Happy Friday, RISERS! I hope this week has been good to you. I want to thank you for your compassion and patience with me during the last six months. I realize that I have had a bit more trauma/drama in my life this year, but I hope it hasn’t affected the overall feeling of the blog. I appreciate your following the blog every week and hope that it makes a difference in your life, even if it’s just a chance to laugh at corny jokes. I hope you are enjoying the holiday this weekend by shopping or watching your favorite movies.
Quote of the Week: “If you want to experience the true meaning of Christmas, give something to someone who can offer nothing in return.” –Toni Sorenson
Movie of the Week: I guess “Holiday Special of the Week” would be a more fitting title…anyway, I want to encourage you to watch the 1974 cartoon classic The Year Without a Santa Claus. It’s the story of Santa Claus dealing with a cold and seeming too tired to go on his Christmas Eve sleigh ride. But Santa, believing there is no more Christmas spirit, is determined to set out this particular year. Mrs. Claus—with the help of two elves, Jingle and Jangle, plus Vixen—tries to prove to Santa that people do care. It is a fun holiday treat with Heat Miser, Snow Miser, and of course, Mother Nature. It’s an oldie but definitely a goodie.
Joke of the Week: What did the Christmas tree do after its bank office closed? It started its own branch.
Recharge Tip of the Week: A few nights ago, I was seeking a warmer blanket to sleep with and borrowed a weighted blanket from our son, Jacob. This one was made with about 12 pounds of glass beads. Weighted blankets have been known to aid in sensory issues, anxiety, and other things. I kept warm sleeping underneath it, but what I didn’t expect was to wake up and feel like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders. Ironic, huh? If you are feeling anxious or like your emotions are a bit scrambled, try sleeping under a weighted blanket. You can find them at most department stores. I can’t promise it will be the answer to all you may be going through, but the pressure from lying under it will help release some negative energy.
Holiday Tip for the Week: After the funeral of my stepdad, the majority of my family went out to eat. We had maybe 15 people sitting at several tables in a Golden Corral. While it was a buffet and we helped ourselves to the food, the server continuously cleared away our used plates and refilled drinks. Please be kind and tip these hardworking individuals, especially during the holidays. It is easy to think they don’t need a huge tip because you did some of the work. Thank them for all they do. Sometimes, servers encounter unpleasant customers even when they do nothing wrong.
Recipe of the Week: Broccoli Casserole
What you’ll need:
2 boxes of chopped frozen broccoli, cooked
1 cup of mayonnaise
2 eggs, beaten
¼ cup onion, minced
1 can of cream of chicken or mushroom soup
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
1 box of Cheez-Its
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Mix ingredients (except for Cheez-Its) and place in a 9×13 pan. Take a satisfactory amount of Cheez-Its (it varies by individual) and crush them. Sprinkle the crumbs on top of the casserole. Bake until golden brown or when nothing jiggles as you do the tilt-test. Enjoy!
Shout Out of the Week: This week, I want to give a shout out to everyone who goes to nursing homes and assisted living facilities to spend time with the residents. Caroling in these places brings more joy and happiness than you could possibly imagine. Thank you for sharing your time with these precious ones.
Have a great weekend. Remember, you are most awesome, and YOU ROCK!
Marion Rhines is a foster-turned-adoptive parent. She lives in Knoxville, Tenn., with her husband and five children. She has written and published two children’s books as well as two foster-care-themed novels. She has a Facebook blog, Tips from the FLIP Side, and enjoys working with children of all ages.
