The Gift of Happy

We are heading into the time of year when my bulletin board is running out of tacks and my day-planner is so stuffed with lists, invitations and recipes that I can't even shut the cover. Welcome to the holidays, folks.

But, no matter how crazy things get, I always try to stop and reflect before I walk out the door each day. Which is why this hangs in our back hallway. To remind myself, and my children, that no matter what you're going through and no matter what you're dealing with, you will always have your dreams.


This is why I was thrilled to be handed an opportunity of a lifetime last week. My family and I attended the fun-filled world premiere of "The Gift of Happy". This short video was created by retailer, AJWright to benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.


Just before the holidays get out of control, we were reminded of our good fortune. We were shown that sometimes corporations really do care about the little guy and that AJWright's campaign to benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs inspires the rest of us to do what we can. And, the children, who build success through the Boys & Girls Clubs programs, are learning to follow their dreams.

Please visit WrapUpHappy.com, and watch the video. I'm sure you will enjoy it and when you do, AJWright will donate $1.00 to the Boys & Girls Club of America. That's what you call a win-win!


Speaking of winning...if you view the video and come back here to leave a comment about your viewing experience, you will be entered to win a $50.00 AJWright gift card! That's a win-win-win!

Don't forget to tell me what you thought of the video (and let your kids watch it too...mine really enjoyed the story) and make sure to leave a valid e-mail address with your comment so I can contact you if you're the winner. The deadline for entering is Monday, December 21 at noon EST.

Oh, and look at what I found on the ground of the Boys and Girls Club of Columbus. It seems to me that I needed another reminder to stop, reflect and remember that you always have your dreams. I hope you will help these children achieve theirs.

UPDATE: Congratulations, Kathy! You are the lucky winner! Merry Christmas!

Thanksgiving Boot Camp

I have never tried to hide the fact that I am not the best cook. Mostly it's because my life is busy. Really busy. Dinner usually consists of something I've thrown together at the last minute. I may have once fed my children Beef-a-Roni and buttered hot dog buns for dinner.

For the last several years we have had Thanksgiving at our house and you can't slack off in the preparations for that meal. Unless, of course, your husband stuffs the turkey and your mom brings the bread, corn, green beans and pie. However, I am quite skilled at opening the wine.

This year will be different though! This year, Thanksgiving dinner is my responsibility. Why? Because I went to Thanksgiving Boot Camp! My instructor was the lovely Robin Davis, food editor of The Columbus Dispatch. The location was the fabulous North Market.


The first thing I learned is that your ingredients should be fresh. That means you use real celery, onions and bread in your stuffing! Real bread! Okay, the pumpkin for the pie was canned, but everything else? Totally fresh! Almost all of our ingredients came straight from North Market vendors.

Here I am with my friend, Amy, right before I crushed her in the pie-making competition. Oh...wait. I may have forgotten to put sugar in my pie and it may not have cooked thoroughly, even though Robin tried to save it by sprinkling brown sugar on it while it was in the oven. But, my crust was amazing! I mean, not that I scraped the not-done pie off the top and ate the crust or anything, because that would just be wrong.

When we were finished, we sat down to some lovely conversation, a delightful Pinot Noir and the most delicious turkey I have ever had.

I will be taking over the entire refrigerator for this recipe, but it will be worth it. Robin knows her stuff.

Well, except for how to save my pie.