Hot Artichoke Dip

Artichoke Dip submitted by MittenKitten:
1 14oz can artichoke herts, drained chopped
1 cup (4oz) 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese
1 cup Mayo or Miracle Whip (I only use Mayo)
1 clove garlic minced (I have used the jarred garlic)
Chopped tomato (optional IMO) for garnish
Sliced Green Onions (also optional IMO) for garnish

Mix all ingredients except tomato and onion.

Spoon into a 9 inch pie plate or quiche dish

Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes on until lightly browned. Sprinkle with tomato and onions. Serve with crackers.

IF you need to transport it I have found wrapping things right after they come out of the oven in a towel really keeps the heat in.

Chicken Pox/Itch Relief

Thanks Honeylioness

Here are some safe and homemade things you can try for your DD when the itching gets too bad:

1. Oatmeal: A bath of oatmeal is considered a natural remedy for relieving the itch due to chicken pox. This bath is prepared by cooking two cups of oatmeal in two liters of water for fifteen minutes. This mixture is then put into a cloth bag, preferably cotton, and a string is tied tightly around the top. This bag is allowed to float in a tub of warm water, and swished around until the water becomes turbid. Precaution should be taken to ensure that the bag is not torn. The child with chicken pox can splash and play in the water, making sure that water goes over all the scalds, while the pouch of oatmeal can remain in the tub .


2. Baking soda: Baking soda is a popular remedy to control the itching in chicken pox. Some baking soda should be put in a glass of water. The child should be sponged with this water, so that the soda dries on the skin. This will keep the child away from scratching the eruptions.


3. Honey The use of honey as an external application has also proved valuable in chicken pox. The skin should be smeared with honey. It will help in the healing of the disease within three days.

Things to send Soldiers overseas

Thank you Honeylioness

Sending packages overseas - something I know a little about from Hawk's last "rodeo". Now, depending on where your cousin is stationed there are things that seem a bit odd to us but will make their daily lives a bit more pleasant.

If the team/group is in the field as opposed to being in the Green Zone or Kabul I would recommend sending some of the following as well:

Antibacterial hand wash gel - Water is at a premium for most field troops and they will drink it rather than wash
Baby wipes - See above especially as regards personal hygiene.

Immodium AD - Many suffer from gastrointestinal issues from the water, stress and food
Chapstick
Sunscreen or zinc oxide

Playing cards
Crossword puzzle books - added bonus, completed pages double as field toilet paper.
Pencils and a sharpener
Note paper and envelopes to write thank you letters etc.
Packets or small jars of spices like garlic, pepper etc. - Most field units have no chow facilities and are preparing their MRE's over small propane burners. They may be nutritious but they lack any real flavor so spices are welcome in making them more palatable.

Medical Definitions for Rednecks

Submitted by Honeylioness


Barium - What the undertaker does to 'em once the doctors are through with 'em
Benign - What a child be after they be eight
Cauterize - To have gotten noticed by a woman
Cyst - To give someone in need a helpin' hand
Dilate - It sure beats dyin' early
Impotent - Significant and distinguished
Node - To have been acquainted with someone in the past
Pap Smear - To insult or belittle your own father
Pathology - The study of trails
Rectum - Crashed 'em and totaled 'em
Tumor - Not just one more
X-Rayed - For adult audiences only