New Job

 New Me.

I don't think I mentioned that I have a new job.  Don't worry, I'm still in retail (and boy do I have the stories for you!).  Instead of a clothing store I have moved on to a grocery store.  Funny thing about this "big move" is that this store is next door to my previous job.  

The next store down is an art store, so if the food industry doesn't work for me, maybe I can have a career in the arts?

Background Check

 Still haven't heard about the details of my background check.  It's only been a month.  I guess I shouldn't worry too much.

Black Friday

  It's Black Friday!  That fun time of year where we exercise our credit cards.  Let's push them to the limit folks!  This is a great day for you to get in your daily workout by trying to snag that big screen TV before someone else grabs it.  Just don't get tackled in the process!

Oh, yea, and it's also time for my world famous usual Black Friday post.  

The day after Thanksgiving is known as Black Friday and it is the biggest shopping day of the year.  For retailers, it marks the beginning of the Christmas shopping season. 

For those of us that are out there working on Black Friday, it's a crazy, long and tiring day.  Make sure you take those vitamins, drink lots of water, plaster a smile on your face and, well, just try to have some fun.

If you are out there shopping, it can get crazy, so, try to be safe.  Also, be nice to the store employees.  They don't make the rules or have any control over the amount of inventory the store has of that item you want to purchase.  So, go easy on them!

And now, what everyone has been waiting for, here is my famous Black Friday song playlist for your listening pleasure:

Man in Black - Johnny Cash
Paint it Black - The Rolling Stones
Back in Black - AC/DC
Black Cat - Janet Jackson
Black Magic Woman - Santana
Black or White - Michael Jackson
Black Widow - Iggy Azalea
Black Hole Sun - Soundgarden
Black - Pearl Jam
Blackbird - The Beatles
Black Betty - Ram Jam
Black Gold - Soul Asylum
Men in Black 3 Back in Time - Pitbull
Black Night - Deep Purple
Black Rain - Soundgarden
The Long Black Veil - Johnny Cash
Ebony and Ivory - Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder
Black Dog - Led Zeppelin
Black Velvet - Alannah Miles
Black Water - The Doobie Brothers
Men in Black - Will Smith

Blue on Black - Five Finger Death Punch

Now get out there and have some fun!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Heavenly Father, thank you for all of the blessings you give me.  During this Thanksgiving season, as I look at all that you have done for me, I am overwhelmed.  Bless those who are here and those who are in our hearts and all of those who are not as fortunate on this day.  Amen.

National Espresso Day

  It's finally here.  The day that my brother everyone has patiently been waiting to celebrate.

 Happy National Espresso Day everyone!

What's the difference between espresso and plain coffee?  According to the professionals (the baristas), it doesn't matter what kind of bean you use (or how it was roasted) it's all how the beans are brewed.   How do you make espresso?  By forcing pressurized water through these finely ground coffee beans, it produces a concentrated brew with a delicate foam or crema.

The word espresso in Italian means "quick in time."   In the late 1800's, the espresso was made to order by using freshly ground roasted coffee beans and was freshly brewed right before serving.  The first espresso machine was invented in 1901 by the Italian inventor, Luigi Bezzera.  This machine produced a smaller, more concentrated cup of espresso than the traditional coffee brewing methods.  I'm sure RT is quite thankful for this invention.

Not an espresso or coffee drinker?

How about adding some espresso powder to your next batch of cookies?  The espresso powder can give your baked goods a tasty mocha flavor twist.

How about adding a shot of hot espresso to a simple scoop of vanilla ice cream?   Sounds strange but it's an Italian dessert called affogato.

Maybe you're more into lattes?  Why don't you try adding an espresso shot (or two) to your latte today.

Or, what about eating a chocolate espresso bean?  

Why do we love National Espresso Day?  It's a great way to wake you up!  A single shot of espresso can perk up the slowest morning person.  A few shots of espresso and imagine all of the things you can get done today!?  Just ask RT, who is celebrating today and is probably on his fourth espresso right now.

How to observe the day?  Enjoy a shot of espresso and post it on social media using #NationalEspressoDay on your posts/photos.

Or you can be like me and eat a handful of dark chocolate covered espresso beans and get a lot of things done around the house. 

How will you celebrate today?

National Better Conversation Week

 This year I am celebrating interesting weeks throughout the year.  This week is National Better Conversation Week.

Another great placement for national weeks.  Families getting together means lots of conversations happening.  This week focuses on having more meaningful conversations with the people in our lives.  Some experience anxiety in small and large gatherings of people.  And, well, let's face it, sometimes our family members or conversation topics can cause anxiety.  The week focuses on the awkward silences, odd transitions and topic starters.

Some ways to get the conversation started:

Listen.

Ask a question.

Longer Answers. (More than a "Yes" or "No")

Offer assistance. (help out in the kitchen or set the table)

Share something new. (new job, hobby or vacation are always great conversation starters)

How to observe #BetterConversationWeek

Get your conversation starters ready.  Make a list of topics to talk about with your family.  And, if you have some of "those" family members, you might have to add a list of topics to avoid.

National Game and Puzzle Week

 This year I am celebrating national weeks throughout the year.  This week is National Game and Puzzle Week.  

Families around the country will be gathering together this week to celebrate Thanksgiving.  This is a great time to break out the puzzles and board (or card) games.  Games and puzzles help keep the brain sharp and they also bring families together.  Both young and old can join in on the fun. 

How to observe #GameAndPuzzleWeek:

Contact family and friends before the big day asking them to bring a favorite game/puzzle to dinner.

Grab the cards, puzzle, dice, board games and have fun with your family!

Don't forget to share on social media!

National Homemade Bread Day

  Today is National Homemade Bread Day.  It's a great day to make a loaf of your famous homemade sourdough bread and give it to your favorite sister.  

This day was created to encourage families to come together and enjoy making homemade bread.  It has been celebrated since the early 1980's.  Making bread is a great way to slow down and spend time with one another as we knead the bread dough, wait for it to rise or bake in the oven. 

There are many varieties of breads you can make today.  From Sourdough, rye, wheat, white and cheddar jalapeno.  To sweet breads, pretzels, buns, muffins, donuts and biscuits.  

Now is the time to brush off those breadmaking skills you learned during the pandemic quarantine and put them to good use.  Bake a loaf of bread and give to your sister your friends and or neighbors.  Make a loaf or two just for you and your family to enjoy.   Don't forget to snap a few pictures for social media using #HomemadeBreadDay 

P.S.  One of these years "someone" will get the hint I've dropped in this post and make me a loaf of his homemade sourdough bread.

What kind of bread will you make today?

World Kindness Day

  World Kindness Day is an international holiday that was started back in 1998.  It is a day dedicated to large and small acts of kindness to bring us all together.  The World Kindness Movement states that the purpose of this day is to "highlight good deeds in the community" and to focus "on the positive power and the common thread of kindness which binds us."

If you've been following my blog for a while, you know that I'm BIG on Kindness and have many posts dedicated to Random Acts of Kindness.  It's great that we have a day dedicated to Kindness and being kind to one another.  I just don't understand why we can't do this every day?  This should be a normal, daily thing for all of us.  There really is no reason not to be kind.

Did you know that people who are constantly kind produce less cortisol (the stress hormone) and age slower than the rest of the population?  Another reason to be kind to others!

How can you celebrate World Kindness Day?

Do three Random Acts of Kindness today.  

Smile at someone, give compliments, hold the door open for someone.

Hug your loved ones and friends.

Write a love poem to yourself and read it aloud.  (You should be kind to yourself today, too)

If you need some other ideas, you can find more on this post or you can search "kindness" on the blog.

Here are some Ways to make Kindness a norm in your everyday life, taken from Randomactsofkindness.org :

1.  Send an uplifting text to a friend
2.  Let that car merge in front of you with a smile and a wave.
3.  Go out of your way once a day to make someone smile
4.  Compliment a friend or coworker
5.  Reach out to a family member you haven't spoken to in awhile
6.  Treat someone to a cup of coffee or tea (friend, coworker, stranger or even yourself)
7.  Add intentional moments of kindness, laughter and delight to your everyday routine

Don't forget to post your support of kindness on social media today by using #worldkindnessday

Have fun today!

And now back to our regularly scheduled programming....

The election is over (thank God!).  

No more junk mail political flyers.

No more lies political interviews.

No more mudslinging political commercials.  

We can all move on with our lives.

National Harvey Wallbanger Day

  Happy Harvey Wallbanger Day!

I think this is one of my favorite days of the year and I want to make sure that everyone out there is celebrating with me.  Of course, I'm starting early this morning, so I might be a few drinks ahead of you.  It's election day, so you might need a couple of these today.

A Harvey Wallbanger is a fruity cocktail made with vodka, Galliano and orange juice.    It's basically a screwdriver, but a little fruitier.  Galliano is an Italian liqueur that contains Juniper, Anise, Mint and Vanilla.  If you are unable to locate Galliano, you can always substitute Kahlua, Triple Sec or peppermint Schnapps. 

Harvey Wallbangers originated in the sixties.  The story behind the drink goes something like this:  A bartender named Donato Antone created the drink and served it at a party.  The one person remaining after the party, Harvey, was banging his head against the wall.  There are a couple other stories floating around, but I like that one the best.  The drink made its debut to the rest of the world in 1968.  Galliano used Harvey in their marketing campaign in 1969 with, "Harvey Wallbanger is the name and I can be made."  The drink's name also became a metaphor to describe someone who goofs off or makes mistakes.  Harvey Wallbanger was also a frequent write in vote during elections.  

How can you observe Harvey Wallbanger Day?  Meet your friends at your local hang out and order a Harvey Wallbanger and toast good ol' Harvey (just don't be the one banging your head on the wall at the end of the night).  You can use #HarveyWallbangerDay when posting on social media.

How to make the perfect Harvey Wallbanger? 

1.5 oz Vodka
4 oz orange juice
.5oz Galliano
cherry or orange slice for garnish

Mix vodka and orange juice.  Pour Galliano on top and don't mix it in the drink (you can pour over a spoon).  Garnish with a cherry or orange slice and serve.

Cheers!

National Dear Santa Letter Week

 This year I'm celebrating fun weeks throughout the year.  This week is National Dear Santa Letter Week.

Every year at this time, children around the world write letters to Santa Claus.  Hey, it's good to get those letters in early.  You know the Post Office gets busy around the holidays and these letters have to travel all the way to the North Pole!

This program has been going on since 1912 when the postmaster allowed the employees to answer Dear Santa letters.  In the 1940's the number of letters increased, and local charities and companies participated by answering letters and sending small gifts.  The goal of the program is to help families in need have a Happy Holiday.  

This is all handled through the US Post Office.  Children write letters and send them to: 

Santa Claus

123 Elf Road

North Pole 88888

The post office publishes the letter online (redacting personal information) and you can choose a letter and become Santa to that person.  You purchase gifts and send them.   

How to observe:

Help your child write a letter to Santa and send it the above address.

Take part in playing Santa and answer one of the children's letters.

World Vegan Day

 Today is World Vegan Day!  Hooray!

World Vegan Day is celebrated by vegans around the world on November 1st.  World Vegan Day was established by Louise Wallis in 1944.  He chose November 1 as the date because, "I liked the idea of this date coinciding with Halloween and the Day of the Dead - traditional times for feasting and celebration, both apt and auspicious."  November is a perfect month for feasting!

World Vegan month is celebrated around the world as a time to recognize how far the vegan movement has come and how easy and beneficial it is to live a vegan lifestyle.  World Vegan Month is also to encourage the vegan curious to give veganism a try.

2019 marks 75 years since the foundation of The Vegan Society.  The Vegan Society started as an offshoot of The Vegetarian Society until it was decided that it was important to distinguish the difference between Vegan and Vegetarianism. Vegans do not eat meat nor do they eat anything that is made from an animal (milk, cheese, eggs, etc).  The Vegan Society began celebrating World Vegan Day in 1994 and has celebrated every year since.

"World Vegan Day evolved from celebrating for one day into celebrating one week and now they celebrate the entire month!  World Vegan Month.  Where vegans and veganism is celebrated in workplaces, shops, restaurants and in homes all over the world."

How can you celebrate World Vegan Day?  

You can host a vegan lunch or vegan dinner party with friends.

Share your favorite vegan recipes on social media 

Challenge your friends or family to go vegan for 30 days 

Plant a tree  

Host a vegan potluck party 

Where can you get started?  How about searching this blog under recipes for an easy vegan recipe? 

If you decide to post on social media, make sure to use the hashtags:
#worldveganmonth
#worldveganday

I know I will be part of the celebration!  How about you?

Belly Ache Day

 Another Halloween has come and gone.  How much candy did you eat?

My Dad always called the day after Halloween, "Belly Ache Day."  The belly ache came from eating too much candy the day before (Halloween).  I never suffered on Belly Ache Day.  I was allowed a few pieces of candy on Halloween, and then the rest of my candy was squirreled away by my Mom, never to be seen again.  I think she probably threw it all in the garbage.  (Thanks, Mom)

If you have some energy and are looking for some ways to use up that Halloween candy (besides hiding it or throwing it away), check out my recipe for Halloween cupcakes.  You can make a few batches and give them out to the neighbors.   You can always donate some candy to a food pantry or bring candy to a nursing home (the seniors love getting the candy as a bingo prize!).

Here's hoping that you aren't suffering too much on this Belly Ache Day!