It is no secret I am all about the thank yous!  You may have already read my post on here before called Grateful.  Again, I devoted a whole post to this topic on my week long summary of our trip to Africa in a post called Gratitude. Well, yesterday being November 1st I kicked things off by sharing my appreciation for several bloggers that have inspired me.  I also decided to start a challenge over on my snapchat account (blissbakery) to encourage appreciation amongst the social media community.  Each day for thirty days a snapper can post onto their story one thing for which they are grateful.  It may be the same thing everyday for thirty days. That’s awesome.  Or it can be something different each day.  I’ve asked the snappers to send the snap to me as well.  I am going to keep a log and at the end of thirty days there will be a “winner”!   Though let’s face it we are are all winners when we have more gratitude in our lives!  If at the end of thirty days there are multiple people who have posted every day, guess what?  It will be a random draw for a winner.  I have already gotten so many submissions it is AMAZING!!

It was last year at this time I hosted another competition where people could find LOVE or heart images in their world.  I actually chose three winners, the person who sent me the first, another for most and a third for best (which I actually couldn’t choose a best so that was a random draw).  I wrote about the competition on here and it was called #LOVEfest .  I also posted a followup story called LOVE Wins with the results.  Some people told me that it was the best competition they ever participated in because it actually changed their attitude on a daily basis.  I know what a joy it was for me to host and I decided this year to do something similar.

The irony is that this year like last, the winning prize was never discussed at the start of the competition.  Yet people just jumped aboard.  Though it will be a fab prize as last years prizes were.   But it just shows how people want to be involved in something positive.  Sure the 30 day fitness or diet challenges are wonderful.  But not everyone has the physical ability for a fitness competition or financial where with all to buy certain foods and supplements for a detox contest.  But everyone, and I mean everyone, that has a heart beat can find one thing to offer up a bit of thanks.

So I hope you will join in with me and the others snappers in this special contest for the month of November.   I know this isn’t a new idea.  I heard years ago about the importance of counting blessings.   And some espouse the notion of writing down three things we are appreciative for at the end of the day.  But I think by stating them publicly, in the form of a post on one’s snapchat story, we are in essence committing it to the world.  That accountability helps build community.  As well, it lifts our spirits to hear what others have shared.

Thank you for reading this and for watching on Snapchat.   As I have said before, we may not be able to change the whole world, but we can change the part of the world where we stand! May that little change spark something in those around us and sooner or later maybe the world will in fact be changed!

With LOVE and gratitude!

YDP

November 1st!  Wow, where did the year go?  While most people are dealing with a sugar hangover today from all the trick or treat candy, some are already pulling out the Christmas decorations.  Lucky for me, November is a special month to savor and punctuate the calendar.  It is a month long break after Halloween before the Christmas chaos to reflect and remember.  November 11th is Veteran’s Day and with my family being a military one it is dear to me.  Also November 13th is my birthday and I’ll be 52 this year!  And my absolute favorite day of the whole year is Thanksgiving Day.  A holiday all about food, fun, family, friends, feasting and being THANKFUL!  Anything that has to do with gratitude is up my alley!

So today, I decided to post some appreciation for a few special people who also happen to be on Snapchat. They have inspired me in many ways, but particularly with their wonderful blogs.  Specifically, each of these bloggers has at least one story that literally made me stop, think and FEEL. These stories are open, vulnerable and honest. With so many folks in the blogosphere worried about what they post and its affects on “their brand” it is refreshing that these talented writers can use this medium for what it is intended. Not advertising (though I know for some this is a business) but to use this platform to make a difference in the world. We all have a story, and by sharing ours it will encourage others to share as well. That in turn creates an environment of Human Beings not Human Doings! Just click on each writers name to read these post on a wide range of topics which I believe will blow your mind and touch your heart!

1. Sharon Leavy: This Irish mom of three writes the blog Behind Green Eyes. She coins it Lifestyle, Books and Beauty.  But the underlying personality of each post is completely her own, which I adore.  She is no nonsense.  And this post about social media bullying is  the most honest piece I’ve ever read about the subject. It is a sobering look at what can be the dark underbelly of our digital age. The good news is that any sort of negativity won’t stop her from sharing her talented self with the world! Go Sharon go!
2. Rosemary Mac Cabe:  When Ireland was recently rocked by the news of a murder/suicide in a small village, there was one story that was so personal it had me in tears.  Rosemary is a well known Irish journalist with a great wit. But here she shares her own perspective on this grim topic. You will definitely be taken on a journey when you read this.  Rosemary has an amazing storytelling prowess that belies her “social media influencer” moniker. Because this lady is beyond a social media influencer, she is a force of nature surely to be reckoned with my friends!
3. Penny: Though this English lass gained popularity on Buzzfeed’s 22 most horrendous breakups, luckily she’s now happily in a great relationship. But of all her stories on her blog, A Penny for Them, the one that blew me away was her personal account of debt clearance. To be so humble and honest about her financial struggles will surely help many others in the same situation. She is a lover of life and travel, which she shares through her posts. So certainly dealing with managing her cash flow is a regular challenge. But she maintains transparency throughout each entry and the blogging world is lucky to have her voice!
4. Battlemum: While this Scientist/Mommy blogger lives in Wales, she is originally from Ireland.  Besides being an awesome photographer, Catherine shares a wide variety of parenting, travel and science on her blog.  But my favorite post was a very personal one about her reluctance to have a second child.  It is so hard to be vulnerable publicly as it seems someone might take offense to our opinions and feelings. Yet she eloquently spells out the pros and cons of adding to their family.  No matter what happens I wish her the best as the 2nd birthday of her blog approaches.  She’s my real life super hero!
5. Kokolikes:  “The Deployment: The End” is a post I can’t read without crying.  It is so honest and gives an insight into what it is like to be a partner of someone in the military. As well, it wasn’t really the end. Yes it was the end of that deployment, but there have been others.  Hence, there are many posts on Koko’s blog about the military, but she’s also a fabulous foodie fashionista.  I’ve talked about her before because I love her so much.  She just so happens to be married to my son.  And my heart hurts not just for me as a mother of a son who is currently deployed, but it hurts for her too. Yesterday was her 31st birthday and she wasn’t with her husband and soulmate.  While she knew when they got together what she signed up for, it doesn’t make it any easier.  But I am so thankful for her as I know my son wouldn’t be able to make it through without her support.  And one of the ways she copes is by writing honest reflections of her experience, which I am sure helps others in similar situations. .

So there you have it, five awesome blog posts that have touched my heart and inspired me in a myriad of ways.  The quote “The pen is mightier than the sword” is so true in many circumstances.  In the blogging world, I believe the keyboard too has the power to hurt or heal.  And the later is what I hope to do on Yankee Doodle Paddy as these awesome writers are doing in their virtual corners as well.  I LOVE them all and hope you give these bloggers a little love too in this month of thankfulness!

With LOVE and appreciation,

YDP

Since Halloween is nearly here, for this week’s Saturday Snapchat Takeover of Cookreel’s account, I thought I would make it a spooky affair. It will soon vanish like any scary paranormal activity, so check out their account (@cookreel) or my own (@blissbakery) for a taste of freaky fun. And of course who else but the Snapchat mascot himself Snappy was the star of the show!

For the first part of the day, we took a gastronomic expedition in London City Center. We went to The Tower of London thought to be one of the most haunted places in all the world. Why? Shall we start with all the beheadings that occurred there?  It was built in 1066 and has been used as a jail and the national mint to name a few of the purposes of this fortress.  It is listed on the World Unesco Heritage Sites and is oozing with history.  It is no wonder it is one of the top tourist destinations in the U.K.  Of course, the amazing Crown Jewels are housed here and are eye poppingly blinged out!  No photos were allowed inside, though I didn’t realize that until after I took a couple.  A security guard admonished me verbally.  But then I felt a little tap on my left right back. Which funny enough when I turned around no one was there. SPOOOOOKY!

While in town we popped over to my fav restaurant Ottolenghi for a delish and healthy lunch. But on the way we passed by an area of East London, Spitalfields, where many bodies were discovered which were believed to be victims of Jack the Ripper. After all the bone chilling stuff we headed home so I could bake some ghostly goodies. These little meringues are sweet, gluten free, melt in your mouth yumminess.

Ingredients:

4 large egg whites

225g (7 1/2oz) caster sugar

1 tsp cornflour (called cornstarch in US)

1 tsp white wine vinegar

A little bit of dark chocolate for melting to make the eyes

Method:

Preheat oven to 140c/275f.  Line baking tray with parchment paper or use silicone pad.Put egg whites in a clean bowl and beat with an electric whisk to stiff peaks. Add 1 Tbsp of sugar and whisk back to stiff peaks. Continue adding sugar 1 Tbsp at a time and whisking back to stiff peaks until all sugar has been added. Fold in cornflour and vinegar. Put into a piping bag. Then squeeze onto the baking tray by holding bag upright and squeezing into round discs bringing the tip up about 3 inches high (almost like a witches hat). Bake for one hour. Turn off the oven and leave inside to cool. Then decorate by making eyes with a piping bag filled with a bit of melted chocolate.

I have never liked anything scary! I am a total wimp when it comes to this time of year and the fright factor. I love the pumpkins, candy, parties etc but I prefer to dress up in something happy. I was Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz a few times back in the day. And this year I am going as a donut. Yes a calorie free way to enjoy one of my fav dessert treats!  LOL. But leave it to my ghost friend Snappy to go for something a bit more evil.

Whatever you are doing this year, I hope you have a fab time. Stay safe and sane!

Love you Boo-tiful people!

YDP

P.S. I know it might be early for some, but this recipe is fab for Christmas tree treats. Just fold in a bit of green food color paste when adding the cornflour and vinegar.  Then use a star tip on your piping bag. Everything else is the same. I do like to sprinkle some icing sugar (called powdered sugar in the US) to make it look like snow.