Gilligan's Gourmet: 4th of July cupcakes

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?

RED, WHITE & BLUE CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES

INGREDIENTS

2 c Sugar
1 ¾ c All-purpose flour
¾ c Hershey's cocoa or Hershey’s European style cocoa
1 ½ tsp Baking powder
1 ½ tsp Baking soda
1 tsp Salt
2 Eggs
1 c Milk
½ c Vegetable oil
2 tsp Vanilla extract
1 c boiling water

Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

  5 T butter or margarine
  4 c powdered sugar
  ¼ c 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.

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