Facebook Profile Pics: Recipe For Support Or Silliness?

The holiday season for many is a time when the world seems to come together. In front of every store, strangers wave hello's and drop pennies into bright red pots for the Salvation Army. Store clerks send everyone on their way with a cheery Happy Holidays, old friends are remembered, neighbors offered baked treats. There is good cheer and a general feeling of merriness that accompanies the season.

This spirit of togetherness has been felt keenly this weekend as Facebook users responded to a plea to change their profile pictures to those of their favorite characters (even lady Gaga has gotten in on the effort). This for violence against children.

If you ve hopped on this weekends hottest trend of memories and wondered whether your contribution matters, you re not alone. Many other news outlets and online authors have questioned the merits of the effort.

Several reporters have claimed the online campaign may be a hoax, goading children into becoming the friends of online pedophiles because their own profile pics are cartoons. Despite the windstorm of controversy, I happen to think that any issue that brings people together, any campaign that can inspire thousands to overnight take action (even an action as small as changing ones profile picture) is worth our time.

No matter how the Facebook Cartoon Campaign began, I am grateful for it. I m grateful so many people took note of it, showed compassion, took time to remember their own warm memories of childhood, to stand up and say violence against children will not be tolerated.

I m also grateful for the campaign, because it's inspired me this week to be more mindful of my own children. To kiss them a little longer, to squeeze them a little tighter. Because children are precious and they deserve to be safe, loved, and fought for. Especially as we ponder this season of peace.

PEACE ON EARTH COOKIE BUTTONS 1 cup butter, softened 1/3 cup powdered sugar 1/3 cup cornstarch 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour In a medium bowl, beat all ingredients together. Turn dough onto a piece of parchment paper. Cover with a second piece of parchment and roll dough out until 1/4 inch thick, spray lightly with water if dough begins to dry out. Cut into desired shapes using a small cookie cutter. Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes, or until slightly browned. Transfer warm cookies to a cooling rack, frost immediately with icing (below).

ICING 1/2 c. melted butter 1/4 c. heavy whipping cream 1-1 1/2 lb. powdered sugar 1/4 tsp. cinnamon extract In a small bowl, combine all ingredients until a smooth, slightly runny icing is formed. Frost warm cookies with warm frosting. Cool. Indulge. COMMENTS: (0) TAGS: facebook cartoon, facebook cartoon characters, facebook cartoon profile pic, facebook cartoon profile pictures, facebook cartoon profile pictures news