The Reason for the Season

“The Holidays” are called something different and mean something different for each of us, but this holiday season we can also give thought to what these holidays touch in all of us.  We are reminded of the importance of family; we see how our family has changed over the course of the last year (from those lost to the beautiful babies born) and are reminded of our many blessings and the miracles we may have witnessed. 

With a shared focus on family and a loving heart, we wish you all a Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Joyous Kwanzaa, and a very happy New Year.

Happy Holidays!

There’s a strong tendency to get caught up in the trappings that have become "the holidays", so here at Lovin’ Scoopful we want to remind you to take time for yourself.  Set priorities and remember what the holiday truly means to YOU.  Make a list of the three things that mean the most for you this holiday season and focus on those. 

Have a happy holiday, be it Hanukah, Christmas, Kwanza, or any other.  Best wishes from your friends at Lovin’ Scoopful.

Have a Lovin' Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a wonderful opportunity to rejoin loved ones and celebrate all that life afforded us this year.  Whether you’re thankful for health, friendship, happiness, laughter, or a plentiful harvest (which could be a well stocked cupboard from extreme couponing) we all have something to celebrate.  If time is plentiful, don’t forget Lovin’ Scoopful Cozy Vanilla to top your warm dessert.  If there’s no opportunity to bake a fresh pie, Lovin’ Scoopful Oh My Blueberry Pie or Rockin’ Raspberry Cheesecake ice cream will be a great crowd pleaser.  Lovin’ Scoopful gives 25% back by donating to Special Olympics, so when you share a little Lovin’ with your family and friends, we’re sharing with others too.

Have a Lovin’ Thanksgiving!

Veterans Day

Tomorrow is Veterans Day and  Lovin' Scoopful would like to take a moment to share our thoughts about the men and women we are honoring.  We are fortunate that brave individuals sign up voluntarily to protect our country, our homes, our families, and our way of life.  Can you imagine what our lives would be like without them?  Please remember to thank the veterans that you know as well as their family members (who have sacrificed as well).

Where did Halloween come from?

Halloween's origin is traced back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in). The holiday marked the end of summer, celebrated the harvest and signified the beginning of the dark, cold winter. Celts believed that on the night before Samhain (our Halloween) the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred.  They feared that the dead could cause trouble and damage crops.  Because the success of their crops was a life or death situation, they took the holiday very seriously.  During the celebration the Celts put out their hearth fire in their primitive homes, wore costumes (typically consisting of animal heads and skins), and attempted to tell each other's fortunes while gathering around a sacred community bonfire. When the celebration was over, they re-lit their hearth fires from the sacred bonfire and believed that it would help protect them during the coming winter.  Typically after relighting their hearth fire, it remained lit from the sacred flame throughout the winter until Spring and warmer weather returned. 

 The holiday made its first major transition when Catholics converted many of the Celts to their religion.  Celebrations were created that allowed the Celts to continue to have festivities during the times of their old holidays.  In transitioning these holidays every attempt was made to remove Celtic religion from the celebrations, but some traditions (such as dressing in costumes) stuck.  Catholics and Christians alike had often celebrated martyrs and saints on or around the day of their passing.  During the time that many Celts were being converted to Catholicism, All Saints Day (the day on which Catholics celebrate all the saints) was created. Because it was a day to honor the dead it was an easier transition for the Celts embracing a new faith. 

As All Saints Day (Hallows Eve) developed, the poor would go door to door and accept food in exchange for prayers for the dead.  During the Victorian era, adults often considered themselves too wise to believe in ghosts walking the earth but allowed children to celebrate.  Children began to go door to door dressed in disguises.  The term “Trick or Treat” dates back to the early 1900’s when the children began to use trickery to get back at those not participating in the event.  That same phrase will be used by hundreds of thousands of children tonight. 

So, armed with buckets of candy at the front door I happily wait for evening.  The kids will come in their costumes, some having planned for weeks or even months.  The doorbell will ring dozens of times and ghosts, ghouls, goblins, and cute little fairy princesses will rule the night.  Happy Halloween.  Stay safe!

Happy Columbus Day!!!

Columbus Day is dedicated to the remembrance of  when Columbus discovered America.  While we celebrate the discovery, let's remember also what we took from the native American's that were here us.  I like to look at Columbus Day as a day to celebrate the act of discovery itself.  I remind myself also that we grow in knowledge and understanding by challenging the beliefs of our time. 

Lovin' Scoopful hopes you've had a fantastic Columbus Day.  We hope you'll find your inspiration in the day and when you need that little nudge that you'll remember Columbus Day and know that it's ok to set sail into the unknown.  There's no telling what you'll discover!

Labor Day Expressions of Thanks!

Labor Day (started September 5^th 1882) is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievement of American workers.  It is a yearly national tribute to all the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.  Although our economy has continued to struggle recently, it is even more important to remind ourselves of the overall accomplishments of the workforce of our great nation over the last 100 years. 

When you go back to work tomorrow, please be mindful of the individual that makes your espresso or McCafe’, give a respectful nod or wave to the police officer that didn’t pull you over (and who puts his/her life on the line on a daily basis to keep us safe), generously tip the tired waitress that brings you your lunch, say “thank you” to the mail clerk that delivers your office mail, and give out as many smiles as you can.  How much does it mean to you when someone appreciates your work?  Let’s dedicate the rest of the week to appreciating those whose jobs make our lives a little easier, nicer, and safer.

Happy Labor Day!!