Grand Old Flag Fudge

Ingredients:

12 ounces good quality white chocolate
3/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
1 cup coarsely chopped almonds, toasted
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup dried blueberries
1 tablespoon grated orange peel

Instructions:

In a large microwave bowl place the white chocolate and milk together.  Microwave on high for about 2 minutes.  Chocolate should be almost melted.  Remove from microwave and stir with a rubber spatula until chocolate is completely melted.  Stir in the almonds.  Carefully fold in the blueberries and cranberries.  Add the orange peel and mix well. Place foil into an 8 inch square pan. Be sure the foil extends over the top of the pan so you can use it as handles when removing the fudge.  Spread the mixture into the pan evenly with a rubber spatula.  Place in the refrigerator until firm. This usually takes about 3 hours.  When fudge is firm remove from pan by lifting the foil by the extended area.  Cut and store tightly in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

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The Dangers of Online Chats

There’s a great sense of camaraderie when you enter an online chat room. You can be yourself without fear of recrimination. No one knows who you are, so you’re “safe”.  Well, that’s not entirely true.  The dangers of online chats are all too often played out on the evening news.  Here are some ways to help those you love or yourself from being a statistic.[ad]

* Don’t give out personal information in online chat rooms, forums, or over instant messengers unless you personally know the people you’re chatting with.  This rule goes for your children and yourself.

* Teach your children to be very selective about who they trust online. This means, if they meet someone new online, don’t assume they are who they say they are.  There are quite often people that pretend to be something they’re not in order to lure people, unfortunately mainly young children or teenagers, into a false sense of security.

* Tell your children and loved ones to avoid meeting people in person that they’ve met online, particularly if that person is pushing the meeting.  Make sure they tell you about anyone who asks to meet them in person.  If they feel they must meet this person, offer to go with them as long as they meet in a public place and in broad daylight.  Then, be very careful of the contact they have with your child afterwards.

* Stay with your child if they are chatting online so you can help them stay in charge of what’s being said.  Don’t allow them to give out personal information such as their name, address, telephone number, private email addresses, or pictures. Offering up personal information just makes anyone vulnerable, and you don’t want that.

* Check your profile to be sure you, or they, haven’t already divulged too much personal information.
 
* If you or your child is online and the conversation changes and makes you uncomfortable, log out.  Go as far as deleting that username and create a new one.  Make a note of the offending party and stay out of conversations with them.  Don’t be afraid to block a username, either.  It is your right not to have to deal with offensive or bullying people.

* If a conversation really turns offensive, save a copy of the chat just in case the person decides to stalk you or your child and you need to report them.

Online chats don’t always lead to sexual predators.  Sometimes they entice children, teens, and even adults to do things they would never consider at any other time – stealing, purchasing illegal drugs, self-mutilation – these are all things that can be found online.
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Finding a Hobby Helps Your Home

Children change everything.  If you don’t already know that then you probably don’t have children.  Women who have had a hobby for years will find themselves giving it up because of the children.  There just doesn’t seem to be enough time to do things for the children and things for ourselves anymore.[ad] 

However, although the schedules might seem hectic and the time might seem fleeting, it is important that you find time for yourself amidst all the chaos.  A hobby is a great way to relieve stress in your life and help you refocus on the things that are most important to you.

Having a hobby will also give you the chance to build a support network.  It is likely that you will be able to find others that also enjoy the same hobby.  By meeting together on a regular basis, you will build friendships and bonds that can help you through times ahead.

If you have a hobby that you have given up or if you just want to start taking time for yourself, then here are a few tips to get you on the right path.

1.  Give yourself one day each month to focus on your hobby.  Plan to attend a lecture, event or even a conference that is centered on your hobby.  If you don’t feel comfortable doing a whole day once a month then make it a few hours – but it’s still a good idea to get away for a whole day at least once or twice a year.

2.  If you are limited in space or resources, then find a hobby that doesn’t require much of either.  If you like to garden then join a gardening club.  Often the members will be thrilled to share their extra plants with other members (particularly new members).  If you like to read then consider a book club.  You can check out the books from the library and not have to invest any of your own income.  There are usually a number of different groups and organizations that are always eager to find new members.

3.  Include your family some of the time if you just don’t feel good about being away (or if you have more than one hobby).  It is not just a chance to break out of the normal routine, but it is also a chance to bond as a family (try out letterboxing, square dancing, or other group activities).

Taking up a new hobby (or renewing an interest in a previous hobby) does not mean that you are abandoning your family.  It means that you are making yourself the best you that you can be, so that you can be MORE for your family in the long run.

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