Happy Halloween!

Millions of sparkling diamonds are scattered across the night sky. The full moon has never been so big nor so beautiful. The sound of the wind whistling died out as the sound of footstep and excited chatter among the streets overpowered it. The faint glow of the jack-o-laterns showcased the faces of clowns, batman, hannah montannas, ghosts, princesses, power rangers, indians, farmers, cats, dogs, police officers, cowboys...as they screamed with eager "Trick-or- Treat!" and their eyes lit when their reward of sugary goodness fall into their bucket and reassure them with the faint thump as it hit the bottom. The trick-or-treaters continued on their sense of adventure as they ran across lawns and streets to go to every house until their bags were filled to the brim.

We all have childhood memories of Halloween. Good or bad memories.Good memories can be of dressing up as anyone or anything you wanted to be, celebrating the occasion at school with apple bobbing contests, trading candies with your siblings, scooping out the orange slime with your father, and eating your favorite candies. Bad memories can be remembering the horror stories that your big sister told you that will forever scar you, or being scared by a friend wearing a hideous monster mask that scared you half to death, or watching horror movies that haunted your dreams for weeks.

Some Christians have a hard time with Halloween because of its roots and sometimes "evil" overtones with all the popular "be scared" or "be spoooky!" sayings. Based on their morals, should Christians celebrated Halloween or not? I think to answer that question, it's important to examine the history of Halloween. I found a blog that talks about that. I found it interesting that the word "Halloween" came from a saints holiday called "All Hallow's Eve." To find out more, the link is below:

http://blog.marshillchurch.org/2009/10/29/the-history-of-halloween-revisted/

One way to destress: carve pumpkins!

Lately, I've been stressed out with trying to balance 6 classes (18 credits), church activities, and 3 jobs. So I decided that to do something that would help me to relax and loosen up so that I have the motivation to finish the rest of the semester strong. What better way to do that by reliving your childhood memories? Or bringing out the inner child in you? For me, on Monday, it was pumpkin carving! On campus, they were having a pumpkin fest and giving out free pumpkins to carve along with some treats such as pumpkin rolls and apple cider (they were to die for by the way). I love getting my hands dirty by scooping out the squishy, stringy, orange gunk inside of the pumpkin. Then I carved...a lot. It took me about 1.5 hours to get this pumpkin done. My favorite part of pumpkin carving is waiting until it's dark outside and then putting a lighted candle inside...then the inner beauty shone through my creation! I love it!

This is the pumpkin that I carved to look like a cityscape. And I added holes
for the stars and moon so that it looks like it's shining through. It turned
out pretty cool...I think. Well, one of my favorite that I've done so far.



Oh the things I look forward to...

My sister and friends made those cookies back in 2007 around Christmas times. I was thinking about making cookies today...and remembered the fun times I had decorating those cookies. So I decided to add this picture and look up some Christmas poems online related to Christmas seasons...Enjoy!


Christmas Joys

Evergreen boughs that fill our homes
With fragrant Christmas scents,
Hearts filled with the loving glow
That Christmas represents;

Christmas cookies, turkeys stuffed,
Festive holly berry,
Little faces bright with joy,
Loved ones being merry;

Parties, songs, beribboned gifts,
Silver bells that tinkle,
Christmas trees and ornaments,
Colorful lights that twinkle;

Relatives waiting with open arms
To smile and hug and kiss us;
These are some of the special joys
That come along with Christmas.

By Joanna Fuchs
Recipe for Christmas All Year Long

Take a heap of child-like wonder
That opens up our eyes
To the unexpected gifts in life—
Each day a sweet surprise.

Mix in fond appreciation
For the people whom we know;
Like festive Christmas candles,
Each one has a special glow.

Add some giggles and some laughter,
A dash of Christmas food,
(Amazing how a piece of pie
Improves our attitude!)

Stir it all with human kindness;
Wrap it up in love and peace,
Decorate with optimism, and
Our joy will never cease.

If we use this healthy recipe,
We know we will remember
To be in the Christmas spirit,
Even when it's not December.

By Joanna Fuchs

Colors of Fall...

My favorite thing about fall is watching the leaves change colors, enjoying fresh apples or apple cider, cameral apple, snuggling in a warm, thick, fleece blanket, and the list goes on. What's your favorite thing(s) about fall?

A thought to live by...

"Live simply so that others can simply live." - Unknown

Imagine how different the world would be if we all actually did that....just something to ponder about..

Talk about guest services!

I found this on a Engrish site. It's a site that showcases the major mistranslation that some people make from translating Chinese into English.

Do you think the American tourist would give their hotel a 5 star rating for suburb guest services? I think not! But I thought the mistranslation was so funny and had to be shared!

One of the most beautiful place in the fall: Greene County

A couple weeks ago, my professor mentioned once that Martha Stewart recognized Greene County as one of the most beautiful place in the country in the Fall with its vibrant fall colors on the rolling hills. Today, I was driving home and I'm realized that Greene County is INDEED a beautiful place. So, I decided to get my hands dirty and see if I could find the article. I did!

Here's the link to the article : Click Here