I probably got that wrong . . . Not into horse racing . . .
It does seem to apply to Christmas shoppers.
I have been delighted by the number of sales I’ve made by having one or more of the links clicked . . . Thank you very kindly. I believe many more of you have done the majority of your shopping online. I know I did and everything is wrapped and tucked away.
There is something about being caught up in the Christmas rush madness . . . but I think I’ll stay away from the malls an
d downtown shopping areas. I’ll even refrain from driving by. I would avoid it all, but I do have to do some grocery shopping. I am prepared for the long check-out lines.
I’ll also be filling my car with gas . . . I don’t plan on traveling, but I do want to be able to take a quick trip to the store for any items I discover I forgot.
Yes, indeed this is a busy time of year . . . I’m looking forward to relaxing when it is all said and done.
I’ll work on some crafts and also play some games or put together some jigsaw puzzles. Just a way to kick back and relax. I could watch some DVDs and also read a book. Goodness, there is so very much that I could do . . . after all is said and done.
I’m curious about solo board games.
Dungeon Raiders Board Game by Passport Game Studios, Zombie 15′: Left Alone Solo Campaign Board Game by IELLO, Friday Board Game by Rio Grande Games, Ravingspire: Assault on the Tower of Madness. A Deck-Building, Rotating Dungeon Board Game for 1 to 6 players. Sylvion Board Game by Z-Man Games, and Q-Bitz Solo: Magenta Edition by MindWare.
Do any of these catch your attention? They all have promise, but I was looking for something that would be fun . . . and light . . . maybe even silly.
Mohawkz — Dinosaur Edition — Family Game with 8 Bouncing Mohawk Balls and 2 Target Ramps — Educational Fun for Kids and Adults (8 years and up) by Rooster Fin.
I think this may be exactly what I’m wanting.
It is educational in that it is a fast-paced skill game that helps improve motor skills and hand-eye-coordination.
It’s suitable for all ages — kids, teens, college students, parents, grandparents, etc.
It’s fun!!!
Great for family game night, parties vacations, makes a great gift and to play solo when you just want to relax for a moment or two.
Excellent re-playability . . . no game is alike . . .
The object of the game is to bounce the balls, one at a time, towards the target. The best bounce wins.
RoosterFin games are created by teachers. They are simple to learn and great for the whole family. Joe, the owner, has a gift in understanding how math applies to games. He has created award-winning games and is devoting his full attention to making great games.
Here’s a video:
Hummmmm, I may want something a bit more challenging . . . I’ll need to give some of the other games a closer look.
Sylvion looks promising. It is a strategy game that can be played solo.
I’m excited about this game although I hate fires . . . but rebuilding the forest has some great promise . . . Yes, let’s continue watching:
Oh my goodness!!! I’m thinking the Mohawkz has some promise, but I’m getting into this strategy of wiping out the fires.
Well, I’ve taken up quite a bit of your time. I do hope these videos were informative and gave you an idea of what Mohawkz and Sylvion are all about. These two solo games can also be played with others which makes it a great choice when buying games for your family game night.
Does Black Friday kick off the Christmas Season . . . or when the Thanksgiving leftovers are gone?
Or is it when you bring in your Christmas tree?
It seems many of us prepare for Christmas throughout the year. There’s that popular Christmas in July thing in which many people participate. And there are always those of us who need to “feel like Christmas” in order to get into the spirit of it.
I know some love to do things at the last minute. It’s their thing.
And there are those of us who are always surprised, “It’s Christmas already?”
Well, Christmas is coming if we’re ready or not!!!
So, I guess we might as well jump on board.
We do, however, have a little while before December. That seems to be the turning point for me to get geared into the Christmas thing. I know there are many getting in on the Black Friday deals and decorating their homes. Some Christmas lights are going up in my neighborhood. They’re quite eager to get Christmas coming.
I do wonder about all of this.
I may be a bit of a Scrooge . . . but I don’t mean to be. It seems the older I get, the slower I am to jump into the next season, holiday or otherwise. Yet, with a blog, it is important to be on-top of all of these festivities . . . They do seem to be coming at a fast pace . . .
I really am excited about Christmas, just as I was about Thanksgiving . . . and Halloween before that . . . Wow! Then there’s the New Year!!! Goodness!!! Time does go by quickly . . .
I’m sitting on my front porch, drinking a cup of coffee with my precious Yorkshire terrier on my lap watching the neighbors putting up their Christmas decorations . . . It amuses me, rather than motivates me to do the same . . .
Some are motivated by their family being here to give a hand . . .
It’s all good . . . even the neighbor down the street who left theirs up since last year . . . or was it the year before? They’re all set to just plug it in.
It’s always exciting to see what others are doing and to go out at night and see how the town has caught the spirit of Christmas as well. Some people do some elaborate displays.
I’m glad my neighborhood doesn’t do the competition thing as I’m sure you’ve seen in the movies. That seems to take all the fun out of decorating for Christmas . . . but that is merely my humble opinion.
However and whenever the Christmas bug bites you into shopping or decorating . . . Enjoy!!
We all seem to have a favorite holiday or holiday season.
The most popular are Halloween and Christmas in that order.
I do have a website of haunted stuff with ghost stories. I love them, as many do. I also have one of Christmas. Then, there’s this one that allows me to celebrate the holidays as they come. And, you may have noticed how I really do get into Halloween . . . it is my favorite season.
I’m not into the real creepy stuff with the violent make-up and gross food. It’s interesting how make-up can be applied to scare the living daylights out of you . . . I admire it, but it’s not something I would do.
If Halloween is for children, I’d go for the more mild fun stuff . . . but to each his/her own.
Yes, there is definitely humor in being scared . . . and children running around at night in costumes gathering sweet treats is all about the fun . . . yet, the idea of being out at night . . . the lit pumpkins with scary faces . . . the decorations of tomb stones . . . and witches, ghosts, skeletons and other scary stuff heightens the imagination.
Also going to the doors of stranger’s houses is a scary activity.
For me, it is about the children and their enthusiasm of getting all dressed up and going door to door collecting candy. And, if they scare each other along the way, it’s all in fun.
I love that parents are with their children. Some dress up in costume, too. Or, they’re with older siblings. Times have, unfortunately, changed and we need to make sure children have a safe Halloween experience.
Many people opt to have parties in their homes rather than allowing the kids to go out . . . this works out well. It is fun to gather friends together and have fun and games and maybe watch a Halloween DVD . . . and, of course, have some delicious food . . . it may look a little odd, but the taste is wonderful.
I haven’t noticed as many Christmas Carolers.
I’d love to hear them sing . . . going door to door.
One neighborhood church would have young and old alike singing carols throughout the neighborhood. You could join them, if you wanted to. It would turn into a rather large group.
Then, we’d have an impromptu pot luck dinner. We’d all contribute and share the news of the families. It was a nice way of getting caught up on marriages and births, graduations and jobs . . . we seemed to keep up with the sorrow of death . . . but it was a time of letting neighbors know we do care . . .
I enjoyed listening to the stories of different families . . . some could trace their ancestry way back . . . This was good for everyone to hear and there were history lessons involved, too. You had to understand the times, to understand the hardships and the joys . . . how how certain traditions developed and are practiced today.
Each and every one of us has a history . . . a story to tell . . . maybe about our ancestry . . . and our own story . . . from humble beginnings . . . and the opportunities we were given . . . and the decisions we’ve made . . . all shaping the life we now live.
Whatever, holiday or holiday season you enjoy . . . it’s wonderful to be with family and friends . . . and to share what you can about life and aspirations.
We all have a life and aspirations . . . it’s interesting to see how things work out.
I find it surprising. The days, weeks and months seem to have flown by. I remember preparing for Halloween . . . then Thanksgiving . . . and Christmas.
Next is the New Year — 2016 . . . unbelievable.
Maybe I should begin preparing for Easter . . . it will be here in record time, just as Christmas has arrived so quickly.
It is said that the older you get, the quicker time seems to pass.
This Statement Seems Strange To Me
As we get older we may slow down a bit.
When we’re younger we’re trying to cram so much into every single day. Wouldn’t it seem logical that one with a busy schedule would find the passage of time going by at a faster pace?
I’m not expert . . . just observant . . . and blogging about it. It’s unfortunate I have no answers, just questions. And I do ask you, “Does time seem to be going by quickly?”
I Think I’ll March Ahead To Easter
I know there’s the New Year and the Super Bowl and Valentine’s Day and other holidays . . . but . . . Easter for 2016 will be Sunday, March 27.
In some ways that seems quite a ways away . . . but back in October, Christmas seemed so far away . . .
Easter seems to be coming early this coming year . . . it’s been in the April for awhile. Now, the end of March.
Before I March Ahead . . . How’s Your Christmas?
I’ve been getting my fill of Christmas Carols.
I do love them and will miss them. I will be playing them while I take my Christmas tree down and put away the decorations. It is part of my tradition.
I play Christmas Carols while decorating the tree and the house. So it seems fitting to do the same when taking everything down.
Now, I sometimes keep the tree up until after the New Year . . . and sometimes right after Christmas.
In the case of my blogs . . . except for ChristmasGoRound.com things will be changing over the weekend. ChristmasGoRound.com will be still about Christmas . . . it’s my year round Christmas website. It is Christmas 365 days a year . . . not a repeat, as in the movies . . . just having the focus of Christmas throughout the year.
I’m also eliminating some of my websites. I want to be able to devote time to the ones I’m keeping. With time going by so quickly . . . I need to concentrate on those websites that are the most important to me.
I do hope this Christmas Day was filled with joy and goodwill for you and your family.
It may be a rainy day for me. During the early morning hours there was rain . . . and I do hope it continues. We need the rain and I have no outdoor plans.
It is cold . . . which is quite refreshing for Christmas.
I feel good. This has been a wonderful Christmas. Maybe because it was my precious Diva’s first Christmas with me. She seemed to feel right at home with the tree and the decorations . . .
My little Diva is a remarkable little Yorkshire Terrier that brings me much joy and happiness.
I’m sure you feel the same about your furry pets.
Have a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year!
Have You Noticed That Most Of Life’s Major Decisions Are Made When We’re Young And Inexperienced?
You start school at a young age.
You either apply yourself . . . or don’t. That’s why it’s so important to have a family with parents and grandparents, aunts and uncles who can give you the advice you need . . . and teachers can explain why this is important for you to know . . . and how each lesson is built upon another and another . . . broadening your knowledge base. It’s building a solid foundation that will help you determine what it is you’ll be when you “grow up.”
I do marvel at those who know what they want to do.
Most of us stumble upon it.
The majority of us don’t have a wealthy family or a family business to join during high school and after college.
Too often we find things we don’t want to do. Or there is a limit to what we can do . . . given our education and the choices we’ve made.
So, success doesn’t come easy.
Many Books And Movies Have Been Made With This Concept In Mind
If you turned right instead of left . . .
If you went for that job interview instead of staying home . . .
If you participated in that Christmas Play instead of staying home with a bad cold . . .
How much is based on circumstances rather than actual choices?
There are also times when it would have been better for you to stay home than to attend a particular party. It sometimes works both ways. You may be in the right place at the right time . . . or in the wrong place at the wrong time.
One story I encountered recently was about a woman who decided to pursue her dream, leaving behind her boyfriend.
She was very successful . . . but lonely. She learned that to succeed in her particular career, that took up 100% of her time . . . no visiting family during the holidays, no vacations and no friendships outside of work . . . and even then, she had to be careful with backstabbers.
But, the old boyfriend from years earlier decided to contact her.
And, since it was a Christmas story . . . strange things do happen . . . she found herself with the boyfriend, now her husband with two great kids. She was an instant Mom who didn’t know anything about being a mother or a wife for that matter.
Of course, she wanted her old life back . . . but along the way of being stuck in her new circumstance, learned some valuable lessons about herself, her then husband and her then children.
Then, boom! She’s back in her old life.
This was quite confusing for her . . .
She liked the “family” . . . but it wasn’t so much that she had to choose between the two lives she experienced . . . but to see how things could play out for her future . . .
Valuable Lessons And Opportunities Come Our Way
You may have noticed how you make adjustments regularly in your life.
I know I just decided to delete some websites and continue on with the ones that gave me the most enjoyment. And one of those is one I just started. So it was an “out with the old” and “in with the new.”
We do learn and grow throughout our lives. We may re-evaluate our priorities from time to time. We could make some major changes or little ones along the way.
I had a friend a long time ago who received an opportunity to buy out a shoe repair business. He had no idea what he was doing, but he learned quickly. And he enjoyed what he was doing. He also moved to an area where his new skills and business was in demand.
It wasn’t a success right away . . . he worked hard for little pay . . . fortunately, some people would pay him in food. Barter got him through some rough patches.
I’m sure there are some who experience success right away. It hasn’t been my experience or those I know, but eventually things work out.
As I’ve said in many of my posts before, it’s all a matter of perspective. We can choose to view the glass half empty or half full.
It does take practice to be more optimistic about life and change.
You see, deleting some of my websites could prove to be a major mistake . . . but I’m not going to get upset about it . . . it’s best to move on and learn from my experience.
We’re usually told we gave up to fast . . . but in reality we do what we do for however long we do it until we decide to move on. No one knows the future or knows completely how you feel and why you made the decision you made. Sometimes the truth eludes us from time to time, but one day it does dawn on us.
I think things have to do with timing . . . and knowing what opportunity is the best “fit” for you.
I Have No Magic Formula
It is what works with your priorities . . . and to a large degree with the opportunities you choose to take or pass.
I don’t dwell on it. From time to time I do wonder.
I’m pleased I haven’t been swooped away in a real life fantasy to experience all the confusion of seeing first hand “what if” . . .
It’s entertaining for books and movies, but experiencing it first hand . . . no thank you.
It is human nature to look around and wonder . . . seeing people out and about in malls and super markets. It’s interesting to watch people as they’re watching you . . . wondering what your life is all about. We’re always making comparisons to some degree.
During this Christmas season, it is wonderful to get out and about. It’s fun to gather with family and friends to celebrate Christmas and make wonderful new memories.
Please be safe and joyous. I wish you great tidings of joy.
These Meringues Are A Treat To The Eye With An Irresistible Taste
It’s definitely time to be thinking about the variety of cookies you want to make for family, friends and neighbors.
Christmas is just a few days away . . . oh my! Time to get to work!!!
It is raining today . . . a good day to stay indoors and bake cookies. So, let’s get started with these beautiful Star Mint Meringues.
Star Mint Meringue Cookies Recipe
Ingredients for 24 cookies:
3 egg whites
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
1/8 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup of sugar
Red paste food coloring
Directions:
Preheat oven to 200° F.
Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl beat egg whites, cream of tartar, peppermint extract and salt with an electric mixer on medium speed until stiff peaks form and the tips curl.
Gradually add sugar — just a tablespoon at a time. Beat on high speed until you have stiff peaks and the tips stand straight.
With a new small paintbrush, brush stripes of red food coloring on the inside of a decorating bag fitted with a 1/2 inch open star tip.
Carefully spoon the egg white mixture into the decorating bag.
Pipe 2 inch stars 1 inch apart onto the prepared cookie sheet.
Bake 1 and 1/3 hours or until the meringue appears dry and the cookies are firm when lightly touched.
Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool thoroughly.
Now that wasn’t so bad. I hope you like this recipe and give it a try.
