Linkin B'logs: Hoping for Snow this Christmas and More..

12/21/08 - By Nina

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, or at least Christmas '08.  Yes, the lights are out and the music is playing but is it just me or does it feel like its all about money this year?  On one end of the spectrum we have Madoff stealing 50 billion dollars and Madonna set to give her ex somewhere around 76 million dollars and on the other is the never ending news stories about how no one has money for restaurants or cars or Christmas presents.  So, I am making a plea right now to God, Allah, Yahweh, Santa, Ganesh, Buddah, the Chinese government, whoever - please let there be snow.  And I'm not talking about the little dusting we just got, I mean a full on dumping of powder white snow.  I can't remember the last time we had snow for Christmas here in NYC and with all the depressing news we are dealing with this year wouldn't it be an amazing (and free) present to wake up to a snowy Christmas morning?  Hell, even us Jews will have something to celebrate as we head off to the obligatory movie and  Chinese restaurant.  And yeah, I know its supposed to be 47 degrees and sunny on Christmas but miracles can happen. Right? 

And now, from the week in news....

OUR LATEST VIDEOS



12 Days of Warnings.
  Eco Child's Play blogs on the top 12 health warnings for kids from 2008.  It includes much that you probably already know and some surprises too - like did you know that some balsamic vinegars contain lead?

Feeling Broke?  You're not alone, check out this comic in the Times to see how one NYC family is coping with the holidays this year.

Libya's Tuition Check.
Read this Times article to find out which school on the UWS has received over 2 million dollars to their endowment from Colonel Qaddafi and why.

Facebook Obscenity.  Gothamist reports on Facebook who has been removing pics of breast feeding moms from profiles which has spurred the "Hey Facebook Breastfeeding is not Obscene" group which now has over 60,000 members.

Like But-ah.  Making cookies this year instead of expensive gifts?  Be sure to start by reading this article in the Times to find out how to handle your butter, which apparently is the ingredient which causes the most missteps for home-bakers.  Also, if you're on the look out, I got some really nice cookie tins at IKEA.

Happy Holidays without the stamps.
  If you haven't gotten cards out yet (which I haven't, um, ever) I promise that this dancing elf video with your faces will impress the pants off of Nana.  Check out my family and then make one of your own!

As for me, I am actually signing off from linkin' blogs since I am on my way back to school and anticipate being completely overwhelmed.  It's both an exciting and scary prospect, but it feels really good to have made a career-change decision and go forward with it.  Thank you all for reading and commenting and happy holidays!

-Nina