Warning. Loose Lego Area

If you've ever cursed, screamed or limped after stepping on a LEGO...then you might find this post on halfbakery for anti-ouch LEGOs very entertaining! It's very well written, and suggests a simple solution to the land-mine gauntlet that the little plastic blocks create.

explore halfbakery for some half-baked ideas

First Snowfall

Angel feathers fill the sky,

fluttering down from heaven on high,

sprinkling the trees and each upturned face;

they dance through the air with celestial grace,

settling so softly on rooftops below ---

the magic decent of winter's first snow.

-Linda Elizabeth Ironside

the Gift of the Magi

..for ten seconds let us regard with discreet scrutiny some inconsequential object in the other direction...

Read The Gift of the Magi by O.Henry

Advent Candles

The Advent Candles are used in the 4 weeks before Christmas in the spirit of the season. Most Advent Candles have 3 purple candles, one pink candle and a white candle in the center; although 4 purple candles are also used. The arrangement is surrounded by greenery (usually clippings from your garden). Each week on Sunday a new candle is lit in the same order with reminders of the meaning, until Christmas when the center candle is lit to welcome Jesus Christ into our hearts and souls.

The first candle represents HOPE - hope that our future will have a special relationship with Christ.

The second candle represents LOVE - The unlimited love God has for us in giving his son as our Saviour.

The third candle represents JOY - The world rejoices in the event of the birth of Christ, and joy fills our hearts.

The fourth candle (sometimes pink) is for PEACE - Finding quiet, calm peace within ourselves and goodwill towards others.

The final candle to be lit on Christmas Eve (or Christmas Day) is white for CHRIST - The One who saved us. Reminding us that we celebrate his birth as a gift and treasure it above all else.

Oh Tannenbaum

Wanted to share our little Christmas tree with you:

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, too!

wild things are in wildwood

Found Max and the wild things in these handmade articles on Etsy that pay homage to the childrens' classic book. Edge of the Wildwood on Etsy would like to share 3 delightful items...



let the wild rumpus start!









this book cover by shannashamrock




















these PJ's by handpickednecklaces

and this rumpus bar by sweetjubabeans









and it was still hot.

Rustic Charm from the Old World

Old World Shoppes is a group of traditional crafters on Etsy.com

Check out this blog post on RUSTIC CHARM

and visit the Old World Shoppes for old-fashioned goodness:)

it's CATurday

hi folks! I'm Domino The Great; but you can call me Bubba. I'm growing so fast that I'm already 13 pounds and just 1.5 years old! You can read my blog and find out about my affection for chewing gum on CATSTER

red on black?

Borrowing a phrase from folklore: Red on yellow, kill a fellow---red on black, friend of Jack! A simple but effective trick to get the visitor to your garden to think fast.

Two creek rocks have been handpainted with the corresponding bands of color for a poisonious coral snake, and a harmless king snake.

Bright and intense, the reds seem to glimmer and shine like the scales of a snake. The heads and tails of it all are revealed when the rock is turned over----where the piece of the phrase that describes that rock snake are printed.

Perhaps some of your guests won't be curious enough (or brave enough) to attempt to turn over your rocks. But this pair of rocks will be very colorful in your garden, so go ahead and purchase the snake rocks today; they're one of a kind!

$49.00 on sale today for only $39.00

Wordless Wednesday

Mulled Wine

Mulled wine recipe

2009 in a nutshell

January - One Year Anniversary for my blog

March - hosted a short-lived but popular radio talk show called TOUGH TIMES

April - moved to the country

July - took a part-time job

August - CD release for The Stray Crows...Flying Blind

November - made my debut locally with a booth at an arts & crafts show

I'm rather looking forward to 2010

Decorated War Hero turns 90

Meet Tate Bower - he's my Great Uncle.

My family is having a big party to celebrate Tate's 90th birthday on December 20th. They'll cookout some hamburgers and take lots of photos:) I won't be able to travel to Pensacola for it, but I will be thinking of Tate next week.

We think it would be a great gesture to have 90 greeting cards sent for Tate! We'd like to ask for YOUR help, and see if you can send a card....

Read more about Tate's remarkable service in my series called Tate The Great.

If you'd like to be a part of honoring this dear man, please mail a card today to:

Tate The Great
1121 Barcia Dr.
Pensacola, FL 32503

My brother Mike and Uncle Tate

I'll also be posting this request on Wish Upon a Hero.com under the category 'cards' A Wish for Tate

baby Gus, 1920

Found it on SHORPY'S always something interesting

it's CATurday

hi y'all. my name is Mimi and I'm a grey tabby. I'm about 7 years old and hardly weigh 9 pounds. I'm known for my jumping abilities and hiding places. you can visit my blog on catster

#1 cat site for cats & bipeds!

do you smell something burning?

see more Epic Fails



Those super creepy street views on goggle maps --- it's just like being there!

Collector of Hearts

i heart you

you heart me

will you be my 1,000th heart? visit my shop on ETSY and explore the Edge of the Wildwood.

Click on 'add this seller to favorites' and you could be my Beloved One Thousandth. my shop has earned 995 hearts from the fine people of ETSY...

and I'm waiting with anticipation for the 1,000.

Wordless Wednesday

workshop makeover

Since we moved out to the country, I've been working on getting my workshop setup just so....

These are pictures that were taken last summer

MY WORKSHOP WINDOW ON THE LOWER LEFT OF THIS PHOTO

And I'll be posting some new photos soon that show the wildwood shop with all it's installments! I have a belted grinder built into the wooden bench, and lots of power sources for my sander and router.

My CRAFTSMAN lighted bench is what I use the most, but I will also have a table for painting and a cabinet for my wood stock.



One of my favorite things about my new studio is the view from the windows.



Be sure to follow my blog as we tour the new digs and roll out the welcome mat.

the darling

New Caledonia
Oct. 18, 1942

We had early chow because Harry Talgo, our 1st Sgt. is going to sing. The picture is "Green Hell" with and exceptionally good cast.

Mon. Oct. 19, 1942

Couldn't sleep much this morning because it was so hot. Bill started fixing our new swimming hole. It's up by Smokey's corral. There will be a show at the 97th Pack Howitzer tonight.

Tues. Oct. 20, 1942

The picture last night was "Three Sons" with Edward Ellis, William Gargan & two winners of the Gateway to Hollywood (Virgina Vale, etc) Pete Berringer brought us back to the corral in his truck around 10:30 & we fried some eggs & I showed him how to saddle my horse. Went on guard with Bob at 12 P.M.

Wed. Oct. 21, 1942

It was hot this morning, I could hardly sleep, so I got up around 2 P. M. & took a nice swim in
the creek & took a shave.

Thurs. Oct. 22, 1942

This morning it was much cooler so I slept until 2 P.M. It was a beautiful night last night. The moon was out & it was very warm. Have just finished taking a bath, the water was very cold.

Fri. Oct. 23, 1942

Recieved a new diary yesterday evening after chow. I was so proud of it, I showed it to everyone here at the corral. It was so sweet of Mom & Dad to send it. Started raining about 4 O'clock this evening & we had to go to chow in the rain. After chow, we had one of the biggest mail-calls since we have been on the island & there is still plenty downtown. The A.P.O. is full and the French postoffice & a warehouse. Rec'd 6 letters from home, 3 from Mom, one from Sis & two from my darling Marjorie dated on Sept. 25 & 26. She said she was going to write me every night from now on (the darling). Kruse got a big package.

Sat. Oct. 24, 1942

This morning it started raining even though I was off I had to stay inside the tent. Ben came back from town late this evening.

______________________________________________

This is Harry's War Diary


This entry is where we learn of the 3rd diary that Harry kept during his service.

Inbetween all this swimming, sleeping, and picture showin' there is alot of manual labor going on. Their busy ammunition depot was moving ordinance at a fast pace and they spend countless hours patroling the island.

someone had stole it

New Caledonia
Oct. 12, 1942


This week I am on guard from 4 P.M. to 12 P.M. with Kruse. It was pretty warm all night. There was a show at the 9th Station, although I didn't go.


Tues. Oct. 13, 1942

Slept most all the morning. Rec'd some new clothes from the supply tent ( 2 prs shorts, socks, 1 spoon, tent pegs, shoe strings & laces). The man on Post 2 now has to spend the time in the fire-break on foot, because we have found so much ammo up there where someone had stole it.



Wed. Oct. 14, 1942



Today is my day off. Heated some water this morning & took a shave. Signed the payroll today & also rec'd 3 V-mail letters from Mother. She said she had sent some pictures, postages & stamps that I have never received. Has rained most all day, although tonight there is a beautiful new-moon out. Rec'd my glasses from Melbourne, Australia after chow ( I had my eyes examined on July 13).



Thurs. Oct. 15, 1942



Went to town with Wynn. We caught a ride in with Diamond & his crew. I spent around $8 on just a few things. There is hardly nothing you can buy. Around noon, we went over to a friend of Wynn's to get some wine, but they didn't have any (fini Noumea). Though we did have a good time talking or rather I should say trying to talk to the 3 French girls whose names are:



Gabbie - 21 yrs. old

Audie - 19 yrs. old

Marselle - 18 yrs. old



Marselle was the cutest & best looking of them all. Even though none of them could win a beauty contest. Their last name was Legler (Leglair), and they wanted us to "promenade we cinema" sometime, which means walk to the show. We left around 2:30 and arrived back in camp at 4:30 after trying for such a long time to catch a ride. After chow. Nothern took my place on guard from 4 to 12 & I took his place from 12 to 8. So, Dan, "Gig" & I went back to Noumea to the show. We saw "Cross Country Romance" with Wendie Barnie & Gene Raymond and "Mr. Wise Guy" with the Eastside Kids. The show was held in the park & there were French, Javanese & natives there. A bunch of the fellows (including Danny & Gig) were playing with these French girls legs as they stood close to them & they didn't seem to mind at all.



Fri. Oct. 16, 1942



Kruse is off today, so "Gig" will go on with me tonight from 4 to 12. Slept most all the morning.





Sat. Oct. 17, 1942



Slept most all of the morning. Rec'd an airmail letter from home dated Sept. 21. Caught up on my other diary & wrote a few letters.

__________________________



This is Harry's War Diary

When Harry finally gets a chance to spend some money...there's hardly nothing to buy. But, the fellows are getting along well with the locals.

This really makes me want to watch some of these old movies.

On nearby Guadalcanal, the Japanese have changed tactics and now inflict heavy bombardment on the island. Their objective is to retake Henderson Field, however they retreat in defeat when no food and water are resupplied to their troops.

Blub, Blub, Blub

New Caledonia
Oct. 5, 1942

Today I went on "free lance" man. Kruse was off today so I went on at 8 A.M. with "Gig". Went for a ride into the mountains with "Gig" around 2 P.M.

Tues. Oct 6, 1942

I am off today until 12 P.M. tonight when I take Wynn's place. I washed my hair along with Nothern (we heated some water). Frank had a tooth pulled yesterday. We caught Major Bones this evening & we trimmed his hoofs & gave him a shock on the wire we have around the pasture.
Wed. Oct. 7, 1942

Came off guard at 8 A.M. and went on again at 4 P.M. with Nothern (Frank was off). Heard that the "St. Louis Cardinals" won the World Series. Winning 4 straight. Was so hot this morning that I couldn't sleep.

Thurs. Oct. 8, 1942

I rec'd 6 letters at mail call (5 were from Mother) one from Marjorie that I had been sweating out for a long time. The date Sept. 6 Marjorie said she went to see "Holiday Inn" with Bing Crosby. She also sent me a beautiful card entitled "To My Sweetheart in the Service". She's such a darling. Gig was off today, so I took his place on guard from 8 A.M. to 4 P.M. Nothern, Bill & "Gig" went swimming. "Skull" almost drowned. Went to the show at the 112th Calvary last night. The picture was "East Side of Heaven" with Bing Crosby & Joan Bindell which I had seen many times back in the States.

Fri. Oct 9, 1942

I am off today until 4P.M. when I take Nothern's place on guard with Frank. The 164th Infantry is leaving the island, going to the Solomons. The airport here is filled with P48's (double fuselage). They are assembled here & flown up to Tontanta. The ground crew just came from the Solomons. Most of them had minor injuries.


Sat. Oct 10, 1942


Last night Nothern, Bill, Ben, Dan, Henry & Dolotowski had a "wine drinking" party & they were feeling mighty good. I was on guard with Frank, so I didn't participate & I'm glad I didn't. Ben was really drunk last night & Skull took his place on guard. Ben seemed very put out about it. "Blub, blub, blub I want to go on guard".


Sun.. Oct. 11, 1942


Today is my day off due to the fact that I pulled "Extra man" all week. I went and took a nice swim up at the deep hole with "Gig" and Nothern. "Skull" is learning to swim with the aid of a coffee can. Tonight at chow (while we were eating) there was a fire that started on a mountain close to No. 1 depot. We all left in a hurry without finishing our meal. We fought it all night & Kraacks, Hall & Coules almost got trapped in the flames. It also ruint our show for tonight.



_______________________



This is Harry's War Diary


This is the first we've heard of Major Bones, and we're not sure if it's a horse or a mule. But, now that Bones been captured he'll be added to their corral.


"Skull" is a nickname they use for Jack Nothern (Ohio) . I guess the fellows are gonna teach him to swim with a coffee can...wish we had a picture of that:)

The crew battles another fire on the small island, this one threatening their lives. And after all that they don't even get to have a show.

Harry finally receives the letter from Marjorie that he has been longing for.


The battle at Guadalcanal and surrounding Solomon Islands has been raging for months.

handcrafted bookends for child's rooom

It's storytime! A functional and beautiful pair of bookends with "Once Upon a Time" and "they lived happily ever after"

A prancing white unicorn is featured on the 'Once Upon' bookend, with a bronze horn to match the color around the edges. The fanciful lettering fills the space and brings to mind many a sweet fairytale.

The cute grey squirrel adorns the "happily ever after" bookend, collecting his golden acrons and oak leaves. The edges and acorn tops are colored with metallic bronze. A simple but playful lettering is carefully woodburned for a timeless and fun display.

Sold as a pair, these bookends are sure to please a young reader. A soft matte finish cuts down on glare and makes the pieces very touchable. Sturdy metal book holders bear the weight of the books, making for a long lasting product. Easy to ship!

Each bookend is approx. 9.5" tall x 5" wide
the metal frame is 5.5" deep to keep those books in line

Handcrafted by me, now available for $ 54 from my ArtFire shop

(Just click on any of the photos above to be taken directly to the item)

a little Grinch in all of us

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

Always Christmas

by Kay Hoffman

There'll always be a Christmas
Wherever our path may lead
As long as hearts reach out
To help someone in need

As long as little children kneel
Beside their bed to pray
"God bless the Baby Jesus,
and help me be good each day".

There'll always be a Christmas
With hope and peace again
As long as there is caring
And goodwill toward all men.

As long as there is faith and love
To keep hearts warm and kind
No matter where our path may lead
There'll always be a Christmastime.

snow angels

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