My Sunday morning shoot. What a difference a few seconds can make in getting a NEW and completely different capture, right? Most of the time I get REALLY annoyed at telephone poles, because they seem to ruin some otherwise good shots! However I guess I can live with them…once in a while :o)
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Good morning! I haven’t posted anything about my thoughts and feelings regarding the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary until today, because….well honestly, there were just no words to describe them. There STILL are no words, but I wanted to share one little (actually, tiny) thing I did to perhaps brighten the days of the children who will be returning to school in January. You’ve probably all heard of the Snowflake Project for Sandy Hook Elementary, so I quickly made a snowflake garland that I’ll send to Connecticut for their PTA members to put up in the hallways and make it look like a Winter Wonderland. I served as a PTA President for my son’s school a few years ago, and I’m happy to send my very small contribution to them to help with that project.
I’ve seen multiple addresses where we can send our snowflakes. If you are interested in sending some and need an address, you can check on Pink Polka Dot Creation’s blog.
Take care, and Happy Holidays to everyone!
Hi all! So…years and years ago, I attempted to make a holiday cheese ball. They looked easy enough…but it turned out a complete and miserable FAIL! The ball would not hold it’s shape…even after I refrigerated it….therefore it couldn’t be called a cheese ball at all! (Although, I seem to remember it tasting ok). Well, this year I made a NEW attempt! Yeah, I think I did it! I tried a different recipe this time, which I got from a friend, but someday I’ll attempt the old recipe one.more.time.
Try something NEW today!
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It’s snowing!….Still! :o) We’ve had a few days of this white stuff, and I’ve noticed more than a few snowmen in my travels. My wonderful neighbor, a man (I’m guessing in his late 60’s), was out building a snowman on Saturday with his grandchildren. In prior years, I’ve seen him across the street building one all by himself! He’s COOL like that! :o) Then I saw a few really great snowmen ideas on my travels around the internet, so I thought I’d share. How fun are these???
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Try building something NEW with your white stuff today! (If you’re lucky enough to have some) Happy Tuesday!
Hi all! Check out this morning’s sky. I had to drive away from the clouds covering the mountains by my home and toward the west which had a bit of sunshine. I felt like I was literally a ‘light stalker’ which is one of my favorite internet sites (Light Stalking link here). I recently came across Skywatch Friday, so I took this photo specifically to share on that site, as well as my regular photo-sharing sites. It’s nice to get out and shoot something NEW…even though the sky is always there….I, for one, take it pretty much for granted!
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Oh my! I’ve been sitting at this computer FAR TOO LONG! My neck muscles, as well as my right (mouse hand), are sore! I’ve been cropping photos from our recent trip to the caribbean and I may have over-did it with the pics….no, probably not. I thought I’d share this cutie we found in Grand Cayman. Have a good Saturday and try something NEW today!
Hi all! Check out this NEW (to me), really quick and easy sweet treat! Today is our work Christmas party and I’m taking these yummies. I’m kind of nervous, because in the past, when someone would bring rice krispie treats to a get-together, I would hear comments like…‘Rice Krispie treats? Really? Couldn’t you go to at least A LITTLE effort????’ Just kidding! I never heard comments like that….at least out loud :o)
I got the recipe from Stylish Cuisine…yet, as you can tell, I used the mint oreos instead of the regular. Have you tried something NEW today? Happy Friday! Make it a good one!
Good morning! The quote at the bottom of my photo says: “Creativity – like human life itself – begins in darkness”. The font is a little hard to read, but it seemed to work best.
I’ve been busy trying to decide on how I want to decorate some sugar cookies for a project I’m going to be doing soon. I’ll be giving several families a platter of cookies along with the story below. The collage above is a sampling of my options. Originally, the cookie shapes were going to be a star, red ornament, tree, bell, candle, bow, candy cane and wreath. However, all the candles I could find were more like birthday candles…so I’ll have to come up with something more Christmas-like.
Enjoy this Christmas story:
TEACH THE CHILDREN THE TRUE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS
One December night, many years ago, I had just finished decorating for Christmas when I heard a noise at the front of the house. I turned on the porch light and opened the door. To my surprise just as I stepped outside, I saw Santa Claus climbing out of his sleigh. He placed his fingers over his lips, silencing me before I cried out.
“What are you doing…” I started to ask…but the words choked up in my throat as I saw he had tears in his eyes. His usual jolly manner, the eager, boisterous soul we all know, was gone. He composed himself by clearing his throat, then answered me in a whisper. “Help teach the children.”
I was puzzled. What did he mean? He anticipated my question, and with one quick movement brought forth a miniature toy bag from behind the sleigh. As I stood there bewildered, Santa stated again but more firmly, “Teach the children. Teach them the true meaning of Christmas. The meaning that has long been forgotten.”
I invited him in to warm by the fire as I tried to tell him that I wasn’t sure if I knew what he meant… when Santa reached into the toy bag and pulled out a brilliant shiny star.
Teach the children that the star is the heavenly sign of promise,” he said. “God sent a Savior to the world and the star was the sign of that promise being fulfilled. The countless shining stars in the heavens, one star for each person on earth, represents the hope of all mankind.”
Santa gently laid the star on the fireplace mantle and brought from the bag a bright red Christmas tree ornament.
“Teach the children that red is the first color of Christmas. It was first used by the faithful people to remind them of the blood that was shed for all the people by the Savior. Christ gave His life and shed His blood that every man might have God’s gift of Eternal Life. Red is deep, intense, and vivid — the richest color of all, and it is a symbol of the greatest gift from God.”
“Teach the children,” he said as he pulled a small Christmas tree from the bottom of the toy bag. He placed it near the fireplace and gently hung the red decoration on it.
“The deep green branches of this tree is a perfect background for this ornament. This is the second color of Christmas,” he continued. “The pure green color of this evergreen tree remains this color all year round. This represents the everlasting plan for mankind. Green is youthful, hopeful, and the abundant color of nature. The needles on the tree point heavenward — symbols of man’s prayers as they go toward heaven. Trees have been man’s best friends. They have sheltered him, warmed him, and made beauty for him.”
Again, he pulled something from his bag; I heard a soft tinkling sound of a bell.
“Teach the children,” he said, “that as the lost sheep are found by the sound of the bell, it should ring for every person too, that they might find their way back — it means guidance and return. It further signifies that all are precious in the eyes of the Lord.”
As the soft sound of the bell faded, Santa lit a candle and placed it on the mantel. The soft glow from its tiny flame cast a glow about the darkened room. Odd shadowy shapes slowly danced and wove pictures upon the walls.
“Teach the children,” whispered Santa, “that at one time candles were placed on Christmas trees. They glowed brightly against the dark green branches showing man’s appreciation for the star of Bethlehem of long ago. Now, strings of colored lights have taken their place in remembrance of Christ’s birth.”
Santa turned the small Christmas tree lights on and placed a gift under the tree.
He pointed to the bow and said, “A bow is placed on a present to remind us of the spirit of brotherhood of man. We should remember that the bow is tied as all of us should be tied together, with the bonds of good will toward each other. Good will forever is the message of the bow and the gift, a gift of love.”
Santa reached for a candy cane, and held it out towards me.
“Teach the children that the cane represents The Shepherd’s staff. The crook on the staff helps bring back sheep that have strayed away from the fold. The candy cane represents the sweetness of giving not only at Christmas time, but also throughout the entire year. The spiral design is a symbol that we are, our brother’s keepers.”
Santa looked about the room, then again at the tree. His love and great feeling of satisfaction shone from his eyes. He could not help but sense the wonderment and admiration that I felt for him in my heart.
One last time, he reached into his bag and brought forth a large beautiful wreath. As he placed it on the door he spoke gently with love, “Please teach the children that the wreath symbolizes the eternal nature of love: it never ceases, stops, or ends. It is one continuous circle that only grows greater and greater when expressed. The wreath, the circle of love, plays a double role. It is made of many things and has many colors. It reminds us of God’s unconditional love and the true reason for Christmas. Please teach the children.”
(Author Unknown)
DO OR LEARN SOMETHING NEW TODAY!
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