The Bluebird Patch

It's almost that time of year.  Where we gather with family and friends and chow down on some delicious and savory holiday dishes.  I love this time of year. A lot of people are not as fortunate to have all the delicious food at their fingertips. Lift Up Atlanta (www.liftupatlanta.org) goal this holiday season is to feed 300 needy families this Thanksgiving and they need YOUR help to do this. You can get together with your family, friends, co-workers, church or group members and neighbors to collect Thanksgiving food items such as canned vegetables and fruit, macaroni and cheese, potatoes, onions, cranberry sauce, stuffing/dressing, aluminum baking pans, apples, oranges and any food you would like to eat on Thanksgiving. They also need $20 gift cards for the turkey or ham and any perishable food items.  You can donate the gift card or donate on our website www.liftupatlanta.org . Lift Up Atlanta is in need of medium boxes and bags for the Thanksgiving "bask...

“Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving.” ― W.T. Purkiser I hope you all had a wonderful thanksgiving. I decided to take a day off from social media and focus on the one thing that I care the most, my family. Thanksgiving is all about slowing down and reflecting on all the blessings that has been given to us thought out the year.  This year we had a different approach and decided to have a stress-free, kid-friendly Thanksgiving. I simplified our traditional Thanksgiving menu, set the table with mason jars for a more Southern feel, and spent all day reconnecting and enjoying each other.  There are a lot of things to be thankful this year but the one thing I'm most grateful is you. I'm eternally grateful for all of you that read our blog and support our mission. It means the world to me to know there's people out there that believe, as human beings, we all have the potential to be ha...

Our friends at  Smilebox  have created the most wonderful Thanksgiving printable decor of word art, photo props, place cards and gratitude chains for everyone to download and print at home for free. You can personalize these printable pieces with your own text, color palettes, and more. Love it? Thanksgiving Quote Put the spirit of Thanksgiving on display. Personalize this sign with your family name, then print and frame. See coordinating free printables in our Party Decor category.    Thanksgiving Paper Chain Fill a chain with gratitude and start a thankful tradition. Pick a color scheme and personalize the links, then print, cut, and assemble. See our Party Decor category for more free printables. Thanksgiving Place Cards Bring thankfulness to the table. Choose a color scheme and photo option, then personalize cards with names and thanks. See the Party Decor category for more free printables. Thanksgivin...

Lift Up Atlanta is a nonprofit organization that helps the homeless and working poor in the metro Atlanta area.  They are looking for sponsors for the Thanksgiving food drive to help needy families this Thanksgiving.  Food donations and volunteers are needed to provide Thanksgiving food baskets to 100 needy families this holiday season Date:  November 17, 2013 Time:  12-4 pm Place:  Phillip Rush Center, 1530 Dekalb Avenue, Suite B, Atlanta, GA You can either drop the in kind donations off at the below listed locations or call 678-245-4622 or email liftupatlanta@yahoo.com to arrange pickups. Or JOIN US at our sorting/ distributing party on November 17, 2013 from 12:30pm to 3:30pm at: Phillip Rush Center 1530 Dekalb Avenue, Suite B Atlanta, GA *Please note that you can bring food for the Thanksgiving baskets to the event. Doraville Self Storage 4268 Winters Chapel Rd Doraville, GA 30360 (404) 549-6283 Medlock Commons S...

I'm thankful for having healthy children. I'm thankful to have a spouse that will do anything for his family. I'm thankful for the little things in life such as having food on my table and having a place to call home. I'm thankful for my family unconditional love. I'm thankful to be alive and well and watch my children grow into their potential. I'm thankful for new friends that make my life so more meaningful. I'm thankful for my incredible daughter not only because she's so wonderful, kind, loving and but because she has grown to be my best friend. I'm thankful for my amazing son who is strong, brave, affectionate and a role model on how to be kind and compassionate toward strangers.

This Thanksgiving be more aware of portion control.  It's not just what you eat -- it's how much. With portion sizes growing, here are some steps you can take to remain Healthified. Remember, if you have health, you probably will be happy, and if you have health and happiness, you have all the wealth you need, even if it is not all you want ;)