5 Tips to Reduce Holiday Depression

While war and poor economic conditions begin to affect people all over the world, more and more people suffer with depression. The more we focus on news events and the business climate, the more we are depressed. Whatever the reason you feel is the cause of your depression, the following five simple tips guarantee you reduce it significantly. 1. Do not read newspapers. Newspapers publish negative stories most of the time. Even in peaceful periods, newspapers will find the worst in humanity and place negative stories on display in order to promote sales and subscribers. Stories focused on War, rebellion, death, destruction, doom and despair abound in the newspapers. Stop reading the newspaper and reduce the negative input to your brain. 2. Turn off your television. Watching and listening about the horrible economy and the losses associated with War will add to depression. In fact, you guarantee the feeling of helplessness. Helplessness allows depression to nurture. If you really need to watch or listen to these kinds of news stories, promise yourself you will bury yourself in the documentaries that are sure to follow in the next 5 or 10 years. A way you can eliminate most of the negative input to your brain is by setting it aside for a date somewhere in the future. I guarantee in the future, you will not find it very interesting. When visitors come to your home, make sure you turn off your television and keep it off. News television broadcasters are fighting for your guests' attention as they promote despair, war, death, and destruction with many headline news interruptions. Those little banners that run across the bottom of the screen achieve your attention and they take hold of your consciousness. Television will diminish your positive spirit. 3. Say good things about others My Mother always says, "if you can't say anything nice about others, don't say anything at all." However, when you find yourself in a conversation and a relative says, "Remember Uncle Phil?" " He was an alcoholic" Respond with " yes, Uncle Phil was an alcoholic and he was the most charitable person, I have ever met." Connect your friend's negative statement about Phil with a positive one. Set yourself up to find the positive in anyone's statement and you will keep negative thoughts and depression from overtaking your life. 4. Get physical exercise Adults forget about exercise when suffering from depression. Make sure you are exercising daily and sending more oxygen to your brain cells. The result of exercise will improve your health as well as your attitude. 5. Breathe deep and relax. Practice the following breathing exercise to relax your body and mind. Breathe deeply and relax. For 3 minutes each hour take a short mental vacation. You can engage in this exercise while you are standing in the checkout line at the supermarket or when listening to others while talking on a telephone. You can complete the exercise at home or at work. Take three deep breathes and relax. As you inhale, concentrate on calm and peaceful thoughts. You may think about relaxing by a mountain, by the ocean or comfortably in your favorite room at home. As you exhale, concentrate on pushing any tension out of your lungs. Focus on positive images in your life. Focus on laughter, love, excitement, and hope. Keep breathing in and out in this pattern until you feel better. If you practice the exercise often, you will notice wonderful changes in your outlook and in other aspects of your life. Reduce your depression now! Enjoy your holidays, family, your friends, and your life. About The Author Wayne F. Perkins is a clinical hypnotherapist and author of "How to Hypnotize Yourself Without Losing Your Mind." offers hypnosis scripts for a variety of problems. "My mission in life is to help you achieve your mission in life." <a href="http://www.wayneperkins.net/" target="_new">http://www.wayneperkins.net/</a>; <a href="mailto:wayne@wayneperkins.net">wayne@wayneperkins.net</a>

Halloween Costumes...for Pets!

One of the best things about Halloween, is wearing a costume. If you have animals at home, why not consider a Halloween costume for pets? A Halloween costume for pets is usually made for an animal of the canine kind. Cat owners know that the majority of felines wouldn't wear a costume. Dogs, on the other hand, are more tolerant. On the other hand, there are many dogs that won't want to wear Halloween costumes, either. Some will like them, and others certainly will not. Try a costume on your dog, and if he paws, pulls at it, or generally disagrees with it, take it off. It's never a good idea to force a pet to wear a costume. There are several Halloween costume styles. You have t-shirts, vests, capes, bandannas, and hats. Imagine your dog flying through the room at full tilt, wearing a shining cape! How about a bumble bee costume for your pug? A witch's cape and hat for your terrier? Or what about a plain skeleton t-shirt for your pit bull? Some dogs will wear vests, for example, but will not go for hats. Others may not like t-shirt, but will be fine with a bandannas. Many dogs that enjoy being around people, and getting lots of attention will like costumes. If you can sew, try your hand at designing a costume for your pet. Patterns are available, as well. Have fun, and use thin fabrics that will keep your dog feeling cool. As far as safety goes, masks are not good, as they may impair a dog's vision. Avoid anything with beads, or any loose pieces that an animal could chock on. James writes for <a target="_new" href="http://ghoulish-halloween.com">Ghoulish Halloween</a>, a site that tries to entertain and inform. For more great Halloween articles, visit our <a target="_new" href="http://ghoulish-halloween.com/october31/halloween-2.html">Halloween articles</a> archive.

Are You Going To Survive The Holidays?

Admit it! You promised this year was not going to be like the last few...and here you are, it is December and guess what? You did it again! The TO DO list is growing by the day right along side the gift list. If the holidays are stressful and you start to wish they didn't come each year then you are doing something wrong and you need to regroup. Not to worry...we are here to help! 1. If you don't have a TO DO list and are just swirling around, STOP...and make a list. 2. Categorize your list...you know...organize it by types of tasks. 3. If at this point you are already overwhelmed, do not proceed to step 4. Call ON THE GO 4 U (or a local concierge in your area) right now. 4. Assign time limits to the tasks. Similar tasks (that's why we categorized) can probably be knocked off at one time. 5. Make a schedule. You know your daily routines. Now add the TO DO list tasks to the routine. 6. If at this point you see no way to schedule another thing in your day: a) refer to our November article "Don't be a Statistic", b) Call ON THE GO 4 U (or a local concierge in your area) right now and c) do not proceed to Step 7 because help is on the way. 7. OK, now you have the list and the schedule. Stick to it! The easiest way for things to fall apart is for you to get sidetracked. Things for your TO DO list that you may have forgotten: <ul> <li>Holiday Cards</li> <li>Stamps (purchase now if you want themed ones)</li> <li>All mailing should be done no later than Dec 18 to avoid the rush and additional shipping costs.</li> <li>Holiday Open House or Party. Consider having an after the holidays party...people need a break and some fun in Jan/Feb.</li> <li>Invitations should be sent 3 weeks in advance...which means you should have done it by now!</li> <li>Office/School Gifts</li> <li>Wrapping Supplies (Paper, Ribbon, Tape, Labels)</li> <li>Decorations</li> </ul> Decorating Timesavers for the Holidays Contributions by Chef Stacey of Season the Day, LLC <ul> <li>Decorate only the common areas that will be frequented by friends and family.</li> <li>We shouldn't have to say this, but here goes. If the Christmas tree is against a wall, do not decorate the part that is not seen by visitors.</li> <li>Add a holiday bow to a plain evergreen wreath. You can get very nice pre-made bows at any store that sells holiday decorations. Place it on front door and put poinsettias in the foyer.</li> <li>Add holiday trim to everyday decorations that are already in place.</li> <li>For an elegant but easy-to-do centerpiece, fill a crystal/glass bowl with water, add fresh cranberries, holly and floating candles.</li> <li>Stage holiday scented candles throughout the house. They will make the house warm and cozy.</li> <li>For outside decorations, take plain white lights and extend them around the railings. Buy a roll of festive ribbon and matching bows. Use the ribbon to secure the lights to the railing by wrapping it around. Attach the bows to the end of the railings.</li> </ul> Gifts under $20 Make Great Stocking Stuffers Sunglass Hut: Cleaner, cloth and screwdriver in a case. The cleaner matches the cloths! $9.99 The Body Shop: Dry Oil Mist in assorted scents (Mango is our favorite). $9.50 Stila: Convertible Lip Color $20 Brookstone: LED Multi-tool $20 and 4-in-1 tape measure $20 Illuminations: Jar candles $7-20 Pier 1 Imports: Great ornaments for under $20 Amazon.com: Free shipping on $25 so get a couple of your items there Fredflare.com: Earrings under $20 and great men's gifts too including desktop games The Rules for Gift Buying: It is the middle of the month and we are all on a serious countdown to the big day. If you are still out shopping, here are a few simple rules to avoid making a serious faux pas with your significant other. For Her: 1. Do not buy her something practical unless she has specifically asked for it. However, if she did, make sure you know exactly what she wants. A blender is not a blender is not a blender. 2. Clothing: You can go sooo wrong with this. Be careful. Know her size and know her style. 3. Gift Certificates: While this is an easy fix to a big problem, it can scream I don't know what else to buy you. Do not buy a gift certificate to the mall or department store. Use the same philosophy with gift certificates as with gifts. Know the person's style. If she loves DIY, then try a gift certificate for lessons (pottery class, art lessons, even DIY home improvement if she is in to that). If she needs to relax and unwind, gift certificates to a spa are a great idea. Now, you have the gift certificate and you put a lot of thought into so don't blow it on the packaging. A plain white or store envelope is not the way to go. Package it with a product from the store (i.e. aromatherapy if doing the spa idea) or her favorite wine, chocolates, etc. 4. And here is the big one: Buy what she likes not what you like! For Him: 1. Practical works for men but only if it is something he wants, not something you think he should have to do a chore on the "to do" list. 2. Clothing: Same rule applies for men as for women. Know his size and his style. Now some of you are reading this and saying but I don't like what he wears. This is not the time to reform him. If you don't like what he wears then don't buy him clothing for the holidays OR buy him a gift certificate for a personal shopper that he can use in any manner he wants. 3. Gift Certificates: For men, you need to be specific. Many women don't mind shopping but most men do. Gift certificates to internet vendors that he frequents are good. Mall gift certificates are not. And again, follow the simple rules for packaging the gift certificate. Don't use the plain white or store envelope. 4. And now the big one: Sports/Hobby equipment or Electronics. If you are going to buy your guy something to accentuate his hobbies or activities then make sure that is what it actually does. If he is a sports enthusiast then he most likely has brands or styles of equipment that he prefers. Talk to his sports buddies or check out sports experts online before buying him something he doesn't want or need. Use the same philosophy when buying electronics. Research what is best for his needs and buy the best you can afford in your price range. If you know he wants a specific product and it is out of your budget, do not buy second best. Choose another idea. For the one who has it all: The BusyB Herself will tell you that you have to work pretty hard to find her someone who truly has it all and for whom she can't find a creative gift. However, if you have someone who does not need nor want, try something different. There are a multitude of charitable organizations out there who did want and need. Think about his/her passions. For example: if he/she is really into animals then make a donation to the local shelter on his/her behalf and then package it with the donation letter as well as something from the organization or a magazine/book on the subject. Remember, put on the tunes, stay relaxed and enjoy what is supposed to be a joyous season, not a chore. Now that you have these holiday tips, we hope that your holiday is safe and sane. Indra A Books, author of this and many other lifestyle articles is the owner and founder of ON THE GO 4 U, Personal Shoppers & Concierge Service in the Washington DC metropolitan area. The company's creed is to provide its clients with the ultimate life management experience. In addition to its shopping and concierge services, ON THE GO 4 U also publishes a monthly e-zine and conducts workshops on wardrobe, entertaining and decorating. For more information about the author and ON THE Go 4 U, please visit <a target="_new" href="http://www.onthego4u.net">http://www.onthego4u.net</a> ON THE GO 4 U will be conducting a live online chat on December 15 to help people get through the holidays. See website for details. ? 2004 Indra A Books, ON THE GO 4 U.

Dont Want Another Carpet Sweeper This Year For Christmas?

Unique "Drop-A-Hint" Plan Sends Your Gift Wishes Via E-mail Sure, they love you and each year they try their best to find you the perfect gift. But let's be honest, sometimes they need a little help. Here's your chance to let your husband, parent, or special someone know exactly what you want. Sign up now for our Bragelet's Drop-A-Hint feature and get the gift you long for at a price you can afford. You simply fill out the "Drop-A-Hint" form and your gift selection is e-mailed to your loved ones complete with ordering details. They can then sign up for our newsletters and be advised of upcoming specials so the next holiday you might really be surprised. Bragelets were designed because Moms Love to Brag! More than just another piece of jewelry, this is a true reflection of you and your family and the pride and joy you feel towards them. Bragelets offers the finest in custom made jewelry including Mother's Bracelets, Birthstone Bracelets, Name Bracelets and Charm Bracelets for Kids, and Baby Brags ?, the perfect keepsake or christening gift for the newest member of the family. All styles all custom-designed to your unique personality with the finest sterling silver letters, 14K gold-filled beads and Swarovski crystals. But keep in mind gift giving is not just a once a year thing done at the holidays. You can present a special gift anytime to let someone know you truly care and make every occasion special. Here are just a few of our Gift Giving Ideas: For New Mommies -- Bragelets ? New Mommy Bragelet ? <br> Dads, here's your chance to show your wife just how much you care and how much you appreciate that nine months of sacrifices she made. It has everything from this mom's new world rolled into one great bracelet with six charms included: Baby bottle, "spit happens" bib, pacifier, baby blocks, It's a Girl OR It's a Boy charm, baby booties and of course, the baby's name in sterling silver block letters. Baby Brags ? <br> The perfect keepsake or christening gift for the newest member of the family. It can be worn on their ankle first and then on the wrist for many years to come. In silver or gold, pink or blue, with porcelain letters spelling out your baby's name. It's a sweet tradition and looks great in a shadow box or baby book. Mother's Bracelets <br> What a great gift idea for the mom, wife, or grandmother in your family. Our mother's bracelets are as special as the names you have chosen for each one of your precious children. All styles are made with the highest quality sterling silver and 14K gold-filled beads available. See how everyone marvels at the bracelet you wear with your children's name on it. Lilbrags <br> Just like their Mommy, little girls love jewelry. And what they love even more is seeing their name on it. Bring a smile to her shining face with a special bracelet designed just for her. Better yet, surprise them with matching mother and daughter bracelets. Family Birthstone Bragelets ? <br> The perfect solution for moms with large families or Grandmas with lots of grandchildren. Make it a family affair with Mom and Dad's birthstones on the outside and the children in the middle. Or perhaps one Austrian crystal for each spoiled rotten grandchild. Add a charm to make it extra special. Soccer Mom's Bracelet <br> Moms why not show off what you are best known for -- carpooling!! That's right. -- All you Soccer Moms out there unite! We have the classic "Mom's Taxi" charm sure to be a hit at any PTA meeting. Charm bracelets These are HOT! HOT! HOT! Back by popular demand and gaining in popularity among the young and old alike, these bracelets will delight every age group. Looking for the perfect gift for your preteen or teenager, look no more -- this is it. Breast Cancer Bracelet <br> Sterling silver beads and pink Austrian crystals with hearts for love and cause ribbons to remind everyone how important this cause really is. With every purchase, Bragelets will donate $5 to the National Breast Cancer Foundation to help find a cure. So save your loved ones from wandering the malls at the last minute searching for the perfect gift. Sign up now for "Drop-A-Hint" and have an e-mail sent to them of exactly what you're looking for. Don't forget to do some shopping at our site too while you're there. The prices are great and the service is exceptional. Bragelets at http://www.bragelets.com Diana Ennen is the author of numerous books including Virtual Assistant: the Series, Become a Highly Successful, Sought After VA, Words From Home, Start, Run and Profit from a Home-Based Word Processing Business & the Home Office Recovery Plan. She specializes in publicity and book marketing and is president of Virtual Word Publishing <a target="_new" href="http://www.virtualwordpublishing.com">http://www.virtualwordpublishing.com</a> and <a target="_new" href="http://www.Publicity-VA.com">http://www.Publicity-VA.com</a>. Articles are free to be reprinted as long as the author's bio remains intact.

A Valentines Day Story

Valentine's Day...the day of love right? Many years ago, 22 to be exact, I was a senior in high school. Just prior to Valentine's Day our student council representative got on the intercom during morning announcements and told us about an upcoming fundraiser. Student council was going to sell carnations for an entire week. It was further explained that there would be three colors available: red, pink, and white. Red was to signify love, pink said, "I really like you" and white was for friendship. The carnations could be ordered ahead of time but wouldn't be delivered until Valentine's Day during homeroom. The whole school buzzed with excitement over the prospect of it. Everyone discussed it but the girls couldn't contain themselves as they wondered which lucky girl would get the most red ones. Little snippets of conversations could be heard floating through the hallways: "I bet she will send some to him!" "I am going to send her six red ones!" "Do you think he will send one to me?" "I am going to get a white one for each of my friends." "Do you think he will send her a pink one or a red one?" "I wonder who will get the most?" The conversations continued in this manner until the first day of sales. On that particular day a certain group of girls started gossiping and acting cruel. I am sure you might be able to imagine the kind of girls I am talking about as they can be found in every high school across America. They view themselves as pretty, perfect and popular but in truth are very shallow and unhappy individuals. I had a feeling you would know what I meant! Anyway, these girls aimed their barbs towards another girl in our class. This girl was neither homely, nor attractive but she had such non-distinctive looks that she kind of just blended into her surroundings. In fact when I really think about it, nothing about her looks nor the way she acted warranted much attention. She was quiet and to my knowledge never said anything unkind about anyone. I knew she was a good student because I sat close enough to her in a few of my classes to notice that her papers were always branded with A's when they were handed back to her. In voices just loud enough to be heard, they mentioned this girl by name and joked that they knew for sure she wouldn't get a single flower. The girl just lowered her head and pretended not to hear but I knew she did. It broke my heart to witness their gross display of humor as they mocked her over and over that day and in fact, for the rest of the week. I toyed with the idea of sending the girl a white carnation but I must admit that I wasn't brave enough. I knew what they were doing was wrong but I didn't know what to do, so like everyone else, I did nothing. The big day finally arrived and I was excited as everyone else but a little nervous too. What if I didn't have a single carnation delivered to me during homeroom. I knew if that happened, I would die of embarrassment! I had ordered a white carnation for each of my friends and I was secretly hoping that they at least did the same for me. Of course there was a certain boy I was hoping to get one from too! That day we were told that the fundraiser was a huge success and that homeroom would need to be extended so all of the flowers could be delivered. Each member of the student council was armed with carnations and they roamed from room to room delivering the blooms. I chatted with my friend for what seemed like an eternity before our door was opened for the first time. We held a collective breath and exhaled in unison as only one flower was delivered, a white one for my homeroom teacher! The student council members continued to come in and out of our room. Our first big <a target="_new" href="http://www.easy-flower-delivery.com/">flower delivery</a> was 4 carnations for a boy sitting to my right. I couldn't believe a boy was the first one in the room to get red! The carnations continued to trickle in. After receiving 3 white carnations and realizing I wouldn't have to die from embarrassment of not getting any, my attention was drawn to the girl next to me. You know the one I mean, the smart one that the other girls had harassed all week. She sat perfectly still with her hands folded in front of her on her desk. I wondered if I should lean over and give her one of my flowers but I didn't want to embarrass her. It was during these musings when I saw three red carnations being placed on her desk. She looked up and smiled but just continued to sit there; she didn't even reach out and touch them! I wasn't the only one that had noticed either; people were starting to whisper and point in her direction. I could tell the other girls were a bit jealous because not a single girl in the class had received more than one red carnation at this point. Then things really started to get wild. Each time a student council member came in, at least one of the carnations in their stack was for her and they were all red! At this point as best as I could tell, she had 7 red carnations stacked neatly on her desk. The class started getting a little rowdy and each time a red carnation was placed on her desk, we all cheered. OK, the boys cheered, the girls mostly just glared. I knew I was witnessing something great and I tried to seek out the "gossip girls" just to see their reactions to this unexpected twist of events. There were three of them in our class and two of them had a few pink and white carnations on their desk and the third had a handful of white ones. I was thrilled by what was happening but I had to also wonder who had sent her all of the carnations....did she have a secret admirer? My thoughts were interrupted by the crackle of the intercom and the voice of our principal wishing us a Happy Valentine's Day. He went on to explain that all of the carnations had been distributed and then in his long-winded manner, thanked the Student Council for a job well done. I heard a commotion behind me as one of the "gossip girls" got up out of her chair and ran out of the room. I heard later that one of the boys teased her about not getting any red carnations which made her start to cry. I didn't even feel bad for her as my attention was focused on the pile of red carnations sitting on the desk next to me. What I noticed next was the smile on the girl's face. It truly was a great day! I don't know for sure but I heard she was given 24 red carnations that day. We don't know who gave them to her but I am glad someone did. I will never forget her nor will I forget that day. Oh, I did fairly well too. I received a handful of white carnations and I got a special pink one. Yes, it was from a guy, not the guy I was secretly hoping to get one from but from a great friend of mine that was hoping to make my day special. And you know what? It was special! If you have been inspired by my story and would like to send flowers to a loved one this Valentine's day, please visit me at <a target="_new" href="http://www.flowers-and-garden.com/valentines-day-flowers.html">Valentine's Day Flowers</a> Happy Valentine's Day! Candee Stark is a Reading Specialist in a local elementary school and has spent the last two and a half years earning her masters degree. Her new passion is her indoor herb garden. Visit her at <a target="_new" href="http://www.flowers-and-garden.com/artcan">Flowers & Garden</a> if you would like to read more <a target="_new" href="http://www.flowers-and-garden.com/artdir" >flower gardening articles</a>.<br>

Quick and Easy Holiday Decorating

You're tired. You've worked hard all week. Suddenly, the kids shout gleefully... "let's decorate!" ... in anticipation of the coming holiday. The "let's not" is miraculously not permitted to escape your lips. Instead you take a deep breath while you wonder about how this decorating could become an easier and more fun-filled activity. Well, it can be! - First, insist on family members pitching in to help and treat this like a family project. This should not just rest on your shoulders to accomplish and it will be much more fun if you all are making changes and creating memories together. - Next, pick a day and time you'll all devote no more than one to two hours for a quick holiday makeover at your home (for a major decorating holiday schedule two or three longer blocks of time). It helps if you can set the decorating date about one to two weeks from now, if time still allows for that. This gives you time to gather items together for the project. - Ask the kids to create one or two new arts and crafts decorations that are suitable to the holiday to have ready for the decorating day. Or, ask them to select ones from among any they may already have on hand, for instance, from school projects. - Decide on 3 to 4 areas you will focus on decorating this year. Here are some choices: the front door, the front yard, the entry hallway, the kitchen table, the dining room table, the living room, the patio, the bathroom, the bedroom. There are other areas you could consider as well. But if you want quick and dirty, then focus in on only 3 to 4 of the areas for decorating this year. Anyway, you can select other areas next year for a change. - Keep holiday decorations in separate bags, boxes or baskets in the same closet or in the attic so they'll be easy for everyone to retrieve when they are needed next. - Buy items you really love when you see them advertised or they may not be available when you later. It's common for seasonal merchandise to change from year to year and also they are not stocked year-round typically. So, your item may no longer be available if you wait too long to decide you want it. Then stash your figurines, statues, wall hangings, and other holiday <BR>decorations in your bags or boxes, sorted by holiday. - Make or buy some snacks or treats to enjoy together at the completion of your decorating time. Here are some favorite quick and easy decorating areas and tips: 1. The front door- Have a welcome sign that is theme oriented and you can easily change by season or by holiday. You can either hang up a completely new themed sign, or there are some that come with interchangeable pieces you swap in and out representing different holidays or themes. 2. The dining room table or a table that is centrally located but not used that often- Change the table runner or the tablecloth to a holiday themed one. Then showcase your holiday decorations by arranging a combination of your kid's holiday creations and your own figurines or other holiday decor on the table. 3. The mantel or entertainment center- Add a string of lights and if you wish, you can also vary the string of lights by color best suited for the coming holiday theme. Wall hangings can be changed around this area temporarily as well. Holiday accessories, flags, figurines, etc. are easy to rotate in and to view on or around this area of your home. 4. Special areas by kid's choice- Smaller children can help by adding little decorations to windows and glass doors. They enjoy taping up their creations or they can easily put up static cling decorations. Other areas small children enjoy decorating include outdoors, the dog house and their own rooms. Allow them to handle this aspect of decorating while you take pleasure in their big smiles and hugs! Finally, make your decorating time even more enjoyable by having holiday background music or other favorite tunes playing in the background. Then, when you're done decorating, finish up with a big family hug and munching on tasty snack treats together! Author Resource Box: Liz Hekimian-Williams is founder of Giftsprings.com, a gifts and home decor online shop that features personalized gifts, custom engraved stones, holiday decor and special occasion gifts. Visit the gift shop at <A target="_new" href="http://www.giftsprings.com">http://www.giftsprings.com</A> ? 2003, 2004 Elizabeth Hekimian-Williams, Giftsprings This article can be freely reprinted as long as the copyright notice and author resource byline with active link are included with the article.

Mother?s Day Crafts

Make these quick and easy crafts with your children for Mother's day. These can be handmade for Mom or Grandma! Flower Pens for Mom Is your mom always looking for a pen around the house, and can't find one? Well make this pen and she'll spot it right away! What You'll Need ? Bic Pen (ball point) ? silk flower ? floral foam ? low temp hot glue gun ? floral tape ? paint or markers ? small notepaper or Post-It pads ? small to medium sized terra cotta pot How To Do It Note: Adult supervision is needed when using a glue gun. 1. Start by decorating the flower pot. Have the child be creative! They can use colorful designs or patterns. Have them use paint or markers. Let dry while you move on to the next step. 2. Remove the cover from the pen and set aside. 3. Choose a nice big silk flower ? sunflowers and carnations work well! Pop the silk flower off of its stem. Put a dab of glue on the end of the pen, and push the flower on to the end, right into the glue. Hold in place for about 30 seconds to secure. 4. Use floral tape to wrap over the seam of the flower and the end of the pen. Continue wrapping all the way down to the tip. The floral tape will adhere better if you give it a slight tug as you are pulling it. 5. After the pot is dry, add a small piece of floral foam to the center of the pot (about 2&quot;x2&quot;), securing it with the glue gun. Then add a small dab of glue to the pen cover and push into center of foam. 6. Slide the pen into the cover, and surround with a few pieces of paper or post it note pads. Fingerprint Flower Frame This is a memorable keepsake for mom. She will show it off with pride! What You'll Need ? 4 large wooden craft sticks ? washable paints ? markers ? white glue ? magnet strip ? picture of child How To Do It 1. Start by laying out the 4 wooden craft sticks. Arrange them to form the frame and glue together. 2. Paint the child's fingertip, and then press onto the craft stick to form a fingerprint. Repeat this several times, alternating colors if you wish. Make sure to leave enough space in between each fingerprint to embellish the flowers with petals, etc. 3. Have the child write a message to mom on part of the sticks if desired! 4. Wash hands and let sticks dry. 5. When the craft sticks are dry, have the child use markers to decorate the fingerprints. Add petals, stems and leaves. Be sure to leave at least one fingerprint to make a friendly creature like a butterfly or ladybug! 6. Add your child's name and date to the back of the frame. 7. Adhere the picture to the back of the frame and add a piece of magnetic strip so mom can hang on the fridge! Pam Lester is the owner and creator of <a target="_new" href="http://www.TheIdeaBox.com">http://www.TheIdeaBox.com</a>. The site offers free kids crafts, recipes, games and activities for parents, teachers and caregivers. Please visit <a target="_new" href="http://www.TheIdeaBox.com">TheIdeaBox.com</a> for more great ideas!

Fireplace Decorating Tips for Easter: Give Your Rooms Natural Focal Point an Easter Look

Sure you decorate your fireplace and mantel for the winter holidays, but don't forget this important focal point in your room as Spring approaches. Here are some nearly-instant ideas for springtime and Easter fireplace decorating: Daffodils in crystal or glass vases on each end of your mantel bespeak the coming of Spring. Tie a wired chiffon ribbon in a soft spring hue in a bow around each vase for a nice touch. March a line of fluffy chicks across your mantel. Five or more chicks, whether stuffed toys, porcelain hens, or craft store chickens, make a cute display. And speaking of stuffed toys, now is a great time to find those old stuffed bunnies and ducks and turn them into mantel ornaments. Add Easter grass, and scatter decorated eggs along the mantel to keep them company. Tie wired gingham-checked ribbons into bows, and attach them to the edge of your mantel. Let the ends of each bow hang down various lengths from one to three feet. At the end of each ribbon, open a plastic egg, tape the ribbon's end inside the egg, and force the egg shut. This creates a set of eggs dangling at different heights. Bring out your glass, crystal, white, and pastel candle holders of different heights for your mantel. Select a trio of springtime colors such as lavender, pink and eggshell or aqua, pale green, and soft yellow. Use pastel candles in some of the candle holders. In others, perch decorated Easter eggs (real, plastic, wooden, or glass). The ideas above are great for your fireplace's mantel, but what's a terrific way to decorate your fireplace itself? Fireplace candelabra are the perfect accessories. And using candles in the shape of decorated Easter eggs in your fireplace candelabra is a super-simple, but visually dramatic way to decorate for the season. (Just don't be too surprised if the Easter Bunny replaces one of the candle-eggs with a chocolate one!) Susan Penney appreciates simple ways to make our homes renewing spaces for our families. She invites you to visit <a target="_new" href="http://www.FireplaceMall.com">http://www.FireplaceMall.com</a> for fireplace accessories to serve your fire-less or your fire-filled fireplace.

Christmas Decorating Ideas - Edible Ornaments

Although it is now more decades away than I care to admit too often, there were four things I loved most about my childhood Christmases in England: 1. the excitement of the Christmas gifts being put under the Christmas tree, and then the family opening of the gifts on Christmas morning; 2. the food; all the special sweets being put out Christmas Eve; Christmas Lunch with the turkey, lots of roast potatoes, brandy butter, and Christmas pudding being set alight at the table; 3. all the Christmas ornaments and decorations going up before Christmas, and most especially putting up and decorating the Christmas tree; and, 4. the games we would play. Food, though, did play a major part, and still does in English homes today. So, really, it is no surprise that food even became part of the Christmas ornament repertoire. Food, in one form or another, became part of the decoration of Christmas time. From my memory, edible Christmas ornaments were usually in the form of chocolate with a silver or gold coloured wrapping that sparkled on the tree. Chocolate coins were popular, sometimes more than one in a brightly coloured string bag dangling temptingly from the Christmas tree. I must admit, any edible ornament on the tree became a prime target, as I anxiously awaited the all clear from my parents to start devouring whatever I wanted. Later, though, a greater variety of edible Christmas ornaments emerged, such as candy canes; then, as the popularity of edible ornaments increased at Christmas, people started to use their imagination to make their own, or the local baker would make more elaborate ornaments for sale. Cookies, or at least cookie dough, make a good base for ornaments, as they are easy to cut into shape. You can use your imagination on adding the colour, such as with Smarties or other colourful sweets. Adding a frosting effect is not too difficult either. If you do make dough based ornaments to hang on the Christmas tree, remember you will need to make a hole in the cookie before it cools; that's the way the cookie doesn't crumble. Then when they do cool, you can thread a decorative ribbon to hang them on the Christmas tree. The Christmas tea table is often adorned by the prime edible ornament, the Christmas cake. The prettier it is, the better it is for decoration once lunch is out of the way. Cake decoration is only limited by your imagination. However, you can think of other things that are less common to adorn the table as an edible ornament. If you are skilful, you can create simple models with ginger bread, moving up a level from the old gingerbread man. You will find lots of ideas online and in the stores, but if you can come up with something original, that is even better. Just let your imagination go and see what you come up with. At least, if it does not look too good, you can just eat it before anyone comments! This <a target="_new" href="http://www.xmas-ornament.com">Christmas ornament</a> article was written by Roy Thomsitt, owner author of the Xmas-Ornament.com website.

Christmas Matters

Every year I vow to make Christmas easier, simpler - less stressful. Have I ever? One year I tried forgetting Christmas here in the UK and spent it in the Canary Islands. It was quite extraordinary really. Christmas day was spent around the pool. The staff brought round 'Christmas' cake at various intervals (not the fruit stuff but madeira cake) and Santa Claus arrived on the beach by parachute. The hotel was full of people trying to get away from the stress of the season. All regretted leaving families but felt the need to just 'get away'. The guy in the next room spent every Christmas away from his wife and family. His wife, children and grandchildren loved to do the whole British Christmas experience - he just wanted time to chill out and spent a good deal of his time alone. He didn't feel this was extraordinary at all! One thing that did strike me was the friendliness and service from the hotel staff. How much holiday did they get? - they all seemed to be working so hard. I asked the receptionist. He explained that they had no concept of a long Christmas holiday. In fact the only time they did not work was Christmas Eve when they were given 24 hours leave from that afternoon to attend Christmas Mass with family and then to eat a celebratory meal with family and friends. No presents were exchanged - this happened on the Feast of the Epiphany 6 January when traditionally the wise men had brought their gifts to Jesus - and even then the presents to each other were single and modest. On Christmas day all staff had returned to work by late afternoon - as did all workers throughout the island. There was a lot to think about as we picked up our champagne at breakfast and then spent the day smothered in sun cream, snoozing in the sun. I still love Christmas and the Christian celebrations which remind us of its true meaning. It's the shopping that gets me down. And to be quite honest I hadn't managed to avoid this - I just had to be more organised and distribute presents to friends and family well in advance of travelling to warmer climes. I suppose the problem is I like giving presents to people - although I spend a good deal of time worrying about their appropriateness. So - I don't have a formula for present giving but I do try to cut down on spending without appearing to be scrooge, I try to support charities with what I buy, I try to simplify the shopping process, I try to begin the process early. And all you can do is try! Am I correct in thinking that Christmas shopping still falls largely to the female of the species? Is it just women who begin worrying in February about buying for the children or grandchildren. Is it the female mind that sees something in June which would be 'perfect' for Aunt Mathilda at Christmas? The internet offers wonderful opportunities to ease the pressure on shopping and having moved from a bustling city to a small island last year where choice is very limited this is a growing activity, not to say obsession in our household. But is this the way Christmas has to be for us? About The Author Lois Reeve has been a personal and careers adviser for twenty years. She coaches individuals to achieve work related goals. Lifelong interest in the female perspective on all issues. Looking to create a discussion forum on the web with a free ezine to introduce topics of interest to the fastest growing community on the web - females! Website: <a href="http://www.femalematters.org" target="_new">www.femalematters.org</a> <a href="mailto:loisreeve@cwgsy.net">loisreeve@cwgsy.net</a>

Father?s Day Gift Idea: Do-It-Yourself Backyard Pond Kit

This Father's Day, sit back and enjoy a nice cold drink with your father, while he's beaming with pride from ear to ear. You are both relaxing next to the sounds of trickling water emanating from the new water feature that he just installed himself. For the father who enjoys gardening, what better gift can there be to keep him occupied, than a do-it-yourself backyard gardening project? Traditionally, preformed ponds are large shells, which are extremely burdensome and difficult to transport. For example, a typical preformed pond kit would come in a box that is 60&quot; x 48&quot; x 24&quot;, which is too large for many car trunk sizes. Liner kits, on the other hand, present many difficulties for the beginner pond gardener. Since every liner pond shape is different, pond gardeners must customize their own pond and ensure that it is level, and that it does not have excessive wrinkling. Recently, Algreen Products Inc. has helped leverage both these problems by introducing a flexible preformed pond. The folding preformed/liner hybrid is created with a proprietary blend of materials, which allows it to hold a customized shape. Yet it is easily transportable, since a typical folding kit comes in a box one-sixth the size of a regular preformed kit. Algreen's <a target="_new" href="http://www.gardensupermart.com/buypond/pics/granite_preformed.html">folding preformed pond kits</a> are easy to install, and come with all the instructions and components that are required to set up your very own backyard garden pond. The only thing that this kit does not include is a shovel, and the priceless grin on your father's face as he admires his own personal handiwork. While quantities last, GardenSM.com is now offering a free upgrade from their 72 gallon black pond kit, to their new 72 gallon granite rock pond kit. Their 72 gallon rock pond kit comes complete with: - A 36" x 44" x 18" folding preformed pond shell - A streamlet to trickle water into your pond - An Energy efficient Super Flo 306 gph pump - 3 fountain heads - A Telescopic riser and diverter - Tubing and clamps - Two 6" silk water lilies - A 20 year manufacturer's warranty on the pond and streamlet a 2 year manufacturer's warranty on the pump. At only $139.99 USD, all this can be quite an affordable gift. But that's not all- as part of an ongoing Father's Day Special, GardenSuperMart will add a FREE SuperGlo underwater light with the purchase of every preformed pond kit! Make this Father's Day a gardening escapade, with <a target="_new" href="http://www.gardensupermart.com/buypond/pics/granite_preformed.html">GardenSM.com</a>! The full GardenSuperMart catalog can be viewed at <a target="_new" href="http://www.gardensupermart.com/buypond/">buypond.com</a>.

SALOME and HERODIAS, A Curious Mothers Day Story, Part 2 of 2 Parts

First, a disclaimer: This article requires information about John the Baptist, whose life and works and words are holy, divinely inspired, to Christians. The sources I've accessed are religious, historical, literary, exegetic, and anecdotal. In order to avoid disrespect for the sacredness of the words and concepts with which Christians hold The Gospels and with which Jews hold The Torah, I've renamed both 'translated redactions.' I also use the euphemism, monotheistic god, to avoid any disrespect to any deity and religion. This is an essay designed to entertain and inform you, Dear Reader, not to cause any religious discussion or foment. Second, a thank you: To friend Pam and friend Vanessa, both of whom got my research juices going on Salome, whom, I believed, was trivial, too trivial even for our newsletter. It boiled down to &quot;Who did she do the belly dance for?&quot; I hadn't a clue, because I didn't think she was real. They both assured me she was a real person. I checked it out. Yup, she was real and... To discover how the belly dance became associated with Salome, we have to veer away from her. It's Herodias and John who carry the story line forward. At the time of the banquet, Herodias was the 2nd wife of Antipas, and they had been married for about 10 years. (Antipas was the only father Salome had known.) Salome's biological father was Phillip, who was King of Judea, a large land mass, much larger than the area called The Galilee, and he and Herodias were divorced when Salome was about 1 year old. Herodias had been an important wife when Phillip was first made King by Rome because of her Maccabean blood. The Maccabees had been rulers of Judea long before Phillip came on board, but through a lot of circumstances, Judea was ruled by the Herod bunch and had accepted Rome's yoke by that time. The Maccabees were prolific (as was Herod The Great), and there was a large pool of eligible Maccabean women for rulers to marry. It was a stable region in Rome's empire. In any event, the divorce was with Rome's permission. Phillip was allowed to marry some one else with Rome's permission, and I didn't check out who. He never asked for visitation rights. Some sources say Antipas first met Herodias when Herodias was on a trip to Rome with Phillip petitioning Rome for something or another at the same time that Antipas was in Rome (alone) petitioning Rome, yet again, for the title of King and more land from his father's estate, neither of which Rome never granted him in his lifetime. I don't think it matters how they met. They met, they talked, a deal was struck. I don't know why Herodias left Queenship of Judea to become a Tetrarch's wife. There are always sources that attribute lust to this sort of situation, and these sources do arise in this story, some attributing lust to Herodias, others attributing lust to Antipas. Personally, I find lust a poor reason. A Queen, one of royal blood, just doesn't think lust. She thinks power and lineage. A tetrarch, although not as powerful as a King, doesn't have to go far from his little castle, even as far as Judea, to satisfy a lustful thought. An unhappy Tetrarch thinks power and lineage, too. Maybe it was her Maccabean blood and her Maccabean ties that Antipas thought would help him become a King of a landmass that included Judea, which her ancestors ruled before Rome put the Herods there. Maybe she thought The Galilee plus Judea is bigger than just Judea. Maybe she thought that The Galilee plus Arabia, which abutted The Galilee, is bigger than Judea should Antipas go to war for the Arabian territory. In any event, she left Phillip before the divorce (which came through quickly) and went to Antipas' puny area, The Galilee. She also jumped the gun. Antipas was not yet rid of his first wife, Phasaelis, when Herodias and the baby arrived. And, he hadn't petitioned Rome to get rid of Phasaelis and marry Herodias. Although Phasaelis was a Princess by blood and the daughter of a powerful neighbor and King, Aretas IV of Nabatea (Arabia), Antipas decided to circumvent Rome by merely 'putting her aside,' an ignominy. This was not nice. Phasaelis went home to Poppa (and took the kids, if there were any with she and Antipas) who bided his time a bit, then attacked The Galilee, because of the dishonor. Troops from all of Herod the Great's sons (half-brothers to a man) jumped in to help The Galilean troops, even Phillip (inherited family land was a big thing; a former wife was nothing) and Roman legions jumped in to help, too. But land was lost and that, by definition, means The Galileans lost the war. He never did divorce Phasaelis and she never returned to him. Herodias stayed put and she and Antipas married (with Rome's permission, whose attitude toward provinces was very pragmatic: the war is over; they lost; let 'em marry; who gives a damn) and lived in a castle somewhere in The Galilee with the baby. Antipas' reputation went from an annoying pest to miserable in Rome's eyes because of this double screw up (stupidly and unnecessarily dishonoring a neighbor's daughter thereby incurring an unnecessary troop expense on Rome's tab and loosing land to a King who was not conquered by Rome). He decided to Make It Better. Tiberius was now the Caesar and Antipas decided to build a city to honor him. He commandeered land in The Galilee and his construction people began building a city. But, Antipas and his building contractors either didn't do their homework, or if they did, they didn't think it through. The land upon which the city was being built was a cemetery, sacred ground to every person in the world then as well as today. There was an uprising amongst the folk that local troops could not quell. Again, Rome had to help Antipas out, for Judea wouldn't, since they sided with the people, not Antipas. The people were quelled and the city was built. It remained uninhabited. No one would go there to live no matter how sweet the pot Antipas created (free homes, free land, tax abatement). Rome had to send troops to forcibly move families to Tiberius and to guard them so they wouldn't move out in the dark of the night. Flavius Josephus liked this morsel a lot when he heard of it. He checked around and then comments that riff-raff were recruited to populate the city. He observes that even the riff-raff were afraid of the monotheistic god, so local holy people made a rule: the new settlers would only be defiled for 7 days, then everything would be okay. And life went on in The Galilee. John, during some of this, had been going about his business in The Galilee. One particular thing he did caught on amongst the folk. No one knew what to call it, so it had two different names: sprinkling and lave-ing, both of which were already accepted cleansing rites in most, if not all, religions before that time and during that time in that area and most of the known world. Water was always the cleansing agent and John used the nearby Jordan River as the sprinkling and lave-ing site. What John did was total body immersion, a new twist, one the people liked a lot, for it made sense to them and made them feel good and purified from sins committed previously. This total body immersion always occurred after John would talk about sinning and give definitions. He would call for penitents, people who wanted to cleanse themselves. They would step forward and get in a line, so he could do them one-by-one. He had set himself up as a person who knew what the monotheistic deity expected of good folk (mostly it was to stop acting like Romans and revert to the Galilean ways, the ones prevalent before Rome took over the area). While he was in prison and after his death, other people did the immersion for him. What he had said before he was imprisoned was credible to the folk. But then, John was imprisoned and killed years after he was imprisoned. Very soon a very lot of other things happened in The Galilee. These events were written down and pondered and interpreted by brilliant, eloquent, and sincere men, three of whom decided that John and what he said and his immersion twist was a ceremony that would be important to incorporate as a ritual for their testimonials. They were the redactors whose words have been translated and pondered for centuries. Their decision caused his death to be discussed (and his childhood, parents, vocation, inspiration, relationships, etc. to be determined) and this is how Herodias' name was never forgotten. The earliest redactor, a stickler for details, had a problem with her daughter's name, when he read Flavius Josephus, who says 'a damsel, the daughter of Herodias, brought the head?' in his book to Rome. This was not good enough for him. He did some easy homework, for Herodias' royal lineage was known and available. He determined that Herodias' daughter was named Salome. This was not good homework. Herodias was Maccabean. No Maccabee, male or female, would ever name a child for a still living person, let alone the actual name of a relative, this case, a blood aunt, who was living at the time of her daughter's birth. But, it's all we have, so she must remain misnamed Salome (which means 'peace,' a nice touch, don't you think?) when John's beheading is talked about and when Herodias' progeny is included. And this is how Salome and Herodias and John were tied together forever more. Many centuries have to pass by before the triangle comes into focus again. We have to wait for society to go from antiquity all the way to modern?at least 1,970 years or so. More specifically, we have to wait for a religion to formalize; we have to wait until John's contributions become important and incorporated; we have to wait for churches to be invented; we have to wait for representational art to be used for something other than decorative purposes; we have to allow for the Bubonic Plague interlude when absolutely nothing happened except the death of millions; we have to wait for literacy to occur; we have to wait for Gutenberg and his printing press; we have to wait for portraiture to be invented. Once churches were invented, representational art was applied as a method to tell the stories to the illiterate devout people. The triangle story was not as popular as other stories, so it was represented only some times. The scene chosen was most always was when the plattercharger is proffered takes place. No one character of the triangle is more important that the other. It's the story behind the scene that's important, and that is John's death (but not as a martyr, I don't think, but I may be wrong). Typical friezes and frescos from churches in the early 14th show the scene with figures that are medieval in demeanor and costume. That's what the medieval people needed; that's what they got. Their eyes could roam the church for something to center on, if their attention drifted from the devotions at hand. Everything gets pretty quiet everywhere, beginning 1330, when the first Bubonic Plague episode begins and we have to wait a long time, about 150 years, for normalcy to occur. In 1485, the beheading surfaces. Portraiture had been invented by then, and art has gone into homes of wealthy people, who ask artists to do pictures for them, often of them and their family members. One type of portraiture allowed the viewer to be a voyeur, to glimpse an intimate scene, a freeze frame, if you will, from a larger story, if the artist was good. Religious art was a popular theme. The artist selected the motif and there was a lot of symbolism to get the whole story line into the canvas. It's Salome and the plattercharger that's chosen, when this subject is chosen at all, and truth be told, it's lousy, static portraiture. She's not portrayed as a child, but she's not portrayed as a woman, either. &quot;Damsel,&quot; was apparently interpreted as that twilight zone a female has between childhood and woman. I don't know why the subject matter was chosen by the patron or the artist, who apparently just couldn't get into 'it.' I guess my opinion was shared by the patrons from 500+ years back, for this theme dies out. John and his sainthood, not his death or Herodias or Salome, become the theme of most art, and we have to wait until 1630 to find the others of the triangle depicted again. In 1630, a blockbuster piece of art is produced (my opinion) that asks you to consider Herodias, not John. It's my absolute favorite, by a guy named Francesco del Cairo, &quot;Herodias with Head of John the Baptist.&quot; It is so different from all others than came before (and after). Is she exhausted, meditative, musing, or in a trance? A closer look might surprise you. Could she possibly be holding his tongue while on the verge of stroking his hair? I believe she is. What could del Cairo have been thinking? What is he asking us to believe about Herodias? Frankly, I don't wanna go there. No one else did either, for depictions of Herodias (and Salome) simply stop until the 1800's and John in his sainthood continue...with one exception. In 1732, Giovanni Battista does a picture of the actual beheading at the fortress site, which I think is worthwhile to mention for its interesting consideration. Could that be Antipas, the doodle-head, Battista places in the scene? Perhaps. I think Battista's got a neat mind. No one else did. This theme is not picked up either. We have to close the books on artwork at this point in time, jump about one hundred years forward. Because of a single painting of Herodias by Paul Delaroche in 1843, it's the literary arts, the poets and authors and playwrights, who pick up the story and fiction supercedes reality. Herodias, first, and Salome, next, sans John, are the motifs for the first time. They move from real people to fictional characters. Delaroche shows Herodias as exotic (read, non-European) (The euphemism used for most any type non-European at that time was Occidental.), regal (He did his homework.), authentically dressed (more good homework), and very, very lovely. The look on her face is open to interpretation. Has the grotesque event occurred or not yet? Is she serene or is she challenging us to question her? I don't know who is represented in the background, for it certainly cannot be Salome. Herodias is a person in her own right. I would like to tie Delaroche's interpretation to having viewed del Cairo (although I don't know if this occurred, not having the resources to track the provenance of the del Cairo picture to align its location with Delaroche's life). Apparently Heinrich Heine, a German poet of some renown, was enchanted by the picture. He wrote a poem in 1843, &quot;Atta Troll,&quot; which sources say is a mock epic about Herodias. I was unable to find an English translation, so I have to accept what sources say as true. What I do know is that an epic is a very long and twisted story (the Iliad and the Odyssey are epics) about fanciful adventures of a protagonist (usually heroic) in pursuit of good end. How Heine got enough ideas about Herodias, who was arcane by this time, to go on and on about her pursuit of an end, good or not good, I don't know. I guess that's called talent. In any event, he catapults Herodias (and the triangle) back into the minds of artistic people and they make her (and the triangle) interesting enough for public contemplation. This mock epic and Delaroche's painting next enchanted Stephane Mallarme, another poet of some renown, a Frenchman. He got his juices flowing and wrote a poem in 1869, &quot;Herodiade,&quot; whose English translation I was unable to find. I have absolutely no idea what his poem says. Critics say she described sultry (for the first time). I have to believe that Mallarme associated Occidental with sultry, not an uncommon association amongst fanciful European guys. Herodias is changing to heroic (maybe if Heine's epic shows her to be this), Occidental, and sultry (read sexy). All this got a French artist (of some renown) all excited. Gustave Moreau pondered the triangle and centered on Salome, instead of Herodias. He figured if Herodias was sultry, then Salome was more sultry. I don't know why, but that's what he did. He worked and worked this theme and ended up with a bunch of pictures with her as the (undressed) focal point, a first in Salome's depictions, and threw in John's head to make it all understandable. They were finished in 1876. All are amazing. The very last time Salome was the chosen subject matter was in 16th century (bad) portraiture. She's always holding the plattercharger and has a boring look on her face and is all dressed up in 16th century costume. What the hell did Heine's mock epic and Mallarme's poem allude to with regard to Salome? I don't know. Anyway, Gustave Flaubert, a French writer of some renown, apparently read Heine and Mallarme and saw the picture interpretations of Delaroche and Moreau. All inspired him to write a short story in 1877 about Herodias, which indicates excellent homework, by the way. This, I read, and in this short story, she is called a Jezebel, albeit an aging one, for the first time. Her daughter is described as resembling her mother in her youth. You can read it, too. Go to http://www.classicbookshelf.com/library/gustave_flaubert/herodias/0/. It's now fictional open season on Herodias and by association, her daughter, Salome. Then came Joris-Karl Huysman, who liked what Heine, Mallarme, and Flaubert wrote and liked Delaroche's and Moreau's pictures. He went with Salome, not Herodias, in 1884, for his essay, &quot;Against the Grain.&quot; The essay is really prose poetry in the style of &quot;The Song of Solomon,&quot; real, real sexy. The essay was labeled decadent after it was published. You can read it, too, if and when you get in the mood for 19th century decadence. Go to http://www.imagi-nation.com/moonstruck/salome1.html. In the 19th century, certain people loved decadent stuff, especially the artistic types who felt stultified with conservative stuff and who felt they had to push the envelope of public taste. This decadent Salome idea percolated for ten years in Oscar Wilde's mind before his play, &quot;Salome,&quot; was performed in 1893. An interesting touch was his collaboration with Aubrey Beardsley to do playbill artwork. Wilde was jailed it was so damn decadent. Within a year after Wilde's play, Beardsley came out with a folio of images of Salome. It's racy for the bare breasts and belly button, but it's also a curiously clunky, non-sexy posing of Salome. Why is her midriff covered? Why is she wearing high heeled shoes with bows at the ankle? What the hell is going on here? Mere titillation, nothing more. Shame on you Beardsley. Everything rested until 1905, when Richard Strauss, a German of music renown, chose Salome as his opera subject. His librettist, Hugo von Hofmannsthal, an Austrian poet of some renown, put words to the decadent musical motifs. A costume designer, whose name I could not find, turned her eastern Byzantine and gave her a harem twist and a costume of 7 veils. A choreographer had her shimmy (belly dance). In the first performance of &quot;Salome,' Marie Wittich, described as an ample soprano Salome, refused to do the dance or wear the costume. A nameless ballerina accommodated the scene and this became a tradition each time the opera was performed. One critic, a word wizard, called Strauss the apostle of decadence. This made the people want to see it for themselves. Strauss' &quot;Salome&quot; was performed 50 times in the first two years after it was written in opera houses all over the world. This chronicle has ended. PS. A beheaded John, not yet a saint, is so very popular that I had to find a depiction of John with his head on. Caravaggio was quite taken with him and did a lot of versions of John with his head on. Barbara Nell, publisher of The Perspicacious Woman OnLine, a bi-monthly fashion e-zine in its 10th year of publication, has been a closet bug on history all her life.

Keepsake Christmas Album

Do you hate throwing your Christmas cards away every year as much as I do? This year I decided to try to come up with some way to preserve our Christmas cards, as well as find a way to organize all the Christmas letters I've been faithfully filing away for the past six years. I decided to make an album for our Christmas letters using decoupage to decorate the covers with this year's Christmas cards. I love decoupage. It's so easy to do and so versatile. It's really hard to get it wrong. I started by finding something to paste the Christmas cards on. I had some dark red card stock (next to the paper at the office supply store) that seemed heavy enough to withstand all the gluing. Next I cut our Christmas cards into all different shapes and sizes. I cut out little characters, scenes, holiday greetings, and even signatures of loved ones who had sent the cards. I next arranged the cutouts, overlapping one another, on the card stock, and started applying them one by one with the decoupage finish. There are several kinds of decoupage finish available. You can find a variety at your local craft store. I have two different kinds: Plaid Royal Coat Antique Decoupage Finish, and Mod Podge Gloss-Lustre. The first one gives an antique-like appearance. The paste yellows when it dries, making your collage look aged. The more you apply, the yellower it gets. The Mod Podge dries clear. I used the antique finish and was quite happy with the result. You use the finish to actually glue the individual pieces on with a paintbrush, and then when you're finished (adding scraps here and there to fill in the blank spots), you brush a coat over the entire page. After it dries for about 10 minutes, you can apply another coat. I found that adding several coats made the pages sturdier?more like a album cover, like I wanted. I had just enough Christmas card cutouts to cover two pages, one for the front cover, and one for the back cover. After the pages were dry, I used a three-hole punch to punch holes in the covers. I decided I would use wide fabric holiday ribbon to tie the covers together. That way every year I could untie the bows and add new letters to my album. I used 2 1/2 -inch-wide wire satin ribbon (dark red). I liked the wire ribbon. It was easier to adjust the bows and looked really nice. It was also leftover from my holiday gift making this year, so I didn't have to buy any extra. When the covers were ready, I arranged our Christmas letters from oldest to most recent, and punched holes in all of them. I then placed them between the covers and inserted the ribbon through the holes and tied big red bows to hold them together. I chose not to string ribbon through all three holes?just the top and the bottom. I was really happy with how my keepsake Christmas album turned out. It was easy, took only about two hours to make, and I didn't have to buy anything extra to make it. After you buy the decoupage finish (about $5 a bottle), the uses for it are almost limitless. You can apply it to almost any surface, giving you the opportunity to create timeless keepsakes in a variety of ways. Originally published at Suite 101. Rachel Paxton is a freelance writer and mom of four. For scrapbooking, card making, gift-giving ideas, and more family memory-making activities, visit <a target="_new" href="http://www.crafty-moms.com">http://www.crafty-moms.com</a>

Costumes! Do They Reflect On Your True Personality?

Costumes are a great way to escape reality, and wearing your favorite costume (especially on Halloween night) lets you transform your personality into your desired character of choice, and allows you to become someone else for a day! Now do you wear the same Halloween outfit every year, or do you go against the norm, and choose something wild and crazy by adding outrageous makeup, wigs, and accessories! Well, let's have some fun and put your personality to the test, and see what you usually attract to in a costume design. What I would like to do is break down some popular themes, and see what costume would appeal to which personality types: <b>Medieval Renaissance Costumes:</b> A person looking to wear this historic outfit would have charisma, charm, and passion in their blood. You of course love fantasy renaissance, and this era in particular transforms your imagination back to a time where the wizard, warlords, and knights battled to gain power and supremacy in their newly developed worlds. In the end your tough macho exterior is protected by human armor, but your true intimate nature is what wins the heart of the fairytale Princess. <b>Batman Costume:</b> Now this is a classic, and seems to be a favorite among the person who loves to be tough and mysterious. You have a big heart though, you look out for the vulnerable person, and that is why this character appeals to you. You have to admit, this costume is cool, and you love all the high-tech accessories that come with the outfit! Don't forget the design will expose all your physical attributes, and you're ok with that, because not only do you want to save the world, but also share your appeal with that better half. <b>Cat Costume:</b> Every Halloween would not be the same if you didn't see the feline creature prowling around at your favorite party! This person has independence written all over them, and they love to play the game. Their seductive personality, and sensual moves easily draw in their prey for a playful night. You're very comfortable in your own skin, and being that the outfit is made up of sleek black designer fabric with sexy nylons, high heel shoes, and a little trim of fur for the tail, definitely expresses the true kitten in you. <b>Cleopatra Costume:</b> Truly the most memorable woman in Egyptian history, and someone with a passionate character wearing this outfit tells us you love control and power! You have complete confidence in your physical appearance, and you use that to your absolute advantage to hypnotize the crowd. You also thrive on attention, and you get it by showing off your flashy gold jewelry, to the sensual Egypt influenced dress topped off with her infamous decoration headpieces shaped as serpents. I hope you had fun reading this article, and who knows maybe you might go against your character this year, and dress up as something different for Halloween! Just think, instead of being that Princess, you can be the Gothic chic, or if you normally do the western thing, how about really shocking yourself and go as fairy, just a suggestion! Whatever you decide to dress up as, remember that it's one time out of the year that you can let your inhibitions go, and not only let people laugh with you, but also allow them laugh at you. About the author: William is the owner and the author of &quot;1st In Halloween Costumes&quot; available at <a href="http://www.1st-in-halloween-costumes.com/product%20folder/adult_costumes.htm" target="_blank">http://www.1st-in-halloween-costumes.com</a> A great source for Adult Halloween Costumes online! You can easily find and compare halloween sites offering quality adult costumes, sexy adult costumes, and adult halloween costume ideas.

A Medieval Story for Valentines Day, Bonne & Charles

The general word on the Internet is the first Valentine card was sent in 1415. It's not accurate and it's not true. The particular Valentine was written in mid-February of 1416; it was on vellum, not card stock; it's not the first Valentine card; and no one knows if it was sent. Charles, Duke of Orleans, who was in London, England, wrote the Valentine that all of the Internet declares, and that fact is true. He had a wife, Bonne, who was in Paris, France or somewhere in France. If it was sent to her, it traveled a far distance on foot and on horseback and on ship. Pagan Valentine's Day had been celebrated in Western Europe for centuries, and romantic, oftimes coded erotic, messages, had been exchanged for about 100 years by then between educated men and women who ran in the same crowd and lived in close proximity. So much for general information on the Internet...More specific information was found on special websites dealing with Medieval times. Here's what I found: It is possible that Charles was lonesome for Bonne, while he was in London. He had just been captured (on October 25, 1415 specifically) by the English on French soil and was being held prisoner in London or in the London countryside. Charles was one of the lucky ones. Just about every other French aristocrat was killed in the Battle of Agincourt during the 100 Year War between the English and the French for land in France dowered to Eleanor of Aquitaine (former Queen of France) when she married Henry II, the English King. Charles and Bonne hadn't been married long, about 5 years by 1415. He had been soldiering a lot during those five years, so they didn't see much of each other. A 100 Year War preoccupies a lot of generations of men folk. There are three curious things, though, about these two you should know: (1) It was an arranged marriage whose purpose was to avoid further bloodshed between their families; (2) Bonne was 11 when she was engaged to Charles, who was 16; and (3) his father-in-law, Bonne's father, had assassinated Charles' father, Louis. Maybe they loved each other; maybe not. I don't even know if they ever lived together as man and wife, for she was only 11 when they married, 16 at the time he wrote the verse. In any event, Charles penned a poem on Valentine's Day in 1416 and it has been retained for almost 600 years. You may not know that a Duke is a Prince, and noble, highborn prisoners were prized when captured in battle. They were 'cash cows,' held for ransom by the opposition, until their families could raise and pay the money for their release. At that time, although most men folk fought for the French King, France wasn't exactly a country, then, and the King didn't assume any responsibility for ransoming his patriotic nobles or aristocrats. (No one cared much for non-nobles or non-aristocrats, except their families. But, they were never captured and held for ransom. More often than not, they were killed. They're the enormous body counts in battles of old, the serfs and servants.) This ransom was up to the noble or aristocratic prisoner's family, if they wanted their relative back home. (And they did want their men folk back.) His ransom in today's money could be as much as $500,000 ($US). The actual amount in Medieval English crowns was 150,000 crowns. This sounds like an enormous sum. What with the French losing the war, their King's reoccurring madness, Joan of Arc's triumph, then ignominy, a subsequent economic depression, the Black Plague, and Charles' family having to pay his upkeep all those years, (plus lots of other things) it took his family 25 years to get the money and treaty agreement together to turn him over. Bonne died while Charles was held prisoner in England, and they had no children. (She falls from the written record because she did not produce progeny, and no one knows exactly when she died or where she was when she died. Actually, no one is exactly sure where she was living and with whom while she was married to her incarcerated husband, Charles. It's probable she was transferred to Charles' family estate at the time of the betrothal and raised by Charles' family until the wedding, remaining there until she died. There's one more tidbit about poor Bonne, and that is this: Bonne may not have been her name. It's really an adjective in Old French, and merely means &quot;good girl.&quot;) A manuscript of the poem is in the British Library. I don't know if it's the original. It's named by the scribe, Harley, in the archive, and scribes' copies were often rewritten and rewritten and passed around for years and years amongst wealthy families. If it is the original, it was not unusual for scribes to assist in Valentines, for they made a living writing fancy script and making pretty pictures. (Apparently, Charles' family sent him enough money to pay the scribe, so he didn't live too badly while he was held prisoner.) How the manuscript got to the British Library after 600 years was by bequest, but I was unable to check out the provenance. The BL was willing to describe the manuscript: There's a Cupid image and a 3-part verse. The verse is in Old French, not English. There is no version of the poem on the Internet. I was able to find a description by A.E.B. Coldiron, who says it's an appeal to Cupid with Charles as a servant of Cupid (Lust imagery, I think.) but no one is named and there is no heading. Charles says he admires this person (Bonne?) and despairs of seeing her again. He is frustrated (which is what all noble men were required to express in Chivalric code), but Coldiron doesn't say what he's frustrated about. He promises to be faithful and praises her beauty, virtue, and honor. He may describe intimate moments they've shared, a custom in Valentines, but I suspect not. She was simply too young to have been expected to cohabit with her groom and when she was old enough to cohabit, he was away fighting battles, then captured. A non-academic source has published the following verse on a website, http://www.homespunpeddler.com and has attributed this verse to Charles in a collection called &quot;Romantic Valentines.&quot; It doesn't read anything like Coldiron's description, so I doubt if it's the one he wrote to Bonne. I offer it to you, so you know what a translated from Medieval French into modern English 15th century Valentine would read like. "Wilt thou be mine? dear Love, reply -- Sweetly consent or else deny. Whisper softly, none shall know, Wilt thou be mine, Love? -- aye or no? Spite of Fortune, we may be Happy by one word from thee. Life flies swiftly -- ere it go Wilt thou be mine, Love? -- aye or no?" Frankly, the above verse is not that terrific, is it? I would call it doggerel. Maybe something is lost in the translation. If not, I think he could have done better. He had a lot of time on his hands. I'd like to believe that Charles and Bonne did love each other, but don't know for certain. (The glimmer of hope I entertain that Charles loved Bonne is an anecdote about him reading a love poem he composed to her at their wedding ceremony. Some scholars believe he was showing off his poem prowess, but some scholars are without a scrap of romance in their souls.) Things were different six hundred years ago: love and marriage didn't intersect amongst nobility and aristocrats. Children were pawns and shuffled around to do smart things for their families. Duty to family superceded love and children dutifully married other children. Romance was in the chivalrous code, hence, unrequited. Sexual congress was for procreation, a duty, and family lineage promulgation was its purpose. Lust was with wrenches, when they could be found. If Bonne and Charles loved each other, it's a sad story of 2 children from good families. If they didn't love each other, it's a jailhouse reverie of a young man who burns. I don't want to leave you on either note. So, I'll go for this: go get some vellum (stretched goat skin), pen a personal message of your feelings to your love, make it pretty and fancy all over, and hand it to your love. Maybe your message will be memorialized until 2605, when someone like me comes around to figure what happened then. Barbara Nell, publisher of "The Perspicacious Woman OnLine," a bi-monthly fashion e-zine in its 10th year of publication, has been a closet bug on history all her life.

Overcoming Loneliness this Christmas

Christmas is one of those times when the social norm is to get together with our families even if you never see them during the year. For those people who are isolated from their families, or do not have a family, it can be a time of great loneliness and even depression. The day can remind us of what we do not have in our lives. Even if this does not bother us at any other time of the year, it can get to us at Christmas. The thought that everyone else is with their families can really weigh upon us. There are many people who will be alone on Christmas day, so don't think that you are the only one, or that you are in any way a failure if you find yourself without company at this time. There are a number of things that you can do to make the day more pleasant for yourself. 1) Plan a special day for yourself Plan to spoil yourself on Christmas Day. Plan a number of things that you really enjoy doing. Hire your favourite video, read a good book, buy some beautiful fresh flowers for your house, buy yourself a present and wrap it and put it under the tree. Even though it is just you make a special meal with all your favourite foods. Take a picnic to your favourite spot. Listen to your favourite music. Go out and see a Christmas play. Go to Church 2) Go out to lunch or on an organised tour Getting out and meeting others can be a great way to spend your day. You might even make some new friends. Talk to your local council, they will know where a community Christmas meal will be served. Travel agents and local councils will be able to put you in touch with people organising tours on Christmas day. There may be trips to the country where you will have a nice meal. Or there may be tours of Christmas scenes and lights. 3) Help others Help out at a homeless shelter for the day and spread Christmas cheer to others. The Salvation Army or other church organisations or poverty groups will be grateful for any help you can offer. Helping others is always a great way to cheer yourself up. 4) Invite others over for a Christmas meal. If you know of others who are going to be alone you can invite them over for a meal. You can delegate so everyone brings something to eat and make sure everyone knows what time you are expecting them. Make sure you decide before hand whether you want to exchange gifts or not. That way no one will be embarrassed by not having gifts for the others. This is only a small sample of ways to enjoy your Christmas more. I am sure you can come up with others. The idea is to plan your day and fill it with things you enjoy. When you do this, you will have something to look forward to on the day, instead of a long day spent alone, thinking about all the things you are missing. Want more ways to enjoy your life? Kerry-Ann Cox, author and healer, has just released her new book '10 Spiritual Laws for stress reduction' More info at <a target="_new" href="http://www.exaltedliving.com/stress.htm">http://www.exaltedliving.com/stress.htm</a>

Home For The Holidays: Happy Times, Right

This time of the year is supposed to be happy. A time when family is warm and welcoming. A time for loving and feeling loved. We watch the annual TV specials which emotionally choke us up. We watch those traditional, mushy movies like Miracle on 34th Street and It's a Wonderful Life which bring sentimental tears to our eyes. We watch those heartwrenching Hallmark commercials which make us sob dramatically. All of these portray the ideal and they always end happily. But real life isn't like that. Watching and listening to all the hype and sweetness reminds many of us of our losses. We think of the things we won't have this year, or any year ever again. The holiday season is actually the season of much depression and sadness. Just imagine for a moment how many losses a person of 70, 80 or 90 may have endured. To help us understand those losses, here is a partial list. <ul> <li>Hair <li>Energy <li>Parents <li>Taut skin <li>Hearing <li>Stamina <li>Career <li>Muscle <li>Eyesight <li>Mobility <li>Attendance at house of worship <li>Hobbies <li>Figure <li>Friends <li>Car <li>Siblings <li>Independence <li>Spouse <li>Finances <li>Choice <li>Lifelong collections <li>Personal belongings <li>Purpose <li>Home </ul> If the depression persists into the new year, get help from a mental health clinic. To voice the losses and the feelings can sometimes release them. Spend some time with elders this season and listen to their stories. About The Author Linda LaPointe, MRA is an ElderLife Matters coach and author of several products to assist families experiencing aging including the pamphlet, Don't Be a Burden: 100 Tips. Get free articles and information at <a href="http://www.SOSpueblo.com" target="_new">www.SOSpueblo.com</a>. <a href="mailto:sospueblo@yahoo.com">sospueblo@yahoo.com</a>

An Easy Gift For Many Occasions

It can be very hard to find that one perfect gift for someone. How many times have you pondered over what to buy for a 36th birthday or an 18th anniversary? Chances are, that you've been thinking way too hard! Go to any local retail store and start browsing. What you're looking for is some type of a cup, bowl or canister. Something that is deep enough and round enough to have a plant potted inside. Now start being creative-have you thought of anything yet? This is such a neat way to make a simple gift into a very creative and meaningful one. For example, for a birthday, you could find a mug that says &quot;happy birthday grandma&quot; on it and plant grandma's favorite flower inside. Other ideas would be to find a cute canister of some sort or to find a small, rubber, child sized boot. Look for any original object that isn't a pot that could hold a flower. Then, head to your local florist (or certain retail stores) and choose a plant or flowers that will fit inside your new &quot;pot&quot;. Now plant the flowers and add a bow and voila!! This thoughtful gift will be enjoyed by the recipient and everyone else at the party! For more great gift giving ideas and money saving tips, visit us at <a target="_new" href="http://www.MomOnABudget.com">www.MomOnABudget.com</a> Jennifer is the owner of <a target="_new" href="http://www.MomOnABudget.com">http://www.MomOnABudget.com</a>. MomOnABudget is an excellent resource for money saving tips, work at home ideas, how to deorate on a budget and so much more.

Holiday Expectations

As the holidays approach, I find myself wondering how I'm going to accomplish all I expect of myself. I expect to have perfect presents under the tree for an astounding number of people who will be visiting from out of town, besides the usual round of gifts for my children, immediate family, close friends and significant others, such as teachers, school staff, hair dressers, manicurist, etc. Added to the gift buying frenzy are countless trips to the grocery and food specialty stores for the feasts I expect to prepare, again for countless people I am expected to entertain during these holidays. What's one person to do when it becomes overwhelming and seems there's never going to be enough time, resources or energy to cope? Well, I'm not sure I have the answer. What I'm longing to do is escape to an undisclosed location (me and Dick Cheney) to save my sanity, health and well-being. Naturally, this isn't an option ? I hold the holidays too dear and my daughters have come to expect huge fanfare on these special days. I have set up their expectations of me, just as I have set up the expectations of myself that I might not be able to pull off this year due to an unstable health condition and subsequent lack of mobility I've taken for granted in years past. Mostly, I just want to be able to get it all done, as I have every other year, which is no longer an option. I am left to ponder my upcoming fate with the dread of not performing or of falling short. I suspect the &quot;expectations&quot; will somehow be met, only because I couldn't bear to let my children down during the most important season for meeting expectations. And I have set myself up for all of this, gladly, willingly, never expecting &quot;ill health&quot; to interfere with our rituals and festivities. Never mind that this health condition was caused primarily by trying to cram five weeks worth of expectations into a ten day period when I over-booked myself with work, volunteering at my children's schools at the same time I was expected to take care of many other obligations and promises to family and friends. I think the lesson here is to relinquish the expectations of myself and scale down to a more manageable holiday routine, like it or not. Alas, there will come a time when we parents are no longer able to perform the myriad duties and routines we've created for our families, for any number of reasons, and we will need to give up control of making sure everyone's holiday expectations are met. This could come in the form of a health crisis, monetary crisis, time-crunch crisis ? take your pick. This is the time to delegate the responsibility of the be-all, do-all parent and shift our focus to relishing time with family and friends more so than relishing the accomplishments of others and our own expectations of us. We are in the midst of a joyous and sacred time of year when our hearts and minds should be filled with love and good will, not with a frenzy of get-it-done anxiety. I wish you all a joyful, relaxed holiday season, filled with love and happiness. Give yourselves a break and allow one or more of the details to slip by or delegate if need be. Being there for your family in sound mind, body and spirit is ultimately more important. I have found that doing my Christmas shopping online is a lifesaver and any other task I can accomplish online is equally gratifying. Find ways to make your life a little easier during the busy days ahead. Copyright ? 2004-2005 - Rexanne Mancini Rexanne Mancini is the mother of two daughters, Justice and Liberty. She is a novelist, freelance writer and maintains an extensive yet informal parenting and family web site, Rexanne.com ? <a target="_new" href="http://www.rexanne.com">http://www.rexanne.com</a> -Visit her site for good advice, award-winning Internet holiday pages and some humor to help you cope. Subscribe to her free newsletter, Rexanne's Web Review, for a monthly dose of Rexanne: <a target="_new" href="http://www.rexanne.com/rwr-archives.html">http://www.rexanne.com/rwr-archives.html</a>

Tips to Save Time & Money; Christmas Shopping Online

So Christmas is a few months away. Seems like a lot of time but we all know how quickly time passes to the holidays. It feels like you have plenty of time to get all the shopping, cleaning and organizing done before the holidays hit. But do you ever get it all done without stressing out? Get a jump start this year and shop early online. Here's a couple of big time and money saving tips that will relieve some of your holiday stress. Many sites will wrap your gifts in holiday or any occasion gift wrap. Some online gift shops will do this service for free and year round as well! It is well worth your time to do a search for free gift wrap and can save you several dollars a package. It also saves you the time and trouble of buying gift wrap and wrapping each gift. Many shops will include your personal message and gift card as well, again saving time and money. Start your Christmas shopping now so you can easily compare products and prices before you buy. A lot of gift shops are now offering a &quot;Price Match&quot; guarantee. Read each stores info on their program so you can take advantage of their offer to match competitor's prices. This is a great way to know you won't be paying too much for your gifts. Here's a big secret in saving time and adding lots of convenience to your online shopping for Christmas. Some shops will actually let you purchase in advance and then specify a &quot;ship by&quot; date, i.e., buy in May and have it shipped in December. This is rarely advertised on sites but a quick e-mail to the shop may give you surprising results. No need to pay extra shipping having it shipped to you when you buy early, then you having to pay, again, to have it shipped to your recipient. This saves a lot of Christmas bucks! How cool is that? Shop for Christmas in July, have it gift wrapped for free, free gift card and message and shipped in December! Look at all the money you can save and time you have left for cleaning, organizing and you! <b>Ms. Wutzke is owner of <a href="http://www.cabinfevergifts.com" target="_new">Log Cabin Fever Gifts & Decor</a></b>. We offer Free Gift Wrap, Free Gift Message and gift card and we will ship your package on the "Ship by" date you request! All this and great <a target="_new" href="http://www.cabinfevergifts.com">Cabin themed gifts & decor, fishing gifts, black bear gifts, deer antler scrimshaw and decorating articles</a>. All rights Reserved copyright ? 2005 Log Cabin Fever Gifts & Decor

Holiday Candy Canes Are Festive and Fun

Candy canes are everyone's favorite holiday treat. Just think about how versatile they are. Not only do candy canes look great hanging from Christmas trees, but their versatility makes them perfect for all kinds of decorative uses. Candy canes can be crushed or used whole in holiday arts and crafts projects. How about adding candy canes to your homemade holiday gift baskets? Peppermint candy canes are usually red and white, but they can also be found in fun colors like red, green and white, and also flavors like orange, cherry, and even chocolate! You can find candy canes sprinkled inside of cookies and other delicious Christmas recipes. Candy canes make great ornaments. You can buy real ones and hang them around the house or the plastic version works fine too. To create a festive mood on the holiday dinner table you can put out a couple of candy cane candles. Got a wreath? Stick a few candy canes inside and watch your guests smile. Candy canes always seem to make people happy. Mini candy canes can be crafted into a candy cane tree and used as a centerpiece. Another fun idea is to make your own candy cane pins and hand them out as gifts or stocking stuffers. Some people even put large candy cane decorations outside of their houses. Some of these giant candy cane replicas even light up inside! No matter how you enjoy candy canes, they are sure to make your holiday celebrations much more delightful. Copyright 2004 About The Author Donna Monday Love Cookies? All Your favorites here: <a href="http://www.best-cookie-jar-recipes.com" target="_new">http://www.best-cookie-jar-recipes.com</a>