Breast cancer awareness month

This hits very close to home for me and I want to be a blessing to others during Breast Cancer Awareness month! This will be tax-deductible and no profits will be taken. Be a blessing to someone please. 

CHEMO CARE PACKAGES

 

I am in a campaign to collect donations for Chemo-care gift packages to bless patients as they deal with the effects of chemotherapy & radiation.  These treatments can cause extreme dry skin so we are providing hydration products to heal and pamper them and also lift up their spirits.  

 

The package includes products to help patients with severe dry skin – Extra Emollient Night Cream, Hydrating Lotion and Satin Lips Set; they are designed for use by men and women.

 

We are seeking donations from community members, organizations and businesses to sponsor a chemo care package. The packages are $30 each which covers the wholesale cost, retail tax, plus any packaging materials for the gifts.

 

Chemo Care packages are also available as a gift to send directly to a friend currently in treatment. It will be sent to them via UPS for $30 plus shipping. 

How many will you be purchasing?

 

Creating the Invite to Our Star Wars Marathon.

As a follow-up to one of my wife's posts, I would like to share with you how I put together the invite for our family's Star Wars marathon, which is starting this week.

First I use this wonderful free Windows application called "Paint.Net." Go get it if you are looking for a paint application that is easy to use but very flexible.

Paint.Net  (Unfortunately the developer has chosen to earn some cash on this app by placing all kinds of adds on his page. Please be careful which link you click on.)

The next thing I will tell you is that Google is your friend, and since I was creating this for my own personal use, I was not worried about copyright issues. (Star Wars is owned by Disney after all, and they have the right to say what can and cannot be done with their property.)

So I opened up my browser and zipped over to Google and clicked on the images search link.

Next I searched on "Star Wars" And immediately found an image that would work very well for the background (it's 1920 x 1200px)- this image is on all sorts of sites, so I'm not sure who exactly to credit this to. If you know, please leave a comment.

Next I wanted to place the titles of each movie to it, so I searched on "Star Wars Movie Titles" and found this image -

After getting the image it was opened in Paint.net. Then I Created a new layer above the original background image. With that done I cut and pasted each title on their own new layer ( 8 layers total. There was some re-sizing involved too.)

I also added the title for "The Force Awakens" in the same way at the bottom of the page. Then I added the dates I would be showing each movie on to each layer by using the Text tool. (Select the font and size you like.). For the "Clone Wars" title I modified the actual title to make it fit with the other titles. If you like I can run through how, in another post.

When all the titles were just where I wanted them, I merged all the title layers down to one. This left me with just two layers (the Background and Movie Title layers)

In the image above, if I clicked on the merge button, "Layer 2" (the selected layer) would be merged on top of the "Background" layer, I would be left with just two layers, "Layer 3" and "Background."


I wanted to add a little pizzazz so I went back to Google and copied the classic Star Wars title (I found one that was 2000 x 1207px) In a new image I pasted this title and selected all the gold lettering. Do this by using the wand tool. Press the shift key and click on a gold area. since all the gold is close to the same color, all of the gold areas are selected. Type [crtl] + C to copy what you selected, and switch over to to main image.

Create a new layer then type [crtl] + V to paste "STAR WARS" onto the new layer.

Looks great! But it is a little overpowering in my opinion. Double click on the name of this layer in the "Layer" tool box, and slide the Opacity slider to a point you like and click [OK] (I did about half way.)

Now for the last little bit of flair

Go back to Google and find a large image of the "A Long Time Ago..." bit (I found one at 1440 x 800px). Copy it and create a new layer on your Paint.Net image. With this layer you may want to do some scaling. Click on the [Layers]..[Rotate / Zoom] menu item. I typed .55 in the Zoom selector box.

Next duplicate this layer so that you have two layers that look the same. (you won't see both, but they're there!) Select the top layer of the two, and click on [Effects] .. [Blurs] .. [Zoom Blur] in the box that appears set the amount to about 25. finally double click on the name of that layer in the Layer toolbox and for blending Mode: select "Additive"

All done!

I know I left stuff out. I'll go back over this a few times to make sure everything is addressed. If you have any questions about this, leave a reply and I'll either answer you directly or make addjustments in this explanation.

Enjoy!
Steve S.

In a galaxy far, far, away....

 

I know for a fact that you know where this is going. For all those who are with me, this is how much time left for our wait: Countdown ticker for EST in the US.

Just in case you still haven't guessed, I'm a Star Wars nerd. I can't help it. I remember watching the original three movies over and over again on VHS (you read that right) as a kid whenever my parents had a date night out. I know for a fact that I used to irritate my sister. Then as my children were growing up, they had their own DVDs of the movies (I couldn't risk them scratching up mine) that would be played consistently. And yes, we have the original AND the 'finished' ones. But I refuse to discuss which ones were 'better'. That should be a topic all it's own.

Anyway, Episode VII comes out December 18th. So it has become a family tradition to have a marathon right before a new movie comes out. You may call it an excuse to watch all of the movies again. We call it tradition.

That being said, due to CRAZY schedules, we can no longer watch all nine of them in one day. (For those not in the know, there are three cartoons about the Clone Wars. Yes, it's that serious.) So we scheduled them about once every other week, starting tomorrow in chronological order instead of order of release. The thought is week one, we will watch Episode 1. But week 2, we will watch episode 2, then re-watch episode 1 for those who missed week one. And yes, it's that serious!!!

Want to see the flyer?

Hubby put it together. He's really good at using things he finds from the internet and making it his. :) 

Will you be having a Star Wars marathon or party in anticipation of the movie coming out? 

Until next time!

Cherise, the Mompreneur

My Dessert Idea

So it was my turn to cook dinner for the family, and I wanted to practice my cooking skills.  So I made pizza from scratch!  Yes,  real pizza!  I was nervous! But it was a lot easier than I thought. Long story short, I had some dough left over and cannoli cream left and 'Viola'!".

The insides is the Cannoli Dip recipe posted earlier. Delicious!

motivation or the lack thereof

image from alchemy-resources(dot)com

Of course motivation is not permanent, but then, neither is bathing. But it is something you should do on a regular basis. - Zig Zigler

I'm going to be transparent here. I hope it doesn't offend. But I hope it enlightens.  I'm sitting here reflecting on my the first half of the month in my business. I'm so disappointed in the results. In reflection, I'm looking back on my activity to see where I can improve. In doing this, I noticed something. There wasn't as much activity as I thought there was.

Fortunately, I track the activity I do: income producing activities (IPAs) such as phone calls, meeting new people, sales opportunities, etc. and non-income producing activities such as conference calls, sales meetings, paperwork and the like. And I've found that there were a lot more non IPAs. No wonder I'm not motivated to do more. I am not with the people; therefore, I'm not having measurable accomplishments or wins to keep going.

Does this make sense? Has this ever happened to you?

This is what I've found. The more IPAs = the more wins = the more motivation to keep going when times get tough.

Now to address WHY there are more non IPAs; there are many but I will address just one. Do you afraid of or hate the word 'no'?  Or to put it another way, are you afraid of rejection?  The simplest answer is this:

Easier said than done? Maybe. But here is another thought. Because of not wanting to hear the word 'no', two little letters that only have as much weight as I give it, I busied myself  'working' my business by doing things that needed to be done but won't grow my business. Yes, paperwork needs to be done. But not by me and not during Prime People Time (PPT). (My definition of people time is the time of day that it is feasible to meet new people or call new and existing customers. For me, that time is 9 am to 9 pm.) Yes, inventory needs to be labeled, and shelved but I need to meet new people, follow up for new clients, conduct interviews to replace myself and other activities to grow my business. Those other things won't grow my business. They'll just keep me busy.

So the next thought is: What do I do now? Remember:

I need to focus on defeating my fear of rejection. I'm going to play a game with myself. I am going to get 100 no's before the end of the month. In the process, I know that, in the process, a 'yes' will get in the way. And if I aim for the no, why would I be afraid of it? Make sense? A good book (and very short read) along this line is called Go For No.

 I also will get back to doing my '6 Most Important Things' list. This is a list that, at the end of the night, before you go to sleep, you make a list of the up to 6 things that need to get done the next day. Then you reveiw it at the start of your day and do the hardest thing first. If you don't complete the list that day, the unfinished things go to the next day.

What reason do you lack motivation for getting done those necessary things? What is your plan to change it?

A Calendar to Live For!

My wife spoke with me about a month ago regarding the possibility of putting together a calendar she could actually use and be happy with for a complete year. She is very picky when it comes to her scheduling and planning. However, most calendars she has seen just don't cut it.

We sat down and hashed out some of the requirements that she needed:

 It had to include pages that would allow her to track her goals for the year:

It needed to have the months laid out in a usable format:

The weeks should provide areas for "To-Dos." A list of "6 Most Important Things" for each day, and a schedule that covered her entire day (from 5am through 10pm), including full week-end days

She wanted a space in the back for any notes she might want to take during the year:

And finally it needed to have a place to put quick notes for next year

So there you have it, a complete calendar for my busy Mompreneur!

if you think it will meet your needs as well, you can either roll your own calendar by printing out these pages, or Go and buy one already printed.

Hope you enjoy the coming year! Steven South

Dumping Can Be Good!!!!!

Dump Cake

Ingredients

1 (21 ounce) can cherry pie filling

1 (15 ounce) can crushed pineapple with juice

1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix

½ cup butter

Directions

Lightly grease a 13” x 9” pan. Preheat oven to 350˚ (180˚ C).

Pour pie filling into bottom of the pan, and on top of that pour the pineapple. Pour dry cake mix on top of pineapple. Slice butter or margarine over cake mix. DO NOT MIX!

Bake for 45 minutes. This cake is best when served warm with ice cream.

Variations- I prefer to use a low sugar cherry pie filling because the cake above is SWEET!!!

- My brothers and I love experimenting with the cake mixes. German Chocolate, Vanilla and Strawberry are their favorites.
- Be creative: some people add ½ cup of walnuts or chocolate chips or 1 cup of flaked coconut. Maybe you can add all three! 

Enjoy and Happy eating!! 

Essie Mae xo

Once a foodie, always a foodie!

taken from Pinterest

I think you can tell that I like food. I'm a self-proclaimed foodie!!!!

I used to write a column called "Talkin' With My Mouth Full" writing reviews of local food places. Can you imagine that assignment? YUMMY!

Anyway, I've been sharing a lot of recipes (and will continue to do so). And if you're like me, you'll want to try them. But isn't it a pain in the butt to follow a recipe from your computer or tablet and risk spilling something on it? Or do you have a spot for your recipes so that you don't want to look for that website with that amazing recipe?

I know, I know. I have amazing recipes. wink, wink!

Digressing, I decided to do something special for all my friends. That's you!!!! All of the recipes will be converted to free printables. FREE!!!!! Consider this my thank you for enduring all of my musings.

Go to my website, www.distinctlyours.com and wow your family with good food!

Until next time!
Cherise, the Mompreneur

What can I substitute for...?

You see this recipe that you want to try. If you're like me, you pull out the first few ingredients in the directions and get crack-a-lackin'. Chopping, mixing, stirring,.... Then you open the refrigerator or cabinet for the next step, and WHOOPS!!!! You're out of (fill in the blank)!

Has this ever happened to you? You would think that since I've been cooking for over 30 years, I'd check first. But no, you'd be sadly mistaken if that common sense was assumed about me. I find myself constantly checking Google or Pinterest for ingredient substitutes. AND NOW, very sadly, that bad habit is rubbing off on my children.

So I decided to make a list that goes on the refrigerator next to the measurement magnet (for when the measuring cup or tablespoon is dirty) of ingredient substitutes. Maybe I will make this a magnet as well? *thinking, thinking

Baking Substitutes

allspice (1 tsp)	cinnamon (1/2 tsp) + ginger (1/4 tsp) + cloves (1/4 tsp)
baking powder (1 tsp)	baking soda (1/4 tsp) + cream of tartar (1/2 tsp) OR
	baking soda (1/4  tsp) + white vinegar (1 tsp)
broth- beef or chicken (1 cup)	1 bouillon cube + boiling water (1 cup)
broth- vegetable (1 cup)	soy sauce (1 TBSP) + enough water to make 1 cup
cream- half & half (1 cup)	milk (7/8 cup) + butter (1 Tbsp)
cream- heavy (1 cup)	evap milk (1 cup)
	milk (3/4 cup) + butter (1/3 cup)
cream- light (1 cup)	evap milk (1 cup) OR
	milk (3/4 cup) + butter (3 Tbsp)
cream- whipped (1 cup)	frozen whipped topping thawed (1 cup)
cream of tarter (1 tsp)	lemon juice or vinegar (2 tsp)
egg	applesauce (1/4 cup) + baking powder (1/2 tsp) OR
	baking soda (1 tsp) + white vinegar (1 Tbsp) OR
	banana (mashed ripe) + baking powder (1/4 tsp)
evap milk (1 cup)	light cream (1 cup)
herbs- fresh chopped (1 Tbsp)	dried herbs (1 tsp chopped or whole leaf)
lemon zest (1 Tbsp)	lemon extract (1/2 tsp) OR
	lemon juice (2 TBsp)
mayo (1 cup)	sour cream or plain yogurt (1 cup)
oil	applesauce (equal measure)
orange zest (1 Tbsp)	orange extract (1/2 tsp)
rum (1 Tbsp)	rum extract (1/2 tsp)
shortening	butter (equal measure)
sugar- brown, 1 cup	3/4 cup honey (reduce liquid by 1/4 cup) OR
	white sugar (1 cup) + molasses (1/4 cup) & decrease liquid by 1/4 cup
sugar- granulated, 1 cup	2/3 cup honey (reduce liquid by 1/4 cup)

Gluten Free Substitutes 

(I sometimes do catering and there are those with gluten allergies. Hence, this chart.)

bread crumbs	crushed flax
	gluten free oats
croutons	nuts (in a salad)
flour	almond meal OR
	brown rice flour OR
	corn meal OR
	so many more
pasta	spaghetti squash OR
	rice noodles OR
	zucchini or eggplant cut into strips
roux (flour & oil)	cornstarch & water OR
	Idaho potato
soy sauce	tamari

For the record, there are soooooooo many more substitutes to be had. But these are the common few that my family usually needs. Are there any ingredients that you find yourself constantly substituting?

In the near future, I will be providing an alcohol substitution list as well.

I hope this was helpful. For the printable version of these, click here!

Until next time,

Cherise, the Mompreneur

Plan your work and work your plan

My name is Cherise, and I'm a planner junkie!

(Cue the audience saying, "Hi Cherise!)

Seriously, though, I love planners. And I love planning! Nothing make me happier; nothing keeps me motivated more than knowing exactly what I have to do each day and then checking off that list! 

The problem that I have is balancing size (I don't want to carry around a reference book but those pocket calendars are only big enough for random notes.) with space and functionality. I believe I have bought a different name calendar (sometimes more than one or two in the same year) for several years, trying to find, just the right one!

So my genius husband suggested I make my own. Merge all the things I like in the various calendars that I've used over the years into one deluxe edition just for me!

So that is exactly what I did! Here's pictures of the 2016 version. What do you think? For a video of the calendar, click here.

a customized fabric cover

logo page with space for your information

yearly to do list

monthly calendar with a section for days off/holidays and a page for monthly goals and projects

Weekly calendar with a 'to do' section and a '6 Most Important Things' list per day (Notice each day is 5am to 9:30p!)

Notes section in grid form for every type of note taker

Next's year's calendar at a glance for the future planner

Now, here's the kicker. It's not perfect yet. But it can be customized to make it such. You can decide to have only a monthly calendar and notes. Some people just need the weekly calendar. Or you could be like me and need it all!

Like what you see? Go to our website www.distinctlyours.com for free printables as well as (very soon!)the option to purchase a bound calendar just like this (or just the way you like it!).

Until then,
Cherise, the Mompreneur

It's time to focus....

I wake up in the morning and realize I hurt. My body is starting to make noises I don't recognize. Certain muscles hurt that I never knew existed. I'm getting old.... or maybe I'm just out of shape. (Does this sound familiar? If not, no laughing!) Either way, I need to get back into shape, get healthy again. This is what I USED to look like:

Courtesy of R Jones Photography

and this:

Now this is where the trust comes in. I'm about to post my 'before' picture for exercise purposes. I'm doing this because I need to see my progress. Please, no comments on how big or small I am. I'm not comfortable in my skin; I need to get healthy again, i's dotted and t's crossed.

Soooooo, the goal is NOT to lose weight. It's actually to gain, in muscle. I'll be doing the Insanity workout by Shaun T of the Beachbody family. (To friend me on TeamBeachBody.com, click here.) That's what got me toned before. It's also what kept my weight down during my last pregnancy. I will also be lifting weights at the gym several times a week. That will be how I gain the muscle.

me at 8 1/2 months preggo

I will continue to use the My Fitness Pal app to track my eating and exercise. (For more information on that app and how to friend me, click here.)

Want to join in? Post below or message me daily on your progress!!!!

Until next time!

Cherise, the Mompreneur

My Apple is Butter than yours!!

Hey one and all!! Found this complete and utter awesome sauce cookie recipe! Every time i make these cookies they getting finished in max 2 days!! Crazy I know! So i'm going to impart my knowledge upon the world!! enjoy and feel free to leave comments and questions below!

Apple Butter Snicker Doodle Recipe

Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder (sub- 1 tsp baking powder and 2 tsp apple cider vinegar)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup butter, softened
• 1 1/4 cup granulated sugar + 1/3 cup, divided
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup favorite Apple Butter
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon + 1 teaspoon, divided

Directions:

1. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
2. Cream Butter and 1 1/4 cups sugar in a mixer until fluffy. Mix in eggs, vanilla, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and apple butter.
3. Beat just until mixed. Add in flour mixture and until just blended together. Chill your dough at LEAST 4 hours.
4. This dough MUST be cold before baking because all the butter and apple butter, the cookies will spread quite a bit if you skip the chilling!! (ft. please please, please CHILL THIS DOUGH!! Overnight if need be!!!)
5. Preheat oven 350F. Line cookie sheets with parchment or a silpat baking mat. (ft. wax paper works just as well I found out)
6. Place 1 teaspoon cinnamon and 1/3 cup sugar in a small bowl.
7. Scoop balls of cookie dough. I used a tablespoon cookie scoop and roll them in the cinnamon sugar.
8. Place on cookie sheet. Highly recommend only scooping 2 cookie sheets at a time, re-chilling the dough for while the 2 cookie sheets bake.
9. Bake cookie for 11-12 minutes for sightly underdone, 13-14 minutes for fully done. The family loved the "underdone". Super soft and fluffy. Cooking the full 13-14 minutes while still fluffy, not as soft.
10. Cool slightly before removing from cookie sheets.

Please remember to comment and leave your experience with the recipe!

Enjoy and Happy Eating!

Essie Mae xo

Social Media

image from roar.pro

It dawned on me that I have A LOT of social media accounts. I use each of them for different reasons. But under the circumstances, there's no reason you can't follow me (or me follow you!) Soooooo, I decided to post all of my accounts here.

Blogger: Mompreneur Musings (you're here!)
Google+: Cherise South
Facebook: Cherise Fulwood-South
Twitter: @clsouth
Periscope: @clsouth
Instagram: clfulsouth
LinkedIn: Cherise South
Pinterest: clfulsouth
website: DistinctlyOurs.com
I'm working on my YouTube channel. But for future reference: CLSouth22406
Mary Kay for those who want a free catalog: clsouth

Happy Connecting!

Until next time!
Cherise, the Mompreneur

Introduction to Essie Mae!! (Guest Blogger)

Guest Blogger in the house!!! What's happenin!? Yes I'm new to the blogging scene, yes I'm lovin' it, yes I totally just heard u sing the tune for Mcd's :p hahaha!! SO!! Where do I begin about me? Well simply, I love music, food (huge fan of Iron Chef America and Chopped) and all things colorful! My next actual post is going to be about a cookie recipe that is a crowd pleaser in my family. Tuned for that ;) Otherwise there isn't really much to say about lil' ol' me.. Hope to make some posts that make you smile, happy or just helps u think outside of the box.

Enjoy and Happy Eating!

See you all soon!

Essie Mae xo

introduction to Rather be Rathers (Guest Blogger)

Hi! Call me Rather be Rathers!

I'm not really into this kind of stuff (blogging) but i want to give this a shot. So we will see how this goes.
 
What can i say about myself? Well, for one, I'm  really into food. I have had a few jobs where I accepted food as payment because I kind of eat a lot.  The other thing i picked up was books.  So right now,  Im reading The Maze Runner: Scorch Trails.

Well, that's it.
Rather be Rathers...

Sun protection- for your lips? (Spotlight)

With summer time officially here (yay!), one of the first things we always try to remember is to slather on the sunblock on our children (and ourselves, of course!). But imagine putting that on our lips. (I'll give you a few minutes for that visual.) So what's a person to do?

This product is the answer to that question. I absolutely love it. It glides on smooth, no fragrance for those with sensitivities and moisturizes.  Added bonus: the packaging won't discourage the hubby or boys from using it. What more can you ask for?

But don't take my word for it. Here's what Mary Kay® has to say about their product.

Overview
Mary Kay® Sun Care Lip Protector Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 15* helps keep lips protected and guarded from the drying effects of the sun and wind.

• Glides on for invisible protection so lips feel soft and supple.
• Provides UVA and UVB protection.
• Water-resistant, fragrance-free and dermatologist-tested.
• Great for everyone.
• Use it alone or under lipstick or lip gloss.

Application Tips
Apply liberally at least 15 minutes before sun exposure and reapply at least every two hours or after swimming, sweating or towel-drying. Re-apply every two hours, especially after swimming, vigorous activities or excessive sweating.

How it works
Exclusively formulated with beneficial moisturizers and antioxidants, Mary Kay® Sun Care Lip Protector Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 15* helps keep lips protected and guarded from the drying effects of sun and wind.

It would go perfectly with the Mary Kay® Broad Spectrum SPF 50*!


To purchase these products and more, click here!

Until next time!
Cherise, the Mompreneur

My toddler can read! (Spotlight)

          

All images are from originatorkids(dot)com

I have not been paid or compensated in any way for this endorsement.

My almost three year old picks up the little tin box. "F, I, R, S, T, A, I, D, K, I, T."

"Very good, sweetie!" You're getting good at reading your letters!"

"First add kite!"

"Wait, what?!?!, What does that say?"

"First add kite!"

"HunnYYYYYY!!!!!"

That's when I realized that my toddler could read. Of course, after the initial shock, I corrected the words. Then I ran around finding words he could read. Amazing! My hubby and I have been working on his letters and numbers and read to him regularly. Plus I bought the app he's been using. But I was still amazed at the fact that he was.... reading!!!

The app is called Endless reader.  

It's available on the Apple and Android. I'm not sure about Windows. There is a free version with a few words to test the waters with your child, which is what we did. Each letter has it's own sound and each word being taught is played with, sounded out and read in a sentence. It's really cute and to be totally honest, can sometimes be a little annoying due to the repetition of it. But kids love it. Maybe your child will too.

Enjoy!
Cherise, the Mompreneur

origin of Father's Day

Taken from Wikipedia:

Father's Day is a celebration honoring fathers and celebrating fatherhood, paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in society. Many countries celebrate it on the third Sunday of June, though it is also celebrated widely on other days by many other countries.

History

A father with his son by the lake

Father's Day was inaugurated in the United States in the early 20th century to complement Mother's Day in celebrating fathers and male parenting.

First observance

Grace Golden Clayton may have been inspired by Anna Jarvis' work to establish Mother's Day; two months prior, Jarvis had held a celebration for her dead mother in Grafton, West Virginia, a town about 15 miles (24 km) away from Fairmont.^{[citation needed]}
After the success obtained by Anna Jarvis with the promotion of Mother's Day in Grafton, West Virginia, the first observance of a "Father's Day" was held on July 5, 1908, in Fairmont, West Virginia, in the Williams Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church South, now known as Central United Methodist Church.^[1] Grace Golden Clayton was mourning the loss of her father when, on December 1907, the Monongah Mining Disaster in nearby Monongah killed 361 men, 250 of them fathers, leaving around a thousand fatherless children. Clayton suggested her pastor Robert Thomas Webb to honor all those fathers.^[2][3][4][5]
Clayton's event did not have repercussions outside of Fairmont for several reasons, among them: the city was overwhelmed by other events, the celebration was never promoted outside of the town itself and no proclamation was made in the city council. Also two events overshadowed this event: the celebration of Independence Day July 4, 1908, with 12,000 attendants and several shows including a hot air balloon event, which took over the headlines in the following days, and the death of a 16-year-old girl on July 4. The local church and council were overwhelmed and they did not even think of promoting the event, and it was not celebrated again for many years. The original sermon was not reproduced in press and it was lost. Finally, Clayton was a quiet person, who never promoted the event or even talked to other persons about it.^[3][4][5]

Establishment of holiday

Father and daughter

In 1910, a Father's Day celebration was held in Spokane, Washington, at the YMCA by Sonora Smart Dodd, who was born in Arkansas.^[6] Its first celebration was in the Spokane YMCA on June 19, 1910.^[6][7] Her father, the civil war veteran William Jackson Smart, was a single parent who raised his six children there.^[6] After hearing a sermon about Jarvis' Mother's Day in 1909 at Central Methodist Episcopal Church, she told her pastor that fathers should have a similar holiday honoring them.^[6] Although she initially suggested June 5, her father's birthday, the pastors did not have enough time to prepare their sermons, and the celebration was deferred to the third Sunday of June.^[1][8] Several local clergymen accepted the idea, and on 19 June 1910, the first Father's Day, .... (To read more, click here.)

Until next time.
Cherise, the Mompreneur

origin of Juneteenth

Taken from Wikipedia

Juneteenth, also known as Juneteenth Independence Day or Freedom Day, is a holiday that commemorates the announcement of the abolition of slavery in Texas in June 1865, and more generally the emancipation of African-American slaves throughout the Confederate South. Celebrated on June 19, the term is a portmanteau of June and nineteenth^[1][2] and is recognized as a state holiday or special day of observance in most states.

The holiday is observed primarily in local celebrations. Traditions include public readings of the Emancipation Proclamation, singing traditional songs such as "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" and "Lift Every Voice and Sing", and readings by noted African-American writers such as Ralph Ellison and Maya Angelou.^[3] Celebrations may include parades, rodeos, street fairs, cookouts, family reunions, park parties, historical reenactments, or Miss Juneteenth contests.^[4]

History

Ashton Villa, from whose front balcony General Order #3 was read on June 19, 1865

During the American Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on September 22, 1862, with an effective date of January 1, 1863. It declared all slaves to be freed in the Confederate States of America in rebellion and not in Union hands (this excluded Maryland, Delaware, Tennessee, "West" and Southeast Virginia and lower Louisiana, which were occupied by the Union). It also announced that the Union would start recruiting former slaves and free blacks to serve in the military and recruitment began in the spring of 1863. Slaves often escaped to Union lines for protection and many began to serve in the military. In some areas, contraband camps were set up to house the freedmen temporarily, as well as start schools and put adults to work. Lincoln had urged the governments in the Border States, which had remained in the Union, to free their slaves under a system of gradual abolition but none did so. Those slaves were not emancipated until the end of the war.

Even when slaves gained freedom, this was a difficult era. Conditions in contraband camps were crowded, with poor sanitation, as existed in most military encampments. Just as more soldiers on both sides died of disease rather than wounds, because of the social disruption from the war and general harsh conditions, many former slaves died of disease in the years from 1862 to 1870, including from a smallpox epidemic.^[5]

More isolated geographically, Texas was not a battleground, and thus its slaves were not affected by the Emancipation Proclamation unless they escaped.^[6] Planters and other slaveholders had migrated into Texas from eastern states to escape the fighting, and many brought their slaves with them, increasing by the thousands the number of slaves in the state at the end of the Civil War.^[7]

By 1865, there were an estimated 250,000 slaves in Texas.^[7] As news of end of the war moved slowly, it did not reach Texas until May 1865, and the Army of the Trans-Mississippi did not surrender until June 2.^[7] On June 18, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger arrived at Galveston Island with 2,000 federal troops to occupy Texas on behalf of the federal government.^[6] On June 19, standing on the balcony of Galveston's Ashton Villa, Granger read aloud the contents of "General Order No. 3", announcing the total emancipation of slaves:

The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor. The freedmen are advised to remain quietly at their present homes and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts and that they will not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere.^[8]

Emancipation Day celebration in Richmond, Virginia in 1905

Former slaves in Galveston rejoiced in the streets after the announcement, although in the years afterward many struggled to work through the changes against resistance of whites. But, the following year, freedmen organized the first of what became annual celebrations of Juneteenth in Texas.^[8] Barred in some cities from using public parks because of state-sponsored segregation of facilities, across parts of Texas, freed people pooled their funds to purchase land to hold their celebrations, such as Houston's Emancipation Park,Mexia's Booker T. Washington Park, and Emancipation Park in Austin.^[7][8]

In the early 20th century, economic and political forces led to a decline in Juneteenth celebrations. From 1890 to 1908, Texas and .... To continue reading,, please click here.

Until next time!
Cherise, the Mompreneur

Origin of Ramadan

Taken from Wikipedia.

Ramadan

Ramadan (/ˌræməˈdɑːn/; Arabic: رمضان‎ Ramaḍān, IPA: [rɑmɑˈdˤɑːn];^{[note 1]} also transliterated Ramazan, Ramzan, Ramadhan, or Ramathan) is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar,^[3] and is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting to commemorate the first revelation of the Quran to Muhammad according to Islamic belief.^[4][5] This annual observance is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam.^[6] The month lasts 29–30 days based on the visual sightings of the crescent moon, according to numerous biographical accounts compiled in the hadiths.^[7][8]
The word Ramadan comes from the Arabic root ramiḍa or ar-ramaḍ, which means scorching heat or dryness.^[9] Fasting is fardh (obligatory) for adult Muslims, except those who are suffering from an illness, travelling, are elderly, pregnant, breastfeeding, diabetic or going through menstrual bleeding.^[10] Fasting the month of Ramadan was made obligatory (wājib) during the month of Sha'aban, in the second year after the Muslims migrated from Mecca to Medina. Fatwas have been issued declaring that Muslims who live in regions with natural phenomenon such as the midnight sun or polar night should follow the timetable of Mecca.^[11]
While fasting from dawn until sunset, Muslims refrain from consuming food, drinking liquids, smoking, and engaging in sexual relations with one's spouse. Muslims are also instructed to refrain from sinful behavior that may negate the reward of fasting, such as false speech (insulting, backbiting, cursing, lying, etc.) and fighting.^[12] Food and drink is served daily, before dawn and after sunset.^[13][14] Spiritual rewards (thawab) for fasting are also believed to be multiplied within the month of Ramadan.^[15] Fasting for Muslims during Ramadan typically includes the increased offering of salat (prayers) and recitation of the Quran.^[16][17]

History

Chapter 2, Revelation 185, of the Quran states:

The month of Ramadan is that in which was revealed the Quran; a guidance for mankind, and clear proofs of the guidance, and the criterion (of right and wrong). And whosoever of you is present, let him fast the month, and whosoever of you is sick or on a journey, a number of other days. Allah desires for you ease; He desires not hardship for you; and that you should complete the period, and that you should magnify Allah for having guided you, and that perhaps you may be thankful.^{[Quran 2:185]}

It is believed that the Quran was first revealed to Muhammad during the month of Ramadan which has been referred to as the "best of times". The first revelation was sent down on Laylat al-Qadr (The night of Power) which is one of the five odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan.^[18] According to hadith, all holy scriptures were sent down during Ramadan. The tablets of Ibrahim, the Torah, the Psalms, the Gospel and the Quran were sent down on 1st, 6th, 12th, 13th^{[note 2]} and 24th Ramadan respectively.^[19]
According to the Quran, fasting was also obligatory for prior nations, and is a way to attain taqwa, fear of God.^{[20][Quran 2:183]} God proclaimed to Muhammad that fasting for His sake was not a new innovation in monotheism, but rather an obligation practiced by those truly devoted to the oneness of God.^[21] The pagans of Mecca also fasted, but only on tenth day of Muharram to expiate sins and avoid droughts.^[22]
The ruling to observe fasting during Ramadan was sent down 18 months after Hijra, during the month of Sha'aban in the second year of Hijra in 624 CE.^[19]
Abu Zanad, an Arabic writer from Iraq who lived after the founding of Islam,in around 747 CE, wrote that at least one Mandaean community located in al-Jazira (modern northern Iraq) observed Ramadan before converting to Islam.^{[23][not in citation given]}
According to Philip Jenkins, Ramadan comes "from the strict Lenten discipline of the Syrian churches".^{[24][dubious – discuss]} However, this suggestion is based on the orientalist idea that the Qur'an itself has Syrian origins, which was refuted by Muslim academics such as M. Al-Azami.^[25]

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Until next time,
Cherise, the Mompreneur