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Free Christmas Gifts is an app that will take you to Free Audible Books that will make the best gifts for your friends and family. Give the gift of knowledge and wisdom this holiday season. They have everything else. Give them something that will stimulate their minds and that could actually help them in this world. The God Particle Bible - for Example: The discovery that is rocking our world. Science has proven the existence of God and how he works his miracles. What better gift this time of year when we celebrate an older version of God, than to get the newest and most accurate explanation. In 500 years, we may be celebrating 'GodsMas' as much as Christmas and the whole world may even be on the same page.
Please keep your notifications on so that you can receive all the updates and great news about this Christmas success to all.
Great Christmas gifts for those who have everything. Totally unique and rewarding every day of the year. Give the gift of an Audible Book, something they will cherish always and can listen to while they do their job or travel around the country. Get your own Free Trial Audible Account so that your book is free. Then give gifts by merely sending them through their email. You could complete all of your gift shopping in ten minutes without leaving the house. What could be more fun than that. AND, you could be well within your budget as audible books as Christmas gifts are the greatest value. Ebooks also found at this website for those with Kindle readers. Also a great gift. Comes gift-wrapped with your name on it. They will thank you for the rest of their lives when they find our compelling and exciting books from the most infinite and interesting Science Fiction to How To run an Online business in today's chaotic economy. More examples: How to survive in a difficult economy. How to make money online. How to Save America. How to save the world by creating a real Utopia - we can do it right now using the Internet to erase all borders, prejudice, hate, jealousy, refugees, hunger. We can have a planet that is managed by sanity instead of the insanity that produces all the war, poverty and hunger in the world. Think about the children that are suffering just in the region of the world where we did so much damage, Iraq, Syria, etc. We sell these people the weapons they are now using against their own people and us. What kind of world do you want to leave your children.
Give the gift that could change all of this and head us into a real Utopia starting very soon. We have all the tools. We only need your thoughts, your affirmation and your attention. Give the Christmas gifts that can change the world in the spirit of the man we honor at Christmas time and who lives on here in this app. Help spread this important message. Tell everyone you know to gift these Christmas gifts to their friends and family as well and this could actually be a big thing for humanity. Also Our eBooks T-Shirts, Hats, jewelry, jackets, sweat shirts, hoodies, sport shirts, keepsakes, coffee mugs, memorabilia and other Fashions from Utopia can be found here - http://zazzle.com/TicketToUtopia Thank You for your support.
Christmas time is the best time of year and all our Happiness seems to be wrapped around this joyous Holiday Season. Merry Christmas to all and a happy New Year!
Also included is a method to raise all the money you need to pay for all of these great Christmas gifts that you may buy that are expensive. Watch Video for more info.


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BSBADM311 Maintain business resources
You will be required to determine, administer and maintain resources and equipment to complete a variety of tasks for this unit.
BSBCMM301 Process customer complaints
Processing customer complaints requires the handling of formal and informal negative feedback and complaints from customers. As an operator you may exercise discretion and judgement using appropriate knowledge of products, customer service systems and organisational policies to provide technical advice and support to a team.
BSBCUS301 Deliver and monitor a service to customers
The skills and knowledge you require to identify customer needs and monitor services provided to customers is detailed in this unit. You may need to exercise discretion and judgement using appropriate theoretical knowledge of customer service to provide technical advice and support to customers over either a short or long term interaction.
BSBCUS401 Coordinate implementation of customer service strategies
You will learn how to advise, carry out and evaluate customer service strategies for addressing customer needs and problems
BSBCUS402 Address customer needs
Managing the ongoing relationship with a customer, which includes assisting the customer to articulate their needs, meeting customer needs and managing networks to ensure customer needs are the skills you cover in this unit.
BSBCUS403 Implement customer service standards
This unit describes what is required to contribute to quality customer service standards, and to support personnel to implement customer service standards and systems within the organisation.
BSBDIV301 Work effectively with diversity
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to recognise and interact productively with diversity in the workplace. It covers sensitive responses to, and interactions with, all manner of diversity that might be encountered during the course of your work.
BSBFLM311 Support a workplace learning environment
Develop skills and knowledge required to effectively encourage and support a learning environment. Particular emphasis is on participation in processes to facilitate and promote learning and to monitor and improve learning performance.
BSBINM301 Organise workplace information
This unit covers the skills and knowledge you require to gather, organise and apply workplace information in the context of an organisation's work processes and knowledge management systems.
BSBINN301 Promote innovation in a team environment
You will learn the skills and gain the knowledge required to be an effective and pro-active member of an innovative team.
BSBITU306 Design and produce business documents
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to design and produce various business documents and publications. It includes selecting and using a range of functions on a variety of computer applications.
BSBLED401 Develop teams and individuals
You will learn to apply your skills in addressing development needs to meet team objectives and to facilitate the development of the workgroup.
BSBLED501 Develop a workplace learning environment
Encouraging and supporting the development of a learning environment in which your work and learning come together in this unit. Particular emphasis is on the development of strategies to facilitate and promote learning, and to monitor and improve learning performance.
BSBLDR402 Lead effective workplace relationships
Leadership plays a role in developing and maintaining effective workplace relationships. You will learn how to use leadership to promote team cohesion. It includes motivating, mentoring, coaching and developing the team and forming the bridge between the management of the organisation and team members.
BSBLDR403 Lead team effectiveness
You will learn how to plan and supervise the performance of the team and develop team cohesion. Often this also means provide leadership for the team and bridging the gap between the management of the organisation and the team members.
BSBMGT401 Show leadership in the workplace
This is the first level of leadership within an organisation. This unit gives you the skills and knowledge required to lead teams and individuals, by modelling high standards of conduct, to reflect the organisation's standards and values.
BSBMGT402 Implement operational plan
Students will plan activities to achieve the measurable, stated objectives of the team and the organisation. You will learn how to implement the operational plan by monitoring and adjusting operational performance, planning and acquiring resources and providing reports on performance as required.
BSBMKG402 Analyse consumer behaviour for specific markets
This unit describes the skills and knowledge you require to analyse consumer behaviour to target marketing to specific markets and specific needs.
BSBPMG522 Undertake project work
You will learn what is required to undertake a straightforward project or a section of a larger project. This unit addresses the management of projects, including developing a project plan, administering and monitoring the project, finalising the project, and reviewing the project to identify lessons learned for application to future projects.
BSBPRO301 Recommend products and services
The skills and knowledge you require to provide advice and information within an organisation about the development and distribution of its products and services is contained in this unit.
BSBWRT301 Write simple documents
This unit is designed for a variety of work contexts where you need to make judgements to produce a range of workplace documentation. You will be required to plan, draft and finalise basic documentation.
BSBWHS302 Apply knowledge of WHS legislation in the workplace
This important unit describes the skills and knowledge you need to understand WHS legislation and to contribute to WHS compliance.
BSBWHS401 Implement and monitor WHS policies, procedures and programs to meet legislative requirements
In this unit you will implement and monitor the organisation's workplace health and safety (WHS) policies, procedures and programs in the relevant work area to meet legislative requirements.
SITXCOM002 Show social and cultural sensitivity
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to be socially aware when serving customers and working with colleagues. It requires the ability to communicate with people from a range of social and cultural groups with respect and sensitivity and address cross-cultural misunderstandings.

subset: commoncrawl


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I started professionally showing art in 2004, but my first big show titled, "Girls by Boys" was in Seattle in 2008.
I have had some amazing influences in my art life. Working with Erik Jones, Dennis "Bagger 43" Brown, Gary Barker (artist for Garfield) the list could go on and on for pages. I have also had some amazing women push me in my life, even one that said "pick art or me." Now, that's a story for another day.
Tell us about some projects you've worked on and what you have coming soon?
Things have been so hectic lately but I have a few skateboards on the way for Magic Bullet Skateboards and I have a whole lot of fun stuff on the way, but I can't really talk about it. My biggest project lately was having some work in the video game ,"Gone Home" by The Fullbright Company.
You started your FaceBook page and not even 7 days later you had over 2000 followers, how does that feel?
I'm still in shock that in less than 24 hours I had over 1,000 followers.
In the industry I would say my buddy Vanessa Del Rey and Jordie Bellaire, hopefully I will be doing some work with soon, and recently I have been tormenting Eric Canete with questions. As for cosplay Envy and Neptune are pretty amazing.
What comics did you come up reading and what are you reading now?
Growing up I was really into Gen13, X-Men, all the 2099's, Ironman, and pretty much anything I could get my hands on. Now I'm reading Fables, Saga, the All-New X-Men, and the Walking Dead.
Name 3 comic books you would love to work on?
Even though its done, I still wish I could have worked on Punk Rock Jesus that was a pretty wild ride. Boom's Lumberjanes, I really want to draw a sexy Lumberjanes or images in Saga.
To people that don't know the definition, what is pin-up art?
Do you have anyone that you would like to acknowledge and what conventions are you attending this season?
I have a few people I want to acknowledge, Ringling College of Art and Design for helping me define my style, Erik Jones for pushing me to work harder, Danielle Tamburri, Envy, Madison Valentine and David Siqueiros, Hydro74, My My Buddies at Giants Orlando and all my family and friends (I don't believe in calling people fans, to me they are friends) for believing in me when I didn't think I could do it.
NYCC, Heroescon (with Neptune suicide and Envy Deviant), possibly Tampa Bay Comic Con with Hydro74, maybe Supercon in Miami.
How can everyone contact you?
Instagram: boardinker
Twitter: Inklikewater
James, thanks again for sharing some time with us at United Fanboyz, much continued success and we'll be seeing you soon.


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Kids' wool beanie Kaja
11.98 € 29.95 €
This soft and comfy toddlers' beanie is made of soft Merino wool for perfect temperature control. Equipped with full lining and windproof earpieces.
Available in sizes 50-56. Size guide
- Breathable
- 100% wool product
- Windproof ear pieces
- Reflecting details


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The Sonoma County Harvest Fair Professional Food Competition has announced this year's the winners, including the coveted appetizer category, which proved to be more creative and global than ever.
From South American empanadas and Mexican taquitos to Italian meatballs and French duck confit, the judges were pleasantly surprised by the diversity of the flavors and the high quality of the presentations.
"There was a lot of creativity this year," said Anne Vercelli, coordinator of the competition. "The Best of Show appetizer was a prosciutto cup filled with goat cheese mousse. It was just screaming to have a glass of sparkling wine. It was small and stimulating to the palate … the essence of what an hors d'oeuvres should be."
That dish, entered by chef/owner Bethany Barsman of Out to Lunch catering in Petaluma, also won Best Use of Pork.
The fall appetizer derived a flavor boast from a sweet and savory sauce that blended La Crema Pinot Noir with honey and blackberry compote.
"I reduced the pinot, and added the honey after it started to get thick," Barsman said.
"I love those two flavors together, and then blackberries are a great combo, so we put blackberry compote with the sauce."
In the appetizer category, Out to Lunch also nabbed several other big award, including Best Use of Cheese for their Creamy Tomato Soup, a shooter topped with a small grilled cheese sandwich made with candied bacon, white cheddar, and apricot preserves on brioche bread.
Out to Lunch also won Best Use of Poultry for a Mexican-inspired dish: Marinated Grilled Chicken with chimichurri, cabbage and crema, wrapped in a fried wonton wrapper instead of a tortilla.
"I liked the grilled chicken in the wonton shell … it made it taste lighter and crisper," said Judge Deidre Francis of Simoncini Vineyards in Healdsburg.
Finally, one of Barsman's favorite appetizers won Best Use of Vegetable/Fruit: a Locally Harvested Wild Mushroom and Laura Chenel Goat Cheese Empanada with Spicy Aioli.
"We love goat cheese," she said.
Peloton Culinary & Catering of Healdsburg won the Sweepstakes Awards for Appetizers, entering more than a dozen hors d'oeuvres that garnered the most overall points.
The company, run by chef/owner Tim Vallery with Chef de Cuisine Patrick Tafoya, entered a wide range of seasonal bites that ranged from a Chilled Corn Vichyssoise and Stuffed Heirloom Tomato "BLT" to a Smoked Coho Salmon Tartare and a Potato "Risotto" Gratin.
"We wanted to do a representation of what we do," Vallery said.
Peloton won Best Use of Beef for their 48-Hour Sous Vide Angus Beef Brisket Slider and Best Use of Sonoma County Wine for their Cremini Mushroom Bisque with Black Pepper Zinfandel Essence.
"Soups made a statement in the competition," Vercelli said.
"And the use of local products was high, from cheeses like Vella, Point Reyes and Laura Chenel to local bread, honey, heirloom tomatoes and mushrooms." Here are the other big winners in this year's competition:
BurtoNZ Bakery of Windsor was the winner for the Sweepstakes Exhibitor, taking home the Best of Show French Bread for their Old World Sourdough as well as the Best of Show Specialty Bread for their Kalamata Olive and Asiago Sourdough.
For a complete list of Harvest Fair food competition winners, go to harvestfair.org/winners/food.


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tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82297822828120677452018-08-28T10:31:15.297-05:00Carrie ElleOne Mom's Stream of UnconsciousnessCarriehttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229782282812067745.post-47735739312731464742013-01-11T14:00:00.003-06:002013-01-11T14:00:53.951-06:00Farm Animal Friday #6This is Norman, the big-necked Belgian colt. This was his awkward stage. He grew into quite a magnificent horse, indeed.

Carriehttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229782282812067745.post-3576880744791146972013-01-10T21:22:00.000-06:002013-01-10T21:22:52.107-06:00The Night the Baby SleptIf you "like" my Facebook page, you may have seen me practically screaming from the rooftops about how excited I am that Claire slept nearly 12 hours last night.

That's right. At 17 (and a half!) months old, my baby *just* slept through the night for the first time. As in, didn't wake up screaming for me once. And even better, didn't once wake me up with double-heel kicks to the face (oh yes, she has done that before).

Claire's preferred sleeping method. ON MY PILLOW. And no, I'm not asleep - I can't sleep like that! I'm closing my eyes to block out the flash and secretly hoping it startles Claire into rolling over (it didn't - I had to move her).

Now, some of you just absolutely, positively cannot relate to this. Your kids have been sleeping through the night since you were still counting their ages in weeks. Maybe even in their own cribs, and maybe even in their own rooms.

For better or worse, that's not the case here.

When I woke up this morning at 6:40 AM, Claire's smiling face just inches from my own as she peered at me through her shaggy bangs, I was tired (it was 6:40 AM!). But then, I realized...it was 6:40 AM! Nearly 12 hours after I had laid Claire down in bed and tiptoed into the living room to watch Real Housewives. And she hadn't woken me once all night long.

I know better than to expect a repeat performance. I know so, so much better than that (my four-year-old doesn't consistently sleep through the night yet).

But I'll take it for what it is. A night of peace, for myself and for Claire.

And I will be very, very grateful for it.
Carriehttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229782282812067745.post-77211671800199777092013-01-08T06:00:00.000-06:002013-01-08T06:00:07.762-06:00Kickin' This Flu to the CurbThis week has been a doozy, as far as illnesses go.

Actually, you know what?

This whole last YEAR has been a doozy.

I don't think we've ever been this sick, this often. In the last nine months alone, we've had two different flus, the kids have had eye infections and ear infections (several ear infections), and we've been visited by The Stomach Virus from Hell. That on top of the standard head congestion/colds/sinus issues that are to be expected.

Poor little sickie.

I attribute all of this sickness to society and children. We were *never* this sick when we lived out in the country - probably because we were rarely around other people, and we were hardly ever around other kids. Now we live in the Suburbs. Jack goes to pre-school several times a week and we play with the neighborhood kids on a regular basis (and they all go to school, too). I guess germs come with the territory.

But whenever we are sick, I find myself being grateful for our health. Grateful that is a temporary hiccup in our daily lives.

Big kid meds, little kid meds, grown-up meds, water!

Two trips to the Urgent Care (can't wait for that bill...), several sleepless nights and a house full of germs later, I am ready to kick this illness to the curb. And I am lucky that we *can* kick this illness to the curb.

I hope in this new year (all fresh and bright and wide open before me...once the flu oozes out of our lives, that is...) we can find a way to build up our immune systems and get healthier. I feel like we aren't being very respectful to our health when we're shoving our faces full of cannolis, you know?

Maybe it's the flu talking, but, I'm ready to make some changes.

I know there are a lot of food/health documentaries out there - which ones are worth watching? Carriehttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229782282812067745.post-25527651230115760862013-01-07T00:00:00.000-06:002013-01-07T00:00:05.193-06:00Top Mom Blogger - Site Review and a Giveaway, Too!It's no secret that I've been busting my butt to grow this blog. It's not easy. I wish I could say one day I just decided to create an awesome blog and it was an overnight sensation and opportunities abounded from day one - but that's not the case.

There's a lot going on behind the scenes. Aside from writing a ton (and consistently), I've been scouring the web and joining forums and asking questions and soaking in every.little.piece. of blogging information I can find.

This is a craft, and I'm going to master it.

You would *think* that blogging would be about...words. Writing. Solid content.

And it is! But there is also so much more that goes into developing a quality blog - the kind that people want to read, and the kind that people actually want to visit and follow.

It can be hard to find solid blogging info out there. It's almost like people want to keep their tips to success a secret. I mean - I know there are people out there making money blogging...but HOW??

So, I am going to share with you my new favorite find. And then give you a chance to win a three-month membership of your own.

My new secret weapon.

First of all, don't let the name throw you off - you do *not* need to be a "mommy blogger" to use this site. In fact, I didn't see one piece of information in the site that was only relevant to mom bloggers; rather, the site is a wealth of knowledge that any blogger can learn from (and I do mean any blogger - no matter what your focus!).

The site focuses on solid tips and achievable action items for growing your blog and finding success doing what you love best (blogging, right??).

There's a library full of useful articles (including several on monetizing, working with PR firms, and building community). There is also an audio library and even a video library - no matter how you like to get your information, you should be able to get it here!

I've been scouring the site for tips - mostly things related to blog design (I'm in the middle of a big redesign!) and monetizing. The information has been very helpful.

The articles are written by actual, successful bloggers. So, I'm taking their advice and should be a famous blogger any time now (kidding...but really, the help and insight is amazing).

You can find Top Mom Blogger on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube!

Membership is $9.95/month. But you can win a three-month membership here Just leave a comment below telling me you want to win and then fill out the simple (one step!) Rafflecopter form below.

This giveaway is open now through 11:59 PM on Sunday, July 13th.

Disclosure: I received a one-month subscription to Tom Mom Blogger free of charge so I could write this review. The opinions and experiences are all mine!

a Rafflecopter giveawayCarriehttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229782282812067745.post-69972257485171930752013-01-06T13:13:00.002-06:002013-01-06T13:13:47.759-06:00Moments Like This...AwesomeWe've been cooped up inside for several days, now (thanks, flu!). The kids are finally feeling like themselves again, and today Jack asked if they could wear leg warmers...because, "leg warmers make us fast!"

Of course they do!

Moments like this remind me how fun parenting can be (and how awesome little kid brains are).
Carriehttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229782282812067745.post-6178215614254863072013-01-04T06:00:00.000-06:002013-01-04T06:00:14.586-06:00Farm Animal Friday #5Donkeys. Naughty little donkeys, at that.

That's Harry on the left, and Donkey on the right.

I have a lot of donkey stories. Like the time Harry met Sally (no, really - he jumped into the neighbor's pasture and terrorized their donkey, who is named Sally). Or the time Donkey pierced his own nose. Or the time I was five months pregnant and took Donkey to a show.

But I'll save those for another day. For now...enjoy the donkey noses! Carriehttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229782282812067745.post-2905371359538126362013-01-03T06:00:00.000-06:002013-01-03T06:00:03.923-06:00What I Made for DinnerYes, you read the title of this blog post correctly. It says, "What I Made for Dinner." As in, I made dinner for my family.

But that's not all I made! I made dessert, too (with Jack's help). Kind of. More like, a delicious bread that would be awesome at any time of the day but is extra awesome after dinner once you've added a little icing to it.

Everything was so easy, I thought I'd share the recipes here in case you are looking for an easy meal that even a completely novice "cook" can handle.

Crock Pot Baked Ziti (I left the spinach out because I don't like cooked spinach)
Baked Zucchini with Parmesan
Lemon Yogurt Bread
Powdered Sugar Icing (Yes, I even made icing - although I did substitute the vanilla for a tablespoon of lemon juice, which worked well with the bread)

The best part? Everyone in the house ate everything (well, the kids passed on the zucchini...but they ate the rest and that's a WIN around here).

So, I basically cooked (baked/crock-potted/mixed/whatever!) FOUR THINGS today. That means I'm pretty much off the hook from cooking until June or so. Right??

Need more proof that I've cooked (in the form of recipes)? Check out Grammie's Corn Salad. And...that's all I've got. But it's really, really good and that's got to count for something!

Carriehttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229782282812067745.post-463011891790535202013-01-01T06:00:00.000-06:002013-01-01T06:00:03.582-06:00The Home Organization New Year's ResolutionI am a resolution setter. I am not, however, a resolution keeper.

Over and over again, as New Year's Day rolls around, I feel all sparkly and confident in the resolutions I set.

And then, not two weeks down the road, I realize that my "resolution" to eat healthy and exercise was derailed by a blueberry cake doughnut and a Real Housewife marathon and so, I'd better just quit and EAT MORE DOUGHNUTS...right?

Well, not this year.

This year, I'm kicking the "health" resolutions to the curb (or, at least not saying them out loud) and instead going to focus on something that I absolutely, positively *must* get done, resolution or not.

I'm going to organize the SHIZNIT out of this house.

We've been here for a year and a half now. Claire was only six days old when we moved, so as you can imagine, home organization was low on the priority list. And while we did get everything unpacked and put away in the first month or so, we just haven't got around to really organizing everything.

And so, that's my resolution. I'm going to organize this house. Top to bottom, front to back. It's time for this house to start coming together.

My first stop is going to be the drawers in the master bathroom. Because they look like this:

See? I have a lot of work to do (there are three more drawers like that one, plus a couple of very disorganized cabinets!).

Tomorrow, I think I'll brave Walmart (ohhhhh, nooooo...did I just say that?) in search of inexpensive organization tools. And by the end of this week, I hope to show you my first completed project.

What are your New Year's Resolutions (or, are you one of those people who shall remain resolutionless?).

Carriehttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229782282812067745.post-36120352496049830052012-12-30T12:00:00.000-06:002012-12-31T23:06:26.942-06:00Christmas Recap (Photo Edition)Christmas is over and I'm about ready to pack up the tree and return the decorations to their bins and move everything back to the attic.

But at the same time, I'm a bit sad. I really love Christmas - I always have, but having kids make it even more magical (although, it also goes by a WHOLE LOT QUICKER once you add kids to the mix).

This year, it seemed like the kids were *extra* fun. Claire, at 17 months, and Jack at 4 years, were involved and interested and excited about everything the holidays had to offer.

What's not to love about that?

I uploaded some pictures this evening and thought I would share a few of my favorites.

I asked him if I could take some pictures, and he put his hand on his hip and stuck his little foot out and totally struck a pose!

It's not easy getting everyone to look at the camera at the same time!

I told them to stand in front of the tree for a picture and they actually did. WIN.

This just melts my heart.

Jack teaches Claire how to jump (she can't get both feet off the ground at the same time, but she sure tries!)

Boots!

We get a WHITE CHRISTMAS!! With snow! On Christmas! Which is awesome! Until the next day, when it's just...cold.

Some sort of snow dinosaur action going on here.

And just like that - Christmas is over and I'm scoping out candy hearts at the grocery store. Because the best thing about Christmas ending is candy hearts.Carriehttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229782282812067745.post-2109264865997119142012-12-28T06:00:00.000-06:002012-12-28T06:00:10.338-06:00Farm Animal Friday #4When I took this picture, Mo was enjoying one of his favorite things in life - a good roll.

I always loved watching him roll. He did it with such fervor!

I would clean his stall and pile up the shavings in the middle, knowing that the first thing he'd do to show his appreciation for my maid services would be to drop to the ground and roll in his shavings (and then, pee in them...because that's a horse for you).

On this particular day, my red barn was brand new and the soft sand around it more than any horse could resist. I knew Mo would be all over it and had my camera ready when I turned the horses out to "play" in the new dirt.

Oh, Momo...may you have all the sand/fluffy clean shavings/mud you could ever want in your pasture in the sky!Carriehttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229782282812067745.post-85345211343076636212012-12-27T06:00:00.000-06:002012-12-27T20:50:45.195-06:0035 and...HappyYou guys...I'm 35.

35 FREAKING YEARS OLD.

Wow.

But you know what the really crazy part is? I am totally cool with it...excited about it, even.

I'm not resisting, not pining for my younger days (okay, maybe just a little...), not thinking about all the things I haven't done with my life.

For once, I'm in a place that I love.

35 is awesome. Even Claire thinks so.

When I turned 16, I remember thinking "Oh wow, I'm halfway to 32!" (because you know, that's sooooo old) and then when I turned 28 I thought, "Oh geez, I'm 12 years away from both 18 and 40." And now? I think, "Holy shit, I'm halfway to 70!"

Turning 30 was a big deal. It was kind of sad. It made me think about all the things I hadn't done with my life, all the time I wasted, all the things I *should* have been doing but wasn't.

Around my 30th birthday, Charles and I found ourselves watching a series of documentaries called "The Up Series." They chronicle the lives of several British children at seven years old, and then fourteen, and then twenty-one...every seven years into their fifties.

It was terribly, terribly sad.

The children were hopeful and optimistic, brimming with a love of life and the never ending possibilities of all of the things they would become. As they aged, you could see them shift away from the things they loved, draw into themselves, and fall short of their dreams as they settled for less than extraordinary lives. Some seemed content. Some were angry; others wistful.

The message was heavy: most people don't live their dreams or fulfill their potential.

{I should say here that it's an amazing documentary, and not all depressing...that's just what I took from it at the time I watched it. AND, the latest one is coming out soon - they're all 56 years old now!}

When I was turning 30, I saw those possibilities in myself. I imagined I might never do the things I wanted to do, might never reach my full potential, might someday leave this world without making a difference. And that is *so* not what I want with my life.

What I'm learning is that life is a journey. It evolves in mysterious ways and can never really be predicted. But like any journey, I can chart my own path.

Maybe it's taken me a little bit longer than I expected to find exactly what it is I want to do my with my life. I want my life to be full of my children, my family, friends, horses, books, and writing. There are so many adventures to be had, so many stories to be told...so much life to live.

One of the things I've been teaching myself is to live life in the moment. It's hard, sometimes. There are so many things to worry about, to obsess over, to do. But when I am able to live in the moment, those stresses melt away.

And strangely, the better able I am to live in the moment, the easier and clearer my journey becomes.

As I practice living this.very.moment.right.this.second, the world I live in starts to flow around me. And I am fighting it less and less. I'm along for the ride. Trying to balance what I can control and what I cannot and make that work for me.

I feel like 35 is going to be amazing.

The tone of this post is a little different than it was for the posts of my last two birthdays! On my 33rd birthday, I whined a lot. On my 34th birthday, I admitted I've reached "cougar" age. Carriehttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229782282812067745.post-26156727703550865162012-12-26T13:59:00.002-06:002012-12-26T14:02:39.349-06:00Snow is Fun and All, But...This month has been amazing, weather-wise.

Most of the days have fallen between 60 and 75 degrees, with one day creeping up around 80. Shorts and t-shirts weather.

I felt myself long for boots and sweaters every now and then, but then I remembered how cold boot and sweater weather is and I went back to appreciating the sunshine.

But, as we closed in on Christmas, I did wish - just a teeny, tiny, little bit - that we'd maybe have some chilly weather for the big day. Something that might merit a fire in the fireplace and lots of cuddling on the couch.

A few days ago the weatherman said that there was a chance we might have snow on Christmas. Snow! A white Christmas!

I live in Texas, so I know better than to hold my breath or make any serious plans based on the weather report. But still...snow!

And then, on Christmas Eve, I lay in bed and listened to the house take a real lashing from the first serious storm we've had in months. Lightning, thunder, hail pelting the windows...it sounded pretty serious. I checked the weather app on my phone and saw that the temperature was dropping.

It rained all morning.

But around 1 PM, we saw our first sprinkling of...snow.

As the afternoon wore on, the rain faded away and the snow took over, blowing around our house and blanketing the lawn. The kids were getting excited. Jack kept saying, "I can't believe it's snowing on Christmas!" while Claire just pointed outside and said, "NO! NO! NO!" over and over again.

Watching their excitement escalate, my heart grew warm as the day grew cold.

For a bit, it was great fun, and we ventured outside to take part in this winter weather. Jack, with socks on his hands because we don't own any mittens (we live in Texas...we don't need mittens!), made snowballs and threw them at Charles. Claire, bundled up and cozy in my arms, squealed with delight.

Snow! Well, the start of it, anyway!

But before long, it was just...cold. Wet, cold, and slick.

This morning, I looked out at the snow and admired it for everything it is.

It's amazing. It's beautiful. It's sparkly and soft and clean and makes everything bright. It mutes all of the sounds I am used to...even in the house, things sound a little quieter and less echo-y.

Charles and Jack went sledding (Texas-style - with the lid of a trash can) with the neighbors this morning. They were gone for over an hour. When they returned, Jack was excited and talkative and regaled me with tales of sledding and getting lost in the woods (which didn't happen). I helped him step out of his snow-encrusted boots and covered his splotchy red cheeks with my warm palms. And then, we took off both pairs of pants he was wearing, both pairs of socks, his big heavy jacket, his fleece hoodie, and his long-sleeve shirt and tossed him in the bath because he was "cold."

Good thing Jack got new boots for Christmas. Rawwwrrr!

Shortly after, I walked down to the mailbox to get the mail, dodging icy patches and slippery snow and wishing I'd worn a jacket. To get the mail. I ran back inside and looked at the giant pile of clothes on the floor from this morning's adventure.

And you know what?

SNOW IS NOT FOR ME.

Oh sure, it's fun and beautiful and amazing. For a day. Especially on Christmas! But after the first 24 hours or so, I'm pretty sure snow is more of a pain in the ass then anything else.

Maybe it would be different if I were better-prepared. If I had proper snow clothes and mittens and hats and scarves for the kids. And a mud room and a snow shovel and kids who were old enough to play inside by themselves all day.

But since I don't have those things, I'll just be grateful that we had a white Christmas...and that the snow is starting to recede.

Is it Spring yet?

Do you have snow?

Carriehttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229782282812067745.post-14427869210377213642012-12-25T06:00:00.000-06:002012-12-25T06:00:06.092-06:00I Wish You a Merry ChristmasMerry Christmas, to you and yours, from me and mine (and if you don't celebrate, have a wonderful December 25th!).

Carriehttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229782282812067745.post-81960236523693481982012-12-24T06:00:00.000-06:002012-12-24T06:00:10.541-06:00Grinchy BootyI am ready to start potty-training Claire. Or, at least to start offering her a chance to use the potty several times a day. She appears ready - and, according to my mom, I was potty trained at 18 months (I wore cloth diapers, too!). So I don't see any reason to wait much longer.

But truth be told, I'll kind of miss these cute cloth diapers.

And really, I can't say I prefer the whole potty training process to cloth diapers. Potty training is a real bitch. At least with diapers, I know where the poop and pee is going to end up, you know? And it's easier to clean a diaper than it is to scrub out a potty.

Jack wasn't potty trained until he was three. So I guess technically I could still have another year and a half of dealing with diapers.

But let's hope that's not the case!

Carriehttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229782282812067745.post-42724333824770430772012-12-21T14:30:00.000-06:002012-12-21T14:30:01.382-06:00Cooking with Grammie: Corn Salad (the perfect side dish)When I moved to Texas, I learned something very important:

You do not need lettuce to have a salad.

Nope. A salad can basically be anything you want - including jello - thrown together and chilled.

This is my favorite non-lettuce salad EVER. Seriously...I could eat it all day long.

Initially, I didn't want to eat this. My mother-in-law (Grammie) made it for an event, and I passed it over because I don't really like any of the ingredients. But then, for whatever reason, I did try it - and my mouth fell in love with it.

I love this Corn Salad so much that I always request it for special events (and even non-special events). For some reason, it never occurred to me that I could actually make this myself until very recently. This week, I rounded up the ingredients and made my first batch of Corn Salad...and guess what?

I NAILED IT.

Here's how you make it.

Grammie's Corn Salad

Ingredients
- 3 cans whole kernel corn
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup Miracle Whip
- small jar pimentos
- 3-4 chopped green onions
- 1/2 large green bell pepper, chopped
- 4 1/2 ounces of Chili Cheese Fritos (added just before serving)

Not pictured: green bell pepper.

Time Involved
15 minutes or so to prep and mix, and a couple of hours to chill

Servings
A lot. I don't know how many because I always eat, like, three time the "normal" serving size, but this makes a large bowl and feeds a lot of people.

Suitable For
Everything! Seriously...this is a great side dish for holidays, barbecues, typical family dinner, and potlucks (another weird Texas fact - instead of calling a potluck a potluck, it is often called a "Covered Dish" because I guess everyone is supposed to bring a covered dish with food inside).

A couple of notes about the ingredients (personal notes, not anything you really need to know to prepare this).

First of all, I have never purchased Miracle Whip, Chili Cheese Fritos, or pimentos prior to this week. In fact, I'm not sure that I've ever purchased canned corn, either. So, those were all firsts.

Secondly, along with the fact that you don't need lettuce to make a salad, Texas has also taught me that Fritos are a legit ingredient in many recipes (I'm sure eating habits like that have *nothing* to do with the weight I've gained since moving to Texas, right?).

OK, so back to the awesomeness that is Corn Salad.

Mix everything in a big bowl except for the Fritos. Stick in the fridge for a couple of hours to chill (because warm Miracle Whip is...not good). While it's chilling (chillin' like a villain, no doubt), pour the Fritos into a plastic baggie and crunch them all up (you could probably use a rolling pin - I couldn't find mine). Mix the crushed Fritos into the Corn Salad right before you serve (so they'll be all crunchy and crispity and not soggy). Save the extra Fritos and you can crush them up and add them to the leftovers (if you have any).

And that's it.

See how easy that was?

Now go make some and impress everyone with your delicious side dish.

"Cooking with Grammie" is going to be a monthly-ish event on the blog! I'm excited to practice my cooking skills and share with you some of Grammie's most delicious (and easiest) recipes.

If you want to see more of Grammie's greatness, check out her Homemade Hot Chocolate recipe (it's great for gifts and is AMAZINGLY delicious!).

Carriehttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229782282812067745.post-74647450925708952422012-12-21T14:00:00.000-06:002012-12-21T14:00:03.196-06:00Meet Grammie (and, get ready for some great recipes)I want you all to meet Grammie.

Grammie and the grumpy garden gnome.

Grammie is awesome.

Technically, her name is Dennie, and she's my mother-in-law (of twelve years, now!).

But once Jack was born, she pretty much became Grammie.

Grammie ran off and got married when she was 17 years old (and just celebrated her 50th wedding anniversary). She is a sixth generation Texan (which is a big deal if you live in Texas). She loves Elvis. She was a Home Economics teacher and a school counselor. She has a book of recipes that is older than I am (35, in case you're wondering).

And I want you to know her because she is going to be sharing some easy and delicious recipes with me...and I'm going to share them with you!

Yes, you read that correctly. I'll be cooking...and sharing recipes...on my blog.

Cooking!! That's crazy talk! I don't cook.

But I decided that I do, indeed, want to do a little cooking...and so I'm tapping into my greatest cooking resource and getting a little crazy and going to share this journey with the world (world = 20 loyal blog readers, 11 of which are related to me).

I know you'll love Grammie's cooking as much as I do.

And if you aren't into the recipes, or cooking, you can at least sit back and watch the fun unfold as I find my way in the kitchen.

Carriehttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229782282812067745.post-22717239212470205042012-12-21T06:00:00.000-06:002012-12-21T06:00:00.392-06:00Farm Animal Friday #3Did you read about the time I showed the donkeys in a donkey show?

Well, here is one of those two donkeys. This is Roxy. I miss this dear face (she's alive and very well, in case you're wondering).

Hee-haw, and Happy Friday.Carriehttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229782282812067745.post-81343064145550693022012-12-17T19:42:00.001-06:002012-12-17T19:43:24.172-06:00Mickey MailThese last few days have been something else.

I don't have much to say today. In the wake of the tragedy that happened last week, I don't know that I even *should* say anything.

I don't want to tap into the emotions that have settled just beneath my skin. I want them to go away. And so, I'm not going to write about them today.

But I will say this. I'm doing my best to keep my kids as innocent as possible.

And in the spirit of childhood innocence, I'm going to share this sweet picture I took of the kids a couple of nights ago.

We received this Santa Mickey from Disneyland Resorts PR. It was just what the doctor ordered. A happy surprise that has done nothing but bring joy to these two kids.

A Mickey Mouse doll seems so frivolous and silly in light of the horror so many families experienced just a few short days ago. But this is the reality of my children, today.

And for that I am so, so grateful.

Cherish everyone you love.

Carriehttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229782282812067745.post-88136335780191097212012-12-15T06:30:00.000-06:002012-12-15T06:30:01.813-06:0010 Stocking Stuffers for BabiesLast year, Claire was just five months old at Christmas.

I had so much fun with her stocking...even though she didn't "need" much, I found plenty of things she absolutely had to have. I'll share with you some of my favorites!

Here is a list of 10 of my favorite stocking stuffers for babies:

1. Sippy cup or bottle
2. Baby Leg Warmers (I bought Claire a couple pairs of BabyLegs to match the cloth diapers I bought her...but you don't need to cloth diaper to buy these - and they are so handy, and so cute!)
3. Rattle
4. Teething toy (I bought a Sophie the Giraffe and had her peeking out the top of the stocking)
5. Diaper Bag Essentials (a little package of wipes, an extra pacifier if baby takes a paci, or for those of you who cloth diaper, a few cloth wipes just for the diaper bag and some butt spray)
6. Baby shampoo and body wash
7. Lotion (I like to buy lavender calming lotion, even though I have absolutely no evidence that it makes even the tiniest of a difference...a girl can dream, right?)
8. Bows and headbands
9. Ball (babies love balls, and they are perfect for the toe of the stocking)
10. Baby food (puffs or finger foods are perfect for an older baby, and a canister of puffs fits nicely in a stocking)

What are your favorite stocking stuffers for babies? I'd love to hear your ideas!

Carriehttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229782282812067745.post-26838020849588479882012-12-15T06:00:00.000-06:002012-12-15T06:00:02.945-06:0010 Stocking Stuffers for Pre-SchoolersI *love* stuffing the kids' stockings.

I am pretty sure I inherited this from my mom - she's pretty much the Best Stocking Stuffer, ever. She still does stockings for us each year, and it's one of my favorite parts of the holidays!

I know it can be tough to come up with things for little kid stockings, so I've made a little list of some of my go-to stocking stuffers.

Here are 10 of my Favorite Stocking Stuffers for Pre-Schoolers:

1. Crayons (I also think it's super cute to have a coloring book peeking out of the top of the stocking)
2. Bubble Bath (actually, any bath supplies are great - including bath crayons, bath fizzies that turn the water a different color, and those little bath sponges that start out as capsules and turn into animals)
3. Bubbles
4. A toothbrush and toothpaste
5. Favorite snack (like dried fruit)
6. Candy treat (I like M&Ms because it's easy to monitor their intake)
7. Character socks (fun socks are available in the $1 bins at Target and Michael's)
8. Ball (these are perfect for the toe of the stocking)
9. Stuffed animal (a small one, peeking out over the top)
10. Sippy Cup (last year I got Jack a metal water bottle, and it was awesome!)

What are your go-to stocking stuffers for pre-schoolers? I'd love your ideas!Carriehttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229782282812067745.post-64920555392992098662012-12-14T08:00:00.000-06:002012-12-14T08:00:11.394-06:00Farm Animal Friday #2It's not snowing in Texas. Not today, anyway (but you know what they say about Texas weather...).

In fact, it's been downright warm (and AWESOME) these last few months. I haven't been able to complain about the weather once (and that's saying a lot, since I usually complain about the Texas weather daily for about 10 out of every 12 months).

But since it is Christmas time and all, I've been a little wistful for chilly weather (kind of...more in theory than in reality).

And so, I bring you Seamus in the snow, maybe five years ago. As much as it sucked hauling water out to the barn because the water buckets froze (along with the pipes to the barn), it sure was pretty.

Happy Friday! And if it's snowing where you are, enjoy it for me (because that's the way I like snow - in other people's states).Carriehttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229782282812067745.post-853987666330114102012-12-12T08:00:00.000-06:002012-12-12T08:00:06.301-06:00This Kid is FourJack just turned four.

FOUR!

That seems so...old. So grown up, so...big.

And yet, so little.

We have been counting down the days until Jack turned four. Out loud, we counted down every day for the two weeks leading up to The Big Day.

"Am I four yet?" he would ask every morning.

"No," we'd tell him. "Not yet!"

"How many more sleeps until I'm four?" he'd ask.

And we'd talk about how many nights remained until his birthday.

He was very, very excited about this birthday. For the first time, he's realizing that getting older means things are changing. He understands that he's getting bigger and stronger, capable of doing more things, one day closer to the elusive "grown up" status we pine for as children.

I tried not to count down the days until he turned four. I've watched him grow, noticing one morning that the shorts that used to touch his calves were suddenly above his knees. They just grow up so darn fast. I shouldn't wish these days away, not one of them.

But if I'm being honest...three was tough. It was really, really tough.

Oh, it had it's awesomeness, to be sure! But...it also had its share of power struggles and tantrums and general three-ness (which, for the record, is waaaaay harder than two).

For some reason, I had it in my head that four would change everything. That magically, he'd wake up as a four-year-old and have superior reasoning skills and a penchant for delayed gratification.

Of course, that didn't happen. Not like that, anyway. But, it is happening. Slowly, but surely.

The other day I had to tell him to stop kicking my seat for the eight-millionth time this week. I threatened him. "Jack! If you don't stop kicking this seat we are not going to the park." He sighed and said, "Okay...I understand," and stopped kicking my seat. This was a pleasant surprise for me - I'd kind of been expecting a battle.

More and more, he's telling me please and thank-you all on his own. He asks to go to school all.the.time (a real change from when he started school and would beg to stay home). He likes to ride his bike and play with his friends, and for the most part, he no longer growls at complete strangers.

He's growing up.

I feel so, so lucky to have this child in my life.

A couple of days ago, he said, "How many sleeps until I'm five?"

"Ummmm...about 360," I said.

"360! Is that a lot, or a little?"

"It's a lot," I told him. But I was lying. This next year is going to fly by.

I just wish I could slow it down.

Happy Birthday to Jack.

Carriehttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229782282812067745.post-20424671805180060912012-12-09T12:00:00.000-06:002012-12-09T12:00:04.631-06:00Hot Chocolate Mix (Perfect Gift for Teachers and Neighbors!)Pay attention to this, everyone: It's Almost Christmas!

Last year, I had this crazy notion that I'd be making homemade gifts left and right for everyone I knew. And I did make a few (homemade sugar scrub, HOLLA). But, it wasn't quite like I imagined, where I'd pass out cute little mason jars of soup mixes to the neighbors on Christmas Eve and all that.

But this year will be different.

As long as I've been married (12 years!), Charles has been telling me about the awesome hot chocolate mix his mom used to make when he was a kid.

So this year, I hit her up for the recipe and actually MADE it. And I even packaged it in cute jars.

The neighbors (and Jack's teachers) are going to love it. Because it is delicious.

Here's what you need to make it:

- 8 qt. package of dry milk
- 16 oz. jar of dry cream (I used coffee creamer - not sure if that's the same thing or not, but it worked, and Charles said it tasted exactly the same as his mom's recipe)
- 3/4 box of powdered sugar
- 2 pound box of Nestle Quick
- A Really Big Bowl (no, really - it needs to be big)
- Jars/Reusable Containers/Whatever you want to present it in

Ingredients. All easy to find at your local grocery store.

A Very Big Bowl. I could probably fit a toddler in here.

Dump all the ingredients in the bowl and mix very, very well. Then, scoop out the mix into jars (or whatever you want to put it in).

Of course, before you give any away you'll want to try some yourself. To make sure you got the recipe right, of course. For science.

Fill a mug 1/3 - 1/2 full with the mixture (not rocket science, but just depending on your taste - I am a "half full" kinda gal, myself). Add boiling water (this is what my mother-in-law did, but I just microwaved some water for two minutes and poured that in to the mug with the mixture), stir, and get to drankin'. That stuff is good.

I like to throw in a dozen a few marshmallows (because, MARSHMALLOWS). Today I used a candy cane to stir with (not only giving it a minty kick but also looking a little extra festive, too).

I made several jars of this for Jack's teachers. I also filled several plastic containers to give to neighbors and to send to family who live in Faraway Places (mostly because plastic is a lot lighter and less expensive to mail).

I purchased the jars at Hobby Lobby, but actually found them quite a bit cheaper at the grocery store a few days later (of course).

Be sure to add a label with directions for preparing the hot chocolate and ingredients (especially if you're not sure of the dietary habits of those you'll be giving this to). I just threw some labels together with scraps leftover from my scrapbooking project, and it's clear I didn't spend much time on these (but that's what happens when the only time you have to work on this kind of stuff is when the baby's asleep and OMG THE BABY NEVER SLEEPS and the one time she does sleep long enough for you to get something done your four-year-old is chattering at you NON-STOP and demanding help with every.little.thing. and has lost all capability to play by himself because he can clearly see that you are TRYING TO WORK ON SOMETHING IN PEACE).

For a teacher, I think it would be cute to include a mug filled with a couple of candy canes and some marshmallows.

I thought it would be cute to put the marshmallows in the actual hot chocolate mix (like in the top of the jar, for example), but when I tried this, the logistics of actually getting to the hot chocolate were kind of a nightmare. It just makes a big mess. Don't do it.

And if you think this is awesome (which you will, if you make it), just wait. My mother-in-law is hooking me (and you!) up with some of her greatest (and easiest, because I'm actually going to make them) recipes. In fact, I'm going to make it a regular feature on my blog. Next week, I'll make a formal introduction and share with you my favorite side dish EVER (if you need something easy to take to upcoming holiday events, I've got you covered).

Until then, drink hot chocolate and be merry.

Carriehttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229782282812067745.post-87761187149412178892012-12-07T00:00:00.000-06:002012-12-07T00:00:05.378-06:00Farm Animal FridayMaybe you already know this, but not so long ago, Charles and I lived in the country.

That's right. We lived on 15 acres and had as many animals. Cats, dogs, horses, donkeys...scorpions, snakes.

Once we decided to move, we had the (not so very) small problem of 15 or so animals to deal with. It's not like you can just load up a couple of donkeys and keep them in your backyard in Suburbia, you know? But they were our pets, our loved ones, our friends. We couldn't just dump them off somewhere, either.

The amazing thing is, the animals all found homes (with the exception of a dog and a horse and my cat, who all stayed in the family) easily and organically (or, sadly, they died).

Cricket the dog moved into the neighbor's house a couple of years before we even decided to move (she liked it there better, I guess - probably due to the warm couch she was invited to share). Rocket the cat and Mo the horse crossed the Rainbow Bridge. Norman the Very Big Horse (that I didn't have time for, at all) found a wonderful family in Colorado. Twinkie the cat went to live with Jack's babysitter (who, let's be honest here, loved her way more than we did). Donkey and Harry, the donkeys, and Lando, the barn cat, were invited by the new homeowners to stay. Dinah the cat moved in with my mom (she's actually spent several years living with my mom before and doesn't really like kids, so it's a WIN for her). Janga the dog came with us (maybe someday I will share her story), and Seamus the horse moved down the street into my mom's pasture, where he awaits the day I actually ride him again.

You know what?

I miss my critters.

I don't miss cleaning up all their shit, I don't miss trudging out to the barn in the wee hours of the morning with buckets of hot water because the pipes froze and the horses have nothing to drink, and I don't miss them barking and meowing and hee-hawing at the top of their lungs as soon as the kid went down for a nap...but I do miss them. I miss them dearly.

And guess what? It's FRIDAY!

So, how are farm animals and Friday related?

Well, I wish I could hand you all a glass of wine (or your beverage of choice) through this computer screen to celebrate Friday, but I can't. So instead, I'll bring you a farm animal. Because although I'm lacking in wine, I am SO NOT LACKING in pictures of cute animals. And cute animals are funny and make things better. Right?

This is Twinkie, a very naughty cat, indeed.

Happy Friday, everyone (and yes, a cat is totally a farm animal)!

Carriehttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229782282812067745.post-18868393279488389302012-12-05T21:56:00.000-06:002012-12-05T21:56:19.108-06:00A HorseLast week, I did something I've been wanting to do for months.

I got back on a horse.

I intended on just spending an hour or so out at the barn, picking through the tangles in Seamus' tail and maybe currying a few green spots out of his coat.

But he had other ideas. He wouldn't even let me catch him. In fact, he wouldn't get within a hundred feet of me.

So, a change in plans was in order. Rather than waste my valuable horse time traipsing through the weeds in pursuit of a wily pony that really didn't want to be caught, I instead turned to faithful old Titan (who was plenty happy to join me).

Titan's a good, kind soul. He's mostly an "easy" horse - just the kind of horse you want if you haven't ridden in months. And as soon as I had him haltered, I decided I would, indeed, like to ride.

With just a halter and a bareback pad, I hopped onto Titan's familiar back and cruised around the pasture for the better part of thirty minutes (Seamus watching from the safety of the trees). After only thirty minutes - just walking, at that - I was sore.

With sore muscles and a song in my heart, I gave Titan a handful of oats before sending him on his way.

It felt good to be back on a horse. Really, really good.

NOW. If I could only catch my *own* horse.Carriehttp://firstname.lastname@example.com


text:
Hello, internet friends!
I cannot believe it is mid-September, I really can't. The weeks zoom by, the children's limbs shoot out, and I occasionally look up from my computer screen and go outside for a walk before returning to my billing. It was lovely weather for a walk here in NOLA for a few days, though now it's back to boiling hot again. Nothing more offensive than boiling hot September weather.
I had a major filing yesterday and it was one of those high-stress, nail-biter kind of days, leaving me fairly exhausted even still this morning. We all went to a friend's fortieth birthday party last night, and I was just so wiped. Friday nights all I want to do is flop on the couch, and especially so after a Filing Day. I love these friends so I womaned up and left work at 6:30, swung by the grocery to grab some yellow roses and wine for her gift, then headed to the house to meet the Prof and the boys. These friends own an old blow up waterslide (one of those huge ones that you usually rent, they bought secondhand an old ripped up one and then painstakingly patched it together). The kids played on that (in the dark!), while I sat on a couch and stared into space, holding a beer and hoping nobody would talk to me. We left on the early side, shoved the children into bed, and went immediately to sleep.
Now it's Saturday morning and College Game Day is on the tv, the boys are playing Legos upstairs, I billed just a handful of minutes (cleaning up the email inbox, mostly), and now I'm doing a meal plan and grocery list. I have high hopes that there will be time this afternoon for a nap. I definitely am feeling the need for a siesta, after a series of 50-60 hour weeks.
I've been buying Christmas presents little by little, which means we're going super cheap with meals and barely eating out right now. However, we have had friends over three weekends in a row and fed them on a Saturday or Sunday night while our children play upstairs – mostly grilling out salmon, occasionally burgers. We had the neighbors across the street come over for Labor Day, our former landlords and close friends came over the weekend after, and last weekend some of the Prof's colleagues who just moved around the corner from us. This weekend is taken up with Boy Scout stuff, so we are taking a weekend break from cooking out for friends, but it's been fun to have guests and introduce them to the amazing salmon that LagLiv introduced ME to, and also letting the Prof dust off the charcoal and be a Manly Grilling Man.
This week's meals will be nothing fancy. We're getting the boys hair cut today and the haircut place is by Trader Joe's, so I'm going to swing by there and see what I see – it may change the menu a bit. For now, this is what I'm planning –
- Tuna noodle casserole. The Prof HATES this, but it is so easy to make and so cheap and we have all the ingredients so SORRY CHARLIE. I do try to fancy it up by topping with breadcrumbs, mixed with melted butter and oregano, so it has a nice crispy topping.
- Pork chops and potatoes. The kitchn's perfect pork chop is pretty much the only way I do it – so good.
- Chicken Bakobs – as my niece calls them! (Kabobs! or Kebabs, if you're English.) I'll buy some sauce from Trader Joes and mix them with red onion, chicken chunks, and red bell peppers. Possibly skipping the sticks and just broiling.
- One pan Mediterranean halibut with baked vegetables – this is a new one, we'll give it a try.
- Lasagna. I just make it up, usually with ricotta (mixed with one egg and a sprinkle of nutmeg), wilted spinach, mozzarella, and sausage but no ground meat, but we'll see what's in the freezer.
- Spicy Korean beef and quinoa bowl. Another new one – doesn't this look divine?
As a quinoa addict, and having found quinoa for sale at Costco that does not cost its weight in gold, I am going to wade my way through every one of these recipes that I haven't already tried. Except the shrimp ones, sigh (my oldest has as shrimp allergy). This one looks pretty good, too, but the kids will be less into it and I'm not feeling up for a dinnertime fight this week.


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Document Type:SRCSGT
Posted Date:Aug 02, 2017
Guided Missiles
Set Aside:N/A
Department of the Army, Army Contracting Command, ACC - RSA (W31P4Q) Missile, BLDG 5303 SPARKMAN CIR, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, 35898-5090, United States
The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama is issuing this sources sought synopsis as a means of conducting market research to identify parties having an interest in and the resources to support this requirement for a follow on engineering services contract in support of the TOW family of missiles, the M41 series of TOW Improved Target Acquisition System (ITAS) including the Modified ITAS, the M220 series of TOW systems and associated equipment. The Government does not own a full Technical Data Package (TDP) for the TOW ES. This notice was previously issued under solicitation number W31P4Q-16-R-0029. The proposed North American Industry Classification Systems (NAICS) Code is 541330 which has a corresponding Size Standard of $38.5M. It is anticipated that this award will be made on an other than Full and Open Competition (FAOC) approach in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source. The Government intends to solicit and award a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract for this requirement. This acquisition will require access to classified information. This acquisition will require personnel with a Secret security clearance. The anticipated contract period of performance is 1 October 2018 through 30 September 2023. There is no solicitation at this time. This request for capability information does not constitute a request for proposals; submission of any information in response to this market survey is strictly voluntary; the Government assumes no financial responsibility for any costs incurred for preparation of responses to this sources sought notification or any follow up information requests. All responses will be considered. Extraneous materials (brochures, manuals, etc.) will not be considered. If your organization has the potential capacity to perform these contract services, please provide the following information: 1. Organization name, address, POC, email address, web-site address, telephone number, and size and type of ownership for the organization. Please provide your Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number and Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code. 2. Tailored capability statements addressing the particulars of this effort, with appropriate documentation supporting claims of organizational and staff capability. If significant subcontracting or teaming is anticipated in order to deliver technical capability, organizations should address the administrative and management structure of such arrangements. Additionally, provide a description of similar services offered to the Government and/or to commercial customers for the past three years. Submission Instructions: Interested parties who consider themselves qualified to perform the above listed services are invited to submit a response to this Sources Sought Notice by 1500 CST on 9 August 2017. All responses to this Sources Sought Notice must be emailed to email@example.com and email@example.com. All questions and comments concerning this Sources Sought should be e-mailed to the POCs aforementioned above and must be in writing; no telephone calls. Disclaimer: This Sources Sought Notice is issued solely for informational and planning purposes. It does not constitute a solicitation (Request for Proposal or Request for Quotation) or a promise to issue a solicitation in the future.
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More often than not when the words "soul mate" are uttered the assumption by the listener is the person saying those words is talking about their spouse or perhaps their boyfriend or girlfriend in a romantic relationship. Well I'm here to dispel that assumption. I am going to tell you about my soul mate, her name was Kathryn and though breast cancer got the better of her going on eight years ago, she is still and will forever continue to be my "soul mate".
Having said that, I need to clarify that when I first met Kathryn she was anything but my soul mate as far as I was concerned. In fact, I tried everything I could to avoid the woman. She and her husband were members of a sister church to ours and good friends to a woman who I had become close to as well. Looking back I can see how our relationship was inevitable but when I met them, within moments I had determined I would never see this couple and their precious one year old daughter again if I could help it. Glenn and Kathryn were as mismatched as any two people could be. Where she was dark and sultry and sensuous and possessed the demeanor, thought processes and actions of a fairy sprite, he was blond, Nordic, stiff as a stick and I think his middle name is actually "control". I won't go into a lot of detail here about what their relationship was like except to say that it lasted through four more children, a move from the big city to a farm on an island here in Washington State, and a miscarriage that almost killed her. Then she found someone and had an affair with them because, as she explained to me when I asked, "he was nice to me". Needless to say that was the downfall of their marriage, at least for Glenn. Enough said about their relationship.
Getting back to my desire to avoid her, well one day, several years after our first meeting, I got a call from her. Another friend of ours (the traitor) had told her I knew how to wallpaper and Kathryn was asking me if I would please come and help her do a job. I tried every nice way I could think of to get out of saying yes, but the magic that fairies have, you just can't resist it! That phone call started a 25 year long relationship that was one of the greatest joys and adventures of my life until it ended on January 1, 2003 at 4:00 am when she finally lost the fight with breast cancer and went home to be with God.
Neither one of us expected that we would become what we became to each other. We didn't know that we would end up naturally looking out for each other, reaching out when we needed help even though we were many miles away and hadn't communicated. All we knew was when we were together, something amazing happened. We took care of each other, thought more about what the other needed or wanted than ourselves, we completed each other in a way neither one of us could explain. Others saw it too, many of them misinterpreting it as something unnatural but we always knew what it was and cherished every moment we had because we knew it was rare. We were the modern, female version of David and Jonathan in the bible and it's unlikely I will ever have the privilege of ever experiencing that again. But that's okay, because it is the story I carry around in my heart, it's the shining gem that I can bring out and show to those who want to hear about it and to show to myself to remind myself of how lucky I was that she came into my life. It's also a reminder of how valiantly she struggled to stay alive and raise her children and how brave she was right up to the very end and how I will never, ever forget her.
Thank you for sharing such a beautiful story. I have heard somewhere that what we resist the most is what we need the most. So.....
Thanks so much for sharing your story....such a beautiful one at that...I too believe that soul mates do not necessarily have to be in a romantic sense...though it may be rare it is still very real...you are lucky to have had that experience...
Yes, I agree, had she not been so insistent on knowing me I would have missed out on one of the most important relationships of my entire life. Thank you for reading it.
I am so sorry you or anyone else is having to go through this, especially her with her small children. Kathryn, too, was an inspiration to all around her going through this. I will hope and pray that your friend will recover and stay with you for a very long time.
I am sorry you lost your friend but I an very happy you had the opportunity to spend the time with her....
That was so heart warming. My cousin passed a couple of weeks ago after fighting breast cancer for the past 2 years.
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Apparently there are 2.7 million jobs "missing" for youth. Never mind that the number is almost certainly wrong since it is impossible to measure that which does not exist…and also never mind that one of the studies cited in the article concludes that the aggregate cost to society of these 2.7 million unemployed youth is more than the entire Federal budget…instead focus on the prescription:
"The report called for urgent action to address the jobs shortfall for young people and said one way to do so would be through a major expansion of AmeriCorps, the community service program. Currently, more than 80,000 people serve in AmeriCorps, but the report said if that number of AmeriCorps positions was increased to 500,000 a year,"
And now never mind that even this (top-down, government centric) solution only solves about 20% of the youth unemployment problem…
There is an alternative solution that is super easy to implement and would almost certainly actually solve the problem: eliminate the minimum wage.
The reason there aren't jobs for youth is that, in many cases, employers are forced (by minimum wage laws) to pay entry-level labor much higher rates than the market should actually support. This puts pressure on those with no or few skills – those whose labor is worth less than the minimum wage.
We don't need government to solve this problem. We need government to get out of the way – TO DO LESS.
-JD Cross
Update: more on this topic here, including a graph that shows that as the minimum wage increases so too does youth unemployment.


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What is it? aka One Very Sick Tomato
When an entire family of gardeners from way back says, collectively, "I've never seen that before," I tend to take notice. My uncle came to my mom and step-dad's today while I was there. He's having a problem with his tomato plants - nearly all of them. We think it's a fungus, but we're not sure. The stalk of the plants have blister-like growths all over. I don't have a photo to show, but the root system appears quite healthy - nice spreading, no clumps or knots. The "blisters" cause the outer skin of the plant to just peel away like the bark of a tree. So, is it a fungus? If so, will simple fungicide get rid of it, or should my uncle consider all of these plants lost and start over? Should the soil be treated with something? Should we expect this fungus (or whatever it is) to try to spread to other plants in the garden other than the tomatoes? Any help/advice greatly appreciated.


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Stop Wasting Your Money On House Business Possibilities That Don't WorkSince the things a family members treasures grows, the time came when my wife thought we were ready to include much more storage area. I had constructed some little birdhouses, perhaps a wishing nicely or two for the kids over the years. I thought my talents were adequate to place up a easy storage drop.
Children accumulate a lot of stuffed animals. A fun way to show them is to place up a piece of good wood above a window running the exact same size. There stuffed animals can be seen but out of the way. This is a great way to store trophies, dolls or toy vehicles.
Get a Really feel of the Local weather - garage door repair s arrive in numerous materials. However, some materials might not maintain up to the weather in your location. Fiberglass doors will crack during the cold, severe winter months. If you opt for a wooden garage doorway, appear into the style details and see how it will hold up to changes in humidity.
Interestingly, and this is the new finding, even these who did some normal physical exercise were still affected by becoming sedentary for lengthy intervals. This suggests that whilst regular exercise stays important for your well being, becoming sedentary for long periods is a separate risk aspect in bad well being. The two do not appear to cancel each other out. There are metabolic changes that occur in our bodies whilst we are "still", that among other issues, sluggish down the burning of body fat.
A radio ought to be a should for anybody venturing into locations where there are couple of other people. A unexpected storm or a landslide, or even a easy fall can become a severe get more info catastrophe. All pilots get training in operating a radio, and ships have carried radios at any time because they became accessible, saving thousands of life more than the decades.
There are also several home upkeep suggestions for pet owners. If you have pets at house you must verify the heat ducts, air conditioning filters and the refrigerator coils on a monthly foundation. This is simply because pet hair can clog these items. By sustaining it properly, the hair can be stored to a minimal.
Next you will need to install the curved and horizontal tracks. Check the manufacture instructions for detailed instructions as all roller doorways are various.


text:
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2015/16 St. Paul Ballet Season finished April 30th and was a great success. The largest audiences in SPB's history and the most performances in any season. Thank you, audiences for your support! We hope you were entertained and lifted by our work.
2015-16 Season
October 2, 2015 – Bella Luna
Bella Luna
October 2, 2015 at 7:30pm
The O'Shaughnessy
2004 Randolph Ave | St Paul, MN 55105 | 651.690.6700
Review: St. Paul Ballet brings charming 'Bella Luna' to life at O'Shaughnessy
Bella Luna is a ballet in one act, inspired by the traditional characters and situations of the Commedia dell'Arte – a popular form of theatre created in Italy and spread throughout Europe beginning in the 16th century. This "Tristan and Isolde" tale of tragic love plays out under the glow of the beautiful moon as Izzy and Arlo's love proves to be no match for tradition and deceit.
The first act of the mixed repertory evening gives a taste of the breadth and depth of the artistry of the dancers of St. Paul Ballet through variations and finale Excerpts of Don Quixote, staged by Lirena Branitski and a premiere of contemporary ballet, Locked Key by Artistic Director Zoé Emilie Henrot. Family-friendly. Ninety minutes. The story>
December 17-20, 2015 – Clara's Dream: from The Nutcracker
December 17, 2015 at 7:00pm (Meet the company at a Talk Back immediately following) SOLD OUT
(very limited walk-up tickets available at the door on a first-come first-serve basis 1 hour prior to performance)
December 18, 2015 at 7:30pm SOLD OUT
(very limited walk-up tickets available at the door on a first-come first-serve basis 1 hour prior to performance)
December 19, 2015 at 2:00pm SOLD OUT
(very limited walk-up tickets available at the door on a first-come first-serve basis 1 hour prior to performance)
December 19, 2015 at 7:30pm SOLD OUT
(very limited walk-up tickets available at the door on a first-come first-serve basis 1 hour prior to performance)
December 20, 2015 at 1:00pm (Meet the company at a Talk Back immediately following) SOLD OUT-no walkup
December 20, 2015 at 6:00pm SOLD OUT
(very limited walk-up tickets available at the door on a first-come first-serve basis 1 hour prior to performance: Evening performance only)
Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center Mainstage at Macalester College
Tickets $26 Adult, $20 Senior/Student (ages 13-21), $16 Child (ages 3-12)
TICKETS Clara's Dream: From The Nutcracker
This year the ballet unveils breathtaking new scenery for the growing tree and the Land of the Sweets designed by Anne Henly along with shimmering new costumes for the Land of Snows by Christina Onusko. LEARN MORE>
Review: St. Paul Ballet dreams up a 'Nutcracker'-inspired show
February 12-14, 2016
TICKETS The Work: 4 Women in Choreography
Diane Coburn Bruning, Sally Rousse, Jamie Johnson and Zoé Emilie Henrot
February 12, 2016 at 7:30pm
February 13, 2016 at 7:30pm
February 14, 2016 at 2:00pm
The Cowles Center for Dance and the Performing Arts
528 Hennepin Ave | Minneapolis, MN 55403 | 612.206.3611
Have you made your Valentine's weekend plans? Join us at Mason's Restaurant Barre
at The Cowles Center for Dance before or after the show. SPECIALS:
Friday or Saturday get 2 glasses of bubbly, 2 desserts and 2 tickets only $75!
Sunday Brunch 11am-2pm "Drink and Do Good" event. A benefit for St Paul
Ballet featuring SPBallet bartenders. $2 of every specialty drink and brunch benefits SPB!
Drink and do some good for St. Paul Ballet. On February 14th, Mason's Barre and Restaurant will be hosting a brunch buffet before the closing performance of "The Work: 4 Women in Choreography" at The Cowles Center for Dance & The Performing Arts. $2 from each buffet purchase and signature cocktail will go towards benefitting St. Paul Ballet. Bring a Valentine or come solo to enjoy delicious treats and tasty drinks! Signature Cocktails for the brunch:
Four Women – Champagne, lime juice, Jalapeno-infused blanco Tequila; feminine with a kick!
See Beyond Beautiful – Vodka, elder flower liqueur, lemon juice garnished with a twist of lemon and basil leaf!
Four women choreographers hailing from the Twin Cities, Washington, D.C. and Utah bring unexpected fresh work from a storehouse of experience alongside emerging sensibilities employing the artistic range of St. Paul Ballet's company dancers and their combined power and litheness.
Each piece is a world premier set on the company of St. Paul Ballet. No strangers to contemporary ballet, the SPB dancers will showcase their refined maturity and movement language in a mixed-repertory concert of range and athletic prowess.
A full evening of women choreographers in ballet is no small feat and SPB is elated to give this gift to the Twin Cities community. MORE>
Sally Rousse's new work, "Shre," is set to the music of Augusta Read Thomas and focuses on the use of the pointe shoe and human back to create new shapes and ways of moving. As the first female dancer to have set foot on the stage at the Cowles Center, Rousse says she feels very good about passing on all of her pointe shoe secrets and holding nothing back. For more information on Sally's work with SPB visit her website.
Diane Coburn Bruning put the dancers through a potent 30 hours during her residency creating Six, a pas de dix that emphasizes daring and unexpected partnering work accompanied by the sliding and rebounding that dancing in stockings creates.
Jamie Johnson followed on Diane's heels in November bringing her elegant phrasing and sublime line to a new piece for SPB.
Finally, Zoé Emilie Henrot makes a return to the Goodale stage with, Locked Key. Her work explores the circular nature of human psychology through fluid strength.
April 29 & 30: An American in Paris
April 24, 2016 at 3:00pm
Paramount Theatre & Visual Arts Center
913 West St. Germain Street | St Cloud, MN 56301 | 302.259.5463
TICKETS for An American in Paris in St. Cloud
April 29, 2016 at 7:30pm
April 30, 2016 at 7:30pm
The O'Shaughnessy
2004 Randolph Ave | St Paul, MN 55105 | 651.690.6700
TICKETS for An American in Paris in St. Paul
Trace the evolution of classical ballet from the 1800s through the mid 1900s through solo variations, pas de deux and group pieces. Classic gems from great ballets such as La Bayadere, Giselle, Sleeping Beauty and more have been set on the company by Laura Greenwell. Dancers will be joined on stage by SPB's lead pianist Franco Holder.
You asked for an encore of Locked Key by Artistic Director Zoé Emilie Henrot and here it is! Locked Key premiered at the Cowles Center for Dance and the Performing Arts earlier this year to great acclaim.
In this one-act ballet the romantic elegance of Paris meets the bold exuberance of America in the classic tale adapted by Peter Davison. The cast of 36 dancers includes community favorite, Jim Leiberthal as wealthy aristocrat Henri, Preston Stockert as Jerry the American, and Nicole Brown as Lise the Parisian school teacher. Davison's choreography mixes contemporary ballet movement with physical theater, perfectly suiting SPB. Gershwin's enthusiastic melodies meld perfectly with the romance and exuberance of the original story so many audiences know and love.
A sneak peek will be live-streamed from our studio on April 16th. All are invited to our free preview at 655 Fairview Ave N on that day from 1-3 pm, or watch from anywhere on Facebook and Youtube!
Peter Davison brings over 38 years of diverse performing experience. In 1982 Peter became a founding member of the trio Airjazz with which he appeared at venues such as the Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival, New Zealand International Festival of the Arts, BAM, and the Hong Kong Arts Festival. He has also been a member of David Taylor Dance Theater, Jan Justis Dance Company, Kim Robards Dance, and 3rd Law Dance/Theater, and has performed principal roles with Boulder Ballet since 1987. Peter has received the Arts Innovation Award from the Colorado Federation of the Arts and the Performance Fellowship from the Colorado Council on the Arts. He has choreographed works for several Colorado-based companies, and he is a recipient of the 2009 Ballet Builders Award for Choreography, from New Choreographers on Pointe in New York City.
Henrot graduated summa cum laude from Mount Holyoke College in 2012 with a double major in Dance and Biological Sciences. Having grown up in Boulder, Colorado, Zoé received most of her dance training from Boulder Ballet, becoming an apprentice with the company in the 2007-2008 season. In addition to her training in Boulder and at Mount Holyoke College, Zoé has trained with Kansas City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, and Joffrey Ballet. Working with prominent choreographers such as Peter Davison, Ana Claire, Jim Coleman, Terese Freedman, Rose & Charles Flachs, Kinsun Chan, and Diane Coburn-Bruning has very much influenced her artistry and choreography. In 2011 she started choreographing 'Becoming Undone,' her largest work, which premiered in March 2012. In November 2012, Ms. Henrot was invited to be a guest choreographer for the Five College Dance Department in Massachusetts. 'Gray Matter' premiered at the Southern Theater as part of the Minnesota Fringe Festival in August 2013 followed by her most recent work, 'Nadine' in 2014. This is Zoé's third season with Saint Paul Ballet serving as the Artistic Director.
Greenwell is trained in classical dance from Ballet Arts Minnesota, under the direction of Bonnie Mathis, Christina Onusko and Lirena Branitski. She continued her studies with the Butler Ballet, the dance department of Butler University in Indianapolis. For more than eight years she has been instructing Vaganova-based Russian ballet and pointe, and has been creating classical and contemporary ballet works for various dance schools. Laura is an American Ballet Theatre(R) Certified Teacher, has extensive character dance training, and has been privately coached by Lirena Branitski. Laura has most recently danced as a company member with St. Paul Ballet.
Franco enjoys working with musicians, dancers, artists, and children a like. He has collaborated on performances for the Schubert Club, Kenwood Symphony Orchestra, New Age Art Salon, Nimbus Theater and is a past winner of the Artistic Ambassadors Competition. Franco is organist at Crown of Glory Lutheran Church.
2014-15 Season
Spring Showcase
Saint Paul Ballet Spring Showcase 2015: A Celebration of Our Students
Saturday, May 9, 2015
12:00pm – Young Dancer Performance
3:00pm – Beginning Ballet through Level 6
7:00pm – Beginning Ballet through Level 6
Sunday, May 10, 2015
3:00pm – Beginning Ballet through Level 6
Macalester College Theater
Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center
1600 Grand Avenue, St Paul, MN
(Enter the ample parking lot from Macalester Street off Grand Avenue. The theater is on the south side of the Arts Center.)
Before the curtain rises at the ballet it takes roughly 8 to 10 years of training to become a professional ballet dancer. Simply leaping and turning are not enough. Ballet is an art that defies gravity to lift its audience and make seemingly ordinary movement extraordinary.
Our students from ages 4-18 have worked all year and would like to share their accomplishments with you. This year's theme is artwork coming alive. Students have chosen the works of famous artists such as Degas and Van Gogh to interpret. Excerpts from Les Sylphides are presented by the upper level dancers in collaboration with dancers of the SPB Company. The program will showcase both classical and contemporary ballet as well as modern dance and creative movement.
The one-hour program without intermission is perfect for families and a treat for mom on Mother's Day weekend! TICKETS
Ballet Tuesdays at Landmark Center
On the second Tuesday of every month, join SPCB at the Landmark Center at noon to enjoy a taste of upcoming shows and programs. October through May, 12:00 P.M. – 1:00 P.M. at The Landmark Center in Downtown St. Paul. Performances are FREE and open to the public!
Saint Paul Ballet at the Cowles
See highlights from the Cowles Contemporary Program here.
NEDA Walk at Mall of America
Sunday, February 22, 2015 at 10:00am SPB in partnership with Park Nicollet Melrose Center for Eating Disorders will perform Shifts by choreographer Kinsun Chan to kickoff National Eating Disorder Week awareness. Performance is FREE and open to the public in the East Rotunda!
Clara's Dream from The Nutcracker December 2014
A family-friendly performance in just over one-hour with all of the familiar music and characters from this holiday favorite. December 18-21, 2014 at the Macalester College Theater. MORE
Winter Courtyard at Landmark Center Saturday, Nov 29th
Saint Paul Ballet celebrates with all of Saint Paul on Saturday, November 29th! FREE!
Inside Landmark Center:
- 3:00-5:00pm Saint Paul Ballet performances of the snow scene from The Nutcracker
- 3:00-5:00pm Life-sized chess set and bouncy castle
Outside Landmark on the Plaza and in Rice Park:
- 4:00-5:00pm Skating demonstrations on the Wells Fargo Winterskate ice rink
- 4:30-5:00pm Choo Choo Bob Band, Cast members from the Ordway's production of "A Christmas Story", St. Paul Hotel's "It's a Wonderful Life — A Live Radio Play" and the Minnesota Dance Collaborative in Rice Park
- 5:00pm 70-foot-tall, 20-foot-wide holiday tree will be lit with 15,000 LED lights in Rice Park
- 5:30pm Ribbon cutting for the ice rink, Wells Fargo Choir and fireworks on Landmark Plaza!
- 6:30p-10:00pm Open skating to the public
Landmark Center, 75 W. Fifth St.; free; 651-292-3225 or landmarkcenter.org Performances are FREE and open to the public!
Installation of Blind Contour
Gallery performances throughout the city in October 2014 of a new work – Blind Contour – by Katie Elliott, Co-Director of 3rd Law Dance/Theater. MORE>
Saturday, October 4, 6-9pm
Meet Caroline Yang | Short performance 7pm
Grand Central-St. Paul, 1672 Grand Avenue, St. Paul
Saturday, October 18, 7:00, 7:45 and 8:30 pm
American Museum of Asmat Art
Anderson Student Center
2115 Summit Ave
University of St. Thomas, St. Paul
Tickets $15 Adult, $10 Student/Senior.
Friday, October 24, 7:00, 7:45 and 8:30 pm
Saturday, October 25, 7:00, 7:45 and 8:30 pm
Three Sisters Eclectic Arts, 253 E. 4th St., St. Paul
Tickets $15 Adult, $10 Student/Senior.
Footsteps at Northern Spark 2014
Northern Spark is an all-night arts festival that lights up Minneapolis on June 14, 2014.
On the second Saturday in June each summer, tens of thousands of people gather along the Minneapolis riverfront and throughout the city to explore giant video projections, play in temporary installations in the streets, and enjoy experimental performances in green spaces and under bridges. From dusk to dawn the city surprises you: friendly crowds, glowing groups of cyclists, an unexpected path through the urban landscape, the magic of sunrise after a night of amazing art and experiences. Northern Spark is the one-night arts event people talk about for the rest of the year.
Performances are FREE at the top of each hour: 9pm – 1am
The Piazza on Nicollet Mall, near the corner of 12th Street
Persons Unknown at the Minnesota Fringe Festival August 5-10, 2014
5 STARS! "One of the companies I'll be looking for in the future is Saint Paul Ballet." —Matthew Everett, Twin Cities Daily Planet, August 10, 2014
Get to know us! Ingenious. Imperfect. Introspective. Impassioned. Intriguing. Infectious. 40 minutes of new works from the SPB Company, guest artists and students. The choreographers…
Jarod Boltjes
Micah Chermak
Amber Genetzky
Zoé Emilie Henrot
Nina Joly
Preston Stockert
Amy Trayers
University of Minnesota Rarig Center Proscenium, Main Floor, 330 21st Ave. S., Minneapolis (Westbank off Riverside Avenue)
Tuesday, August 5th 5:30pm
Thursday, August 7th 10pm
Friday, August 8th 5:30pm
Saturday, August 9th 8:30pm
Sunday August 10th, 7pm


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Audit Ready: Compliance is a Team Sport
When organization's make the move to the cloud, compliance is typically not the first challenge considered....
Alison Arnott is the Director of Marketing at Evident.io. Her career as a marketing leader spans over 10 years with international experience across marketing communications, demand generation and product marketing leadership roles at both high-growth software startups and Fortune 1000 companies. Alison brings a great mix of creative, strategic thinking and tactical execution.
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text:
God loves Muslims! Do you believe that?
When you read my new book, "My Muslim Friends" (yes it arrived from the printer this week), you'll see another side in the current debate about Islam and Christianity. Here is an excerpt from page 62.
"When I share the Gospel with my Muslim friends, I often remind them that tradition within Islamic culture testifies of the amazing sacrifice Jesus made. Devout Muslims sacrifice a lamb annually in commemoration of the great prophet Abraham. The Muslim holiday Idul Adha comes at the end of the Islamic year, and is known as a time of sacrifice. Though most families offer a lamb or a goat, wealthier families may sacrifice a cow.
When Abraham's son was placed on the altar of sacrifice, he should have died, but God provided a lamb to take his place. I never argue about whether it was Isaac or Ishmael on the altar, because on this point Muslims and Christians differ. Muslims believe it was Ishmael, while Christians believe it was Isaac. My objective is to get to the main point of the Gospel message, which is what Jesus has done for us. We can discuss Ishmael versus Isaac at another time.
The point is straightforward. Abraham's son should have died. He represents us because we should die because of our sin. God in His great love told Abraham not to kill his son. Instead, God provided a lamb to take the place of Abraham's son. John the Baptist, who is the prophet Yehya in the Koran, pointed to Jesus and said, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29) The lamb became the substitute for Abraham's son just like Jesus became our substitute. We should have been killed and judged for our sins but God provided the Lamb of God to take our place. "
There is no off-limit place as far as Jesus is concerned. We must help our Muslim friends discuss Jesus.
What helps the course of the Gospel the most? Denigrating Islam and its founder Muhammad or inviting Muslims to discover Jesus?
"My Muslim Friends" will be a valuable tool in witnessing to Muslims. You may want to buy an extra copy for a Muslim friend.
If you order now, I will include shipping and handling. Please click here and you will have this valuable resource in your hands within days.
Do you have any stories to share about interaction with Muslims?
Blog on!