Merry Christmas to me! I’m featured at Refinery 29 (and freaking out). The day we move into our new house and everything blows up in the best way ever. I could cry…and I have. Adore our new place and I am so grateful for this feature. Thank you, my loving supporters!
I contemplated writing a post about my holiday wish list or the perfect gift guide. Then I thought about the financial difficulties in the world and people in need of assistance in one way or another so I decided I would write a little something about the foundations I donate to or think deserve more attention instead.
There’s no tooting my own horn going on around here or that “hey, everyone, look at me donate” thing which seems to be going around these days nor am I bashing anyone that did post a wish list. Still am thinking about it even though it’s getting a bit late in the season.
You might be like us and on a tight budget but I believe any bit you can do, paired with others doing the same, can make wonderful things happen. Volunteering your time is an amazing idea as well. Plus it doesn’t have to be on one day or once this holiday season, you can donate any time of the year and repeatedly. But you know that. So here are my choices for charity donating-what are yours?
Heifer International: donations support families around the world with livestock that will help their future and the future of their community by providing nutrition and income, a “hand-up” rather than a hand-out. Another good reason is that the family accepting the livestock promises in turn to give one of the offspring to another family in need. Paying it forward. Nice.
Why Hunger: their goal is to “end hunger and poverty by connecting people to nutritious, affordable food and by supporting grassroots solutions that inspire self-reliance and community empowerment” or donate to Why Hunger by purchasing the Trampled By Turtles version of “Where Is My Mind” by the Pixies (love both groups).
Dress For Success: they say it best again “(we) promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.”
Gifts That Give: making some purchases online? Stop by this organization and shop where every $5 spent, $1 is donated to a charity of your choice. For someone like me who frequently shops online, I love this idea.
The organizations that tear at my heartstrings most are those catering to children with an illness-the ones that also help families through the most difficult times (especially the hospitals paying fully for the services through donations).
found on Pinterest
Children’s of Minnesota , St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Ronald McDonald House Charities, and Riley Children’s Foundation.
I worked as a social worker/case manager after I graduated from college (as some of you may recall)-an experience that changed me forever. I worked with teens and tweens, many without a stable home and role model, often lacking things we take for granted. It broke my heart not being able to do more.
That said, children and adolescents need advocates as much as donations. Many just want to know that someone sincerely cares. Support and volunteering are always a great route.
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Child Help
It Gets Better Project (for bullied LGBT young adults)
Hey, it’s not just the humans having a tough time, pets need attention too. What can I say, I’m an animal lover.
The Humane Society
Beagle Freedom Project (I have a soft spot for beagles because I grew up with the best dog ever, Levi, a red haired pup)
Why not open your home and love to a pet that needs adopted by finding them through Petfinder or Adopt-A-Pet
Happy holidays!
My husband and I move into our first house in a little more than a week. What? That’s crazy talk. The scene around the apartment looks like this in multiple areas…
While the view outside is like this…
Not too many aggravating snowy circumstances getting in the way just yet. I’m actually a little melancholy. I like this view. The view from our front window in the house will be of the house across the street.
But with that view comes the beauty of being in our very own place and all the ideas we have that will become realities and all the things to create and how long it’s taken us to get to this point and all that annoying paperwork for the rural development loan…just wow.
And I think about things like someone purposely flooding two laundry rooms in our apartment complex this past weekend, causing the fire alarm to sound outside of our door and a lot of damage, on what was a pleasant Sunday evening. Things like that snap me right out of any sentimental feelings here and I’m grabbing my coat, tossing a “sayonara” to the door.
Being busy with the house helps keep the gloomies away (did I really just say that) since we will not be spending the holidays with family for the second year in a row. Getting wrapped up in the holiday season isn’t happening so much for us. It just feels like winter. I have a theory that this will not help the whole “winter lasts too long, where is spring in Minnesota” thing later on. Just as I claim to be busy, I’m reminded of the times these past few weeks where I was doing this….
staring at the ceiling
because nothing more can be done until it’s go time.
So we don’t have any decorations up. None whatsoever. Even after my mom sent us a special ornament to commemorate our first house. I have plans for it, mom, and the flowers you made me using this tutorial I found on Pinterest. My mom is awesome.
adorable first house ornament from my mom (and family)
As is this recipe. I’ve posted my love and a great recipe for Panzanella Caprese (bread salad with tomatoes and mozzarella in this case) which is more for summer but when I saw this version in Better Homes and Gardens, I thought it would be perfect for fall. I made it maybe a month ago and forgot to share. But the point is that I am passing on the goodness now.
This is great for us olive lovers. I suggest using quality balsamic vinegar and olive oil-it really makes a difference. Next time I might add some dried herbs to the bread before toasting but it’s not necessary. The bread soaks up all the dressing then you grab a bit of olive and tomato on your fork and you get one delicious bite…the best part being that you get to keep doing that to your heart’s desire. Bite after savory bite.
BHG calls it roasted tomato-bread toss but we know its name is Panzanella or Ms. Bread Salad if you’re nasty (Janet Jackson song reference).
Roasted Tomato and Olive Bread Salad from Better Homes and Gardens
Makes 8 side dish or lunch servings
Print Recipe
Ingredients:
2 lbs. cherry or grape tomatoes (about 6 cups)
6 cups torn or chopped baguette pieces or Italian bread (12 ounces)
2 to 3 tbsp olive oil plus 2 more tbsp olive oil
½ cup pitted Kalamata and/or green olives
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
4 cloves garlic, minced
salt/freshly ground pepper
Preheat the oven to 375F (originally 400 but that seemed too high for the amount of time for cooking) and position one rack in the upper third of the oven. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Wash and dry tomatoes then arrange them in a single layer on the baking sheet. Place the bread pieces in a large bowl and toss with 2 or 3 tbsp olive oil (maybe some dried herbs). On a second rimmed baking sheet, arrange the bread in a single layer.
Roast the tomatoes on the upper rack and the bread on the lower for 20 to 25 minutes. Keep an eye on the bread so it doesn’t burn. Toss the tomatoes and bread once halfway through cooking. When the tomatoes are wrinkly and begin to split, remove and when bread is toasted remove it as well.
Add the bread and olives to the tomato pan then add the remaining 2 tbsp of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, salt and pepper; toss gently and allow the bread to absorb the liquid then serve immediately.
By the way, we finished another client order and wanted to share the before and after. Robin egg blue antique secretary with crystal knobs on its way to St. Louis this weekend.
I feel like being lazy today and point you to my post on my other blog-some ideas for the new house, some issues and I could use your opinion about flooring. Yep, that’s right, something not seemingly about food…except that there is a good chance that food will be falling on this floor. That makes it ok in my mind to ask. Plus, I am the Captain of this ship.
Thanksgiving was nice minus the rolls turning out more like biscuits and the pie was lacking (not making that recipe again and next time I will find out exactly what to do with the rolls after they freeze since I think that led to their biscuit-like nature). We watched the parade, gave a nod to our anniversary, ate at noon, watched the dog show, Greg napped, took a nice walk in decent temps, ate again, watched some home improvement shows online, maybe a movie and then slept. Exciting, I know.
Thanksiversary 2011-Thanksgiving and our anniversary fell on the same day this year
I enjoyed the 4 days with my husband even though it was laid back the entire time. But we factor in that we’re moving into our first home in a few weeks. That will be action packed and once we’re in, we don’t intend to slow down with the project train. Until the budget can’t handle it which is inevitable.
There were cringeworthy moments watching how some people tackle remodeling their homes. Numerous persons were electrocuted, a bunch of pipes/lumber/cabinets/etc. were unnecessarily destroyed and rational thought was lacking (making for great tv). Geez, it was entertaining. Do you have a favorite renovation show?
