Friday, November 27, 2009

Happy Day After Thanksgiving!



I hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner! We celebrated a day early, on Wednesday, due to everyone's schedules working out best for that day! It was wonderful to have my family around the table enjoying a traditional meal. As we did last year, Rob and I prepared as much as we possibly could on Tuesday so that Wednesday was a 'light kitchen duty' day. The turkey was tender and juicy, with the meat falling off the bones. Even with making double the amount of stuffing, there was not much left over (and I LOVE leftover stuffing!). Even eating turkey leftovers yesterday was fun. Vince did the warming up while I sat and watched old movies and quilted.

Today is Buy Nothing Day! Normally, I would stay at home, avoiding the stores like the plague. I do not buy much at the holidays anyway, but especially today! However, my mother-in-law wants to go out to the craft store to buy some holiday items and I am accompanying her! I have no intention of buying anything. I will bring along my fabric tote bags and prevent her from bringing more plastic bags into the house. (I think she has added at least a dozen to my pantry bag box since her arrival--mind you it was empty of plastic grocery sacks before her arrival!)
I will not have achieved my goals of avoiding driving, turning off the computer and other non-essential electronics or avoiding the stores today.

I do rest comfortably knowing that I am doing my part to reduce consumption on a daily basis by turning off my appliances, not driving my vehicle every day, and not buying everything brand new if I truly need something.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Why Buy American?




With the holidays upon us, some people share the holiday spirit by sharing gifts with family and friends. Why not buy only American Made Products? It is your choice as a consumer.

Handmade, or not, buying products made by Americans will help to support our country. Money spent on American made products help to provide jobs for Americans.

According to MadeInUSA.com,

"Dollars spent on American-made products stay in America and that helps all of us. Patriotic Spending protects stable, quality jobs for Americans. The money they earn comes back to us again when they choose wisely by exercising Patriotic Spending. When the combined buying power of the American consumer is used to purchase American products, those dollars stay within our own system. We call this "Recycling Dollars" and it's a concept that can make our economy strong again.

The power of change is in our wallets.

We are in control of our Country's future every time we make a purchase.

Choose wisely!


You can also check out Etsy.com for handmade gifts. Also remember to check out local craft shows and fairs. Many church groups, schools and sometimes even hospitals host creative crafters showcasing their products.


Buy local and buy American!




Sunday, November 15, 2009

Cavallino Rosso Takes home a Trophy

At the local car show yesterday, Cavallino Rosso was one of the top 5 People's Choice winners! She is very proud of her new trophy, she lorded it over Vince's newest acquisition, the 1991 TransAm. He was green with envy as we drove home from the show.