Friday, November 5

The Holiday Season is Upon Us!

Tuesday, October 12

October is National Book Month!

Oh, books. Does anyone else have the same "problem" that we do here? Stacks and stacks of books, waiting to be read... There's not enough time in the day to read as much or as often as we'd like. But curling up on a cold, rainy fall day (or laying out on the beach) with a good read is one of the simplest pleasures in life, and certainly one of the easiest ways to celebrate solitude and gather your thoughts at the end of a long day. Books also bring us closer to our friends, as we discuss our latest reads, share suggestions, and go on "field trips" on our lunch hours to one of the most impressive bookstores in the world. Portlanders are among the most fortunate in having easy access to our hometown jewel, Powell's Books... Many fond childhood memories of searching, unlimited and unrestricted, abound among stacks and stacks of books for perfect reading... If you're a book lover, it's a must-see!

While the days for beach reading have flown by for this year (unless you're lucky enough to be planning a vacation to a tropical isle), there's still plenty of time for good books in the evening after a day at work.

In celebration of National Book Month, and to get you started on your fall reading, here is a list of books that we, at Take Notice Card Company, call some of our favorites!

Joy of Man's Desiring by Jean Giono

Peace like a River by Leif Enger

The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley

Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese

Lost Horizon by James Hilton

Mrs. Mike by Benedict & Nancy Freedman

The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett

The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery

The Secret History by Donna Tartt

And what evening curled up by the fire would be complete without a hot drink to accompany you? This recipe was created especially for fireside reading, chatting, and relaxing... While it's definitely not calorie free, it will keep you warm and toasty (and can be enjoyed with or without the adult addition of spiced rum).

Fireside Hot Buttered Rums (Rum Optional)

2 tsp rum extract
2 tsp maple extract
2 tsp ground nutmeg
2 tsp ground cloves
2 tsp ground cinnamon
2 tbs vanilla extract
1 gal vanilla bean ice cream (French Vanilla or Natural Vanilla with the bean)
2 sticks butter
3.5 cups brown sugar

Mix it all up in mixer, spoon into containers (like the "entree" size of Gladware) and refreeze.

To use for a drink, spoon about four heaping spoonfuls into bottom of cup (for adults, add approx 1 oz rum of your choice), and pour boiling water over top.

Not low cal. Not low fat. But really, really delicious. (For an extra decadent treat, try this recipe for Pumpkin Spice Muffins from the talented Jenna at Eat Drink Pretty!)

What are your favorite books, treats and daily celebrations for the cold autumn evenings?

Sunday, October 3

Happy October: Bake & Decorate Month!

Well, it's all over Twitter. According to several sources, including Poppytalk, Dirty Bandits & Wilton, October is Bake & Decorate month. What more could we ask for in celebrations? Delicious treats and sweet decorating go hand in hand, and what better way to celebrate the turning of the seasons with some cupcakes or a sweet treat?

photo by Christopher Griffith

Personally, we've been dying to try the Chocolate Malt cake that was featured in this summer's Bon Appetit: rich chocolatey layers of cake with melty, gooey, malty frosting? Check out the pièce de résistance... charred mini-marshmallows. What a combination! It's like a grownup version of s'mores... Seems like a great ending to the summer, with a nod towards those campfires we enjoyed... Maybe there's one more bonfire in our future before we have to bundle up and hunker down for the winter?

photo by Lisa Hubbard

If tinier bites are your thing, consider taking these mini Fall Cupcakes or some Pumpkin Muffins to a morning meeting. Can you imagine how co-workers would swoon for these, freshly baked and wrapped up in a sweet little basket? Perfect way to beat the Mondays!

photo by Bakerella

Don't forget to decorate them! With all the great options for decorations these days, you don't have to be Martha in order to present a good looking treat! Visit your local decorette shop, or see what places like Etsy and Bakerella have in store!

photo courtesy of Corbis

The sky is really the limit these days, so don't be so serious! You have the perfect excuse to reach out and share a sweet treat with someone you love! And, if you get started now, you'll be in perfect practice for when Sweetest Day rolls around a little later this month. Stay tuned for our plans to celebrate October Bake & Decorate Month and our sneak-attack for Sweetest Day...

Now go on! What are you waiting for?

Tuesday, September 21

Happy International Day of Peace!

“Peace is not something you wish for; It's something you make, Something you do, Something you are, And something you give away.”

- Robert Fulghum

Today, September 21, is International Day of Peace. This day is dedicated to peace, and observed in many countries by a temporary ceasefire. Originally celebrated in 1981, the day was inaugurated with the Peace Bell. This Peace Bell, given as a gift by the Diet of Japan, is made from coins donated by children from all continents. Referred to as a reminder of the human cost of war, the bell is inscribed with "Long live absolute world peace."

Peace Day events are encouraged by the United Nations Peace Outreach Program, and more and more organizations join in the hundreds of worldwide peace-oriented celebrations as word of this day spreads.

Ways to celebrate peace continue to arise - some communities encourage members to think globally and act locally, while others engage in respectful communication and expression of thoughtfulness abound.

Our hope for you is that, whether in grand fashion or solitary observance, your day today is filled with quietude, restfulness, and a time to reflect upon your role in the world. Celebrate your neighbors with a kind gesture, card with a few nice words, a baked treat, or a flower. Let someone know you appreciate them today, and lay down differences in honor of International Day of Peace.

Let us know what you do to celebrate, and how it made you feel!

Yours,

Take Notice Card Company

Wednesday, September 8

Back to School!

It seems like just yesterday that our own son, Myles, was starting school... Off he went to Kindergarten and he never looked back... what adventures! Now he's in college, and we're watching our neighborhood children head off to school this week...

From all of us at Take Notice, we hope that this week brings you and your families joy, and that you find opportunities to celebrate another fun summer. We sincerely enjoy hearing from all of you, so drop us a line and let us know what you're up to - are any of your kids headed back to school this week?

You can find us on Twitter, or on Facebook, too - so sign up, follow us, and join in the conversation!

Saturday, August 21

Obon!

In continuance of our celebrations theme, we're bringing you an annual Buddhist event held in Japan for commemorating one's ancestors. According to local custom, during this time the ancestors' spirits return to this world in order to visit their relatives. Similar in practice and idea of Obon shares some similarities with the predominantly Mexican observance of el Dia de los Muertos, such as customs involving family reunion and the visiting and care of ancestors' grave sites, Obon creates a time for relatives to hang lanterns in front of houses to guide the ancestors' spirits. Elaborate Obon dances called bon odori are performed, and food offerings are made at altars and temples.

photo courtesy of www.wilsonsalmanac.com

At the end of Obon, floating lanterns are put into rivers, lakes and seas in order to guide the spirits back into their world. The customs followed vary strongly from region to region. Obon is typically celebrated from the 13th to the 15th day of the 7th month of the year, according to the solar calendar. However, Obon is still celebrated mid-August in many regions of Japan.

photo courtesy of www.fodors.com

The year offers so many opportunities for celebrations. It's fascinating to learn about multiple cultures and the ways in which they celebrate the living, and those who have passed on.