December 11, 2009

Friday Ruminations

The holiday season is upon us - and this video always puts me in the holiday spirit.  Enjoy!

 

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November 25, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Be a hit at the kids table this Thanksgiving by cracking some of these fun Thanksgiving jokes.

Be a hit at the adult table with these interesting Thanksgiving facts.

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November 13, 2009

Friday Ruminations

photo from http://www.everystockphoto.com/photo.php?imageId=879660

Do you suffer from Paraskevidekatriaphobia? 

According to Donald Dossey, founder of the Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute in Asheville, North Carolina, nearly 21 million American do.  Paraskevidekatriaphobia is the fear of Friday the 13th, or Black Friday. Those who suffer from this phobia are terrified to get out of bed in the morning and avoid any and all activities that could put them in harms way on Friday the 13th.

The fear of 13 is strong in today's world. More than 80 percent of high-rises lack a 13th floor, there is often no gate 13 at many airports, and it is not uncommon for hospitals and hotels to not have a room 13. In Florence, Italy the house between number 12 and 14 is addressed as 12 and a half - while in France quatorziens (fourteeners) once made themselves available as 14th guests to keep a dinner party from the unlucky number 13.

No one is exactly sure where the superstition began. Many cultures hold different beliefs about why the number 13 or Friday are unlucky. The Scandinavians believed there were 12 demigods, who were joined by a 13th demigod, Loki, an evil cruel one, who brought upon humans great misfortune.  The number 13, in the Christian faith, is the number of parties at the Last Supper, with the 13th guest at the table being the traitor, Judas.  A common belief for the origin of superstition stems from Friday, October the 13th, 1307. On this date, the Pope of the church in Rome in conjunction with the King of France carried out a secret death warrant against "the Knights Templar". The Templars were killed as heretics, never again to hold the power that they had held for so long.  Jacques DeMolay, grand master of the Knights Templar, was arrested and before he was killed, and tortured and crucified on this date.

From a religious standpoint, Muslims believe Friday was the day Allah created Adam, legend has it that Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit on a Friday, (and later died on a Friday), and Christians consider Friday as the day on which Christ was crucified by the Romans.

No matter where the superstition stems from, Paraskevidekatriaphobia's bad for business.  It has been estimated that [U.S] $800 or $900 million is lost in business on this day because people will not fly or do business they would normally do.

Fun fact: Any month's 13th day will fall on a Friday if the month starts on a Sunday.

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October 23, 2009

Healthy Halloween Snacks

With the abundance of sweet and salty snacks during October, it is more of a challenge than ever to get kids to eat healthy  This fun post from Disney Family Fun  offers several fun and spooky ways to keep the Halloween spirit without the Halloween sugar. 

More fun and healthy Halloween snacks!

Carrot-Finger Food

Ingredients

• vegetable dip
• 4 long carrots
• 1 medium carrot

• softened cream cheese
• sliced-almond
• baby carrots

1. To prepare them, just fill a serving bowl with your favorite vegetable dip. Wash and peel 4 long carrots for fingers and 1 medium carrot for a thumb.

2. With a paring knife (a parent's job), cut a flat, shallow notch in the tip of each carrot. Then use a dab of dip or softened cream cheese to glue a sliced-almond fingernail atop each notch.

3. Stick the fingers in the dip, as shown, and serve with plenty of peeled baby carrots for dipping.

 

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October 16, 2009

Friday Ruminations

It's almost Halloween!

I'm a midwestern girl.  I grew up looking forward to that first crisp whiff of fall, getting overly excited when the leaves begin turning crimson and gold, and going to football tailgates with a piping hot mug of apple cider and donuts.  As Halloween approaches visions of witches and goblins are dancing in my head.  I cannot wait to get out to a pumpkin patch, pick out the biggest baddest pumpkin there and carve a veritable masterpiece.

To get us all in the Halloween spirit, I have attached a link to an online game where you can carve your very own pumpkin!  Remember, practice makes perfect. Use this cyber pumpkin as your muse so when its time for the real thing, you are ready to go!

Carve your pumpkin!

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September 18, 2009

Friday Ruminations

Can you name all the countries in the world in 15 minutes?  See how familiar you are with the world around you.  An eye opening experience to be sure.

http://www.sporcle.com/games/world.php

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September 11, 2009

September 11, 2009 - A Day of Rememberance

 
Photo by Juergen Berkessel

"Eight Septembers have come and gone. Nearly 3,000 days have passed; almost one for each of those taken from us," the president said. "But no turning of the season can diminish the pain and the loss of that day. No passage of time and no dark skies can ever dull the meaning of this moment. So on this solemn day, at this sacred hour, once more we pause, once more we pray, as a nation and as a people." - President Barack Obama, in an exerpt from his September 11th speech.

Where you on September 11th?

Eight years ago, our nation watched in shocked unison as the Twin Towers and Pentagon, came under terrorist attack.  We all can remember every minute detail of that day...of that moment when we learned of what was happening to our nation.  I can't remember what I had for lunch Friday of last week but I can remember who I was with, where I was sitting, what I was doing, and exactly how I felt September 11, 2001.

Today is a day to honor those who have been lost, the heroes who rushed in and the families that have suffered.  Take a moment today to honor all who have suffered loss on this fateful day eight years ago.

  

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September 04, 2009

Friday Ruminations

Labor Day: The celebration of the value and dignity of work

And you think you have it rough. 

Did you know in the late 1800s the average American awoke before dawn every single day of the week to put in a grueling 12 hours of back breaking labor in order to make ends meet? 

On September 5, 1882 terrible working conditions, long hours, and poorly enforced child labor laws inspired 10,000 New York City workers to march from city hall to Union Square in demand of a better way of life - marking the first labor day pararde in history.

Learn more about the history of labor day at www.history.com/laborday and have a wonderful holiday weeknd!

Image from www.history.com/laborday. 

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June 19, 2009

Friday Ruminations

 

Click HERE to see some fun ways to celebrate Father's Day on Kaboose.com.

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June 12, 2009

Friday Ruminations

 

Flag Day is on Sunday! Click HERE for some flag etiquette!

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