Noble Tradtion

We, as a family, have NEVER had our Christmas tree before December 1...EVER. But this year Mom found a beautiful tree at a lot near her office. She called Dad and me to come out and inspect it, and if approved, take that bad boy home! Lucky for us it is a grand 8.5 foot noble fir - and here is what it looked like getting it home and into the house...

I must say that it is a little weird having our tree so early - mostly because we used to comment on how zealous those folks were who would have their tree before December even started!! Crazy. And now - we're one of them...

Mark unfastens the tree from the roof of the Jeep

Happily shaking out all the dead needles...and bugs.

Mr. Tree is prepped for the cutting of the trunk and stand fitting

Mark makes quick work of that trunk - and pictures of the tree in the house - all decorated will posted AFTER December 1.

Make it your own...

Don't you think it's fun to create something special? Who wouldn't love a mug with a horse on it? You can buy these fun and silly decals to put on any mug or plate - you could get all fancy making a matching set of mugs or just have one unique piece in your collection. Or a way to keep people from using your mug. People think twice before they steal the pony mug...

I'm not a sheeple

But - I'm now in love with The Weepies - an indy pop-folk band. Their song "All That I Want" is featured in a great JC Penny commercial this holiday season. And you can listen to their heart grabbing music at their MySpace page...

This CD would be a great gift for anyone this year - but especially me. I think Nader would like it, too.

Getting festive!

Yesterday my Dad and I (most work done by my Dad) put the lights up on the house. No we weren't out the day after Thanksgiving like so many folks in our neighborhood. But we did get some pretty lights up and here is the process of an outdoor illumination expert, our personal MacGyver.

Testing and sorting...you have to check each bulb!

Up on the roof - it's much more steep than it looks.

Making the best use of that Little Giant ladder system - at this point I took the picture and the flash made Dad think he had shocked himself...whoops

Round One: Icicle lights. Round Two: multi-color lights

Near the end - a costume change and 60 feet of lights later...it's cold and starting to sleet. Good thing we're almost done!
Dad plugs it all in to see if his plan worked - and it did! Pictures of outdoor lights with a basic digital camera are much more difficult than you'd think.

This would have been awesome!

The Daring Book for Girls is such a great resource for young ladies looking for things to DO. There is a companion piece, The Dangerous Book for Boys. The authors are not the same, but the spirit of the books really match. Each book is designed to get young ladies and gentlemen up and out - away from the television and X-box and text messaging and actually do something. But beware - mischief may come from this up and outness.
In fact - I learned how to short-sheet a bed from their website...I'm just sayin'

Rub that stuff!

These socks socks are awesome! Now they just need to arrive with someone to rub them for you! Socks that map the reflexology of the feet - very smart!

For any office...

Goodness, it is cold outside today! But here are some items that could make any desk cooler...

I had a professor who used these super cool paperclips - and she handed them out freely!! I thought she was classy/crazy for just giving them away...but I wouldn't say no to a tin of my own.

And it's always nice to increase the honesty in the office - so why not use these great (and honest) file folders? Anne Black LOVES!

Is this low or high?

72%

Would you rather...?

One of my most favorite things in the whole wide world is a good meal with great conversation. Often, starting a worthwhile conversation is difficult and can often be one sided if there is just one person asking all the questions. But sometimes thinking of good questions is very difficult. Plus - how many times can you be asked about your favorite canned good? (Italian Stewed Tomatoes, fyi).

The best tool for starting conversations with anyone (family, new friends, old friends, strangers) is the great Table Topics. The questions come in a cube, so they take up very little space on the table. While you enjoy dinner, you can easily find out more about your dining companions and yourself! I'm not sure what flavor I would want, because they all seem great!

I'd love to try one out...

So the Yogipoof and their family of products was recently brought to my attention - and I have to say I'd like to have a test run. I'm not sure how the Yogipoof compares with the Love Sack which I know I....love. But it certainly looks like the Yogipoof is a great product - I think I would want one of these bolster deals - such a pretty cover. Hopefully it doesn't work just as a speed bump for babies...

My wireless mouse broke...and I'm thinking that I need to get a replacement...or maybe I'm just dreamin'.

Just in case you missed it...

Below is the text from the Woot.com description for the Leakfrog 2 pack. You could print it off and and take the parts (1 male, 1 female) and then read it as part of your family's Thanksgiving program.

Frog Beside A Leaky Tin Roof

Dramatis Personae
Rock
Margie

“Rock, don’t ya find me pretty no more? Don’t I make you happy?”

“Happy? Only thing makes a man happy in this place is a Leakfrog 2 Pack.”

“Oh, Rock, come to bed. Look, I bought this pretty thing just for you. Don’t you wanna see me in it?”

“All I wanna see is a new bottle on this heah table. Them Leakfrogs is scratch resistant. You scratch resistant, Margie? You got a plastic housing?”

“Lord knows I tried, Rock. I tried so many times for you.”

“But you didn’t, did ya? You ain’t a success. Not like the Leakfrog 2 Pack. You know how many units we sell in a year? And each one runs on three AAA batteries. Sets off an alarm, too. Any water comes up, any water from any source at all, even just 1/32 of an inch, and it lets a man know. You can trust a Leakfrog 2 Pack, Margie. It keeps promises.”

“1/32 of an inch is pretty shallow, Rock. Almost as shallow as those ragamuffins you used to play football with. You know, I bet half of them didn’t do nothin’ with their lives.”

“You shut yuh mouth, Margie! You don’t know a blessed thing about football! We were gladiators, Margie! You could trust a man like you can trust an activated Leakfrog to emit an alarm for up to 48 hours or until turned off by the user!”

“Rock… I didn’t mean no harm, I was just…”

“You was just runnin’ yuh mouth, Margie! You want some statistics? How about this, how about 40% of all property damage is done by water!”

“No, Rock!”

“How about… how about 70% of toxic mold is caused by leaks or plumbing failures?”

“No, Rock! I’ll scream, I swear it, I’ll scream!”

“How about this, Margie, how about this one? One in every three insurance claims are for water damage, something the Leakfrog 2 Pack can warn a homeowner about!”

“Rock, oh Rock, Rock, Rock, Rock, Rock. What’s become of us, Rock?”

“What’s become of you, Margie? I’m the same person I always was. Maybe I just figured out what’s important.”

“What’s that, Rock? Just a bottle? I’m second best to a bottle? Rock… can’t you love me like you used to love me?”

“Just get out, Margie. Just get out and leave the Leakfrog 2 Pack. That’s all that matters now.”

So cool!

This is such a cool mp3 player and cd player in one! Wow. This would be so great for pretty much anyone!

The experiment...

I've finished reading "A Complaint Free World" by Will Bowen - and I am excited to begin the 21 Day Challenge. If you're not familiar with the Complaint Free World movement, you can learn more about it here or find a copy of the book at your local library. The challenge is this: to go 21 consecutive days without complaining, gossiping, or criticizing. Bowen even sends out purple bracelets as a reminder/honor system with the challenge.

"Here's how to use the bracelet:
1. Begin to wear the bracelet on either wrist.
2. When you catch yourself complaining, gossiping or criticizing, move the bracelet to the other wrist and begin again.
3. If you hear someone else who is wearing a purple bracelet complain, it's okay to point out their need to switch the bracelet to the other arm; BUT if you're going to do this, you must move your bracelet first! Because you're complaining about their complaining.
4. Stay with it. It may take many months to reach 21 consecutive days. The average is 4-8 months."

In November 2001 my friend Josh and I tried to stop complaining for the month - leading up to Thanksgiving. It was a very interesting experiment, not a lot of structure - but I remember that time of very consciencely listening to the words coming out of my mouth. We also cheated...a lot.

I'm excited to get started...I've ordered an official bracelet - but will be using another bracelet until it arrives. Awesome!

Human drama...

You've got to stop by Woot in the next twenty four hours or someone will DIE!

Just kidding - but in twenty four hours this particular funny will be gone...and if you missed it, I'll be very sad for you!

A cool cup...

This cup and saucer set is so awesome. I'm not sure what I would want my saucer to say - perhaps "Thirsty."

D.U.P. Luncheon

On Wednesday was our third ever meeting of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers...and my mom and I and another lady, Kaleen, were in charge of the luncheon! It turned out so great! We got tons of compliments and recipe requests...and we won't have to even volunteer to do it again until next year!

Mom preps the sweet potatoes for warming and then marshmallow toasting

Miss Five preps the salad...in her beautiful apron what she got for her birthday

The spread: ham (on a lovely platter, spinach salad with bleu cheese and bacon, sweet potatoes with toasted marshmallows on top, and of course, rolls! We also got a lot of compliments on the presentation of our lunch. At the past two meetings, the luncheon committee just set things out in their dish and called it a day. We used some lovely brow place mats, an autumnal runner and a ceramic pumpkin to make the buffet look as appetizing as possible.

In our D.U.P. camp, there is the luncheon committee and then other people are assigned to decorate the tables...this was so festive and simple...loved it!

Mom and Miss Five, pleased as punch with our success. And ready for naps!

FYI...

If I were buying shoes for myself...I would start at a size 9 and then try shoes on until I liked the fit. FYI.

How about a practical gift?

Practical gifts are sometimes pretty great - and when the practicality can be matched with creativity - that's just a great day. Many moons ago there was a store at the mall here called Liquid Sunshine - selling only specialty umbrellas. Seriously, it was years ago - and it has long since left the mall to go and live on a farm with other stores...

They carried this umbrella, designed by Tibor Kalmar which is still sold at the Museum of Modern Art. I have thought about this umbrella since I first saw it forever ago - and that it would be the ideal umbrella. At least that's what I think.

Funny: uh-oh

You know how you see something so awful that you cannot look away? If you enjoy that feeling, head on over to the Plaid Stallions. They've got plenty more just like this:

Say it in a song...

I know that there are people in the world that are uncomfortable with musicals. They think it's not realistic to have people just start singing - especially their feelings. BUT, consider that musicians do it all the time...and you know that you sing along in your car. And sometimes words by themselves cannot convey the depth of your emotion - and you have to take your communication to the next level. Or it's just really funny to hear snippets of songs cut together to make your own song. Go...do it...it's fun.

Thanksgiving Enemy Number ONE...

If you know me, you know that I have strong opinions on everything. There are very few things in this world that I do not have a strong feeling about - either in the loving it or loathing it. And I know that it may look like I've skipped over Thanksgiving and headed straight to Christmas. But don't be fooled. I love Thanksgiving. Such a great holiday - and I will showcase it's greatness in the coming weeks. But. There is one thing that will RUIN (beyond repair) any Thanksgiving feast: Green Bean Casserole.
This dish has NO redeeming qualities. None. It tastes awful...it smells worse. And I assure you that if you were to arrive at my home with this abhorrence as your contribution to any meal, let alone Thanksgiving dinner?! Well, I would turn you around and point you in the direction of the nearest Denny's. And then I would give thanks for the right to refuse service to anyone. Boo to you, Green Bean Casserole.

You know - assassins and killers have three names...and this dish has three words...a coincidence? I think not.

Goal for 2008

With a new year approaching I'm setting goals...and the first one is to get a real, grown-up, doesn't suck my soul job with benefits and vacation pay. And when I have that job, and have accrued enough vacation time...I will take a vacation to New York City. And I will stay at the Library Hotel.
Doesn't this place look amazing?! I'm so excited to set about reaching this goal. Because if I'm in NYC, then of course I'm going to tons of shows and eating great food and hopefully by then the writer's strike will be over and I can go to a taping of The Daily Show. This is a lot to ask for one vacation, I know. But, seriously....if I've gotten that grown up job - I will have totally earned a reward.

...but I'm willing to learn!

This year I would also like a pair of these. And while, no, I don't actually tap dance yet - how can you learn if you don't have the right shoes? It's just like trying to learn how to sew before you have a sewing machine! Impossible! And if you're going to get me some shoes - you could get me some lessons from this studio. I'm just sayin'...never give a gift with an errand.

How could I use them?

Don't you think these are hilarious - because who doesn't love a plush pancreas?!
Get yours here.

We all lose...

I hope they can resolve this soon - because what are we going to do? Watch America's Next Top Model? This clip helps in the understanding of what's going on and why the strike is important.

November diary....

Dear diary -

Today I'm loving the smell of the foggy morning. And evening. It's foggy and I love it. It's so cool to feel like you're the only one around...

Today I'm loving the sound of Christmas music. I've started putting together mixes for holiday parties, in the car, and for my Dad at work. It is so much fun to listen to the music and get in the spirit of the season...even if it's a little early.

Today I'm loving the taste of bottled creme soda...and spending a "night" with good friends and laughing a lot and learning a lot...and not really playing any games but not being bothered by not actually learning to play pinochle.

Today I'm loving the sight of the cool paper models of real life things in the Real Simple magazine. Pick yourself up a copy and take a look - paper pumpkin pie? Yes, please.

Today I'm loving the feel of clean bath mats and fresh sheets. Why is it so comforting to step onto a clean bath mat and slide between clean sheets?! I don't know, but it is.

This is them...

These are the babies what I love so much

A fun experiment...

Over at Chow.com they have a top ten list of non-traditional grilled cheese sandwiches...and I would love to spend ten days trying each one...I think I would be most looking forward to the Asian Pear and Gouda grilled cheese. I know, right?!

The topper gift...

Sometimes it's hard to know what the ultimate gift to give would be...other than a kidney. For me, the ultimate gift would be two weeks in Seychelles.Just book me a villa at the Lemuria resort...

And then let me enjoy these gorgeous beaches and water...

And I can soak up the ambiance and world famous cuisine!

It's a great big, beautiful tomorrow...

So - saw this picture of the this city of the future in Japan. I like that there are fireworks in the future - but Woody Woodpecker? Really? Does anyone know if Woody Woodpecker is really that big in Japan? Huh.

Simple and festive...

I know that it's so crazy to think that it's time to start planning for the Christmas - but dude, it is. I was at Michael's - and they have all kinds of cinnamon smelling goodness and so many different looks for making a festive home for the holidays...in searching around here are some things that I found pretty and that you could really use all year round:

This is such a cute, pre-lit tree that could go anywhere

See, the pattern on these lovely placemats looks like snowflakes, but could look like flowers or a design for the rest of the year!

I would love to build a centerpiece or Christmas display using these hurricane lamp...and they will be beautiful all year long!

Okay - maybe these berry sprays are pretty seasonal - but still lovely.