In The Spice Rack

A few weeks ago, Scott and I decided to organize our comic book collection and see what we were missing. Boy, that was a project! Six hours and 4 boxes later, we had a hefty list of "needs" and the rest were well organized and nestled comfy in their bags and boards.

Yesterday, I sat down to make a nice typed list of our "wants" and stumbled across this website.

The Comic Book Database is awesome! They already have loads of comics in their database, complete with covers. You can also easily add a cover if one is missing. I was able to search and determine how many comics were in a series thus far, making my list far more complete for when we actually take it to the store to start filling in our comic book series holes.

The best part - the datebase is free! You can make a donation, which I probably will, as the site has to be a huge task to regulate.

I am so happy. A project which would have taken twice as long is now twice as complete, as I also have a list of the comics I DO own, as well as my "wishlist."

If you collect comics, I highly recommend giving this site a look!

I came upon this woman's videos completely by accident on YouTube, and I am enthralled.

Check out Manjula's Kitchen for some awesome Indian recipes.

Here is the first video I watched.



I am hoping I can use a substitute for the flour, since I am allergic. It looks fairly easy, too!

If you buy two Lysol products, and also take your child to the doctor, you could get FIVE DOLLARS back!

Check out this website for more information.

http://lysol.com/pediatricianrewards/index.shtml


1 Purchase any TWO (2) different LYSOL® Products between 1/01/08 and 3/31/09.
2 Take your child to a doctor’s office for a check-up between 1/01/08 and 3/31/09.
3 Complete the LYSOL® Pediatrician $5 Reward Offer Form.
4 Mail in the Offer Form along with original receipts from your LYSOL® products’ purchase and a copy of your doctor’s office visit receipt or bill.

I am the dog-mom of a five year old Pembroke Welsh Corgi named Daisy, and a cat-sister of a Blue Point Himalayan Cat named Niko. These two animals fill my life with so much love and laughter. I never feel a pang of loneliness when they are around.

Every morning, I get up and immediately take Daisy outside. We greet the day together - frosty blasts or warm sunshine. We'll take it all. Daisy is always excited to explore regardless of my feelings on the matter. A trip around the driveway, or around the yard might be in order, with many stops to collect smells and treasures. I have found many interesting and beautiful leaves, pine cones, and flowers on our journeys. Daisy has literally taught me to stop and smell the roses, figuratively and literally!

Midday is often spent with Niko sunning himself on the bed while I am crocheting. Like any other cat, Niko has his own mind, and will do as he pleases. Thankfully, that often means spending time with me! I pet and brush him daily, and talk to him just as I talk to any of my friends.

The rewards of having an animal in your life are so wonderful. Here is a link to one such place that helps pets find people!

http://www.lollypop.org/

I am very excited!

I ordered some containers for my bento box, and some of them arrived yesterday.



There are picks for fruit and cheese, some tiny bottles for dressing, monkey face containers for sauce, complete with banana spoon/spreader, and onigiri shapers.

Spider Lilies or Ci qing is a Taiwanese film about two girls, Jade and Takeko.

Jade meets Takeko as a young girl, while wearing a green wig. They become very close friends as the years go on. Jade's parents left her with her grannie, who she still lives with as a young woman. Jade has a blog where people pay her to perform and interact with her. Basically, your average sex blog.

However, there is one gentleman cop who is investigating her, and tries to get her offline numerous times.

Takeko's father is killed one night when she sneaks out early to be with Jade. A terrible earthquake happens, and Takeko's young brother, Ching, witnesses the death of their father. The only thing that helps him is when Takeko gets an identical tattoo of the spider lily that their father had on his arm. She then trains to be a tattoo artist, and has a shop as an adult.

Jade decides to get a tattoo to spice up her blog business, and this is where she meets up again with Takeko, but Takeko doesn't want to remember Jade.

The movie is full of very intimate moments - sexually, emotionally, and physically. Takeko is conflicted between her brother and Jade. There is another character named Adong, who gets tattoos to make himself feel stronger and more violent! I never understood how a tattoo could give you power. This movie really put it into perspective for me.

I would definitely recommend seeing this movie if you like movies that delve into the human spirit.

I know Bella Sara cards are meant for a much younger audience than I - but I just love them so! The new Native Lights series offer the same quality of adorable horses, but based on Native American lore.

Among my favorites are Wichita and Menominee.

Bella Sara cards are similar to Webkinz online play, except it's solitary. You don't make friends. I think if I were a parent, I would be more drawn to Bella Sara for this reason, too. Less chance of a stranger connecting with my kid.

You can earn horseshoes playing games, and then buy stuff for your online house. You keep all of your horses in a stable, and then you feed, brush, and clean them. You'd think it would get boring after doing the same thing for 15 horses, but no. I just keep going, and playing.

I watched my niece who is a ball of energy and hyperactivity sit down and play with them quietly for a whole hour. It was amazing.

Squeaks and squacks
The guitar talks
Whammy and pedal
Harmonies defy metal

Lilting, lofting
Ethereal, Angelic, softing
Grinding strings
Until chordal release brings


Happy May Day!

Wedding Daze comes to us from writer and director Michael Ian Black. Jason Biggs (American Pie series) stars as Anderson, a guy who finally gets the nerve to propose to his perfect girlfriend while dressed as a baby oil-covered Cupid in the middle of a restaurant. The girlfriend dies right there on the spot, prompting Anderson to go into a deep depression.

Enter Katie, played by Isla Fisher (Wedding Crashers). Katie has the perfect boyfriend, William, who Katie's mom and step father adore. Only problem - Katie isn't sure she wants to marry William.

When Katie comes to wait on Anderson at the restaurant she works at, Anderson randomly asks her to marry him - and she says yes! This prompts a long line of awkward, hilarious and also tender moments between the two as they go on a quest for answers to the real question - Will they really get married in the end???

Throw in friends who used to be a circus act, a father who breaks out of jail, a sexually explorative mom and dad, and the law, this is a really funny, cute movie and well worth a couple hours of your time if you're looking for entertainment. What makes this stand out from other films is the honest girl next door quality that Fisher possesses.

Starting at 12:15 pm UK time on April 29th for one week, you can get an advanced copy of Coldplay's new song "Violet Hill," off their new album "Viva La Vida or Death And All His Friends," which comes out soon.

http://coldplay.com

The sound we know and love from Coldplay is back with "Violet Hill" and there are no disappointments! The song starts out with crescendo of new agey synthesizer chords. A lovely haunting melody with Chris Martin's striking voice leads next, with natural piano. The guitar and drums come in to round out the sound. The song feels like it is written in cut time (the count of 2 instead of 4), and there is a galloping rhythm in the drums.

The guitar has a solo in the middle, which is strong and edgy. Jonny Buckland, lead guitarist, isn't the guitar solo machine that Slash is or Jimi Hendrix was, but he has his own style and charm which is illuminated here.

"I want to be a soldier/ With a captain of some sinking ship with soul/ Far below"

The song ends with Martin singing alone over the piano. He is so good at conveying such direct and honest emotional messages, tinged with optimism in the middle of everything else going wrong.

"I took my love down to Violet Hill/ There we sat in the snow/ All that time she was silent still/ If you love me, won't you let me know"


* If there is a correction on the lyrics, please leave a comment!

Artistry is something you can't concoct or fake. Artistry is something a person brings to their particular creative endeavor. A chef can bring the ability to make an awesome dish, seasoned perfectly, which sends your taste buds into culinary heaven. An artist can take you visually to the depths of despair, or the heights of passion with brush stroke, color, and texture. A musician can leave tears in your eyes, joy in your heart, and lust in your ... cough You get the picture! What takes the chef, the artist, and the musician from sheer skill and talent to being a true and genuine inspiration? I think that magic is Artistry.

Artistry is something the judges look for on American Idol. Talent and skill isn't enough. You have to have that spark, that je ne said quoi, that makes you stand out from all the others. Sometimes that thing might be hair, or personality, or a laugh, or a calm and easy feeling the audience gets. To have true artistry means you are a very lucky individual indeed.

I look for Artistry all around me. While I find many things enjoyable, and I try to find something good in just about anything and everyone (call me Pollyanna!), I am quite picky about the things that have that extra oomph.

When I listen to a violinist, I appreciate talent and technique. As a violinist, I know what it takes to achieve that level of playing. Dedication, hard work, lots of sweat... But, the artists I enjoy and admire the most often aren't flawless. You have to have the passion behind the music, some story you are trying to tell with your notes, before I will believe your performance is truly magnificent.

There has been the duel between violin and fiddle for years and years, and perhaps never the twain might meet in the middle, but to me, I see no difference. Whether you are a concert violinist playing Beethoven's Violin Concerto or a fiddler playing "The Devil Went Down to Georgia," I want to hear that spark that sends shivers down my spine and makes me ache for more.

I feel the same way about nearly everything in my life. I don't want just flawless and technically great, I want to be moved - by touch, taste, sight, feel, and smell.

1. Carcassonne - This is a tile game. I think of it as a mixture of chess and dominoes. You build roads, castles and farms by placing tiles next to each other.

2. Apples to Apples - This fascinating card game gives players the power to vote for their favorite answers. Basically, you have two decks of cards. One deck (green I think) is full of words - on your turn you pick one of these cards and ask all other players to give you a card from their hand (the red cards) that represents what the green deck card says.

So, it's my turn. I pick a green card that says "Angry." I ask all other players to give me their most angry card. Everyone else gives me a card, face down, and then I shuffle them. Then I reveal what each card says, and I pick which card is the "angry" card to me. So, let's say 3 other players are playing. They give me: Spiders, World War II, and Lucille Ball. (I don't know if those are choices. I am just using them as examples.) To me, World War II seems the most angry. Whomever put that one in then gets my green "Angry" card. The goal of the game is to be the first to get a certain amount of green cards.

3. Life - I absolutely adore this game. It's a classic, but you can find all kinds of varieties of Life. I have the Simpson's Life game.

4. Solitaire - I love playing this with real cards or on the computer. When I am stressed out, I will play a round to relax. There is just something about putting the cards in proper order to chill me out. The best part of this game is that it's easy to carry it with you. Just throw a deck of cards in your car, your purse, or your coat pocket and you're good to go!

5. 3 Dragon Ante - This is basically poker for the D&D Geek. I am not a die hard gamer like most of my friends, but I adore this game.

6. Loaded Questions - This is really fun to play with 4-6 people who know you really well! We have spent hours laughing until our stomachs and faces hurt. Basically, you fill out answers to questions, and then one person tries to guess who wrote each set of answers. I highly recommend this game for hours of fun and many laughs! It goes great with wine, too!

7. Mystery Case Files: Ravenhurst - This one is a computer game. I have played this from start to finish at least ten times. I play this when I'm stressed, when I need to fill some time, when I should be doing a million other things... I play this a lot! I have played it enough to know where things are, but it's still fun!

8. Bohnanza - We lovingly call this one "The Bean Game." You plant fields, you grow your crops, and then collect money for the crops. This game is a bit more difficult to explain beyond that, but I heartily recommend it. If given a choice, I often choose this game first!

9. Guillotine - Where else can you pretend to be a King and order your subjects beheaded??? This card game, while a tad morbid, is extremely fun and competitive. Every morning (each turn), there is a lineup of subjects to behead, and you get to play cards to change the order of the lineup. Sometimes there is a reprieve and the day ends early.

The song title is linked with a video on youtube.

1. Ice Cream by Sarah McLachlan
2. Fly Me to the Moon as sung by Frank Sinatra
3. At Last as sung by Etta James
4. You're the Inspiration by Chicago
5. Open Arms by Journey
6. Patience by Guns 'N Roses
7. Stop Loving You by Toto
8. Help Me Make It Through the Night as sung by Sammi Smith
9. Don't Worry Baby by The Beach Boys

Love & Sex stars Famke Janssen and Jon Favreau. This movie is a commentary on relationships, and how we learn what it is that we want from them.

Kate meets Adam while on a date with another guy who "is 30 years old, and he lives with his mother." Adam tells the guy that Kate is now his girlfriend, as they had an immediate spark, and thus begins their love affair.

They go through all of the stages - new relationship glow, getting into a routine, dealing with a tragedy, getting on each others nerves, breaking up, wanting to get back together....

Kate discovers things she doesn't want in a man as well. She ends up dating the male star of Adam's favorite porn movie, and he just doesn't relate to life the way she wants him to... but is Adam the one she really wants?

I won't give away the ending, but I will suggest this is a cute and mostly lighthearted movie, definitely worth watching once. Especially for a date! You will probably be nodding in agreement at some point!

Crash starring James Spader and Holly Hunter is a twisted movie essentially about car crashes.

This married couple has sexual trysts with other people, and then tells each other about their escapades, which in turn leads to their own sexual encounters. One night on his drive, Spader's character jumps the rail and ends up having a gruesome car accident in which he hits another car head on. The husband in the other car was killed, having gone head first through his windshield into Spader's car. The wife in the other car survives, as does Spader.

The rest of the movie is largely a commentary on how we as people are being reworked by mechanical accidents. We are left with scars that change our appearance and our function. It was a novel approach to the topic, and I hadn't really thought about it before. However, the movie through in a fetish aspect into the mix, which I could have done without. I think the movie might reach a larger audience with the message of "the reshaping of the human body by modern technology" without the gratuitous overuse of sex.

I did enjoy the movie overall, and would recommend it on the basis that it gives an interesting social commentary on how technology is changing us.

I read a variety of web comics, one of which is Penny and Aggie. I was delighted to learn that I could download an ebook of the comics, too! And at no cost to me, courtesy of Verizon, on the WOWIO website.

WOWIO offers a wide variety of ebooks. You can find books about quilting, cooking, authors, poetry, computer languages, graphic novels, children's books... WOWIO allows you to download three books per day, so you have to go back each day if you want more than three, but it's so easy. I just added my visit to the site to my daily routine. I am extremely happy and excited about WOWIO, and I hope you'll take a look, too!

I have a question for you. What do you think about sport betting?

I found this website, bet365.com. They offer the ability to bet on different sports, and play games, as well as poker! Bet365 also has what they call a "one wallet system" - you just need one main account to play in all of their areas!

I am unclear as to whether this is available in the U.S. but they have links for several countries - UK, Sweden, Japan, Germany, Canada, Romania, Russia, and many others.

I know here in the U.S. we have OTB - Off Track Betting. I'm completely clueless as to how this works. It's my understanding that betting on sports teams is not allowed in the U.S. I will have to do more research and get back to you on this one. What I do remember is how Pete Rose was removed from the Baseball Hall of Fame for betting against his team. I could see why that wouldn't be allowed - he could "throw" his game. What if he had bet ON his team? I don't know the specifics of what U.S. law says.

Since this website services other countries, I am also very interested in what their laws are.

With all that being said, if it was allowed in the U.S., Bet365's website looks pretty awesome! I am impressed with the presentation given. I am also impressed that they are serving so many different countries. If you happen to check Bet365.com out further, let me know how it goes!

Inquiring minds want to know!

Here's a holiday favorite sung by my husband and I, with my dad accompanying us on piano!

This was made popular by Bing Crosby and is called "Mele Kalikimaka." That means "Merry Christmas" in the Hawaiian language!

Click here to listen!

Apples to Apples is one of my personal favorite games to play with a group of friends.

The rules are simple: Everyone gets a set number of cards to start. Each player takes a turn picking a category card. Let's say the card says "angry" and you are the person with the category card. You ask everyone to give you their angriest card. You then decide which card from the pile they have given you is the most angry card. Whoever gave you that card is the winner of that turn. The first person to collect a set number of category cards wins the game.

You can add variations of the rules - you can ask for the opposite of the card, have a speed round and the last person in doesn't get to play, a blind choice where everyone picks a card from their hand for a mystery category card... The options are unlimited. You can make your own cards with blanks, too.

This would make a great Christmas gift for the game lover in your family!

Just click on the picture to see some of my Swedish Basket Weave Ornaments. Are you looking for specific colors? Leave me a comment with your email address, and I will get back to you. I will make them in whatever colors you desire!

I have gotten some really wonderful pieces from this site myself, and am very pleased with the quality!

Today's Happy Thought is another gift from me to you - another song that I wrote and am singing.

This one is called "I Am Falling." Click here to listen!

I am falling, tearfully crawling all along the ledge.
I am drowning, my heart is pounding, in the water's edge.

But I dream, but I dream again.
In God's stream, in God's stream I am!
I will rise, I will rise to find I'm power in her* eyes.

All around me the spirits call me, fairies flying high.
Out of the water in the nights's slumber the goddess is nearby.

But I dream, but I dream again.
In God's stream, in God's stream I am!
I will rise, I will rise to find I'm power in her eyes.

I am floating, cheerfully boating, in the clouds so true.
All of the time my poor heart is trying to get back to you.


*=Mother Nature

Today I watched the Lifetime Original Movie "More of Me" starring Molly Shannon.  I wasn't sure where the movie would end, and what kind of message it would have, but I was really impressed.  Molly's character "Alice" wishes that there were more of her to fulfill her duties as wife, mother, and career woman.  She is trying to save a local tree that had special ties to her now deceased mother as well as being the place her husband proposed to her.  Suddenly, there are 3 of Alice, and she herself is given a respite.  The only trouble is, the invisible Alice has to run around finding out what the other Alices are up to!  Wacky hijinx ensue!

And here is a spoiler, so if you don't want to know what happens, don't read from here!  

Alice learns that by trying to please everyone else, she has forgotten to take care of herself.  She has let down everyone by spreading herself too thin.  She forgives all of her "extras" and herself, and vows to take care of herself from now on.

I really think this is a lesson everyone can do to remember.  It is so easy to try to please everyone else, but we can't lose ourselves in the process.  We are better friends when we are friends to ourselves.  

There is a Lifehouse song called "Whatever it takes."  Here is a sample of some lyrics.

She said "If we're gonna make this work

You gotta let me inside even though it hurts

Don't hide the broken parts that I need to see"

She said "Like it or not it's the way it's gotta be

You gotta love yourself if you can ever love me"

I was struck by how true those words are.  We often hide our hurts because it's easier than sharing them, but  if we want an honest relationship with ourselves and others, we have to love ourselves in order to love others. 

Today, I am thankful for these two reminders in particular to show honesty and kindness not only to  others, but also to myself.

Carcassonne is a tile game made by Rio Grande. I have spent many hours playing this game with friends and family. I always think of Carcassonne as a strategy game, like chess, but with tiles, like dominoes. To earn points, you build castles, roads, and farms using your men. You get a set number of men to start.

There are also many expansions to Carcassonne, such as the River, River II, Inns and Cathedrals, Princess and the Dragon. Each expansion is different and adds a new twist and turn to the game.

This would make a great Christmas gift for the game lover in your family!

Do you know how Santa's reindeer fly?  I do!

Susan Lewis (an author I met on Gather.com also known as Queen Susan) has written and published her own book about how Santa's reindeer learn to fly! This is a very important part of how Santa is able to deliver his presents on time!

Many things made this story enjoyable. My favorite part is the dialog between the narrator and Grandpa.  A smile came to my face every time the two characters would interact.   I don't want to give anything away, but the story mainly takes place on Grandma and Grandpa's farm.  Different farm animals are crucial to the story.  Grandpa is just like my own grandpa, who had a mysterious work area, and would putter around on the farm.  Very cute illustrations accentuate Grandpa's tale, including one sign on Grandpa's barn, which said "Do not enter without permission!"  Even when visiting family, you still have to be polite and obey the rules!  And then there is the mysterious letter Grandpa got from Santa!  

I ordered the spiral bound version of the book, and was very glad I did so.  This makes a very nice story to sit down and read aloud with your favorite child. 


I found "Grandpa and the Reindeer" to be a very heartwarming story, perfect for the holiday season, and for children and adults alike who are desperate to know how reindeer learn to fly!   I can tell you this much - aerodynamics are probably involved somewhere!

For more information, please write to Susan Lewis here on Gather, or to her email:  queen.susan@comcast.net

 

make custom gifts at Zazzle

Have you ever been to a nursing home?

I grew up visiting several people in nursing homes, most often my great grandmother. After I became an adult, I visited my granddad in a nursing home, too. My cousin and grandmother both went to a rehabilitation center post surgery. There are so many choices, and so often we might be clueless as to what is needed, and where to go for answers.

Bettercaring is a website from the UK, but has important information that people in the U.S. and Canada can use as well. They give information on all of the different kinds of nursing care, plus the latest news on various health conditions. There is also a forum where you can talk to other people about your concerns and your experiences. There are even articles and links about alternatives, such as Tai Chi, and foods that can help for healthy living.

When looking for nursing care, we ask ourselves important questions. What kind of care is needed? How much attention will you or your loved one need? Do you need a visiting nurse? Do you need to move to a full time care facility?

I highly recommend using Bettercaring to educate yourself more about the various types of care you or your loved ones will need after surgery, or for quality of living as we grow older.

1. Peppermint - I love peppermint. This reminds me of Christmas, candy canes, and chewing gum. I often use peppermint flavored toothpaste and mouthwash, and even mint flavored dental floss. Mint can refresh the spirit and the atmosphere. When I have a sinus headache, one or two drops on my forehead will ease the pain a bit. The one thing to remember when using peppermint essential oils is only use a few drops! If you use too much of this, you can actually harm yourself, and burn your sensitive tissues.

2. White Grapefruit - I can't get enough of this delicious citrus fruit. This particular grapefruit is very light and refreshing. Pink grapefruit is heavier, but still delightful. Also, putting a drop of white grapefruit on your wrist has been said to help curb your appetite. Be careful though - certain medications react with grapefruit, so you want to watch that.

3. Coriander - As a very woody and earthy essential oil, coriander is very good for when you feel fatigued and achy. My namesake, Coriander, is the seed part of the cilantro plant, and is found in many Indian dishes like curry. I will often massage 1-2 drops of coriander into sore muscles, and even stretch marks on my skin. However, your dinner companions might be tempted to nibble on you, if you use this for perfume.

4. Orange - I love citrus, and orange is high on the list. Orange is an essential oil that I like to use in massages because it is refreshing and healing. I add 3-5 drops into 1 Tablespoon of Almond oil for a special massage treatment. You can use whatever base oil you are not allergic to - safflower and olive are two other good ones.

5. Lavender - I am not a huge fan of lavender, but when I DO get in the mood, I like it quite a bit. Lavender is often used in potpourri and sachets. I have a shampoo which has lavender as part of the ingredients. Lavender is very relaxing, and can help you after a stress filled day to ease your tight muscles.

6. Eucalyptus - This essential oil reminds me of winter, mostly because I use it more often in the winter. This will help relax you after a stressful day, and will also help easy clogged and swollen sinuses. There are many throat lozenges made today with Eucalyptus in them. My favorite way to use this is heating a pan of water and adding 3-5 drops of eucalyptus to the water. Then, with a towel over your head, steam your face above the water. Make sure not to use too much eucalyptus - a little goes a long way.

7. Lime - Lime is another citrus which is very refreshing and uplifting. The difference between lime and orange is lime has a sweetness to it, but also a tangy zip. I love using lime as a gentle perfume. One or two drops on each wrist are plenty!

8. Tea tree - I was first introduced to tea tree oil in the company Melaleuca. This essential oil has strong antiseptic qualities, and I've used it to help heal warts and other minor injuries.

9. Lemon - Lemon is great for everything from cleaning to air freshening to wanting a refreshing perfume or a dash of lemon in your cooking. Lemon is a very cheerful smelling oil. I love adding a spritz of lemon to my freshly cleaned bathroom and kitchen. Sometimes I will grind half a lemon in the disposal to clean any lingering smells in there.

Remember - with essential oils, 3-5 drops should be more than plenty to work with! I am not a doctor - you should use these at your own discretion.

My ornaments are based on a traditional Swedish craft of making ornaments by weaving paper to form a basket. My version is made out of felt and sewn closed with embroidery thread all the way around. A satin ribbon allows for the hearts to be hung on a tree or anywhere as a decoration. The hearts vary, but are around four inches across.

This is for a lot of six identical hand sewn ornaments in red felt with white embroidery thread, and white satin ribbon.



Click here for the In The Spice Rack Etsy Shop!