Prepared to Meet the Challenge.
Teamed for Defense.
Dedication and Devotion.
Liberty.
Patriotism.
Security.
Freedom Through Unity.
Appreciation of a Nation.
Power for Peace.
Special Opportunity for Thanks.

To read this list and think of the 1.8 million people currently on active duty, along with over a million in reserve, it’s hard to imagine a day more worthy of celebration. In President Obama’s 2012 proclamation, he calls upon all Americans “to display the flag of the United States at their homes on Armed Forces Day, and I urge citizens to “learn more about military service” by attending and participating in the local observances of the day.
I also encourage Americans to volunteer at organizations that provide support to our troops.”

A Few Interesting Facts About the Armed Forces

• The Department of Defense is the largest employer in the U.S. (more than Exxon, Mobil, Ford, General Motors and GE combined).
• Less than 28% of Americans between the ages of 17-23 are qualified for military service; that’s only about one in four.
• More than 200,000 women are in the active-duty military, including 69 generals and admirals.
• The Navy’s bell-bottom pants were introduced in 1817 so men could roll them above the knee when washing decks, remove them quickly when abandoning ship or washed overboard, and use them as a life preserver by knotting the legs and swinging them overhead to fill the legs with air.
• The Marine Corps motto, “Semper Fidelis” (Always Faithful) was adopted in 1883.
• On an average day, the Coast Guard, among many other things, saves 10 lives, conducts 109 search and rescue missions, and seizes $9.6 million worth of illegal drugs.
• The U.S. Air Force was part of the Army, called the Army Air Corps, until 1946.
• The Air Force’s F-117 fighter uses aerodynamics discovered during research into how bumblebees fly.

Official Songs for Each Military Branch

Test your military knowledge and learn more with this quick quiz:  http://www.theholidayzone.com/veterans/military_trivia.htm.

And visit bluemountain.com for a wonderful collection of patriotic cards, perfect for someone in the service or simply to share your American spirit.

Meet Dave Padrutt,
the multi-talented Senior Audio Producer for Blue Mountain.

Hi Dave…When did you first realize you had artistic abilities or know that you wanted to be a musician and an artist?

I was a little artist from as early as I can remember. I won my first award for a painting when I was in kindergarten, and I think from then on I just considered the arts as being ‘my thing.’ I was very diligent about progressing in the visual arts throughout my school years. In junior high I starting being recognized for achievements in creative writing, and shortly thereafter I taught myself how to play the guitar and started my own band.

What is your current position at bluemountain.com and can you tell us a little about your background as a musician?

I am a Senior Audio Producer for Blue Mountain. I was first introduced to the greeting card industry after college, working as a graphic designer. I was freelancing on the side; composing music for film and producing my own recordings just for fun. Eventually, the music I was producing on the side got to be a big enough deal that people started to take notice. I was able to switch careers from visual artist to musician. I am largely self-taught as a musician and audio engineer/producer. I have learned a great deal along the way having been fortunate enough to work with some remarkably talented individuals in every aspect of music production and performance.

 Could you tell us a little more about your work?

As an audio producer, I am responsible for crafting the recordings that accompany the
art and verse for Blue Mountain eCards. At times, this involves the genesis of pure songwriting. At other times, this may involve my having to learn how to play an instrument that I really don’t know how to play, just to record a part. At other times,
I may have to conduct a string quartet or sing like a cartoon kangaroo with an authentic Australian accent or lead a jazz trio…it all depends on the specific needs of a particular greeting card. My job requirements and even the method by which we work can be random and require a great deal of improvisation at times; and I wouldn’t have
it any other way. I love that I do something that continuously keeps me on my toes.

Which is your favorite ecard you’ve created and what makes it special to you?

I think my favorite is ‘La Birthday’ song. The inspiration behind that card came from my tendency to break into an exaggerated, comedic, French caricature voice at any given moment for no apparent reason. (I’ve been doing it since French class in the 6^th grade.) Arbitrarily, I have retained a lot of the French vocabulary lessons about food, which is why that is a major theme in the card. I was able to offer some lyrics and even some art direction during the production, on top of producing and performing the song. It was just one of many fantastic experiences I have had collaborating with the writers and animators that I am so lucky to work with–and the end result is an absolutely delightful little greeting. Another is the Reggae Birthday Song that we had a great time recording!

Who is the artist or musician that has influenced you most? How do you use that influence in your work?

There are so many great artists and influences out there. This is a difficult question to answer! One of my favorite recording artists has always been Bob Dylan. I’ve always been inspired by his ability to make something brilliant out of very modest building materials. He can conjure up clever, colorful stories with a fairly simple use of vocabulary. He’s written beautiful, effective, poignant songs using very unassuming melodies and arrangements. He’s got that unforgiving, even controversial storyteller’s singing voice that he uses so well to sell it all. Something I should ask myself about every project I work on is: am I really selling this? Is this really going to affect someone? What Would Bob Do?

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

I’ll still be wondering what I’m going to do when I grow up.

What advice would you give an aspiring artist who’s interested in the same career field you’re in?

I have made it to where I am today with a lot of hard work and diligence; but I’ve also made it a point to not take myself too seriously. I think that I have a pretty healthy sense of humor about myself and have tried to keep ‘having fun’ as an important priority in my life. This is important stuff to keep in mind for the professional greeting card musician!

On a final note, Dave, what are some things you like to do when you’re away from work?

I have two incredible sons who keep me more motivated and inspired than anything else in the world. Among other things, we are railroading enthusiasts together. We spend a
lot of time hanging out by train tracks, watching the cars roll by.

I’m also a runner. I love to run and to race, and I commit a great deal of time and energy to it. I believe that the benefits of running, both physical and psychological, are innumerable.

As you can tell from my work that is shown above, I paint and draw quite a bit, too. Sometimes I refurbish old furniture in a fresh and funky way, but that’s usually just
in the summer when it’s warm enough to garbage-pick for canvases!

Finally, I write and record a lot of my own music. I play with a band and we perform live
a handful of times every year – just enough so that I can’t wait for the next show!

Thanks so much, Dave!

We hope you know that your considerable talents are appreciated and enjoyed by
so many!

May is National Barbeque Month, so it’s time to tie on that apron and fire up that grill! Whether it’s hot dogs and hamburgers, a juicy steak, or mouth-watering shish kabobs skewering all of your favorites, here are some tasty recipes and creative ways to add some finger-licking fun to any cookout!

Location, Location, Location!

Potluck / Block Party

Turn your barbeque into a savory smorgasbord! Pick a bright, sunny afternoon, invite friends and neighbors to bring whatever whets their appetite, and swap recipes as you sink your teeth into plenty of great eating. Not to mention, when the party comes to a close, cleanup will be a snap as everyone takes their serving dishes home. Save Mom some kitchen sink time and serve everything on paper plates.

Beach Barbeque / Park It!

Another fun option—barbequing on the beach. Not only is it a relaxing way to enjoy your feast while you take in the cool lake or ocean breezes, but putting out the fire is easy: just add sand!

Don’t forget, many parks come equipped with built-in grills, too—just add charcoal or other kindling. Plus, picnic tables make it easy to spread out all of the goodies. Just be sure to bring plenty of supplies like barbeque sauce brushes, serving forks and tongs.

Great Grilling Recipes

Tantalize your taste buds with some of these lip-smackers that are sure to fire up any cookout:

Shish kabobs: Whether it’s steak, chicken, seafood, or going green on the grill with veggies from the garden, kabobs are always a fun way to make the most of your barbeque! These recipes from the Food Network give you the basic ingredients for different kabobs and are great inspiration for creating your own!

Savory Sides: From grilled corn and baked beans to onion rings and mashed potatoes, nothing beats a tasty side grilled to perfection and these recipes from the National Barbecue Association will make your mouth water just reading about them! Mac-n-cheese is another quick recipe that’s easy to make and serves as the perfect complement to any cookout cuisine.

Save the Smoke: Just because the fire’s gone out doesn’t mean the fun has to end. While the grill is still warm, why not roast some marshmallows to make smores for this tasty dessert recipe from Mr. Food. Looking for a fun and healthy alternative? Another great dessert recipe, from the National Barbecue Association, Grilled chocolate bananas are sure-fire way to satisfy your sweet tooth!

Raiding the Pantry: There are all sorts of fun ways to indulge your grilling appetites, even during the off-season. Miss those seasoned burgers and want to taste the flavor? Stock-pile some of your favorite barbecue sauces or even some cup-a-soups you can mix  into the hamburger patties before cooking on an indoor griller. It’s a great way to add extra flavor to a cookout classic.

Stocking up for Next Season:

For some, it’s Barbecue Season year ’round, but for many, the season ends with the first flurries of snow. But it’s never too early or late to fill up the freezer for next season. Keep an eye out for when your favorites—steaks, chicken, seafood, and other extras—go on sale. Your taste buds will definitely thank you for it!

The bicycle is a simple solution
to some of the world’s most complicated problems.
~Author Unknown

May 13^th marks the beginning of National Bike Week. It’s the time to get outdoors, get some exercise, and trade in gas for something greener! Besides the fun and fellowship of other cyclists, here are a few of the many benefits to getting your bike in gear.

Get Healthy

Bicycling helps reduce the chances of obesity and diabetes, as well as high blood pressure, and improves overall cardio-vascular fitness. It doesn’t take much to help maintain good health, either—only 30 minutes a day of moderate exercise. Not to mention, it can help reduce health care costs in the long term as well.

No matter how slow you go, you are still lapping everyone on the couch.
~Author Unknown

With most children driven to school by bus or car and a lack of exercise in their daily regimen, bicycling is a great way for kids to get fit everyday. Just make sure they have locks and cables to keep their bikes safe.

Go Green

 Auto emissions are the largest contributor to U.S. air pollution, with shorter rides as the main culprit. Help save Mother Earth and go green by biking that route instead. The money you save on gas can really add up nicely for any rainy days ahead.

 Bike Buddies

Nothing beats peddling with a pal! Cycling with a friend has several advantages: You motivate each other, take breaks together, and keep track of your mileage together. Simply put, biking is more fun with a buddy!

 Re-Cycling Moms: Tikes and Bikes

With parents doing housework and childcare duties in a more eco-friendly manner, many are adapting biking set-ups to cover their daily routines with their kids. Child seats for bicycles are a great way to do just that. Don’t forget bike helmets for everyone on board! Visit your local bike shop to find the most comfortable, safe seat and helmet for you and your little ones. You’ll be taking care of your family as well as the environment.

 Bike-to-Work Day

Bike-to-Work Day is Friday, May 17. As motivated employees embark on their bike routes to work, here are a few things they should keep in mind:

• Biking to work improves company morale
• It saves on gas—the Earth and your wallet will thank you!
• It helps foster teamwork
• Employees who bike to work are healthier physically and mentally, more alert, and more productive, and use fewer sick days.
• Bikes are easier to store and can maneuver around traffic. Just stay safe for yourself and those around you!

Be sure to check out the following guide for other awesome biking ideas, too!

 Links:

 Re-Cycling Moms: Tikes and Bikes: http://blog.bikeleague.org/blog/2013/04/women-bike-webinar-getting-more-moms-and-families-on-bikes/

Bike-to-Work Day: http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/bikemonth/

Guide: http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/bikemonth/pdf/national_bike_month_guide.pdf

Clicking on the image above will direct you to the page at bluemountain.com that showcases each organization’s mission and their individual postcard design that you
can send.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 12, is the most special day of the year to celebrate the unique and wonderful women who make an incredible difference in our lives. And while every mom has her own style, wisdom, gifts and legacy, one thing all mothers have in common is a lifelong journey of love. So whether Mother’s Day inspires you to take a walk down memory lane, surround yourself with family, or excitedly anticipate your baby-to-be, here’s a collection of heartfelt and humorous quotes that celebrates the amazing journey of motherhood, even before it begins…

Making the decision to have a child – it is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.  ~Elizabeth Stone

Nobody will ever know the strength of my love for you, after all you’re the only one who knows what my heart sounds like from the inside.                       ~Author Unknown

His little hands stole my heart…and his little feet ran away
with it.  ~Author Unknown

I never knew how much love my heart could hold until someone called me “mommy.”   ~Author Unknown

A mother will sit in the rain to watch her child sit on a bench.            ~Author Unknown

There is an instinct in a woman to love most her own child—and an instinct to make any child who needs her love, her own.  ~Robert Brault

A mom’s love waits up when the rest of the world has turned out the light.  ~Author Unknown

My mother had a great deal of trouble with me, but I think she enjoyed it.   ~Mark Twain

A mother is one to whom you hurry when you are troubled.                   ~Emily Dickinson

Just you feel like you’re all grown up and don’t need your mommy, you get the flu. ~Author Unknown

 The advice my son rejected is now being given by him to my grandson.   ~Author Unknown

What is a Mother?

She’s that special someone who knows how to put love between a little child and a big world…she’s the heart and soul of the family who can mend hurts, warm hearts and understand the gentle power of a smile and a few kind words.

A mother is someone who can juggle a thousand different things at once and yet still have time just for you. She’s the best kind of friend who speaks with the voice of experience but knows when you need to make your own way in the world. And when you go, she is the one who is always  just a step or two behind you, making sure you are safe and happy and well.

Happy Mother’s Day!

A truly special teacher is very wise,
and sees tomorrow in every child’s eyes.

~Author Unknown

Do you remember your favorite teacher from grade school, high school, or even college? Can you give credit to a teacher who influenced you or your child…or one who helped you or your children discover new directions and paths in your lives? If you can, then you know that teachers deserve more recognition and appreciation than they ever receive. After all, teachers help shape the people who shape the world.

Getting Involved

May 7^th is National Teachers Day and it occurs on the Tuesday of Teacher Appreciation week. It’s the perfect time to give back to special teachers in your life. In addition to sending a card or a kind note, you might consider one or more of the following throughout the school year:

• Consider supporting an import classroom project or goal
• Volunteer your time
• Donate to a cause the school or teacher supports
• Participate in or support bake sales and school fundraisers
• If you have kids in school, keep them engaged in their studies
  and their classroom activities
• Attend open houses and teacher-parent conferences
• Help pass school levies. They’re not just good for the schools
  and the teachers, they’re good for the community as well
• Offer to help with classroom basics

Your Support
When you give your support, teachers don’t feel alone in their endeavors to help our children. Nor will they have to personally take on all the burden of paying for children who can’t afford lunch or those who don’t have enough money for a gym suit. Teachers spend nearly $1.5 billion annually of their own money on school supplies, covering the basics so that every child has the same opportunity to learn and grow. Statistically, 91% of teachers buy basic school supplies for their classrooms!

Teachers Are Heroes

Teachers do a heroic job of stimulating kids to think on their own…helping them to achieve a sense of satisfaction in a job well done, and cultivating and nurturing the dreams of the students who will lead us into tomorrow. Children may only be one-third of our population today, but they are one hundred percent of our future. Teachers give these children, and us, a chance to strive for a better tomorrow and a stronger humanity.

A Big Thank You

National Teachers Day is an opportunity for you and  your kids to thank the ones who taught you to love certain subjects, to help you think for yourself, and to become the person you were meant to be. After all, a teacher made it possible for you to read this blog today.  Thanks to teachers everywhere! We honor and appreciate them!