Music Monday - Endless Love

Most memorable song, also much loved by most of my hopelessly romantic friends and a few nephews and nieces. :) The song is so touching, and makes me wishful indeed.

Endless Love was an old movie way back in the early 80's, which I was able to see during 1986 at a local moviehouse in our province. It's a movie that I watched 3 times that week, I guess. First, awed by Brooke Shields Pretty Baby's beauty - who in my book - has the prettiest face ever; Second, getting goosebumps by the love Martin Hewitt and Brooke portrayed on screen; Third, having my own personally intense feelings of being in love with love itself. Ask me why, perhaps those feelings were taken from all the tv shows and movies I watched as an adolescent - during the tumultous times in my life.

As I look back now, yah, now that I'm almost 40, does such love ever exist? Or does that kind of love fade after many years? Where is indeed the first love, if the foundation has been topsy-turvy from the start? Thanks to this movie, I'm looking back to what once was, how I tried to find it before and how I found it at last. I pray, may the peace, love, harmony and happiness live again! I dedicate this song to all the romantics - err, and especially the hopeless romantics!

Endless Love

My love,
There’s only you in my life
The only thing that’s bright

My first love,
You’re every breath that I take
You’re every step I make

And i
I want to share
All my love with you
No one else will do...

And your eyes
Your eyes, your eyes
They tell me how much you care
Ooh yes, you will always be
My endless love

Two hearts,
Two hearts that beat as one
Our lives have just begun

Forever
I’ll hold you close in my arms
I can’t resist your charms

And love
Oh, love
I’ll be a fool
For you,
I’m sure
You know I don’t mind
Oh, you know I don’t mind

’cause you,
You mean the world to me
Oh
I know
I know
I’ve found in you
My endless love

Oooh-woow
Boom, boom
Boom, boom, boom, boom, booom
Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom

Oooh, and love
Oh, love
I’ll be that fool
For you,
I’m sure
You know I don’t mind
Oh you know-
I don’t mind

And, yes
You’ll be the only one
’cause no one can deny
This love I have inside
And I’ll give it all to you
My love
My love, my love
My endless love

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Doing Your Christmas Shopping The Day After Thanksgiving

The day after Thanksgiving is commonly referred to as “Black Friday”. This day is traditionally one of the busiest shopping days of the years and for many it signifies the first day of Christmas shopping. While the term black Friday was originally used to represent the day in which retailers returned to profitability, many who work in the retail industry use this term as a way to describe the crowds and chaos which accompany Christmas shopping on the day after Thanksgiving. Also consumers expect significant sales to go along with the large crowds which flock to stores.

Thanksgiving Preparations

Almost every country and every culture celebrates a day of giving thanks. In America it began over 400 years ago and was celebrated in the form of a feast within the original colonies. But, that does not mean that everyone celebrates Thanksgiving Day the same way; as the traditions of one country may be completely different than those in another.

For example, in the country of Greece they do give thanks, but it is a 9 day harvest festival dedicated to the goddess of agriculture, Demeter. They also engage in other activities after the harvest. For example, all married women build huts made from plants and leaves and then decorate the interior with cushions. They continue into the second day with fasting and then on the third day they host Thanksgiving in their own way, by presenting a big feast complete with meats, sweets, nuts and fruit.

Thanksgiving Day in China was first celebrated during the full moon that appeared during the eighth month on the fifteenth day, as per the Chinese calendar. They would celebrate it by making moon shaped pastries to exchange with each other, as they considered this the moon’s birthday, and followed it up with the less traditional Thanksgiving dinner of fruit and ham. In England they celebrate the harvest festival during either late September or early October, followed by a church service and prayer.

In Egypt, they celebrate Thanksgiving by paying honor to Min, the god of fertility and the harvest. Originally celebrated during the spring, the time when they harvest their crops, they would pretend to cry while harvesting so that the god would not be upset with them for taking it. The history of Thanksgiving Day in Canada dates back to 1578, and is also a celebration of thanks and family gatherings, and is held on the second Monday in October. Cerelia was a harvest festival that the Romans celebrated to honor the goddess of grains, Ceres. This festival was always held on the 4th of October and the fruits of the harvest and roasted pigs were offered to Ceres. The celebration continued with a parade, music, sports and games and, of course, a huge feast.

Although many people agree that the original intent of Thanksgiving in North America was to take one day to give thanks for a good harvest and good life, now many believe that Thanksgiving Day is more about spending time with loved ones; by giving thanks and being with your friends and family in order to celebrate the day and time of year. Most also feel that it really does not matter what each country chooses to call it as long as time is taken to give thanks and spend time with those that they care about.


HolidayRecipes-Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving-Dessert-Recipes

Holiday That the Whole Family Will Love Recipes

Wordless Wednesday - Winter Dreaming

For more Wordless Wednesday entries, visit:

Keeping Your Teens and Tweens In The Holiday Spirit

Young children anticipate Christmas with wide eyed wonder, but how do you keep your teens excited over the Holidays? The belief in Santa has long passed, but kids are never too old to experience and share the Holiday Spirit. Teenagers naturally break away from the family and assert their independence. Let them use their self-expression and independent nature to add to this year’s celebration.

Engage in Church Events – As busy as you are at home, the church can always use an extra pair of hands during Christmas. Teens, who enjoy the arts or have good organization skills, can help with one of the Church productions. Whether it is helping organize the Christmas potluck, assisting with the kids’ choir concert, or helping making costumes for the nativity play teens can use their talents to engage.

Donate clothes – Teens are still finding out who they are. As a result, they try on different styles and looks while they figure out how to accurately express themselves. One of the most popular gifts for teens is apparel or money they usually use on to enhance their wardrobe. They can use this opportunity to go through their closet and pull out whatever they no longer want or need. Let them pack everything up and donate the rest to charity.

Volunteer – Teenagers have the habit of being self-absorbed, even during the Holidays. Volunteering will help teens take the focus off of themselves and contemplate a greater purpose. There are many charities to choose from. They can work at a soup kitchen, volunteer with a kids group or help at an animal shelter. Making a difference will increase their self-esteem and make them much more positive and thankful.

Put Them in Charge – Include your teens by showing them you appreciate their taste and trust their judgment. Make them completely responsible for a special Christmas project. Let them put together all the Christmas music to play during the festivities or plan the games for the Christmas Eve party. Put them in charge of designing this year’s Christmas card. Whatever you chose they will play an integral role in the celebration.

Help Younger Siblings – Teenagers may not experience the same excitement for Christmas activities that they did when they were younger, but they can enjoy them in a new way. Plan for them to take their younger siblings to the mall and shop for the parent gifts. Teens can also help them make personalized Christmas ornaments or help bake the cookies while the younger ones decorate. This way they can take a lead role in the activities.

Share Story time- Christmas is a time for caring and sharing. Pour two mugs of hot chocolate and have meaningful conversation with your teen. Tell them about a personal childhood Christmas story you never told your teen. Start the conversation then sit back and listen. Ask them about the first Christmas they remember, what they plan to do with their friends during Christmas vacation, and what traditions they would like to continue when they have their own families. It is a great way to build a family bond, share traditions and cultivate the Christmas spirit.

Pacquiao Vs. Marquez This Sunday November 12!

The country is once again excited to watch the Pacquiao vs. Marquez 3 this Sunday, November 12, 2011 Time: 9PM Eastern Time or 6 PM Pacific Time.

We are hoping and praying for Manny Pacquiao's another victory in his boxing rematch with Juan Miguel Marquez. May the pound-for-pound boxer win again, may there be another victory for Manny in this Pacquiao Vs. Marquez 3 bout!

Surely this match will stop time in the Philippines this Sunday, where the streets will be almost bare and the Filipino people will keep their eyes glued to the boxing match on television. And most of you Pinoy netizens would subscribe to Pacquiao Vs. Marquez 3 video live-streaming to watch it. Wah, I sure wish we have cable TV or we could get a pay-per-view offer to watch the Pacquiao Vs. Marquez 3 live telecast. I heard from my hubby and my son that watching Manny Pacquiao's fight live in the ring is filled with cheers and excitement, how I wish I could experience it someday too!

God bless Manny, may you make our country proud again!

Photo Credits: Kirbylovestacos.deviantart.com

Congratulations To The Philippines' Miss World Pageant First Runner-Up!

Our country the Philippines is again cheering for our Miss World Pageant candidate Gwendoline Ruais for winning First Runner-up in the recent Miss World Pageant 2011 in London, UK.

Seems that the Philippines' bets are getting better and better in each international beauty pageant. Gwendoline Ruais now joins the Philippines' representatives like Shamcey Supsup, Venus Raj andCarlene Aguilar in making our country proud!

I also congratulate the Miss World Pageant 2011 winner from Venezuela, Ivian Sarcos, whom I think has a striking resemblance to Desperate Housewives' star Eva Longoria. I am awed as well especially reading her life story as an orphan. A very much deserved congratulations to you too, Miss World!

Amish Recipes - 65 Tried and Tested Recipes

Thanksgiving and Christmas is quite so near and planning meals for the coming holidays are on the way. I'm sharing this traditional 65 Tried and Tested Amish Recipes which hopefully may help you in planning the holiday meals. These recipes are mostly done from scratch, yet you may improvise or alter as needed.

Here are a few ones... Enjoy!

Book Description:

Many of the great breads, cookies and dishes that my grandmother used to make, were actually Amish recipes! I thought everyone should try these great recipes, so I have put together a collection of 65 of my favorite Amish recipes in an easy to use eBook that anyone can afford. Here is what I have included:


Cakes, Bread, and Muffin, Corn Fritter Recipes:
AMISH BREAD STARTER
AMISH FRIENDSHIP BREAD
AMISH COFFEE CAKE
AMISH LEMON SPONGE
AMISH PUMPKIN BREAD
AMISH MUFFINS
AMISH CORN BREAD
AMISH POPPYSEED BREAD
AMISH YEAST ROLLS
AMISH CORN FRITTERS
FAMOUS AMISH FUNNEL CAKES
AMISH APPLE CAKE
AMISH BLUEBERRY CAKE
AMISH ROLLED OATS CAKE
AMISH SHORTCAKE

Cookies
AMISH SNICKERDOODLES
AMISH PUFF COOKIES
SOFT AMISH CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
DROP AMISH COOKIES
AMISH OATMEAL COOKIES ....Much more..

SOFT AMISH CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
1/2 c. shortening
1 c. sugar
2 lg. eggs
1/2 c. milk
2 1/2 c. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. baking soda (place in the milk)
1 (12 oz.) bag chocolate chips or butterscotch chips
Cream shortening and sugar. Add eggs and milk with soda. Mix together
and add baking powder. Gradually add flour and stir well. Stir in chocolate
chips or butterscotch chips. Place on a greased cookie sheet about 1
teaspoon of dough. Bake at 400 degrees until the edge is lightly brown.

* * *

AMISH ROLLED OATS CAKE

1 c. oats
1 1/4 c. boiling water
1/2 c. shortening
1 c. white sugar
1 c. brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 c. flour
1 tsp. soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
TOPPING (use on warm cake):
5 tbsp. oleo
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. milk
Mix oats and boiling water; let stand 20 minutes. Cream together
shortening, sugar, eggs, vanilla and add cooled oats with dry ingredients.
Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes. Boil 7 minutes. Add 1/2 cup coconut
and 1/2 cup nuts.

GET THE EBOOK HERE FOR ALL THE RECIPES INCLUDED