Hi Ho, Hi Ho, Off to Orange County We Go

Hi Ho, Hi Ho

Off to Orange County we go,

To see the Brother from S.L.O. Hi Ho Hi Ho!

Happy New Year, to You, and Your Loved Ones Too!

I know this is lame, and that's okay, Hi Ho, Hi Ho!

I am sorry too, for not only this, but slamming the snuggie was a Big No No, Hi Ho Hi Ho.

So be safe out there and lots of <3 from me to you!

Strange Presents I have known

I am so glad you got that fabulous present for the holidays, but what I really want to share about is The Clunker presents, like a Snuggie, which is really a backwards bathrobe and major fire and safety hazard. Thank goodness, no one I know has received or purchased one of these sartorial horrors. Or maybe they are just too embarrassed to admit it.

Some gifts I recently received include a desktop Leave Me Alone button - you push it and it has a whiny female voice that repeats, "Leave Me Alone" several times. Just what I've always wanted, Not ever!*

Another is a book titled, "Don't You Just Hate That? 738 Things That Annoy". Because I just don't have enough things in my life that annoy me, my friend wants to provide me with additional annoyances. Nice, verrry nice.

If it's the thought that counts, then maybe I need to figure out what this adds up to. How about you? What strange gifts have you received?

* Dis disclaimer- I do not disrespect,solicit, or requests gifts of my friends and I am truly appreciative of the kind gesture of friendship. Sometimes, I just wish folks weren't so kind.

Scrapbook Under Pressure

I can only scrapbook under pressure, like for my parents' 50th wedding anniversary or my Uncle's 80th birthday. I am in awe of people who scrapbook on a regular basis and I was intrigued with the Christmas Challenge hosted by the lovely Ruth of Everyday Life of a Suburban Mom who is a Scrapbooking Seamstress of Excellence. Literally, she has a sewing machine for her scrapbook. The gadgets, papers, and embellishments available are a little overwhelming, so for me, a little scrapbooking goes a long, long way. (After This One Page, I am now good for at least a year, maybe longer, unlike some of my neighbors who meet every Friday night to crop the hours away. That and imbibe blender drinks and California wine, hey, maybe There Is Something to this Hobby.)

So in appreciation and for consideration in this challenge, I present my entry featuring my family's Christmas card.

I loved the Leland Thomas quote that was a required element-

In the eyes of children
We find the joy of Christmas.
In their hearts
We find its meaning.

Please double click to embiggen. I had a lot of fun doing this and Thank you for sharing in our Holiday Greeting Card for this year.

Holidaze

Happy Holidays and I enjoyed Christmas with our family and friends very much with no major trauma, drama, or bloodshed, which is always a good thing. As my Dh pointed out, "Your mother didn't harp on you." See, we have Really lowered our Expectations around here for the holidays. Plus, she was just too Damn busy being neurotic about her dog and that my dog was eating her dog's food. (So this is what I have to look forward to when I am eighty years old? Oy vey.)

We changed up some things this year for the holiday that really helped make it much more fun and relaxing than the grind in years past.

We started decorating after Thanksgiving instead of waiting until mid December. Ugh, never again. No sooner do you put the garland and tree up, you are taking them down.

The boys, especially our youngest son, took charge of the outdoor decorating. They did a beautiful and inspiring job and used up every electrical extension cord we own and we regularly trip our circuit breaker, but Oh Such Christmas Spirit!

Instead of a sit down Christmas dinner slaved over by us, we hosted a Christmas pot luck for our friends and neighbors where everyone chipped in. Ah, Delight not to be cleaning the kitchen at midnight.

We also decided to trim our invitations to those folks who reciprocate friendship and hospitality instead of just the take, take, take side of the equation. Some of these families have been to our home for a meal, oh about a dozen times, and we've never seen the inside of their house, well, gee, that certainly sends a message doesn't it? Well, we got the message and acted on it and glad we did.

I love Christmas, but its preparations and expectations wear me out. I realized that I am a New Year's Eve kind of gal, even though I don't believe in New Year's resolutions and my disco ball and big hair celebrations at crowded nightclubs are decades in the past. Now I celebrate with a nice meal and a toast at 12 midnight NYC time with my family to welcome in the New Year which brings a sense of peace and calm that I extend to you and yours.

Please let me know how were your Holidays and how you feel about the New Year?? Thank you for dropping in and I always send my Best for a wonderful 2010.*


*Is the first decade of the 21st century over? Or does this happen next year? Or does it really matter because it's just a Julian calendar we follow versus an Aztec or Jewish?

A Pastiche of Pink for the Holidays

It's That Time Again...
Welcome to Pink Saturday, hosted by the gracious Beverly of How Sweet the Sound!

Please enjoy this Pink Greeting Card to all my friends near and far,

When Life Throws You a Curve,

Don't forget to take a moment and enjoy the Sweetness of the Season.

Blessings to you and yours and May All Your Christmases have a Touch of Pink!

(Photos taken at Serendipity Ice Cream Parlor and Bar, Las Vegas Strip, Nevada.)

It's Time to Motivate, not Obviate

It's that time again, time to for my weekly post at The Motivation Station! Please stop by and Thank you!

The Reason Why What Happens In Vegas...

The Reason Why What Happens In Vegas, Stays in Vegas is-

You're too dam tired to bring it home with you.

Some things will stay with me of course, like my wonderful time with Mr.and Mrs.Spit, who is a Girlfriend of the highest water from her rubbing my back when I got carsick from driving around a parking garage in the backseat, to being such a fun shopping, dining, and sightseeing companion. Her lovely Mr.Spit too, who was subjected to our two teen boys hopped up on sugar and new places and handled it with aplomb.

I totally don't "GET" gambling, and Mrs.Spit and I both agree that we want to walk away from spending money with some sense of value, (perhaps a pair of purple lace up shoes?), which is hard to do from a flashing, noisy machine that eats your money. (Including the Dance Dance Rev.olution game in the arcade, go figure.) Plus we can play flashing, noisy games at home for free without getting inundated with cigarette smoke, blech!!

Hoover Dam is an engineering marvel, worthy of its tag as one of the Seven Manmade Wonders of The World. As my Dh points out, Las Vegas would not exist without the Dam, which not only provides the liquid gold of the desert, water, but also cheap electricity.

Our family's weekend in Vegas wasn't only spent with the Spits, but also a herd of Cowboys in town for the National Rodeo Finals. I have never seen so many cowboy hats in my life. Ever. Also, there is an apparent fabric shortage in L.V., as many women were wearing next to nothing and you could practically see their "pupick" as my Grandma used to say. Another fashion trend is skintight black leggings either worn with boots or high heeled sandals. A highlight of the trip was sharing an elevator with one boogying, very curvaceous young lady who wore black sequined leggings accessorized by a wine glass, and Man, She Owned It!! If I was single and twenty years younger, I would so be her running buddy that night.

On our short flight home back to Los Angeles, I made my usual celebrity sighting as we shared our plane with Robin Antin, creater of The Pussycat Dolls musical group and their popular song, "Don't Cha".

Thank you so much for your visit and what have you been up to besides dodging cowboys and scantily clad women?

Song Inspired Post

Cha Cha Cha Changes... This last week my new couches finally arrived after 5 months, dozens of phone calls, repicking of fabric, and a switch of sales rep with free delivery and no sales tax thrown in because I can be quite persuasive. They are beautiful and I will plan to post a picture along with our holiday decorations soon.

I must have met my wierdo quotient because I finally sold my old minivan for a Fair Price! I sold it to the ODDEST People we have ever met, (And believe me, we've met some Whackadoodles with me working as nurse and my husband who lived in Alaska for many years.) They were like something from a movie, with ill kempt clothing and Just A Strange demeanor. The lady who bought the car made me a necklace so I wouldn't forget her. Don't worry I won't, it's not everyday I meet someone who drives around for six weeks with the back window of their van busted out And who dresses like a homeless person, but Isn't. The necklace was made with a shoestring in which quite a few of her hairs were caught in the knot. Nice.

Hi Ho Hi Ho, It's Off to Vegas I go to meet in person, a long time dear, dear blog friend, Mrs.Spit and her hubby. We are going out to a wonderful restaurant, Mix at THe HoTEL at Mandalay Bay, tomorrow night and then off to see the Hoover Dam on Saturday. I am excited but worried, will I live up to my bloggy self? It's a blind date, let's face it, but it's going to be GREAT!! Cannot Wait!!

Well, it's time for me to Put On My Sunday Clothes and wish you a wonderful weekend and Thank you for your visit.

Neighborhood TV Film Shoot for Almost Wordless Wednesday

It's always great to see the catering trucks and make up trailers set up for filming in our neighborhood.

Thank you for your visit and your sweet comments and support. Blog friends are the Best. Also, I am dreaming of a Green Christmas at The Motivation Station today. Thank you again.

I've Fallen and I can't get up in blogland

I've Fallen and I can't get up.
I feel somewhat numb by all the stuff to do, the busy craziness with sick people at work, and trying not to feel ODD cause I am just not feeling it to the Nnth degree. I am not a Scrooge or a Grinch, I am happy, content, enjoying the season, not feeling especially stressed, just kinda in cruise control here. If stuff gets done, great, if not, meh.

I am having a little bloggy guilt, my commenting, following, posting, and creativity are also lying prone on the linoleum with my phone and assistive devices just out of reach. It's not because I'm not thinking about all my cyberbuds, I do, I am, and I send my best, it because I just can't get out of my own way some days. Even when I am content to lie here with the cool floor beneath me.

July in Christmas?

I am longing for the dog days of summer, no, certainly not for the triple digit temperatures, but for the non expectations.
Some people talk about Christmas in July, I want July in Christmas. No cards to send out, nothing to buy except sun block and burger buns, ah, the good life...

For more good life, please visit me at today at The Motivation Station. Thank you.

Trying Thankfulness

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.

Somebody please tell me that they have enjoyable holidays with their parents, because that is sorely lacking in my quiet little life.

It was the worst of times, consistent criticisms and rudeness from my mother, no food in my parent's house for my kids, not even milk.

It was the best of times, my 11 y/o son and I got to spend time with my beloved Uncle Bud and listen to him share about his experiences as a Tank infantryman in World War 2.

It was the saddest of times, visiting my brother's grave, rubbing my hands across his grave marker instead of being able to hold him and hug him.

It was the most cherished of times, when we got home and could relax as a family, and share our tradition of watching Dickens' A Christmas Carol, to help get us in the holiday spirit.

And how was your Thanksgiving weekend? The best of times or ????

Giving Thanks

Welcome to Wednesday and Thank you so much for your visit. I would like to wish you and yours a most wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday.

Giving Thanks on a regular basis helps create an attitude of appreciation and gratitude. Often, when I feel my burdens of work, home, family, and friends become too heavy, I think of the abundance of which I am blessed.

When I think of the stress of my career working with the medically fragile and ill, I am reminded to be grateful for my own health and that of my family. I am also blessed to have a demanding job that is In Demand and provides my family with access to medical care and many other necessities and more than a few treats too.

When I am overwhelmed with all I have to do to maintain my household between cleaning, financial management, yard work, and decorating, I become aware that so many others have no place to call their own or care for.

When I am missing my time with my friends, I am thankful that I have friends to miss. I also realize that I need to nurture my friendships.

When my time is not my own because of shuttling my sons to baseball, show choir, or a sleep over, or getting up early to help my husband get ready for refereeing, I am blessed to have a family to care for and that cares for me. Also the realization that this time with our children is all too brief.

Whenever I am sad for those whom I have loved and lost, I am thankful that I had their love and light in my life and that is their gift to me and my family.

I am appreciative of you, dear Reader, for the gift of your time and sharing.
Please feel free to share something for which you are Thankful, that would be most appreciated.

From my post at Today's Motivation Station.

Grief Season/ Postcard to the Edge

While I was growing up, Thanksgiving was a favorite, most warm, and enjoyable holiday for my family. My mother put out a delicious spread of food, we used our fine china, damask linens, and depression glass serving ware, and we sang our Grace before the meal. (Actually my mother sang the song, "We Gather Together", the rest of us just kind of mouthed or hummed along.) I have many happy memories of those times together which I cherish.

For the last 25 years, a veil of sadness comes over me this time of year. This Thanksgiving, it is the 25th anniversary of my older brother's Jim's death at the age of 24 years. We were very close in age and in kindred spirit. He was my rock, my play, my guide, my friend. So now, he's been gone longer than he was here. This feeling of grief and longing for him to be with us, celebrating with his own family, weighs heavy on my heart and spirit. The sadness comes unbidden on these anniversaries, it's like a force of nature, outside of myself.

I want to send him a postcard-

I miss you, Jimmy.
I am good, living the life we always wanted and talked about when we were little, with a loving family and home to call our own. I remember you wanted to name your children, Brian and Ann, such lovely names. You would love my boys and my husband too and they would love you so, so much. I still have the matchbox cars we played with as children, they are among my most prized possessions. Your prism is next to my desk and when it casts rainbows, I feel you close to me.

I miss you, Jim, I always will. Thank you for the love we shared, I know my grief is the price I pay for all the joy and love you gave me.

Martha

City of Angels for the Color Carnival

This is an angel from the Los Angeles Public Art project where over two hundred angels were decorated and placed throughout the city to create a Community of Angels.

Thank you for visiting for the Color Carnival. I wish you a most Angelic Weekend!

Dear Loser Letters - Morons R Us or RIP Tact

Dear Fellow Soccer Team Mom,

It is always nice to chat on the sidelines with the other team parents. I especially enjoy talking with the ladies about Girl stuff and beauty grooming tips. Thank you so much for your interest in not only WHO threads my eyebrows, But How Much she Charges, and Where she does this service. Thank you So MUCH for letting me know that I PAY TOO Much, especially for someone who does it OUT OF Their House. Thank you also for sharing that you pay half as much as I do. You didn't have to tell me, I can see that for myself. Really.

Signed, You Get What You Pay For


Dear Scout Dad who Takes this Way too seriously,

It is very informative to meet with the other parents in our sons' Scout Troop. Thank you so much for telling me that making Scout Leaders more available for the boys to help with signing off on rank advancements and other administrative stuff Wasn't Needed. I had NEVER EVER Thought to use your method of helping my boys by Nagging them. Please show me the Nagging section in the Scout Leader's manual. I am sure my boys will be So Happy to have me Nag them about one more thing. Oh, I am so sorry for making you Sooo defensive, that wasn't my intent.

Signed, Remember It's For The Boys


Dear Potential Car Buyer who nitpicks every scratch on my car,

Thank you so much for telling me about every little scratch or ding on my car. I am not selling the car because I am blind.

Signed, Go Bother Someone else or Pony Up for a New Car

Nursing in a virtual world

It is almost a reflex when you tell people that you are a RN that they ask, "What hospital do you work at?"

When I tell them I am a RN case manager and I telecommute, they often have trouble wrapping their minds around the idea of a nurse who provides nursing care in a virtual environment. Everything I do is over the telephone or internet and I work with patients and families all over the U.S. I take care of a wide range of diagnoses, from Asthma to Zoster infections, Cancer to Cardiac disease, Diabetes to Developmental delays, from premature babies to the very elderly. I am a professional problem solver, empathetic counselor, and clinical educator. My tools are not a stethoscope or EKG machine, but my ability to listen, provide resources, and foster self reliance for patients and families.

Recently, my son asked me what do I say the first time I call my patients? Great question, so much hinges on that first call. You really have to introduce yourself and your role very concisely and meaningfully to encourage people to share about themselves and their health issues to a voice over the phone. I introduce myself as a Nurse from their health plan and I am calling to see how they're doing and what they need for themselves and their families to cope with their disease. I tell them they can call me anytime and here's my direct extension. Then, I ask, "How are you doing? What can I do to help?"

There are many rewards, the child who has finished cancer treatment and can return to school, a severe asthmatic who quits smoking, a terminally ill patient receiving comfort and dignity as their families also receive care and support. Needless to say, I become very attached to some patients and families, especially those I have worked with for years and have been through some very trying times with. It is a privilege.

Yesterday, I signed up to take my certification exam in March to become a Certified Case Manager. After 8 1/2 years in my current and hopefully last job, (because I love it and enjoy it so much), I think I owe it to myself, my 28 year nursing career, and my patients to take this step. Please, wish me luck. ;oD

Psycho's Funhouse

No, this isn't a self portrait or a picture of the front of my house, but some days it certainly "Could Be". (Though I usually don't wear hats like Psycho the Clown here.)

Psycho's Fun house was part of The Halloween Haunt at one of my most favorite local hiking spots, Hart Park in Santa Clarita. Hiking for me is my workout session and my meditation.

Thank you for joining me for Mellow Yellow Perfect Moment Monday. My best to you and yours that Pyscho the Clown doesn't come and redecorate or move into your place.

Street Chalk Art for Pink Saturday

Welcome to Pink Saturday, a celebration of the most Rosey of colors.
I was tickled pink to attend a Chalk Art Festival near my home last month and see these charming pink market umbrellas.
This artist is creating a picture of Michael Jackson.A bloggy friend, Ebie of The Main Ingredient, has a gorgeous photo of this finished chalk portrait of Michael Jackson. She is a delightful photographer and blogger too.

I like this pink sign competing for attention among the artwork.

Thank you to our host of Pink Saturday, Beverly, and to you for your visit.

Orange You Glad It's Art for The Color Carnival

Welcome to Orange You Glad It's Art for The Color Carnival.
I hope you enjoy these photos from a recent local art fair which featured some very engaging pieces.

I really like this artist, Leon Jiminez who paints sports and celebrity subjects. I got my Dh a little something for the holidays from him.

Thank you for your visit and thank you also to Yaya for Orange You Glad and Martha of The Color Carnival for hosting our Colorful Fiesta, Ole!

Cheshire Cat Sighting for Almost Wordless Wednesday

Here is evidence that the Cheshire Cat really does exist as seen by this recent sighting at a local park.


Thank you for your visit and any literary character sightings near you?

Please stop by The Motivation Station to see how I am coping with traveling this Thanksgiving.

Honoring our Veterans

A salute to the veterans in my family who represent all branches of the military-

My uncle - Army- Tank Infantryman who liberated the death camps in World War 2.
My brother in law - Air Force - Helicopter Medi Evac pilot during Vietnam.
My cousin - Coast Guard - Served in U.S. and the Pacific waters.
My cousin's daughter - Navy, just finished 6 years on the Nuclear Carrier, the Nimitz.

We are lucky, you all made it home and safe. God Bless to all who have served.

Orange You Glad It's A Mirrored Woman for Weekend Reflections

I was fascinated and enjoyed this mirrored female sculpture seen at a recent Arts Festival near my home. I did not discover her somewhat malevolent gaze until I looked at the photos.
Thank you to my hosts, Yaya for Orange You Glad, and James of Newton Area Photo for Weekend Reflections, and to you for your visit.

Glass Pumpkins for The Color Carnival

These colorful glass pumpkins were on sale by the artist at the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica. I love the blue ones, I've never seen a blue pumpkin before and it's my favorite color.
Thank you to Martha, host of The Color Carnival and to you for your visit. De Colores!

Dish and Disgruntlement - Blogger Disclosures

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that any new source of media or revenue, to the government, must be in want of regulation.

Blogger disclosures are appearing all over blogland in response to the Federal Trade Commission's new guidelines on social media advertising and promotion. I do not have ads on my blogs or blog "commercially" or "professionally". But like the pros, I do have some blog disclosures to share-

The title of my blog, A Sense of Humor is Essential, was inspired by the Six Word Meme where you summarize your life in six words.

Regarding Memes and Awards, Tag at your own risk. I have some awards to catch up on and they all seem to come in batches. Thank you to my Nominators, I appreciate you all. I am in awe of folks who post these immediately. It takes me a long time to come up with semi interesting facts about myself, link up all the blogs, and adhere to the rules that these memes require.

Blogging is a hobby, akin to my gardening versus that of a professional landscaper. I don't even have a traffic, hit counter gadget downloaded. That would just dredge up too many insecurity issues from my adolescence.

I need to go on a blog diet. My blog list and general blog housekeeping feel flabby and out of shape.

I am intrigued by the same two cartoon women who seem to be very popular in Blog header designs. Where did these cartoon people come from? Is it many bloggers' dream to appear as Betty and Wilma from the Flintstones?

Disgruntlement disclosures:

Big flashing graphics and widgets, super loud music, hours to load the page, and brown lettering on a black background are my blog visit nemesis-es. Do these folks ever click on their blog like a visitor to see how it looks? Or do they just add their widgets and gadgets in the dark after imbibing?

Bloggers who never return a comment, Ever, Ever, Ever. It's like an one sided conversation whose deafening silence is saying that "You and your blog are chopped liver." (Old, moldy chopped liver.)

Mean commenters. What rock did these losers crawl out from under? Hey, I shouldn't be insulting Rocks! Luckily, I have only had one troll in 18 months of blogging, so turning off Anonymous comments works.

Thank you for reading this disclosure. Any disclosures you would like to propose, defend or refute?


No trees or small animals with big pretty eyes were harmed in the making of this entry. I did however neglect my dog's walk to bring this to you.
(Extra Credit Point Opportunity for identifying the author and book whose title and first sentence I mutilated for this post. ;o)

How to Survive the Holidays Without Ending Up in The Newspapers

Please stop over at The Motivation Station (TMS) today where I am hosting the topic of holiday planning and budget ideas. This includes Regifting gift cards, minimizing holiday meltdowns of the culinary and psychological type, avoiding inviting the slacker relative, and Not dressing like a certain Pop icon.

I am delighted to Welcome our new TMS host for Fridays, The Head Eagle of The Eagle's View.

Thank you so much for your visit.

What are your tried and true coping strategies for the hectic holidays? Or do you just throw china across the room and leave town?

Etiquette for Flower Recipients

When your adult daughter has flowers delivered for your 79th birthday, please do not make the first, second, and third statements about the flowers, Questions about Why You Purchased Said flowers at a florist shop way downtown and Not a local florist shop near your house. Because you know, you are Concerned about how much your Adult daughter paid for the flowers and you didn't want her to Overpay! Heaven Forbid. And also, a local florist shop went out of business last year and there is only one florist left in town.

Please kindly remember that many adults use internet floral sites and have no control of where the Flowers Originate, only where they End Up. There are a multitude of discounts available for flowers and your daughter is a savvy shopper. Also, please keep in mind that the Giver is Not Responsible for the Local Economy in your community.

Thank you, No, I don't need the name of your local florist for the next time. There, unfortunately, will not be a next time. My sincere apologies.

Perfect Moment Monday - Virtual Connections

Welcome to Perfect Moment Mondays where we gather to warm our collective tootsies on the fires of appreciation and mindfulness. I would like to share two moments that occurred in my "virtual world" that sincerely touched my heart.

The first moment occurred when I decided to go to website of the author and consultant, Gavin de Becker after I recommended his books, The Gift of Fear and Protecting the Gift for literally the hundredth time. I read his books after I saw Mr.de Becker on TV almost a decade ago where he talked about trusting your instincts when it comes to your safety and the safety of your family. He consults with celebrities, the wealthy, and the FBI on risk assessment, security, and profiling. His subject matter is highly sensitive and heart wrenching including the topics of abuse, domestic and workplace violence, abduction, etc. His books are well written, clear, concise, with many anecdotes and real life examples as Mr.de Becker is a long term student, survivor, and orphan of domestic violence from his childhood. These books are not escapist reading, but incredibly educational and empowering in the truest sense of the word.

The website had a guest book to sign in and comment and here is what I wrote-

I want to sincerely thank Mr.de Becker for writing the books, The Gift of Fear and Protecting the Gift. I am a pediatric nurse and mother of teen boys and I find myself recommending these two books multiple times per year both personally and professionally. It must have been extraordinarily painful to write these books as it was very painful, yet necessary, to read. Mr.de Becker has empowered and educated me to not only teach my own children, but also those I come in contact with to trust their own instincts. My best to you all for continued success.

Imagine my surprise when later that day, I received this reply -

You’re kind to let me know the books have value to you.

I’m grateful you took the time, and very glad you find benefit in those books.

Best in your important work –

Gavin de Becker


That was really cool for me to get a response from Mr.de Becker. He's been on Oprah and worked with the Clintons and The Sheik of Dubai and he thanked me for My Important Work!!

The next virtual connection occurred from our Perfectly Marvelous Host of Perfect Moment Mondays, Lori of Weebles Wobblog, when she gave me a Shout Out on her blog for the New meme, Shout Out Sunday hosted by Melissa of Full Circle. The details of Shout Out Sunday are to:

Choose a blog that has moved you. A daily must read. One you stalk. One that makes you laugh, cry or scream at the monitor. A new one you would like to give exposure to. Someone you would like to introduce to your readers and send a warm fuzzy while you're at it.

Thank you, dear Lori for this warm, fuzzy perfect moment. I so appreciate it and You.

For my Shout Out, I would like to introduce my long term blog buddy, Mom to Twins plus One whose honesty, caring, and sharing about herself and her family also touch my heart and spirit.

Thank you for your visit, I appreciate it. May many perfect moments be yours whether virtual or up close and personal.

Halloween Haunt at The Krazy Kitchen

Hullo Boils and Ghouls and Velcome to Frrrightfull Fun here at The Krazy Kitchen's Halloween Haunt! I am so delighted to play along as we gather Tricks and Treats for this All Hallows Eve and Day of The Dead!

Before I share a most favorite recipe of the Fall season, I wanted to show you a couple of my Halloween traditions and decorations.

This includes my display of my collection of Villians and Super Hero Dolls.
I really get a kick out of my Jack Skellington dolls from Nightmare Before Christmas and the Halle Berry as Catwoman. (Yes, I need to Get Out More.)
My absolute favorites are the Disney Villains dolls including Ursula the Sea Witch and Cruella DeVil. I must have those puppies! (The original animated Cruella, not the Glenn Close live action yawn version.)The Michael Myers Action figure from the movie, Halloween is signed by the actor who plays him, Tyler Mane, a friend and neighbor. He is surrounded by all the women villains to keep him in line.

This is the Halloween Themed Bra for a Cause I won at a recent Breast Cancer Charity Luncheon and yes, it's my size. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, Happy Self Breast Exam and Mammography to you!

I hope you enjoy this recipe for an easy and elegant dessert, Apple Calvados Croustade that is perfect for the Fall Holidays. Thank you so much for visiting for The Halloween Haunt! Boo to You!

Apple Calvados Croustade
Total time: 1 hour, 5 minutes

Servings: 8

Note: Adapted from a recipe for apple and Armagnac croustade in the "Café Boulud Cookbook" by Daniel Boulud and Dorie Greenspan. Boulud's recipe is traditional from Gascony, hence the Armagnac, but Calvados, the apple brandy from Normandy, is also wonderful. Feel free to use the traditional Armagnac, if you prefer. Be sure to use a large enough skillet (13 inches is perfect) so the apples caramelize properly.

1 stick plus 2 tablespoons butter, divided

6 Black Arkansas or Rome apples, peeled, cored and cut into 1/3 -inch slices

1 moist, plump vanilla bean

1/4 cup sugar

1/3 cup Calvados or other Apple Liqueur like Apple Jack

8 sheets filo dough

1/2 cup powdered sugar (or more, as needed)

1/3 cup sliced almonds, divided

1. Melt 4 tablespoons (one-half stick) of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Place the apple slices in a bowl. Cut the vanilla bean lengthwise in half and, using the tip of a small knife, scrape the seeds over the apples and drop the pod on top. When the butter is foamy, add the apples with the vanilla and the sugar and cook, stirring very gently but frequently, until the apples are lightly caramelized and soft, about 15 to 20 minutes. Add the Calvados liqueur and, using a long match and standing well back, set it aflame. When the flames subside, turn the apples over in the Calvados; when the flames have died out and the Calvados has reduced to a glaze, transfer the apples to a bowl and allow them to cool to room temperature.

2. Center a rack in the oven and heat it to 350 degrees. Place a 10-inch tart ring on a baking sheet lined with a silicon mat or parchment. Melt the remaining 6 tablespoons butter and set it aside. Unfold the filo dough on your work surface and cover it with a damp towel.

3. Remove the top sheet of filo (re-cover the remaining sheets), brush it lightly with butter, and dust it with powdered sugar shaken from a fine-mesh strainer. Gently and loosely crumple the dough into a circle and lay it into the pastry ring. Sprinkle it with about one-fifth of the almonds. Repeat this procedure three more times, until you have four buttered, sugared and almond-sprinkled sheets of filo layered in the ring. Do not press them together -- let them keep some height.

4. Spoon the apples into the center of the croustade, leaving a 1-inch border bare. Working as you did before, butter, sugar and crumple a sheet of filo, fitting it over the apples. Sprinkle this layer with the remaining almonds, and cover this with another crumpled sheet of buttered and sugared filo. Do a little styling and draping; arrange the filo so it looks good.

5. Slide the croustade into the oven and bake for about 10 to 12 minutes, watching the top of the tart carefully to make certain it doesn't brown too much. The top should be just lightly browned. Remove the croustade from the oven.

6. Increase the oven temperature to 400 degrees. Butter and sugar another sheet of filo, loosely crumple it and place it on the last layer to make a light, airy crown. Bake the tart for 5 to 10 minutes, or until lightly browned, then remove it from the oven again.

7. Butter the last sheet of filo and, once again, crumple it to make a crown. Place it on top of the croustade and dust it heavily with the remaining powdered sugar. Return the tart to the oven and bake until the top layer caramelizes evenly, about 5 to 10 minutes. Check the progress of the sugar frequently because it can go from brown to burned in a flash. Pull the croustade from the oven as soon as the top is a golden caramel color and allow it to cool for 5 to 10 minutes.

8. To serve, lift off the tart ring and, using two large, wide metal spatulas, transfer the croustade to a serving plate. Serve the tart warm or at room temperature the day it is made, with crème fraîche, whipped cream (or even better, crème fraîche lightened with whipped cream) or vanilla ice cream.

Each serving: 363 calories; 3 grams protein; 46 grams carbohydrates; 5 grams fiber; 18 grams fat; 10 grams saturated fat; 38 mg. cholesterol; 95 mg. sodium.

from The Los Angeles Times Magazine

MoJo for Motivation

Today my MoJo is over at The Motivation Station. Come on over and pull up a goal or two. (Can you believe this online support has helped me clean out my refrigerator/freezer, deep freezer, pantry, and junk drawers galore in essentially a month? No, me neither, until I open these former disaster areas up.)

We are also looking for another host for The Motivation Station. Please leave a comment if you are motivated to join us! Thank you so much.

Poetry Runs in the Family, Run Faster, Poetry

The thing with haikus

Is that they don't always make

Refrigerator


This haiku is brought to you by my 14 y/o son who wrote it and wanted me to share it with my "blog friends".

Acrobats at The Street Fair for Pink Saturday

A Street Chalk Art Festival was held near my home recently and these fearless, flexible, and fuschia clad acrobats were a highlight!
Thank you to Beverly, our blushing host of Pink Saturday who herds all of us Pinkaholics like cats.

Zoltar The Fortune Teller at The Santa Monica Pier

Zoltar The Fortune Teller will see you now and know.



Welcome to The Color Carnival and Weekend Reflections.
Thank you to my hosts, Martha (Color Carnival), and James (Weekend Reflections), and to you for your visit.

Trivia Question ala Weebles Wobblog - What movie featured Zoltar The Fortune Teller as a crucial plot device?

Protect your Skin for Drabby to Fabby

Welcome to The Drabby to Fabby Party hosted by dear Cheapskate Mom and Chicken Nuggets of Wisdom where you show a picture of your plain unadorned self, and then after spackling, hairspray, and mascara, a photo of the evidence that "You Clean Up Pretty Good". Simple enough, right? Except for the Fact that I am so Rarely Fabby, and Mostly Drabby, that a Fabby picture of me is akin to authenticated video of Big Foot or the Loch Ness Monster.

Drabby: No makeup, nothing, just me and my pets enjoying the attention. (Sorry for my dog's immodest pose btw, he didn't know I was going to post this.)

Fabby: All dressed up for a luncheon with my dear friend. I've always loved boots and argyle sweaters.
I am thankful that I had skin cancer at the tender age of 28 y/o because it taught me to take care of my skin. I have worn high SPF sunblock for the last twenty years and I never leave the house, even to walk the dog, without it. I have sensitive, oily skin and have tried EVERY Sunblock made and I swear by Hawaiian Tropic Oil Free Faces SPF 30 and Mary Kay Day Solution SPF 25. (The Mary Kay product is so gentle it doesn't sting or burn even if you apply it right after showering, I kid you not!). Both sunblocks can be applied both under and over make up and Do Not Cause Break Outs. (It is less than attractive to be closing in on 50 y/o with Acne!) Most skin damage and aging occurs from accumulated UV exposure, even overcast sunlight. I apply sunblock two to three times per day during a regular day and about every 90 minutes if I am outdoors hiking or at the beach. I use Aveeno SPF 70 for the rest of my body and it also works great.

Thank you for stopping by and sharing in this rare transformation. Please let me know if you have any skin secrets you use to beautify and protect your skin, the biggest organ of the human body.

Arlington West at Santa Monica Beach for Almost Wordless Wednesday

Arlington West is held each Sunday at Santa Monica Beach, California and is a project of Veterans for Peace.
We will never forget the sacrifice of our brothers and sisters in uniform and their families who miss them so.

PAX PAIX SHALOM PEACE

Hometown Girls Weekend - Recipe for Perfect Moments

Take three girlfriends visiting from my hometown.

Add two nights away, first to Santa Barbara, and then to Santa Monica.

Sprinkle liberal doses of laughter, good conversation, delicious food and wine, more doses of good wine, spectacular scenery and weather, and leisurely shopping.

Let chill for approxmately fifty hours resulting in one happy, contented, appreciative woman.

For more perfect moments recipes, please visit the chief cook and bottlewasher of this enterprise, Lori of Weebles Wobblog. Thank you very much.

Decision Making Rules for Almost Wordless Wednesday

Thank you for your visit and I wish you a Wondrous Wednesday.

If you want to get your MoVo On, I am the host today over at The Motivation Station! Thank you again.

Dear Loser Letters - Because Life is Too Short to Hold it All Inside

Dear Large Chain Art store employee,

Another lady and I waited for fifteen minutes in the framing department to pick up our completed artwork. Please believe me when I walk all the way back to the front of store to ask you to please page the framing department guy that HE's Not There. Or maybe, he's invisible and I'm a liar?

Signed, I Retrieved My Own Picture, Thank you very much.


Dear Furniture Sales Guy,

You might not remember us but we ordered our new couch and chair 12 weeks ago!!! I understand the fabric is backordered and hopefully is due in this week, and pray tell, how do I know? I've called the store, numerous, countless times. I guess your phones don't make Outgoing calls! Or maybe your other customers just don't care about their stuff like we do?

Signed, Never Giving you my Business Again


Dear Man who called about Buying the Used Minivan,

Thank you so much for your interest in buying our used car. You, however, are too Stupid to buy our car, as you did not LEAVE a return phone number.

Signed, A NonPyschic without Caller ID


Dear House,

A self cleaning oven is a step in the right direction, but what I am really looking for is a Self Cleaning House! C'mon, we have the technology to make babies sound like investment advisors and land an ATV on Mars, this is NOT TOO Much to Ask! Especially since my hometown girlfriends from Ohio are visiting us this weekend before I spend a girl's weekend away with them in Santa Barbara and Santa Monica. C'mon, pretty please? I'll get your carpets cleaned professionally...

Signed, Not to Be Confused with the Other Martha


Dear Kid Who Stole My son's bike,

I bet you were suprised and significantly humilated, (oh, sorry for using such big words), to have a petite, middle aged woman get all up in your face and take her son's bike BACK. That's right, yessirree, I thought so, darn right. Learn anything?
I just wanted to leave you with this parting thought courtesy of the boy whose bike you stole and is now returned to him, "It Must Suck to Be you."

Signed, It Sure Doesn't Suck to be Us!

Jewerly Giveaway Winner

Hello, I didn't forget my responsiblity of the Country Fair Jewelry Giveaway and our winner today is Wenn with comment#11.

I used a random number generator to be neutral like Switzerland because I really wanted all of you to win!

11

Random numbers generated Oct 12 2009 at 13:27:10 by www.psychicscience.org

Thank you so much for playing along, Martha

An Award Post in Which I share 7 Things about Moi

I blow at memes and awards and I am having a blog button made with a tornado symbol that reflects this. However, I do appreciate and I am always kindly touched by my dear fellow bloggers who think enough of the blog version of me to give me this Kreativ Award. (What's up w/the spelling btw? It's the one Grammar skill I am good at!)
I am so pleased to receive this Award from 2 bloggers, the Adorable and Correctly Spelled Creative Dawn of Lydia and Pugs and the Original Prep, Beth at Social Climbers.

The next task at hand is to share 7 things about me that won't bore you to death. Okay, this is the part that always tricks me up with this whole meme/award stuff, so much pressure!!! Okay, here you go and I hope you just drank a caffeinated beverage.

1.I am an upbeat, easygoing, and optimistic person despite my Ripley from Alien moment four days ago.

2.I have lived longer in Los Angeles than anywhere else including Ohio, N.J., and Florida.

3.I dislike shopping. Please, do not confuse this with not appreciating or enjoying nice, new things. I just rarely want to be involved in the Procurement process. I have to be in the mood to shop. Whether in groceries or clothing, I like to buy in bulk.

4.Having grown up in the Art and Antiques business, it still amazes me how much I learned and assimilated from being surrounded by it my whole life. Same thing with music, and for these gifts, I am eternally grateful to my dear Parents who I am blessed to still have with me and well.

5.Aging doesn't bother me. (My creaky knees bother me on cold mornings hiking, but aging, no.) I learned very young when my brother died at 24 y/o, aging is a gift. I take care of myself and I feel beautiful at 48 y/o. I made a decision not to worry too much about stuff outside my control, and this is waaaay outside my control. Stuff I can control, like a healthy diet, exercise, sunblock, well, that's what I put my energy into and it's paying off for me. Plus, living in Los Angeles, the land of the plastic fantastic faces, I appreciate Real faces of all ages, including my own.

6.For the first time, I met a blog friend IRL! My family met Jason of The Jason Show and his beautiful family at our local Church Festival a few weeks ago, and we had a great time. He is as delightful in person as he is online and it was so sweet to see our boys together. Thank You, Jason and Giancarlo.

7.I am also looking forward to meeting another dear blog friend, Mrs.Spit and her husband, Mr.Spit when our families will meet up in Las Vegas in a couple of months.

Whew, 7 hopefully not too boring facts about me.
Now to pass on the award to some other bloggers and I am just pulling alphabetical names for some more victims, I mean Awardees!

An Eagles View - Tell the Head Eagle, Martha says Hello! She will insist on it actually.

A Suburban Stay At Home Mom - Ruth is a scrapbooker and mini book maker par excellence!

Beauty Be Good - Randi is good, actually She's Great, funny, warm, and wise about all things beautiful, just like her.

It Must Be A Full Moon - A Howl to Michele Renee, no matter what phase of the moon.

Life At the Gables- Liz is Ruth's sister and also wonderful needle artisan and sweet like her sis.

Mrs.Spock who is a Wife, Mom, Nurse, and kind.

Momma Val is funny and kind, but not a nurse. She's a LEOW, in other words, a cop's wife.

(FYI, for everyone, this is a DIY Award Zone, bask in the love and appreciation of this Award, and then do with it what you will, post it, pass it on, or just please enjoy it!)

Thank you so much for sharing in this blog Award Fest and regardless of whether I tagged you or not, please let me know something cool about you And/Or a favorite blogger we should all visit! My best to you, Martha

Pink Bras for A Cause

Last Sunday, I went to a Soroptimist Bras for a Cause Breast Cancer charity luncheon. A friend and I went to support another dear friend who is active in this organization and a 7 year survivor of the disease. (Disclaimer: This is my one and only annual charity luncheon, I am not a lady who "lunches" but this particular charity is near and dear to my heart. Actually, breasts are near all of our hearts!) This is a fun affair with a delightful silent auction, delicious food, spectacular scenery, and enjoyable company. Plus, it does give me the rare opportunity to dress up which I often think I have forgotten how to do!

The signature silent auction items are the Bras decorated to reflect the Overall theme for the event which this year was "Sisterhood of the Traveling Bra", featuring bras from around the globe.

Here is the Geisha Bra from Japan.
This feather embellished bra represents Venice, Italy.
This bra is Gay Paree, the City of Love.
And here is France herself, complete with The Eiffel Tower on her shoulder.
A much more local entry, let's give a shout out to my favorite park, Placerita Canyon in North Los Angeles.
And to finish our tour of the pink bras at this luncheon, what would be more perfect than a slice of Pink Bra Cake?
Please check your breasts or have your partner do it! You fellas too! (Men can get breast cancer.)

Thank you to the gracious host of Pink Saturday, Beverly who requests that we bloggers mingle and link up to a newly found blogger each week and I would like to introduce the mouth watering inducing blogger, Mimi from Our Family Attic. Her food photographs cause an immediate Pavlovian response, amazing.

As a special thank you to my bloggy friends, I am having a Giveaway of your choice of a handcrafted pair of earrings or bracelet made by yours truly. Please enter if you would like a chance to win.

Thank you so much for your visit, Martha