July 2012 / MAPLESTONE

9th Annual Christmas in July Toy Run for Dukes Children's Hospital & Miracle Network

This past Saturday; DH, some of his buddies, and I grabbed our helmets, hopped on motorcycles and

participated in the 9th Annual Christmas in July Toy Run for Duke Children's Hospital and the Children's Miracle Network. The cost was a new toy, $15 for the rider, $10 for the passenger and all proceeds were donated to the Children's Miracle Network.

We met at IHOP, had breakfast and rode to M & M leather, the starting point of our journey, which would begin at 10 a.m..When we arrived, about 9 a.m., there were motorcycles and people galore and more were coming in!

There was a local DJ from 96.5 there, drinks, and raffles. They even auctioned off a few things. One in particular stuck in my mind. There was a handmade wooden rocking motorcycle, the auction began, it went so fast and finally the bid closed. It was sold to a couple for $700 and this very generous couple turned around and donated it back to the children. It tugged at my heartstrings.

At 9:55, they announced that all riders and passengers head to their bikes. Three minutes later, start your engines came bellowing from the speakers. All at once the rumble filled the air, it was deafening and exhilarating!

With riders mounted, the procession began, and leading the way was the Cumberland County Sheriffs Departments Motorcycle Unit, about 5 of them. These police officers would escort us all the way. Our route took us through Lillington, Holly Springs, Apex, just to name a few. All traffic is stopped until we pass, except those few ~~dumb you know whats~~ that started to pull out. (Lets just say some not so nice words came out of my mouth when one started to pull out in front of us!!) All along the way there were people who had come out to see what all the noise was, they took pictures, and waved.

(taken from the back of the bike,bikes as far as the I could see)

Almost two hours later we arrived, we pulled into the parking garage next to the hospital, where Texas Roadhouse had step up lunch for us. After eating all riders were asked to head to the lobby of the hospital. (Unfortunately, DH and I had an emergency back home so we didn't get to participate in this part) How is unfolded from a friend: The participants formed a human chain from the lobby outside to the truck holding all the toys. Each toy was taken off the truck and passed from one person to the other. They were then handed off to the staff who delivered them to the children. They presented the proceeds and it was over.

All in all, it was a great experience, that we will participate in for as long as they have it!

Enjoy your day,
♡ Tina ♡

PLACES I LIKE TO PARTY!!

{SUNDAY: sunday's best party @ my 1929 charmer; bouquet of talent @ life on lakeshore drive; share it one more time @ one more time events} {MONDAY: make it pretty monday @ the dedicated house} {TUESDAY: nifty thrifty tuesday @ coastal charm; tasty tuesday @ the comforts of home} {WEDNESDAY: what we accomplished wednesday @ green willow pond; party on the porch @ the shady porch} {THURSDAY:} {FRIDAY: be inspired friday @ common ground} {SATURDAY: saturday sparks @ pieced pastimes}

Read This Post →

Baked Ziti

Guess what? I cooked!!

OH.......please.........no applause! Really it was nothing spectacular, really.

OK, I will get on with the post. For dinner the other night I made Baked Ziti. I honestly can't remember where I got the recipe, but like many other recipes I get, I adapt to suit the family.

Doesn't it look delish?

BAKED ZITI

ingredients:

9x13 pan
15 oz container ricotta cheese
1 pound ground beef or any other meat (optional)
2 -16oz boxes of ziti (or any small tube pasta ,you will only use about 1 1/2 boxes)
1- 6oz pkg Parmesan cheese, shredded
1- 8 oz pkg Italian Style Cheese, shredded
1- 26 oz jar/can Spaghetti Sauce

instructions:

preheat over to 350 degrees, cook and drain pasta (reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water), pour back in pot.
brown meat, then drain
Stir meat into pasta
stir in all ricotta cheese and mix well
add the 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
add 1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese, combine well
add all the spaghetti sauce, combine well
pour into 9x13
sprinkle a layer of parmesan cheese
then layer on a thick layer of Italian blend cheese
Cover with foil and bake 45 to 50 minutes
remove the foil the last 5 minutes so the cheese can brown a wee bit (optional)
cut and serve with garlic bread.

Created using The Recipes Generator

num, num,num,num