My devotional today form Proverbs 31 Ministries was something I really needed to hear.  I posted it here in it's entirety because I hope it encourages someone else as much as it did me!  If you've never looked at the Proverbs 31 site or these ladies' blogs, please go check them out.  I get lots of encouragement from them.

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Before I had children I was a teacher.  And when I taught in "real school" my field of expertise was special education.  As a teacher I was often frustrated by how quickly children were labeled with any and all "special needs."  I am not arguing that there are never serious issues that children may have that need to be addressed and possibly need a "label."  But, in my heart, I believe all children have special needs.  All children learn differently.  All children respond differently.  And they each need something different from us as their parents.  Homeschooling is perfect for this because who better to know and understand your child's needs than you, the parent?

Todd Wilson (the Familyman) has an article in this week's Homeschooling Minute from TOS that I thought was sooo good about this topic of special needs.  I am sharing it because it touched my heart and hope it will touch yours.

The Familyman
Todd Wilson, Familyman Ministries

I have special needs children. In fact, ALL my children are special needs children. First, there's Ben (15) who really needs me to listen to him talk . . . because he talks a lot. Then there's Sam (13) who likes to tease but who needs me to know when it's time to stop teasing and be understanding. Katherine (11) needs me to be extra gentle during these "changing" years.
    
Ike (9) needs lots of one-on-one attention. Abe (7) needs snuggling and closeness. Maggie Rose (4) needs me to help her use self-control. Cal (2) needs me to read books to him and Jed (7 mos.) needs me to smile at him.
    
Now before I get an angry note from some well-meaning mother who insists that I'm making light of or minimizing special needs children, let me say that I am not doing that at all. I know some of you have children who demand incredible sacrifice and labor on your part. I know you lie awake at night wondering if you can make it through another day. I'm certainly NOT trying to equate my "special needs" kids with your "special needs" kids. But I am trying to point out that ALL of our children have special needs and that we've done our children and ourselves a disservice by labeling our special needs children as "special needs." They're just children like all the rest.
    
Yes, they have special needs, but as I've already described, all children do to some extent. Amazingly, God has given you the abilities to meet those special needs and has given your children the mom and dad just right for them. You don't have to feel inadequate or apologize for their lack of progress, or label them as a "special needs" child.
    
All you have to do is love, train, and prepare them for THEIR future. Oh, yeah, and one more thing . . .

 . . . Be real,
Todd

P.S. - To all of you who have signed up to be my friend on Facebook, thank you for doing so . . . I think. You can still sign up at my Facebook page.

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I'm sure many of you have heard this, but I just wanted to pass along the good news.

From the HSLDA E-lert Service...
Aug. 8 , 2008 QUICK LINKS HSLDA Home Page Join HSLDA Members Home Page HSLDA Bookstore Did you get your PerX today? HSLDA membership can pay for itself! Retailers and service providers want to support our members with special discounts. Check out the discounts available to you today... we'll be adding more soon! Join 11,000 others... The HSLDA Curriculum Market is buzzing with activity! Save money on new and used homeschooling materials, or sell your extras. You Can Help! The Home School Foundation supports homeschool families in need. Whether it's a widow or a family suffering after a natural disaster, HSF is there to help. You can give directly, or through our Clicks For Homeschooling program; online merchants contribute to HSF when you shop! Start shopping here to contribute to HSF at no cost to you!			A Great Victory for California Homeschoolers Dear HSLDA Members and Friends: In a unanimous decision, the California Court of Appeal for the Second Appellate District today ruled that “California statutes permit home schooling as a species of private school education.” Today’s decision stands in stark contrast to the opinion this same three-judge panel issued in February, which would have made California the only state in the union to outlaw home education had it remained in effect. “It is unusual for an appellate court to grant a petition for rehearing as this court did in March,” said HSLDA Chairman Mike Farris, “but it is truly remarkable for a court to completely reverse its own earlier opinion. We thank you for your prayers and give God the glory for this great victory.” When the court vacated its earlier decision on March 25, 2008, it invited interested organizations to file friend-of-the-court briefs. “I have never seen such an impressive array of people and organizations coming to the defense of homeschooling,” said Farris, who was one of the attorneys who argued the case on rehearing along with Alliance Defense Fund attorney Jeff Shafer, who represented the father. The father was also represented by Gary Kreep of the United States Justice Foundation. California’s three largest homeschool organizations, California Homeschool Network, Homeschool Association of California and Christian Home Education Association joined together in one brief to defend the right of all parents to homeschool. HSLDA, Family Protection Ministries and Focus on the Family also joined in a separate brief. Numerous other private organizations came to the defense of home education as did California’s governor, attorney general, and superintendent of public instruction. We are extremely grateful to all of the organizations who worked tirelessly to protect and preserve homeschooling freedom in California. We are also thankful for you, our members, for your prayers and support during this trying season. The freedom to homeschool is a precious gift from God. But keeping it free requires vigilance and perseverance. We must continue to work together diligently to preserve this precious freedom in California and elsewhere. Sincerely, J. Michael Smith HSLDA President To read the full opinion click here. Below are excerpts from the opinion: We will conclude that: (1) California statutes permit home schooling as a species of private school education; and (2) the statutory permission to home school may constitutionally be overridden in order to protect the safety of a child who has been declared dependent. [FN1: We use the terms “home school” and “home schooling” to refer to full-time education in the home by a parent or guardian who does not necessarily possess a teaching credential.] ... Although the Legislature did not amend the statutory scheme so as to expressly permit home schooling, more recent enactments demonstrate an apparent acceptance by the Legislature of the proposition that home schooling is taking place in California, with home schools allowed as private schools. Recent statutes indicate that the Legislature is aware that some parents in California home school their children by declaring their homes to be private schools. Moreover, several statutory enactments indicate a legislative approval of home schooling, by exempting home schools from requirements otherwise applicable to private schools. ... While the Legislature has never acted to expressly supersede Turner and Shinn, it has acted as though home schooling is, in fact, permitted in California. ... While the legislative history of Education Code section 44237 is somewhat complicated, it confirms this interpretation, and also reflects the Legislature’s apparent intent to accommodate home schooling parents. ... The most logical interpretation of subsequent legislative enactments and regulatory provisions supports the conclusion that a home school can, in fact, fall within the private school exception to the general compulsory education law. ... We therefore conclude that home schools may constitute private schools. ... While the interpretation of the private school exemption is ultimately an issue for the courts, we find it significant that education and enforcement officials at both the state and local levels agree that home schools may constitute private schools. ... In short, the rule of Turner and Shinn has been discounted as a doctrinal anachronism, and clinging to such precedent would undermine a practice that has been, if not actively encouraged, at least acknowledged and accepted by officials and the public for many years.
The HSLDA E-lert Service is a service of: Home School Legal Defense Association • P.O. Box 3000 • Purcellville, Virginia 20134-9000 Phone: (540) 338-5600 • Fax: (540) 338-2733 • Email: info@hslda.org Web: http://www.hslda.org

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I love to organize, and I really enjoyed reading this e-zine edition about scheduling from Cindy Rushton.  It was a "sharable" file, so I decided to post the link here.  If you've been struggling with scheduling your school year or are just looking for a change, check it out.

Scheduling: Help for the Stressed, Inconsistent, Want-to-be Flexible and Organized Mom!

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For those of you who have been my faithful blog readers for a while, you may remember me linking to CFHusbands blog.  This couple has an amazing testimony of God's grace and blessing through the VERY premature birth of their daughter as Tricia (the mom) awaited a lung transplant fro cystic fibrosis.

This story has been particularly drawing to us for several reasons.  Tricia's family homeschooled.  We have dear friends who have two sons with cystic fibrosis, and when I was young, one of the books that made the biggest impact on me was Alex, the Life of a Child, the story of a little girl with CF who died the year I was born.

Now, Tricia has come through her lung transplant and developed lymphoma.  While this is apparently a risk factor with a lung transplant, the fact is, she is not responding well to treatment. And so they are still in our prayers.

Nate, her husband, is doing a fundraiser for the leukemia lymphoma society over on his blog.  I for one will participate because I'd love to see Nate bald!  Read the details here:

CFHusband Goes Bald

WHOA...we're already to 50% of our goal of $3000 at 8am of day two...thank you so much!!!


In support of my wife, Tricia, and in honor of both my brother-in-law, Jeff Prentice, I'm challenging my family, friends and blog readers to help me raise no less than $3000 in 1 week for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS).

If I can raise $3000 by noon next Friday (August 8, 2008), I will shave my head, live on the internet at 8pm that night (all times are EST).

The LLS is the world’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education and patient services. Last year, LLS funded more than $64 million in research, with more than $7 million going towards 18 active research projects at Duke and UNC.

LLS also provides several resources to their patients, including Family Support Groups and a Patient Financial Aid Program.

As you know, Tricia was diagnosed with Post-Transplant Lymphoma a few weeks ago. What you might not know is that Tricia's brother-in-law, Jeff (the husband of Tricia's sister, Janet) was also diagnosed with Stage IV Follicular Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL), a treatable, but incurable cancer. Jeff is the father of five of my favorite nieces and nephews.


Jeff is also currently undergoing aggressive chemotherapy, similar to Tricia. I am privileged that he has given me his permission to participate in this fundraiser in his honor. You can read more about Jeff and his journey with Lymphoma Here.

I have to warn you...I have shaved my head (and by "shave", I do mean with a razor) once before, and I've been told that I might have one of the ugliest heads in the history of the world, which is bizarre considering the rest of me is so beautiful...

To participate in the worldwide effort to make me bald and beautiful, simply Click Here and follow the online instructions.

OR

Mail a check, made out to "LLS", with "CFHusband Goes Bald" in the memo line to:

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
401 Harrison Oaks Blvd., Ste. 200
Cary, NC 27513

Every penny we raise (under or over $3000) goes directly to the LLS, and if you have any questions about this fundraiser, feel free to contact the Eastern North Carolina Chapter of LLS.

And, if you really want to see my shiny, white head, consider linking this post on your blog and asking people for their support (and, feel free to use the graphic above)!!!

Thank you so much for considering being a part of this fundraiser and making life a little easier for hundreds of thousands of cancer patients around the world!

Sincerely,

Nate


Now go to CFHusband's blog to participate.

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I was nominated by my blogging friend Michelle.  She blogs about life and homeschooling with her children. go check out her blog!  Thank you, Michelle.





I notice that this is only five, but I am sort of new to this award thing.  I am always a little uncertain as to how people will feel about being nominated for something.  But, I love reading your blogs and have so enjoyed my time blogging and getting to know those of you who blog.

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This article was in my Living on a Dime newsletter today.  I don't feel the need to work so my kids can have everything, but I must admit, I find myself using the "my poor deprived kids because they don't get ___________" line occasionally.  This was a great article to "straighten me out."

You can find more great stuff at the Living on a Dime website.

Are We Really Depriving Our Kids?
by Jill Cooper

I often hear ladies complaining that they want to stay at home with their kids but that they "have to work since it is so expensive to raise kids these days." One of the main questions I get asked about simple living is "Won't I be depriving my children if I live the frugal life?" Maybe I can answer that question with a few questions.

Am I depriving my children by having them drink water for every meal instead of juice or soda? Isn't one thing doctors are always complaining about is we don't drink enough water? Cutting out just one glass of soda per person per day for a family of four would save $547.50 a year and make them healthier.

Am I depriving my children by having them eat an apple or homemade granola bar for a snack instead of a bag of chips? Obesity is a major problem among children in the United States. If you cut out just one bag of chips a week you would save $104.00 a year and make them healthier.

Am I depriving my children by having them walk to school or to a friend's house instead of my always driving them there? Lack of exercise is a big problem. You would save time and wear and tear on your car by having them walk and make them healthier at the same time.

Am I depriving my children when I don't buy them every toy they see and want? We wouldn't dream of giving a baby on baby food all the chocolate that he wants because we know it would make him sick. His body can not tolerate that much chocolate even if he desires it.

In the same way, an older child can't emotionally deal with the overload of toys. I as an adult become stressed just from trying to buy a bottle of shampoo. Have you ever noticed how many options you have? Trying to make a decision can be overwhelming. Do I get it for thin, fine, dry and damaged or colored and permed hair? The list goes on and on.

When a young child looks at piles of toys, he can become very stressed over choosing which one to play with. If you watch, you will notice that they tend to play with the same couple of toys over and over. If you didn't give them all the toys they asked for and bought one less brand new toy at $10 a week, you would save $520.00 in one year and you would help relieve them of some stress.

It is no wonder our children stay confused. We insist that they should eat healthy yet we take them out to eat 3-5 times a week at McDonald's. We give them a bag of carrot sticks in their lunch because it's healthy and then give them a bag of chips when they get home from school to get them off our backs.

We want them to have strong character yet the moment they whine or cry for another toy or some candy at the store we give in out of guilt. We are afraid that if we don’t give them what they want, they won’t love us so to rid ourselves of uncomfortable feelings we say yes. How can we teach them to be strong in character when we are so weak?

How could our thinking have gotten so mixed up that we think a child is deprived if a mom chooses to stay home and not go to work? We have come to believe that moms should work outside the home so that children can have the most expensive clothes, education or material things. (Note I didn't say best but rather most expensive since the most expensive doesn’t mean the best.) If a mom goes to work so a child can have all those things it's not considered depriving the child of anything but it's mom. Which do you think does a child more harm- being deprived expensive things or it’s mom?

For you stay at home moms: Before you become too puffed up with pride be aware that too many social, church and school activities can deprive your children of you just as much as working. Do all things in moderation.

Better to give your kids your values you have
than the valuables you can't afford.

---

The Living On A Dime newsletter is published by:
Kellam Media and Publishing, Inc.
P.O. Box 844, Andover, KS 67002

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Here is a great tool I wanted to pass along:

You all can definitely tell how much I read if you've noticed my yearly book list.  I also check out many library books for the kids each time we go.  I allow each child the number of books of their age, and I usually check out a handful for school.
Unfortunately, that can mean LARGE fines if I am late returning items!  Last week, I paid the library $19.49!!!!  I' don't mind supporting our local library, but I can't afford those kind of fines.

Recently a lady on our local homeschool support group sent around this lovely link!  Library Elf will help you keep track of your fines, books due, holds, etc. on multiple library cards.

Check it out, and see of your local library is supported (There were MANY branches listed in each state!).

LibraryElf

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I have recently subscribed to the Living on a Dime newsletter, and I thought this week's issue had a very good article that puts concerns about rising prices in perspective:

Are Rising Prices Scaring You?

We are getting e-mails and it has been all over the news - "What do we do? They are rationing rice!!"

I haven't decided if I should just laugh or start tearing my hair out. First everyone panicked over the price of gas... then it was the price of apples, then milk and now rice. What I find so amusing about the whole thing is a lot of those same people who are in a panic are still using their gas to go to the movies, to go on vacations, to travel for sports activities, to go shopping and to go most any place they want to go.

So many people complain about the price of gas when it costs $4.00 a gallon but don't bat an eye when going to Starbucks to pay $4.00 for one cup (8 oz. or 1/8 of a gallon) of coffee that they could have made at home for pennies. Despite all the fuss, most Americans have not substantially changed their lives because of gas prices.

Then there is another whole group who complain about how they "aren't like other people". They don't spend a penny on anything and they still have nothing and, because their lot in life is so miserable, they have a right to be afraid of what is happening in the world and in their lives. They have a "What about me?" attitude all of the time.

The Bible says that God does not give us the spirit of fear but of power and love and a sound mind. Even if you aren't a Christian, I want you to really think about those words because they apply to human nature in general.

We are living in a world that is crazed with fear and because of that we have lost power over ourselves, our lives and our circumstances. Because of that fear we have very little love for anyone. When you love someone or something your main thoughts are focused on that person or thing that you love. What do you think about all the time? --Your spouse, your children, joyful things and happy things or do you focus on yourself and on how these terrible prices are going to affect you?

---

Try Dining On A Dime and reduce your grocery bill!

Dining On A Dime helps you stop wasting your money. If you're trying to create more space in your budget, Dining on a Dime can help!

Try Dining on a Dime and start saving today!

---

Do you know how powerless you become when you give way to fear? When you're constantly afraid, you can't function properly at work which leads to not getting a pay raise or worse yet, getting fired. You can't get your mind off of that which you fear and it filters into every area of your life.

You become short and angry with your family when they try to talk to you, ask you something or want to spend time with you because they are interrupting your focus on your fear. "How am I going to get some rice (or gas, or milk or apples)", "If there's a shortage of rice now, I'm sure that is going to lead to a shortage on ALL food", "If there is a shortage of food, that will mean I can't go on vacation this summer or buy that new car."

You say but that's silly and doesn't even make sense. No it doesn't and that is where the sound mind comes in. Where there is fear there is total loss of rational reasoning or what I call "common sense".

When someone isn't of sound mind (not using common sense), they think there is going to be a shortage on rice and they panic. They tell everyone they know. The word spreads and then everyone panics and runs out to hoard rice. All that fear has a snowball effect which then creates a shortage of rice where there wasn't one.

If people had not given over to fear and had been of sound mind (using common sense) they would have thought, "No big deal, we'll have pasta instead or just do without rice for now." They would go about their daily business without giving it another thought and focus on more important things like how to be a kinder more loving spouse or parent.

When people aren't consumed with fear they can think more rationally, which helps them make wiser and more practical decisions. When fear is gone they have peace and joy and patience and most of all they are more loving.

Think about it. How much of your life is ruled by fear? If you filter back through most negative emotions, most of them begin with fear of something. Do you buy things you can't afford because you are afraid of what people will think of you? Do you spend more on gifts for your friends and your children's friends because you fear that people won't love you?

Take a serious look at the things you obsess about. Do you obsess about them because of some kind of fear? I don't know how to tactfully and gently say this but lately I have seen quiet (and sometimes loud) fear in a new thing called "becoming green and saving the environment". This is really just another form of fear. When people become obsessed and overcome, it is usually out of fear and not out of rational thinking.

I'm not saying you shouldn't try to save the environment if you think that it needs saving. I'm simply saying don't let things that stem from fear of something control your life in such a way that you lose all of your life's joy and your capacity for reasonable and rational thinking.

---

The Living On A Dime newsletter is published by:
Kellam Media and Publishing, Inc.
P.O. Box 844, Andover, KS 67002

 

If you would like more information about Living on a Dime or to subscribe visit their site here.

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In honor of Father's Day tomorrow, I just had to copy this poem.  I found the link on the Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Minute, and I loved this because it fits my Jason perfectly.  I copied it for him, so he could take it to work and hopefully remember all the time how much I appreciate him and all the things he does for us.

My children are very blessed to have a wonderful father who loves me and loves them and wants to spend time with us!

In honor of our Daddy and all daddies everywhere:

Only A Dad
Edgar Guest 

Only a dad with a tired face,
Coming home from the daily race,
Bringing little of gold or fame
To show how well he has played the game;
But glad in his heart that his own rejoice
To see him come and to hear his voice.

Only a dad with a brood of four,
One of ten million men or more
Plodding along in the daily strife,
Bearing the whips and the scorns of life,
With never a whimper of pain or hate,
For the sake of those who at home await.

Only a dad, neither rich nor proud,
Merely one of the surging crowd,
Toiling, striving from day to day,
Facing whatever may come his way,
Silent whenever the harsh condemn,
And bearing it all for the love of them.

Only a dad but he gives his all,
To smooth the way for his children small,
Doing with courage stern and grim
The deeds that his father did for him.
This is the line that for him I pen:
Only a dad, but the best of men.

From the book "A Heap o' Livin'" ©1916

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Many of you have heard of Nate and Tricia Lawrenson and their baby born at 24 1/2 weeks.  Tricia has CF and had a lung transplant in April.  She and baby Gwyneth had been doing very well and the family was back at home in Outer Banks.  There have been some complications for Tricia.  She is going in for some testing tomorrow.  The family has asked supporters to pray specifically between the hours of 7-10am EST.

You can read the details on Nate's blog.

I have been extremely touched by this family and amazed by God's work in their lives!

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Many of you are familiar with SoCalVal and her resource website Weblink Education.  She has written a new book for beginning homeschoolers that is excellent.  I got my copy today and have already skimmed through.  I will definitely recommend it for new homeschoolers I meet.  It was encouragement to me - a somewhat veteran homeschooler- as well!

Check out the book here.

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I finally broke down and got a MySpace page.  I figured since I was all over the net, I might as well be there too.  Several of my real life friends are there. (Yes, I do have friends in real life. :-) )

Go check out my space here, and if you are on MySpace, let me be your friend.

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There is a very powerful and thought-provoking article on the Homeschool Blogger Front Porch about keeping them home where they belong.  If you haven't read it check it out here.

The quotes from very influential people in our public school system were astounding.

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I just received an e-mail today about another online homeschool seminar that Cindy Rushton is offering.  I sooo enjoyed the Homeschool Expo, as I am sure you are all tired of hearing, :-)  This one is about the Charlotte Mason approach to homeschooling and there is a $35 fee if you want the downloads and membership site, but you can get a COMPLIMENTARY ticket to just listen live for free.  The information is here.

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I just cannot share just how much I am still getting from the Homeschool Expo.  Even though the original week is over, most of the sessions are now available to download or to catch as a podcast feed.

This is the kind of stuff I keep thinking, "Why did nobody tell me this before?"

I am so thankful for these people who have given their time and made it their ministry to teach moms like me how to love and care for and teach this family God has given me!

On Cindy Rushton's blog she gives this link to read this month's Homeschooling the Easy Way E-zine.
She says to share it with your friends, so here it is.  Read it and enjoy some of this wisdom from a godly lady. 

This is the best way I can describe listening to these workshops:  On so many days, I just feel drained.  Everybody needs something from me all the time, and I am trying to be so many things to so many people.  Listening to these workshop fills my tank.  The godly wisdom and encouragement I have received just gives me a boost to keep going, to be happy, to be thankful for the life God has given me and the work He has called me to do.

Enjoy the e-zine.

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Yesterday was Teacher Appreciation Day.  did you know that?  did you get a special gift for your child's teacher(s)?  I wish, I'd known. I want some new books from the bookstore.

 

Jamin who writes for The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Minute has a great tribute to the Homeschool Teacher of the Year on her blog.  Check it out.

 

And, Happy Teacher Appreciation Day - a little late.

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I have been following the developments at parentalrights.org.  This week's article should really make those of us who are teaching our children Biblical things sit up and take notice.  The article is Religion is Child Abuse?

I'm not really one to jump into a panic just because things are brought out in the media, but this is a piece of legislation that I am watching very carefully.  As a Christian parent and a homeschooler, my freedom to teach my children as I feel God is leading me is VERY important, and the introduction of any piece of legislation that may limit those freedoms is very concerning to me.

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I just have to put another plug in here for the Ultimate Homeschool Expo.  I feel like one of those Geico commercials- "I am a real customer, not a paid celebrity."

I have just gotten sooo much out of the workshops I have listened to.  There are literally HUNDREDS of dollars of freebies in the virtual grab bag, and all these things will be available forever when you pay your $40 for admission.  All the audios can be downloaded and listened to at your leisure.

 

Some of my favorite workshops so far:

Teaching Creation Science

You're Not Superwoman! Balancing Our Homeschool Ideas with Realities of Life

What Does God See When He Looks at Me?

The Value of Motherhood- MY FAVORITE SO FAR

Secrets to Supermarket Savings

 

There have been many more, but it is great to be able to hear these speakers, chat live with other moms, and get all this good information without leaving the house or my kids!

 

If you haven't checked it out yet, check it out.  After July the conferences will still be available but the price goes up to $99.95!

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I was asked for the recipe for homemade corn dogs.  I have to say, this comes from the neatest recipe book : Make-a-Mix

 

This book is great for me because I like to cook from a mix, but I am trying to be more health conscious and more frugal and buy less-processed foods.  So, now I can make my own mixes and then I can use them for easy cooking.

 

This recipe starts with Corn Bread Mix:

4 cups all purpose flour

4 cups yeallow cornmeal

2 cups instant nonfat milk powder or dry buttermilk powder

2/3 cup granulated sugar

4 tablespoons baking powder

1 tablespoon salt

1 tablespoon baking soda

 

This makes a LARGE mix of about 10 cups.  It can be used to make corn bread:

 

Combine 1 egg

1/2 cup water

2 tablespoons melted butter

1 1/4 cups mix

 

Or corn dogs:

1/4 cup corn bread mix

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1/8 teaspoon dry mustard (I leave this out)

pinch of paprika

1 egg slightly beaten

1 tablespoon water

 

Heat oil in a deep fryer or about 2-3 inches in a suacepan.  Dry four hotdogs with paper towels.  In a pie plate, combine the dry ingredients, then stir in egg and water to make a stiff batter.  Roll the hotdogs in batter and use tongs to place them in the hot oil.  Turning once, fry until golden brown, 2-3 minutes.

This makes enough batter for four hotdogs.  I usually double and fix eight for my crew.  Sometimes I stick kabob sticks in them for a holder. :-)

These are a favorite with my kiddos (and I like them too.)

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