Mesa MLK Day Parade

I took some video of our city’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Parade this January, and I finally got it together and online.

There was such an atmosphere of joy and community at the event. The people walking (or dancing or riding) down the parade route seemed so glad to be involved, and the crowd cheered everyone on.

No joke, applause broke out when the horse cleanup guy shoveled some manure off the road.

The parade was followed by music and talks about the legacy of Dr. King.

January 10, 2018May 23, 2023

MLK Day: Where to Volunteer in Phoenix

I was looking to see what kind of service projects were planned in my community for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and I found a bunch at handsonphoenix.org! I’ll share a few you might be interested in below.

You can sign up on the site to volunteer if you’re over 18. Check the individual project for age restrictions and waivers required for younger teens and kids.

If you live outside of the Phoenix area, you can search nationalservice.gov for opportunities in other states.

Sort and Pack at St. Mary’s Food Bank

Jan 13, 8-10am
St. Mary’s Food Bank, Phoenix
Sort, pack, and distribute food for other nonprofits and families in crisis at St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance.

Feel free to bring donations of cereal, canned goods, bottled water, and/or pet food with you to the project.
Due to health codes and safety reasons, a volunteer dress code is in effect. (Closed Toe Shoes, shirts with sleeves, pants, etc.)

Garden Volunteers at the Japanese Friendship Garden

Jan 13, 8-11am
Japanese Friendship Garden, Phoenix
Help with either non-technical duties (like cleaning up trash) or technical garden maintenance (like precise pruning of plants).

Puppy Pals at Animal Care West Valley Shelter

Jan 13, 9-11am
Maricopa County Animal Care Services, West Valley Shelter, Phoenix
Spend time with adoptable pets. Walk dogs or brush and pet cats.

Project Vitamin C with City of Glendale

Jan 13, 9am-12pm
Sahuaro Ranch Park, Glendale
Help pick citrus from the park’s trees to donate to local food banks.

MLK 2018: Trailblazing at South Mountain Park

Jan 14, 10:30am-12:30pm
South Mountain Park, Phoenix
Assist with projects, such as tree trimming, maintenance, graffiti removal, trash pick-up, and painting. Details will be emailed to volunteers after sign up. Ages 18+.

Vets in Need Outdoor Refresh

Jan 15, 8am-12pm
Avondale
Join volunteers in painting the exterior of the home of a Veteran in need. Training, project supplies, light snacks and water will be provided.

MLK Jr. Celebration Parade

Jan 15, 8:30am-12:30pm
Mesa Convention Center (outside) / Downtown Mesa
Help with parade contestant check-in and parade route guidance.

December 18, 2017December 18, 2017

Winter Celebrations of Light

When the nights get longer, so many traditions celebrate light.

Elements like candles, lanterns, and bonfires – as well as the sun, moon, or stars – often play an important part in autumn/winter holidays. Think of Christmas (and Advent), Diwali, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Lucia, Moon Festival, and Yule.

In the Southern Hemisphere, this season happens around their winter solstice in June with traditions like the Andean Inti Raymi (“Sun Celebration”) and the Maōri New Year, Matariki (“Pleiades constellation”).

Whatever your source, may you find the light and warmth in your life to guide you through every season of darkness.

December 4, 2017January 3, 2018

How to Get a Melted Candle Out of a Jar

I love the look of candles in glass jars – until they’re all melted and stuck to the sides. I’d read a tip about freezing them to make the melted candle stub easier to remove, but that only works some of the time.

Phillip came up with an ingenious improvement: give the candle a handle!

Here’s what to do to unstick melted candles from jars and other glass containers:

Pour some water into the jar on top of the candle stub.
Partly submerge an S-hook or something else sturdy enough to use as a handle.*
Freeze.
Once frozen, you can use the hook/handle to just pull the candles right out.
To retrieve the handle, allow ice on top of the candles to melt.

*Phillip used IKEA S-hooks, because we had those around. Large paper clips weren’t strong enough, but a Popsicle stick or butter knife might work.

November 15, 2017November 28, 2023

DIY Pumpkins and Pie!

Here are 11 pumpkin-pie-inspired ideas you can bake or make!

Eat+Drink

Pumpkin Pie – First, a classic. You can make pumpkin puree for pies and other recipes from a sugar pumpkin or even a regular carving pumpkin. (Really! I did it!)

Holiday Spice Mix – Blend these ingredients for a versatile, cinnamony spice you can use as pumpkin pie spice or sprinkle into hot chocolate.

Spiced Pumpkin Pie Martini – A pumpkin pie garnish on your cocktail?! Why not? After all, it is the holidays.

Downeast Maine Pumpkin Bread – You can use canned pumpkin or your own pumpkin puree for this addictively good quick bread.

Pumpkin Pie Smoothie – This is a great breakfast on-the-go – especially during the holiday season when you have a lot of pumpkin around and not a lot of time. I added pecans and an extra cup of plain Greek yogurt to Jamie’s recipe.

Pie Slice Cookies – I haven’t made these, but they were so adorable that I had to include them! (If you’re looking for cookie decorating ideas and tips, there are TONS on the Sweet Sugarbelle blog!)

Craft

Thanksgiving Pie Garland – Turns out paper pie slices make perfect pennants! #TeamPie

Fall Succulent Planter – Rachel of Maison de Pax planted succulents directly into ceramic pumpkins. Another option would be to place potted succulents inside a real (or ceramic or foam) pumpkin and take them out when you take down the autumn decor.

Pumpkin Pie Friendship Necklaces – StudioDIY shared a tutorial for this making polymer clay pumpkin pie necklaces as part of a Friendsgiving post!