Have you done your part on learning more about this holiday? Has it made you think differently? I found it very interesting to learn about how we celebrate Thanksgiving today compared to past years... did you know Turkey (possibly) and other traditional items were not part of the first feast? Fowl were labeled "turkey" and potatoes were not established yet as edible... the only traditional staple that was served initially was pumpkin.. but not in pie form! Interesting how through the years the now traditional Thanksgiving staples are far different then the original. Do you remember 2009 Thanksgiving advertisement? Lobster for Thanksgiving to help during the recession and how "odd" that was? Yet it was an original item in the first meal!! Their meal lasted 3 days.. how long does yours? Does the meal end, clean up begins and black friday fever hits?
I am interested in what traditions you and others celebrate during this holiday? Do you say grace? Do you eat off certain dishes, or plastic plates? Do you dress up and eat with cloth napkins? Celebrate on the designated day or another?
Monday, November 22, 2010
Saturday, November 20, 2010
We are Thankful
NickJr is having a "We are Thankful" month- yay finally something on tv besides the "look at the newest toy"
I asked Sophie what she is thankful for today.. and her response is "Nanny's" ... I think she thought I asked her where she was going today :)
Latest update on our mission to educate and give thanks.. Brian B got permission to put up an angel tree and donation box in his Augusta store... can't wait as it will be Sophie's gift this year, to pick a name and give to a family in need. With me staying home we may not have as many things anymore, or much money... but we have a roof over a head, food in our belly's, wood in the woodstove and lot's of love and support from our family and friends :) Thank you all!!!!!!
Idea's are still being tossed around for more ways to educate and inform... what do you have in mind? Comment below!!!
Today's info- Horn of Plenty.. taken from wikipedia.com
I asked Sophie what she is thankful for today.. and her response is "Nanny's" ... I think she thought I asked her where she was going today :)
Latest update on our mission to educate and give thanks.. Brian B got permission to put up an angel tree and donation box in his Augusta store... can't wait as it will be Sophie's gift this year, to pick a name and give to a family in need. With me staying home we may not have as many things anymore, or much money... but we have a roof over a head, food in our belly's, wood in the woodstove and lot's of love and support from our family and friends :) Thank you all!!!!!!
Idea's are still being tossed around for more ways to educate and inform... what do you have in mind? Comment below!!!
Today's info- Horn of Plenty.. taken from wikipedia.com
In mythology
In Greek mythology, Amalthea was a goat who raised Zeus on her breast milk, in a cave, on Mount Ida of Crete. Her horn was accidentally broken off by Zeus while playing together. The god Zeus, in remorse, gave her back her horn with supernatural powers, which would give whoever possessed it whatever they wished for. The original depictions were of the goat's horn filled with fruits and flowers: deities, especially Fortuna, were depicted with the horn of plenty. The cornucopia was also a symbol for a woman's fertility. The story is said to be a predecessor of the Unicorn and the Holy Grail stories.
Modern depictions
In modern depictions, the cornucopia is typically a hollow, horn-shaped wicker basket filled with various kinds of festive fruit and vegetables. In North America, the cornucopia has come to be associated with Thanksgiving and the harvest...The horn of plenty is used on body art and at Christmas, as it is a symbol of fertility, fortune and abundance.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Thankful hearts
It all started with a funny post on facebook that lead to a discussion and desire to be more thankful and to appreciate the holidays (in order) and find and teach the true meaning of each one. So I posted the beginnings of this journey last night and logged on this morning to 14 new messages that brought true warmth and joy to my heart this morning.. I proudly say I am not a sappy person... but this morning that changed a bit.
I am a dreamer- I am great at creating ideas and directions.... I just need someone else to manage my dream while I move onto the next. This blog for example was supposed to be my reflections back dating with my first pregnancy on.. and has turned into that and my current journey as a mom wanting to inspire others... I have the idea just not good at staying on path :) So last night I wanted to take this holiday season to use my blog to show the true meaning of the holidays and traditions we all share- I will label each one of these posts this week Thanksgiving (so I can have some order in this mess of my thoughts).
So back tracking... I was amazed at the nice things and the thankful posts others have started on facebook.. it made me a little sappy. I feel the joy of the holiday season setting in... and as Brian B posted today- share a smile they are contagious! It's kind of like a yawn.. it keeps going! So start your day with an I am thankful... ask your children, family and friends each day this week what they are thankful for... and then move onto a smile. Smile at the person walking down the road in the cold collecting bottles- smile at the little old lady in the store that is having trouble reaching an item, and ask her if you can help. Smile at the cashier and teller and thank them for their service... bad attitudes are contagious and turn someones bad day into a good one :)
A tid bit from holidays.net about one of the origins of "harvest days"
I end this mornings post with encouragement to continue with this journey we have started and be thankful and smile...
I am a dreamer- I am great at creating ideas and directions.... I just need someone else to manage my dream while I move onto the next. This blog for example was supposed to be my reflections back dating with my first pregnancy on.. and has turned into that and my current journey as a mom wanting to inspire others... I have the idea just not good at staying on path :) So last night I wanted to take this holiday season to use my blog to show the true meaning of the holidays and traditions we all share- I will label each one of these posts this week Thanksgiving (so I can have some order in this mess of my thoughts).
So back tracking... I was amazed at the nice things and the thankful posts others have started on facebook.. it made me a little sappy. I feel the joy of the holiday season setting in... and as Brian B posted today- share a smile they are contagious! It's kind of like a yawn.. it keeps going! So start your day with an I am thankful... ask your children, family and friends each day this week what they are thankful for... and then move onto a smile. Smile at the person walking down the road in the cold collecting bottles- smile at the little old lady in the store that is having trouble reaching an item, and ask her if you can help. Smile at the cashier and teller and thank them for their service... bad attitudes are contagious and turn someones bad day into a good one :)
A tid bit from holidays.net about one of the origins of "harvest days"
Before the establishment of formal religions many ancient farmers believed that their crops contained spirits which caused the crops to grow and die. Many believed that these spirits would be released when the crops were harvested and they had to be destroyed or they would take revenge on the farmers who harvested them. Some of the harvest festivals celebrated the defeat of these spirits.
I end this mornings post with encouragement to continue with this journey we have started and be thankful and smile...
What will tomorrow bring?
Thursday, November 18, 2010
The True Meaning....
Do you know the true meaning of each holiday we celebrate or the calendar acknowledges? You are not alone! I am a child from the generation where commercialization took over and true meanings, from family values and traditions to the original origins slowly got lost over the years. I now have two children of my own and am realizing that I don't want them to grow up with the "I needs" ... and I want them to celebrate being with their friends and family and not worry about if they will get the biggest gift and how many toys they got. I want to develop traditions that stick with them.. 1 gift from mommy and daddy, 1 gift from Santa on Christmas morning... 12 days of Christmas with small usable items so they are not overwhelmed with the "hurry up and open the next gift and don't try to enjoy it, but don't give me an attitude when I yell at you to say Thank you" kind of message we send to our children... OH I COULD KEEP GOING with what I want and don't want... and I will eventually but this post tonight is NOT about Thanksgiving...
Brian B- you started this and you better help me lead the way! Let me back up and start with Thanksgiving... the holiday that is lost between Halloween and Christmas. The holiday that becomes stressful for us to sit through with our families and cook and clean for extended family members we do not spend that much time with (sometimes). The holiday that has lost all meaning and is about the day after.. BLACK FRIDAY where holiday season kicks in and Christmas decorations go up... except I noticed this year black Friday ad's were released 2 weeks prior instead of the day or few days before the crazy shopping trip day.. and stores were advertising layaway plans and shopping deals at the end of October. I guess the economy wants a boost with 60 plus days to cram commercials and paper flyer's down our throats and take cash we do not have out of our pockets....
So Brian tonights post is for you-
via Wikipedia, Thanksgiving is defined as:
Interesting huh? I then went to history.com and read a bit more... and instead of re posting it all.. I encourage you to visit their site, and many others and read, watch videos with your children, your family and friends... like it on facebook and post it to your wall.. educate others :) Find something interesting to share on the comment section below- and let me add one more thing.. WHY do we celebrate "thanks" on JUST ONE DAY?
With that I will leave you with the basic short history lesson from history.com's site... and look forward to the followers this creates, the education that may happen, and for the eye opening that this creates for me.... so I can teach my children the true meaning!
Brian B- you started this and you better help me lead the way! Let me back up and start with Thanksgiving... the holiday that is lost between Halloween and Christmas. The holiday that becomes stressful for us to sit through with our families and cook and clean for extended family members we do not spend that much time with (sometimes). The holiday that has lost all meaning and is about the day after.. BLACK FRIDAY where holiday season kicks in and Christmas decorations go up... except I noticed this year black Friday ad's were released 2 weeks prior instead of the day or few days before the crazy shopping trip day.. and stores were advertising layaway plans and shopping deals at the end of October. I guess the economy wants a boost with 60 plus days to cram commercials and paper flyer's down our throats and take cash we do not have out of our pockets....
So Brian tonights post is for you-
via Wikipedia, Thanksgiving is defined as:
Thanksgiving Day is a harvest festival celebrated primarily in the United States and Canada. Thanksgiving was a holiday to express thankfulness, gratitude, and appreciation to God, family and friends for which all have been blessed of material possessions and relationships. Traditionally, it has been a time to give thanks for a bountiful harvest. This holiday has since moved away from its religious roots.[1]
Interesting huh? I then went to history.com and read a bit more... and instead of re posting it all.. I encourage you to visit their site, and many others and read, watch videos with your children, your family and friends... like it on facebook and post it to your wall.. educate others :) Find something interesting to share on the comment section below- and let me add one more thing.. WHY do we celebrate "thanks" on JUST ONE DAY?
With that I will leave you with the basic short history lesson from history.com's site... and look forward to the followers this creates, the education that may happen, and for the eye opening that this creates for me.... so I can teach my children the true meaning!
In 1621, the Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn harvest feast that is acknowledged today as one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations in the colonies. For more than two centuries, days of thanksgiving were celebrated by individual colonies and states. It wasn't until 1863, in the midst of the Civil War, that President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day to be held each November.
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