Monday, October 31, 2011

Halloween at the White House



Trick and Treating at the White House will be a special memory for these children. 

Last night, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama welcome area students and the children of military families to the White House for trick-or-treating. 
The President and First Lady handed out cookies, White House M&M's and dried fruit mix to trick-or-treaters with the presidential seal at the North Portico of the White House.
The White House and the surrounding grounds are decorated in celebration of Halloween. As the trick-or-treaters made their way across the North Lawn to the North Portico they were entertained by the Marine Band playing Halloween music and spooked by in-costume actors from Washington-area theatres, brought together by theatreWashington.
The White House provided the following Halloween recipes.
The White House Sweet Dough Butter Cookie Recipe
1 lb Sugar                           1 tsp Vanilla

2 lbs Butter                         1 tsp Salt

3 Eggs                                 3 lbs All Purpose Flour   
                                                                       

Mix the butter and sugar till soft and well beaten. Then add eggs, vanilla, salt and half the flour. Beat on slow speed till mixed, then add the rest of the flour and mix until incorporated.
Push flat onto a cookie sheet and refrigerate overnight. Roll out to one quarter inch thick and cut out cookie shapes with cookie cutter.
Bake at 350F for 14 minutes and then allow to cool. 
Make Your Own Dried Fruit Mix
Dried Apples                                           Dried Pineapple

Dried Apricots                                        Dried Papayas

Dried Pears                                             Dried Cherries

Dried Blueberries                                    Banana Chips
Combine ingredients and serve.

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Global Mamas Celebrates Fair Trade Month in October







                  Shakina wearing Global Mamas at the Langston Hughes Library

My nieces, Shakina and Yonina and I love the color and designs of African print clothing for children.  I am always looking for unique colors and patterns for them to wear. This weekend Global Mamas is celebrating Fair Trade Month with a 20% discount at their retail site www.tradeforchange.com  Check out their clothing line designed  and crafted by mothers in Ghana. And also read their story.
In order to take advantage of the discount use the code “FairTrade” and follow these directions.
1) Log-in to your account before shopping and make sure that applying the 
    coupon code is the last thing you do before you check-out.
2) If you have logged-in after you started shopping you will need to return to your
    shopping cart, reapply the "Fair Trade" coupon code and start the check-out
    process again.
They love their dresses from Global Mamas and I know you will enjoy their wonderful clothing line.



Tuesday, October 11, 2011

A Moment of Quiet in the McGhee household...


I love this picture of Mia and Rozonno McGhee plus six. The Ohio couple has a house full of babies after delivering sextuplets. Mia and Rozonno McGhee had their four boys and two girls named Isaac, Josiah, Elijah, Rozonno, Madison and Olivia on June 9th at the Osu Medical Center. Thankfully, their church family members are pitching in to help them. Gives meaning to the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child.”