Thanksgivukkah is coming!

This Thanksgiving is a special date in history
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more mathematically unique than it usually is with each passing year
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because there won't be another Thanksgiving quite like this one again
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in your lifetime (or rather...)
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for 77,798 more years.
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No joke.
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In 2013, Thanksgiving lands on exactly the same date as the first night of Hanukkah.
The last time that this coincidental occurrence happened was back in 1888. (Which doesn't seem like too long ago, compared to the 77,798 year wait for the next one!)

Some people have special plans to celebrate the traditions of both holidays on November 28. Bakeries are offering once-in-a-lifetime combinations, like Menurkey or Challurkey (fun words to say!).


Check out some of these cool Thanksgivukkah ideas!



{ Sweet Potato Latkes w/ Cranberry Pecan Applesauce & Cinnamon Yogurt }



{ Chocolate Acorn Dreidels }



{ Challah Stuffing w/ Turkey Sausage, Leeks & Cherries }



{ Star of David Tart }

MyWriMo: Day 1, and Sharing Our Bookshelves {November 2011}

Today is the start of NaNoWriMo, for many people. For myself, it is the opening day of a month in which I hope to move forward in, concerning my writing. My only goal is to make progress. The focus is not on what my word count will be at the end of these thirty days, but simply on the fact that I did accomplish something. Months have passed since I last tried formulating a story worth writing, and I don't have much to show for in 2011. This is why I would like to set aside this month to have something to remember the year by.

I have a new bit of inspiration for the month too, as you might have seen in the photo here. Glancing at the word "write" on my desk is sure to be a motivation, don't you think?

Throughout November I will probably post here and there about what I'm doing, and I hope to hear what you other writers are accomplishing throughout the month too. You are welcome to link to your posts on the linky below, and we can all click over and read each others' posts. (Remember: Sharing Our Bookshelves linky is all about connecting to readers and writers, so whether you're posting about your November writings, or your recent reads, please feel free to link up, all month long.)

"The great advantage of being a writer is that you can spy on people. You're there, listening to every word, but part of you is observing. Everything is useful to a writer, you see—every scrap, even the longest and most boring of luncheon parties." —Graham Greene, British author

Book Review: The Mayflower Secret

The Mayflower Secret

written by Dave & Neta Jackson

157 pages

An interesting thing to read about this time of the year, is books about the Pilgrims... with Thanksgiving coming, it's nice to re-read about the Pilgrims journey. Here's a book I've enjoyed reading recently...

Elizabeth Tilley was a Pilgrim who crossed the ocean, from England to America in 1620. She was a real person, but this book is a fictional account of her life, written by Dave & Neta Jackson in their "Trailblazer" series. Elizabeth was 13 when the voyage began with her parents. Her family was not of the group of Puritans who were fleeing from England though. So the experience of living in close quarters on the same ship with these godly people adds a new perspective to Elizabeth's outlook on life.

Amid all the regular chaos aboard the ship, something horrible goes awry. It's Elizabeth's secret that she won't tell anyone. She's afraid that she'll get into a bigger mess of trouble than she'll be able to get out of. Everyone questions what had happened on that certain tragic night, but Elizabeth can't make herself tell.

The weary voyagers explore the new land of America and the Puritan leaders, including William Bradford, begin building their initial encampment. Through all this, Elizabeth must endure even greater pains and hardships, in addition to still keeping the burden of a secret. She now has a completely different life than she did before. And after all... living with Indians is not at all something that anyone would do back in England!

"Juvenile Fiction" - recommended for ages 9-12. Very nicely written book. I always enjoy the Trailblazer books. This is probably by second time (at least) to read "The Mayflower Secret"--still keeps me interested!

If you're interested in a couple other Pilgrim books I recommend, please visit my post on Walking in Thy Truth.

Favorite Finds #11

It's the end of the week, and that means it's time to round up my Favorite Finds that I've found online this past week. I have quite a few links to share today!

Pictorial Representation Paraphernalia - Check out Amy's list about all things photography.

Focus - Lovely, inspiring words from Emily Rose.

Halo Around The Sun - "A rare sight in the sky" from South Africa a couple days ago.

Bible Cover Tutorial - Looks like a great idea from the Seven Sisters!

Announcing: The Launch of Childlike Faith Publishing - Alyssa has started making ebooks out of her own writings..."Thanksgiving Stories For Children" sounds especially interesting!

Red-Eyed Tree Frog - A glimpse of a lovely creature in Costa Rica.


And also....
Just thought I'd mention that I posted on a couple other blogs this past week!

"The Landing of the Pilgrims" & "A Journey to the New World" - posted on Walking in Thy Truth
{2 book reviews, perfect for reading during the Thanksgiving season!}

Book Review of "Before Green Gables" - posted on The Ladies Library
{If you've read the "Anne of Green Gables" series, you'd probably be interested in reading this modern-written prequel to the Anne books!}

A couple special things to mention

Hi Readers, I have a couple of lovely things to tell you about today!





The first thing to tell you about is the Fall Festival that Hannah Grace is hosting! She's posting special {exciting} things from October 27th to November 6th. Today was the first day, and she started it out with a book giveaway {Jane Austen fans especially will be interested}. I do encourange to click over to her blog during the next few days to see what she'll be posting!






Next on my list to tell my readers about... there's a new blog called "The Ladies Library". (Isn't that just a delightful name?) It's a blog composed soley of reviews about books! It is run by Grace. She and a few other girls are posting reviews together on this blog... I'm happy to say that I'll be posting occasionally on The Ladies Library too! In fact, I already did my first review on there, and if you want to check mine out, click here. There are already several posts to look at, and I've been enjoying reading the other girls' reviews myself. It's always great to find out about new books! Also, if anyone is interested in participating in writing reviews for this blog, you can contact Grace for more details.

Autumn Recipe: Pumpkin Crunch

I've been wanting to share this recipe on my blog for a while now. It's one that my family especially enjoys during Autumn time. If you like pumpkin pie, then you're sure to like this recipe too!

- Pumpkin Crunch - ingredients: 1 can (16oz) solid pack pumpkin 1 can (12oz) evaporated milk 3 eggs 1 ½ cups sugar 4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice ½ tsp. cinnamon ½ tsp. salt 1 package yellow cake mix 1 cup chopped pecans 1 cup butter or margarine, melted whipped toppping directions: Preheat oven to 350°. Grease bottom of 13”x9” pan. Combine pumpkin, milk, eggs, sugar, pie spices, cinnamon & salt in large bowl. Pour into greased pan. Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over pumpkin mixture. Top with pecans. Drizzle the melted butter on top. Bake at 350° for 50-55 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool completely. Serve with whipped topping. Refrigerate leftovers.

Note: I'm linking this post to Emily's Fall Recipes linky list.
If you'd like to join, please click here.

Favorite Finds #9

Here's my Favorite Finds for this week....
just a few things I've found in the blog-world that I enjoyed reading....


OhSewStylish Handbag Giveaway - @ Hannah's Hangout
(Giveaway ends Oct. 25)

Imagine this... - Jane @ Novel Pretender
(NaNoWriMo storyline....which includes Sherlock Holmes, Professor Moriarty, & maybe some other characters)

Go somewhere. - Anna @ Send Me a Song
(A wishful post about those delightful European countries)

It 'Tis Fall - Esther @ Barefoot Days
(Interesting, Fall-ish pics)

Favorite Finds #8

Hello readers,
I wanted to go ahead and share some links with you today, even though it's not my regular day to post my Favorite Finds entry for the week. I do hope you'll enjoy perusing through these blogs, because I certainly loved reading through these links myself!


"Pumpkin Spice Bread- Recipe" - Emily @ Practically Pink
(Check out this scrumptious looking recipe AND then if you would like to share your own Autumn recipes, feel free to link up to her linky at the bottom of her post!)

"Describing a place you love to be." - Hannah Grace @ Walking in Thy Truth
(A very intriguing account of the night on which NaNoWriMo begins.)

"Autumn splendor" - Michaela @ The Last Rose of Summer

"Crafty Collection ~ Episode 1" - Miss Eyebright @ Defective Compositions
(Links that lead to such lovely tutorials & crafts!)

"Maud Hart Lovelace Reading Challenge" - A Library is the Hospital for the Mind
(Anyone want to read Betsy & Tacy books this month?)

"List Of Some Publishers Of Books I Like" - Grace @ Genuine Glee

Favorite Finds #7

I have a few links for you this week for my "Favorite Finds" post...
I hope you'll take a look at some of these great blogs!


Start of a New Season by Tessa (Lovely, thoughtful post about Autumn.)

Happy Autumn! by Allison (I've never read this poem from Robert Frost before, and right now is the perfect time to read it.)

Christopher Robin is saying his prayers by Tulip (Another poem... this one from A.A. Milne. So cute!)

A Title Is Too Small To Try To Say In 4 Words That I Heart Fall And Sukkot. by Alyssa

Biltmore House by Grace (I would love to visit that library!)

42 Gluten-free Recipes (Some of these recipes look good. It might take a little extra time for this page to load--it's a PDF.)