When I seen one Frozen light display story in the headlines, I knew there had to be other families doing the same. Sure enough, families across America are utilizing the "Let it Go" phenomenon and delighting kids with some fabulous light displays. Here are just a few.
Here are a few other videos. One direct from the Magic Castle and another is Idina Menzel and Jennifer Nettles singing Let it Go on the CMA Christmas Special. I really enjoyed that performance.
PS: I have to admit, the movie Frozen and a stuffed Olaf are on my Christmas Wish list.
If you've not had a chance to see these videos yet, I highly suggest you take a few minutes and enjoy! In the last 24 hours, I've seen them everywhere and both are well deserving.
How many extra cards do you end up with after completing your Christmas Card list? Do you toss them? Do you donate them? Do you put them aside thinking "I'll use them again next year?" Well this past week, I was reminded by a few friends on Facebook of a great program, to honor our military heroes; Holiday Mail for Heroes. I'm not exactly sure at what point I stopped doing this, most likely when I became a mom and my attention was turned elsewhere, but in my early 20's I would always include military service men and women in my Christmas card list. It's awesome to think about them year around, but during the holidays it can bring a definite sparkle of cheer, during a difficult and lonely time for many. So this year, I've decided that all of my extra cards are going to be sent off. I don't know how many that will be yet, but however many, I've dedicated myself to mailing them to the Holiday Mail for Heroes program. Nothing says you care more, then taking a few minutes to hand write a note. Sending cards, letters and thank you notes is something that doesn't happen often enough these days. Emails and typed letters are great, but hand written letters can become a treasure. Your holiday card should be addressed to the following address and the deadline date is December 6th. Holiday Mail for Heroes P.O. Box 5456 Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456 Here are some additional guidelines listed on the Red Cross site.
Every card received will be screened for hazardous materials and then reviewed by Red Cross volunteers working around the country.
Please observe the following guidelines to ensure a quick reviewing process:
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 or include letters.
Do not include email or home addresses on the cards: the program is not meant to foster pen pal relationships.
Do not include inserts of any kind, including photos: these items will be removed during the reviewing process.
Please refrain from choosing cards with glitter or using loose glitter as it can aggravate health issues of ill and injured warriors.
If you are mailing a large quantity of cards, please bundle them and place them in large mailing envelopes or flat rate postal shipping boxes. Each card does not need its own envelope, as envelopes will be removed from all cards before distribution.
Here's a short news clip, showing exactly how the program works.
Here's another video, showing deliveries in action.
It might be a little late this year, but why not host a card making party next year. And if you do, don't forget the children. It's a great learning experience and service opportunity for youth of all ages. As seen in the previous video, sometimes those homemade cards from the kids are their favorites and mean the most.
After watching several videos on Holiday mail for Heroes activities, I'm also going to commit to making my Veterans Day in 2014 more productive and host a card making party. So all my friends, mark your calendar and keep Tuesday, November 11th, 2014 open. Now, I'll end with a Hallmark happy moment. This didn't come to mind, until after I started this post, but if you've read my blog at all, you'll know that I'm a huge Hallmark Channel Christmas movie junkie. I DVR them, I watch them year around. November thru December, my dial pretty much stays on the Hallmark channel. I don't always watch them minute, by minute, but they are on in the background most of the time and just the familiarity of it all makes me smile. One of my favorites is The Christmas Card. I've watched this particular one, so many times that even my husband took notice last year. I guess I compare it to the Matrix or True Lies. No matter when those movies are on TV, my husband will be watching them. Last year, Hallmark did a viewer survey about which Hallmark Christmas movie was the viewers favorite and hands down, The Christmas Card won. It's not an award winning movie, but I think it's the spirit of that connection that so many talked about about in the videos I've shared. If you'd like to see a preview, check it out HERE :
The first item I want to show everyone, is my new Mickey and Minnie Pumpkin Lantern Byron bought me at Walgreens. He surprised me with it last month, so it's been sitting on my desk ever since. They usually have a Minnie and a Mickey separate at Walgreen's, but I've never seen a joined one.
Next are my new Mickeys for the front yard. Now I've been wanting this large Mickey Pumpkin for years, but was not willing to pay the price the Disney Store Online was asking. Well I got the urge to look online again this year and the price had almost dropped in half, so I knew it was time. I finally gave in and bought my 5 ft Mickey. Well, the very next day Byron shows up with another gift and it's the 3 ft Mickey from Walgreens. I tried to break it to him gently, that I had just bought a bigger one, but told him I loved it just the same and I can never have to many Mickeys. When the larger one came, I decided in fact, I liked the smaller one with the black mouth and eyes, better then the larger one with the yellow mouth and eyes. Just stands out better I think. The ghost in the pumpkin, I've had for years, but it's been retired and in storage since I started putting together my graveyard 5 years ago. I added a few strands of orange lights and in less then an hour, my decorations were done, which is exactly what I needed this year.
Here is another Disney video from 1929. This one actually stars Mickey Mouse and is titled HAUNTED HOUSE.
My card of the day, is again homemade. I love the shape of the card and the black and white paper. I get these cards and always wish I could stamp, but I don't need another hobby.
For those young ones in your life, here is a Mickey Coloring Sheetto print out and share with them.
Now, this may be a little off the Halloween topic, but I had to share my new bracelets. My BFF is a master beader. He can make his own designs, he can copy designs and he takes request. Well I must admit, I was starting to get bummed, because after a year of him giving them away to everyone I still didn't have one. Well last week he showed up with this great red and black Mickey Icon bracelet. Before he could even get home, I called him and asked if he'd make me another one in black and white. That' way, I'd have some "versatility". Apparently, it's an easy, easy pattern. In 2 days he had whipped me out 3 more. We're getting ready to sale some of his more detailed pieces for this coming holiday season.
Now, let me see if I can come up with the recipe of the day????? hmmm???? let me think about this one???
Okay, I'm going to go with an easy Pumpkin Pancake that starts with a mix. Fast and easy!
Tonight I'm feeling in the Mickey spirit. So let's start off with this great Disney Movie comic from 1929 called Skeleton Dance.
About the same time my mom started working Hallmark again, I discovered Jim Shore and his Disney pieces. I started out with several Christmas pieces, but soon fell in love with the Disney pieces.
This piece my husband surprised me with for my birthday 2 years ago. I love this one, because it glows in the dark.
This second piece he had ordered for me last Christmas. Getting Halloween gifts at Christmas doesn't bother me in the least, so I was ecstatic. I love candles and I love Mickey, so why not combine the two.
These are the two pieces, I'd still like to collect. One is new, the other I think is an older piece. I've never seen it before, so I need to do some more research.
If you are a mickey fan and interested in carving a Mickey Mouse pumpkin, here is a link to a free template. Mickey Mouse Pumpkin Template
When doing a search for pumpkins, I found this picture of Epcot and hydroponic garden area. They actually grow pumpkins in the shape of a Mickey icon. Very cool...but probably very expensive.
Here is one of my new cards...Gotta love eyelets and brads. Simple, yet so chic!
Let me finish with another recipe. I found this one on Shari's I-phone today. I absolutely want to try it this year. Pumpkin Mushroom Stuffing
