Things We Can Learn from a Dog
Contributed by Lori Heiser

1. Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joy ride.
2. Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
3. When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
4. When it's in your best interest, always practice obedience.
5. Let others know when they've invaded your territory.
6. Take naps and always stretch before rising.
7. Run, romp, and play daily.
8. Eat with gusto and enthusiasm.
9. Be loyal.
10. Never pretend to be something you're not.
11. If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
12. When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.
13. Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
14. Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
15. Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
16. On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
17. When you are happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
18. No matter how often you are criticized, don't buy into the guilt thing and pout. Run right back and make friends.

Amusing Things Grade Schoolers Have Written
Contributed by Jerry Taylor

• The future of "I give" is "I take."
• The parts of speech are lungs and air.
• The inhabitants of Moscow are called Mosquitoes.
• A census taker is a man who goes from house to house increasing the population.
• Water is composed of two gins. Oxygin and hydrogin. Oxygin is pure gin. Hydrogin is gin and water.
• (Define H2O and CO2.) H2O is hot water and CO2 is cold water.
• A city purifies its water supply by filtering the water then forcing it through an aviator.
• Most of the houses in France are made of plaster of Paris.
• The people who followed the Lord were called the 12 opossums.
• The spinal column is a long bunch of bones. The head sits on the top and you sit on the bottom.
• We do not raise silk worms in the United States, because we get our silk from rayon. He is a larger worm and gives more silk.

DJ Thomas:
One of our all-time favorites is Bagel-Pizza! The kids enjoy concocting their own delicious versions. We use a variety of different flavored bagels, and top them with a layer of Ragu-type sauces, shredded cheeses, pepperoni (or ham, sausage, etc.), chopped onions, and whatever strikes our fancy. Pop them into an oven that has been pre-heated to about 350 degrees, and heat for five to ten minutes, until the cheese is beginning to melt.

Julee in Idaho:
Easy Breakfast Casserole - I like this one because you fix it the night before serving. Our CPT (Caring Parents and Teachers) group served this to our school staff for a recent Back-to-School breakfast meeting. It was a real hit!
4 c. cubed day old bread
2 c shredded Cheddar cheese
10 eggs, lightly beaten
4 c milk
1 tsp dry mustard
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp. onion powder
1/2 c sliced mushrooms (opt.)
1/2 c peeled , chopped tomatoes (opt) 8 to 10 slices cooked bacon crumbled or 1lb. sausage, cooked and drained
Generously butter a 9 x 13 baking dish. Arrange bread cubes in dish and sprinkle with cheese. Beat together next 5 ingredients with pepper to taste and pour evenly over cheese and bread. Sprinkle with bacon or sausage, mushrooms and tomato if desired. Cover and chill overnight. Preheat oven to 325. Bake casserole, uncovered, until set about 1 hour.

Dawn Schurman:
BLT Dip
1 C. mayonaisse
1 C. sour cream
1 lb bacon, cooked and chopped
1 tomato, seeded and diced Combine ingredients and refrigerate overnight to blend flavors. Serve on toasted bread triangles. This recipe makes a great snack or appetizer for casual company.

Dawn Schurman:
Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes
5 lbs. red potatoes
1/2 C. margarine
6 oz. cream cheese
1 C. sour cream
4 oz. cheddar
1/2 C. parmesan cheese
4 green onions
1 T. salt
1 tsp. pepper
milk
Peel potatoes and boil until tender. Mash potatoes while still hot, adding margarine and a little milk. Add rest of ingredients and mix well. Put in 3 qt. casserole dish, cover, and refrigerate for up to 1 week. Remove from refrigerator 1 hour before baking. Bake 45 minutes at 350.