Jake's Are You Feeling Devilish Strawberry Cake

Our toddler is turning into quite the chef/baker. He even has his own little John Deere apron to wear when helping Mama in the kitchen. We baked this cake last week. It was perfect because he was able to help with the mixing, pouring, and poked holes in the cake and didn't get in trouble for it! What you need:

• 1 devil's food cake mix
• 2 1/2 c. crushed Michigan strawberries
• 1 small pkg. instant French vanilla pudding mix
• 1 c. milk
• 1 small container strawberry whipped topping

Directions:

• Bake cake according to directions on box. Use a 9X13 pan. Cool on wire rack. Use the handle of a wooden spoon or your fingers to poke holes all over the top of the cake.
• Pour crushed strawberries over the top of the cake. You may need to use the wooden spoon handle (or your fingers) to make sure the juice goes down the holes.
• In a medium bowl, mix pudding mix and milk until thick. Fold in whipped topping. Spread over cake.
• Chill for 4 hours. Enjoy!

Granholm and DeVos in a Battle for Governor of Michigan

We have yet to see any real nasty mudslinging (and that is a good thing) from either Jennifer Granholm or Dick DeVos in their campaigns for the 2006 Michigan Gubernatorial election. Sure, there have been small snipes and light jabs, but no malicious attacks have been launched (again, that is a good thing). It must be tough to have to campaign in Michigan in the summer. I can not imagine trying to turn people's attention to politics when there are so many fairs, festivals, and fun things to do and see. Not that Michigan voters are apathetic or unconcerned about our economy, jobs, roads, and public schools. A quick Google search (I searched this phrase in quotes "michigan politics") turned up over 73,000 results.

An article in The Detroit News highlights the battle that awaits the incumbent, Jennifer Granholm, and the challenger, Dick DeVos. Hey, while I am thinking of it. You need to register to vote (if you have not yet done so) no later than October 10 if you want to have a say (and you should) in who is Michigan's next governor.

By the way, DeVos is pronounced de-vaus. Recently, my sister was talking about somebody named DeeVoehs (her pronunciation, not mine). I thought she was talking about that rock group, Devo. Boy, did I ever laugh when I figured out she was talking about Dick DeVos :).

Spend a Weekend at DeTour Reef Lighthouse

For $170 ($150 for members of the DeTour Reef Lighthouse Preservation Society), you can become the keeper of the DeTour Reef Lighthouse for three days and two nights. From Friday to late Sunday you will be in charge of keeping the lighthouse clean and helping greet tour visitors. You need to be in good physical condition as multiple trips up and down the 20-foot pier ladder might be required. Sound like a lot of work? It is. Is it a unique experience? Definitely.

If you are a lighthouse lover, there are priceless sunsets and the opportunity to get a brief glimpse of what a lighthouse keeper faced at the DeTour Reef Lighthouse. Boat watchers are welcome, too. Over the course of the weekend you will see dozens of freighters passing by the lighthouse.

Susan Ager, Detroit Free Press Columnist, wrote an article of her personal account of staying a weekend at the DeTour Reef Lighthouse. It is an interesting read if you want to know more about lighthouses and the conditions that lighthouse keepers worked under. Also, if you are at all interested in becoming a keeper for a weekend it is a good primer in just how much work is required of you for those three days.

You can read her article here.

Keep tabs on all of Susan's summer travels at her blog.

I was intrigued by the isolation of the DeTour Reef Lighthouse and decided to see if I could find a satellite view of it at Google. Sure enough, I did. Check it out. After viewing this up close view, you should zoom out a little bit and see how the lighthouse appears to be bobbing and floating in Lake Huron.

Quotations About Freedom

Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves. ~ Abraham Lincoln In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved. ~ Franklin D. Roosevelt

We cannot defend freedom abroad by deserting it at home. ~ Edward R. Murrow

I prefer liberty with danger to peace with slavery. ~Author Unknown

Courtesy of www.quotegarden.com

They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security ~ Benjamin Franklin

Courtesy of www.wisdomquotes.com

Michigan Gas Prices Week of 7/3/06

As I wrote last Thursday gas prices have indeed shot up (like a bottle rocket) for the 4th of July extended weekend. The average price of gas in Michigan as of today, July 3rd, is $2.986. This morning I saw prices anywhere from $2.97 to $3.09. It's funny (strange, not ha-ha) that the station near us that had the lowest prices (before raising them $.32 overnight last Tuesday) at $2.77 last week is now the highest in the area at $3.09. Nothing like a little gas price gouging in honor of our country's birth.

Gas prices courtesy of AAA's Fuel Gauge Report