not so MANIC MONDAY

"yeah, fairies wear boots and you gotta believe me..."
according to my grandma blair, "keep a pixie in your house and you'll always have good luck". and that tradition continues in her family. i, in fact, have pixies AND fairies. wait? there's a difference? yep. fairies have human~like skin and hair, are kind and love a celebration, and like to spend their time among the flowers. pixies have colorful skin and hair, are usually mischievous and rude, and love to pull pranks. however, both are quite magical. and that's important because today is international fairy day!! a day to embrace the possibilities of the unknown and believe in fairies...and pixies!! invite one in and enjoy the good luck (s)he brings!!

a gallery of my favorite fairies:

looking for a few good fairies? might i suggest checking out mineralistic in philadelphia...my personal favorite shop on south street!!

^ps...you really should watch this movie today^

IT'S FRIDAY, I'M IN LOVE

 "take off your shoes and throw them away...come back and get them another day...we're barefootin'"
FLASHBACK 1965
like every other baby, i am born barefoot.
FLASH FORWARD 1970 something
maybe...MAYBE...my parents will say different, but i hate shoes. i only remember wearing shoes when i had to. obviously, i wore them to school...or the mall...or in the snow. 
FLASH FORWARD today
i am still barefoot as much as possible. and i am not a fan of shoes. when other women are excited for that cute new pair of pumps...or sandals...or boots....i'm just like "whateva". i have shoes. i have some cute shoes. i have cute shoes because the bk said "i like these, you should get them". or because, when i go to work, the boss is all "really, you have to wear shoes. it's the rules". if i want to be barefoot and they won't let me in the restaurant, or store, or movie theater, i wear flip flops. which is an awful lot like being barefoot. 
there are health benefits to being barefoot:

• it helps stretch and strengthen muscles and tendons in your feet and ankles, using muscles that aren't used when wear shoes. this can help prevent knee strain and back problems. 
• it frees your mind. while you're focused on avoiding sharp rocks, sticks, and thorns, your mind is clear of everyday problems and anxieties. 
• bumps and rocks can stimulate reflex points in your feet, basically a free foot massage!

                           

but, if you're going to go barefoot, you're going to want those babies to be gorgeous. follow these steps for a perfect, at home, pedicure:

1. remove any old polish and soak your feet in a warm salt bath for 10 minutes. sally hansen has some good options...
2. trim your nails straight across, making sure they are about even with the top of your toes, and round edges with an emory board.
3. rub a pumice stone over callused spots. next, rub in an exfoliating scrub (try bliss super slough scrub available at sephora) and rinse with warm water.
4. rub on a moisturizer like kiss my face foot creme. wipe toe nails with a cotton swab to remove any lotion from nails.
5. pick your fave color and paint those piggies. start in the center, at the cuticle and brushing up, finishing at the sides. apply 2 coats of color and a top coat. 

i would do this tonight while your relaxing in front of the tv because tomorrow (june 1) is national go barefoot day!!!

MUNCHIES MONDAY

"i am the egg man...i am the egg man...i am the walrus...koo koo kachoo...koo koo kachoo"
our family easter gathering is close at hand. what should we take? the usual cheesecake? a salad? a broccoli casserole? ugh! decisions!! and then i see it...there before my eyes on pinterest! deviled eggs!! only these aren't your mama's deviled eggs...they're pink!! and green!!! and yellow!!! way to not be boring, mr egg!! a few days pass. i am flipping thru a goodhousekeeping magazine and find 4 ways to switch up  deviled eggs. after much discussion, we choose two: ceasar and pesto~bacon. yummo!!!

DYING EGG WHITES

1/2c. boiling water
1 tsp white vinegar
12 drops green + 6 drops yellow food coloring=mint green
16 drops red + 4 drops blue food coloring=dusty rose
20 drops yellow food coloring=yellow

cut boiled egg in half. remove yolk. place egg white in your choice of color and let sit until it reaches your desired shade. place face down on drying rack until ready to fill.

CEASAR DEVILED EGGS

ingredients:

6 hard~cooked eggs, halved
1/4 cup mayo 
2 tbsp grated parmesan
2 tsp lemon juice
1/4 tsp minced garlic
1/4 tsp pepper

transfer yolks to a bowl and mix with all ingredients. spoon into whites. top with shaved parmesan.
serves 6.

PESTO~BACON

ingredients:

6 hard~cooks eggs, halved
1/4 c mayo
2 tbsp pesto
1 tsp lemon juice
cooked bacon, crumbled

transfer yolks to a bowl and mix with all ingredients, except bacon. spoon into egg whites. top with bacon crumbles.
serve 6

*i use a pastry bag instead of a spoon...it looks better and makes the filling go farther*
**the big hit? pesto~bacon because BACON!!**

        

FLASHBACK january 7, 1966

"on the twelfth day of christmas my true love gave to me...twelve drummers drumming..."
our christmas decorations start to come down (okay...okay...it might not have been january 7th! it could have been the 8th, 9th, or 10th!! but it definitely wasn't december 26!). why wait so long? because january 6 is the "epiphany"...the day the 3 wise men came to visit the baby jesus. 
FLASH FORWARD february 2010
the bk and i are driving thru town. oops! those people forgot to take down their icicle lights! well? maybe not? it's been pretty cold and snowy...maybe they're just waiting for the weather to break? but...ugh!!! THOSE people still have a christmas wreath on their door!!! okay! that's just tacky!! and no excuses! i know it's cold...and there's tons of snow on the ground...but you can open your door and take off the wreath!!
FLASH FORWARD today
i have started taking down some of our christmas...i've taken the candles out of the windows...i've cleared the bedrooms and bathrooms of any small decorations. my tree is still up...and the lights are still burning. my deck is still decorated with twinkling lights and garland. why? because it's still the christmas season.

when should we be taking down our decorations, you ask? well...i did a little research so that you don't have to...
first, you should know that the day after thanksgiving is not REALLY the christmas season (i know! i know! i'm guilty, too!). the season begins with advent, which is 4 sundays before christmas (so...this past christmas would've been dec 2). and, traditionally, people did not put up their decorations until noon on christmas eve day (that's just MADNESS!!). christmas day is the FIRST day of the twelve days of christmas...the twelfth day falls on the epiphany. fact is, if we stuck a little closer to tradition, we would not be in such a hurry to take it all down after the presents have been opened and all the family has gone home.
armed with this information...you know it's safe (and traditional) to leave them up thru january 6. take them down december 26th, you might be a bit of a scrooge. but, if you still have them up on valentine's day...and have not found some sort of way to incorporate them into the february holiday...you might be just a tad bit lazy...or a redneck...or a lazy redneck.
HAPPY UNDECORATING!!

^candy canes and inflatables should be gone before the grass starts turning green^

^be sure you've gotten all the ornaments...poor lonely little red ball^

                                                        

FLASHBACK the first christmas

"noses so red...poinsettias in a vase...my pillsbury dough boy, gingerbread tough...now kiss me did you miss me mistletoe for some luck"

a history lesson!!
the poinsettia. in mexico, it is called flores de noche buena (flowers of the holy night). legend says that a young girl wished to give the baby jesus a gift, but had no money. as she headed to visit the baby, she picked up weeds along the roadside. as she approached the manger, the weeds suddenly transformed into the vibrant red flower.
FLASH FORWARD 14th century(ish)
aztecs use the white sap stored in the plant (mistakenly thought to be poisonous to humans) to reduce fevers. also, they use the plant to make red dye.
FLASH FORWARD 1825
joel robert poinsett...the united states first ambassador to mexico (who also happens to be the founder of the smithsonian institute!) finds a plant that blooms in the short days around christmas, in southern mexico, and brings them to the united states. 
FLASH FORWARD today
the poinsettia is now a holiday favorite, symbolizing a wish of good cheer, success, and celebration. but, do you know how to care for your poinsettia? i don't...which is why i did some research...so here's a bit of advice from me...the queen of black thumbs:

1. light: your poinsettia is a tropical plant and will appreciate as much direct sunlight as you can give it...
2. heat: again, your poinsettia is a tropical plant. try to maintain a temp of 65-70 degrees...and don't let it touch a cold window or be exposed to a draft.
3. water: water your poinsettia whenever the surface feels dry to the touch. water until it pours out of the bottom, but don't let it sit in the water.
4. humidity: because homes tend to be dry, especially in winter, you may find you have to water your plant every day.

it's possible to keep your poinsettia alive through the year, and re~bloom for the following christmas...but, if you are anything like me, that's just NOT going to happen...however! if you are braver than me click here for more info...

happy planting!!

^poinsettias...responsible for the death of frosty? yep^

FLASHBACK the 16th century

"oh tannenbaum...oh tannenbaum...wie grün sind deine blätter..."
so...way before christianity, evergreen plants and trees held special meaning for people in the winter. they would bring them into their homes for decoration...and hang evergreen boughs over the doors and windows. they believed evergreens would ward off witches, ghosts, evil, and illness. in the 16th century, the christmas tree tradition begins when devout german christians bring decorated trees into their homes. they are typically decorated with apples, nuts, and dates. the protestant reformer, martin luther, is credited for the addition of lights. he is walking home, one evening, in awe of the twinkling stars. to bring this brilliance home to his family, he wires candles to an evergreen tree. 
FLASH FORWARD the 19th century
americans find christmas trees strange. the first tree to be displayed, on record, is by german settlers to pennsylvania in the 1830's. as late as the 1840's, christmas trees are seen as pagan symbols and unaccepted by MOST americans. why were they so backward? new england puritans (you know, those guys responsible for the salem witch trials?) believed that christmas was sacred and that decorations, carols, and joyful celebrations mocked the event. they actually made it a penal offense to observe christmas in any way other than a church service. but...in 1846, queen victoria is sketched, with her family, in front of a beautifully decorated tree...and, just like that...the christmas tree had arrived. 
FLASH FORWARD today
tis the season...people all over the country are decorating trees in their living rooms. maybe they've cut their own. maybe they're aluminum. maybe they're plastic. people are stringing lights...we've definitely learned that it's not safe to use candles!! some will be covered in carefully selected ornaments...some in ornaments the kids have been making since kindergarten. but they will all have one thing in common...they are a sign that christmas is just around the corner...

                        

                           

FLASHBACK 1992

"you better watch out...you better not cry...you better not pout...i'm telling you why..."
i have a crystal ball. it just sits on a shelf looking pretty...or so it would seem. but ask my boys about the crystal ball and they will tell you what it's real purpose is. it's how santa watches them and knows the answer to the age old question: naughty or nice?...
FLASH FORWARD 2005
parent's all over the country adopt an "elf on the shelf"...the elf hibernates all year and comes to life in time for the holidays. (s)he watches over the family by day and flies to the north pole, while everyone sleeps, to report their behavior to santa. these elves like to play games with their families, so, there is no telling where you will find your elf in the morning...or what kind of mischief (s)he may have been in to.
FLASH FORWARD today
we don't have little children living with us...but santa still wants to know if we're naughty or nice. he doesn't have my crystal ball to look through...and we haven't adopted an elf...so, how does santa keep track of bk and cardinal? with a smart phone app...santa naughty or nice scan~o~meter by spilling coffee media. it's a simple meter that, when pointed at the person in question, measures them on a scale of extremely naughty to very nice. it also has a "santa's watching light" which indicates if santa is watching or very busy at the moment. i just tried it on bk...turns out he has 20 days to get his act together cuz he's been extraordinarily naughty!!

other apps for the kiddos to enjoy this holiday season:

• christmas!! by gourmet pixel: this has almost all you need in one app. there is a countdown to christmas, an advent calendar with fun surprises, a christmas list, games, jokes, and wallpapers. the app is free but some features are only available with the upgrade.
• white christmas by sknetworksinternet: a fun little photo app that adds snowfall to any pictures you take with your phone...make every christmas a white christmas.
• xmas! by chase action entertainment: it offers games and a countdown...but, best of all, it has a santa tracker. tonight, it shows santa at the north pole...obviously, carefully selecting pieces of coal for bk's stocking...i can't wait to watch santa's path on christmas eve!!

happy countdown to christmas everybody!!

                             

                            

^can you guess you was nice and who was naughty?^

FLASHBACK sometime after 1965

"hark the herald angels sing...."
i can't really tell you how old i was the very first time i watched "a charlie brown christmas", i can just tell you i have watched it every single year since. it just cannot be christmas without it. you can watch all the rudolph and frosty and grinch and shrek you want...if you haven't watched charlie brown, you don't really know what christmas is all about. 47 years after it originally aired, i still get teary~eyed when linus takes that stage and says "and there were, in the same country, shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. and lo, the angel of the lord came upon them, and the glory of the lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. and the angel said unto them, 'fear not: for behold, i bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. for unto you is born this day in the city of david a savior, which is christ the lord. and this shall be a sign unto you; ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.' and suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising god, and saying, 'glory to god in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.' that's what christmas is all about, charlie brown." 
*a few things to note next time you watch "charlie brown christmas", and the bk knows because i point them out every year: linus never ever lets go of his security blanket, EXCEPT at the very moment he says "fear not: for behold, i bring you good tidings of great joy"; lucy always calls charlie brown by his full name, EXCEPT right before her rant about christmas being a commercial racket...she just calls him charlie then; pay attention when they are singing "hark the herald angels sing"...#1~all the characters take deep breaths while singing and #2~dirt flies every time pig pen takes a deep breath.

FLASH FORWARD today
i still watch "charlie brown christmas"...and still point out everything i notice even if the bk heard it last year...and the year before that...and the year before that...and the year before that, but i have added a slew of must~watches. so, what other specials and movies make my holiday perfect, you ask? here's my top 10 (in no particular order):

1. a christmas carol (1938): you can catch it on turner classic movies and it will always be my very favorite. it's, obviously, black and white, and a little cheesy. but i dare you not to get choked up when black and white tiny tim says "god bless us, everyone".
2. it's a wonderful life (1946): i know...i know...it makes everybody's list at christmas, but, did you know that it was a flop when it was originally released?
3. a christmas story (1983): everybody loves this movie. EVERYBODY. LOVES. this movie. fun fact? ralphie says he wants a red ryder bb gun 28 times.
4. elf (2003): "the best way to spread christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear". and that's all i have to say about that.
5. scrooged (1988): because nothing says "christmas" like bill murray acting like an a$$ and being terrorized by buster poindexter, carol kane, and bobcat goldthwait.
6. home alone  and home alone 2 (1990 and 1992): because macauley culkin is super cute and joe pesci is hilarious.
7. the santa clause movies (1994, 2002, 2006): don't judge me...
8. miracle on 34th street (1947): watch the original...the santa is better. trust me. 
9. christmas vacation (1989): clark griswold reminds me of my dad...he tries to make everything, from vacations to christmas, perfect. and my dad takes great pride in his holiday decorations. 
10. nightmare before christmas (1993): tim burton. that is all. 

of course, i will be watching all of the specials. rudolph the red~nosed reindeer. frosty the snowman. and anything that comes on abc family's 25 days of christmas...bring some popcorn (i'll provide the hot chocolate) and join me?

                         

FLASHBACK 1986

"making christmas...making christmas...la la laaaa...."
my first christmas as a grown~up. finally!! i get to decorate the way I want. we can't afford a big, beautiful tree...so a 4 foot artificial tree it is. i get all new decorations. no traditional christmas colors for this gal. peach and gray balls. peach and gray ribbons. peach flowers everywhere. that tree looked as if it threw up peaches. bleck!!
FLASH FORWARD christmas 1987~2008
my parent's have been getting me a hallmark ornament, each year, for simply ever. i have a great little collection. now they are getting them for my boys. they put lots of thought into their choice for each person. and the boys are excited to see what they will get (they still are...they were extremely upset the one year the grandparents thought they should stop!). it was getting out of control...enough ornaments to fill two trees...but, fortunately, most hallmark ornaments are self~standing and can be set around the house (i stick them in odd little nooks you would never expect to see a touch of christmas).
FLASH FORWARD 2009
during the divorce, i went thru all the christmas decorations. i gave each boy a bag full of the ornaments they had been given over their 19~22 christmases. then, i equally divided the rest between me and the ex. in a matter of an hour, i went from two trees full of ornaments to barely enough for one! ack! the bk and i don't need the hallmark ornaments this year...we have a vintage aluminum tree passed down from his grandmother (it is carefully wrapped in newspaper from 1963).
FLASH FORWARD today
the bk and i are busy bees...getting our new place ready for the holiday. a new, pre~lit, slimmer tree sits in our front window. why not the aluminum tree? it's huge! and would require us to move all the furniture out of our front room...where would we sit? why not live? too much trouble to get it up...and then back down...the stairs to our upstairs nest. plus, it's better for the environment to leave the trees in the ground...right? right. 8 stockings line our mantle. yes. i said 8 stockings. even though the 6 kids we have, between us, are grown...and a traditional christmas morning is just us (and the dog. and the cat)...we hang their stockings, from oldest to youngest, and fill them with silly stocking stuffers (slinkies and mt dew flavored chapstick, anyone?). the skeletons have their santa hats on...yep. you heard right. and the hallmark ornaments? they are adorning our new tree...and the fireplace...and any other spot i can find for them...

     

^2010...we went for the live version^

         

^everyone gets in the spirit^