Family, Groovin' Eats, Time of the Season

It’s A Scorpio Birthday ~ Time to Celebrate

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We have 4 (count them) four Scorpions in the family. Scorpions are like cream filled chocolate, hard on the outside, soft and sweet on the inside but never underestimate them, Always remember their sting.   That’s my sweetheart Natalie photo bombing the picture (she is a Gemini like me).  With my mom still not feeling like herself yet, we agreed to celebrate at home.

So I slaved all day (only kidding) and made some meatballs, chicken cream sauce , a pork tender loin and boiled up some pasta to keep everyone happy.  My mom got be see everyone in the comfort of home and we all got good and comfortable.

The nice part of the day was knowing that tomorrow was a day off from work and school because today was Veterans Day celebrated on Monday.  So we ate, talked and drank the afternoon away. We all know what the best part of Birthdays is ~ the cake!!  Baskin Robbins was the choice Pizza Cake for the kids and a yummy ice cream Roly Poly for the rest of us, though honestly everyone had a taste of everything. And no celebration is complete with out some Dunkin Donuts. Yeah, that’s how we roll around here.

So to my sister Marianne, my niece Sandra,  my daughter Vera and her husband Bill I wish 12 months of Health ~ 52 weeks of Blessings ~ 365 days of Opportunity ~ 8760 hours of Love ~ 525600 minutes of Peace and 31536000 seconds of Happiness. Happy Birthday Scorpio.

product review

PORTALS ~ A Photo Experience by Canon @CanonUSA #CanonPortals

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From Thursday, November 8th to Sunday November 18th (weekdays, 3-9pm; Saturday, 12-9pm; Sundays, 12-8pm), Canon will be hosting PORTALS, A Photo Experience from Canon. The 11-day pop-up will be built around photo moments that will transport visitors to an entirely new world by embedding camera tips and tricks into the consumer journey. Made up of five unique photography setups, PORTALS will allow photographers (amateur and experienced) to open up their imaginations while producing exciting – and Instagram-able – photos.  I enjoyed the experience – and got some great shots in the process!! Visit at 107 Grand Street New York City.

Portal Of Reflection ~ to see beyond the surface of a subject that’s right in front of you.

Portal Of Focus ~ Allowing you to play with your foreground and subject to create a unique memory

Portal Of Light ~ Able to pull low-light out of the darkness to create the perfect mysteriously moody and groovy photo.

Portal of New Perspectives ~ Now you can find new perspectives hidden in plain sight.  Up up in the sky!!

Teleportraits Portal ~ (my favorite)  Took me on a carpet ride to a fantastical world!!

For more information click here

product review

The Book Of No Worries by Lizzie Cox – A Survival Guide for Growing Up #BOOKWORM

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Growing up has it ups and downs, has happy times and confusing times, and with all of that comes worry and anxiety.  How does a young person face all of these challenges?    The Book Of No Worries by Lizzie Cox is a book for young people to help understand the challenges of growing up.

Did you know that children as young as 10 deal with issues at school, experience increased pressure to study, while maintaining good grades and making friendships.  Now, mix into that, the non-stop nature of social media and all the added pressure it brings.  Is it not a wonder why anxiety and depression is on the rise.

The Book Of no Worries reassure readers that their worries and fears are perfectly normal.  Offers practical tips for managing anxiety and stress.  The Book Of no Worries focuses on the emotional well being and mental health of young people.

The Book Of no Worries recognizes worries such as: problems at school, relationship woes, body image concerns, troubles at home, social media, drugs and alcohol, even fashion and beauty.  

Fears and worries are a normal part of everyday growing up and The Book Of no Worries can guide a young person through it. This friendly and funny book aims to reassure tweens that their worries and fears are normal and offers practical tips for managing anxiety and stress.

Author, Lizzie Cox: is a former editor of popular teen brand Sugarscape and an award-winning journalist who has written for a range of titles. Lizzie is known for her humorous, light-hearted tone and has plenty of experience in tackling teen subjects for both boys and girls.

Illustrator, Tanja Stevanovic

Family, Time of the Season

Halloween and Special Ops Tricks

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Trick or Treating with my favorite Halloweenies is always a walking adventure, as we go house to house, ringing door bell, after door bell, repeating the same lines over, and over.  We all become totally engaged in the after school activity.

However, what I found most interesting, this year, was how ones costume can actually get you engaged and become the persona the costume represents. As my grandson did.  This Halloween he decided not to just dress the part ,but actually play the part of his Halloween Special Ops costume.  

With all his gear in place it only took minutes for him to jump into his Special Ops character.  The transformation happened so quick that he stole the Halloween show from all.

He began to move from corner to corner in military fashion.   He was so captivating, that we paid little attention to his sister – dressed up like a scary movie character – I can’t remember who she was suppose to be.  🙁

Even my great niece, who was a bat of some type, received minimal attention.  🙁

As he moved along, slithering from house to house, hiding behind bushes and doors, it hit us.  He’s camouflaged!   We noticed that he was blending into the houses we trick or treated.  What the Heck!  It was then that I realized, that, this Halloween is full of interesting tricks in more than a Halloween treat.

product review

Elly Lu Organics #MakeTheWorldABrighterPlace #Mermaid #Tiger #Whale #Organictoys

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Elly Lu

Elly Lu Organics create organic toys with a whimsical twist.  Their toys are made with certified organic cotton fabric and dyed with low impact, non-toxic dye.

They have chosen to create a line of endangered and marine stuffed animals to educate children about their importance, such as Norman the Narwhal, Tug The Tiger,and Edmund the Elephant.

Elly Lu toys have also created characters from meaningful storybooks.

  Meet Leialoha the Mermaid she is a favorite.   Leialoha the Mermaid, lives in the warm waters off Hawaii. She loves studying art, natural history, and marine biology.  She spends her free time rescuing her ocean friends that need help.

She is approximately 15 inches long and made of 100% organically grown cotton fabrics.  Outer fabric is dyed with non-toxic dyes.  She is filled with organic buckwheat hulls and organic cotton. 

Leialoha the Mermaid enjoys morning breakfast with our little Emma.

Ella Lu’s Organics are  toys to educate children.  Every toy comes with a hang tag that includes an interesting fact about the animal. Even Cupcake the unicorn comes with a historical fun fact!  Ella Lu toys are bright and fun with personalities of their own.

All toys and characters are copyrighted. All toys are ethically made in Sri Lanka

The company is devoted to creating the highest quality products out of the safest materials available and each toy corresponds to a unique cause to which $1 per item sold is donated.

Click SHOP to check out Elly Lu products.