Welcome 2014!

Happy New Year One and All!

2013: Year in Review

Yahoo! did a really good job of the year in review-so, rather than write it myself, I am sharing theirs with you!

Click on the image to go to the story-

Deck the Halls!

Words of wisdom for today...

Bring a Torch Jeannette, Isabella

New from Manheim Steamroller this year!

It's December 26th...and why is it called "Boxing Day"?

Boxing Day is traditionally the day following Christmas Day, when servants and tradesmen would receive gifts from their bosses or employers, known as a "Christmas box". Today, Boxing Day is better known as a bank or public holiday that occurs on 26 December, or the first or second weekday after Christmas Day, depending on national or regional laws. It is observed in Canada, United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and some other Commonwealth nations.

In South Africa, Boxing Day was renamed to Day of Goodwill in 1994. In Ireland, the day is known as St. Stephen's Day (Irish: Lá Fhéile Stiofáin) or the Day of the Wren (Irish: Lá an Dreoilín). In many European countries, including notably Germany, Poland, Scandinavia and the Netherlands, 26 December is celebrated as the Second Christmas Day.

In Canada, Boxing Day takes place on 26 December and is a federal public holiday. In Ontario, Boxing Day is a statutory holiday where all full-time workers receive time off with pay.

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Christmas...humor?

Slient Night..night of silence

Merry Christmas!

The sleigh was was all packed, the reindeer were fed,
But Santa still knelt by the side of his bed,
"Dear Father, " he prayed, "Be with me tonight.
There's much work to do and my schedule is tight.
My sack will hold toys to grant all kids' wishes.
The supply will be endless like the loaves and the fishes.
I can do all these things, Lord, only through You.
I just need your blessing, then it's easy to do.
I do this only to honor the birth of the One,
That was sent to redeem us, Your most Holy Son.
So to all of my friends, lest Your glory I rob,
Please, Lord, remind them who gave me this job."

In the bleak midwinter...safe travels to all!

A point to ponder...

Hugs

Waiting for Santa

Joy to the World!

True Love...

Awesome Dice Art!

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Some humor to help beat the winter blues...

Lucia Day in Sweden

Lucia Day in Sweden is celebrated on December 13th of every year. As you watch the video you will see what a special unique holiday it is!

Carrots, Eggs, or Coffee; “Which are you?”

Carrots, Eggs, or Coffee; “Which are you?”



Grandmother says… Carrots, Eggs, or Coffee; “Which are you?”

A young woman went to her grandmother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved a new one arose.

Her grandmother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water. In the first, she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs and the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil without saying a word.

In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her granddaughter, she asked, “Tell me what do you see?”

“Carrots, eggs, and coffee,” she replied.

She brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they got soft.She then asked her to take an egg and break it.

After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg.

Finally, she asked her to sip the coffee. The granddaughter smiled, as she tasted its rich aroma. The granddaughter then asked. “What’s the point, grandmother?”

Her grandmother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity–boiling water–but each reacted differently.

The carrot went in strong, hard and unrelenting. However after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior. But, after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened.

The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water they had changed the water.

“Which are you?” she asked her granddaughter.

“When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?”

Think of this: Which am I?

Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity, do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?

Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff?

Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and a hardened heart?

Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you.

When the hours are the darkest and trials are their greatest do you elevate to another level?

~Author Unknown

Read more at http://god-bless-you.org/carrots-eggs-or-coffee-which-are-you/#Qi6X6eqLjlzeS1zz.99

The Dr. Phil Test

Click here to take the test.

The perfect Christmas gift for the person who has everything!

Grinch pills![/caption]

Hobbit Holes: The original earth bermed home!

The Music Machine

Twenty two seconds of pure amazement!!!

As we prepare for Christmas....

The Feast of Saint Nicholas

December 6th marks the feast of Saint Nicholas. As a children, we would put one shoe in the front window of the house before going to bed on the night before the feast. Upon awakening, the shoe would be filled with fruits and candies in celebration of this special day!
You can read a brief history of Saint Nicholas by clicking here.

Love yourself!

Joy

"The healthiest response to life is joy."

 ~~Deepak Chopra

Fontani di Trevi Rome Italy

Truly a sight to behold! Click photo for Trevi Fountain.net

Humility

Greatness lies not in trying to be somebody but in trying to help somebody.

                                                                                                                --Unknown

Happy Hanukkah!

Generosity

"Real generosity is doing something nice for someone who will never find out."
                                                                                                                         

  Frank A. Clark

Happy Black Friday! Be safe everyone!

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Happy Thanksgiving one and all!

It's your life...what will you do with it?

It's almost Turkey Day!

Exactly right!

Acceptance

A little humor from Reader's Digest...

The Most Devoted Husband In The World

 

THE MOST DEVOTED HUSBAND IN THE WORLD!

Jack Potter reads to his wife Phyllis from his diary of their 70 years of marriage. An elderly husband who has documented more than 70 years of happy times with his dementia wife in a diary now reads their stories to her to jog her memory. Jack Potter, 91, first wrote in his diary after meeting Phyllis, 93, at a dance in Strood, Kent, in 1941. Lovestruck Jack said he rushed home, aged 19, on the evening of October 4 and wrote in his journal: "Very nice evening. Danced with [a] very nice girl. Hope I meet her again." Since that date old romantic Jack has kept every keepsake in his diary, noting down of every dinner, holiday and conversation the couple have shared.

(story reposted from Facebook/Punnky)

Evian Roller Babies

No matter how many times I have seen this, it makes me smile!

A Good Attitude Makes All the Difference!

Watch out!

‘BatKid’ stole our hearts while saving San Francisco’s mascot from thePenguin

Miles Scott had the best day ever.

By Laken Litman – November 15, 2013 at 4:45pm EST

Five-year-old Miles Scott has stolen the Internet’s heart today.

Scott was diagnosed with leukemia when he was 18 months old and Friday, the city of San Francisco teamed up with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to make Scott’s dream of becoming Batman, err “Batkid,” come true.

For one day, the Greater Bay Area transformed into Gotham City, and Scott was given the task of fighting crime. And he’s certainly had a busy day. After being summoned by police chief Greg Suhr, Scott rescued a woman from cable car tracks in Nob Hill and then captured the Riddler while he was in the act of robbing a bank. His third and final task was to save San Francisco Giants mascot Lou Seal, who was kidnapped and locked in a batting cage at AT&T Park by the evil Penguin.

But don’t worry, BatKid saved the day.

After Lou Seal was safe and the Penguin was locked up, Scott took a victory lap by running the bases at AT&T Park. Later this afternoon, he is expected to receive the key to the city from the mayor.

Hopefully he gets to go out for some ice cream after such a long day.

Viral Video from Braved Pediatric Patients & Staff of Children'sHospital@ Dartmouth-Hitchcock

Kindness

Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.

                                                                         --Mark Twain

God Made A Dog

Hedgehogs!

Picture of Pope kissing, blessing disfigured man at Vatican goes viral

November 6, 2013 - 

Pope Francis embraced a sick person in Saint Peter's Square at the end of his General Audience in Vatican City. EPA/CLAUDIO PERI

share courtesy of Fox News

For lifelong friendship...adopt a pet!

Click the picture to read Garfield's story...

Ah-choo!

Twins mimic daddy's sneeze!

The beauty of autumn...

Mark Crilley's Speed Drawing: Realistic Water Drop

Today's bright spot...

Twins have twins!

Pa. Fraternal Twins Give Birth To Boys On Same DayPosted: Oct 27, 2013 4:36 PM EDT Updated: Oct 27, 2013 5:09 PM EDT

LEWISBURG, Pa. -A Northeast Pennsylvania-area hospital had a rare occurrence as two fraternal twins gave birth to healthy baby boys – on the same day!Alexandrea Condon, of Lewisburg, and Addison Firman, of White Deer Twp., say they're nothing alike, although they do finish each other's sentences.They also found out they were pregnant on the same day, and each popped out a boy on Thursday at Evangelical Community Hospital near Lewisburg.One in about 30 pregnancies results in twins, and for a pair of twins giving birth on the same day is even more rare.Even stranger, both babies were born premature, but are doing just fine."It's really weird that we both ended up early," Condon said, noting that they both had to have C-sections.

"Everyone is like, 'Oh my gosh!' And I'm like, 'Really? Is it that cool?'" Firman said.

"We actually found out on the same day that we were pregnant, March 10," Condon said.

"They'll kind of be built-in friends growing up," Firman said.

Women entrepreneurs are learning what men have known for years, golf is great for building relationships. However, it's not just about the sport itself, it's about the doors it can open. 'Light The Night Walk' Draws Hundreds In Philly FOX 29 Special Report: Parental Advisory On The Go Stay Connected With News, Weather Apps On the go? Stay in the know! Keep connected to Philadelphia news and weather with FOX 29's mobile site, apps and text alerts. Get The MyFOX App For Verizon Feature Phones WTXF-TV 330 Market Street Philadelphia, PA 19106-2796 Phone: (215) 925-2929 Fax: (215) 982-5494 Didn't find what you were looking for? All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 Fox Television Stations, Inc. and Worldnow. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Ad Choices

Ducklings on a water slide!

Cute baby ducklings at a state fair!

Another Pope Francis Story...

Another amazing story about Pope Francis.  

There is definitely something special about him...

Peek-a-boo kitten!

Wishing everyone a safe and happy halloween!

Halloween only comes once a year...so let's have a little fun!

The "Pope Francis" effect...

Home Politics Culture Beliefs Institutions Ethics Blogs Archives About Support RNS

The Pope Francis effect: ‘Francesco’ now Italy’s most popular baby name

Eric J. Lyman | Oct 18, 2013 | 3 Comments

ROME (RNS) Moved by the election of Pope Francis seven months ago, the name “Francesco” has leapfrogged to No. 1 on the list of the most popular baby names in Italy, according to a study.



Show caption

Pope Francis greets the crowd as he arrives to lead his general audience in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican on Wednesday, Sept. 11. Photo by Paul Haring/Catholic News Service

---

This image is available for Web and print publication. For questions, contact Sally Morrow.

The study, conducted by Enzo Caffarelli, who researches the origins of names at Rome’s Tor Vergata University, along with telephone directory publisher Seat PG Italia, also showed a trend toward re-naming streets, town squares and parks for St. Francis of Assisi, the pontiff’s namesake.

There are now more than 2,000 public places in Italy named after Francis; 300 of them were named this year.

The name Francesco has long been commonplace in Italy, according to Caffarelli. But the new pope has pushed its popularity even higher. Caffarelli noted that over the first three months of the year — before Francis’ election — the name was No. 2 in Rome, behind “Lorenzo.”

After the papal election on March 13, Francesco leaped into first and has grown more popular since then. (The study did not include baby girls named Francesca.)

In recent years, around 8,500 newborn Italian boys are christened Francesco every year — a number that should see a significant jump in 2013.

“The name ‘Francesco’ is the most popular name for newborns in Italy so far in 2013, and it is evident that the impact of the former Jose Mario Bergoglio is the main contributing factor to the name’s new popularity,” Caffarelli said.

Why can't we be friends?

 Seems that the animal world understands this very important concept...