Party With a Purpose

Good Wednesday morning!

The Gallery Pics are NOT a tutorial of the Strawberries and Cream Mini Muffins I said I was going to make yesterday. Nope! Didn't happen. But I did buy the strawberries and other ingredients, and today is a new day... so maybe. Hmmm.

No. Today's photos are of my family's FAVORITE dessert. I can spend an hour making Strawberries and Cream Mini Muffins, and MAYBE three out of five of the Faulkner Five will love them. However, I can spend five minutes making cupcakes from a box and icing them from a can and everyone is happy. Very happy.

Like I'm always saying... It's the simple things!

Wednesday Wisdom - Fun fact for you... I LOVE The Hobbit. It's my favorite book written by J.R.R. Tolkien. My boys would argue one of the three Lord of the Rings books is by far the best... but they would be wrong.

My favorite character? Bilbo Baggins. He was a simple hobbit who did extraordinary things.

I was always a little miffed they made they Lord of the Rings movies, but not The Hobbit. However, they are rectifying that HUGE mistake as we speak, and I am looking forward to seeing that movie very, very much.

Here are just a few words of wisdom from Mr. Bilbo Baggins... Hobbit Extraordinaire!

"No hat, no stick, no pipe, not even a pocket handkerchief. How can one survive?" (How, indeed?)

"We hobbits are plain, quiet creatures. Adventures make one late for dinner." (I love the way he thinks.)

"I don't know half of you half as well as I should like, and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve." (You have to read this one three or four times, but eventually you will get it. Or if you are smarter than the Enchanting Belinda, you may get it the very first time!)

Party With a Purpose

Since the storms hit our state last Wednesday, everyone (young and old) has been helping those in need. Here are just a couple of ideas for get-togethers with family and friends which would also help the victims.

1. If you have young children, plan a Picnic in the Park Party for their friends. Everyone needs to bring their own food, drinks, etc. Before the children meet at the park, each Mom should take their child (or children) to Wal-Mart to pick out one toy for a little boy or girl who has lost everything in the storms. Make sure they pick out something they would enjoy themselves. Don't rush them.

NOTE - Take a picture of all of the children around the toys they brought for the storm victims. Make sure to print a picture for each child who attended the party. It will be a great lesson for them. "No matter how young, I can still help."

2. If you have teenagers, plan a bonfire (wienie roast) for their friends. Before the evening of the bonfire, talk to a local distribution center to see what items they need. Ask each friend to bring that item. When everyone arrives, bag (or box) the items and deliver them to the distribution center that night or the next morning.

NOTE - Again, be sure to take a picture of all of the kids around the items. Print a copy of that picture for each teenager to keep.

3. Host a Girls' Night Out at a local restaurant. Ask each girl to bring a $5 bill. Use the money to buy $5 gift cards at a local restaurant (Chick-Fil-A, McDonald's, etc.). Pass the gift cards out (door-to-door) to victims of the storm. Ask the person who answers the door how many people live there, and give them that number of gift cards. When everything in life is so chaotic and uncertain, something as simple and normal as taking your family out for a hamburger could brighten their day... just a little.

Have a wonderful Wednesday. Take time to encourage someone today. There are SO many people who desperately need encouragement after last Wednesday's storms. Always look for opportunities.

I have many, many links to share with you tomorrow, as well as a date for you and yours. Visit again if you have the time.

Take care, and I'll talk to you in the morning.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda