Confetti Caramel Bars

Good Tuesday morning!

NOTE TO JENNIFER - I'm so glad the placemat worked out... even if the All Day Daddy Date didn't. Mike told me about the doughnuts and the biking shorts. It may not have worked out, but it was pretty funny. And I like the family bike ride on Father's Day. Do you have the bike ride in the morning, or do you have a picnic lunch? Do you ride around your neighborhood, or are there any bike trails near your home? That sounds fun. (Not "heat of the day" fun, but early morning/late afternoon fun.)

NOTE TO ROBIN - Ah, I remember it well. Austin still remembers it, too. The target practice with a BB gun was the ultimate for a 5 year-old boy. And then to cook over an open fire. Guns and fire! I tell you, Pin-the-Tail-On-the-Donkey was never the same after your Cowboy party. "Well, this is fun... but you know I've been to a party where we shot guns... a lot!" And I still remember the Wanted Poster invitation. I have pictures of Austin cooking his hot dog over the fire and pulling on gigantic cowboy boots in the Boot Relay in his scrapbook. Good party... good party. (Imagine Andy Griffith saying, "Good cracker... good cracker.")

Now, as far as Facebook goes, you are going to have to choose. It's Facebook or the blog. You have until noon today to decide. (Or sometime in July if you're busy.) As the Soup Nazi on Seinfield would say, "NO FACEBOOK FOR YOU!" We bloggers lose more readers to Facebook than Reality TV. It's a dilemma, I tell you!

You'll notice a new picture in the Gallery of my Yard Sale gift from Lana. I know what you're thinking. "That's a Thanksgiving Day flag!" Well, just so you know, I think the sentiment is what is important here... "Free Ham." You've got to love a flag that is so politically-economically-correct. So it will hang for a few days... mainly to see if anyone notices that Crazy Belinda has hung a Thanksgiving Day flag in the middle of June (and when I say anyone, I mean Mike and the kids). We'll see, we'll see.

This week will probably be "Topic Free." The reason for this being an excess of randomness going through my brain. That can be enjoyable or not, but it does help clear my much-muddled mind from time to time.

Washington, D.C. - The trip is shaping up nicely. Austin has chosen the Spy Museum, International Zoo, two or three of the Smithsonians, and the Monuments as his "must sees" at this particular time. Mike asked and added the Archives, Library of Congress, Arlington Cemetery, Gettysburg and the Ford Theater. They are also planning on catching a movie or two in the evenings (Transformers, etc.), and they are eating at some great Washington restaurants. They leave this Friday. I cannot believe it is going to be June 26 THIS FRIDAY. My goodness, this summer is flying by.

Roxie is finishing up her second day at the American Red Cross Babysitting Class being given at our church. When she is finished this afternoon, she will be certified in CPR and she will know how to handle any and all babysitting emergencies with the ease and skill of someone three times her age. (That's what she thinks. That was NOT in their brochure.) However, for a little entrepreneur, it is a good thing to have under her belt. She's going to design a flyer and pass it out to a few "would be" customers, and we'll see what happens. Although she's almost 13 (September), people may want to wait until she's a little older, and I totally understand that! There's also a pic in the Gallery of her when I picked her up at 3:00 yesterday. It was obviously a violent class.

Austin has Freshman Orientation this Thursday (all day), so we are gearing up for that event. I'll be going with him to Orientation, and then he and Mike will go to registration Friday morning. They'll leave for their trip after they register. I have a TON of questions. So does Austin, but he doesn't know it yet. Rookie Band Camp begins August 7, and it's pretty intense (time-wise) until school starts the end of August.

I've started setting up the "Shrine" in his bedroom. He'll probably have to move to another room in the house by mid-July so I'll have more room to set up pictures, memorabilia, etc., etc. Actually, Josh may have to move to the living room to make room because I think the "Shrine" may be a two room deal before I get finished with it. Does anyone know someone who makes shadowboxes for a 6'4" graduation cap and gown and a drum major uniform? If so, let me know. (Some of his stuff is SO big. That's why I need the two rooms. I'm also thinking of charging admission for people to view the "Shrine." You know... like a mini-Austin Faulkner Museum. Mikie will love that. Josh and Roxie... not so much!)

TV Review

Jon & Kate - I am sadder than sad. I had hoped so much they could work everything out, but, as expected, they announced they were legally separating. I feel bad for the kids AND the parents. It's an awful thing. It's also odd how so many people feel they know them personally. I feel that way from watching their show. Will I continue to watch the show? I don't think so. As much as Roxie and I have enjoyed it in the past, I think it has become too depressing for both of us. I know I don't want to watch the episodes which show the kids realizing their family has changed in such a huge way. However, I do appreciate the fact that both Jon and Kate seem determined to want to keep the children their number one priority... and I don't doubt they will.

And that, my friends, is the last TV Review for the summer. I'm signing off until Survivor, Amazing Race, 24, etc. come back in the fall. No more TV for me for a while!

Confetti Carmel Bars

You will need the following for this sweet, sweet dessert:

1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1 egg
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup light corn syrup
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 cup butterscotch-flavored chips
1 1/2 to 2 cups assorted candies and nuts (such as candy corn, candy-coated chocolate candies and salted peanuts)

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, beat brown sugar, 1 cup butter, vanilla and egg with electric mixer on medium speed, or mix with spoon. Stir in flour. Press evenly in bottom of ungreased 13" x 9" pan. Bake 20 to 22 minutes or until light brown. Cool 20 minutes.

2. In 1-quart saucepan, heat corn syrup, 2 tablespoons butter and butterscotch chips over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until chips are melted. Remove from heat. Cool 10 minutes.

3. Spread butterscotch mixture over crust. Sprinkle with candies and nuts. Gently press into butterscotch mixture. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours until butterscotch mixture is firm. For bars, cut into 8 rows by 4 rows, or cut into triangle shapes.

Is your mouth watering? It should be. This is good stuff. Come home, Mikie. There's a pan waiting for you!

Tomorrow's Seasonal Tradition is perfectly cool for this hot, humid, heavy weather we're experiencing right now. I think you'll like it! Check back if you get a minute in your busy, summer day.

Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.