by jenn_davis | creative tips, personal
Hey guys. Sup?
So here’s the thing, I’m sure some of you out there know someone in need or perhaps you are in need of a few things yourself. With the holidays nipping at our heels it’s so easy to get caught up in seasonal recipes and diy decorations, meanwhile there are thousands of families in need.
Should we feel bad for caring about baking a delicious meal or making brilliantly creative place settings and tree toppers? Absolutely not. However, wouldn’t it be nice if we took a few minutes out of this busy season to help those in need and spread the love we have such an abundance of?!
We all have our own definition of giving but I want to share a few sites that I came across recently and encourage you to give back, should you feel so inclined.
Covenant House’s Baby Registry – The Covenant House in Newark, NJ is caring for homeless families with children and they need some essential baby clothes. It’s urgent. They are caring for families all across New Jersey and beyond that have been directly impacted by Sandy.
Monkee See Monkee Do – Helping families in need. I sat reading these families requests, some big and some small, and reading their sometimes tragic stories. It will be hard for you to not want to help them all!
HSRF – Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund
Project Flipmode – Our mission is to help individuals and families facing homelessness and other crisis with prayer and support. Also by providing help and resources that will empower them to change their lives.
Do you or someone you know have needs this holiday season? Do you know of another worthy cause you would like us to share? If so, email us at sslideup@gmail.com or leave a comment below and tell us about it. We would all be more than happy to try and help in any way.
And in the spirit of giving, don’t forget to enter our Turkey Giveaway!!
Happy Tuesday!
by steph_egan | creative tips
Do you have plans to travel over Thanksgiving? And if so, is it by air?
Like I mentioned in a previous post, we’ll be flying North for the holiday (and I don’t know why..) but every year I’m amazed at how crazy flight prices are. I should be used to it… we’ve spent many of the past Thanksgivings flying into Boston from places like San Francisco, Charlotte and Phoenix, but there’s still sticker shock each time I start my search. I always try to make an effort to book our flights well in advance, but sometimes plans are up in the air (pun may or may not be intended) until we get closer to the holidays.
So if you still have plans to make, here’s a little guide I came across from a recent news story… listed below is the average round-trip airfare from the top 20 origination markets over the holiday. You can use this number while you’re shopping for flights… Travelocity calls it “the price to beat”:
New York City: $376
Washington, DC: $366
Los Angeles: $415
Denver: $349
Chicago: $372
San Francisco: $436
Boston: $392
South Florida: $300
Philadelphia: $407
Dallas/Fort Worth: $360
Seattle: $424
Minneapolis St. Paul: $371
Phoenix: $328
Atlanta: $334
Portland: $328
Orlando: $279
Tampa: $293
Detroit: $377
Charlotte: $352
Raleigh Durham: $376
Houston: $411
Indianapolis: $388
San Diego: $410
Pittsburgh: $352
Milwaukee: $356
Of course you can always save a little money by flying on Thanksgiving Day, the Friday following, and Tuesday, Nov. 27th…. OR! by entering to win a FREE turkey.
by Mandi | creative tips
I have always wondered which pumpkins are for cooking and which are for carving. Well, this past weekend my mom and I took a trip up to the mountains and my questions were all answered at the local farmers market in Asheville, NC.
I always search for that perfect orange pumpkin, the one that I can see with a face cut right into it! I usually buy two, one to carve and one to cook. I never could seem to cook it just right. My pumpkin “meat” was really stringy and often times I had to throw it out, so sad. This past weekend at the Asheville Farmers Market and a woman working one of the booths told me “The bright orange ones are for carvin’, the only thing you want to eat out of those are the seeds.” (Toasted Pumpkin Seed Recipe).
Then she walked us over to another group of pumpkins. There were all kinds. The picture below is where she had all of them sitting around together. She said that the ones that are green, blue or random in size are better for cooking. You will get much better quality pumpkin out of these for your pies and other deserts! I just loved the bubble ones in the top right hand corner of the picture – how unique!
Then of course there were some that they suggest to only use for decoration! These are tiny little pumpkins and gourds. They reminded me of the last post I did when I painted mine pink for breast cancer!
I think me and the Mister are going to carve my pumpkin tonight or tomorrow… I love that moment when you light it up for the first time!
Are you carving and cooking pumpkins this month? What are your favorite pumpkin faces and recipes?
