Take A Deep Breath!

I don't know about you but I'm glad Turkey day is over! I enjoyed the time with my family, but I'm exhausted. I wasn't 100% happy with my Thanksgiving dinner which is a drag, but at least no one walked away from the table hungry. I can say my no-bake cheesecake was wonderful! Too bad it's all gone. I might have to make it again for Christmas.

The first snow flurries of the season fell today along with the temperature. Ole man winter is already unpacking his things, preparing to stay awhile. Brrr!!! I don't like a lot of snow, but I love it when it first falls. It looks so beautiful on the trees and fluttering in the breeze like a shaken snow globe.

I'm looking forward to putting up the Christmas tree. The kids are so excited and their excitement has reinvigorated the festive wonderment that can only be experienced as a child and appreciated as an adult. We're getting a real tree this year. I haven't had one since I was a child. I don't like the idea of using a tree only for a holiday, but the place we're getting it from only sells trees that have been replaced with a new little tree to grow in its place. That makes me feel a little better.

Plus, there's nothing like the smell of a freshly cut tree and I can't wait! By the end of this upcoming weekend, our home will be decked out for Christmas!

~AN

Happy Thanksgiving!

Well, the holiday craze has officially begun! I've got my menu settled for Thanksgiving, but I still have to pick up a few items to complete my meal. Housework isn't done, but when is it ever?

This has been a challenging year in a lot of ways, so I'm glad to see the turkey day approaching which means Christmas and the New Year is right around the corner.
Come on 2011! I know, I know, let's just get through Thanksgiving. ;)

I can't let the holiday pass without giving thanks for my husband and children. Being a part of their lives has given me a joy I never expected. I'm thankful for my parents and other family and friends who share their lives with me. I'm thankful for food on the table and contracted stories!! And, I'm thankful for egg nog martinis. lol Seriously, they are sooooo good!

I've turned on my Pumpkin Pie pod warmer and now I'm enjoying the smell of this holiday dessert favorite filling my home! No wicks, no fuss, just pure indulgence! I truly hope this Thanksgiving find you healthy and happy!

Want your own Pumpkin Pie pod warmer for the holidays?

go to: www.mygc.com/candlelightromance

~AN

Candlelight Romance!

I am officially a Gold Canyon® Independent Demonstrator!

I've always enjoyed candles. The flickering flames add ambiance to any room and I find them so relaxing. My favorite candles permeate the room with a fragrant aroma that evokes memories or inspire new ones. When my aunt introduced me to Gold Canyon I fell in love! Gold Canyon candles are incredible! There is a scent to go with every occasion, to set any mood or create one.

My auntie encouraged me to branch out with my own Gold Canyon business but I hesitated, uncertain I could make a go of it. If there is one thing this year has taught me is that anything can be possible if you're willing to try...no strive towards your own personal goals. I never would've imagined I would've sold stories to two publishers, but I have.

After pushing away from all doubts, I decided to go forward. The decision to start my own business with Gold Canyon was a go. I decided to name my business Candlelight Romance. Who doesn't love candles and romance? The two are a HUGE part of my life...the name is perfect!

When you believe in something it's easy to put your whole heart into it and that's how I feel about Gold Canyon. Their products are top of the line, The World's Finest®. These candles last and last, melt all the way down to the bottom with no black sooty residue. The wax burns cool and burns longer than any of the competition and I've tried them all. Haven't heard of Gold Canyon? Check out my website or contact me!

www.mygc.com/candlelightromance

Top Five Reasons the Orignial Clash of the Titans is Better Than the Remake!

Clash of the Titans is one of the movies I remember seeing as a child and it stuck with me. I believe it sparked my interest in Greek mythology which I still love to this day. I recently saw the remake and although the special effects were better, I left the movie disappointed by the lack of story, the lack of heart. Here are my top five reasons you should see the original before viewing the remake.

5. More mythology- The original shares so much more of the real mythology within the movie. When you finish watching the first one you'll have a basic understanding about some of the more famous myths the Greeks told.

4. Calibos- A worthy opponent for the handsome Prince Perseus and a great actor. And what incredible makeup for 1981. Wow! I can't believe this movie was made almost thirty years ago?!! I'm getting old.

3. Harry Hamlin- He may not be as sexy as Sam Worthington, but he's a much better actor. I felt his passion to save Andromeda. He wasn't all brawn and muscle, he exhibited a heart worthy of his princess.

2. The Kraken- I'm sorry, but when I saw that sea monster come up from the frothy waves I was really afraid. Ok, I was 11, but still, it was moment of movie magic...CGI be damned!

1. The Love Story- In the remake, I didn't feel the love between Perseus and Andromeda. In the orignal, it's hard to miss. Andromeda, played by Judi Bowker is radiant in her gentleness and virginal love for her demi-god savior. I held my breath wondering if Perseus would reach her in time to destory the Kraken. I also loved how she didn't scream. Not when they led her up to her would be death, not when the monstrous sea creature erupted from the sea! Now that's something. Plus, the theme song is so majestic!

In conclusion, the orginal 1981 version of Clash of the Titans is a much better story with characters you can believe in and root for until the very end!

"RELEASE THE KRAKEN!!"

~NG

Top Five Reasons I Love Fall!

This is the time of year I always love when the year begins to wind down and most of us start looking forward to the holidays right around the corner. There's nothing like watching the leaves fall from the leaves like rain or hearing the sound of them crunching under feet.

I love the colors of this season! I love the wild mix of warm and cold days. This past weekend it was in the eighties! Today, it's going to hit just below eighty too, but then it's going to cool down. That's fine with me too. I've already pulled out my favorite hoodies and sweaters! Ok, I digress. Here's my top five reasons for loving fall:


5. Apple Cider - Mmm...I can't wait to have a warm mug of it tonight.
4. Honey Crisp Apples - seriously, if you haven't had one, you haven't had a really apple yet!
3. Decorating for fall/Halloween
2. Weather - usually moderate temps
1. Sharing the increasing excitement for the upcoming holidays with my kids!

I'm going to enjoy every day because I know snow is right around the corner. *sigh* I'm so not looking forward to that!

~AN

Take the Target Pledge!

photo by bizior

Reading has always been a great escape for me. I remember going to the library as a child and being so excited about picking out new books. I loved Sweet Valley High, Nancy Drew and many more. When you read to a child you spark their imagination! I believe every child should be exposed to the wonderful world of reading.

Target has pledged to donate a book for every adult who pledges to read 15 minutes a day to a child in their lives, giving me one more reason to love this store!

Take the Target pledge with me!
Find out how here: http://reading.target.com/pledge/

~AN

A Call to A.R.M.S.

The structure of the African American family is in crisis. Over seventy-two percent of our children are growing up in single parent homes. More than half of our children grow up without the nurturing and guidance of a father. Sadly, this growing epidemic of broken homes, unwed pregnancies and non-existent fathers is expected and accepted as the norm.

We can no longer sit back and continue to watch the crumbling foundation of the family unit which has affected every aspect of our community. We must sound a battle cry; a call to A.R.M.S., if we intend to save what should be most dear: Our families.

The first step to working on this multi-layered problem is to admit a problem exists within the African American community because of the structural collapse of our families. The psychological, emotional, and financial benefits of children raised within a stable loving two parent home environment have been well documented. This is not a slam against single parenting. So many single parents work hard to raise and provide for their children, but kids benefit from having both mom and dad in the home.

Loving committed parents serve as positive role models for our children. How can we expect our young boys to grow up, respect, honor, love and marry a woman when so many have never witnessed such behavior themselves? How can we expect our sons to respect and revere the responsibility of supporting his family when all he sees is a mother who works?

How can we expect our young girls to grow up, respect, honor, and love themselves and accept nothing less from a man when so many have witnessed their mother's doing whatever it takes and accepting any behavior a man doles out? How can we expect our daughters to understand the partnership of a loving relationship or marriage without one modeled?

Way too many of our youth do not appreciate or recognize healthy loving relationships, let alone marriages. Sadly, sex and intimacy in today's generation does not require either one. Somehow, we've got to restore the sanctity of sex and the purpose and respect of relationships/marriage. No small feat, I realize and I don't have a perfect solution.

I do believe modeling healthy behaviors and relationships is the most effective way to impact our youth whether you are single, married or divorced.

Although the statistics are bleak, there are many strong, healthy, loving African American families in America. There are even more individuals wanting to see a change from the growing trend of broken homes. All of us dedicated to stopping this crisis must be willing to speak out against unwed pregnancies and fathers abandoning their children. We must make it our duty to educate, mentor and support the young people in our lives whether they are family or not.

There are no easy answers to quickly solve this gaping wound bleeding the lifeblood from our community. We must stop pointing fingers, assigning blame and passing judgment and admit a great majority of our children are at a disadvantage emotionally and financially as a result of unwed pregnancies and absent fathers. We must work to restore the sacredness of sex within a loving, committed healthy marriage and model these behaviors for our youth.

Some say salvaging the African American family is hopeless, but we are a people capable of holding onto hope in the darkest of times. Our history has proven when we lift our voices together we can affect change. Now is the time to sound the battle cry, a call to arms to save the crumbling foundation of our culture.

~Angela Nichelle Bradley

www.noweddingnowomb.com