I haven't forgotten about blogging, but we have been really busy lately. My son just finished up a six night run of "Kids Say the Darndest Things". It is also wedding and baby shower season- can't believe how many I have attended lately. Gearing up for spring break and not long before summer vacation. Yesterday, I finally got to squeeze in a few hours of sewing for my daughter. With the end of the school year fast approaching we have so many events to attend- Honors Day, Honors Night, sports banquet, graduation, Nursery Rhyme Day, Easter Egg Hunts, Kite Flying Day, recreation baseball, dance recitals, etc.

Most recently, I've become very interested in the "Made in the USA" movement. Several weeks ago we went shopping for baseball cleats. Did you know it is impossible to find a pair of tennis shoes "made in the USA" much less cleats? So sad, players of America's favorite pastime must hit the field decked in garb "Made in China". Even worse is the fact the USA is borrowing money from the same country making almost all of the products we use. I've done some research to locate "Made in the USA" products. Thank goodness my favorite sandals are "Made in the USA"- Stephen Bonanno's. I wore my gold sandals out and I'm trying to decide if I should send them for repair of just get another pair. Got to hurry and decide - it is warming up.

If you want to know more about "Made in the USA" visit http://www.stillmadeinusa.com/ . I'm going to make an effort to support these businesses as well as other American companies producing products in the states. While checking out the latest LL Bean catalog, I was surprised to find only one item in the entire catalog with the designation "made in the USA".

Our country made a big mistake when it allowed our manufacturing jobs to move to other countries. These jobs were not glamorous, but a job is a job. Just a few weeks ago, I had an opportunity to visit a local manufacturing facility. I left there being so proud of our community and the people working in the plant. It gives me great pride to know something people need all over the world is made in my back yard. We need to take more pride in products made in our country. Blue collar workers have never been respected for their role in making the USA the greatest country in the world.

My sweetie and I attended another luncheon today. Got a new recipe for a ladies luncheon- Congealed Asparagus Salad. It was wonderful and has a southern staple- PECANS. See the recipe below the picture of my sweet girl.

Congealed Asparagus Salad

1 c. water

1 c.sugar

1/2 c.vinegar

1/2tsp. salt

2envelopes unflavored gelatin

1/2 c.cold water

1/2 c.celery,

diced 1/2 c.pecans, chopped

1 sm.jar pimento, chopped

1 med.can cut asparagus

Juiceof 1 lemon

Sm.amount of onion, grated

Methods/steps
Boil water, sugar, vinegar, and salt. Dissolve gelatin in 1/2 cup cold water. Combine all ingredients and place in refrigerator to congeal.