A Touching Tuesday...

We have all heard of Black Friday, Cyber Monday…

how about Touching Tuesday?

I am asking each of you to take a moment, how about a Tuesday, to do something special or provide something special to those around your local community that are less fortunate.

~Touching Tuesdays~

These days, the media and many of the American population are all about excessive!

Excessive holiday shopping…Excessive holiday decorations…SO excited to be excessive that we (yes, me included) are even willing to wake up in the middle of the night to go shopping!

There are so many families struggling and less fortunate that is absolutely hearbreaking.

This all stemmed from my family attending a local community tree lighting event, where we also selected a few children from an “Angel Tree” , to whom we will purchase special items on their wish lists.

Now, many children have a WISH LIST! Games, toys, trips, bikes, electronics…

But the sweet angels we selected from the community tree this weekend had a different wish…

a wish for the more basic necessities of life, that many of us take for granted.

A wish for Socks, Underwear, Pajamas…that’s it.

Now us, like many others, have had a tight budget this year and are buying with a careful wallet- but these sweet wishes spoke to my heart and I eagerly selected 2 angels for our family to provide for.

Many were selected, but many still remain. 

This story is true, I am sure, in your local community as well.

SO…make today your “Touching Tuesday”

No matter your public stance, political affiliation, or your thoughts on government assistance- these children are sweet “angels”.

OUR children.  OUR future.  OUR community.

They deserve to feel special, loved and to receive this holiday season.

ACT NOW!!!

Call your local community center, churches, town hall, Salvation Army or United Way…. ask how you too can help, even a little bit, to brighten the holidays for a special “angel” child.

Give back with every purchase!

I just heard about this amazing company and I had to share!

Check out One Hope Wines!
http://www.onehopewine.com/

They support many causes that are dear and close to many of our hearts! What an easy way to give back!

Sometimes people find causes, other times causes find people, and such is the case with the eight founders of ONEHOPE. These young professionals have turned what started as a personal mission to help out a friend with her fight against cancer into a thriving business which is founded on a very basic, but compelling principle: giving back is good business. ONEHOPE isn't a charity, but a for-profit enterprise that donates 50% of profits to partner charities through the creation of cause specific varietals of wine. ((above info taken from their FACEBOOK page!))

ONEHOPE California Chardonnay - Supporting the fight against Breast Cancer.

ONEHOPE California Sauvignon Blanc - Supporting the health of our Planet.

ONEHOPE California Merlot - Supporting the fight against HIV / AIDS.

ONEHOPE California Cabernet Sauvignon - Supporting the fight against Autism.

ONEHOPE California Zinfandel - Supporting our Troops.

ONEHOPE Arroyo Seco Reserve Pinot Noir - Supporting Children's Hospitals.

So, if you enjoy a glass now and then, think of this as a new way to give in a different way!

Sold at many local stores, go online a look up your own!

Blastin' for Boobs this weekend!

Have you been thinking of trying something new?
Want in on a fundraiser for a great cause?
Well...have I got a weekend plan for you! :)

Join me as I share the Willow House goods at Blastin' for Boobs!!!

Great Fall Dishes!

Well, here in NC we have a rainy and cool Fall day. 
Kinda dreary, but an absolutely perfect time to share 2 of my most favorite Fall Dishes!

Now, when I say "dishes", I mean dishes!
My 1st FAV is from Willow House... this is such an amazing item!
Quickly to become your go-to dish for family meals and easy entertaining!
The Grammercy Rectangular Casserole and Caddy

My 2nd FAV is from a fantastic southern establishment...The Lady and Sons, Savannah GA
If you visit the restaurant, you MUST order this one off the menu!!! You will not be disappointed!
Paula Deen's Chicken Pot Pie Recipe

Recipe courtesy Paula Deen, Copyright 2010 Television Food Network G.P., All Rights Reserved

Prep Time:

20 min

Cook Time:

30 min

Serves:

4 servings

Ingredients

4 sheets frozen puff pastry
1 egg, beaten
4 chicken breast halves, or 2 cups leftover cooked chicken
Seasoned salt and pepper
2 tablespoons cooking oil
1/3 cup butter
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 quart heavy cream
1/4 cup chicken base
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1/2 small yellow onion, minced
1 cup frozen green peas, cooked
1 cup chopped cooked carrots
Pinch fresh grated nutmeg, optional

Special equipment: 4 (2-cup) individual baking dishes

Directions

Crust:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Cut each sheet of frozen puff pastry into 1-inch strips, 8 inches long. On a large cookie sheet, weave strips into a lattice large enough to cover each pot pie. Brush beaten egg onto each lattice square. Bake for 5
minutes, or until dough has risen and turned light golden brown. Set aside until ready to assemble pies. Leave oven on at 350 degrees F.

Filling:
Season chicken with seasoned salt and pepper. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and saute until cooked through. Remove from heat and cut into chunks. Alternatively, you may use precooked chicken.

In a large saucepan, melt butter and then slowly add flour, stirring until consistency of peanut butter, but
not brown like a roux. Slowly add cream and keep stirring. Add chicken base, garlic, and onion and stir until thickened. Add peas, carrots, nutmeg, if using, and cut up chicken. Remove from heat. Fill 4 individual oven-proof bowls with chicken mixture and then top each with a pre-cooked lattice square. Bake for 5 minutes or until bubbly. Any remaining pie filling may be frozen.

Copyright 2010 Television Food Network G.P., All Rights Reserved

Now, wouldn't that be a nice thing to come home to on any Fall or Winter day!!!
YUM! YUM!

(((I may just head to the grocery now...)))

A Warehouse Sale you will love! buckhead betties by Creative Containers

Bags of all sizes! Colors and patterns you will love!

Mark your calendars & get your shopping shoes on!

October 15th-23rd ~ One of the best, and most fun, warehouse sales is back to the Triad!

buckhead betties by Creative Containers

This great event offers SO many beautiful finds! Last year, I enjoyed my time there so much that I had to visit them twice in one week! Pre-monogrammed styles were available, as well as custom monogramming for a small fee! Picture this: a huge warehouse stocked with colorful, trendy & chic styles in bags, totes, luggage & organizational items!

So, start making your shopping list now!

Wanna join me? Here’s the scoop:    

Christian City Church 300 Highway 68
Greensboro, NC

Oct 15- 23^rd, 2010

Friday and Saturday 9am-6pm
Sunday 1pm-5pm
Monday through Friday  9am-6pm
Final Saturday 9am-4pm

Directions:  I40 exit 210. Hwy 68S towards High Point.  Church is 1 mile down on right.  Follow signs for parking and enter warehouse behind church!