Merry Christmas! And some ramblings...

Well... having a couple of days off will slow things down a bit - at least in the computer world.  I've been crazy busy trying to make sure the house is clean, all the presents are bought and surprise, surprise -- they were all wrapped and under the tree by Friday night!!  Which is a shocker for us...I have had everything bought before, but usually spend the day of Christmas eve wrapping presents.  :(  This year we were babysitting granddaughter...and ended up having a slumber party Friday night.  It was fun...but I'm still not the most hip grandma in town.  We didn't do a whole lot of fun stuff.  It was most exciting the next morning.  We got up, got dressed and had a quick snack before heading to the movies to see Ferdinand!!  It was awesome.  It really was so cute!  One of my granddaughters had already seen it, and didn't mind watching it again, which is usually a good sign.

It was so cute - I can't wait till it comes out on DVD so we can buy it.  It's great. 
Anyway - it was snowing when we came out of the theater, and everything was decorated for Christmas, there was Christmas music playing, and it just felt magical - so very seasonal.  I loved it.  My granddaughters loved it, and it was just one of those moments you treasure.
Then it was time to take two of them home and it was emotional meltdown.  sigh
Got to love kids.
There are many times I'm very thankful that I'm a grandma and can send them home, lol.
Anyway - since it's Sunday and Christmas Eve, I didn't want to miss another day.  I haven't posted much this week because there wasn't much listed on the Brownielinks site to mention, and so I didn't. 
Today is the 24th day of Light the World.  Have you been trying to keep up with it?  Our family has, and it hasn't gone very well.  :(   I've had the effort in my heart, and there have been some days that it's worked more than others...  sigh.  Today is:


Is Christ in your Christmas?  Is He the center or is the gifts and Santa Claus?  I decided a couple of years ago that I didn't want Santa decorations.  I'm not really been anti-santa, but I'm not a proponent either.  We like the movie. Santa Clause, and we have had fun with several other ones. But there was a commentary a couple of weeks ago about the letter written many decades ago called; Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus.  I've wanted to make a comment on that and I think today is the best to do it.

I have nothing against people encouraging their children to believe in Santa.  Our children all used to believe in it - though I don't think we were heavily encouraging in the area.  We do stockings...but they know most of the time it's personal hygene stuff, lol.  Not real exciting.
My autistic son is very adamant about it though.  He loves the idea of santa, and he makes sure that there is a plate of cookies and glass of milk EVERY year.  Even though he's now in his 20's.  We have talked with him and discussed the fact that while the storybook character is based on a real person, it's nothing like what everyone thinks he is now.  It doesn't matter, he likes Santa Claus and wants to believe in him.  We figure he can if he wants, it doesn't hurt anything or any body and it makes him happy.  He still believes in Jesus Christ and has a testimony of His gospel, so what does it matter?
To a 'normal' person, that would be contradictory, but it works for him.
I read an article in the paper that expressed concern of children believing in Santa and then finding out he's not real - wouldn't that reflect on them believing in Jesus because they don't see him?  It's a whole different thing, and on one hand I see a small point, but on the other - there is such a person as Jesus Christ, and He changed the way of our lives the moment he died.

Christmas has changed in the years since I've been a live.  It used to be a fun holiday that we got out for school, had school programs, gave presents to everyone, said Merry Christmas, and talked about the real reason for the day - rarely mentioning santa clause.  He was more the silly side of stuff. I admit that I loved the ads that Coca Cola ran with Santa when I was a kid.
It has since become a heavily commercial holiday that there is more focus on gifts getting than giving and the birth of the Savior.
In some countries, they are not Christian in society, but they celebrate Christmas with Santa Claus. 
I hope that you are able to celebrate the time with family - regardless of what your religious beliefs are, that is something for everyone.  To quote from the movie, the Grinch "No one should be alone on Christmas."  I wish my home was big enough to take everyone in and give them a hot meal and a small token, but I don't.  I try to give what I can...but it doesn't feel like much.
The idea of Santa is lovely in the spirit of Christmas - but the true spirit of Christmas is in the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ.  It's only here and celebrated today because he lived AND died for us.  There are times when I have forgotten that.  If he hadn't given himself as sacrifice, we wouldn't be celebrating his birth.
I hope you have a wonderful holiday and are able to spend it with family.  Whatever your leanings...you are loved, you are a child of God, and the world is a better place because you are in it.

It's Friday! Only one more til...

Christmas weekend.  I can't believe how fast this month has gone.  I have so much to do in the next week.  How about you?  Are you ready to celebrate the birth of our Savior?  Hmm...  Next Friday I'll be getting to watch one of my granddaughters.  We're trying to decide if we want to have a sleepover or not...  It might be too crazy for us...although we did survive 7 kids...

Anyway - a few things to celebrate, if you don't have enough to do, or are bored in any way (righhhhhttt...lol)

Cat Herders Day - this is always a favorite of mine.  I always have to post the video.  You realize that being in a school with a bunch of little kids is very much like herding cats, right?  In some ways I think cats cooperate better, but that's debatable, lol.  I found a different video that's hilarious...  so, you need to watch both.  :)


here's the old commercial...



Free Shipping Day - I think it depends on the company, but this is worth checking out - especially for those last minute shopping items.  Isn't today the last day to ship and get it there by Christmas anyway?? 

International Tea Day - I guess if you're a tea drinker, this is your day.  Personally, I drink herbal tea when I can't have hot chocolate.  Mint tea is awesome, as is chamomile. 

National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day - I don't see the point of this, but I guess every dog has it's day, right?  Or in this case, every sweater.  I guess that holiday sweaters bear the brunt of this, as they apparently are the most offensive...I don't quite get it, I've never had an ugly sweater.  We're supposed to wear them to work next Wednesday, and I have to go out and buy one.  I'm hoping I find something, I've heard some of my co-workers have dandys...
And since our favorite principal happened to have a ugly Christmas Sweater contest, (apparently) and posted his ugly sweaters...I thought I'd share with you.  :)



National Wear Your Pearls Day - This makes me laugh.  Most women don't own pearls today - that was a status symbol of days gone by.  I remember that in the 80's there were beads, and everyone could find the fake stuff, but I didn't know anyone that had real pearls.  I think they're as expensive now as they were then - perhaps more so.  Do you own pearls??  Anyway - it makes me think of the movie Hidden Figures...it's one of our favorite movies, and this is one of our favorite scenes!!  She finally lets the men have it:


and the great follow up to it...



National cupcake day - If you like cupcakes, this is your treat for the day!  I have never been a big fan of cupcakes.  I realize the idea is it makes them easier to eat - but to me they're just messier.  I mean, there's usually a ton more frosting on the tops, and how do you eat them without getting frosting on your face??  You have to eat the bottom and then glob the frosting in your mouth or toss the frosting (which I usually do, waaayyy to much for me, people...) or find a fork.  And if you're going to use a fork, why bother with a cupcake???  Just sayin'....

And to wrap it all up for the day, you need to have a bright note to remind you of what the season is all about...  NOT.  lol  These guys are great singers - not sure I like the name of the group, but what can you say for a university mens choir,.... lol.  Anyway - fun song.
Have a great day and awesome weekend!

baby it's cold outside!

And foggy and icy and wintery...  I love fog though.  I know -- I'm missing a few bolts or need help, lol, but I do.  I also love snow, so there ya go.  Since we still have a little snow on the ground, it's not bad -- though I love how the fog sends little frost flakes and makes everything white.  It makes everything gorgeous in my world...

Have you ever listened to the words of that song, by the way??  When I was a kid, I didn't even really think about it.  LOL  We heard Glenn Beck go on about it a couple of years ago, and now we can't listen to it without hearing the words and just dying.  I was listening to Doug Wright yesterday, and he was asking people what the worst Christmas song is, and someone mentioned that song to them.  He was playing the part where the girl is say, "hey, what's in this drink?" and decided he agreed with the caller..."it's a little creepy."  here's a cute version of it by Michael Buble though... and I like how he mentions sodas instead of drinks.  :)


okay - so on with the rest of the fun stuff.

Chanukah - Well...most of us know it as Hanukka...which is kind of cool.  If you haven't heard the story behind this Jewish celebration, it's wayyyy back in the old testament and involves one of the many desicrations of the temple.  The Maccabees were a righteous family that fought off - I think it was the Greeks this time - and restored the temple.  The priests went in to light the candles, and there was only enough consecrated oil for one day.  Miraculously it burned for eight, and there is the celebration.  It's really kind of cool!  My autistic son feels it's his job to light the candles, but now that he's working at sunset, I guess we either won't be on time with the candles, or one of us is going to have to take on the duty.  I think we need to get some candles too...  oh boy.
Anyway - found this fun video several years ago, by the Maccabeats that is just too much fun to watch.  Enjoy!


Gingerbread House Day - Most of the people I know have already made gingerbread houses, but hey, if you haven't, todays the day!  I think it would be a fun tradition...but getting my grandkids down to my house isn't always easy... lol

National Ding-a-Ling Day - okay, who remembers this song??  I guess that dates me... but it was silly and fun.  I can't believe they have a day to celebrate it.   Here's a video of Chuck Barry singing this song at a university in 1972. 


National Cocoa Day - so - for those of us who LOVE hot cocoa, this day is for us.  You need to make yourself up a cup of the best stuff and sit and watch a Christmas special or something.  Make gingerbread houses...write Christmas cards....read a book...whatever it is you love to do, everything is better with hot cocoa.  :)
I found a recipe for some of the best homemade stuff last year...  I'm sharing it again with all of you:
Well...I thought I remembered which one it was and I can't decide, so, here are two of them.
https://crockpotladies.com/recipe/crockpot-thick-creamy-hot-chocolate/

http://thefrugalgirls.com/2013/10/crockpot-hot-chocolate.html
this one is a little simpler...so if you're into simple, try this one first.  :)

Poinsettia Day - and you probably already know by now that Poinsettia's were found in Mexico and imported to the US.  I heard somewhere that they originally came from Italy, and my sister-in-law gave us a ceramic one from Italy that's gorgeous.  Personally, I think they're okay -- I'm not a huge fan of them, but my hubby gives my mother-in-law one every year for Christmas.  She always tries to see if she can keep it growing all year.  Some years it makes it to May...  ;)

 and last...just to be silly - I don't know how many of you are familiar with the school principal down in Texas that has his own Youtube channel, but he's hilarious.  Half the time I'm just laughing at his accent...but he always has fun mocking everything from teachers to students to parents and all of the above.  This is his car duty grinch one...

Happy Monday

Hopefully you had a great weekend.  Ours was busy and crazy and fun.  I love Christmas parties...and even when people don't attend it can be fun.  :)

We spent most of the day Saturday getting ready for the above mentioned party.  It felt similar to National Lampoons Christmas Vacation, lol.  But, I didn't want to share that clip, so I thought this one would be fun.  Got to love Piano Guys...


Noodle Ring Day - Never heard of this.  You might have heard of Kugel?  This is the noodle variety...made in a ring.  Have you had it?  Here's the story behind it...  I think the savory one sounds good - not sure about a cold noodle desert.  I like my custard regular, lol.   Some of the chicken ones sound good...

Kaleidoscope Day - I guess there is a small debate as to if the Kaleidoscope came from Japan or was invented by Dr. Brewster in Scotland first.  Apparently they appeared at relatively close times.  I'm not sure where the celebration comes from...I can't find any mention of anything other than there are days at creative centers where you can go and create one.  I think they're fun - and I've heard they're called a philosophical toy.  I remember them being a childs toy, but I guess there are all sorts available, and some are pretty fancy.  Did you have one when you were a kid?

Today's suggestion for Light the World is I was a stranger and ye took me in...

There are so many strangers in our lives...that we can show love and compassion to.  I hope you find a way to help others today.

Well...Have a great Monday!  Only 14 days left...

16 Days!!

Till Christmas!!  Can you believe how fast the days are going??  sigh. 

We're having a big party tomorrow, and I just found out last night that my last remaining Uncle is coming!  I'm so excited!  And now we're nervous...  they are, well, kind of wealthy -- and their house is amazing.  Our house is so....not.  My hubby did remind me that they aren't coming with a clipboard and critiquing our home, and he's right.  My Uncle won't even notice the missing trim around the floor, or the walls in the kitchen that need to be repainted or the missing trim in the bathroom...  sigh.  I wish I could forget it!!  lol  makes me think of the movie Mouse Hunt...and our favorite scene...


Anyway - not much to talk about today, but did want to share that it's
Chocolate Brownie Day!!  How could I miss sharing that??  The Nibble also had an awesome recipe they paired with it that I think you ought to try.
https://www.thenibble.com/blog/2012/12/23/recipe-candy-cane-fudge-brownies/

It' looks amazing.  Of course, it also uses ganache, which my daughter loves to make all the time, and we all love.

So...in addition to all that -- it's also the 8th day of Light the World.  It's a day dedicated to being kind to those who have mistreated you, or that you don't like.  It's got to be one of the hardest things to do, but try to think kind thoughts, or do something kind for someone you don't like or haven't gotten along with.  You never know, it might turn things around.
Have a great day!!

Pearl Harbor Day...and other thoughts

Well, it's Thursday, and we're onto the second week of the month... my how time flies when you think it's dragging at the same time.  Funny how that works.  This has been a long week, but now it feels like it's over and I'm wondering what happened???  lol  We had a candy making party last night that ended up not really being much candy, and not a big party, but still fun.  We did lots of pretzel sticks, and my son and daughter-in-law came, which was fun.  They also brought their two dogs, which was kind of crazy, but they contained them, so it was good.  We got fudge made...but no toffee or peanut brittle, so we still have more to make.  Probably tomorrow....

So, there are only a couple of things to mention today, not the least of which is Pearl Harbor day. On this day in 1941, Pearl Harbor was attacked by the Japanese. (just a little clarification in case you have no idea - Please tell me that was a review!! lol)
I was talking to my Dr. yesterday, and he told me that his father was there.  They lived on the Island, in Pearl City, he was 10 years old and watched it happen (his father).  I thought, wow, his dad was young, lol.  My dad fought in that war, so I guess he was a bit older...  :)   Anyway - Important day to remember...I hope that children are being taught about this in school...I know my children have been reminded every year.  We usually watch one of two movies, Tora, Tora, Tora or Pearl Harbor (the first disk, lol).
This is a short video stating the running timeline of the attack I thought would be interesting...
 



National Cotton Candy Day - on a sweeter note - it's cotton candy day!  Do you like the spun sugar treat?  Seems like everyone likes this type of candy.  You can even buy it in bags at the store now, so go by and pick one up.  It's always good to feel like a kid again...it's the time of year for it.

And it's started...

Not only is it December...but the season has started.  :)  and now that we've had snow, that means it's officially the holiday season, right?  Kids are making their lists, reindeer are getting fat...santa's are loading up their bags... stockings are being hung, and hum bug is being said all over... (especially by father's being asked to hang lights outside with frostbitten fingers...)  We get our sons to hang them up at our house...  currently just one son is doing it, and he's found there's an issue with the plug for the lights over our room, and he keeps going out and poking at them with the broom handle.  sigh. 

There's some silly stuff today... so better get to them!

Bathtub Party Day - got to have a bathtub party!!  though, I think if you had a hot tub, that would be far more fun...but ya know...got to roll with what you have.  :)

International Ninja Day - February 2 is the day that Ninja's are celebrated in Japan, but apparently today is when it's internationally done.  I guess everyone thinks they are awesome.  Most teenagers like the turtles...  and I think they're fun to watch.  My son told me about this Youtube guy, that's pretty funny -- I thought I'd share it with you all.


Sachertorte Day -There is apparently a special ingredient to this cake...if you've had it, you could probably taste it.  Apricot jam!  Interesting tidbit of trivia.  😊   In the US, apparently they use Raspberry jam, but that would probably cause a ruckus in Vienna.  this site claims to be the original site...  the pastry chef was one cool cookie.

End to Prohobition - on this day Prohibition was repealed.  I'll bet there was LOTS of celebrating that day...  sigh.  And lots of hangovers the next morning...

Light the World - Day 5!  Honor your parents...so I want to say that I am so thankful for all the parents in my life.  I was blessed to have my natural parents and the ones that ended up being my children's grandparents.  I have also been blessed in my in-laws.  I hope all of you are as fortunate as I am in that you've had someone who loves you strive to guide you throughout your life.  

I was so blessed to have parents who found the gospel of Jesus before I was born, and then cared enough to make sure I had that opportunity in growing up.  Then, when I could have been left to drift in the crazy river of life, I found the Beans...and they took me into their hearts and homes and I've never looked back.  I am truly blessed in my life, and I hope what I have done honors all of them.  I'm trying.


Well...Have a good one! 

It's December!

and there's no snow...but it's coming, right?  I think I would have a hard time living in Australia or below the equator and not having snow for Christmas...but then, they would probably think it was crazy to not be on the beach.  :)

And it's Friday!  boy...we should all be excited.  😊   Although...I got to thinking about my weekends for the rest of the month, and I don't know when I'm going to get anything done, but it should be fun.  😊  And I'll be getting to babysit grandkids and all that stuff...good times...good times. 

Are you busy for the holidays?  Do you do traditional things?  We always drive through the lights...go to the city park...go to the childrens village, and this year I really want to go to Temple Square.  We also make candy and that is my kids favorite.

So...unless you're of the grinchy variety, you should have a fun month!  And if you're of the grinchy mood - sorry, hope we can make you smile about something...

So...onto the fun facts... (silly facts, actually...)

Antartica Day -  I think we should have a North America day, don't you?  I thought the day was all about the 'save the whales and the penguins' and stuff...  But I was wrong.  Apparently, 58 years ago, they signed a treaty that the Antartica was a global thing, and could not be claimed by one nation.  Interesting.  Their site lets you do a virtual balloon release in honor of the day.  It might be fun to do with your kids.

Basketball Day - And I guess in honor of the sport... (Which I don't like since the Jazz lost Carl Malone and Mike Stockton...sob)  I'd like to share one of my favorite shots of the game.  😊   Although...have to say I'm not a huge fan of Michael Jordan, but ya know...


Civil Air Patrol Day - This is kind of cool.  I didn't realize that they'd been around for 76 years.  My father-in-law was in the CAP and flew all over the states and in the pacific.  His only regret was his sons didn't want follow in his footsteps to fly.  Flying was the air he breathed.  He even built his own "quickie" airplane that he flew - once, lol.  This is kind of a fun quick video celebrating the 75th anniversary last year...


Clark Kent's Birthday (Superman) - I didn't realize how many Supermans there had been in movies.  I guess I grew up with some of the old TV versions...and then Christopher Reeves...I didn't think anyone could play the part better than he did.  But I have to say, I think Cavill does a great job.  If not better...  sigh.  Here's a clip of all of them through the years...although I've had it start near the end - you'll have to go to Youtube if you want to watch from the beginning.  :)


Faux Fur Friday - don't hate me...but I love fur.  I don't know a woman who doesn't love it...and it's nice that they created faux fur so we didn't have to kill little animals to get it.  I think if it were back in the pioneer days, we'd be eating those little animals, so it wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing.  Although, makes you wonder what they do with the skins of the cows and steers -- I guess that's where we get leather, right?  Hm...  anyway - faux fur.  Nothing more luxurious feeling than fur.  I got to see a Rex Rabbit farm in Oregon one time.  Have you ever felt their fur??  oh my...  Makes you want to be a rabbit.  I guess you could eat like a rabbit and sympathize with them.  Bugs would agree...  lol

National Pie Day - of course, we all just celebrated pie...how many different kinds did you try for Thanksgiving?  Not get one you wanted?  Well, today would be the day to make it.  If you had mousse left over from yesterday, you could always make a cream pie.  😊  that's always good...

Eat a Red Apple Day - I'm not a big fan of red apples...I like Fuji's or Gala or granny smith.  Which is your favorite??

Anyway - hope you have a great weekend...and enjoy!!

Happy last day of November...and Nano is over!

And time to be starting in on the Christmas season.  I know many of you have started that already...some the day after Thanksgiving, some before then, but we're a little slower at my house.  I've got the boxes brought down from the attic, but haven't put anything out yet. 
I had to restart my phone because it was just not doing a ringtone.  Like probably most of you, I have limited space, so I'm always having to delete stuff.  I tried Zedge for ringtones and wallpaper, but it was wiggin out, so I had to uninstall it.  That made my ring tones even stranger...sigh.
So I restarted my phone so I could get the ring tones working.  Thing is, the new app, MyTinyPhone is making my phone blip out when I'm trying to change the wallpaper now.  UGH!!  Can I say how frustrating stupid cell phones are???
Anyone want to say an AMEN?  lol

Anyway - it's a gorgeous day, and we're looking at a wonderful Christmas Season.  This Sunday is the first presidencies Christmas devotional, I hope you all tune in and watch, it's always a wonderful evening.  Wednesday we're making candy...always good for chaos, and then next Saturday we're having our white elephant party.
So...it's jump in head first to holidays!
I'm not sure I'm ready for it, but you know, don't always have a choice.  I don't know if anyone is coming to the party...so may have lots of food for no one.  :)

 I finished Nano yesterday...ahead of schedule and I was kind of lazy with it this year.  I'm thinking I need to set a higher word count next year...50,000 is getting too easy, lol. 

Anyway - there's only one food item mentioned for today at theNibble...
It's National Mouse Day!  We love Mouse at my house...my hubby was the one who introduced it to me.  I think it's heavenly.  My daughter made a yummy lemon one for Thanksgiving...  We'll have to see what we can make up for today.

So...  hope you have an awesome day!

Almost there...

Hi again! I know...two days in a row, you're probably shocked.  And both short entries!  Hey...that's how I work, sometimes, lol.
So...besides the fact that we are having GORGEOUS weather today, there is only one thing I want to share today...

It's National Gingerbread day!  I figured that's good...it gets a head start on the Christmas season and the whole gingerbread house thing.  Do you do the gingerbread house?  Have you ever made it from scratch?  Well, today would be a good day to try.
Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving! 

And...just because...I have to leave you with studio C...  Hope you're more grateful than Adam is for family and girlfriend, lol

Happy Monday...week of Thanksgiving!

I've been commiserating with teachers all morning...everyone is excited that it's Monday because we only have a 2 day week this week.  I think that's a sad state of affairs...but what can we do about it? I'm trying to be positive, lol.

So, it's a quick entry, as there isn't much to be excited about in the world (other than it's Thanksgiving week, lol)  And so, guess what food day is today?
It's National Peanut Butter Fudge day.  So - you fudge lovers, get your spoons out there and make up a batch to share with everyone.  I'm sure it will go good with the pies on Thanksgiving...
And of course, the day after thanksgiving, which everyone gets excited about - Black Friday.  My eldest daughter used to work for a medical supply company, and there were many there that actually celebrated Black Friday as a real holiday!  I'm serious.  She said that they had to have it off...it was a big deal in several families.  Go figure...

What was really neat, was last night. My youngest daughter participated in an Interfaith Christmas Program that was held at Layton high.  It was so amazing!  They had two well known artists that also participated,  one of which was Dallyn Vail Bayles.  He sang the song from Les Miserables - Bring Him Home, and it was so good.  But it was such a wonderful evening of song, we were so glad we went.  I wanted to tell everyone, next year you should come!  It's the Sunday before Thanksgiving, apparently annually, so it's now going to be our family tradition.
What traditions do you have for this time of year?
Whatever they are, I hope you have someone to share the day with.  Have an excellent day!

It's Wednesday and the weather is fine...

Isn't there a song like that?  Well, there should be!  Although I went to work with this amazing sunrise this morning.

It's amazing how fast the sky changes.  I look out the window there there's a streak of red across the clouds.  I think, man, I've got to take a picture of that.  By the time I get out the whole eastern sky is red...and by the time I get to work, it's clouds.
Crazy.
It always makes me think of that old phrase...red sky at morning, sailors take warning!  Red sky at night, sailors delight.  I'm not a sailor, but it's always there in the back of my mind.  Crazy, huh? 
oh well...
onto the day!!

There are some fun things...but some crazy ones.  I really wonder about people sometimes!!

America Recycles Day - well, I think we used to recycle more than we do.  I remember when I was a teenager and we could take glass bottles back to the store or cans back for 5 cents a can.  It was awesome.  Now you can't (course that was in California...)  and glass?  forget trying to recycle glass.  It should be cheaper to recycle than to make new!!!  puff...puff.  Okay, I'll get off my soapbox now.  Anyone else feel this way?  I have tons of shopping bags in my car because I hate plastic.... okay, I'm calm now.

GIS Day (Geographic Information Systems) - according to wikipedia... (I know...but hey..) strange that they have a day to honor a system of mapping.  Have you heard of this?  I've never really heard of it...but I'm sure it's where GPS comes from.  :)  sometimes I feel very blonde...  lol

 
I Love to Write Day - yeah!!  I get a whole day dedicated to this??  Unfortunately I don't get to spend the whole day writing.  Hopefully I'll get in some tonight...after the seasoning party...did I invite any of you?  I think a couple...  My house, 7pm, try some spice in your life...food, fun...open house, yada yada.   Anyway...writing!!  do some writing!  I'm halfway through Nano...

 

National Bundt (Pan) Day - I love bundt cakes.  they manage to look fancy when they're just a box cake, or made from scratch.  Remember the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding and her mother trying to pronounce it?  I love this movie.  I haven't seen the second one yet...worth my time?   

National Raisin bran day...my daughter loves raisin bran.  I think it's okay...but I like the bunches of oats better.  although, I'm not a big cereal eater anymore...I'd rather have a green shake.  :)

National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day - well, sad that they need a day to do this.  We end up doing it every other weekend or so...just before shopping, lol.  Amazing what you find growing in the back...  UGH.  And tell me why adult kids refuse to eat the last crumb of something and put it back??  So they can claim they didn't eat it all?  sigh.

National Educational Support Professionals Day -  I think this is talking about the support staff, secretaries, or anyone in Education, come to think about it.  We're all professionals, and we all work with education.  Happy day!! 

Rock Your Mocs Day - well, if I had any moccasins, I'd love to wear them.  But, it's not just about that, apparently this was a day created to celebrate native Americans and their culture.  This site has the whole story...  and here I thought it was just a day to have comfy shoes...  silly me.

 

Well, have a good day!  You deserve it.  :)

 

 

Happy Monday!

Hi all!  Hope you had a great weekend.  Let's start the week of right and keep up a smile.  I don't remember if I've shared this already, but there's a sign in one of my school bathrooms that says this:

How to smile -
Place pencil in mouth between teeth.
Do not let lips touch.
How does that feel?
:)

 World Kindness Day -  Everyone should be kind every day, but at least there's one day they are supposed to around the world, right?  Hopefully they are being kind in the middle east with the earthquate...   If you can be kind to just one person today, do you realize you've already made the world a better place?

And World Orphans Day - which I think kind of goes along with the kindness day.  If you help take care of an orphan in someway - donating to a charity that helps them, or sending items to an organization that helps them, you will help them grow up to be happier and more contributing to society.  Good for you!!
 
National Indian Pudding day - this would be a great day for that, with it being a little chilly.  Have you had Indian pudding before?  The Nibble - which is a fun site for food trivia, has a recipe for it and some history of the item.  It's basically a pudding made with cornmeal, and nice on a cold day.

and to send you all off to do good, here's another Alex Boye song for you...  😊

Hello my Friends!

It's Friday!  It's been a crazy week...I don't know where it's gone, other than to say, you know it's NANOWRIMO, right??  so...nuf said, lol.  I'm not doing too bad, at 17,000 words, and it's the 10th...so on track.  :)

I've been counting my blessings this morning...sometimes it just amazes me how very BLESSED I am.  I am reasonably healthy, have an amazing husband who loves me, we have healthy children who currently all have jobs!!  lol.  We have a home that keeps us warm and dry, running water, electricity, food and jobs.  There are many in the world that can't say they have half as much.  There are many in California and Texas right now who can't say that (I'm sooo sorry!!).  It just amazes me that I have so much.  I keep wondering why?  You know how you hear about people that want to know why when they have trials in their lives?  They want to know why they've been 'cursed' or such.
I wonder why I'm so very blessed.  What did I do to deserve it??  I just keep hoping that I can keep deserving it...
So...in order to spread the happiness of the day, you need to dance!!!  there isn't really anything real exciting to comment on in 'national holiday' stuff, so I figured it was Friday.  That's good enough reason. 
So...here are some fun songs to watch and dance to.  If you've read my blog before, you'll recognize ALL of them, lol because I keep posting them.  What can I say?  I like to dance!  :)

This one by Alex Boye - is fun.  He did a new one with the kids at Southern Virginia University.  It's way fun...a cover of Believer by Imagine Dragon...
 
It's not really a dancing song, but it's fun.

Here's one that always gets me movin'


But no dance day is complete without some real movers...
Happy is my theme song, so to speak, lol.


and I think most everyone has heard this one...


and this one always gets my family dancing, lol








This one is a favorite from the movie Three Men and a Little Lady...  the video isn't from the movie, but the song is the end credits.  I love it.


got to have Piano Guys...




And last... (cause we do need to get some work done today...)  a couple of my hubby's favorite songs.






Because you always need a little peanuts in your day.  😊
Have a great day and weekend!

Happy Thursday...

It's November... and Thanksgiving is only 4 weeks away...   which means that Christmas is only 8 weeks away, right??  ARGH.

Okay...I'm calm.  October flew...I can't believe how fast it went.  Hope you had a great Halloween.  We don't get trick or treaters because our road has lots of space between houses, and no one likes to drive their kids up and down.  One granddaughter was Darth Vader of the feminine kind...one was Minnie Mouse again, and grandson was a skunk. 

Well...supposed to be a skunk.  Didn't think it looked much like one, lol.   We watched the World Series.  boy, what a tough one!  Those were two very evenly matched teams.  It just had to go to the 7th game, right?  I was rooting for the Dodgers though...part of the Californian left in me, I guess.

Only a couple of things to share today -

Cookie Monster Birthday: everyone likes to celebrate cookie monsters bday...that means cookies!  And we all love cookies, right? especially sugar cookies from Kneaders...  just saying.  Here is one of our favorite clips from Studio C...


 
National Men Make Dinner Day - and this is always good for exploiting - er ah, celebrating.  My daughter was fortunate in that she married a man who likes to cook.  My hubby is a great cook too, but I think we're going out to dinner tonight, so that's taken care of, lol.  Be sure and text your husband before he gets home, he'll probably pick something up so at least you won't have to cook!!

National Deviled Egg Day -  my son will be thrilled when he hears this.  He loves deviled eggs.  Those are practically his favorite food in the world.  I like them and all, but I can also live without them.  He loves Easter because we always have a plate of deviled eggs.  He is happy when someone brings them for any family gathering.  They almost have to bring a plate just for him because he'll eat all of them if we don't remind him that others are gonna want some...

Well...  have a great day and enjoy the weather - it's gorgeous. 

Back to reality....

Okay - I guess it's my fault.  I took a week with my hubby and we went to Island Park and I painted!!  It was on and off, but for 2 days, I painted!  And it was just the two of us, and we read, played games, went to Yellowstone, and it was wonderful!!  The two trips to Idaho Falls, including Pocatello we could have done without, but ya know, lol.  Had to go to Michaels and buy canvas.  Sigh.
So then we get home (driving through a snow storm most the way, with a head wind and pulling a new little utility trailer - new to us, not NEW, lol) and find the kids have been typical...no one found the list I'd left of things that needed to be done, and while nothing burned and everyone was healthy...house was a mess.  :(
I had a lesson to teach in RS...which was sooo nerve wracking.  I was up till 2 am that morning making sure I had everything ready.  We ended up taking a LONG nap that afternoon.  It was wonderful.
But anyway... get to work yesterday and it was like...why??  Why am I here?  I need to be back in Island Park and painting!  my hubby felt the same way...but reminded me that we'd have to sell everything and be broke, lol.
sigh.
Well...  such is life.
What was so much fun about Yellowstone was the buffalo.  Usually when we go through it's summer and they are still shedding their winter coats.  Now they are gearing up for winter, and they look gorgeous!
 and it was also so neat the day after we got there, it snowed during the night and we went driving through the back way from Mesa Falls and it was such a neat contrast of the fall leaves and the snow and such.

I know, that was so descriptive...  You'd wonder if I was a writer...lol

Well...  Hopefully I'll get back into the swing of things.  I hope to post photos of the paintings soon.  Have a great one!

Happy Friday!!

Happy Friday!!  There are some fun things about today, not the least of which is it's Friday the 13th which some people have heartburn over... I think it's awesome.  It's Friday.  What does it matter what number of the month it is??  I guess if you're the superstitious type...  But anyway, I have been loving the fall!  The leaves are sooo gorgeous this year.   I mean...these are the leaves up in Huntsville this past weekend...

such reds...  sigh.
Anyway - onward ho.  😊

English Language Day - I think it's easier to understand simply because I speak it, I think.  But the English language is crazy.  I think there are more contradictions than anything else...and so many words that mean different things but sound the same...  I do love Weird Al's version though... he's a crack up.

International African Penguin Awareness Day - because everyone should be aware of African Penguins.  I mean, ya know.  More than other penguins...I guess they're more special?  I thought penguins were pretty much all in the endangered end of things...  Did you ever watch the movie Mr Peppers Penguins?  It's kind of fun.  Here's a clip of the actual penguins they used...

International Day for Failure - ok, so if you're all about failure, you've heard of Meet the Robinsons.  Failure is nothing to cry over, except for the frustration that you have to try again...and again...and - well, anyway.  Love this scene in the movie - I'm thinking I should have embroidered a pillow with it for my kids to remember - Keep Moving Forward!!!  

National Family Bowling Day (or Kids Bowl Free Day) - I like bowling, but we never do it anymore.  I'm not sure why, except for perhaps the cost.  It's cheaper to sit home and watch movies together, lol.  Do you like to bowl?  I even took a class in college!  For all that, my hubby is still the best bowler in our family.  He's awesome.  This is one of my favorite bowling scenes...

I tried to get the whole thing with his friend coming in and asking what was with the senior citizens, but you tube doesn't appear to have a good clip.  Enjoy!  This is one of our favorite movies.  😉

National Chess Day - another video for chess...  not quite as dangerous as the Harry Potter version, lol.  Do you like chess?  My kids like to play it... 

Navy Birthday - This should be a big thing, don't you think?  I mean, the navy is the best.  How many women fell for those uniforms in WWII??  At least that's all you see in the movies, lol.  Found a kind of fun video clip celebrating the Naval birthday.  It's been 242 years!!  wow...

Silly Sayings Day - Well, this is a great day.  How many silly sayings did you grow up with?  My hubby's family has lots of them.  "For crying tears in the sink" is one of their favorites.  My mom always told the pouty kids "don't stick that lip out too far or a rooster gonna come sit on it."

What's your favorite silly saying??  Reminds me of silly songs with Larry...from the Veggie Tales videos.  I guess it's not a silly saying, but it's silly!!

World Egg Day - have you ever heard the question, which came first, the chicken or the egg?  Well, I guess this is the day we celebrate the egg.  It's quite the thing, you know.  Lots of protein, yummy, and you can do sooo much with it!!  What's your favorite way to eat one?  I think it's a toss up between scrambled and sunnyside up with the yolk just right...dip the toast in there and yum...  😊

Friday the 13th - So...listening to the radio on the way to work this morning, Glenn Beck was talking about a flight to Helsinki Finland that flew today.  Friday the 13th, at the 1300 hour, and the code name is Hell for Helsinki.  So...if you wanted to be totally crazy, you'd hop on this flight, which is flight 666...and fly to hell on Friday the 13th.  If you were superstitious, wouldn't that just give you hives???  lol

Yorkshire pudding day - not really into yorkshire pudding, but there are loads of people that like it.  Enjoy the meat dripping pudding...  ugh.  :)

And so -thus ends our Friday edition of the silly stuff emails.  Hope you have a great day and an even better weekend.