Thanksgiving Memories
August 31, 2007
Turkey … Stuffing … Cranberry Sauce … Pumpkin Pie
This is usually what comes to mind when we think of Thanksgiving. Granted the food is yummy and worth waiting for however, let’s not forget another import aspect of this holiday "Being With Family & Friends".
Family & Friends, they are what make this wonderful holiday so special, and help create those special memories.
Memories …. Everyone has them and each is precious. I love being with my husband and two beautiful daughters, but I think my favorite remembrances are from long ago.
"Nana’s House"
This of course was my beloved grandmother, who has been gone from us for many years, but will always be remembered with so much love.
Thanksgiving at her home was the best.
Our family is not very big but with the sisters, husbands and cousins it seemed like an army. My sister and I looked forward to spending the day with our cousins; we always had so much fun.
Of course the very best part of the day was when nana declared "Time To Eat". The first order of business was getting seated at the "kids" table. Nothing special, just a couple of card tables put together with a paper tablecloth -we were a bit messy - put over them.
A Diamond Christmas 2004!
August 30, 2007
When Archduke Maximillian of Austria bestowed a diamond ring on Mary of Burgundy in 1477, giving a diamond as a symbol of love and commitment was birthed. Prior to this only royalty wore diamonds, believing they symbolized strength and courage. The root of the word diamond comes from the Greek word “adamas”, which means unconquerable”. Other folklore surrounding diamonds links them to Cupid, whose arrows were said to be tipped with diamonds.
A diamond is an exceedingly rare item. Over 250 tons of ore must be processed to come up with just one 1-carat diamond of any quality. There are five nations in the world which account for over 90% of the world’s rough diamond supply, and those are Australia, Botswana, Namibia, Russia and South Africa. Several other countries produce smaller but significant stones, like the Canadian Excellent Cut diamonds from the Arctic circle.
Now that we agree that they are rare and quite valuable, why still do we want to give them as gifts? Because they’re beautiful! And elegant, dazzling and all the other adjectives she’ll likely apply when she opens the gift you’ve come up with. Diamond jewelry is like nothing else, and if you’re looking to make this a Christmas or Holiday to remember, the gift of diamonds will make this an unforgettable Holiday season!
Top Ten Reasons To Pick A Vacation Rental
August 29, 2007
We are planning a family trip for just a few days. That is my family, my brother’s family, and my other brother’s family. Our mother will be joining us, too. That makes four households, seven adults and six children all under three years old. Praise to my brave (foolish?) wife who has somehow volunteered to coordinate the arrangements.
Even reserving months in advance, we were unable to get four rooms adjoining at the motel, all with the right view and on the right level. If we were going for longer, we would probably rent a house as we have done before. There are vacation rentals in almost every corner of the world, but they are particularly common in high-tourist areas like Florida, California and the Mediterranean countries.
Here is my top ten list of why a family should pick a vacation rental (and specifically a vacation rental home):
1. Not toiling to find ideal, adjoining rooms.
2. Everybody gets privacy, without having to worry about where the kids are.
3. You don’t have to share the common area with strangers, but you can still lounge around together.
4. More than one bathroom. Need I say more?
The Gift My Brother Couldnt Give
August 28, 2007
From the book A Heartland Christmas Collection
In the first years after my brothers, sister, and I left home, there were several Christmases in which our ability to give fell far short of our desire. In fact, we often found ourselves getting very creative if we were going to give any Christmas presents at all. But those early Christmases also contained some of the finest gifts I’ve ever received, and one of those was the gift my brother Jim thought he couldn’t give.
Jim had chosen a difficult road, working for himself instead of collecting a weekly paycheck like the one I got from the department store where I worked, and his funds were always limited.
As Christmas approached, we all searched for the perfect gift for each family member. Since I knew Jim harbored a secret desire to write, I bought him two beautifully hardbound books consisting of nothing but empty pages, so he could fill them with his own words. They weren’t expensive, but I knew he’d love them.
A Harvest Halloween
August 28, 2007
To take advantage of the last days of autumn, we planned an outdoor Halloween party at our family farm. This gave us an opportunity to bring our friends together in an informal setting before the hectic holiday season.
The kids grew excited as we drove past the harvested fields of rural farmland, the grazing cattle, and brimming roadside stands. The sights and smells of the country awoke their spirits of adventure and they burst from the car as soon as we stopped at the end of the dirt road.
As they explored their surroundings, the adults began to set up. Our party centered on the activity of making scarecrows. We brought out baskets piled high with faded denim coveralls, straw hats, and flannel shirts. The children enthusiastically costumed themselves as well as the scarecrows. They collected autumn grasses and flowers and wove them into straw hats to take home as mementos.
The country setting and the crisp autumn air inspired many activities. Sack races, a tug of war, and a scavenger hunt kept everyone busy throughout the afternoon.
As the day came to a close, our guests enjoyed an Indian summer sunset. We bundled sleepy children into cars and returned home with warm recollections of an afternoon shared with special friends.
Living and Retiring in Bolivia
August 27, 2007
A beautiful and inexpensive place without a tourist in sight. Sound like a dream? It’s not. This slice of paradise does exist. Nestled high in the Andes Mountains of South America, Bolivia is a little-known retreat exotically spiced with a unique Latin and Native American flavor. Bolivia has a lot to offer?a very low cost of living, unspoiled natural environment, friendly people and a range of climates to suit virtually every taste.
Property prices are among the lowest in Latin America and it has the potential to become the world’s next great expatriate haven. Bolivia has long been a favorite destination of adventure travelers, yet few mainstream American and European tourists make it to this secretive outpost. Why? Well, perhaps it’s because Bolivia isn’t a destination you stumble across by accident. Shrouded by great mountain ranges, it lies hidden between Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Peru and Paraguay.
Easter Flowers
August 26, 2007
Easter is Sunday, March 27th! Don’t forget the flowers! Your spring celebration is the perfect setting for beautiful flowers! You can also have a lovely floral gift delivered to your loved ones for Easter!
A popular choice for Easter is the Easter lily. The Easter lily’s true name is Bermuda lily. For many, the beautiful trumpet-shaped white flowers symbolize purity, hope and life-the spiritual essence of Easter. Your local florist can even add a festive basket & bow to your Potted Easter Lily. They are great as floral gifts for mom or grandma, or to decorate your home or office. They are grown from bulbs, and can be transplanted into your home garden after the blooms have died off. Then, they will bloom in your flower garden every spring!
As a sign of Spring, Tulips are in full bloom, making this a perfect time to send a beautiful vase of fresh colorful tulips as a gift! Many spring flowers are at their peak in the Spring. Your local florist can recommend the many colorful options available.
Jeweled Shamrock Pendant
August 25, 2007
March 17th is St. Patrick’s Day and according to tradition if you are not wearing at least a little something green you just might get pinched and why put yourself through that? Let’s face it most of us do not look very good in green attire but, there are ways around this.
A pretty green pendant to wear on your lapel for the occasion would be fun and festive especially if you make it yourself.
I chose the Shamrock or Four Leaf Clover because, According to Irish tradition it represents blessings and who doesn’t like getting blessed?
This St. Patrick’s Day craft project is geared for adults, it is not easy enough for children to do unless an adult is right there helping the child through each step.
* * *
Supplies:
1- 18 X 22 piece of green felt. (any shade of green)
1- Acrylic Craft Jewel (any color)
1- Pin Back- 1 1/4″
A small tube of green (any shade of green) glitter fabric paint
Scissors
Craft Tacky Glue
1- Black Sharpie marker
Heart shaped template (provided)
Circle shaped template (provided)
Clover Stem template (provided)
Why an Algarve Vacation?
August 24, 2007
If a vacation, as defined by a dictionary is: ‘leisure time away from work devoted to rest or pleasure’, then one taken in Algarve must be the epitome of that term.
The southern-most region of Portugal, Algarve is a holiday-maker’s dream. Wonderful year-round weather, great beaches, fabulous scenery and - best of all - the local people!
Algarveans are a tolerant, laid-back lot, who have seen much change in the several decades since their region started to become a tourist magnet. Some of the age-old ways of life (such as small-scale fishing) continue undisturbed by the leisure-seeking visitors who are drawn to this lovely area.
Most who sample the attractions of Algarve become converted enthusiasts. If you love warm places, sand and sea and generally relaxed holidays, then Algarve is your dream destination.
It’s a compact area, only some 90 miles by 30 miles at its furthest extremities - but it’s home to over 100 miles of gorgeous sandy beaches.
While, for those who don’t mind leaving the coast behind for a while, the region is steeped in history, and has much to delight the visitor’s eye. Much of the Algarve’s heritage has been preserved, especially in the profusion of Moorish-influenced architecture on show. And the contrasts, between coast and mountains, sand and greenery, modernity and history, offer visitors many choices of how to spend an Algarve vacation.
A New Look at Labor Day
August 23, 2007
A day to reflect on the accomplishments of working people: That’s been the proud tradition since the first, unofficial, Labor Day back in 1882.
But, one of labor’s greatest accomplishments has gone largely unrecognized. Since the end of World War II, working people have bought up a huge chunk of big business. They now own a piece of just about everything in business, from multinational corporations to small companies that build mini-malls in their neighborhoods.
It may be the greatest economic transformation since the Industrial Revolution; management guru Peter Drucker calls it “The Pension Fund Revolution.”
To get a sense of the transformation, consider this: At the end of 2001, America’s 242 billionaires had assets totalling about $800 billion. That’s a sizable amount, certainly, but working people had assets of $11.8 trillion in pension and mutual funds. That’s almost 15 times as much as the billionaires.
Most working people contribute only modest amounts to their retirement plans, but there are simply so many of us that our collective nest egg grew very quickly. If you’re still not sure, try this on your calculator: Multiply a contribution of $1,000 per year by one million working people. Answer: $1 billion dollars per year. Now note there are hundreds of millions of working people here and in other countries. And we’re contributing new money every year.
