Halloween Ideas ~ Tweak that Treat!

Sweet Potato fun…use coconut oil for more flavor and healthier cooking version

Change

Photo by Duane Hallock

~CHANGE ~

As colder days approach, trees shed their leaves and animals prepare for hibernation.  They instinctively move through the seasons.  In contrast, humans are prone to resisting change even though we know it is an essential part of growth.

I may notice myself worrying or fighting change.  Then I remind myself I am able to prepare and move through any change I encounter.

I envision myself shedding old beliefs and ways of being just as a tree releases leaves.  Like the hibernating animals, I prepare my mind and body for a time of quiet and reflection.  I see divine order in the leaves reappearing each spring.

My life also follows a pattern, I emerge from each season stronger, wiser, and more loving.

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1

Beep Where You Sleep

Sunday begins the 2015 observance of National Fire Prevention Week.  This year’s theme is “Hear the Beep where you Sleep“.    While we should practice fire safety all year long, we are all encouraged to take time next week and make sure we are taking steps to ensure our families’ safety at all times.

October typically marks the beginning of increased home fires and fire deaths.  October sees the arrival of cooler weather and the usage of furnaces, fireplaces, and space heaters.

Local fire departments remind us all to make sure we have our heating sources checked by professionals and to make sure they are working properly.  On ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure…take the time!

As well, they remind us that every home should have a working smoke detector in every sleeping location and on every floor.  Smoke alarms that are properly installed and maintained play a vital role in reducing fire deaths and injuries.  In 2014 U.S. fire departments responded to 1,298,000 fires that resulted in 3,275 civilian deaths, resulting in over $7 billion in damages.

Share this information with others…because you never what to say “I wish I would have.”

Hear the Beep where you Sleep.

EXPIRED? Food Dates

Understanding Food Expiration Dates

Did you know that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate food expiration dates?  And, several different types of expiration dates appear on food products, which can add to the confusion about how long food is safe to eat.

Some commonly used food label dates include:

• “Sell By” Date: This date indicates how long a food product should be displayed on store shelves
• “Use By” / “Best if Used By” Date: Manufactures use this date to indicate how long a food product will maintain its optimal taste and texture.
• “Expiration Date”: This date indicates how long a food product is safe to eat.

Honey – Did you know that honey lasts forever?  It may crystalize with time, but it is one of nature’s most perfect foods, and great for home storage.

LINK for additional information.

3D Beach Art

A picture is worth a thousand words…well, these sand photographs are simply amazing!

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Invest in Your Relationships

Every person has a pile of good things and a pile of bad things in their life. 

We can not take away the good or bad things.  

All we can do is try to add to the pile of good things.

    Laugh often & make time for friends!

Wisdom from George Carlin

George Carlin’s wife died early in 2008 and George followed her, dying in July 2008. It is ironic George Carlin – comedian of the 70’s and 80’s – could write something so very eloquent and so very appropriate. An observation by George Carlin:

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We’ve learned how to make a living, but not a life. We’ve added years to life not life to years. We’ve been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We’ve done larger things, but not better things.

We’ve cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We’ve conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We’ve learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete.

Remember to spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn’t cost a cent.

Remember, to say, ‘I love you’ to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

And always remember, life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by those moments that take our breath away.