Friday, December 28, 2012

A New Year's Tree?



Thinking ahead trying to decide when to take down the Christmas Tree when I get this blog post from Our Best Bites. It's the cutest idea. You undecorate your tree and then redecorate it for New Year's! I love this idea. Go here to read her post and then give your Christmas tree a make-over!


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Monday, December 24, 2012

Happy Holidays!


I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and yours, a very merry and blessed Christmas!

May your 2013 be merry, bright, delicious and full of FUN! HUGE thanks to all our fabulous blogging friends and above all to YOU!

For all your sweet words, generosity and support this past year. Hope to connect with you even more in the year ahead! ♥
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Saturday, December 22, 2012

Christmas Nails


It's been quite some time since I posted anything about nails. With Christmas coming up I decided we all need some nail art inspiration. I didn't have to look any further than the Desperate Houselife blog. She put together some great nail art resources. No excuse not to deck your nails...fa la la la la.
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Thursday, December 20, 2012

All I Needed to Know About Life I learned from Santa


 
  Encourage people to believe in you.
Always remember who's naughty and who's nice.
Don't pout.
It's as much fun to give as it is to receive.
Some days it's ok to feel a little chubby.
Make your presents known.
Always ask for a little bit more than what you really want.
Bright red can make anyone look good.       
Wear a wide belt and no-one will notice how many pounds you've gained.             
If you only show up once a year, everyone will think you're very important.                        
Whenever you're at a loss for words, say: "HO, HO, HO!"

***If you are still shopping for that last minute gift, Gathered From the Garden has a wide selection of gifts for everyone on your list. Our most popular product is our great Goat Milk and Honey Lotion.  We have a wide variety of fragrances to choose from and it also comes in unscented. We can put together a gift set in a favorite fragrance… Goat Milk and Honey Lotion, Satin and Silk Shea Butter Lotion, , Body Mists, Room Sprays, to name a few. For the guys…Tired Tootsies Products or Guy Grease are always appreciated.
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Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Easy Peasy (and cute) Christmas Party Food Ideas

You know me, I love easy and cute! So I had to give these two a try for our annual Holiday Party. The lights were a hit with my little grandson! Many adults commented on the cuteness of the kiwi too before they dismantled it. Good thing I had made more than one tree!

 
The lights are just M&M almonds with a half a green Mike & Ike. Then I used frosting to make the "cord".
 
 
 
Just kiwi with a bamboo skewer and a candy star.
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Saturday, December 15, 2012

When Words Fail...




 


Remembering the victims of the tragic shooting in Connecticut today
 
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Thursday, December 13, 2012

Christmas Gifts for Those in Skilled Care Facilities

Thinking about those on your Christmas list, here are some ideas for friends and family that are in skilled care facilities. During holidays instead of bringing a plant or flowers, which provide visual pleasure but cannot occupy an elder’s time, bring other gifts which they can enjoy after you have left.

• Already stamped post cards, envelopes and paper
• Soft Stuffed Animal with a Scent such as Lavender
• Lip Balm, Lotion, Powder
• Pillow Spray
• Dream Pillows
• Magnifying glass
• Puzzles, drawing pad and pens
• Pictures drawn from children (they love bragging rights)
• Family Photos
• A small, portable radio so they can listen to a favorite station or the local news. Or a small hand held TV or DVD player with head phones so they can watch what they would like.
• Reader's Digest and other large print books.
• Diabetic: Special Socks /Diabetic candies
• Slippers
• Pajama's
• Bath Robe
• Flannel Shirts
• Pillows/Quilts
• Craft Items they can make that does not require keen eyesight--latch hook is a good one.

Dementia: Textured items (i.e., sandpaper, velvet, fuzzy fur, gingham, burlap) to touch and manipulate. Often those with dementia find comfort in repetitive motions such as rubbing cloth or petting an animal.

Another idea for an older loved one who has difficulty communicating is touch/aroma therapy. Bring a nicely scented lotion and ask if you could put the lotion on your loved one’s hands, therefore providing touch as well as a pleasant aroma to associate with your visit. Touch alone, is very important. Gathered From The Garden has some wonderful scents. 

Can you think of anything else that would make good Holiday gifts for those in skilled care facilities?
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Monday, December 10, 2012

Indoor Snowball Fight



 
 
The only thing more fun than eating freshly fallen snow...a snowball fight! While the grandkids were outside having fun in the foot of snow that fell this weekend, grandma Carol was working on having fun with snow inside. Sometimes it just gets too cold here in MN to play outside very long so I decided to make "snowballs" for an "indoor snowball fight".  A little time consuming but pretty easy.
 
To start you need a pom pom maker (got mine at Michael's using a coupon), white yarn, thin string and a scissors.
 
 
 

 
 
 
You start by wrapping the yarn around the pom pom maker.
 
 
 
You keep winding until the pom pom maker is covered.
 

Then you take a scissors and cut right down the middle. The pom pom maker has a ridge that helps guide your scissors.(Sorry about the blurry picture. It's hard to take a picture with just one hand.)
 

 
Take your string and wrap it around the yarn you have cut. Pull it tight (you can feel the cut yarn pull together). I wrapped it around twice and tied a few knots just to be sure it stayed tight.
 
 
Open up the pom pom maker and remove your "snowball".
 
 
I made 12 of them to fill a cute red container that I found at the Dollar Store. Then I used my Silhouette to cut out the letters to spell "Indoor Snowball Fight".
 

 
Here is the finished product. I might just keep this under wraps for awhile. I'm thinking this might be good for a day when the grandkids are experiencing a little cabin fever. (Maybe grandma and grandpa will have to try it out first!) Speaking of cabin fever...do you have any good ideas to keep kids occupied on those cold winter days?
 
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Friday, December 7, 2012

Hot Chocolate Update


 


Whew! I'm glad we didn't have our Holiday Party with the Hot Chocolate Bar yet because Something Swanky found 30 ways to liven up your hot chocolate. Check this out! Hot Chocolate will never be the same at our house. So many to choose from!

 

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Thursday, November 29, 2012

Every year we host a little get together for friends and family. Usually some sweet treats,appetizers and wine. This year I'm thinking of adding a hot chocolate bar for the kids and adults who would rather not have the wine.

Here are some great ideas and photos. I'll probably choose a little from each to make my hot chocolate bar. (I'm sure there are more sweet ideas on Pinterest.)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Real mom didn't have a picture of the actual bar but she has LOTS of good ideas for mix-ins and flavored cocoas!
 
 
 
Hostess with the Mostess even has some really fun printables for the hot chocolate bar.  Wouldn't this be fun for New Year's Eve!
 
 
I also plan to put out some Peppermint Schnapps and Kahlua for the adults to add. I'm thinking this just might be more popular than the wine!! 
 
 
 
 
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Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Thankful

 
I am giving Thanks today for all of my readers. Hoping you are finding much to be grateful for! Blessings to you and your family!
 
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Tuesday, November 20, 2012

A Beautiful Mind

 
 
Taking some time for yourself in a quiet spot can be very important to maintaining mental health.
 
Looking after the health of your mind is an important part of your road to balance and well-being especially with the holidays coming up. Maintaining mental health is extremely important. Here are some ways to make your mind beautiful to match your beautiful body.

* Improve your diet: What you eat and drink can protect against feelings of anxiety and depression.
   Cut back on refined sugar, white flour and alcohol. It really will make you feel better!

*Maintain friendships: Just listening and talking to friends who are feeling down can make a huge difference-for you and for them. With email and cell phones you have no excuse not to!

*Exercise: The effects of exercise on mood are immediate. Whether it is a workout in the gym or a simple walk or bike ride, exercise is uplifting and it can be a great social activity. It's kind of contagious too. If you start and you talk about it to others, you may motivate them to join you.

*Rest: Sleep is essential to our health. Sleeping is the time when your body can renew and rebuild its physical and mental energy. If you have problems relaxing and falling asleep, perhaps Gathered From the Garden's  Sleep Well Blend (essential oils) can help you find your peace.

*Laugh: A good laugh does amazing things for the mind and soul.

*Cry: It's good to let everything out of your system and to release pent up feelings. Most of the time, we feel much better after we have allowed ourselves to cry.

*Take a bath: The mental health benefits of a comforting bath are well known. Allow yourself to escape in a soothing aroma infused bath. It will help you reset and re-energize. Try Gathered's Stress Relief Blend in your ritual and experience the power of the bath.

*Make time for you: Make time for your hobbies and interests. Scheduling time for yourself is sometimes hard, but it will increase a positive attitude and self image.  Even if it's just a few minutes a day.

One of my goals is to have a more relaxing, enjoyable holiday season. I think that by trying the above ideas I will meet that goal. Do you have ideas to add?
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Thursday, November 15, 2012

Thankful Thursday

 
 
On this week's calendar;
*Some new books arrived from Amazon so I've got some good reading ahead.
*Today I got to have lunch with my two sweet granddaughters.
*Yesterday someone guessed my age as much younger. :-)
*Gas prices have dropped a little.
*I got some great pictures using my macro lens and some fall foliage.
*I got my Christmas lights put up. (I know it's early but here in MN you can't rely on nice weather so I had to take advantage of some warmer temps.!)
 
What's on your Thankful list this week?
 
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