Thanksgiving Countdown

Unbelievable.  It's almost Thanksgiving.  So far we've spent November caring for a sick baby (ear infection and a cold) and trying to catch up on work.  Boo.  Thus, I'm left with a long to-do list to accomplish before Thanksgiving.  Here goes.....

1.  Remember the Kolache Challenge? 
2.  "Thanks" jar (from Young House Love)
3.  Drive somewhere to see some changing leaves
4.  Finalize a menu for our post-Thanksgiving Thanksgiving dinner
5.  Early Christmas shopping while it's still "early"
6.  What's autumn without a pumpkin dish?
7.  Don't forget the Autumn Spiced Scones
8.  Make a donation to the food bank
9.  Make a donation in our kitty's name to the NSPCA

A Public Service Announcement

Get to Starbucks between November 18 and 21 (or all of those days) between 2 and 5 pm for their buy one, get one free holiday drink offer!  Yum!  That includes the caramel brulee latte, peppermint mocha, peppermint white chocolate mocha, peppermint hot chocolate, gingerbread latte, eggnog latte, caramel brulee frappuccino, and peppermint mocha frappuccino.  You know what would go well with any of those?  A cranberry bliss bar or a slice of gingerbread (iced!).  Probably a bottle of water, too....

Because it's too soon for Christmas music...

Here's what I'm listening to today:  Snow Patrol, Just Say Yes

Let There Be Light

I know, I know.  It's too early to begin celebrating Christmas.  The shops have their decorations up and music on, and it's too soon.  Yes.  Yes?  Maybe not.  What's so wrong about taking a few extra weeks to celebrate a miracle?  To think about what's really important in life?  To take some time to let the beauty seep into your bones and sustain you for the rest of the year?  To really enjoy it between mad shopping sprees and baking sessions?  Nothing.At.All.  So, to that end, do consider joining us for the 17th annual cactus lighting at the Ethel M Chocolate Factory in LV.  Stop in for a factory tour, some free (!) chocolate samples, grab a hot chocolate from the shop, and head out for the unofficial start of the Christmas season with Louie Anderson, Zowie Bowie, and On With the Show. 

Here are the details...straight from the source:

Tickets are limited and required for the Nov 16 event, so you'll need to get them asap.  To get tickets you'll donate one new, unwrapped toy at the Ethel M factory in exchange for a family four-pack to the Nov. 16 event (limit eight tickets per family). Toy drop-off will run from Nov. 1 – Nov. 15 at the factory location only and tickets will be provided on a first come-first served basis.

The action is Tuesday, Nov. 16 from 5 - 8 p.m. at Botanical Cactus Garden adjacent to Ethel M Chocolates’ factory in Henderson. The countdown to the lighting of more than half a million colorful lights will take place at approximately 6 p.m. 3-D glasses are available for purchase at the Ethel M store, though they're certainly not necessary.

The added bonus - Santa.  Yes, Santa is venturing out to Henderson.  

If you can't make it, don't fret.  The lighted garden, factory, and store will be open all season, closing January 1.  After the initial night, tickets are unnecessary and it's free (unless you get the hot chocolate, as I do).

zzzzzzz.....

Dear God I need some sleep.  C has been sick (ear infection, congestion) and no one has slept in about a week.  Probably going back to the doctor if there's no progress today.

You Are My Sunshine October 31-November 6

When I think of my childhood, inevitably I think of the swimming pool.  My sister and I went there almost every day in the summer.  These water bottles bring me back to that time.

KOR water bottles, $29.95 each.

Don't they remind you of pool toys and floaties? 

Anyway, KOR donates at least 1% of sales to water-related non-profits.  For sales of the orange bottle, donations go to the Container Recycling Institute, for pink donations go to the Blue Planet Network, for green donations go to The Wetlands Initiative, and for blue donations go to the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.  I think I'll go with green. 

Check out KOR.  They also have some special editions of the above bottles with designs on them and a greater percentage going to nonprofits (for $35).

Vote!

Here we are - another election day.  Please, don't vote out of anger.  Don't vote strictly on party lines.  Don't vote the way your dad or friend or spouse or anyone else wants you to vote.  Don't vote based on anyone's attack ads.  Think rationally, realize that a grain of truth is not the full truth, research candidates using a variety of sources, and vote the way your well-informed conscience tells you to vote.  I hope that is with a broad view and compassionate heart.