The Ever Expanding Thanksgiving Table

November 23rd, 2015
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Grateful Hearts

For as long as I can remember, Thanksgiving in our family is about reaching out and sharing.

During our childhood, my parents always reminded the six of us that we could invite anyone that we knew who might not have a place to go and might possibly be spending Thanksgiving alone.

And they meant it.

The Cranston Thanksgiving table always had room for more people.  For friends who couldn’t make it home to their families, for people who had no where else to go and for elderly relatives who had paid their dues in preparing Thanksgivings past and now needed … Read More

Giving Thanks!!

November 28th, 2013
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Today is a day when I pause to give thanks for all of the incredible gifts God has sent my way and also it’s a day when it’s okay to eat too much. I am lucky to have wonderful friends and family and to be able to visit some of them today.  I know that during the hustle and bustle of this holiday that I will scan the room and think about the blessings in my life. I never take what I have for granted for I know how quickly a person’s life can change.  I also am thankful for… Read More

20 Things We Need To Say

November 27th, 2013
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Today is about something light and healing because lots of people will be traveling so that they can spend Thanksgiving Day with those they care about. I love Kid President and his ability to make me and many, many others smile and laugh about the crazy things that happen in the unpredictable world around us.He’s irresistible!  I hope you agree! Kid President This new video is particularly cute (especially if you like corn dogs) and timely as Kid President reminds us of 20 things we need to remember to say more often to each other because these words repeated on… Read More

Holiday Mash-Up

November 18th, 2013
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In music, mashups are when a performer or group combines the instrumentals of one song with the vocals of another song and then the mashup, or blending if you will, is played as a new song.  Sometimes it works and sometimes it flops. In retail, this is the time of year for practicing what I think of as a huge marketing mash-up.  Stores no longer wait for one holiday to almost happen and then stock the shelves with the decorations or products for the next holiday.  There is no longer any retail restraint with regard to holidays; it’s just throw… Read More

Holiday Survival Tips

November 27th, 2012
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Finding Inner Peace During the Holiday Season Whether it’s Thanksgiving, Christmas or Hanukkah, the holiday season is filled with lots of conflicting memories and overwhelming expectations. Let’s be real: There is no such thing as a perfect holiday. There is only the holiday that you create yourself and celebrate, hopefully with people you care about and people who also care about you. The size of the decorations, the cost of the decorations, the number of parties, the quantity of food and alcohol and the amount of presents has nothing to do with the happiness you may or may not feel… Read More

Future Dream — Pip

November 26th, 2012
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Pip Singing Ouch!  Is it really Monday? Four days off from work have been so great, can I repeat so great, for my mind and my soul!!  I went for some walks, did some yard work, caught up on my sleep, saw family and friends on Thanksgiving Day, did a little Christmas shopping and went to the movies and saw the new James Bond movie, “Skyfall.”  It is excellent!! You really must see it if you haven’t already. But now I have Monday staring me in the face along with a brand new work week.  How do I get motivated… Read More

Happy Thanksgiving!

November 22nd, 2012
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Today is a day Americans set aside to gather with family, friends or both, bow our heads and give thanks for the blessings God has given us. It is wonderful to have the day off from work and I am busy this morning making my part of the Thanksgiving dinner: homemade mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce.  Because these two dishes are so important to the classic Thanksgiving dinner, I take a lot of care in preparing them and enjoy watching people gobble them up. I started making homemade cranberry sauce years ago after I was served this particular cranberry sauce… Read More

A Cartful of Gratitude

November 19th, 2012
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Photo Courtesy of Williams Sonoma Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you and to give thanks continuously.  And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson Just like most Americans, I went to the grocery store this weekend to buy food to prepare for Thanksgiving dinner. The store was crowded and the shelves were stocked with all of the things that I buy at this particular time of year: pumpkin, cream cheese, spices, nuts and cranberries.  Depending on the aisle I… Read More

Staying Young At Heart

November 16th, 2012
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Next week is Thanksgiving!! How did that happen? The calendar says November (I checked it!) but I feel I’m still mentally stuck in the summertime.  I really am having a hard time this year getting used to daylight savings time and the day turning dark so early.  It doesn’t feel great to leave work, walk out of the building and it’s already night time.  It is just not my thing at all.  I love it when it is 7 or 8 o’clock at night and it’s still light outside! It’s the best! Plus this year, Thanksgiving seems early and then… Read More