Arlington Cemetery
Readers may be interested to know that these wreaths -- some 5,000 -- are donated by the Worcester Wreath Co. Of Harrington, Maine. The owner, Merrill Worcester, not only provides the wreaths, but covers the trucking expense as well. He's
done this since 1992. A wonderful guy. Also, most years, groups of Maine school kids combine an educational trip to DC with this event to help out. Making this even more remarkable is the fact that Harrington is in one the poorest parts of the state.
Thank you to my cousin Rubin Wehmeyer for sharing this with us
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This is one of the kindest things I've ever experienced. I have no way to know who sent it, but there is a kind soul working in the dead letter office of the US postal service.
Our 14 year old dog, Abbey, died last month. The day after she
died, my 4 year old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey. She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her. I told her that I thought we could so she dictated these words:
Dear God,
Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday and is with you in heaven. I miss her very much. I am happy
that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick. I hope you will play with her. She likes to play with balls and to swim. I am sending a picture of her so when you see her you will know that she is my dog. I really miss her.
Love, Meredith.
We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey and Meredith and addressed it to God/Heaven. We put our return address on it.
Then Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all the way to heaven. That afternoon she dropped it into the letter box at t he post office. A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet. I told her that I thought He had.
Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch
addressed, "To Meredith" in an unfamiliar hand. Meredith opened it. Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called, "When a Pet Dies." Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God in its opened envelope. On the opposite page was the picture of Abbey & Meredith and this note:
Dear Meredith,
Abbey arrived safely in heaven. Having the pictu re was a big help. I
recognized Abbey right away. Abbey isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me just like it stays in your heart. Abbey loved being your dog. Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets to keep your picture in, so I am sending it back to you in this little book for
you to keep and have something to remember Abbey by. Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your mother for helping you write it and sending it to me. What a wonderful mother you have.
I picked her especially for you. I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much.
By the way, I am wherever there is love.
Love, God
The History of Snowglobes
The first snowglobes are said to have come from France in the eary 1800's. Many believe following in the footsteps of the paperweight. The earliest known snowglobes were made of glass and were part of Victorian upper class lifestyles in the 1870's. Made popular by those who had a
love of such eclectic decor. As early as 1879 five manufacturers were shipping them all over Europe.
What's inside a snowglobe?
The "domed" appearing snowglobes were actually glass spheres made from leaded glass, filled with water, sealed, and then placed on top of ceramic or cast iron bases. The "snow" was bone chips or tiny pieces of porcelain, and even sawdust had been used. These began making their debut in the 1920's to the US, and soon became a popular collector's item. Oftentimes they are
still called snowdomes by many.
In the 1940's, snowglobes were used for advertising by many companies. They also became popular religious gifts for
children. The snow inside sometimes gold glitter or even soap chips. Now days, the glass is thinner, and oftentimes, plastic is used for the globe, while the "snow" is actually small pieces of plastic. The water inside is a mix of water and glycerin. They abound in all shapes and sizes, especially during the holiday season. Plastic domes made their mark in the 1950's.
Snowglobes now come as subjects from election campaigns to movie icons, vacation spots, to life events. With the advantage of graphics progams,
snowglobes now appear all over the internet and take any shape, form and subject the creator desires.
Snow Globe Cookies
These domes make a sweet scene.
Expect a flurry of excitement when you put together these snow globes—a winter wonderland on a cookie!'
“These cookie novelties decorate our kitchen all through the holidays,” says creative baker Georgia Kohart from her family’s second-generation farm near Oakwood, Ohio. “They also make darling, unusual table favors for winter parties.”
Kids will be eager to help craft these cookies when they see the yummy ingredients, Georgia predicts. There’s no dough mixing, rolling or baking involved…just fun!
Homemade Snow Globes
2 cups confectioners’ sugar
2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons water
4-1/2 teaspoons meringue powder
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
6 sugar cookies (about 3-1/2 inches)
Assorted decorations: miniature marshmallows, orange and brown jimmies, Fruit Roll-Ups, spearmint leaves, peppermint candies, edible glitter and holiday sprinkles
3 clear plastic ornaments
(3 inches)
- In a small mixing bowl, combine the confectioners’ sugar, water, meringue powder and cream of tartar; beat on low speed just until combined. Beat on high for 4-5 minutes or until stiff peaks form. Cover frosting with a damp cloth between uses. If necessary, beat again on high speed to restore texture.
- Working with one cookie at a time, spread 2 tablespoons frosting over the top of cookie.
- For snowman, cut two miniature marshmallows in half. Attach three halves with a small amount of frosting. Decorate face with jimmies. For scarf, trim a thin 1-1/2-in. strip from a Fruit Roll-Up. Shape a toboggan from a strip of Fruit Roll-Up; attach toboggan to cookie. Attach snowman to toboggan. Add spearmint leaves for trees.
- With a dab of frosting, attach four peppermint candies to the bottom of each cookie. Let stand overnight to dry completely.
- To assemble, separate ornaments into halves. Working with one cookie at a time, spread edge of ornament half with frosting. Place 1 teaspoon edible glitter and 1 teaspoon holiday sprinkles inside ornament; carefully invert decorated cookie onto ornament half, sealing edges. Use frosting and a star tip to pipe a decorative edge around globe. Let stand until set. Store
in an airtight container. Yield: 6 snow globes.
Check out The Cookie Construction Co. - Purchase an Edible Snow Globe Kit
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