Big Weekend!

Tomorrow is our Memorial Day Picnic at church. There is much to do, but I am looking forward to it all. I'm going to be baking patriotic cupcakes and brownies to bring, getting my camera ready (I'm the "official" photographer. lol.), and preparing for my own Memorial Day celebration on Monday.

Our church picnic is always fun, but it doesn't really center around what Memorial Day is about. So this year, I'm planning to make Monday as patriotic as I can! My Mom was telling me how special patriotic holidays were when she was growing up — family get togethers, parades on Main Street, stores were closed. What has happened?! Now, Memorial Day is just a day off to go shopping at all the "MEMORIAL DAY SALE EVENTS". This year, I'm making a BIG deal over Memorial Day! We need to stop and remember all the men and women who sacrificed to keep America free. We need to thank God for our freedoms and for our country.

If I didn't have to work on Monday, I would be going to a Memorial Day service. Maybe next year. I am going to be making patriotic fans, star garlands, and other American decorations, as well as making other preparations for Monday with my family.

What is everyone else doing for Memorial Day?

Coty Face Powder

Last week I bought my first container of Coty Airspun Powder. It's been around since 1935 — one of the classic cosmetics still around. However, when I purchased my box of powder, I noticed that there were only a few cardboard containers left and the rest were plastic! Most of you have probably noticed this already, but for those of you who love the classic cardboard box and want to stock up — your purchase time is running out!

Keep the Spirit of '45 Alive!

I recently stumbled across the Keep the Spirit of '45 Alive! project on Melissa Marsh's The Best of WWII blog. What a WONDERFUL campaign!! This year will be the 65th anniversary of the end of WWII on August 14th. Keep the Spirit of '45 Alive! has organized a campaign to make August 14th "a permanent, annual day of remembrance to honor the legacy of the men and women of America's 'greatest generation'."

From the website: "The goal of this nonpartisan, nonprofit initiative to inspire a renewed sense of community and national unity in our country by establishing a day when America will stop to reflect on the achievements of the men and women who endured the Great Depression, preserved freedom and democracy in the most devastating war in history, and then went on to rebuild their shattered world. Their example of courage, self sacrifice, and commitment to community can inspire a renewed sense of national unity at a time when our country must once again come together to meet common challenges."

I am 100% in support of this!! You can get involved by urging you elected officials to issue proclamations and by writing them letters of support for the creation of a National Day of Remembrance that will be observed on the second Sunday of every August. (You can find contact info and sample letters here.) Other ways to be a part are to organize events in your community on Saturday, August 14, 2010, to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the day that WWII ended. Also, by collecting stories of people who remember the day they learned the war was over, and then submitting the stories to the website to be shared with future generations "as a reminder of when America came together as a community''.

Check out the website for more info, to read the stories, to get involved, and to purchase Keep the Spirit of '45 Alive merchandise.

This is the first organization that I have ever come across that is striving to preserve the "unity" that America had during WWII. Please check it out and get involved.

Matthew's Pizza

Recently I went out to eat at a little hole-in-the-wall pizza place called Matthew's Pizza. Established in 1943, Matthew's has been voted "Baltimore's Best" 39 times. They make pizza the same way they did in 1943 — with the traditional "old world" recipe. The atmosphere is wonderful: you're dining in one of Baltimore's famous row houses with staff that make you feel as if you were eating a family dinner in someones kitchen.

The pizza is amazing! If you go, I suggest you try the Traditional Tomato Pie: tomatos and reggianito cheeses. After eating it, I now feel that all other pizzas are fake. The sauce is so savory, and the cheese is more crusty than

melty and gooey.

Matthew's is very affordable. Me and my Dad ordered 2 sodas, 1 small Traditional Tomato Pie, a house salad (which is enough for 2-3 people), and an order of spaghetti. Our total was $23.00 (not including tax and tip).

If you're ever in Baltimore be sure to check out Matthew's Pizza for wonderful food and an enjoyable time!

Matthew's Pizza

3131 Eastern Avenue

Baltimore, MD 21224