Tag Archives: ~Christmas

Creating Memories During The Holiday Season

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295757_366398673449765_1321707704_nFor as long as I can remember my home as always been decorated from top to bottom with every nook and corner having just the right decoration from when I was young to now. I remember my Mom always making our Christmas special in every way that she could from baked goods to a tree that often had more than one ornament per branch. Garlands and lights were strung inside and out and walls and doors were always marked with something festive to help celebrate. Yes, my family has been told more than once that it looks like Christmas threw up in our home but we don’t care.

Special times and celebrations have always been important during this time of year and making keepsakes is always important. The picture above shows the cut off end of a Christmas tree made into an ornament which makes for a cherished keepsake. Just use a cut disk from the bottom trunk and write a message with a sharpie. Drill a hole and use wire or ribbon to make a loop and bow to hang.

I often will keep little pieces of wrapping papers and tags from presents. I trim them nicely into squares and bundle them together often with just a staple. I have had meaning to place them in scrapbooks but our family has kept photos more digitally then printing them out these past few years. I have also thought about Modge-Podging them to pre-cut forms that would make nice keepsake ornaments. They go into our memory boxes that each person in the family has and I hope the kids enjoy these memory reminders when they are older..

Ornaments seem to always be in abundance in my home as each year each family member gets one that represents something significant that occurred that year. I am always finding ornaments in repair and take the time to do just that even though we can never use them all. I have marked years and names on them and I suppose in the years after I am no longer here that they will find their way to who they belong. Until then these will remain with me as special little memory reminders.

Special dinners and present giving is always important to me as well. I find finding that special present and even the perfect wrapping paper for my loved ones fun to do. I know I hear a lot that many consider it a chore – and I always reply if it is such a burden don’t do it. I do not personally care if I receive anything or not in return but always find special and thoughtful gifts mean more than expensive costly presents.

I am also one of those obnoxious people who send out a family newsletter – and some may think it is obnoxious but others start asking when they will get it if it is taking a little longer than usual to get it. I do try to keep it short and concise but always bear in mind that some of the information may be of no interest to you but someone else may want o hear about it. I also send several pictures out so people can see some of our years events. I have cut my list of those who I send to down as the years go on – those who send nothing or barely take the time to even sign a card I feel would prefer to cease communication and I have started to oblige.

The packing up of all of the decorations and keepsakes always takes a few days in my home but I enjoy taking the time to put them all away because the more time that is devoted to putting them away the easier it is to unpack – and enjoy reliving the memories the following year.

What special things do you do for the holidays to help create memories? How to you create little keepsakes other than pictures? What special events does your family partake in this time of year?

Melting Snowman Sugar Cookies

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Snowman_Cookie_WEBHow cool and how SIMPLE! Do we love it? YES!

Make your favorite sugar cookie recipe. Make your favorite sugar cookie icing recipe when cookies are cooled and make a “puddle” that looks like the snowman has already melted. While the icing is still wet, stick a marshmallow to one side. Let icing dry. Use a red/orange candy sprinkle for the nose and black icing to make eyes, mouth and arms. Use blue icing for the scarf (or change this color up) and green for buttons (or change this color up as well).

I told you it was simple – and it looks so cool you people will think you took a lot of time to create your masterpieces.

Review: MicroTouch One

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I have used various shaving products over the past few years in the search for the one product that suits me just fine. I came across the nothing of single and double edged safety razors and was hooked. No more disposable razors that never work just right and no more expensive razor head replacements – do they think we are made of money?

It is funny I never tried this type of razor before since I saw my Dad use it every morning before he went to work. People would buy him razors from electric to expensive and he never used anything but the standby of a double edge safety razor.

So now I am hooked – but little did I know that my journey was not over yet. I had no idea the variations and expense I was getting myself into while I found just the right one. Yes, there are a multitude of different styles, looks, and feel – not to mention the costs. The blades can be found at a dollar store for ten for a dollar but the razors are like a good pair of shoes that you never want to give up on.

I came upon a little beauty called MicroTouch One. It is sleek and the size is perfect. It has a very impressive design and is so easy to use you will be thinking where the heck have I been.IMG_20131018_082447_0

After receiving my MicroTouch One razor in the mail I could not wait to try it. It comes in this really cool black hard case which snaps open to reveal the razor in a red velvet lining and a mirror on the inside lid. The razor itself is perfect size for my hand (and I have average sized hands). I lifted it up and felt that it was the perfect weight. For those of you who never never used a double edged safety razor before know that weight has a lot to do with it – shaving with a double edged safety razor requires balance and weight must be perfect to allow the razor to glide down your skin without having to put pressure with your hand against the razor (which will result in razor burns).

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IMG_20131018_082518_0For my use I used a gel based shave cream that you can get at any store. I find the gel based is better then the foam base but it does not matter when using this type of razor – it is personal preference. I slid out a razor blade from the cartridge and unwrapped it. I unscrewed the butterfly head using the twisting portion of the handle and slid the blade down and tightened it up and was ready to go.

I put the shave cream on my face and placed the razor below my sideburns and let the razor glide down my face which felt like butter. A beautiful glide with no pressure needed and no nicks to my face. I continued on my face and my neck problem free.

UntitledbI opened the butterfly compartment up and rinsed the blade under the tap water for one additional use. I was impressed with the mechanics of the butterfly compartment – nice and tight and easy to twist. I have used ones that are flimsy and feel like they need to be tightened.IMG_20131018_082546_0

I have now recommended the brand to many family members and friends and thought I would share it with all of my readers as well. Since Christmas is coming up I know a few people that will be getting these as a gift with some special shave creams and shaving accessories.

One of the impressive features i still have not told you about is the cost. These razors are just $19.99 – a great deal if you do some comparison shopping on the internet.

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Manufacturers Website: https://www.onerazor.com/

Changing Home Designs According to Seasons by Guest Writer Ella Andrews

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Many people view their homes as refuges from the outside world, a chance to escape it. However, there is nothing better than having a home that does reflect some of the weather changes and the natural world. It’s quite soothing to feel spring-y at home, or winter-cozy. These little tricks can be done with proper home design improvements and some creative thought. Here are several ways to reflect the seasons in a natural and tasteful way at home, ensuring a different feel in each season.

Changing home designs according to seasonsAdd natural displays to capture each season. Place flowers, plants and other nature-related objects in the different rooms. For example, arrange a vase with daffodils and tulips in spring, blooming roses in summer, pine cones and berries in autumn and mistletoe and Christmas plants in winter. These flowers will definitely bring a whole new atmosphere in your home.

Adapt the color scheme accordingly to make each room much more beautiful. One of the easiest ways to reflect the seasons at home is to use the right colors and color combinations. Instead of shutting out the outside world when it’s cold and snowy in winter, reflect these natural changes with white candles and silver ornaments. It’s quite challenging to change the colors in your home with every season, but this doesn’t mean that it’s impossible. Of course you don’t have to repaint the walls, you could simply have some specific items that suit the season. In spring and summer you can achieve that with sheer drapes and lighter furnishing. Focus on the living room and the bedrooms – these areas are usually the easiest to decorate and change. In summer, take down all the heavy curtains and use plenty of bright colors – for cushions, rugs, paintings. In winter, aim at pale and neutral colors. In spring choose lime, green, orange, peach, pink and yellow.Changing home designs according to seasons2

Nature has a big influence on interior design. One pretty way to integrate the nature elements in your home design is by choosing different prints – for curtains, rugs, cushions and even posters and stickers. Trees, leaves, lilies, butterflies, birds – use these symbols to bring a beautiful atmosphere to your home.

Fill a bowl with yellow and brown leaves and pine cones in autumn and place it in the living room. Use wood to decorate the rooms – it’s the most natural and prettiest nature element you could make use of.

Arrange rocks and some sand in a plate, in summer, and place it at the living room’s focal point.

Invest in some rugs in different colors, one for each season – red or white for winter, pink or light green for spring, yellow for summer and orange or brown for autumn. Experiment with light and mirrors in the rooms with the most traffic.

Bio: This article has been created by Ella Andrews- dedicated writer, blogger and housewife. Ella likes sharing with her readers valuable advices from personal experience. In order to obtain more of them, visit: http://www.removalshouse.com/removal-companies/WC1-removals-st-pancras.html

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