"Winter Pastime Deemed Local Crime"
"Undeemed But Unneeded!"
These are the headlines of the two issues of The Missy Times that were declared lost in the most recent edition of the newsletter. I am happy to announce that I found both a few days ago in one of my old binders in the attic.
Thank you to everyone who searched their Missy Times collections for me! If you had found these issues and were planning to send one or both to me, please keep them!
An official announcement will appear in the next Missy Times.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Put Away the Shorts and Bring Out the Shovels!
Just one week ago, as the red mercury in the thermometers shot up past the 50 and 60 degree marks, spring fever was spreading throughout the town. The brown, dry grass looked as if it were taking a long, deep breath, rejoicing in it's freedom from the suffocating layer of heavy snow, which, except for a few piles of slushy mush, was completely gone. The birds sounded as if they were bursting with joy as they sang up in the trees. People all around Beaver were outside enjoying the weather but most were seen on River Road riding bikes, walking their dogs, jogging, or just taking a brisk stroll. Everyone had been infected, and there was no cure for this disease.
For those couple of days, I was wearing shorts. Less than a week later, I was wearing hat, gloves, and snow pants.
Just when we had all truly believed that spring was coming like the groundhog had said, winter came flying back like a slap in the face. It was Monday, and the weather forcasters were only predicting some freezing rain and sleet for that evening. That was a mistake. By mid-afternoon fluffy white snow was falling...... and sticking. The shovels were brought back out from the garage and my dad sent my brother and I out to clear the front walk at about 6:30pm, when at least 3 inches already covered the ground . The faster I shoveled, the faster the snow fell and by the time I was done, a fresh dusting of snow had already accumulated on the sidewalk.
The next morning, the world was completely white. Overnight, a total of seven inches had been dumped on the same town which had been basking in the warmth of spring only days earlier.
At first, I was disappointed. Winter will never end! I thought. But soon I was enjoying the snow as I always do. I went outside with the other neighborhood kids and we worked for hours building an igloo and later, a snow man.
The temperature is creeping back up into the 40's and it looks like we're headed for another loooong, slow, thaw. For now, we're stuck with winter again. But while its here I'll try to enjoy it, for the real spring will be back before long.
Have you always wanted to build an igloo? You should! It sounds like it would be hard, but actually, if you have enough people to help, it isn't. Here's how:
1. Take some shovels and mound up a huge pile of snow
2. As you're piling, use a squirt bottle to spray water onto the loose bits of snow make it frozen so that it stays packed into place
3. After your pile is big (it has to be BIG if you want people to fit inside) trace out a doorway and start chipping and digging out a hole that will be the room. Remember to spray the roof and walls as you're digging so that the whole thing does not cave in on top of you!
4. Contiue to thicken the outside igloo walls as needed so that when carving your room, your shovel does not break through and puncture the whole thing
5. Carve the room to your desired size while scraping out all excess snow
6. Put on finishing touches and have fun!
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Don't Forget.....February 17th Is Random Acts Of Kindness Day!
Boy, February sure has a lot of great holidays! There's Groundhog day, Valentines Day, Toothache Prevention Day, Candlemas, Presidents Day, etc. You may not be aware that February is home to another great holiday: Random Acts of Kindness Day, which is (of all days) today! I know it is not a big, well known celebration, but the idea of doing spontaneous nice things for people is a practice we should all adopt. Here is some information on the holiday from http://www.holidayinsights.com/
Today is Random Acts of Kindness Day. And, you know what to do...perform a few random acts of kindness. Almost any kind deed will do. And, we highly recommend you perform kind acts on as many people as you can.
This is a favorite day of many people and groups. People like the idea of showing a little kindness to others. Its a fun and good thing to do. And, they like being on the receiving end of this day as well. It makes both the giver and the receiver feel good.
Schools have used this day as an educational event, and to promote the value of kindness. Organizations have used this day to promote their cause, and for fundraisers.
Caution: What comes around, goes around. Random Acts of Kindness is highly contagious.
Origin of Random Acts of Kindness Day:
Our research did not find the creator, or the origin of this day. We wish we could thank the originators of this great day. The originators have truely helped to make the world a better place.
Many organizations and groups have declared other days to be "Random Acts of Kindness Day". These declarations are usually local, one-time events, often for fundraisers.
Aren't you glad I did you a random act of kindness by reminding you that today is Random Acts of Kindness Day?
Good luck with your random acts of kindness!
Today is Random Acts of Kindness Day. And, you know what to do...perform a few random acts of kindness. Almost any kind deed will do. And, we highly recommend you perform kind acts on as many people as you can.
This is a favorite day of many people and groups. People like the idea of showing a little kindness to others. Its a fun and good thing to do. And, they like being on the receiving end of this day as well. It makes both the giver and the receiver feel good.
Schools have used this day as an educational event, and to promote the value of kindness. Organizations have used this day to promote their cause, and for fundraisers.
Caution: What comes around, goes around. Random Acts of Kindness is highly contagious.
Origin of Random Acts of Kindness Day:
Our research did not find the creator, or the origin of this day. We wish we could thank the originators of this great day. The originators have truely helped to make the world a better place.
Many organizations and groups have declared other days to be "Random Acts of Kindness Day". These declarations are usually local, one-time events, often for fundraisers.
Aren't you glad I did you a random act of kindness by reminding you that today is Random Acts of Kindness Day?
Good luck with your random acts of kindness!
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Happy Valentines Day!
How was your Valentines Day? I hope it was just LOVEly!
Here is what I did to celebrate the holiday:
It did not take long after I woke up for my Valentines Day to begin. As I walked down the stairs, I found a red envelope waiting for me on top of the piano. It was a card from my dad. Every year its his project to buy us all Valentines. Its fun to look through the Valentine bag from the attic and read all my old cards from past February 14ths.
After my piano lesson my mom and I drove over to Rosalinds Candy Castle to buy some Valentine sweets. Inside the small store, a line of people waiting to purchase last minute suprises wrapped around the candy displays stocked with Valentine confections complete with colorful red and pink wrappers. There were little boxs of chocolate, heart shaped lollipops, candy berries, and little bags of candy hearts. Most of the people were choosing from the wide variety of gourmet chocolates at the counter or ordering a box of delicious chocolate covered strawberries. We left the store with the latter, two bags of candy berries, and some little raspberry milk chocolates for one of my friends.
Later on after school, I had fun going around the neighborhood delivering my tiny Martha Stewart Valentines which my mom (who has very good taste) found for me at Michael's craft store. I think they're my favorite ones yet! They're so cute! I had a good time trying to think up rhymes such as
"Roses are Red
Violets are blue
Candy is sweet
and I hope your Valentines Day is too!"
to put inside.
At about 5:00 I went over to my friend's house to bake some Valentine sugar cookies. We had a good time experimenting different ways to cut and decorate them (see pictures). One of the cookies turned out to be a giant pink heart with colored sprinkles rolled inside the dough and we even tried baking conversation hearts into some of the others. The funny thing was that even though they melted a little bit into the cookie, their texture didn't change. They still felt hard and crunchy!
I hope you've enjoyed hearing about my Valentines Day and I hope that yours was just as happy.
Here is what I did to celebrate the holiday:
It did not take long after I woke up for my Valentines Day to begin. As I walked down the stairs, I found a red envelope waiting for me on top of the piano. It was a card from my dad. Every year its his project to buy us all Valentines. Its fun to look through the Valentine bag from the attic and read all my old cards from past February 14ths.
After my piano lesson my mom and I drove over to Rosalinds Candy Castle to buy some Valentine sweets. Inside the small store, a line of people waiting to purchase last minute suprises wrapped around the candy displays stocked with Valentine confections complete with colorful red and pink wrappers. There were little boxs of chocolate, heart shaped lollipops, candy berries, and little bags of candy hearts. Most of the people were choosing from the wide variety of gourmet chocolates at the counter or ordering a box of delicious chocolate covered strawberries. We left the store with the latter, two bags of candy berries, and some little raspberry milk chocolates for one of my friends.
Later on after school, I had fun going around the neighborhood delivering my tiny Martha Stewart Valentines which my mom (who has very good taste) found for me at Michael's craft store. I think they're my favorite ones yet! They're so cute! I had a good time trying to think up rhymes such as
"Roses are Red
Violets are blue
Candy is sweet
and I hope your Valentines Day is too!"
to put inside.
At about 5:00 I went over to my friend's house to bake some Valentine sugar cookies. We had a good time experimenting different ways to cut and decorate them (see pictures). One of the cookies turned out to be a giant pink heart with colored sprinkles rolled inside the dough and we even tried baking conversation hearts into some of the others. The funny thing was that even though they melted a little bit into the cookie, their texture didn't change. They still felt hard and crunchy!
After I had finished my dinner back at home, another one of my friends brought me over a big heart shaped Valentine.
The day concluded with me presenting my parents
their special cards and then watching the new episode of "Pawn Stars" before bed.
I hope you've enjoyed hearing about my Valentines Day and I hope that yours was just as happy.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
More Trader Joe's Products I Recommend
Maria and I at the Trader Joe's in Hyattsville, MD Circa 2008
Joe Joe's Cookies
Avocado's Number Guacamole
Gummy Tummies
Chicken Cilantro Wontons
Dried Fruity Flakes
Plantain Chips
Columbus Salami
Fresh Goat Cheese Medallions
Na an Bread
Triple Berry O's
Salsa Authentica
I will add more to the list when they come to mind, you can add some too in the comment section!
New Missy Times On It's Way!
Inside The Missy Times
"Dreams Crushed: Super Bowl Results In Super Disapointment"
"National Toothache Day"
"Can the Groundhog Be Trusted?"
Be a Star..... Watch Pawn Stars!"
"Trader Joes: Not Your Typical Grocery Store!"
"2 Issues Fall Into Black Hole!"
"Did You Know?"
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