Holiday Party Speech

I watched this great Ted Talk about body language changing your life and realized that I will be making not one but three holiday party speeches this year.

After several google searches and multiple pages of results I have elected to write my own and am sharing it with the hope that a speech giver who dose not see the need to re invent the wheel can use this.

The following is being given at three different American Red Cross holiday parties in East Texas 2013

Good Evening volunteers, staff and friends. If I could pull your attention for a few moments. 2013 has been an amazing year for us at the Red Cross. We have seen our volunteer grow in numbers and in responsibility. We have been able to help those in need in a timely, respectful and professional way. we have had our bumps as we have seen changes and begun the process of reengineering, however 24/7 our communities are getting to know us and giving us the opportunity to serve them.

I came to East Texas thrilled to be joining one of the largest most respected volunteer driven organizations in the world and after year of long days and hard work I understand how very much of our organization depends on each and every one of you.

Thank you all for giving me and the Red Cross of East Texas one of the best years ever.

Please raise your glasses

May y'all have warmth in your igloo, oil in your lamp, and peace in your heart.

Cheers

Mini Blackberry Pies.... thanks Katie!

A dear college friend of mine is a fabulous food blogger and from time to time I go to her blog: http://makingmichaelpollanproud.blogspot.com/ to find inspiration for a weekend cooking/ baking endeavor.

Today she has inspired me to make mini blackberry pies. I want to skip a trip to the store so will be utilizing jiffy pie crust mix made according to the box.

For the filling - inspired by: http://bakedsundaymornings.blogspot.com/

2 tablespoons honey
dash of salt
1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 tablespoons all purpose flour

The remaining bag of frozen blackberries I found when cleaning out my freezer

Any good weekend baking endeavor has a soundtrack, this weekend is Jake Bugg Radio on Pandora.

Bake the Mini Pies at 350F for 20 min 

I like my pie extra sweet so I added some white sugar on top before serving

Little Free Library

The Little Free Library is a project I simply adore. Learn more at http://littlefreelibrary.org/ 

The city of Kilgore has taken this project on and several of the local parks now are home to little libraries!  

My neighborhood park, Drillers Park, has one of these and i stop by and check it several times a week. While this is a recent addition to our community is looks as if its getting a decent start with a rotation of a variety of book. If your moving to Kilgore I would highly suggest finding the location closest to you and making it part of your weekly Kilgore Experience!