Have a safe and happy New Year's Eve everyone!!!

The Evidence!

Here's just the quick and dirty of my gang at Christmas! I've covered their eyes to protect MY identity!! Ha! From left to right: Crazy Old Aunt (she's not really old at all, I just like to secretly call her that), her friend (almost practically hidden just over COA's shoulder), SIL, Bro, Mom's back. Next photo: SIL, niece. Last photo: well I've went ahead and labeled that one for you, and it is the only picture of me from the event (that's my brother's foot though)!


I was cleaning out my Mom's kitchen after she went to work today. I have to sneak in there and throw out all of the leftover pie, candy, ice cream, crackers, cake, potatoes, dressing, rolls, gravy, cheesecake, and cookies. Really just about everything except for the turkey, ham, and green beans. You see she is a BRITTLE diabetic. And she wouldn't be quite so BRITTLE if she didn't eat crap all of the time. I would surely find her in a diabetic coma (like I have more than a few times now) if I didn't do this, so please don't think that I am being a meanie! Anywho, back to the program....As I was going through the fridge, I found this bottle...

And let's not forget the back label...

I had heard my Aunt and SIL laughing that they had brought the same wine with them, but never paid much attention to what it was exactly (I was drinking my own concoction, of diet pepsi with a splash of coconut rum). I just couldn't help but laugh out loud when I saw this! We are a Top Rated Class Act Group I tell ya! And maybe you noticed (maybe you didn't) that yes, the bottle is now empty. It was actually not too bad!

The After Shock of Christmas!

Well, another holiday season down! I thought I would inject a little humor into the recall of my family holiday get together. That way I won't seem quite so snarky about the whole thing!

'Twas the Saturday after Christmas, and all through Mom's place

I was dreading the day, it was evident on my face.

The wind was gusting at sixty miles per hour,

I was thinking we'd have to cancel, if we lost all the power;

The noodles were boiling and the spuds they were too,

While visions of flood warnings danced on the tube;

With Mom in the front room, and me in the back,

I told her to call my brother, to keep this day on track,

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.

Away blew the trash can, it was gone like a flash,

It tore through the neighbors patio and landed with a smash.

The dog started barking at a ruckus in the street,

Three family members had arrived, so I ran around to greet,

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

Was my Aunt toting gifts, even though we said "none" this year.

I took my time, I moved nice and slow,

She had brought one of her friends, and my niece was in tow.

More rapid than snails they walked in the door,

I gave a "hello", and went back to my chore;

they said "Merry Christmas, Here is more food"

"What time will your bro be here with the rest of his brood?"

"No one can tell, I prepared this food to be done at four,

So fill up your plates, or I'll chuck it out the door!"

And only twenty minutes late, through the door they did shove,

It had to be a miracle, straight from above!

We sat around and ate, and chatted it up,

Then I brewed up some java, and we all had a cup.

Soon it was time to open the loot,

Everyone had something that was small and quite cute.

We sat and watched the news, that's as exciting as we get,

Then we watched a slide show of Grandma, so we wouldn't forget.

She always loved Christmas, and without her it's not comparable,

When she looks down us now, it's probably unbearable!

Our eyes -- they grew heavy, it was time to end this night,

So I packed up the leftovers, in containers real tight.

"Who wanted this" and "What with that should I do",

"Someone pick up the trash"...and then right on cue;

"This holidays done, Christmas cheer...I just can't",

"I'm leaving right now" said my grumpy old Aunt!

With a quick little hug to each and every one,

Into the night she went, she'd had enough of the fun.

I looked at my brother, he was rolling his eyes,

And I laughed when I saw him, to me this was no surprise!

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,

I knew right away, he wanted to get home to bed;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

Loading the car; then turned with a jerk,

"Sydney get going, the roads could be bad',

And giving a nod, she hugged dear old Dad;

He sprang back to the house, to his wife gave a whistle,

And towards the front door they flew, fast as a missile!

But I heard him exclaim, as he walked through the yard,

"Cass I'll call you tomorrow, Cheryl get in the car!"

Oh well...

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas! I spent the day making spaghetti, eating chocolate, and watching a "Rocky" marathon on TV! My small dysfunctional group gathers Saturday at the stroke of 1600. So far, it looks like it's going to be Christmas business as usual! My Mother became suddenly ill today, until I had her entire house scrubbed from top to bottom, and had the dog bathed. All of sudden she felt well enough to eat a huge plate of "garbage nachos" complete with jalapenos, and a quick trip to the store for about 4 dozen cookies. Now, I'm no fool... I invented this in middle school! My parents actually thought I had some kind of serious stomach problem, because I was always "sick" until the dishes were done after dinner. Oh well.

Then there was my brother. The conversation went a little something like this:

Brother: My shoulder hurts.
Me: Yep, you should have come over yesterday to let me sling it for you. You've hurt your rotator cuff.
Brother: I have it wrapped with a wire.
Me: What time is your Doctors appointment?
Brother: It feels better today.
Me: You're talking $25, and maybe an hour of your time....go to the doctor.
Brother: It costs me $1,000 every time I go to the Doctor and I have good insurance.
Me: Well, you should look into that, it doesn't sound right to me...go to the doctor.
Brother: Aren't we doing something at Mom's tomorrow?
Me: Yes, what time will you be there?
Brother: I'll talk to Mrs. Brother, I'll call you tomorrow.

Most people have a standard "goodbye" or "talk to ya later" or "take care" valediction. Not my brother! Whether he is on the phone or in person, his standard valediction is "I'll call you tomorrow". He Never Calls Tomorrow! Oh well.

Then it was on to my Aunt. Her truck was parked on the street outside of Mom's house. I called her because I was worried that someone would not see it and run into the back of it due to the fog. She asked if I could run it out to her house, and then she would drive me home. Sure thing. On the ride back, our conversation went a little something like this:

Aunt: How's your Mom feeling.
Cassie: She doesn't feel well today.
Aunt: We don't have to do this tomorrow.
Cassie: Fine with me, Mom's the only one it matters to anyway.
Aunt: I hate Christmas, and I want nothing to do with it.
Cassie: I don't know why we drag out the Christmas Torture every year.
Aunt: Don't expect much from me, I went to a couple...I just don't....See ya tomorrow.
Cassie: See ya tomorrow.

This is pretty normal. My Aunt must hold the world record for the fastest "getting in the Christmas Spirit and then zooming back out of it"! She called on Christmas morning and was putting up her tree, and having our traditional Christmas Eve hors d'oeuvre's (that we had when Grandma hosted Christmas). Today...Bam...Scrooge! Oh well.

Then there are the supporting characters in the whole drama. My sister in law...she's pretty much the only "normal" one of the bunch (and by normal I mean she is like me...ha-ha) with a slight problem of asking me about my brother's ex-wife nonstop. And my nieces...who probably won't show up since we made it perfectly clear at Thanksgiving that we weren't doing a big gift exchange this year. Oh well. It's the way we do Christmas, and 24 hours from now, it will be DONE!

On to the job interview! I went for the second one today, and I have to admit....it was weird just like the first one. My first and second interview were with two different people, and neither of them asked me a single question! They did however both make the standard statements "you don't have children" and "you're not married", and waited for me to acknowledge that. They both talked the whole time, while I tried to squeeze in bits of information about myself and how my experience could be beneficial in this position. It's just the strangest thing! She told me at the end of the interview that they would either be calling me back the first week in January to schedule a third interview (WHAT!), or they would call me with their decision. She told me that I was near the top of the list due to my customer service experience. So waiting....again.....Oh well!

Angel Friend!

The challenge over at Cinema Saturday this week was to create art (card, scrapbook page, or altered art) using the movie "It's A Wonderful Life" as the inspiration. It can be inspired by anything from the movie (theme, title, characters, movie jacket, etc). I just could not bring myself to do another Christmas card, I think I'm done with that theme for just a while! I chose to use the relationship between George Bailey and Clarence the Angel. I also used the colors from the movie jacket. It's pretty simple because I had to kind of hurry to get this in for the week! Thanks for having a look, and I hope that everyone is having a wonderful Holiday!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas is full of shiny things

That sparkle, gleam and glow;
These holiday pleasures dazzle us,
And yet, deep down, we know... That Christmas has its special gifts,
But our year-round joy depends
On the cherished people in our lives,
Our family and our friends.
by Joanna Fuchs

A Different Christmas Poem
author unkown
The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight..
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.

The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the
sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.

Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child..

"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts...

To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.

No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at ' Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.

I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.

I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat..
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."

"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."

Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."


Please remember our troops of past and present in you Holiday Blessings.

Grinch....Who Me?

I am quite upset with myself that I didn't order this in time to wear during my families Christmas dinner day! Next year it is ON! And when I get it, I'm going to Be-Dazzle it! My family isn't having our Christmas get together until the Saturday after Christmas! (insert sarcasm here) Oh happy, joy, joy! So, like Thanksgiving day, I will have Christmas day all to myself again! I called to see if the community dinner that is held, needs any volunteer drivers (to pick people up that don't have a ride) and they have enough. Can you believe it? "Sorry, we can't accept your offer to help out, we have enough volunteers already". Whaaaaat....can you ever have enough volunteers? Oh well, I tried!



Now, on to other bloggy things! Be sure and check out my post on giveaways! I have updated it ALOT over the last few days. You can't win, if you don't play! I always feel kind of weird signing up for giveaways if I am new to a blog. But besides being so completely kind and generous, isn't it kind of a bloggers way to make new friends, and attract new readers? What do you guys think?

I have been a complete slug today. I have not gotten one single productive thing done! I am off now to do up some dishes, and start supper. There is a movie on at 6pm that I was really excited about seeing, and I can't for the life of me remember what it is! Oh well, it's gonna be good I bet! I'm sure it is a Christmas movie. And I'll leave you with this last little moment from my day. I was out on the porch waiting for the dog to get down to business. I took these pictures of the door. It was all frosted over, but there was one thing that stood out! It looks like the shape of a bell! Now, I'm not someone who sees images in their oatmeal or anything, but you judge for yourself! I had been leaning against the door, which I'm sure caused the frost to melt.


So, am I seeing things? I hope that everyones weekend went very well! Have a good week!

Just A Few Fun Christmas Things

The Legend of Robin Redbreast

From 'A Christmas Stocking' by Louise Betts Egan

On that first Christmas, it is said, the night was wrapped in a bitter chill. The small fire in the stable was nearly out, and the Mother Mary worried that her baby would be cold. she turned to the animals about her and asked them for help.

"Could you blow on the embers," she asked the ox, "so the fire might continue to keep my son warm?"

But the ox lay sound asleep on the stable floor and did not hear her. Next, Mary asked the donkey to breathe life back into the fire, but the sleeping donkey did not hear Mary either. Nor did the horse or sheep. She wondered what to do.

Suddenly, Mary heard a fluttering of little wings. Looking up, she saw a plain, brown-coloured little robin fly into the stall. This robin had heard Mary calling to the animals and had come to help her himself. he went over to the dying fire and flapped his wings hard.

His wings were like little bellows, huffing and puffing air onto the embers, until they glowed bright red again. He continued to fan the fire, singing all the while, until the ashes began to kindle.

With his beak, the robin picked up some fresh, dry sticks and tossed them into the fire. As he did, a flame suddenly burst forth and burned the little bird's breast a bright red. But the robin simply continued to fan the fire until it crackled brightly and warmed the entire stable. The Baby Jesus slept happily.

Mary thanked and praised the robin for all he had done. She looked tenderly at his red breast, burned by the flame, and said "From now on, let your red breast be a blessed reminder of your noble deed."

And to this day, the robin's red breast covers his humble heart.

Here is a pretty awesome holiday tune. I like this kind of music when I'm preparing Christmas dinner.

And if I ever wanted to be a dog, I think I would want to be this one!

Oh Christmas Tree...

Some of you may remember that my camera quit working on Thanksgiving. Well.....it's fixed! For now! Who fixed it you ask...me! I fixed it the same way that I fix my computer, VCR, DVD player, toaster, printer....I remove all of the screws, jiggle any parts that I can get my fingers on, blow REALLY hard on it, put it back together, then put it back together again (using all of the bits and pieces that were originally on it), and hit the reset button if there is one! It works occasionally, and it did this time!

So, over at Tip Junkie they are having a Christmas Tree Contest. Now, I did not put up a tree this year. There you have it. I did however sneak my tree over to Mom's and put it up while she was at work. She has a very small house, and her artificial tree is absolutely gigantic! I have an artificial pencil tree, so I plopped it up onto her end table so that it wouldn't take up any floor space. I dug and dug in the basement until I found a couple of boxes of her decorations, and used them on it. So here it is. Next year I will most likely do my regular decorations!

The tree with camera flash and without camera flash. The Angel on top is WAY too big for my skinny little tree, but Mom always wants an Angel, so I used hers.

Her nurse ornaments that I used (she's a nurse).

This is her old world Santa.

This is her Scherenschnitte Angel that she made many years ago. When she moved to California I stored it for her. She didn't want it to get ruined. I had never gotten around to giving it back to her (oops!) when she moved back. I snuck it back into her house, and thank goodness I didn't destroy it while I had it all of those years! It took her 2 days to find it!

This is one of my favorite Christmas decorations. Since I wasn't doing much in the decorating department, I brought it over to Mom's.

I hope that everyones week is going great! It is icy and cold here! I'm hoping for a thaw out this weekend.

The Hits Keep On Coming!

Still being overjoyed that I won a fantastic pink bag today, I got some more good news. I went on a job interview last week, and it seemed to go very well. The ladies in the office were all laughing...chatting with each other...listening to Christmas music...they had snacks and coffee all over the place...everyone had jeans on; My kind of place to work! The woman that interviewed me was so nice, cheery, and seemed to really love working there. She told me that only 3 people had applied for the position, and they would be doing second interviews. I left there feeling pretty darn good about the whole thing! I mean, if only three people responded surely I was bound to get a second interview (especially since she TOLD me about it). I mean the only way I wouldn't is if I was a total nut job! Right? Then for a whole week....nothing....CRICKETS from the phone!

I was debating whether or not I should call them back today and ask if the position had been filled, when I got THE call! They called me and scheduled a second interview!! I mean, they didn't offer me a job or anything, but it's a heck of a lot closer than I have gotten in a VERY long time! Especially in this economy! It's not in the field that I have worked in for the last 20 years, so that concerns me a little. I have not one drop of experience directly related to this field, but it seems interesting, fun, and they actually give you a paycheck! Awwww, to have a paycheck again! My interview isn't until the 23rd, so I'll have to sweat it out until then. I am seriously ready to get started like YESTERDAY though!

Keep your fingers crossed for me!

My Morning Routine - Interrupted (yeah)!

My morning started out just like any other. First, I woke up freezing and realized that I am probably getting sick with the Grand Master of all colds. This is normal this time of year for me, I am ALWAYS sick for Christmas! It usually creeps up on me slowly, then is full force by about 2-3 days before Christmas. By the time we are eating leftovers from the "Big" dinner, I'm coming back around, so I can't complain too much.

I hopped out of bed, and put my usual 3 layers of warm clothes on. Made Coffee and stood there holding my cup waiting for enough to drip through so I could pour a respectable amount. I watched the news for a half hour, then went and turned the computer on and made my bed while it was coming to life.

I logged in to my email (I like to see first thing in the morning if any of you lovelies have left me a comment over night), and I started sifting through it (yeah Dot left a comment, that means she might have a new post!). WRENCH! Pennies In My Pocket? "I follow Melodies blog, but I don't think I subscribed to an email newsletter thingy" (that's what I said to myself). Well, let me tell you....... I WON her Land's End Giveaway! Out the door went the rest of the morning routine. I of course emailed her straight away, went to her blog to comment my great BIG Thank YOU! Ran back over here to my blog to leave a post about my HAPPY HAPPY news. Updated my Giveaway post, ran and told the dog he would have to wait just a few minutes to go outside, ran and got more coffee, ran back in here to finish this post.......

We had our choice of 1 of 3 prizes. A lovely sweater, some shoes, or a duffel bag (on wheels). I chose the duffel bag (in PINK). I have always looked at pink luggage in the stores, and always walk away empty handed. I figure it is a luxury item since I already have a perfectly intact carry on (in a manly ugly hunter green and black color), and will wait until I have a "looser" budget to get a pink piece of luggage. So, here is the bag! I can't wait to get it!


You should go check out Melodie's blog if you haven't already. I'm a new follower there, but it looks like a nice blog to find some good deals, coupons, and quite a few giveaways!

I hope that everyone is having a wonderful week. Thank you for stopping by!

Cinema Saturday: Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone

The challenge this week over at Cinema Saturday is to create a card using Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone as the inspiration. I am still in need of a few more Christmas cards, so I decided to transfigure Harry into a snowman. I drew inspiration from the things he learned straight away once he arrived at Hogwarts. He is dressed in his Gryffindor colors of red and gold, which he was very happy to be a part of, and considered other members of his house as friends and some as family. He is holding his flying broom, which he had quite a talent at using. Due to his talent, he became the youngest Seeker ever at Hogwart's. I made the snowflakes out of gold foil to symbolize the Golden Snitch, but they just didn't scan properly. And finally, I threw in the green corners to represent the Slytherin House, which Harry did NOT want to have any part of!

Thank you for looking at my card this week. If you haven't checked out Cinema Saturday, head on over there! It really is a lot of fun, and they give you a picture clue on Friday as to what the movie will be!

Tag You're It - Aqua & Brown

The challenge over at Tag You're It this week is to create a tag using the colors Aqua and Brown. I made my tag(s) for my niece's goodie gift bag that I am putting together for them. We learned a few years ago, it is best to give them practically the same things for Christmas presents. It just seems to work better that way! I made a tag for each of them, and while I was at it, I made them coordinating cards also. I had sort of a difficult time figuring out which of my papers was truly Aqua! The blueish ones looked to blue, and the greenish ones too green!

Here is the card that I made to coordinate with the tags. I made two of them.

They scanned kind of bright! They really are a bit more muted than this. I am going to add some glitter maybe to cheer them up a bit! Also, I will add a feathery aqua ribbon to the tags, to hang them from.

Thank you for looking, have a great weekend everyone!

A Place for Recipes and a Giveaway!

I was catching up over at For The Love of Chocolate blog, and saw this giveaway that I wanted to make sure that you all saw. Go to Cookerati, and sign up to win a microwave and some Bertolli pasta sauce! They have a lot of entries, but hey it's worth a shot! I hope someone that I know (well you know, someone that is familiar) wins it!! The contest ends this Sunday and it looks like they will be having more in the near future. It looks like a pretty good site for recipes and such. Good luck everyone!

My Favorite "D" Things

There is a game roaming around Blogland and I thought I would hop on board! Cassandra over at Momma Needs A Time Out got the letter "W" from Jeannie. Cassandra made a list of some of her favorite things that start with that letter. So I asked Cassandra for a letter, and she gave me the letter "D". Here are some of my favorite things that start with "D"!

1. Diamonds - they are a girls best friend!

2. Down comforter-I love my super fluffy, warm blankie!

3. Dark chocolate-milk chocolate, white chocolate, any chocolate...

4. Diet Pepsi-I am trying to cut down on this.

5. Decaf coffee-I drink coffee all night, right up until bedtime. Thank goodness for Decaf!

6. Dawn dish detergent-with bleach alternative, in Fresh Rapids scent! You really must try this! It smells SOOooo good, I clean my sink about 4 times a day!

7. Dolce & Gabbana-light blue perfume. I have a tiny little bit left that I am saving! Saving for what you ask....hmmm....maybe I should just wear it now!

8. Dippity Do-hair gel. Okay like, maybe not since, like the 80's, but OMG! Like these are so hard to come up with! And like, they made it with glitter in it!

9. Dances With Wolves-one of my favorite movies. I sob uncontrollably cry like a baby at the end, when Wind In His Hair is on the cliff yelling down to Dances With Wolves; "can you see that you will always be my friend?" I got a tear in my eye just typing that!

10. Darby Conley-who writes the comic "Get Fuzzy", it makes me laugh....here's one now (you can click on it to make it bigger)!

So that's the game! If you would like a letter so that you can play also, just leave me a comment and let me know! Thanks Cassandra, that was fun!

I really need to get caught up on the lovely things that I have received in the mail! I have been so very fortunate to have won some wonderful giveaways, and I wanted to give some shout outs and Thank You's!

I received My little elf shoe from Melissa over at Honey Girl Studios today! She also sent me a cute Christmas Tag that she made along with it! Thank you Melissa!

On Monday, I received the Progresso Gift Basket in the mail, that Mandy over at Gourmet Mom On The Go had in her giveaway. It is awesome, I love it!

And, Jeannie over at Jeannie's Happy World, hosted a giveaway for some lovely coin pearl earrings, and I was the lucky duck whose name that Bella drew!

Thank you all so much! I wish that I cold post pictures of me with all of this great stuff, but I haven't scooped up my camera and taken it to the doctor yet!

Don't forget to check out my post about various giveaways. I've made a few updates to it in the last couple of days. I'm trying to post any giveaways that I sign up for. I'll try very, very hard to keep it up to date with the ones that I know about!

The weekend is practically here!

Tuesday Challenge

The Tuesday challenge over at Created By Hand this week, is to create art using the "tree trio" template that was provided. I made a Christmas card to attach to a gift bag. While I was at it, I also made a coordinating card for another gift bag.

The "NOEL" shows up better in person (it's gold). I couldn't get it to scan any better though.

I can't figure out what to put on the paper strip on this Santa card though. It already has a sentiment. Any suggestions? It's just going to my brother, so he probably won't even look at it, but it bugs me!!!

Cinema Saturday Challenge: Sound Of Music

The movie theme for the challenge this week over at Cinema Saturday is "The Sound Of Music". I was excited about this one, as it is my favorite musical of all time! I remember the first time that I saw it as a little girl, and I had (have) such a crush on Captain Von Trapp! Years later in High School Choir, we did the play for our Spring Operetta. I played a nun!

"Edelweiss" is my favorite song from the movie. I collect musical snow globes and wanted one that played this song. I searched for years, and to my surprise, had a difficult time finding one. Finally I found a company that let you choose the music for your globe, and they had "Edelweiss". In my opinion, it is not the prettiest of my snow globes, but it is my favorite.


This is my favorite scene from the movie. To see the video of this scene go to the bottom of this post. Much to his children's surprise, Captain Von Trapp sings them this song after he hears them singing "The Sound Of Music" to his guests and thanks Maria for bringing music back into their home. Maria looks on, and at the end of the song their eyes meet! Aw, so romantic! I used Liesl's dress as my color inspiration, and did my own version of the flower, Edelweiss. The top of the torn paper on my card, is supposed to represent the mountains that the Edelweiss flower grows on.

The card came out blurry on the scanner. I think because the button on the flower sticks out from the card so much. As I've said before, my camera went to the Happy Hunting Grounds on Thanksgiving. I now have it laying in little pieces all over the kitchen table, and cannot figure out how to put it back together! I think I will have to take it to the doctor. Thank you for looking, and don't forget to watch this video. Unfortunately whoever created it, cut off the part at the end when their eyes meet-grrrrr!

Giveaways

A few bloggy shout outs! I've started a link thingy-ma-bob over on my sidebar, listing some of the giveaways that are taking place. My goal is to keep it up to date! We'll see how that goes! I will probably be editing this post as I add to the list

Over at Kath's Blog, there is a Birthday Celebration going on! Yep, Kath has been blogging for one year now, and it is her Blogs Birthday! Go over to join the celebration...and there is a prize up for grabs! It closes on March 10th!

Head on over to SITS for another great giveaway! These ladies come up with THE best prizes! And they feature some pretty great blogs as well! Up for grabs is some fantastic bed linens, winner will be announced March 1.

Do you just love Aprons? Well, head on over to Mama's Losin' It, because she has another giveaway going on! This is week FOUR of her Apron Giveaway Extravaganza!

Head on over to SITS and enter to win a Keurig Platinum Brewing System! If you are a coffee, tea or hot chocolate lover...you don't want to miss out on this one!

Pennies In My Pocket hosts a number of giveaways. Head over there and check them out!

Tag You're It Challenge & Betrayal!

Over at Tag You're It, the challenge this week is to create a tag that is in the shape of a triangle. Naturally, I took the Christmas tree route. However, I made it last night around 3am so it's more of a "Christmas Tree Jacked Up On Irish Coffee"! I just kept adding, and adding stuff to it! (Keep reading for the betrayal portion of this program!)


While I have your undivided attention, I would like to point out a very serious matter to you. I think the people at M&M's are trying to pull one over on us. You may have heard all of the hub-bub about their fancy- schmancy new flavors, and designer treats they have been making recently. WELL, peanut M&M's are taking a hit I believe. I have sampled 3 different bags of these chocolate jewels (by that I mean I've eaten ALL of each bag), and think that they are making the candy coating THICKER so that they can use less CHOCOLATE and save themselves some money. This is an OUTRAGE! I like chocolate peanuts, but only in M&M form. The ones that are strictly a peanut with chocolate around them, 1) have very little chocolate and 2) the chocolate is waxy! Why must M&M's MESS with my HEAD!?

I thought that you should be aware of this. I think it was subliminally my inspiration for this tag, it kind of reminds me of Christmas M&M's.

A Christmas Poem, and Christmas Cards

I haven't had a creative bone in my body for quite sometime, until recently! I am addicted to card making now (and toast, but that's a different story)! I'm still a WAY beginner, and my digital camera is still craptastically broken! This first card is neon green and pink, so I think that's why it scanned like poo (it has some kind of funky dark streak down the middle that I couldn't get rid of after the scan)! The second one here, I will either keep for myself, or make another one just like it, because I just love the way it turned out! Below the cards is another wonderful Christmas poem with a "true meaning of the spirit of the holiday" message.

SANTA'S SECRET WISH

On Christmas Eve, a young boy with light in his eyes,
Looked deep into Santa's, to Santa's surprise,
And said as he nestled on Santa's broad knee,
"I want your secret, tell it to me."

He leaned up & whispered in Santa's good ear,
"How do you do it, year after year?"
"I want to know how, as you travel about,
Giving gifts here & there, you never run out.

How is it, dear Santa, that in your pack of toys,
You have plenty for all of the world's girls & boys?
Stays so full, never empties as you make your way
From rooftop to rooftop, to homes large & small,

From nation to nation, reaching them all?
And Santa smiled kindly & said to the boy,
"Don't ask me hard questions.
Don't you want a toy?"

But the child shook his head, and Santa could see
That he needed the answer. "Now listen to me,"
He told the small boy with the light in his eyes,
"My secret will make you sadder and wise.

"The truth is that my sack is magic. Inside
It holds millions of toys for my Christmas Eve ride.
But although I do visit each girl and each boy
I don't always leave them a gaily wrapped toy.

Some homes are hungry, some homes are sad.
Some homes are desperate, some homes are bad.
Some homes are broken, and children there grieve.
Those homes I visit, but what should I leave?

"My sleigh is filled with the happiest stuff,
But for homes where despair lives, toys aren't enough.
So I tiptoe in, kiss each girl and boy,
And pray with them that they'll be given the joy

Of the spirit of Christmas, the spirit that lives
In the heart of the dear child who gets not, but gives.
If only God hears me and answers my prayer,
When I visit next year, what I will find there

Are homes filled with peace, and with giving, and love
And boys and girls gifted with light from above.
It's a very hard task, my smart little brother,
To give toys to some, and to give prayers to others.

But the prayers are the best gifts, the best gifts indeed,
For God has a way of meeting each need.
"That's part of the answer. The rest, my dear youth,
Is that my sack is magic, And that is the truth.

In my sack I carry on Christmas Eve day
More love than a Santa could e'er give away.
The sack never empties of love, or of joys
'Cause inside it are prayers, and hopes. Not just toys.

The more that I give, the fuller it seems,
Because giving is my way of fulfilling dreams.
"And do you know something? You've got a sack, too.
It's as magic as mine, and it's inside of you.

It never gets empty, it's full from the start.
It's the centre of lights, and of love. It's your heart.
And if on this Christmas you want to help me,
Don't be so concerned with your gifts 'neath your tree.

Open that sack, call your heart, and share
Your joy, your friendship, your wealth, your care."
The light in the small boy's eyes was glowing.
"Thanks for the secret. I've got to be going."

"Wait, little boy," said Santa "don't go.
Will you share? Will you help? Will you use what you know?"
And just for a moment the small boy stood still,
Touched his heart with his small hand and whispered, "I will."

Author Unknown

Tip Junkie Christmas Card Contest

Tip Junkie is hosting a Christmas Card Contest, and some wonderful prizes as well! Today is the deadline, so I'm hoping that this is getting submitted in time! Some of you know that I made my first card (ever) a few days ago, and now I have the card-making bug! Here is the one that I am entering in the Tip Junkie contest. My camera is still under the weather, so I had to scan it. The colors are mostly true, but the ribbon is quite shinier than it shows here. I mostly used (okay, well entirely) scraps from my huge scrap bin! I've vowed to not purchase any more supplies until I use some of it up!

What Does Your Santa Look Like?

What a fun day yesterday was at SITS! Thank you to all of the ladies that visited and left comments on my blog! Also, thank you to the lovely ladies that worked long and hard to provide us such a fun day full of prizes and new friends.

This poem (the one way down below this long story..sorry) is long, but please read it (I'm begging here)! It is one of my absolute favorites. I think I have always liked it because I was caught off guard one night by my best friends young children. I was babysitting so her and her husband could go out for their wedding anniversary. The kids and I were sitting at the dinner table, and their son looked up at me and said (just as innocent as can be), "where do babies come from?" His little sister just stopped chewing and looked up at me...waiting...wondering! I didn't know what to say! This was the very first year I had ever agreed to babysit even (they were both wiping their own tushies, that's when I will babysit!). I told them that Mommies and Daddies like to tell this story themselves. When they got home, they could ask them. Whew! It worked...they went right back to eating!

A few hours later, the kids heard the car pull up outside. They both ran to the backdoor and just stood there...waiting...wondering. I was going to warn my unsuspecting friends, but there was no time! The moment they walked in the door, their son looked at them and asked "where do babies come from?" Without a blink of her eye, my friend started to answer him. I thought...Wow...they must have been waiting for this...they are prepared! She said calmly "Babies come from Goodwill, and you had better get your butts to bed, or we'll go shopping tomorrow!" Their son said "okay, 'night!" What?! Crap!! I could have pulled that off. Then my friend and her husband went on to tell me how they saw a UFO on the way home. So in honor of all children who may one day ask me why Santa doesn't look like them, or why some children don't get presents, I will always keep this poem in the back of my mind, and vow to answer a difficult question myself!

Can Santa Be Black?

It happened in the kindergarten class,
Right at the table where they were having snack.
Joanie asked the question and they all sat back:
"Mr. Slater? Can Santa Claus be black?"

Poor Mr. Slater didn't know what to say,
Christmas vacation was twenty days away.
There were snowflakes to cut and
Window wreaths to be hung,
Christmas cards to be painted,
And Christmas songs to be sung.

He hadn't time to think
What Christmas was about,
In twenty more days,
School would be out!
Why couldn't they wait
And ask their questions then,
When mommies and daddies
Were home to answer them?
"Mr. Slater? Can Santa be thin?
Is Santa Claus always a him?"

Mr. Slater looked at twenty pairs of eyes,
Twenty children of every shape and size.
He ate a bit of cracker and finished his drink.
"Children," he said,
"I'll need some time to think."
As soon as class was over,
He ran down the hall,
Skidded 'round a corner,
Crashed into a wall.
Ran up the steps to the second floor,
Rapped on the window of the Principal's door.

"Ms. Frazer, Ms. Frazer, what can I do?
The children asked these questions
That now I ask of you:

Can Santa Claus be black?
Can Santa Claus be thin?
Does Santa always have to be a him?"

"Mr. Slater, it's a difficult task
To find answers to the questions you ask.
I think with these I'll need some assistance,
But I'll get you the answers with a little persistence."

Ms. Frazer turned in her swivel chair,
Picked up the phone and dialed Mr. Dare.
Mr. Dare was the head of the P.T.A.,
He called for a meeting the very next day.

"Thank you for coming,"
He began with a greeting.
"I'd like to get right to the point of this meeting.
Mr. Slater, in charge of the kindergarten class,
Needs the answers to some questions
And he needs them fast."

"Can Santa be black?
Can Santa be thin?
Does Santa always have to be a him?"

The parents didn't know what to say,
Christmas vacation was nineteen days away.
There were cookies to bake and lights to string,
Gifts to wrap and carols to sing.

They hadn't time to think
What Christmas was about,
In nineteen more days
School would be out!
Why did children have to ask questions when
Parents had no time to sit and answer them?

"Well, Parents?
Are there any suggestions?
Do we have any answers
To these difficult questions?"

"Who knows best
What Christmas is about?
Let's ask Santa!"
Someone called out in a shout.

The secretary of the P.T.A.
Sent a letter to Santa the very next day.
The reply came back very, very fast,
Addressed to Mr. Slater
And the kindergarten class.

Dear Mr. Slater, Dear Girls, Dear Boys,
Once a story writer caught me bringing you toys.
The year he spied me opening my sack,
My skin was white, my boots were black.
You probably know how that story goes . . .
I laid a finger aside my nose?
All these years, needlessly,
That story worries children who don't have a chimney.
All year long I listen to the news,
Read people's thoughts, see people's views.
At the end of the year, when I see what's needed most,
I take that shape, like a Christmas ghost.
I can pass through keyholes, windows and locks,
Apartment buildings, hospitals, tents, and trailer lots.

One year I used a wheelchair in place of my sleigh,
Once I was blind and had to feel my way.
It's hard to understand when I don't leave a toy:
You can't unwrap a gift like hope or health or joy.
My skin has been black, white, yellow, red, brown;
My eyes have been slanted, crossed, and round.
Sometimes I have been a she:
All these things are a part of me.
You may not believe all this is true,
But that's okay, boys and girls, because . . .
I believe in you. ---

Copyright © B.J. Wrights

Cinema Saturday Creative Challenge: Miracle On 34th Street

I found a blog last week, that is new to me. It is Cinema Saturday Creative Challenge. Every Saturday they post a new movie to use as inspiration for a card challenge. This weeks movie is Miracle On 34th Street. I just adore that movie, and have wanted to make a card for some time now! This is the FIRST CARD I have EVER made! Well, the first one that is not made with finger paints and a child's imagination anyway!

My favorite scene in the movie is when Susan witnesses Kris speaking to the Dutch girl in her native tongue and sings a song with her about "SinterKlaas". This is the moment that Susan begins to remove doubt that Kris is the real Santa Claus. That was my inspiration for my card. My digital camera died a slow, painless death on Thanksgiving, so I had to scan the card. Thank you for taking a peek, I'm thrilled that I finished it in time to enter the challenge!

Merry SITSmas To All!

Today is the first annual Merry SITSmas over at The Secret is in the Sauce. Wishing all of my SITSta's happy holidays, and best wishes now, and throughout the New Year!

Santa's Christmas Eve Prayer

The sleigh was all packed,
The reindeer were fed,
But Santa still knelt
By the side of the bed.

"Dear Father," he prayed,
"Be with me tonight,
There's much work to do,
And my schedule is tight."

"I must jump in my sleigh
And streak through the sky,
Knowing full well
That a reindeer can't fly."

"I will visit each household,
Before the first light,
I'll cover the world,
And all in one night."

"With sleigh bells a-ringing,
I'll land on each roof,
Amid the soft clatter
Of each little hoof."

"To get in the house
Is the difficult part,
So I'll slide down the chimney
Of each child's heart."

"My sack will hold toys
To grant all their wishes,
The supply will be endless,
Like the loaves and the fishes."

"I will fill all the stockings
And not leave a track,
I'll eat every cookie
That is left for my snack."

"I can do all these things Lord,
Only through You,
I just need your blessing,
Then it's easy to do."

"All this is to honor
The birth of the One,
That was sent to redeem us ...
Your most Holy Son."

"So to all of my friends,
Least Your glory I rob,
Please Lord, remind them
Who gave me this job."

~ Warren D. Jennings ~

To keep the blog-hopping rolling along, visit Lu from Avery Tales!

A Snowy Tag Challenge

Over at Tag You're It, this weeks challenge was to create a tag with a snowy theme. It didn't scan very clear (probably because it is NEON pink!), and it just wouldn't cooperate when I tried to edit the little goober. To see everyone else's tags go here and check out the comments.

A Few Of My Favorite Things

Over at Thrifty Decor Chick there is a gathering of gals, talking about "A Few Of Their Favorite Things", so here are a few of mine right now!

My favorite chocolate candy are these addictive little things, and the bag is so pretty! The dark chocolate ones are also very good with coffee!
This is my favorite Christmas photo ever! Like all single 30 somethings, I spent all of my money on clothes and going out with my friends. I frequently stopped by my Mom's house to "go grocery shopping" as she would say (Toilet paper was always on my "to get from Moms" list)! I got off of work at 5:30 am Christmas morning, and let myself into her house, and hung this GIGANTIC stocking up with my Normal size stocking! I ran home to change into my favorite Christmas hat and PJ's and went back over for coffee and present opening. When I went downstairs, there was my practical joke (that I was playing on HER), stuffed full of TOILET PAPER rolls!


This is my favorite performer right now. I just love his voice!
And the final one for now...My first cup of coffee in the morning, is my favorite cup of the day! Head over to Thrifty Decor Chick to read the favorites of other fellow bloggers!