Simple Act of Service That Will STICK!

I hope you will take a second and pin this. Let's inspire the world!

 Once you start generating ideas on serving you can't really turn it off. Why would I want to do that anyway right?! So I got a $10 Target gift card for a something and then I didn't need it anymore so I thought "what am I going to do with it now?" I realized it would make a great random act of kindness and oh, so simple! So I took a piece of card stock wrote "Randon Act of Kindness" and used washi tape to put it on the card stock and the shelve at the store.

Don't you just love this mugshot?!

    This was my kids nearly screaming that there was a gift card and to come and get it! I quickly quieted them, but I had to do it a few times, little stinkers! They were just so excited for someone to get it they didn't want to wait! Luckily I choose a quite isle to put it on since I knew I would be snapping a few pictures so they didn't actually get anyone to come over...phew!

So just like buying flowers every time you grocery shop to take to someone this is actually even simpler, but the flower routine is still quite simple also. These are both meant to fit into your routine without making you have to go out of your way. I suggest buying the gift card on one shopping trip and making up a few cards that say "random act of kindness" to put them on and then stick them in your bag as well as some washi tape and then next time you grocery shop leave it on one of the isles you go down. Simple, simple!

Also as a follow-up I have been doing the flower routine with my kids since I did that post. It's become habit :) There are times I get the flowers put them in a vase at home and then don't deliver them to anyone. However the goal of these kinds of service ideas isn't perfection just ways of doing service that fit into life fairly effortlessly because those are the things that tend to with stand the test of time. Though I will say most of the time they do get delivered. A simple fix would be to just deliver them on my way home and not even take them home, which would then be even simpler then the gift card idea haha battle of the service routine!

Scatter sunshine my friends!

-DeAnn

Random acts of kindness - SIP Summer Camp Week 7

Week 7

Random Acts of Kindness

One of our dogs took off yesterday night we looked for her but to no avail so when we headed out the next morning to go to the hospital I was feeling kinda down and we were running late on top of it. My patience was short as my daughter kept asking questions about the dog, questions that required too much thought for my tired brain and heavy heart. We made a sprint through Sam's club to grab the candy bars and I happened to pick the cart with the squeaky wheel of course. We made it out with one item?! That has never happened before, pretty sure we broke some kind of Sam's club record. Who come's out of Sam's with only one item? Have you? It is my first time and probably my last. FYI we got 48 full size candy bars for $23. 

We did make it to the hospital on time, phew. My little turkeys outsdie of Presbryterian Hospital. Holding candy bars and little quotes on cards.

I knew I wanted to do a random acts of kindness for SIP Summer Camp but was thinking we would bake cookies and put them in cellophane bags with a nice note. I also thought we would go to an outdoor mall. Then I found this post and thought duh...a hospital. However I wasn't sure how trusting people would be of someone handing out home made cookies. It's hard to find something that appeals to everyone. Candy bars come pre-packaged, it's more of an investment money wise but easier since I don't have to actually bake anything. My SIL suggested we hand out cold water bottles too, brilliant, water appeals to everyone! Maybe you could pick a street corner by your house and hand out cold water bottles? I whipped up the cards in photo shop and we were set.

Free printables for water bottle labels and cards.

Yes the last quote is missing a word, whoops!

While we were waiting for everyone to get there...

 Though my heavy heartedness was lifted as we passed out our goods I just didn't feel like I was thinking super clear. I didn't take as many timely photos as I feel I normally would have. It also didn't help that I was carrying a box of candy bars, a purse on my shoulder a camera and trying to make sure we didn't lose any kids. 

My daughter with a gentlemen she gave a candy bar to. He was with a few others and they seemed to get a kick out of the kids.

Our group shot...minus a kid and one that's behind another kid.

On our way out and with the last remaining candy bars the kids passed them out to the nurses in the back ground. They also got a kick of the kids running back and forth to grab more candy bars for them.

 As me and the other moms were chatting my son went up to Shirley the women in the picture below and started talking to her. She asked what we were doing there and she was very touched by our service. As we talked more we found out that she volunteers at the hospital in the pediatric wing before we knew it we were headed up to the pediatric wing for a tour. She had been bringing stuff up to the wing from her car.

She took us to Rachel's Court a play area for the kids. Before it was built there was no place for patients to play at the hospital. I had a great conversation with one of the workers, not sure what her title was, I cant' remember which I know is totally lame. I guess what stood out most in our conversation as I asked her about the needs they have was that she wished people volunteered there all year long. While they are grateful for all the volunteers during the holidays there are kids at the hospital all year long.

 Shirley gave all the kids a toy. Me and the other moms protested but she wouldn't have it.

                               She also took the kids to feed the fish. Me with my son Russel.

A few things to think about before you set out to do your random acts of kindness.

1. Talk to your kids about what you are doing and why. When we were sitting down outside waiting a couple approached us and asked if were were selling candy bars. They offered to give us money and when more people asked when I wasn't around my daughter would take their money. I didn't think about people offering to pay. It would have been bad timing to try and explain it as she has money in her hand in the midst of all of us handing out candy etc. 

2. When kids walk up to people with a candy bar and a little card people automatically assume you are selling the candy not giving it to them. I would tell them it's a random act of kindness, take it it's free. About a quarter or just under that of people would say no thanks. Some people don't know how to respond to kindness, don't be put out by that. The majority of people were very happy though.

3. The kids wanted to give most everyone candy, water, and a granola bar. My thinking is to spread it out. So whatever approach you want to take make sure the kids are on board. Kids are very naturally giving. All I am saying is talk to them about how much to give each person it's much easier to do it before hand then when it get's started.

4. Plan of attack. I didn't give any thought to who we would give it to. Except that we wouldn't go in to any patient rooms. As we were in the basement waiting for the elevator Stacey said "If I were in medical records, I would want a candy bar." Think about who works at a hospital and who you may want to single out. People stuck in the basement in medical records, janitors, nurses, volunteers. It would have been wise to think about that before hand. Glad Stacey was thinking!

This would be super easy to do on the fly. Pick up candy, water or whatever and start handing it out some place. Really not much planning involved. We will be doing this again in a week or two at a cancer treatment center. We had 3 families who couldn't come do to illness and scheduling conflicts. I feel very grateful to Misty and Stacey for coming with me this week for our ROAK. They are both incredible women, I really just adore them.

I would love to see any pics you take as you go out and do your RAOK or from any other post. Upload them to my Facebook page! I have really enjoyed my Face Book page more and more lately! It's a great way to interact with you and a way for me to share bits and pieces that I don't share on my blog. 

Also if you scroll to the top of my blog you will see that I added a way for you to follow by e-mail. 

I am thankful for everyone and their support of The SIP project, it's a work of love.

So you may be wondering about my dog. We found her but she has some spinal trauma. Our best guess is from being hit by a car. The vet injected the area with steroids and if she doesn't get movement back in her hind legs we will have to put her down. So, I am writing this post with a heavy heart today. My heart goes out to anyone who has suffered loss and is having a hard time. Going to the hospital for some ROAK did help, you always get more out of serving then you give, funny how that works.

Dish & Serve - Peach Crostata

Peach Crostata

A big thank you to Deborah of ....

                                                                                               for today's Dish & Serve...

I took this quote from her about page, "I love the people I cook for and I want them to live long healthy lives, so when I feed them, I want to feed them well. Friends say that dining at my house is like receiving "spa treatment". Everyone can use a little retreat from the demands of everyday life....even if that retreat lasts only as long as a meal with family and friends." I just love that, don't you!? I want to stop writing this post and make this peach crostata right now or better yet make my way over to Deborah's house for some "spa treatment" thinks she will mind??? I have never attempted something like this but I love crust and I love peaches sounds like a win, win to me! Have you ever made a crostata?

Dish -

Peach Crostata

This makes 2 small crostatas or 1 large. I prefer to make 2 small, as they are easier to transport.

For the crust

2 cups all-purpose flour

¼ cup granulated sugar

¾ teaspoon salt

8 oz unsalted butter, chilled and cut into approximately 16-20 cubes

6 tablespoons ice-cold water

Directions

In a food processor, combine flour, sugar and salt. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the water and stir until mixture forms a ball. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured board and form into 2 disks. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for 1-2 hours (or overnight). Do not over work the dough. You want to be able to see flecks of the butter.

For the filling

5-6 ripe white peaches, sliced

For the crumb topping

¼ cup brown sugar

¼ cup white sugar

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/8 tsp salt

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, chilled and diced

Egg Wash

1 whole egg and 1 egg white whipped together in a bowl

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

In a bowl mix all ingredients. Roll dough rounds out to an 11-inch diameter. Trim out 11” circle and discard leftover dough. Place dough on cookie sheet. Fan out fruit to 9” diameter. Brush egg wash on 2” remaining dough.

Fold exposed dough over fruit. It should leave an open center to the crostata of about 6 to 7 inches. Egg wash the exterior dough. Add a few small chunks of butter to center of crostata. Sprinkle entire top with crumble mixture.

Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 20 minutes or until the crust is a flaky golden brown.

Serve with scoops of vanilla ice cream or frozen vanilla yogurt.

Serve -
"I have a very close family friend whose husband has been diagnosed with vertigo after two scary trips to the ER.  These turn of events have impacted the daily lives of  my friend, her husband, and their immediate family.  Vertigo attacks can come on without warning and they leave her husband sick and practically bedridden for days after each attack.  He no longer drives independently because he’s afraid of having an attack while behind the wheel, so his wife drives him to wherever he needs to go.  My friend and her husband are into healthy whole foods, and they have all but done away with sugar in their home…but my friend has had her eye on my peach crostata for a few weeks now…and she’s mentioned  how much she’d like to try a slice.  This peach crostata has little sugar in it and if you omit the crumble topping, it has even less.  So, I decided to surprise her with a peach crostata sans the crumble topping.  However…I did take with me a small container of Haagen Dazs Frozen Vanilla Yogurt.  You have to have just teeny little spoonful of the vanilla yogurt melting on the crostata slice to experience the full effect.  It’s pure heaven!"   


Don't we all know someone who could use a little brightening to their day? Do you need a little brightening to your day? Then bust out your favorite recipe and take it to someone else! Take a few pics write a few lines and you have a Dish & Serve post. Okay the last part is optional but I would love it if someone volunteered to do one, don't make me call on you...


Want a $25 Target gift card? Enter to win on my last post! 


Hope you enjoyed today's post my friends! Thank you for all that you do! 

Dish & Serve - Raisin Pie & giveaway

The lovely Jane from Adventures in Dinner is here today to Dish & Serve. I launched Dish & Serve on her blog to see the original post and to see why I started Dish & Serve check out this link.

I'm beyond happy to be guesting today at DeAnn's amazing blog and to be a part of 'Dish and Serve'.

DeAnn is so inspiring and to be honest I struggled to decide what to do.

I finally decided after WAY too long (thanks for being patient DeAnn) to pull out a recipe of my Grandma Kelly's for Raisin Pie.

This recipe is really the height of old fashioned pies. You just don't see them anymore and to be honest I've only seen this version in my area of Canada (Ottawa Valley).

If any of you have seen it elsewhere I'd love to know.

My neighbour (across the street) lost his wife a year ago very abruptly and he had a large group of relatives over recently to plant a tree in the backyard in her honour.

A beautiful Magnolia as gracious as Vivian was.

Not really knowing what to say I offered my support through food.

Pour boiling water over 1 1/2 cups of raisins.

Let stand until cool and drain, saving the water.

Get your pie crust ready or use prepared.

In a bowl combine; 3/4 cup sugar, 2 T. flour and the zest of a lemon (yes, in my bowl is a LOT more-I made three).

Add in your raisins with the juice of one lemon and 1/2 cup of your raisin water.

Place in 9 inch pie crust.

Dot with butter and top with pastry.

Poke with a knife to release the steam.

Bake (on a tray unless you'd like to clean your oven) at 350 for 40 minutes or until the bottom is browned.

Share.

If you would like to do a Dish & Serve post just let me know! I would love for you to do one :) Hint, hint, nudge, nudge.

I am going to do a giveaway, right now...well you can enter right now. 

For what you say, hows about a $30 gift card to Target?! Sound good?!

(and if you don't live by a Target a gift card to another store will be arranged)

What you have to do to enter:

1. Pin two different things from my blog onto Pinterest

2. Like my Facebook page if you haven't already

3. Leave a comment saying that you did both and boom you're entered. 

easy peezy lemon squeezey...now get to it!

Starts today, ends Sunday night the 10th winner will be announced Monday the 11th

No small acts of kindness

I read this quote on Pinterest and it got me thinking about how my family was the recipient of two acts of kindness this past week. We have been sick here for like two weeks...it's ridiculous...pink eye, croup, stomach flu...I am done for the year...DONE. So a friend called one night and asked if I had started dinner yet and I hadn't so she said I am bringing dinner over. Yeah, totally made my week :) Was this a small thing? No it was huge, and I can't put into words how grateful I am for her thoughtfulness. The second was that me and my family had signed up months ago to help clean the church last Saturday with another family. Well I and my husband were still not feeling tip top and wouldn't be able to make it to the church to clean until 1pm. The other family did it all, when I asked why they didn't leave some for us to do she said she knew I was getting over being sick. Another small thing?!...NO, not to me. It may seem like a small thing to the person giving the service but not to the person receiving it!

The quote I saw on Pinterest. (Crappy link but you can follow if you want)

I have to admit that when I first started using Pinterest I was annoyed by all the quotes (now I am contributing to quotes being pinned...right?!). I felt like I don't want to see this...give me the good stuff, partly because when I see signs or pinned quotes I HAVE to read them...I'm compulsive like that. Now I rather enjoy reading 90% of them. There are the few that REALLY hit me and those I really appreciate. The ones that make me think well after I am off Pinterest while I am doing the dishes or driving somewhere they pop in my head and give me something good to chew on for a bit and I appreciate that.

I know what kinds of quotes touch my heart and get me thinking but I want to know what lights the fires of your heart. How would you feel about sending me a link to a quote that gave you pause to think...or laugh. Send me a link and a few lines of your own thoughts about the quote your sending me and I will do a post about it in 2 weeks. I will take 5 peoples quotes and thoughts to make one post. If there is more interest in doing these kinds of posts I will continue them. Don't leave me hanging...please :) I really do want this to be a place where you hopefully feel inspired and feel comfortable leaving your thoughts. I WANT TO HEAR THEM :) ANYONE???  (you can always be anonymous too) Send them to paynelessphoto@gmail.com

I could go on and on I am good at that but I will leave it at this... I appreciate the feelings that came over me as me and my family were given service I felt uplifted, I felt that people cared about me and my family. I want to make others feel that way too. If you need some ideas on how you can make others feel loved through service check out this post I did during the Christmas season it applies all year long. It has some great service ideas.


Much love! 


DeAnn

Get your wheels turning!

So I don't know about everybody else but I think the biggest obstacle to getting involved and serving in the community is not the desire to act but knowing how to get involved. We know there are terrible things happening to good people all around us. There is no shortage of diverse hardships they we face who are in need in this world. Yet somehow it can be hard to figure out how to jump in and help. Or is it just me? We have our little world with it's comfort zones and it can be really hard to step out of it. While this is a big obstacle another one is TIME, there is a serious shortage of it. There are SO MANY things vying for our time, it can be hard to prioritize, I know I am not telling you anything new her ;). There is always room though for little acts of kindness, We just have to start thinking that way and it will become a part of who we are....now stepping down from my soap box ;)

I know I think BIG which is great but I can also loose focus on the small things sometimes. What I am trying to say is; if you aren't solving world hunger don't be discouraged and think your not helping. Good deeds have a chain reaction. I know this a commercial but it illustrates the point I am trying to make.


Truthfully I think that if everyone or nearly everyone was focused on helping others World hunger would solve itself.

Today  I want to share some inspiration from two websites I found, one is an organization and the other a blog posting.

Do something.org is focused on teens and while I don't agree with everything on the site it is a good resource for ideas.

This picture is from a post about how on her birthday she did 26 nice things for others. Some really great ideas here! For example she took soda, chips & salsa and gum etc to a local fire fighters station...how easy is that? Such a great idea!!! (they ended up giving her a tour, she was just planning on dropping it off) She also... "purchased a book of stamps while at the post office and asked the clerk to give them to a random customer with a card full of my best wishes." How nice to be the person who got that book of stamps and nice card, that would totally brighten my day! To see what else she did check out the full post.

Okay so here's the deal I am going to stop here BECAUSE I want you to take some time and check out these links. I want to hear your thoughts after you have looked at them...deal?