The three punched pieces are from a design by Lori Brechlin of Notforgotten Farm (click here for Lori’s blog). I found the wee, bitty wreath on Amazon (click here). It’s billed as a 10″ wreath, but that is a real stretch. The opening in the center is just 2″ across, and when I fanned the wreath out as much as I could without damaging it, I was able to get it to measure 7″ across. Perfect for this particular application, I think.
I spent some time earlier this month putting up some wintry decorations, like the above boxwood wreath… and Randy’s stocking which was made for him by a babysitter, long ago.
The fish tank, too, is looking festive with three glass ornaments. 1 Fish, 2 Fish also have a little nativity scene to get them in the spirit. Over here, by the fireplace I hung two white wool stockings along with a garland of handmade paper ornaments and antique tin cutters.
Because of all the claws and curiosity that reside in our abode, we don’t have a large Christmas tree. However, we do have two small feather trees that perch high above the floor, out of reach of paws and claws.
I can’t say I blame him. Given the choice between a muscle relaxing massage or hours of cleaning and decorating, there’s no question which I’d choose.
Lilly knows a good spot when she finds one, and this blanket happens to be one of the heated variety…. smart girl! Wouldn’t it be nice if I could have a turn?
Since Lilly is basking in warm comfort, I will turn my attention to ‘Twas the Night Before… and see how we’re coming along.
“So far, so good” I say to myself, keeping my fingers crossed. I like the way the Valdani M1001 embraces Santa and his reindeer without over or under-whelming them.
Robin’s design included these little circles, which brought snowballs to mind, so when I punched them I used a level 3 on my Cameo for some fun puffs.
Soon, it will be time to shift my weavers cloth, something I’d really like to put off for a while, if not avoid altogether, so…
I think I’ll play hooky and work on another little design of Robin’s, “Frosty Folk” (Bird in the Hand Primitives). Perhaps, by the time I finish the Frosty trio, Lilly will be done with the blanket and I can take a nap (probably the healthiest form of avoidance out there)!
While Lilly enjoys a sunny spot on a pile of my early rugs, I get to work on ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.
I’ll begin with the reindeer because they know what color they want to be. As I’m punching them I’ll consider the rest of my color palette. I turn to Lilly to ask her valuable opinion…
…evidently, I’m on my own. I wish I knew how the feline species manages to sleep so peacefully ~ clean living?
Since Lilly is sleeping off her sun bath and Otis and Ellis are off transacting important business, I turn to google for color inspiration. I did a search for ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas illustrations and found this:
So, a little while later, I’m almost finished with the main bits and am ready to start on the background.
Valdani has so many pretty blues, it’s going to be difficult to narrow my choices down to just one! However, after deliberating for a time, I decide to try M 1001, a soft combination of pale blue and ecru which, I think, ages beautifully.
Before I sign off for today, I want to share a very special gift I received from my friend Cheree. It arrived on a day when I was feeling a bit less than top-notch and it, along with Cheree’s kind note brightened my skies considerably…
The Christmas Quiet Book, written by Deborah Underwood and illustrated by Renata Liwska, is a simple delight! I’ve read it and read it and read it, ever since it arrived, and it never palls. Thank you, Cheree for you kind thoughtfulness, and for a holiday gift I will treasure!
Steve Braunias lists some potential understudies for Duncan Garner, should he ever leave a chair open at Story.
Regan whatever his name is over at Throng has spoken and it behoves us all to listen and that. He believes that TV3 must get rid of Duncan Garner as co-host of Story. “It’s time,” he announced last week, “for him to go.”
“You heard what the man said,” security guards are about to tell Garner, probably. “Get the fuck out.”
His absence will leave a big space. Garner takes up a lot of room. How best to fill it? Who should TV3 hire as his replacement? Throng suggested Paul Henry, which raises another question. Who’s he?
A panel of experts assembled to discuss the issue. I put on the kettle, and took notes. In the end we settled on the four most likely candidates to succeed Garner, hit it off with co-host Heather du Plessis-Allan, lift Story above Seven Sharp in the ratings, and restore peace in the Middle East.
Who better than Heather’s irascible hub? Good old Sopes! His broadcasts haven’t made a lick of sense since c1993, but half the fun of having him co-host Story would be trying to work out what the hell he was talking about. The other half would be watching the happy couple bring the spark and joy of their marriage to the small screen. You couldn’t fault their chemistry. It’d bring back memories of the last newsreading couple on New Zealand TV – Simon and Alison. They were so great together. Sad what happened. But Barry and Heather are in love, and viewers could watch them grow old together. They just wouldn’t have to wait that long for Sopes.
Who better than weird Al? As the head judge on MasterChef NZ, he’s already part of the TV3 family, so he knows his way around the place and would feel right at home next to Heather. He wouldn’t have to talk – he’s never once said anything remotely memorable or sane on TV. He could just sit there in one of his caps, and make something to eat. Chop cabbage. Butter bread. Create a cabbage sandwich. The possibilities are endless.
Who better than John Key’s press agent? Rachel could arrange to bring the PM in every night. He’d talk to her about a wide range of issues such as his preferred flag, and his golf swing. Their chemistry would electrify the nation. Their banter would be totally LOL. They’d laugh, and joke, and gossip, and there really wouldn’t be any need or use for news, or weather, or Heather.
Who better than JC? It’d be trainwreck television – the whole nation would tune in to watch him crash and burn. TV3 hounded him out, and were glad to see the back of him. Imagine what it’d be like if he returned to share his old 7pm stamping ground with Heather. The shame and humiliation would be intense. He’d grin. He’d bear it for approx 30 seconds. Then he’d pull down his pants, squat on the desk, and –
W.A.S.P. were designed to shock, their whole image was such that it was going to cause controversy. The buzz saw blades and the blood and songs Like ‘Animal (F__k Like a Beast)’ were certainly going to get a reaction from organisations from the PMRC. I am not a big fan of the video’s but the music was fantastic. The debut album W.A.S.P. was one of the heaviest albums I had heard at the time.
Blackie Lawless had a huge influence on the scene at the time, he carried off that great tradition of charismatic bass guitarists who were also front men. Guys like Gene Simmons, Lemmy, Geddy Lee, Phil Lynott and Tom Araya all managed to give their bands a distinctive vocal sound while holding up the bottom end of the band. Blackie had one of the best metal voices around and the band were massively popular at the time. They have gone off the rails a bit in recent times but to my mind nothing will undo the brilliant albums made in the late 80’s.
This second floor End Unit Condominium located along the Rotonda River has a eastward facing balcony overlooking the pool and canal for your morning coffee and evening breezes. This two bedroom, two bathroom condo is perfect for your winter get away in Rotonda, or a great new home for you! It has a nice open floor plan a with eat at bar, dining area and living room. and a lanai for entertaining. The pool is for this condominium building only. It has an is east facing pool by the canal side and has of plenty ... Read more....»
www.Mywegmansconnect.com: In this article, we have updated complete information about how to access the Wegmans Employee account. Wegmans employee can access their work schedules, pay stubs, and much more information.
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It provides all the required information to worker merely find it irresistible is supplied by the use of the human resource department and it is all online just a click away. This portal no longer perfect provides information to a team of employees directly. However, it releases further load from the HR department.
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This is all about www.Mywegmansconnect.com @ Wegmans Login/Registration. Hope the information is useful to access your account. In the above section, we have mentioned clearly that how to login to your account and also how to reset your account details. Stay connected to our website for more updates.
Roeckl gloves are worn (and loved!) by riders everywhere. With their amazing stretch and extreme comfort, the Roeckl Grip Lite glove is the perfect option for summer and warm weather riding.
Welcome to the page for all things SOS mix! What is SOS mix? Well, it is the miracle kitchen, meal and budget friend that stands for “Soup or Sauce” mix. This universal mix can be used hundreds, if not thousands of ways from creating creamed soups from home, to replacing your can of “cream of whatever” in all of your recipes. Plus you can create several different sauces, and other frugal, yet yummy creations with this mix!
You make the dry mix, store it in your pantry and use it when you need it. You can store it for a very long time. Then when you are ready to use it, just prepare it for your recipe or soup and it doesn’t take much more time than opening a can of creamed soup or sauces.
In addition, our family personally thinks that the flavor is much richer than any other canned creamed soups and it is fat-free too!
How this page works is that the first recipe is the base for the SOS mix and then you will find a number of recipes as the month goes on to show how to use this mix quickly and easily in a number of ways. But as a note, you can use it any recipe calling for a can of creamed soups. So we will share many ideas, but there are literally thousands when you think of it that way 🙂
Thank you so much for this great idea. I tried the cream of celery for lunch, and we ate it all up. Good stuff!!!!!
Chuckling at the typo in the second paragraph—-store it in your panty??? Of course, we know what you meant to type. Pantry sounds like a much better place to store things! LOL
Oh my! This post is a couple of years old and no one has said anything until now 🙂 LOL! I am changing it now! Thanks Jolene!
The recipes look great using the SOS mix, however I don’t see the link for the recipe for SOS. Can you please help me find it? Thanks, Kari Anne
I just made homemade stroganoff with the SOS mix. I sauted mushrooms, onions and garlic. Cooked the mix withthe required ingredients and water. Although, I didn’t have fresh celery on hand, so I did use 3/4 of can cream of celery and about a 1/2 cup of sour cream. All over cooked egg noodles. I have to say it beat Hamburger Helper by far. Less sodium (and I need to watch that) and such a creamy flavor. Love, Love it and I will make it again!!! Thank you for the recipe for SOS mix!!!
Have you ever made your SOS mix into Tomato soup? If so, would you share your recipe and instructions?
Yes! Creamy tomato soup! So amazing. Let me find my recipe and I will post it! I am out of town right now, so when I return home, I will find it!
A new spin on a classic item. Our pack of four ‘stress’ building blocks are just the ticket for making learning fun.
They are also brilliant for dividing groups, allocating presentation order and for encouraging creativity. A fun trainers essential.
Darius Rucker posted this hilarious video of two little girls trying to get Amazon's Alexa to play some of his old hits -- and fail.
As cute as this is, I think most of us parents are glad they can't always figure her out... Or we'd end up with daily Amazon deliveries of popsicles! 😂
A request issued to the ASX revealed that “in accordance with Listing Rule 17.1, Fairfax Media Limited [ASX: FXJ] requests that its securities be placed into an immediate trading halt pending an announcement in relation to the Domain Group.”
Re-interpreted, it seems that Fairfax Media plans to 'spin off' Domain as a separately listed entity on the Australian Securities Exchange with the publishing company entering into a trading halt.
According to The Australian Financial Review, Fairfax declined to comment but sources said there was a view among key Fairfax decision makers that "the time was right" to enact the long-speculated spin off plans. Media industry consolidation is firmly on the radar for 2017 regardless of whether there is a change in ownership laws.
The AFR said analysts expect Domain to be worth about $2 billion as a separately listed entity, having grown to earn about $130 million a year for the publishing company.
Fairfax could report $139 million in earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation for the six-months to December 31, with Domain accounting for almost half or $65 million.
Fairfax chief executive Greg Hywood will reportedly front the market with his company's half-year numbers this week.
The AFR suggested that Fairfax would retain between 60-70 per cent ownership of the separate company and Domain's current chief executive Antony Catalano would continue to run the company.
According to the ABC, reports suggest a separation could be completed by the end of the calendar year, with the standalone real estate firm valued around as much, or more, than its parent's total market capitalisation of $2 billion.
Fairfax has asked for a trading halt until Thursday, or when it makes an announcement to the market, whichever occurs first.
With the company due to report its first-half profits tomorrow morning, it is widely expected the announcement about Domain's future will be made then.
“The mourning that takes place on a weekly or daily basis that does not receive the same recognition as its traditional counterpart.” -TUM
Mourning, such an intense term. Often used to describe the process of letting go of the deceased, mourning brings about visions of sadness and dispair. During these periods of mourning, the community comes together to show love and support of the individuals left by their late loved one. The ceremonies and rituals around such events create an atmosphere which welcomes deep emotional healing, allowing one to move on in the best way possible.
Everyday mourning, a term in which I, well, just made up, is just as it sounds. The mourning that takes place on a weekly or daily basis that does not receive the same recognition as its traditional counterpart. This type of mourning can be felt numerous times throughout our days, weeks, months and years.
When we create attachments to things, relationships and best yet, parts of ourselves, an opportunity for everyday mourning arises. Our lives are constantly in flux. Our insides continuously shift this way and that, creating changes that can be uncomfortable if not recognized. I believe a certain amount of attachment is healthy and instinctual, keeping families together during rough patches, relationships to succeed in temporary turmoil and friendships to last centuries.
With that said, I believe the attachments we form to our belief systems of “who we are” are the least healthy of the lot. These belief systems encompass anything that we feel defines us. When in fact, what we do, what we eat and even how we act is not who we are.
When such attachments are formed, and our inner selves shift, strain is put on our mind and body. We are not able to flow with our natural rhythms as the fear associated with loosing a part of oneself takes hold. When the courage is worked up to shift with it, every day mourning takes place. A time of deep reflection and sadness. Mourning a piece of yourself, or life, that is no longer. Questions such as “Who am I now?” may arise. The answer … you’re still you.
There’s a lot happening in Proviso Township, especially during the Thanksgiving holiday. Here’s just a small sampling of events for you and your family:
Lauren Meffen is a speech language pathologist with a passion for working with voice and swallow disorders.
She has remained local to Gainesville after receiving her schooling with Bachelors and Masters degrees from the University of Florida. Lauren has worked in a variety of settings including hospital, skilled nursing, home health and has now found her heart belongs in the outpatient setting. Here she can provide a high level of individualized and quality care for each patient and family.
Ward Design Group was tasked with designing a whimsical and bright logo that would be eye catching and comforting to Lauren's patients. We built Lauren a flat, single page site, that is anything but basic. Her site functions as a marketing tool and a learning resource for her patients and their families.
Alexandra Davies, trading as the word nurse, provides quality editing and proofreading services from Perth, Australia.
Alexandra is a natural wordsmith and error finder. That is a bit of a pain for her friends and family but just what the doctor ordered for your writing.
She is a member of the Society of Editors Western Australia, which is a member of the national Institute of Professional Editors Limited (IPEd). In 2014 and 2015 Alexandra represented Western Australia on an IPEd working party.
Alexandra has over ten years of experience writing and editing freelance and for government in the UK and Australia, as well as a distant past teaching English as a foreign language to adults preparing for university.