this is the very beginning of my latest Family Portrait Painting

This will be a very special Family Portrait, because the family is also special and wanted something out of the ordinary.

Carla is a Philosopher, Henrique is a businessman, Marcella loves pink and purple and Leo loves Blue.

More will appear soon in the picture (they have cats, fish and a bird too) and they will all be flying around the moon, among the stars, surrounded by trees… Come back soon and check the making of! What about you, want your own customized Family Portrait? Write to me, let´s talk about your stories!

Teens are just impossible. Deciding for gifts for teens is all the more impossible. They are awfully hard to choose gifts for, especially when the gift doesn’t match with social circle, he/she is befriending with.

There are numerous options available in the market but choosing the best amongst them is very hard. The most feasible way to give them a surprise gift is to discuss with them well in advance so that the gifts that they receive, receives lesser rejection chances.

Latest and technologically advanced IPods and MP3/MP4 players can form a good choice, unless until your teenager boy/girl already owns one.

Teens are the most difficult class of all and they need constant let out of their feelings. A musical instrument like a drum-set, guitar or any other similar instrument will help your favorite teen to outburst the feelings of anxiety, and frustrations on the poor instrument.

Teens are always demanding and their demands are such which require a lot of effort in terms of monetary value. Play station 3 or Nintendo are two most popular gaming consoles. These are loved and bragged about more amongst the teenagers.

Music lovers are there amongst all the classes of teens. A nice volume of well selected numbers, either readymade or well-selected will give immense pleasure to your teen. Some latest fashion statements in the form of t-shirts, jeans or Capri, will give a lot of happiness.

Gifts your teens a real motif for their wall. You might change the whole furniture for them according to their choice and colors will surely create a long lasting impression in their hearts. This gift will be boasting amongst other teen friends.

Teen bags are available in all sizes and colors. A pretty bag for your teen daughter which she has been admiring for long will make her eyes shine with gleam. It’s apparent that the choice that she had made should be followed strictly to avoid any sorts of confrontation.

At all times it is very necessary to start observing your teenage daughter or son or both about their possible likes and dislikes because this will help in finding the gift of their choice and also receive less sarcastic remarks from them.

Log on to www.naaptol.com to make a thorough research on teen-gifts and then order online well in advance to avoid any sort of delay.

We have all had those holidays which stand out in our memories.  It may be a fabulous memory which makes us all warm and fuzzy inside, to be compared to every future memory and be measured by it. 

We all have those holiday memories we’d like to forget—like the year both my Mom and my Aunt felt they had to be the one cooking the turkey and my Mom’s turkey imploded. Seriously…it became a heap of bones and the meat sort of disintegrated and it was a humbling experience.
 
As children we had ideas about sugar plums just as much as we anticipated the tooth fairy…probably more.  Later in life as we married and somehow combined families and our family traditions changed.  We created new memories together.  We have had that gift we thought was going to rock someone’s world which turned out to be as exciting as a flat tire. 
 
There are those of us that prayed, pleaded, and made deals with God (or whoever else was listening) to just this one time–get that one thing or to be able to give that one great thing which would change our relationship with someone. 
 
Of course there are also those times when we all thought “What the heck was this person thinking” when we opened a gift which astounded us.  An example of this was someone close to me, her mother-in-law gave her a retractable clothesline one year, a sink hair strainer the next, and it just went even further downhill after that. (I am not kidding)  And yes, we try to remember holiday seasons are about giving, not receiving….but still “What the heck!”
 
I suppose I’d like to think that we all hold onto some memories we cherish and find ways to laugh about those which perhaps fell short.  It is not always so easy.  As a young kid my father owned a prosperous business and Christmas was magical–our living room looked like the Sears toy department had exploded in there.  Then when he became a minister, sold his business and gave those funds to the church, and our Christmas changed dramatically. 
 
How does a 10 year old go from abundance into being thankful for a birthday cake for Jesus and one small gift?  It was hard, which perhaps explains why I am HUGE about Christmas now as an adult, and why my home has a Christmas tree in every room. (Yes even bathrooms) 
 
The lesson I learned at 10 was not an easy one, it shaped my vision of holidays, and gave me new appreciation for what I had, and taught me that it really is about giving.  It did not prepare me for those who can never be pleased no matter how hard you try, whose expectations are so absurd and unobtainable, or worse—never learned about the gift which really comes from the heart. 
 
This year will probably be the leanest holiday season many Americans have ever had in their lifetimes.  As a nation we are re-evaluating priorities, learning the hard way that credit cards are possibly either works of the devil–or what saves our holiday from being dismal.  I am thinking that many Americans this upcoming holiday season are going to learn about that gift which comes from the heart, embrace it or simply be disappointed by it.  This woman is hoping that they embrace it.
 
There are a few of us which have already experienced difficult holidays.  We are the emotional war veterans of lonely holidays, times when we felt guilty about what we couldn’t give or felt guilty receiving something decadent.   One thing we all share is our renewed faith that people do give gifts from the heart and we should be open to celebrate each one no matter how small or insignificant anyone else views it.
 
While I tend to be a bit cheeky and kid around a lot…it has always been the thing which helped me cope with the emotionally difficult times.  I still make a Christmas birthday cake for Jesus, smile while I serve it, and think about how precious that cake was way back then when it was so hard for me to appreciate it.  That cake was simple…we didn’t even have frosting. 

Every year my cake now is decorated on the top with chocolate chips. Why?  Because some higher power gave us chocolate and I am going to celebrate it!  Why can’t Jesus or any other religious figure take credit for chocolate?   Several years back my mother began making gingerbread men for Christmas–anatomically correct gingerbread men–and YES even a preacher’s wife can be cheeky.   (Now you know where I get it from)
 
SO—I am asking you to consider and ponder your holiday memories.  Sharing a painful one helps you heal and sharing one that was really meaningful makes you appreciate it even more. 

Thanksgiving brings us renewed ability to appreciate those we care about.  Christmas brings us time to celebrate those relationships and share little pieces of ourselves.
 
I challenge each of you to perhaps write down and exchange a holiday memory with your family or someone close to you.  Exchange them and read each other’s memories.  It will remind you that sharing them with the people close to you is more important than you realize.

This is your dress rehearsal for the upcoming holidays.  Writing these memories down on simple paper, exchanging them–giving parts of yourselves to each other–is the greatest gift from the heart.  Memories are priceless and should be cherished.  The best way to honor a memory is to share it.  
 
And remember….it is okay to be cheeky.   Humor heals.

Gift by and large is a true way to express your feelings to the person concerned, whether the person is your child, your parents, or your friends.

Parents devote their life to fulfill the requirements and dreams of their children, within their financial limits. However, when it comes to children, they just forget to return the gift of love and affection, being showered upon. The most precious gift for a mother is that sari which her son or her daughter gifts, from the first salary.

A gift from a friend to a friend should be such, which shows as to how much he/she feels for the friend. Gifts should be showered up on. Never try to miss out on gifts, whether small or big, expensive or cheap, and always be prompt in giving out gifts to your friend. A stitch in time saves nine. So a gift in time earns good faith and happiness in each other’s mind and heart.

Valentine Day gifts are for your beloved. You must have waited; secretly for the entire year to express your feelings to the person you admire most. Try your luck with the much awaited Valentine’s Day is the opportunity to define your feelings in a card and let your love know about them. If you are lucky enough then your feelings will get reciprocated, or better luck next time.

Giving out Gifts is an art and not just a process of buying and giving away an article and get over with it. While buying a gift for a person, think about the prominent traits of the person you are buying the gift for. For example, for the girl-child, who is 6-7 yrs old, are gifted a Barbie doll with lots of accessories. A teenage girl would opt for accessories to enhance her beauty. Same is the case with teenage boy. Gift that X-box and earn the smile you have so much longed for.

To choose amongst the various product range and gifts, best suited for the person to whom you want to gift to log on to www.naaptol.com and procure the desired product at a price you have just longed for.

Yesterday I visited a local secondary school to help with a business enterprise day for their Year 9 students (aged 13/14). 

The group I helped with comprised 4 teams with between 4 and 7 students per team.  Their task throughout the day was to create a business that designs and manufactures paper ducks for selling to potential buyers’.  Materials were provided, including paper for making the ducks and a range of extras for decorating and enhancing the finished product.

Meeting and observing the students was fascinating.  Some were confident, some felt they’d a lot to offer, some were team leaders and some were just bossy! 

However, there was another group that caught my eye.  These were the students who were shy, lacked confidence, were easily distracted and retreated into their own worlds, could so easily be overlooked or had been identified with special needs.  On the face of it, there wasn’t a lot they could offer in the face of more boisterous and confident competition. 

In reality, they were some of the most significant contributors to the day’s activities once they were engaged. 

The groups who included these students in their discussions and activities benefitted from a whole range of skills and insights that may otherwise have been overlooked or lost: 

• Organisational skills
• Sorting skills
• Creative skills
• The ability to single-mindedly apply themselves to the task they’d been given
• People skills (an unexpected one this)
• The ability to think wider than the problem
• The ability to see different kinds of solutions

I was very interested that the winning group was ‘organised’ by a student who does not have a reputation for shining in lessons.  She organised, steered, encouraged and to quote the girl giving feedback, ” … was the boss!” 

From that same group came one of the most insightful comments of the day. 

As part of their ’selling’ exercise, each group had to state why their particular products should be chosen.  Again, a ’special needs’ student stated quite simply,

“Because ours are made with love!” 

What a beautifully simple selling point.  Their paper ducks weren’t just ordinary ducks, put together on some production line, each one a replica of the other; they were special because they were each made with love.  Care, attention and a bit of the maker had been invested in these little paper creations.  That won it for me!

Ability is far more than getting answers right or doing lessons well in class.  There are so many people who have skills that get lost in the crowd, or lost in the noise and activity of others around them. 

Diamonds rarely just appear on the surface; they must sought after, discovered and often mined from great depths in the earths crust.

I have been reminded  to spend more time looking for those gems that, once found, stand out from those around them, and to invest time and effort in encouraging them to use their talents and gifts.

Yesterday I visited a local secondary school to help with a business enterprise day for their Year 9 students (aged 13/14). 

The group I helped with comprised 4 teams with between 4 and 7 students per team.  Their task throughout the day was to create a business that designs and manufactures paper ducks for selling to potential buyers’.  Materials were provided, including paper for making the ducks and a range of extras for decorating and enhancing the finished product.

Meeting and observing the students was fascinating.  Some were confident, some felt they’d a lot to offer, some were team leaders and some were just bossy! 

However, there was another group that caught my eye.  These were the students who were shy, lacked confidence, were easily distracted and retreated into their own worlds, could so easily be overlooked or had been identified with special needs.  On the face of it, there wasn’t a lot they could offer in the face of more boisterous and confident competition. 

In reality, they were some of the most significant contributors to the day’s activities once they were engaged. 

The groups who included these students in their discussions and activities benefitted from a whole range of skills and insights that may otherwise have been overlooked or lost: 

• Organisational skills
• Sorting skills
• Creative skills
• The ability to single-mindedly apply themselves to the task they’d been given
• People skills (an unexpected one this)
• The ability to think wider than the problem
• The ability to see different kinds of solutions

I was very interested that the winning group was ‘organised’ by a student who does not have a reputation for shining in lessons.  She organised, steered, encouraged and to quote the girl giving feedback, ” … was the boss!” 

From that same group came one of the most insightful comments of the day. 

As part of their ’selling’ exercise, each group had to state why their particular products should be chosen.  Again, a ’special needs’ student stated quite simply,

“Because ours are made with love!” 

What a beautifully simple selling point.  Their paper ducks weren’t just ordinary ducks, put together on some production line, each one a replica of the other; they were special because they were each made with love.  Care, attention and a bit of the maker had been invested in these little paper creations.  That won it for me!

Ability is far more than getting answers right or doing lessons well in class.  There are so many people who have skills that get lost in the crowd, or lost in the noise and activity of others around them. 

Diamonds rarely just appear on the surface; they must sought after, discovered and often mined from great depths in the earths crust.

I have been reminded  to spend more time looking for those gems that, once found, stand out from those around them, and to invest time and effort in encouraging them to use their talents and gifts.

8 to 10 October 2009, Rimini will again be the world capital of Outdoor Design.

A long story of actors, partnerships and events guide the public in an exceptional parterre made up of elite planetary names of producers, designers, universities and talents committed to creating products of Outore Design, Inventions Light, Living solutions, thoughts, Urban Design, SUN.Lab creativity, ideation Outdoor Experience, prototypes Outdoor Design Competition …

SUN INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION, with the 27th edition will confirm its reputation as a unique and inimitable exposition of the field of interest: the outdoors, to 360 °. SUN is an international benchmark for salon professionals in the Outdoor, an event of only one that once again looks to the future: the 27th edition will provide previews of all the 2010 collections, objects, trendy, unique and attractive environments and trail theme, innovative materials, styles and anticipating addresses, showing planning and design furniture, experimentation, innovation and evolution of all that is the world outside.

Place of meeting and discussion of choice for companies, contractors, buyers, agents, independent distributors and large retail chains, designers, architects, designers, interior designers, engineers, landscape architects, planners, specialist retailers, furniture manufacturers, specialized operators, agents and-trade contract, institutions , associations, universities, journalists, SUN is the great showcase where furniture style and emotion, color and design, innovation and charm are the preview of the future of our life en plein air.

With 12 halls and 90,000 sqm of exhibition space, 700 exhibitors and 24,000 trade visitors from 50 foreign countries, is the only exhibition devoted exclusively to the design and furnishing of exterior spaces, both public and private.

In the 5 segments exhibiting, OUT_STYLE, SEA_STYLE, SUNAQUAE, and Urban_Style GIOSUN, the Hall presents the best of the entire field of technologies, solutions and outdoor kit from simple addition to the furnishing of the highest profile – the idea the prototype, from design to product, from universities to industry, from design to market – to public and private outdoor spaces, gardens, parks and terraces, balconies, beaches and swimming pools, world-trade contract and, roads, lighting and lighting squares and outdoor area, relaxation areas and the entertainment, cooking, entertainment.

- OUT_STYLE is the showcase of the market trends which are visible projects, products and solutions dedicated to interior design, urban design, garden, contract, cooking, home, leisure. The preview of the future outdoor lifestyle, year round, able to meet the needs for comfort and aesthetic pleasure: the quality of space goes hand in hand with the quality of life, and is increasingly adjusted.

- SUNAQUAE: houses swimming pools, mini-spa, equipment, facilities and products for personal wellbeing. A growing sector, tied hand in glove looking for comfort and customized solutions from a relaxing hand and, increasingly associated with the concept of vacation and leisure. The well-being in and with water, and out_door.

- SEA_STYLE: puts the spotlight on an area of great importance what is the beach. It is here that are in fact the components of the supply chain given to projects, furnishings and equipment for the beach, beach resorts and tourist villages. In these areas, there may be multiple solutions of goods, from the simplest to the most unique: the beaches become companies able to offer more services in terms of hospitality, relaxation and fun entertainment: more services, improved attention to the public, hours dilated more products. Life in the beach more comfortable for everyone.

- URBAN_Style: land devoted to furnishings urban and accepts equipment, solutions and projects for urban public spaces with fixed or functional italian furniture products. Objects and projects devoted to public parks, road signs, to lighting, to relax, decorum, infrastructure assistance for a disability being accessible to anyone for quality and safety. Urban landscape, architectural, town art cities and tourist centers, sea, mountain communities and planning sustainable projects and production support of the quality of life.

- GIOSUN: a real “fair in the fair” come to the 24th edition devoted to outdoor recreation. A unique event in Europe dedicated to the gaming market, entertainment and learning, to products intended for entertainment at home or in the meadows, beaches such as in hotels and schools. Products and international manufacturers of quality that attracts players from all over the world of large retailers, wholesalers and retailers.

The 2009 edition of SUN, (8-10 October), will enjoy the partial coincidence of T & T-Tents & Technical (7-10 October), 5th International Biennial of products and solutions for the protection, blackout, energy saving , security, furniture, also reserved for operators. T & T-Tents and Technology, in just 4 editions, has become the second event in the world of business curtains and screens from outside.

A combination that can create a stage and a business area that they will commit the entire fairgrounds, with its 16 pavilions, covering an area of 120,000 square meters, almost 1,000 exhibiting companies and 35,000 visitors expected.

201 Art highly recommends Your Art Now – from photo to  whatever you like to have :

• Photo to Watercolor
• Photo to Oil Painting
• Color Pencil
• Pencil Sketch

Your Art Now -  your photo into art
All the above options 100% hand made – no graphics or prints – Your original piece of Art for a family gift, anniversary,birthday present, wedding, baby shower,family get together, mother’s day gift, father days gift,children, or any kind of special celebration, occassion or remembrance. Any photo you want – landscapes, pets, seascapes from your own photo – ALL HAND MADE
Amazing Pet Portraits

If you are not 100% happy with the painting, we give you a full refund with no question asked. There is no restocking fee, no non-refundable deposit and no string attached. You have no risk whatsoever to try us out.

Artists Handpainted Your Photos into Masterpieces
 

When we get older, past 21, buying gifts for us is harder and and harder.  We accumulate so much stuff that the things we need aren’t necessarily what our family and friends buy us.

Have you thought about buying a piece of woodland.  No, not a whole one, just a square metre of one?

Buy from buywoodland and you will be sending someone a really special and unique gift.  It lasts a lifetime too.

If you have left it really late and can’t get something posted, you can buy and get it sent to you in PDF form.  The remainder of the pack can then be sent in due course.

I just got a handover from David - a pretty porcelain doll.  We named her NINA.  She’s been with him for many years and now it’s my time to take care of her.

Welcome dear Nina to your new home, my room.

Oh yes, there is another one from David – a green trinket container with lid, made in Greece (or maybe Cyprus).  Great for keeping my little things (like hair clip, rubber bands, etc) inside.  First thing filled – a cocoon.  Whatever that for?? *scratchheadnotitchy*

…scofield breakout at 12:54am

Feel the Fun, Get Behind the wheel of a Plasma Car.

Rev up your engines and get ready to zip around in an innovative ride on toy that is pure FUN.  There are no pedals, no gears and no batteries. Its simple to operate.  All you need is kid power. Turn the wheel from left to right and AWAY you go. Cruising along up to 6 mph.  Adults can enjoy the excitement of the plasma car too. Holds up to 220 pounds. 

Plasma Car is the winner of many awards
2009: National Parenting Center – Seal of Approval
2008: National Parenting Center – Seal of Approval

Plasma Car is economical too. There is no need for expensive power source or batteries.  Check out video below

What are you waiting for.  ORDER YOURS TODAY!

www.specialcelebrationgifts.com

 

Available in Fire Engine Red, School Bus Yellow, Turtle Green, Pretty in Pink, Skittles Purple and Crayon Blue

Note about the authenticity of the Plasma Car – Do not be tricked.  Yes, there are several imitations that come under such names as Wiggle Car, Wiggle Racer, Roller Coaster Car, Twist Car and Skitter Car. The plastic cap, at the center of the steering wheel, is most often red, but can also be lavender or white. These products are usually sold at festivals, kiosks  – These imitations do not come with any service or warranty, nor do they supply replacement parts. There is only one authentic Plasma Car that offers service and a warranty. Do Not fall for these imitations.

Gifts for Special ones

Achievement that makes difference in one’s life is a call for celebration. Professional achievement of your friend or academic achievement of your brother is a reason a tad strong too to rejoice. Encourage your siblings to make further progress with a wise saying. But, how to make them feel that you are happy to see them riding the waves of success is your concern. Don’t worry! Congratulate him or her with a suitable gift in your hand.

Congratulatory gifts should evoke the world of encouragement for the recipients. A gift for your teen brother or sister who has topped in the final exam should be useful. Digital diary, brand new pen set, colorful pen stand, wallet and leather items with lots of usability steal the show. Desktop accessories are much popular among gift items for desktop users. You can make use of them to congratulate your friend or cousin on his or her promotion at workplace.

Image Source: http://www.smartgiftsolutions.co.uk/

FLOWER OF THE MONTH

Not sure what flower to send out to someone special? Try these tips for the flower of the month.

January is the Carnation       

February is the Violet          

March is the Daffodil            

April is the Daisy                  

May is the Lily of the Valley

June is the beautiful Rose 

July is the Water Lily        

August is the Gladiolia        

September is the Aster            

October is the Cosmos         

November is the Mum   

December is the Narcisus      

July 5th .. yeah its been 11 super fantastic years .. with its share of bumps, humps and plenty of fun along the way. Whatever else I opt out for in another life, I still want the same husband and children. He is super duper great and they are just awesome. As always, we dont celebrate. Just to make it different, we treat the kids to a movie and dinner or something similarly excieting.

Much against my wishes we saw Terminator ~Salvation. Not all that fun for me, I prefered Transformers. Loved the movie. I would have prefered Ice Age 3. I am a sucker for any and all animation. 

Dinner was  Chinese at MOE. Twas lovely. Me and my adorable family. Just so perfect when everything underneath is going topsy turvy. Troubles come in 3’s. Got two, waiting for the third one.

The boys made these lovely drawings for us. The photos dont do justice to the sweet thoughts put in.

on my 11 th anniversary, Bilal age 10, Sawaab 8, Eman 7.

This one is from Bilal. His dad is his star, and yes his dad is pretty slim too.

It made me happy to see that my children identify muslim women with Hijaab. This is from Bilal. Ofcourse, He has stated why my face is "yellow"

my little Sawaab has his heart for his abba, he made us origami caps and horns. He also gifted back to me the Ikea coloring set I GOT him coz he felt art supplies would make me happy. awwww sho shweet.

eman thanked abba for helping us keep the house clean ! wow ! He took forever to draw all the details of the house, garage and courtyard !

Step1-Choose right full body customization product / Fixed Template custom dolls, order online,and make the payment(Paypal/Moneybookers/TT/Western Union );
Step2-Please sent necessary clear photos( *Photos taken from different angles is required, so that we can see clearly your facial features& body build, *At least 640*480 pixel ) and your request to Email: service@wowminime.com , or find us at MSN;
Step3-Usually, our designer need 7-10 days to made the personalized dolls  100% by hand. and before baking and finalize the design,we will show you the photo of semi-finished product, and get your confirmation (if you are not satisfy, our designer will change on your opinion,but it may cause more time accordingly);
Step4-Once the custom doll is ready, we will delivery it to you with DHL. At the same time we will send you the tracking code, which you can use to track online;
Step5- 2-3 days, you get the package, Please remember to give us good feedback if you are satisfy with our service:)

w our Minime custom doll been build:

How was Mother’s Day?  Mine was so GOOD and again I received t5he best gifts and those were hugs and kisses all day long an dmy oldest daughter wrote me a poem that brought a tear into my eye and a within my throat.  I would love to share with all but I think I may keep this one between myself and daughter.!  Would love to hear from all about your day..

Looking for a Christmas gift with exceptional features? The rewarding and effective way to find a Christmas gift with unique features is considered unusual Christmas gifts. The features of unusual Christmas gifts are exceptional, elegant, innovative, inspiring and fascinating.

The Christmas unusual gifts with its amazing features leave an impression of love and affection that is enduring. The unusual Christmas gifts is a collection of fabulous gifts. For example: having a piece of Paradise, selection of fruit, salad leaves, wildflowers, Celtic Football Shares, Sheffield United Football Shares, the owners of a portion Cadburys etc. The gifts have distinguished features and be sure to bring smiles on the face of the receiver. For a person who loves gardening, Bonsai tree gift package is really worth it. The recipient can exercise their hobbies along with some wonderful care of trees.

This gift pack contains all the essential elements required to grow trees, which includes 4-packs of mixed bonsai seeds, 5 starter growing pots made from coconut husk, coconut husk, 5 natural discs compound to be opened when the plant is watered 5 wooden markers. The fruit selection is categorized under the unusual Christmas gifts. This receptor is responsible for the gift to grow different species of fruit in your garden. Don-pick fruit pack contains a packet of seeds of plants of strawberry, blackcurrant, a packet of seed, a seed packet of cranberry, rhubarb a packet of seeds of plants, pots made from coconut husk etc

The unusual Christmas gifts also offers sports related gifts. Celtic Football Shares is to be cited as an example. In addition to the above gifts, if you browse the many websites, then you can grab easily with exquisite gifts seasonal characteristics. Unusual Christmas gifts are distinct from traditional gifts. You can consider the impressive collection and find gifts for your husband, mom, dad, sister, son, daughter, friend, spouse, sweetheart, boss etc. In this way, we can celebrate Christmas with joy and eternal gifts unusual stunning collection .

Father’s day coming soon, is there a kind of unique gift that no easy to buy , maybe unique at the world? Also, it’s not so expensive:)
Yes, if you are interested in  handicraft article, let me build a Minime Doll for you, it is build 100% base on the photos you provide,and we can leave any words at the bottom of the doll.
7-10 days done, free shipping now, moreover, not expensive -only $99.
let me show you some our past custom dolls examples. Don’t you think it’s a surprise gift?

Regardless of whether you are ready for this season is upon us. In some places (in fact, in many United States) snow falls, and people preparing for the celebration of feasts and exchange gifts with their friends and families. Do you celebrate Christmas, Chanukah, or if you do not denominationally enjoy giving gifts, you may be racking your brain with what is for humans.

If your friends and family enjoy all Irish, there are countless types of gifts you can choose to have a Celtic theme or background. Regardless of whether you buy a homebody mother or music lover’s best friend, here are some terrific gift ideas for Celtic to gift-giving juices flowing.

Homebody For Your Mother: Is your mother-type who loves spending the entire afternoon in the kitchen, creating culinary masterpieces? Is it the value of the handwritten letters, not the confusion around the house putting on tiny little items when the company is in the next? Of course, this may be someone in your life and need not be restricted to the mother.

For such persons, should be considered more of the following: If cooking is the name of the game, you can find beautiful linen tea towels. Far from bearing overused or Shamrock Irish flag icons these towels have a historical prints in Ireland, or old prints of Irish newspapers. Irish hen by the chopping board is also blossoming cook another big choice and really conjures images simpler times.

If a loved one is always jotting down notes and letters by hand, look for Celtic pad block designs featuring various Irish. Many come with their own pen holder, and thus will never search for scraps of paper to write again.

Geologist for your friend: If you know someone who is obsessed with the Earth and its history, especially rocks, then look no further than the word “Cinerama”. A area in Ireland, Cinerama is also known for its marble, which is used to beautiful objects, such as vases, napkin holders, jewelry and so on.

Cinerama Marble was a trade treasure used by the inhabitants of the time and still has great value today. Someone who loves learning about rocks and their history, none of it would appreciate a marble; you can search for example, refrigerator magnets, a “lucky stone”, a key ring, vase, candle holder, even a Christmas ornament.

For Your Brother Musically-inclined: If you remember your childhood and the brother of his work through the way each instrument can get up to (and keeping you in the night outside banging on the drums), try to surprise him this season with the bodhrán. A Irish bodhrán frame drum is from 25 to 65cm (10 “to 26″) diameter and is used in many types of traditional Irish music. You can also buy him a beautifully carved horse bodhrán, which will allow even more unique gift.

For Your Loving Family-Grandma: Most Grandmas love nothing more than dote on their families. They love spoiling their children and their grandchildren, and very proud

1. Even if you’re in a relationship, by the middle of the week, ask out your significant other for a specificnight of the weekend. It will feel like you two are starting to “date” all over again.
2. Text a “sexy” message to your significant other.
3. Mail a card to your “other” at home or work for no reason. They will never expect this.
4. Eat dinner outside…in the backyard, on the porch or on a park bench. There will be no phone, TV. or any distractions. The two of you can just focus on each other.
5. Both of you call in sick and have a “play” day.
6. While watching a movie at home, gently brush your other’s hair. A scalp massage can be substituted for brushing. Be prepared for “purring.”
7. In your other travels, hide a card or romantic note in his or her suitcase.
8. If you and your other don’t live together or are going to be apart, lightly spray the underside of his or her pillow with your perfume or cologne. You will be remembered and be the last thing on his or her mind before bedtime.
9. Personalized Menu (home or restaurant): If cooking at home, print out a personalized menu (with her name, your
name and the date) and the evening’s courses. If dining out, call a day in advance and most restaurants will be
happy to oblige.
10. Personalized doll–make a Personalized clay dolls which looks the same as you(or you both), and write at the bottom sweet words. it is a very good idea for anniversary gifts,
birthday gift or any other occasion.

Ah, the question that has alluded the greatest minds in every generation since the beginning of time.

So many of us get so caught up in what we are doing every day, that we never really get the chance to reflect on this simple question.

This past weekend, we had the joy and privilege to see, first hand, the meaning of life for some of humanities most wonderful people.

We saw a production of Special Gifts Theatre.  SGT is a program for Special Needs children, teens and soon adults.  These wonderful people work with these students and help them to achieve things they would never be able to experience without this program.  They actually help these children put on a  play.  This year it was Cinderella.  It was amazing.  I don’t think that any 3-4 hours of my life has had such an impact as these few hours had.  I am truly changed.  I don’t know exactly where this change will take me, but there is no way you can see this and not be somewhat changed.

There is no way I can do it justice in this post, but I have to say that the teachers and what they refer to as “peer mentors” were exceptional with the kids.  Peer mentors are children and teens that match the approximate age of the students and they dedicate their time to help the special needs children put on the production.  They give up sports, video games, TV and other such “normal” activities to help special needs children with their production.  This is a 7 month process, so we’re not talking about giving up 2 or 3 nights to help, but rather 1 or more nights per week for 7 months.  At a time in their lives when most kids are teasing those with special needs, these kids are giving their time and talent to this program.  All I can say is WOW!!!

I know times are not the easiest right now for many, but if there is any way you can find a few dollars in your budget to help out what I believe to be one of the best things I have seen in years, please consider donating to this incredible cause.  I know I did and will continue to do so. 

Have a wonderful, blessed day.