Raige Creations

When it came to decorating the tree this year, there came a load of emotions and memories. It was the first year I decorated the tree without the kids. They are all out of the house now, and it is just hubby and me for the holidays this year. A quiet house this year, unlike almost every other one we have had since we were married. ( Here is one from several years ago, boy did we decorate then!) It used to be that he brought the live tree in and got it in the holder and made sure it was straight, and then his job was done. He never actually puts one on the tree, unless it was that crazy spinning cow above the tree the kids loved when they were little, or the octopus star that one year.  He generally he finds other things to do while the decorating is going on, and this year was no different. Just paying attention from the sidelines, when he wanted to add comments to my reminiscing and laughing and nod and agree to my ' aww look how cute ' comments.  Christmas 2020 That is some...

Merry Christmas to everyone and Joy to the World! I am glad Music Monday fell on Christmas this year, so that I could share with you a song that is sort of Christmassy, and plenty groovy. (I don't know about you but I am kind of sick of Christmas music...thank you Three Dog Night for spreading joy in a groovy way.)  Yesterday, I was so thankful Christmas Eve was a Sunday. You see, here where I am now, Sunday is a day where businesses are closed and it truly is a relaxing day. No running to the store, to pick up last minute things. No shopping till midnight, no grasping for that 'little something' you wanted to get. If you hadn't finished Saturday, you are out of luck. It is an adjustment, as living stateside you are accustomed to being able to shop on Sundays. Once you don't have that "luxury", you are forced to simply relax on Sundays. And it is a perfect way to spend Christmas Eve. Thus you get a Music Monday this week, as I have today to relax ...

Thanks to M.L. Gardner , my chocolates source: Raige Creations Yes, I will be talking about chocolate, again. I so enjoyed the Godiva chocolates I won , not just because they were SO delish, but because it made me stop, relax, and enjoy the company I was with. It also brought back memories of when I was young. My father used to buy Whitman's Samplers every holiday, no doubt bought from the pharmacy on the corner.  It was his special treat for the family, probably one he continued from his childhood. His young years were during the Great Depression (the era of Author M.L. Gardner's 1929 series which are my latest favorite books), and I am sure chocolates were a fine treat indeed. His family was from Philadelphia, where the chocolates originated so no doubt this tradition came from his father, my grandfather. A true family tradition. source: Whitmans.com Not the fanciest, and certainly not expensive, the Whitman Sampler chocolates were all his family could ...

I have today off. Well, I don't have to go into the shop today, so I am 'off work' today, even tho I have already checked work email, have a stack of expenses I am determined to enter into the system, and have to do much paperwork and emails. I do not have to go into the shop today! So I just put on a tee I would never wear to work, some jeans that no doubt need washing. No shower, no primping. Strangely, I am very excited to be going to the grocery store with my youngest dirty, possible smelly, and just think about normal, not work stuff! I mentioned to hubby, "Not showering, just putting on this black tee, dirty jeans, and going to the store this way! How you like me now??" Boom this song is firmly in my head. I like me now. I like me roughin' it. We gonna do some chores too. And get even dirtier.  Why, you ask, am I so excited about this? Because this is the first of 3 days in a row I don't have to go into the shop, and I am more than happy to...

One Organized Person - this is NOT my list.... There is much talk about 'how to handle' Thanksgiving:   How to deal with extended family , how to cook the bird, how to make the pies, how to make certain side dishes ahead , the secret to carving breast meat , how to set the table , what to wear on Thanksgiving , and there are even playlist suggestions for Thanksgiving music !  Now THIS could be fun to try to do..... Just reading all this stresses me out! Our game plan this year is much simpler. The big thing for me is I took today off, meaning 3 days in a row off for me. Ridiculously huge. So did I choose to spend today running around preparing home made desserts and prep-ahead side dishes?  NO. WAY.  I am sitting with my entire family, hubby and all three kids, enjoying the banter of video game talk, joking about being so hungry but everything to eat involves work (! - like getting a bowl and cereal out is tough...oh yeah, milk too...oh the eff...

Tomorrow is the beginning of the the holiday celebrations for some, so let's all celebrate with a few laughs. Hubby has been trying to get me to feature this song for weeks, so finally, here it is. Happy Chanukah!

Being one of those people that seems to be late with everything (still on Island Time I say), I am late is posting the 2011 Holiday Shipping Deadlines. (one has already passed!)  Here they are. If you need something from Raige for Christmas, make sure you order in time, and let me know it is for Christmas or Hanukkah or that you need it by a specific date.  Don't forget the Gift Certificates if you have trouble deciding..... 2011 USPS Holiday Shipping Deadlines The Postal Service wants to make sure that you send all of your holiday mail in time for your family and friends to receive and enjoy for the holidays.  Therefore, in order to ensure timely delivery of your cards, letters or packages, please note the shipping deadlines for the following different types of mail: DOMESTIC MAIL DEADLINES Domestic Mail Class Deadline FIRST CLASS MAIL® DEC. 20 PRIORITY MAIL® DEC. 21 EXPRESS MAIL® DEC. 22 (Check your local Post Office) PARCEL POST® DEC. 15 Following is a lis...