I recently threw a baby shower for a close friend. In preparing for the shower I realized I had lost sight of what was important. Did it really matter if the diaper cake was perfect? Or if the cake was gourmet? In truth, the small details aren’t what matters, instead, it is most important to make the most of out the celebration. For this baby shower, it was about making the mom-to-be feel special and loved, not about buying the best prizes for baby shower bingo! So, how do you make the most out of any celebration.
If you are hosting a party, don’t lose sight of the purpose of the party. To insure your focus is where it should be, give yourself plenty of time to accomplish all you want to accomplish by the day of the event. This means making lists, lists and more lists. Make sure your lists are detailed and set specific deadlines to insure you finish each task. Also, check in with the person or people for which the celebration is being held. A simple call or email will ensure you aren’t bogged down in the details; it will help you to know how excited the guest of honor is for the party, and many times this knowledge will serve as incentive to get to work!
If you are a guest, be gracious. Thank the host. Offer to help clean up. If you know many of the guests, help with introductions for those less familiar with each other. Don’t be a wallflower and have fun!
If you’re a guest or a host, keep in mind the reason for the gathering and make the most of it!
Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ishmaelo/225833750/
August 24th, 2009 by Aspen Streetman | Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (0)
Are you a lefty? Do you have a left-handed friend? Either way tomorrow is the day to celebrate the uniqueness that is being left-handed. Did you know that four out of five of the original designers of the Macintosh computer were left handed? Or that lefties usually reach puberty four to five months after their right handed peers? Four of the last six U.S. presidents have been left handed. Stuttering and dyslexia occur more often in left-handers (particularly if they are forced to change their writing hand as a child, like King of England George VI). Interesting, eh?
Aside from researching and learning interesting facts about the lefties of the world, what can you do to celebrate the uniqueness of being left-handed? Some ideas include: using your left hand while in the kitchen. For example, peel, stir, pour from measuring cups and open tins with your left hand. Or, if you’re on holiday, strike up a round of left-handed volleyball or only left handed drinking at the bar. If you’re in the garden, crafting or playing with your youngster you can do the same thing. Utilize your left hand for jobs you’d usually task your right hand with. Additionally, if you know a lefty you can purchase a gift specifically designed with their handedness in mind such as a pair of left handed scissors.
I hope you make it a fun day!
Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/minnellium/1320277184/
August 12th, 2009 by Aspen Streetman | Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (1)
How many holidays can you think of that take place in August? When I asked this question to my husband, he couldn’t think of any, and neither could I. We did some research and found many August holidays, though none of them are well know. Here’s a short list of the long list of August holidays. I hope you enjoy!
Month Long Observances Include:
American Artist Appreciation Month, Foot Health Month, Home Business Month, National Catfish Month, National Golf Month, National Investors Month and National Water Quality Month.
Other Notable Days in August Are:
- August 1: National Mustard Day, held on the first Saturday in August and Respect for Parents’ Day
- August 3: National Watermelon Day
- August 5: National Waffle Day
- August 9: International Day of the Worlds Indigenous People
- August 11: Play in the Sand Day
- August 13: International Left-Hander’s Day
- August 15: National Relaxation Day
- August 19: National Aviation Day and Potato Day
- August 21: Ramadan Begins
- August 24: National Peach Pie Day and Strange Music Day
- August 26: National Dog Day
- August 28: Dream Day, the day Martin Luther King Jr. gave the “I have a dream” speech in 1963.
- August 30: National Toasted Marshmallow Day
- August 31: National Trail Mix Day
Enjoy the month and all the fun days it has to offer! Also, be sure to check back for detailed articles about some of August’s best celebrations!
Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lesmou/3228344013/
August 1st, 2009 by Aspen Streetman | Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (1)
There are many things to consider when planning a baby shower, but the most important thing to remember is that you need to help the mom-to-be feel loved and special. You want to include the mom-to-be without letting her run the show. You should make sure she approves the date and provides the guest list for invitations. You should also ask her if there are any specific games she would like to include and if there are any that should not be included in your plans. Follow this checklist to help you plan the best celebration.
8 Weeks Prior to the Baby Shower
- Decide on the date and time of the shower. Also, decide how long the party will last - 2 hours is usually the perfect amount of time.
- Pick a theme.
- Collect names and address from the mom-to-be.
- Decide on the location for the celebration.
- Pick the menu including beverages.
- Start preparing the invitations
6 Weeks Prior to the Baby Shower
- Finish the invitations and mail them.
- Make of list of supplies and serving utensils you need. Determine what you have what you need to purchase or borrow.
5 Weeks Prior to the Baby Shower
- Decide on decorations.
- Make sure the mom-to-be is registered at one or two baby stores.
- Chose which shower games you will play.
4 Weeks Prior to the Baby Shower
- Purchase the decorations.
- Finalize games and purchase corresponding prizes.
- Chose the party favors.
- If you are enlisting help with the menu, assign specific items to your helpers. If you are using a caterer, place your order.
- If you plan on having a cake call the bakery and place an order with them.
3 Weeks Prior to the Baby Shower
- Make decorations you plan on making.
- Borrow decorations you plan on borrowing.
- Purchase any last minute decorations
2 Weeks Prior to the Baby Shower
- Gather all your supplies. Decide if you need anything else.
- Print shower games if needed, make sure you have the prizes prepared, as well.
- If you are planning on purchasing another separate gift for the mother-to-be, purchase it and wrap it.
- Make sure the mom-to-be has a ride to the shower.
1 Week Prior to the Baby Shower
- Clean plates, utensils, bowls, glasses, etc.
- Prepare and food that can be prepared ahead of time, freeze it.
- Pick out your outfit, make sure it is laundered and pressed.
- Clean your home and the guest bathroom.
2 Days Prior to the Baby Shower
- Make a list of groceries you’ll need. Buy them.
- If you recruited others to make food, remind them to arrive early.
- Decide how you want to arrange the room, making note of the location for gifts, guest’s coats, etc.
1 Day Prior to the Baby Shower
- Make the food.
- Arrange the room.
The Big DAY
- Set out the food.
- Prepare the beverages.
- Pick up balloons if you ordered them.
- Put signs in the yard or on the street to guide guests to the shower.
Have fun!
Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/clevercupcakes/3206068355/
July 25th, 2009 by Aspen Streetman | Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (1)
Stick Out Your Tongue Day is not a widely known holiday, but it should be celebrated! Your tongue is a marvelous organ responsible for so many jobs. Think about how much you use your tongue. Eating an ice-cream cone, singing your favorite song, chewing, and swallowing are make possible thanks to your tongue. And don’t forget talking and tasting! Why not get to know your tongue today, then stick it out on July 18th to celebrate?
Is Your Tongue a Muscle?
You may have heard your tongue is a muscle. This is only partly accurate. Your tongue is made of several groups of muscles. The muscles in the front are flexible and are responsible for moving food around while you eat, pushing it to the back of your mouth so your teeth can grind it. The front muscles of the tongue also help form words.
The back muscles of the tongue are responsible for making sounds like the “k” sound or the hard “g” sound (like in the word girl). Try saying kangaroo slowly. Do you notice the back of your tongue working? The back of your tongue also works in digestion, pushing chewed up food and saliva back and into your esophagus.
Tantalizing Taste-buds
The top of your tongue is rough and bumpy, unlike the underside which is smooth. These bumps are called papillae. Papillae help grip food and move it around your mouth, and they also contain your taste-buds. People are born with about 10,000 taste-buds, but as you age, your taste-buds die. An elderly person may only have 5,000 taste-buds. Consequently, many foods will taste stronger to children than they do to adults. Taste-buds detect sweet, salty, sour, and bitter tastes.
One Hard Worker
With talking, swallowing, chewing, and tasting, does your tongue ever get a rest? The answer is no. Even in your sleep your tongue is pushing saliva back into your throat to be swallowed. Though from time to time we’ve all been know to drool! Keep your tongue in top shape by brushing it when you brush your teeth and be careful not to eat food that is too hot - no one likes a burned tongue. Most importantly, remember to stick your tongue out on July 18th!
Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/joeshlabotnik/2671855702/
July 17th, 2009 by Aspen Streetman | Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (0)
July is National Berry Month and with so many berries in season why not celebrate the berry! To celebrate, here are fun berry facts and a few great recipes that highlight the flavor of berries.
How Many Berries Can You Name?
Blackberries, blueberries, cranberries, raspberries, and strawberries grow in the US. Blackberries are in season from the first part of July through October. They can be cultivated and they grow in the wild. It is said, wild blackberries attract bears.
Blueberries are related to cranberries. They are native to the US and they are the original snack food. Native Americans used to smoke and dry blueberries and eat them in the winter months. Blueberries pack 80 per cup and fresh blueberries can be stored in the refrigerator for 10-14 days.
Cranberries grow in bogs on long slender branches of North American shrub. Peak picking months for cranberries are September through January.
Raspberries are native to Europe. While usually red, raspberries can be purple or even white. When picking raspberries, chose berries that slip off the plant with little resistance as this indicates a ripe berry. Raspberries keep long when dry. They were eaten in Italy over 2000 years ago!
To increase the shelf life of strawberries, keep the stem on the berry. Strawberries with the stem removed tend to lose their firmness more quickly than those with the stem. To store strawberries place them, unwashed, in a container with a damp cloth on top, then flip the container over. Only wash the berries in cold water when you are ready to use them.
Recipes:
Strawberry Shortcake
Blackberry Pie
Homemade Cranberry Sauce
Enjoy National Berry Month!
Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mukluk/64080481/
July 10th, 2009 by Aspen Streetman | Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (0)
Each year, millions of people make New Year’s resolutions to lose weight. This year, make a resolution to have a healthier new year! Instead of going on a fad diet to lose weight, try eating healthier. Incorporate fresh fruits in your diet and replace fatty protein sources, like ground chuck, with lean sources of protein, such as chicken and fish.
In addition, make it a point to exercise on most days of the week. Walking for just 30 minutes a day can do wonders for your heart and your health.
October 11th, 2008 by admin | Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (0)
Did you know that the original color associated with St. Patrick’s Day is blue, not green?
This is just one of the many things most people who celebrate this holiday in the United States don’t know.
The tradition of wearing green actually comes from the expression, “wearing the green,” which referred to wearing a shamrock on your clothes. Shamrocks have long been a symbol of St. Patrick’s Day, mainly known as bringing good luck. This was, in fact, the way that St. Patrick explained the holy trinity to the pagans he was trying to convert to Catholicism. As Ireland has long been a religious country, the shamrock also came to represent Irish nationalism. Hundred’s of years later, this holiday has come to be a Hallmark holiday, far removed from its Christian roots. In the United States a large part of the drinking during St. Patrick’s Day stems from the identification of bootleg whisky with the Irish mob. As a result, most people believe that drinking and St. Patrick’s Day go hand in hand. The real significance of the holiday should be remembered and celebrated appropriately.
Sarah Montrowl
October 10th, 2008 by admin | Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (0)
Every St. Patrick’s Day a good friend of mine of Irish decent spends the day slow-cooking potatoes, corned beef and cabbage. This is always delicious, but I have long been curious where in Ireland this tradition comes from. It is actually American in origin, relating to the New England boiled dinner. In Ireland it would be far more common for individuals to celebrate with ham or something closer to bacon, whereas immigrants to the United States, fleeing from the Irish famine, had more ready access to beef. Hence the corned beef.
Another celebratory favorite is Irish coffee, which also has association with America. This drink was served in the 1940s for the first time. The association of whiskey to St. Patrick’s Day stems from the lesson of generosity taught to an inn keeper where St. Patrick was staying the night. He noticed that the inn keeper was only filling the glasses half full and that it was the greed and the temptation of the devil that urged him to do so. After explaining generosity, he returned a while later to find that the inn keeper has changed his ways and filled his customers’ glasses to the brim.
Sarah Montrowl
October 10th, 2008 by admin | Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (0)
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