that’s my dish to bring because everyone loves it.
Hope you have a great time tomorrow!
heidi dahlquist Says:
Ive used these recipes for cookouts and New Years Eve.
Take a can of Frito Lay bean dip, shredded cheddar cheese(as much as you desire), tomato, and med sized sour cream. Spread the bean dip on a plate, then spread the sour cream to your desire on top of the bean dip. Take cheddar cheese (or a mexican mixed cheese from Kraft) and sprinkle it over the sour cream, then take diced tomato and sprinkle over the cheese. Some people add onions and black olives. I like to chill this before serving but its not necessary. Serve it with fritos or nacho chips.
For a fancer version, use one package of cream cheese, spread cocktail sauce over the cheese, drain and spread a small can of crab meat over the sauce. Top with a can of small shimp and chill. Serve with your choice of crackers or chips.
Another dish I make for picnics is pasta salad. You your choice of pasta, a can of chicken, cut and make small cubes of cheddar cheese to your desire, mircale whip or mayo…your choice. I mix everything and then add a dash of Hidden Valley ranch dressing for some zip. You can also add peas, if they are frozen, I microwave them and then mix them in with the rest of the pasta salad. Chill and serve.
These are just ideas…Id love to hear other ideas myself!
Michelle Willingham Says:
Beth–probably a fairly hearty dish, since there’s a group of folks. I’ve had the recipe you’re describing–I was actually with you when you made it. It’s yummy!
Heidi and Holly–THANK YOU for the recipe ideas! Those both sound very tasty.
Robyn L Says:
I love Mac and cheese so here is my favorite recipe:
Macaroni, raw 2 cups
Butter/margarine 4 tablespoons
Dry onion flakes 1 tablespoon
All purpose flour 3 tablespoons
Salt 1/2 teaspoon
Pepper 1/8 teaspoon
Milk 2 cups
Shredded cheese 1 cup
Topping:
Butter/margarine 1 tablespoon
Bread crumbs 1/2 cup
Shredded cheese 1/4 cup
Cook macaroni as directed on package. Drain and set aside.
In medium sauce pan melt butter. Stir in onions, flour, salt and pepper. Add milk. Cook and stir until sauce boils and thickens. Add cheese. Stir to melt. Combine with macaroni and pour into 2 quart casserole.
In small pan melt butter. Remove from heat. Stir in crumbs until coated. Add cheese, stirring to distribute. Sprinkle on top of other ingredients. Bake in 350 F oven for 30 minutes until hot and bubble and cheese is melted. Serves 4-6.
Michelle Willingham Says:
Robyn L–I am DEFINITELY going to have to try that recipe. It sounds fantastic!
Now you guys are making me hungry.
Cheryl S. Says:
Thanks for all the congrats everyone! Can’t wait to read it. I make my mac and cheese similar to RobynL. I have never put onion flakes in before but that sounds like it would add an extra goodness to it . . . I’m going to have to try it next time. Hearty recipes that kids like, I don’t know. I’m always in charge of the deviled eggs and broccoli salad for picnics.
Barbara Brunson Says:
Well, foolish me, I just saw that I missed the contest by “that much. Congratulations to Cheryl S. and I will be looking for my new copy from Amazon.com. It is going to to be another all-nighter reading it, when I do get it. Thanks and enjoy, Cheryl!
Barb B.