Thoughtful Thursday: Ringing Bells for Barry

~We Don't Have Bells, But Arwen's Collar Jingles and That is What We're Using to Support Barry at 2PM Today~

It's been a rough year for Barry, over at An Explorer's View of Life. He first found a problem with his throat upon choking on a chicken bone at a restaurant. Fast forward nearly a year, he's been diagnosed with incurable throat cancer which has metastasized to his spine and hip, his mother in law passed away, and his own mother is very sick. Through it all, Barry has come through with raised spirits, positivity, and a unique glimpse into the life of someone dealing with their own mortality in a very unique situation.

However, today gives Barry something to cheer about, and allows us to cheer him on. At 2 PM today, hundreds of people will be ringing bells to commemorate Barry's last dose of Chemotherapy and Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto. The hospital erected a bell in their lobby for cancer patients to ring when they finish their last treatment, and so hundreds of us from around the world will also be ringing bells to cheer Barry on.

Arwen and I will be ringing Arwen's collar, since we don't have a bell. Arwen wanted to get in on the action so we will be shaking her collar, resplendent with metal tags that make a jingling sound every time she moves.

Here's to you Barry, keep fighting, we'll be right here in your corner, ringing bells for you!

and Arwen

Thoughtful Thursday: What Can You Do? And Dog Cookie Recipe

With Christmas around the corner, the advertisements, window displays, catalogues and spam will be filling our senses with the need to spend, spend, spend, and another year may go by with us feeling empty, empty, empty. Things don't mean love, friendship or any of that. Our actions, thoughts and feelings do. To remind us all what kindness really is. And think to yourself...what can you do for someone, instead of what can you buy for someone? Some thing small, like holding the door for a person with a stroller? How about giving a can of just bought food to a local food bank? Think about it, and post it here when you've done it. You might just win something :-)
My thoughtful thing today is to share Arwen's favorite dog biscuit recipe. Here it is (it is easier than you think!!):
Arwen's Favorite Biscuits
2 Cups Meg's GF All-Purpose (Bread) Flour Mix click the link for the recipe for that)
1/2 Cup Garfava Flour (or bean flour)
1/2 Cup Pumpkin Seeds (raw, unsalted)
Dash Organic Garlic Powder (optional)
1/2 tsp Salt
3 tbsp Olive Oil
1/4 Cup Unsulphured Molasses
1/3 to 1/2 Cup Milk
Preheat Oven to 350F.
Mix all dry ingredients together in a medium-large bowl. Add wet ingredients and mix until combined. Mixture should be slightly tacky.
Roll into tablespoon sized balls, place on a lightly greased cookie sheet and press lightly with fingers, until 1/4 inch thick.
Bake for 1/2 hour. Turn the oven off and let sit in the warm oven for another 15-30 minutes. Allow to cool thoroughly, then place in resealable container to store.
To serve: break cookies in two (smaller pieces for smaller dogs) and serve 1/2 at a time.
Cookies will stay fresh for a month, more if placed in a freezer or fridge.
Enjoy!!

Please try and do something thoughtful today. Try and do one little thoughtful thing each day and encourage others...it might not change the world, but it can certainly change someone's day for the better :-)

Happy Thursday,

Thoughtful Thursday - Or, What I'd Like for an Etsy Valentine's Day

Mini Top Hat from LastWear, Pinup Dress from MissBrache, Sexy Black Heels from ShoeMissy

Celtic Journal from ArtisanGraham, Jewellery Box from FLGardenGal, Pink Chalice from BudandLucysKid

I've had my eye on these items for a while......and if I had the money I'd have them all...and a few more! These items are fantastic, as are the sellers, so please feel free to click on the images to go to that seller's Etsy Store.
Also, I am featured in a fantastic treasury, see it here: http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=39190
Enjoy :)
Meghann

Thoughtful Thursday

I was going to do a quick blurb about online marketing and networking tools, but this popped up and I had to show you!
I was on Mishkat's blog this morning, just clicking away, when I saw her post on "The
Story of Stuff". It intrigued me. I am always trying to figure out how to be more efficient, more frugal (one of my favorite words, said with a Scottish accent), but I didn't know all that Annie Leonard had to say. If you click on the image above, you'll go to the site where there is a video on "The Story of Stuff". It'll get you thinking. While I don't agree with everything she says, it makes a really good set of points about how we live our lives in a disposable manner. Check it out, you'll be glad you did :)
We need to be conscious consumers. We need to think about why we are purchasing the items we want. We need to pay what the items actually cost, and stop thinking that cheap, disposable, toxic products from giant factories making children work long hours is okay.
Buy responsibly. Buy handmade. Buy consciously!
Okay, today's sermon is over!
Meghann