Cover Pillows As A Part Of Your Christmas Decoration
Christmas decoration from Pixabay.com
Christmas is my most favorite holiday of the year and I absolutely love decorating every room in the house for the season. Until this year, I had not considered using Christmas pillow covers as a part of the decor.
I have a few pillows that already have a Christmas theme and I always bring them out. The trouble with that is, they are only used for about a month or so and then boxed away until next year. I have discovered that pillow covers are available that have the holiday theme which can go over existing pillows and they really are not very expensive to use. Actually, they are much less than the cost of purchasing a single pillow with the Christmas theme. When the season is over, I can box the case or cover and still use my decorative pillows for the rest of the year.
There are several options when it comes to pillow covers for Christmas. My favorite was this set:
I love the whimsical and festive designs on the six covers and the vintage look to the patterns in this particular set. They bring some nostalgic thoughts to my mind.
Of course none of us are limited to a vintage themed set; there are many choices available. You can purchase them in a set or as a single case in a variety of patterns.
I really think that the option of using Christmas pillow covers is a fun idea but it is also economical. What about you? Did you know that you could use a cover for your pillows to decorate for the holidays? Would you use them?
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It is time to replace my TOFTBO bathmat by IKEA. Not because it has worn out, but because I'm in the mood to change my bathroom colors to oranges and yellows. My luxurious, blue IKEA bathmat has been a favorite for years. It is just time to change colors. If you are looking for a fast-drying, soft, vibrant colored bathmat, you should peek at the TOFTBO by IKEA.
Reviewing the TOFTBO Bathmat by IKEA
I love my IKEA bathmat and am amazed at how it has held up over the years. I am only changing it out because I'm ready for a different color pop in my bathroom. The blue mat will just be moved to a new spot in the apartment. A few of the many reasons I love the IKEA TOFTBO bathmat are:
SO soft on my feet - made of microfiber
gorgeous colors - bright colors or more neutral colors. There is a color to suite your mood
super absorbent
dries quickly
washable and tumble dry
while the IKEA site recommends use of a non-slip underlay, I have never had a problem with it slipping or moving out of place
there is no yucky rubberized layer on this bathmat
Who doesn't love a bathmat that makes them happy? Whether you go with an IKEA bathmat or another brand, bathmats are an important part of bathroom comfort, safety, and decor. Bathmats are fairly mundane items in our homes but you don't have to settle with a bathmat that doesn't excite you.
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One of My Sons is Moving Out in Two Days & the Lyrics to this Song Say What We Moms Feel
I've been one of those lucky moms; all four of my sons still live at home.
Yes, that's right, and we love it that way.
But my second boy, a guitarist and artist on the rise in a band called Coldfront, is moving out on his own. He's anxious to fly, but I'm not ready to let him. I'll never be ready.
Totally biased I'm about to blurt out all the cliches moms say: He's smart, organized, gorgeous and talented. I guess that's suppose to bring a measure of comfort.
But really, how did all the moms of the world get through this part of life! It's hard.
He's turned out to be a wonderful young man, and he's ready. The high point is what he's given me; the proof that he's ready.
After our son explained his plans to his dad and I on how he's going to manage this big step, we were so proud. Later that night we were lamenting on how hard this is, and how much we would miss him. But then his dad said, 'he's just like you! he's so much like you, and for that reason, I won't worry so much'.
"I've Watched You Grow So I Could Let You Go" (Lyrics)
Most of my friends have had their children move out already.
Looking back, I know I'm feeling my own mother's heartache as my brothers and I moved out.
At 19, mom and I drove to Toronto where I would start University and share an apartment with a friend. Mom helped me set-up the place, spent two days with me and after hugs and kisses, I remember standing at that apartment door watching her walk down the hall towards the elevator where she waved a final goodbye.
This coming Monday, I will understand what my mother felt that day. I'll say goodbye to my boy, my life, and pretend he's just going away for the weekend and that he'll be back in a few days. Without doing that, I'd be a mess, and on such a milestone for him, don't want him to feel my pain.
Right now I'm lucky. I can hear the boys laughing and talking to each other from their bedrooms. My dad used to say to me that he was happiest when all of us were home safe and sound. I miss my dad. I sure could use a hug from him right now. Dad would be so proud of him, of all the boys.
(Lyrics) If I could, I would try to shield your innocence from time but the part of life I gave you isn't mine I've watched you grow so I could let you go if I could I would help you make it through the hungry years but I know that I can never cry your tears but I would if I could
If you're looking for lyrics that say exactly what a Mom wants to say to her children, this is the perfect song - Get the tissues ready - I'm spent after listening to it <3
Things I'll have to deal with in the coming days:
How will I handle walking by his empty bedroom?
Missing the big glorious mess he leaves in his room
His cooking for us once in a while
His smile
His hugs
His brothers will miss him too
That's it, we're going to visit him - did I mention he's moving 5 hours away.
Yesterday he was just a baby.
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I have been a crochet crafter for more than 30 years and love to create
plush animals. I began making stuffed toys for my children when they were
small, and then for my grandchildren. Today I crochet cute plush critters
for children everywhere and feature many in my
Etsy Shop.
I love handmade crafts, particularly in the field of fiber arts. Throughout
my crafting years I've been familiar with patterns for stuffed teddy bears
and cute crocheted cats and fun frogs. Then, as I visited and admired the
crocheted creations in other Etsy Shops, I began to see some strange dolls
and animals. They called them 'Amigurumi'. I thought they were rather
silly looking with big heads and skinny bodies, arms & legs and
sometimes with quirky or funny faces on non-animal things like toy hammers
or a baseball bat & ball. I thought they were very weird.
The more I looked around, the more I noticed that these strange creations
appeared to be very popular. Finally, I had to find out what it was all
about. I discovered that
Amigurumi is the Japanese art of crochet (and knitting) small stuffed
animals & dolls. The technique is also used to give 'personality' to inanimate
objects!
And then I fell in love with Amigurumi!
Amigurumi Bunny Girl in Blue (c) Elf
Because of my initial reaction to the style, I didn't become a fan until I
finally got around to actually crocheting an Amigurumi-style bunny one
day.... and absolutely fell in love with how adorable it turned out. The
style began less than 15 years ago (2003) and has no practical use, but is
loved because of its Cuteness Factor.
Bunny Girl in Amigurumi Crochet
Bunny Girl in Blue is the first Amigurumi animal I created ~ and the one
that made me fall in love with the Amigurumi Style of Crochet. I found the
pattern originally on the
Lion Brand Website.
Needless to say, my crafting library has now been expanded to include a
number of patterns and books of Amigurumi. The one featured here,
Amigurumi Two!
by Ana Paula Rimoli, is filled with over 25 fun, adorable designs to crochet
for babies and toddlers. The author designs her own patterns and has two
small daughters who are her inspiration for her toy designs - and are also
her quality control kids! Ana also has a shop on
Etsy and a
website where many
of her designs and pattern books are featured.
About "Amigurumi Two!"
I have had more fun crocheting cute Amigurumi toys from this book. When I'm
not crocheting, it's just a fun crochet pattern book to read. The author
(and pattern creator) Ana Paula Rimoli prefaces each pattern with personal
notes on why she created this pattern based on a childhood memory or
something her little girls like or wanted. This book is more than a crochet
pattern book; it's as if a fellow crochet crafter was sitting with you
discussing the art of Amigurumi crochet and the fun we have with
crochet.
Examples of Patterns from the Book 'Amigurumi Two'
One example from the 'Amigurumi Two' book is called
Little Fish and her Daddy.
They are two cute colorful plush tropical fish you could create in the
color combinations shown here or in your own color
choices.
The back of the
Amigurumi Two
craft book, showing more cuties to crochet including an adorable little plush bumble bee.
Baby Bumblebee in Plush
Author Ana Paula Rimoli
The author of
Amigurumi Two!, Ana Paula Rimoli, has written a number of craft books and all her
creations are adorable. She currently resides in New Jersey, but is
originally from Uruguay. She thanks her neighbor Marta in Montevideo,
Uruguay for teaching her how to crochet when she was little, maybe 6 or 7.
Ana says "I love love love crocheting and making toys."
A Few More of Ana Paula Rimoli's
Amigurumi Crochet
Books Available for your Craft Library
Do you crochet? What do you think of the Amigurumi style?
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The movie Doctor Strange is based on the Marvel comics character, therefore it pushes beyond any realistic boundries. However, this is truly a fabulous fantasy movie that is mostly accurate with the depiction. I do love it when movies stick to the original book or source plot.
Benedict Cumberbatch was perfect for the part of Dr. Stephen Vincent Strange! I was amazed at how much he actually looks like the comic illustration of Doctor Strange. His image will now forever be fixed in my mind as the face of Doctor Strange.
In addition to having the looks, he did an excellent job of playing the role. He was quite convincing as an arrogant, self-centered doctor with a god complex. Then later, as a superhero straight from the pages of our favorite comic books.
Synopsis of Doctor Strange Movie Plot
DOCTOR STRANGE on DVD, Blu-rayor Amazon PrimeCheck PriceDr. Stephen Strange is an accomplished neurosurgeon who has received multiple awards for his outstanding work. He is revered and hated by his colleagues. They need his expertise, but they despise his superior, know-it-all attitude. That "untouchable" and infallible attitude is exactly what costs him everything.
While he is driving at high speeds in the rain, he is talking on his cell phone and also looking at the images that are being sent to him on it. Distracted from driving the car, he ends up in a serious accident that causes irreparable nerve damage to his hands. In desperation to regain his surgical abilities, he undergoes several operations. Some are even considered extremely risky.
During rehab, he learns of one patient who actually was able to beat the odds and was miraculously healed. Dr. Strange goes to visit the man to find out his secret. The man sends him in search of the "Ancient One". When he finally finds her, she rejects him at first, but is convinced by Mordo, one of the masters, that she should reconsider and admit Dr. Strange. That is when the martial arts instruction and spiritual teaching begins.
Because Dr. Stephen Vincent Strange has a photographic memory, he learns the fundamental basics of sorcery quickly by reading, but the actual focused ability takes longer for him to master. Once he does, he has to decide if he wants to harness his new found abilities to heal his own physical handicap or if he will stand as the defender of the universe against the evil Kaecilius, who wishes to usher in the master of darkness to rule the world eternally.
To find out what Doctor Strange decides, you will need to see the movie yourself.
Conclusion and My Opinion of the Movie Doctor Strange
This is a great movie that I could easily recommend to anyone. Since it is based on the Marvel comics, it is intended for all ages. As with any fiction, especially comics that feature superheroes and supervillans with extraordinary powers, there is a required ability to suspend reality. However, the struggle between our world and the supernatural does seem to have a parallel to reality and our constant struggle of good against evil.
One note, Mordo's character is a bit different in the movie than in the Marvel comics. In the movie, he is a needed ally, however in the comics Mordo is a supervillian who plots to kill both the Ancient One and Doctor Strange. I believe the movie ended in a way that sets the stage for Mordo to transition to his original character, but in this movie, he plays a good guy.
When you see the movie, be sure you stay until the very end of the credits. There is extra footage that you will not want to miss! To my fellow contributor Buckhawk, you will be especially interested in that footage because it includes Thor.
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
Our son moved to New Hampshire this summer, so we made our first trip to visit his family in September. While there we all took a Sunday afternoon drive to the coast and visited the town of Portsmouth Harbor. I love lighthouses and I was anxious to show my two young granddaughters their first lighthouse.
The Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse is just north of the city of Portsmouth on the grounds of Fort Constitution. Fort Constitution is a Revolutionary War fortification. My granddaughters enjoyed walking around the grounds and seeing the old fortress. After looking over the grounds we made our way to the lighthouse. The lighthouse was available for climbing that afternoon so several of us decided to make the climb. We found out the lighthouse is sometimes called Fort Point Light, New Castle Light, and Fort Constitution Light in addition to Portmouth Lighthouse.
The photo below shows my granddaughter Emily climbing the steps to the lighthouse with her Mom.
View from the Top
Here are several photos I took from on top of the 48 foot lighthouse. The first is the lens that can be seen for 12 nautical miles.
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There isn't a woman around who doesn't love the look and feel of a beautiful scarf around her neck.
There is something wonderful and enticing about the colorful scarves that just seem to make an outfit go from okay to a Knock Out!
Scarves can take your everyday little black dress and make that dress just "Pop". One black dress can look so different depending on the addition and color of a simple scarf.
Beautiful Scarves for Women
What I love about this accessory is that there are literally hundreds of different styles and colors to choose from. Large squares are great for accessorizing your wardrobe. There are also long rectangular scarves that lend themselves to be knotted in many different ways.
Ways to Wear or Tie a Scarf
They are an inexpensive addition to your wardrobe that can lift your outfit from plain to outstanding. Long scarves can be knotted, draped or just left sitting on your shoulders. Each way you choose to wear it gives it a different look.
You don't need to be a rocket scientist to figure it all out. But, let me help you with this video and you can try these methods at home. See which way you like to knot your scarf and then try something different on another occasion.
Scarves can be dressy or very casual. I suggest the silk scarves for work or evenings out. Silk scarves just say "special occasion or dressy occasion" to me.
As you can see from this picture, scarves can be made out of many different fabrics. Each one has its place in your wardrobe. Colors are also so varied that you will have no problem finding the ones that you like the best. Wherever you travel you will find that scarves are one of the hottest items to buy for your friends back home or for yourself.
A few years ago, Oprah made the Pashminas (light wool and silk scarves) so fashionable that the prices of them became prohibitive for most people. Today you can buy them at much more reasonable prices, but the fiber contents may vary. Let's just say, they were beautiful and extravagant! Scarves can be affordable and still beautiful. One will never ever be enough.
Long cotton scarves can be used for hiking and horseback riding adventures. Going out to the country fair and wanting to look just a little dressy will be so easy with some heavier scarves. Depending on the time of year, even woolen scarves would be appropriate and even very classy. If ever you need a gift that will make a lady happy and smile, I would suggest a beautiful scarf. They are a gift that will be used and enjoyed for many years to come.
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
If you are looking for a good crime drama to stream, I can highly recommend Goliath (Season 1) currently available with an Amazon Prime membership. My guess is that later on, you may be able to purchase episodes without the membership but I don't know that for certain.
My husband and I love to stream both movies and series on a regular basis. I have to say that every original series or movie from Amazon has been most excellent including the series released in October of 2016...Goliath.
Billy Bob Thornton plays the character of Billy McBride who was once a very powerful attorney. He is now pretty washed-up and burned out and at first glance is nothing like the man he once was. He lives in a motel room and spends a lot of time in a bar that happens to be next door to the motel. In the beginning episode it is difficult to imagine that this guy helped start one of the most influential law firms in the city. Well, looks can be deceiving!
McBride is approached to help with a wrongful death suit with the idea that it will never go to court and that a settlement can be reached quickly. McBride was never one to go for an easy case and at first says that he is not even remotely interested. When he starts to hear the facts of the case, he quickly sees that there is something way more sinister at play and agrees to take it on. Oh, he doesn't plan on a settlement, he wants to expose just how wrongful the death was and make the bad guys pay for their crime. His approach is unorthodox in many ways but his results are intriguing and remarkable.
This series is so well written and the actors and actresses chosen for the roles are superb.
I should warn you that if foul language offends you, you may not like this show. Personally, I think it makes the story more believable because unfortunately people do talk that way. There are also a few scenes that would never make it on prime time television but they aren't too horribly revealing with the nudity. Just want to give you fair warning if you find those sorts of things offensive.
My husband and I have really enjoyed watching these episodes and applaud Amazon for taking risks and finding series and movies that no one else will produce and providing them for their members. Goliath has turned out to be yet another "I'm so glad we watched it!" kind of streaming experience for the two of us.
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
The factors that make me loyal to certain brands of pens are: low-cost, high quality, and reliability. I'm not asking for much, am I? I don't think I am and I've found that with the InkJoy retractable, ballpoint pens, all of those needs are met. Recently, I ran out of my own personal stash of pens at work the other day and I realized I should recommend these pens to others. I should spread the joy. InkJoy pens are my first choice of pens for work and personal writing.
Highly Recommended - InkJoy Ballpoint Pens by Paper Mate
There are many reasons I love these pens enough to buy my own for work, rather than use the free pens that work provides. Reliability - These pens work every single time I pick one up. There's nothing worse than being in a meeting, or trying to write down a phone number when someone is speaking quickly, and have the pen not work at all, or work only after your hurridley scribble in order to get the ink flow moving again. Annoying! No Ink Blobs - I really, really, REALLY hate running my hand through an ink blob on the paper. Smeary ink and blobs are so frustrating. My InkJoy pens have never left a blob.
Inexpensive - Each time I purchase a pack of InkJoy pens, I compare with the less expensive "stick" pens. I'm a penny-pincher so I try to remember to compare costs. The InkJoy pens are usually slightly more expensive than the stick pens. But not by much. The cost tends to even out as I throw away a few of the stick pens that blob or do not work well. Also, my purchase of InkJoy pens is more costly than the free pens the agency supplies to employees. But I'd rather pay a few dollars for the reliability. Color choices - At work I am limited to black ink. When I pay bills, I often rebel and use blue ink. But, when I write journal entries, notes in my day planner, and other personal items, I go for the InkJoy color pens. It is so much fun to use the variety of colors.
Ballpoint or gel pens - I prefer the retractable, medium ballpoint pens. However, InkJoy also makes a gel pen variety that is very popular. I cannot keep the InkJoy gel pens in my office.
Many Uses for InkJoy Color Pens (ballpoint or gel pens)
addressing holiday or special occasion envelopes
creation of eye-catching and pretty invitations
letter writing
scrapbooking
journaling
drawing and doodling
making those to-do and grocery lists more fun
gifts for artists, children, people who journal, and so on
popular school store item and/or children's rewards
and so much more - take a peek at the very short video and just imagine what you could do
Related Links Journals - Technology makes writing and recording things as easy as a tap of a key or a flip of a switch. But I love journaling. There is something that increases my creativity when I use the process of hand-writing. Read about Writing and Remembering the Old-Fashioned Way Drawing and Coloring - Colored pencils are a fun and popular way to create and color. Our very own Heather has created her own line of high-quality colored pencils. If you are giving art supplies as gifts or are yourself artistic, check out Heather's introduction to Aurora Art Supplies. Poster-Sized Color - In the event you need BIG and bold colors, for posters and such, Sharpies are amazing. Sharpies come in marker-sized "fine point", "chisel tip", and "extra bold marker point".
introduction graphic design created by the author using FotoJet
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"From the small town Friday night lights, to the Broadway neon burning up bright, We're all the same and it's in our veins, A spirit that you can't keep down, A fire inside that'll never burn out if you are the owner of an American Heart" (Lyrics from American Heart by Faith Hill) America The Good Representing a World of Good
The inspirational song by Faith Hill, American Heart, reminds us about not only the good in America, but also in people who proudly call themselves members of the free world.
Free speech, compassion, human rights and the collective good remain a constant work in progress and as a Canadian, like my brother and sister Americans, I'm blessed to be a part of it.
As people of earth, our diversity along with our sameness are the weights that create the balance. It's cliche, but it really is our differences that teach us and our common ground that unites us.
As an example, even with a physical border between Canada and the USA, the earth doesn't shift when you place a foot on one side or the other: Stand on one side, or stand on the other, I'll venture a guess our aspirations are fundamentally the same; those being prosperity, peace and the pursuit of happiness.
We all know Canadians and Americans share the longest peaceful border on planet earth. This speaks loudly about the people who inhabit both sides of this man-made invisible line.
The most successful friends on the planet have earned a few bragging rights and the Oscar should go to the people of both countries, not our governments. For it's the people who set the pace in a free country; it's people who push governments one way or another, and in a free world governments reflect who we are.
Belting out the lyrics of American Heart, Faith Hill sings these inspirational words 'We're all the Same'. The song is speaking to the soul that makes up America. Today I'll push these worthy sentiments forward to encompass my own country, and even further out to wrap these words of hope around the planet.
When times get tough, play Faith Hill's song American Heart full blast:
Cause it beats like a drum down in New Orleans Sings like a Motown Melody, It dreams like California, Bigger than a Texas sky, it Bleeds, it Scars, it Shines when Times get Hard, and you can't break an American Heart.. (Lyrics from American Heart)
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
