Give a gift of hope

Start a new holiday tradition this year by honoring your family and friends with a gift that spreads hope and provides long-term opportunity to families living in poverty. Heifer International has over 20 gifts to choose from, including heifers, sheep, llamas, goats, chicks, geese, honeybees, trees, and more. You can make a real difference in the life of a struggling family, helping them obtain a sustainable source of food and income and lighting the way along the road to self-reliance.

Heifer’s mission is to work with communities around the world to end hunger and poverty and care for the earth. “Passing on the Gift” - a cornerstone of Heifer’s approach - creates a living cycle of sustainability that develops community and enhances self-esteem. As people share the offspring of their animals, along with their knowledge, resources, and skills, an expanding network of hope, dignity, and self-reliance is created that reaches around the globe.

Take a moment to learn more about Heifer International, and browse the gift catalog.

Citizen philanthropy funds classrooms

from the site:
“DonorsChoose.org is a simple way to provide students in need with resources that our public schools often lack. At this not-for-profit web site, teachers submit project proposals for materials or experiences their students need to learn. These ideas become classroom reality when concerned individuals, whom we call Citizen Philanthropists, choose projects to fund.”

A DonorsChoose.org gift certificate would make a wonderful holiday “gift that gives back” for someone special. Your recipient will be able to use the gift certificate to fund their choice of project(s). Alternately, you can fund a project in someone’s honor. Donations are tax-deductible, of course.

In 2007, donors from all walks of life have funded $4,215,709 worth of resources for students in need.

Gifts for Mom that do good

Here are a few unique gift ideas for Mother’s Day from Oxfam America Unwrapped.

Sweeten Mom’s day with a symbolic gift of Fair Trade honey. You’ll assist small-scale farmers striving to make a decent living producing honey, coffee, grains, and cheese.

Support HIV-affected women in Africa who make handcrafted jewelry, handbags, and other accessories from beads to support their families.

Honor Mom with a donation to support indigenous women who produce craftwork to earn their living.

Irish eyes are smiling

Paddy was driving down the street in a sweat because he had an important meeting and couldn’t find a parking place. Looking up to heaven he said, “Lord take pity on me. If you find me a parking place I will go to Mass every Sunday for the rest of me life and give up me Irish Whiskey!”

Miraculously, a parking place appeared.

Paddy looked up again and said, “Never mind, I found one.”

Happy St. Patrick’s Day

My Leprechaun Name Is:

Little Cloverhopper

What’s Your Leprechaun Name?

From the heart

Thanks for stopping by. Rather than candy or greeting cards this Valentine’s Day, I offer you the beauty of this patch of living blooms and a heartfelt wish that you will enjoy many moments of genuine kindness and love, not just today, but always.

New year blue

I’m back from holiday and starting the new year in a funk. A day of mourning, indeed. While I dodged the malaria bullet, it seems I’ve contracted a serious case of ‘the grass is greener and it’s a heckuva lot warmer in the tropics’. Here I am, chilled to the bone (despite many layers of clothing) thinking nonstop about the absolute necessity of moving to a much warmer climate. But I’m finding it difficult to concentrate and make plans with my teeth chattering…

He finally snaps

What a flake

This is my snowflake.

It’s a bit rough. This was, after all,
my first experience with virtual scissors.
It’s harder than it sounds.

You can make one, too. Visit Make-a-Flake.

 

 

The perfect gift

Looking for unusual gifts? Need something for the person who has everything? How about a sheep or a camel? Visit Oxfam America Unwrapped to select a gift that helps people in need. Oxfam America is a non-profit organization that works to end global poverty through saving lives, strengthening communities, and campaigning for change.

Tequila Christmas Cookies

Just in time for the holidays!

1 cup water
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup sugar
1 tsp salt
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup lemon juice
4 eggs
1 cup nuts
2 cups dried fruit
1 bottle Tequila

Sample the Tequila to check quality.
Take a large bowl, check the Tequila again, to be sure it is of the highest quality.
Pour one level cup and drink.

Turn on the electric mixer.
Beat one cup of butter in a large fluffy bowl.
Add one teaspoon of sugar. Beat again.
At this point it’s best to make sure the Tequila is still okay - try another cup…just in case.

Turn off the mixerer thingy.
Break 2 leggs and add to the bowl and chuck in the cup of dried fruit, pick the frigging fruit off floor, mix on the turner.
If the fried druit gets stuck in the beaterers just pry it loose with a drewscriver.
Sample the Tequila to check for tonsisticity.
Next, sift two cups of salt…or something.
Who giveshz a sheet.

Check the Tequila. Now shift the lemon juice and strain your nuts.
Add one table. Add a spoon of sugar, or somefink. Whatever you can find.
Greash the oven.
Turn the cake tin 360 degrees and try not to fall over.
Don’t forget to beat off the turner.

Finally, throw the bowl through the window, finish the Tequila and make sure to put the stove in the dishwasher.

CHERRY MISTMAS