Here's one I made earlier

Focus shifts

2012-02-08T00:40:00.000Z

So I haven't had the inspiration to pick up with the tarot at the moment...it's not forgotten, simply eased into a lesser pressing priority

Instead I have shifted focus to the possibility of opening a "shop" on Etsy, so going about collecting inspiration and building up a stock. Open it in September time and see if it will go...resurrecting my old business name, designed an early image as logo:

I still need to refine it, don't think text is the right one & not sure about the ability to read it

Thanks to all of you who continue to help me, I hope to get even with you soon!

Gabrielle, 2012

Some Recent interests and other stuff

2012-01-12T00:59:00.002Z

Over the last two weeks I have been doing a lot of knitting and looking for inspiration and here are the latest things:

Curating some Etsy Lists---

My Funny Valentine

You can see it here:

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTIzODI0Mzh8MTc4NzcwNDE2Mg/my-funny-valentine?index=0

************

Dream Weavers Treasury

You can visit it here:

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTIzODI0Mzh8MTcxMzExOTc4Nw/dream-weavers?index=2

************

He Loves me, He Loves me NOT Treasury

You can view it here:

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTIzODI0Mzh8MTc0NTU3MzUzNA/he-loves-me-he-loves-me-not?index=1

************

Snowdrops and other signs of Spring in Winter Treasury

You can view it here:
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTIzODI0Mzh8MTc2NTQ5Mzk4OQ/snowdrops-and-other-signs-of-spring-in?index=0
************

Recently I have been appointed as "Minister of Stuff" for the USMM:

http://www.magilus.com/USMM/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/US-Ministry-of-Magic/142652709164992

************

I Joined the local Boroughbridge Community Choir:

http://www.boroughbridge.org.uk/process/52/Choir.html

Here's the choir mistress and details about the choir

http://boroughbridgecommunitychoir.co.uk/

************

And I made my friend some bunny slippers for her birthday:

That's what I've been up to, what about you?

Share at will,

Gabrielle, 2012

Goodbye 2011, Hello 2012

2012-01-01T02:42:00.001Z

Hope you are having a great holiday!

2011-12-27T00:30:00.000Z

And I hope you have gotten good pressies...

Investigating Santa’s dark Doppelgängers, Part 2

2011-12-24T22:00:00.001Z

There seems to be quite a lot of bad boys who accompanied St. Nick, the more I find reference to, the more I find. I realise now how essential a polar opposite seemed to be in the St. Nick folklore. Just like Krampus I knew nothing of these dark sidekicks until this year. It seems that maybe all the bleaching of our European traditions has gone some to eradicate these guys, but I ask you, should we really ignore them?

Should they really be forgotten?

Is there a need for these fiendish friends of Santa in our culture?

http://nathanmaxwellcann.info/2009/

A DARK FIGURE hides behind the grinning countenance of Ole’ Saint Nick. Sometimes he rides on a white horse, and sometimes he is accompanied by fairies or men in blackface dressed as old women. Sometimes he is in rags and a long black beard, and sometimes he is covered in fur with the horns of a goat and a long red tongue. He is just one of the many murderers and child molesters that make up Santa Claus’ posse.

Truth is, Jolly Santa’s “companions” are a hodgepodge assortment of rough-and-tumble characters; assorted fiends with sordid pasts and nightmarish agendas. The companions travel with St. Nicholas or his various equivalents (Father Christmas, Santa Claus), carrying with them a rod (sometimes a stick, a mace, switchblade, sythe, revolver, a magic top hat, rusty chains, a birch branch, bundle of switches or a whip, and in modern times often a broom) and a sack.

They are sometimes dressed in black rags, bearing a black face and unruly black hair. In many contemporary portrayals the companions look like dark, sinister, or rustic versions of Nicholas himself, with a similar costume but with a darker color scheme.

--- PERE FOUETTARD---

http://www.secret-realite.net/index.php?mod=articles&ac=commentaires&id=811

The Père Fouettard (French for The whipping Father) is a character who accompanies St. Nicholas in his rounds during St. Nicholas' Day (6 December) dispensing lumps of coal and/or floggings to the naughty children while St. Nick gives gifts to the well behaved.^[1] He is known mainly in the Eastern regions of France, although similar characters exist all over Europe (see Companions of Saint Nicholas). This "Whipping Father" was said to bring a whip with him to spank all of the naughty kids who misbehaved.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P%C3%A8re_Fouettard

Père Fouettard is found in France and Luxembourg, where he's known as Housécker. He is the evil butcher who was forever condemned to follow St. Nicolas as a punishment for luring the little lost children into his shop. His name doesn't translate well, but means "Mr. Bogeyman," "spanking," or "switches."

One version of the story tells of a famine in the land and three young boys who become lost while out searching the fields for food missed by the harvest. In other versions the boys simply become lost while wandering in the fields. As night begins to descend they spy a butcher's shop and knock on the door seeking shelter for the night. The butcher opens the door and invites them in.

http://www.dreamcreations.fr/pages/univers-fetes/traditions-et-legendes-de-noel/le-pere-fouettard.html

But, instead of giving them food and shelter for the night, the butcher kills the boys and then hacks their bodies to pieces and throws the pieces into a barrel of brine (salt water) along with a butchered pig that he is preserving in the brine. His intention, of course, is to increase his profit by including the boys' remains as part of the pork he is selling.

Some time later there is another knock at the door and when the butcher opens the door he sees St. Nicholas standing in the doorway.

http://chuck.hubpages.com/hub/Father-Christmas-and-His-Assistant-Pere-Fouettard-

St. Nicholas makes his way to the barrel and tells the three boys to arise and come to him. All three are immediately made whole and come to life. Stepping out of the barrel, the boys spoke of being asleep and dreaming of Heaven. Watching from his position by the doorway, the butcher suddenly became remorseful and repentant for what he had done. St. Nicholas assured him that God forgave all sinners who repented regardless of the sin.

Feeling both ashamed for what he had done and gratitude toward St. Nicholas for undoing the damage resulting from his crime, the butcher chose to follow St. Nicholas from the shop and has been at the saint's side through the ages, not as the slave or servant of the saint but as a loyal follower showing his gratitude by helping where he can.

[This is in French]

The companion of the French St. Nicholas, Père Fouettard, is said to be the butcher of three children. St. Nicholas discovered the murder and resurrected the three children. He also shamed Père Fouettard, who, in repentance, became a servant of St. Nicholas. Fouettard travels with the saint and punishes naughty children by whipping them.

http://nathanmaxwellcann.info/2009/

---RUPRECHT ---

Ruprecht or Knecht Ruprecht is St. Nicholas' most familiar attendant in Germany. He is a servant and helper whose face is sooty from going down chimneys leaving children's treats. He carries the sack of presents and a rod for disobedient children. "Just wait until Ruprecht comes" is still a common threat in German homes.

Originally a farm hand, Ruprecht is known as Hanstrapp or Rupelz in the French region of Alsace. In Germany there are many different characters: Krampus in Southern Germany, Pelzebock or Pelznickel in the North-West, Hans Muff in Rhineland, Bartel or the Wild Bear in Silesia, Gumphinkel with a bear in Hesse, Buttenmandl in Bavaria, or Black Pit close to the Dutch border. In the Palatinate both Nicholas and his attendant may be known as Stappklos, the plodder and grumbler.

http://www.stnicholascenter.org/pages/who-travels-with-st-nicholas/

According to some legends, St. Nicholas had a servent. His name was Knecht Ruprecht. When St. Nicholas and Ruprecht come to the door, the children are asked to perform tricks, such as dancing or singing. Good children will receive gifts from St. Nicholas. Bad children will be beaten by Ruprecht. If they are really naughty, they will be carried off by him in his sack. Parents would leave sticks to warn their children to be good, and they would tell them that Ruprecht will take them away if they are really bad.

http://lafenty.hubpages.com/hub/KrampusandKnechtRuprecht

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knecht_Ruprecht

---KRAMPUS –-

http://zombie-popcorn.com/?p=5637

I have never been a huge fan of the traditional Christmas story of Saint Nicholas making toys for every good boys and girl in the world. True, I love the fruits of his labor but I always felt something was missing. Like we were only told half of the story. Today, I found out we were only told half of the story. Did you ever wonder what happened to the bad children and come to think of it what about the bad adults? Have you ever heard of Krampus?

http://sabrebiade.hubpages.com/hub/The-Krampus-You-Better-Watch-Out

December 6^th, was Krampusnacht, a holiday celebrated in Alpine regions of Germany and Austria.

The festival’s roots stretch back into pre-Christian times when Germanic mountain folk paid homage to Krampus the child-stealing demon of winter darkness. Krampus was a hell-sent god with goat’s horns, coarse black fur, and a fanged maw. He would visit disobedient or inattentive children and beat them with a cruel flail before tearing them to bits with his claws (in fact “Krampus” means “claw” in old high German).

The demon would then carry the dismembered bodies back to the underworld and devour the human flesh at his leisure.

In Austria the feast of St. Nicolas brings together all sorts of characters that appear to come from hell. Santaklos (Nikolo, or Niglo Klos) through the streets, accompanied by "Krampus". The Krampus masks are of the devil and a big fur coat. Saint Nicolas asked the children whether they know their prayers and distributes nuts, apples, oranges and even gifts. In other places, is accompanied by Santaklos characters covered with straw, with long antennae, "the Schab." They perform the "Nikolospiele" Games of Saint Nicolas

--- DUENDE---

http://www.taringa.net/posts/paranormal/12106743/_El-hijo-de-los-duendes_.html

Not only does Santa have his dark cronies but the cronies in some places have their own servants, the Duende.

A “duende” is a gnome or goblin that lives under the stairs. The “duende” according to myth appears because of an evocation given by someone nearby. It is physical entity that allegedly manifests because of emotional stress. The duende is a demonic earth spirit much like the earth spirits of the dark nights like Krampus and Belsnickel. Those who see a “duende” are soon to have a death in the family.

http://www.groundzeromedia.org/dark-christmas-the-gnomes-of-krampus-and-belsnickel/

It is also believed the “duende” can hide in your shoes and enter your body through the soles of your feet. It is interesting that the gnomes of European Christmas lore would have some fascination with shoes and stockings. For years the gnomes were believed to be sniffing around chimneys where children would dry their stockings.

There have been countless times in everybody’s day to day experience where they would lose a sock or even underwear in the dryer. People joking say that it is the work of the “sock gnomes.” Everyone may joke about it, however it seems as though the mystery dates back some 400 years ago on those dark nights by the fire at Christmas time.

A duende is a fairy- or goblin-like mythological creature from Iberian, Latin American and Filipino folklore. While its nature varies throughout Spain, Portugal, Spanish and Portuguese-speaking America and the Philippines

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duende_(mythology)

--- SCHMUTZLI---

http://cyclinginparis.blogspot.com/2011/12/schmutzli-swiss-bad-santa.html

Just like Venom to Spiderman, Dr. Moriarty to Sherlock Holmes and Magneto to Dr. Xavier, Schmutzli is a more sinister counter point to the good that Santa represents.

The answer to how this tradition came about is once again representative of another classic battle between Christianity and paganism. Originally it was a pagan ritual called Perchten which involved good spirits driving out the bad old spirits. With Samichlaus taking the Christian "good" role Schmutzli some how managed to evolve into the dark figure.

Samichlaus is not Santa Claus however and the celebration of "St Nicolas Day"is on the 6th of December, while both Christmas and St Nicolas Day both have the same origins they take on different forms, with the latter having much more in common with its original tradition of paganism than its commercialised American brother.

http://zurichexpats.com/schmutzli-bad-santa-switzerland/

Schmutzli is nearly always all brown: dressed in brown, with brown hair and beard, and a face darkened with lard and soot. He is St. Nicholas' helper in Switzerland. He carries a switch and sack, but no longer uses them. Children used to be told that Schmutzli would beat naughty children with the switch and carry them off in the sack to gobble them up in the woods. Today there is very little talk of beatings and kidnappings.

Perchten are in the Alpine tradition occurring forms, which occur mainly in December and January. Your name probably derives from the mythical figure of Perchta from. Another theory on naming assumes that the concept of Epiphany , Epiphany on 6 January is derived.

The Perchten embody two general groups, the "good" Schönperchten, and the "bad" Schiechperchten ( . obdt Schieche, schiach extremely stressed at i: ugly, bad, evil). Perchten important tool of the bell, after the popular interpretation of the winter - or the evil spirits of winter - is to be expelled ( out the winter , or expulsion of the old year). The visit of Perchten is sometimes held up in the vernacular as auspicious omen. The extent to which Perchtenlauf really goes back to pagan rites, is controversial.

---PERCHTENTANZ---

Before the last Raunacht the Magi to Schiachperchten and Schönperchten exorcise the horrors of the winter. With drumbeats, fog and stake demonstrates the Perchten an impressive spectacle, which causes the viewer alternately creepy and fascinating.

http://www.jufenalm.at/index.php?id=52

--- NACKLES---

http://www.nackles.com/nackles.php

http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-bizarre-christmas-traditions.php

Share freely, Gabrielle, Xmas eve 2011

Investigating the dark side of the holidays on the longest night of the year, Part 1

2011-12-22T01:11:00.003Z

The “Spend more time than money” holiday, is getting pretty close and if you haven’t started by now, then it may be a little late...except for baking and making candy. That’s all I did this past weekend [thus lack of new posts]. I did a post last year on making Christmas foods, you can find these here:

http://gabyell-testingthewater.blogspot.com/2010/12/holiday-treats-inspired-by-amy-bakes.html

http://gabyell-testingthewater.blogspot.com/2010/12/finishing-xmas-cakes.html

Gonna change the focus now because I have been preoccupied by old Krampus and started researching other dark Santa companions.

I remembered going to Catholic school in Indiana in the 1960s and the nuns telling us about St. Nicholas’ feast [6^th December] and the tradition of putting our shoes outside on the evening of the 5th, for him to fill. If you were good you’d get an orange and sweets but if you were bad you’d only get sticks and coal in your shoe the next morning. We were always told St. Nick did all the work giving gifts or beatings depending on what he thought your behaviour was over the last year.

It wasn’t until 2011 that I finally found out that there was a dark doppelganger to Santa, not only that, but that there were several variations on the same theme!

This was entirely fascinating to me as I never knew that there was a whole 'nother polar opposite to Santa Claus [Sinterklaas]. Always before I had been taught that Santa was the whole judge and jury on your yearly behaviour. Seeing them as two separate entities makes the idea or good versus bad quite clearly defined. Not so much if you envision one being with the ability to reward and to punish, which is much more like a real super parent.

Unfortunately this teaches children that if they're "good", they will be rewarded; but if they were "bad" they would be punished. I'm not sure how the folk-tale of Santa is related today but I am betting that the whole punishment side is downplayed, certainly moreso than when I believed in a man bringing me presents every 25th of December.

In case you don’t know about the main tradition, it goes like this: As in other countries, many people in the United States celebrate a separate St Nicholas Day by putting their shoes outside their bedroom doors on the evening of 5 December. St Nicholas then comes during the night. On the morning of 6 December, those people will find their shoes filled with gifts and sugary treats. Widespread adoption of the tradition has spread among the German, Polish, Belgian and Dutch communities throughout the United States.

I started looking out for anything related to this tradition of the henchmen of Santa and viola, I found this fantastic page from the From Indiana German Heritage Society Newsletter: Vol. 18, No. 1, winter 2002-3

---BELSNICKEL---

http://www.mrshea.com/germusa/customs/belsnick.htm

BELSNICKEL IN INDIANA

by Ruth Reichmann

Old-timers in Indiana still remember Belsnickel, the "Pelznickel" (literally "Fur-Nikolaus") of the Palatinate. [The Palatinate has a border beginning in the north, on the Moselle River about 35 miles southwest of Coblenz to Bingen and east to Mainz, down the Rhine River to Oppenheim, Guntersblum and Worms, then continuing eastward above the Nieckar River about 25 miles east of Heidelberg then looping back westerly below Heidelberg to Speyer, south down the Rhine River to Alsace, then north-westerly back up to its beginning on the Moselle River. ] From http://www.olivetreegenealogy.com/palatines/palatine-history.shtml

Belsnickel's name appears in many variations such as Bells Nickel, Belschnickle, Belsniggles and Belsh Nickle, etc. When he arrived at their door, he represented a nostalgic reminder to the adults of their childhood days, however, the children viewed him with mixed feelings.

http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-santa-legends-from-around-the-world.php

Known to 19th-century children as a servant of Saint Nicholas, "der Belsnickel" would carry a bunch of switches which were a threat to those who had been bad, and he carried goodies of peanuts, cookies or candy in a burlap bag or ample pockets, as he made his rounds to check on the behavior of boys and girls.

He would have a large book in which the names of the children and their good or bad deeds were kept. Only good children were to receive treats. If a child had been naughty he could also receive a lump of coal or a stick as a reminder to behave in the future.

http://www.conjurecinema.com/2011/11/kac-2011-t-34.html

Mary Lou Golembeski in the Harmonie Herald, Old Economy, PA, tells us: "Not only did the spellings vary but changes also occurred in his appearance and his antics from one community to another." Belsnickel may wear a long, black or brown coat or robe, held together at the waist with a rope, and a fur cap or bear skin hat, decorated with bells. He may have a band of Black Peters with blackened faces, or other rough characters with him. They would be dressed in fantastic costumes, some trimmed with fur, and move through the streets and from house to house, rattling chains and bells.

http://www.yorkblog.com/yorktownsquare/2008/11/belsnickle-from-weekly.html

The bells would announce Belsnickel's approach and that of his retinue before they would come into view. If the children were good, they received some fruit or sweets, but if they were bad--or doubted the "reality" of Belsnickel--they got a switch!

Dr. Elmer Peters of Brookville, Franklin County testified to that: "Belsnickel came--at times with Christkindl played by a gentle woman. When some of the teenage boys denied the existence of Belsnickel, the usually sturdy helper of St. Nikolaus grabbed the doubting Thomas and gave him a good whipping with his stick--which was great entertainment for the older folks." ("You Better Believe in Belsnickel!", in Eb. Reichmann's Hoosier German Tales (1991), 80.

Read the entire article here: http://www.mrshea.com/germusa/customs/belsnick.htm

---ZWARTE PIET (BLACK PETE)---

Now I do know a little bit about Zwarte Piet, a popular figure to folks in the Netherlands since we visit there quite often and I have a Zwarte Piet and Sinterklaas ornament. I find it quite interesting that somewhere once these traditions met in the new USA they joined forces, see above about how Belsnickle may have a retinue of Black Peters with him in Indiana near the turn of the previous century.

http://mymerrychristmas.com/2006/blackpeter.shtml

Black Peter, or Zwarte Piet in Dutch, began in Holland in the 15th century. His dark appearance is supposed to suggest a Spaniard, a reflection of Spain's occupation of the Netherlands at the time. Black Peter was also associated with pirates, a common threat to naughty Dutch children was that he would take them to a pirate's hide out and beat them. He was often represented holding a large stick for this purpose. The large bag that he held was rumored to be used for stuffing children in for the trip back to Spain. At the time "Black Peter" was a euphemism for the devil, and it was thought that St. Nicholas, being a representative of God, had beaten the devil and made him his servant. Thus it fell to Black Peter to hand out the punishments, while St. Nicholas dealt with the more pleasant sides of Christmas.

Although where I lived, St. Nicholas worked alone, and he would mete out his own judgements whether you’d been naughty or nice. I found an image that illustrates Santa working alone on punishing the naughty child himself:

Ho Ho Ho, huh? I understood the sticks, switches of course to beat you with of course, but I always wondered why you’d get a lump of coal if you were bad. Anyone know? Also apparently in some places he would leave naughty kids potatoes, again, a practical gift especially if you were hungry a potato would be a great gift.

I found that today, people still are having their imaginations inspired by these folk creatures, such as this interesting image I found:

http://doug-buddy.blogspot.com/2008/12/black-peter-or-krampus.html

The first origin of Zwarte Piet can probably found by the god Wodan (often written as Odin). Riding the white horse Sleipnir he flew through the air and was the leader of the Wild Hunt. He was always accompanied by two black ravens, Huginn and Muninn. Those helpers would listen, just like Zwarte Piet, at the chimney - which was just a hole in the roof at that time - to tell Wodan about the good and bad behaviours of the mortals.^[2][3][4] During the Christianization, Pope Gregory I argued that conversions were easier if people were allowed to retain the outward forms of their traditions, while claiming that the traditions were in honour of the Christian God. Saint Nicolas tradition is one of them, converting Wodan to a Christian counterpart.^[5]

From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zwarte_Piet

Zwarte Piet always seems more like a gentle foil for St. Nick, but we will find out more about some of Santa's other helpers in the next instalment [coming soon].

Share freely, Gabrielle, 2011

Xmas ideas 2011---number 11 Some simple, traditional decorations the family can make this weekend

2011-12-14T23:43:00.000Z

Earlier this week my work colleagues and I were talking about holiday decorations that come out every year and how fun it is remembering when something from your childhood comes out again. One of us said he still had a garland made from Christmas foil milk bottle tops that he'd made as a child.

Now I did try to find an image of that, but I did not find one, but I did find a description from the Internet: "I remember being five and in that class, making a pasta Christmas decoration, with red string and milk bottle tops. My Mother hangs it on the tree each year. The milk bottle tops were from my friend Peter's father's farm. They bottled their own milk and the bottling machine punched circles in the tin foil, leaving another handy decoration- a strip of foil with holes at regular intervals." http://rattlingon.typepad.com/rattling_on/2010/07/remember-the-days-of-the-old-schoolyard.html

Apparently foil milk bottle tops were printed in holiday colours and the foil made the lights reflecting on them sparkle, unfortunately these haven't been made for many years, so what good is this to you? Well the idea of having things to bring out year after year for the memory of the thing is what's important here...so what I did find was:

A wreath made of bottle caps [maybe you would need to save these up for a year or ask a friendly bar tender to save you some] but it is a pretty wonderful item:

http://scribbles-corry.blogspot.com/2010_07_01_archive.html

A wreath made of old CDs might be more to hand, so might be an idea:

I have been saving old cotton spools and one of these days I'll have enough to make something like this:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/85655047/handcrafted-vintage-lookingchristmas

Or you could go with old wine corks [again, see your local wine bar, or save a lot of them]

http://www.thewoodenbee.com/wine-cork-garland/

Unless you have a stock of any of these items, you will be hard pressed to be able to make them this week, but here are a few you could easily do, a great way to get the kids to do something together other than watching TV or playing games on their game consoles, when they are dismissed from school for the holidays:

http://averycountrychristmas.blogspot.com/2010/05/christmas-garland-from-cranberries.html

And even if you can't make garlands or wreaths, you can always rely on the good, old traditional paper snowflakes:

Maybe you can even think of other things you have handy that can be made into decorations.

Have fun!

Only 10 more sleeps til Xmas, Gabrielle x

Xmas ideas 2011---number 10 Attend your local and Community Holiday Performances

2011-12-13T01:14:00.001Z

Tonight I went to our Community's Christmas Concert and it was really good. It only cost £3.00 and was an hour and a half of getting into the Yuletide mood.

We're all quite saturated with professional entertainment that normally has a way-too-perfect ending, in films and television programmes. Seeing a group of adults and children just having a good time singing holiday songs was a total breath of fresh entertainment air. When they asked us all to sing along with a few songs everyone did, and if that doesn't get you into the spirit of things I don't know what will...so today's "spend more time than money" is all about supporting local performing artists, it's a win-win situation.

Here's a smorgasbord of some of the sorts of entertainment you will find on your doorstep this season...first up, a traditional choir concert:

I never had any children so was never obligated to go to all their school plays and programmes, so for me, seeing kids at their holiday play is totally enthralling---they are so energetic and cute, like in this clip:

Or look out for unusual musical shows:

How could you not enjoy a ukulele concert?

Maybe music isn't your cup of tea, try a local groups avant garde version of a nativity play: caution this one includes KRAMPUS!

Still not interested? How about a local Panto [American friends, look out for A Christmas Carol or The Christmas Story or Peter Pan, etc. at a theatre nearby you] ?

This one is in York and is sold out for weeks at a time:

In the USA you can attend a Christmas parade:

Or just go for a walk or drive past houses that are decorated for the holidays:

Happy entertainment enjoyment this holiday my dears, share at will, Gabrielle, 2011 xxx

Xmas ideas 2011---number 9 Making stuff for Xmas {DIY - do it yourself}

2011-12-12T01:23:00.000Z

This weekend I have been away from the blog finishing yuletide gifts for family and friends. Here's what I've accomplished since Friday:

Cakes for friends all iced and packaged waiting to send out

Soft knitted toys for the little nephews

I am very fortunate to be confident with my creative abilities. I learned to knit, sew, cook, draw and so on. I know this is not the case for everyone. I also know that not everyone appreciates the handmade gift as much as I do. Even my husband moaned on a BBC radio talk show about how he hated handmade presents. [sigh]

Still in the last few years there have been so many more places on the internet giving demonstrations on making crafts. So here's a few ideas for some simple things you can still make in time for the holidays, if you have children, ask them to help, most kids find crafting fun.

Look out for things that you might have around the house or might recycle, like these

{Before I forget, please realise that crafty demonstrations are often fronted by overly cheerful folks, don't say I didn't warn you}

I made these when I was a kid:

I made one of these last year...and it was a great centrepiece, I also made tiny ones [using only the top 6 smallest sizes] and had them on the dinner table, one for each guest:

Gotta check out anything by Martha Stewart, the American crafter diva:

At some point I looked away from the telly long enough for property programme presenter Kirsty Allsop to turn into the first lady of crafts in England, this is an interview about her new show:

You can watch her full shows here: http://www.channel4.com/programmes/kirsties-homemade-christmas/4od

Directions for making the items featured on her show are found here: http://www.channel4.com/4homes/christmas-crafts

If you love the idea of the personalised one of a kind, handmade gift but can't do it yourself, look out for Christmas markets and special events that focus on holiday craft items. There are also websites featuring handmade items.

Here's a few quite affordable items on sale at Etsy [I simply like these and do not profit in anyway from the highlight, just giving you an idea of what you are likely to find] It's also a great site for getting ideas from just by having a "window shop":

http://www.etsy.com/listing/56922935/christmas-tree-scented-fir-tree?ref=fp_treasury_3

http://www.etsy.com/listing/64729835/darling-paper-snowman-104-paper-mache

http://www.etsy.com/listing/61161204/father-christmas?ga_search_query=santa&ga_search_type=user_shop_ttt_id_5177245

http://www.etsy.com/listing/84607456/sale-was-2500-now-2250-winter-woodland

Hopefully this will give a wee bit of inspiration and can add to the value of a "spend more time than money" holiday.

Ho, Ho, Ho and share at will, Gabrielle x

Xmas ideas 2011---number 8 Celebrate your family!

2011-12-09T22:53:00.001Z

The newest topic for "Spend more time than money" holidays comes from a lovely experience that has been brought to the world's attention in the last two weeks via the

http://front.moveon.org

Featuring a moving speech by Zach Wahls. You can watch it HERE:

Today I received the following message from Zach Wahls on email:

Dear MoveOn members,

Wow, you are incredible!!

Over 15 million people have seen my testimony about my two moms before the Iowa legislature, after MoveOn sent it out last Thursday. I can't tell you how much that means to me, my moms, and my little sister, and families like ours all across the country.

I think that one of the reasons my video resonated with people is that it embodies a simple truth: love is what makes a family. It's what binds us together as we work through the hard times, so we can enjoy the good ones.

http://front.moveon.org/two-lesbians-raised-a-baby-and-this-is-what-they-got/

I'm going to keep telling that truth. But I'm only one guy. Every single person has an incredible amount of power to shape and change our world for the better, but imagine what we can do together. That's why I am asking for your help in telling this simple truth.

The folks at MoveOn and I had an idea: get as many people as possible to take their family holiday photos holding signs that say 'Love Makes a Family,' and 'Equality for ALL Families in 2012'.

This time of year is all about family, so let's use our holiday photos to send a message of love for ALL families.

http://front.moveon.org/two-lesbians-raised-a-baby-and-now-they-want-your-family-picture-next-to-theirs-this-holiday/

MoveOn has created a special Tumblr site where you can post your holiday pictures. It's really easy, and they are going to make a video out of all of these Love Makes a Family photos.

Just click this link to upload your photo. There are also signs that you can download and print.

You can see everyone's photos by clicking here.

While we won the battle in Iowa, my moms' rights as a married couple stop at our state's border. And I know that hundreds of thousands of other families like mine aren't lucky enough to live in a state where their parents can be married. Instead, they have to spend thousands of dollars to adopt their own kids and get power of attorney to take care of everyday life if or when something bad happens.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Occupy-Christmas/236907349699891

A lot of people out there just don't know and haven't met families like mine. And that's why I've been traveling around speaking about my two moms, and why I'm writing a book about my family.

Now I'm asking you and other folks to show the people you love that you believe in equality for all.

Will you take a family holiday photo while holding an 'Equality for ALL Families in 2012' or 'Love Makes a Family sign? Just click here for more instructions and a form to upload your family's picture:

http://lovemakesafamily.tumblr.com/submit

And check out all of the photos others have submitted.

Thanks for all the love and support.

Onward.

–Zach

P.S. I've been so honored that so many people shared the video of my testimony, and I'm working overtime to finish my book about all of this, appropriately titled "My Two Moms"—please check it out!

So if someone in your family has a digital camera, this is something you can do with your whole family, no matter what the size, or if your family is made of non-blood family members or includes members of the four-legged variety or all the same gender. No matter how you define your family please join in! Let’s help Zach and MoveOn define what family means to all of us. Get out that tinsel and the old Santa hat and have a photo shoot with your most beloved ones.

Please share at will, Gabrielle, 2011 x

Xmas ideas 2011---number 7 Gifts that give twice

2011-12-09T12:07:00.003Z

Today's topic for "Spend more time than money" holidays is about giving gifts that help charities raise money for their good causes. This is not a comprehensive list, but hopefully it will reveal some ideas for gifts you may not have considered that not only will provide a nice present but will also support a cause worth championing.

If you are in the UK and still need to get some cards, here is an excellent combined Charities website of all charities selling cards:

http://www.christmas-cards.org.uk/index.php

The Woodland Trust has great tributes and great trees for purchase---in particular I think they have some really gorgeous photographic images on their cards and stationary:

http://www.woodlandtrustshop.com/products

http://www.woodlandtrustshop.com/note-cards/winter-tree-card

“The Woodland Trust is the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity. Thanks to the help of our members and supporters we now care for more than 1,000 woods,

covering 20,000 hectares (50,000 acres). Access to our woods is free.”

In the USA you will want to check out the American Forests website, they also do tributes and take donations but don't have a shop as such:

http://www.americanforests.org/

“American Forests, the oldest national nonprofit conservation organization in the country, advocates for the protection and expansion of America’s forests. Since 1990, we have planted nearly 40 million trees. Our goal is to work with our partners to plant an additional 25-30 million trees in forest restoration projects during the next five years. We restore watersheds to help provide clean drinking water. We replant forests destroyed by human action and by natural disasters."

There are only a few people who don't love little furry critters The RSPCA has some lovely animal-based products:

http://gifts.rspca.org.uk/

http://gifts.rspca.org.uk/real-gifts/toys/seymour-the-fox.html

"We're the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) and we've been here, looking out for animals, since 1824. It's our vision to work for a world in which all humans respect and live in harmony with all other members of the animal kingdom."

If you do not live in the UK, look out for more animal charities in your local area or in the country in which you live. If you are in the USA, try the ASPCA, they have an even more extensive range of holiday gifts:

http://www.aspca.org/

http://www.aspcaonlinestore.com/products/119102-let-it-snow-sweatshirt

“Founded in 1866, the ASPCA was the first humane organization in the Western Hemisphere. Our mission, as stated by founder Henry Bergh, is “to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States.” The ASPCA works to rescue animals from abuse; pass humane laws and share resources with shelters nationwide.”

Would you rather support a children's charity? Here are some worthy children's causes that purchasing your Yule gifts from can support:

http://www.angeltree.org/why-angel-tree/history

"Every child has a story. For 1.7 million American children, that story is filled with the abandonment, loneliness, and shame that comes from having a mom or dad in prison. For many, it may also include following their parents down the same destructive road to incarceration."

The Angel tree is a charity I used to support in the 1980s & 1990s when I still lived in the USA, you simply pick a name from the Angel tree and purchase or make gifts that are given to children whose parent[s] are in prison. It ensures that these children are given a gift when other children do. No matter what their parent[s] have done, the children are also victims who did nothing wrong but who will suffer sadness and isolation from their family member.

http://shop.gosh.org/

"We raise money to enable Great Ormond Street Hospital to provide world- class care for its young patients and their families and to pioneer new treatments and cures for childhood illness"

http://www.rileykids.org/

"Riley Children’s Foundation is committed to improving the health and well-being of children through philanthropic leadership in support of Riley Hospital for Children and its research programs."

[This is one is also close to my heart as I used to volunteer there doing crafts and art classes for the kids in hospital, it is a really good place and deserves support]

http://www.barnardos.org.uk/shop.htm

"Barnardo’s transforms the lives of vulnerable children across the UK through the work of our projects, our campaigning and our research expertise. We believe we can bring out the best in every child whether the issue is child poverty, sexual exploitation, disability and domestic violence."

http://www.nspccshop.co.uk/

"The NSPCC was founded in 1884 and our vision is still to end cruelty to children in the UK."

"For Folk's Sake" is selling Christmas music and all profits go to the Integrated Cancer Centre at King's College London, which combines cutting-edge cancer research with patient care. This charity supports the research and those suffering with Cancer.

http://www.forfolkssake.com/

http://forfolkssake.bandcamp.com/album/for-folks-sake-its-christmas-vol-1

<p>&amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://forfolkssake.bandcamp.com/album/for-folks-sake-its-christmas-vol-1"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;For Folk's Sake It's Christmas (vol 1) by For Folk's Sake&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt;</p>

http://forfolkssake.bandcamp.com/album/for-folks-sake-its-christmas-2011

<p>&amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://forfolkssake.bandcamp.com/album/for-folks-sake-its-christmas-2011"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;For Folk's Sake It's Christmas 2011 by For Folk's Sake&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt;</p>

This post could turn into War and Peace if I am not careful, so I will end it here.

There are still so many, many great causes to support that I couldn’t cover here. Please consider looking locally for those raising money for good causes. Giving twice is doubly well-intentioned, sharing the joy and love with all [the 99%] this season.

Please share at will, Gabrielle, 2011 x

Xmas ideas 2011---number 6 Free Games for the family

2011-12-08T01:46:00.001Z

While anticipating the holidays, you may have some youngsters that are getting pretty excited about Mr. Ho-Ho-Ho's visit, you can help them use their energy playing some free games online:

http://www.northpole.com/Clubhouse/Games/

This site, too, has a new game every day until the 24th, at which time all the focus goes to tracking Santa as he travels the world delivering all his goodies for all the good children, kids love this [actually so do I, but there's nothing wrong in remaining a kid at heart now is there?]

http://www.noradsanta.org/en/

Share at will---Gabrielle, 2011

Xmas ideas 2011---number 5 Make someone a personalised tribute

2011-12-06T23:09:00.004Z

Spending more time than money can make your seasonal giving a lot more creative and certainly much more personal.

Tonight on the BBC News a video made by all the people on board the HMS Ocean. They have just come back to the UK after their tour of duty and just before they left they made this video for their partners back at home:

As you can see it doesn't take a film genius to make something that will be a lot more thoughtful than wandering aimlessly through the aisles of "3 for the price of 2 pre-chosen gifts" [a beer with a matching glass, bath salts, a smelly candle in the shape of a Xmas tree, etc.] like a shopping zombie.

There's a few ways you can do this without being Stephen Spielberg...

You can make a slide show quite easily, telling someone far away that you are thinking of them:

And here's another made by someone for their soul mate:

If you know a bit about filming you can do something to wish everyone you know a Happy Holiday---here's one made by a Pingu fan [and no cards to buy or postage to pay for!]

Don't you feel confident enough to try this? Just go to JibJab, you can do great greetings with their apps, here are some I made last year:

http://sendables.jibjab.com/view/cFqgzOo9UgRYYMpQ

http://sendables.jibjab.com/view/bQKlLIQdy9XEJ9f6

http://sendables.jibjab.com/view/Umj6T5KKZbz17FEF

Or you could make a documentary of a Holiday surprise:

[What a great present was this? Dare you not to mist up when you see this one]

Hope you got some inspiration, my dears, there's still more to come shortly!

Share at will, Gabrielle, 2011

Happy Krampusnacht!

2011-12-06T00:27:00.000Z

Today's news - I finally found out about KRAMPUS!

Thanks to Kirk White on Facebook for posting all these great links about Krampus, I have been wondering about Krampus since I found this unexplained photo that ever since has been hanging around on the blog:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krampus

Here's a little bit more about Krampus:

And here's more Krampus than you can shake a stick at:

So Happy night of the Krampus to you all and watch out for him!

Share at will, Gabrielle, 2011

Xmas ideas 2011---number 4 Ugly sweater party

2011-12-04T18:34:00.003Z

The Ugly Holiday sweater party

This kind of party is a relatively new tradition, coming from the USA and Canada where everyone has an ugly Christmas sweater [or 5] in the back of their closets. Where too, stores announce that they have ugly Yuletide sweaters for sale:

http://my2010ishere.blogspot.com/2010/12/uglychristmassweaterparty.html

It’s so popular that there are even songs about these hideously ugly sweaters:

http://www.squidoo.com/ugly-christmas-sweaters-contest

Ugly Christmas sweaters parties are a fun way for guests to relax and not have to worry about wearing anything fancy. Find yourself an ugly sweater you can wear to an ugly sweater contest this Christmas.

The best place to find an ugly Christmas sweater for a party is at the Thrift store in the back of the closet or in old boxes. Look in strange places and you will probably find ugly Christmas sweatshirts and more.

Purchase the Ugly Christmas Sweaters Book, it Includes the history of the event, how to throw the perfect party, what to wear, and how to judge the all-important ugly Christmas sweater contest.

[If you would like to have a copy of this book, you can order one from Amazon from £2.90-£5.00 in the UK or from $8.52-$11.53 in the USA]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ugly-Christmas-Sweater-Party-Book/dp/0810997525/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1323010407&sr=8-1-spell

If you're like us, you probably have an old Christmas sweater or two hidden in your closet. Don't let it miss another excuse-filled holiday! Or, if you're feeling obligated to wear that sweater you got as a gift, flaunt it! So showy they're now ironic, "ugly Christmas sweaters" are sweeping the nation in the newest trend, bringing conversation and laughs to parties, bar crawls and office get-togethers.

Read more about ugly sweaters at "The Daily Green", [they have a great slide show of ugly sweaters from past Christmas parties] and other ways to have a green Holiday:

http://www.thedailygreen.com/green-homes/latest/ugly-christmas-sweaters-461208#ixzz1fZukDg6w

Once you are the proud owner of the world’s ugliest Christmas sweater but you are still left wondering, "how do I get the Ugly Sweater Party started?" Here are some party ideas that will get the party started and keep it going:

How to Host an Ugly Christmas Sweater Party

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Ugly Christmas Sweaters
Food
Drinks
Games
Prizes for the winners [should be as tacky and cheap as possible, have many categories so there are prizes for more than one person]

Read more about hosting the ugly sweater party on jamadots blog:

http://jamadots.olhblogspace.com/?p=652

Here's a helpful guide from Hellish Holiday's website

http://www.hellishholidays.com/2006/12/ugly-christmas-sweater-party-guide.html

1. Think Ironic. You probably have fond memories of your older relatives at holiday gatherings wearing sweaters with Christmas trees and Santa Claus. The Ugly Christmas Sweater Party pokes fun at these wardrobe choices, and no one wants to be mean to Grandma. So mentally separate the Grandma sweater from the Party sweater.

2. Think Thrift Shop. Whether going or throwing, you might want to pick up some special specimens, and you won't find a better source than Goodwill. And you can't beat the prices. Just plan on spending a little extra for dry cleaning.

3. Think with a Twist. Move beyond the sweater. Add in a turtleneck, jewelry...

http://www.catfancygifts.com/ZarahChristmas1.html

http://ringoblog.com/other-jewelry/earrings/christmas-earrings/

[Actually I would quite like a pair of these]

or a tie.

http://www.treesrus.ca/christmas_accessories.html

4. Think Regional. So you think you live somewhere that's not the right spot for this concept? How about a Compromise? Instead hold an Ugly Christmas Tights party...

http://ohsewcutebymp.com/category_40/Leggings-and-Tights.htm

...or an ugly Holiday Hat party...

http://ugly-sweater.blogspot.com/2010/12/o-christmas-tree-o-christmas-tree.html

or a T Shirt Party instead:

http://geekfat.com/2011/11/16/star-wars-gifts-doctor-who-other-news-of-nerdom/

Or add the White elephant exchange to an ugly outfit party:

http://gabyell-testingthewater.blogspot.com/2011/11/christmas-ideas-2011-number-2-white.html

5. Think Unsexy. There's nothing hot about a Christmas sweater, unless you're wearing it in Hawaii (against our excellent advice). No bare midriffs, especially on guys.

http://palegurl.wordpress.com/page/4/

Now I kinda have to disagree with Hellish Holiday on the un-sexy thing because this girl's outfit is hilarious in my opinion.

6. Think Prizes. Kick it up a notch and add a contest to the mix. And what do you give the partygoer with the uglist, tackiest, most heinous Christmas sweater? How about Christmas socks?

http://www.kaboodle.com/reviews/holiday-baby-green-red-polka-dot-baby-tights-christmas-infant-tights-leg-warmers-mud-pie-gifts-newborn

Or everyone's ubiquitous favourite: Fruitcake!

http://www.amazon.com/FRUIT-Regular-Recipe-Claxton-Fruitcake/dp/B00067ZEFS

Or you can simply design and make your own from the stuff you have around the house, here’s a how to video:

Here's one he made earlier:

Visit the ”My ugly Christmas sweater” website to get inspired to DIY your own ugly sweater:

http://www.myuglychristmassweater.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3xGfAau6ek&feature=related

And here’s a free download to make your own invitations:

http://www.yumsugar.com/Download-Our-Free-Ugly-Sweater-Invite-2559378

There is no reason why this fun and inexpensive party can’t go global is there? Have fun organising your own parties!

I’ll expect my invitation shortly...

Please share at will!---Gabrielle 2011

Xmas ideas 2011---number 3 Countdown to Christmas

2011-12-02T00:25:00.003Z

This tidbit is a great way to enjoy the countdown to the holiday period with your children. This idea is from my friend, Emma Rogoz, via Pinterest:

http://pinterest.com/pin/620938050/

And this idea also came from Sarah Jane's blog:

http://sarahjanestudios.com/blog/2010/11/childrens-book-advent-calendar/

"Children’s Picture Book Advent Calendar: What is it?

24 Christmas Picture Books, all wrapped up and marked for each day leading up until Christmas. This way, we will be reading one Christmas story a night!

Now don’t panic…getting 24 Christmas Books isn’t as hard as it looks. When you can check out Christmas books from the Library for 3 weeks at a time, it makes it rather simple….you may need to renew one time in there, but it still makes for a lovely tradition! And inexpensive too!"

Emma is doing this with her two daughters this holiday, and what she did was look through her girls' books to find ones they had not read for a while and also went to charity shops and bought some new ones too. [Although as Sarah Jane points out, you can always borrow from a local library]. What a win-win idea---spending real quality time with the children, spending little or no money and just a tiny bit of effort wrapping them.

I know you should have started it already...but you could always do the 12 days of Xmas and start it on the 12th of December, that's enough time. Or just a countdown to which ever is your name for the holiday you celebrate [Yule, Winterval, Christmas, Winter Solstice, etc.] and start 10 days before it.

I am starting to get some great ideas from friends, so if you have one Please send it to me, or if you make something or have a holiday tradition you think would be good to share with others, please let me know.

Please share at will!---Gabrielle 2011

Today is a united day of strikes all over the UK!

2011-11-30T00:06:00.001Z

So I decided today focus on an image I remember seeing a print of that my art teacher had in the clay room and found again accidentally while researching images.

http://www.granby.k12.ct.us/page.cfm?p=2858

I have always loved Alphonse Mucha & Aubrey Beardsley, so it was the just the right image to make my teenage heart flip out over the novel idea that there's a choice, either make Art or make war...a sentiment I appreciated over "Make Love not War". I grew up watching television news with footage of Viet Nam fighting along side so many other unrests and assassinations and protests. I think we just forgot what that felt like and got too comfortable; now we're being reminded. So I wanted to share the memory.

There is a group on Facebook now:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/MAKE-ART-NOT-WAR/73452016152?sk=wall

I think the sentiment is great in this time of social disruption and unease and want to support it. So I tried to find some others following this tactic, but alas, there was very little going. What I have found is offered here. First up is an interesting blog post on "Artivism", with a lot of evocative images to consider:

http://watercolourwar.blogspot.com/

Then I found a new Ukranian artform "YAKSCHO", and had never thought of using a weapon to make art---but they did:

http://www.odditycentral.com/pics/make-art-not-war.html

I needed to clear my head after viewing that and found an old but still very interesting article from the Guardian on Dada-ism:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/2005/nov/08/1

Aside from an awful lot of websites offering copies of the posters and t-shirts of the same I couldn't find one current website following the ideal of "make art not war", so if anyone out there knows of any current artists following this lead, can you let me know? Tweet me or PM me on FB.

Today we found out that the British government, who has frozen our pay for the last two years, has just announced that they are "generously" going to offer us up to 1% pay rises for the next two years. Cost of living has raised over 5% since our pay is frozen and they are predicting it to rise up to 3% next year. Tomorrow there is a united union all-out strike because the government are changing all the rules surrounding pensions that were agreed when we were hired.

Then I found this image circa 1890s, where they were striking for better working conditions and treatment, it seems so familiar in the last year, one protest after another and we still haven't learned---the system doesn't work when only a few have power and money and make the rules 120-ish years later.

http://ushistoryper4.wikispaces.com/American+Federation+of+Labor

It is entirely unfair and I am very angry about it---so I really needed reminding to make art and not war right now.

Please share at will!---Gabrielle 2011

Xmas ideas 2011---number 2---White Elephant exchange

2011-11-28T00:54:00.001Z

The white elephant gift exchange can be quite fun and costs so little

WiseGEEK defines it as:

A white elephant gift exchange is a popular holiday party game in the United States, with many variations in name and game play. Generally, white elephant parties need a minimum of six participants, although the larger the group, the more entertaining and protracted game play will be. White elephant parties can result in vicious rivalries between players trying to get sought after gifts. The goal of a white elephant party is usually entertainment rather than gain, however.

All attendees of a white elephant party are expected to bring one wrapped gift. Traditionally, a white elephant present is something unusual, somewhat useless, or inconvenient. Trinkets, strange knick knacks, unidentifiable kitchen items, and the like are typical white elephants, and guests are asked to wrap them nicely and to leave no identifying markings on the presents. Part of the white elephant game is often a series of guesses as to who brought which present.

Usually, attendees draw numbers or cards to indicate player order. Strategic white elephant players try to end up somewhere in the middle of the game. The white elephant gifts are piled in a central location, and game play begins when one person opens the first gift. The contents are displayed to the room, and the next player’s turn begins. http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-white-elephant-gift-exchange.htm

When I have had these parties before for yuletide it went like this: Everyone is told to bring an unwanted gift from the previous Xmas. We always went crazy on the wrapping. As the people got to the party we'd put a number on each gift. Later when the party seemed to be going, we'd have everyone pick a number & go and get the gift wearing the corresponding number tag.

Then we'd all gather round the biggest room in the house and send two dice around the "circle" 3 times while the packages were still wrapped. People took turns rolling the dice and if anyone who got doubles on the dice were entitled to exchanged their wrapped gift for one they liked the look of better than the one they already had.

After the three goes we'd all unwrap our presents and then go round the circle telling what you'd got & showing it off like it was the best gift in the room. [There is always one gift that everyone wants, one year in ours it was a foot spa and in another a yogurt maker] Once that best gift or two is established you send the dice around again 3 times and if you get doubles you get to choose to swap anyone with the gift they have. Once that's done, so's the game. People are then allowed to exchange their gifts privately if they want to.

The best thing about these kind of get-togethers is that you can do it quite cheaply if everyone each brings something and their gift.

I have been trying to get people in England to appreciate this game for some years now, unfortunately the English do not really care for organised games at their parties. If you have any variations on this that you can share with me, please contact me on Facebook or Twitter and I will add it to this post.

Please share at will!---Gabrielle 2011

Xmas ideas 2011---number 1---download a song for someone you love

2011-11-27T02:06:00.006Z

This post is number one in a series to do Xmas this year by employing the "Spend more time than money" campaign.

I have been lucky enough to have caught a repeat of this story's first episode and went back tonight and watched the last one [3rd]. It is an amazing story of a very emotionally evocative group of military wives who become a choir created by Gareth Malone.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b017sv1f/The_Choir_Military_Wives_Episode_3/

They start out small and nervous, singing in a local market...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0175nh5/The_Choir_Military_Wives_Episode_1/

And their confidence grows... http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b017kcj3/The_Choir_Military_Wives_Episode_2/

Then they are given the opportunity to singe before the royal family at the Royal Albert Hall with a song Gareth Malone had written for them:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=144680645636952&set=a.144596335645383.24677.136062926498724&type=3&theater

Even though they are not performers, they rehearse and rehearse and are successful

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2066346/BBCs-The-Choir-Military-Wives-How-mans-inspiring-love-music-turned-lonely-terrified-women-choir-tipped-charts-Christmas.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0h39vBsiR68

http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/music/2011/11/25/military-wives-choir-set-for-christmas-number-one-reveal-their-heartbreak-that-makes-their-music-so-touching-115875-23586254/

http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/military-wives-choir-has-sights-set-on-christmas-number-1-spot-1.1136241?localLinksEnabled=false

http://www.garethmalone.com/about

Then Chris Evans, BBC Radio 2, popular DJ/Host of the Breakfast Show , decides to back the record:

http://www.facebook.com/notes/the-chris-evans-breakfast-show/the-message-is-clear-and-simple/10150372730047301

http://www.facebook.com/MilitaryWivesChoir

If you do have few minutes to watch these episodes, I recommend it. If you like it share with everyone you know.

If you Tweet, follow them:
https://twitter.com/?iid=am-203724525013222608042992074&nid=4+sender&uid=21087647&utm_content=profile#!/Milwiveschoir

The profits of the single will go towards several military charities, so if you purchase a copy for yourself or someone else the money will be going to a good cause.

Please share at will!---Gabrielle 2011

I promised cake and here's some more:

2011-11-26T21:45:00.000Z

REPOSTED---Today I am mostly making Xmas Cakes, part I
First posted 5th December 2010

Here's another look at the Christmas cake in case you were thinking of making one this year, better get a move on! I will be blogging other Christmas goodies in an effort to help people think of things they can make for Christmas---SPEND MORE TIME THAN MONEY CHRISTMAS 2011---so, here's how it goes again:

This post is especially for my Americano friends and relatives who have asked about the kind of food I have learned to cook since I have been over here, so here's one tradition I have learned and been a practitioner of since 1995...the Xmas cake.

In the US, fruit cakes are not well-loved...but in England, Xmas just isn't Xmas without the Xmas cake.

My step-daughter's Aunt Blanche is who wrote the original recipe for the cake my family loves best but over the years I have adapted it somewhat, in particular to make it just a little bit more "drunk".

I actually get all of the fruit together and soak them in Brandy, brown sugar, cinnamon & powdered ginger. This causes the fruit to make a syrup and makes the fruit very juicy too.

My family don't like the mixed peel [that's in the original recipe] but LOVE ginger, so I use:

a whole bag of dark raisins

a bag of extra-large golden raisins

a pot of candied ginger

a big tub of candied cherries.

I use brandy to soak the fruit in...you will see many photos of the bottle in a moment, this year I started on November 15th, so the fruit's been soaking a good, long time.

It's usually a good idea to drain the fruit a couple of hours before you begin making the cake.

That means adapt to your taste, I reckon Maker's Mark would make a good soaking liquid [I'd like to try with Southern Comfort (what do you think?) but wonder if it would be too sweet] and so pick what you like...add nuts or different dried fruit to suit your family's taste.

As in most cakes, You gotta put the unwaxed paper in the pans before beginning anything. They call this baking paper over here, but it is vey much like waxed paper without the sheen, this is so the cake will come out quickly. I find buttering the inside of the pan quickly will help the paper stay in place. I make cakes for friends of ours too, so I have to double the recipe.

Then get the butter out so it will soften! [or nuke it 20 seconds, just as good]

I assemble the ingredients by type, all the dry in one bowl and all the "wet" in a larger one.

So the dry ingredients are:

12 ounces of SELF-RAISING flour

4 ounces of ground almonds

7 ounces of caster [granulated] sugar

2 Tablespoons cinnamon

1 teaspoon nutmeg

1Tablespoon Ginger

1/2 teaspoon Cloves

A pinch of salt

set aside.

Then break 4 eggs in the bowl, whisk until smooth

Cream the butter, eggs mix, plus:

2 Tablespoons golden syrup [use dark Karo or maple syrup]

teaspoon vanilla

cream together until you get them smooth as possible

set aside and return to the dry ingredients

Then sift together:

flour

sugar

spices

Add it little by little to the creamed ingredients

Now it's very possible that the batter will get quite stiff and so if you need to, use a bit more brandy [you can use the leavings liquid from the drained fruit if there is any] and a bit of milk alternatively to soften the batter a bit and make it easier to mix.

Then comes the fun bit, we always stick a pound coin in the cake, whoever gets it in their piece is meant to have a very good year. Originally it was a silver sixpence in the Xmas [a Victorian tradition] pudding but as my lot don't like pudding & love cake & sixpences are out of circulation we do the pound. Just have to remember to tell people before they bite it to look out for the money. I wrap them in tinfoil so as not to get dirty coins on the cake. Reckon a silver dollar could work just as good.

Once that's done, it's time to add the drained fruit to the cake batter---

The batter with the fruit in it is meant to be stirred by every member of the family to bring it good luck in cooking it. So my husband helps stir it up.

Now it's time to fill the pans with the batter--- Oh, and if you cannot stand the spoon upright in the cake batter then it is not quite thick enough

Don't forget the coin! Put the pans on a baking sheet [cookie sheet] so if it raises over the top of the pan, you don't also have the task of cleaning the oven.

Now bake for 1/2 hour at gas mark 6, that's 220 C or 400 F

After a half hour is up, turn down the heat to gas mark 2, that's 150 C or 300 F and check it every 20 minutes until it's done...springs back to the touch on the top & a toothpick inserted in it comes out clean.

Remove from the oven and let set for a good half hour in the tin...OK mine look a bit burnt but DON'T WORRY I'll be cutting that crust off later in part 2 when they get decorated. [Actually I was putting the Christmas tree up upstairs & didn't hear the timer---but they are all right really]

See, the bottoms are perfect...anyway, then turn them out of the pan and place on the cooling rack upside down to cool entirely

Once cooled, peel off all the baking paper & using a large cocktail toothpick poke holes in the bottoms of the cakes

Using a TEAspoon, sprinkle a small amount of brandy over the bottoms of the cakes, and then put them in cake boxes and every other day feed them with the brandy again until you finish the cakes just before Xmas day.

This year I had some cake mix left over after making 5 cakes. We have someone in our office who is wheat allergic so I used spelt flour instead and made them in cup cakes...we'll see how they go down in the office on Monday...fingers crossed they're as nice as the cakes

I'll do another post later on so you can see how they are finished...look out for it!

Planned the decorations for this year's cake, so will show those later in December when I get them ready!

Happy Holidays!

Please share at will!---Gabrielle 2010/2011

About Black Friday...

2011-11-24T21:53:00.001Z

Here's a little true story, friends, that happened because I was doing an experiment. On the 17th of October I posted a poster to my Facebook wall, you have probably seen it, if not, here it is again:

http://www.facebook.com/OccupyBFNov25

Much to my surprise today, I found that this image is being used on the Occupy Black Friday page on Facebook and not only that, has been published by the MoveOn organisation too. You can see their page here:

http://front.moveon.org/6-things-you-can-do-this-black-friday-to-help-main-street/

I am really excited, there were over 6,000 shares on Facebook and I thought that was overwhelming, but to see a group I have been following use it is means my experiment in viral posting has worked!

Before you go exploding your credit cards tomorrow...consider...

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Occupy-Milwaukee/145292382232714

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/24/occupy-wall-street-black-friday_n_1111064.html

Vintage Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T01:25:00.000Z

Thinking of my family back home and Thanksgiving so did a little reccy on something Thanksgiving-themed, so today I offer a collection of vintage Macy's Parade photos, click on the links to find the whole article and more interesting vintage photos:

http://www.designrelated.com/inspiration/view/karen/entry/2823#

http://theboweryboys.blogspot.com/2008/11/macys-strangest-thanksgiving-day.html

https://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/75033

http://42ndblackwatch1881.wordpress.com/2009/11/26/macys-thanksgiving-day-parade-an-archive/

http://www.avclub.com/articles/look-kids-its-eddie-cantor-12-obscure-macys-thanks,47967/

I send you lots of Thanksgiving goodiness!!! x

THE SUIT OF WATER

2011-11-20T16:21:00.001Z

THE SUIT OF WATER

The Intuitive and Emotional Realm

29. Ace of Water---Abundance

Sensitivity

------*------

30. Two of Water---Synchronicity

Love/Close Relationship

------*------

31. Three of Water---Bonding

Abundance/Birth

------*------

32. Four of Water---Secrets

Luxury/Dissatisfaction

------*------

33. Five of Water---Repentance

Disappointment/Loss

------*------

34. Six of Water---Recollection

Pleasure/Renewal

------*------

35. Seven of Water---Self-preservation

Debauch/Indecision

------*------

36. Eight of Water---Horror

Indolence/Completion

------*------

37. Nine of Water---Resources

Happiness/Advancement

------*------

38. Ten of Water---Baptism

Satiety/Contentment

------*------

39. Child of Water---The Saviour

Page/Princess of Cups

Gently Happy Announcement

------*------

40. Adolescent of Water---The Pirate

Prince/Knight of Cups

Artistic Dreamer

------*------

41. Man of Water---The Sociologist

King/Knight of Cups

Sophistication

------*------

42. Woman of Water---The Governess

Queen of Cups/Mystic

The water suit is the third level of human experiences; the intuitive and emotional realm. This suit translates into the traditional Tarot suit of cups or chalices and corresponds in Astrology with the signs Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces.

The human infant develops in the embryonic sac filled with water. When the baby is born, leaving the secure, enveloping water to the bright and cold and frightening world; it cries. Its emotions are expressed through the vocal scream and cry of fear and insecurity.

From the ancient waters came all life. This most mysterious of elements, water, surrounds and protects. The more subtle qualities of life are symbolised within this realm. It encompasses our emotional, psychic and intuitive natures.

Here we find the world of the subconscious, the world of inspiration, aspiration and dreams, of imagination and envisioning. It is more difficult to explain the effect this plane has on human beings than with the other suits. Here, more than anywhere else in the Minor Arcana it is important to keep an eye out for those symbols that speak to you. Our dream language is a symbolic message from the subconscious mind to the conscious mind when we are asleep.

Very rarely do things happen to us that we have not been given previous messages about from our intuitive selves. A possible reason why many individuals seem to have forgotten or misplaced or disbelieved their intuitions existed can be attributed to technology and our present society. We have created all kinds of technology to replace this sixth sense in our lives; those devices that are deemed most worthy are those described as most intuitive.

Should you begin to wake up your intuition, you will most likely find that your “hunches” and “inklings” are becoming more & more accurate. You will have to be in a positive frame of mine to develop the listening skills to comprehend the intuition. If you are emotionally stressed or depressed and decide to develop your intuition at this time, the likelihood is that you could get very confused, ponder many negative possibilities.

Intuition of course can warn you of difficult events. To use your intuition to work for you is a much bigger challenge. It is essential you are well-balanced at the time of commencing development. That way you will be stronger when you begin and then you can manipulate your intuition to help you find a way to achieve a positive outcome.

For all the aid our technology gives, it can diminish our intuition, instincts and symbolic selves. Perhaps this is the reason why psychology is becoming a more important science, as this is the one science that deals with the subconscious and symbol.

Whenever there is a preponderance of Water cards are found in a layout, the querent is working within this realm of emotion. Should one continue to have three or more layouts with an abundance of water cards, it may indicate that it is the time for him or her to study his or her personal symbols. Creating a dream diary can be a useful tool.

Certainly link and make suggestions to anyone you think would like to see these. Just please do not reprint as your own work.

Best Wishes,

Gabrielle Elliot

The Suit of Earth

2011-11-16T22:07:00.000Z

THE SUIT OF EARTH:

The Material and Physical Realm

You have probably also seen this one before as well, but as with the Suit of Fire, I am doing a re-work of some so as I work with these images I find out a few new things about them and add it here. SO---even if you think you have seen a post, look again, you may find something new. If you have some information or impression from looking on any of the tarot images, please write a comment and what you write may become a part of the project...

1. Ace of Earth---Expectations

http://gabyell-testingthewater.blogspot.com/2011/04/1st-card-ace-of-earth-coins.html

New Beginnings

------*------

2. Two of Earth---Discovery

http://gabyell-testingthewater.blogspot.com/2011/02/card-two.html

Change/Balance

------*------

3. Three of Earth---Conquest

http://gabyell-testingthewater.blogspot.com/2011/02/card-three.html

Mastery/Work
------*------
4. Four of Earth---Provisions

http://gabyell-testingthewater.blogspot.com/2011/02/cards-four-five.html

Security/Power

------*------

5. Five of Earth---Provisions

http://gabyell-testingthewater.blogspot.com/2011/05/card-5.html

Insecurity/Worry

------*------

6. Six of Earth---Provisions

http://gabyell-testingthewater.blogspot.com/2011/03/card-six.html

Success/Financial Aid

------*------

7. Seven of Earth---Circumstances

http://gabyell-testingthewater.blogspot.com/2011/03/cards-7-8.html

Failure/New Perspective

------*------

8. Eight of Earth---Achievements

http://gabyell-testingthewater.blogspot.com/2011/05/card-8.html

Prudence/Education

------*------

9. Nine of Earth---Seasons

http://gabyell-testingthewater.blogspot.com/2011/04/ninth-card.html

Gain/Comfortable Home

------*------

10. Ten of Earth---Bounty

http://gabyell-testingthewater.blogspot.com/2011/04/card-10.html

Wealth/Prosperity

------*------

11. Child of Earth---The Lover

http://gabyell-testingthewater.blogspot.com/2011/04/card-11.html

Page/Financial Dealings

Princess/Maiden

------*------

12. Adolescent of Earth---The Runaway

http://gabyell-testingthewater.blogspot.com/2011/04/card-12.html

Prince/Jack/Risk taker

Shrewd Businessperson

------*------

13. Man of Earth---The Consumer

http://gabyell-testingthewater.blogspot.com/2011/04/card-13-unlucky-for-some-but-not-for-me.html

King/Authoritarian

Knight/Executive/Empire Building

------*------

14. Woman of Earth---The Gardener

http://gabyell-testingthewater.blogspot.com/2011/05/card-14-penultimate-earth.html

Queen/Practicality/Nurturer

Fertility and fecundity

The earth suit is the first level of conscious human experiences, the material world and the physical realm.

This suit compares with the traditional Tarot suit of coins, pentacles or disks and corresponds in Astrology* with the signs Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn. In a deck of playing cards the suit of spades [a spade to dig the earth] corresponds to earth or coins.

No matter what your understanding or experience of tarot, it’s probable you have contemplated some of the big questions of life, like, “Why are we here?” “What is the point?”

What if we incarnate into bodies simply because we like the experience of the material world?

Perhaps we are here because we need bodies in order to do certain things that we enjoy?

We humans ARE here, IN bodies and so the mysteries of the material world are as valid and important as any esoteric wisdom for which you may be searching. The process of expansion begins with the first breath of life, in the physical world, on earth.

All the Minor Arcana cards work together, no one card is higher or lower than another; nor is any one suit greater or less than another. It is the place where they are revealed in a layout and the cards near and opposing that is more important.

Take for example, the moment of birth, all elements are awakened. With the first breath (air), the newborn emerges from the mother’s body and is now in a separate and new body (earth and water). Then the infant cries because of the change in atmosphere or temperature or because a midwife has spanked the child (fire).

It may be that much of the world population’s sorrows come from forgetting how essential the material world is to humanity. Someone who is unwell may be neglecting the body, without food and shelter it is difficult to live.

If you have chosen many earth tarots today, then remember to keep your feet on the ground. It is essential to balance WITH and live IN the material world.

We have responsibilities for our physical bodies and to the larger body, the Earth. Self-respect and self-worth comes from a healthy, humble pride in your physical world.

We enjoy the things our bodies can do. It growls when it's hungry, it shivers when it's cold, and performs a myriad of other essential functions. It warns us when something smells repulsive, or that we've been hurt or burnt or that something dangerous is walking up behind us.

It gives us certain pleasures from a kiss, comfort from a good night's sleep and satisfaction from a lovely meal. The body really is a marvellous vehicle for manifestation.

When there is an imbalance on the material plane, it can affect aspects of all the other planes [air, water, fire & on occasion, the higher plane]. This is because the earth level is your foundation, it is difficult to build a house without a firm foundation.

All planes are linked together and a cause-effect process may be affected by an imbalance in any of the five realms. Ill health, or a body that ceases to perform its natural functions illustrates this imbalance. World wide imbalance is illustrated by drastic changes in climate, atmosphere, or what is called a “natural disaster”.

Whenever there is a preponderance of Earth suit cards in a layout, it is indicative of a time to pay close attention to the material and physical plane. Practical attention should be paid to issues that are surrounding your finances now.

It may herald a time when material creations are most important, if you are an artist of any kind this is an extremely prolific period for you.

It may be a reminder to view your body as a temple. It may be an indicator that attentions need to focus on your income, your home, your diet, your work and your practical needs.

Certainly link and make suggestions to anyone you think would like to see these. Just please do not reprint as your own work.

Best Wishes,