Awakenings from Then ’til Now allows you to Embrace Your Past, Empower the Present, Enrich Your Future.
Welcome to Awakenings
Life IS history in the making. Every word we say, everything we do becomes history the moment it is said or done. Life void of memories leaves nothing but emptiness. For those who might consider history boring, think again: It is who we are, what we do and why we are here. We are certainly individuals in our thoughts and deeds but we all germinated from seeds planted long, long ago.
During such a hectic time of spending, spending, spending, it is great to flip the coin, shift gears, cross the road to the other side and focus on giving! It is easy to get caught up in the excitement letting the importance of the season take a backseat. Time to step forward with focus on giving back and celebrating generosity! December 1 is...
Every day is a day to be thankful. The Gobble Gobble Gobbleof Thanksgiving provided the opportunity to indulge (often gorge ourselves) in a holiday feast and most importantly celebrate a day of gratitude. Rocking chair conversation with family and friends resulted in fireside chatter openly expressing that which we are truly thankful, while at the same time making us sleepy. Trying desperately to keep eyes open was often short lived with the 'L-tryptophan' in the turkey being to blame.
The day after Thanksgiving left no time for rest, since adrenaline pumped ninety to nothing at the crack of dawn in anticipation of making it to the mall in time to at least get a decent place in line. Even if you grabbed a leftover turkey leg on the way out, the tryptophan didn't stand a chance against the adrenaline. You were hyped! You were about to engage in Black Friday's Hot Deals & Insanity!
Maybe you did not make it to the mall on Black Friday. Never fear! #CyberMonday appeared! Still time to shop but this time you did not have to leave the house. All shopping was done online, you didn't even have to get out of your PJs. Leftover turkey makes the BEST sandwiches! Did you crash on the computer keyboard or fall out of your chair! Even the coffee may not have been able to work its magic.
So far you celebrated one day of giving thanks and two days of getting deals. Time to even the score. #GivingTuesday is a global day dedicated to giving back. This is a day set aside to celebrate generosity and to give...to your family & friends, your favorite charity, within your company or business, and at community centers. It can be a donation of time or money, volunteering and joining in on giving. This is a great segue into Christmas which is the season for giving!
What do YOU plan on giving back? Inspire your friends!
[Be sure to peruse all the way to the bottom...you MUST know America ❤LOVES❤ apples!]
December 1 is...
Eat a Red Apple Day
We know that an apple a day keeps the doctor away so in September, Apple Time celebrated Eat an Apple Day, aka International Eat an Apple Day. Supposedly on that day any variety or color apple was on the menu with encouragement to eat anything apple related. There are more than 7,500 varieties of apples worldwide so finding an apple should never be a problem. Eat a Red Apple Day is the day to bite into a fresh apple that is simply red.
How much 'Red' do you know?
Red Deliciousis a classic - America’s favorite snacking apple. The
heart-shaped fruit is bright red and sometimes striped. Crunchy with a
mildly sweet flavor, Reds are also great in salads. Washington apple
growers have been producing the world’s best Red Delicious apples since
the 1920s. They’re harvested in September and October and available
throughout the year.
The Fuji, immensely flavorful, new variety was introduced to the U.S. from
Japan in the 1980s, but now the U.S. produces more Fujis than Japan.
Each year, this big, super-sweet, crisp apple gains new fans. The Fuji
holds its texture when baked. It's known for its hard texture and syrupy
sweetness. It's also excellent for baking and salads. Washington's cool
weather in the late fall helps develop its reddish-pink color and
superb flavor. Fujis are harvested in October and can be purchased
October to August.
The Braeburn apple’s rich, sweet-tart, spicy flavor is high-impact. Color
varies from orange to red over a yellow background. Aromatic, juicy and
crisp, this apple is very firm. Braeburns are great for snacking and
baking. Washington growers harvest the variety in September and early
October. Consumers can purchase Washington Braeburns from October
through July.
Developed by the University of Minnesota, Honeycrisp has bright red and
pale green outer skin and a cream colored crisp yet juicy inner flesh.
With a sweet yet slightly tart flavor, this variety of apple is great
for salads, baking, cooking or eating as a snack. The Honeycrisp Apple
was created to grow well in cooler northern climates. It is a variety
that stores well.
The Gala apple is a hybrid of the Golden Delicious apple, developed in
New Zealand during the 1920s. This small, two-toned apple has a sweet
flavor and a firm texture. It is recommended for eating raw and for use
in pies and other baked goods.
The Cameo is a cultivar of apple, discovered by chance by the Caudle family in a Dryden, Washington orchard in 1987. Its parentage is uncertain; it may be a cross between a Red Delicious and a Golden Delicious, since it was found near orchards of those fruits; [1]
it also appears similar to the original Delicious cultivar. It is
bright red striped over creamy orange, firm and crisp with an aromatic
flavor. It is among the top ten most grown apples in Washington.
New York Empireapples are red, juicy, firm, crunchy and sweet. They ripen during September and October, and will keep until January. The original seed was a cross between the varieties McIntosh and Red Delicious. Empire apples are excellent for eating and salads, and good for sauce, baking, pies and freezing. It is an ideal lunch-box apple, not least because it does not bruise easily.
The Rome apple is rounded, all red, and very glossy, with a thick skin and
firm flesh. It is primarily used for baking, as its flavor develops when
cooked, and it holds its shape well. It is commonly described as less
desirable as an eating apple because of its subtle flavor that is not as
sweet, flashy, or tart as some other varieties, yet it is the favorite
eating apple of many. It comes to market in late September and is
considered a good keeper. 'Rome' apples are widely grown and available,
and are a staple variety in American commerce.
Round in shape and medium sized, the skin of the Winesap apple is dark red in color. Its firm flesh is crisp and exceptionally juicy with a creamy yellow hue. Winesap apples are highly aromatic with a balanced sweet, tart taste and get their name due to their distinctive spicy wine-like flavor.
Round
in shape and medium sized the skin of the Winesap apple is dark red in
color. Its firm flesh is crisp and exceptionally juicy with a creamy
yellow hue. Winesap apples are highly aromatic with a balanced sweet
tart taste and get their name due to their distinctive spicy wine like
flavor.
By this time you should be READY to bite into a juicy RED apple...Go for it!
...one of the most exciting times of the year...colorful &musical!
Ordinarily when one hears December, thoughts are surrounded by br-r-r-r-r cold, Ol' Man Winter and Jack Frost. Taking the entire globe into consideration, that is NOT always the case.
December is the first month of meteorological winter in the Northern Hemisphere and in the Southern Hemisphere
is the first month of summer. December is the month with the shortest
daylight hours of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and the longest
daylight hours of the year in the Southern Hemisphere.Source: wikipedia.org
So much to celebrate during the month of December with "Santa Claus" being the most popular! Every day is overflowing with tantalizing aromas and music in the air as multitudes of people hit the shopping malls looking for the best gift, the best buy. Lengthy lists, crowded stores, long lines and hectic plans too often become the defining moments for Christmas.
Let us not for a moment forget the true reason for the season!
Be sure to add a little, make it a lot, of love...
December is filled with monthly,weekly anddaily celebrations.
With December being a month of partying, partying, partying, at the top of the list is to remain responsible so friends and loved ones can remain safe! This holds true for both hosts and guests. As the host, you are responsible for all guests. As a guest, you are responsible for any and all associations. Be knowledgeable of Safe Holiday Tips and beware of
Drunk, Drugged, Distracted Drivers—4D!
Here is a true story and a book you really should read...
Happy times, a sunny day, a driving drunk, eight lives
forever changed. A mother’s account of actual events of her family, filled with
laughter, love, loss, and survival. It is a day like any other, except the
intense heat wave has broken and signs of early fall are in the air. Around the
dining room table of her 100 year old farmhouse Micki Peluso's six children
along with three of their friends eagerly gulp down a chicken dinner. As soon
as the last morsel is ravished, the lot of them is off in different directions.
Except for the one whose turn it is to do the dishes. After offering her mother
a buck if she’ll do them, with an impish grin, the child rushes out the front
door, too excited for a hug, calling out, "Bye Mom," as the door
slams shut. For the Peluso’s the nightmare begins.
December is Bingo's birthday month. The game was originally called “beano” and dates back to 1530 with the Italian variation called Lo Giuoco del Lotto D'Italia.
Bingo was made by toy salesman, Edwin S. Lowe, who initially overheard
someone accidentally yell “bingo!” in their utter excitement playing
Beano at a carnival. He produced the first commercial version of the
game, which retailed at $1.
Challenge: Do you consider yourself your own best friend? Write a letter to yourself about the current events in your life. Seal it, stamp it, store it away and mail it to yourself in 10 years. Just don't forget where you put it!
The necktie, which is basically a
long piece of cloth tied in a knot, is a snazzy fashion invention that
dates back to the 17th century with the neckerchief. The necktie has
developed into different variations over the years, meshing or clashing
with the changing fashion eras (i.e. the clip-on, bow tie, skinny tie,
novelty ties, silk ties, and ties for women). Primarily, the necktie had
been a professional staple in wardrobes for men obeying a strict dress
code. With the changing times, the accessory has developed throughout many fashion creations
(the necktie skirt), tie trends
like ties worn with casual wear, and terrible fads like females
sporting the necktie with obscenely short skirts (such an fashion
eye-sore!) During National Tie Month, let your BEST tie be seen!
Human rights are the fundamental rights which every living person is
entitled to, and are considered to be universal rights or laws
regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, country or time. Human Rights Month
encourages greater awareness of human rights, and promotes the
continuing struggle to ensure that all people have access to life’s
basic necessities.
The
Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was adopted by the UN in 1948 as a
response to the Nazi holocaust and to set a standard by which the human rights
activities of all nations, rich and poor alike, are to be measured.
Celebrating by making LOTS of cookies! Remember, you can freeze cookies to have on hand for munching or to give-away during the hecticness of the holidays!
So far you celebrated one day of giving thanks and two days of getting deals. Time to even the score. #GivingTuesday is a global day dedicated to giving back. This is a day set aside to celebrate generosity and to give...to your family & friends, your favorite charity, within your company or business, and at community centers. It can be a donation of time or money, volunteering and joining in on giving. This is a great segue into Christmas which is the season for giving! 
