REAL FRIEND TEST! 

 This is GOOD...Pass it on!

 A simple friend when visiting acts like a guest.
 A real friend opens your refrigerator and helps herself AND doesn't feel even the least bit weird shutting your Diet Coke drawer with her foot! 

 A simple friend has never seen you cry.
 A real friend's shoulder is soggy from your tears.. 
 
 A simple friend doesn't know your relatives' first names.
 A real friend has their phone numbers in her address book. 
A simple friend brings a gift to your party.
A real friend comes early to help you cook and stays late to help you clean. 
 
A simple friend hates it when you call after they've gone to bed.
A real friend asks you why you took so long to call. 
 
 A simple friend seeks to talk with you about your problems.
 A real friend seeks to help you with your problems. 

 A simple friend wonders about your romantic history.
 A real friend could blackmail you with it! 

 A simple friend thinks the friendship is over when you have an argument.
 A real friend calls you after you had a fight. 
 A simple friend expects you to always be there for them.
 A real friend expects to always be there for you! 

 It keeps us together......our Circle of Friends!

Let Freedom Ring As We Remember! 

11-11-09

Veteran's Day

I am proud both my father and father-in-law served our country. This is my dad standing under the Eiffel Tower in Paris. He served most of his time in France and Germany. My father-in-law was in the Philippines. (I'm searching for a photo of him in uniform.)

I'd love to know if you have a family member who served as well. 

I pray God continues to bless our nation.

Remember our troops and families today as they hold a memorial service at Ft. Hood here in Texas for the fallen soldiers.

Race Weekend

Rick and I have been at Texas Motor Speedway this weekend in the RV.

The weather was absolutely perfect. I enjoyed being with family and friends. Huge meals are always included in the these weekends. We've had a full breakfast every morning that the GUYS cooked. Other meals included brisket, baby-back ribs, Mexican food, and on and on.

Now, I should say I didn't even go to the actual races. I stayed back at camp and caught up on reading these.... 

as well as my ladies bible study material. One of the ladies in the group use to have her own floral shop and decorating business. She was thrilled to give us some pointers on bow making. I think if we had had our Christmas trees out there, she would have done them for us! Don't think I didn't consider the logistics of that for a few minutes! 

Hope you had a great weekend, too.

Banana-Split Cheesecake

Ok, you know me and desserts. Here is the next one I will be trying!

Ingredients

CRUST:
1 cup packaged chocolate cookie crumbs (such as Oreo)
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon butter or stick margarine, melted
Cooking spray


FILLING:
3 (8-ounce) blocks fat-free cream cheese, softened
1 (8-ounce) block 1/3-less-fat cream cheese, softened
1 (8-ounce) carton low-fat sour cream
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups mashed ripe banana
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 large eggs


TOPPINGS:
1/3 cup canned crushed pineapple in juice, drained
1/3 cup strawberry sundae syrup
1/3 cup chocolate syrup
1/4 cup chopped pecans, toasted
16 maraschino cherries, drained

Preparation
Preheat oven to 325°.
To prepare crust, combine first 3 ingredients in a bowl; toss with a fork until moist. Press into bottom of a 9-inch springform pan coated with cooking spray.
To prepare filling, beat cheeses and sour cream at high speed of a mixer until smooth. Add 1 1/2 cups sugar, banana, flour, and vanilla; beat well. Add eggs, 1 at a time; beat well after each addition.
Pour cheese mixture into prepared pan; bake at 325° for 1 hour and 10 minutes or until almost set. Cheesecake is done when the center barely moves when pan is touched. Remove cheesecake from oven; run a knife around outside edge. Cool cheesecake to room temperature. Cover and chill for at least 8 hours. Top each serving with 1 teaspoon pineapple, 1 teaspoon strawberry syrup, 1 teaspoon chocolate syrup, 3/4 teaspoon pecans, and 1 cherry.

From "Cooking Light" -- seriously!