Monday, December 5, 2011

Take a Step Back and Watch the World Go By....Then

This has got to be the most hectic, crazy and totally insane time of the year.  If you don't believe me then stop your shopping for one moment and watch the crowd go by.

People are so intent on themselves they push, shove, grumble about those who are moving slower, complain about long lines and utter rudeness rules the day.  Every year it seems to get worse you can see it in the head lines... Lady Pepper Sprays other shoppers, A robber shot a Black Friday shopper, a man was stabbed outside a Sacramento mall.

Try these ideas  for a change.

Slow down and smile at the next person you see.  REALLY mean it .. Put your whole heart into it.  Then do it again and again.  Watch as you see face after face smile back and a little of their grumpiness fades away.  

Start up a conversation with the person next to you while you wait in line.  Not a negative one about how horrible the wait is or how someone tried to grab a sweater you selected out of your hands.  Find something happy to chat about.  Did you see how beautiful they decorated the town tree this year?

Volunteer... Need I say more.  Well I will anyway.  One of the best ways to help you feel better and help others is to volunteer.  We human beings are social creatures and we are happiest when we are helping each other out.  Don't believe me?   Go ahead and try it then tell me how you feel. 

Thursday, December 1, 2011

It's The Most Spendiest Time Of The Year

Well it's finally December so I guess I'm ready to talk about Christmas.

I find myself hating media outlets more and more this time of year.  The commercials are so obnoxious especially the ones that stress Gifting Yourself.  Their whole goal seems to be to turn the Season of giving into the Season of Greedy!

So I've decided in order to combat the Season of Greedy I will use this month to explore all the heart felt home made gifts people can come up with to share their love for their family and friends without breaking the bank.

Lets start with your local library.  There are so many creative books out their that you can use to find inspiration for your creations.  Here is a list of a few of my favorites to help you start your search.

Simply Homemade Food Gifts by Jennifer Darling

Christmas Gifts from the Kitchen by Georgeanne Brennan

Food for Friends : Homemade Gifts for Every Season by Sally Pasley Vargas

 These are just a few of the wonderful books available for Free at your local library and a great place to start your search for a Homemade Christmas.

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Vegetable Container Garden: Last Gift of the Season

I don't think I ever mentioned here but I have decided to combine my Vegetable Container Garden blog and this one.  That being said.  One of the vegetables I was growing was lettuce.  Since it was hot very early in the Spring one of my heads of lettuce went to seed rather quickly. 

Now with the exceptionally warm Fall weather I found this little guy growing between the cracks in the driveway next to the garage.

One very determined seed waited in the crack till things cooled down then shot up.  He will make a very nice last fresh salad of the season.

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving


May everyone have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving and may we all remember all that we have to be Thankful for.

Monday, November 21, 2011

It's The Only Way

Every year the marketing industry trys to start the Christmas stampede earlier and earlier.  This year some obnoxious stores have decided their employees don't need to have time with there families and have decided to open on Thanksgiving.  What's next Scary good deals on Halloween  or how about Christmas on the Forth of July?  It is time as consumers we take a stand.  If we don't stand together we shall surly have our pockets emptied alone.  I know they are promising so good deal or another but so what ... What ever gadget or toy they have now will be obsolete by Christmas anyway.  The only way to stop this nonsense and take back our Holidays is to say NO and stay home on Thanksgiving. 

If there is no profit they will stop doing it and we can all then be truly Thankful.

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Pumpkin Ginger Parfaits

Found this most excellent recipe for pumpkin ginger parfaits over at hobbyfarms.com. Its the place I go browse when I'm sick of living right on top of my neighbors here on Long Island. I'm going to swap out the canned pumpkin for pumpkin puree since I have tons of it in the freezer. I can't wait to serve it for Thanksgiving.

Pumpkin Ginger Parfaits




Ingredients
1 15-ounce can pumpkin
1 7-ounce jar marshmallow crème
½ tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1 8-ounce container frozen whipped topping, thawed
¼ cup crystallized ginger, finely chopped
40 ginger snap cookies

Preparation
Working in batches, crush ginger snaps in food processor until they form fine crumbs.

Using an electric mixer, beat pumpkin, marshmallow crème and pumpkin pie spice until smooth. Fold in 2 cups of the whipped topping and crystallized ginger.

Place 2 Tablespoons crumbs in bottom of each glass. Top with a generous ¼ cup of pumpkin mixture, using a spoon to press out air bubbles and smooth the top. Repeat layers in each glass. Refrigerate until firm, at least two hours. Garnish with remaining whipped topping. Serves 6
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