Martin Luther King Day - Not Just a Holiday

A Long Weekend!

Do you have plans for the long weekend coming up? A three-day weekend is always a treat. I have some good memories of family ski weekends, relaxing getaways, and travels to swim meets during these short breaks from school. 

Family skiing, Martin Luther King weekend 2008.

Shortly after the weekend this photo was taken, I purchased my first ski helmet, and have worn one every time I have skied since. That's not a fur scarf I'm wearing - it's a turtleneck and my frosty hair!

The purpose of Martin Luther King Day, however, is not just an opportunity for a three day weekend. I always have tried to remember (and remind my kids) that it is a time to reflect on the struggles of the civil rights movement, and the promotion of equal rights for everyone.

Martin Luther King, Jr. was born on January 15th, 1929, but the American Federal holiday that honors him is always the third Monday of January. There is unfortunately still a lot of progress needed to ensure equality for all humans, but his efforts moved us a long way in the right direction.

A Word Prompt Challenge

I enjoy the challenge of writing from a word prompt once in a while. I decided to see if I could incorporate this week's Words for Wednesday, (supplied on the blog Under the Porch Light) in an informational piece about Martin Luther King. To accomplish this, I had to do a little research, and I learned some things I hadn't known before.

This is not a history report, but an attempt at providing a little historical insight within a creative writing piece. It may contain some information you did not know. 

This week's word prompt words:

telescopic, injured, frame, smooth, incandescent, spectacular

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Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr. was one of the great leaders of the civil rights movement, and is perhaps the most famous. A gifted motivational speaker, he used his speeches to inform and get people involved in the civil rights movement.

Nothing short of incandescent

His lectures on non-violence and civil rights took him to India. There, Martin Luther King met Ghandi, whom he described as “the guiding light of our technique of nonviolent social change.” Ghandi may have been a “guiding light,” but King’s attempts to bring about social change in a peaceful way were nothing short of incandescent (both in the passionate and illuminating sense of the word.)

“Not one hair of one head ...”

Martin Luther King could have had a spectacular career as a doctor or a lawyer, with his educational background. Instead, he became a Baptist minister and a social activist. He was president of the SCLC Southern Christian Leadership Conference, an organization which firmly believed in non-violence, with the motto "Not one hair of one head of one person should be harmed."

Unfortunately the efforts towards ensuring racial equality were not always smooth. Peaceful protesters were on occasion responded to with violence and participants were hurt, despite the plan that no one be injured.

No Paparazzi were present

On April 4th, 1968 King was fatally wounded by a bullet, while standing on the balcony of a motel. As far as I know, there were no photos taken at the moment he was shot, as was the case with the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, which happened during a scheduled public event. 

In present day, a political figure of such import can rarely have a private moment unobserved by the press. King's assassination in today’s world would most likely be caught in the frame of the zoom lens with telescopic power of an ever-present photographer. 

Reporters did arrive (to read a news report, click here) and photographs were taken shortly after the shot was fired. James Earl Ray was convicted as the murderer and given a life sentence in prison.

Sources:
timeanddate.com
History.com
History Learning Site

New York Times
The King Center

Merriam-Webster.com

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I found the following short video to be very informative. It is well worth taking a minute this weekend to watch it!  

                   

Did you know the “I Have a Dream” speech was an impromptu deviation from King’s prepared remarks?

If you can, make this Monday “a day on, not a day off” and honor King with an act of community service.

Don't forget to stop back here tomorrow, to see where my “Saturday Spotlight” will shine.

Have a wonderful and safe weekend.

This post may be linked to one of the great link-up parties I follow and list on my blog. Check them out!

Note: In the spirit of full disclosure, this post may contain an affiliate link, for which I may receive compensation if any purchases are made. All opinions expressed, however, are entirely my own.

“Mom, These Cupcakes Are the Best Thing Ever!”

“These Buckeye cupcakes are SO good!” Those were the words of my son, when he got home from school yesterday. I consider that pretty high praise, coming from a teenage boy who usually consumes an unbelievable amount of calories each day without much comment. He had two of the cupcakes in his lunch today, and I didn't count how many he ate this afternoon. Oh, how I envy his active teenage athletic metabolism!

I usually am the toughest critic of my own cooking, but I have to admit, these cupcakes I mentioned in my post yesterday really are a winner. I have had my share of flops while experimenting in the kitchen - but what cook hasn't? This time, however, I nailed it!

These cupcakes don't require much skill to make, although they are a little labor intensive as you must make the Buckeye candies first. I usually prefer to bake cakes from scratch and prepare my own icing, but my shortcut of using a cake mix and “doctored-up” store-bought frosting saved a lot of time - and didn't hurt the results at all.

Even if the Buckeyes hadn't won the 2015 College Football National Championship game, I think perhaps these cupcakes would still have made my family smile. An Oregon Ducks fan might even like them. (Perhaps by applying the peanut butter and chocolate frosting just half-and-half across the top of the cupcakes, instead of how I've suggested, they wouldn't have quite as much Buckeye character!) 

Whatever pattern you decide upon for the frosting, I hope that you enjoy them too!

Susan's Buckeye Cupcake Recipe

(makes 24 - 36 cupcakes)

Ingredients:

15 oz. chocolate cake mix

3 eggs

1/2 cup oil

1 1/4 cup water

24 - 36 Buckeye candies (see recipe on the most - - of every moment, by clicking here)

2 cups Duncan Hines Cream classic chocolate frosting (or any deep chocolate-colored frosting)

1 cup Duncan Hines Cream cheese frosting (or any cream cheese frosting)

4 TBSP peanut butter

1 - 2 TBSP cocoa (optional)

I didn't have a lot of time, so I took a few shortcuts (cake mix and store-bought icing) when making these cupcakes.  The result was delicious - but if you prefer, feel free to substitute your favorite cake and icing recipes.

Cake and Filling Directions:

• Make cake mix according to the directions, using first 4 ingredients.

• Place 24 -36 paper cupcake liners in muffin tins and cover the bottom of each with cake batter

• Drop a Buckeye candy into each paper liner. (This will be the cupcake “filling.”)

• Add cake batter on top, covering each candy and filling cupcake liners about 2/3 full.

• Bake cupcakes 15 - 18 minutes until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool for 15 minutes.

• Gently take cupcakes out of metal tins and allow to cool completely.

Frosting Directions:

• Add peanut butter to cream cheese frosting and mix well.  Use chocolate frosting as purchased or sift in a little additional cocoa (mix well) for a darker color if desired.

• Form flat 3/4 inch discs of icing and lay one in the center of each cupcake.

• Using a narrow metal spatula, carefully place chocolate frosting around each disc, completely covering rest of the top of the cupcake.  

• When finished, cupcake should resemble the top of an oversized Buckeye tree nut.

I would suggest serving these with a tall glass of cold milk - and a fork because they can be a little messy!

We are an OSU Buckeye family, but I love Tillamook ice cream from Oregon.

What flavor of ice cream would you serve with these cupcakes?

This post may be linked to one of the great link-up parties I follow and list on my blog. Check them out!

Food, Family and Football. Way to Go, Buckeyes!

A family of Buckeyes

I married into a football family.  An Ohio State University football family from Ohio, to be exact.  I had never really experienced football fever until the first time I watched a Buckeye football game with them. This was serious stuff!

My children were taught the Ohio State Fight Song at an early age, and have always owned some form of OSU attire.

Almost a quarter century after that first game, I still haven't developed much desire to watch men tackle and potentially hurt each other. I just have no understanding of it. However, I am interested in the outcome of the games ... especially the important ones.  I know the occupants of my house are much happier when the Buckeyes win.

No distractions allowed

Last night, there was just a small group in front of our television, watching the first ever College Football National Championship game. Only extremely serious football fans who could be completely focused on the game were invited.  A party atmosphere would have been distracting.  Some food was laid out, but unobtrusively.

I joined the group for a while, but I could tell my comments were not really appreciated, as is usually the case. Apparently it is irritating if I ask the score, because it is actually displayed in a corner of the screen. And no one ever wants to explain the rules.  So, after a bit I went back upstairs.

Which was okay, because I still needed to frost the Buckeye cupcakes I had made for halftime.

What is a Buckeye, anyway?

For those who don't know, a Buckeye is a tree nut (inedible) from the Buckeye tree.  Buckeye candies closely resemble these nuts in shape, color, and size, and are an Ohio favorite.

These are real Buckeyes from a tree that was on our property when we lived in Ohio.
They are supposed to be good luck, so I have saved them all these years!

Because last night’s game was a monumental occasion, I decided yesterday afternoon to make some Buckeye candies. While in the midst of making the candies, I decided I would try to also create some Buckeye cupcakes.  These turned out even better than I had hoped!

Anyone who likes chocolate and peanut butter is sure to enjoy both of these recipes, even if you are not a Buckeye football fan!!  

Susan's Buckeye Candy Recipe

(makes 4 or 5 dozen)

A plate full of Buckeyes!

Ingredients:
3 c. icing sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup peanut butter
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 cups chocolate chips
1/4 bar paraffin

Directions:

• With a mixer, combine icing sugar, butter, peanut butter, and vanilla - on low until combined, so sugar doesn't splatter.

• Shape dough into round balls, using about 1 tsp. of dough.

• Melt the chocolate and paraffin together, in the top of a double boiler until melted, stirring until smooth.

• Using a toothpick, dip the peanut butter balls into the melted chocolate until almost covered.  The remaining spot should resemble the light brown part of a buckeye nut. Allow to dry briefly, then gently place on waxed paper and remove the toothpick.

• Once chocolate coating on candies has hardened, lightly smooth the hole from toothpick in the peanut butter center.

Note: Don't worry if peanut butter balls are not completely round.  The Buckeye tree nut is not perfect either.

Real and candy Buckeyes

Happy Household

The Ohio State Buckeyes made history last night, as the first ever College football National Champions. They won the game, 42 - 20. The men in my house are happy, so I am happy too.

My son and husband after the game - each with one of my Buckeye cupcakes!

Tomorrow, I will publish the recipe for my Buckeye Cupcakes.  Here's a peek inside of one:

Did you notice that not all the Buckeyes on the plate in the “plate full of Buckeyes”photo above are candy? 

Do you know which two are real?

This post may be linked to one of the great link-up parties I follow and list on my blog. Check them out!

Saturday Spotlight Series #2: Rules for Life

How to Live Life

Throughout the ages, pearls of wisdom have been passed down from generation to generation in the form of clever and memorable sayings.  

This week my spotlight shines upon ...

... a past US President whose words of advice have been shared for almost 200 years; and a blogger who has put her own spin on some well-known clichés. While one is serious and the other humorous, what they have in common are some well thought-out opinions of how life should be lived.

A Visit to Monticello

Many years ago, I was visiting a friend in Charlottesville, VA, and she was kind enough to take me to Monticello, the plantation home of Thomas Jefferson.  Practically every visitor to Charlottesville wants to see this historic property, and my friend had already been through the buildings so many times she could have replaced the tour guide. It really was good of her to go with me!

Thomas Jefferson - a Man of Many Accomplishments

Most people know that Thomas Jefferson was a past president of the United States, and the author of the Declaration of Independence, but he was influential in many other ways as well. Jefferson apparently had a lot of advice for his family and friends.  He had some strong opinions about proper personal conduct, and even went as far as to make lists of his thoughts.  He included one such list in a letter he wrote in 1825, and  titled it “canons for observation in practical life.”  

Thomas Jefferson's Advice for Proper Personal Conduct

After our tour, I came across a poster of Jefferson's “canons for observation” in the Monticello gift shop. Since it seemed like good advice even in modern times, I purchased the poster.  I have hung it up in every house I have lived in since then. Though rather faded and wrinkled, it is now displayed in my laundry room, where I still read it frequently.

Modern Day Advice: A Letter From a Mother to Her Sons

Now back to my spotlighted blogger, Karen.  Karen's blog, Baking in a Tornado is full of wonderful storytelling, humor, recipes, and photos of food.  Recently, in her post The Whole Truth, she published a letter she had written to her college-aged sons.  She laments how quickly they have grown, and tells them it is time that they learn the real truth about the proverbs she has always used to guide them in their formation of moral and values.  Karen provides a list of her new and wisely witty advice.  For example:

“An apple a day makes you a good friend of the apple growers.Won’t hurt but don’t expect any miracles either.”

Have Our Cake and Eat It Too - Because Karen Provides the Recipe!

I love the spin Karen has put on more than two-dozen often-used clichés. This sentimental farewell to her offspring’s childhood would have made me sob, if it hadn't been as equally funny as it is touching.  But, we can all have our cake, and eat it too, because Karen’s post includes a really yummy looking recipe!

After reading this post by Karen, I am looking at my poster of Thomas Jefferson’s quotes with new vision. I wonder if Karen would make any changes to this list?

Do you have a favorite proverb or cliché?

This post may be linked to one of the great link-up parties I follow and list on my blog. Check them out!

Why It's Still Christmas at My House

Our family waits longer than anyone else we know to turn off our Christmas lights, and put away the holiday decorations.  I think I have figured out why.

It is well into the second week of January, and our Christmas tree is still up. Not just still decorated, but aglow with colorful twinkles. Our outside Christmas lights are still on, stockings rehung and we haven't put away a single holiday decoration. Why do we delay?

Our neighbors typically remove any signs of the holiday on New Year's Day, or at least by the weekend following January 1st. Rarely, a family will keep their home decorated until Epiphany (Three Kings Day, January 6th). Our house is usually the only one still illuminating the hillside in late January. We seem to rebel against the social norm in our neighborhood.

There may actually be other people who think like we do, however.  I realized this when I read an article by Roz Warren, When Should Christmas Lights Come Down.  

But why?
… Is it because we are

My Word.

Word of the Year 2015

I have found it fascinating that some people choose a "word of the year." Most bloggers seem to use their chosen word as an inspiration, and to provide a focus for their lives and their blogging.  I have been curious as to how the particular word is decided upon, and the role that it plays.

So many words!

My word chose me

Personally, I have never felt a particular need to identify one word - as a writer, I am instead drawn to many words.  I started to give this idea a little thought this week though, and the concept sort of invaded my sub-conscious.  Without me even going through a process of selection, a word presented itself.  I have mulled it around for a bit, and I do like the choice.

This “word” is not a subject I will write about, or photograph, create, or cook.  I do not intend to act specifically upon it in any one particular way - - but I hope it will apply to everything in my life in 2015. Unfortunately, there will surely be days when the opposite applies, but I hope an overall graph would show an upward trend. 

I don't intend to make a big deal of this particular word. I am not even setting up any measurable goals for it - - well, except for my blog stats (as recommended in my on-line blogging class this week!) and (of course) the numbers on my scale.  

Curious yet?

The word I have chosen for 2015 is

A New Year - a New Road to Travel

A new calendar year is like a highway stretching out before us. Getting ready for what lies ahead is a lot like getting ready for a road trip.  I've written some travel advice that may help navigate the coming months, and make the journey a little smoother and more fulfilling.

The New Year Is Like a Road Not Yet Taken - Here's How to Travel It Well 

Map the route, but be prepared for obstacles and opportunities along the way

We can make plans as specific as the directions on a GPS, but we still don't know exactly what lies ahead. Having a destination is good, but flexibility is important, as there may be construction to persevere, or side roads to explore. Sometimes the road is smooth, sometimes bumpy, and then there are those times the potholes threaten to swallow us up.

• Sunny skies or weather advisory

The next 12 months could be as variable as the weather changes one might encounter while traveling the roadways of Montana. There may be unexpected snow showers, a rainbow, some slippery black ice, or brilliant sunlight suddenly bursting from behind a cloud.

• Don't miss the eagle sightings and the short cuts

Be on the lookout so as not to miss unanticipated surprises - like an eagle overhead, or discovering a faster route to work. There will be times when everything just seems to go right. Dry roads and clear skies, a drop in the price of gas, and good company can make long miles simply fly by.

• Construction and Road Blocks

Obstacles will probably need to be overcome, like road repairs or the semi-truck that looms ahead in the no-passing lane. A flat tire, or a policeman signaling that we have exceeded the speed limit can slow us down. Sometimes we even run out of gas.

Getting there is half the fun

There are times when we can't wait to get to our destination and times we wish we would never arrive. We can't always speed up or slow down the journey, but we can strive to make the most of every minute.

• Pick traveling companions wisely


Who we chose to travel with can greatly influence the success and enjoyment of our journey.

• Vary the route - or follow a familiar one


Familiarity can lead to boredom - or nostalgia. Choosing an alternate route can be a mistake, or perhaps lead to an unexpected and enriching adventure.

• Use the rearview mirror


Always remember to look back. Knowing what is behind us can help us better understand what lies ahead. 

•  Passing lanes 



Sometimes people will overtake us or sometimes we may pass others. It is best for these interactions to occur legally, politely and without conceit or rancor.

Keep the right frame of mind 



Whether the road ahead is well paved or filled with orange barrels, it is best traveled with an open mind and an open heart. The road ahead holds the promise of endless possibilities.

While many people sing Robert Burn's song of "Auld Lang Syne as a year comes to a close," I think of the poem The Road not Taken by Robert Frost. The best end to a year is when we can look back and say, "I'm glad I went the way I did."

My hope is that we can all say that at the end of 2015.

I previously published this article on Yahoo Contributor Network. Since it is no longer available there, I thought I would share it here.  It appears to have been a precursor to this blog ... I wrote it long before I named this website, but used the phrase “make the most of every” midway through!

Are you happy with the directions you went in 2014? What changes will you make in 2015?

This post may be linked to one of the great link-up parties I follow and list on my blog. Check them out!

Saturday Spotlight Series (1-3-15)

Yesterday I said that I will be making a few changes to this blog. I will be publishing a little less frequently; every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday is the plan, at least for now. I'm looking forward to applying the time I save (by writing two less posts each week) to other aspects of planning, writing, and publishing this blog.

Today, for the first time, I am introducing a new “Saturday Spotlight Series.”

As a blogger, I spend a lot of time on the Internet, and I come across a lot of interesting and valuable information. I think it would be fun to use each weekend to "shine the spotlight" on something I have discovered and found interesting that week. The posts of this series might feature:

• an interesting website or blog that I enjoy
• a photo or a quote
• a recipe from another blogger
• information regarding a current event
• a book or movie 
• a helpful resource 

When I find something good, I really do like to share it. I think publishing this series would be a perfect opportunity to pass along a fun or useful bit of information to you each week. My only rule will be that it will not be something I have previously mentioned on this blog, and that I will give full credit and links to what or whomever I am featuring.

Let's get started!

This week my spotlight shines upon ...

... a post I read this week called Out in the Blizzard. I just can't stop thinking about. This brief story of a child lost in a prairie blizzard, was preserved by family memories and retold by Diane Tolley on her blog,  On the Border. 

Perhaps my thoughts keep returning to this story because of the snowy, frigid landscape I am currently surrounded by, or my motherly instincts, or my interest from a medical perspective. Maybe it is because I have always been fascinated by stories of pioneer life. Or, most likely, it was the riveting way in which  the story was told.  

In any case, I keep thinking about details of Diane's story, and what that experience must have been like for everyone involved. I am always amazed by this sort of talented writing,when the author  makes you feel connected to an event you did not ever experience.

This is a photo of the sky above my rooftop, taken while I am writing this post (and thinking about snow!)

I visit the blog On the Border almost every day. On it, Diane Tolley and some of her family members have shared many incredibly entertaining “stories from the 50s and 60s to today ... from the Stringam Family Ranches of Southern Alberta.”  

I am not sure if it is the excellent writing or my growing admiration of the blogger herself (Diane) that makes this a blog I try to read every day.  Maybe I identify with it because I grew up just outside of Calgary, Alberta, not far from where most of the stories take place. I always wished I lived on a ranch with horses, instead of our small acreage.  Perhaps my interest has grown because Diane and I actually do now live "across the Alberta/Montana border."  I suspect it is a combination of all these reasons that draws me to this blog.

I also suspect that once you have visited the blog On the Border, you will be hooked and be eager to read more. Just like me.

Have you ever experienced a blizzard? Do you have any winter storm stories to tell?

Happy Weekend!  

This post may be linked to one of the great link-up parties I follow and list on my blog. Check them out!

Settling in to 2015

We have said goodbye to the old year and rung in the new. Now it is time to settle in to 2015.

There will be a few changes to this blog as the year begins.  

The biggest change to this blog (at least at first) will be the frequency with which posts are published here.  I have always posted six-days-a-week, but I plan to cut that back a bit, at least for a while.  I need some extra time to devote to a blogging class I will be taking this month, and to improve and grow this blog in some other ways as well.  I suspect decreasing the number of my posts may make it easier for anyone who regularly reads my posts to keep up as well!

I am not sure yet which days or how many times-a-week will be right for me to post.  For now, however, I am planning to publish on this schedule:

• Tuesday
• Wednesday
• Friday
• Saturday

When I began this blog, I had no idea I would be posting with such regularity - or even whether it would continue to exist.  I had no clue back then that the blogging world would be so much fun! I truly love writing this blog, and feeling connected to my readers is the best part about it all!  

Being a blogger is a continual learning opportunity.  There are always new things to learn to be able to do, such as:

• writing better
• improving photographic skills
• webpage design 
• interaction on social media
• determining how to offer readers the content that they enjoy. 

I will be posting less, but I am excited to learn a lot in my class and I hope that you will see improved content on my blog as a result.

Before I plunge into learning anything new, I may take the weekend to just read a good book! 

My daughter's break from college is over; as proud and happy as I am that she enjoys her life there, I already miss her desperately.  I may need the distraction of a good fiction novel for a day or two! 

Our Christmas week all together as a family went by much too quickly!

Many thanks to everyone who has ever read my blog. As it continues to evolve, I welcome all of your comments!  In fact, if you have a second, I would love to hear your answers to the following questions:

• What days and times of the week are you most likely to spend time reading blog posts?
• What about this blog have you most enjoyed?

This post may be linked to one of the great link-up parties I follow and list on my blog. Check them out!

Happy New Year! Do We Wish Happiness - or Health?

Happy New Year! Or should we say Healthy New Year?!

Healthy New Year!  
I wonder how long it will take me to remember to write the date as 2015?  They say it takes two weeks to establish a new habit. It will probably take me longer!

When I started this blog, my first post was a greeting to readers, with an explanation of what my blog was going to be about. (I just reread it, and surprisingly enough, I think I have stuck to those goals quite well!) “Making the most of every moment” has been a topic with endless possibilities!

The next day, on March 15th, 2014, I published my first actual post, Happy New Year - of Blogging.  In that post, I provided a link to an article of mine previously published by Yahoo Contributor Network, about the meaning of the greeting we often use in a new year.

Unfortunately, Yahoo Contributor Network shut down in August 2014. They removed all their contributor’s articles from the Internet, and returned the full rights to the authors.

Today is the first time a new calendar year has begun since I started this blog, so it seems like a fitting opportunity to republish that article here.  It is a little different than the type of writing I usually publish on this blog, but I hope you will find it interesting. I think it will explain why I am wishing you all a HEALTHY New Year!

"Healthy New Year!" seems to be a more meaningful greeting than "Happy New Year!" It is not imperative to have good health to be happy, but one cannot be truly healthy without experiencing happiness.

Why Do We Say "Happy New Year"? Do We Wish Happiness - or Health?

"Healthy New Year!" - Is this perhaps a better salutation than "Happy New Year"?
During the first weeks of any year, a common greeting in English-speaking parts of the world is "Happy New Year!" I am considering changing my salutation to "Healthy New Year!" This seems a stronger wish of well-being. It is possible to have poor health and still be happy; but to be completely healthy a person must experience happiness. Telling others to be happy is not the same as telling them that you hope they will be healthy. But by wishing family and friends good health, I am therefore implying their happiness as well.

To be truly healthy, one must be happy
Good health is more than just being free from disease, injury or illness. Our health is determined by every aspect of our lives, and has physical, mental, and spiritual components. Developmental theories such as Erikson's Stages of Psychosocial Development and Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs provide insight into how much we are influenced by many factors throughout our lifespan. A baby who is not well fed, loved, and kept in a clean diaper cannot be happy - or healthy. Elderly adults, who are financially stable but disappointed by the life choices they made, may become depressed and cease to take care of themselves. To be truly healthy, we must be content and happy in ways appropriate for each stage of our lives.

Things that bring us happiness can make us healthier
Health and happiness are intertwined in many ways. Music, art, religion and beauty feed our soul. Feeling productive, creative, enlightened, appreciated and loved can improve our mental and spiritual health, and therefore our physical health too. Our health is influenced strongly by not just our own happiness, but by the health (and happiness) of others we know and care about.

Striving for better health (and happiness).
We do not have complete control over good health. Genetics (at least as of this writing) are a factor we can only minimally influence. There are, however, many other factors we can control as we strive for better health for our loved ones and ourselves. Even as I write this, it is difficult for me to separate the goal of better health from the pursuit of happiness. Much of the time one either motivates or leads to the other. Regardless of the incentive though, what better time than the beginning of a new year to focus on these attempts!

So - when someone wishes me a Happy New Year, I will assume that he or she is really telling me not just to be happy, but to be healthy too.

My response, knowing that to be healthy you must be happy, will be a resounding Healthy New Year to you, as well!

What are your thoughts on health and how it relates to happiness?

This post may be linked to one of the great link-up parties I follow and list on my blog. Check them out!

Balls of Steel! Quite the Ice Breaker!

Note: In the spirit of full disclosure, this post is a sponsored post, for which I received a free product. All opinions expressed, however, are entirely my own.

When I was approached by a representative from a company called Balls of Steel, asking if I was interested in doing a review of one of their products, my initial reaction was, "Not a good fit - I'm keeping things pretty family-friendly on my blog."

Reading just a little further into the email though, I was sold.  Not only was I willing - it is a privilege to help promote this product and this company!

I was being asked to review the Napa Wine Chiller.  After receiving this product in the mail, I decided it would a perfect gift for my husband.  I checked with BOS, and they gave approval for me to publish this post after Christmas.  The Napa Wine chiller is available for purchase for $29.95.  Not very expensive, but more than what I would spend on a stocking stuffer. I was pleased to have one more gift for my husband to place under the tree!

Even though the wine group to which I belong is working our way through a series of lectures on wine, I am far from being able to call myself a sommelier!  I do know however, that many variables affect how a wine tastes.  Temperature is one.

Serving wine at the correct temperature can be tricky. Sometimes you don't want to wait for the time it takes to chill the bottle.  It is not always convenient to return the bottle to the fridge or find an ice bucket to keep it cold.  After I have poured a glass of wine, the contents of my glass usually warms up considerably, from the time I take the first sip until I finish the glass.  The BOS Napa Wine Chiller solves all of these problems.

The Napa Wine Chiller arrived packaged in a sturdy and attractive square cardboard box.  Printed on the side of the box is the message: "Perfectly chilled wine with a cause.  From room temperature to perfect in 2 minutes."  Inside the box is a round silver ball, with about a 2-inch diameter.  A cloth drawstring bag is provided for its storage.

My husband was quite pleased to receive it!  He immediately placed it in the freezer, so we would be able to use it with our next bottle of wine.

The directions indicate that the ball should be placed in the freezer to activate its “arctic-core center.”  The ball is to be frozen for a minimum of 90 minutes; it is recommended it be frozen for 4+ hours on first use and for best results.  Once frozen, the ball is to be gently placed in a wine glass, and then wine is added to the glass.  According that the information provided, the Napa wine chiller will "preserve a chilled drink, or instantly cool a room temperature beverage, and keep it at that temperature for 2 - 3 hours."

While I am excited about this novel way to chill wine, I am even more approving of the conversations it is meant to spark. Indeed, as I explained to my family on Christmas morning why the company chose the name “Balls of Steel” we had an interesting conversation about men's health.

A statistic from the Testicular Cancer Foundation: Testicular cancer,“the most common cancer in young men ages 15-35, is one of the most beatable cancers, when caught early.” Knowing how to self-check is critical knowledge for young men to learn. Balls of Steel has partnered with the the Testicular Cancer Foundation. Through them,  a free self-check instruction shower card can be obtained.

On their website, the Original BOS company states “15% of our proceeds go directly to MD Anderson for cure research.  Each item is design to lower the barrier of conversation about men's health.” These “drink chillers with a a cause” not only are an effective way to chill a beverage, they provide a wonderful way to start a conversation about a topic that people are sometimes uncomfortable bringing up. Anything that reminds men to take the extra step to ensure their own good health is a good thing.

We tried the Napa Wine Chiller with a room temperature bottle of Chardonnay.  After gently placing the ball in the bottom of a wine glass, we poured in the wine.  Within just a couple minutes it was chilled.

I had been concerned that the ball would roll as my husband took a sip, and hit him in the lip! Instead, it stayed nicely at the bottom of the glass, even as it was tipped.

Curious, I placed the ball in a stemless wine glass. It remained at the bottom of that glass as well, when I drank from it.

My only complaint about the Napa Wine Chiller is that currently we only have one of them.  Although it is not difficult to transfer the steel ball from one glass to another, it would be much nicer to have one for each our glasses! Since I gave this one as a gift to my husband, I may have to get my own!

Too bad it's too late to receive an order from BOS for tonight's New Year's Eve celebration!  

Wishing you a fun, safe and Happy New Year's Eve!

Cheers!

Cheers!

Early detection saves lives.  

Have you asked the men in your life if they know cancer symptoms to watch for?

This post may be linked to one of the great link-up parties I follow and list on my blog. Check them out!