One More Thing...

I am going to be an aunt for the first time in February 2010. My sister-in-law resides in Buffalo, NY and has come home for Thanksgiving. She did not want a baby shower, which saddened me because I was really dying to make one for her. However, we will be eating a baby shower cake for dessert tonight. It's her favorite flavor, banana cake with chocolate ganache. Yum, right? I've attached a picture for all of you to see. Not only has it been teasing me since I picked it up last night because it smells fantastic, but it's pretty darn cute. I hope she likes it! My mother-in-law said it looked "special," not sure if that's a compliment or not, but I love it! I'll keep you all posted if everyone at dinner tonight agrees.

Donating

I'm always looking for new ways to support charities that matter to me. When we registered for our wedding 3% of all purchases that were made by our guests online went to The Human Society of the United States. I discovered afterwards that we had donated close to $500, which made me very happy. So, thank you to all my friends that purchased registry gifts online. I try and purchase registry gifts online for this very reason, there are close to 50 charities that the couple can choose to donate 3% of all purchased items to.
This is the season of giving, not receiving, I truly believe that. I'm fortunate that my office is a Marine Toys for Tots Foundation collection center. I try to bring in at least two presents for the children every year - a boy and a girl. You can find awesome gifts that do not cost a lot of money. I could not imagine a poor, innocent, child waking up to no Christmas. Imagine how different these children's lives could be from simply receiving a toy on Christmas.
Two years ago my husband and I had an opportunity to adopt two children to sponsor for Christmas through The Salvation Army: Angel Giving Tree rather than buy presents for each other that holiday season. We adopted a girl that wanted educational toys (I cried when I read that) and a little boy that loved all things Spiderman and all he wanted was a Spiderman Bed Comforter (we got him all things Spiderman). My husband and I went to town at Target - we were even given their shoe and clothing size to buy them some much needed new clothing. We will be going to JC Penny again to be a child's angel again this year. I encourage all of you to do the same or form a group with a couple friends and do it, the rewards of giving are so much more awesome then receiving.
Finally, this is my newest most favorite way of giving this season and throughout the entire year. If you drink Coca-Cola Products you might be aware of My Coke Rewards. Codes can be found on every coke product sold and you take these codes, log them in, and receive points. You can take these points and donate them to a cause or school of your choice. I'm going to do some research on which school I would like to support and will keep all of you posted, but if you drink Coca Cola products please sign up to do the same. It takes a matter of minutes to log the codes.
There are many ways to give. You can give of your time, FANTASTIC! You can even give your hair, which I'm proud to admit that my sister has done two or three times now for Locks of Love. Post some comments about what all of you plan to do this season and this year to help those that are less fortunate. I'm always looking for new ideas and I hope that I've given some good ones for all of you. Happy Thanksgiving!

Mix & Match Dish Project

My mother saves everything related to dishes, glasses, serving platters - you get the picture. Her kitchen has a pantry area devoted to all of these things and over the years she has pawned, I'm sorry passed, some of these treasures down to me. One weekend I was looking at some of the plates she'd given me and decided to make an art installation of them in my kitchen. I would never have a use for them as they were mismatched, but I liked the look of them so much that I didn't want to just leave them in my cupboard. I purchased the plate hangers from Bed, Bath, & Beyond for about $2 a piece and within 5 minutes I'd created the display.
If you don't have three to five of these mix and match plates lying around or do, but they don't "go" together - you can still do this project. You might stumble across a dish that you like at Marshall's Home Goods or at a garage sale. I have a hard time liking mosaic table tops because I don't want to break the china - it really makes me sad. My mom must feel the same way about smashing up dishes that lost their partners, hence what allowed me to create this project. If you're just like my mom and me this project is a really good alternative. It is inexpensive wall art and a fun to do. If you've done a similar project send me your pictures, I'd love to see them.