The Pink House of Claremore

Ok, folks…here it is. The definitive list of top things to do while it’s snowing. Remember, you no longer have the excuse of a lack of the white stuff. We’ve gotten at least 20 inches up in Claremore and we're expecting more! :)

1. Go Sledding. Ok, I’m not wishing any broken bones on anybody, especially if you’re over 45, but sledding can be exhilarating, if you do it right. Wear plenty of warm clothes and make sure the hill you’re on doesn’t empty out into high speed traffic.

2. Snowball Fight. Calling all soldiers. Your mission, if you wish to accept it…is to vanquish your enemy by hitting him with a giant snowball. Remember, no whining or crying, and sneak attacks are allowed.

3. Make Snow Angels. This is your chance to act like an angel. Fall on the fluffy stuff and spread your wings. Short-lived I know, but it’s fun while you’re doing it.

4. Build a Snowman. Couldn’t skip this one. The trick is checking the snow to make sure it’s the right, sticky consistency.
Next, start the snowball in your bare hands and keep it rolling till you have a nice size and shape. Judge where you want it to end up or you’ll be building your snow guy in the bushes.
Make the middle section and head the same way but a little smaller, then stack them up.
Shape him up with your hands and make him perfectly round—then throw on some accessories. Twigs for arms, stones for eyes, carrots for a nose…you get the picture.

5. Make Snow Cream. My all time favorite. Alot of moms make this with snow, of course, milk, vanilla, and sugar. My suggestion is sweetened condensed milk, vanilla, and a little milk. Talk about heaven…and you’ll already be a snow angel. Ha, Ha.

Well that’s all I have for now. Let me know if you have any suggestions or fond memories of things you used to do in the snow.

Go to our Facebook Page and tell us about it.

Enjoy the white stuff,

Margo

As we prepare for Thanksgiving, I encourage us to find time to quietly say a prayer for the things we are thankful for and for those we love. We are surrounded by so much wonderful beauty and blessings in our lives. I know each of us has a story to tell of what God has done for us and the grace He gives us on a daily basis.

Finding time to convey that in a whispered prayer will give your heart joy and allow you an expression of gratitude to God. Remember He loves you so much and longs to be with you in the quiet moments of your life.

Set aside a few moments today to enjoy His presence and linger in His grace.

Psalm 111 says,

Praise the Lord.
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who have pleasure in them.
Full of honor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures for ever.
He has caused his wonderful works to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and merciful.
He provides food for those who fear him; he is ever mindful of his covenant.
He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the heritage of the nations.
The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy,
they are established for ever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant for ever. Holy and terrible is his name!
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
a good understanding have all those who practice it. His praise endures for ever!

Happy Thanksgiving,

Margo

Most of us think of Thanksgiving as a day of stuffing ourselves with turkey and dressing and sampling every rich dessert in sight (not to mention that afternoon nap and football game). But, how often do we really think about the history behind the holiday and why we give thanks to God in the first place.

I believe we at least should be aware of the basics. For example, did you know…

• It took the pilgrims over two months to reach the New World in the Mayflower. The people couldn’t even keep themselves warm with a fire due to the risk of setting their wooden boat ablaze. Can you say damp, dark, and wet? 
• Only half of the 102 pilgrims survived that first winter in the New World in1620 due to the brutal weather. They fared far better the second year in 1621 with the help of Squanto and the Wampanoag Indians. That fall, Govenor William Bradford organized the first Thanksgiving feast to celebrate their bountiful harvest season. 91 Indians were invited.
• 100 years later, in 1777, the 13 original colonies joined together in thanks for victory over the British at Saratoga . Again, it was just a one time celebration, but it helped lay the foundation for our giving thanks as a nation.
• Thanksgiving wasn’t an official holiday until 1863. President Lincoln declared it so as a gesture of unity during the Civil War. I believe we should celebrate it today thinking of our rich blessings and what unites us together as Americans. 

Some other fun facts…

• Ever wonder what was on the menu for the first Thanksgiving? Wild ducks and geese, venison, fish, berries, dried fruit, potatoes, and even lobster, according to historians. Ironically, however, there’s no mention of turkey or even cranberry jelly with those ridges from the can. LOL.
• The NFL’s first game on Thanksgiving was in 1934. The Lions did it to get people to go to see games. It seems to have worked. 
• Each Thanksgiving, our President gives a turkey a presidential pardon. Yes, it’s true. They’re pardoned and then retired to a farm for life or Disney Land where they act as their Grand Marshall for their Thanksgiving Day Parade. For real? 

That’s all I have for now. If you have any facts you would like to include, just post it to our Pink House Facebook page.

Blessings to you and remember to give thanks to God for your Harvest this season.

Margo

A Poem for Fall…

I love fall poems. I especially like them when there’s a crispness in the air and I can settle in with a good cup of tea in the morning or evening. September’s cool, as we know, can be a hit or miss in Oklahoma, depending on the stubbornness of summer, but at least you know relief is coming soon. One of my favorite memories of our Oklahoma autumn is that of the Monarch butterflies.  Before my husband went to heaven we would often enjoy them as they migrated during this season. It was something that was very special to us and still is to me today. Another thing I love about this cooler weather is it seems it's the perfect time for reading poems with a cup of tea.

Here’s one I found called September. It’s by Helen Hunt Jackson. You may have heard of her. She was a great poet known for her rhythmical sonnets and powerful images. When you read it, think of the breathtaking sights and sounds of autumn and God’s wonderful miracle in us all—the gift of His life and hope.

I pray blessings on your life this wonderful time of year and hope you’ll remember to enjoy the colors this fall.

SEPTEMBER

The golden-rod is yellow;
  The corn is turning brown;
The trees in apple orchards
  With fruit are bending down.

The gentian's bluest fringes
  Are curling in the sun;
In dusty pods the milkweed
  Its hidden silk has spun.

The sedges flaunt their harvest,
  In every meadow nook;
And asters by the brook-side
  Make asters in the brook,

From dewy lanes at morning
  The grapes' sweet odors rise;
At noon the roads all flutter
  With yellow butterflies.

By all these lovely tokens
  September days are here,
With summer's best of weather,
  And autumn's best of cheer.

But none of all this beauty
 Which floods the earth and air
 Is unto me the secret
 Which makes September fair.

‘T is a thing which I remember;
  To name it thrills me yet:
 One day of one September
  I never can forget.

Margo

Did you know that July was National Ice Cream Month? 

Ronald Reagan designated it as such in 1984. He also selected the third Sunday of the month as National Ice Cream Day (this month, it was July 18^th), a day for recognizing ice cream as one of America’s most beloved desserts. 

Although there’s little doubt of its popularity, the question of when ice cream was first invented remains somewhat of a mystery. 

Some suggest Marco Polo brought it back to Europe from China in the 13^th century. Others say it started in the 4^th century BC with the Roman Emperor, Nero, who loved to eat a dessert made from mountain ice and fruit toppings.

Whatever the case, it eventually made its way to Europe (mostly in the form of milk ices and sherbets) in the 1500s and became popular with the royal court there, particularly England.

After it was brought to America in the 1700s, it became a popular treat with presidents such as George Washington, Jefferson, and Madison who loved to serve it to their guests at official parties and functions.

The popularity of ice cream grew even more in the 19^th century with the arrival of mechanical technology and modern freezing tools. People could make it at home in wooden bucket churns or go to their local ice cream shop or soda fountain to get their fill of their favorite treat.

Today, ice cream can be bought in virtually any store and remains the most popular dessert in the US. On average, Americans consume around 23 quarts of ice cream, sherbets and other frozen dairy treats per year. That comes to 12 and a half brain freezes per capita. LOL

So, go ahead. Sit back and have some ice cream today. Enjoy your favorite flavor or try something new.

There’s nothing like honoring your heritage by eating a bowl of your favorite creamy dessert. No need to feel guilty.

You’re just doing your civic duty by helping celebrate a national holiday.

Just watch out for those brain freezes.

Margo

It’s funny how certain tastes will bring back memories from the past or certain seasons of our lives. I call these memory foods because they stir up so much of the emotions that we associate with them and lead us back in our minds to a different time and place.

Take the taste of watermelon, for instance.  For most of us, it’s synonymous with summertime fun and the carefree days of childhood. There’s no other food I can think of, that so captures the heart of summer and its refreshing and relaxing vibe.

I can remember as a kid having to go outside to eat it because it was so messy to consume. You probably do too. Remember mom booting you out to the backyard? She had a good sense about the physics involved and the probability of the sticky juice getting everywhere.   

But, that’s the great part about eating watermelon. You don’t hold back. There’s no etiquette. No rules to follow. No care for appearance. No criticisms, except from mom. Nothing...just pleasure. 

You just devour it with gusto and enjoyment, and try not to hit anyone spitting out the seeds.

Icy cold…sweet…refreshing…carefree.

So often, I think our approach to life should be the same way. No holding back. We should just live life with gusto and enjoy the simple pleasures God has given us.

I think we forget how short life really is and that tomorrow quickly comes and goes. There’s no better time than now to enjoy the moment with the people we love and care for.

Remember, life is a gift from God to cherish and enjoy, but it doesn’t last forever.  

Savor the here and now like a sweet, refreshing fruit you remember from childhood.

Enjoy it with gusto…and always remember to spit out the seeds. 

Blessings,

Margo