secret family recipes

quote from a recent email Aunt Jo Ann sent-

"I have a new recipe to try.

I will let you know if it works. "

Cindy baked a chocolate chip cake this week and it reminded me of her aunts - Jo Ann and Robbie. The cake recipe called for a large box of chocolate pudding, but since she did not have that ingredient she substituted two small boxes of vanilla pudding and added cocoa to the recipe. The recipe also called for a cup of sour cream but she only had a half cup, so that is what she used. She also did not have milk chocolate chips so she used semi-sweet dark chocolate chips. The recipe called for ½ cup water, but she thought it needed more and so she added a little more. Of course, this is the kind of cake you know that I am going to say was "really, really good!" (and my wife will probably never make it this way again.) She reminded me that I liked the cake the last time it was made and she had used all the specified ingredients below.

Here is the recipe :

SIS LENNON’S CHOCOLATE CHIP CAKE (from Aunt Roxy Baggett)

1 box choc. Fudge cake mix (pudding in the mix preferred)
4 eggs
1 large (5 oz) box of instant chocolate pudding
½ cup warm water
1 cup sour cream
½ cup vegetable oil
12 oz. pkg milk chocolate chips

Directions:
Mix all but chips for 4 minutes with mixer. Stir in chocolate chips for 1 minute. Gently pour into well-greased bundt pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes. Cake is done when it pulls away from edge of pan slightly. It will be cracked on top. Let it sit in pan before unmolding to partially cool. Loosen around edges before unmolding.

By the way, Jo Ann's recipe was for a pie that you do not make in a pie plate, so I will let her explain that to you someday!

what's the word, weather man?

Most of us check the weather several times a day and I just recently discovered this new site for severe weather across the country. You can enter your zip code to find the weather in your city or click on the interactive map. At this link, you can see weather warnings from across the country. There are other links at this site for features such as NEXRAD radar, regional satellites, maps, tropical/hurricane links as well as this link to severe weather at www.wunderground.com

Other sites for weather that you may use are -

• www.nhc.noaa.gov/ (for tracking hurricanes and tropical systems from June-November)

• www.weather.com/

• accuweather.com

This is why we live in Florida! Now if only it would stay like this all the way through August!

80th birthday party photos

Dad had a great weekend celebrating his birthday and the 125th anniversary of the Clifton First Baptist Church. I will post some pictures from the church celebration later this week. But first, here are some more photos from Dad's 80th!



Party favors bring the best out of April, Philip, Casey and Kenny



With mom and dad, are Kenny and his wife Casey, and my younger sister Loretta



My older sister, Debbie, with her children, April, Philip and Jonathan



Pat with her children and grandchildren join us at the celebration. Pictured with mom and dad are Greg and Kylee, Donna and her two boys, and Pat



Some of Dad's nieces who made it to the party - Judy, Frances, Gloria, and Pat

photo gallery from Dad's birthday

We celebrated Dad's birthday on Saturday night at the "Franklin Fellowship Hall" of the Calvary Baptist Church. Dad turned 80 years of age on Sunday, March 26.


Cake and photos from the past were on display for the party



Mother was the "master of ceremonies" for the night. She did a great job (until she started crying)

Dad sang an old song with Mr. and Mrs. Riddle. They used to sing together back in the day!

My sister and I also sang a song with Dad, "He Is There", a song we used to sing as children. Unfortunately, we did not remember all the words to the song!

Franklin family history

We were in Cowpens, SC, this weekend for my dad's 80th birthday. Mom had planned a church-wide birthday party for Saturday afternoon. The church family at Calvary Baptist treated him with a very special party, with lots of food, music, cards and gifts. Both of my sisters Debbie and Loretta were there, along with grandkids - Kenny and his wife Casey, April, Jonathan, and Philip. Also several of his nieces and their children attended - Judy, Frances, Gloria, Pat, Donna and her kids, and Greg and his wife Kylee.

But that was not the only celebration. We found out when we arrived that we would also be attending the 125th anniversary service of the Clifton First Baptist Church in Clifton, SC. (More food!) The church was established in 1881 and a historical marker was dedicated yesterday. My grandmother, Mattie Belle, was the oldest member of the church when she died about 25 years ago. We just discovered recently that my grandfather, C.C Franklin (who died in 1946 before I was even thought of) was a very active member of this church. He was a deacon and led the singing for a time, and we found his name listed in the church records that were on display. One of the books showed that he joined the church between 1909 and 1910. Orginally from North Carolina, he came to Clifton to work in the cotton mill. He was in the 1920's record book as a delegate at the South Carolina Baptist Convention in 1922.

Yesterday, they also recognized my dad for being a member from the 1940's. Dad was the song leader and choir director for a time. The records book from the 1940's also showed most of dad's sisters and one of his brothers as members of the church. The books recorded my grandfather C.C. Franklin's death on 1/8/46. (My dad was in the U.S. Navy during 1944-1946 and was not able to come home for the funeral.) The record also showed that my dad transferred his letter of membership in 1947 (he became a member of Central Baptist in Cowpens at that time.)

Duke loses to LSU

I am sure you all know by now that my favorite college basketball team lost on Thursday night to LSU. Even though the score was tied several times near the end of the game, Duke played so poorly that LSU was able to pull of the upset. The final score looks a lot worse that it really was as 'Big Baby" Davis of LSU went the the foul line three times in a row with about 20 seconds left in the game. JJ Redick was kept to only 11 points in the game and since he averages 28 points per game, well that explains the loss right there. You have to give credit to Temple from LSU for keepin JJ from getting open to score. You can read more at goduke.com and also view photos here.

new from the Canadian Brass

The newest release from the Canadian Brass is called "People of Faith" and will be available on March 28, 2006.

Hymns and chorales for brass, choir and organ. Features "Jacob's Ladder", "All Creatures of Our God & King", and newly composed "People of Faith".Features Canadian Brass & the Elmer Iseler Singers



Purchase the CD or view the list of song tracks at this link to the canadian brass store

Read the text of songs on this recording at canbrass.com

Read more about the "People of Faith" CD at canadianbrass.com

family photo gallery

We were able to vist with my cousin Darrell last month in SC. Darrell was injured in a motorcycle crash several years ago. As a result of the accident, he was in a coma. When he came out of the coma, he was able to move into an assisted care center. He gradually has learned to speak many words again and is hoping to learn to write again. He now lives at home with his mom. He can dress himself and get out of his bed and into his motorized wheelchair on his own. He loves to talk and it is amazing how much he remembers from his life before the accident happened. God has really blessed him by giving him some of his memory back. Mom goes to his home every week day for a few hours to spend time with him and help him out as much as she can.

the other blue devils

This is the time of year that the drum and bugle corps are meeting to plan their shows for this year. The DCI World Championships will take place in Madison, WI in August, but the practices begin in earnest in April and May. In the meantime, you can keep up with your favorite corp at dci.org - such as this link to the Concord, CA Blue Devils. You can now watch video clip highlights of the past years in the DCI media vault. Enjoy!!

As DCI video production crew members have been hard at

work in the media vault pulling archive footage for the

2006 DCI Classic Countdown, they've also come across

these classic clips that even the novice drum corps

videophile should recognize and enjoy.

sports extra

There has been a lot of talk this year about changing many school's nicknames, especially if they were named after Indians or tribes. I just do not think it will happen. There are too many schools that are called the Braves, for starters. Then you have the Reds, Redskins, Indians, and Seminoles (FSU was approved by the Seminole Tribe). My high school team was called the Red Raiders, so you know what I think about the idea of change. What do you do with the ACC - with it's odd nicknames such as Blue Devils, Demon Deacons, Gamecocks (named after an illegal sport), Tarheels, Hokies, Hurricanes, Tigers, Cavaliers, Eagles and of course we all "Fear the Turtle" (the Terrapins)? Of course, these are all normal sounding nicknames to us in the Southeast. I found this list below that should inspire you if you are looking for a new nickname!

Some of the oddest nicknames from around the good old USA!

Names that strike fear into the opponents' hearts:

• Aardvarks - Kingswood High School, Portland, MI
• Angry Antelopes - Whiteface (TX) High School
• Sand Gnats - Savannah, GA, of the South Atlantic Baseball league
• Biscuits - Montgomery, AL, of the Southern Baseball League
• Banana Slugs - University of California, Santa Cruz
• Dinosaurs - University of Calgary in Alberta Canada

What were they thinking?

• Aliens - Hamilton College in Nebraska
• Blockbusters - Yeshiva High School in Olivette Block, MO
• Darkhorses - Clinton, NC, High School
• Dirtbags - Long Beach State, CA, baseball team

Very, very interesting:

• Wonder Boys - Arkansas Tech
• Burgers - Warrensburg, NY High School
• Cavemen - Cave City, AR, High School
• Criminals - Yuma, AZ, High School
• Hatters - Stetson University in FL - named after John B. Stetson, maker of Stetson hats
• Headless Horsemen - Sleepy Hollow, NY, High School
• Hot Dogs - Frankfort, IN, High School
• Lugnuts - Lansing, MI, of the Midwest baseball league
• Witches - Salem, MA, High School

And - the winner for the most unusual mascot goes to Delta State University in Mississippi - the Fighting Okra

Mommy-to-be

Finally! I can post a photo of our newest mother-to-be. Janelle is "showing" a little at 15 weeks, the baby is kicking, and Josh said the doctor let him listen to the heart beating... but we are still waiting for that all-important question to be answered... "Is it a boy or is it a girl?!" Hopefully, in a few more weeks we will know.

Duke advances to the Sweet 16

Freshman Josh McRoberts shows he can dunk with the best of them

Greg Paulus dives for the loose ball
Duke has advanced to the next round by defeating George Washington U. on Saturday. The Dukies will play the LSU Tigers on Thursday. It should be a good game and fun to watch Shelden "the landlord" Williams match up against Glen "Big Baby" Davis (or as some call him - "Baby Shaq")
see links below from Saturday's game...

1-2 punch: Redick, Williams help Duke coast past GW

Duke Advances To Sweet 16

AP Photo Gallery: Duke 74, George Washington 61

Jesus saves, keeps and satisfies

A Biblical Testimony
By Warren Wiersbe

Read Psalm 34:4-10

When I was a young Christian, the church I attended held testimony meetings. I would hear people say, "I thank the Lord that He saves, keeps and satisfies." So I asked myself, That sounds good, but is it in the Bible?

Yes, it is. We find it in Psalm 34:6-8. "This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles" (v. 6). The Lord saves. It's interesting to notice that we aren't saved from trouble. Sometimes when we trust the Lord and pray He saves us from troubles. But here David says, "He saved me out of troubles."

He also keeps. "The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them" (v. 7). The word angel conveys the idea of many angels, not just one. David is talking about an encampment of angels surrounding us for protection. So the Lord does save and keep. I'm glad for His keeping power. He's able to save and keep us because of His work on the cross and His present ministry in heaven.

Verse 8 says that the Lord also satisfies: "Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him!" Some of the experiences of life taste sour. Sometimes the cup that is handed to us is not one of sweetness but of bitterness. Our Lord had to drink a bitter cup. Do you know what makes the bitter cup satisfying and sweet? It's "tasting" the Lord in it. When you taste the Lord in the experiences of life, they become sweet in Him. Therefore, that testimony is biblical: He saves, He keeps, He satisfies.

What problem are you facing today? Perhaps you are struggling with physical or financial difficulties. Whatever your problems, God promises to help you through them. Are you trusting Jesus to save you and keep you? Have you "tasted" the Lord and found that He satisfies?

family photo gallery

Could this be our sweet little Natalie? Hope Mommy and Daddy are ready for that "terrible-two" stage!

along the journey

Family members with March birthdays:
Loretta Brooks on the 9th...Leslie Baggett on the 12th...April Logan on the 20th...Jeremiah Baggett on the 24th...Gene Franklin on the 26th...Joshua Franklin on the 27th...Joel Baggett on the 28th...

"A true friend is someone who knows you're
a good egg even if you're a little cracked."

Once again, gas prices have risen by about 20 cents a gallon in the last week. Can anyone find out why?

"Meetings are indispensable
when you don’t want to do anything."

DID YOU KNOW: that the famous Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh once felt called to be an evangelist. He had grown up in a Christian home and in 1878, at the age of 24, enrolled in a school for evangelism in Brussels. After graduating, he preached for a year. Then for reasons unknown, van Gogh forsook his call. In 1889 he began to paint like a driven man, finishing 200 paintings in two years. Then at age 37, confused, impoverished and ill, he borrowed a gun and ended his life.

Yeah, that's me...

let the games begin!

March Madness is here! I am sure we are in for some more "maalox mashers" in the next few weeks. Some of you will be happy to know that Dick Vitale will not be announcing any games during the tournament. I like to hear Dickie V. get excited calling the games, but ESPN said, "No deal" to CBS. My team, the Dukies, play their first game at 9:30 Thursday night. Assuming they win, they will play again on Saturday. Check out the following on line...

Morrison, Redick head toward photo finish...at USA Today.com

The NCAA tournament bracket...at ESPN.com (you can fill out your own bracket)

Quotes from Duke's practice sesson today at goduke.com

At cbs.sportsline.com you can watch the games on line this year at no cost, yes, free! (You will need to register to sign in for this)

national archives

You can download the google video player (it's free) and then watch these videos on the National Archives.com web site.

Videos archives include:

NASA History of Space Flight Motion Pictures

United Newsreel Motion Pictures (1942-1945)

Department of the Interior Motion Pictures

concrete builds the world, part 2

An amazing thing has been happening, inch by inch, right before my eyes as I travel to work every day. The new bridge over the Trout River is slowly taking shape. The I-95 bridge will be completed in stages, with the southbound bridge completed first. Then all traffic will be diverted over the new southbound bridge while the old bridge is torn down and rebuilt as the northbound bridge lanes.

Recent photos of the Trout River Bridge on I-95 in Jax. Traffic will be much improved when it is all completed, another 2-3 years.



At the south end, the concrete pilings are still being "driven" into the riverbed at just the right angles, making this a truly amazing feat of engineering and concrete.

Duke wins the ACC championship game

As one commentator would say, this was the best ACC championship game in history! The game today was one of intensity and excitement that really seemed like a "Final Four" game. Duke was able to beat Boston College 78-76. It was special to see the "diaper dandies" take over and do their part yesterday and today - the freshmen Greg Paulus and Josh McRoberts. Congrats to the Dukies, Coach K, and the ACC Tournament Most Valuable Player J.J.Redick!
MARCH MADNESS HAS BEGUN!

ACC championship game photos at theacc.com

ESPN Recap of the game

Duke is likely to be the top seed in the NCAA tourney from foxsports.com

Semi-finals game photos of the Duke-Wake Forest game Saturday at acc.om

cowpens memorial park

My hometown of Cowpens, SC, has its place in the history books because of the Battle of Cowpens which took place during the Revolutionary War. General Daniel Morgan is our hero is leading the colonists to victory over the British. The closest large city, Spartanburg, has the statue of Daniel Morgan but Cowpens has the battlefield site. It is actually located 2-3 miles north of the town. Cowpens has a re-enactment every year in January at the battlefield site now. In the summer, Cowpens has another celebration called the Mighty Moo Festival. This is to honor those men who served the country aboard the USS Cowpens. Recently the city has built a memorial park near the old train station and has engraved the names of all the citizens of Cowpens who have served their country. My dad's name was recently added to one of the granite stones, and we are sure proud of what he did for the USA. We visited the site recently and took these photos to share.

ACC tournament

The Atlantic Coast Conference tournament began yesterday and Duke played their first game today at 12 noon. A very close game, Duke was losing to Miami 41-35 at the half. I took a late lunch and went home to watch the second half and did my share of yelling at the tube (ff you can, try to picture a grown person standing in front of the television for about 30 minutes ranting and raving!) Duke was able to come back and win the game, 80-76. Next up, Saturday at 1:30 pm on ESPN, the blue devils will play Wake Forest. If they win tomorrow, then they will play Sunday at 1:00 pm in the championship game.

The ACC.com tournament website

Photos from the Duke-Miami game

science news

Scientists Discover 'Hairy Lobster' in Deepest Pacific

the other "march madness"

prelude to the big dance

Redick drives to the basket


The Atlantic Coast Conference is rated by most sports writers to be the toughest conference in the country when it comes to college basketball. So with the ACC tournament this week, we will watch a "prelude" to the "big dance," "March Madness," or whatever you want to call the NCAA tournament. Here are a few links to articles that will keep you up to date with the Dukies. As one of my co-workers said, rubbing it in today, "Duke got whooped!"(that's southern slang for whipped)

>>ESPN recap of the Duke-UNC game Saturday night

>>Andy Katz at ESPN.com and his take on the game

>>Suddenly hot UNC stuns Duke at foxsports.com

>>USA Today article today about what J.J. Redick must be going through

>>Duke holds the top seed in the ACC tournament

>>The official site of the ACC tournament

Tyler Hansbrough hugs David Noel after defeating Duke

praise changes things

Two words are repeated seven times in Psalm 30--"you have." David is praising God for what He had done for him. Are you doing that today? Perhaps you've seen the plaque that says, "Prayer changes things," and that's true. I've also seen a plaque that says, "Praise changes things," and that also is true. It's amazing how our whole attitude and whole outlook can be transformed by praising God.

Read the rest of this devotional at www.backtothebible.org

game of the season

Senior night at Duke...last home game of the year...Duke vs. North Carolina...this is THE game we look forward to every year...9:00 pm tonight on ESPN


Senior Shelden Williams, the "landlord"





Senior Lee Melchionni always plays hard




Senior Sean Dockery, always doing his part





J.J.Redick has broken many records this year

wings as eagles

"God gives wings as eagles...when my feet begin to stumble, and when my dreams begin to crumble, I mount up on eagle's wings"-Ron Hamilton

There are over 40 websites linked at GraphicsNGraphicsDesign.com. These links make available photos that are in public domain. They are free for Educational or Personal Use: You can use the image on your personal print projects, your website, in a school project, as desktop wallpaper, frame it and hang it on a wall. However, you cannot resell the image, or use it within one of your commercial projects, without paying for the right to do so.

The Living Gallery will be presented April 13th - 15th at Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC. It will be worth your time to travel to BJU for this presentation. This year's Living Gallery is called "We Beheld His Glory". If you have never seen this presentation, you can check out the web site for more information. For this "gallery", they construct full stage-size reproductions of world famous paintings about Christ, and then use hundreds of live "actors" to stage the "living gallery", along with music and drama. It cannot be described in words. It is the most moving, dramatic presentation of what Jesus Christ did for us when He gave His life for the sins of the whole world.

counting your money??

Business Week magazine listed several financial blogs this past week. Three of them might be worth reading from time to time. For example, one is blogging about watching her invested money grow, and you can read all about it in this blog - My Open Wallet - as her profile reads:
I write about how much money I make, what I spend it on, how I budget, whether I feel rich or poor, where I fit into the class continuum, my quest to buy a home, my financial goals and ambitions, and anything else that relates to money.

Another site is called Money Blog Network and contains post by more than one person:
Five of the top Internet personal finance bloggers have banded together to create a first-of-its-kind personal finance blog network designed to put personal finance wisdom, best practices and commentary just a mouse click away.

I love the title of the next blog - savvy saver
This personal finance blog is dedicated to making smart money decisions, living below your means, and increasing personal wealth.

the dukies lost again!!

Sad to say, my team lost again. If you missed the game, it was a tough one on me but a well-deserved win by Florida State. Of course, the fans running onto the court before the game was over could have ruined it for the FSU players. After Redick shot the two technicals, giving him about 30 points for the night, FSU had to go to the other end of the court and shoot two free throws. If they had not made those shots, then Duke would have had a chance to score and tie the game, slim chance, but stranger things have happened before. Duke is now 27-2 overall and will be facing their no. 1 rival Saturday night at 9:00 pm. At least, they should have the home advantage this time. All of this is just preparation for the Big Dance, March Madness, starting with the ACC tournament next weekend.

You can read about the game at foxsports.com

Duke update

Freshman starter Greg Paulus guarding Temple player


J.J.Redick set another record last week, becoming the highest scoring player of all time in the ACC.
This is the last week of the regular season of college basketball. The Duke Blue Devils (no.1 in the polls) play on the road at Florida State tonight at 7:00 pm (ESPN) and then their final game is Saturday at home against arch-rival University of North Carolina Tarheels at 9:00 pm (also on ESPN.)
Check out the photo galleries at www.goduke.com -
Duke vs Georgia Tech photos
Duke vs Temple photos