We have a tradition at my house on Thanksgiving weekend.  Decorating the gingerbread house.  In the past , I’ve purchased the ready made kit where all I have to do is mix up the icing for the kids.  Inevitably, however, the same problem arises.  Two kids + one house = “she’s doing more than me” and “his side looks bad“

This year, I’m tweaking the tradition by baking gingerbread families.  Both kids will get their own family and Christmas gingerbread tree, their own frosting bags and loads of candy to be creative.

Well, if I’m doing it at home, why not offer it in my cookie shop.  Gingerbread family decorating parties will leave everyone happy.  Each person gets their own family to dress up in their own style.  And, you’re more likely to eat your gingerbread cookies since they’re freshly baked rather than the gingerbread house kit that’s been sitting on a store shelf for quite some time.

Let the creativity begin!

Every community has a social services agency.  Here on Bainbridge Island, we have Helpline House which provides for those in need all year long.  This time of year, they’re collecting food items for ‘Project Wishbone’ to ensure that everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.

My Kids’ Cookies is doing what we can to help.  Bring in some non-perishable food items to our cookie shop and we’ll give you a free cookie as our ‘thanks’.

Project Wishbone Shopping List (these items are sought after at all social service agencies):

frozen turkey, fresh potatoes or sweet potatoes, brown and white rice and rice mixes, chicken broth, yellow onions, gravy mix, fresh and canned vegetables, fresh and canned fruit, fresh or frozen pie, butter and whipped cream, sparkling cider and juices, condiments (olives and pickles, salad dressings), oils, spices and herbs, coffee and tea, special treats (crackers, nuts, dried fruits), traditional Items (candles or napkins).

And, these items are always needed at food banks:

hearty soups, chilis and stews, canned fish and meats, canned beans, cereal, fruit and vegetable juices, pasta, peanut butter and jelly.

The donation of a Grocery Store Gift Card is also greatly appreciated.  My local Safeway has a promotion going on where you can donate $5 and they’ll give a turkey breast to Helpline in time for Thanksgiving. They’ve made it very easy to help out.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all and thanks for being generous in your community.

For those interested in the history of Veterans Day.

Although WWI ended with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles on June 28, 1919, unofficially fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day.  An Act of Congress approved May 13, 1938, made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday – a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as “Armistice Day.”

Armistice Day was primarily a day set aside to honor veterans of World War I.  However, in 1954, after World War II had required the greatest mobilization of soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen in the Nation’s history and after American forces had fought aggression in Korea, the 83rd Congress, at the urging of the veterans service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word “Armistice” and inserting in its place the word “Veterans.” With the approval of this legislation on June 1, 1954, November 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.

Whether soldier or sailor, woman or man, veteran of WWII or the Iraq war, all those that have served our country deserve our gratitude and thank.

Thank you, from a grateful American and her family.  And thanks to my dad for his service in WWII and the Korean War.

Being the ‘mom’ in my mom-and-pop cookie shop, I know how important the support of my community is.  Word of mouth, literally in my case since I sell cookies, is so important to business.

I just learned about a grassroots project started earlier this year with the purpose of supporting local businesses which is vital to keeping our local economies alive.

The350project.net To summarize what they are:  Imagine life without the mom-and-pop shops you love.  To make sure they survive, and that you aren’t forced to shop at mega-chains only, you have to support them.  Project 3/50 asks you to support three local businesses and commit to spending a total of $50 per month in locally owned stores.

When you think about it, that’s not very hard to do.  Help the local small businesses near you.  It keeps America moving in the right direction – strengthening our economy.

My Kids’ Cookies promised 10% of cookie sales during October 2009 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.  While the amount of the check we wrote today wasn’t huge, it was something for the worthy cause of finding a cure to this terrible disease.  Every penny helps when you’re donating to a cause that speaks to you.

Whether it’s for cancer research, the local social services group in your town, a pet adoption organization, or your church, everything you give helps.  The loose change and bills collected in a tip jar at the front counter of a cookie shop for Helpline House, the boxes of macaroni and cheese you toss into your shopping cart to donate, the monthly charge on your credit card for Save the Children – they all make a difference to someone somewhere.

Thank you to everyone that ordered cookies during October as a special treat for someone.  Your kindness is appreciated not only by the cookie gift recipient, but by many whom you’ll never know.

This weekend, My Kids’ Cookies is participating in Bainbridge Island Public Library’s first annual Edible Book Festival.

We’re baking up our version of “If You Give A Mouse A My Kids’ Cookie“.  We had loads of fun trying out this cake and a friend’s 3 little boys were my taste testers.  Who got the ear, who got the foot, who got the head?  These were things they all had to negotiate.  Entrance fee donations will be given to Helpline House.

On the next rainy day weekend, pull out your children’s favorite story and bake up a version of it.  They can be creative and make dessert for the family at the same time.

If you have a dog in your life, then this list is important to you and your canine companion.  Thanks to Real Simple magazine for compiling the info.

Things you should NOT give to your dog:

chocolate – it stimulates the heart and nervous system

grapes or raisins – damages the kidneys

garlic or onions – damages red blood cells causing anemia

xylitol (found in sugarless gum) – causes an increase in insulin which lowers blood sugar levels

alcohol – depresses the nervous system (and who wants to give a dog a hangover)

raw yeast or bread dough – the fermentation of yeast causes alcohol poisoning; also forms gas in the digestive track

macadamia nuts - causes muscle and nervous system problems

avocados – they contain persin which damages the heart muscle

So, as much as we all may love to baby our puppies, stick to dog food to keep them healthy.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  It’s a sad fact that we all seem to know someone affected by breast cancer, whether the person diagnosed, their families or friends.  When that phone call comes and we hear the news, we probably all think of what we can do to help.

During the month of October, My Kids’ Cookies will donate 10% of all website cookie sales to
The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.    It’s our way to help find a cure – baking.  The more research that is done, the sooner we can all hope for a cure.

So send someone you know a gift of cookies this month.  Not only will they enjoy the treat, but someone you don’t know will be benefiting as well.

You can feel the crispness in the air. You’ve probably already taken out a fall jacket to keep you warm. Help others stay warm too by donating a coat.

My Kids’ Cookies is collecting coats and jackets to be given to Helpline House on Bainbridge Island so those in need won’t be cold this winter.

So shop the ‘fall sales’ at the mall, clean out your closet, and drop off your donation during the month of October to our cookie shop.   And pick up a cookie on us as a thank you for your generosity. Both your heart, and your tummy, will be warmed.

If you don’t happen to live near us, I’m sure there are plenty of organizations near you that could use a warm coat too.

Other than the joy that your mouth feels when you bite into anything chocolate, there are real reasons why it’s good for you.  I defer to the website, www.webmd.com for the list of benefits that chocolate provide.

So indulge yourself and enjoy a bit of chocolate heaven knowing that you’re actually doing yourself, and your health, a favor.