Pete Peeveys Pet Peeves & Recipes

MoM T "This Snowman Is A Real Cheese Ball!'

2011-12-08T08:28:00.000-08:00

Last night I had a Progressive Dinner to go to and I signed up for an appetizer. So, I decided to make my infamous Holiday Traditional Cheese ball! I got up early that morning and made it really quick before I had to go to work, so it had time to chill in the refrigerator. When I got home my husband suggested I make my cheese ball into a snowman, because I had extra ingredients left over from the original one I made earlier. So, we put our creative juices together and came up with our new character. He truly changes the way you will look at a Cheese ball because he is one!! This Snowman Cheese ball will have your friends talking about it and your kids wanting to befriend it!

Ingredients:
3 8oz. pkgs. Cream Cheese
3 scallions (green onions) chopped
1 pkg. Ranch Dressing mix
1 pkg. Budding Brand Pastrami
1 c. chopped pecans
2 pkgs. Ritz crackers

Snowman:
11 pepper corns
1 small carrot
2 bamboo sticks or toothpicks

Directions:
In a medium size bowl, add cream cheese (all 3 pkgs) ranch dressing mix, pastrami and scallions. Mix with either wooden spoon or by hand thoroughly. Place in refrigerator for one hour. Separate into 3 different size balls for snowman. (Save a little extra cheese mix to put together snowman's hat) One large, one medium and one small size ball. Roll each ball onto chopped pecans. Press pecans against cheese ball to secure. Place on your favorite holiday appetizer dish. Place two pepper corns for eyes and three pepper corns together to make buttons for belly, repeat three times. Place carrot for nose and take the ends of your scallions and wrap them around snowman's neck for his scarf. Fray the ends of your bamboo sticks to make arms. Take access cheese ball and Ritz crackers to make hat, by making the form of a hat with access cheese and breaking the ends of three Ritz crackers and placing them around cheese and then putting it onto the top of one whole Ritz cracker for the bill of the hat. This is a great party attraction!

MoM T Blueberry Rye Cinnamon Pancakes

2011-11-11T10:59:00.000-08:00

This recipe is a family favorite. I learned the Rye Portion of the recipe from my mother-in-law, Jeanine, who learned it from her daughter-in-law, Tracy, who would be my sister-in-law. :) I put a little twist on it though! First, I added a little more sweetness to the batter to make it more like a muffin. So, I added more brown sugar. Second, I thought they would be really great if I added blueberries. Boy! Are they good! Finally, to give it a holiday feel I added cinnamon. They are great with out the added ingredients or they are great with them, as well. These pancakes are so good that your children do not even need syrup on them. My children eat them plain, as a snack, when I have leftovers. I simply put the excess pancakes in a baggie and put them in the refridgerator. They are great warmed up or cold, right out of the fridge!

What intrigued me so much about this recipe is that it is All Natural and it tastes better than your original processed pancake batter. I took a nutrition class recently and found that processed pancake batter has partially hydrogenated oils in the mix. I always felt bloated after eating two pancakes at breakfast and never understood why. After learning how bad partially hydrogenated oils are for your body, I have been using them less and less in my recipes. I can eat several of the Rye Pancakes and I feel great and satisfied. Try it out and let me know what you think and if you feel the difference! Plus, your children will love 'em and will never want to go back to the old batter!!

Ingredients:
1c. Rye Flour (find it in the bulk section in your super market)
1 tsp. Baking Powder
1/2 tsp. Baking Soda
1/2 tsp. Salt
5 Tbs. Brown Sugar
1 tsp. Cinnamon
Mix dry ingredients together then add:
2 Eggs
2 Tbs. Olive Oil
1 c. Milk (use more for less thick)
1 container fresh blueberries. (you can get frozen, but make sure to set them in warm water before placing on pancake.) Do not add blueberries to pancake batter. Place blueberries on cooking pancakes.

Directions:
Mix liquid ingredients one at a time until mixed thoroughly. Place skillet or pan on stove to medium heat. Spray a little cooking spray to skillet. Pour batter onto skillet then add 10 to 12 blueberries evenly onto circular batter. Cook on one side till forms bubbles then flip. Makes approximately 12-16 med pancakes.

Look...Mom! No syrup!!

Pete Peevey's Sweet Italian Sausage Sandwich Game Time Favorite

2011-11-08T15:07:00.000-08:00

So easy and taste so great !!!

Ingredients:

1 package of sweet Italian sausage medium or hot, whatever you desire.

Small delicious miniature bell pepper cut into small slices.

1 small white onion

Salt to taste

2 Tbs olive oil

Hoagie Style buns, split, buttered and toasted ( sprinkle garlic salt over butter then toast )

Slices of cheese whatever you desire, I use sharp cheddar and monterey jack

Directions:

Place sausage, onions and peppers with 2 tablespoons of olive oil in frying pan. Cook and turn the sausage until well browned and juices run clear. Cook vegetables until tender without overcooking them. Add salt to taste.

After cooking add large portions with your favorite cheeses to your butterred and toasted bun, for a delicious game time master piece!

MoM T Pecan Cinnamon Rolls Topped with Caramel Pecan Drizzle

2011-10-28T10:59:00.000-07:00

Cinnamon Rolls
I c. warm milk

2 eggs (room temperature, slightly beaten)

1/3 c. butter melted

4 1/2 c. flour

1 tsp. salt

1/2 c. sugar

3 tsp. yeast

Caramel Filling:

1/2 c. butter melted

1 1/2 c. packed brown sugar

1 c. chopped pecans

2 Tbs. cinnamon (optional)

Directions:

1. Dissolve yeast in 1/2 c heated milk (110 degrees)

2. In a large bowl mix flour sugar and salt.

3. In a medium bowl mix remaining 1/2 c. milk, melted butter and eggs.

4. In flour mixture make a well/hole in the center of bowl. Pour pumpkin mixture in the center of the well. With a wooden spoon stir in the middle taking little bits of flour from the sides. When enough flour has fallen to make the consistency of a runny dough.

5. Add yeast mixture to runny dough and place in warm area for 20 min. Dough will start to foam.

6. With wooden spoon, gradually stir in the rest of the flour. If too hard to stir, knead by hand.

7. Cover with clean dish cloth and place in warm area for approx. 90 min. to rise. Dough should almost double in size.

8. While dough is rising, in a medium bowl mix 1/2 c. butter, 2 Tbs. cinnamon (optional) and 1 1/2 c. brown sugar. Set aside.

9. Using a cutting board and large knife chop 1 c. of pecans. Set aside.

10. After dough has risen turn the dough out and place on a slightly floured surface and cover for 10 min.

11. Roll dough into a 16x21 inch rectangle. Spread brown sugar, butter mix evenly over the dough. Sprinkle pecans over dough. Flatten into dough using a fork or the palm of your hand.

12. Cut dough into 9 strips and roll up and place into a slightly greased 9x9 inch baking pan. Cover and let rise approx. 30 min.

13. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

14. Bake rolls until golden brown for about 30-35 minutes. While rolls are baking make Caramel Pecan Drizzle.

Caramel Pecan Drizzle

1 1/4 c. light corn syrup

3 c. brown sugar

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1/2 c. butter

1 c. pecans

Directions:

In a medium saucepan on medium heat cook and stir 1 1/4c. corn syrup and 3 c. brown sugar, until it boils. Add 1 can sweetened condensed milk and stir, until it comes to a boil. Add 1/2 c. butter (not margarine) turn heat to medium low and continue cooking for 5 minutes. Drizzle caramel over warm rolls. Enjoy!

Sponsored by:

Pete Peevey's 2 min Halloween Popcorn Surprise...Kids Love It!!! + 10 Halloween Pet Peeves

2011-10-27T15:20:00.000-07:00

Yummy!!!
Directions:

1. Dissolve 1/2 cube of butter.

2. In a large cooking pot, on high heat, with 1/3 c of olive oil add 1 tsp spoon salt.

3. Add desired amount of popcorn kernels, generally 1 cup for large cooking pot.

4. After popcorn popped, while still hot, add Halloween candy of choice: Candy Corn, Reese's Pieces, M&M,....etc.

Serve while still warm. Candy melts with popcorn for a delicious Halloween snack that people won't put down until it's all gone...enjoy!!!

Halloween Top 10 Pet Peeves

Kids that run around the neighborhood smashing pumpkins...all those hours of carving down the drain.

People that show up to Halloween parties without costumes...come on it's not that hard to throw on a wig and some tattered clothing on and say you're Rob Zombie.

Trick or treaters with deep voices you know that they're way to old to be doing it...candy's not that expensive...is it?

Cheek pinchers... that's when you know your costumes way too cool !!!

People that only give out only one piece of candy and they live down a long 1/2 mile drive way..that's just wrong.

When people wear a full faced Halloween mask at parties and you don't know who they are and they keep talking to you and you can't ever figure them out...please people identify yourself.

Taking little kids trick or treating and they want you to carry them the whole time because all of a sudden their legs got tired and they don't work anymore...we've all been there and done that!!!

When everyone dresses a-like with the same costume because everyone saw the same epic movie that year...yo ho...yo ho... a pirates life for me. anyone missing an eye patch or bandana?

When you were little and you would go trick or treating for 5hrs until you're feet fell off. When you got home with the goods, everyone would raid your candy, especially all the good candy bars...we are all guilty of being the raiders... right?

Last of all, you were the one getting lots of candy in your trick or treat bag, but it never seem to get full because you had a small hole in it...it's the Charlie Brown effect.

If you have anymore Halloween Peeves to add to the list feel free to make a comment. We are dying to hear from you! Have a Happy Halloween!!!

Pete Peevey

Pete Peevey Comic

MoM T Double Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls Topped with Pumpkin Frosting

2011-10-22T19:06:00.000-07:00

MoM T: Double Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls Topped with Pumpkin Frosting

Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls

I c. warm milk

2 eggs (room temperature, slightly beaten)

1/3 c. butter melted

4 1/2 c. flour

1 tsp. salt

1/2 c. pumpkin

1/2 c. sugar

3 tsp. yeast

Pumpkin Filling:

1 1/2 c. pumpkin

1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

1/2 c. sugar

1/2 c. packed brown sugar

Cinnamon Sugar:

1/2 c. butter melted

2 Tbs. cinnamon

1 1/2 c. packed brown sugar

Directions:

1. Dissolve yeast in 1/2 c heated milk (110 degrees)

2. In a large bowl mix flour sugar and salt.

3. In a medium bowl mix remaining 1/2 c. milk, pumpkin, melted butter and eggs.

5. Add yeast mixture to runny dough and place in warm area for 20 min. Dough will start to foam.

6. With wooden spoon, gradually stir in the rest of the flour. If too hard to stir, knead by hand.

7. Cover with clean dish cloth and place in warm area for approx. 90 min. to rise. Dough should almost double in size.

8. While dough is rising, in a medium bowl mix 1 1/2 c pumpkin 1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice 1/2 c. sugar and 1/2 c. brown sugar. Set aside.

9. In a small bowl mix 1/2 c butter, 2 Tbs. cinnamon and 1 1/2 c. packed brown sugar. Mix until crumbly. Set aside.

10. After dough has risen turn the dough out and place on a slightly floured surface and cover for 10 min.

11. Roll dough into a 16x21 inch rectangle. Spread pumpkin mix evenly over the dough. Sprinkle cinnamon sugar mix over pumpkin. Flatten sugar into pumpkin using a fork or the palm of your hand.

12. Cut dough into 9 strips and roll up and place into a slightly greased 9x9 inch baking pan. Cover and let rise approx. 30 min.

13. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

14. Bake rolls until golden brown for about 30-35 minutes. While rolls are baking make Pumpkin Frosting.

Ingredients:

Pumpkin Frosting:

1 8oz. cream cheese (room temperature)

1/4 c. pumpkin (optional: add more pumpkin for taste, but not more than 1/4 c.)

1/4 c. butter (room temperature)

4 c. powdered sugar

1/8 tsp. salt

Directions:

1. In a medium bowl, with electric mixer, mix cream cheese and butter until smoothe.

2. Add pumpkin and mix thoroughly.

3. Add 1 tsp. salt and 1 c. powdered sugar and mix. Do the same with each additional cups of powered sugar, until all 4 c. are added. Blend until smoothe.

4. Place in refridgerator until rolls are done.

5. Spread frosting over warm rolls before serving.

Makes 9 large pumpkin rolls. ENJOY!

Sponsored by:

MoM T Artichokes with Roasted Garlic Sauce

2011-10-19T07:24:00.000-07:00

Artichokes:

Rinse artichokes and then cut and top and stem off with sharp knife. Place in a steamer or large pot with water filled 1/3 of pot. Steam on Med High for 40-45 min. Teast leaves by pulling one off to see if it is tender. run cool water over artichokes, drain and set aside and let cool.

Roasted Garlic Sauce:

1/4 c. butter (room temp)

3/4 c. mayonaise

2 cloves garlic

1/4 c. minced fresh cilantro

In a small bowl whip butter and mayonaise together until smoothe. Chop garlic into small pieces and place on a cookie sheet. Turn broiler onto low. Broil in oven garlic until golden brown. (watch carefully or garlic will burn) Set aside a small portion of garlic and cilantro to decorate. Add remaining roasted garlic and cilantro to mayonaise and butter mixer. Place on dinner plate and serve. Make 4 servings.

Pete Peevey's Low Sugar Lemon Squares (Really Really Good !!!)

2011-10-18T11:46:00.000-07:00

Low Sugar Lemon Squares

2 cups Flour
1/2 cup powder sugar
1 cup melted butter
1/2 teaspoon salt

Combine then press into 9x9 pan. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes or until golden.

Topping:

4 eggs beaten
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 cup flour

Mix together, pour over crust. Bake at 350 again for 20-25 minutes.

Immediately sprinkle with powdered sugar. And also sprinkle Cake Mate Green Apple decorating Decors over powdered sugar for an
awesome mouth watering taste.

Cut into medium squares while still warm.

MoM T Mud Pie

2011-10-16T09:06:00.000-07:00

MoM T Mud Pie

What can I say? Even for my large appetite, for mouth watering delicious pie. You've heard the saying, "once you have a bite you can't put it down." This mud pie will leave you crying for more. I've seen people fight over this last piece of pie. So, put on your army gear and get ready to fight for your piece of the pie!

If you can't finish all those mouth watering morsels. Freeze those little puppies and hold on for an even bigger mouth watering explosion of pure creamy chocolate. So, get your little cooking tools ready and bring a stretcher because they'll be some fighting for all who want a piece of the pie!....Pete Peevey

MoM T Mud Pie

Layer 1
Pie Crust:
Mix: 1 c. of butter partially melted
1/2 to 3/4 c. butter flavored Crisco partially melted
2 1/2 c. to 3 c. of flour
1 c. of chopped walnuts
Mix together to a cookie dough consistency
place in 15x10.5x2 inch pan (biggest pyrex rectangular dish)
Put all pie crust ingredients in and press flat against bottom of pan.
Bake at 350 till golden brown (approx. 20 min)
Set aside and let cool completely

Layer 2
cream Cheese Filling:
4 8oz. pkgs. of room temperature cream cheese
1 to 2 Tbs. of milk
Mix cream cheese and milk in bowl, with a mixer, until fluffy
3 to 3 1/2 c. powdered sugar
Add in powdered sugar to taste approx. 3 cups
Set aside in fridge to keep cold (approx. 30 min)

Layer 3
Pudding:
2 small boxes of chocolate Jello instant pudding
1 small box of lemon Jello instant pudding

Pour all pkgs together in large bowl
Add 4 1/2 c, of cold milk
Mix until thick
Set aside in fridge to keep cold (approx. 30 min)

Layer 4
Whipped Topping:
1 12 oz. Cool Whip large container (room temp)
1/2 c. of chopped walnuts

Directions: Take cooled pie crust and spread layer 2 (cream cheese filling) on top of pie crust. Then spread layer 3 (pudding) on top of layer 2. Finally, top it off with layer 4 (cool whip). Spread Cool Whip on top of layer 3 then sprinkle walnuts on top. You do not have to use walnuts in recipe.

Keep covered and refridgerate

Enjoy!

Pete Peeveys Pet Peeves & Recipes: Pete Peevey's Skeleton Bones & Salsa

2011-10-15T20:29:00.000-07:00

Pete Peeveys Pet Peeves & Recipes: Pete Peevey's Skeleton Bones & Salsa

Pete Peevey's Skeleton Bones & Salsa

2011-10-15T11:59:00.000-07:00

Won 2 Years in a row...# 1 SALSA!

This was such a fun display to make for my salsa. I found this headstone, skeleton and black tub at the dollar store. It only cost $3.00 to make. Everyone at the Halloween party loved the display and couldn't get enough of the chips and salsa. One year, I was down in San Diego with my family and decided to make this salsa for everyone to snack on. I made one batch and it was gone in 5 minutes!! So, I made a double batch and it was gone in less than 20 minutes. So, I had to run back down to the store and buy more ingredients. In one weekend, I ended up making 10 batches for just a small group of people. So, this recipe is a great recipe to have for a last minute idea for a party or something to snack on. It's great over eggs and tastes great in your homemade tacos. I am not sure what it is, but it is the freshest tasting salsa you will ever have and everyone will be coming back for more!

Salsa

Ingredients:
2 cans of diced stewed tomatoes
1 lime
1 clove of garlic
1 bunch of cilantro (de-stemed)
1 medium Jalepeno
1 Tbs. sugar

Directions:
In a blender add your 2 cans of stewed tomatoes, cilantro and garlic. Blend until pureed. Add your whole jalepeno and sugar. Finally, squeeze one whole lime and add to salsa and blend. Pour into container and refridgerate for one hour. For hot and spicy salsa add one more jalepeno and clove of garlic.

Pete Peevey's Trick or Treat Caramel Apple's

2011-10-14T14:21:00.000-07:00

Pete Peevey's Trick or Treat Caramel Apples

If you want to gather the kids around and have a fun Halloween night, this is the recipe your family will love and cherish. Growing up, we always carved pumpkins, made carameled apples and popped in the old VCR, "The Legends of Sleepy Hollow." Memories were created to last a lifetime. Now, I create new memories with my family. So, let me help you create some memories for yours.

Apples
12 lg Fuji Apples (green apples are also good)
12 bamboo or popcicle sticks
Wash apples and buff with a clean dish towel till shiny. Remove stems. Place all 12 apples in freezer for 1 hour. (need to be ice cold when dipping in caramel)

Caramel
Ingredients:
1 1/4 c. light corn syrup
3 c. brown sugar
1/2 can evaporated milk
2 1/2 c. sugar
1 cube butter (not margarine) room temperature
1 greased cookie sheet or wax paper

Directions:
In a medium saucepan cook and stir 1/2 can of evaporated milk and 2 1/2 c. of sugar on medium heat. Bring to a boil and let boil for 5 minutes. Place in a container and refridgerate. Let cool for 1/2 hr.

In a separate medium saucepan cook and stir 1 1/4 c. light corn syrup and 3 c. brown sugar on medium heat until it boils. Stir consistently. Let boil for two minutes, still stirring, then add evaporated milk and sugar mix. Bring to a boil and add 1/2 of your cube of butter. Do not stop stirring at any time or caramel will burn. Lower temperature to medium low and stir in other 1/2 of butter. Caramel should be continuing to boil. Consistently stir for 20 minutes or until mixture forms a ball when dropping in cold water.
Caramel will be very hot, so pour in separate container and let stand for 1 hour at room temperature and occasionally stir.

Dipping your Apples:

Caramel needs to still be warm enough to dip apples. Take apples out of freezer and place sticks in the top of your apples. Dip cold apples into warm caramel and let drip until most of the caramel at bottom has dripped off. Place on greased cookie sheet or wax paper. Add your favorite Halloween candy, while caramel is still warm.

Happy Halloween!!!

Candy Corn Collage

There's a worm in my apple!

Keep your fingers off my Butterfinger...Apple!

E.T. 's Pick

MoM T Fantastic Fruit Dip

2011-10-11T10:35:00.000-07:00

Fruit Dip

Ingredients:

4 8oz boxes Cream Cheese (room temperature)

3 7oz Containers of Marshmallow Cream

1 c. Powered Sugar

1 lg Pineapple

1 lg Canteloupe

1 lg HoneyDew Melon

1 lg container of Strawberries (or 6 small containers)

1 lg pkg of Grapes

1 lg head of leaf or red tip leaf lettuce

Dip:

In a large bowl mix (with hand mixer) 1 box of cream cheese until smoothe. Add each box of cream cheese separately and mix thoroughly until smoothe. Add 1/2 c of powered sugar and mix. Add rest of powered sugar and mix. Add 1 container of Marshmallow Cream and mix. Do the same with the other 2 containers of Marshmallow Cream. Do not add containers all at once. It will make it too difficult to mix. Add one container at a time. Finally, place into a medium decorative bowl and chill for 1 hour.

Fruit:

To begin, first wash the strawberries, grapes and lettuce. You may cut the ends off of the strawberries or not. Take lettuce and cut the very end off, leaving loose leaves. Place each leaf onto your platter covering entire platter for fruit to be placed on. This gives you a fresh look and inviting decorative effect. Slice and derine your canteloupe, honeydew and pineapple. After slicing each fruit, place fruit (except grapes) into sections on a giant platter leaving the center for dip bowl. Place chilled dip bowl in center of platter, then place grapes around the dip bowl. This creates a volume effect for your fruit display. Your friends and family will be impressed! Enjoy!

MoM T Mud Pie

2011-10-06T14:09:00.000-07:00

Coming Soon Pete Peevey's Recipes

2011-10-06T00:34:00.000-07:00

Pete Peevey's Delicious Recipes...Coming Soon!

Pet Peeve Is Brain Freeze...Hey That Rhymes!

2011-10-04T16:11:00.000-07:00

Sometimes it can happen to you while you're working on your favorite Sudoku puzzle or studying your math homework...Pete Peevey

"Brain freeze" is the pain sometimes inflicted by devouring something cold like ice cream or a cold beverage, often very quickly.

The reaction is (obviously) triggered by the cold ice cream or beverage; coming into contact with the roof of the mouth. It triggers nerves that give the brain the impression of a very cold environment. To heat up the brain again, blood vessels start to swell, which causes the headache-like pain for approximately 30 seconds.

The temperature change in the roof of the mouth has to be rather drastic; this is why brain freeze often occurs on warm days.

The pain can be relieved by putting the tongue to the roof of the mouth, which logically will heat it up.

Speaking Brain Freeze

(watch Video)

Unbelievable!!! Another Deer In The Headlamp Brain Freeze

Pet Peeve: People Who Always Play With Fire

2011-10-01T21:10:00.000-07:00

Teens Catch On Fire !!!

2011-10-01T20:40:00.000-07:00

Counseling Children Who Play With Fire

by Robert E. Cole, PhD, Daryl Sharp, PhD, RN, NPP and Carolyn E. Kourofsky

Whether they happen in school or at home, intentionally or unintentionally, fires set by children are always cause for concern. Most school counselors will, at some point in their careers, be called on to work with a child who has started a fire or played with fire.

Even experienced counselors may worry about their ability to help a child who has set fires, believing that highly specialized skills are required. In our experience, it is commonly believed that fire involvement is rare, and that it is always a sign of serious psychological issues.

The truth is, you've probably already worked with a number of children with fireplay or firesetting in their history, whether you knew it or not. Involvement with fire is far more common than most people realize. Far from being a rare occurrence, children's fireplay is common enough to be considered typical.

In some cases involving pathology, mental health referrals may be needed. But more often, what is needed are good counseling skills and a knowledge of current research on children's involvement with fire. This article will provide the latter.

Even in these more common situations, fire is a serious health threat. In the U.S there are over 380,000 home structure fires every year, resulting in more than 3,000 deaths and 13,000 injuries. Children are at particularly high risk; a Home Safety Council study of unintentional home injuries found fire and burns to be the leading cause of home injury deaths for children ages 1 to 14 years (http://www.homesafetycouncil.org/).

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that in 2006, children playing with fire started an estimated 14,500 structure fires that were reported to U.S. fire departments, causing an estimated 130 civilian deaths, 810 civilian injuries and $328 million in direct property damage ("Children and fire" fact sheet available at http://www.nfpa.org/).

A surprising number of reported fires—serious enough for the fire department to be called—are set by very young children. More than half of the children who set fires are between the ages of 4 and 9. These fires can be the most tragic: child-set fires are the leading cause of fire deaths in preschool children.

Playing with fire

Studies of children in major cities in the U.S. and Canada, over a number of years, have found children's fireplay is common. Studies in Rochester, NY, and Portland, OR from 1990 to 2002 (http://www.sosfires.com/) found more than half of children reported having played with fire by the time they were out of elementary school. A similar study in Surrey, British Columbia, found more than 80% of girls and 88% of boys had played with fire by the time they were in high school (Fireplay Report: A Survey of School-Aged Youth in Grades 1 to 12, University College of the Fraser Valley).

More recent studies continue to find that fireplay is common. A 2005 study of almost 4,000 adolescents in grades 7 to 12 in Ontario, Canada (to be published in 2009 in the Journal of Child and Adolescent Mental Health) found that two-thirds reported having played with fire in their lifetimes, and nearly a third reported firesetting during the past 12 months.

Why do children start fires? The nature and meaning of children's involvement with fire is strongly related to their level of cognitive development. Preschool children have limited understanding of cause and effect, or transformations, and cannot appreciate that even a small flame is capable of becoming a large fire. Nearly every day, most children see the adults in their lives use fire very casually. Adults often encourage children to use or exert control over fire, whether by holding candles in church or blowing out candles on a birthday cake. This can reinforce children's idea that fire is not especially dangerous, and that they would be able to control it under all circumstances.

Elementary school children do understand cause and effect and transformations, so they are able to grasp that a single match can burn down a house. But many still greatly overestimate their ability to control fire. Because they can't easily anticipate an event they haven't yet experienced, these children do not appreciate how quickly and decisively a small fire can get out of control.

As with younger children, adults' attitudes play a significant role in elementary school children's sense of empowerment for fire use. A study in Rochester, NY found that children who'd had greater exposure to household activities involving fire and been given responsibility for chores involving fire, such as cooking, were more sure than children who hadn't been given these responsibilities that they "could put out a small fire." They were also three times as likely to report at least one instance of fire play (Playing with Fire: A Developmental Assessment of Children’s Fire Understanding and Experience, Journal of Child Clinical Psychology, 19)

Teenagers, like adults, can appreciate the full range of possible outcomes for fire. And like adults, they can underestimate the risk of those outcomes. When firesetting is deliberate, it's likely to be linked to risk taking or individual or family pathology. In the Ontario study of adolescents, those with more severe fire involvement were likely to report other risk variables including smoking, binge drinking, cannabis use, sensation seeking, and psychological distress.

Beyond the issue of cognitive understanding, children's fire involvement is related to family and socioeconomic factors. In Rochester, NY between 58% and 80% of children who started fires reported to the fire department lived in divided families, compared to 36% of the children in the city as a whole. They were also three times more likely to be on a reduced-price or free-lunch program than those who were not. In Portland, 80% of the children reported to the fire department lived in divided families. Half of these children lived in families with less than $20,000 annual income, and one in three lived in families with incomes less than $10,000.

Assessment approaches and tools

Assessing a child's involvement with fire should be done in the context of his or her overall behavior, cognitive functioning, social and emotional functioning, and family functioning. Some factors to consider include:

Circumstances of the incident. Children who play with fire without intent to do damage typically act impulsively, using ignition sources available at the moment. Youth with more complex issues are more likely to search out ignition materials and use accelerants, and may conceal these items until needed.
Appearance of remorse. Children struggling with emotional issues may not admit they set the fire, and rather than try to put it out may run away to watch the fire burn (this behavior in older children is different from preschoolers who don't understand possible consequences and are simply afraid of "getting in trouble.")
The child’s overall behavior. Aside from the fire involvement, are there other concerns about the child’s behavior. Does he have impulse control? Is he frequently angry? How well does he manage his emotions? What are his peer relationships?
History and frequency of fire involvement. A pattern of purposely planned, multiple firesetting over an extended time period is more likely to point to underlying issues than engaging in more unplanned, sporadic episodes of fireplay.
Family and parental behavior. What is the parent’s history of fire involvement? What is the parent’s attitude toward the child’s firesetting? Is parental supervision consistent and effective? What is the family’s reaction to the fire incident?

Several structured interview guides are available to help assess fire involvement. Two of the most widely used are the TAPP-C Fire Involvement Interview available from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (http://www.camh.net/), and the Children's Firesettnig Interview and Firesetting Risk Interview developed by Kolko and Kazdin (www.pitt.edu/~kolko/Articles.htm). Additional information about assessment approaches and interventions is available in Juvenile Firesetting: A Community Guide to Prevention and Intervention (http://www.fireproofchildren.com/).

Fire safety education

All children who have been involved with a fire incident should receive an educational intervention. Fire safety education programs and materials should be appropriate to the child's developmental level.

The preschool approach is exemplified by the play safe be safe! program (http://www.playsafebesafe.com/), which makes no attempt to explain or show how fire spreads. Instead it introduces and reinforces simple lessons that are incompatible with children's use of fire: that matches and lighters are "adult tools only," and that they should "go tell a grown-up" if they see these ignition materials left out.

For elementary school children these messages are still appropriate, but at this age children can better understand the full range of fire's potential. They may benefit from video presentations that demonstrate how quickly fire can get out of control. These should be used to support the basic message, not as instruction in how to manage fire. The educational message should be that matches and lighters are tools for adults only. Education for adolescents should include safe handling and use of ignition materials, but should still emphasize the power of fire and the speed with which it moves. RiskWatch, a safety education program widely used in schools provides lessons for grade levels through grade 12 (http://www.riskwatch.org/).

Scare tactics should be avoided for all ages. It's tempting to think that giving a child a good scare about the consequences of fire would be an easy, one-time "inoculation" against future firesetting. But if a child's fireplay is the result of family or social issues, this approach could actually stimulate the behavior you're trying to prevent.

Even if there aren't such underlying issues, many children and teens won't respond to a "fear appeal'' – any more than most adults do. Scare tactics designed to get people to stop smoking, for instance, often fail because people feel they are being manipulated or threatened. Their responses range from defiance ("You can't tell me what to do,") to avoidance ("I'd be careful, no one would get hurt.").

For younger children, fear can interfere with learning. A frightened child may simply stop listening. And scare tactics quickly lose their effectiveness if the child does play with fire afterward -- with no immediate dire consequences. A recent study by NFPA confirmed that children respond better to positive messages.

For older children and teens, scare tactics can even cause a "blowback" effect. Consider the evaluation of "Scared Straight" type prison programs, which expose juvenile delinquents pre-delinquents to prison life and interactions with prisoners. Studies have found that these programs don't change long-term behavior and in some cases seemed to increase the likelihood of delinquency.

Another tactic to avoid is attempting to satiate a child's interest in fire by “safely” involving them with fire. Some adults assume that if they teach children “how to handle” fire, this will satisfy their curiosity and prevent them from playing with fire when adults are not present. In fact the evidence shows that with more practice with fire, a child will gain more false confidence in his ability to control it, which may encourage rather than reduce the behavior.

What to tell parents and other adults

Parents need to understand that, even when started without any intention to do harm, fires set by children can cause serious damage and injury. They should also know that, although fireplay must be taken seriously and is a trigger for a psychological evaluation, typically it is not a sign of an emotional problem. As described above, most children see fire as familiar, fun, and easy to control. Young children just don't understand the consequences, and older children overestimate their ability to control fire.

Parents need to be aware that their own modeling of fire use sends unspoken messages. What they do can be more important than what they tell a child. Casual use of fire such as leaving a stove, campfire, grill or candles unattended, not only creates an immediate hazard but tells children that fire need not be treated seriously. Ignoring the smoke alarm, or going in search of the source of smoke rather than urging everyone to get out when the alarm sounds, sends a message that smoke and its cause is not a serious matter.

Parents need to know that supervision is just as important at home as outside of it. Many assume that their children are safe when they are in their own bedrooms. In fact this is where most of the fires set by young children are started, often in closets. Many families are too casual about handling ignition materials and leaving them lying around on a tabletop or counter. Parents need to both monitor their children, and restrict access to ignition materials. Lighters and matches should be kept out of sight and reach, ideally in a locked cabinet.

Parents need to establish and stick to unambiguous rules about fire. They must firmly state to children that matches and lighters are tools for adults only. It's important that this rule be clear and consistent. Many children will assume that if they're allowed to do something with adult supervision, it's really all right for them to do the same thing when alone. This is especially true if they've performed a fire-related skill many times without an incident. Many cooking fires start this way.

In explaining to parents the need to avoid giving responsibility for fire use to children, it can be helpful to compare this to hiring a babysitter. Most people want a sitter who is older than elementary school age. They understand, intuitively, that one of the key responsibilities of a babysitter is to be able to respond if something unexpected happens. Elementary school children are not good at anticipating what might go wrong and how to respond if something does, such as if grease from cooking catches on fire or a napkin falls across a burner. The Babysitting Training Courses sanctioned by the American Red Cross and the National Safety Council are designed for 11-to-15-year-olds, setting a national standard concerning the age of responsibility.

Parents should also know the importance of maintaining smoke alarms, and planning and practicing the household’s exit plan. Information about this is available at http://www.homefiredrill.org/.

To summarize, the key things school counselors need to remember are:

Take fire and children's fireplay seriously. While fireplay is common and not usually a sign of serious psychological issues, it can cause serious damage, injuries and death. It should be a trigger for psychological evaluation and referral if necessary.
Provide developmentally appropriate fire safety education.
Engage with parents to educate them about the importance of supervision, modeling, avoiding premature assignment of fire-related responsibilities, having working smoke alarms, and planning and practicing a home fire drill.

About the Authors

Robert Cole, Ph.D. is a research psychologist and Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Rochester Medical Center School of Nursing, and one of the nation's leading experts in fire safety education. Daryl Sharp, Ph.D., R.N., N.P.P. is a psychiatric nurse practitioner with more than 20 years of clinical experience in psychiatric/mental health nursing, and an Assistant Professor of Nursing at the University of Rochester. Carolyn E. Kourofsky is a freelance writer specializing in health and safety.

May be reprinted with copyright and contact information intact.

More information for mental health professionals about assessment and intervention for children with fire involvement can be found in Juvenile Firesetting: A Community Guide to Prevention and Intervention.

For the latest news in fire

Deer Jumping In Front Of You

2011-09-29T12:18:00.000-07:00

Collisions with deer have been on the rise nationwide, up more than 20 percent over the last five years. According to the Insurance Information Institute, a non-profit industry trade group, there are more than 1.6 millions deer collisions nationwide each year. The cost is not just the $4.6 billion in property damage and medical bills to drivers and passengers. About 200 people a year a killed as a result of these collisions.

Most people enjoy seeing a deer now and then, even if the animals make unprotected beds of annuals unrealistic. However, the threat of a deer-car collision is a problem to be taken seriously. A "heavy" deer might weigh over 200 pounds on the hoof, and even an eighty-pound yearling is capable of totaling a vehicle traveling at high speed.

So Watchout and Keep those Deer out of the Grill of your Car!!!Because you Know about Fall time those deer are not on any Weight Watchers program so be careful and happy driving!!!

Pete Peevey

People Who Stare !!!

2011-09-28T09:44:00.000-07:00

Staring is a gaze or a fixed look. When one person or an object is the constant focus of attention, for a considerable amount of time, it is known as staring. It can be hostile or out of affection as well. Staring can also be seen as a common sign of aggression or invasion of an individual's privacy.

Why do people stare is really hard to answer in an exact way. There are numerous reasons why people keep on looking at something or someone. Staring is not hard to notice as you can easily make out if someone is constantly looking at you.

Sometimes the people are staring but their minds are 100 miles away on something they are thinking about!

Staring might be the result of admiration. It is possible that the person staring at you admires you for some reason or the other. It is also possible that people who are staring at you are simply amazed by your attractiveness; you are so cool or crazy handsome that they just cannot get their eyes off you.

Stares can be judgmental they are trying to judge you by staring at you for long periods of time.

When people see someone who is different from what is considered as 'normal', people stare. Also, if somebody has done something different, like stumbling over your feet while walking through the mall. All eyes stare at that person.

Not too long ago, a group of fellow employees were in a restaurant, People were looking and obviously talking about our group. I told another employee, I thought they were being really rude. Well the person I said that too, got up and went over to the people that were staring. They politely said Why? were they looking at us and was there something they were curious about. As it turns out they were just curious as to where we worked, why we were at that restaurant etc...My friend said when someone stares , in Their mind they are asking a question! My friend is always polite and will always try to satisfy their curiosity. I learned my lesson that day and I do the same now. Have made lots of friends this way!

I used to pay more attention to how people around me perceived me and I used to notice people staring at me a lot then. Now, I care a lot less about what people think of me and my big lips!!! Or weird hairstyle lol ! I also care a lot less about what others do. So, I hardly ever notice any such behavior as my attention is somewhere else.

So, I would suggest to try and take your focus off others and focus more on what your trying to do. What I tend to do sometimes is just think about something really cool that happened to me lately and that takes my focus off anything else. People a lot of times do it to get under your skin. They want to annoy you probably because there bored and its entertaining to them. It Just might be you. Maybe you have something on your face like food or if your a girl then maybe your wearing too much makeup or have makeup visible in the wrong way like lipstick on teeth thing. For the most just ignore it for all we both know it could just be the person liking you!!! When someone stares at you, they usually are wondering something! Like , I wonder where he bought those cool shoes? Or he so ripped! I wonder if he’s on steroids… yeah right.! It’s all natural lol

Pete Peevey