Happy Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Humor, & a secret little recipe.

Secret Recipe

Someone taught me this and it is simplest way to make the boring pumpkin pie a little better.

Ingredients

• normal pumpkin pie ingredients
• Jiffy yellow cake mix (the kind in those tiny little boxes)
• 1/2 stick butter
• slivered almonds, pecans, or nut of choice

Instructions

1. bake the pumpkin pie as normal
2. remove the pie from the oven when done, sprinkle Jiffy yellow cake mix over the entire top of the pie until you can’t see the pumpkin any more
3. melt 1/2 stick butter
4. drizzle butter over the top of the pie to moisten the cake mix
5. put back in oven and cook just a few minutes until golden brown
6. remove and sprinkle slivered almond, pecans, or whatever other nuts you enjoy over the top
7. enjoy

 

So, what are you thankful for?

Post in the comments section below

Etiquette Awareness — Sincerity Counts

Sending holiday greeting cards is a way for us to connect with friends and family or extend a thank you to our business clients and contacts for their support.

Last week I received a card from someone I met at a networking event. Normally I would consider this a very thoughtful gesture, but this person and I really didn’t “meet” and we definitely didn’t share a conversation of any sort. Rather, this individual walked up to me as I was speaking with a colleague, said hello, asked for one of my business cards and then stepped away. That was the sum total of our interaction.

What made this card stand out to me — and not in a good way — was that there was a small, crookedly trimmed piece of paper — a generic, photocopied message — included inside the card, thanking me for my loyalty to the company, along with a few lines telling me about their holiday referral program. Loyalty to their company? I had never had any type of interaction with it, so there was no loyalty … and therefore, it was a bit soon to be talking about referrals!

Businesses, and business people, may send cards because they want to stay in front of their clients; it’s another way to touch base and say “Please don’t forget I’m still around, ready to help you!” But it is also an opportunity to say “Thank You! I appreciate the opportunity to be of service to you and wish you well.” The second reason should always outshine the first. If you are going to send cards, be genuine in your good wishes; anything less is obvious.

I know of a company that is sending out electronic cards this year. They decided to forgo mailing their regular holiday greetings and instead, are donating the money they would normally spend to a local program that helps to feed the homeless and hungry. Due to a challenge grant, this program will be able to have their donated funds matched one and a half times. This small company is going to be feeding 2,600 people!

That is a holiday card I look forward to receiving, as it comes from a company that truly wishes others well this holiday season.

Remember…

Holiday cards do not have to be sent out RIGHT NOW!

While Thanksgiving has already passed us by, keep it in mind for next year … are you thankful for your clients? Your family? Your friends? Start 2010 off right by sending New Year’s wishes … what would you like to see in the coming months? Even Groundhog’s Day … we might be in for a few more weeks of winter, but we know spring is around the corner!

Cards are to tell the recipient “I am thinking of you — I appreciate you — and I wish you the best.” Who says there has to be a specific date on them?

Please feel free to send me any of your

etiquette or customer service questions or stories!

Previous editions of Etiquette Awareness

may now be viewed at my website,

www.jodiblackwood.com

Jodi Blackwood

Business Etiquette & Customer Service Specialist

Speaker & Seminar Leader

“Etiquette is about polishing your approach,

not changing who you are.”

mailto:jodi@jodiblackwood.com

360-798-4912

www.jodiblackwood.com

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Happy Thanksgiving, what I am thankful for, & some Thanksgiving Humor

I am thankful for:

• Matt
• my wonderful family
• friends
• my career
• my clients
• the fact business & the economy is picking up
• our housemate Jen & her dog Mia
• my condo finally being rented!
• good health
• living in the NW
• PABA
• Q Center
• HMBA
• My Subaru
• having a wood stove in our room
• the fact I can upgrade my iPhone to the 3GS tomorrow
• Craigslist (for selling my old iPhone at a profit 🙂
• rain
• snow
• Netflix
• surround sound
• Apple & Steve Jobs

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Etiquette Awareness — They’re Heeere!

Etiquette Awareness

Tips, suggestions and stories…

Things to keep in mind as you interact with others

There is no denying it — the holidays are upon us. For some, it is a difficult, stressful time of year. For others, it is the season they love best, full of cheer and happiness. For many of us, it is a combination of the two.

Perhaps you have a mother — or mother-in-law — that is difficult to please and your table setting never seems to meet with her approval. Or you feel obligated to participate in the office “Secret Santa” gift exchange but you really don’t want to — or can’t afford to — this year. Holiday cards … you want to send them, you have made a list, you might have even purchased them, but will they actually go out? Then there is that wonderfully perfect friend that always has all gifts purchased and wrapped in advance, the house beautifully decorated and the cookies are homemade and ready for delivery while you still have your Halloween pumpkin rotting on the front door step!

Be kind to yourself this season. Show yourself the same courtesy you extend to others through-out the year. Much as you might ask a colleague for help or advice about a business or work related project, ask a friend or family member for the same when it comes to your holiday preparations. If there is no one to take care of the task, ask yourself, in all seriousness, if it really needs to get done?

Positive interactions with others help reduce stress, whether it is a one minute conversation as you order your coffee or a long lunch with a friend. It’s an opportunity to connect with someone else, share a smile, perhaps a laugh, while it makes the time move along and the day seem brighter.

Reminding you of the importance of smiling may seem trivial and superficial but take a look at the expressions of those around you; how many could be improved by smiling? It is a simple thing that can change someone’s attitude instantly.

Remember…

While my focus is primarily on business etiquette, I am also well versed in matters of social etiquette. If I may answer any questions for you or be of any assistance during this hectic but enjoyable time of year, please feel free to contact me.

Have a lovely Thanksgiving!

Please feel free to send me any of your

etiquette or customer service questions or stories!

Previous editions of Etiquette Awareness

may now be viewed at my website,

www.jodiblackwood.com

Jodi Blackwood

Business Etiquette & Customer Service Specialist

Speaker & Seminar Leader

I help individuals and businesses polish their ability to stand out among their competition.

Visit my website to see what I can do for you!

 

 

“Etiquette is about polishing your approach,

not changing who you are.”

mailto:jodi@jodiblackwood.com

360-798-4912

www.jodiblackwood.com

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