The Goat: December 2010

Friday, December 31, 2010

Monthly Links for 2010

2010 (640)

December (56)

November (61)

October (54)

September (53)

August (60)

July (61)

June (55)

May (62)

April (61)

March (26)

February (26)

January (65)

I was bebopping around my Facebook Profile and discovered a list I wrote in January of 2010. It's the 25 Random Things About Me list. As I recall it took me hours to come up with these 25 things so I thought it might be nice to laugh at myself and repost this list. At least I think I'm reposting - I can't seem to find it in my blog, so here it is for the very first time or second time as the case may be.

found this on the ABC liquor sign in Jacksonville

Have a wonderful, happy New Year!

25 Random Things about Me

25. I must read aloud when in an instant message chat with someone. When my husband is home, I do it very quietly.

24. I really enjoy writing letters.

23. I don't use my dishwasher because I love to wash dishes by hand.

22. In Kindergarten my teacher wrote on a progress report that I was always afraid no one liked me. I still think that way.

21. My online persona, Kirby... everyone likes her.

20. I don't like going to bed because I'm afraid I'll miss something, but I love napping.

19. I love going to hotels.

18. I have my sisters Macy's name tag on my fridge.

17. I do not own a pair of flip flops.

16. I really like writing and think I could be a writer, but I don't understand English grammar.

15. I don't like the sound of the ocean or running water (like a fountain.)

14. I love to quote movie lines. "The Jerk" is one of my all time favorite quotable movies.

13. I don't know my right from left unless I think of it in terms of driving and turning right or getting into the left-hand-turn lane.

12. I like to read True Crime books

11. I really dislike getting wet. This includes showers.

10. Buying clothes, shoes or purses are real low on my list of things to buy -- Office supplies are so much more fun!

9. I own three pair of shoes, two are tennis shoes.

8. Clowns freak me out.

7. I like to look for and collect bicentennial quarters because they remind me of my Grandpa Corlett.

6. My favorite dishes are the pottery bowls that I have collected from various art fairs, vacation spots, pottery guild sales or local shops.

5. I read billboards, signs and other assorted printed material in the wrong order. I also read things too quickly and add in my own words - for example thinking the Michigan Dyslexic Institute was the Mexican Dyslexic Institute.

4. Wearing a hat gives me a headache almost instantly.

3. I like to drink chocolate milk with three ice cubes.

2. I laugh every single day. Most of the time I do something goofy that makes me laugh.

1. I love to watch the same movie over and over again. I have a rotation of about 10 movies that I would rather watch than about anything else. They are of course, all romantic comedies.

POTD - Icicles

I was sitting at the breakfast table at the Wild Goose Inn when I spied these icicles. I honestly couldn't wait to finish so I could run outside and take some photos. I know they aren't giant but I thought they would be a perfect little setting with the garland.

Enjoy!
Kristin

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Friday Fragments

It's Friday Fragments Day!

It's Friday Fragments Day!

It's almost 2011, too!! 

Our fearless leader is Mrs. 4444 whose blog, Half Past Kissing Time, is a JOY to read. She has gathered many wonderful bloggers to Frag on Fridays and we love her for getting us all together.

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At brunch my little cousin says to his Mom "Hey Mom! Did you know that Grandma has cannonballs in her car?"

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Overheard at my sister's house. Little Sophie said to her Mom, "I'm going to turn you into a statue, but you can breathe and blink." And with that she turned her into a statue.

I've met quite a few people lately who talk about the woman who helps them navigate the city streets. One of them calls her Sarah and another Jill. My Dad on the other hand calls her Naggy. Do you have a name for your GPS voice?

I just received a GPS in October, but I haven't used it yet. I don't tend to name things, so I doubt my gal would have a name.

I find it odd that I don't name thing (or can't.) My Aunt saw a photograph of me as a kid holding a doll. She asked me what her name was and I had no idea. I told her I was sure I called her what the package had named her...Baby Tenderlove. I don't recall ever naming any of my dolls. I've agonized for weeks trying to name my cats and I think that Tom named the two I have had with him. My ex boyfriend named the cat we had together. Maybe this is why I didn't have any children! I was afraid I couldn't name them?!

I've joined two groups in the past few days. Two photography groups. One is a 365 group that Lisa Ceasar Photography put together. It's for bloggers and friends, so if you are interested please give a shout and I'll get you an invite. The other is a 52 project. One photo a week.

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I'm thinking that the 365 is going to be the hardest. I already do a photo a day (my POTD) but my personal rules are that the photos just have to be taken by me, not necessarily on that day. In the 365 group, the idea is to take at least one photo a day. That is going to be VERY good for me. Sometimes I have gone a week or more without picking up my camera.

The 52 project is just one photo a week and it has to be taken in that week. I like this project because I can take my time, kind of, and submit one of my best photos.

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I'm not sure what's going to happen to the POTD on my blog. I'll just have to see how all of these projects turn out.

My BFF Bob's birthday is New Years Eve. Happy Birthday Bob! I love you. See you in February :^)

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Thanks for stopping by! It's been a pleasure. Please go on over to Mrs. 4444's place, Half Past Kissing Time, for some more delightfully fragmented frags.

Happy New Year!!
Kristin

All the photos are from my evening jaunt around a few East Lansing, MI neighborhoods, taking pictures of lights and snow.

POTD - Kissin' Clauses

These are my Mom's Mr and Mrs Santa Clause decorations. I always set them up lip to lip, but my mom said that she doesn't keep them that close. She angles them a bit so you can more of their faces. No matter how they are displayed they are among my favorite decorations. She said she got them in the early 70s, so they've pretty much been a part of my entire life.

Edited to add - these little statues stand about 6" high. They aren't S/P shakers, just little Kissing Clause figures.

Enjoy!
Kristin

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Wild Goose Inn

It was a lot of fun to stay just a stones throw from my family and yet feel like I was truly on vacation. My Mom gave us the gift of the B&B stay and I have to say that it was great!

The Innkeeper, Al, had his hands full with Tom and I in the house, that's for sure. My husband loves to talk to new people. Several times I had to go downstairs to the livingroom and ask him to come to bed. I just knew he was talking their ears off.

One evening, Al asked Tom to join him and another friend to the bar across the parking lot. It was then that I knew that they enjoyed yucking it up with Tom as much as he enjoyed yucking!

The house is just beautiful all the time, but it's exceptional with the garland and lights.

Right out front is this bush that has been pruned and painted for the Christmas season. I love it! It's just so darned clever that I can hardly stand it. I told Al that I loved it and he showed me his spray paint overspray dress shoes. He said it was a bit windier than he had anticipated when did this project. Oh, I've been there before. This project was worth it though.

The breakfast tables are set with a few items each morning. The pottery vases with the Wild Goose logo are great. The coffee mugs are made with the same pottery and the same color.

The breakfast room is actually two rooms. The rooms are not slanted, just the photographer :) Tom and I sat in the far left hand corner, in the front room for each breakfast. Funny how you pick a spot and then keep going back to it.

Breakfast was coffee, juice, water, fruit cup, muffin, eggs any style, omelet or French toast. I had French toast one day, eggs over easy another and an omelet another. Tom had an omelet each day. Not a bad dish in the house - we loved it.

This morning in my own house, I was terribly bummed that I didn't have breakfast being made for me, so my husband offered to make it for me. Thanks Tom!

The livingroom. This was the source of lots of laughs and treats and chatting. Since it was the holidays the Innkeeper had family stop by, then friends of his dropped in, other guests sat in the livingroom and chatted and there was even a wedding there on Sunday. This is one busy place.

You can go to the Wild Goose Inn site and get a virtual tour of the living room. I never thought about getting photos of the living room in the daytime when the light was better. My evening photos just didn't turn out - so the virtual tour is a great!

The stairway to the second floor has a really nice surprise. If you look up, you can see this delightful mural in the cupola. The second floor is where our room, the Summer Safari was located, but also Winter Eden resides up there as well. The Summer Safari Room Virtual Tour shows the room where we stayed. What you can't see is that the bathroom had three skylights. Two in the double sink area and one right inside the shower. Even in cloudy Michigan the skylights let in a ton of light.

...and if you walk outside at night, you can clearly see the mural because of the windows all around and the light inside. It's really wonderful and what a clever idea!

I give this wonderful Bed and Breakfast in the heart of East Lansing, MI two very enthusiastic thumbs up. If you ever find yourself in the area, please consider staying a night or two or three. Tell Al that The Goat sent ya :)

Wild Goose Inn
512 Albert Street
East Lansing, MI 48823
Call for Reservations
(517) 333-3334
www.wildgooseinn.com
Friend them on Facebook - Wild Goose Inn

POTD - Christmas lights and snow

I love Christmas lights, I really do. They make me so happy. I keep my table top tree up for much longer than most people, but I love the way I feel when I turn on the lights each evening. Outdoor Christmas lights in Florida are OK, but the best lights are the ones that have been covered in snow and then the snow melts a little around each light. The snowy glow on the bushes is just magical.

Enjoy!
Kristin

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

POTD - Tabletop Hockey

The big kids (adult kids) at Christmas got a tabletop hockey game. The smiles were big and bright. The best part was that it was given in the box, so all of the boys put it together. I think it took them 20 minutes from box to goal! The only thing missing was a level, but I don't think anyone knew exactly which side was the advantage.

Enjoy!
Kristin

*I'll be back in Florida later this evening and tomorrow I'll resume to regular twice daily posting.

Monday, December 27, 2010

POTD - Fruit cup

The fruit cup that Tom and I have received each morning at The Wild Goose Inn has pretty much looked like this each day. I don't eat the honey dew melon and magically I find myself with extra watermelon that I guess Tom doesn't care to eat. The fruit cup is followed by a wonderful muffin and then our breakfast. More on that this week. For now I'll just tempt you with the fruit cup.

Enjoy!
Kristin

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Christmas time in the city

It's Christmas time in the city.

Hear them ring.

Ding a ling.

Soon it will be Christmas Day.

Well Christmas Day is now officially over in my part of the United States and it's been a delightful time, let me tell you.

I'm going to do a quick recap since I've been gone so many days without a peep other than the Photo of the Day.

The first night here we ate at one of my favorite restaurants, El Azteco. I thought I'd make it a small deal, not a big deal and just my husband and I would just go there alone. Then my mom mentioned that she'd come down with her friend Gene. So then I decided to see when one sister was home from work and when she said she was free, then I asked the other if her family could come, too. Turns out everyone was able to come except for Jim. He had to work. So there were 8 of us and we ate well :)

Then after dinner I went over to Alison's to help her make some treats for her Christmas party. The one photographed above consist of a flat round pretzels with a Hershey's Kiss and an M&M or a walnut or pecan on top. She happened to buy the mini kisses instead so we had to triple up on the pretzel. Usually it's just one kiss per treat :) The other one is a graham cracker that's spread with a mixture of melted chocolate and peanut butter and then a little drizzle of white chocolate over that. oh yummy.

My husband and I are staying in a wonderful Bed and Breakfast called the Wild Goose. We get breakfast every morning while we're here. Oh goodness, it's yummy.

Zora, Stella and Scarlett's stockings at Nana's house.

We spent Christmas Eve with my family and Christmas Day with my husband's family. It was a real low key gift giving year, which was great - but we still got some amazing things. One of the gifts was the stay at the Bed and Breakfast! Love that :) Tom's mom gave us some to-die-for toffee and some much appreciated $$. I've got some tires that need replacing and although it's not a glamorous gift, I am so excited to get them. My friend Bob is coming to FL in Feb, so I can shop when she's in town!

Alison's family as seen in their Christmas elf costumes on JibJab.

Today we visited with some of Tom's family in the early afternoon and then I went to my sister's in the evening and he went to visit his best friend.

It's been a really great few days in Michigan. I'm so very grateful that we came up for the holidays. I have to admit though, I'm cold. I've been cold for about two days. Well, just my feet are cold - I just don't have enough layers for them...or the electric socks that I have been meaning to order.

When we first checked into the B&B I hooked up to the wrong internet and it was taking about 30 minutes a photo to download. That's why I've only posted a photo of the day. I've since discovered the full high speed internet that makes life so much better. :) I wish I had been able to post more the past few days, but consider it a Christmas gift - I was giving you time to catch up with others :) I'll finish editing soon and get all caught up at some point soon.

Hope you had a very Merry Christmas and I wish you all the bext in the coming New Year.
Kristin

POTD - Peace on Earth

Just around the corner from my Mom's house is this giant peace sign all done up in Christmas lights. I guess this is actually a green peace! I hope that you had a wonderful Christmas.

Enjoy!
Kristin

Saturday, December 25, 2010

POTD - Red and White

Oh I'm having so much fun with the Christmas Tree lights. Forgive me if go a little nutty for a few more days. On a glass table my Mom has two lovely white Johnathon Adler pieces with some red berry pieces in them. I really wasn't sure if you could see the little branches coming out of the vase because I could hardly see them through the lens, but there they are and delightfully blurred! I love this picture :)

Merry Christmas. Have a very Merry Christmas.
Kristin

Friday, December 24, 2010

POTD - Simply Glowing

My sister's neighbor has this giant pottery planter in his front yard that usually holds a potted plant. This Christmas it's filled with reflective ornaments and a glowing meteor-like orb. I was hoping to find something interesting to post for the photo of the day my first day back in Michigan. Thankfully all I had to do was go visit my sister.

Enjoy!
Kristin

Thursday, December 23, 2010

POTD - Dollar store angels

It only took a little bit of arranging to get these ladies to line up for me. I loved the red and blue with a hint of yellow in their angel robes. Are those tambourines?

Enjoy!
Kristin

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Jacksonville Beach in December

Just a few days ago it was bitter cold. Lows in the teens and the highs in the upper 30s. We just aren't used to these temps in Dec. We kind of roll up the carpet and hibernate.

It wasn't this cold when I went down to the beach, but I don't think it was even out of the 40s. The wind coming off the ocean was chilly to say the least.

A very overcast, gray day, that's for sure.

The wind was really whipping up the waves, too.

I know it doesn't look like much in the wave category, but it was decidedly noisier than most days.

I really wish that I had thought to bring along a Christmas tree and put it at the end of this walkway. I'll have to try to do that sometime. A Christmas tree with battery powered lights? Hmmm, it's got me thinking.

I don't think I have ever been to the beach when I only saw one other person. See that black figure way down there?

The other direction was the same thing. Totally deserted.

It was pretty cool actually. No lifeguard stands, no people running by, no dog walkers or kids playing football. It was just me and a breeze full of salt water.

Tomorrow I will be in the snow. It was 73º here today and it's not supposed to get above 30 the entire time I'm home.

I'm excited to take pictures of snow, I have to admit.

I'm most excited to see my family.

I hope to post a little something tomorrow, but being that it's a travel day, I'm not going to make any promises.

I hope you have a very Merry Christmas!
Kristin

POTD - Midnight Moss

The other night when I was outside waiting for the eclipse, I stumbled upon this tree in a parking lot, right underneath a street lamp. It's fall in Florida and we are getting a pretty good display of color. This tree was various shades of green, yellow and red, but the spanish moss made it even more striking. The street lamp was so bright that no one would know this was taken at one in the morning.

Enjoy!
Kristin

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Holiday Ornament Swap 2010

The results are in and it was a winning season!

A month ago I joined the Holiday Ornament Swap hosted by Freshly Blended. A few days later I was given my instructions and the names and addresses of 9 other participants. We were group 11. I really like 11s. 11:11 is my favorite time of day, so I was just assured that this was going to be a great swap group.

I was not disappointed. Not even a little. I'm actually a little nervous that the dud in the swap was me, but I just won't think about that right now :)

Kate painted this ornament with a Chickadee and on the other side a cardinal. If you can see, it's kind of light, she has also painted on some snowflakes. Too cute. Love the shape of the ornament and the subject.

This was the first ornament that I received. Oh goodness, I was really nervous sending out my matchboxes after this one arrived. Naomi is a jewelry maker. The tin is a spice tin that she has filled with little books and snowflakes and the glass jewel hangs below. Did she know how much I love letters and mail? Perfect.

Kristin - me. That's mine :)

Tonya. I got hers today. It's so cute. It's a green recycled cap of some kind with a red glitter background, Merry Christmas and a snowflake all topped with a flocked bow. It's just great and it hangs nicely in the tree.

Allison made a wire person with colorful clothing, made from fabric scraps. She had many different colors, but mine is green and blue and she's holding a snowflake. I saw these in the Flickr Pool for this group and secretly hoped that I might get one.

Liz is in the midst of getting married. She sent a little story with her ornament telling us that her favorite place to eat with her Fiancee was a Chinese place, so that's why she close the Chinese soup spoon. Then she painted on the snow woman face and surrounded her with a veil and pearls.

Amber is a quilling artist. She made these adorable snowflakes and then dunked them in silver glitter. I like how the blue of the paper peeks through. I've always been partial to the blue and white decorations. I know, it's Hanukkah colors and that's not my religion, but it's beautiful.

Melissa made the birdy. It's pretty small, so she added bells to the ribbon so it wouldn't get lost on the tree. (I made up that reason - haha!) I love the red and white fabric mixed with the plaid.

Becky sent us a fortune cookie. What a perfect ornament for me and actually I'm surprised that I didn't already have one! I collect fortune cookie fortunes and we gave fortune cookies as the little gift at our wedding.

Lei made these adorable pink and red ribbon ornaments. What a neat idea! I love the simplicity of the ornament, yet it's got a beautiful shape. I don't know if I have enough hands to be able to make all of these loops and glue them altogether!

There were at least 23 different groups of 8 to 10 swappers. (that's the highest group number that I remember seeing in the Flickr pool.) That's a lot of ornament making! If you want any ideas for this year or even next, head on over to the Flickr group and take a peek at all of the holiday handmade goodness. There were more than a couple in there that I'd love to recreate.

Thank you Freshly Blended for putting this together. Thank You ornament swap friends for making this a successful and enjoyable swap! and thank you post office for delivering all of these wonderful packages so that I could enjoy them.

Thank you everyone!
Merry Christmas.
Kristin

POTD - illuminate

I was first introduced to luminarias when I lived in Albuquerque. I was overwhelmed, I tell you, just overwhelmed. I don't know if it was the beauty or the peace or the light or a lingering spirit, but it overwhelmed me. I had never seen them anywhere else before that time.

I believe they are much more common these days. Sunday night the Riverside neighborhood in Jacksonville had a luminaria display. Miles and miles of sidewalks and roadways were lit with white paper sacks that held a little sand and a candle. Just beautiful.

Enjoy!
Kristin

Monday, December 20, 2010

Kristin's First Christmas

Kristin's First Christmas.
The Kristin in this story is me :)
That first Christmas was 44 years ago in a snowy little place in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
KI Sawyer Air Force Base.

This pink stocking has been a part of my baby book since it was taken down off the wall.

That card is around here somewhere. I didn't see it in the book, but it might be in a different one. I know that I have read that card and touched the red flocked dress.

On the back of this picture it says "Kristin with gifts. Christmas 1966"

I still have the piggy bank, that's pictured sitting on the arm of the sofa. He's been broken and glued together a few times, but he's still around and so is the pink stocking. That's a pretty good survival rate for items received in 1966. Me, the stocking, the card (I know it's here somewhere) and the piggy bank.

What fun to look back at old photos. I was only 2 months old. Oh, how much trouble was coming for my parents :) If they only knew then what they know now.

I turned out to be a blogger with a camera.

Merry Christmas!
Kristin

Friday, December 31, 2010

December Links 2010

Kristin - totally random

POTD - Icicles

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Friday Fragments

POTD - Kissin' Clauses

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Wild Goose Inn

POTD - Christmas lights and snow

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

POTD - Tabletop Hockey

Monday, December 27, 2010

POTD - Fruit cup

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Christmas time in the city

POTD - Peace on Earth

Saturday, December 25, 2010

POTD - Red and White

Friday, December 24, 2010

POTD - Simply Glowing

Thursday, December 23, 2010

POTD - Dollar store angels

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Jacksonville Beach in December

POTD - Midnight Moss

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Holiday Ornament Swap 2010

POTD - illuminate

Monday, December 20, 2010

Kristin's First Christmas