Out with 2012...In with 2013

2012 was a tough year over all. Lots of changes happened some were good and others were down right horrible. Lessons were learned some good, some bad and some were obviously a repeat from other times.

The good that happened this year is we have finally got a working diagnoses. it's not a great one but it's better than what we've been dealing with in the form of some unknown, faceless monster stalking and attacking us. We will be adjusting to a new normal now and making some important changes as treatments and pills and torture  I mean therapies get underway.

It's amazing to see the power that being reunited with family has. I can't stop smiling as I witness the joy and worth given to another simply because they've been reunited with a family member. It's amazing to see the changes that happen when someone goes from feeling like they don't belong to anything or anyone to feeling like they are part of something. Many important lessons have been learned as missing puzzle pieces have clicked into place at last. Many lessons will be coming from this in the future I'm sure, as the people involved learn to navigate a new path. I wonder what the new pattern in the fabric of their lives will look like... I'm blessed that I got to witness this.

The number of funeral invites crept up to more than I care to see in a year but far less than have been experienced in a years time frame. Obviously the lesson learned here is life is short and you never know when your time will come so you should treat every day as if it's your last. I got to work on this. I got to let my family and friends know that I love them and care for them a lot even though I may not say it. I got to work on that. I got to quit putting off seeing people and talking on the phone with people because I may never get a chance to see them or speak with them again and regret isn't something that is easy to live with.

That's just a little bit of what 2012 had.

Welcome 2013

What lessons and magic do you have in store for us this year? What dreams will come true? What hardships will be taken away? What glorious times will I get to witness this year? I'm kind of excited to find out.

Check out this great deal!!!!

 

This one day only – 12/12/12 – we’re giving you the chance to grab TWO of our most popular homeschool resource collections in downloadable format for a mere $12. Yes, that’s $12 for the BOTH of them!
(To put this in perspective, the price of the printed editions of all these resources would  run you $279 + shipping, so today you are getting the whole kit and kaboodle in instant download format for a whopping 96% OFF!)

But please note: This offer ENDS at midnight TONIGHT

  

Go here to snag this great deal.

I've used the above resources in our homeschool. They've been very helpful and handy to have. That's why I thought I would pass along this special offer to you.

30 Days of Thanksgiving

Something I do every November is I try to pick at least one thing I am thankful for each day of the month. Instead of the usual list of things I'm thankful for such as: home, food, family, health, etc. I thought I would focus on some of the businesses that I am thankful for because they have made my life better in their own unique way. Click on the name to be taken to the business.

1. Essensu
2. Elfling Creations
3. Spirit Essence Art
4. The Beaded Branch
5. simply smiss
6. Dzigns by Jamie
7. Pegasus Soaps
8. Sew Happy Designs
9. IvyRose Creations
10. Ethereal Fibers
11. Butterfly-Crafts
12. Willow Walker Designs
13. Nightmaiden Designs
14. Sunny Days Embroidery
15. Dreaming Whimsies
16. Esscentual Alchemy
17. Crysallis Creations
18. Rainbow Fingers
19. Soylicious.com
20. Deronda Designs
21. Digi Scrap Kits
22. Liesan's Studio
23. Cat's Wire
24. Positively Charming Things
25. Emily Mae's Boutique
26. Vall Dawn's Jewelry Designs
27. Mom Potter
28. Into the Dawn Designs
29. Cello In A Box
30. C Newcomb Woodworking
31. Catinalife Creations
32. Maddy Ray's
33. Kitty Ballistic
34. BugEater Knit
35. Crowe Shea Fashions
36. Cakery Supplies
37. Candy Gift Boutique
38. AVON
39. Homeschool Tracker
40. LeShay's Corner
41. Katie Newman Gifts and Home
42. Sweet Memories and More
43. Bubbys Grubbys
44. ColtPixy
45. Haffina Creations

3

Happy Thanksgiving

Wishing everyone, especially our Troops, a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving!!!

Halloween is Coming

As if one couldn't tell by all the shelves for the seasonal section beginning to fill with Halloween candy, scarecrows, etc.

I have always loved Halloween because it's the one day out of the year that I didn't have to be myself. I could be anything that I wanted to be no limits except by my mind. I fit in with all the other kids. No I didn't get the cool costumes either store bought or home made. Where we lived and my wearing glasses in order to see made it hard to find a costume that fit. We always had to make sure our costumes were big enough to accommodate a snow suit & snow boots. Decorating our yard or house was out of the question cause usually there was too much snow to see 

The last few winters have been lovely mild weather where we can decorate to my hearts content. this year there are some big plans that are requiring us to not do much in the line of decorating because of lack of time so we'll need to keep it simple.

Our neighbor's have started to plan out their decorations. We've been unpacking some of the new decorations that we got for this year to mix with our old tried and true ones. We didn't get many new ones and the ones we got sure make me smile. We have a cool dancing broomstick, a bat, spider and owl light up critters, Simon and Skully Halloween Duo and a haunted house. So far the people who've come to our place have had positive comments about them. They especially like the on/off switch that Simon and Skully have.

I'm hoping that we can have a bit of good weather for decorating but I'm not going to count on it. It's been wet lately. A really good thing in and of itself since we desperately need the moisture. Not so hot for placing the spider webs and ghosts outside. As long as it doesn't snow we'll be alright. If it snows then I'm not sure what we will do with a few of the more intense decorations we have planned. Electrical cord and ice just don't play well together.

So do you have any big plans for Halloween decorating this year? Are you set up and ready to enjoy a spooky time or are you waiting till a bit closer to set the scene?

A Poetry Momement

In memory's lovely garden
The treasured past draws near,
And cherished friends are dearer
With every passing year.
There fondest recollections
Invoke a sigh, a smile;
Come into memory's garden
And walk with me awhile.

by Alice M Stewart

I received a surprise package in the mail. A package from some child of a long ago acquaintance. This poem was tucked inside an envelope that had my name and one of the many addresses from my childhood on it.

Did I really just see that????

Ever have one of those days where your going about doing your thing, trying to get through a mile long to do list and wondering why traffic is at a crawl when normally it zips through the section your in at a good clip? Then when you move up to where you expect to find out it's from a bad accident. Only it's not you feel the urge to rubberneck to see what the reason is and then you spot it. A row of PINK shapes. And then you ask yourself did you just see that? So you do the obvious in the defense of your sanity. You toss the to do list aside for a brief moment and pull into a parking lot to get a better view.

Yep, I really did see pink. Before I could get close enough for a good look I thought it was one of those pink tow trucks that I've heard about from some of my friends. I totally wasn't expecting to see a firetruck. A big, bold pink fire truck!!!! And not just one but FOUR!!! 

It was a very moving moment to see the four fire trucks and to learn what it was all about. The odd black spots on the surface are names that people have written on the trucks. What it is all about is simply cancer. These trucks tour the country and help to raise money for women who have cancer. It's amazing.

 

I saw a lot of memory jogging names on the trucks. While I can't ever know if the names the brought friends, family, loved ones to mind were actually for them or not it was oddly comforting to know that their name is on the truck whether for them or not.
 
As a woman who's had cancer although an easily fixed type twice and a few scares that involved surgery and the terms precancerous and we believe we got it all from a masked surgeon during the coming out of anesthesia haze. I can't begin to describe the emotions I felt upon seeing these vehicles and hearing what it was all about. I don't cry very easily. Especially when it comes to medical stuff I've gotten through and moved beyond (23, 15 and 8 years); but I couldn't help it. The overwhelming feeling that was a mix of humbled selfish "I'm not alone" with frustration, concern, and panic of "Why are there so many"...

 Yes, I know my experiences with cancer wasn't much of anything at all. I know that it was a very easy cake walk of sorts because it was treated so easily and quick to fix. (3 different surgeries and a dose of chemical specific for the type) Therefore it doesn't count and maybe the ones who say it are right. All I know is it was very emotional to see the truck and have visual proof that I am not alone as a woman who has the big awful C for cancer branded on her medical file.

To learn more about these beautiful pink firetrucks you can go  here.

 



 

Welcome to the 2012-2013 school year.

 Today is the first day of school in many communities. May the teachers, school stuff staff, and students all have a great year ahead of them. May their first day of school be filled with excitement and their knowledge cups be filled to over flowing this year.

I'd like to request that those who are driving especially around area schools to remember this and play it safe. For those heading to work or appoints, please leave a bit earlier and if you can't then take the extra time this morning to slow down  in the school zones. Be on the look out for school crossing guards who will be doing their job by being in the intersections. Be alert for children crossing in places they really shouldn't and chasing after balls that might escape the playground during recess time. 

Lets have a great 1st day of School by being safe.

Today Is...

Hug an Australian Day

 

 

Today Is...

Talk Like Shakespeare Day

Today Is...

The Revolutionary War begins (1775) 

Paul Revere's Ride Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Today Is...

Leonardo da Vinci’s birthday

Today Is...

Anne Sullivan’s birthday (Helen Keller’s teacher)

Today Is...

National Farm Animals Day

Pony Express

The Pony Express begins delivering the mail (1860)

Frederic Auguste Bartholdi’s

Frederic Auguste Bartholdi’s birthday (sculpted the Statue of Liberty)

Chocolate Coconut Drops

2/3 cup Eagle Brand Sweetened condensed milk

1 (1 oz) square unsweetened chocolate

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 1/3 cups (3½ oz) flaked coconut

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

In top of double boiler, combine sweetened condensed milk, chocolate and salt. Cook over hot water; stir frequently until thickened. Remove from heat. Stir in coconut and vanilla extract. Drop by teaspoonfuls, about 1 inch apart, onto well-greased baking sheet. Bake in a moderate 350°F oven, 10-12 minutes or until set. Immediately remove from baking sheet. Cool.

Makes about 1¼ dozen 1½ inch diameter cookies

Adult Strawberry Lemonade

1-1½ cups vodka

1 (16 oz) container of sliced strawberries

2 (1 liter) bottles Lemonade

sugar

Place strawberries in 2 quart pitcher. Add vodka, lemonade and sugar to taste. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Grilled Bananas & Pecan Sundaes

¼ cup butter

2 T firmly packed light brown sugar

2 medium bananas

2 cups vanilla ice cream

¼ cup caramel ice cream topping

¼ cup chopped pecans

Melt buter with brown sugar in 1 qt saucepan over low heat about 1 minute. Let stand 5 minutes to cool; brush on bananas. Grill or broil bananas, brushing frequently with remaining mixture, 8 minutes or until bananas are heated and lightly golden. Cut warm bananas into 2” chunks and divide into 4 serving dishes. Top with ice cream, then drizzle with topping and garnish with pecans.

Serves 4

Custard Pie

1 unbaked 9” pastry shell

2/3 cup Eagle brand sweetened condensed milk

2 cups hot water

½ t salt

½ t vanilla extract

3 eggs

nutmeg

In medium bowl, blend together sweetened condensed milk, water, salt, and vanilla extract. In small bowl beat eggs until just blended. Stir into condensed milk. Pour into shell. Sprinkle with nutmeg. Bake in a very hot 425°F oven 10 minutes. Reduce oven heat to slow 300°F and bake 20-25 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from heat cool at room temperature; refrigerate.

Date Filled Cookies

½ c butter

1 c sugar

½ c milk

1 egg

1 t vanilla

½ t salt

3½ c flour

3 t baking powder

2 c dates (8 oz) cut up

1 c water

¼ c sugar

1 t flour

1 t vinegar

1 t vanilla

Beat butter, 1 c sugar, milk, egg and 1 t vanilla. Stir in salt, 3½ c flour and baking powder. Place in covered bowl and refrigerate at least 4 hours. Meanwhile, mix dates, water ¼ c sugar, 1 t flour and vinegar. Boil and cook til thick. Add 1 t vanilla and cool.

Roll out dough and cut into 2½" circles. Place 1 circle on cookie sheet, add 1 T filling, and cover with another circle. Press edges with fork to seal and make a slit in top with knife. Bake 10-12 minutes at 375°