First post in a while
I'm one of those people that when I go eerily quiet, something is wrong. Well, for those of you actually reading, no doubt you have noticed how quiet it has been on this page lately...
There is a reason. Apart from all of the Christmas mayhem, I have had some pretty bad news. I have skin cancer. I discovered a melanoma on my left thigh. I don't know the full story yet, but it has been pretty tense around here.
So please bear with me. I still have to get around this news and get my sense of humor back in order, and then the posts will return, cross my heart.
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Danish Butter Cookies
Oh how i love these little delicacies. I love how during the holidays I can snuggle in with a tin of these and a big mug of hot chocolate and heaven is not far behind.
The only downside is, they are sneaky little boogers. By the time you realize it, you have eaten half the tin of cookies. They are not long for this world once they hit my house.
What is your favorite holiday guilty pleasure?
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
My first foray into fashion design
Of course I designed a dress for my daughter. I don't have the attention span to sew a dress big enough for an adult. Also, please keep in mind that I knew I was not designing for an adult. I would probably have chosen a different fabric for the main part of the dress on an adult. But seeing as how it was a Holiday dress for a little girl, isn't velvet quintessential?
Please tell me what you think. This was designed last year, and I have made one or two more pieces. I'll have to scan pics and post them later, but I would love your feedback on this dress in particular.
Of course I designed a dress for my daughter. I don't have the attention span to sew a dress big enough for an adult. Also, please keep in mind that I knew I was not designing for an adult. I would probably have chosen a different fabric for the main part of the dress on an adult. But seeing as how it was a Holiday dress for a little girl, isn't velvet quintessential?
Please tell me what you think. This was designed last year, and I have made one or two more pieces. I'll have to scan pics and post them later, but I would love your feedback on this dress in particular.
Hepburn's Golightly dress
goes for a heavy $918,000 at auction
And If I had the money I would have bought it myself...
THE iconic black cocktail dress worn by Audrey Hepburn in the film Breakfast at Tiffany's fetched $918,000 at auction yesterday. It went for just over six times its $137,500 estimate at Christie's auction house in London. Hepburn wore the dress for her role as Holly Golightly in the classic 1961 film. The bid, made over the telephone, is believed to be a record amount for a dress used in a film.
goes for a heavy $918,000 at auction
And If I had the money I would have bought it myself...
THE iconic black cocktail dress worn by Audrey Hepburn in the film Breakfast at Tiffany's fetched $918,000 at auction yesterday. It went for just over six times its $137,500 estimate at Christie's auction house in London. Hepburn wore the dress for her role as Holly Golightly in the classic 1961 film. The bid, made over the telephone, is believed to be a record amount for a dress used in a film.
The dress itself was most likely not expensive, but the person that bought this dress most likely saw it as I do, an iconic piece that influenced modern fashion greatly.
We all know that Hepburn is a heavenly fashionable creature, but it is arguable that wearing this dress in this movie was her crowning moment. To this day, I run into people that don't know who Hepburn by name (yes there are some of those that exist) but recognize the picture of her in this dress.
On the other side, how many little black cocktail dresses are there in the world? But none has ever, or ever will, I imagine, achieve the level of notariety this particular dress achieved.
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
What's your accent??
Oh I thank God for my time away from the South. It's not that a Southern accent makes you stupid, but a thick Southern accent can sure make you sound like you might be.
Did you see the part where it said I had a good voice for TV or radio?? Priceless.
Oh I thank God for my time away from the South. It's not that a Southern accent makes you stupid, but a thick Southern accent can sure make you sound like you might be.
| What American accent do you have? Your Result: The Midland "You have a Midland accent" is just another way of saying "you don't have an accent." You probably are from the Midland (Pennsylvania, southern Ohio, southern Indiana, southern Illinois, and Missouri) but then for all we know you could be from Florida or Charleston or one of those big southern cities like Atlanta or Dallas. You have a good voice for TV and radio. | |
| The South | |
| The Inland North | |
| The West | |
| The Northeast | |
| Philadelphia | |
| Boston | |
| North Central | |
| What American accent do you have? Take More Quizzes | |
Did you see the part where it said I had a good voice for TV or radio?? Priceless.
My gift list
Mom- Phone- because she wears the mouthpiece on hers out every three months. I die a little inside when I see her name pop up on caller ID. Don’t get me wrong, I love my mom. I just have better things to do with a couple hours of my evening EVERY DAY than to listen to her talk about nothing in particular.
Dad- Earplugs- HA! No, seriously, my dad’s birthday is 2 days after Christmas, so we went all out and got him a radio and speakers for his jeep he is restoring. My fiancé installs car stereos and alarms, so he will install it for him (did I remember to mention that to him?). My dad has had this jeep since I was probably 10 years old. It has never had a radio in it. I always hated that Jeep, but finally it will have some sound to it. About damn time 15 years too late…
My fiancé- a Sony Playstation- Something for me to threaten to throw out the window if he doesn’t do my bidding. Threatening to deny sex stopped working a while back because he finally figured out I was usually bluffing.
My daughter- Just look at ToysRus.com and if it is pink, she probably got it. Seriously, this child is totally spoiled. The UPS man knows me by first name by now. My ex’s family is from Ireland and they have been mailing packages daily. I’m sick of wrapping. I know I have wrapped a good 50+ presents for her. And I have no clue what my grandparents have gotten her (they were the ones that Santa Claus “really” visited when we were kids)
My brother- A coffee mug that flips you a bird when you get to the bottom.
Fiance’s mother – “Cats” the Broadway Musical on DVD. She is the scary cat lady. You know, the one who has to replace her carpeting every few years because she has so many cats and they are constantly having to mark their territory in various corners in the house.
Fiance’s father- Electronic Sudoku game. I know, totally unimaginative. But other than loving Sudoku, he is a preacher. Considering I am living in sin with his only son, I didn’t think a Bible was appropriate.
Fiance’s sister- fleece pullover that is guaranteed to put static in her hair. We aren’t exactly close.
Fiance’s brother in law – a Georgia state tee shirt. He’s an Auburn fan.
Everyone else- Whatever was on sale and came in a nice, easy to wrap, square box.
Mom- Phone- because she wears the mouthpiece on hers out every three months. I die a little inside when I see her name pop up on caller ID. Don’t get me wrong, I love my mom. I just have better things to do with a couple hours of my evening EVERY DAY than to listen to her talk about nothing in particular.
Dad- Earplugs- HA! No, seriously, my dad’s birthday is 2 days after Christmas, so we went all out and got him a radio and speakers for his jeep he is restoring. My fiancé installs car stereos and alarms, so he will install it for him (did I remember to mention that to him?). My dad has had this jeep since I was probably 10 years old. It has never had a radio in it. I always hated that Jeep, but finally it will have some sound to it. About damn time 15 years too late…
My fiancé- a Sony Playstation- Something for me to threaten to throw out the window if he doesn’t do my bidding. Threatening to deny sex stopped working a while back because he finally figured out I was usually bluffing.
My daughter- Just look at ToysRus.com and if it is pink, she probably got it. Seriously, this child is totally spoiled. The UPS man knows me by first name by now. My ex’s family is from Ireland and they have been mailing packages daily. I’m sick of wrapping. I know I have wrapped a good 50+ presents for her. And I have no clue what my grandparents have gotten her (they were the ones that Santa Claus “really” visited when we were kids)
My brother- A coffee mug that flips you a bird when you get to the bottom.
Fiance’s mother – “Cats” the Broadway Musical on DVD. She is the scary cat lady. You know, the one who has to replace her carpeting every few years because she has so many cats and they are constantly having to mark their territory in various corners in the house.
Fiance’s father- Electronic Sudoku game. I know, totally unimaginative. But other than loving Sudoku, he is a preacher. Considering I am living in sin with his only son, I didn’t think a Bible was appropriate.
Fiance’s sister- fleece pullover that is guaranteed to put static in her hair. We aren’t exactly close.
Fiance’s brother in law – a Georgia state tee shirt. He’s an Auburn fan.
Everyone else- Whatever was on sale and came in a nice, easy to wrap, square box.
Monday, December 04, 2006
Christmas in Luxembourg
My daughter Katie was born in Luxembourg. We lived there the first two years of her life. I have always said that I would teach her the traditions of Luxembourg, which is not hard for me because a lot of their traditions come from the Dutch, and I am predominantly Dutch in heritage.
As for Christmas itself, you can see that with "Klees'chen" around, the title of Father Christmas has a lot of rivalry. In Luxembourg, being predominantly devout Catholic, the baby Christ actually brings the christmas gifts overnight instead of Santa, although the custom differs from family to family. In the early evening on Christmas Eve the whole family gathers around the Christmas tree for snacks and talks (A Christmas tree is almost a Must in Luxembourg). At midnight many a family goes to Midnight Mass, always a welcome excuse for children to stay up long. The presents which lie under the tree are opened either before or after church.
Since they have their own language in Luxembourg (Lëtzebuergesch), they say "Schéi Chrëschtdeeg" for "Merry Christmas", which transliterates into 'have nice christmas-days'.
Traditional foods over the Christmas period are "Stollen", a kind of fruit loaf with rum as cake and "Bûche de Noël" as icecream (both are in the shape of a log). On Christmas Day the traditional dinner often features Black pudding or civet of hare, or venison, or something equally nasty, but it may also consist of turkey like in the States (The main thing seems to be that there must be millions of calories).
During the weeks before Christmas, markets flourish all over the country selling dried flower arrangements, Christmas trees, candles, etc. Usually the Christmas Market in Luxembourg City is held from December 7 to 24 on the "Place d'Armes" in the pedestrian centre of the city. From wooden huts that are set up on the tree-lined square, all sorts of christmassy goods are on sale: locally produced Arts and Crafts (candles, Christmas tree decorations, cribs, etc), and of course plenty of Food and Drink to warm you from the inside. The latter include the obligatory mulled wines, as well as the stronger stuff (e.g. schnaps, known as "Drëpp"). Foods on sale include various soups (with or without Mettwurscht [a local sausage speciality]), pancakes, Thüringer, ... , plus the unpronouncable: "Gromperekichelcher". The bandstand in the centre of the square is also in use: A whole host of local bands, fanfares, choirs, etc, are performing, bringing to life the true Christmas atmosphere.
Luxembourg has snow just about every Christmas, and this year has seen the first snows already, so bets are on that it will once again be a "White Christmas".
I am very adamant that my daughter will have these traditions taught to her because they are part of her heritage and I want her to be proud of where she came from. It is also nice for me to be able to observe traditions that are part of my own Dutch heritage.
My daughter Katie was born in Luxembourg. We lived there the first two years of her life. I have always said that I would teach her the traditions of Luxembourg, which is not hard for me because a lot of their traditions come from the Dutch, and I am predominantly Dutch in heritage.
Around the end of November / beginning of December, the "Klees'chen" (known as Sinterklaas by the Dutch) can be seen on many occasions as he comes to all the shops, and receives the children for photosessions. According to Luxembourg legend, "Klees'chen" brought back to life 3 children who were savagely killed by a butcher, ready to be turned into sausages. Being a good-natured children-loving sort of a guy, he promptly resurrected the kids with God's allmighty help ...
"Klees'chen", in fact, is none else but St. Nicholas. Now, St. Nicholas lives in Spain, not the North Pole. I can see how St. Nicholas has it a little better than Santa. Let's see... Sunny Spain, or Arctic Wasteland North Pole. Ole, baby.
During the night of the 5th to the 6th December (his day) he and his counterpart "Hoùseker" (=Black Peter) enter the houses and bring the children presents in the guise of (originally oranges and nuts and the occasional pair of socks) toys which can range from simple Lego to complex computers. The children put out plates on which the legendary figures bestow their gifts. But already days beforehand they put their shoes on the windowsill or in front of their bedroom door, so that "Klees'chen" -who goes his rounds to check on children to see whether they deserve any presents- can drop chocolates and other sweets into them. Hoùseker is dressed in coarse black clothes and he carries sticks with which he is said to chastise naughty children. You can also hear frustrated mothers in the shops close to the end of November threatening their kids that if they don't behave, Black Peter will come and kidnap them and take them away. A little too dark for me, but I actually saw a guy dressed up as Black Peter, and he had some fake legs sticking out of his bag (I sure hope they were fake) and it made the whole thing a little funnier.
"Klees'chen", in fact, is none else but St. Nicholas. Now, St. Nicholas lives in Spain, not the North Pole. I can see how St. Nicholas has it a little better than Santa. Let's see... Sunny Spain, or Arctic Wasteland North Pole. Ole, baby.
During the night of the 5th to the 6th December (his day) he and his counterpart "Hoùseker" (=Black Peter) enter the houses and bring the children presents in the guise of (originally oranges and nuts and the occasional pair of socks) toys which can range from simple Lego to complex computers. The children put out plates on which the legendary figures bestow their gifts. But already days beforehand they put their shoes on the windowsill or in front of their bedroom door, so that "Klees'chen" -who goes his rounds to check on children to see whether they deserve any presents- can drop chocolates and other sweets into them. Hoùseker is dressed in coarse black clothes and he carries sticks with which he is said to chastise naughty children. You can also hear frustrated mothers in the shops close to the end of November threatening their kids that if they don't behave, Black Peter will come and kidnap them and take them away. A little too dark for me, but I actually saw a guy dressed up as Black Peter, and he had some fake legs sticking out of his bag (I sure hope they were fake) and it made the whole thing a little funnier.
As for Christmas itself, you can see that with "Klees'chen" around, the title of Father Christmas has a lot of rivalry. In Luxembourg, being predominantly devout Catholic, the baby Christ actually brings the christmas gifts overnight instead of Santa, although the custom differs from family to family. In the early evening on Christmas Eve the whole family gathers around the Christmas tree for snacks and talks (A Christmas tree is almost a Must in Luxembourg). At midnight many a family goes to Midnight Mass, always a welcome excuse for children to stay up long. The presents which lie under the tree are opened either before or after church.
Since they have their own language in Luxembourg (Lëtzebuergesch), they say "Schéi Chrëschtdeeg" for "Merry Christmas", which transliterates into 'have nice christmas-days'.
Traditional foods over the Christmas period are "Stollen", a kind of fruit loaf with rum as cake and "Bûche de Noël" as icecream (both are in the shape of a log). On Christmas Day the traditional dinner often features Black pudding or civet of hare, or venison, or something equally nasty, but it may also consist of turkey like in the States (The main thing seems to be that there must be millions of calories).
After the meal the whole family likes to go for a walk which is particularly nice if there is snow(there is always snow for Christmas in Luxembourg). Boxing Day (or St. Stephen's Day) is spent in a similar fashion, e.g. eating vast quantities of food, which is done -more often than not- whilst visiting friends and relatives.
During the weeks before Christmas, markets flourish all over the country selling dried flower arrangements, Christmas trees, candles, etc. Usually the Christmas Market in Luxembourg City is held from December 7 to 24 on the "Place d'Armes" in the pedestrian centre of the city. From wooden huts that are set up on the tree-lined square, all sorts of christmassy goods are on sale: locally produced Arts and Crafts (candles, Christmas tree decorations, cribs, etc), and of course plenty of Food and Drink to warm you from the inside. The latter include the obligatory mulled wines, as well as the stronger stuff (e.g. schnaps, known as "Drëpp"). Foods on sale include various soups (with or without Mettwurscht [a local sausage speciality]), pancakes, Thüringer, ... , plus the unpronouncable: "Gromperekichelcher". The bandstand in the centre of the square is also in use: A whole host of local bands, fanfares, choirs, etc, are performing, bringing to life the true Christmas atmosphere.
Luxembourg has snow just about every Christmas, and this year has seen the first snows already, so bets are on that it will once again be a "White Christmas".
I am very adamant that my daughter will have these traditions taught to her because they are part of her heritage and I want her to be proud of where she came from. It is also nice for me to be able to observe traditions that are part of my own Dutch heritage.
Friday, December 01, 2006
You don't use the mouth
http://a1135.g.akamai.net/f/1135/18227/1h/cchannel.download.akamai.com/18227/podcast/PHOENIX-AZ/KZZP-FM/snake-dontusethemouth.mp3
I seriously almost peed my pants.
(Fav. line from this clip: But you are 100% on the STUPID)
Oh my goodness... I just heard the most HILARIOUS clip online. It is around 10 minutes long and it takes a minute or two to get to the funny stuff, but it is so worth it. If you are at work, use headphones.
This woman SO busted her husband. Oh boy but she sure had an opinion on his objection! Tee Hee!
http://a1135.g.akamai.net/f/1135/18227/1h/cchannel.download.akamai.com/18227/podcast/PHOENIX-AZ/KZZP-FM/snake-dontusethemouth.mp3
I seriously almost peed my pants.
(Fav. line from this clip: But you are 100% on the STUPID)
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