We had a wonderful Thanksgiving. The four of us (along with my sister and another friend of ours) volunteered serving Thanksgiving lunch for a few hours at a local homeless shelter. Last year was our first experience doing this and we have decided to make it a regular part of all of our future Thanksgivngs.
Afterwards, we enjoyed an amazing dinner at my Mom's house and a rousing game of Scene It! (Disney edition) with the kids. A friend brought it and the children enjoyed it so much, I bought it for them for Christmas.
I was in charge of dessert this year and made a Pumpkin Pie and a fantastic Caramel Cheesecake (recipe below) that was a surprisingly huge hit!
Caramel Cheesecake
1 (9-inch) graham cracker crust (I prefer and used a homemade crust)
2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
1/4 cup caramel topping
12 pecan halves, plus 2 tablespoons chopped pecans
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Beat together the cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Add the eggs and mix well. Pour into crust.
Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the center of the cake is set. Cool to room temperature.
Warm caramel topping in a small saucepan and heat for about 1 minute, or until spreadable. Spoon over the top of the cheesecake and spread evenly. Decorate the edge of the cake with pecan halves and sprinkle with chopped pecans. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Happy Thanksgiving!
I’m Thankful for You
Thanksgiving is the appointed time
for focusing on the good in our lives.
In each of our days,
we can find small blessings,
but too often we overlook them,
choosing instead to spend our time
paying attention to problems.
We give our energy
to those who cause us trouble
instead of those who bring peace.
Starting now,
let’s be on the lookout
for the bits of pleasure in each hour,
and appreciate the people who
bring love and light to everyone
who is blessed to know them.
You are one of those people.
On Thanksgiving,
I’m thankful for you.
By Joanna Fuchs
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
A Gift From My Little Sweetie
More Gift Ideas
I'm on a roll! It's unfortnate that there are 2,387 much more important things that I should be doing...
License Plate Flash Frame - I can't believe I've never seen these before... Doesn't seem like they'd be legal!
Treat Laucher - For the lazy dog owner...
Ride a NASCAR Experience - Oh what my boy wouldn't do for THIS one!
Fill Me With Love Cheesecake - For the girl who already has everything!
Pop Art Toaster - Hysterical!
License Plate Flash Frame - I can't believe I've never seen these before... Doesn't seem like they'd be legal!
Treat Laucher - For the lazy dog owner...
Ride a NASCAR Experience - Oh what my boy wouldn't do for THIS one!
Fill Me With Love Cheesecake - For the girl who already has everything!
Pop Art Toaster - Hysterical!
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Cyber Monday
Oh it's definitely a good thing my internet activity is not monitored by an employer!
Monday November 26 is Cyber Monday - "the ceremonial kick-off of the holiday online shopping season in the United States between Thanksgiving Day and Christmas. Whereas Black Friday is associated with traditional brick-and-mortar stores, "Cyber Monday" symbolizes a busy day for online retailers" according to Wikipedia.
Cyber Monday Official Site
Cyber Monday Message Boards
Monday November 26 is Cyber Monday - "the ceremonial kick-off of the holiday online shopping season in the United States between Thanksgiving Day and Christmas. Whereas Black Friday is associated with traditional brick-and-mortar stores, "Cyber Monday" symbolizes a busy day for online retailers" according to Wikipedia.
Cyber Monday Official Site
Cyber Monday Message Boards
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Holiday Shopping
Am I the only one who has started? If you haven't, GET MOVING! December 24 will be here before you know it!
Some cool ideas I've come across...
Andy Warhol Pop Print - Fantastic if you have the perfect picture...
Starbucks Customized Gift Card - I love that they're doing this! There are a dozen people on my list who would get a kick out of this!
Personalized Rubik's Cube - A cool twist on an old favorite...
Digital Photo Keychain - Holds up to 31 photos on it - amazing!
Leg Lamp - Anyone who has seen the movie A Christmas Story (one of my husbands' favorite movies!) will recognize and appreciate this one!
Play-Doh Cologne - Maybe I'm a freak - but I've never liked the smell of play-doh! Fun gift for someone who does, though...
Custom Postage - Too cute - but doesn't it cost enough to send a letter in the mail these days?
Some cool ideas I've come across...
Andy Warhol Pop Print - Fantastic if you have the perfect picture...
Starbucks Customized Gift Card - I love that they're doing this! There are a dozen people on my list who would get a kick out of this!
Personalized Rubik's Cube - A cool twist on an old favorite...
Digital Photo Keychain - Holds up to 31 photos on it - amazing!
Leg Lamp - Anyone who has seen the movie A Christmas Story (one of my husbands' favorite movies!) will recognize and appreciate this one!
Play-Doh Cologne - Maybe I'm a freak - but I've never liked the smell of play-doh! Fun gift for someone who does, though...
Custom Postage - Too cute - but doesn't it cost enough to send a letter in the mail these days?
Monday, November 12, 2007
On This Day...
1927 - Josef Stalin became the undisputed ruler of the Soviet Union as Leon Trotsky was expelled from the Communist Party
1929 - Grace Kelly was born
1954 - Ellis Island closes after processing more than 20 million immigrants since opening in New York Harbor in 1892
1987 - The American Medical Association issued a policy statement saying it was unethical for a doctor to refuse to treat someone solely because that person has AIDS or is HIV-positive
1966 - David Schwimmer was born
2001 - An American Airlines flight crashed near New York's Kennedy airport, killing 265 people
1929 - Grace Kelly was born
1954 - Ellis Island closes after processing more than 20 million immigrants since opening in New York Harbor in 1892
1987 - The American Medical Association issued a policy statement saying it was unethical for a doctor to refuse to treat someone solely because that person has AIDS or is HIV-positive
1966 - David Schwimmer was born
2001 - An American Airlines flight crashed near New York's Kennedy airport, killing 265 people
History Of Veteran's Day
1918
World War I, then normally referred to simply as The Great War (no one could imagine any war being greater!), ended with the implementation of an armistice [temporary cessation of hostilities—in this case until the final peace treaty, the infamous Treaty of Versailles, was signed in 1919] between the Allies and Germany at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of November, 1918.
1919
November 11: President Wilson proclaims the first Armistice Day with the following words: "To us in America, the reflections of armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…" The original concept for the celebration was for the suspension of business for a two minute period beginning at 11 A.M., with the day also marked by parades and public mettings.
1920
On the second anniversary of the armistice, France and the United Kingdom hold ceremonies honoring their unknown dead from the war. In America, at the suggestion of church groups, President Wilson names the Sunday nearest Armistice Day Sunday, on which should be held services in the interest of international peace.
1921
Congress passes legislation approving the establishment of a Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. November 11 is chosen for the date of the ceremony. According on October 20, Congress declares November 11, 1921 a legal Federal holiday to honor all those who participated in the war. The ceremony was conducted with great success.
1926
Congress adopts a resolution directing the President to issue an annual proclamation calling on the observance of Armistice Day. Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, most states establish November 11 as a legal holiday and at the Federal level, an annual proclamation is issued by the President.
1938
Congress passes legislation on May 13 making November 11 a legal Federal holiday, Armistice Day. The United States has no ‘actual’ national holidays because the states retain the right to designate their own holidays. The Federal government can in fact only designate holidays for Federal employees and for the District of Columbia. But in practice the states almost always follow the Federal lead in designation of holidays.
1941- 1945
1950- 1953
World War II and the Korean War create millions of additional war veterans in addition to those of the First World War already honored by Armistice Day.
1954
On June 1, President Eisenhower signs legislation changing the name of the legal holiday from Armistice Day to Veteran’s Day.
1968
Congress passes the Monday Holiday Law which established the fourth Monday in October as the new date for the observance of Veteran’s Day. The law is to take effect in 1971.
1971-1975
The Federal observance of Veterans Day is held on the fourth Monday of October. Initially all states follow suit except Mississippi and South Dakota. Other states changed their observances back to November 11 as follows: 1972- Louisiana and Wisconsin; 1974- Kentucky, Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Maine, South Carolina, West Virginia; 1975- California, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Utah, West Virginia, Wyoming
1975
Legislation passed to return the Federal observance of Veteran’s Day to November 11, based on popular support throughout the nation. Since the change to the fourth Monday in October, 46 states had either continued to commemorate November 11 or had reverted back to the original date based on popular sentiment. The law was to take effect in 1978.
1978
Veteran’s Day observance reverts to November 11.
World War I, then normally referred to simply as The Great War (no one could imagine any war being greater!), ended with the implementation of an armistice [temporary cessation of hostilities—in this case until the final peace treaty, the infamous Treaty of Versailles, was signed in 1919] between the Allies and Germany at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of November, 1918.
1919
November 11: President Wilson proclaims the first Armistice Day with the following words: "To us in America, the reflections of armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…" The original concept for the celebration was for the suspension of business for a two minute period beginning at 11 A.M., with the day also marked by parades and public mettings.
1920
On the second anniversary of the armistice, France and the United Kingdom hold ceremonies honoring their unknown dead from the war. In America, at the suggestion of church groups, President Wilson names the Sunday nearest Armistice Day Sunday, on which should be held services in the interest of international peace.
1921
Congress passes legislation approving the establishment of a Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. November 11 is chosen for the date of the ceremony. According on October 20, Congress declares November 11, 1921 a legal Federal holiday to honor all those who participated in the war. The ceremony was conducted with great success.
1926
Congress adopts a resolution directing the President to issue an annual proclamation calling on the observance of Armistice Day. Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, most states establish November 11 as a legal holiday and at the Federal level, an annual proclamation is issued by the President.
1938
Congress passes legislation on May 13 making November 11 a legal Federal holiday, Armistice Day. The United States has no ‘actual’ national holidays because the states retain the right to designate their own holidays. The Federal government can in fact only designate holidays for Federal employees and for the District of Columbia. But in practice the states almost always follow the Federal lead in designation of holidays.
1941- 1945
1950- 1953
World War II and the Korean War create millions of additional war veterans in addition to those of the First World War already honored by Armistice Day.
1954
On June 1, President Eisenhower signs legislation changing the name of the legal holiday from Armistice Day to Veteran’s Day.
1968
Congress passes the Monday Holiday Law which established the fourth Monday in October as the new date for the observance of Veteran’s Day. The law is to take effect in 1971.
1971-1975
The Federal observance of Veterans Day is held on the fourth Monday of October. Initially all states follow suit except Mississippi and South Dakota. Other states changed their observances back to November 11 as follows: 1972- Louisiana and Wisconsin; 1974- Kentucky, Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Maine, South Carolina, West Virginia; 1975- California, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Utah, West Virginia, Wyoming
1975
Legislation passed to return the Federal observance of Veteran’s Day to November 11, based on popular support throughout the nation. Since the change to the fourth Monday in October, 46 states had either continued to commemorate November 11 or had reverted back to the original date based on popular sentiment. The law was to take effect in 1978.
1978
Veteran’s Day observance reverts to November 11.
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Can You Believe It?
That means it's time to start getting ready for...
Black Friday
Black Friday Ads
The Official Black Friday 2007 Site
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