My Home

It's been over six months since I moved and I keep meaning to share my small living creative ideas.

In my small home, everything has to have a function - the coffee table has one of those lift-up tops so I can craft while I'm sitting on the couch.


The wicker basket holds the craft project I'm working on at the moment. The red round box holds wine glasses (now, if I can remember that they're there when I need them!) The metal art work is going to become my 'to do' board - this weekend I took all of my projects I need to work on and wrote out my goals for each one on a separate piece of paper. Since the artwork is metal, I'm going to use magnets to keep my to do lists visible and when someone comes over, I can easily take them down and stash 'my secrets'.


This antique buffet was given to me a zillion years ago by my Aunt. It was made the year I was born (it's stamped inside one drawer). The buffet holds my treasures and in the cabinets below are my DVD's, photo albums and stuff I want to keep out of sight.

I don't have a true closet (I know, it's so hard!!!), so I attached hangers inside my clothes 'cabinet' to hang all my necklaces. My earrings go on the fabric covered styrofoam wreath.

My bedroom. I'm still looking for ideas for nightstands - I love the columns but I need more storage.

The printer drawer holds all my tiny treasures.

My bathroom - tiny, but functional. My theme (no surprise!) is butterflies!!! I keep all of my costmetics in a clear glass antique vase.

My office is in my kitchen and I put it there because I HAD to have a view as I worked, since this is where I spend the majority of my time. I got this fabulous desk that fits perfect in my small area - it folds into itself and everything is at my fingertips.

This 'credenza' is perfect to back my computer desk - I found it for $25 at a furniture store - I had no idea where I was going to use it at the time, but it's perfect!

I had this great 'goodie' server that I just couldn't leave in storage, so I now have it on top of my file cabinet and it holds little things that are dear to me - if you look really close, you can see an ancient bottle of Aleene's Glitter that sold for 69 cents.

Here's the pride and joy of my home - the kitchen - I LOVE IT!!!

I got the table from Target for $99 - my UPS guy doesn't really like me anymore...especially after delivery the table and huge vertical blinds.

My baby stove - it's original to the house that was built in the early 60's and works great!

I needed more space to hold things in the kitchen, so I bought two of the crates from Michaels, painted them, found a dish rack at Ross and I now have plenty of storage.

I made the curtains from fabric from a fantastic local fabric store - The Cotton Ball. I love leaves, so I added leaves hanging from each point - they're made from shells (appropriate since I leave at the ocean).

That's it for now!!! More to come.

Joan

Crystal Heart Candles

Crystal Heart Candles

Heart Day is just hours away and if you need a quick, inexpensive gift idea, your hunt is over.

All you need is an inexpensive candle from the dollar store and then zap on some Tulip Glam-It Up! Iron-On Crystals in the shape of a heart and you're ready to celebrate!

Joan

Quick Heart Earrings for Valentine's Day or Any Day

With all the colors of wire available, you can make a pair of these fast and easy charmers to complement everything in your wardrobe!

What You'll Need

Artistic Wire 22 gauge silver plated copper wire (desired color)

Wire Cutters

Ruler

Round Nose Pliers

How to Make Them

1. For each pair of earrings, cut six 3/4" and two 2" lengths from wire, using wire cutters.

2. For each heart, grasp center of one 3/4" length of wire, using round nose pliers. Bend both ends together to form a V, using fingers.

3. Grasp near one end of V, using round nose pliers. Twist slightly inward to form hook shape. Repeat procedure with other end of wire to form a heart.

4. Repeat step 2 and 3, making two more hearts and inserting one heart into another before making last twist to form a 3-heart dangle. Repeat procedure for second earring.

5. For each earring wire, grasp one 2" length of wire 3/4" from end. Twist to make a loop, using photo as a guide.

6. Wrap short end of wire around long end, ending at back, using photo as a guide. Trim excess.

7. Bend long end. Trim excess. Open heart at top of dangle. Slip into loop on earring wire. Close heart.

Weight Watchers Banana Muffins with Tart Lemon Icing

A friend recently started Weight Watchers, so I'm making her these muffins. They're only 3 points!

POINTS® Value: 3 Servings: 18 Preparation Time: 15 min Cooking Time: 30 min Level of Difficulty: Easy

If you like muffins, then you must try these. They're like mini-frosted banana cakes with a surprising burst of lemon.

Ingredients
1/2 cup(s) sugar
5 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
1 large egg(s)
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cup(s) all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 cup(s) fat-free skim milk
4 large banana(s), ripe, mashedIcing
1 cup(s) powdered sugar
1 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp lemon zest, strips, or more to taste
1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line 18 muffin holes with paper liners.
Place sugar and butter in a large bowl; cream with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla; beat until thoroughly mixed.
In another large bowl, mix together flour, baking powder and baking soda. Add half of flour mixture to butter mixture; beat well with mixer. Add milk and remaining flour mixture; beat until batter is combined and then fold in mashed bananas.
Spoon batter into muffin liners about 3/4 full. Bake until muffins start to brown and a tester inserted in center of a muffin comes out clean, about 25 to 30 minutes. Allow muffins to cool in pan for about 2 minutes; remove to a wire rack and cool completely before icing.
Meanwhile, combine icing ingredients in a medium bowl; beat with an electric mixer until creamy, about 1 to 2 minutes. Ice cooled muffins; cover and refrigerate any uneaten muffins. Yields 1 muffin per serving.
Notes
If the mouth-puckering lemon icing isn't enough flavor for you, try adding 1/2 teaspoon each of cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger to the flour mixture.

With a click of the mouse...

I just committed to a BIG endeavour that I'm super excited about! I am heading up PR/Media for the Center for Obesity Prevention and Education (COPE) Symposium later this year. I look forward to meeting new people, spreading the word and learning all that I can learn!!!

The website will be up next week so I can share what the center is all about.

My past and present seem to be colliding at a very rapid speed!!!

I received an email from a friend in Texas and she'll be in the next town over this weekend. I can't wait. I remember when she called to confide in me that she was considering moving. She invited me to dinner and I thought it was just going to be a nice girl chat, but then she dropped the bomb that she was considering moving to Texas - she wanted to hear my take on it. I was honored that she wanted my opinion - there was a bit of pressure - what if I told her the wrong thing??? It will be so great to see her. I hardly got to see her when she moved with all the parties and packing she was doing.

This weekend I'm also getting together with my high school classmate who was the quarterback on the football team. I haven't seen him since high school. I told him I'd dust off our yearbooks and we could go down Memory Lane.

Last night I went to see the movie Last Chance Harvey with Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson - I had a hard time letting go of "Rainman" during the movie and his character reminded me of a friend, so I was kind of distracted. We went to dinner after the movie and there was Anne McDermott from the Center for Obesity Prevention and Education. It was great to finally meet her husband and put a face to the man I've been hearing about for a couple of months now.

Makes me wonder who from my past will pop in next...

The weather is so fabulous!!! My friend and I walked again today and yes, I watched my 25 mph and there was my new friend, the police sergeant, parked in the parking lot when I got there.

My friend, Valerie, wants to learn to make stained glass and I just happen to have all the equipment (I'll have to make sure it all works), so stay tuned for that.

Enjoy the moment!
Joan

It's just after noon and it's been a day of lectures...

I had a follow-up doctor's appointment this morning - the lovely 'well-woman check-up' she called it. I got results of my blood tests and got the lecture about cholesterol - it's time to rethink some stuff.

Later, I was meeting my friend for a walk and just as I was about there, a policeman comes out from a parking lot with lights flashing. I never understood why most of the streets here in town are 25 - yes, 25 mph. Just kills me. The Sargent pulled me over, introduced himself, asked me where I was going in such a hurry and took my license. Then, I got Lecture #2 for today. But, no ticket!!! I'll take a lecture any ol' day over a ticket!

I'm driving to the movies tonight - man, that means eating and driving together - yikes!!!

How about that Super Bowl??? A friend and I went to a golf course / country club about 15 minutes from here. We were sitting outside waiting for the game to start and a guy comes walking by wearing a Lemoore High School T-shirt (where I went to high school about 2 hours from here) and we started talking. It's one of those small world things - he actually graduated the same year I did, but from the rival high school in Hanford, he knows the quarterback from my high school that I just happen to be getting together with this weekend. He now lives in Lemoore and his son goes to Lemoore High, he dated my best friend in elementary school who I just saw a couple of weeks ago. Yup, small world...

When was the last time you did something for the first time???

I seem to be in this 'experimental' phase with the help of my new friend, Valerie. Tomorrow, we're heading to a local country club for a Superbowl party. She even talked me into wearing red and white and she'd wear black. Oh, my!!! Life certainly is interesting.

I had a surprise yesterday - I had gone for my walk, talked extra long to a friend on the phone and as I was sitting at my computer, something made me look out the window and I noticed my nephew from a nearby town and then I noticed one of my other nephews, Steven, was with him. Steven surprised everyone in the family by just showing up - that doesn't seem so odd except that he drove all the way from Virginia to California without telling anyone. It was delightful to sit outside, enjoy the view of the ocean and catch up with my nephews.

Last night was a delight - it was Gourmet Dinner Group Night at a friend's house - six of us got together to chat, have a most delicious dinner and just to relax. I am finding my new friends to be quite enlightening - the conversations run the gambit of politics, men, to well, lots of things...

I've decided to not plan so much because lately it seems like everything goes out the window...

Go Cardinals!
Joan

Spread the Love...
I think life has finally caught up with me this week. After coming back from the trade show, I was like a whirlwind of energy, but now, some down time is in order, but that will have to wait until, well, maybe tomorrow or Sunday.

Last night I had a most delightful evening with 18 ladies from my newcomers club. What a charming group of ladies and can you tell, we love to eat. I found out that one lady's husband worked for Disney and when they took their kids to Yellowstone to see Old Faithful, the kids thought it was a Disney 'thing' and didn't think it was real. I met so many people and heard their life stories, I think my poor brain is done.

I'm off to walk this morning on the beach - it is a most beautiful day here, then to call a friend to catch up, then to a COPE meeting at Cal Poly, then dinner out again. Yikes! Then breakfast with some family members and then hopefully that downtime.

Do as I say, not as I do...make it a fabulous weekend!!!
Joan

CHA Highlights!!!
There were all kinds of fun things hanging from this chandelier - at the bottom were old clock faces.


This stunning dress was in the Simplicity Creative Group's booth. Can you tell what it's made from??? The bottom is trash bags and the top is magazine images.

Remember two years ago (yes, two years) when I did the bra purses as a make-it and take-it? Well, here are several from a scrapbook booth. Looks like pink is in!

Here's my gal-pal PattieWack.

Be on the lookout for Duncan's new product Custom Dye Color Kit that comes with four dyes and a recipe book on how to make 150 custom colors from the kit - wow! I can't wait to get my hands on this kit!

This isn't a very good picture, but these are all crowns and they are very beautiful!

Happy Creativity!

Joan

I'm back from CHA and trying to catch up on mail, email, Facebook, yadda, yadda...I ran across this drawing Laura Kelly did of me at the show - she was amazing - she did it literally in 10 seconds.

More details about the show soon!!!

Road Trip!!!

I'm off to CHA after having dinner with Jack LaLane last night...OK, he was in the same restaurant as me.

I'll report back early next week on all the new crafty things from the Craft and Hobby Association Trade Show!

Celebrity Attendance at the CHA Winter Show

Once again it's time for the annual Crafty and Hobby Association Trade Show where buyers from all over the world come together to find exciting new products to purchase for their stores. I am fortunate enough to have attended most of these shows for many years and have seen a lot of changes. I can't wait to see what's new and exciting out there just waiting to hit the stores! And, I might just run into a celebrity or two. Check out who will be there.

Deborah Norville, avid knitter, author, Emmy award-winning television journalist and host of Inside Edition, will be the 2009 Keynote presenter. Additionally, Deborah will be appearing at the Premier Yarns booth to introduce her brand new yarn line—Serenity, from the Deborah Norville Collection. Stop by to meet Deborah in person and see each of these four yarns (and receive free samples). Deborah will be appearing in the Premier Yarns booth #1619 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, January 25, 2009.

Paris Hilton, internationally recognized model, singer, author, and entrepreneur will be at the Show on Sunday, January 25, 2009 from 2:30 - 3:30 pm in the Wooky Entertainment booth #2500, to unveil Paris Hilton, the Creativity Collection™ a multi-faceted line of fashion crafting kits from some of the most popular craft segments including scrapbooking, jewelry making and fabric embellishment. Paris will be on hand for photos and signing autographs.

Jane Seymour is a multiple Emmy and Golden Globe winner and recipient of the Officer of the British Empire (OBE). She has proven her talents in virtually all media, the Broadway stage, motion pictures and television. Her love of art and color has also led her to great success as a painter in watercolors and oils, as a designer of her Home Collection and her Open Hearts line of jewelry, all based on her art. This success as an established fine artist includes being selected as one of the official painters of the 2005 Torino Winter Olympics, the 2008 Beijing Olympics and most recently the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. Come by and meet Jane during her appearance on January 26, 2009 from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm at the Tara Materials/Fredrix Artist Canvas booth #3529.

Vanna White, the co-host of Wheel of Fortune and best-selling author, has made appearances on numerous television shows and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She is an avid crocheter who loves to give handmade gifts to those she loves and has been Lion Brand Yarn Company's spokesperson for 14 years and collaborated with Lion Brand on several books, including Heartfelt Gifts to Knit and Crochet and Color it Beautiful Afghans, both inspired by her yarn with Lion Brand—Vanna's Choice—a premium basic, easy-care yarn in colors all designed to mix and match. Vanna White will host the Lion Brand Yarn Fashion Shows held on Monday, January 26, 2009 at 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm in the Lion Brand Yarn booth #1801.

My dad's 82nd birthday this week.

That's the Madonna Inn Toffee Cake!!!!

Something to think about...

10 Questions to Ask Yourself When Creating Your Bucket List:

If you had a year left to live, what would you do?

If you won the lottery, where would you go?

What did you always want to do when you were a child?

If you were lying on your deathbed, what would you most regret not having done?

If you had an upcoming high school reunion, what would you like to be able to tell your former classmates that you've accomplished?

What do you need to have more of in your life?

Who do you admire? Why?

You're sitting with your grandchildren on your lap telling them about your exploits. What stories are you telling them?

You've died and are listening to your eulogy. What are your friends and loved ones saying about you?

If a genie granted you three wishes, what would you ask for?

It's been a whirlwind few days...

I've been sending out tons of book proposals and with email being the way most publishing houses want their proposals, it's a quick turn around. (Read that as a quick 'no thanks!')

I've been walking and walking - the weather has been absolutely gorgeous - in the 80's!!! Valerie and I have been good about getting out to walk on the beach for an hour. Last weekend, my sister, nephew and I did a 2 hour walk on the beach followed by a healthy dinner at Taco Temple. Valerie, invited me to a stretch class, so looks like I'll be adding that to my activities a couple of times a week.

We made a quick trip over to Fresno / Lemoore for my dad's 82nd birthday. I picked up a Madonna Inn Toffee Cake - it was over-the-top! I made a quick trip to Fresno to do some paperwork and then on to lunch with my friend Frances - we could talk all day and all night, if we had the time! She is soooo insightful and such a good friend - one that I can tell EVERYTHING and ANYTHING to and she has had similar situations so we can identify with each other so much. I love to see what she and Rudy have done since the last time I was there.

Yesterday was my first COPE (Center for Obesity Prevention and Education) meeting on the Cal Poly campus. My sister went to school there so I at least knew the basic layout of the campus - I walked passed where we stood in line for what seemed like hours during her registration (ahhh, to have had computers and on-line registration back then) and I passed the building where my nephew, Chris, graduated a few years ago. Everyone was warm and inviting at the meeting. I was the only person not associated with an agency like the Y, food bank or a fitness center. It's idea time, so this afternoon I'll shoot off an email to them with some creative ideas for a huge symposium in October.

Well, I'm off for a doctor's appointment and lunch with my sister and nephew at a new restaurant and maybe a movie this afternoon.

It's a busy weekend, my high school classmate, Lisa, will be in Pismo Beach and wants to 'pick my brain' about something, so it will be good to see her again. AND, this weekend I will finalize my plans to go to London...yippeee!!!

Make it a great one!
Joan

Make Your Own Curtains

Too Cute Curtains

Whatever you love - birdhouses, hearts, teapots, _____ (fill in the blank!) you can bring your passion into your home with curtains and rods to match!

What You'll Need

Fabric of your choice

Aleene's Fabric Fusion

Scissors

Ruler

1/2" - 3/4" diameter dowel (measure length for your window)

2 decorative pieces for the end of your rods, wood or paper mache

Drill with bits for wood or craft knife for paper mache

2 sawtooth picture hangers

Nails

Hammer

Iron

How You Make It

1. Wash fabric to remove size. Iron to remove wrinkles.

2. Hem one long edge of fabric by folding over 1/2" to wrong side and gluing. Repeat on two short ends of fabric.

3. For casing, fold fabric over 1/2" to wrong side and glue down. Fold fabric down 2-1/2" and glue. Let dry.

4. Make hole in decorative pieces using drill or craft knife.

5. Attach hangers on back of decorative pieces.

6. Place curtain on dowel. Insert decorative pieces on dowel.

Are you on Facebook???

I have to admit I am spending WAY too much time on Facebook. When a friend asked me to sign up, I spent a few minutes on it, but didn't get it. Well, it has become a wonderful lifeline that I am so glad I pursued and it doesn't cost anything. I am on the committee for our high school reunion next year and I have been able to connect with people I haven't seen in over 30 years - it's a challenge for me to find more classmates and get reacquainted with them. You can instant message with people - I was chatting with four people at one time - it was exciting - one was in London, one in Fresno, one in Los Angeles and one in Tennessee. Crazy, I say, just crazy!
Joan

How to Make a Table from a Frame

Frame Table
Here's a great way to recycle an old frame and some inexpensive legs from a hardware store into a fabulous personalized table that fits your room perfectly!

What You'll Need
Frame
4 table legs
Poster or photo
Paint
Paintbrush

How to Make It
1. Paint legs and frame. Let dry.
2. Place your poster or photo in frame.
3. Attach legs to corners of frame.

COPE

I just got back from seeing the movie Seven Pounds - not quite the movie I had expected...but, when I got home, I had a message on my answering machine. It was from the Director of the Center for Obesity Prevention and Education (COPE) at the local university, Cal Poly. She asked me to be on the community advisory committee!!! I am soooooo very excited!!! I met her at a luncheon a couple of months ago and now look where a simple email took me. We're chatting tomorrow about details...

Later...I knew I wanted to be a BIG part of this organization, but the more I did research, the more I saw the fit. Here are the Director's goals - First, to develop comprehensive exercise-nutrition-behavior programs to improve weight, body composition, and physical and metal health across the lifespan. Second, to conduct research to determine the program’s effectiveness. Third, to work within existing institutions, such as after-school programs, community or health centers, to amplify the program’s availability to diverse populations. Fourth, to establish Cal Poly as a nationally recognized education resource and center of obesity-related expertise.

How to Make a Record Fountain Video

I'm excited!!! I posted my how to make a fountain from old records video on YouTube in May and I just went over 4,000 views!!! If you haven't seen it, take a view.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqS_kM2gBlc

Also, check out Cheryl Ball (from our old Aleene's Creative Living days) and my Get Those Old Records Off the Shelf ebook for tons of ideas to use old records!
www.lulu.com/spotlight/craftproductsatyahoodotcom

My Holiday Week

My nephews (and my brother David) got a slot car race track for Christmas - my mom and I take a try at keeping the cars on the track.


My nephew, Chris, brought the game Catch Phrase - we literally played for hours and hours and hours. It made waiting for the turkey to finish cooking, our car trip to Disneyland and waiting in line at Disneyland more enjoyable.

That's my nephew, Nathan, obviously trying to make a point.

That's my sister-in-law, Nicki. We must have been laughing at something my mom said - she was the shocker of the evening.

As I was driving out of town last Tuesday I shipped off a huge box for the book I'm working on. The final box went out just yesterday. Now, to write instructions.

My bro, David, and his new dog, Jack.

David made a brine for the turkey, let it soak in overnight and bbq'd it on Christmas morning.

The celebration for our high school friend Betty. Some of these ladies I hadn't seen in years and years.

The yummy Pink Champagne Cake from Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo. I'm going to stop by there on my way to the Pismo Dunes - I'm in charge of providing dessert for a bonfire on the beach tomorrow night to usher in the new year - I hope there are still some cakes left - I think I'll do a chocolate one this time. I already have my eye on a Toffee Cake there for my dad's birthday next month.

My family went down to Anaheim last Friday for a pre-wedding reception at the Disneyland Hotel. My cousin's are getting married in Hawaii and knew we all couldn't make it over there. We spent the morning at Disneyland having gotten there when the park opened (brrrrr...) and within 35 minutes we'd ridden the Matterhorn twice and Space Mountain. As we got off the Matterhorn the second time, we were greeted by Disney Cast Members saying we'd won Mickey Mouse ear hats - we all wore our hats proudly for the day. We spent a couple of hours at the reception and then back to Disneyland with a quick dinner and then back until about 11 p.m. Made for a long day, but it was tremendous fun. It was fun to see it through a child's eyes - mine.

Make it a great day!

Joan

The Countdown...

I woke up this morning wondering how I got to where I am at this moment - HUGE deadlines before I can head out to be with family and friends for the holidays. On the positive side, I have been waking up before dawn lately and the sunrises are magnificent!!! A time to pause and watch the beautiful pink sky unfold.

I wish I could share with you the many projects I'm working on at the moment - some will appear on the Duncan website - here it is Christmas week and I'm working on some Valentine's project instructions. The book I'm working on has taken over my itty bitty home and as much fun as I've had, I will be so thankful to ship it off tomorrow.

It's a cold, blustery day here - it was supposed to rain this weekend, so I'm a bit disappointed in that since I have to be indoors.

I'm finishing up favors and decorations for Betty's party on Tuesday night. She doesn't know so many are coming, she just thinks it's a couple of us. I'm trying to find a balance - press on hard to get a lot on work projects done and then treat myself every couple of hours to some fun time getting ready for the party and for the holidays.

I'm heading to the grocery store in a bit to pick up items to make chili for Christmas - we're having tri-tip, smoked turkey, beans, bread and salads. Yummy...many, many years ago my family got on a kick of making H. Allen Smith Chili - there's a story behind it, but I can't put my finger on the recipe at this very moment. My family hasn't had the chili and years and years, so it's my treat this Christmas.

Oh, and the treasure hunt for my nephews, Justin and Brandon. I think I'll just wait on that until I get to their house and come up with some fun places to work with - when you have a 40 acre farm there can be some interesting hiding places - we might not see them for days...

Have an awesome day - take time to smell the roses, have a cup of tea, watch the sunset - enjoy your precious day.

Joan

Beth is wearing the 'bow' I made from pom poms and chenille stems.

Old Aleene's Friends Christmas Celebration

Tonight was a night for catching up with friends from the old Aleene's days!!! Lauren Johnston and I used to appear on the Creative Living television show, Beth was the Producer and Linda Lou was the set stylist. We go way, way back. Seems like we haven't changed, but kids and grandkids have gotten older.


Before dinner I went shopping for Betty's party - it was great fun to put a girlie party together complete with boas, tulle, glittery netting, flowers and mirrored balls (we went to school in the 70's so when I saw 5" mirrored / disco balls on sale for 1/2 price, I just had to pick up several for the tables). I also had a duh moment - remember me talking about making cupcakes ? I was at the stoplight near The Madonna Inn heading somewhere completely not there when it hit me - order a Pink Champagne cake for Betty's party - it totally went with the pink girlie theme I was thinking of. Perfect!!! I need to take a few minutes tomorrow and make sure everything is covered - it all came together while I was in Michaels tonight.

Squiggly Bow, Laughing Buddha, Gingerbread Card

What a delightful day - It's only 2 o'clock and I've been to a meeting to get the heads-up on the newsletter I'll be taking over at the first of the month for my newcomers club, emailed with my sister who's visiting Virginia, dropped in to see a former co-worker / friend who works for the local police department (I hadn't seen her in two years), shopped for my gift exchange present for tonight and did lots of work!!!

I wrapped my gift for tonight and realized I didn't have a bow (probably SOMEWHERE out in my storage building there's one, but what's a crafter to do in a pinch???) I had some chenille stems and some pom poms and here's what I came up with. I wrapped the chenille stems around a pencil and taped a few in a circle on the gift and glued some pom poms in the center - I used stick glue so it's ready to dash out the door.

When I was looking for the gift for tonight, I saw a bunch of those Life in Miniature kits and one jumped right into my basket - it was the laughing Buddha - the box says the Laughing Buddha is the embodiment of happiness, laughter, prosperity and the wisdom of contentment. Have you ever had a vision in your mind right down to the very tiny details? This is where the Laughing Buddha comes in - I have a vision of my office (certainly not the one I'm in at the moment) but in the corner of the office is a huge Laughing Buddha!!!

I received the gingerbread card in the mail today - how adorable - are you thinking what I'm thinking??? A little felt, some ribbon...

White House Christmas

I just got an email from my sister saying she was on her way to tour the White House in all the holiday glory. How exciting!!!! Can't wait for her pictures.

Choices

Burden or Joy...

I laid in bed this morning under four blankets (brrr...it's cold!) and everything I need to do for the next week started buzzing around in my head...just today is a meeting with the old newsletter person showing me and my assistant what we need to do, dinner an hour away with my old Aleene's friends, I need to buy a gift for the exchange tonight (I thought way ahead a couple of weeks ago and bought a lovely candleholder and candle - it got dropped a couple of days ago and broke into a million pieces), I told the book editor I'm working with that I'd have some of the projects mailed, I have a ton of instruction writing to do, plan and get decorations for the Celebration of Life party for my high school classmate, Betty, not to mention all the holiday stuff and just plain ol' life stuff that needs to get done - BRAKES ON!!!

I was reminded by something a friend told me a couple of times last week, that we have a choice in EVERYTHING that we do - to make it a burden or a joy. So, no the decorations for the party won't get taken care of today like I'd planned and no I won't make and decorate darling cupcakes for the party, I hear there's a charming bakery in town and no, all the instructions won't get written today, but I choose to get the things done today that are absolutely necessary, to have fun, relax with my friends, relax about my expectations and celebrate this moment of my life as a true joy!

Cheers!
Joan

Arlington National Cemetery for Wreaths Across America

Today my sister and her daughter-in-law volunteered at Arlington National Cemetery for Wreaths Across America (http://www.wreathsacrossamerica.com/.) Every year, Worchester Wreath Company donates thousands of wreaths so that they can be placed on the graves of fallen men and women from our armed services.

Check out the hummingbird...

My week...a spur of the moment trip up the coast, White Christmas, crafting, delightful food, delightful friends... This was a very interesting week, one with MANY twists and turns, all thoroughly enjoyable.

On Tuesday, I found out a big deadline I was working on got extended a few days, so with that freedom (plus I was super stressed out and knew I needed to chill), I jumped in my car and went north on Highway 1 along the coast. My plan was to head up the coast for about an hour to Ragged Point and have lunch - but something made me whiz on by there and with the many twist and turns of Highway 1 I found myself at my favorite restaurant in Big Sur. Lunch was fantastic, overlooking the Big Sur coastline. The weather was fabulous and the drive up and back was great - hardly any traffic which let me pull into turnout after turnout to observe the mighty ocean below. I turned up the tunes real loud (thanks Miss Frances for Beyonce!!!) and found myself pulling into places I'd been before like Ventana Inn - they now have nice wood chaise lounges overlooking the ocean and I found myself basking in the warm sun not wanting to leave.

Wednesday was the newcomer's luncheon at a country club about 1/2 an hour away - it was absolutely spectacular - the view out the huge windows was of the surrounding hills with beautiful vineyards. We were all chattering about wearing our holiday finest - sweaters, jackets, etc. and it being 72 degrees outside - ahhh, the life of living at the coast (I had been emailing with friends back in Fresno and they were socked in with fog and freezing). I got introduced as being on the new board - some people were amazed that I was a new member (4 months) and already volunteering for a position - it's who I am, I wouldn't have it any other way. The food was wonderful and we had a presentation by a local high school choir of holiday songs.

Wednesday night and Thursday morning were spent doing freelance work. I literally had pieces and parts of projects everywhere in my tiny place. I got a phone call from a high school classmate saying he'd be in town in ten minutes and inviting me to dinner. I did the 8 minute scurry clean-up. Thing is, I have been to his house for meetings and he is one meticulous person, but, oh well. As we walked out of the restaurant, the sun was absolutely gorgeous right in front of us setting over the ocean!!! We stood there watching the sunset and I couldn't help but say outloud - "This is MY life."

Friday night was so delightful - Cheryl Ball, her sister Krissy and I got dressed up in our holiday attire, went to a steakhouse for dinner - I don't have steak that often, so it was a wonderful treat (was yummy for breakfast this morning too!) and then we were off to watch a production of White Christmas - it was absolutely amazing!!! We even got snowed on in the audience.

I woke up to rain this morning but as the morning progresses, the sun is shining and the ocean is beautiful. I need to play catch-up today after all my fun actives this week, so it's a working weekend for me. I'm not boo-hooing, cuz I had a delightful week.

Take care,

Joan

Wire Art for Plants

Add some art to that plant you're giving as a gift or spruce up your own walls!

What You'll Need
10 gauge wire or metal coat hanger
Round items to make curves in wire
Plant
Straight nose pliers
Wire cutters
Paper cone

How to Make It
1. For coils, grasp one end of wire with straight nose pliers, making a small loop. Move pliers down wire as you twist wire to desired size of loops.
2. Form curves below coils by wrapping wire around round items of desired sizes.
3. For plant stake, leave 8" straight at end of wire.
4. For wall hanger, lay wire shape on work surface after curves are formed. Bend wire up at a 45 degree angle 2" below last curve. Shape three more coils in wire to hold cone.

Big Purple Guy, Elfin Forest, Visitors, Job's Daughters, Work...

My friend and former cubicle mate sent me this picture of herself with the 5 foot tall stuffed animal she and her husband, Bruce, are giving to Toys for Tots. Too cute, Lucy!!! Miss you big time!

Last night in Cambria was very nice. We were running out of time before sunset, so we took a quick walk that turned out to be quite a workout coming back up a hill. Dinner was delightful - clam chowder in a bread bowl and shrimp salad at a beach side restaurant. There's a delightful new candy store in town and they had 11 different flavors of malted milk balls. One of the workers was kind enough to get us just a couple of each flavor.

I received an email from a high school classmate of mine yesterday asking for some help. Lisa and I had been Senior Class Officers together and we were also in Job's Daughters for many years together. Lisa emailed me in a panic because one of her former students (she's a teacher) asked her to do a 15 minute speech for her installation on Sunday. I told Lisa I'd brainstorm with my sister and see what we could come up with. The things we came up with are certainly not things she'd want to tell at an installation celebration. My sister and I remembered some initiation 'ceremonies' - everything from blindfolding a person and having them point out different areas of a cow and the last one you ask them to point at is the tail where someone dutifully puts a jar of Dippity Do so that their finger goes right in it. FYI - Dippity Do is an old version of hair gel. We talked about a song we sang when someone was caught with their elbows on the table at social functions. The song went - get your elbows off the table (insert name), get your elbows off the table, we have seen you do it twice and it isn't very nice, get your elbows off the table (insert name). There was a second verse - believe me - you only put your elbows on the table once in this crowd because the poor person had to run around the tables while we sang the song. Then there was the story about going on a snipe hunt - the initiation was in town where there was a curfew. Well, I and a few other girls saw a police car coming down the street, so we dove into the bushes. Yup, they found us, put the car lights on us and told us to go home. Strangely, the initiation was taking place at the high school principal's home...ahhh, to be young and innocent...being older and doing fun things is pretty darn good too.

The Elfin Forest - I joined the walking group in the newcomer's group and we walked at the Elfin Forest today - I will have to google that and see where the name came from because I didn't see any elves or any forest. It was a delightful walk with fresh air and good conversations.

My freelance work is in high gear - I'm creating twelve projects for a book and doing some instruction editing.

The holiday festivities are shaping up to be a fun time - next week is my newcomer's luncheon at a local country club (it's a chance to play dress-up), Cheryl Ball, her sister and I are going to see the play White Christmas along with a nice dinner out, there's a lighted boat parade, my old Aleene's friends are getting together, a friend told me this week she's getting married on New Year's just after midnight (I have my fingers crossed it's not foggy so I can be there!!!), our We Love You Betty party for my friend whose boyfriend passed away, I'm going to a wedding reception at the Disneyland Hotel with a day at Disneyland and next week a friend will be in town so I'm gussying up the house for that - I was all gung ho to decorate the outside of my house, but with all the work I have going on, I think I'll concentrate on the inside and be happy with that. My next door neighbor has enough lights up for the entire neighborhood. Life is good!!!

Have a fabulous weekend,
Joan

I just gave myself a timeout...

and I wasn't even bad, just stressed for the first time since I moved here - four months, already!!! It was wonderful to sit out at my bistro set, look out at the ocean and have the sun on my face. I decided I could never get a chaise lounge because I'd never get any work done.

A high school classmate of mine has come up with a wonderful idea. Our friend, Betty, whose boyfriend (also a classmate of ours) passed away after a very brief bout with cancer last week has had many trials in her life, breast cancer herself and her husband passed away many years ago leaving her with young children to raise. I have talked with her a couple of times this week and she is an incredibly strong person. My friend, Diane, came up with a great idea - we're going to have a We Love You Betty party just before Christmas. We're going to get a bunch of us from high school and just have fun - I've suggested pink boas, pink cupcakes, pink champagne...we're still out on what we're doing. I also suggested a carriage ride in a nearby town - we did that for my mom a few years ago for Mother's Day and we all loved it. Diane is to contact Betty to let her know what's happening and my email to Diane was to not let her turn us down - it's a celebration of life not only for Betty but for all of us.

I am headed to Cambria, a lovely town about 1/2 hour away. The first Thursday of December they have what used to be called Hospitality Night - all the stores stay open, the streets are decorated, there are carolers and the shops give out goodies. We're heading up early for a hike, to dinner at an ocean side restaurant and then in to town for the festivities.

Celebrate life today because we don't know if we'll have a tomorrow.
Joan

Weekend and Lots of Reflection

I had a most delightful weekend. I had dinner with Cheryl Ball and her sister and then we came back to my place to chat. They had been here right after I moved in, so they were able to see all my hard work. The next day was supposed to be a 'do whatever day' and I was heading down that way when my sister called asking if I had lunch plans - one of my nephews was in the area and he hadn't been to my new place. We went to the same restaurant Cheryl, Krissy and I went to - yummy fish tacos!!!

Last night was weird - I checked my email about 11:30 as I was heading to bed. I had an email from my friend in London, so I emailed her back. The phone rang - who could it be at 11:30? My friend from London, of course. We chatted almost an hour. Made for a groggy me this morning! They will be leaving London in the next year and a half, so looks like I'll be going to London next year. They live across from Buckingham Palace...free room and board. Now, to find a cheap airfare.

Tonight was my first Chick Flick get together with my newcomer's group. We did a movie and then dinner. But, I had a surprise - we parked near the restaurant and walked through Beverly's and there was Heidi Borchers. Since I was with a group, I hugged her and said I'd give her a call. That's on my to do list for tomorrow.

As I walked in the door tonight my phone was ringing. It was a high school friend of mine telling me of the passing of her boyfriend, also a classmate. So sad. My friend has had so many trials in her life and now this. My heart goes out to her, her family and our friend's family. I had seen Terry in September and he was fine and shortly after that he started acting 'odd' and seven weeks later he is gone from our lives.

Hug your kids, your spouse, your parents, friends, anyone and everyone that you hold dear in your heart.

Joan