When Life Gives You Sniffles...

...Turn the tissue boxes into Gift Holders! The first option shown below just has you cutting off the top part of the box and filling it with little gifts and tissue paper. A silk flower lei is wired around the top for a tropical theme. (I like the generic tissue boxes that have no brand name on the outer part of the box.)

The second option shown below is a bit trickier, but even more fun! For this one you need a glue gun, buttons, wire, trim and beads. There's an opening flap and a beaded handle so it looks like a mini purse! Here are the basic instructions, mostly in visual format. First you have to cut the box apart. Then you have to reassemble it. Once this part is done, it's all fun! You can add trims to the flap, a button and loop for closure. Then those beads on the wired handle...make it funky! To make it look a little neater, glue colored paper over any part with writing (like the bottom of the box) or glue marks (like the lift-up flap seen here).

For a couple of years, I saved these leopard printed boxes. When a friend had a little brunch party, they came to good use ending up as treat "purses" for the guests! They are the perfect size for gift cards, jewelry, trinkets and Anne even received a little "unmentionable" in one as a shower gift a couple of years ago. So - sniff, honk, blow and wipe away those tears...you can make good come out of the not-so-good!

"Unfortunately __________"

Every so often, I succumb to a totally silly Google search. This one involved using quote marks in front of the word "unfortunately" (triggered by my first sentence on the last post) and then a personal name and followed by end quotes. See title of this post as example - you fill in the blank with a name.

This was actually quite humorous to see what other Deb's in the world are doing with unfortunate results. I found myself actually laughing out loud which is good to do at this time of year when we are all sick of the snow, cold and winter in general. Look at this exercise as a mini getaway for one. Here are some of my favorites: 1. Unfortunately, Deb is not keen on heights but she made it all the way round. 2. Unfortunately, Deb found out after the dive that the film wasn't advancing, so no photos were taken. But still we'll remember all these dolphins! 3. Unfortunately, Deb is in a bit of a bother. 4. Unfortunatley, Deb got tangled up and that ended her day. 5. Unfortunately, Deb thought the food tasted like it was leftover from a wedding last year. 6. Unfortunately, Deb was out of the country when it aired. And my absolute topper - 7. Unfortunately, Deb didn't have any of her spares with her silly bugger. Please let me know if you try this and if it made you laugh, too.

Baby, It's COLD Outside!

Unfortunately, we had another bout of snowfall over the weekend. Unfortunately, I am not one who likes snow and cold so very much. Fortunately, there is vitamin D to be soaked in when the sun shines no matter how low the temps dip...and fortunately, I'm the owner of a toasty warm coat given by Wes for Christmas this past year.

So, out we headed today for a brisk winter walk around a frozen lake nearby.

It was quite lovely, actually, with the pristine white of the snow and the lovely blue in the sky.

The crunch of the snow underfoot, the honking of the geese in an open area of the lake and the companionship of my sweetheart equaled yet another event to savor.

Once we were quite red-cheeked and red-nosed, it was time to head back home for some warming up. The Godiva Hot Cocoa mix from Kari was just the perfect treat for these two winter walkers.

My plan is to remember this day in July when the temps are headed in a far different direction! And keep optimistic that Spring really will come

before too much longer.

Let Her Eat Cake

Our Great Niece, Ingrid, just turned one recently! Please note that there is no pink icing to be found on her adorable Dalerna "smash" cake.

The first bites are rather delicate. And Ingrid looks as though she is contemplating exactly what this new, delicious taste of frosting is all about. Doesn't take long now to mix those frosting colors together to make a grin of pink on one very happy face. Check out her hair!

But wait...it gets even better!

Happy Birthday, dear Ingrid and welcome to the wonderful world of cake. May you have a long and happy relationship together! Sweetness for sweetness. Sweet.

Argh!!!!

One of my biggest pet peeves is losing something and searching high and low for it. It distracts me to no end...I retrace my steps, relive my actions previous to the discovery of my missing object, and can't let it go until my object is found. It makes me nuts!!!

I know when I last had my cell phone, and know I was in the car - Wes' car - on my way home from an outing. Can't remember if the phone was in silent mode or not as it usually is during church the day before. It was a busy day and I wasn't thinking of my cell phone. We tried the usual calling of the cell phone to see if it was anywhere in our house. Silence. Went outside to see if it was in pieces on the road. Nope. And, yes, I have even checked the garbage cans, the freezer and the refrigerator. Nothing.

Please, if you are trying to call me via my cell - and I don't answer - try me on our home phone.

And wish me luck with a quick reconciliation with my favorite communication device! Argh!!

Update!!!! After looking several hours for my phone in and around our house, I went to bed around 10:30 PM. There was an "Ah-ha!" moment when I realized I had been in my car for but a few moments pulling it into the garage. Maybe the phone was in my car?? Sure enough, it was in the back seat (now how in the world did it get there?) and phone and owner were reconciled. During the massive search through the house for my phone, I finally found a missing slipper sock that was stuck to the inside of a sweatshirt sleeve in the laundry process, so I guess in the end I came out ahead for losing my phone!!! There were also 12 phone calls I missed, so I apologize if I didn't get back to you.

My Question

INSIDE RELATIONSHIPS Mother of the groom Article By: Jennifer Gruden You may know the saying, "the mother of the groom is only supposed to show up, shut up, and wear beige," but is that really true? The traditional advice for the mother of the groom is – forgive the language – to “show up, shut up, and wear beige.” While there's some good food for thought in that little adage, the truth is that you are embarking on a whole new relationship with your soon to be daughter-in-law. Here's how to make the most of the wedding to create a long-lasting relationship (the article continues, but not on this blog at this time!) It is going to be different this time around to have child #2 - a son - getting married and I am very much looking forward to being a MOG. Been there, done that in being a MOB. So, here's my burning question for the day: Would this be an appropriate beige dress? The dress was found in the Chicago Chic exhibit at the Chicago History Museum. It was designed by Worth and Boberg in 1861 and worn by a certain Mrs. McCormick. Only a few alterations would need to be made. And it is a lovely beige! So? What do you think?

Fragrant Cure for the Midwinter Blues

Each year after Christmas, I look for clearance Narcissus Paperwhite bulbs. They are available in most megastores like Target or Walmart. I buy a couple of boxes, and then dole them out in bunches of three bulbs as needed. Seriously, these bulbs help the winter bleakness blues dissipate!

With the growing time of nearly 4 weeks from bulb to blossom, it helps me to put my focus back on life renewal rather than the deadness outside with bare trees, no green grass and plants, cold weather and all those clothes needed to warm the body inside and outside the home.

The bulb kit comes with a plastic pot, a disc of dirt and four bulbs. I prefer the vase and rock method for growing. It's so simple! Take a tallish vase, put a layer of small rocks on the bottom, place the bulbs on top of the rocks and fill with enough water to cover three quarters of the bulb. Within just a couple of days, you will see whiskery roots growing from the bottom of the bulbs. And a shoot from the bulb top. Keep the water level consistent. Three days later Just a few days after this and the buds for the flowers are visible! The buds are bumpy with underlying flower clusters and the shoots grow very tall. What a lovely surprise it was to find the buds starting to pop out on my birthday morning! Let's talk about the heavenly scent these babies are putting out! Seriously, the whole first floor smells like a tropical paradise. Wish you could get a whiff right now. Three and a half weeks later and they're still going strong! That's a lot of flower power!(With more winter to come, I'll soon be starting round two of the bulbs...with enough to go to round three when hopefully winter will be on its way out.)

About the Proposal: Story Time

The sky was just dimming on Wednesday when I got a call from John. We chit-chatted. Then he told me he had something that had to be kept secret - big secret - and I promised accordingly before he began. He was going to propose this weekend to Kari. Ring: check. Plan: check Calling her parents: almost check (it happened within hours of this conversation) Date set: almost check (still working on that one, but it looks likely to be this coming August) Acceptance on the part of the bride: no doubt here! (Before I go any further I want you, the reader, to know that I asked for permisison to share their story in words and pictures which I was granted!) John went on to tell why he was picking this weekend to propose. It was the anniversary of their one year of "official" dating. Though still in the heart of winter, he wanted to propose along the lakefront where they had shared their first kiss. He would take her out to dinner first. What John didn't mention is that he had roses and a note delivered to their table at the dinner.

After dinner, a chilly walk to the shores of Lake Michigan...check out the ice! And, yes, he did get down on his knees.

And she said, "Yes!" (The ring will have to be sized, but John couldn't wait to give it to her later.) We're so excited to see their story unfolding. It's sure one that makes a lot of others happy,too.

Popping the Question!

It is with great joy that I/we announce the engagement of our son John to the lovely, wonderful, beautiful, kind, thoughtful and accepting Kari. (It is also with great joy that I can say in all honesty that I didn't spill the beans ahead of time when John told me his secret plans that included the ring, a restaurant and Lake Michigan!!)

At this point in time, they are thinking about a wedding date this coming August. So exciting!

Congratulations to this sweet couple of lovebirds!