It’s Interesting How Labor Day Unofficially Marks The End Of Summer.
I go by the weather and also the calendar. However, they don’t necessarily coincide in California, but maybe someplace in the world.
Labor Day became a Federal Holiday in 1894 and is observed on the first Monday in September to celebrate the contributions and achievements of American Workers.
It’s a day of backyard bbq’s and eating hot dogs and hamburgers hot off the grill. It gives me the impression of a mini 4th of July. We are always eager to get together with friends and family and have a great bbq meal. It’s a celebrated day off work that everyone enjoys.
However, you celebrate Labor Day, have a good one!
Here’s a video you may enjoy:
It’s good to look into history from time to time to understand why we celebrate certain holidays and what made it happen. Most often such events don’t happen easily. It’s unfortunate that workers had 12-hour days all 7 days of the week and they were barely making enough to provide for their families. Times were tough. It’s good to get a perspective of what was and what is now.
Yes, indeed there is . . . or someone is goofing with me!
Doesn’t the graveyard look like cocoa powder? Yum! Hot Chocolate Grave Dirt. And those rocks could be Rock Candy.
I’ve usually done the Cookie Exchange thing for Christmas, but why not start it off with A Halloween Cookie Exchange! Wouldn’t that be frightfully delicious? And continue with a Thanksgiving Cookie Exchange all to hit the Grand Finale of the Christmas Cookie Exchange!
I think it’s always good to plan ahead with your great selection of holiday cookie ideas for each season. I don’t know about you, but now would be a perfect time to gather all the “seasonal” cookie recipes together and see how many we have stored away somewhere . . . I would imagine by combining Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas we have well over a hundred or two or maybe three hundred of them . . . but where are they?
I’m Sure I’ve Published Over A Dozen Halloween Cookie Recipes
I’m going to need to go through my archives and revisit them throughout National Cookie Month and beyond. Cookies with a theme or season are always fun.
These Creepy Spider Treats are a bit too much for me, but they could be a major hit with your guests at your Halloween Party or for your Halloween Cookie Exchange. What do you think?
Are those Rice Krispie spider eggs? I’m getting a bit creeped out!!
There are plenty of spiders and critters you can fashion out of cookies and candy pieces . . . How about that One Eyed, One Horned Flying Purple People Eater?
The Blob would be fun, but you have to keep it in a mound and add red food coloring to it . . . Maybe have a No Bake Truffle you can dip in those red chocolate melts.
You may go with other movies you’ve seen that have various paranormal entities . . .
Of course, there are plenty of monsters — Frankenstein, the Mummy, Bride of Frankenstein, zombies that are growing in popularity — witches, ghosts, ghouls and even goblins . . . You may have your hand full with those . . .
I don’t want to get too creepy with brains and gore and guts, but you can do what appeals to you. I’m into more of the fun stuff that’s kid friendly . . .
Thanks for stopping by!
Be sure to add a picture and recipe in the comments below. We can start getting this Halloween Cookie Exchange off to a great start.
Oh, by the way, I’ve had this song buzzing around in my head. It wouldn’t be polite for me to keep it all to myself. Here’s a video you may enjoy:
Now, wasn’t that enlightening 🙂
And, now for those of you who may not be familiar with The Blob:
What a great way to dress up some sweet treats or small teacher gift. This is a complete set of 6 treat bags made of red felt with faux fur cuffs, black belt and suspenders. Each bag measures 9 inches long by 11 1/2 inches high.
These make excellent bags for hostess gifts. It’s important to shop early. They look great under the Christmas Tree, dressing up the mantle, on a side or entry table, just about anyplace to want to place some holiday cheer. These adorable Santa Pants won’t last long!
You may also want these adorable elf pants:
 These Elf Pants Treat Bags come in a set of 8, great for a Secret Santa gift bag and great for the kids to give out little gifts to their friends, teacher, bus driver, etc. Each bag measures 9 inches by 7 inches by 3 inches. I love the elf shoes. There are also jingle bells for a delightful festive touch.
As long as I’m into these great gift bag, I have one more:
A set of 3 Santa’s Sacks. These jumbo gift bags are large enough to hold a doll or stuffed animal. Comes with an appliqued tag declaring it has come from the big man himself. The drawstring closure has fuzzy pom-poms that give the bags a whimsical touch. These bags measure 13 inches by 13 inches by 8 inches.
It definitely looks like you’ve got it all in the bag — everything’s covered:
Santa’s Pants
Elf Pants with their shoes
Santa’s Sack
But, something does seem to be missing: How about a set of 12 Santa Hat Gift Bags made of fleece and fluff. These bags measure 10 inches high and 4 inches wide. You’ll definitely want to stock up on these drawstring bags. They’re great for Secret Santa gifts or wrapped Christmas treats or holiday party favors.
I think that is all . . . until I find something else . . . this will definitely give you an assortment of bags for your cookie exchanges and Secret Santa gift exchange and just to hand out Christmas goodies to friends, family, neighbors . . .
Hi there! It’s Diva! I helped Mom place her order to get me a set of these Santa Hat Gift Bags! I have made some wonderful friends at the Vet’s Office — there’s my personal vet and the one that helped me when my vet wasn’t there, then all the friends I’ve made in the office and those wonderful techs. Oh and the groomer!
I think a cool dozen of them from me would make a great hit — maybe they’ll skip a shot or two in appreciation . . . I know they’re for my health, but they do smart.
Hold it, Mom! I think they have more than a dozen working there! How about buying me two sets of those Elf Britches! I think I like those better with the jingle bells on the elf shoes.Â
We have plenty of time to gather the goodies for these people and their families.
I love my mom, she always plans ahead! I don’t know how this Secret Santa thing works, but I’d like to be the Secret Santa for the folks at the Vet’s office.
Now . . . I wonder . . . with those jingling bells . . . hummmmm . . . Yes! I want the Elf Britches!! 2 sets, please!!
Now, I’ll work on a list of goodies to fill the bags . . . people food . . . candy canes, chocolate . . . a Christmas ornament . . . or two . . . how big are those britches? . . .Â
While Diva’s working on her list, I’ll close up by thanking you for stopping by!
It’s always good to know what’s new and what’s hot!
Why is it that we’re always competing for the newest and the best? Do we really want it? Is it to impress our friends and family? Do we really need it?
Well, I think it’s best for you to bookmark the link above so you’ll always be in the know of what is new and what is hot so you can be on top of what is available and make a decision, not based on emotion, but on the value and you just may be the first in your circle of friends and family to snag it at the best possible price before they’ll be on store shelves.
You see, you and only you know what your friends and family want for gifts. You know what is best for you and usually the best gifts are those that you try out yourself and use . . . and see the envy in the eye of others . . . That way, you know they really, really, truly want it. That’s the secret to giving the best gifts for all your friends and family.
You know, there is always one picky relative that you just can’t seem to get a handle on . . . well, sure you can sit down and have a nice little chat over a nice cup of coffee or tea . . . but you can ask for his/her advice on some of the greatest and newest products . . . this may be a valuable wish list you never knew this picky relative really, truly wanted. This is how I come up with winners every single time. And my gifts are usually the most anticipated.
This is my secret . . . I’m sure you have some of your own . . .
The link above is invaluable. The products change regularly . . . so there will always be something new and hot to consider for either yourself or your friends and family.
Many of us have been grillin’ and chillin’ feasting on BBQ while others are spending quality time at the beach. This is truly an exciting weekend!
And now a word from Little Miss Diva:
Mom and I are talking all about this great 4th of July celebration. This is my first year celebrating this holiday. There will be fireworks with booms and pops. It doesn’t sound like much fun for me, but Mom says we can watch the fireworks in the sky from our patio.
I think I may like the sky lighting up with beautiful colors, but the booms and the pops may be something I won’t like. The BBQ feasts are quite nice, they do smell yummy . . . and I’m eager to be the official taster. We all have to work together and I’m eager to do what I do best — eat.
Have a safe and fun 4th of July. And please keep your furry friends safe.Â
Fireworks displayed over the American Flag
Yes, have a safe and fun 4th of July!! Keep your kids and pets safe. This is going to be a new experience for my little Diva. It’s my job to keep her safe and feeling secure.
It’s important that I’m going to be home with her during all the festivities. I want to share this experience with her. Just as we’ve been together during lightning and thunder storms. It’s always nice to have a little furry friend to hold and hug during these nights and days when the weather and celebrations are being heard. It’s important that my little Diva feels secure.
This is one of those weekends that many have been anticipating for quite some time . . . and it’s finally here!
Every year we’re told that fireworks are prohibited in our county, but then we see they are being sold . . . and being fired off. So much depends upon my neighbors and how they plan to celebrate this weekend . . . and whether it begins tonight and continues on throughout the weekend. This may be a little difficult to handle and explain to Diva . . . but we’ll play it by ear. I don’t know why noise has to be part of this, but I may be getting old and prefer to have it nice and quiet.
I’ll leave you with this Patriotic Oreo Pop video:
We’re officially into the summer season. I don’t know whether to celebrate or cry . . . it’s not my favorite season because it lasts so very long . . . but I must be grateful for the seasons we do get in Southern California.
It’s been much cooler today . . . another reason for me to be grateful . . .
Little Miss Diva has become much more vocal lately . . . I’ll let her guest post on this website now, it’s a risk — I have no idea what’s on her mind . . .
I have my first birthday coming up in 7 days. I’ve been inspecting all the bags Mom brings in, but nothing interesting like toys and Diva Treats. Well, there was that roast beef . . . maybe Mom will surprise me with some more of that.Â
I think Mom might have some packages in the car she hasn’t brought in yet. I’ve been so good lately . . . well, I do bark when Mom’s working on the computer and talking on the phone . . . but I did bark at the neighbor this morning when he was working in his yard. I’m a good watch dog. I didn’t chase the cat that ran out of the hedge. Mom’s telling me to stay away from cats with a white stripe down their back . . . she called it something else, but I’m remembering the important stuff . . . I just won’t chase cats of any color.
Wow! I have a whole 7 days to be good.
It won’t be that difficult . . . I’ll just act cute and Mom will laugh and tell me what a sweet beautiful little girl I am. Yep, I do have my Mom wrapped around my little paw. Mom and  I are going to be taking some “selfies” for Yvette and Diane, Yvette was my first Mom, she took good care of me ever since I was born and Diane took my picture and put them up on her website so my new Mom would see them and fall in love with me. It worked!!!
All I can really say about my new Mom is that she loves me . . . even though she took me to the vet who is a nice lady, by the way, and I had an operation and my teeth were cleaned and I got a shot in my rump. I didn’t like that shot very much, but the vet did have some tasty treats she gave me.Â
Mom says I’m going to the groomer this week to get all spruced up for my birthday. I don’t know about someone strange messing with my pretty fur. I wouldn’t mind the bath and a little trim, but I don’t know what Mom has in mind or what this groomer person is going to do. It is summer . . . maybe a short cut wouldn’t be too awful, but I’ll have to see . . . and if it doesn’t look good, I’ll have to beg Mom for some clothes and a hat to wear while my pretty fur grows out . . . maybe a pair of sunglasses, too. And absolutely no pictures!!!
I’m going to go play now. I have some old toys to chew on and toss around . . . then maybe a little nap . . . this guest blogging is a lot of work.
I do thank Miss Diva for her contribution on this blog post . . . she’s all tuckered out . . .
Besides little Diva’s birthday, summer brings on the thought of the 4th of July. I do love boxes I can make up for my guests filled with goodies. I found a wonderful website called Wings of Whimsy. There was just the right free printable I was looking for . . . a vintage red, white and blue triangular box. This isn’t the finished picture of it, but these boxes are included in the free printable.
You just need to Click Here for the free template.
What a great way to dress up some sweet treats or small teacher gift. This is a complete set of 6 treat bags made of red felt with faux fur 
 These Elf Pants Treat Bags come in a set of 8, great for a Secret Santa gift bag and great for the kids to give out little gifts to their friends, teacher, bus driver, etc. Each bag measures 9 inches by 7 inches by 3 inches. I love the elf shoes. There are also jingle bells for a delightful festive touch.
How about a set of 12 Santa Hat Gift Bags made of fleece and fluff. These bags measure 10 inches high and 4 inches wide. You’ll definitely want to stock up on these drawstring bags. They’re great for Secret Santa gifts or wrapped Christmas treats or holiday party favors.
