Have almost caught up from over sleeping….stayed up finishing Lady Jane https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeT4x27toJo—this is an older movie about a girl who was queen of England for less than a month (try 9 days) and for a historical movie it wasn’t bad. Now if you know me you know I argue British history (did Richard III kill the princes) with my English guides and embarrass fellow tour participants–they being Brits, me being Yank–by knowing more about their history than they do and if you’re a friend you know I claim to know more about the Tudors than the Tudors (please don’t get me started on the show by that name OMG). This movie is filmed in historical sites, with great costumes and very realistic views of households and the life in general. I think the whole romance in the middle and her idealism was probably a bit contrived (and gave those un-historically accurate viewers something to watch–and filled up the whole thing so they had a 2 + Hr. movie), but the self serving people who put her in line with the executioners ax and the fact that Mary was not presented as being the heavy, when she would have spared the poor girlish pawn if not for a second hit by her father all in all presented a much more plausible movie than most historical dramas are and was entertaining for the view made it a good watch. If you’re not up on this poor girl who’s only crime was being born with a hint of Royal Blood in the wake of Henry VIII see this for a quick update: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/grey_lady_jane.shtml
Pictures are from my sojourn on Sat at Clermont–a lovely little town: http://www.citytowninfo.com/places/florida/clermont where we spent the day visiting some shops and the Art Festival along the main street.
Honorable mention: ERIKA’S TEA ROOM & GIFTS
part of my Clermont adventure–if you love tea and all that goes with it (or need a gift for some one that does) this place is a must and after you’re done shopping you can stay for a cuppa. www.erkastearoom.com
and since we’re doing Christmas ideas check out her site above for these:
November
Christmas Ornament Painting and Tea -Thursday, November 19th: 6 PM CLICK FOR DETAILS
Thanksgiving Dinner- Thursday, November 26th: 1PM CLICK FOR DETAILS
December
Christmas Carol Holiday Tea- Saturday, December 12th: 6PM CLICK FOR DETAILS
I do not get paid in any way to mention these places of business I honorably mention–I however am dedicated to encourage my readers to find adventure in the small towns and byways often ignored by the less adventuresome.
OUTLANDER isn’t just a hit show—it’s a increasingly popular Tourist attraction:
HERE WE GO WITH MORE HOLIDAY RELIEF: TODAY MORE ON DECOR:
FIRST LET’S LOOK AT CHRISTMAS TREES:
Do you want one–of course it’s not a holiday without a tree….so what do you want?
REAL OR ARTIFICIAL?
personally I love real but when my hubby passed away I decided dragging one home in an old Camaro Convertible wasn’t gonna make it…so I went artificial, that is until I got a roomie, who doesn’t appreciate the artificial so I am now back to real—in the only time we ever do anything together we meet at the nearest (from up north where trees are trees) lot and pick one out together, he drags it home in his truck and I wander off to parts unknown.
PROS AND CONS
REAL ARTIFICAL
No assembly necessary They have diagrams
and are marked but it does
take considerable activity on
the purchaser’s part.
It sheds needles It’s self contained
You have to put on Several come with lights
lights
You have to water it You can but you may electrocute
yourself.
Some Trimming for a This isn’t a problem—though with
stray branch or position- older trees there can be bending
ing maybe necessary to and other damage from storage
hide a bare spots mishaps.
Lovely pine essence You can buy spray to make it smell
When you’re done You have to take it all apart and
you throw it away store it properly (otherwise see
or burn it in the fire pit entry before last.
Alternatives are:
A live tree–if you have a yard or large patio you can put the tree there after the holiday—if the tree isn’t too large you can keep it in a pot and re-use it for a year or two.
Or go the Charlie Brown route:
How to make decorating fun:
If you’re a stickler for form and/or have a lot of keepsake ornaments etc then here are some alternatives:
1. Get a smaller tree for the playroom, or other room (i.e. family) where there’s room for a smaller Noel offering, pick up ornaments at resale shops and/or Dollar and other discount stores and let them have a go on this tree of their own.
2. Do the same in the kids room and if they have one the playroom- -they’ll feel more a part of the holiday and you might be surprised by the results.
No kids, on your own for the first time– what ever.
Get friends to join you–have a decorating tea party with the girls or an evening event with light snacks or a whole spread–watch the alcohol till all the climbing activities are over.
New in town–hang up those keep sakes you brought from home
and reinforce them with thrift shop and dollar store or fancier places if you billfold can manage—but don’t over do finance wise…I’ve found Glitz, glitter and colors can be very pleasing in making a holiday display despite their lack of major financial cost.
