Friday, December 30, 2011
The Felix family of Dallas, Georgia has won $500 for making the top 24 in Patch's Deck the House contest. Vote for this home as the Best Decked House in all of Patch, and Paulding County Schools could win $100,000.
Paulding County Schools could receive a late Christmas present with your help: $100,000. That’s because the Felix family’s light display, which this week was named Dallas-Hiram Patch's nominee for Patch’s nationwide Deck the House contest, has been named one of the 24 finalists. Patch users—you—have until Jan. 8 to vote for the Best Decked House in all of Patch; the grand prize winner’s school district gets a $100,000 donation from Patch, no strings attached. The Felix home is the only finalist from Georgia. Go to deckthehouse.patch.com to see all the nominees and to cast your vote for the Felix house. You may vote once daily through Sunday, Jan. 8, at 11:59 p.m. Regardless of whether the Paulding school system takes the big prize, the …
Thursday, December 29, 2011
With the kids home from school all next week, why not enjoy a cookie baking marathon?
I personally have never been too proud of my cookie making skills unless, of course, I use the quick and easy pre-made dough from the grocery store. Even then, it helps if it is already cut into cookie shapes. However, this holiday season we went on a cookie baking spree. The results—we are all craving more homemade cookies. Check out our three favorite cookies, but only try them if you are ready to give up store bought cookies for good. CHEWY BROWNIE COOKIES (taken from Santa’s Favorite Cookies) 1 1/2 cups firmly packed light brown sugar 2/3 Crisco stick or 2/3 cup Crisco all vegetable shortening 1 tablespoon water 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 eggs 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1/3 cup unsweetened baking cocoa ½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon baking …
Download this app if alcohol will be part of your New Year's Eve.
Scared you’re going to get behind the wheel a little buzzed (or completely plastered) on New Years? There’s an app for that. The Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety has developed an app for drivers to download that provides information about free rides and drinking and driving. The app is available for Androids and iPhones at this link or here for a simulation. Teaching kids to “drink responsibly” is a myth because studies show that teens who drank with adults were more likely to drink in all situations, according to a press release from Cobb County authorities. Two to three times more people died in alcohol-related vehicle crashes over the winter holiday compared to the rest of the year, according to the National Institute on …
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Instead of one big resolution, try 10 little ones, which you can implement all at once or one per week for the first few months of the year.
By Ian Lee, Health Castle We've all done it: made a big, fat New Year's resolution that we swore up and down we'd stick to. And we did stick to it—for about six weeks. So what's the secret to making resolutions you can actually stick to throughout the entire year? According to dietitian Gloria Tsang, author of the new book Go UnDiet: 50 Small Actions for Lasting Weight Loss and founder of nutrition network HealthCastle.com, the key is to skip the overambitious resolutions that often leave us miserable and frustrated and focus on small, achievable resolutions that add up to create dramatic, long-lasting results. "You can't feast your way through the holidays and then expect to give up all sugar on January 1," Tsang said in a press release…
Start 2012 right with safety tips and hobby help for your pets.
After an unfortunate incident with Booker and our Nativity, during which St. Joseph developed a chip on his shoulder, didn’t have a leg to stand on, and lost an arm, I safely baby-gated our dogs from the Christmas tree. All those temptations – flickering lights, pretty colored bows, and even the dog-proof ornaments – proved too much a distraction for young Booker. Once he got with the routine, though, he became very reliable around the “leave-its,” helped in part by the appearance of a spray bottle of Bitter Apple in the manger. All kidding aside, with the holidays past us, and the task of putting everything away, now is not the time to let your guard down to keep your cats, dogs, bunnies, ferrets, gerbils or other companion animals, safe…
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Tammy Brady Elliott is the town winner for East Cobb in Patch's "Deck the House" contest.
Congratulations to Tammy Brady Elliott for submitting her holiday decorations photo to the Patch's national "Deck The House" contest. She is now eligible to win a $500 prize if chosen as one of the top 24 photos across the country--but she needs your votes! The 24 national finalists, each getting $500 towards their electricity bill, will be named Friday, at which time voting will open for the national $100,000 prize for local schools. Come back and vote on Dec. 30 for the winner! Congratulations, Tammy, from East Cobb Patch, and good luck!
Monday, December 26, 2011
Volunteers spent part of Christmas Eve delivering the gift of hope, affection and gifts to needy Cobb County animal shelter pets.
Cobb County Animal Control shelter volunteers brought the joy of Christmas to the animals with cat cuddling and dog walks, and by giving a toy and a blanket or bed to every animal in the shelter. Related Topics: Animal Shelter, Marietta, Pet Adoption, Volunteers, cobb county animal control, and holidays 2011
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Amid the last-minute shoppers and philosophical seekers, the message of the season is reflected through Linus, the Waltons and Mr. Grinch.
The meaning of Christmas should probably be the same whether you celebrate it or not. Peace on Earth, goodwill toward everyone, a day that ushers in a time to pause and reflect as the daylight finally begins to grow longer and the Gregorian year comes to a close. But unlike Charlie Brown's buddy Linus, I sometimes find that meaning hard to see this time of year. The traditional observance of Jesus' birth is obscured by many things, past and present. The many Christmas traditions we observe that have nothing to do with Christianity are nothing new. Decking the halls with wreaths and holly comes from Wiccan traditions, while Santa's eight reindeer were borrowed from Norse mythology. The Yule Tide was a festival celebrated by pagans. The …
Saturday, December 24, 2011
What holiday flicks do you fancy? Let us know!
No matter how many times we've seen them, those Christmas movies endlessly repeating around the holidays are a tradition for many. Patch has whittled down the stack of holiday favorites and listed our top five. But we want to know about your favorites, too. Tell us in the comments what we've missed, which films should not be on the list, and what you do or don't like about a variety of Christmas movies. Without further ado, our five holiday film picks are: 1. A Christmas Story (1983) “I want an official Red Ryder carbine-action, 200-shot, range model air rifle with a compass in the stock, and this thing which tells time.” Who doesn't love this quintessential Christmas movie? Set in the 1940's, it's about 9-year-old Ralphie and his attempts…
Don't be a scrooge! Tell us what holiday songs you like the best.
- HOLIDAY GUIDE
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Saturday, December 24, 2011
Before the Thanksgiving turkey carcass was on the curb for trash pick up, stores started piping in the Christmas music, usually making most long for the Muzak days when it was easier to tune the music out. Despite being bombarded at all places retail with Christmas music, holiday tunes are still the best. Here are 10 favorite songs our friends at Smyrna-Vinings Patch put together, in no particular order. What are your favorites? - Annie Archer 1. Baby it’s Cold Outside -- Margaret Whiting and Johnny Mercer version 2. Must be Santa -- Brave Combo version 3. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas -- Judy Garland, accept no substitues except for Local H 4. Christmas Times A' Coming -- Bill Monroe 5. You’re a Mean One Mr. Grinch -- Thurl …
Michelle Fuller
8:59 pm on Tuesday, December 27, 2011
The pic is awesome but to see it from the street is amazing! more ›