So Shines A Good Deed

**Kleenex Alert**  

Here's a great little piece about a simple act of kindness. This high school kid has a heart of gold.

A Post-Christmas Post

YouTube user Spoonito posted this video capturing 25 years of his children coming down the staircase on Christmas morning.  The Charlie Brown music really adds to the sentiment.

She Was Born To Rock!

Found this adorable video via NeatoBambino.  Behold a future rocker!

Some Spelling Suggestions

This is a fantastic, graphical representation of common misspellings and how to avoid them.  For some reason, I've always been a stickler for this kind of stuff, but never before have I had this much fun reading about it!  (Hat tip:  The Oatmeal)

This Ginger Loves Gingerbread!

Hooray for 12 days of gingerbread houses! (via Mental Floss).

A Christmas Reading

Yet another holiday-related post.  I am really feeling the Christmas spirit this year!  Anyone familiar with the German movie director, Werner Herzog, will appreciate this parody.  Listen as the classic "Twas The Night Before Christmas" is completely ruined with his baloney, existentialist interpretation.  If nothing else,  it's worthy of an arrogant, film school student chuckle.  ;)

Let It Snow

A CNN reporter recently shared these beautiful photos of snowflakes captured on her family's camera. 

It's funny, but as a kid, I primarily loved snow because it lead to getting a day or two off from school.  No books, no lessons, no teachers -- every grade school student's dream come true!  But as I've grown over the years, snow has come to mean something entirely different to me.

Some people will look at these images and remove the sense of wonder they inspire.  They'll say there is a simple mathematical, nay scientific explanation for the intricate structure of a snowflake,  that it's not something miraculous. I smile when I hear this, as I can picture these same people participating in snowball fights and sledding down hills, both as young children and now as aging adults.

Snow has a way of bringing out the bewildered, innocent side in all of us, the side of us that wants to believe in and live in the moment, void of any mathematical or scientific influence.  Perhaps this is why we refer to snow-covered scenery not as a winter land, but as a winter wonderland.  To me, it's the wonder that makes all the difference.

A Little Off The Beaten Path...

There's no proper segue for this so I'll just say it: I desperately want to see The Fighter, starring Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale.  It looks like it has all the grit, guts and glory you'd want from boxing film, not to mention the fact that it has two of Hollywood's biggest hunks in it!  Who knew they had a sense of humor though?  Watch as they serenade an ABC News correspondent with kids show tunes.  Classic! 

So Long, Frosty!

There is much chatter over the internet today regarding a recent hit-and-run school bus accident in Illinois.  The victim?  A snowman!  Shortly after the incident occurred, the bus driver resigned, but nobody knows for certain why.  School officials and transit board members are tight-lipped over the situation, but many seem to think they are behind the resignation.  It seems to me this bus driver did the right thing in removing what otherwise could've been a fatal road block for a smaller vehicle.  In my book, this guy goes down as a hero and I hope he gets his job back. 

Fun With Pets

Ever wonder what your cat is thinking while you're busy on your computer?  This cartoon pretty much sums it up!

Also came across this fun little video, which is apparently the first ever film shot entirely by cats.  Enjoy!

Unique Wreaths

It’s December 9th, and in our household, that means the holiday decorations have already been up for well over a few weeks! I am truly insane when it comes to the decorating, but I can’t help it. I just love getting into the holiday spirit with all the ornaments, candles, poinsettias and of course, the Christmas wreaths! It’s time for us to get a new wreath this year (the glitter and faux snow glory is fading away on our current one) so I started some research online.

Though none of these wreaths tickle my fancy, I can appreciate the creativity that went into them.


Dad's old ties





Circuit boards

 

Recycled paper oragami

 


Buttons!

 


Classy bottle caps



Painted Star Wars figurines

 

Mother Nature vs. Mother Duck

I've never seen the wind blow ducks around like this!  Thankfully, no one was harmed.

Bag A Trophy

It's bad enough that bowling is considered a sport (sorry, bowlers), but now grocery bagging too?  Anything to work up a sweat I guess!   For a complete list of this year's champions, check out the National Grocers Association website.

Not Your Average Coffee Shop

Being the arts and crafts lover that I am, I was thrilled to randomly come across a review of Metrix Create Space on Yelp.  They describe themselves as "part tech shop, part hacker space, part coffee shop" and offer access to a plethora of equipment, including high-speed internet and computers, 3D printing, laser-cutting tools, sewing machines and craft supplies.  They hold daily events and workshops encouraging people of all ages to engage in their love of art projects.  They're centrally located in the Capital Hill district, which is a natural draw for artsy types, and their motto, simply put, is "Make something awesome."  What a great idea for a business!

Aidan's Art

Aidan Reed is an adorable five-year-old boy who was recently diagnosed with leukemia.  When his medical bills became difficult for his family to manage, he took to selling drawings he'd made while in the hospital.  After only a few short weeks, his artwork sales totaled $83,000! Here's a look at his Etsy store. What a courageous little guy!

Family Visit!

We were fortunate to spend this Thanksgiving at home entertaining my parents.  What a fabulous visit!

Mom and Bob having some wine 

Our Thanksgiving feast!

The happy hosts :)