Tag: Thanksgiving

Acts of Kindness Countdown to Thanksgiving

Acts of Kindness Countdown to Thanksgiving

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In the past we have participated in the 30 Days of Gratitude for November (Where you make a Turkey out of two foam balls wrapped in yard, then each day you add a feather made from construction paper attached to a popsicle stick- write what you are thankful for on the feather, & then press it into the Turkey….thus having a full turkey at the end. This activity is perfect for toddlers and preschoolers!), and have done the Acts of Kindness Countdown to Thanksgiving and the children seem to favor the latter. Read more →

Shop Small, Shop Local 2018 Toledo Guide

Shop Small, Shop Local 2018 Toledo Guide

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There are so many benefit to shopping small, not just on Small Business Saturday, but every day!!

Benefits of Shopping Small, Shopping Local…..

  1. You’ll help create jobs in the community
  2. Your tax dollars stay local.
  3. Small businesses give back to the neighborhood.
  4. Shopping at one local business helps other local businesses.
  5. Small businesses offer more unique products.
  6. It helps keep communities diverse
  7. You lesson the environmental impact of your purchases.

Source: https://co-opcreditunions.org/6-really-important-reasons-to-shop-on-small-business-saturday/

Here are just a few of the many awesome local small businesses located in Toledo & the surrounding area. Please be sure to show them your love and “like”, and/or, “follow” them on social media, and be sure to stop in to the brick and mortar shops, introduce yourself, & inquire about deals, yes, small businesses also have some great bargains!

Bowinkles Children’s Boutique

Phone: 567-455-5939

Address: 5627 Main St, Sylvania, OH 43560

Website: www.bowinklesboutique.com

Hours: M-F: 10AM – 5:30PM, SAT: 10AM – 5PM, SUN: CLOSED

Shop local this holiday season with Bowinkles. New Fall and holiday arrivals plus all sales items Buy 2, Get 1 Free!

HarperLee Jewelry

Website:https://www.etsy.com/shop/harperleejewelry

Raw metal transformed into custom keepsake jewelry!

Julia’s Ornaments

Phone: Call or text 419-442-8037

Website: https://m.facebook.com/JuliasOrnaments/

Email: jmelvis@aol.com

All ornaments are handmade and hand painted….custom orders welcomed, such as names, birthdays, current year, player number for sport related ornaments, and colored glitter. Ornaments cost $10 & $2 to personalize.

LuLaRoe Em Elizabeth

Owner: Emily Sicilia

Phone: 419-806-9242

Website: www.facebook.com/lularoeemelizabeth

Clothing for all ages and sizes! Visit the facebook shopping group to enjoy weekly specials throughout the holiday season! Also contact Em to set up an appointment to shop the Toledo Boutique to take advantage of in person specials!

NeverMore Used Bookstore

Phone: (419) 593-0093

Address: 2856 W Sylvania Ave, Toledo, OH 43613

Website: https://nevermore-used-bookstore.business.site/

Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 10am-6pm & Friday-Sunday 10am-5pm

Find that hidden gem or a favorite popular fiction or nonfiction book for a great price!! They carry books for the entire family…kids, teens, tweens, young adult, adult. They also take clean, good condition books on trade for in-store credit which buys you 25% off purchases!!

Reger’s Church Supplies & Religious Gifts

Phone: (419) 474-4740

Address: 4100 Secor Rd, Toledo, OH 43623

Website: https://www.regers.com/

Hours: Mon – Fri 9:30am – 5pm & Sat 9:30am – 3pm

Get all your Advent & Christmas products here! Reger’s Christian gift store serves all denominations of the Christian faith, including churches, clergy, and individual Christians.

Stella’s Lots of Knots

Owner: Stephanie Bird

Phone: (231) 736-8315

Website: www.etsy.com/shop/StellasLotsofKnots

Stella’s Lots of Knots is offering free shipping through the holidays or local pick up! Also, use coupon code LOCAL during checkout to receive 20% off your order!

Thistle and Thorn

Phone: (419) 261-9166

Address: 2746 W Sylvania Ave, Toledo, OH 43613

Website: https://www.facebook.com/LavenderBayLLC/

Hours: Mon-Fri. 10am-5pm, Saturday 10am-3pm, & closed Sunday

Thistle and Thorn is a locally owned full service florist and gift shop. See coupon below to save $10!!

Show the following image at checkout to receive $10 off any Fall Arrangement!

Twice But Nice

Phone: (419) 475-7368

Address: 2850 W Sylvania Ave, Toledo, OH 43613

Website: https://www.facebook.com/Twice-But-Nice-359138284202297/

Hours: Mon.-Sat. 10am-7pm & Sunday 11am-5pm

Show the following image coupon to receive $5 off of $30 or more!!

Modern Day Life from the Perspective of a Pilgrim…where did we go wrong?

Modern Day Life from the Perspective of a Pilgrim…where did we go wrong?

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This past weekend, thanks to Netflix, the History Channel, and 3 loads of laundry I had the opportunity to watch an episode of, America the Story of Us.  The first episode discusses the establishments of the American colonies. I have to admit, it was nice for my mommy brain to have a refresher course on the establishments of Jamestown and Plymouth Colonies, especially before Thanksgiving. I have a feeling the kiddos will have a lot of exceptional questions for me, it’s wise that I start reviewing now.

As I sat there folding laundry I found myself being drawn to one particular character, Susanne Winslow. The episode addressed all the hardships the Pilgrims faced, the famine, disease, and the brutal winter when more than half the passenger that made the pilgrimage died in an epidemic referred to as “The First Sickness”. Susanna Winslow’s husband, William White, was one of the passengers who died the first winter; she remarried to Edward Winslow, whose wife Elizabeth had also died the first winter. Susanne and Edward’s was the first wedding in the new colony. They had 5 children, although only 2 lived to adulthood. It is said that roughly 10% of the US population can trace their lineage back to Susanne & Edward Winslow. I found this to be quite interesting and it got me thinking, what if Susanne Winslow could see us now? What would she think of our modern ways, of our modern women in comparison to the colonial women?

If Susanne Winslow could see us now…..

I think she would be absolutely blown away by the inventions of electricity, heat, indoor plumbing, cars, and all the awesome modern day appliances. I have a feeling she would be particularly fond of the idea of not having to empty chamber pots! I am certain she would be mesmerized by the conveniences we have like ovens, range, refrigerator, washer, & dryer. Considering the fact that most colonial women spent practically their entire days’ worth of time preparing fires, cooking, making candles, washing clothes, etc. one would think that us modern day women would really appreciate these conveniences but sadly we still complain about the amount of laundry, having to cook, and having to go shopping. Speaking of shopping, I do believe Mrs. Winslow would pass out when she saw ALL the options we have in terms of grocery stores and the abundance of food available. Food that we didn’t have to raise, tend, kill, and clean!

Famine is definitely not a problem like it was that first winter in Plymouth. Though Mrs. Winslow might be surprised to find out that with all this food we are a nation that suffers from malnourishment. That we have too many processed foods in our diets, that we have genetically modified our food, that we are consuming so many calories yet they are lacking in the nutrients, vitamins and minerals our bodies need. Our relationship with food has dramatically changed since the first colonist. We have become so obsessed with it; we no longer eat to live but rather live to eat. We are destroying our organs with these convenience foods. We are making ourselves sick.

Speaking of sick, sadly only 2 of the 5 children Mrs. Winslow had survived to adulthood. She might be overjoyed to find out that we now have immunizations against various diseases that would have wiped out generations in the past. Though, she might also be surprised to find that some Americans choose not to vaccinate their children from these diseases. She might also be staggered to find that American woman now have the option to homebirth or birth at a hospital. And yet we forget what a blessing a hospital can be if mother or baby is in distress. We have also forgotten that there are some mothers who cannot breastfeed and how fortunate we are to live during a time when fortified formula is available.

I do believe Mrs. Winslow would think that thanks to all these modern day conveniences like appliances, grocery stores, electricity, plumbing, etc. that we would have so much wonderful free time to spend with our families, playing music together, telling stories, playing games, etc. She would be extremely disappointed to find that this is not true. That we have instead overscheduled our children’s free time with organized sports and activities, that screens have become our focus, television screens, gaming systems, phones etc. that families may physically be in the same room but they are far too often not spending the time together. The quality family time that one would assume all these modern day conveniences would offer us is not so, we have lost our focus somewhere along the way.

Channeling the life of Susanne Winslow, one of the first Pilgrims has really opened my eyes to how far we have come and yet how much we have lost along our journey. We have come so far and have been blessed with so much and yet we still complain, find the negative, argue, etc.

It is fascinating how quickly our modern day lives can be put into perspective when comparing them to the hardships of colonial women. From now on I am making a valiant effort to be grateful for all my modern day conveniences and will be using my time more wisely, I kinda feel like I owe it to those strong, hardworking, persevering, determined, and amazing colonial women.

Moms’ Timeout Show: Simplifying Thanksgiving (includes a Giveaway)

Moms’ Timeout Show: Simplifying Thanksgiving (includes a Giveaway)

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Calling all moms! As moms we are no stranger to the act of giving.  However, at Thanksgiving we moms tend to have a different type of challenge. The challenge of finding the balance between perfection and reality, so that Thanksgiving can be enjoyed by all, including mom. Sometimes we get too caught up in the Norman Rockwell or Martha Stewart illusion of Thanksgiving.  And that is precisely what it is, an illusion.  In this segment of Moms’ Timeout will be discussing ways to simplify Thanksgiving through the use of more conveniently prepared food and lowering our expectations.

 

Remember moms, you set the tone for the day.  If you envision a calm and enjoyable Thanksgiving Day then you need to convey a calm and enjoyable atmosphere and it all starts with your expectations.  Your family will not think less of you because you did not prepare everything from scratch, or to a specific family member’s preferred liking. If they do then they need to reevaluate their own priorities and perhaps next year that individual should make the said dish from scratch, and to their liking, since it is their favorite. Don’t allow your Thanksgiving to fall prey to the frazzled host, simplify!

And to help you simplify your Thanksgiving feast we have a giveaway!

Moms’ Timeout and Among Friends Healthy Baking Mixes are teaming up to provide one lucky follower two packages of convenient and healthy cookie mixes, one chocolate chip cookie mix and one oatmeal raisin. Since the winner will be chosen after Thanksgiving we felt cookie mixes might be just what moms are looking for to get their holiday baking started.

How to enter:

Like the Among Friends Healthy Baking Mixes Facebook Page

Like Mom on the go in Holy Toledo Facebook Page

Follow Mom on the go in Holy Toledo via Twitter

Once you have done all three please post a comment stating you have done so and share your favorite Thanksgiving dish.

Winner will be randomly selected Dec. 3rd

Also, we are so happy and excited for Allie and Lilly as they start-up their own businesses! Each has some really fabulous finds for the holiday season be sure to check them out, click here to be linked to Allie’s Thirty One Bags Website and click here to be linked to Lilly’s Avon Website.

The First Day of Autumn!

The First Day of Autumn!

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Knock…knock…knock…what is that knocking on your door? Why it is autumn! And I don’t know about you but I am welcoming autumn with open arms…a cozy sweater…pumpkin pie…and a visit to Gust Brother’s Pumpkin Farm….

 

Well, truth be told, we welcomed the first day of Fall a little early this year. Yesterday my two younger kiddos and I meet up with our playgroup at Gust Brother’s Pumpkin Farm.  Gust Brother’s Pumpkin farm is the essence of autumn, upon arrival they have wagons and wheel barrow to borrow on your adventures through the farm. They have animals on the farm including, goats, sheep, cows, pigs, rabbits, chickens, etc. that the kiddos so enjoy seeing.  There are also tons of, well, pumpkins!

They also sell gourds, apples, eggplant, Indian corn, hay, fruit crisps, etc. basically anything Fall related.  Also, no matter which way you turn the view is a pure vision of autumn, if you get a chance to visit I dare you to take a bad picture, seriously …the scenery is amazing!

 

The kiddos and I got out some of our Fall decorations this morning….and our Fall books….

Thought I would share some fun Fall Riddles and Poems…

 

Riddle: Peter, Peter Pumpkin Eater

 

Peter, Peter pumpkin eater,

Had a wife but couldn’t keep her,

Put her in a pumpkin shell,

And there he kept her, very well.

 

 

Song: I’m a Little Pumpkin….tune of “I’m a Little Teapot”

 

I’m a little pumpkin

Orange and round.

 Here is my stem,

I grew in the ground.

 

When I get all cut up,

Don’t you shout!

Just open me up

And scoop me out!

Poem: A Child’s Calendar November

 by John Updike

 

The stripped and shapely

Maple grieves

The ghosts of her

Departed leaves.

 

The ground is hard,

As hard as stone.

The year is old,

The birds are flown.

 

And yet the world,

In its distress,

Displays a certain

Loveliness—

 

I am so looking forward to all the splendor Fall has to offer including….the leaves changing, leaf rubbings, pumpkin pie, carving pumpkins, pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin lattes (you get the idea), long nature walks in the park, sweaters, picking apples, apple pie, hayrides, Halloween, Thanksgiving, fires in the fireplace,….and so much more!

So what is your favorite season of the year? How do you welcome autumn…do you have a family tradition? Do you and your kiddos have a favorite autumn inspired book, riddle, or poem that you read? Please share…

30 Days of Gratitude….a way for family to stay grounded

30 Days of Gratitude….a way for family to stay grounded

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I was disappointed this morning. I was watching the news and noticed that there was a commercial for Christmas, Christmas! It is only one day after Halloween and already the attention has turned to Christmas. What Happened to Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving seems to be one of those Holidays where retailers can’t make much of a profit so why not skip it all together? I did hear that Nordstrom has taken a stand and they will not be putting up their Christmas decorations or marketing Christmas until
after Thanksgiving, way to take an initiative Nordstrom’s (we don’t have one around here but this might call for a special trip, that is an initiative I can support!).

So, thanks to Nordstrom’s inspiration and my own passion for thanksgiving our family will be living 30 days of gratitude and we invite your family to do the same.  I realize as mothers we already give so much of ourselves to our family which is why this
needs to be a practical endeavor.  30 days of gratitude is not meant to be overwhelming or add stress to your life, in fact it should hopefully have quite the opposite effect on you and your family. Living gratitude can be quite fulfilling.

Gratitude is more than an attitude. Recent studies show that grateful people are happier, more resilient, and less depressed. They also have higher self-esteem and better relationships. These results prove that gratitude is more than polite manners and positive thinking. It is a way of life, and a wonderful legacy to leave our children. http://www.more4kids.info/184/teaching-gratitude/

So, when thinking about different ways to express gratitude think of simple acts of kindness, and make sure you get your children involved.  Sure mommy can grab the Halloween candy, throw it in a box, and mail it but without expressing the purpose behind the act the act goes unnoticed by your little ones.  So remember to share these acts and when possible contribute and express gratitude as a family.

To get your family started I am providing a few ideas for ways in which your family can demonstrate gratitude.

Turkey of Gratitude

The first week of November or, two weeks prior to Thanksgiving have your children begin writing down something they are grateful for each day. Then have them stick the feather in the Turkey. On Thanksgiving Day your family will have a lovely center piece of thanks.

How to make it: Cut a 1-inch sliver off the bottom of a 9-inch polystyrene ball. Wrap sphere neatly in thick dark-brown yarn, covering surface completely; knot on bottom. Make a 4-inch ball from light-brown yarn and attach to body with a wooden craft stick. Create simple facial features using felt: white circles (approximately the size of a quarter, with 1/8-inch pom-poms for pupils) for eyes, yellow triangles for the beak, and long red felt teardrops as the wattle. Cut feather shapes from colored craft paper and bend in half lengthwise to create seam. Glue wooden craft stick to the bottom third of the feather and insert in a fan shape on turkey body. (Parents Magazine)

Donate Halloween Candy

If you don’t know what to do with all that left over Halloween Candy, send it to Operation Shoebox and they will get it over to our troops! Every year they go through tons of candy that they send to our troops and would be happy to have your leftovers!

Our mailing address is:

Operation Shoebox

8360 Highway 25

Belleview, FL 34420

Help a neighbor, family member, or elderly rake leaves.

Donate Food to a Food Bank

Donate Food- What they Can Use

  • Peanut Butter
  • Canned Goods: Meats,
    Stews, Tuna Fish,
  • Pork & Beans, Navy
    Beans, Spam, Soup
  • Apple Sauce, Peaches,
    Pears, Fruit Cocktail
  • Green Beans, Corn, Peas and other vegetables
  • Dry Pasta and Ramen
    noodles
  • Dried Beans
  • Powdered Milk
  • Spaghetti Sauce,
    Tomato Sauce, Ravioli, Beefaroni
  • Macaroni & Cheese
    and other packaged dinners
  • Cereal
  • 100% Juice
  • Saltine Crackers
  • Toiletries: Toilet Paper, Soap, Shampoo, Deodorant, Feminine Napkins

The Food Bank accepts contributions of both food and non-food items. They accept donations from individuals and companies. To get more information on making a product donation please call 419-242-5000 or email the Outreach Coordinator, Jennifer Mirelez: jmirelez@toledofoodbank.org

Donate Toys to Charity-Nationwide Donation Pick Up

Donating toys to charity has never been easier thanks to the free toy donation pick up service offered by charities nationwide. Schedule a toy donation pick up today and donate toys to the local charity you choose. While the holiday season is a favorite time to donate toys to charity, toy donations are needed year-round. Budget-strapped families often don’t have enough money left at the end of the month for these extras that can brighten the day of a little one in need. Schedule a pick up today… http://www.donationtown.org/donation-pick-up.html

Love Letters: Random Cards of Kindness Inc.

Mission Statement:

Our goal is to create positive and inspirational homemade
cards for children with life-threatening illnesses. We also want our “Love
Letters Pen Pals” to inspire others in their community to commit to making
a difference through our organization.

Be sure to checkout the guidelines and suggestions for holiday & birthday cards, and share the idea with others. http://loveletterscares.org/

Please Send Your Cards To:

Kaitlyn Chana

Love Letters: Random Cards of Kindness, Inc.

P.O. Box 161058

Altamonte Springs, FL 32716-1058

While you are filling your freezer make an additional meal for a neighbor or loved one

Drive-thru random act of Kindness

The next time you go through a drive-thru pay for the person’s order behind you, or a fraction of the person’s order behind you.  They will be delightfully surprised to hear that the complete stranger in front of them just paid for their drink and/or meal.

Volunteer at the Local Ronald McDonald House

Volunteer at the Local Ronald McDonald House

You could……

  • Bring homemade cookies or cupcakes for families. Or help children bake and decorate them.
  • Organize a craft project for children
  • Host a pizza party, ice cream social, or popcorn & movie night
  • Make welcome goodie bags and care packages for families
  • Make quilts, afghans or knitted hats and mittens for families

Give thanks for each other around the dinner table (we do this on
Sundays)

Each family member takes a turn and express why they are thankful for each of the other family members, specifically something they did that day.

Send a Letter to a Soldier

http://www.letterstosoldiers.org/write-letter

Call a friend who doesn’t live in town and ask them how their day is going.

Mobile Meals of Toledo

Home Delivered Meal Programs: Volunteer 1 -1/2 hours a day, two days per month or offer to substitute on an on-call basis.

Have kiddos send a Thank you for being a great friend Card.

http://www.kidprintables.com/thankyounotes/

I will be sharing updates on my families 30 days of gratitude every Thankful Thursday. There are so many ways to express gratitude everyday. Maybe your family has a special Thanksgiving ritual that illustrates gratitude, if so, please share.