Cultural differences

People watching.

 And the appreciation of beauty.

Belly dancing.

It feels so odd to unprohibitively* look at another person's body.

It's unusual in our culture for staring to be so acceptable.

Maybe that is why this dance is so intriguing.

It's clear why the dance is so appealing.

Our anniversary dinner was spent at Kybele, a Turkish restaurant.
It's fun to step into another culture.

Happy 23rd, babe.

*This may not be a real word.  

But it expresses what I am saying so appropriately.

Distracted

I didn't have time to do what I really wanted to do today (knit).

I didn't have time to do what I really needed to do today (laundry).

This is what I did instead:

mousespottersguide.com

I got distracted.

On the computer.

This is a problem I will write about.

Later.

(and later is a problem I will write about...you know, later).

Anyway, one of the things that distracted me was

green clogs.

See, I was making a comment on a favorite blogger's post

(because I didn't have time to knit...or to do laundry),

and I noticed the comment above mine was made by a blogger called

Sarah at Green Clogs.

How cute it that?

 Branding.  Shoes.  Beauty.

All my favorite things.
And pictures for eye candy (she is a photographer).

Needless to say, I had to look at Green Clogs' blog.

And I had to read some posts.

And I had to make some comments.

And then I had to write about it.

But first I had to get permission.

And then I had to wrestle with flickr to get her photos.

And, well, you've read If You give a Moose a Muffin, right?

From Amazon, of course.

I'm the moose.
Sooooo,

this is how we got here:

Ironically, the post I (first) read on Green Clogs was about a new year's intention to

"step away from the computer."

Hmmm.
I need to think about this.

Nothing happens by accident, does it?

Even being distracted.

By the computer.

 I really do want to make time for daily indulgences.

Like knitting.

I think my new friend Sarah at Green Clogs has inspired me.

Indulgences and Resolutions

I love a relaxing bath on a cold day.
Okay, I confess, I love a relaxing bath on every day.
Really.
It is an indulgence I take.
Every day.

Nothing quite goes as well with a relaxing bath as

Dove Dark Chocolate

and a Diet Coke.

Every day.

I'm not normally a fan of the quotes on the Dove candy wrappers.

I think they are kind of feel good "light."

But I did ponder this one:

Too bad all it made me ponder was,

"So does one's nose."

All this pondering led me to remembering Kasey's
"welcome to reality" photos.

After some deliberation it has been determined that I do not have a nose hair showing.  
That suspicious "strand" is actually the earring on the woman behind me.
Really.
Not that my nose hairs never show...

This is not the nose I remember from my youth.
Good thing I am so wise.

I think a great New Year's resolution would be:
"give myself an indulgence every day."
Really.
It would sure beat the:
"eat less chocolate and drink less Diet Coke"
I resolve to do every new year.

What indulgence would you give yourself?
And, what has grown with your wisdom?

Really.

All I Want for Christmas

I didn't really have a Christmas wish list this year.

Because I wasn't planning on wanting anything.

You see, we are Real Estate Refugees.

We signed away our Christmas fund (and paycheck) to pay for mortgages...

and new stoves...

and shower doors...
and carpet...
and decks...

elsewhere.

Want to buy a million dollar home?  On sale?  Half -price?

 But when Eddie asked what I wanted for Christmas,
I didn't want to say,

"Nothing."

That's what my mom used to say.

And she said it in kind of a grumpy way.

And I didn't always believe her.

Then I thought about what I really wanted.

I told Eddie that what would really make me happy on Christmas

was to see happiness and joy in his eyes
(in spite of the meager gifts this year).

This is what Eddie gave me:

 Enthusiasm.

Surprise.

Delight.

Compliments
(Liv makes Eddie a calendar every year--this year it was kittens).

 Pleasure
(Rose chose a selection of albums he would enjoy).

Laughter.

Thanks, Eddie.

I love my present.
I love being your mom.

You bring me joy.

                     --Mom

Let earth receive her King

lib-art.com

Madonna and Child with the Milk Soup circa 1515

GERARD DAVID

We Have a Winner!

Steve is the lucky one.

He is dreaming of boots for Christmas.

Sparkly boots.

Zappos: http://www.zappos.com/old-gringo-eagle-swarovski-brown-genuine-swarvoski-crystal

These have swarovski crystals.

These are on sale.

Once $1260.00.

These are now only $1134.00.

So...maybe Jenny is the lucky one.

Steve's second choice was a bracelet to match his wife's earrings.

I happen to know Jenny has the Creme Brulee Earrings.

The Vanilla Frosty Bracelet is a lovely compliment.

Steve, you'll have to ask Santa for the boots.

Zappos:  http://www.zappos.com/mia-moonshine-red-leather

These match Santa's suit, so he'll surely think they are fine.

These may be more within Santa's budget.

Of course, if Steve's house is anything like my house,

when Jenny is lucky, Steve is lucky.

Lucky Christmas!

Hurry, hurry, hurry

Don't forget to enter the give away!

Leave a comment here.

Choose a bracelet (or earrings) here.

Dewdrop, from the Meryle Collection, is my favorite.

I love the tough and tender play of pearls and blackened silver.

I love that the crystal quartz sparkles without being too flashy.

I love the way it drapes on my wrist and dangles on my arm.

I love the way it moves when I use my elaborate hand gestures

(Barb says it's impossible for me to play poker and wear bracelets.

They make too much noise when I get excited about a good hand.)

Enter now.

Deadline is Sunday, December 19th.

You do want it in time to go under your tree, don't you?

Peace on Earth?

I don't know what all this "save the world" stuff is about.

I guess I was not very specific.

When I asked what you were dreaming of this Christmas,

I was thinking more along the lines of "fabulous shoes."

 

B.Makowsky Sasha at Zappos.com.  Who loves Zappos as much as I do?

My wishlist post last year was full of things I wanted.

Material things.

And, one year later,

I'm embarrassed to say how many of those things I have acquired

(mostly through my own generosity).

However, if you are wondering,

I did not get the dining room chairs...

 In case you don't get what you are dreaming of this Christmas,

enter the giveaway.

And dream of lovely Tallulahs jewels around your wrist.

At least you stand a chance of getting something you really want...

Dreaming of a white Christmas?

I think it's time for a holiday give-away.

To enter, tell me what you're dreaming of this Christmas.

I will pick a winner on December 19th.

If it's you, choose a bracelet or earrings from Tallulahs.
A lovely package will arrive in time to slip under your tree.

(Make sure I have your contact information!)

I yam what I yam

Kasey took a photo of me. 

Then she presented it to the world on FaceBook.

I wasn't very fond of the picture.

I tend to have a rosier view of myself.

But when she gave me a lovely compliment about my eyes,

I decided to accept reality.

In the words of the immortal Popeye,

"I yam what I yam."

 image from xtrvaluedvds.com

Still, I'll save my rose colored glasses.

For politics.