give thanks & give back

my two Snowflakes that I'm sending in for the students at the new school

Lets take a moment to reflect and remember the 26 lives that were lost at Sandy Hook.
Especially, right now- it's so close to the Holidays. I don’t know about you but I want to help, but I can’t send money like a normal Red Cross donation- because they don’t need money… they need life.

We need to help the children of the world because these ridiculous massacres are getting to frequent. I don’t know if that will be stricter gun laws, changes to media and television programming or a better understanding of mental sickness. But we need to figure it out..

I read this article the other day and I knew I had found a little answer. It’s called the

26 Acts of Kindness

and it is in memory of the 26 lives that were lost in Newtown.

It can be as simple as opening a door for someone, making a donation, or my personal favorite… Someone called into the local Newtown Starbucks and gave their credit card number to pay for the next 100 customers’ orders. That is HUGE!!

As a special treat when the children return to Sandy Hook after their break, the National Parent Teacher Association wants them to be greeted with a Winter Wonderland theme. They’re asking to please cut out some paper snowflakes and send them to the address below so that the school can be covered with them. The snowflakes are due by January 12^th … so get cutting J

Connecticut PTSA
60 Connolly Parkway
Building 12. Suite 103
Hamden, CT 06514

 26 Acts of Kindness page on Facebook.
or on Twitter- #26ActsOfKindness

As for the 26 acts of kindness, you should invest in humanity and kindness this Holiday Season

Give Back!! xo

On the road...

Happy Thanksgiving!
On my way to the central valley, with a pit stop at Starbucks- don't judge me

gobble gobble ♥

This year has been fun. Reflecting on the past 326 days really can boost a person's spirits... because in all honesty you only remember the good things and you do forget the bad. This just further shows you all the things you should be thankful for. And if something bad did happen, I'll think good thoughts for you. I'm in the Central Valley today celebrating with Family from near and very far away. I hope you can spend today with those you love- close friends, family, co-workers, other couples or even just your dog. <3

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone

&& to those of you venturing out for the Black Friday Sales, I wish you good luck.

cheesecake and pie

As mentioned earlier this week.. I am in charge of the dessert table for Thanksgiving part one. I decided to go with a New York cheesecake and yummy Pumpkin pie bars. Classic always wins. This morning I am running in the San Jose Turkey Trot 10K. So I can be sure that I will be sampling both desserts tonight.

Last night, after I was finished baking, I decided the Cheesecake needed something else because it didn't look right naked. So I decided to add some caramel sauce with black sea salt- that was given to me as a Hawaiian souvenir . I love it, by the way. I figure you really can't go wrong sweet and salty..

The pumpkin pie bars sounded like a good take on the traditional. Except they are made with a ginger snap crust. Plus the added benefit is that you can cut as much or as little as you like, depending on the amount of room you have left. Hopefully I picked the right treats and have something for everyone. I wish you a wonderful Holiday with those you love and lots of yummy dishes for you to enjoy throughout the day and many sweet memories for you to be thankful for next year.

Fun around the table

I love the idea of a large group of people sitting around the dining table- eating, drinking, enjoying eachother's company for hours on end. That is what always intrigues me about other cultures like in Italy or Spain.

That might be the reason why I love Thanksgiving so much, well... that and the desserts.

I'll be honest, from the time when dishes get sided to when the desserts come out seems like eternity to me- but I do love the anticipation!!  While waiting I feel like you should give your guests something to do. I have pulled some sites that offer some old school games that you can print out and add to your place settings. That way guests have their own fun things to do while waiting, just in case they need some distractions too, like me. :)

link



link

link

When we eat dinner, it's a family tradition to go around the table and share what you are most thankful for. Whether, it be a specific event that happened over the past year or something you have done or something someone did for you. It's just a feel good moment. Use this print out in your place setting too- have everyone fill it out sometime during dinner and share them before you slice that gorgeous pumpkin pie!!