Bloggy Awards and Tags from Bloggy Friends

Eli over at Flutterby Patch tagged me a few weeks ago so I thought I'd play along. I'm supposed to share 7 random facts about myself, so here goes:

1) I always put plain m & m's into my popcorn when I go to the movies.

2) I am a bit claustrophobic and germ-o-phobic (I have hand sanitizers everywhere)

3) Big things that aren't where they are supposed to be freak me out. (sunken ships, that scene in Planet of the Apes where the Statue of Liberty is in the sand, the recent airplane being pulled out of the Hudson...stuff like that. Weird, I know. OK enough of my phobias...(really that's all)

4) Like Eli, I can relate to her multi-tasking, multi-thinking brain. I have so many ideas going around in my head sometimes that I need to write them down just to clear space for new ones! Hence, (don't you just love that word?) the table full of projects that I have started and need to be finished.

5) There are always at least 4 wee beasties (not including my husband *LOL*!) on my bed every night. Corgis and/or kitties.

6) Whenever I am in the midst of a painting or craft project, the entire house can fall down around me, dishes can pile in the sink, and Godzilla could walk in and I would just keep on working. Hence the late night suppers around here sometimes. (Sorry, honey)

7) I am a serious chocolate lover.



So there you go.



I am tagging the following bloggy friends:

Corgi Hill Farm (aka Princess of Pink)

Corgi Pants

The Senakams, Corgi + 2

A Corgi in Southern California

Corgi News

and just when you think all of my tags have a Corgi in their title....

The Stone Rabbit

Sunday Baker

Some rules that come with the tag:
1. Link to your tagger and list these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog - some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blog.
4. Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.


This award is from Linda over at Weekend Cook. Do check out all of the yummy recipes she posts on her blog! (Thank you, Linda!)



I am supposed to choose at least 10 blogs that show great attitude or gratitude to pass this award on to. I choose all of the bloggers in my 'followers' list to the left. I visit each of their own blogs regularly and all are fantastic. If you click on their 'profile' you will see a link for those who are bloggers. Pay them a visit!

Here are the rules for the recipients:
1. Put the logo on your blog or post.
2. Nominate at least 10 blogs which show great Attitude and/or Gratitude!
3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received your award.

That's it! Have fun visiting my 'tagees' and 'nominees,' and enjoy the rest of your day. -CS ^..^

Baby, It's Cold Outside

"I'll have my bedtime cookie right on this fleece in front of the fire, thank you," the old girl said. I was happy to oblige. Have a happy weekend everyone! CS ^..^

Of Sharpie Markers And Shiny Brite Ornament Boxes

I finally finished putting away the last of the Christmas decorations. Please tell me I'm not the only one. As much as I enjoy decorating for the holidays, I just do not enjoy putting it all away. I do like when the last box has been packed away and there is that 'aaahhhh!' moment where things are clear and I can see the walls again, however. Very much. One tradition that I started many years ago was to write sort of a 'year end summary' as I put the last ornament away. It started on bits of cardboard ornament boxes. I'd ask everyone to tell me what they remember most from the year, or any significant things they'd like to write down. Nothing fancy, just short little things about family, school, current events. Little snippets of our everyday life. Precious everyday life. Little joys, big joys, accomplishments, job changes, puppies born, beloved pets who have gone to the rainbow bridge, moves, births, what car we were driving, passing of dear loved ones, all recorded in whatever was available to write with. Green Flair felt-tip pens and Sharpie markers, red crayons and pencils have all been summoned to scribe what came to mind on that day. Then we'd all sign our names.
We'd sign the back of the Christmas tree box, the Shiny Brite ornament box, the paper plate, the Christmas card envelope, the back of the car insurance bill, whatever was used to document the year. In my mind I have envisioned the most beautiful book that all of these memories should go into. But when I see the evolution of a pre-schooler's carefully crayoned name to the quick flick of a teenager's pen written on the pieces of the reality that surrounds us, I can't imagine any fancy velvet book could make these memories any sweeter. As I wrap each ornament, whether hand made by a child or handed down from Grandma or a gift from a friend,I know that when the season comes back around; a memory will surround me as once again it is placed it on the tree. I think that is part of why we all love to decorate so much, don't you? It is about so much more than just decorating. Because our boxes hold so much more than just ornaments. -CS ^..^

"Miracle On The Hudson"

If you haven't heard, US Airways Flight 1549 went down into the Hudson River in New York City near the USS Intrepid. All of the boats and ferries in the area immediately responded. There is speculation as to why the engines went out, flocks of birds perhaps. But who cares? Every single person, including a baby, were miraculously rescued! The pilot, Chesley B. "Sully" Sullenberger a 30 + year pilot and fighter pilot in the US Airforce, and his crew are heroes. Because of the skill of the pilot, he was able to bring the plane down along the surface of the water without hitting any boats or barges or anything. Passengers from the plane are telling news crews that they saw fire and flames coming from the engines. The pilot told them to 'brace themselves for a hard landing.' When everyone was out, the pilot walked the plane twice to make sure that all of his passengers were out. 155 people. No serious injuries. No fatalities. A miracle, indeed! -CS ^..^

Snow on snow on snow.

It snowed again yesterday. Just for the Corgis. xo CS ^..^

From O.G. With Love...

My daughter Laura (17) is such a bibliophage and bibliophile; so much so that she reminds me of Belle in Disney's Beauty and the Beast or Jo in Little Women. She reads and writes, writes and reads. She is rarely without a book in her hand. She rarely asks for anything, and trying to find out what she might like for a birthday or for a Christmas present is like pulling teeth and family and friends tend to give her gift cards to favorite book stores. She really likes that. If you go to the library or a book shop with Laura, you'd better mark out a few hours because it is nearly impossible to get her to leave. Ask Mary Elizabeth...she's accompanied Laura and I on book store days. Unless she's on a 'mission' (ie: knows exactly which book she came in to get) then one needs to plan accordingly. So during the weeks before Christmas, as I was wrapping gifts, every day or so I'd ask Laura what she might like for Christmas. "I don't know, I could use a new pair of jeans," I finally coaxed out of her one day. What enthusiasm. It was like her saying, 'I could use a new toothbrush, and by the way, we are out of shampoo.' I told her that I read on someones blog (I WISH I could recall who because I love the idea) that for Christmas, they do "something you want, something you need, something to wear and something to read." She really liked that idea, especially (you guessed it) the something you read part. Well, I picked up a really nice pair of Donna Karan jeans for her; a few books, and a game. Suddenly out of the blue, 2 days before Christmas she blurted out, "You know what I'd really like for Christmas? To see Phantom of the Opera on Broadway. Oh, I know it is too late but that would have been really fun." We both love the 2004 movie with Gerard Butler (oooh la la) as the Phantom, Emmy Rossum as Christine, Minnie Driver as the prima donna Carlotta and Patrick Wilson as Raoul. Her Grandparents bought the soundtrack from the movie for her for Christmas because we wore out the first one in my car, but that is another story!
Gulp. Two days before Christmas. I made a discreet phone call to a secret amazing friend who was able to get us 3 tickets, awesome 4Th row center seats, right beneath the famous grand chandelier which crashes down during the performance. Being so close to Christmas we thought it best to leave them at the 'will call' window at the theater. But what to put under the tree to announce the big surprise? Amazingly, on Christmas morning there was a mysterious invitation for Laura with the Phantom's mask on the front. It read 'Dear Laura, The honor of your presence is requested this Saturday at the Majestic Theater. Love, O.G. p.s. please be sure not to sit in Box 5 " So on Saturday, the Mister, Laura and I went to see the show. It was really fun.

“Phantom,” based on a French novel by Gaston Leroux, is the longest-running Broadway show in history. I understand that Andrew Lloyd Webber has the sequel in the works to open at the end of 2009 on Broadway, London and maybe Shanghai? It is called, "Phantom: Love Never Dies." Apparently it is to be set on Brooklyn's Coney Island and will take place 10 years after the original. I'm sure it will be something to see. Andrew Lloyd Webber, how can it be bad, right?

Now, completely off the subject, but you have to see this lovely short video sent to me by Karen Mowry. It is about a dog named Bella and an elephant named Tarry in an elephant sanctuary in Tennessee. Well, maybe not completely off the subject. It is about two glorious creatures loving each other in spite of their vast differences. You just have to watch it! Seriously. Click here.

Have a happy day my little Corgettes! (What do you mean you don't know who O.G. is? tsk tsk...rent the movie!) xo Cat ^..^

Winner! + 2

By a very scientific process in the laboratory, we have chosen a Winner!

OK, OK, it wasn't the laboratory. It was random.org's number generator....

Thank you all for your lovely birthday wishes for Indy. He was so happy...I think I even saw a little tear roll down his furry cheek. Nerissa wins the sweatshirt.

Indy couldn't resist drawing two more names, so Maud and Joey, you will each win a pack of notecards in the design of your choice, Corgi or Hedgie.

Do come back and visit us often! I have new Original art and crafty things in the works that I can't wait to share with you.

Happy New Year! Warmly, Cathy ^..^