Articles / Newsletters
Archives

Enjoy Inspirational Articles & Newsletters from Your Blanket Sites monthly Mailings. Where Fun Learning, Smiles, and sometimes even the good tears,
are created for everyone.
Discover more on how to Join Your Blanket Sites Mailing List where you're always considered an old friend!

• Hot Dogs On The Go!
• Prevent Pain Before It Happens
• A Tribute To Our Veterans
• Free Christmas Family Fun Song Game
• Back to Basics...Essentials We Could All Benefit From
• Being Safe...You Can Help Yourself
• One Of The Many Wonders Of the Human Mind

HOT DOGS ON THE GO!

Just imagine this scenario for a minute...

It's a beautiful summer day, time off from work, maybe vacation.
You know it will be a long ride to get to your destination, three maybe four hours depending on traffic. So you pack up the kids (depending on your imagination) the car and the family and you're off.

One hour goes by all is fine and well. Approaching the two hour mark and things start to heat up, temperature of that beautiful summer day is rising to the 90 degree mark.
Kids start to get a little cranky, can you blame them?

What to do...soggy peanut butter and jelly sandwiches or nice
fresh hot dogs?

Why pay high prices for a good old fashion hot dog when you can enjoy your own fresh, hot dogs anywhere, anytime?

Going on a picnic or family outing? Bring the dogs without the grill, here's how...

Boil hot-dogs.
Place hot-dogs and boiling water in a good size food thermos.
Pick them out of the hot water, place in a bun and enjoy!

Dogs will stay hot and ready to eat for quite a few hours depending on the quality of the thermos used.

Discard dogs and do not use if water has become cold and left out for any unreasonable amount of time.

Fantastic for all those on the go summertime outings, long trips with the kids in the car, and outdoor sports events.

Don't forget to check out our many Blankets and Throws Perfect for Stadium, Picnic or wonderful summer time outdoor fun!



---




Prevent Pain Before It Happens...Reduce The Risk Of Swimmers Ear!

I’ve just learned of an easy preventive step that literally may save you a big pain in the ear!

This last week my daughter came down with a nasty ear infection from the very common and dreaded “swimmers ear.”

I wish I new before hand what I have learned since then. Here’s the good news I learned from her physician…

An easy preventative measure against swimmers ear is if it is suspected that water has gotten into the ear canal after swimming simply mix a solution of half white vinegar with half water to dilute and place 1-2 drops in the ear.

You see pool water is to be kept quite neutral whereas the inside of the ear is an acidic environment naturally so when the pool water enters the ear it changes the PH levels and thus it is easy for an infection to occur.
By adding the vinegar solution it raises the PH balance to a more proper acidic level where it should be and thus aiding the prevention of an infection from developing.

Please Note: This will not cure an ear infection once it has started (proper medical treatment must be sought) but it just might help prevent one. I was also told that you are more prone to getting an ear infection from pool water then pond water due to the fact that the pool water has a neutral PH and the pond’s water is naturally more acidic (who would have ever guessed that)!

And please to be on the safe side, always ask your physician what’s right for you.

Speaking of swimming...
check out our fantastic Striped Blankets and Throws for the Best in Beach Blanket Beauty!


---




A Tribute Our Veterans

Hello Friends

November already!
A month that many of us set aside to reflect and give Thanks.

Let us all remember and give a special heartfelt thanks for the many men and women in the armed forces who have fought for this country in the past, present and future, and who will be away from their homes and families throughout these upcoming Holidays.

Take the time to see this video and reflect...God Bless Our Men And Women.

Click the link below, then once on the site the "Before You Go" button...
you might want to have the tissues on hand.

http://www.managedmusic.com/beforeyougo.html

Need fantastic, unique gift ideas for your loved ones? Biederlack Cuddle Wraps provide the ultimate in Snuggle Up Warmth and Cozy Comfort!


---




Free Christmas Family Fun Song Game

Well, December's finally here!

I do hope you're all staying warm and cozy.

It's such a busy time of the year for everyone, the planning, cooking, shopping, and all, but yet as the song states, "it's the most wonderful time of the year."

It's a time when we celebrate, not only the wonderful gift that has been offered for us all, but also a time of the year to draw close to family members and friends.

Here's a little game below that you are welcome to print and enjoy with all your friends and loved ones, from reading age on up, during this Wonderful Holiday Season.

This is one game that my family has played on Christmas Eve for the last 2 years but they all know the answers now so it's time for me to find something new. We've made some memories and enjoyed this now I hope you do too.

Perfect for a Holiday Party Activity or just to spend some special moments together with those you love.

Name That Song!

Directions: The letter combinations listed below are the first letter of each word in the name of a popular Holiday Song. So go ahead Name That Song!

I've shown the answer for number one, but watch out, some get a little tricky.
Answer key is shown below.

1.SN...Silent Night
2.DTH
3.TFN
4.FTS
5.GRYMG
6.IHTBOCD
7.OCAYF
8.JTTW
9.AWHHOH
10.WWYAMC
11.OCT
12.JB
13.ICUAMC
14.ISTS
15.WCIT
16.JOSN
17.RTRNR
18.SCICTT
19.TFN
20.OHN

Answer Key

1.Silent Night
2.Deck the Halls
3.The First Noel
4.Frosty the Snowman
5.God Rest You Merry Gentleman
6.I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
7.On, Come all Ye Faithful
8.Joy to the World
9.Angels We Have Heard On High
10.We Wish You a Merry Christmas
11.Oh Christmas Tree
12.Jingle Bells
13.It Came upon a Midnight Clear
14.I Saw Three Ships
15.What Child is This
16.Jolly Old Saint Nicholas
17.Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer
18.Santa Claus is Coming to Town
19.The First Noel
20.Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
21.O Little Town of Bethlehem
22.Away in a Manger
23.Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
24.I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas
25.O Holy Night


For an easy and affordable way to add Holiday warmth and cheer to your Christmas Decor, check out the Stunning Poinsettias Blanket Throw. Our if Blue is for you the Snowflakes Blue Blanket is a fantastic fun way to stay cozy throughtout the entire winter season.

Holiday Blankets and Seasonal Throw Blanket Gifts

---




Back to Basics...
Essentials We Could All Benefit From

How about if I told you how you could;
1. Save your money
2. Save your health
3. Save our planet

All at the same time!

It’s surprisingly easy and every single one of us could recondition our way of life to what is increasingly becoming a forgotten skill.
What used to be natural and normal has, flipped if you will, to now being looked upon as the unusual, rare and even abnormal.
It’s a skill that is becoming more and more lost as the generations move on.

***This is quite unfortunate because it will be the future generations that are unknowingly hurt in more ways than one without the benefits that this “basic” knowledge holds.***

Have you guessed it yet?
How can you save money, your health and the planet all at the same time?

By taking a few extra moments, with a few different recipes and heading “back to basics”
Sounds too good to be true?
Let’s take a look...

Save Your Money- Have you been grocery shopping lately?

I think I speak for the majority when I say groceries have become outrageously over priced. What can you do, right? We all have to eat!

Let me say, little changes over time will make a BIG difference.

Take a moment and think about how, not that long ago, you had your basics to shop for, sugar, flour, salt, etc., the “staples” of the kitchen if you will.

Most of these pre-made, “convenient foods” where non existent and could be made either in a jiffy, with very little extra time, very little cost, or in bulk and stored to last for months! We all know that these products add up quickly in the $$$ amounts, not only as a one time expense, but one that we keep paying over and over again, week after week, and month after month!

Save Your Health – Additives, Preservatives, colorings, chemicals, etc. It’s all there, almost unavoidable, but especially so in packaged convenient foods.

Let me say again, little changes over time will make a BIG difference. Do you really want it all?
Do you want your kids and their kids to have it all?

Save Our Planet – Packaging, packaging, packaging!
Just walk down any isle in the market, and it is plain to see just how very much packaging is used daily.

Let me just say (you got it); little changes over time will make a BIG difference.

I have a family of four, two of which are teenagers. Each trash day it amazes me of the number of bags that I see filled, (two, three, four or more) waiting at the curb to be picked up and hauled off to the nearest landfill. I have always, with my family of four, (babies through teen years) only created one small bag of trash per week! Sometimes stuffed, and others only 1/2 full, but nevertheless when it was a typical week, there would sit my one bag awaiting the landfill.

Is this significant? YOU BET! If every family of four would cut back to one small bag of trash per week the impact on our planet would be astronomical!

Oh yes, by the way, I not only help save the planet because of my one bag per week, but I also spend far less than my neighbors for my trash removal than they do!

Here’s a couple of my favorite quick and easy recipes to get you started.

Home Made Onion Soup Mix
Better and less costly than Lipton’s store bought!
Makes one pint = to 4 envelopes

Combine:

7 oz. Beef Bouillon Powder (3/4 Cup+)

I buy bullion cubes in bulk (Sam’s or BJ’s or online) then grind them to a powder with a small hand coffee grinder, which buy the way, I do not drink coffee but this little machine comes in handy for grinding all sorts of spices, herbs, peppercorns etc.

1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 cup dried minced onion (purchased as above also)
1/2 Cup onion powder (ground from the minced onion above)
1/4 Cup parsley flakes
Little salt

Store in glass canning jar or other air tight container.
To use for dip combine ¼ Cup mix with 1 pint sour cream and chill.

Homemade Microwave Vanilla Pudding
Great as a desert in itself or use as fillings in eclairs, tarts or other tasty treats

1/3 Cup Flour
1/2 Cup Sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 Cups fat free milk divided
1/4 cup egg substitute or one egg slightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla

1. Combine flour, sugar and salt in a medium microwave safe bowl. Gradually add 1 3/4 Cups mild, stirring well with a whisk. Microwave on HIGH for 4-5 minutes or until thickened, stirring after every minute.

2. Combine 1/4 Cup milk with egg or egg substitute in a large bowl. Gently stir one-fourth of the milk mixture into the egg mixture; add to remaining hot milk mixture.
Microwave on HIGH 1 minute, stir well. Stir in vanilla. Cover with plastic wrap and chill.

Yield: 5 servings 1/2 Cup each.

And by the way, if you didn’t warm the heart of that someone special over the Holidays with a toasty and luxurious blanket then check out our Puppy Love Romantic Gift Blanket - Because Puppy Love can last a lifetime!
Or if you really want to give a HEART, there's always the fun and loving Heart Blanket to cover the one you love in cozy comfort!

---




Being Safe...You Can Help Yourself
72 Hour Emergency Kits For Your Vehicles

Hundreds of people were stuck, stranded in their vehicles in the middle of roads and highways throughout the New England regions and beyond. Scared, cold, desperate, and hungry, all that could be done was wait...and wait...and wait some more. Many people perished as the snow accumulated high enough to prevent the exhaust from escaping their idling vehicles as they tried desperately to stay warm. Over 3,500 vehicles were left, abandoned and stranded in the middle of highways and roads during the massive clean-up efforts.

What am I talking about here and what does this have to do with you?

I'm talking about the blizzard of "78" and what I'm going to say, may save your, or your families life some day.

I was there!
And Yes, I'm old enough to remember, and remember well I do.

All together, up to 55 inches of snow fell in some areas. The blizzard's unprecedented magnitude quickly became apparent by the 65 mph sustained near-hurricane level winds and the development of an eye like structure located in the middle of the storm.From start to finish snow fell for a full 36 hours.

Can it happen again? Absolutely!

Where? When? Will you or your family be safe?

Whether it be the next blizzard, landslide, evacuation or any emergency situation you can help yourself, actually you must help yourself, at least for the first 72 hours or more.

It's a fact that for most emergency situations it takes at least 72 hours (3 days!) or more for emergency help to arrive. In the blizzard of 78, some people were trapped in their vehicles for over a week!

Seeing how it takes at least "72 hours" for help to arrive you can understand why they are called 72 hour emergency kits. Let's go over some of the items that you might consider keeping in your car for your family's safety. You might be surprised to see how easy it is.

Blanket for Warmth

Battery Operable Radio for News - Having a cell phone is great but, it cannot be relied upon completely as shown, help cannot always get to you. Also as we all know, cell phone signals are not always reliable. You may not always be able to rely on your car radio, due to a low car battery or gas tank, which brings us to the next important issue.
Gas! - I know this is not always easy, but try to have at least a half a tank of gas in your vehicle at all times.
Small Fold Up Shovel - For clearing the exhaust and many other dig out uses. *If you are ever stuck in your car and running it for warmth, periodically check the exhaust and make sure it is always clear.*
Flares, Emergency Help Flag, Flashlights, Matches, Light sticks or Lighter ect.
A Gallon of Water - not only useful to have on hand for an overheating situation but of course drinking purposes also.
First Aid Supplies - With this, comes a sometimes tough twist that many people may not consider but could be life saving...personal, necessary medications. If these have to be refrigerated then it may not be feasible to store in a vehicle. In that case it's always a good idea to carry some on your person anyway.
Food Rations - Hard Candies, Dried Fruits, Trail Mix, mixed nuts, single serving canned foods with pop open tops or any non perishables. Be sure to check expiration dates regularly.

These are a few of the basics to get you started. Go ahead, print of the list, pass it on to friends and loved ones, and use the check boxes as you stock your car and make it a little safer for yourself and your family.

I do hope you'll never have to say "I was there, and I remember it well"

---




One Of The Many Wonders Of The Human Mind

Last month was on the serious side, this month I thought we'd welcome Spring with a little fun. Enjoy!

Can you read this?

Olny srmat poelpe can.
cdnuolt blveiee taht Icluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde

THIS IS SOOO COOL!!!

Uinervilasy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe.

Amzanig huh?

yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt!

if you can raed tihs psas it on!

Nice not to have to do a spell check for a change!
In all seriousness, I do believe that proper spelling and grammar are important but find the human mind amazing!

Just wanted to let you know I've been super busy this month adding many new products throughout the Site.

Be sure to check out these Gorgeous Flower Blankets, one of the easiest, fastest and most affordable ways to freshen up your room's decor with the feel of Spring!

Thought for the month...
Ask yourself if what you're doing today is getting you closer to where you want to be tomorrow.

---




Add To Favorites

Your Blanket Site Home

Join Mailing List

Site Map