Double Layer Pumpkin Pie (from Brian Dumont's wife Jennifer)

Ingredients:
1 pie crust (graham or regular)
1 12 oz pkg cream cheese, softened
1 tbsp milk
1 tbsp sugar
1 cup cold milk
1 4-serving size pkg instant vanilla pudding/pie filling
1 16 oz can pumkin
2 tsp pumpkin spice
1 1/2 cups frozen non-dairy whipped topping, thawed

Mix cream cheese with tbsp milk and sugar in large bowl with wire wisk until smooth. Gently stir in whipped topping. Spread on bottom of crust.

Pour 1 cup cold milk into bowl. Add pudding mix and beat with wisk 1 minute (mixture will be thick). Stir in pumpkin and spices and spread over cream cheese layer.

Refrigerate 4 hours or until set. Serve with additional whipped topping, if desired. Refrigerate leftovers.

George's Big Buck Contest

Another batch of our Big Bucks.... just check out these proud hunters! Be sure to scroll down for more pics in other blog entries!



WINNER: Best Bow Hunt

Here is David Hicks from Riverdale and his beautiful 10pt he took on Oct 7th with his bow. Nice! It has an overall spread of 18 inches!

Here is Randy Peterson's deer. It was taken in St. Johns, Michigan with a shotgun on November 20th. It had 9 points, a 14 inch spread, and weighed a ton (at least that's what it felt like!).

Here is a nice looking deer that 13yr old Tyler Wixtrom from Bath took. It is Tyler's second buck and he took it up near Republic, MI... (near Marquette for those of you who live south of the bridge!) It is a 140 pound 8 point with 2 half in. points.









You may recognize this hunter---She is none other than Susan Sherrill-Trott. Susan hosts the PBS show Great Lakes Outdoors with her husband Rob. She is a fan of SMILE FM & wanted to share her spike horn buck with us! It is apx 3 yrs old at 170 lbs. It was taken near Curran, MI.



HONORABLE MENTION

This is Rob Trott, TV host for Great Lakes Outdoors. His deer wat taken near Curran, MI and is quite special.
It is a piebald buck and sported a 6 pt rack. Almost 90% white and no abnormalties. Thanks for sharing this one with us Rob!



WINNER: Best Female Hunt

Sarah Palin has nothing on Ruth Gee! She took this 8 pt Buck opening morning in Montcalm County. The buck was nicknamed "Goliath" and has an 18 1/2" spread! She loves hunting and Smile FM concerts too!







MORE BIG BUCKS AND WINNERS LISTED DOWN BELOW! JUST SCROLL DOWN TO SEE 'EM!

Dice-mom's Peanut Butter Balls

My mom makes these, and they are awesome!
Diceman

1 stick butter
3 cups rice crispies
2 cups peanut butter
1 lb of powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla

Mix and roll into balls

Then melt the following into a double boiler:
12 ounce semi sweet chocolate chips
1 medium choc hershey bar

Dips balls into chocolate.

Need help cooking?

Crisco Pie Hotline: (877) 367-7438
» Butterball Turkey Talk-Line: (800) 288-8372 or www.butterball.com
» Empire Kosher poultry customer hotline: (717) 436-7055 or www.empirekosher.com/index.htm
» Fleischmann's Yeast Baker's Help Line: (800) 777-4959 or www.breadworld.com/
» Foster Farms Turkey Helpline: (800) 255-7227 or www.fosterfarms.com
» General Mills: (800) 248-7310
» King Arthur Flour Co.'s Bakers Hotline: (802) 649-3717 or e-mail questions to bakers@kingarthurflour.com
» National Turkey Federation: www.eatturkey.com
» Nestle Toll House Baking Information Line: (800) 637-8537

Thanksgiving (or anytime) Yummy Fall Fare

SWEET-POTATO STICKS WITH MUSTARD SEEDS AND GINGER

Fresh ginger and yellow mustard seeds make these sweet potatoes much more worldly than their candied incarnations. The cilantro takes them in an unexpected but very welcome direction.

3 1/2 lb sweet potatoes, peeled and cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick sticks
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 tablespoon finely chopped peeled fresh ginger
6 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon yellow mustard seeds
1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro Special equipment: a large (11-inch) collapsible steamer basket

Steam potatoes in steamer basket set over boiling water in a 12-inch-wide pot, covered, until tender, 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer carefully to a platter with a wide spatula to avoid breaking sticks. While potatoes steam, cook garlic and ginger in oil in a 10-inch heavy skillet over moderately low heat, stirring, until oil begins to sizzle, about 1 minute, then add mustard seeds, salt, and pepper and cook, stirring, until garlic is pale golden, 1 to 2 minutes. Spoon hot oil mixture over potatoes and sprinkle with cilantro.

Makes 8 servings.

OR---

Thyme roasted sweet potatoes
4 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 1/2-inch-thick rounds
3 tablespoons olive oil
4 large garlic cloves, minced
1/3 cup fresh thyme leaves, plus 6 thyme sprigs for garnish
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Preheat oven to 450°F. In large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients and toss. Arrange potato slices in single layer on heavyweight rimmed baking sheet or in 13x9-inch baking dish. Place on top rack of oven and roast until tender and slightly browned, about 40 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature, garnished with thyme sprigs.
==========

AND: (another side-yummy)

12 small yellow onions
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup currants
1/4 cup Pine Nuts
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
4 Tbsp. Organic Butter

1. Preheat an oven to 325 degrees F. While the oven is heating, peel the outer skin of the onion and discard. Scoop out some of the meat from the top half of each onion to form a pocket.
2. Combine the dried cranberries, currants, pine nuts, and sugar. Evenly divide this mixture between the onions and place into each onion pocket.
3. Place the onions into a baking dish sprayed with non-stick spray, standing upright. Evenly sprinkle with the vinegar and top with a small piece of butter. Place into the oven and allow to bake for 30-40 minutes or until soft. Baste the onions with the juice from the pan.
4. Serve warm.

Smile #15 hits the airwaves in Benton Harbor, MI

Smile FM is proud to welcome new listeners in SW Michigan to the family. Our 15th station has gone on the air in Benton Harbor, South Haven and St. Joe area on 88.7 FM, WSIS. We're getting reports of people hearing it as far away as Kalamazoo. Please let your friends and family know about our new addition. If you are already listening in the area, please post and let us know how you like it and how the signal is in your area! Click on the map to see a better picture of the service area.

George's Big Buck Contest

More pics of Big Bucks submited by Smile FM listeners! All submissions must be taking in 2008. Please send info with your pic to bigbuck@smile.fm to enter. List name, addy, info about the buck, and why you love SMILE FM!

Steve Nelson bagged this bugger just north of Mio hunting on a Saturday morning. It took him over 6 hours to track it down, but well worth it! Dressed weight is apx 150lbs.


Jeff Biddinger and his son Braydon took this nice looking 8pt buck . Jeff is proud to bring Braydon huting with him this season. Way to go!

Here is Keith Kiffer and his 8pt he bagged opening day. It has a 13" spread and is a real beauty!
Scott Johnson and his 8yr old son Ethan love to hunt together. They took this buck on opening day near Mayville where they live. It is a 8 point with a 16 1/2" spread. It weighed 180 lbs. dressed weight.
This is 13 yr old Dean Wilson from Central Lake, MI with his first buck on opening morning! Boy, was he excited!!
WINNER: Best Youth Hunt Boy

That is, until.... Dean went out for a second time later that day and scored this HUGE 7 point buck on the run.! He said" I will never forget this day ever!"

WINNER: Best Buck Overall

Alan Becker says he as been a Smile FM listener since "the light" days! He harvested this nice buck in the Potterville area, with a shotgun, early Sunday morning (8:15).The buck weighed 170# field dressed and has 10 points! Way to go!







Beth Gunnell from Mt. Morris snagged her first Buck! She is pretty excited (and I see why!) Taken with a 20GA mossberg 500, it was a 5 point almost a 6 about 145 lbs and 1 1/2 years old.


WINNER: Best Youth Hunt Girl
Taylor Lange is a 13 year old girl that took this
Buck during youth hunt in Dewitt! Great job Taylor!

MORE BIG BUCKS TAKEN WITH A BOW---- SEE BELOW!

Apple Onion Stuffin Muffins

Rachel Ray's special 60 minutes to Thanksgiving featured these amazing stuffing muffins that Jenn talked about on the morning show. Jenn's turned out great, be sure to try the Recipe for yourself! You can even print to index cards thanks to the food network.

George's Big Buck Contest - Bow Catagory

Well, so far we have a few entries that were taken with a bow. I am sure we will have more submissions as the deadline of Dec 1st draws near. Remember, all submissions MUST be from this year! All submissions can be sent to bigbuck@smile.fm ! Please include your name, address, where you shot the deer, and of course, all the stats on your Big Buck.

Here is Keith Kiffer and a 7pt he took with his bow in his backyard! He lives in Shiawassee County near Laingsburg.

This is Blain Lange and his deer! An 8 Point taken w/ bow on November 8, 2008 in Kalkaska
17 1/4 " spread
180 lbs
longest tine 5 3/4 "

Nice!

This is Scott Becker and his deer. It was
taken with bow on Nov. 6. It has 3 points on the left side and 5 on the right with a 12 inch G2. Looks like he has a future hunter giving him a hand!

Focus on the Family's Christmas Friendly Guide

Here is a list of how leading retailers’ rate, when it comes to being "Christmas-friendly"

As an additional way to help you communicate with the retailers that were evaluated, you can also sign a petition that will be sent to these companies at focuspetitions.com.
Retailers will be presented with petitions — thanking those that embrace "Christmas," and alerting those that have purged or marginalized "Christmas" that you object to the secularization of Christmas. We hope you will "stand for Christmas" with us and encourage the continued acknowledgement of this historic Christian observance in our culture.

"Christmas-friendly" retailers — prominent acknowledgment of "Christmas"
Cabela's Crate&Barrel Dillard's Eddie Bauer JCPenney Kohl's
L.L.Bean Lands' End Linens 'n Things Lowe's Macy's Neiman Marcus
Nordstrom Pier 1 Imports Sears The Home Depot Target Wal-Mart

"Christmas-negligent" retailers — marginalized use of "Christmas"
Barnes & Noble Bed, Bath & Beyond Best Buy Borders Circuit City
Dick's Sporting Goods GAP KB Toys Kmart Toys "R" Us


"Christmas-offensive" retailers — apparent abandonment of "Christmas"
American Eagle
Banana Republic
Bloomingdale's
Lane Bryant

Listen to Robert Pierre from I-Shine

In case you missed it, we have the interview with Jenn & Robert Pierre, one of the hosts with I-Shine which is coming to Sonshine Church in Grand Rapids this Friday night.

You Go Jessica

Check out this amazing young lady from North Branch, MI.

You're an amazing young lady!

Gay Rights Protesters Interrupt Services at Mt. Hope Church in Lansing

Mt. Hope Church in Lansing had an usually large number of visitors to their Sunday service. The group of gay protesters decided to start interrupting the service.

According to a report on the Bash Back group's news site, protesters inside the church pulled a fire alarm, unfurled a banner from the church balcony, shouted and threw fliers to the worshipers.

Outside the church, protesters carried picket signs and an upside-down, pink cross.

The conservative RightMichigan Web site posted an account of the incident Monday, and a number of conservative bloggers had picked up on the item by Tuesday.

Thoughts, comments? We have a lot of listeners that attend Mt. Hope, anyone witness the event?? Feel free to post your comments online or tell us your story on our Studio line, 888-887-7139 ext 4.

George's Big Buck Competition is BACK

Thanks to popular demand, George's virtual Buck Pole is back. You can send us a picture of your 2008 catch to bigbuck@smile.fm and you'll be in the running. We have 4 catagories, Best Bow Buck, Best Youth Buck, Best Female Buck (that's from a girl hunter, not just a buck w/ a gender crisis) and Best Overall Buck!

Each winner will receive a special edition Smile FM Camo Hoodie with Orange logo so the deer can't see it. Plus Beef Jerky and a Smile FM CD prize pack to listen to on your way to favorite deer blind. Winners will be announced on Monday, December 1st. Be sure to include your basic info, where you got the buck, stats on the buck and age (if youth applicant) and preferred hoodie size if you should win. You can also phone in your Big Buck story for an extra chance to win at our studio line 888-887-7139 ext 4.

(By submitting an entry, you are giving Smile FM permission to use your name and photo on the website and radio. Winning buck will be selected by our panel of judges and decision of Smile FM are final.) Happy Hunting!

We'd vote for her in a minute!

You know you have been a Christian since the 1980's, if...

Hey, has anyone else grown up in the church? If so, you can probably relate to this... (Thanks to our listeners for emailing me their ideas at... diceman@smile.fm

You know you have been a Christian since the 1980's, if....

...you know about the 88 reasons in 1988

...you watched the "Thief in the Night "movie and it scared you to death

...you remember Michael W. Smith with a perm

...you once used the term H-E- double tooth-pick

...you remember the first time Amy Grant was played on a mainstream radio station.

...you remember going to Christian Music Night at the rollersaking rink (and rollerblades hadn't been invented yet).

...you remember Psalty the Singing Songbook.

...you remember an outbreak of televangelists having extra-marital affairs (sad, but true)

...you remember people questioning how a band like Stryper could be "Christian" with long hair and spandex.

...you believed all rock groups were back masking their records with subliminal messages"?.... we burned a lot of vinyl in the early 80's!

...You had played at your graduation, or dedicated to a friend: "Friends Are Friends Forever" by Michael W Smith

Meet my embryos - Post from Jenn

I don't consider myself very politically minded, so the idea of me doing a "commentary" is almost ridiculous, however as an "infertility survivor" and now a mom, Proposal 2 has really struck a nerve. Ouch!

In the picture you can see our beautiful embryos, on the right Hosanna and Hallelujah ( who are now 2 years old,) and on the left a future brother or sister now in storage in the deep freeze (Brrrr). Embryos are the beginning of human life and should be treated with a great deal of care and respect.

1 in 10 couples will face infertility in their lifetimes. As the number of couples dealing with infertility increases, so will the need for donor embryos. Right now, Embryo Adoption is just in its infancy (pardon the pun). It is still on fuzzy legal ground as there have not been many cases that deal with the rights and custody of embryos. Even so, the demand for embryos for the purpose of family building is still higher than the supply of embryos available for adoption. If proposal 2 passes and more embryos are used for research, the supply of those available for adoption will become even smaller. It's a simple problem of supply and demand.

As someone who has had to rely on fertility treatments to build our family, I am amazed by the miracle of life and the power of technology. I'm not going to get into the debate of whether embryos are life or pre-life, but I know they have the power to become life, a human life; a kicking, screaming, running, playing, giggling kind of life. Scientists have many other options for collecting and growing stem cells to use for research; options that do not destroy a potential life in the process.

I'd encourage you to carefully consider all aspects of Proposal 2 before you go to the polls this election day. And remember, embryos are people too.... at least potential people...all they need is a warm womb (and maybe some pickles and ice cream)! And chances are that you know a few people who started off as embryos...oh yeah, that would be all of us. I'm just blessed enough to have pictures of my little embryos! Jenn - from the Morning Espresso.

Most Dangerous Cake [in a mug]

5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE

4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)[you're joking, right?]
a small splash of vanilla extract
1 large coffee mug

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly.

Pour in the milk and oil and mix well. Add the chocolate chips (if using) and
vanilla extract, and mix again.
Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts. The cake
will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed!

Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.
EAT! (This can serve 2 if you want to feel slightly more virtuous).
And why is this the most dangerous cake recipe in the world?
Because now we are all only 5 minutes away from chocolate cake at any time of the day or night!

***Gift Suggestion: Purchase inexpensive mugs, like from the dollar store. Mix dry ingredients in [holiday]storage bags. Place in mug with recipe. Decorate if you'd like. Now you've handed over the chocolate and no one gets hurt. (~;)

How to Pray for the Elections

TURNING TO GOD FOR NOV. 4th

The following is a good example of the intervention of God in the final Results of an election in India.
(See http://www.renewamerica.us/columns/fischer/081023)
Patrick Joshua is the Director of the National Prayer Network and a father figure to the prayer movement in India . Because of a special burden for our nation, he visited the United States twice in recent months, including a trip to Houston . Patrick believes the U.S. is at a very critical time in history, the impact of which will be felt around the world.

During his visits, Patrick told the story of God's intervention in India in 2004, in response to the fervent, united prayers of His people. At that time, political forces had mobilized with the intention of turning their nation in a direction that would make it almost impossible for Christians to share or practice their faith. Those forces had the momentum and the numbers as the Christian population in India is a minority by some estimates representing only 6% of the 1.1 billion people in the nation. The situation was desperate. Many thought it was impossible. So they turned to the God of the impossible and began to pray. In cities and states across their nation, a movement of united, fervent prayer arose, but with a unique focus. They weren't praying for particular candidates or political parties. Instead they were praying for the person of righteousness, the person of God's choosing, to be elected in every elected office.

Right up until the day of the election every poll and pundit predicted the election would be a landslide for those who were opposed to the gospel. When the votes were counted, however, the results revealed a different story. In district after district those candidates and political allies who opposed the gospel had been soundly defeated. At a national level they were out of power. Needless to say the press and the pundits were stunned. No one saw it coming.

So what happened? It seems God heard the cries of His people and touched the hearts of the voters as they went into the voting booths. Some believe a corporate conviction came upon the people and they indeed voted for the person of righteous, the person of God's choosing. This was seen most dramatically in the states and regions where prayer was the most concentrated and fervent. In one of those states, laws that restricted the advance of the gospel were immediately repealed.

While our situation is certainly different, Patrick believes we are at a critical crossroad. He has encouraged us to follow a similar pattern in prayer for our upcoming election. Here's the pattern for prayer as we approach our election. Come into God's Presence with Worship. Thank God for his great mercy and many blessings. Ask God to extend his mercy to us and to our nation. and then pray this way for:

1. Those running for office nationally: Instead of praying for specific candidates or political parties, pray that the person of righteousness, the person of God's choosing, would be selected in every congressional district, every senate race and for the office of President. Righteousness exalts a nation but sin is a disgrace to any people. Proverbs 14:34

2. Those running for office at the state and local level: Pray that the person of righteousness, the person of God's choosing, would be selected in every elected office at the state and local levels. When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan. Proverbs 29:2

3. Those voting: Pray that each person voting will be convicted to vote for the person of righteousness, the person of God's choosing, in each elected office and in each ballot initiative. Pray for God's Presence to overshadow each person as they make their decision. The Spirit of the Lord will be upon him the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord and he will delight in the fear of the Lord. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; Isaiah 11:2-3

4. Those involved in the election process: Pray that every official involved in the election process would serve with honesty and integrity of heart. The Lord abhors dishonest scales, but accurate weights are his delight. Proverbs 11:1

5. Those praying: Pray that God would empower intercessors and people across the nation and around the world to call out to Him day and night in extraordinary prayer during this season. And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a Spirit of grace and supplication. Zechariah 12:10

6. The Church: Pray that the Church would be fully awakened, engaged and empowered during this critical season. Pray that we would understand the urgency and importance of this election and the implications for the advancement of God's purposes in our nation and around the world. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. Isaiah 9:7

7. Our nation: Pray that God's plans and purposes for our nation would be established during this election season. Pray that we would be a nation who follows God and is a blessing to the nations of the earth. Your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10
*******ADDENDUM: If you don't know where the Presidential candidates stand on the Supreme Court and the kind of Justices they would appoint, here's a USA Today article. It makes their positions very clear.