'Tis the Season for Girl Scout Cookies!

'Tis the season to buy Girl Scout Cookies! Have you bought your cookies yet? Afraid you may eat them all at once? Do you think Girl Scout Cookies will keep you from sticking to your New Year’s Resolution??? No worries, because we have come up with five ways for you to buy Girl Scout Cookies & Keep your New Year’s Resolution!

5. Cherish your cookies all year long! Freeze them now and eat them later! Don’t eat the seven boxes of cookies you ordered in one sitting while watching TV! Instead eat a few then freeze the rest! You can “Savannah Smile” all year long, because you have Girl Scout Cookies in the freezer!

4. Make a Girl Scout Cookie treat for someone special. Use your extra Girl Scout cookies to make a special treat for a friend, your next door neighbor, or your family member. Check out the Girl Scouts – Diamonds Pinterest to find great recipes using Girl Scout Cookies.

3. Donate the cookies to a daycare or food pantry. Everyone loves Girl Scout Cookies! Order a few extra Girl Scout Cookies and donate them to the local food pantry or a nearby daycare. I’m sure they will “Thank u Berry Much!”

2. Ship cookies to troops overseas. Create care packages for the troops. You can include items they may need like socks, toothbrushes, and most of all Girl Scout Cookies! You could also let them know that their service to our country has “Mint” so much to you by writing letters to our heroes!

1. Have a cookie party! Invite your troop over to have a cookie party! Eat the cookies the old fashion way or put your own spin on the Girl Scout Cookies! Make sure you invite a friend to “Tagalong” because at a party the more the merrier!

Happy New Year!! Happy Cookie Season!

Happy New Year!!! Many of you have already begun working toward your New Year’s resolutions, but with the beginning of a new year also comes the beginning of something else…COOKIE SEASON! The cookie order forms have been distributed, the girls are in cookie selling mode, and it is time to place your orders! Get Ready! Get Set! Buy Cookies!

While some of you are hoping 2014 brings about new and exciting adventures, we have managed to keep all the excitement, adventure, and flavor in the cookies you love. The Tagalongs are still covered with rich, delectable chocolate that melts in your mouth. The Samoas pack a triple punch with the crunch of coconut, the drizzle of chocolate, and the cascading of caramel. Thin Mints provide an explosive amount of freshness with the chocolate and mint duo. And last but certainly not least, the Trefoils always deliver with its sweetness and versatility. Whether you are eating them with a tall glass of milk or putting your own unique twist on these loveable cookies, you can’t go wrong ordering when ordering any of these delicious Girl Scout Cookies.

With a new year, we challenge you to add a twist to your Girl Scout cookies! Order an extra box of Thin Mints and try this PINtersting Mint Brownie Recipe!

Mint Brownies

Ingredients

~ ½ box of crushed Thin Mints Girl Scout Cookies

~ 1 box of brownie mix

~2 eggs (3 eggs for cake-like brownies)

~ ¼ cup of water

~ ½ cup of vegetable oil

Directions: Crush Thin Mints into medium size chunks. Mix all ingredients into mixing bowl. Do not use electric mixer—batter will be stiff. Spread batter evenly in greased baking pan (13x9x2 inch). Bake in center of oven at 350 degrees for 30 t0 35 minutes. Allow to cool before cutting. 

25 Reasons to be a Girl Scout!!!

The Girl Scout season has officially begun! Check out 25 reasons to be a Girl Scout!

25. Girl Scouts builds a great bond with Girl Scout Troop Leaders.

24. Teaches the importance of friendship

23. We value the planet!

22. CAMPING!!!

21. Getting an awesome camp name!

20. S.W.A.P.S (Special Whatchamacallits Affectionately Pinned   Somewhere)

19. Tons of Adventure

18. Giving back to the community through service.

17. Learning how to be responsible

16. Bridging/Investiture/Rededication Ceremonies (A bridging ceremony is the celebration of a girl’s transition from one Girl Scout level to the next. An investiture ceremony welcomes new girls into Girl Scouts. A rededication ceremony is an opportunity for a girl to renew her commitment to the Girl Scout Promise and Law.)

15. Becoming a leader!

14. Camp Fires!

13. Living the Girl Scout Promise and Girl Scout Law each day.

12. Juliette Gordon Low, the founder of Girl Scouts of America. Low’s mission was to  build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.

11. Fun crafts & games

10. Girls can choose whichever pathway of Girl Scouting fits them best.

9. S’MORES

8. Singing great songs!

7. Girl Scout badges

6. Cool Uniforms

5. GIRL SCOUT COOKIES!!!

4. Making new friends

3. There are 3.2 million Girl Scouts!

2. We make the world a better place.

1. Girl Scouts ROCK!!!!

The Girl Scout year is ready to get in gear!!! Sign up to become a Girl Scout, a Troop Leader, or a Volunteer today!!!

A Day of Remembrance

I can remember where I was when it happened…heading to my 6^th grade science class. As we entered the classroom, our teacher state blankly staring at the television in disbelief. Some thought it was a movie others paid no attention. As she silenced us and told us what was happening, we all began to watch in shock, fear, and confusion. Next thing we knew the intercom came on and two students were called to the office to checkout, then another two, then a few more. I remember my teacher trying to comfort us as well as keep her composure. That was a pretty scary day for a 6^th grader.

After September 11, 2001, our country stood together united regardless of religion, race, nationality, status, gender, residence, age, disability, and everything else that makes us diverse. Together, we responded in our country’s time of need. Girl Scouts, other organizations, and people everywhere performed community service, paid tribute through ceremonies, and wrote thank you letters to rescue members. We showed patriotism for our country, support for our troops, and love for our fellow man. America finally stood united as one.

Today on the 12^th anniversary of September 11^TH take a moment of silence, light a candle, or post a Facebook status to remember those who lost their lives and those who sacrificed their life to save others twelve years ago. Today, we are with those grieving over the loss of their family, friends, and loved ones. They will never be forgotten for their courage, strength, and patriotism. 

Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington

Fifty years ago today, history was made on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous “I Have a Dream” speech during the March on Washington. More than 200,000 people marched from the Washington Monument to the Lincoln Memorial on August 28, 1963. People from different backgrounds peacefully marched for racial justice and equality. The March on Washington was vital part of the Civil Rights Movement.

Juliette Gordon Low and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  shared similar dreams. One dreamed of a nation where children of all walks of life could join hands as brothers and sisters, while the other dreamed of girls coming together to make the world a better place and being a sister to one another regardless of race, religion, or background. Dr. King and Juliette Low dreamed of diversity and inclusion for all.

Girl Scouts-Diamonds of Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas take our hats off to the brave people that marched on Washington fifty years ago. We will continue to carry on Dr. King and Juliette Low’s message of making the world a better place for all.

First Day of School!

Summer has flown by and now it is the first day of school for many of you! I’m sure you are all very nervous yet excited to begin this new adventure! For some of you this is your first time going to a new school. You may have butterflies in your stomach, because you are worried about so many things such as if you will like your teacher, if you will make new friends, or if you will enjoy your new school. Don’t worry! Everyone has felt that way on the first day of school. Come tomorrow your butterflies will flutter away along with your worries.

Some of you are ecstatic, because this is the first day of the last day of your senior year. To some it may have come too soon, to others it didn't come soon enough. As quickly as it came, senior year will fly by! You look forward to homecoming, senior night, prom, and most of all graduation. Remember to snap a picture at all of these wonderful events and make a senior scrapbook, so that your memories can last a lifetime.

Just a few words of wisdom on the first day of school…

Elementary school students…elementary school is where you build your foundation. Your foundation is the key to starting a successful academic career, so strive for excellence.

Middle School students…this is the time you discover your likes and dislikes. Middle School is what you choose to make it so try new things, because you will never discover your hidden talents if you don’t try.

High School students…remember to be a leader, because there is always someone younger than you watching, so lead by example. Begin to think about what you would like to do after high school, go to every school event, but most of all enjoy high school!

Back to school, back to Girl Scouting! 

How is your troop getting ready for the fall? Share your stories and ideas with us! 

We are Crazy About S'mores!

A warm ooey-gooey marshmallow cuddled next to a creamy piece of chocolate, sandwiched between two fresh graham crackers, when I think about the sensational combination of a S’more my mouth begins to water! As you take that first bite into the s’mores and the concoction of magnificent sweetness tickle your taste buds, you may begin to wonder who exactly invented S’mores. 

As you continue to dine on your delectable treat your mind begins to wonder. Just where did s’mores get their start? Were s’mores dropped on this planet by aliens? After a long day of hunting did the cave man and his family nibble on this sweet treat? Or did s’mores just appear out of the sky? Actually, no one is quite sure who invented s’mores, but according to the Hershey’s Chocolate website the first s’more recipe was discovered in a 1927 Girl Scouts handbook called, “Tramping and Trailing with the Girl Scouts”. It is said that the name S’mores came about because people would eat one then beg for “some more”.  Check out Hershey’s webpage to see the timeline of the s’more!

 S’mores have evolved over time! From the campfire to the grill, from the grill to the microwave.  Now there are tons of innovative ways to eat s’mores! There are s’more dips, s’more shakes, s’more cookies, and s’more cakes. There is even s’more ice cream!!!

S’mores are so great they have their own song and their own National Day!!! August 10^th is considered National S’mores Day! We are so excited that we are celebrating National S’mores Day early! Join us Thursday, August 8^th at 3:00pm for our National S’Mores Day Open House! 

We will be making crafts, fellowshipping, and of course eating s’mores!!! Although Girl Scouts are considered the creators of s’mores we don’t mind sharing this tasty treat! Everyone is welcome to this event, the “s’more” the merrier! We hope to see you at our National S’mores Day Open House! Don’t worry--we’ll bring the s’mores!!!