Thanksgiving Feasting By Joanna Fuchs

When the Halloween pumpkins are gone,
And the leaves have all fallen to ground,
When the air has turned windy and cold,
Then Thanksgiving will soon be around.Thoughts of loved ones all feasting together,
Pleasant pictures from past times appear
To dwell in each heart and each mind–
Then Thanksgiving is finally here!The kitchen has scrumptious aromas,
The dining room looks oh, so fine,
Decorations with pilgrims and turkeys,
And now we are ready to dine!First the napkins are placed on our laps;
Now the prayer for the meal to be blessed,
Then we stuff the good food in our tummies,
And we hope for it all to digest!

You can check out more poems where I got this one at Poem Source

Even the smallest candle burns brighter in the dark.

Anonymous

I’m Weak but Ye Are Strong.
I lift my hands unto the Great Spirit and worship. He who has by himself created all things visible and invisible, who has blessed me with long life, who has set me upon my Mother and among the Human Beings. I worship his name and worship him with an unsoiled spirit and heart.
Many moons have passed and my memory flickers as a candle on a windy day, that’s ready to die out forever more.  I have seen unspeakable things, that have been committed against the Human Beings, hard to be spoken of, the cry of the young for their mothers and mothers for their children that will never return unto to them ever again.
The wisdom of our Elders died with our old a helpless people, they embraced those who traveled across the deep waters, they came with a split tongue, killing our people and fed them to their dogs, covering our Mother with a heavy blanket, killing our buffalo for sport. Our land is sacred! Our Mother has nourished our fathers and our children and the creatures have given their lives for meat and their skins to keep us warm.
They didn’t understand, nor do they still understand the way of life, they despise the day of small things and raped our mother for gain and pleasure, we must keep the decree of life and respect the land. Our Mother has been provoked and she will shake the heaviness that has been placed on her.
The blood of our children cries unto the Great Spirit. They cannot feel the fire of the heavens which has nourished their existence and given them their beauty. Oh Great Spirit this is a good day to die, I’m weak but ye are strong keep me in the right path, which our fathers have taken back to you, I humble myself to be accepted in your most sacred presences.
©2007

Fresh-baked enchantment!

The captivating scent of cinnamon is as sweet as your celebration, making this clever baby shower favor a crowd-pleasing morsel that’s impossible to forget! Inside the clear window of a cardboard “stove” sits a 2” x 1” diminutive honey bun candle, perfectly brown, with tempting, white “icing” slathered generously over the top. The pale-yellow stove has knobs, burners and lavender accents. Across the stove’s top panel, it reads “Bun in the Oven”, and just below the clear, oven window is “Honey Bun Scented Candle” The heavenly honey bun and its clever gift box arrive complete with a “For You” tag in the shape of an oven mitt—what else would you expect from the master “chefs” at Kate Aspen? The gift box measures 2 ¼” x 2 ¼” x 3”.  Prices start at $9.98 for a set of four.  Shop now!  http://goodwitchgifts.theaspenshops.com/product/bun-in-the-oven-scented-candle.html/categoryid=60d21eaf-2b85-4c9d-9517-1ac180f94194

I have now finished updating my deviantART account.  I now will be working on my Artician portfolio and taking more photographs.  I will also be trying to get everything ready for UGA.  This year is almost over and it is going way too fast.

Book:  Bonjour Tristesse by Francoise Sagan

French teenage decadence at its finest.

Music: Grizzly Bear.

Ever since Veckatimest came out 6 months, I can’t stop listening. And Yellow House (2006) is just as good.

Clothing: Guess what? I like sweatpants. I don’t wear them out of the house (anymore), but if I’m home, I am probably wearing these, the most amazingly comfortable and durable sweatpants ever.

Rock: Wait, what? Favorite rock? Yeah, bear with me. Quartzite projectile points.  So, lately at work I have been inventorying lots and lots of archaeological objects. I think it might be making me even crazier. After countless ceramic shards, the quartzite really stands out. And I think one of these would make a pretty badass necklace (as a reproduction, naturally…)

Pretty!

Madison Bar: I’m picking two.

Vintage for happy hour.  Genna’s for late-night.

There are sweet happy hour specials here on Wisconsin tap beers.

TV Show: First off, Mad Men will be gone for NINE MONTHS. Don Draper, why have you forsaken me? But all that drama means it’s time for more fun shows. A new one I’ve enjoyed lately is Parks and Recreation.

This is a new show that got off to kind of a rocky start, but lately it’s been consistently hilarious. While it’s nowhere near 30 Rock in terms of brilliance (an admittedly high bar), it’s been surpassing The Office lately, which is starting to grow a little stale. (And yes, the documentary-style camera work is directly based on that of The Office. I don’t care if they ripped it off, it’s the same network with a lot of the same people involved on it anyway.) The best part of the show is Amy Poehler. I kind of think she could be a comedy genius. Or savant, based on the characters she plays.

Random Category: (What, “rock” wasn’t random enough for me?) I have a favorite scent. I wish it was a perfume, shower gel, shampoo and essential oil. I wish State Street smelled like this, instead of patchouli, garbage, and last night’s beer. It’s a candle from Anthropologie and I need a new one.

Evergreen Yule Candles
from Kaboose

What You Need:

• Paraffin
• Empty, clean, dry can
• Pan
• Water
• Use of a stove
• Paint brush
• Candle (a large candle is easier to use)
• Small Sprig of evergreen
• Holiday ribbon

Melt some paraffin inside a can placed in a pan of hot water (on the stove). Flatten the small evergreen sprig and put some hot paraffin on the candle where you want the sprig to go. Place the sprig decoratively on the hot paraffin – it should stick to the candle. Then paint more melted paraffin over the sprig of evergreen. Let set. You may need multiple coats. Tie festive ribbon around base of candle. This will make a nice centerpiece or to give as a gift.
Adult supervision is recommended.
This project is rated EASY to do

Disclaimer: No one involved in this blog or its contents may be held responsible for any adverse reactions arising from following any of the instructions/recipes on this list. It is the reader’s personal responsibility to exercise all precautions and use his or her own discretion if following any instructions or advice from this blog.

Fair Use Notice: This page may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. This website distributes this material without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. We believe this constitutes a fair use of any such copyrighted material as provided for in 17 U.S.C § 107.

we bear no grief so whatever you do
it won’t leave us grasping for door handles
slipping off unable to turn.

we understand no celebration, no
thankfulness. too early to hang wreathes
scented with pine and cinnamon.

but as years go on, you crawl like a
baby again then stand upright lighting
a candle.

we are no longer inhabitants but
guests waiting for the light to invite us
back in like a visitor for the
holidays.

With Thanksgiving coming in a few days, this post is to give you some ideas get those preparations in order. It’s a bit longer than others as there were too many different things to consider, and believe me I didn’t hit them all or include all the nifty things I found. But here we go.
First, You might as well be sure to dress functional and cute as you cook. So you’ll need an apron. Check these out

The class, the festive, the reversible, the his and hers

reversible chocolate brown and thanksgiving turkey apron by daffofillies on etsy

Or if you want something super chic cute and classy try something by bambinoamore like this

The elegant eloise vintage inspired enchanted apron by bambinoamore on etsy

(I want a bambinoamore apron in my kitchen)

or for those of you who want something more rugged, durable, and multipurpose or if you’ll be cooking your turkey over open flame of in a bucket of oil you best look into getting one of these

Leather Work Apron by CyclonaDesigns on Etsy

Takes me back to welding class…

Then you will need to get cooking. I bake bread so I’d be looking for a bread pan like this

Bread Pan by TheVillageIdiot on etsy

And if you don’t cook you can cheat by bringing some of these

Chocolate Winter Spice Crinkle Cookies 2 Baker's Dozen by FancyThatCookies on etsy

And if you’ve got some of ‘man’s best friends’ try these

MiniPumpkin Muffins by Organic Doggy on Etsy

(for dogs of course…)

Or perhaps some acorns

100 lovely natural acorn bottoms by MonkeysOnTheRoof on etsy

Or if you want to go a simpler route how about some berries and serve them in this elegant berry bowl (didn’t know there was such a thing).

Winding Branch - Berry Bowl by mepottery on etsy

Now I know they exist I see a gap in my serving ware…

And if you’re looking for other fascinating serving ware how about these spoons with a twist, literally

Basic Kitchen Set - wooden utensils salad spoon fork and spatula by SlightlyTwistedWood on etsy

And perhaps some cherry

Hardcarved cherrywood spoon by heroncovewoodcarving on etsy

and keeping on the wood theme perhaps you’d find a spreader useful

Mini Wooden Spreader by firewoodfurniture on etsy

But if you’re like me you appreciate the fascinating as much as the practical and will be interested in these

Puzzle Two Spoons Set by GoodWoodDogs on etsy

And if you just want something a little different at your place settings consider these (not for vegans)

DeNatura Three Small Serving Spoons Cowhorn Flatware by DeNatura on etsy

Now perhaps you’ll be traveling for Thanksgiving. Maybe to a home you haven’t been to or maybe to one you’ve been a thousand times. Whether it’s for decor in your own home or a hostess gift you may want to check these out.

Keep the harvest going throughout the home with this natural organic soap

Calendula Sage Organic 4 oz Soap BarVegan by JenSanCandles on Etsy

For the craft types perhaps pick up this pattern and make a turkey boy to enjoy the festivities with you

Chrochet Pattern- Chester the turkey boy by Owlishly on etsy

And you’ll want these with all the stray glasses around the house

Autumn leaves coaster set by Vijako on etsy

And for some serious Autumn decor or a glowing hostess gift try this

Woodland Splendor- Woodsy Autumn Leaf Candle Holder by LaBellaCandela on etsy

And what will you wear?

It needs to be comfy, versatile layerable and warm so try out these tops and cowls

I adore this first pairing

soft short sleeve top by larimeloon on etsy

fringe has got to make some of my favorite everything. I always have to be careful not to include multiple items from that shop.

I also adore the wrap? sweater?

The Year Round Wrap in Chocolate by hipknotz on etsy

And perhaps you might consider these other unique neck pieces as well

rusty orange scarflette by knme on etsy

I like the closures on these

oversized chunky urban cowl knitted in a shade of coffee mocha brown by VitalTemptation on etsy

(the title on that one is much longer with more details…)

And of course accesories…

Here are some harvest hearty, warm autumn accessories to go with the above pieces or whatever you might have

leaf cuff by paintedmetal on etsy

Love this cuff, so simple and strong

Fall Harvest Bracelet by BellaBeachJewelry on Etsy

yellow and red spot Boro Pendant Necklace by SerendipityByErin on etsy

And if you’ve been admiring those fancy serving spoons year after year how about a bracelet made from one…

Vintage Patina Serving Spoon Bracelet by erinschock on etsy

And if your bringing acorns, why not wear one…

Sweet Acorn Necklace Copper Leaf on Brass Chain by RhondasTreasures on Etsy

These handmade gemstone earrings are stunning

handmade gemstone earrings large faceted citrine briolette amethyst tanzanite goldfilled sterling by goreous on etsy

and keeping with the amber/citrine…

Thanksgiving Falls Fiest Vintage Key Leaf Vintage Jewel Swarovski Pearl Necklace by SSSJ on etsy

Indian Summer Earrings by TinyMishaps on etsy

And of course you’ll need a way to carry things so try one of these bags

Citrine Tote New by bayanhippo on etsy

or

The Mini Bag Orange with Black and White Bird by Expressive Stitches on Etsy

And because you look so lovely you may want to protect that outfit with a practical, if not supremely stylish, bib like these

Florence Damask Adult Bib by bibbitybibs on etsy

and for him…

Adult tuxedo Bib by sewwoman1 on etsy

And after the feasting is done you’ll need to clean up. So how about keeping some of these on hand

Pumpkin Pie Dishcloths by RebeccaJay on etsy

(love the photography!)

And in the end, isn’t it all about being thankful? Why not tell someone your thankful for them with these

Autumn Leaf Thank You Note Flat Card Pack of 5 by HeatherJaneDesign on Etsy

marrying can be amazingly pricey. With so many things to spend for like the wedding gown, catering, flowers, church, souvenirs, invitations, and such like your savings can be used in almost no time. Even buying of wedding centerpieces can be just too costly.

It is a good thing that there are tricks you can do to save money on your marriage. A technique to do that’s to form your own wedding centerpieces, which isn’t just cheap but will also give you the opportunity to personalize the centerpieces and allow you to bond with your bridesmaids.

A floating candle centerpiece is one of the finest options that you have. Not only is this delightful and pretty, it’s also very easy to make that you wouldn’t feel any stress while engaged in this project.

to help create excellent floating candle centerpieces, here are the steps to keep in mind :

1. Choose the right candles

Since the candles are the focus of this center piece, you need to select the right kinds to display. Candles come in a wide selection of shapes, colors, and sizes and you have got to choose based mostly on your personal preference and in accordance to the theme of the marriage.

for instance, if you want your wedding to exude love, heart shaped candles is the most effective way to go. If you want to have a straightforward but chic wedding, white round candles are excellent. Now, if the theme of your marriage is Irish, choose thick cream candles.

aside from the appearance and style of the candle, you also have to select high quality candles that have long burning time, no smoke film, lead-free wicks, and low soot wax.

2. Look for a bowl

the next thing that you have to look for is the bowl where you will be placing the candles. A goblet or small stemmed bowl is perfect for a single floating candle center piece. A wide bowl, on the other hand, is good for a group of small candles. You also have the choice to use pedestal bowls for a 3-dimensional effect of light, triangle or square bowls for a completely unique display, and hourglass shaped cylinders to express creativity and creativity.

3. Add special touches to your center-piece

decorative pieces aid in making the centerpiece look even more lovely that it already is. You can embellish the center piece with real or silk blooms, quartz crystals, sand, marbles, colored stones, natural pebbles, seashells, or gems to add a more dramatic effect. You can also put in a few drops of food color to give color to the water.

4. Pick a base for the centerpiece.

Another crucial part of the centerpiece that many folks overlook is the base. The right kind of base can finish the look of the center piece. You can choose from mirrors, loose flower petals, ornamental plate, or a fabric.

making floating candle marriage centerpieces is less complicated than the majority think. With creativeness and resourcefulness, you will easily be ready to make personalized floating candle centerpieces that may add classy ambiance to your wedding event.

floating flower candle

Fall Tablescape

The other evening we had friends over for dinner and since it is getting dark so early its fun to have a simple tablescape that includes a candle. We have a round table so we use as a base a round mirror with a wide wood frame and simply change the arrangement on top of it to go with the theme of the meal or the season. This one will stay on the table through Thanksgiving and we’ll replace it with a Christmas theme when we redecorate next weekend. This tablescape is simply a medium pumpkin, a miniature one, and the candle with some silk fall leaves and bittersweet.

Seven Point checklist for Choosing the Right Candle Holders

While glass and metal candle holders are the most popular, there’s an absolutely big variety available, in all sorts of materials. This handy checklist will help you make the correct choices without needing to spend a few hours on the task. As you run down the list, you will see that as you make calls you are led naturally to the right sort of holder and the right kind of candle.

Making your own is also a choice if you’ve got the patience and talent – or maybe just the patience!

1 The event

* Are you going to use the candle holder as an integral part of the event, or do you need the candle to be a minor accessory?
* if it is’s a seasonal event,eg Easter or christmas, one of the many plaster candle holders could be acceptable.

Once you have the setting for the event clear in your brain, you can move easily to the next point to think about, which is…

two Size

* if it is’s a statement you are after, think massive and bold because anything less will generally not achieve the effect you would like. But enormous and bold brings its own Problems – solid colors doubtless won’t work. Think vines, ivy, and espalier multiple candle holders, which lend themselves particularly well to bigger arrangements with a number of tea lights or small jars. If you’re going this route, you can justify wholesale and/or discount quantities.
* If intimate is your aim, then go with tea lights or little jar or container candle holders.
* if you would like to go to the opposite extreme, then chandeliers can add a delightfully weird touch if you’ve got the correct spot to positon them, which leads to…

3 Siting

Where are you going to position the candles?

* for example, if you are going for a mix of scented candles and food ( and you should think very carefully about that particular mix ) then the holder should be off to the side, substantial enough to be spotted and to be left deserted in safety. You would like to please your visitors with a proposal of a perfume, not suppress them or the food.
* If the setting is more intimate, then smaller is better. Don’t force your visitors to crane over the candles to hold a dialogue.

four Color

* On some occasions you will wish to match the colors in your rooms, and on others you’ll be going for contrast.
* You also don’t need to restrict yourself to just one color of candle, so you want enough holders to allow you to mix and match.
* Remember that boldly-colored holders are more difficult to match to the candle color and to your decor.

And once you’ve decided on the right color, you will be led naturally to the appropriate….

5 Material

although you have chopped down the options, there are still some wonderful choices to be made.

* You can choose between wood, bronze, silver, crystal, aluminium, metal candle holders, wrought iron, beaded holders, or natural products such as bamboo and coconut.
* Glass is obviously preferred. You can either select a totally neutral holder, or choose a colored holder that will match the candle color. Glass is particularly acceptable for votive candleholders.
* Hurricane Candle Holders are popular for pillar candles and are superb for al fresco dining. Remember to search for one with a handle if you must move it while still hot.

Then you just have to decide on ..

6 Shape

* There are a large number of animal and character shapes available, though these need to be matched rigorously to the occasion. Bees, birds and butterflies ( especially pretty when matched to tea light candles ) are popular and are available in solid and transluscent colors.
* Consider slate pillar plates for the really giant or multi-wick candles ; in fact, lovers of pillar candles can find a wide range of coasters and plate holders, a few of them beautifully decorated.

seven The candle itself

by now you could have eliminated a lot of possibilities ; the holders you’re still considering will about select themselves.

* as an example pillars, which tend to be corpulent anyway, require more serious holders than more fragile candles.
* If you’re going to use votive candles, remember that they must be burned in a holder, because votives are truly container candles without a container. If at all possible go for a straight-sided container so long as the rest of the design pleases you.

wedding candle holders

Hey Ya’ll,

I hit up the Light Up Night 2009 in Pittsburgh!

You can WATCH BERNARD!

Thank you Megan and Erin for allowing me the opportunity to do this!

Best Wishes,

Bernard (Future Talk Show Host)

The stars were out last night at Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ Birthday Celebration Presented by Ciroc Vodka at The Grand Ballroom at The Plaza Hotel on November 20, 2009 in New York City.

It was billed as the “party of the century” to celebrate the four decades of the hip-hop artists life. The  the theme of the party was a “fantasy dreamland”, and by all reports and papparrazi photos, it definitely lived up to the hype.

Diddy planned the party with famed event planner Bronson Van Wyck. Bentley Meeker, the “Wizard of Light”  set the mood with the lighting.

 A few names of the guest who attended the party  included  Queen Latifah, Russell Simmons, Spike Lee, Zac Posen, Lil’ Kim ,Kim Kardashian, Nelly,Tyrese Gibson,Jermaine Dupree, Martha Stewart, Media executive Lorne Michael’s, The Black Eyed Peas,Ice T and his wife,….but no Shyne?

Where is Shyne you ask…well Shyne was deported to his home country of Belize, after spending 10 years in prison for allegedly shooting up a club, after a confrontation was started by Sean Combs at a club he brought Jennifer Lopez and Shyne too.

Shyne was assisted by his father Belizean Prime Minister Dean Barrow.

A quote from Boombox.com reports that…While his immigration status is still under review, Shyne, born Jamal Barrow, must return to Belize despite the fact that his mother lives in New York, where he grew up.

Prime Minister Barrow petitioned the help of Harvard Law Professor Charles Ogletree to assist in the matter of keeping his son in the states. “All the lawyers who were dealing with his immigration problems, they are totally off the case now,” said Shyne’s uncle, Michael Finnegan. “He [Ogletree] has stepped in totally, he was given permission to deal with the situation in all its aspects,” he said…

http://www.theboombox.com/2009/11/03/shyne-speaks-deportation/

Sean Comb’s has come forth to state that Shyne has and has always had his full support, and if there is anything that Shyne need from him, like his assistance to get back to the States, that the whole Bad Boy camp will be at his disposal.

Well, MTV.com reports that Shyne contends that Combs’ support is exactly what landed him in jail!

 He says that since his trial lawyers — Murray Richman and Ian Niles — were indirectly on the Bad Boy payroll, they worked halfheartedly in defending him, so that Combs would look innocent.

The lawyers reject this characterization of their work, and contend they did everything to defend Shyne.

“How do you call a witness to testify against your comrade?” wonders Shyne, who called Myers’ testimony more damaging than any witness the prosecution called. “That don’t make no sense. I’m telling you this woman is lying and you’re saying, ‘Eh, you know, well, she’s helping me.’ But I’m facing 25 years and you’re looking at probation…

Charise Myers, a Club New York security guard who said she fell on top of Sean Combs during the melee. Myers also gave an account of seeing Shyne get into an altercation with Matthew “Scar” Allen — who was determined to be the antagonist in the incident — and then firing shots in the air first…

It was obvious that they were selling me [out] in order to appease [Diddy]. There was a dual loyalty there.”

Shyne has refused to tell authorities who else in the club had a firearm. (http://www.mtv.com/bands/s/shyne/news_feature_080504/index3.jhtml)

“I wasn’t built like that,” he says about his decision not to “snitch.” “I’m designed a different type of way, and this is not ‘hood philosophy. This is all the way up to the White House, to the Oval Office, you know. There are certain rules that you abide by, and this is the way I was brought up. You don’t sacrifice anybody in order to spare yourself. You just don’t do that.” 

Sounds like what I know to be honorable, not only on the streets, but life in general.

I wasn’t there, I have only read the transcripts from the court case, and that is what I base my opinion on, and if I was a betting man and my life depended on it…I am riding with Shyne.

Hopefully Sean Combs’ can help Shyne get back to work here in the USA,….he certainly knows all the right people to make that happen.

Happy 40th birthday Mr Sean Comb’s…

Do you think Diddy is looking over his shoulder for Shyne???

Shyne and Sean...friend or foe...

…we didn’t think so either.

Try to see if you can spot Shyne in any of this video footage, courtesy of DJDELZTV…

Source…

http://www.theboombox.com/2009/11/03/shyne-speaks-deportation/

Check out more hot pictures from the Sean Combs 40th party by clicking the link below…

http://smartsexyrichcrazy.com/2009/11/20/sean-diddy-combs-40th-birthday-party/

http://sandrarose.com/2009/11/20/celebs-out-about-221/

My earliest career choice wasn’t to be a princess like most little girls want; I think I had a strong enough sense of reality to know princesses from the “happily ever after“ genre really didn‘t exist, and Prince Charming would never ride up on his white stallion and carry me away. Instead, I longed to be a mermaid. That’s right–a very concrete dream–much more “do-able” . . . that desire lasted several months, and was repeatedly at its peak every time I was in the bathtub. I would shrink down into the tub, becoming one with the steaming liquid that covered me, spreading my long brown hair as if it were drawn in a piece of Japanese art, floating about my head with curly-Q‘s on the ends of each strand. Inevitably, my toes would pop out of the cooling liquid and become lodged into the large water spigot, my only lifeline to the physical world, and I would be abruptly transformed back into reality. Like a thief in the night, the thoughts of mermaids, peaceful underwater surroundings, and the hauntingly beautiful music sang by much better voices than mine, must have quietly slipped down the drain with the icy water.

Once upon another time, I fancied myself a photographer–or at least an aspiring photographer. I found I had a passion for developing and playing around with black and white film in my college’s darkroom and couldn’t wait to build one of my own. That dream was cut as short as the blinding pop of a camera’s old fashioned flashbulb, and ended up in the same place one would put the blacked orb of glass, with it’s shattered filament, when I had an interview for admission to the Department of Cinema and Photography at Southern Illinois University two years later. They would have actually accepted me into the program, but I was wise enough to realize I couldn’t come close to competing with the kind of work I saw displayed in the Dean’s office and on the hallway walls. Fortunately, photography did serve as enough of a diversion that it saved me from being a permanent business major. Yikes.

Somehow, the old photography hobby must have been the foundation for my taking pictures at a friend’s wedding several years later. I know I didn’t volunteer to do it–I would never do that–because when I put my camera down, I really put it down. So, my friend must have asked me, and knowing the persistent soul she is, all the protesting in the world wouldn’t be enough reason for her to back down from what she thought was a brilliant idea. I took roll upon roll of wedding photographs until out of the corner of my eye, I spied a candelabra in serious trouble. I watched vigilantly as a candle slipped further and further down the brass holder, with its flame being forced by a ceiling fan, dangerously closer to a beautifully tied bow and most certainly, onto the carpeted floor. Being the impatient soul I am, the candelabra and I could wait no longer for the many firefighters in the wedding party and in the family pews to come to the rescue. Exactly midway into the wedding vows, I sat the camera on a pew and ran to the fully engulfed bow. Instinct took over, and I picked up the entire holder, towering well over my 5’2” frame, with upwards of 12 burning candles on it, over my head and teetered toward the nearest door. The only fear I recognized at that point, was that the door might not be tall enough or wide enough to fit the entire flaming fixture and me through it. By the time I reached the door, several firefighters lifted the prize from my hands, deposited it on the ground outside, and expertly stomped the flames with their shiny, patent leather shoes. It was a sight to behold, but no one got it on film. I did get chastised by a couple of firemen, for not leaving it where it was and letting them handle it. Ha–they didn’t even see it until I paraded through the front of the sanctuary with it. Shame on me. And thus, I ruled out yet another potential career–albeit one that had never been lovingly lingered over like the previous two–that of firefighter.

About three years ago my husband and I started attending our church on Saturday nights. We will serve in some capacity during the first service and then actually attend the second service for worship.

This schedule opened Sundays completely up for whatever we wanted to do. We love having a full day of rest. We just want to be sure that we keep the Sabbath holy and not get caught up in doing things. We want to be sure that we are truly resting on the Day of Rest.

So, we created a visual reminder that we call our Sabbath Candle. There is a candle that we keep on our kitchen counter all week long but we only light it on Sunday. Before we leave for our family breakfast out we gather around the candle (just three of us right now), my husband prays for God’s blessing on our Sabbath, and then we light the candle. The candle remains burning until we go to bed that night. At that point, we gather again and my husband thanks the Lord for a great day and prays for the coming week.

Seeing the candle burning really helps to remind me that it is the Sabbath. I literally feel myself relaxing when I walk past and I see that small, simple flame.

So this week I fell in love with a close friend.

We’ve technically only known each other since 2005 but I heard about him through some friends.

So when I finally met him, seeing as I had always been attracted to his type, we hit it off right away.

He was beautiful when I met him.

Still is today.

But in a different way.

When I first saw him I didn’t quite understand everything he said or meant.

But I loved him just the same.

As time went by we grew apart.

I became preoccupied with others like him but I never forgot about him.

His words would creep back into my life sometimes and no matter how long it had been I still knew every word.

Then I found him and got in contact with him on the internet.

He was different though.

Not the same one I met so long ago.

He had gone home and found his true self.

Still the same as when I met him.

Just without all the special effects.

What I saw was real and raw.

We talked and planned for him to visit.

I was excited to see him.

Couldn’t wait for him to get here.

Then finally.

He was here.

And for an entire week I was his.

I spoke his words.

I sang his songs.

I danced to his beats.

He made me laugh.

He made me cry.

Which had never happened before.

But that’s because this time I finally understood what he was trying to say.

There’s only now.

There’s only this.

Forget regret.

Or life is yours to miss.

No other road.

No other way.

No day but today.

He is beautiful.

I love him.

Every version of him.

No matter what he looks like or how he presents himself.

From every angle.

From every point of view he will always be…

RENT.

<3

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Foto Lilin dan Al-Quran ini diambil dengan format:speed 1/40 bukaan diafragma f/5.0 lensa canon zoom lens EF-S 55-250 mm 1:4-5.6 IS Kamera:Canon EOS KISS x2

(Inspired to share by Ruadhan’s posting of a shower ritual for Asklepios and Hygeia.)

- Light candle (at shrine to Aphrodite);
- Carry lit candle in procession to bath (full)/shower (turned on);
- [Optional] Use candle to light incense that is sacred to Aphrodite;
- Recite Orphic Hymn to Aphrodite;
- Undress and enter bath/shower;
- Recite (own) prayer/poem/mantra/hymn to Aphrodite as cleansing* (should be long enough to last from moment of getting into shower/bath until getting out);
- Extinguish incense;
- Ask for specific blessings/aid, if wanted, whilst incense smoke drifts;
- Extinguish candle and thank Aphrodite.

* The poem/prayer I use, which lasts (when spoken slowly) for the full ~ten minutes of my bath/shower, is the following:

“First, I wet each strand of hair
Letting the water stream down, down,
Removing the day’s aches and pains;
For you, I become beautiful.

I rub shampoo over dark strands,
Letting the bubbles slide down my brow,
Removing the dirt and dust that clings;
For you, I become beautiful.

I wash away the shampoo that would stay,
Letting the water clean my hair and body,
Removing from my skin the troubles of the day;
For you, I become beautiful.

I smooth conditioner over the ends of my hair,
Letting it temper the ends that would split,
Removing those splits in my life, too;
For you, I become beautiful.

I wash away the silky conditioner,
Letting the water stream down until my hair shines,
Removing dead ends from my hair and life;
For you, I become beautiful.

I massage soft foam into my skin,
Letting my body warm beneath the water,
Removing dirt from my skin and my spirit;
For you, I become beautiful.

I wash away the foam, until no bubbles remain,
Letting my gleaming skin sing for itself,
Removing all ills that hang over me, body and soul;
For you, I become beautiful.

For you, for you, for you, for you,
I become beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, beautiful;
Your divine light shines down and I bathe in it as I bathe in the water;
For you, Aphrodite, Goddess of the Body, I become.”

Beauty Herbal Spa- Get a free Christmas herbal candle.
http://www.freakyfreddies.com/xmas.htm