Giving Tuesday

"We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give." 

~Winston Churchill

There is a fantastic new idea coming around this holiday season...

Giving Tuesday. 

Have you ever felt like there is more that you could or *should* be doing for others around you? We can easily get so wrapped up in our own lives that we forget about the needs of the people around us. Giving Tuesday hopes to change that. 

Giving Tuesday

When?: November 27th, 2012

What is it???: A day to give back. Businesses, Non-profits, Families, Individuals...this day is for all of us!!!!! We can all find some way to give back to our community. Any way, small or big, can make a difference. Giving Tuesday is a day of caring.  Retailers have made so much money off from special "days" like Black Friday or Cyber Monday... it is time to put GIVING back into the holidays. Lets make giving an integral part of our holiday season, not just loads of toys under the tree... we should give to our neighbors, our friends, and the needy. 

How can I help?:  

Here are some ideas..... go HERE for more

*Families and individuals could start simply: donate food to a local food bank, clothes to a shelter, cook meals for elderly neighbors, bring old boots and jackets (along with mittens, gloves, and hats) to a nearby elementary school. Talk to your children about *why* you are doing it and make an annual event. Here are some other ideas for families and individuals.

*Businesses, Non-Profits, and Communities could donate certain portions of their proceeds for the day, offer free services, advertise about the day on their webpages and social media outlets, or do fund matching for a cause. They could try hosting walks/runs for a cause, gather a group of volunteers to do special projects, have bake sales,  and inspire others to join the cause. Business, check out Do Something.org for a cool idea involving teens. 

*Bloggers can become affiliates here. Spread the word through all your social media and blogging venues!!! There is so much you can do to share information about this wonderful event!!!

I hope you will all join me in celebrating Giving Tuesday this November 27th!!!

A Marvelous Mess and Features!!!

Here's what I have been up to this past week:

Needle Felted Gnomes! Inspired by these gnomes at Laura Lee Burch.

We had some great posts this last week! Thanks so much much to all of you for linking up. Here are my fave's:

Votes for Women from Crystelle Boutique. I hope you all did your duty and made your voice heard by voting!!! So many sacrificed so much so that we all have that right. 

And, the post I'm going to feature on my sidebar is...

Pumpkin Cupcakes with Caramel Frosting from Sweet Southern Blue. Um, Yum?!!

If I featured you in this post, this button is yours:

<br /><center> <a href="http://marvelouslymessy.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="A Marvelous Mess" src="http://i941.photobucket.com/albums/ad256/MarvelouslyMs/buttonbackground1-2.jpg" /></a></center> Now, on to the par-tay!

<a href="http://tatertotsandjello.com/" target="_blank">
<img src="http://tatertotsandjello.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/978446890_7b2ZN-O2.png" alt="" />

A Marvelous Mess and Features!!!!

We spent the day with family today. Traveled an hour and a half by car to get to a remote camp in northern Maine and it was well worth the trip. Gorgeous views and the cutest little camp!!!!

My family has done a great job in renovating and redecorating this new camp. Here is one of my favorite little additions:

A simple lamp shade painted by my mother with india ink to show animals tracks you might see around. Something else my mother painted in the camp:

She's a fantastic artist!!! 

Here's the most important piece of equipment for a northern camp:

A wood stove. No doubt about it, this lady gets put to good use. Love the little rack above on the wall for drying mittens. There's a moose antler on a shelf above it as well. If you're lucky you can find those, and deer antlers in the woods. 

On our walk in the woods we were shown a recent (possible)bear markings on a tree:

After a morning and afternoon at the camp, including a long walk through the woods with a *very* happy Buddy and Chloe, we drove back in the direction of home....but instead of stopping there we went straight to the other side of the family for some nice warm dinner and dessert. Grilled salmon, a Lebanese cracked wheat dish, fresh from the garden potatoes, and green beans. Dessert was a spiced pear cake with vanilla ice cream. Yum!!!!

What did you all do this weekend????

Here are my fave's from last week:

American Teacher by Todd and Lindsay. This is a great (and very important) read. Please take the time to read about her job and consider watching the movie by Matt Damon!! Teachers are constantly overworked and underpaid in my mind. 

Pet Costumes from Creative Lady of the House. Love the ideas!!!!

Frankenstorm Frankenpatties from My Sisters Pantry.

And, the post I'm going to feature on my sidebar for a week is....

Poop Factory by Turtles and Tails. This one totally cracked me up!!!!!!!

If I featured you in this post, this button is yours:

<br /><center> <a href="http://marvelouslymessy.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="A Marvelous Mess" src="http://i941.photobucket.com/albums/ad256/MarvelouslyMs/buttonbackground1-2.jpg" /></a></center> Now, on to the party!!!!!!!