i_hope_that
For many of us, the holidays can be kind of rough. If you're searching for a network of understanding friends, this ultra-nurturing community encourages you to express your heartfelt wishes and offer other members encouragement and acceptance. Not for the terminally snarky or emotionally-challenged, this is a good-spirited place to lend comfort and support.

diygifts
Feeling crafty? If you've got a few last folks on your holiday gift list, this is a great place to seed your creativity and generosity. You'll also discover wonderful DIY tips to decorate your home and entertain guests. Offering a no-frills-no-skills attitude that welcomes the cash-challenged and arts-phobic, you're sure to get ideas and make friends in the process.

cooking_club
A fun and friendly community dedicated to those who love to cook, whether you're a meat-and-potatoes type, an aspiring gourmand, and/or a vegan. In search of a brilliant dish to use up those weekly leftovers? Post your ingredients and you'll be whipping up a feast by dinner. You can also share favorite recipes. For Type A chefs, you can spice up your culinary repertoire with exciting cooking challenges.

stepstomarrow
When granddaughter, Jada, was born with leukemia, a donor-match was located and Jada made a miraculous recovery. In honor of her grandaughter's health, Jeanna has decided to walk across the country (in the dead of winter) to raise awareness and build support for the bone marrow registry (all that's required is a cheek swab). Follow Jeanna's remarkable journey as she travels the United States by foot.

I just got off the phone with Barbara of War Horse Productions!
I am going to be a Lady Rider out there, and they are looking for at least one more (17/18+) female to ride in the shows. It is preferable (but not required) that you have riding experience. They work with Reining trained Draft horses.

They are also looking for about 4 squires, I am pretty sure that it is a paid position (you'll have to confirm with them). They are looking for males and females 16+.

I believe that they also have Horse Rides and will need someone (either a lady rider to do the shows and horse rides) for that. It is a paid position.

If interested, or know of someone who might be, here is the War Horse Productions contact info:

Barbara
whprodfl@aol.com
888.355.6878

PS. War Horse Productions does full contact jousting, and they used to be out at Scarborough many moons ago and are VERY excited about coming back. I squired for them in 2002 & 2003 out at Louisiana Renaissance Faire. GREAT GUYS! This whole thing is bittersweet for me as Bryan Beard & crew from Noble Cause Productions will not be out this season. I will miss them!

taste_buds
Holidays provide a built-in excuse for indulgent entertaining. This all-purpose foodie community covers everything from homemade hangover cures to dinner party menus. Need quick advice? Get five-minute snack suggestions, low-fat ingredient substitutes, and even measurement conversions. Delicious recipes garnished with humorous advice. Yum.

naturesbeauty
Always on the lookout for compelling images, we were delighted to discover this flourishing community of artists who share a love of nature. Honoring the subject with photographs, paintings, sketches, prose, poetry, and other creative works, you'll be simultaneously riveted to your monitor and inspired to run helter skelter towards the nearest wooded dale.