Memorial Day Weekend, #2

Yesterday, after sending out the post about Operation Write Home and the Memorial Day Blog Hop, my hubby and I spent the day at our local ScotsFest: Clan Gathering and Highland Games. It is an annual event for us. Love listening to the Scots sense of humor, especially with the Scottish brogue. Then there are the Pipe Bands, Dancers, Folk singers... guys in kilts, lots of redheads, and of course Highland Games like the Caber Toss. But my favorite part is always the sense of National Pride that surrounds the event. Not only pride for our Scottish heritage, Scots tend to be fiercely loyal folk - regardless of how long it has been since they have lived in Scotland. But also a very strong pride at being Americans. Those that served are applauded and thanked again and again...

The first day always starts with the presentation of the clans and their tartans, the singing of the national anthems, and a salute to the branches of the military. I thought I would share a photo I took yesterday during the anthem.

Both men in this picture were in kilts with sporran, knives. This was the scene around the arena where we held the opening event. To me it summarizes the pride such an event evokes, as well as all that Memorial Day stands for.

Make sure to thank someone who has done their part to keep us safe, or their family members if necessary.

Memorial Day Weekend, #1

I have always loved Memorial Day Weekend. The flags on house fronts. The thoughts of patriotism and national pride. The pomp and circumstance of activities like the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. I smile at the sense of belonging to something special, something inspiring that these things give to  me.

This morning I visited Face Book and found a link posted for Operation Write Home. I love what these folks are doing. They collect blank, homemade cards, bundle them up, and send them to soldiers fighting overseas, so that they might have something special to write home in. If you have never heard of them, please take a minute to go to their site and look around. Watch the video on the home page. It is truly an inspiration.

My class and I have been sending care packages to a soldier in Afghanistan all year. I will be adding OWH to the list of community service activities that they do throughout the year.

This weekend I plan to spend at least part of my weekend making cards that I can send to OWH.

My challenge to you:
If you make cards - send OWH some this week.
If you scrapbook -  cut up a bit of your papers and make a few cards for the OWH boxes - see my past blog posts about Left Overs for some ideas.

If you do neither - Please consider donating a little cash to help cover postage for the boxes being sent overseas.

When you have created your cards or donated to the cause, please leave a comment on this blog (by Friday, June 3). I will choose one person at random for small thank you gift, and I will be donating $50 in their name to Operation Write Home.

****Blogger is having some difficulty ----post your comments annon. to get it to work.

If you have a blog, or website, please post pictures I would love to see what you do!

In the meantime, have some fun on the Memorial Day Weekend Blog Hop!!!

Cricut Blog Begins

If you have not heard, Provo Craft has launched a blog specifically for Cricut users. Their plan is to post new projects and spotlight various techniques and cartridges at least 3 times each week. If you have a Cricut or you enjoy paper crafting at all, be it scrapbooking, card making, etc., this looks to be a great place to be inspired. Click on the logo below to visit the Cricut Blog now.





National Scrapbook Day!

I hope everyone is enjoying themselves today. I surely am. I have joined a group of friends at Apple's Bed & Breakfast in Big Bear Lake, CA. We have 3 conference / workrooms full of scrappers madly working away on a variety of projects. Thank you to Melissa of Scrapbook Garden, in Huntington Beach, for organizing this wonderful event.

The food up here is great! It really is one of the favorite reasons for coming.

I hope you are all having a great time celebrating the day too!!!! Happy Scrapping!!!!