~Hooper~

My 2nd grader came home with a fundraiser packet the first day of school. My 5th grader came home with a packet today. There is a set amount to sell OR we can buy out for $30-$50 per kid.

The money all goes to "special" things, not necessarily for things that have educational value. School trips, holiday events etc. They sent a list of 10 things that the money is used for and 2 are educational.

I would like to know what your thoughts are about school fundraisers. I'm hoping to get parents, teachers and those who make the decisions about what fundraisers to do and the whole sell or pay. Thank you.

We recently bought a home that was in foreclosure from the out of state company holding the mortgage.

They sent my husband and I papers to sign them over as POA so that they can sign the title over to us.

Is this necessary? Thanks for any information you can provide.

This was passed along to me and I'm wondering which is your favorite and if you have other match-ups?

Some of the songs I can't recall, but everyone will surely find some they know and how they relate to Bible Characters. Have fun!

Noah -- Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head

Esau -- Born to be Wild

Daniel -- The Lion Sleeps Tonight

Joshua -- Good Vibrations

Peter -- I'm Sorry

Adam & Eve -- Strangers In Paradise

Lazarus -- The Second Time Around

Esther -- I Feel Pretty

Job -- I've Got a Right to Sing the Blues

Moses -- The Happy Wanderer or There's a Place for Us

Samson -- Hair

Salome -- I Could Have Danced All Night

Shadrach, Meshach & Agenego -- Great Balls of Fire

Jonah -- Got a Whale of a Tale

Elijah -- Up, Up and Away

Methuselah - Stayin' Alive

Nebuchadnezzar -- Crazy

Dinah - Girls Just Want To Have Fun

My # 1 Favorite is.....................

Jezebel -- Who Let the Dogs Out

I'm baking a Mexican Blueberry Bread Pudding for an event tomorrow morning. It's not what I consider a traditional BP as there is no egg or milk. The bread is tossed with butter and cinnamon and soaked in a peach syrup mixture (lemon juice, rind, water). It also includes chopped pecans, Monterey cheese and blueberries. I'm used to having some kind of sauce or pudding to pour over BP.

Based on the ingredients, your preference and culinary knowledge: Should I make a Blueberrry Sauce? I've also found a recipe for a Cinnamon Blueberry Sauce for guest to pour over if they wish.

It's my first time making this bread or a sauce so your advice would be helpful. Thank you!

I made a delicious banana split desert the other day and my only complaint is the Graham Cracker Crust. I crunched up GCs ( I don't have a food processor) so I did the best I could by hand. The recipe called for it to be mixed with sugar and butter and then put in the freezer for 10 minutes. It was also chilled for several hours after assembled. Usually Graham Cracker crumbs are not so hard! So what do you think? Was it the 10 min. in the freezer or did I need a finer crumb to start with?

I'm helping to plan a Mexican Themed meal for 50-60 people. I like Zatarains Spanish Rice but I'm not an expert on what Spanish Rice should taste like so I wondered if someone had a "home made" version?

Thank you!

I love Oprah's mass of curls. My hair is her length but what method/products do I use to get those curls?!

Her picture is on her website....

www.oprah.com

Thank you!

I often cook with Jellies I make like Rosemary Jelly used to baste Turkey for instance. Pear Butter with Pork Chops etc.

I just canned a huge amount of Plum jams and jellies do you have some ideas of how to cook or bake with it? Thanks!

A few plants in my garden are getting munched on by some pest. I've heard something about dusting with Lime?? If that's the case should you discontinue using the Lime when the veg/fruit starts to appear? Thank you!

Is there anyway to get through the doors for less? I'm planning a trip in a few weeks and I'm trying to stick to a budget (I don't know why with gas prices my budget went out the window). Any help would be appreciated. Thank you!

I've been known to stand in a foot of snow and grill!! Yes, neighbors thought I was insane but it didn't prevent them from asking for some! lol

It's something about the warm spring/summer weather that makes my mouth water for a grilled hamburger. Do you have a food(s) that you can't wait to taste when the weather gets warm?

I'm trying to make some changes particularly in the foods we eat. So I buy organic flour, chicken stock, fruits/veggies.

What do you buy that is organic? How do you ensure that what's labeled as organic really is?

I ask the latter question because I was reading that some large companies are trying to get the USDA to allow chemical intensive practices at farms and still call it organic.

Our neighborhood has a problem with wild cats. We're out numbered!

Who do I call to trap/neuter them? Will an agency do this or do I need to do the trapping?

They spray everything in site, is there anything I can use to get rid of the smell?

For whatever the reason, we LOVE those foods that remind us of childhood, mom/grandma... good times. Mine is my Mom's Chicken Casserole w/ Mac n Cheese on the side. OK so I have more than ONE favorite comfort food...you can too!

The hope is that this payment will boost the economy (people buying merchandise). I don't foresee the gas prices going down anytime soon, food cost is rising, it cost more than most of us make to have the necessities these days.

My husband and I are going to pay off some debt and put the rest in savings. We feel for us that would be wiser. Even though there are things we would like to have - if we buy them we'll still be in debt and the cost of living will still be there staring us in the face! What will you do with yours?

What have been your experiences at staying overnight in a mountain cabin? My family loves the outdoors so I thought this would be a nice change from a typical hotel.

Did you wish you stayed in a hotel instead? Was there anything you wish you'd known prior to arriving?

Thank you!

Spiced Rum sounds good but I've never tried it. My husband says people usually mix it with something (Rum & Coke). Do you drink yours straight or mix it? And with what?

I've searched online and tried a few recipes I've found, but something is missing. Do you have a tried and true recipe of yours for this yummy bread?

Also, in its dough form what should the consistency be? Smooth or lumpy? I'm using a bread machine but would also like to try it in my Kitchen Aid Mixer - what have you found to work for you?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

I would like to know if there are any herbal supplements or foods that can help with a slow metabolism.

I just saw on the news that a lower court in CA wants homeschooling parents to be accredited which could cost upwards of $10,000.

Standardized testing shows that home schooled children score 40% higher on these test so why the interference?

Also, why can the student go to private school instead where the teachers don't have to be accredited?

It's headed to Supreme Court for a ruling, what are your thoughts/concern as this could catch on in other states?