Sunday, December 24, 2017

SUPER SUNDAY FUN


Anyone who has the patience and diligence to do some hardcore collecting holds a soft spot in my heart, so when I saw the HUGE collection that caused this guy to enter the the World Guinness Book of Records in 2011, I was thrilled.  Jean-Guy Laquerre, who lives in Canada, has a whopping collection of close to 26,000 Santa pieces that include figures, stuffed toys, calendars and more, and the list is still growing.  Can you imagine having that many Santas in one place?

Photo by James Rahe
Meanwhile this year, everyone is raving about James Rahe's collectible Santa figures which exceed just over 4000 in Commerce City, Colorado.

Photo by James Rahe
His collection is rumored to be worth about $100,000!

CHICKEN DINNER
On Christmas in Japan, most people aren't celebrating by eating ham, roast or turkey as we do in the states. Their food of choice is fried chicken, but not just any chicken. A Kentucky Fried Chicken Dinner with wine and all, is eaten by almost  3.6 million people, and costs about $52.00.


OOPS!
I've seen Boxing Day on calendars and always assumed it was a day to honor boxers in Canada, but it actually has nothing at all to do with the sport.   It originated in the United Kingdom, and is also celebrated in Canada, New Zealand and Australia.
This holiday of giving started around the 19th century with the opening of alms boxes in the local churches and giving the contents to the poor and needy.  It was also a way for servants of the rich to spend time with their own families.

FREE APP
If you don't already have enough apps on your phone, here's another one to add called Fooducate.  

Fooducate Weight Loss Coach - Android Apps on Google Play

Use it to scan food package barcodes to get the nutrition grade and information,  as well as a healthy alternatives if needed.

IN NEED
Miracleflights.org/miles is a great way to give back to kids who have rare or life threatening health issues which require them to travel for medical care far away from home.

CRUNCHY SALTY LEMONY SALAD
I thought this was an unusual salad, and I love lemon, so it sounded like a good one to try.  Even better, you can add lettuce, sunflower seeds or fruit if you like.

INGREDIENTS
2 Small Beets, any color (trimmed & peeled)
2 Persian Cucumbers
1 Medium Watermelon Radish, trimmed
1 Oz. Parmesan, Pecorino, Asiago or other hard cheese of your choice, thinly shaved
1 Lemon
Extra Virgin Olive Oil for Drizzling
Sea Salt
Black Pepper

DIRECTIONS
Very thinly slice the beets, cucumbers and radish crosswise into coins on a mandoline, then toss to combine in a medium bowl.  Arrange on a platter, and scatter as much cheese as you like on the top.  Graze some lemon zest over the salad, then halve the lemon and squeeze on some juice.  Drizzle with olive oil, then season with salt and pepper.  If you like heat, add red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper.


CHILDHOOD MEMORIES
Do you remember reading Hans Christian Andersen as a kid?  The Danish writer arrived in Copenhagen with lofty plans to become an actor, singer and dancer.  Unsuccessful, he wrote children's stories instead, eventually publishing his first volume (there were 3) of  Fairy Tales for Children in 1835, and included the Princess and the Pea.  

All 3 volumes with a total of 9 classic stories were eventually sold as one book for 72 shillings in 1837.  How much is that in American dollars these days?  About 70 cents.  If you decided to purchase it today (the 1932 version) from www.biblio.com, it'll set you back $2750.00, and they'll be nice enough to not charge tax!

RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS
In Mederra County, CA many police officers spent time performing random acts of kindness.  They included giving away Christmas cards with $100 bills inside versus traffic tickets, purchasing groceries for an elderly couple, cutting firewood, and lots more.


PAYING IT FORWARD
Many of you may remember how a homeless Marine veteran named Johnny Bobbitt, who used to sit on the road on Hwy I-95 every day with a sign. He saw her run out of gas, told her not to worry and to lock her doors, and he would be right back. Using his last $20, he returned with a gas can to help her get back on the road.  She could have thanked him and forgotten all about it. Kate McClure wasn't able to repay him then, but she kept coming back to give warm clothing, food and small amounts of cash.  Then she set up a GoFundMe pageasking for $10,000.  Even though funds are no longer being accepted, people are still commenting about the almost $403,000 raised to help this selfless man.

Kate McClure, Mark and Johnny
What is he doing with the money? He had 2 trusts set up to help him manage the money. He recently purchased a home, so he'll never be homeless again, plans to purchase a truck, and finally, he'll pay it forward to a student who started a GoFundMe page for another homeless veteran who he spoke with every day.




38 comments:

  1. Gosh. I thought I had a lot of rocking horses (grin). Those Santa collections are out of this world.

    Several years in a row, I created a boxing day post. There are many reasons and you hit a few of them. In feudal days it was a way for the lord to gather his peasants and pass out food, clothes, and their yearly salary. In Victorian days, the servants got to box up the leftovers from Christmas and share the day with their family. Today it is the biggest day for after Christmas sales and a day to watch sports in countries other than the U.S.

    How wonderful for the once homeless vet. However, here in Wichita (and all of KS), if you have a sign and are asking for money on the side of the road, you are immediately handcuffed and sent to jail. AND, you get a hefty FINE, too. Isn't KS the place you want to live? Yep, me neither!

    I often feel like the princess because my skin is so sensitive, I can feel anything out of place. I can feel a tiny piece of sand in my shoe, etc. I know. I'm weird, but I'm going to wish you a very MERRY, MERRY Christmas, anyway!

    BTW, did you see I shared your card you sent on my blog about a week ago?

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    1. Merry Christmas Elizabeth! I've been trying to find that special post, and plan to keep looking. That's cool that you've been posting about Boxing Day, and I should have been reading them to know what in the heck was going on. (lol) I went to Walmart to look for marked down scented candles(there were none), but the store was filled with employees in markdown mode. Other than a few aisles, there was literally nothing to tell you Christmas had been there! I'm shocked to hear about being put in jail in KS, and to be fined on top of that!!! Wow! A real life princess in Wichita! I'm honored because you are certainly NOT weird. If possible, are you able to send me the link or title of that particular post? Thanks so very much, Elizabeth! Hugs...RO

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    2. Hi RO, I don't normally return to see what people have written, but I did so today because I wanted to tell you I received your OTHER Christmas card and lovely gifts. Thank you. Everything will definitely be put to use. Thanks again, dear.

      Here's the link to the card post. It's a long post, so you may not have noticed it before.

      http://alteredbooklover.blogspot.com/2017/12/t-stands-for-gifts-from-friends.html

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    3. I thought you might also enjoy MY take on Boxing Day with this entry I created in 2015:

      http://alteredbooklover.blogspot.com/2015/12/boxing-day.html

      And again, thanks for the beautiful gifts AND the canceled postage stamps I will use in my art.

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    4. Hey There Elizabeth and hope your Saturday is going well. As usual, I'm trying to play catch up before devising some tantalizing questions for a a Chopped Champion from The Food Network. You're quite welcome. Nothing big, but that tree made me think of you.(lol) I hope some of the things can be used for your lovely artwork in the future. I'm going to check out both posts, and thank you for providing me with both links. You're the best! Hugs...and Super Saturday to you. RO

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  2. As I read this early on Christmas morning I am smiling. Acts of kindness brighten all of our worlds.
    Thank you so very much and I hope that Christmas, and the year(s) to come are filled with love and laughter.

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    1. When I think about the many people who are homeless or in abusive situations, I always enjoy hearing about someone who is willing to help another person. I already know that your kindness will be repaid a thousand times over, EC. Hugs...RO

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  3. Yes we celebrate Boxing day here in the UK with yet another day of eating and drinking too much! How do you keep all those Santa's dust free?? Happy holidays to you!!

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    1. I imagine they have a heck of a time keeping all those santas clean Joey. (lol) Hope your holidays were amazing! Hugs...RO

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  4. Boxing Day here has turned into a another day of gluttony for our family. By their appearance, what you call Persian cucumbers are the same as what we call Lebanese cucumbers. The Christmas dinner in Japan sounds interesting. While I avoid deep fried chicken, just reading about it makes my mouth water. It was so nice. Merry Christmas.

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    1. Nothing wrong with enjoying all that yummy food, right Andrew? (lol) You're pretty dang observant because I can't tell the difference between a Persian or American cucumber. (lol) I thought that was really neat about the fried chicken on Christmas in Japan, and it's making me hungry just thinking about it too. Hope your day is going well! Hugs...RU

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  5. I have a small collection of unicorns but I don't collect them anymore. When I was a kid I collected stamps but found out the stamp collections you get through the mail are worthless. I have more books than anything else now.

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    1. Ooh, that would be so nice if you took pictures of them Mary. I bet that collection is marvelous! That's good to know about stamps. I never knew that. Books can overtake our lives, right? (lol) Hugs...RO

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  6. Acts of kindness are always wonderful.

    I do like the look and sound of the salad recipe you've shared, thank you.

    Merry Christmas Wishes

    All the best Jan

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    1. I really enjoy hearing about acts of kindness too, Jan, and hope your Christmas was amazing. The salad is just fantastic for sure! Hugs...

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  7. And I have never had fried chicken!

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    1. Cooked right, it's very yummy for sure! Hugs...RO

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  8. Merry Christmas! Thanks for the salad recipe. I can't wait to try it!

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    1. Hope your Christmas was magical Angela and that you're warm and safe. The news has been talking about 53 inches of snow and the arctic weather there. Sounds like a good time to get in some reading and lots of baking. Hugs...RO

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  9. Merry Christmas! I had the pleasure of visiting Copenhagen last spring. We saw Hans Christian Anderson's home and other places where he wrote. The whole city is rich in history and hospitality. I'd definitely recommend a trip if you've never visited!

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    1. Oh wow! That's so great that you visited Hans Christian Andersen's home, and I bet it was an amazing trip. I adore places where the people are so friendly too. Thanks so much for the tips Ethan. Hope your Christmas was magical! Hugs...RO

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  10. What a great post for this season of hope, joy and magic. Merry Merry to you RO

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    1. Hope you've been able to get in some rest Debbie, because you're always so busy, and that your Christmas was fun. Hugs...RO

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  11. that's a lot of Santas! :)

    I had no idea KFC was so popular in Japan!

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    1. I thought it was so cool to see all those Santas, and made me want to send one to add to his already massive collection. (lol) That really surprised me about the chicken too, Greg. Hope your Christmas was wonderful! Hugs...RO

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  12. I'm a collector at heart but not to the extent of these guys with their Santas. That's quite a feat. Now, I collect eBooks which take up a lot less room. Just keep needing a bigger and bigger Kindle.

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    1. I collect a lot of stuff, but I've scaled down quite a bit since getting older. Any type of book collection can get massive before we know it, so I can relate to what you're saying. Books end up everywhere in the house. Happy Saturday! Hugs...RO

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  13. So many Santas lol...we do some collecting too, but not to that extent, now that is dedication!!! :) I hope you had a WONDERFUL Christmas RO!!! :)

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    1. That's some serious collecting, right? (lol) Happy Saturday to you, Raine! Hugs...RO

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  14. Japan has been the most affected Asian nation by Western culture, and on the flip side, Japan has affected our culture more than any other Asian nation especially for the younger generations with video games and anime.

    That being said, some things get hilariously caught in translation. Kentucky Fried Christmas indeed

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    1. you always have such neat stuff to share about history and culture that I've been clueless about, and one of the reasons I adore your blog. It's interesting how one country can affect another causing trends. That KFC Christmas sure sounds yummy, and you know they are happy to reap the monetary rewards. Hugs...and Happy Saturday! RO

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  15. WHOA, that is shit ton of Santas!!! o.O - http://www.domesticgeekgirl.com

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    1. I know, right? Can you imagine the time and effort that goes into this hardcore collecting? Wow! Happy Saturday to you! Hugs...RO

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  16. That's a pretty awesome story. <3 And good that he's thinking and did the trusts to help him out.

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    1. I was thrilled to hear about everything was paid forward, and I agree that having a trust will help him manage the money so he isn't overwhelmed. Happy Saturday! Hugs...p.s. - you'll be proud of me. For the first time I'm making sweet potato fries in the oven instead regular potatoes. *grin*

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