What does a 9 month old do when the power goes out?

Play blocks and stare into a flashlight of course!

We were able to go to the Melting Pot for our anniversary. We’ve had this tradition for years. If you have never been it is the most delicious meal ever and you are so full when you leave. Fondue is supposed to be fun and this really is. You don’t have to prep anything and the best part is you don’t have to clean up anything either.

First you start with a cheese fondue, this is my favorite fondue of the evening.
I personally love the fiesta cheese. You dip carrots, chips, breads, cauliflower, celery and granny smith apples.

Next comes the best salad I have ever had. It has some kind of mustard dressing and it is so good. I don’t even like mustard!

Then comes the meat. We’re picky so we get two entrees and the easy broth. This takes the most time because you don’t want to eat raw or undercooked meat…. You also get zucchini, mushrooms, broccoli, and potatoes.

Finally the chocolate! MMmm, Cookies and Cream Marshmallow Dream in Milk Chocolate. Dippers are marshmallows, strawberries, brownies, pound cake, rice krispie treats, bananas, and cheesecake.

You’re drooling aren’t you?
Until next year….

Juneteenth: June 19th

“Now, therefore I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States,…order and declare that all persons held as slaves within said designated States, and parts of States, are, and henceforward shall be free…”

Juneteenth is the celebration of the anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation which was issued by US President Abraham Lincoln on January 1st, 1863. The proclamation gave the Southern slaves their freedom and is considered an important benchmark in the African-American struggle for freedom and equality.

The word “Juneteenth” comes from the words “June” and “19th”, which according to southern folklore is when the slaves of Texas first learned of their freedom. Though technically freed in 1863, the slaves did not learn of their freedom until the arrival of the Union soldiers on June 19th, 1865. This was after the end of the Civil War and 2 1/2 years after the proclamation was first issued.

The Emancipation Proclamation is considered the catalyst that ended slavery. But at the time the proclamation was issued it really did not free anyone since the Confederate states did not recognize President Lincoln’s authority. It was not until after the Civil War had ended that the 13th Amendment to the US Constitution, ratified in 1865, officially outlawed slavery.

Juneteenth began as a celebration by ex-slaves and has continued to be observed by African-Americans in the US South. Recently there have been efforts to bring a wider audience to the celebrations.

Info found on: http://www.holidays.net/dailys/holidays/juneteenth.htm