And the winner is...

We have a lucky winner of the charming children's book, Pinky Doodle Bug, written by Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino and illustrated by Sandra Waugh.

Congratulations to Lisa Bartelt!

Email your mailing address and Elizabeth will get a book out to you.

It's all about the presents!

My grandbaby

The sermon at our church yesterday was a bit unusual (which is actually not so unusual when Bob Hartman is preaching). Instead of focusing on the catchphrase "Jesus is the reason for the season," Bob talked about the giving of gifts. And he changed my point of view.

You see, I love giving gifts, but money's been a bit tight lately, so we're seriously cutting back this year. That's not a bad thing, mind you, because we all have way too much stuff. The problem here, though, is that I've been insisting that my oh-so-generous husband not buy me anything for Christmas. Insisting. There are a few different reasons for this -- the first one is obvious: money. But it goes beyond that. It's also about the time and stress of shopping and wrapping. I wanted to relieve him of that burden.

"Let's focus on the real meaning of Christmas instead of getting caught up in the craziness." (I refused to slip in the catchphrase I mentioned above, as I generally don't take too well to catchphrases ... I think they water down true meaning).

Anyway, as Bob pointed out in his sermon yesterday, I was wrong.

We were created to give. It is a trait inherent in most of us that brings us great joy. And he, and I, am not talking about exchanging lists, buying everything on the lists, wrapping it and handing it to the recipients. Where's the fun in that?

Have you ever surprised someone with a gift they simply love? Or with something they really wanted, but they didn't know you'd paid enough attention to know that? Don't you love the way their faces light up as they tear open the wrapping? What do you feel? Immense joy, right?

In my "I want to save you money, time and stress" approach, I was actually depriving my husband of something that gives him great pleasure. He loves to buy me gifts for Christmas. So guess what? Thanks to Bob's sermon yesterday, I'm okay with Bill buying me presents. More than okay with it. If it stresses him out a little, that's alright. The payoff will be worth it.

After all, Christmas is all about giving and receiving, isn't it? God gave us the gift of His Son ... and what an awesome gift it was. Can you imagine the great joy on God's face when we accepted the gift? When the gift brought us joy? Yeah, He was a happy Papa. As it says in one of my favorite books in the Bible,

"Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow."

That's from somewhere in the first chapter of James. I have the whole chapter memorized, so without getting up and looking in my Bible, I'm not quite sure which verse it is.

So, yeah, it's all about the presents. While I didn't explain that concept as well as Bob did yesterday, I hope you still grasp what I mean.

And, on a side note on this common sense environmental blog -- Don't you love how God even taught us about repurposing when He directed Mary and Joseph to a stable where they place their newborn baby in a manger? A repurposed feed trough. Now that's awesome!

Wishing you the merriest week before Christmas,

Hana

The ultimate gifts for Christmas

"Christmas gift suggestions:

To your enemy, forgiveness.

To an opponent, tolerance.

To a friend, your heart.

To a customer, service.

To all, charity.

To every child, a good example.

To yourself, respect."

 

 

-- Oren Arnold

Vinegar Fridays -- It's back!

Welcome back to Vinegar Fridays where I'll be sharing vinegar tips (with occasional breaks for Friday's 3Rs)! Some of the tips and info will be from the book and others will be brand spankin' new!

 Today, I thought I'd give you a couple seasonal tips (not in the book):

If your artificial Christmas tree looks a bit worn and dusty, revive it with a good spritzing of distilled white vinegar (DWV) and water (50/50) mix. Of course, you want to do this before you hang the lights (unless they're indoor/outdoor and are made to withstand moisture).





While our cats never bothered with our trees, other people seem to have problems keeping them away from the dangling ornaments and sparkling tinsel. Here's where you want to grab your apple cider vinegar (ACV) and give a generous spray around the base of the tree. Cats hate the smell of vinegar and will tend to stay away. Of course, as I wrote about in Chapter 14 of the book, I bathe my cats in ACV, so they might be immune to its repellant qualities. And keep in mind, this will only work for cats and not toddlers! You'll have to come up with a different solution for your rugrats.

Expecting an overnight frost? Keep it off your windshield by spraying it with a 50/50 mix of DWV and water. It should be frostfree when you head out in the morning. This is also a good solution for cars in the parking lot at work or at the mall. Keep a spray bottle in your car and spritz the windshield before you head into the office or shopper's paradise.

Okay, that's it for today. Just 3 tips to ease a little holiday/winter stress. If they don't help with that, a Christmas cookie just might do the job! Have a fabulous Friday!

Keeping it green with vinegar,

Hana

For more great vinegar tips, buy a copy of Green Grandma's Vinegar Fridays, now available on Lulu.com.

Available NOW!

The paper towel challenge

I am not a fan of paper towels. Except when messes like this occur:

Yummy. What a way to start the day ... thanks to my cat Theo. At least it wasn't on the couch or braided rug.

So I opened the cupboard door and pulled out the rarely used paper towels, and was thankful I had them. Of course, they are the ones made of 100% recycled paper, but I still felt a slight tinge of guilt using so many -- this really was a mess!

There are people I know who use lots and lots of paper towels every day and never even give it a thought. Even before I decided to eliminate as many disposable products as possible from my home, I still didn't use an excessive amount. After all, they were expensive ... at the least the ones I bought -- you know, the fancy ones to match my Mary Engelbreit kitchen. Imagine how excited I was when I discovered the Engelbreit line of paper towels on the grocery store shelf one day! Pathetic.

How did I break my paper towel habit? Well, it started in the mind -- all I had to do was think of the sheer wastefulness and I was convinced pretty quickly that I had to find an alternative. And the alternative was easy! Rags. Old washclothes. Cut up stained handtowels. I stacked them under my sink for easy access and put a little lidded trashcan in the corner of the kitchen. When there's a mess, I wipe it up and throw the rag in the "hamper." Often, I rinse the rag and hang it over the top rack of the dishwasher. It's an out of the way, yet convenient, spot.

My challenge for you today, as a new year draws near, is to rethink your position on paper towels. Use less. Put them in a less convenient place, so family members don't just grab them for every little thing. Reserve them for messes like the one I woke up to.

It's an easy and earth-friendly thing to do. And with the rising cost of groceries, it's kind on your budget as well!

Keeping it green,

Hana

Pinky Doodle Bug -- a tale of channeling one's talents

This week, I'm excited to be reviewing a new children's book by Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino with whimsical illustrations by Sandra Waugh. Pinky Doodle Bug explores the suppressed talents in so many of us ... talents that no one harnessed when we were young. Talents we may not have expressed 'correctly' as kids, so they were squashed under the heel of appropriateness.

You know what I'm talking about. The drummer who was reprimanded for tapping the margarine tub with his fork. The ballerina who was told to sit still when inside she was longing to twirl. And the budding artist whose drawings were simply in the wrong places. Like Pinky, who liked to doodle, until one day when she was told, "You can't do that, Pinky, that's called grafitti."

Have you been there? Do you remember what it felt like?

The dilemma is obvious from the start of this charming tale. Pinky loves to draw, but rather than someone coming alongside her and channeling her creativity and moving it forward, they simply tell her she is wrong for doing what comes naturally. For Pinky, doodling simply erupts from the passion inside her ... a passion to create art.

I had a passion when I was a child. I wanted to write. Fortunately, I had parents who encouraged that talent. Here I am, 5 decades later, doing what I love.

As parents, we need to nourish our children's passions and channel them in the right directions. Wait, this is starting to sound like a life lesson instead of a book review. But isn't that what a good book does? Entertains while presenting a moral or a lesson. Look at Aesop's Fables, for instance.

So what happens to Pinky Doodle Bug when she is told to no longer doodle? Well, you'll have to pick up a copy of the book to find out. And here are your options:

The book is available on Lulu.com in three formats:

Hard Cover for $24.95
Paperback for $14.95
eBook for $9.99

Or ... you can win a Hard Cover copy! And it is easy to enter! Simply 'like' the Pinky Doodle Bug Facebook page and on the GG Facebook page telling me what your talent/passion was when you were a child and whether or not your parents encouraged you, or discouraged you, to pursue your dream. Not on Facebook? That's okay. You can just post a comment here on the blog to enter.

Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino is all about encouraging people to pursue their dreams. Her Best Ever You network is designed to bring out the ... well, the best in you!! So Pinky Doodle Bug is a perfect tool for teaching your little ones to stick to their natural talents and create a life based on them. Isn't that the ultimate dream for all of us?

As a poet, I'm a stickler for good meter and proper, but not forced, rhyme. This is where I have to add a slight criticism of the book. There are times the meter is off and, in one instance, the sentence structure is miscued in order to create the rhyme ("my words you have found"). But hey, it's a kids' book, not an actual poem, so it is a minor detail that probably only bothers people like me who can never seem to put down their red editing pen.

The story itself is fun and the illustrations by Sandra Waugh are delightful. I am quite certain children will fall in love with Pinky Doodle Bug and little girls will want to be her. That's where you, as a parent or grandparent, have to remind her that it's fun to pretend to be someone else, but the best person she can be is exactly who she is!!

Looking forward to reading your responses!

Reviewing it for you,

Hana

Entries will be received through midnight EST Monday, Dec. 19, 2011 and a winner will be chosen via Random.org and posted here on the blog on Tuesday. Don't forget to check back to see if you won!

A plate of cookies in the mailbox

Photo by Jeanette ONeil

I got home rather late last night after going out with friends after our writers' group meeting. As I was about to go down the walk to the house, I checked the mailbox and, lo and behold, my husband had not retrieved it earlier. I pulled out some Christmas cards, a bill, some junk mail and ... a plate of cookies.

How sweet, I thought. Someone left some goodies for us. But as I looked through the mail, I realized I had a dilemma. You see, not one, but two of our neighbors slipped Christmas cards into our mailbox yesterday. And one of them added the plate of cookies to their greeting. My dilemma? I don't know which one!

So what do I do? If I thank the wrong one, I create an awkward moment for them. If I don't thank the right one, I appear like an ungrateful, self-centered crappy kind of a neighbor. What would you do?

Of course, if you happen to be reading this and are the neighbor who did this, you could solve my dilemma right now, by letting me know. Or you could let me squirm.

Whoever did it, I must admit I was touched by the gesture. What a thoughtful thing to do!

And what a lovely reminder of the way things used to be before we all started hiding in our houses and stopped reaching out to our neighbors around us. This is the perfect time of year to change that.

A plate of cookies in the mailbox? Why not? I encourage you to do it for your neighbors ... just make sure you put a to/from sticker on it so there isn't any awkward confusion.

Sharing a holiday idea with you,

Hana

The Sabbath Experience ... and what a lovely Sabbath it was!

It was a lovely Sabbath. Really. Despite the cold temps, the sun was shining radiantly. Our worship service was uplifting and thought provoking as Bob talked about seeming contradictions in the Christmas story. I wasn't aware of how low on the social totem pole shepherds really were! And God chose to announce the news of His Son's birth to shepherds! Awesome! He led Gentile magi from far away to come visit the King of the Jews. He demonstrated how Jesus was about to turn everything upside down. Remember how He purposefully healed on the Sabbath? What good Jew does that?

I am so inspired by the way Jesus broke through religion and brought about change. He really didn't have much good to say about religious leaders, did He? He much rather chose to spend His time with sinners, like me.

After the service, we once again had lunch as a family at Reflections in West View. As I was walking across the street, I glanced through the window and saw an old friend. It was so good to see him cuddling his beautiful one-month-old baby girl. He shared news that saddened me, but it was good to see him nonetheless.

Bill and I watched a movie in the afternoon and then headed back to church for the annual birthday party for Jesus. Several of us shared our talents. I read my story, The Red Glass Pine Cone, and Bill and my three-year-old grandbaby, the lovely little Lady Laura, sang Away in a Manger.

Is there anything more precious than listening to a small child singing a song about Jesus? Not to me. Especially when it's my grandchild!

Photo by Lisa Bruno

After singing Happy Birthday to Jesus, Laura was one of the children that got to spit on the cake ... I mean, blow out the candles. And then, after eating some of that cake, she and my grandson, the little Lord Lincoln, got to run and dance off some of that sugar-induced energy. What fun!

Bill and I drove around looking at Christmas lights on the way home. Then we stopped at Applebee's for a drink and half-price appetizers. While we were there, a couple came in and sat down at the bar across from our table. The man turned around and announced to us, "We're the only black people in America that didn't vote for Obama." That was the start of an interesting rest of the night! They ended up sliding in the booth beside us and spent the next couple of hours chatting with us. We steered the conversation off of politics as quickly as we could. It's not a subject either of us wanted to discuss with them, other than my asking them why they felt the way they did about the president. We expressed the things we didn't like about him, but added the things we approved of. I'm one who believes there is always good and bad about every president and choose to pray for him and not tear him down. No matter who he is and no matter how I voted, the bottom line is he is our president and the office alone deserves respect. I abhor the current trend of teaching children it's okay to disrespect the leader of our country. I just think that's wrong. Do I think the president is wrong in some of his policies? Of course. And I'll be happy to respectfully discuss that with you if you ever ask. Bill feels the same way, which leads to a more content marital relationship!

It was late by the time we got home, so we headed to bed after Bill put the recycling out for pick up this morning. We didn't have enough trash to make it worthwhile to put out the garbage can, which is always a good feeling!

All in all, Sunday was a good day. A good Sabbath rest in the midst of holiday busyness. Even though we were out most of the day, it was still a restful and refreshing day ... and I got to spend it with my favorite person of all -- my husband. Yeah, it was a good day.

Sharing my Sabbath experience,

Hana







Christmas shopping in the good old days

Photo by Petr Kratochvil

Oh, for the good old days

when people would stop Christmas shopping

when they ran out of money.

~Author Unknown

Wishing for some more birthdays ...

It's about the C word -- you're all familiar with it. There isn't anyone reading this who doesn't know someone fighting cancer, right? Maybe you're pressing on in the battle right now. Maybe it's your mom. Or your child. Maybe it's a friend. Hopefully, they're winning the battle. Unfortunately, that's not always the case.




The above video is dedicated to the people I know and care about who are doing what they can to overcome a disease that has robbed us of way too many ... way too young. It's dedicated to

• my brother-in-law, Tom, whose battle began 13 years ago and he's still playing the part of warrior
• my husband's first wife, Mary Ann, who was diagnosed 2 years ago and is staying strong in her fight
• my son-in-law's mother, Brenda, who keeps discovering more tumors
• my friend from college, Michael, who was told it's terminal, but he's not giving up

And to the survivors I know

• my sister, Tina
• my friends Trudi, Rocco, Laura, Kathy, Diana, Claire, LuAnn ...

I am so thankful to be able to add your names to this list. Birthdays. You get to celebrate them. How wonderful is that?!

But while there is so much being done to help, so much more needs to be done. We spend tons of money trying to find a cure, yet we need to focus on causes and not just cures. You know? Causes like toxins in our personal care products. Toxins in our fabric softeners. Genetically modified foods. Toxins in our clothing. Toxins in diapers. Toxins in formula.

Manufacturers need to claim responsibility and quite sticking pink ribbons on products that contain known carcinogens (what is that about?!). We, as concerned citizens, need to demand these things! Why? Because we all have our own lists of people, like mine above. We want to celebrate more birthdays.

Get involved. Sign petitions to congress. Boycott companies. Do your research.

It's about birthdays. And a lack of them.

And I'm writing this because I care,

Hana

This post is sponsored by American Cancer Society.

The tragedy of an undiagnosed stroke

A few years ago, I was speaking with someone whose 2-year-old had suffered a stroke. I was shocked. At that time, I wasn't aware of that possibility.

Here are some disturbing facts from the Children's Hemiplegia and Stroke Association:

• 1 in 4000 babies will have a stroke
• 1 in 8300 children will have a stroke
• Stroke in childhood causes multiple disabilities: paralysis, seizures, speech, vision, behavioral, and learning differences
• Stroke in children costs at least $42 million annually in US

Yeah, that's worthy of writing about. Have you known anyone who has experienced a pediatric stroke?

Of course, most strokes happen to adults. Here are some statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: 

U.S. Statistics

• Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States. More than 140,000 people die each year from stroke in the United States.
• Stroke is the leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the United States.
• Each year, approximately 795,000 people suffer a stroke. About 600,000 of these are first attacks, and 185,000 are recurrent attacks.
• Nearly three-quarters of all strokes occur in people over the age of 65. The risk of having a stroke more than doubles each decade after the age of 55.
• Strokes can and do occur at ANY age. Nearly one fourth of strokes occur in people under the age of 65.
• Stroke death rates are higher for African-Americans than for whites, even at younger ages.
• On average, someone in the United States has a stroke every 40 seconds.
• Stroke accounted for about one of every 17 deaths in the United States in 2006. Stroke mortality for 2005 was 137,000.
• From 1995–2005, the stroke death rate fell ~30 percent and the actual number of stroke deaths declined ~14 percent.
• The risk of ischemic stroke in current smokers is about double that of nonsmokers after adjustment for other risk factors.
• Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an independent risk factor for stroke, increasing risk about five-fold.
• High blood pressure is the most important risk factor for stroke.

Why am I writing about this today? Because of an email my husband sent me. It outlined the symptoms to watch for if you think someone may have had a stroke. Maybe my posting this will save a life. That would certainly make everything I've done on GG worthwhile.

Here are the things to look for:

S:  Ask the person to smile and stick out their tongue. If they cannot smile or their tongue is 'crooked,' call 911 right away!

T:  Ask the person to talk or speak a simple sentence. If the words are incoherent, call 911 right away!

R:  Ask the person to raise his or her arms. Again, if this is a difficult or impossible task, call 911 right away!


Got that? S T R. Remember it. Write it down. Carry it in your wallet. You really never know when this critical information might be necessary. If the victim is treated within the first 3 hours of having a stroke, he or she has an excellent chance of full recovery. If not, severe brain damage can occur.

Knowing that kids can have strokes, too, is just as important to remember. After all, they're counting on us to protect them whenever possible. I hope you never, ever have to use the above tests on a child ... but just in case, please remember what to do.

Caring for your kids and you,

Hana

 

Review it Wednesday -- What exactly is in that little bottle of water?

A couple of months ago, I was sent another product to review. Of course, as is always the case when someone sends me something to write about on the blog, I did not pay for it. You may think that motivates me to post a positive review, but I assure you, it does not. At the very least, I will simply send the product back with a note that I cannot possibly post a good review, as was the case with a children's book I received in October. There just wasn't much good to say about it and rather than pan it publicly, I just slipped it into an envelope and mailed it back to the author (it really was quite awful). I've seen other reviews of the same book and can't help wondering what the reviewers were reading/looking at!

Anyway, when I first received the Infotone Face Mist AquaLiv's BioT Bioinformation Technology, I was skeptical. After all, it was just a small, purse-sized glass bottle of water with a tiny white ball rolling around inside. Hmmm. This bottle of water promised hydration, glowing skin, firmness, fewer wrinkles, improved skin pigmentation and a clear complexion. Uh huh. And it was good for an entire year. All I had to do was fill the bottle back up with purified tap water or natural spring water.

At least it's free, I thought. It's worth a shot.

Well, let me tell you ... I'm in love with this product. If you haven't finished your Christmas shopping and have $35 to spend on someone on your list, this is what you want to get them. Seriously.

Since using the Infotone Face Mist, my skin is tighter, there is a slight lightening of those blasted age spots on my face (and hands) and a definite reduction in wrinkles. At this point, the only thing I'm using is my Norwex Body Cloths to wash my face (with plain water) followed by a generous spritzing of Infotone. That's it. No creams, no lotions. And my skin feels amazing.

What is it about this little bottle of spring water that makes it so remarkable? The secret is in the ball -- a little white non-toxic 100% natural mineral clay ceramic bead that contains AquaLiv's Bioinformation Technology. Skeptical? Well, the effectiveness has been scientifically proven by Dr. Sean Sleight, ph.D., Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington. The ceramic mineral bead has antibacterial properties designed to eliminate a common parasite that is linked to breakouts and irritated skin.

And it works. Really.

All you need to do after you cleanse your face is douse it good with a generous spray of Infotone Face Mist. Spray it on until your face is dripping wet. Then wait 60 seconds so the moisture can absorb. Pat dry. Follow with your normal cream or lotion, if desired.

Throughout the day, you can lightly mist your face right over your makeup. Of course, you want to do it lightly. It makes your skin sparkle a bit.

I don't restrict its use to my face, however. I use it on my neck (although I haven't seen improvement on the wrinkles there, unfortunately), and I use it on my hands at least once a day. Apparently, my nails and cuticles are loving it!

To dissuade the skepticism of my husband, I did the hand test -- I sprayed a generous amount on the back of Bill's right hand. We waiting a minute, then dabbed it dry. The difference in the texture of his skin was immediate! The back of his left hand was rough. The back of his right hand was considerably smoother. He's a believer.

And so am I. I can't recommend this product enough.

I love the fact that you can refill the bottle and use it for a year. That means I can spritz and spray to my heart's content, not worrying about "wasting" it or trying to preserve it. Cool, huh?

I love that it comes in glass. No plastic chemicals polluting a great product.

I love that it's all natural and safe. I can even spritz my granddaughter's face without being concerned.

I love that it was free ... but I will eagerly order another bottle at the end of the year ... and pay for it!

That's my review for today. Visit the Infotone Facebook page or website for more information. While you're on Facebook, 'like' their page -- it's just a nice thing to do.

Infotone Face Mist ... you get Green Grandma's two green thumbs up!

Reviewing it for you,

Hana

Deck the halls then rush out to the malls ... what's happened to Christmas?

I read an interesting blog post this morning called, I Hate Christmas by Sammy Adebiyi. While I appreciated what he had to say, it reminded me of reasons why I Love Christmas, and prompted me to repost the article I wrote on Black Friday 2009. Hope it gives you a different perspective as well.

Black Friday ... a blessing or a curse

Photo by David Wagner

I'm not one to rush out on Black Friday and battle the crowds for a deal. As a matter of fact, I purposefully hole up in my home on that day and avoid the malls. But I certainly don't bemoan the brave (or crazy) souls who choose to embrace the challenge of getting a good deal.

Then there are those who will complain that Christmas is too commercialized and either forsake Americanized traditions or will partake, but moan and groan about it continually. The emergence of sayings such as, "Jesus is the reason for the season," did little more than create more products to buy to advertise that very fact in your home. However, regardless of your spiritual leaning, Jesus IS the reason for the season, and no amount of commercialization can change that.

Yes, I know the day started off as a pagan holiday, but it's been transformed, shall we say, "reborn," and is, without a doubt, a day where Christians around the world celebrate the birth of Emmanuel...the day when God Himself chose to come and dwell with us.

But what about the commercialism? Hasn't that tainted a "holy" holiday?

Not in my opinion. I celebrate the commercialization. Why? For a variety of reasons.

As a Christian, I find it refreshing to hear carols wherever I go, whether I'm in the mall, a doctor's office, a workplace, a flower shop...at what other time of year do you hear the name of Christ proclaimed so unashamedly? I rejoice to hear The First Noel or O Holy Night when I'm grocery shopping or getting my hair cut. I see it as creative evangelism.

Another reason I'm all for the commercialization of Christmas is because, despite the fact that it may bring out the worst in people (particularly on Black Friday), it also brings out the best in them. There is no other time of year when people reach as deeply into their pockets and give. Whether it's giving of a present to a family member or friend, taking cookies to a neighbor, leaving a generous tip for a waiter, slipping a twenty dollar bill into a red kettle or writing a check to a charity, December's giving far exceeds any other month of the year.

Think for a moment what would happen if we eliminated Christmas as a national holiday...if we stopped the commercialization in its tracks. Within the next few years, how many of your favorite retail stores would close their doors? How many non-profits would cease to exist. How many homeless people would die without organizations like the Salvation Army offering shelter and a warm meal? It's rather scary when you think about it.

And what will happen to the Christmas story two or three generations from now? Would it cease to exist as well in the minds of the majority of Americans?

Would Christmas become a quiet holiday shared only by the faithful few who still believed the God who created the Universe would come to earth as a newborn babe? That seems like a far cry from the glory that surrounded that first Christmas as angels sang and announced the birth of a Savior and shepherds rushed to worship Emmanuel. And let's not forget the journey of the Magi -- seeking out their King and bearing gifts.

Singing. Rushing. Giving gifts. Christmas. I celebrate the birth of my Savior. And I celebrate the commercialization of His birthday. When you hear someone saying "Merry Christmas" as they leave a store or restaurant, it just might be me. It may not be politically correct, but let's face it folks...it's what it's all about.

Keeping it real,

Hana

A Sabbath surprise

The congregation was excited. Our associate pastor, Tom Fodi, who is an Air Force Chaplain serving in Iraq, was about to appear on screen via Skype. The anticipation swelled as the young man in the multimedia booth announced to his father Bob Hartman, the pastor, that something wasn't working. Imagine Tom's mother's disappointment as she was eagerly awaiting the sight of her only son's face and the soothing sound of his voice. Now imagine her delight when, instead of seeing him on the screen, she watched as he walked through the side door, crossed the front of the sanctuary and wrapped his arms around her!

Photo credit: KDKA

That's what happened at church yesterday morning. And I missed it. As I mentioned last week, I felt it was important to go to Manheim, PA and spend the weekend with my mom, which is where I was when this glorious moment unfolded before the eyes of my church family, who, as is apparent in the news coverage video, was squealing, screaming, sobbing, etc. to see Tom home safe again. Only a handful of people knew he was coming home, including his wife, of course, who got the news just a few days beforehand. His dad found out 10 minutes before church began, but his mother was clueless. What a moment.

For any of you who have prayed for the safety of someone they loved who was serving overseas and then finally felt their blessed embrace, you know a little bit of what yesterday felt like to the members of Emmanuel Christian Church.

We're a small congregation, and yesterday, there were close to 30 regular attenders missing. How disappointing for each and every one of us.

Click here to watch the CBS/KDKA news coverage of the homecoming surprise. Look at Carol's face. That is the face of a mother whose prayers have been answered. I can't help thinking of Jesus when I watch this ... about how His face must light up as His children come home. I look forward to someday seeing that look as He wraps His arms around me in safety and says, "Welcome Home."

Sharing my Sabbath experience with you (even though I missed this one!),

Hana

Christmas, my child, is love in action.

Every time we love, every time we give,

it's Christmas.

                                                                   --Dale Evans

Friday's 3Rs -- this is something to sing about!

I'm psyched about this. I just found out that Pennsylvania-based company, C.F. Martin and Co. is now making guitars out of recycled Sitka Spruce from dismantled bridges from Canada. What does that mean? It means less trees being cut down to create Martin Guitars!

The company started putting environmental policies into place in 1990 and continues to investigate ways to implement more sustainable practices on a day-to-day basis.

Rather than going on and on about it, please refer to the YouTube video I've posted below. It's actually quite interesting stuff.

C.F. Martin and Co. ... You get GG's two green thumbs up!

Now, if only I could play ...

Keeping it out of the landfill,

Hana

Responsible Guitar Building

The flip of the calendar

A friend happily posted this on Facebook today: IT'S DECEMBER!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I must admit, I don't share her enthusiasm. December. Really?! What happened to this year? Things that happened last November seriously seem like they happened just three or four months ago. Is it an age-related thing that time flies by sooo fast?
 
I must also admit I'm not at all ready for Christmas. There already are not enough hours in the day to include shopping and wrapping and visiting, etc., etc. But somehow it will all get done, albeit with a bit of sleep deprivation.
 
When I spoke with my mom a couple of weeks ago, she told me she doesn't want people to buy her anything, she just wants us to come visit. There was an uncharacteristic quiver in her voice as she said it.
 
"I get so lonely," she continued.
 

My mother will be 85 next month. She lives alone 240 miles away from us. Neither of my sisters live close by either, and she's been widowed twice. She doesn't need another robe. She needs company.

 
So, back to my dilemma of not having enough hours in the day. I don't. However, tomorrow morning, I'm loading up the car, picking up my daughter and granddaughter and we're heading east on the turnpike.

Mom with the lovely little Lady Laura

What do I miss out on? A full day of work, light up night in the small town where I'm being featured as "Artist of the Month" in one of the stores that is selling my book, a Saturday that would normally be chock full of chores and my Sabbath routine.
 
What do I gain? Invaluable time with the woman who gave birth to me, read to me, scratched my back as I laid across her lap on long car trips (things were a lot different then!), helped me with my homework, sewed my clothing for me, taught me how to be a savvy shopper, encouraged my creativity, typed my essays for writing competitions, demonstrated a strong work ethic, modeled tenacity and courage, adored my children and grandchildren, gave generously, and so much more. May I never complain about taking the time to visit with her, for there will come a day when that will no longer be an option.
 
What about you? Is there someone in your life who you never seem to have the time to squeeze in a visit with? If they were gone tomorrow, would you have regrets.
 
It's December! Possibly the busiest month of the year. Don't let your busyness crowd out what is truly important?
 
Could I stay in Pittsburgh and get some shopping done? Sure. But Mom doesn't want presents, she wants my presence. So that's what she's getting. That and a couple of bottles of Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar which she hasn't been able to find anywhere. Oh, and a copy of book, of course.
 
So, tomorrow morning, as Laura and I like to sing,
 
We're going, going, going to Grandma Gene's.
We're going, going, going to Grandma Gene's.
We're going east on the turnpike,
east on the turnpike,
east on the turnpike
to Grandma Gene's!
 
What can I say? Laura and I sing about everything!
 
Sharing my heart,
 
Hana

Cat litter review -- it's a stinky job, but someone has to do it

When I received an email asking me to review World's Best Cat Litter™, my immediate response was, "Yes, yes, yes!" After all, I'd recently learned about all the horrific health problems associated with clay cat litter ... health problems that led to the death of some of my kitties. To think those conditions may have been caused by the litter we were using appalled, disturbed, angered and depressed me. Seriously. Not to mention the environmental impact strip-mining 1.5 million tons of clay every year was having. And the assumption that clumping clay litter never biodegrades in the landfill. Ouch.

So, without hesitation, we made the switch to better alternatives. We tried a few different ones and simply were not happy with them. I don't recall the names of the first couple, but we did eventually try Swheat Scoop. While it was an effective litter, I did not appreciate the little specks of wheaty litter scattered throughout my house. Yuck.

 I was desperate to find a solution when, out of the blue, I got the email. I'd never heard of World's Best Cat Litter™ and thought it was a rather presumptuous name. After reading about it, I must admit, I hesitated. Why? Because it is made from corn and I have a problem with using corn for things other than food. It seems we are depleting the food supply in our global effort to be green, and that is counterproductive.

I expressed my concern in a return email. Here is the response I got:

"We chose whole-kernel corn as the source of World's Best Cat Litter™ for a number of reasons. Whole-kernel corn is all-natural and highly absorbent, so it provides superior odor control and instant clumping for easy clean-up. Unlike clay litters, it is biodegradable, renewable, and sustainable.

Our family of companies manufactures many products from corn that include food ingredients for human consumption, pharmaceutical products, animal feeds, and our cat litter, among others. The amount of corn used in the manufacture of World's Best Cat Litter™ is insignificant compared to global production and does not contribute to higher food prices or to food shortages.

For over 50 years, corn has been used in the paper industry, for adhesives, corrugated products, etc. When we make products from corn, it is not a choice of whether to feed people or not; we are providing products that enhance our everyday lives, and support the American farmers and the overall economy. Other examples of corn-based products used everyday include: batteries, candles, cosmetics, automobile cylinder heads, and shoe polish. We are proud to manufacture a product that is safe for humans, animals, and the environment -- made from a renewable resource that is biodegradable."

Fair enough. Besides, I wasn't finding a good solution for my cat litter problem that was healthy for the cats and the environment. So I decided to give it a try ... or should I say my husband gave it a try. After all, being the gentleman that he is, he doesn't want me touching the litter boxes, and I'm not going to argue with him, being the submissive wife that I am.

Anyway, he cleaned out the 2 of the 3 boxes and emptied them of the remaining Swheat Scoop. Then he refilled them with World's Best Cat Litter™.

His first reaction? There was no dust. Hallelujah for that! After years of breathing in the toxic dust from clay litter, a dust-free alternative moved up quickly on the approval rating. He was surprised by the appearance of the litter, expecting it to look more like, well ... corn. It doesn't. It looks a lot like clay litter.

Next test was whether or not our three kitties would use it. They now had choices. Two boxes with the corn-based litter and one with the wheat-based litter. Guess what? Apparently, all three of them chose the corn.

What does that mean for us? No more litter debris trampled through the house, onto the bed, in the rugs, etc. None. There seems to be no tracking with World's Best Cat Litter™.  Higher up on the approval rating.

What about clumpability (cool new word, don't you think?)? Excellent.

Odor control? Excellent. To quote Bill, "It seems even better than the others, if that's possible."

"You mean, as far as odor absorption?"

"Yeah, that's it. It seems to absorb the odors."

This is good stuff. Darn good stuff. Is it the world's best litter? I don't know. I've not tried them all. Is it the best we've tried? Absolutely.

What is it about the clay litters I don't like, other than the environmental issues? Well, for one thing, the sodium bentonite particles in the litter dust (strewn into the air every time you pour the litter or your kitty scratches in it) contains silicon -- a known carcinogen!! That should be enough of a reason right there! But that's not all. Clay litter has been linked to respiratory problems, intestinal blockages, and a menagerie of other potential conditions.

Admittedly, I have not tried the recycled paper option, although I do like that idea.

For now, we are happy with World's Best Cat Litter™ and intend to keep using it. Here are some facts about this litter:

• It's biodegradable that can be flushed, if you so choose. We have old pipes and are very careful what we flush, so this isn't an option for us.
• There are three formulas --
• Clumping Formula (for homes with one to two cats)
• Multiple Cat Clumping Formula
• Scented Multiple Cat Clumping Formula (with 100% all natural scented lavender oil)
• There are various sizes, from 7 lbs. to 34 lbs.

The downside? It's a bit pricey. But so are vet bills and if you're concerned about the health of your cats, it's worth it. These guys are:

On a side note -- if you decide to switch from clay litter (please do) and you're thinking about trying Fresh Step Crystals, I urge you to reconsider! This silica-based litter is reported to be tied to lung cancer, bronchitis and a form of tuberculosis that can be fatal for your kitty.

Today only (11/30/11) -- if you 'like' their Facebook page, you will be entered into a drawing for a $100 gift card to Target, PetSmart or Petco!

If you're not convinced about World's Best Cat Litter™, I suggest you head over to the website, find a retailer close to you (Target, Petco and PetSmart all carry it) and pick up a 7 lb. bag. Give it a try and decide for yourself. You just might realize you've discovered the world's best cat litter!

Keeping it green in the litterbox,

Hana

Christmas trees – how green can you get?

Today's guest blogger, Sue Hartman, shares her thoughts and ideas on where your Christmas tree choices fall on the green meter.

Evergreen in Snow by David Wagner



Christmas Trees
How Green can you Get?

1. Least Green
Buy a plastic or metal tree that goes into a landfill when you are done with it and stays there for however many hundreds of year. Making it also takes up valuable resources. Some twisted metal trees can be recycled – check with your local recycling center. If it is still in good shape, but you want to switch to a live tree, consider donating it to a Goodwill or local community center.

2. Good
Buy a live tree, use it, and set it out for the trash (not in a big plastic bag or you are back to the landfill issue as in number 1.

3. Better
Buy a live tree, use it, then chip or mulch it yourself, donate it to be chipped/mulched or put it somewhere on your property to break down organically and enrich your soil. You can use Earth911 to locate your nearest Christmas tree recycling program.

4. Even Better
Buy a live tree from a Christmas tree farm that will immediately plant one in its place, and then follow the disposal directions above.

5. Best -- Most Green
Buy a live tree with the root ball from a Christmas tree farm or a nursery. Put it in a washbasin or large bucket of some type and keep it watered. Use it for the holidays and then plant it on your property afterwards.

Based on the experience of some who have done this, here is some advice on what to consider before you choose this option:

• Buy a slightly smaller tree than you might otherwise, as you will be trying to move it in its root ball in and out of your house and into its planting hole after Christmas.
• Look up. As the tree grows, is it going to hit power lines or other obstacles? Find out how high the tree is expected to grow.
• Look down and around. Remember that the roots will grown out from the tree at approximately the same length as the tree is in height. The growing roots can lift up sidewalks and driveways if planted too close to them. Avoid planting trees near house foundations or underground services.
• Realize that pine trees make your soil more acidic and will kill any surrounding grass.
• Plant the tree away from the house. Dropped needles are very slippery. Do not plant your tree where the needles will fall onto steps, sidewalks or driveways as the tree grows.
• Either dig a large and deep planting hole early in December. Digging through frozen ground in January can be challenging.
• Buy a small potted tree and simply decorate that. The small pines, such as a Norfolk, can be reused and repotted year after year.
• After Christmas, if you don’t have the space or ability to plant the tree on your own property, donate your potted tree to a local park, church, school or friend.

Sharing someone else's thoughts on just another way to go green this Christmas,

Hana

The Sabbath Experience ... during the holidays ... are you kidding me?

Lincoln being cute on Thanksgiving

Okay, so I'll admit a major fail on the whole 'resting on the Sabbath' part of my experiment/experience. Christmas is next month, after all! I don't know about the rest of you, but when we deck the halls, we really deck the halls!

Our tradition is to start decorating the day after Thanksgiving, and to devote the next three days (and then some) to doing just that. But first, we have to take down all the fall decorations (my favorite). I have lots of cabinet space in my basement workshop dedicated to storing them, so I spent much of Friday cleaning up the workshop, putting away the pumpkins and candles and wreaths, etc., and pulling out the assorted winter decor items stored down there. Bill went to work on decorating the outside of the house, because we decided he couldn't pass up the opportunity to put out lights in 60 degree temps! It was a gorgeous day.



Laura being equally cute

Normally, part of Friday is spent carrying all the boxes and boxes and boxes down from the attic. But we broke tradition this year and didn't do that until early Saturday afternoon. There was plenty else to do before we starting digging into boxes anyway ... like cleaning.

On Sunday, we went to Sunday School and church, and then out to lunch with the kids and grandkids. By the time we got home, it was 3:00. I ran down to Goodwill with a carload of stuff to drop off, and then did a little shopping. Sunday slipped by quickly, and as evening arrived, chaos still ensued throughout the Caye house. Boxes scattered on the floor and decorations, in no particular order, strewn across the dining room table and a bunch of other surfaces.

End result? Everything, except the family room and some of the outside, is finished. The family room will take awhile yet, since that's the room with the tree, and trees take ... well ... a long time to decorate. Such a lot of work, but the end result is lovely and we enjoy it.

Relaxing yesterday would have been very difficult, because of the mess. However, a client wanted a voice-over demo recorded, and I ignored the request (it was a Sunday, for goodness sake!). But here's the thing. I never specified which day had to be honored as the Sabbath. The important thing to me was to have a day set aside, no matter what that day happened to be. So, with that in mind, I did honor the Sabbath this week; I just did it on Thursday. Since the family came over to celebrate Thanksgiving on Wednesday, that gave me all day Thursday to simply relax and reflect on God's innumerable blessings. We started off at church for our yearly Thanksgiving service and then headed out to brunch at Totin's, a local family-owned diner. The service and food was excellent and we enjoyed a lovely conversation with Joanne Totin. Somehow (however could that happen?) this included a discussion about vinegar.

We spent the afternoon relaxing, ate leftovers for dinner and then headed to the neighbors' for dessert. It was a different Thanksgiving, but a lovely one nonetheless.

So I guess I enjoyed a Sabbath rest after all! I hope you found a moment or two to stop the busyness.

Sharing my Sabbath experience,

Hana





A Vinegar Black Friday

It's Black Friday! And what does that mean to me? Absolutely nothing. You wouldn't catch me out there amidst the craziness today! Not me.

What does it mean to you? Well, for one thing, it means a sale on Vinegar Fridays! Actually, a big one! Today through Cyber Monday, I've reduced the price by 25%. In addition, Lulu is offering another 25% off through Sunday. Simply enter the code HOLIDAYNOW. Now, it's just possible they'll be offering an even bigger sale on Monday, but I have no way of guaranteeing that. All I can guarantee is my own 25% off sale today, tomorrow, Sunday and Monday. Fair enough?

I will also send out signed bookplates for you to put inside the cover. Simply email me and let me know what you'd like for me to write on the bookplate. Don't forget to include your address.

Enjoy your weekend out and about, relaxing at home, or simply doing what I'm doing -- decking the halls (and walls, and tables, and mantle, etc., etc., etc.).

Saving you green with Vinegar Fridays,

Hana

Thankful for Creation



Photo by Michael Bousquet



Bless the Lord, O my soul!
O Lord my God, Thou art very great;
Thou art clothed with splendor and majesty,
Covering Thyself with light as with a cloak,
Stretching out heaven like a tent curtain.
He lays the beams of His upper chambers in the waters;
He makes the clouds His chariot;
He walks upon the wings of the wind;
He makes the winds His messengers,
Flaming fire His ministers.

He established the earth upon its foundations,
So that it will not totter forever and ever.
Thou didst cover it with the deep as with a garment;
The waters were standing above the mountains.
At Thy rebuke they fled;
At the sound of Thy thunder they hurried away.
The mountains rose; the valleys sunk down
To the place which Thou didst establish for them.
Thou didst set a boundary that they may not pass over;
That they may not return to cover the earth.

He sends forth springs in the valleys;
They flow between the mountains;
They give drink to every beast of the field;
The wild donkeys quench their thirst.
Beside them the birds of the heavens dwell;
They lift up their voices among the branches.
He waters the mountains from His upper chambers;
The earth is satisfied with the fruit of His works.

He causes the grass to grow for the cattle,
And vegetation for the labor of man,
So that he may bring forth food from the earth,
And wine which makes man's heart glad,
So that he may make his face glisten with oil,
And food which sustains man's heart.
The trees of the Lord drink their fill,
The cedars of Lebanon which He planted,
Where the birds build their nests,
And the stork, whose home is the fir trees.

The high mountains are for the wild goats;
The cliffs are a refuge for the rock badgers.
He made the moon for the seasons;
The sun knows the place of its setting.
Thou dost appoint darkness and it becomes night,
In which all the beasts of the forest prowl about.
The young lions roar after their prey,
And seek their food from God.
When the sun rises they withdraw,
And lie down in their dens.
Man goes forth to his work
And to his labor until evening.

O Lord, how many are They works!
In wisdom Thou hast made them all;
The earth is full of Thy possessions.
There is the sea, great and broad,
In which are swarms without number,
Animals both small and great.
There the ships move along,
And Leviathan, which Thou has formed to sport in it.

They all wait for Thee,
To give them their food in due season.
Thou dost give to them, they gather it up;
Thou dost open Thy hand, they are satisfied with good.
Thou dost hide Thy face, they are dismayed;
Thou dost take away their spirit, they expire,
And return to their dust.
Thou dost send forth Thy Spirit, they are created;
And Thou dost renew the face of the ground.

Let the glory of the Lord endure forever;
Let the Lord be glad in His works;
He looks at the earth, and it trembles;
He touches the mountains, and they smoke.
I will sing to the Lord as long as I live;
I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.
Let my meditation be pleasing to Him;
As for me, I shall be glad in the Lord.
Let sinners be consumed from the earth,
And let the wicked be no more.
Bless the Lord, O my soul.
Praise the Lord!

-- Psalm 104 (NASB)                                                        

                                     

Happy Thanksgiving!