Maven: "I Can't Believe It's Not Blood" Fake Blood

16 oz

Marching into March

"It's March! ....but what does that mean?."

Interesting Facts About Presidents Day

Presidents Day? President's Day? Presidents' Day? Washington's Birthday?

Valentine's Day Trivia & Superstitions

Valentine's Day is the day for celebration of love

It's Groundhog Day! What Did Phil Predict?

"Did Punxsutawney Phil See His Shadow?"

What will February bring?

"It's February! ....but what does that mean?."

2016 Postal Holidays

"2016 Postal Holidays"

Healthy Ways to Post-Holiday Detox

So the holidays are almost over and you’re probably feeling like the rest of Americans right now: bloated, tired and a little heavier than usual. Instead of going on a crash diet or thinking that you have to go to the gym for hours on end to start feeling like your pre-holiday self, follow these five tips to post-holiday detox in a healthy way!

New Years...

New Years. A time to reflect the past & look towards the future. Many people participate in making New Year’s resolutions. A New Year’s resolution is a commitment to a personal goal that a individual makes to a project or the reforming of a habit, often a lifestyle change that is generally interpreted as advantageous. The name comes from the fact that these commitments normally go into effect on New Year’s Day.

AAA offers free 'tipsy tow' service on New Year's Eve

Once again, this New Year's eve, AAA is offering Tipsy Tow.

Twelve Days of Christmas (song)

The Twelve Days of Christmas" is an English Christmas carol that enumerates a series of increasingly grand gifts given on each of the twelve days of Christmas. Textual evidence suggests the song, first published in England in 1780, may be French in origin.

Winter Solstice 2011

Via http://earthsky.org, http://www.timeanddate.com and http://www.huffingtonpost.com

The 2011 December solstice takes place on Thursday, December 22 at 5:30 Universal Time. That’s Wednesday, December 21 at 11:30 p.m. CST. Officially the first day of winter, the winter solstice occurs when the North Pole is tilted 23.5 degrees away from the sun. This is the longest night of the year, meaning that despite the cold winter, the days get progressively longer after the winter solstice until the summer solstice in 2012.

What is a solstice? The earliest humans knew that the sun’s path across the sky, the length of daylight, and the location of the sunrise and sunset all shifted in a regular way throughout the year. They built monuments, such as Stonehenge, to follow the sun’s yearly progress.

The end of the world in 2012? The 2012 December solstice will be on December 21, 2012. Many prophecies about the end of the world surround this date because it corresponds to the last day of the Mayan calendar.

Celebrations The winter solstice is celebrated by many people around the world as the beginning of the return of the sun, and darkness turning into light. The Talmud recognizes the winter solstice as "Tekufat Tevet." In China, the "Dongzhi" Festival is celebrated on the Winter Solstice by families getting together and eating special festive food.

One of the most famous celebrations of the winter solstice in the world today takes place in the ancient ruins of Stonehenge, England. Thousands of druids and pagans gather there to chant, dance and sing while waiting to see the spectacular sunrise.

Until the 16th century, the winter months were a time of famine in northern Europe. Most cattle were slaughtered so that they wouldn't have to be fed during the winter, making the solstice a time when fresh meat was plentiful. Most celebrations of the winter solstice in Europe involved merriment and feasting. In pre-Christian Scandinavia, the Feast of Juul, or Yule, lasted for 12 days celebrating the rebirth of the sun god and giving rise to the custom of burning a Yule log.

In ancient Rome, the winter solstice was celebrated at the Feast of Saturnalia, to honor Saturn, the god of agricultural bounty. Lasting about a week, Saturnalia was characterized by feasting, debauchery and gift-giving. With Emperor Constantine's conversion to Christianity, many of these customs were later absorbed into Christmas celebrations.

House-Wise

"Make yourself at home"

Twelve Days of Christmas

So, my family. We're non-traditional. Of course, that's pretty obvious. But I'm talking about Christmas.

See, I was an only child. And a very spoiled one at that....especially at Christmas. Under the tree was always packed with gifts. All for me. Of course, to be honest, I never got anything anytime during the year. Only Christmas. If I wanted something in March.....I had to wait 'til Christmas. So anyway, Christmas morning. Boatload of gifts. All wrapped up for me to open. Hundreds! ....OK, not literally, just kidding. Maybe. ;-\

Holiday Mail for Heroes 2011

It's that time of year again. A time when I ask my fellow bloggers, readers, and facebookers to open your heart. I'm not asking alot. The only monetary contribution needed from you is postage. It's the Holiday Mail for Heroes program through the American Red Cross. All I ask, is that each one of you send two cards following this program, for our soldiers over-seas. Two. 

These soldiers are spending the holiday (for many, it's not their first one) away from their friends and family. These Dads, Moms, Daughters, and Husbands will not at home for the holidays. War doesn't take Christmas off. A simple card can help ease the heartache for these young men & women who are serving their country for YOUR freedom. Two cards. It's not alot I'm asking for.

If you have children in school, it would be a wonderful project for the entire class! Contact their teacher. I did last year, and one school sent almost 200 cards. The other even more! (Here's my post from last year) Thank you very much everyone!

The following is from the American Red Cross website, and details the program.

Holiday Mail for Heroes Program

The holiday season is just around the corner and it’s time again to start thinking about being part of the 2011 American Red Cross Holiday Mail for Heroes. For a fifth year, American Red Cross and Pitney Bowes are partnering to ensure all Americans have an opportunity to send a touch of home this holiday season to members of our U.S. military, veterans and their families, many of whom will be far away from home this holiday season.

Starting this fall and throughout the holiday season, the Red Cross is working with Pitney Bowes, a mail stream technology company, to collect and distribute holiday cards to American service members, veterans and their families in the United States and around the world.

The process is very simple and takes no time at all - All you need is a pen and piece of paper to share your appreciation for the sacrifices members of the U.S. Armed Forces make to protect our freedoms The Holiday Mail for Heroes mail box is open and ready to receive for your cards.

Please send all mail to:

Holiday Mail For Heroes

P.O. Box 5456

Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456

Sending a “touch of home” to American men and women who serve our country is the perfect way to express your appreciation and support during the holiday season.

Card Guidelines:
Every card received will be screened for hazardous materials by Pitney Bowes and then reviewed by Red Cross volunteers working around the country.
Please observe the following guidelines to ensure a quick reviewing process:

• All cards being sent in for 2011 Holiday Mail For Heroes program should be postmarked no later than Friday, December 9, 2011.
• Ensure that all cards are signed.
• Use generic salutations such as “Dear Service Member.” Cards addressed to specific individuals can not be delivered through this program.
• Only cards are being accepted. Do not send letters.
• Do not include email or home addresses on the cards, as the program is not meant to foster pen pal relationships.
• Do not include inserts of any kind, including photos, as these items will be removed during the reviewing process.
• Participants should limit the number of cards they submit to 25 from any one person or 50 from any one class or group. If you are mailing a large quantity, please bundle the cards and place them in large mailing envelopes. Each card does not need its own envelope, as envelopes will be removed from all cards before distribution.
• Please refrain from sending holiday cards with glitter. Many of these cards will be delivered to military and veterans medical facilities and the glitter could interfere with a patient's recovery.

The Military Families Ministry (MFM) also has their Stocking for Soldiers project. Blog post is here for those in Colorado & Pennsylvania.

House-Wise

"Make yourself at home"

Holiday Mail for Heroes 2011

Sorry this post was royally messed up. 

Click here to read the post. 

Thank you for your interest!!!!

Wedding Anniversary Gifts

Because tomorrow marks the sixth year that I've been married, I thought it would be appropriate to post the traditional gifts for each wedding anniversary  year.  Not that I will receive a gift...or ever have, mind you, I just thought it would make an interesting and informative blog post.

Each year of every couple's marriage is marked by a specific item. 

1st anniversary: Paper
Can it really be a year ago you said 'I do'? Time flies when you're having fun…

Paper weddings have an edible tradition. If you opted for a fruit wedding cake, you can freeze the top tier and have it re-iced to eat on this day.

2nd anniversary: Cotton

3rd: anniversary: Leather

4th anniversary: Linen

5th anniversary: Wood
In Wales, elaborately carved wooden 'lovespoons' have been given for centuries. The term 'spooning' - meaning 'romancing' - originates from this Welsh tradition. 

6th anniversary: Iron
In his famous diary, Samuel Pepys (1633-1703) writes of going home 'to be merry, it being my sixth wedding night'.

7th anniversary: Wool

8th anniversary: Bronze

9th anniversary: Pottery

10th anniversary: Tin
At ten years old, your marriage is getting all grown up and hopefully, more mature. But not too mature!

As a gift idea, tin may not sound too promising. Fortunately, there's also a gemstone or precious metal associated with each wedding anniversary. According to this tradition, you can celebrate your first decade together with diamonds. Any excuse!

11th anniversary: Steel

12th anniversary: Silk
In Denmark, it's traditional to make a big fuss of the 12-and-a-half-year anniversary. Called a copper wedding, friends and family build the couple half an arch made from spruce (you get the other half when you reach your 25th). The arch is decorated with flowers and lights and positioned at the door of your home.

13th anniversary: Lace
Romantic lace is often associated with weddings. The veil made for Queen Elizabeth's 1923 wedding to George VI required 12,000 hours of work and 12million stitches.

14th anniversary: Ivory

15th anniversary: Crystal

Anniversary symbols vary worldwide. In some cultures, your 15th wedding anniversary, for example, is called a 'glass' wedding.

16th anniversary: Topaz

17th anniversary: Amethyst
Why are certain materials associated with different anniversaries? As the years pass, you'll see that the materials become more durable and more valuable the longer the marriage - just like your relationship! Another theory is that they are designed to help you replace wedding gifts at the time they wear out…

18th anniversary: Garnet

19th anniversary: Aquamarine
Aquamarines are the colour of the sea.

20th anniversary: China

21st anniversary: Brass

22nd anniversary: Copper

23rd anniversary: Silver plate

24th anniversary: Musical instruments

25th anniversary: Silver
Silver weddings have a long tradition. In medieval Germany, husbands gave their wives a wreath of silver when they had been married for 25 years. 'Sylver brydells' are mentioned in an English church record of 1624, and the term 'silver feast' is attributed to the Germans in a letter to Dr Samuel Johnson in 1806.

26th anniversary: Original pictures

27th anniversary: Sculpture

28th anniversary: Orchids
In China, orchids symbolise nobility, friendship, elegance and perfection - making these exotic, mysterious blooms an ideal anniversary present.

29th anniversary: New furniture

30th anniversary: Pearl
In Indian mythology, pearls are said to be dewdrops from heaven that fell into the sea. These jewels represent peace, nobility and beauty.

31st anniversary: Timepieces

32nd anniversary: Conveyances (vehicles)

33rd anniversary: Amethyst
The Victorians were fond of making rings with a message conveyed in the first initial of each jewel. So a ring with a Diamond, Emerald, Amethyst, Ruby, Emerald, Sapphire and Topaz on it spelt 'dearest'.

34th anniversary: Opal

35th anniversary: Coral
Jewelery is the natural choice for this anniversary gift, as coral goes so well with jade, the gemstone associated with 25 years of marriage.

Jade was once used as currency in China and is considered to be lucky. Red coral is the most valuable kind.

36th anniversary: Bone china

37th anniversary: Alabaster

38th anniversary: Beryl
Beryl is a little known, colourless gemstone in it's pure form. Aquamarine is it's blue versiou and it's green is one of the most
precious gems of all - emerald.

39th anniversary: Lace
There is no traditional material for the 39th wedding anniversary but the modern lists state lace, which also marks the 13th. 26 years on, it may be time to replace that tablecloth!

40th anniversary: Ruby
Life begins at 40, and the 40th wedding anniversary is considered to be one of the most important after the 25th. Not surprisingly it's been attached to one of the world's most precious gems. Rubies are said to be rarer than diamonds - they symbolise health, wealth and wisdom and, of course, passion.

41st anniversary: Land
In 1659, John Evelyn wrote in his diary about going to a 'forty-first wedding day feast', one of the earliest references to wedding anniversaries in English literature. It looks as if all anniversaries were an excuse for a celebration back in those days - what a good idea!

42nd anniversary: Real estate

43rd anniversary: Travel
This couldn't be easier. Enjoy a day or weekend away, or head off on the holiday of your dreams!

44th anniversary: Groceries
Groceries don't sound too exciting, but they can make a great present. Just remember to avoid standard supermarket fare and go for a luxury hamper instead.

45th anniversary: Sapphire
Sapphires come in an array of colours - pink, yellow, white, green and red as well as blue.

46th anniversary: Poetry

47th anniversary: Books

48th anniversary: Optical goods

49th anniversary: Luxuries

50th anniversary: Gold
You've spent half a century together - what better cause for a celebration? Golden weddings have been marked for many years. In medieval Germany, men would present their wives with a golden wreath on their 50th anniversary. This was said to symbolise harmony.

Going for gold is the obvious choice for a 50th wedding gift and you may want to use the opportunity to buy each other new wedding rings to add to your old ones. You could even have special inscriptions made inside the rings to mark the occasion.

55th anniversary: Emerald
These precious stones symbolise love and rebirth and make beautiful jewelery.

60th anniversary: Diamond
The word 'diamond' originates from the Greek adamus, meaning unconquerable - which, if you've lasted 60 years, is the perfect epithet for your own marriage. Splash out in celebration of this fantastic event and buy a beautiful piece of diamond jewellery.

70th anniversary: Platinum
After 70 years together, you've earned your own platinum record. And like the metal, your marriage is strong, precious and rare.

Eternity rings are a popular anniversary present. Of course, you can buy one whenever you feel like it, but it might be an ideal gift to mark a special anniversary like the 70th.

75th anniversary: Diamond
Although the 75th is the second diamond wedding in the anniversary calendar, it was actually the first to exist - the 60th was added in 1897 when Queen Victoria celebrated her Diamond Jubilee. There's no modern symbol for a diamond wedding.


Thanks for reading my thoughts! <3

House-Wise

"Make yourself at home"

Happy Valentine's Day

When we think of Valentine's Day, we often think of red roses, candy in heart- shaped boxes, mushy valentines, and winged cherubs flying about shooting starry-eyed lovers with arrows.

February has long been a month of romance. It is the month associated with Valentine's Day celebrations. We have, time and again, heard the name St. Valentine being uttered before us in this season of love. But just who is this St. Valentine? Why is this month associated with love and romance?

Every year, the fourteenth day of the month of February has millions across the world presenting their loved ones with candy, flowers, chocolates and other lovely gifts.

But did you know that the origin of Valentine's Day, or Saint Valentine's Day, comes from the life and death of a Christian martyr?

It is not exactly known why the 14th of February is known as Valentine's Day or if the noble Valentine really had any relation to this day. The modern St. Valentine's Day celebrations are said to have been derived from both ancient Christian and Roman tradition. The fullest and earliest description of the tradition occurs in Chaucer's "Parliament of Fouls" composed around 1380. Since that time it has been traditional to connect St. Valentine's Day with love.

You can read one story here:
http://www.theholidayspot.com/valentine/history_of_valentine.htm
Another story can be found here:
http://www.ethnic2020.com/MeaningofValentine.htm
Of course, there's Wiki:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valentine%27s_Day

Today, Valentine's Day is one of the major holidays in the U.S. and has become a booming commercial success. According to the Greeting Card Association, 25% of all cards sent each year are Valentines. 189 million stems of roses are sold in the U.S. on Valentine's Day.

Modern Valentine's Day symbols include the heart-shaped outline, doves, and the figure of the winged Cupid.

There may be doubts regarding the actual identity of Valentine, but we know that he really existed because archaeologists have recently unearthed a Roman catacomb and an ancient church dedicated to a Saint Valentine.

On a lighter note....

Flowers.  Flowers given on Valentine's Day have different meanings.  Here are a few:

• Red roses are the color of passion and love.
• The yellow rose symbolizes a deep friendship.
• The white rose can also be a symbol of remembrance for a loved one lost.
• Pink roses are a great way to say that you are interested in someone without being over bearing.
• Peach roses speak of appreciation and gratitude.
• White Roses + Yellow Roses are a symbol of harmony.
• Red Roses & Yellow Roses sends a message of happiness and celebration.
• Red Roses & White Roses shows an indication of bonding and harmony.
• Orange roses are the symbol of passion and attraction.
• The lavender rose is usually used to express that feeling of seeing someone and having a love at first sight moment.
• Single Red Rose means, "I love you".
• Single Rose Any Color is an, "I thank you".
• Two Roses Entwined is foreshadowing of an engagement or marriage is imminent.
• Regardless of the original color, dead roses say "It's over" loud and clear.

Jewelery. One of the most common Valentine's gifts. Here's what the stones mean:

• Diamond – fidelity, love, commitment, trust in relationships
• Moonstone – love, new beginnings, good fortune in love
• Sapphire – wisdom stone, brings lightness, joy, and peace of mind
• Pearl – innocence, sincerity
• Blue Topaz – truth, wisdom, clear communication
• Ruby – passion, zest for life, joy, laughter, courage
• Amethyst – powerful protection, transmutes negative energy into love
• Aquamarine – courage, tolerance of others, protective in pregnancy
• Garnet – brings serenity and passion as appropriate, love and devotion
• Peridot – alleviates jealousy, opens heart to joy and new relationships
• Quartz – amplifies and balances energy or thought
• Topaz – known as the stone of love and good fortune. It brings joy, and promotes forgiveness and truth.

Read more here:  http://www.suite101.com/content/valentines-day-gift-jewelry-gem-and-crystal-meanings-a338107


Other Valentine's gifts:

• Men typically get lingerie for women if they want them to feel sexy. 
• Perfume is intimate. It means I’m going to be smelling you for a while.
• A heart-shaped box of chocolates is for your grandmother, your sixth-grade teacher, or a friend.
• Bath gel, lotion sets means that he thinks girls are soft and pretty and smell good but are also mysterious and need special potions to get that way.
• You get your girlfriend a massage because you want her to slow down, stop worrying and take a minute for herself.
• Nothing fosters romance more than a weekend away. Men will typically give plane tickets or even a night at a hotel somewhere nearby when you’re in the first phases of a somewhat serious relationship. 

http://www.glamour.com/sex-love-life/2010/02/what-his-valentines-day-gift-says#slide=1

In conclusion, no matter if you are coupled, or single...  Celebrate Valentine's by giving cards, chocolates, going out to dinner, or staying home with a good book...  I hope all my friends out there have a wonderful February 14th!


Thanks for reading my thoughts! <3

House-Wise

"Make yourself at home"

2011 Holidays

Ever get confused about when a holiday is?  I thought I would post a quick reference of 2011 holidays.  Now, this is by no means a complete list of all holidays....I mean there is practically some holiday every day, somewhere!

• New Year's Day: January 1
• Martin Luther King, Jr's Birthday: Monday, January 17
• Groundhog Day: February 02
• Lincoln's Birthday: February 12
• Valentine's Day: February 14
• President's Day: Monday, February 21
• Washington's Birthday: February 22
• Mardi Gras: March 08
• Ash Wednesday: March 09
• Purim (Begins at Sundown*): March 19
• St. Patrick's Day: March 17
• Spring : March 20
• April Fool's Day: April 01
• Palm Sunday: Sunday, April 17
• Passover (Begins at Sundown*): April 18
• Good Friday: April 22
• Easter: Sunday, April 24
• Eastern Orthodox Easter: Sunday, April 24
• Yom Ha Shoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) (Begins at Sundown*): April 30
• Earth Day: April 22
• Cinco de Mayo: May 5
• Mother's Day: Sunday, May 08
• Memorial Day: Monday, May 30
• Shavuot (Begins at Sundown*): June 07
• Flag Day: June 14
• Father's Day: Sunday, June 19
• Summer : June 21
• US Independence Day: July 04
• Ramadan: August 01 (Depends on the sighting of the moon in North America)
• Labor Day: Monday, September 05
• Grandparents Day: September 11
• Fall / Autumn : September 23
• Rosh Hashanah (Begins at Sundown*): September 28
• Yom Kippur (Begins at Sundown*): October 07
• Sukkot (Begins at Sundown*): October 12
• Columbus Day (observed): October 10
• Diwali: October 26
• Halloween: October 31
• Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead): November 1
• All Saint's Day: November 1
• All Soul's Day: November 2
• Veterans Day: November 11
• Thanksgiving Day (US): Thursday, November 24
• Muharram 1 (Islamic New Year) : November 25
• World Aids Day: December 01
• Day Without Art: December 01
• Chanukah (Begins at Sundown*): December 20
• Yule (Wicca): December 22
• Winter : December 22
• Christmas Day: December 25
• Kwanzaa: December 26 - January 01, 2011