My Kind Of Introduction: 2013

Friday, December 27, 2013

Vist the End Of Year Sale at The Gooseberry Patch and SAVE up to 80% Off + a FREE Cookbook!!

*The Gooseberry Patch is having a wonderful*
*End-Of-Year-Sale*

Visit GooseberryPatch.com and SAVE up to 80% Off of their amazing Cookbooks!!

Enjoy tons of delicious recipes that'll not only fill your home with yummy scents during the New Year but will insure that your friends are calling you for tips when they're planning their next get together!

Visit GooseberryPatch.com today and SAVE!!!

This offer expires on January 2, 2013. You may also want to take in to consideration that due to the expected popularity of the Gooseberry Patch End of Year Sale, please allow up to 15 business days for your order to arrive.

Disclaimer: This blog accepts compensation in the form of products and/or monetary for selected posts which will be labeled accordingly. No matter the compensation, I only write about items and/or services that I have personal experience with and believe my readers will enjoy and/or benefit from. All opinions are my own and may differ from those of others.

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FREE: Native American History Timeline & Native American Word Scramble Worksheet!!

How about a bit of Native American History as well as a Native American Word Scramble to start off the New Year?

Not too much is known about the dates and events of the Native Americans before the Europeans arrive, but I'm on a mission to learn and if I succeed then I'll be sure to let you know.

The following timeline begins with 1st contact which was made by Christopher Columbus.

Christopher Columbus

1492 - Christopher Columbus 1st makes contact with the Native Americans. He calls them Indians because he believes that he has landed within the East Indies.

1513 - Juan Ponce de Leon explores Florida and comes runs across Native Americans. He then takes 8 of them captive.

1539 - Hernando de Soto lands in Tampa Bay, Florida and kills around 100 Native American warriors!

1539 - The Spanish first make contact with the Pueblo Indians in the southwest.

1620 - Pocahontas marries Englishman John Rolfe.

1680 - The Pueblo Indians rage against the Spanish and take back their homeland, for 12 years.

1754 - The French and Indian War between France and Great Britain begins. Indian tribes were a part of both sides.

1763 - The French and Indian War finally ended.

1764 - Chief Pontiac, of the Ottawa tribe, led a rebellion against the British in the Ohio River Valley.

1810 - Tecumseh begins to put together a confederation of Native American Tribes in an effort to stop the enlargement of the United States.

Tecumseh, by Benson Lossing
in 1848, based on 1808 drawing

1811 - The Shawnee are defeated by William Henry Harrison during the Battle of Tippecanoe.

1812 - Native Americans under Tecumseh ally with the British against the United States in the War of 1812.

1817 - The First Seminole War is fought when Andrew Jackson over-swarms Florida in hope to catch runaway slaves.

1824 - The United States established the Office of Indian Affairs.

1830 - President Andrew Jackson signs the Indian Removal Act into a law.

1835 - The Second Seminole War started when the United States tries to force the Seminole Indians to move from Florida to Oklahoma.

Cherokee Nation Flag

1838 - The Cherokee tribe are forced to march from North Carolina to Oklahoma. Thousands of them pass away along the way in what is now known as the Trail of Tears.

1855 - The Third Seminole War is fought against the legendary leader - Billy Bowlegs.

1855 - The Nez Perce sign an agreement with the United States Government which would later be dismantled when gold was discovered on the land that belonged to the Nez Perce tribe.

1862 - The Homestead Act is passed by the United States Government which lead to the opening of an Indian land in the Midwest, to settlers.

1874 - The Red River War is fought in Northern Texas.

1876 - George Custer and the United States Army is deeply defeated during the Battle of Little Big Horn by Native Americans, which was led by Sitting Bull.

1877 - The Nez Perce people, led by Chief Joseph, retreat from United States forces and end up traveling 1,400 miles until they surrender in what would soon be known as the Nez Perce War.

Sitting Bull

1890 - Sitting Bull is killed by Indian Agents who believe that he will support the Ghost Dancers.

1890 - The Wounded Knee Massacre took place in South Dakota. Around two hundred Native American women and children were killed.

1907 - Charles Curtis became the first Native American United States Senator. He would later become vice president of the United States of America.

1912 - Jim Thorpe wins two gold medals in the Olympics and is named the greatest athlete in the world!

1965 - Native American, Maria Tallchief, becomes the first American prima-ballerina of the New York City Ballet.

1969 - At last - All Native American Indians are declared citizens of the United States of America!!

Below is a fun Native American Word Scramble from Little Passports!
This worksheet is an amazing addition to any Native American History Lesson!

Visit Little Passports for more amazing learning opportunities!

Timeline Source: Ducksters

Disclaimer: This blog accepts compensation in the form of products and/or monetary for selected posts which will be labeled as sponsored. No matter the compensation, I only write about items and/or services that I have personal experience with and believe my readers will enjoy and/or benefit from. All opinions are my own and may differ from those of others.

View Full Disclosure for further details.

This post may contain affiliate links.

Thursday, December 26, 2013

Learn About & Celebrate Boxing Day with Little Passports! - Join us on a trip through the many Boxing Day Traditions around the World.

Today is Boxing Day!

You may not know this but the day after Christmas, December 26, is celebrated by Canadians and is similar to the Black Friday tradition that's held in the United States; but that's only the beginning.......
Join Little Passports and I on a trip across the World - through the many amazing Boxing Day Traditions!

While no one truly knows the exact origins of Boxing Day, one of the most popular traditions of this holiday began several hundred years ago in England. At this point in time, Boxing Day -- the day after Christmas -- was when the wealthy would bring gifts of food and/or other necessities to the homes of the people who worked for them. Many countries have continued this generous tradition of helping out those who are in need during the Holiday Season. Boxing Day around the world has changed throughout the years to include many other festivities and events as well:

In the Bahamas, they celebrate with a festival -- called Junkanoo -- dating back to the 16th or 17th century. On December 26th, the people of the Bahamas celebrate with a large and colorful parade throughout the streets where everyone wear amazing costumes, unbelieveable masks, and beautiful headdresses while they sing and dance as well as play music while they "take-over" the streets. In downtown Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas, you can find a Junkanoo museum where visitors from far and wide can see a variety of breathtaking costumes that have been proudly worn during past festivals.

New Zealand also celebrates Boxing Day (December 26) but their celebration takes place during their summer weather. Taking full advantage of the nice weather, some New Zealanders choose to go swimming in the ocean, lakes and rivers. Others enjoy hiking and picnicking through the beautiful scenery of the trails. There are also those families who would rather stay home and relax after the Christmas celebrations. They may spend their day watching some cricket on TV while grilling up some delicious leftovers from Christmas dinner. Other families can be found at the Ellerslie Boxing Day Races, which are horse races that have been held on Boxing Day for over 150 years at the Auckland Racing Club.

Australia is another country who's Boxing Day traditions are centered around sports. On the day after Christmas, Australians have the option of watching the Boxing Day Test match, featuring Australia’s cricket team, or they can cheer on sailors who compete in the Sydney-to-Hobart yacht race! Which is an event that I wouldn't mind to witness myself one day... since it's said to be one of the most hardest yacht races in the world. Starting in the harbor of Sydney (Australia’s largest city), the Sydney-to-Hobart yacht race finishes in Hobart, the capital of the Australian island Tasmania.

Although Boxing Day is not celebrated in the United States - Sam, Sofia, and the Little Passports team will be honoring the tradition by helping those in need throughout their local communities.

Does your family do anything special to give back or "pay it forward" during the Holidays?
Do you help those in need who live within your community?

Going on vacation or planning on doing some traveling soon?
Check out Little Passports' Travel Tips and be safe during your travels!

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Canadian Friends:

Remember your FREE US Shipping Address!!

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POST HOLIDAY SALE: Receive 30% Off of Amazing Jewelry and Jewels at B2C Jewels!

**THE HOLIDAYS ARE STILL GOING STRONG OVER AT B2C JEWELS!**

Have you heard of B2C Jewels?

B2C Jewels is an online store of certified loose diamonds, fine diamond jewelry and trendy products in gold, pearl & gemstone.

**Check out the Amazing Post Holiday Sale!**

Receive 30% Off of Select Items!

Use Code: B2CPOSTSALE

This deal is valid through:

December 26, 2013 - January 10, 2014

The Post Holiday Sale isn't the only good deal that's going on at B2C Jewels... Read below to find out what else is going on at B2C Jewels!

December Birthstone Sale:

20% Off Select Items!

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Expires on 12/31/13

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January Birthstone Sale:

20% Off Select Items!

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15% Off Select Ladies Wedding Bands

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Expires on 12/31/13

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Use the B2C Jewels Personal Shopper...Tell them your preference & they'll take care of the rest!

Learn more at B2CJewels.com

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Canadian Friends

B2C Jewels ships internationally but may be cheaper if you would like to use your FREE US Shipping Address instead!!

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DIY Key Necklaces -- Create Unique Jewelry in a Matter if Minutes That Look AMAZING!

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-- Create DIY Frugal Jewelry --

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-- Create Amazing Key Necklaces --

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Now that the Holiday's are just about over, how about creating something beautiful that you can not only wear but be proud of as well! Use your old un-used keys to make DIY Key Necklaces that'll amaze your friends and add the perfect addition to any outfit! This is also a good project to do with the kids, adult supervision is required due to the strength of glue that is needed.

Ring in the New Year with handmade jewelry that anyone and everyone would be proud to wear on a night on the town or a day out with the family!

(Receive great deals on craft supplies at Craftsy)

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-- DIY Key Necklaces --

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Materials:

Random Keys (Old House keys, Car keys, Skeleton Keys, etc.)
Fancy and/or Neat Embellishments
E-6000 glue (Or other strong glue of your choice)
Jump ring
Necklace chain of your choice (Old necklace chain or purchase from a roll)

Instructions:

Start off your DIY Key Project by collecting needed items: Gather up some old keys. (Check in your junk drawer - House keys can be surprisingly pretty and neat looking, especially the older ones. Skeleton keys are my favorite and are naturally elegant, not to mention their amazing vintage look. Even car-keys can be fancied up with awesome embellishments.)
Then it's time to collect your embellishments. Maybe a rhinestone chain or imitation chain. You can also order some "bling on a roll" or find an old rhinestone necklace that's missing a few stones or such and can be cut up and re-purposed. Other embellishments may include: old earrings (with the backs removed), vintage brooches, gem stones, jewels, buttons, scrapbook embellishments (can be found at your local craft store) and pretty much anything else that happens to catch your eye and spark your creative interest.
Make sure to clean your keys before you begin - Take some rubbing alcohol on a paper towel or cloth and wipe down the surfaces of both - the keys and the embellishment(s). Doing so; helps remove grease and/or other residue that may prevent a good bond between the surface and glue.
Fun Time.... Now your ready to start embellishing! -- As mentioned above: You can use any strong holding glue; E-6000 works wonderfully - it forms a really strong bond but doesn't set up immediately. Hot Glue will hold the item in place while the E-6000 sets in, or any other glue of your choice.
Decorate the keys using your chosen embellishments. Continue until you're happy with the design(s) and look of your completed keys.
Once the keys are decorated.... The real fun begins! -- Simply add a large jump ring (or small rings) to the keys and arrange them into different jewelry designs.

Craft found at Favecrafts.com

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Shop Sale Craft Supplies Now at Craftsy!

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Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Christmas Eve Gingerbread Maple Cappuccino Recipe

It's flurrying in Asheville, NC!

We may have a white Christmas after all!!

Keep your bones warmed today with this wonderful Gingerbread Maple Cappuccino recipe!

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Monday, December 23, 2013

Christmas Eve - I'm not ready for you yet!!

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and we are no where near ready! My fiance slept away his only day off and sadly - He works Christmas Eve night.... We're going to have to finish our shopping today while the girls are with us and I'm not sure how well that's going to go but it's our only choice. My mama went to Florida this past weekend and didn't get home until after 6am so letting the girls stay with her while we finish up our shopping is out of the question since Alan works his afternoon as well. This is going to be one very different Christmas for my little family. (I'll expand more on that subject later) Wish us luck everyone! I'm not sure how thing are going to come together but I'm sure they will somehow.