As is usual, with the first week of the month, my week was a busy one with various meetings and appointments. When we had our Hospital Auxiliary meeting, we changed the time of our hours, so now my Wednesdays working will change from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and be 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The early part of this past week, they mowed the hay fields and spent the day Friday running the balers, in the fields close to my house. Sunday morning, when I looked out the window after church, most of the bales had been hauled off.
This week will begin with an appointment in Victoria for me and my sister decided that she needed a break and will take me. We have a gift certificate to a boutique in Cuero that we are anxious to use, so coming home there will be a side trip to that boutique. Mostly though, we’ll check out the mall and a couple of stores in Victoria, and of course, we get to eat out!
School has already started in most places; and I thought maybe we could do a little refresher course on driving in the zones! If a bus is stopped, the lights are flashing and it means children are getting off or on the bus. DO NOT drive around it. Those lights and stop sign mean STOP! Always remember, children don’t always look where they are going, so we, as adults have to be more aware of what they are doing, even if it is something unexpected. In fact, a couple of weeks ago, while I was driving here in Yoakum, I noticed a kid on a bicycle, his sister walking a little in front of him, and the next thing I knew he came out from the car that was parked and crossed right in front of me…he didn’t even check to see if there was traffic. Luckily, I had seen him and there were no other cars on the street.
Also, please do not forget that 20MPH is the speed limit in and around the schools. It is very well marked on Hwy. 173, with a flashing sign from both sides. The school speed limit on Windy Knoll exists from Park St. to just past Fay Ave., and is well marked also. With children walking on the streets leading to the school, it might be a really good idea to slow down a little below the posted speed limit, just to be safe.
If you see children riding bicycles, slow down, as I said above, they don’t always look before crossing streets or coming out of drive ways or from behind parked cars. Please tell your children to be sure and look both ways before crossing a street, and if riding a bicycle, always ride with the traffic and follow the same rules and regulations that a car has to follow. STOP at stop signs and red lights, GO when the light is green and always be careful. DO NOT ride double, unless the bicycle is made for that purpose.
Parents, always make sure everyone in the car is wearing their seat belt or is restrained properly in their car seat. They do not belong standing behind your right shoulder while you are driving, nor do they need to be standing on the back seat or hanging out the windows! One other thing, they should not be riding in the back of a pickup truck, that is truly dangerous, as anyone with a little common sense should be aware. Here is a really delicious after school snack or maybe dessert for supper. They’re easy to make and the lady I got the recipe from years ago, was our beloved “Miss Birdie”! She served them at a party at her home and everyone loved them.
Glazé Cheesecake Puffs
2 packages cream cheese, 8-oz each at room temperature
¾ cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 can cherry pie filling
1 box vanilla wafers
Muffin tins and liners (20 to 24)
Preheat oven to 375º*. Thoroughly beat together cream cheese, sugar, eggs and vanilla. Line muffin tins with liners and place 1 vanilla wafer into each liner; fill ¾ full with cheese mixture and bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes. Remove from pans and cool thoroughly. Spread pie filling on top of each one, dividing evenly among the cakes. Makes 20 to 24. *If your vanilla wafers seem to be browning too much, turn the temp down to 350º. Blueberry pie filling could be used for these instead of cherry.
Fruity Peanut Butter Spread
1 medium apple, quartered but not peeled
½ cup dried cherries or dried cranberries
1 cup peanut butter
¼ cup orange juice
½ teaspoon cinnamon
In a food processor, chop apple and cranberries. In a small bowl, combine peanut butter, orange juice and cinnamon. Stir apple/cranberry mixture into peanut butter mixture until combined. Cover and refrigerate. Makes: 12 servings of two tablespoons each