Update on Gas Price Increase 7/15/06

Yesterday, I wrote about a tip I had that gas prices would increase $.30 by the end of the day. Now, it appears that the increase will be happening as the upcoming week progresses. According to this article in the Detroit Free Press, industry experts are predicting gas to go up to $3.10 next week. Even if it isn't going up $.30 this weekend or this week, it appears that if the conflicts in the Mideast continue that the price of gas will just keep climbing.

Gas Prices Will Reportedly Increase $.30 Today!

WARNING:I just heard from a reputable source through the sheriff's department that gas prices will go up approximately $.30 by the end of the day today, July 15, 2006. A quick glance at MichiganGasPrices.com shows the highest price in Michigan right now of $3.30 at a Marathon station south of Mio.

Evidently with the current state of affairs in the Mideast has bumped the price of a barrel of oil over $78. Yikes!

Blueberry Lemon Pie

This pie is light and refreshing. What you need:

• 1 small pkg. lemon gelatin
• 2/3 c. boiling water
• 1/2 c. cold water
• Ice cubes
• 3 1/2 c. thawed whipped topping
• 1 pint fresh blueberries
• 1 graham cracker crumb crust

Directions:

• Completely dissolve gelatin in boiling water. Combine water and ice cubes to make 1 1/4 cups. Add to gelatin, stirring until slightly thickened. Remove any unmelted ice. using wire whisk, blend in whipped topping. Fold in 1 1/2 cups of blueberries and chill until mixture will mound. Spoon into crust. Chill 2 hours. Garnish with remaining blueberries and additional whipped topping.

This recipe is from Locke's Fruitful Acres in Decatur. Give them a call at (269) 423-6536 to find out how the blueberry picking is going. They are open Monday - Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 12 to 6 p.m. Locke's also has a wonderful gift shop with many great country treasures to peruse.

Civil War Reenactment at Walker Tavern

This weekend, July 15-16, the historic Walker Tavern near Brooklyn, MI will be home to over 300 Civil War reenactors. Soldiers from the 4th Texas Co. E (based out of Southeastern Michigan) will be performing drills, camping, participating in skirmishes, and reenacting a battle. As far as I can tell from the 4th Texas Co. E website it appears that they will be reenacting part of the "Seige of Petersburg." Here is a rundown of the events for this weekend's Civil War reenactment -

Saturday, July 15

• 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Sutler's Row shopping area open
• 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. - Skirmish in the woods
• 2 p.m. - Battle reenactment
• 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. - Candlelight tour

Sunday, July 16

• 9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. - Period Church service held at the barn
• 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. - Sutler's Row shopping area open
• 10 a.m. - Speed loading competition on the village green
• 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. - Reenactment of Federal assault

Admission is $3 for Adults and $1 for Children under 12. Walker Tavern is located at the junction of U.S. 12 and M-50.

For more information see michigan.gov and the 4th Texas Co. E website.

Blueberry Lemon Coffee Cake

This is one of the best coffee cakes I have ever made. I have made it with fresh and frozen blueberries and both are equally good.What you need:

• 1 egg
• 2 c. Jiffy Mix (a product of Chelsea, MI)
• 1/3 c. sugar
• 2/3 c. milk
• 1 Tbsp. lemon juice
• 1 c. blueberries, rinsed and well drained
• 1/4 c. Jiffy Mix
• Lemon Icing (below)

Directions:

• Heat oven to 400. Grease 8X8 pan. Beat egg slightly; stir in 2 c. Jiffy mix, sugar, milk, and lemon.
• In a small bowl, stir blueberries and 1/4 c. Jiffy Mix; gently stir into batter. Spread in pan.
• Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 10 minutes; drizzle with lemon icing. Serve warm (I like it cold, too).

Lemon Icing:

• Stir together 2/3 cup powdered sugar and 3-4 tsp. lemon juice until smooth.

I adapted this from a recipe by Betty Crocker.

Michigan Voter Information Center

I am not sure who all might have or be receiving this, but I thought I would share it with you. Yesterday, I received a postcard from the state of Michigan about the Michigan Voter Information center at www.michigan.gov/vote. Below is a scan of the information on the postcard I received.

A very simple search function is the first thing you will see at Michigan.gov/vote that allows you to enter either your drivers license number or your name, birth year, and zip code. After you hit the 'search' button information on your polling location including a map comes up. It will also let you know if you are registered to vote.

By the way, here is the information on upcoming deadlines and elections:

State Primary - August 8, 2006 (registration deadline was July 10, 2006) State General Election - November 7, 2006 (registration deadline is October 10, 2006)