What do a Beatle, a Blowfish, and Bryan Adams have in common?  This reminds me of one of my daughter’s made up jokes.  Well, it is no joke.  All of these people will be performing at the American Music Theatre.  The schedule for 2010 offers something for everyone and looks like alot of fun.

The American Music Theatre is located here in Lancaster County, PA at 2425 Lincoln Highway East... also known as Route 30.  It is right across the road from Cracker Barrel which is very convenient.  My kids love it there.  Last year Mimi and Grampy took all of the grandkids to see Riders in the Sky at the AMT and then to Cracker Barrel for dinner.  They had a fabulous time.

Most appealing to me on the American Music Theatre’s 2010 schedule are definitely Bryan Adams and Chicago.  Dave and I love Bryan Adams.  Some of his songs really bring back memories for us. We are actually looking to buy a print of Matthew Heller’s Homage to Music series of ‘Heaven’(by Bryan Adams).  And Chicago just really takes me back to the 80’s... in a good way.  So many great acts to choose from and right here in Lancaster County.

Have you ever dreamed of designing or creating your own candy bar?  Hershey’s would like to help people fulfill that dream.  The Hershey Company broke ground today on the Create Your Own Candy Bar attraction at Chocolate World.  This unique attraction is set to open in Summer 2010, this summer.

Visitors to the Create Your Own Candy Bar attraction at Hershey’s Chocolate World will get hands on experience in the creation and manufacturing process.  Some of the fun ingredients they will get to choose from will include fruit, caramel bits, graham crackers, and chocolate cake.  Visit the Hershey’s Chocolate World website, to read more about the new Create Your Own Candy Bar attraction.

The 7.0 magnitude earthquake which hit Haiti yesterday has brought more devastation to an already poor and suffering country.  When things like this happen, it is hard to know what to do other than to pray and to try to give whatever we can to help with emergency and relief efforts.

I think first and foremost of the American Red Cross, when it comes to disaster relief and aid, anywhere in the world.  The American Red Cross has already sent disaster management specialists and other workers to Haiti – only volunteers specially trained in international disaster efforts are being sent to help at this time.  The American Red Cross had workers in Haiti even before the earthquake struck, working on disaster preparedness as well as disease control and prevention.

President Obama has pledged our support for the people of Haiti.  Supplies are on the way there from other locations in the region.  The American Red Cross will be sending blood products to the United Nations Mission in Haiti.

According to the American Red Cross website, “There has been an outpouring of support from the public. To help, people can make an unrestricted donation to the International Response Fund at www.redcross.org or by calling 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767). The public can also help by texting “Haiti” to 90999 to send a $10 donation to the Red Cross, through an effort backed by the U.S. State Department. Funds will go to support American Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti.”

Do what you can and please keep the people of Haiti, their families, and relief workers in your thoughts and prayers.

AKA, What Will They Drop Where?

Thought that I would enlighten everyone with a New Year’s Eve listing of ‘What They Drop (or in some cases Raise) Where’ in Lancaster County and the surrounding Susquehanna Valley.  I do this for my amusement... and yours too!  Just wondering from people who live other places, do they do this in your town too?  Is this an USA thing?  Here we go:

Lancaster:  a red rose
York:  a white rose
Harrisburg:  a strawberry
Elizabethtown:  an M&M
Manheim:  an orb or ball
Hershey:  a Hershey kiss
Akron:  a shoe
Mechanicsburg:  a wrench
Dillsburg:  a pickle
Lebanon:  a giant bologna

My favorite on the list has to be the giant Lebanon bologna that they string up in Lebanon.  I wonder what happens to it after New Year’s Eve.  If anyone knows, please share!

Can you believe that another year has gone by already?  Dave and I are spending a quiet New Year’s Eve at home... have a couple of sick kids and we are exhausted.  We had a great year and are looking forward to all of the possibilities of 2010.  Hope you have a fun night and wishing a very Happy New Year to all!

I was very pleasantly surprised to receive this darling pink pouch as a Christmas gift from my sweet daughter, Miss J.  She stitched it together by hand, from a pink ribbon that she had saved.  Miss J. lovingly worked on my gift for weeks and was thrilled to surprise me with it on Christmas morning.

Miss J. has been making little gifts and cards for me for years but the handwork that was done, the time, the planning... just so sweet.  I will treasure my pink pouch forever.  It will always remind me of when my girl was 9 years old.  Have any of you ever received a handmade gift from one of your kids that just totally surprised you?

Luke 2: 1-20 (KJV)

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them,

Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.