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Greetings!
It's the time of year when we reflect on the blessings in our lives. At AYS, we are thankful for the wonderful clients who have helped make our first year in business a success and for the many friends and family members who have supported us in this endeavor.
We here at AYS wish everyone great prosperity and love this Thanksgiving and throughout the coming year.
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Let AYS Help With Your Holiday Preparations
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Thanksgiving is upon us. And you know what that means--the gift giving holidays are right around the corner! Did you ever wonder where the tradition of giving gifts came from? If so, read on . . . Gift giving is a worldwide custom for many holidays and occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries and weddings, among others. This practice is especially prevalent during the winter holidays of Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, as well as at the Islamic celebration of Eid al-Fitr and the Hindu festival of Diwali. Although gift giving has a long history, presenting gifts in colorful paper tied up in ribbon is of relatively recent origin. Christmas cards were first sent in the mid-1800s, but it wasn't until many years later that decorating presents in Christmas finery caught on. Gifts were first wrapped in ordinary brown paper or tissue paper and sometimes presented in decorative paper or wicker cornucopias or baskets. But in the 1890s, printing press technology for colored ink to be printed fluidly on stiffer papers allowed mass production of decorated, foldable, paper. Other machines rolled the finished paper onto cardboard tubes or cut it into small sheets. At the start of the 20th century, the gift wrap industry really took off. Gift wrapping in the Roaring Twenties took a good deal of skill and dexterity to achieve attractive results, since transparent, self-adhesive tape wasn't invented until 1930! By 1932 the familiar rolls of tape in dispensers with small serrated blades hit the market. Earlier packages were tied with string and sealed with wax or glue and packages of decorative paper were sold with small sticky circles. This period also introduced gift tags and adhesive ribbon, which also were often included with matching wrapping paper. The style of wrapping paper has changed over the years, as well as the technology. The first Victorian era wrapping paper was highly ornate with gilded flourishes of cherubs, birds, and flowers. By the 1930s, patterns reflected the popular of Art Deco look. Decorations transformed from natural materials to stylized symbols specific to Christmas and Hanukkah, like Christmas trees, menorahs, snowflakes, and candles. Advertisers realized the potential of wrapping paper and often used popular movie or cartoon characters. Gift wrap innovations continued in the 1980s and 1990s with decorative gift bags becoming a common solution for less-than-skilled wrappers. Stick-on bows and ribbons also help gift wrappers achieve beautiful results. But no matter what your skill level, your gifts will look professionally wrapped with no hassle to you by using AYS for all gift wrapping needs-and shopping too! Click here for professional gift wrapping
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TravelHaven in Costa Rica |
The following is an excerpt from a Costa Rica blog. To read more blogs on Costa Rica and other destinations, visit www.YourTravelHaven.com/TravelHavenSite.
There is a $30 per person fee for the turtle watch and no guarantee you will get to see the spectacle of the turtle nest. The night that we went out only two of the four groups in our Section saw turtles. Fortunately, we did!
We met at 7:30 and were in a group of about twelve people led by Danny. July is nesting season for the very large green turtle. There are five areas or sections where guides take people to see turtles lay eggs. All are protected by the Park Service. No one is permitted on the beach between 6:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. except people like us on a scheduled turtle watch No lights are allowed on the beach during this time, because they can disorient the turtles. Costa Rica is very serious about protecting the turtles. Anyone caught harvesting turtle eggs (to sell them on the mainland) is prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
A boat took us from the Lodge to the dock in town and then we walked through town and into the jungle. After hiking for about 10 minutes through the jungle (with very little lighting provided by one or two small flashlights), we came to a concrete structure, where we waited until a spotter on the beach spotted a turtle nesting. They radioed Danny, who took us on a further walk ten minutes in the dark to reach the beach.
Just as we got to the beach, the skies opened up-huge raindrops! Apparently, the turtle was disturbed for some reason and, instead of laying her eggs in the nest she had prepared, she turned around and headed back to the water. So, back to the shelter we go.
Our window was only 8:00 to 10:00 and, as the minutes ticked by, it looked like we were out of luck. But we finally got called to the beach again. At least the rain was just a drizzle. And this time, we got to see the turtle laying her eggs, and then covering them with sand, using her flippers to camouflage them so predators can't find her eggs. Then she wriggles back to the sea.
The green turtle lays about 100 eggs. Then, about twelve days later, she comes back to an area near the first nest, and lays another batch. A very small percentage of the hatchlings make it to maturity. Some are eaten by predators, others die trying to make their trek across the sands, and still others are killed by the rough surf.
We felt privileged to see part of this incredible cycle.
(To read a blog series about our entire Costa Rica Adventure, go to http://www.yourtravelhaven.com/TravelHavenSite/page/2)
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Thanksgiving Feast Preparation Checklist |
Having your Thanksgiving feast turn out flawlessly is mostly a matter of organization and planning. Here's a model for you to follow to culinary success (adapted from one by Williams-Sonoma).
A Few Days Before Thanksgiving
- Finalize your shopping lists.
- Shop for staples, produce and other fresh foods.
- Prepare any food that can be made in advance, such as pie pastry and cranberry sauce.
- If you purchased a frozen turkey, begin thawing it out in the refrigerator.
- If you plan to brine the turkey, prepare the brine, cover and refrigerate; but do not add the turkey.
The Day Before Thanksgiving
- If you ordered a fresh turkey, pick it up or have it delivered.
- If you are going to brine the turkey, place it in the brine and refrigerate.
- Complete your food shopping.
- Make turkey stock for gravy and dressing.
- Chop ingredients for dressing, such as onions and celery; refrigerate in covered bowls or plastic bags.
- Chop the herbs for various dishes; refrigerate in covered bowls or plastic bags.
- Bake the pies and tarts.
- Chill the wines and water.
The Evening Before Thanksgiving
- Cut fresh bread into chunks for the dressing; leave out overnight to dry.
- Set the table.
- Organize the before-dinner drinks.
- Organize the tea and coffee service.
- Determine what time the turkey will go into the oven.
- Organize the serving dishes.
- Get a good night's sleep!
Thanksgiving Day
Early Morning
- Have breakfast and organize your day.
- Confirm the time to remove the turkey from the refrigerator and the time to put it in the oven.
- Peel and cut the potatoes; set them in cold water.
4 to 5 Hours Before Dinner
- While the oven preheats, prepare the turkey for roasting.
- Place the turkey in the oven at the determined time.
- Prepare the dressing.
- Check the table setting to make sure all is in order.
1 to 2 Hours Before Dinner
- Cook the potatoes.
- Put the cranberry sauce on the table.
- Serve drinks and hors d'oeuvres to guests.
45 Minutes to 1 Hour Before Dinner
- When the turkey is done, transfer to a warmed platter and cover with aluminum foil.
- Finish preparing the dressing, then bake the dressing and cook or reheat side dishes.
- Make the gravy.
- Mash the potatoes.
- Place the dinner plates in the still-warm oven.
- Seat your guests, carve the turkey and serve dinner.
for the entire Williams-Sonoma Thanksgiving timeline.
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Business of the Month |
Our featured business this month is
Up A Tree Interiorscaping.
Need wreaths, garland and poinsettias for your business or residence? Up A Tree can help.
Place your order now for a beautifully decorated home or business. Price includes delivery, installation and, in some cases, maintenance.
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