Happy Thanksgiving!

 This is close to autumnal colors I think...the high desert at sunset! I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving full of many blessings!

Birthday Ritual Musings

We have a few family and friend birthdays to celebrate in October. I'm prepping for one this afternoon. I've been thinking about the typical USA birthday traditions and wondering how they became so prevalent as they are so humiliating! Especially for children's parties. If you ponder them for a moment, you may come to my conclusion that they are odd little rituals that we could just as well leave off.

Did you ever have to endure the "birthday spanking to grow on" when you were a child? Sometimes at your birthday party in front of all the little kids? Yes, I know it never hurt, but what was the point? Is it leftover from some superstition, or just to make you wait longer for the cake?

Did you ever do "pin the tail on the donkey" or "blind man's bluff" or something similar at a party? You know, the one where you are blindfolded, disoriented, and then became the object of everyone's hilarity as you groped around?

What about birthday hats? They are awfully similar to dunce caps. 

Blowing out the candles? Who started the tradition of melting wax all over the top of someone's cake, and then asking them to blow germs all over it before people ate it?

The Birthday Song-- can you think of a more embarrassing tune? I have refused to be sung to at all for the past 4 years. It is liberating on my special day not to be the focus of that song! Or any song! I don't like standing there with everyone staring at me singing a song that I am not supposed to participate in. It is usually sung out of tune and at the wrong pitch (nobody tunes up before they start singing it, have you noticed?) and led at a glacial pace. It drags, it sags. Folks, it's just not working anymore. But please don't substitute anything; it's just plain embarrassing to be sung at. 

Now I realize that some folks are just sentimental and these things are part of their good memories. For example, my family still has a shrunken, melted mass of plastic that decorated a cake top for 55 years. It was originally a little cowboy on a horse, from a set of toys. It rode to the top of a child's cake and continued to be exposed to flames until the poor horse and rider were unrecognizable to anyone not "in the know." But to have that melted mass on the cake was important to grandpa, to give him a good feeling I guess, and good memories of his family's birthdays gone by. Maybe I am not that sentimental.

I think that Americans are more and more "think outside of the box" type people and can come up with better birthday traditions, as indeed a lot of families have. When I was growing up, we got to pick a birthday trip in our beautiful and diverse state of Oregon. The coast, the desert, the state's tallest mountain and the world's deepest lake were all a few hours away for an afternoon to remember. I count my teen years by which places we were at for each birthday.

My own family have rather quiet home birthdays, partly because of construction (I have a lot of photos with messy or unfinished backgrounds!). We pick out a special meal, and a dessert. We sometimes have a pie instead of a cake (today we're making a chocolate cake upon request. Last year it was donuts!). My children have grown up with a candle in their own personal slice because we are germphobes (but still I wonder why we do even that candle thing?). We don't have humiliating party games. I can't get my better half to quit singing the birthday song to the kids, but if they are young enough they will sink under the table while it is sung. So I suppose we have a foot in the past, but I am open to other ideas!

Which humiliating birthday rituals have you left off? What have you substituted?

 

Bible Class for Children

My friends have put their Bible class online! There is a recipe first, then the story of the Resurrection for your children, with songs and scripture.  Enjoy!

A Valentine

The Pleasant Times 2015 Valentine!

It was such a nice diversion on a rainy day to get out papers, scissors, glitter and glue and make something pretty just to brighten the week. This valentine is made up of  paper scraps, old calendars, catalogs, packaging, scrapbook papers, doilies, and bits and pieces from friends, the internet, and the dollar store! Oh, and just to add a bit of shine, a round silver cardboard cake base is under the pink heart doily. I could have added extra interest by mounting the pieces at varying heights, and then framed the valentine in a shadow box, but I made it flat this time to go in a scrapbook later.

(To see a previous collage, click here)

Printable Card Display Easels

Here are some printable paper easels to use for displaying holiday cards. These easels are also nice for displaying any home-made cards you might get for birthdays, etc., which can often be so elaborate that it is a pity to store them in a box! If you are handy with your printer, you could print the easels out smaller and use them for  place card holders on a holiday dinner table (though you would have to have a lot of patience or many willing volunteers to cut around all those leaf-points for a large Thanksgiving gathering!).

 The Christmas Tree card holder (pictured above) has been cut out of green card-stock.

Print the easels on heavy card stock and cut, or glue two print-outs together if your card stock isn't thick enough. If you find the cards aren't standing right, you can bend back the upper branches of the tree slightly, but I have tried to "engineer" that trouble out of the templates for you! 
Click the links to go to the Google Drive page, and look for the little printer icon to print.
Christmas Tree and Autumn Leaf Easel

Here is a Christmas card displayed on the tree easel. 

Just for fun, I've included some print-outs for other seasonal and holiday cards.

 An Autumn leaf  Easel. (The print-out has a slightly longer base, as I found it was a little sturdier that way, so yours will be slightly different than the picture.) Just for fun, I decorated the easel by just stamping it with ink pads.
Christmas Tree and Autumn Leaf Easel

 Here's one for Valentine's day, perhaps. I glued two easels together for this one, to get two colors.

On the other side, I glued pink hearts to the card stock.
Heart and Flower Easels

Another two-tone easel, perhaps for Springtime or Easter, with the bottom part cut out of green card stock and glued to some pink card stock.

Heart and Flower Easels

And just in case you would rather have a simply shaped card easel, here is a plain one. The one above I covered in scrap-book paper. Plain and Fancy Easels

 And another one with just a few scrolls to make it a bit fancy. This one I am showing decorated with rubber stamps (below).

 This particular easel does well displaying open cards, too, so you can see the message inside of your card.
Plain and Fancy Easels

And here is a BONUS idea for you! Use the "negative" side of the print-out to make a card! I have used the "Scrolly" easel on red card stock to make a flourish (below) and I think the Christmas tree negative would also be neat glued to the inside of a card.

Or you could use the easels themselves glued on a card. 

I hope my readers enjoy this little craft, and that you all have a HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

Certificates of Baptism

Here are a couple of printable baptismal certificates. Sometimes these are hard to find at the local Christian bookstore. Having a "certificate" is really just a keepsake for the person to remember their baptism, and these should be printed halt-sheet-of-paper size to fit into the front of a Bible. 

One of the things that is recommended when I attend church, is to write a letter to yourself after your baptism, stating the reasons that you were baptized. Years later, this may be an important letter to you. Perhaps, you could print the certificate on one side of a sheet of paper, and leave the other side for writing the letter, and fold it in half so that behind your certificate in your Bible, is the letter your wrote to yourself about your baptism.  

 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. -Acts 22:16

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.  -Matthew 28:19-20

Here is an example of one that is filled out:

(The example "Main Street Church of Christ" could of course be a river or lake, "Missouri River" or "Lake Tahoe" or wherever)

As usual, the wonderful frames come from thegraphicsfairy.com-- there are so many pretty borders and frames to choose from over there so be sure to visit!

4th of July!

The Glorious...

Buy This at Allposters.com

Happy Independence Day! One of my favorite holidays. 

While researching music for the 4th of July, I came across some fascinating information on songs of  the Revolutionary era. We all know about Yankee Doodle, but there were more songs that were being sung at the time, sung from the British to mock the Colonists and then turned around again from the Colonists to answer the British! Sort of a war of words-- in song. 

Along the way, I learned some new tunes, and some history hitherto unknown to me.  For instance,  I don't recall reading the document of the Continental Association of the First Continental Congress in my history books-- but it helped me understand why fish were mentioned in some of those songs.!

I haven't had the time to compile this into a smooth study, but  here are the links in case one of my readers would like to use them to make their own study:

Article about music of Washington's time (extensive): http://www.americanrevolution.org/washingtonsmusic.html

Rabbit trails from the above link: Pachabel in America?: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Theodore_Pachelbel

Continental Association info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continental_Association

Contiental Association original document: http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Continental_Association

Music for the tunes mentioned in the article: 

Music for "Heart of Oak" http://www.americanrevolution.org/washmusic/gwmusic4.gif

YouTube for "Heart of Oak" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NXFCDgyanA

Maggie Lauder sheet music: http://www.americanrevolution.org/washmusic/gwmusic10.gif
Original tune Maggie Lauder (by the Corries-- just to hear the tune, but maybe to hear the Corries, too!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbtXMMwOpt8&feature=kp

The World Turned Upside Down music YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSExogKSOyc

Derry Down sheet music: http://www.americanrevolution.org/washmusic/gwmusic2.gif

YouTube of Derry Down: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NGpieMMCsQ

More music selections (lyrics) http://www.americanrevolution.org/warsongs.html

Links to songs of the time: http://www.americanrevolution.org/songs.html

Fiddle tunes of the time: http://www.halcyondaysmusic.com/colonialmusic/

Declaration of...

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Not Missing Out

I hope my readers had a Very Merry Christmas! And now New Year's Eve is coming! I have been enjoying all kinds of tasty treats-- and drinks. With all the delicious, sweet, and sparkly juices on the market, I wonder why people think they have to have alcohol to make an occasion special. With good company, good conversation, and some delicious food, one cannot fail to have a good time-- no drunkenness required. 

It disturbs me to see Christians partaking of alcohol socially, just because they say they can, when it is not in the least bit necessary. We live in the 21st century-- there are so many more beverages to choose from. Why would a Christian want to dump such stuff down their throat and dull their brain, when they could keep their mind extra sharp so they can enjoy and edify others? If you take one drink of that junk, you are one drink drunk. Best not to get in the habit of taking any.

If you feel that you are missing out, that is no excuse. One can find fancy glasses to serve juice in to make the dinner table sparkle; and any juice is delicious well chilled. A plus of keeping your table sober is that the whole family can be present at a party where no alcohol is served. Children can benefit from seeing that adults can have a good time in their right mind, and that glasses of juice, pop, or mugs of cocoa are for keeping your throat from going hoarse when you are having so much fun talking with one another. Life can be enjoyed without spirits or substances.

If certain kinds of beverages are kept for special occasions, they will be special to your family. Sparkling grape juices and apple juices are abundant at holiday times, and fancy cocoas will do as well. If your family does not regularly drink soda pop, that can be a treat in a fancy glass over ice.

If you feel like you need to serve something different and rare, why not serve guests ultra-fresh juices? When did you last enjoy the sweetness of fresh squeezed and clarified orange juice (I mean the kind you make yourself)? Or gourmet juices and waters from the fancy food markets? I knew a fellow who was taken to a fancy restaurant as a company trip. While everyone else from the office was busy getting drunk, he ordered a tall glass of very, very expensive and gourmet fresh-squeezed orange juice (probably hand-squeezed by some famous international chef). He thought he had the best drink of anyone there!

Those with a craze for coffee can find fancy coffees and coffee makers, and that brew is a strong enough one for anybody.

But let's not forget tea!

If you are going to stay up to see the New Year in, you need a good strong cup of tea. Drinking from a thin bone china teacup, exquisitely painted, which contains perfectly brewed tea (made with boiling water), served by a gracious hostess in her right mind (not drunken) is a superb pleasure in life.

And remember--Tea cheers and invigorates, but does not inebriate.

Perhaps, if people feel the need to serve or take alcohol at parties and special occasions, they need to examine the company they are keeping. If you think you need a drink to relax, then maybe your company is too stressful. If you think you can't have a good time with your friends unless you are all drinking together, or if the guests are so dull or insipid that you have to get drunk in order to talk to them, enjoy them, or endure them, you need to find new friends. 

Update 2023: some good advice from others. 

https://www.amymyersmd.com/article/benefits-of-a-sober-curious-lifestyle (Advice from an MD. Many other articles on the site will enlighten you as to what alcohol does to you)

The graphic looks kinda -- well anyway the advice in this video is good: https://youtu.be/xxzjDAPBIOc

2013 Christmas Tree Inspiriation part 4: Christmas Roses

I am starting to recall the name the store gave this tree-- it was something dull like "red and white tree." I'm going to rename it "Christmas Roses" because of the pretty ribbon running through it.

The ribbon is full of roses. The shiny and sparkly touches of green on some of the ornaments are a good compliment to a rose theme, I think. 

The glittery "Merry Christmas" sign appeared several times in the tree, along with red glittered snowflakes, balls and finial drop ornaments. There were red poinsettias in the tree as well, with a few of their leaves intensely glittered, which made them show up a bit better amongst all the other reds. Silvery-white ornaments, and a very light gold, relieved the intense red theme somewhat. 

There were hearts here and there, and some drop ornaments that looked like candy. Why, this tree would be more at home on Valentine's day, don't you think? Hearts, candy roses...

The photo doesn't do it justice, but this glittered "JOY" ornament was three-dimensional.  I've seen a lot of word ornaments, but they are usually flat. 

The angel on the other side of the tree. I was not able to get a good full-length photo of this side, but I believe this must be the proper front of the tree. 

2013 Christmas Tree Inspiration part 3: More Outdoors

Continuing with our hardware store visit, here is a Cowboy or Wild West tree, wrapped with burlap ribbon and topped by a barn star. 

Felt Cowboy boot stockings, little red barns, large barn stars, and little barn animals adorned this tree. 

One of the little animal ornaments. 

There were also little covered wagons, little boots, lariats, horseshoes and sheriff's badges, canteens, cowboy hats and cacti. 

 Come to think of it, raiding your little boy's toy box might bring forth some similar tree ornaments.

The Hunting/Fishing or Cabin in the Woods tree. Frosty the snowman is up top, hunting I guess. Actually, he isn't the tree topper. 

This is. A fishing pole and net. It was so tall I couldn't get it all in the picture. 

Lots of fish in this tree, 

and canoes. 

2013 Christmas Tree Inspiration Part 2: More Nature Trees

More trees from the hardware store. The one above, with the antlers sticking out all over it, seems a little over the top for all but the dedicated deer hunter! I like the bear nestled in the tree about half-way down. Little brush animals, and pheasant feathers filled this one out, along with clusters of bright red berries and shiny pine cones. 

The bird-tree (there was a nicer name for this, but alas I cannot recall it) has nests, little birdhouses, berries and of course lots of birds. 

This is the gardening tree-- again I cannot recall the actual name. (Sorry for the blurry photo-- I took it with an iPad, but it would have been a lot clearer with the iWonderful.) This tree is full of -and you gentlemen gardeners will have to excuse the language- CUTE things! Wee gardening clogs, wee wellies, wee garden aprons, wee golden bee skeps, sparkling butterflies and dragonflies made from jewels.

Garden gnomes, fairies, glass pine cones and seed packets were placed among the balls and poinsettias to fill in the rest, and for the big stuff sticking out of the tree, the designers have put butterfly nets here and there. 

Of interest is this little wooden suspension bridge, around the back of the tree. It was suspended between the tree and a bin of butterfly nets. Was if for the gnomes or the fairies? 

2013 Christmas Tree Inspiration-- part one: Bears in the Woods

With the harvest mostly over, the pumpkin vines mouldy in the garden, the colorful leaves stripped from the trees by torrential rains and freezing winds, the blue skies of October changed to overcast and darkening, it was time to think about brightening up the days-- time for my yearly pilgrimage to the hardware store's Christmas tree display.

I know these tree displays are for the purpose of selling ornaments, and most people's trees at home wouldn't be so chock-full of stuff,  but I like to get new ideas for my tree from these store displays. They are so interesting-- at every angle there is more to look at. If I was a child and there were trees like this actually at home, I would spend hours looking at all the ornaments!

Picking out which ornament I want for Christmas is fun to think about, too!

I had the privilege to meet the fellow who was in charge of Christmas this year-- that is, Christmas at the hardware store. He took me around and showed me things about each tree, and told me their names, which I have mostly forgotten as I sit down to post about it.  I'm calling this tree "Bears in the Woods" but I think it isn't far from the intent of the original name.

Where we live, the forest theme is a popular one. Hunting, fishing, hiking, skiing, are themes that show up in several trees at this store.

Besides bears of all shapes, sizes, and attitudes, this tree had lots of wooden ornaments on it, and they were mostly flat. Snow shoes in different colors, skis of different sizes, pine trees, animals and stars in unfinished wood, and signs galore. Here are some close-ups of some of the ornaments.

I like the little brush-animals.

  I liked this sparkly leaf. Hmm, I wonder how I could make one of my own from those leaves in the front yard...

The flat metal bell-holders were made in shapes of trees, moose, and bear, and were glittered. Having something long on the tree gave it extra interest. 

 The tree topper is a pair of snow shoes.  The fellow in charge showed me that the tree toppers were simply wired on to the tree. One tree had a baseball bat on top-- a real one-- and it was held on by thin wire. I wonder what unexpected objects around the house could be wired on for tree toppers? 

 The ribbon is "pinched" by the fake tree boughs-- they are wire, after all, and can be used to hold signs (as in previous photo)  and to keep the ribbon in place. The fellow told me that it makes the ribbon look a bit better, not so flat.

The other side of the tree.

This sleigh was next to the tree-- you can see the cute skis and snow shoes on its sides. 

I like all the little signs. "Be cheerful and pass it on."