On Approaching December

This post is in the similar spirit of Monday Morning Entertainment, just on a different day. As those of us in the USA are coming off Thanksgiving, the time is right for this post.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Given my mother-in-law’s health situation, it was not a normal thanksgiving for us – but we still found time to be thankful through a simple lasagna dinner for three.

Meanwhile, earlier today the family unanimously agreed to bring Hospice into equation. Although not an easy decision, it was the right decision.

With December starting Sunday, it’s time to set the stage for your celebrations. The list isn’t long, but there are some good month-long celebrations as Calendar Awareness Month and Awareness Month of Awareness Months Month. (Got to love those two.) December is also the time to celebrate the stomach with quince & watermelon, tomato & winter squash, eggnog, and fruitcake. (Thanks to Sun at Simply Charming for pointing me in the direction of Kentucky Bourbon Fruitcakes. December also celebrates Tie Month, Stress-Free Family Month, Operation Santa Paws Month, and Love Your Neighbor Month.

Although Thanksgiving is a day of peace, the holiday shopping season has burst onto the scene with a furry. Personally, I try to stay away from the shopping areas during the madness, so let’s end November and set the stage for December with George Winston’s Peace. Besides, for some, the white of winter, will be a common sight.

On Thanksgiving 2013

To us in the USA, Thursday is Thanksgiving, which has been a Federal holiday since 1863. Although it’s associated with time with family, bountiful feasts, football, and parades, it’s also a time for giving thanks.

There is much for which to be thankful, and many times many of us tend to forget the simple things as food to eat, shelter, clean water, warmth, clothing, and many more. Although it’s a difficult time for our family, I took a little time to put together a simple list for me.

I’m thankful for …

… what should be an exhaustive list

… having a good, kind, gentile, and gracious mother-in-law

… the beautiful full moons, but also when its absence accentuates the stars

… for the ability to pick good friends

… the many caregivers

… the ability to travel

… thinkers and those willing to learn

… volunteers and community agencies reaching out to help others

… all the daily conveniences we take for granted

… those who work to make life safe

… customer service employees who really try to be helpful

… growing up in a small town when small towns were still vibrant

… being about to enjoy many types of music

… the many positives my wife brings to my life

… a supplement to help those with lactose intolerance

… the ways people step forward to help others in need

… college and universities, especially Bowling Green State University, the University of Cincinnati, and Cincinnati State Technical and Community College

… fresh herbs that enhance the meal

… having relatives in Europe

… soft toilet paper

… the grocery store clerks who smile

… the internet being a great learning tool

… anything that makes me smile and/or laugh

… pets as we miss ours

… freedom

… all the ways bloggers share their passions and skills

… the many nice bloggers I encounter as they reinforce my belief that the majority of people in the world are good

… WordPress and its community

… being about to write Happy Thanksgiving to all

I’m thankful for The Piano Guys.

On an AFA Deluxe

Because November is Peanut Butter Lovers Month, trivia buffs will want these factoids about peanuts. Others want a culinary delight, thus that is the purpose of this post.

1) Get two slices of bread.

Wheat bread is my preferred choice

2) On one slice, spread peanut butter (amounts may vary).

Smooth peanut butter is here, but I prefer chunky

3) On the other slice, spread marshmallow creme (fluff).

Eating a spoonful of marshmallow creme is acceptable behavior

4) On top of the marshmallow creme, sprinkle mini chocolate chips.

The chips serve as deluxe feature number 1

5) Slice a banana (either lengthwise or cross section cuts acceptable), and then place the slices on the peanut butter bread.

Bananas are deluxe feature number 2

6) Bring the two slices together as a sandwich.

Nirvana awaits

7) Bite the sandwich to your personal specifications.

It won’t last long at that riate

8) Continuing biting the sandwich until the sandwich is gone.

Ready for preparing a second one

9) Rave about the experience by telling your friends about A Frank Angle’s Deluxe Fluffernutter.

On a Snappy Monday

How was your weekend? Most importantly, I hope yours was safe.

We returned to the dance floor for the first time. Wow … it’s amazing how much one can forget! But we had fun and it was good to see some dance friends again.

We also went out to dinner with two unique groups. First, with our those from our neighborhood-to-be, and the next night with our current neighbor. Our current neighborhood has been wonderful for many years, but it seems like our future is also in good hands.

We also spent time with my mother-in-law. She’s struggling, so who knows how much longer she’ll be with us. Thanks for all your positive thoughts and concerns.

Woo hoo!!!! The Take 5 series got off to a great start. A special thanks to my guest, Marina, who also took the time to reply to comments.

With this being Thanksgiving week in the USA, it may not be a normal week of posting.

Time to take note of these upcoming celebrations

• (Week) Better Conversation Week, Game & Puzzle Week, Care Givers Week
• (Mon) Blasé Day
• (Tues) Cake Day
• (Wed) Day of Listening, Tie One on Day, Pins & Needles Day, Bavarian Cream Pie Day
• (Thurs) Thanksgiving (US), Hanukkah, Letter Writing Day, Maize Day, Gone-to-Pot Day, French Toast Day

Let’s get on with jump starting your week. Better yet, let’s approach this task with a little bit of snap. Have a good week ahead!

On Take 5 with Marina

Welcome to the inaugural post of Take 5, a new AFA occasional-theme-post. These series will feature one blogger answering five random questions about themselves. The video above displays my first guest’s watercolor art. She’s a talented woman from Greece who posts at Art Towards a Happy Day. An AFA welcome Marina Kanavaki. 

Which happens the most, painting influencing your music or music influencing your painting?
The latter, never the other way. Music inspires me when I paint and sometimes I use a loop of just one piece of music until the painting is done. With music, it’s very different as I swim in a sea of notes with no breath. No images, ‘just’ notes.
(AFA: I enjoy both her art and her music)

For anyone visiting Athens, do you have a storefront studio?
I live in a country going through a financial crisis. That means people are reducing ‘unnecessary’ extras and I’m no exception. A year ago, I closed my little studio/workshop to move it at home. From there I started my Imagekind art print shop. I have had offers for an exhibition, but not decided yet.
(AFA) Most of us outside of Greece probably didn’t realize the ranging effect of the financial crisis.

Greece is a land of many islands. Greece is a land of many islands. You have won a contest to visit one island for one week. You can pick any Greek island that you want, as long is you haven’t visited before. Where would be go?
As a true introvert, I’d choose to hire a yacht and harbor in secluded paradise beaches with my husband and our dog. With ample of those islands, traveling by yacht would allow us the advantage of visiting many islands. I’d avoid Mykonos and Santorini. I am aware of their rare beauty, but they are not places for quiet people [like us!] – Maybe in winter.
(AFA: Greece is a land I have yet to visit.)

If a blogger met you for the first time, what would surprise them the most?
I speak very little, honestly, ah, and one more: I wear glasses nowadays!
(AFA: Now this surprises me!)

If my wife and I came to Greece as your guest, what meal would you cook for us? Beware because my wife doesn’t like fish.
A very Mediterranean meal with a vegan twist – so I’ll let your imagination run wild. I cook as I paint – I improvise!
(AFA: Your culinary improv doesn’t surprise me.)

In closing, here are some extra points to note

• Her art is for sale at this online store
• Marina also offers her art as posters and transforms them into clothing, handbags, pillows, and more here
• Her Society6 site twice a month offers free shipping worldwide

Marina is a classically trained pianist and vocal soprano who stretches her creativity in her musical project known as MK-O, a collaboration of original music with her musical husband. With that in mind, enjoy these original works. For Android users like me, here’s the scoop on the free MK-O app.

Marina, thank you for being willing to be the premier feature on Take 5. We’ll leave you with a chance to enjoy her music.