Monday, December 31, 2007

Auld Lang Syne and Happy New Year!!


_The song, "Auld Lang Syne," is sung at the stroke of midnight in almost every English- speaking country in the world to bring in the New Year. In spite of the popularity of 'Auld Lang Syne', it has aptly been described as the song that nobody knows. Even in Scotland, hardly a gathering sings it correctly, without some members of the party butchering the words.
_Written by Robert Burns in 1741, it was first published in 1796 after Burns' death. "Auld Lang Syne" literally means "old long ago," or simply, "the good old days."
_Auld Lang Syne by Robert Burns
_Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
'Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and days of auld lang syne?
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For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll take a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne
_We twa hae run aboot the braes
And pou'd the gowans fine;
we've wander'd mony a weary foot
Sin' auld lang syne _
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We two hae paidled i' the burn,_
Frae mornin' sun till dine;
But seas between us braid hae roar'd
Sin' auld lang syne
_And here's a hand, my trusty friend,
And gie's a hand o' thine;
We'll take a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne
_Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and days of auld lang syne?
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For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll take a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne
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By the way -
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The kiss shared at the stroke of midnight in the United States is derived from masked balls that have been common throughout history. As tradition has it, the masks symbolize evil spirits from the old year and the kiss is the purification into the new year.
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Whatever the reason - is it not the most romantic thing ever!!
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Happy New Year!!!

Friday, December 21, 2007

Holiday Wishes!!



It's that time of year when the world falls in love - every song you hear seems to say -
"Merry Christmas, may your New Year dreams come true!!"
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I'll be back in 2008!!
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From our house to yours - happy holiday wishes to all!!!!

Thursday, December 20, 2007

Winter Sculpture


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I discovered these unusual snow globes and sculptures courtesy of Blosem's blog. I think they are the most lovely pieces of art and apropos to the coming winter season.
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Walter Martin and Paloma Muñoz's work usually involves bizarre fairy-tale like images trapped in snow globes. The couple -Muñoz from Spain and Martin from VA- currently they reside in PA.

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Suede DX Coasting Bikes

One of my favorite Christmas memories was waking up to a shiny red and white bike on Christmas morning - thank you Santa!!




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I love the style of these Suede DX Coasting Bikes by Shimano.

SUEDE COASTING w SERIES - The Suede Coasting W marries Giant’s much-admired Suede bike with Shimano’s 3-speed automatic-shifting Coasting technology. Meant for women who prefer relaxing travel—those for whom the journey is as important as the destination. Meander at will.
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It retails at about $700.00 to $800.00 but there are more in the "Suede" series that are priced lower - anywhere from $380.00 and up. One other thing - these particular bikes are designed just for women!!
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http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/news/12051/
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http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/news/12162/

P.S. Using a bicycle to commute one way 4 days per week for 4 miles saves 54 gallons of gas a year!!

Monday, December 17, 2007

Martha's Berry Little Cocktail


_Have yourself a Berry Little Cocktail. Stir up this light, bright drink with the tang of citrus and a splash of Champagne to add a festive fizz to your holiday bash. This delicious holiday spirit comes is adapted from Blueprint Magazine, November/December 2007.
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Ingredients
Serves 1
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup fresh cranberries
1 ounce ruby red grapefruit vodka, such as Charbay, chilled
2 ounces champagne, chilled
1 ounce cranberry juice, chilled
1 ounce black currant juice or blackberry puree, chilled
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Directions
In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, dissolve sugar into 1 1/2 cups water. Add cranberries and simmer until softened, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool. Strain, discarding liquid, and place cranberries on a baking sheet. Transfer baking sheet to freezer and chill at least 2 hours.
_Mix together vodka, Champagne, cranberry, and currant juice in a Champagne glass. Garnish with a skewer of 4 or 5 frozen cranberries. Reserve remaining cranberries for another drink.
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(Photo Courtesy of Jupiter Images)__
I am going to make this for my sister when she arrives with my two beautiful nieces from Portland, Oregon for holiday vacation.

_Can't wait to see you Sta!! Get ready to party down babe!

Friday, December 14, 2007

Gregory Peck - Atticus Finch

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I've always had a crush on Gregory Peck. This is probably due to the fact that I saw him in "To Kill a Mockingbird" when I was a young girl and thought he really was Atticus Finch (the perfect man). I love that movie and have required that all my kids watch it (3 so far) and appreciate the value of tolerance and how ugly prejudice can be. It also shows how a gentle man of great conviction is never to be underestimated.

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Mirrored Furniture

Adding a little sparkle and glamour. Here are some mirrored vanity pieces I think are amazing from Graham and Green.
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Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Table Top Trees

I think these are a cute addition to your large Christmas tree or just by themselves. I love the feather trees but also love the live seedlings in the serving dishes as a green alternative.
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Thursday, December 6, 2007

Beautiful Photos

I am so taken with Janne Peters photography. Despite the fact these photos are all white - the layers and beauty of each object stand out in perfect simplicity.

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

The Snowman and Walking In The Air


My youngest son loves this book and movie!! He thinks the red haired boy is him - since he has red hair too!! I love the song "Walking In The Air" and play it over and over each Christmas.
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As stated on Wikipedia.

The Snowman is a children's book by English author Raymond Briggs, published in 1978. In 1982, this book was turned into a 26-minute animated movie by Dianne Jackson The film was nominated for an Oscar for Best Animated Short in 1983. The cartoon version was scored by Howard Blake who wrote both music and lyrics of the song "Walking in the Air" and also composed and conducted the complete orchestral score for the film with his own orchestra, The Sinfonia of London. The book and film have no words, instead telling the story through picture, action and music. This adds to their charm, as well as making them easy to publish in other languages. The film's one song, "Walking in the Air," was written specially for it and performed by a St Paul's Cathedral choirboy, Peter Auty.

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Elf Yourself



OK, sometimes I am easily amused - I just could not resist this!!
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Oh, and in case your wondering who those crazy dancing elves are - it's no other than me (minus most of my hair) and my husband Mark.

Click the link below and enjoy!!
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http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1153572522

Monday, December 3, 2007

Grass Fed Beef


In a recent interview with the president of "Texas Organic Farmers" he explained the difference between grain fed and grass fed beef. This information is readily available although I had never heard it before.
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Grass Fed Beef
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This beef has the same Omega 3 Omega 6 fatty acid balance as Salmon. The saturated fats are the same as a skinless chicken breast!! That is incredible!! Grass-fed beef has an omega 6:3 ratio of 0.16 to 1. This is the ratio science suggests is ideal for our diet.
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Grain Fed Beef
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When cattle eat grain this causes a change in the digestive system of the first stomach (the Rumen). That is where a lot of the E. coli and the entry of harmful bacteria begin in this first stomach. Apparently this simply does not occur with grass fed beef. It also causes a change in the Omega 6:3 ratio. Omega 6's contribute to heart disease. Any ratio exceeding 4:1 will cause an essential fat imbalance. Grain-fed beef can have an omega 6:3 ratio higher than 20:1. This well exceeds the 4:1 ratio that is recommended to avoid an essential fat imbalance.
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More Information Online -



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