A "Wave of Appreciation" Party

"There is more hunger for love and appreciation in this world, than for bread". Mother Theresa

You’re invited to a #Kindness Twitter Party!

Date: Sunday, January 25

Time: 5 - 7 (Eastern Standard Time) 2-4 (PST), 10-12 (GMT)

Place: http://twitter.com. (I'm at http://twitter.com/phyllismufson)

Everyone is invited.



All you need to do to attend is to share your appreciation.



Read someone’s bio, visit their links, read their Tweets, find something you genuinely appreciate about them, and write about it, and add #kindness to the end of your Tweet.



Do this as many (or many, many, many) times as you like.



Let’s create an unstoppable Twitterwave of appreciation.



Of course you don’t need to be on Twitter to attend. Just take the time to appreciate someone, look at them with appreciative eyes, listen to them carefully, and share what you see with them. Then notice the impact of what you said, on the person you said it to - and on yourself. It’s so simple, and so powerful.

“Remember there's no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.” – Scott Adams

Back Yard Bird Party

Excited by a recent visit of a hawk, I bought a bag of seed to attract more birds to our back yard. Since then it's been bird-party time all day long.

Check out their cute bird behinds and the little one with a beak full of snow (left side, big pot), and the fellow taking a snow-bath. (If you click on the photos they get larger.)
Here they are again, after the sun came out. Bill and I are really enjoying having these birds around. And it reminds me of the positive impact even a little decision can make on your life.


January 31 Update: Now what I've been feeding the birds for a few weeks, they wait for me to arrive and more come by - very cute. Above are some photos Bill took this morning. Enjoy!

These photos are all of sparrows, but we also see finches, mourning doves, and mocking birds. And of course the hawk who started it all. The Red Tailed Hawk sheltered in our yard during a snow storm. Here's a link to that photo - http://personaltreasures.blogspot.com/2009/01/back-yard-hawk.html.

Gifts for Sweethearts that Benefit Charity

Here are gifts from the heart that give twice.



Each of the unique presents featured is handcrafted with care by one of the artists and artisans of Etsy.com and carries a heart warming bonus. All or part of the profits are donated to charity.



These are gifts that are sure to be treasured.

At the "Handmade Help" shop you'll find "Heart of Gold," an original oil painting (13" X 13") as well as a great selection of art from a variety of gifted artists.



Handmade Help (http://handmadehelp.etsy.com) is a collective of artists who are survivors of cancer, or who have loved ones who are effected by or have succumbed to cancer. 100% of the profits from this shop funds cancer research through "Stand Up To Cancer" (http://www.standup2cancer.org/).







At my own shop, "Personal Treasures", you'll find these sweetly romantic gold bows with AAA pearl earrings (also available in silver). This bracelet would look charming with anything from jeans and a tailored white shirt to a cocktail dress.



You'll find a great selection of elegant jewelry at "Personal Treasures" (http://personaltreasures.etsy.com) and more casual jewelry at my "Mufi Jewels" store (http://mufi.etsy.com). 50% of the profits from both stores benefits "Charity Orphanage" in Liberia, West Africa. You can learn more about this project at http://personaltreasures.blogspot.com/2008/12/gem-of-cause-jewelry-benefitting.html.





"Tinker and Po" fingerless gloves are made from repurposed merino, lambswool, angora or cashmere sweaters. Because they are felted, the fabric is soft, warm, sturdy, and will not fray. This pair pictured above was created from light and warm ballet-pink cashmere. These stylish gloves will stretch to fit almost anyone and will keep your Valentine warm while working in a drafty office, while knitting, at the computer, etc.



Ten-percent of your purchase at "Tinker and Po" (http://TinkerAndPo.etsy.com) will be donated to "Autism Speaks", the U.S.A.'s top private funder of Autism research (http://www.autismspeaks.org)





Kari of "Finestra" designs evocative jewelry featuring images from her own photography or from beautiful antique illustrations, like the "Maid in the Moon" pendant above. This image is from a poster for "Herrmann the Great," a magician well-known for his "Maid in the Moon" illusion. The same image can be purchased in a bracelet or earrings set with either Silver or Gold.



Finestra (http://Finestra.etsy.com) donates 20% of all sales to your choice of charities:

CARE: www.care.org

Doctors Without Borders: www.DoctorsWithoutBorders.org

Save the Children: www.SavetheChildren.org

American Red Cross: www.redcross.org

Susan G Komen for the Cure: www.komen.org

National Breast Cancer Foundation: www.nationalbreastcancer.org

The Children's Health Fund: www.childrenshealthfund.org

The Nature Conservancy: www.nature.org

AIDS Research Alliance: www.aidsresearch.org

Want more ideas for Valentines Day, or any other day when you want to celebrate your love.



I frequently write about the grass roots philanthropy of artists and artisans. Just check the table of contents on the right side of the blog. You'll find many more unusual and creative items by browsing the articles listed under "Gifts That Benefit Charity".

Back Yard Hawk

It's a snowy, blowy, cold afternoon and I was curled up, staying cozy in my Center City, Philadelphia living room when I looked out and saw - a hawk! It was not five feet from me, probably sheltering from the wind by coming close to a house.

I called my husband Bill who took this shot. If the branches look
a tad blurred, it's because the photo is taken through a window, in a snow storm.

Here's a link to another hawk he photographed in Rittenhouse Square http://personaltreasures.blogspot.com/2008/01/red-hawk-in-rittenhouse-square.html

And here's some exciting Red Tail Hawk photos Bill found on the web - http://www.komar.org/faq/colorado-red-tailed-hawk/