Red, white and blue chocolate cupcakes recipe for July 4th

The following words were spoken by the late Red Skelton on his television program as he related the story of his teacher, Mr. Laswell, who felt his students had come to think of the Pledge of Allegiance as merely something to recite in class each day.

Now, more than ever, listen to the meaning of these words.

“I've been listening to you boys and girls recite the Pledge of Allegiance all semester and it seems as though it is becoming monotonous to you.

If I may, may I recite it and try to explain to you the meaning of each word?

I

me, an individual, a committee of one.

Pledge

Dedicate all of my worldly goods to give without self pity.

Allegiance

My love and my devotion.

To the flag

Our standard, Old Glory, a symbol of freedom. Wherever she waves, there's respect because your loyalty has given her a dignity that shouts freedom is everybody's job!

United

That means that we have all come together.

States

Individual communities that have united into 48 great states. Forty-eight individual communities with pride and dignity and purpose; all divided with imaginary boundaries, yet united to a common purpose, and that's love for country.

And to the republic

A state in which sovereign power is invested in representatives chosen by the people to govern. And government is the people and it's from the people to the leaders, not from the leaders to the people.

For which it stands, one nation

One nation, meaning "so blessed by God."

Indivisible

Incapable of being divided.

With liberty

Which is freedom – the right of power to live one's own life without threats, fear or some sort of retaliation.

And justice

The principle or quality of dealing fairly with others.

For all

Which means, boys and girls, it's as much your country as it is mine.”

Since I was a small boy, two states have been added to our country and two words have been added to the pledge of Allegiance...

UNDER GOD

Wouldn't it be a pity if someone said that this is a prayer and that would be eliminated from schools too?

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Red, white and blue chocolate cupcakes recipe

Ingredients:

2 cups sugar

1 ¾ cup all-purpose flour

¾ cup cocoa

1 ½ tsp baking powder

1 ½ tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

2 eggs

1 cup milk

½ cup vegetable oil

2 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup boiling water

Vanilla buttercream frosting

5 T butter or margarine

4 cups powdered sugar

¼ cup milk

1 t vanilla extract

Fresh blueberries and strawberries

Method:

Heat oven to 350 F.

Line muffin cups (2-1/2 inches in diameter) with paper bake cups.

In large bowl, stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla; beat on medium speed of electric mixer 2 minutes.

Stir in boiling water (batter will be very thin).

Fill muffin cups 2/3 full with batter.

Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.

Remove from pan to wire rack. Cool completely.

Frost cupcakes with vanilla buttercream frosting.

Garnish with blueberries and strawberries.

Vanilla buttercream frosting:

In medium bowl, cream together the butter and powdered sugar.

Add the milk and vanilla extract, beating until frosting is of spreading consistency.

Makes about 2 cups of frosting.

AND FINALLY…

The Fourth of July weekend was coming up, and the nursery school teacher took the opportunity to tell her class about patriotism.

“We live in a great country,” she said.

“One of the things we should be happy is that, in this country, we are all free.”

One little boy came walking up to her from the back of the room. He stood with his hands on his hips and said. . . .

“I’m not free. I’m four.”

Happy Holiday!

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