by Sharon | Oct 28, 2015
Do You Count Your Blessings Daily?
Are you truly thankful for your many blessings?
Is this a thought that comes around only during Thanksgiving?
There’s plenty of negativity around us. The trick is to ignore it and fill your heart and mind with positive thoughts. I know it is easier said than done.
Would You Rather Be Happy Or Complaining All of the Time?
Have you noticed how many say the former and do the latter?
Most of us are a mixture — we may start out happy and then something we see or hear turns us into a complainer. Or we may get into a rant about something.
I know it may seem foolish and childish, but you can make a Unicorn or Pegasus or a combination of the two creating your own little critter to remind you to be thankful, gracious, think positively and count your many blessings.
It’s Easy To Find Fault
But, at times, not so easy to find things to praise.
We do it with our family, friends and neighbors. We appraise people regularly, but may not say anything — hopefully not when negative thoughts come to mind. And many times praise comes out sounding flat and shallow.
Why?
Because it isn’t practiced enough. The negative too often comes to mind and right out of the mouth.
In Order To Be More Positive, You Need To Do Acts Of Kindness
Around the holidays it’s always easy to do little acts of kindness.
It isn’t so easy to do them on a daily basis or we haven’t given it enough thought.
I was running this idea by many friends and neighbors and complete strangers I encountered the other day.
One theme ran through their responses:
Society Has Such An “Entitlement Attitude”
One man said, “I don’t give as much as I used to. What you do isn’t appreciated. They think they’re entitled to a free meal at Thanksgiving or buying school clothes for their kids. I’m disgusted.”
Others chimed in:
“There was a man on the freeway off ramp with a sign, ‘Will Work For Food.’ I didn’t have a job for him, but I had a fresh cold container of orange juice I gave him.”
“That was very thoughtful.”
“Yes, especially with the weather being warm and who knew how long he was standing there.”
“Do you want to know what that man did?”
We all nodded in unison.
“He threw that orange juice bottle at my car as I was moving forward. I have a dent on my trunk where it landed.”
You may think this is just an isolated case
There were stories about giving food to someone who came to the door at dinner time.
“We were eating spaghetti, so I fixed a plate and gave it to the man at the door. He looked at it, stuck his fork in a meatball, took a bite and spit it out.”
“We were in the back yard with steaks on the bbq. This guy comes along without saying a word and takes a steak and walks away without a thank you or even a grunt of acknowledgment. I was thankful he took only one steak.”
I may not have succeed here with thoughts of kindness, being thankful and being more positive, but I have illustrated why with such experiences, we aren’t as giving and positive.
I have made and set out many of these paper craft Unicorns and Pegasuses around my house. I don’t want to be tainted by my own experiences and those of others.
I don’t know from where this “entitlement attitude” materialized. I know I don’t like it. I learned a long time ago that no one owes me anything.
Not a kind word and definitely not a hand-out in whatever form that may take.
These Unicorns and Pegasuses are a reminder to me to be more thankful, positive and kind. I think it’s a gentle way of encouraging children to think of others in a more kind manner and to truly appreciate all the blessings they have in life.
We Are Responsible For Changing Our Own Behavior
I don’t like others manipulating me to change my beliefs and attitudes any more than any other person likes being manipulated.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, beliefs and attitudes. It is wrong to inflict yours upon others, just as an individual declares something is offensive to them.
My goodness, if I had a nickel for every time I was offended by something . . .
To be completely honest with you, I don’t go around looking to be offended by certain things. I don’t think “offended” comes into play as much as not liking something. But my not liking something refers to my not liking it for myself, not trying to change something in others.
If there’s something about yourself you don’t like, then you can focus on it and take action to change it. Unfortunately, it doesn’t happen over-night, but with continued effort, you’ll make those changes.
I believe that what you concentrate upon is what you bring to you. It’s not magical. You’re more apt to notice those things you have in mind.
While I focus upon blessings and being thankful, I realize how truly blessed I am and how I have many things for which to be thankful.
The paper crafts are merely a reminder for me to leave the negativity behind and concentrate upon positive things. Things that enrich my life. Not tear it down.
It’s also helpful to find the humor in things, rather than being disgusted by them.
It’s all about choices and priorities. They’re different for everyone.
I’m pushing my thoughts ahead to Thanksgiving during this Halloween week because I’m prepared for Halloween and not for Thanksgiving. I know there are many who have Thanksgiving and Christmas all planned.
I am happy for them. They have travel reservations to set up. I admire planning ahead.
I’ve rambled long enough.
I’m very grateful to those of you who have read this post to the end.
I hope the Unicorns and Pegasus find a place in your home. They are cute and well fed on your many kindnesses, positive thoughts, blessings and thankfulness.
Sharon
by Sharon | Nov 27, 2014
Have A Happy and Joyous Thanksgiving Day!
Thanksgiving means many things to many people. We may have a few things in common when the word Thanksgiving comes up in conversation. I think of Family and Traditions first, then I get into Grateful, Blessings and the old hymn of gathering together. Then Harvest and food come to mind. Of course, Fall is important and pumpkins and the colorful leaves.
Then I see on the news how flights have been canceled or delayed. Families frantically trying to get to their loved ones to share this wonderful holiday. It is all about family, caring and sharing . . . and taking the time to be thankful and to count our many blessings. No matter what is going on in our lives, the loss of a friend or family member, hardship in whatever form that takes . . . it is a time to reflect and be grateful for what we do have . . . there is always something to be thankful for . . . not just at Thanksgiving, but throughout the year.
I get all sentimental and nostalgic on this day. I also try to get outside myself and the holiday to watch something funny. It is all about the laughter:
I hope you enjoyed this. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
by Sharon | Nov 24, 2014
This image is compliments of http://thegraphicsfairy.com
There are times when you see something you like and you must grab it and put it in a post immediately. I like the Fortune caption. It does seem appropriate for Thanksgiving except for the stocking, but I think it would be an alternative to the ever popular Elf on a Shelf. This is a Top Hat Guy in a Stocking. Think it will catch on? I like the concept of a good luck guy more than a tattle-tale elf, but that’s only my personal opinion.
This guy reminds me of the Monopoly Man, but he’s younger. Now there’s Edgar Bergen’s Charlie McCarthy “dummy” he made popular. Huh? You may be saying. Yes, it was quite a long time ago so I’ll show you a picture:
Do you see the resemblance? Yes? I thought you might. In any event, this Top Hat Guy in a Stocking caught my eye when I was looking for another vintage picture.
See how easy it is to get side-tracked?
I can’t tell you how many vintage pictures I’ve gone through . . . didn’t find the one I was searching for, but this one works better with the story I planned to tell you.
Come back here!
My father’s Uncle Al was a real story teller. He had some great adventures growing up. He was the youngest in his family, so he was always competing with his older brothers and sisters. He decided he was going to supply the Thanksgiving Turkey for the family one year. Well, I have to tell you that Uncle Al’s best intentions sometimes didn’t work out as planned.
You see, he and a friend met a man at the train depot. The boys could always find work for a few dimes around there. I know a few dimes doesn’t seem like much money, but back it those days a dime went a long way.
The man told them that a load of turkeys was coming in and he needed to hire some boys to take them to the various butcher shops in town for him. They were going to get a quarter for their efforts.
In those days the turkeys would be delivered alive and the butcher . . . well, the butcher did what a butcher does to prepare turkeys for his customers to buy and cook for Thanksgiving.
Uncle Al had a big wagon his brothers made for him with tall wooden planks built up on the sides. He was sure he could get a few turkeys in there and be able to earn his quarter, but his friend was able to get a real horse drawn wagon they could use. The only problem was the friend’s father and older brother came along.
Now, Uncle Al was content with his quarter and his wagon, but the friend’s father was haggling over the price. And in the meantime while the men were talking, the older brother let the turkey’s out of their cages.
As you can imagine, turkeys were running all over the place.
The man yelled, “Catch ’em!”
Uncle Al took off pulling his wagon behind him. He was determined to catch a turkey or two. Even if the depot man wouldn’t pay him, maybe the butcher would . . . or at least dress one for their Thanksgiving dinner.
Those turkeys give him a mighty chase. Uncle Al was exhausted. He rested beside his wagon to catch his breath.
From under some bushes on the side of the dirt road, he heard some faint gobbles. He watched. He waited. He slowly got to his feet.
Not one, but two turkeys came at him!
He grabbed one and put it in his wagon and chased after the second one.
The turkey in the wagon was making lots of noise. Uncle Al stopped. The turkey he was chasing stopped. Then the strangest thing happened. The turkey he was chasing came up to the wagon and was trying to get inside. Uncle Al picked it up and went on his way down the dirt road for home with his two turkeys.
All thoughts of a Thanksgiving turkey dinner were forgotten. Those two turkeys lived in the back yard for many years.
Just for the record, Uncle Al did bring home a turkey for Thanksgiving . . .
I hope you enjoyed the story and can appreciate the little Top Hat Guy in the Stocking. I’ll work on figuring out how to make something with him. You may be way ahead of me 🙂
May you have a Happy and Prosperous Thanksgiving!
by Sharon | Nov 22, 2014
First off, I must say to family and friends — the youngsters . . . I am so very envious that you get a whole week off from school to celebrate Thanksgiving. When I was your age . . . I got 2 days . . . 2 . . . count them 1 . . . 2 days — Thursday and Friday.
All right, I’m an adult . . . I’m over it . . . two stinking days. . . and they get a whole cotton picking week . . . a whole week!
Enough foolishness! I have things to put together so your week . . . will be great with goodies . . .
This little turkey has lots of pieces to put in place. Have you guessed all the ingredients? And . . . you can change them to make them original to you.
Here are the ingredients . . . how many did you get right?
- Nutter Butter Cookies — that was a give-away with the peanut shape, but you could use Vienna Fingers if peanut butter isn’t your thing
- Mini M&Ms — use the brown ones to be traditional or go a bit wild, you’re creating these turkeys — you can also use those candy eyes
- Betty Crocker White Cookie Icing — this is a must use for taste and the glue quality — you don’t want it falling apart
- Jelly Bellys — yellow, red and orange
- Reeses Peanut Butter Cups — hummmm, if peanut butter isn’t your things . . . you’ll have to work on that one . . . or use another Nabisco Famous Chocolate Wafer Cookie or a whole Nabisco Oreo Cookie — whew I thought of an alternative 🙂
- Nabisco Famous Chocolate Wafer Cookies — if they’re not in the cookie section of your store, you’ll find them in the ice cream section
- Candy Corn
Now, just follow the picture and before you know it you created a delicious cookie turkey! And since you bought all the ingredients you might as well make a whole bunch of them. A “rafter” of turkeys . . . not a flock . . . or a gobble . . . since you have a whole doggone week off, you should still learn something!
Moving on, we have this handsome fellow:
Once again, do you know what you need to make these adorable turkeys? Maybe this is just too easy, but it’s lots of fun!
Here’s what you’re going to need (some left overs from the above recipe will work fine):
- You can use Double Stuff Oreo Cookies or the regular ones for the base and the tail feather base
- Candy Corn for the tail feathers
- Whoppers for the head — did you guess this one?
- Mini Peanut Butter Cups — here we go again . . . will Rolos work or are they too small? I think they’re too small . . . maybe a chocolate covered marshmallow will work . . . think about it . . .
- Betty Crocker Frosting in the tubes: Chocolate, Yellow, Red and Black
- You can make the eyes with frosting or go for the candy eyes
Now, putting these together may be a challenge.
- I usually like to begin from the bottom up, but this time we’re going to start with the tail feather Oreo cookie . . . put some chocolate frosting inside to hold the candy corns as you place them around the top section or do it however you like . . . top of the tail feathers or add a few more for a fuller look . . . up to you. I also cut off the white tips to use for the beak . . . it also helps to have a flat surface on your candy corn to stick in the chocolate frosting. Just my preference.
- Put down an Oreo cookie — this is your base. Use some chocolate frosting to “glue” the tail feather Oreo to the base Oreo.
- While the chocolate frosting is setting . . . unwrap your mini Peanut Butter Cups . . . with the bottom up and using a sharp knife (kids don’t do this part) cut a sliver off of one side using a sawing motion to keep from breaking the whole peanut butter cup. You’re making a flat surface and a nice little taste . . .
- Once you finish sawing a flat spot in all the peanut butter cups, carefully flip over your stuck together Oreo cookies — you now want the tail feathers on the table . . . and the base up in the air. The flat spot you made in your peanut butter cup is going to be “glued” with chocolate frosting to the Oreo base . . . and the top of the peanut butter cup is going to be “glued” to the Oreo feather (candy corn) holder . . .
- Keep the Oreos in this position . . . the frosting needs time to set. Next comes the Whopper . . . that’s the turkey head . . . the back of the head is “glued” with chocolate frosting to the Oreo cookie tail piece . . . also glued on top of the peanut butter cup . . . you’ve created a flat turkey belly with the bottom of the peanut butter cup now a round head with the whopper . . . check out the picture . . . don’t want you putting the head in the wrong place . . .
Is this how your turkey cookies look? If not, then my directions stink! This is how it’s supposed to look on your work space . . . glue on the white candy corn tips for the beaks and do the eyes however you choose to do them . . . with frosting or those candy eyes . . .
- Another lesson!!! Whoopeee!!! What’s that red thing you’ll be adding across the beak and down to one side? It’s not a “gobble gobble” and it’s not a “wattle” . . . give up? It’s a “snood” . . . yes a “snood”. I’d go into more detail about the thing, but we’re working with food here and “snood” completes your lesson 🙂
- Once the beak has set and is staying in place . . . gently flip the cookies over to set on its base with the tail feathers up in the air . . . like the first picture . . . Now, with the turkey sitting properly, you can add the red snood. (Aren’t you glad you learned what that thing is??!!)
- Give the little guy some yellow frosting feet and I think you’re done!
All right, one more . . . a Pilgrim hat:
This is so easy . . . I’m almost cheating on this one! Here’s the picture:
Do you know the ingredients for this Pilgrim Hat? Need a hint? There are only four ingredients:
- Chocolate-Striped Shortbread Cookies
- Package of Chocolate Chips or Chocolate Candy Melts
- Marshmallows
- Tube of yellow decorators’ frosting — I go for Betty Crocker, but you can choose what you like
Putting the Pilgrim Hats together:
- Cover a tray with wax-paper and set the Chocolate-Striped cookies stripes down, chocolate side up . . . give them some space between cookies
- Melt the chocolate chips or chocolate candy melts in the microwave or a double boiler
- One at a time, stick a toothpick into a marshmallow and dip it into the melted chocolate, covering it completely.
- Center the chocolate covered marshmallow on top of the shortbread cookie.
- Gently remove the toothpick and dip the remaining marshmallows, etc.
- Chill the hats in the refrigerator until the chocolate sets.
- Once chilled, pipe a yellow frosting buckle on the front of each hat.
All done!
There you have three Thanksgiving themed goodies the kids can help you make.
Thanks for stopping by! Have a Happy Thanksgiving!!!
by Sharon | Nov 18, 2014
Oster CKSTRS23-SB 22-Quart Roaster Oven with Self-Basting Lid — Stainless Steel Finish
I’m always looking for a time saver and I’ve found it with this popular Oster Roaster Oven. This little beauty will roast up to a 26-lb turkey! The lid keeps all the savory juices locked in the steam to keep your bird or other meat juicy and tender. I’m a real fan of this roaster oven.
For the holidays and big parties, this oven keeps the regular oven free for baking other items. It’s a real winner and top seller!
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Thanks for stopping by!
by Sharon | Nov 17, 2014
Thanksgiving will definitely be special with these Turkey Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls
These Pillsbury Cinnamon Roll Turkeys will bring a smile to your breakfast table Thanksgiving morning.
Here’s what you’ll need to make 5 servings:
- 1 can Pillsbury Grands! Refrigerated Cinnamon Rolls with Icing
- 10 slices of bacon of your choice
- 5 candy corns for the beak
- 5 small red candies — red hots seem appropriate
- 10 candy eyes
- 15 mini pretzel sticks that you cut in half
Now it is all a matter of assembling them together after the cinnamon rolls have baked
- Heat oven to 350° F.
- Set the icing aside for now.
- Divide the dough into 5 cinnamon rolls
- Arrange your cinnamon rolls on a cookie sheet — spray with cooking spray or cover with parchment paper
- Unroll each cinnamon roll about an inch to tuck in forming the neck. It’s basically the folded up section where the candies will set to create the beak and waddle
- Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown
- Remove from oven and let cool before removing them from the cookie sheet to a cooling rack
- Cook the bacon until crisp, blot dry. Cut each piece in half and set up into the backend of the cinnamon roll to look like tail feathers
- Drizzle the icing over the top of each cinnamon roll
- Decorate with candy eyes, candy corn beak and red hot
- The pretzel sticks will slide under each “turkey” to look like feet
This would be a nice brunch, too.
Happy Thanksgiving!
