Welcome back, Friday! We're looking forward to a long weekend, and looking back on the things that made our week special...

We're grateful for dreams, and the people who make them realities.

Overcoming odds and obstacles: Homeless girl makes it to the Intel Science Talent Search semifinals.

Yes, there is a right way to nap.

Make your favorite author you new pen pal.

Why can't all veggies be like this? Looks like asparagus, tastes like cake.

Photo: Thinkstock

If you neglect thanking my grandmother for a gift, after a week or so, rest assured the thank you note will be requested. This used to seem bonkers to me until I became a grownup (ah, like so many things!) who sometimes had to occasion to send people presents and then found myself wondering if they ever received them or if I needed to call Lifesize Balloon Animals Ltd and demand my money back.

There's also the little matter of how to properly write a thank-you note. There is the school of thought that the exact gift and its uses ought to be detailed, but I admit that sometimes I feel uncomfortable writing things like, "Thanks for the money!" And of course, there is the phenomena of uber-polite people like my mother-in-law who will actually write you a thank you note for your thank you note. (Where does it end?)

All of which is to say, what is the right way to thank a person? In her interesting piece on The Millions, novelist Henriette Lazaridis Power writes about that most literary of thank yous, the authors' acknowledgements: "Every book comes with a second narrative, that of its creation."

We're feeling very grateful today for this holiday season and the chance to look back on a wonderful year. We're going to take a little break, but we'll see you right back here on January 3. Happy holidays.

We do love traditions: A look at the New Year's Eve celebration over the years.

Got a dilemma? There's a good, old book for that.

Think like a kid: What could you see in a single black spot?

This good guy made it his mission to decorate for those who couldn't do it themselves.

An anonymous donor leaves a diamond ring in a Salvation Army kettle.
(Via Happy News)

Happy Friday! What a perfect time to look count all the things that made our week:What a wonderful, wonderful world.

It's Friday again, and that means it's time for us to write in our gratitude journal. Here are just a few things we're appreciating this week...

When you're tired of cocktail party chatter, break out these 10 quirky, crowd-pleasing tricks.


5 rules for life—in Paris.

We can't believe these are real: nature photos that give your imagination a run for its money.

So many Nutcrackers to choose from! We'll have to watch them all.

It's Friday again, which mean's it's time to write in our gratitude journal! This week, we're thankful for:

Has it been just that kind of a week? The site that brings you endless hugs from all over the world.

The one small thing that makes a difference for 870,000+ Indian girls

As if Oreos could get better: This brownie recipe makes us a little weak in the knees

The secret way to find every Google doodle that's ever been (and who makes them)

A tweet may help save this cancer patient's life. Find out how you can help, too.

We hope you all have a happy Thanksgiving with plenty to be grateful for! We'll see you back here on Monday.

Americans are cutting back a lot these days but they're not cutting back on donations to charity.

For the travel-weary: The best quotes to keep you going (Via USA Today)

Even adorable penguin chicks can blog these days.

A special group reunites soldiers with unlikely friends from the front lines.

Happy Friday! We're looking forward to the gratitude event of the year (also, the turkey event of the year), and looking back on a few things we're thankful for.

An easier way to give: Salvation Army kettles now accept credit cards.

Fragrances you always dreamed about, now possible: A perfume that smells like old, dusty books and more.

Now that's a good boyfriend: When his girlfriend broke her ankle, he found a way to give her one puppy an hour.

Feeling burned out, beaten down, or all-around blah? 33 ways to stay creative. (We like number 21.)

How many do you remember? 11 sounds kids today may never hear (except on YouTube).

Welcome back, Friday. We're so glad to see you, we thought we'd make a list of all the wonderful things we're grateful for this week.

Guaranteed calm: Spending a minute in the quiet place.

Instant karma: Man changes nurse's tire, nurse helps save man's life.

Corduroy lovers rejoice: The biggest corduroy event... well, ever.

In Mexico, angels are on the scene to make the most dangerous places safe again.

On this Veterans Day, we're especially grateful for the men and women who have risked everything to serve our country.