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May everyone have a wonderful Christmas and a upcoming New Year full of happiness, peace and good health.
I'll be back on my blog next year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In Memory Of My Mother

This post is dedicated To my mom who passed away on this day 4 years ago.
She was loved and will always be missed. I do know she watches over me and the rest of my family daily.

Our sorrows and wounds are healed only when we touch them with compassion.

Do not judge yourself harshly. Without mercy for ourselves we cannot love the world

Star Dough Ornaments

Last week me and the kids made these fun and very easy star ornaments. If anyone is interested in trying to make these, the recipe is listed below. They're not edible.
Ingredients;
2 cups of flour
2 cups of salt
1 cup of water
Mix all the ingredients together and stir well. Separate, form into balls, then roll out the dough. Use star cookie cutters (or another shape) to cut out the ornaments. Once the dough is cut, place on a lightly greased cookie sheet and poke a hole on the top, so that when the ornament is done baking you can thread a ribbon through it to hang. Place into the oven and bake at 375 for 20 minutes or until hardened.

The Treasure Party

Today is Cielo's "Treasure Party." One of my favorite treasures are my teapots. They are both antique and non vintage. I inherited many of them from my late mother. Others I received as gifts. These are photos of some of my treasured teapots. To view the treasures of others, go and visit Cielo's blog. Just go to "my favorite blogs" list on my side bar and click on "House in the Roses".

Life is so hard, how can we be anything but kind?

The Cold Moon

Tonight's full moon is also known as the "Cold Moon".

Old Sayings & Lore:

Never cut your hair, begin a journey, move into a new house, or start a business on a Friday in particular, and especially if a New or Full Moon falls on Friday.

The word "create" comes from the same word-root as the word crescent.

In some legends, the Egyptians said that the Dark Moon and the Full Moon were the two eyes of Horus.

The natives of Madagascar call their isle the island of the moon.

To aim at the moon means to be very ambitious, to set your sights extremely high.

The feldspar gem known as the moonstone is said to become brighter and clearer when the moon is full.(moonstone jewelry is so pretty, I have a pair of earrings that I love)

The eastern branches of the Eskimo clans say that their people came from the Moon to Earth.

Gingerbread Cookie Recipe

This past weekend me and my kids made a huge batch of gingerbread cookies. They are my favorite cookies to make. They're in my kitchen every Christmas. My family likes them more so for eating. Since I'm not much of a cookie person, I love baking them, because I find it so fun the decorating them after they've cooled.

Below is a very easy gingerbread recipe that I follow every holiday.

Ingredients;

1 stick butter, softened

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup molasses

1 egg

2 cups of all purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1 tsp ginger

1 tsp Cinnamon

1/8 tsp ground cloves

1. Beat butter with sugar and molasses. Mix in egg.

2. Sift dry ingredients and add to wet mixture.

Mix well and chill in refrigerator for 2 hours.

3. Heat oven to 350 F. Roll out a portion of the dough 1/4

inch thick on a lightly floured surface.

4. Cut with your favorite cookie cutters, place on a non stick

baking sheet.

5. Bake for 8-10 minutes. Cool completely on wire rack.

6. Decorate with your favorite icing recipe if desired.

Some of my favorite cookie cutters are the antique cutters I use to collect. I believe they're from the 40's and 50's. It's so exciting to pull them out and use them to make my gingerbread cookies every year.

Another December Sunrise

There's so much beauty and awe in nature!

Wishing everyone a great day!

Orange Ornaments

Close up of an orange with the sunshine coming through it.

Over the weekend I made orange Christmas ornaments. The idea came from my "Body and Soul" magazine. They're really easy and fun to make.
1. Cut four unpeeled oranges into rounds about 1/4 inch thick.
2. Bake on a greased cookie sheet at 175 degrees for 4 to 6 hours.
3. Poke a hole near one edge with a needle and thread doubled twine through to make a loop.
These ornaments look so interesting added to the Christmas tree. Another idea is to gather up some interesting fallen branches while out on your nature walk and place them in a vase. Once in the vase, hang the orange ornaments in the branches. This arrangement is very pretty when placed in front of a window that receives sunshine. The sun shining through the ornaments illuminates the oranges.

My Prize From Judy

The other day I received this lovely prize from Judy. She had a drawing and her cute Kitty Anna drew my name. I'm so looking forward to using this.

If you get a chance, you have to check out Judy's blog. She has tons of great recipes and interesting posts on her blog. The address is http://brocanteandetc.blogspot.com/ . I also have Judy's link on my side bar "Bricante and ect".
Thank you again Judy!!!!!!!!

Sending Everyone Out A Wishing Star

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Do not seek perfection in a changing world. Instead perfect your love.

When people experience cruelness and unkindness in the world, the quote above always is the best action for us to take.

Our Artwork

( Jonah's snowman)

Over the weekend me and the kids decided to create with charcoal pastels. Here's what my little artists created.

( Sun coming out of the clouds, by me for Jonah's room)

(Ivy's green apple)

(Ivy's star and sun pic, along with her very inspirational words)

Pretty Late Autumn Sunrise

(photo of the sunrise shining through dried corn husks out on my porch)

This morning I enjoyed watching a very pretty sunrise out my dining room window. In the morning the sun always fills my dining room with it's warm orange colors. I couldn't help but to take a photo out my front window to share with everyone else.

( Photo out my front dining room window)

The Most Beautiful and Truthful Wisdom Shared with Me

Today I was fortunate enough to receive one of the most meaningful and truthful thoughts of wisdom that I've read in a while, from a very wise and caring friend of mine. I thought I might share it with those of you who visit my blog this weekend.

Keep your thoughts positive,

because your thoughts become your words.

Keep your words positive,

because your words become your behaviors.

Keep your behaviors positive,

because your behaviors become your habits.

Keep your habits positive,

because your habits become your values.

Keep your values positive,

because your values become your destiny....

we must be in "Being good"

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!

John William Waterhouse

The greatest protection is a loving heart. Protecting yourself, you protect others. Protecting others you protect yourself.

Dried Chili Peppers

This past summer I grew 6 chili pepper plants and had a wonderful yield.
Now that they're all dried out, I'm going to make crushed red peppers out of them, so needless to say, all my friend and immediate family will be receiving a jar.
Through out the summer and during harvesting time, I collected ripe chili peppers and placed them on a flat baking sheet to dry out completely.
Now that they're all dry, I'll place them in my blender and make crushed peppers. Once they're crushed I'll place them in small mason jars. For anyone who's never done this and may decide to try this in the future, be very careful of your eyes and wash your hands thoroughly each time you handle the peppers.
In the past I've found my homemade crushed peppers have been hotter than the store bought. I've also decided to make crushed habanaro peppers this past summer and they're great for adding a spicy kick to any dish you may want to make more exciting.

Alanis Morissette (Simple Together)

Alanis Morissette is one of my favorite musicians and I must say the song in this video is one of my favorites too.
I've been wanting my hubby to burn this song and a few others from Alanis. I really have to start getting on him about it, so I can have a nice little CD collection in my car. I get sooooo tired of listening to the radio all the time. It seems like they keep repeating the same ten songs over and over again, which becomes extremely annoying.
The song in this clip above is just so beautiful. Alanis's words and her music comes right from her soul. In my opinion she's one of the most talented musicians out there.

Tonight's Full Moon (The Snow Moon)

If you remember, and the night sky is clear, look up at the "Snow Moon" this evening.

Here's some interesting and fun information on November's full moon.

The "Snow Moon's" correspondences;

Nature Spirits: subterranean faeries

Herbs: verbena, betony, borage and thistle

Colors: grey and sea green

Blooms: chrysanthemum

Scents: cedar, cherry blossoms and peppermint

Stones: lapis lazuli and topaz

Trees: alder and cypress

Animals: unicorn, scorpion and jackal

Birds: owls and sparrows

Power of flow: Take root and to strengthen communication with the angels and guides who seem closest to you.

Our South Beach Vacation

(Our hotel)

Last week my family and I took our long awaited trip to Miami's historic art deco distric... South Beach. The weather was just perfect. It wasn't too hot or too cold. The humidity was also very low, so I didn't have many bad hair days during my stay...

( hotel's Veranda cafe/bar)

During the day while laying out by the pool, we would order delicious "Mojitos" from the bar displayed in the photo above. Our kids had a blast in the pool. This is where they chose to spend most of their days. I didn't mind at all, because I also enjoyed laying by the pool, sipping on cocktails. It was nice, quiet and relaxing just laying there soaking up the rays.

(Huge portrait of Coco Chanel in the hotel lobby)

On Halloween we took our children trick or treating at a pretty mall over on Coconut Grove. Needless to say they received tons of candy and had a wonderful time. Later that same evening we enjoyed an excellent meal at this ocean side restaurant in Coconut Grove. Even though I'm a strict vegan, I do make an exception to eat fresh seafood (mostly grouper and conch) and sushi while vacationing in Miami. Conch tastes so good, whether it be fritters, salad or cracked conch. I was fortunate enough to have it prepared all three ways this time. When we returned, it was so interesting sitting on the front steps of our hotel with a glass of wine, where we could admire all of the fabulous costumes as people walked by.

(Downtown Miami skyline)

One morning we all went to "Big Pink" for breakfast. They cater to both children and adults. Everyone loved the huge breakfasts they received and the atmosphere was very nice and kid friendly. "Big Pink" is a must to try if your vacationing with children in South Beach.

(Me on the promenade)

Many times after spending all day by the pool, we all walked the promenade, which is great for people watching and has easy access to the crowded beach. Vacationing in this city is so interesting and fun, because it's so international and so diverse.

(The back of our hotel)

On Saturday evening, my hubby and I hired a babysitter (she was great with the kids) so we could have a night out on the town. My daughter ended going to sleep shortly after the sitter arrived at 8:00 pm, most likely from swimming all day long. My son was the only one awake and he said they played some games that she brought.

(A View of the other hotels nearby)

My hubby and I started our night out by having a before dinner drink at "Sky Bar" at "The Shore Club." We sat in the "Bamboo Garden," which was outside. The set up couldn't have been anymore intimate and romantic, with candles lit everywhere, comfy, pretty, white sofas placed under interesting trees and gorgeous Indian lanterns hanging from many of the trees.
We then went to "The Delano" for the best sushi dinner I've ever had. All the people working there were so nice and made us feel very welcome.
After our wonderful sushi dinner at "Blue Sea" ( Which is part of "The Delano") We had some drinks at their "Rose Bar." On both of our vacations to "South Beach" we wanted to make sure to spend time at "The Rose Bar." It's so pretty with a soft rose colored hew cast over the whole bar area. The people are all beautiful too. After having a few drinks, we went down to their "Florida Room" Which we enjoyed immensely. There was a great band playing there.
Before heading out we decided to finish up with a glass of wine by "The Delano's" pool bar. This is an absolutely beautiful hotel, with it's billowing white sheers hanging from it's very high ceilings right down to the gorgeous wide plank hardwood floors. All the furniture is so chic and white. I get such a dreamy feel when studying the decor inside this pretty hotel. I am also absolutely amazed by "The Delano's" food, drinks and wonderful staff. On both of my visits, I had a very nice experience.
After leaving "The Delano," we thought we would head back to "The Shore Club," before our night ended. While on our way, we noticed these red ropes up and a bunch of people standing in a line outside of this other club. Out of curiosity we just stopped real quick to ask the bouncer, who was very pleasant to us, what this place was and he let us right in as soon as we stopped. Come to find out it was a club called "Mynt."
WHAT AN EXPERIENCE IT WAS!!!!!!! This club is full of beautiful people. It was so packed and very fun. We spent the rest of our evening at "Mynt."
Our whole night out was very outstanding! Everyone we encountered was pleasant and friendly. We ended up going back to our hotel at 3:00 am, which is late for us, but early for South Beach's night life.


(Photo of palm trees)

Needless to say, when we woke up on our last full day in South Beach, ( the kids were up and ready to play at 7:00 am), we were whooped. The last day was a rainy one during the morning hours.
We ended up driving to "Key Biscane ," and once the clouds broke
we went out to the beach.
The waves were rough, so we told the kids they could only wade in the shallow water. A few minutes after my daughter started wading in the water, she walked up to me crying, because there was this red mark on her belly hurting her. My hubby brought her to the lifeguard station to have her belly checked out. He told my hubby that she had just been stung by a jellyfish. He put a bit of vinegar on it and said luckily it was very minor. We didn't realize that the lifeguards hang purple flags on there life posts to alert beach goers that there's dangerous marine life by the shore and not to swim.
We ended up leaving and going to "Joe's Tiki Bar" for lunch, which again was fabulous. Later we headed back to spend the last part of our trip watching the kids play at the pool, while we enjoyed a few cocktails.


(Photo of the beautiful architecture in South Beach)

The next moring was a sad one as we said goodbye to South Beach as sped off to the airport to catch our flight back to chilly, New York state.
Our pets were very happy to see us. I'm still getting back into the swing of things again. After being away it takes a week or so to get back into my regular routine.

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There is no fire grater than hatred and greed.

Hatred is appalling and greed is disgusting.

You already possess all you need to stay calm.

It's just a matter of practice.

By Terri Trespicio

Indian Corn

(My front door)

How disappointed I was today when I went to the garden center to look for old fashioned shrub roses on clearance. I guess I got there a little too late, because they were all sold out of them. I usually buy my roses around this time, because you can purchase them for next to nothing.
Instead I ended up buying a bunch of pretty Indian corn for my door, a sugar pumpkin to bake for dinner tonight and 1 candy apple for each of my kids. At least they'll be very excited to have a sweet treat for snack this afternoon.