Holiday Cards for Heroes

Hero....one that shows great courage, bravery, honesty, and selflessness.

SSG Sean Sanders, from Philadelphia, 489th Civil Affairs Battalion, currently attached to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, hands shampoo to citizens of Wahida, Iraq, after a free medical operation. Pic: SGT Natalie Rostek

Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Bridget Ellison, Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq, carries a box of school supplies into a Baghdad elementary school. Ellison and others from the command distributed school supplies, toys and candy to Iraqi schoolchildren. Pic: SSG Christopher Frost

An Iraqi boy in southern Baghdad's Doura Market takes time to talk with 1st Lt. Eric Fiedler, a team leader with Company A, 450th Civil Affairs Battalion from Washington, D.C. Pic: PFC Nathaniel Smith.

Capt. Aaron Wilson, from Watertown, N.Y., 203rd Brigade Support Battalion surgeon, checks a baby’s chest for wheezing during a free medical operation in Wahida, Iraq. Pic: SGT Natalie Rostek

Capt. Se Young Um, from El Paso, Texas, a pediatrician in the 203rd Brigade Support Battalion, checks a baby from head to toe during a free medical operation in Wahida, Iraq. Pic: SGT Natalie Rostek

Pfc. Kevin Smith of Los Angeles, with 2nd Platoon, Company C, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), talks with Iraqi children at their home in Iskandariyah, Iraq. Pic: SGT James Hunter.

Photos courtesy of Iraq Pictures Blog.

Please send a hero a holiday card this year!

The American Red Cross is helping you reach a hero this holdaiy season.

Holiday Mail for Heroes
PO Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456

Pitney Bowes is teaming up with the American Red Cross to help you send your cards to the many heroes who served our nation in uniform. Click here for more info.

If we are lucky, we will have a hero in our lives ....who made a difference.

Who is YOUR HERO?

All Because Two People Fell in Love

Do you love IL Divo? If yes....check out this give-away at All Because Two People Fell in Love

Enjoy!

Which IL Divo is your favorite?

Hugie Bear

Huginn, my 14 yr old Icelandic Horse.

Is he cute or what?

I Rescued A Human Today

I rescued a human today.

Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively into the kennels.

I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her.

I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn't be afraid. As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little accident I had in the back of my cage. I didn't want her to know that I hadn't been walked today. Sometimes the shelter keepers get too busy and I didn't want her to think poorly of them.

As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn't feel sad about my past. I only have the future to look forward to and want to make a difference in someone's life.

She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds at me. I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her. Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship. A tear fell down her cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well.

Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I instantly jumped into her arms. I would promise to keep her safe. I would promise to always be by her side. I would promise to do everything I could to see that radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes.

I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor. So many more are out there who haven't walked the corridors. So many more to be saved.

At least I could save one.

Hand Me Down Dobes Rescue, Columbus, Ohio

Please consider adopting a pet.

Did a "lifesaver" wag a tail at you today?

Adopt-a-Senior-Pet Month

November is Adopt a Senior Pet Month

Don't let a pet's age prevent you from adopting them! Senior pets have so much love to offer their owners. They are usually a bit more mellow, potty trained and yes....senior dogs can be taught new tricks.

Top 10 Reasons to Adopt a Senior Dog

1. Older dogs are house trained. You won't have to go through the difficult stage(s) of teaching a puppy house manners and mopping/cleaning up after accidents.

2. Older dogs are not teething puppies, and won't chew your shoes and furniture while growing up.

3. Older dogs can focus well because they've mellowed. Therefore, they learn quickly.

4. Older dogs have learned what "no" means. If they hadn't learned it, they wouldn't have gotten to be "older" dogs.

5. Older dogs settle in easily, because they've learned what it takes to get along with others and become part of a pack.

6. Older dogs are good at giving love, once they get into their new, loving home. They are grateful for the second chance they've been given.

7. What You See Is What You Get: Unlike puppies, older dogs have grown into their shape and personality. Puppies can grow up to be quite different from what they seemed at first.

8. Older dogs are instant companions -- ready for hiking, car trips, and other things you like to do.

9. Older dogs leave you time for yourself, because they don't make the kinds of demands on your time and attention that puppies and young dogs do.

10. Older dogs let you get a good night's sleep because they're accustomed to human schedules and don't generally need nighttime feedings, comforting, or bathroom breaks.

There are so many senior pets waiting for YOU! Won't you give them a loving forever home?

Please save a life and adopt a senior pet today. If you're ready to bring home a senior pet, please visit the below links.

Pet Finder

The Grey Muzzle Organization

The Senior Dog Project

Old Dog Haven

Here are my senior girls...the are so DARN CUTE! I love my girls!

Lucy is a 11 yr old Aussie Kelpie

Molly is a 9 yr old Beagle

Is there a senior pet waiting for YOU?

Pico, The Mini Donkey Goes to His Paddock

Pico and Jean, his owner

Yesterday, I spent all day at my friend Chris' farm, video taping her working her horse Frank for the Extreme Cowboy Race application video. We got some really good clips of Frank and Chris doing what they do best, riding as partners. BUT....the best and cutest part of the day was at the end of the day when Chris did the horse chores and had to move Pico, the Mini Donkey from his pasture into his paddock for dinner. Pico, is a yearling mini donkey who was just gelded a few months ago.

Huginn LOVES Pico!

Dixie Chick....not so much! HAHA!

Here's the video clip I took of Pico. Enjoy the video, turn up the volume and oh...carefully listen to Pico, who grunts when he's not happy. LOL

Pico and Huginn, buddies!

Have you giggled today?

Cattle Sorting Video

Back in March, Huginn and I attended a Cattle Sorting clinic. Yes...a long time ago! HA! The trainer was my friend Chris from SRBA Farm. Huginn and I had such a fun time! Huginn loved ...LOVED sorting the cattle, towards the end he really got into it, pinning his ears and all. What a hoot!

Huginn and me, after the clinic. He's all sweaty from the hard day of fun work.

Is Huginn CUTE or what??!!! I love my pony!

Here's our YouTube video

What sort of fun things have you done this year?

National Bundt Cake Day!

Did ya know that today is National Bundt Cake Day. I think that's reason enough to celebrate with some chocolate!

I used to own many different Bundt Cake pans, but somewhere along the way, I must have given them away or tossed them. Now, I'm missing them. BooWoo!

The Famous Bundt® Pan was introduced back in 1950 by Nordic Ware from Minneapolis, MN. Ten years later, it was the number one selling cake pan.

One of my favorite recipes was for Rum Bundt Cake. While the cake was cooling, you would take a toothpick, poke holes in the cake, and then...pour rum into the cake. YUMMY!

One of my weakness is chocolate. Love the stuff! And warm tunnel fudge cake is to die for!

An all-time favorite is Tunnel of Fudge Cake.

Just in case you get a craving for a slice....here's the recipe.

Ingredients:
Cake:
1 3/4 cups butter or margarine, softened
1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
6 eggs
2 cups powered sugar
2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
3/4 cup cocoa
2 cups chopped walnuts*

Glaze:
3/4 cup powered sugar
1/4 cup cocoa
1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons milk

Preparation:
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour 12 cup Bundt Pan. In large bowl beat margarine and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually add powdered sugar; blend well. By hand, stir in remaining cake ingredients until well blended. Spoon batter into prepared pan; spread evenly. Bake at 350 degrees for 58-62 minutes**. Cool upright in pan on cooling rack 1 hour, invert onto serving plate. Cool completely.

In small bowl, combine glaze ingredients until well blended. Spoon over top of cake, allowing some to run down sides. Store tightly covered. 16 servings.

*Nuts are essential for the success of the recipe.

**Since this cake has a soft tunnel of fudge, ordinary doneness test cannot be used. Accurate oven temperature and baking time are critical.

High Altitude - Above 3500 feet; Increase flour to 2 1/4 cups plus 3 tablespoons.

For a helpful How to Bake a Perfect Bundt Cake, click here.

ENJOY!

What's your favorite bundt cake?

Fetal Bites Cookie Cutter

Can you imagine taking these cookies to your next Holiday Cookie Exchange? NO WAY! WTF?
I will not be buying these cookie cutters. Kinda freaks me out.

How 'bout ya?

Veteran's Day

Today is Veteran's Day

An annual American holiday honoring military veterans.

The men and women who help make our country safe.

PFC Brandie Leon from the 101st Airborne Division patrols Baghdad. March 2006. Photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Bart A. Bauer.

First U.S. Army Nurses to cross the Rhine River with the 51st U.S. Army Field Hospital, now on the east bank of the Rhine. They made the crossing in the ambulance. March 14, 1945 (National Archives).

Two female MPs search automobiles at a checkpoint.

Lisa Marie Bickels USMC

SPC Sutter on a mounted M249 saw (squad automatic weapon) atop her Humvee. Note the Arabic lettering on her MP sleeve insignia. She also has some medical training.

Women brave enough to fly!

Brave women warriors!

Spc. Craig Morrison, 1st Cavalry Division receives his Shoulder Sleeve Insignia for War-Time Service from Sgt. 1st Class Zenalia Moses. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. L.B. Edgar)

Young woman leaders!

The Witmer sisters in Baghdad. Two of them served in the same unit. Spc. Michelle Witmer, age 20 was killed in action on April 9, 2004.

Army SPC Michelle M. Witmer with Baghdad children.

American Anthem

by

Singer Norah Jones

My hubby Dan served in the US Navy and I grew up as an Army Brat, I give thanks to all those who serve our country in uniform.

How did you Thank a Veteran today?

Australia, an Epic Film

A film of epic proportions with horses, romance, Huge Jackman and Nicole Kidman.

I LOVE going to the movie theater. And most of all...I LOVE epic films.

I've been hearing the "Australia" buzz for a few months now and for the last few weeks have been totally mesmerized by the film's trailer. I find myself holding my breath while sitting at the edge of my seat. I can not wait for the release date...November 26th!

I must admit I am not really a Oprah fan, but I had to rush through my gym workout to get home in time to watch the last half hour of today's show.


Nicole Kidman and Huge Jackman were Oprah's guests. Oprah treated her audience to the film, what lucky ducks!

The film is set in the Australian Outback, just before the WWII and the bombing of Darwin by the Japanese . The adventure starts when Lady Sarah inherits a huge cattle ranch located in the "Australian Outback".


Lady Sarah must rely on "Mr. Drover" (as in livestock drover) who is played by Huge Jackman (my heart....sighs) to help her drive her 2,000 cattle across the cruel Australian countryside. Along the way they encounter Bushmen.

Is this a beautiful photo or what?!

12 yrs old Brandon Walter plays a cute Aboriginal Boy.

This is Brandon's first film, and from what I have seen in the trailers...he's a natural at acting.

Did I mention that there are HORSES in this film!
Yea...baby!

A picture is worth a thousand words!

Saved the best one for last!

Coming to a theater near you in only 16 days! For Australia trailers ... please click HERE.

TimTams....anyone?

Cheerio Mate!