Happy New Year - ABBA

Thought for Today
"Attitudes are contagious. Are yours worth catching?" Dennis and Wendy Mannering

Merry Christmas to all ...

Christmas Lights
Synchronized to Trans Siberian Orchestra Nutcracker
with Beautifully Different Visual Displays

and one more for good measure ... just because ;--)

A Symphony of Christmas Lights

Thought for Today
"In the right light, at the right time, everything is extraordinary." Aaron Rose

Merry Christmas ... another light display

Enjoy and share with others ... just because.

I'm writing notes in the Christmas cards (that I created & printed yesterday) this morning so I won't be visiting until I'm finished, but I wanted to leave a note here ... just because.

I created two new awards for my bloggy friends to express my gratitude to all who have visited & left comments on any or all of
my blogs during this busy holiday season during December.
You'll find them here and here. Please snag, enjoy, and pass them along to friends as you choose as my holiday gift to each of you.

I hope you're enjoying the holiday season!

Thought for Today
"Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree. In the eyes of children, they are all 30 feet tall." Larry Wilde, The Merry Book of Christmas

Found & Shared ... just because ;--)

I found this link at Sylvia's ...
and laughed so hard I just had to share! Enjoy ;--)
What you miss by not attending church

Thought for the Day
"Mirth is God's medicine. Everybody ought to bathe in it."
Henry Ward Beecher

Delightful Holiday Lights and Music to Share

Winter Wonderland
2007 Holdman Christmas Light Display

Bagpipes Merry Christmas
Animated Christmas Lights

You can find more of these at Small Reflections and Sacred Ruminations throughout the holiday season and clips of Straight No Chaser in the next two posts.

Thought for Today
"Music is love in search of a word." Sidney Lanier

Carol of the Bells - Straight No Chaser

The original members of Straight No Chaser
perform "Carol of the Bells" at the Musical Arts Center,
Bloomington, Indiana, December 7th, 1997.

See next post for info about their 2008 Christmas Album
and click to see & hear SNC perform
the original 1996 version of '12 Days'

Thought for Today
"Were it not for music, we might in these days say, the Beautiful is dead." Benjamin Disraeli

About Straight No Chaser's Christmas Album

Click the link below to see & hear SNC perform
the original 1996 version of '12 Days'
and the YouTube video to hear
their 'revival' plans ...

Thought for Today
"I have my own particular sorrows, loves, delights; and you have yours. But sorrow, gladness, yearning, hope, love, belong to all of us, in all times and in all places. Music is the only means whereby we feel these emotions in their universality." H.A. Overstreet

Proposition 8 - 'The Musical'

This video clip is both entertaining and thought provoking on an issue that requires attention ... so I'm shining a bit of light thanks to Dianne of Forks Off the Moment who brought it to my attention. She writes:

"This delights me on so many levels …
First of all – what a collection of talented people.
Then - it addresses one of my favorite pet peeves – people who use the Bible to fit their own agenda.
And it brings up how, if it makes money, it usually ends up being as American as apple pie. In this case I pray that’s true."

See more Jack Black videos at Funny or Die

See also this video clip with
Keith Olbermann speaking his mind
eloquently on the subject of Proposition 8.

Thought for Today
"Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves." Abraham Lincoln

Whimsically Shared ... Just For Fun ;--)

I couldn't resist passing this along ... just because (with thanks to Schmutzie's Milkmoney for the link). It's really worth checking out, especially if you need a laugh!

Don't you just love this pooch?
See another entertaining video clip.
Click for others participating in Wordless Wednesday today.

Thought for Today
"The dog was created specially for children. He is the god of frolic." Henry Ward Beecher

The post above was originally shared
at Sacred Ruminations.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I found this next one at Tiggerland's ... it's pretty cute ;--)
I don't drive much of anywhere these days, but those with a serious commute might find this utterly delightful to contemplate!

For more laughter ... check this doggie out
at Sacred Ruminations!

Thought for Today

"A real patriot is the fellow who gets a parking ticket and rejoices that the system works." Bill Vaughan

Worth Your Time & Thought ... seriously

I found this at Lunar Musings ... it touches my heart & conscience and wanted to share ... just because. I hope you'll take time to watch & listen ... and perhaps even share on your blog too.
Hugs and blessings,



Thoughts for Today
"You are a human being. You have rights inherent in that reality. You have dignity and worth that exists prior to law." Lyn Beth Neylon

"The Framers of the Bill of Rights did not purport to "create" rights. Rather, they designed the Bill of Rights to prohibit our Government from infringing rights and liberties presumed to be preexisting."
Justice William J. Brennan, 1982

"Give to every human being every right that you claim for yourself." Robert Ingersoll

Simple-ology - a free blogging course

Frances shared this today at BlogJem. She wrote:

"I’m evaluating a multi-media course on blogging from the folks at Simpleology. For a while, they’re letting you snag it for free if you post about it on your blog.

It covers:

• The best blogging techniques.
• How to get traffic to your blog.
• How to turn your blog into money.

I’ll let you know what I think once I’ve had a chance to check it out. Meanwhile, go grab yours while it’s still free."

So I did because I was curious. If your interest is piqued too, click on the link to check it out. Who knows, we all could learn some useful & 'kewl' blogging tips.

Thought for Today

"You learn something every day if you pay attention." Ray LeBlond

DonaNobisPacem - What if ... ?

5th Blog Blast for Peace
November 6th, 2008

Today I join Mimi Lenox and many other bloggers in the
5th Blog Blast for Peace ... and invite YOU to join the wave today on your Blog. Just click Mimi's link and read the directions for getting your own Peace Globe to personalize and publish. Then follow the directions to share with others through her official sites ... and visit others blogging for peace.

Blog Rolls & Bling Peace Globe is #1128

Thought for Today

"Maybe we should develop a Crayola bomb as our next secret weapon. A happiness weapon. A beauty bomb. And every time a crisis developed, we would launch one. It would explode high in the air - explode softly - and send thousands, millions, of little parachutes into the air. Floating down to earth - boxes of Crayolas. And we wouldn't go cheap, either - not little boxes of eight. Boxes of sixty-four, with the sharpener built right in. With silver and gold and copper, magenta and peach and lime, amber and umber and all the rest. And people would smile and get a little funny look on their faces and cover the world with imagination." Robert Fulghum

Click for links to ...
My other Blog Blasts today:
at Sacred Ruminations and SmallReflections
and last June:
Thirteen Thoughts on the Topic of Peace
& Peace in Every Step

Click for others participating in
the 5th Blog Blast for Peace!

Thought for Today
"We challenge the culture of violence when we ourselves act in the certainty that violence is no longer acceptable, that it's tired and outdated no matter how many cling to it in the stubborn belief that it still works and that it's still valid." Gerard Vanderhaar

More Awards & Bling ... (catching up)

New Bling ... gratefully accepted & acknowledged

... albeit some quite belatedly

I apologize. I've been remiss in keeping this Bling Blong 'current' when I receive, acknowledge, & pass along awards that come my way. If I've overlooked someone ... please let me know. I begin with the most recently received and (sort of) work backwards as I've done previously.

Note: I realize this showed up in 'readers' before I finished adding links and publishing it. I apologize for any inconvenience in that regard, but the only way to check positioning is to publish ... and I don't know how to keep it out of 'readers' while performing such 'checks' along the way. I've tried to add links to the posts where I've shared these.

Shared December 1st at Happily Retired Gal

Sandee of Comedy Plus received these awards from the following bloggers and passed them along to all her ‘bloggy friends’ … writing:

“AngelBaby of Your Caring Angels has awarded me three more cool awards. The first one is Nisha’s Friendship award, the second is Purple Frog’s Seal of Approval, and the third is The Friendship award. Wow, she’s having a red-letter run on awards of late. Okay, she’s still celebrating her blogs first birthday. Thank you so very much for including me in the mix AngelBaby.”

and that’s precisely what I’ve decided to do here at Happily Retired Gal! I appreciate all of you who have visited & commented upon my fledging blog, so please feel free to snag, enjoy, and pass along any or all three of these lovely awards. If time permits, remember to drop by Small Reflections & Sacred Ruminations too.

November 27th

Thanks to Sandee of Comedy Plus

Friday November 21, 2008

Mike of Rambling Stuff
gave this lovely award to
me & others ... and

I've decided to
pass it on to everyone
who has commented

during the past week
here at Small Reflections ... I'm
grateful for you all!

Click to see the bloggers I awarded it to on 11-21-08

On Monday, November 10th, 2008

I do have this lovely award

... from Mary of Mary's Writing Nook that I'd like to share with all my 'bloggy friends' ... and if you missed them over the weekend there are links to awards I've received & shared in Sunday's Unconscious Mutterings.

Milestone Revision & Addendum
Until I'd published this post earlier (with some Blogthing Fun that I've deleted & will share another day as time permits), I didn't realize that I missed the 'milestone' of my 400th post yesterday ... so this is my 401st post at Small Reflections & I've decided something special is in order.

That said (for the reasons mentioned above) ... time is limited today and I've yet to create & share a Monday Motivator post at Sacred Ruminations. It will be my 271st post there ... for a total of 671 posts overall (plus 10 more at Blog Rolls & Bling) ... so perhaps (since I celebrated my 1st Blogoversaries at Small Reflections and at Sacred Ruminations recently), waiting for the next milestone makes more sense?

Yup ... methinks that's what I'll do ... but in the meantime this is for YOU when you leave me a comment today. Whether you're an old friend or a new one ... I'm happy you dropped by to help me celebrate. If you click on the image to save it to your computer then upload it to Photobucket, you'll get the HTML code to make it 'animated' on YOUR blog too ;--)

Saturday, November 8th (2008)

Look what Kitten shared last week with her friends!

I want to thank her for this lovely award and for the song she shared with it on her blog as I pass this along to all MY friends with the same song below ... just because.

November 7th, 2008 - Haiku Friday

Look what Mama Zen
left for me yesterday on
her blog ... calling me

(here I quote her words)
'... most dedicated blogger
I know' ... Isn't she

sweet to pass along
this award and say such nice
things about me too?

She received it from
Petra Michelle where I learned
there are 'rulez' ... I shall

give myself some time
to reflect & soon I will
name my successor(s).

November 3, 2008
Mike Golch of Rambling Stuff and Sandee of Comedy Plus shared this Full of Grace blog award recently and I'd like to pass it along here to all my regular readers today.


October 19th, 2008

Look what Hootin' Anni shared this week!
Isn't she amazingly creative?

If you haven't seen
Hootin' Anni's Holiday
antics ... click the links

to see for yourself
how this woman celebrates
Halloween ... What fun!

October 15, 2008
A big thank you to Mike of Rambling Thoughts for sharing this lovely award that he received from Sandee of ComedyPlus ...
It comes with these rules:

1. Those who have received this award, can add the picture.
2. Add a link to that person’s blog who awarded you.
3. Choose 7 others to receive this award and add links to their blogs.
4. Leave a message to their blogs so that they know about this.

but since I have trouble following rulez ... I'm giving it to everyone who is 'following' either of my blogs & my 'regular bloggy buddies' ... (you know who you are, but I'll try to drop by and leave you a message letting you know it's here) ... because I love YOUR blogs too!

October 3rd, 2008 - Haiku Friday

Hootin' Anni blessed
me with this 'kewl' Halloween
graphic on Wedn'sday!

I suspect that she
recognizes that I need
'Halloween' decor ...

but it's good to know
she's 'under a spell' cast by
my Small Reflections.

September 29, 2008

Thanks to Mary of Mary's Writing Nook for this 'kewl' animated award! I need to learn to do this thing myself. In the meantime ...
I would like to present all of my friends with this animated friends button. Right click and "save as." Since blogger doesn't like animated graphics, upload it to Photobucket, copy and paste the HTML code that's provided there to place it on your blog.

Wednesday - September 17th, 2008
What a wonderful way to start my day! Upon reading comments to on of yesterday's posts (yup ... there were TWO ... Heads or Tails and Ruby Tuesday), I learned that SwampAngel65 of A Florida Journal had 'left me something to make me smile' ... and she was right about that! Such wonderful validation for my blogging efforts!

She had THIS to say about me and Small Reflections:

"Storyteller. Joyful! that's what you are. Always kind and generous with your words. You have a fun blog to read :)"

So ... although I've received & shared this award previously ... I'm SMILING widely as I create this post. I failed to follow the rulez previously (because I felt hopelessly behind and was rushing off to my Tuesday PSE6 class but didn't want to put off sharing) ... and shared it with everyone on any of my Blogrolls ... so I'm taking a bit more time to 'do it right' today because I love 'introducing' my blogging friends to one another. Although they might have already 'snagged & shared' the award from me (or been given it by others) ... although there are MANY blogs I love, I offer this award today SPECIFICALLY to the following virtual friends (in alphabetical order):

His Girl Friday at Wellied on Life
Hootin' Anni
Joy at the Joy of Six
Karen at Journey to Authenticity
Mary of Mary's Writing Nook
Mary Ann of Desperately Seeking Serenity
Mother of Invention at Spilling Out!
Rhonda (aka Chuckie) at Foster Me Up
Sassy Mama Bear of the
The Café at the End of the Universe
Talking Bear at Sleepy Bear Hollow

and if you've not visited their blogs, I hope you'll check them out as time permits.

If THAT wasn't enough, Mary of Mary's Writing Nook shared the next 3 awards recently ... and I'm exceedingly grateful to be included in her circle of friends.



I wish to pass along this Inspiration Award to everyone on any of my Blog Rolls because I'm ALWAYS inspired by my visits to your blogs and the wide variety of things each of you share!







... and (following Mary's example) ... I would like to present this award to all my blogging friends who are creative in any way. It doesn't matter if you knit, crochet, make web graphics or are a great cook. You are welcome to have this award.







Even though Southern California doesn't experience many 'seasonal signs' ... (and although I shared this wonderful Autumn Friends Award previously) ... I offer it again here in case you missed it. Feel free to 'snag & share' with others as we move into the Fall Season ...





And finally, I offer THIS award from Sassy Mama Bear of the The Café at the End of the Universe once again to everyone who leaves me a comment today .... just because. Be sure to drop by and say 'howdy' to Penelope when you have the time.


Hopefully EVERYONE is smiling by now ...
I'd like to thank everyone who has chosen to 'follow this blog' ... and if you haven't yet done so, feel free to add YOUR link to the widget in the sidebar (under the link to my complete profile) too.


September 13th, 2008

Thanks to Mary (of Mary's Writing Nook) for this nifty Autumn Friends Award. I'd like to share it with all those who leave me a comment.

I've been blessed with & shared with others a variety of awards recently, and am grateful to all my 'bloggy buddies' in this virtual world.

I've passed this one on previously,
but in case you missed it ... feel free to snag & share it.

Thanks to Mike Golch
who shared the award below with friends.

September 13, 2008

After receiving this award from Kristine Kate at Life and Love ... Hootin' Anni bestowed it upon me and 8 other blogging friends yesterday. She wrote: "I love storyteller's style ... her poetry and haiku." Translating the gift from Portuguese to English, it means: "This blog invests and believe the proximity' (meaning that blogging makes us 'close' -- being close through proxy) ... a LOVELY sentiment! I feel honored to receive this award ... especially from a talented & creative friend like Hootin' Anni ... and now it's MY turn to share with the following friends I've met in this virtual world known as the Blogosphere. I look forward to seeing who they share the award with next.

His Girl Friday at Wellied on Life
Joyce at Mom's Musings
Karen at Journey to Authenticity
Mama Zen at the Zen of Motherhood
Mother of Invention at Spilling Out!
Sandy Carlson at Writing in Faith
Sandy at Momisodes
Tammy at A Little Girl Talk and Mom Knows Everything
Tina at Tina's Odds and Ends

Wednesday, September 10th

You See the World Through Blue Colored Glasses

You live your life with tranquility. You have faith that things will work themselves out with time. This seems fairly accurate to me, though it was not always true of me. You judge all your interactions through the lens of hope. You try to get all the facts before forming your opinion. True again ... (this is getting a bit spooky however). You face challenges with wisdom. You know that all bad things pass, and you have the confidence to see problems through. I'd say I rely on my rather considerable life experience ... as I pray for wisdom & guidance. You see love as the utmost expression of trust. Your relationships tend to be peaceful and stable. For the most part ... this is true as well. At your worst, you can be cool, melancholy, and detached. You sometimes have to step back from emotionally charged situations. I'm seldom 'cool' or 'detached' ... but once upon a time I experienced 'melancholy' often ... not so much any longer though. You are at your happiest when you are able to reflect and relax. Yup ... this is definitely true of me.

What Color Glasses Do You See the World Through?

If you'd like to play along, feel free to leave your results in comments below or share on your own blog, leaving a link here so I can visit. As an incentive, here's an award I received recently from Tammy at Mom Knows Everything (also, A Little Girl Talk) ... and should you decide to 'play along' ... it's yours to enjoy and share with others too.


Tuesday, September 9th
Thanks to Tammy of Mom Knows Everything for this nifty new award! Here are the rulez:
Now do you know some Brainy Bloggers? Pass it on to them:
Think of at least 5 bloggers that you believe to be “Brainy Bloggers”
Post it on your blog for all to see! Let them know you’ve awarded them by email, twitter, etc or via a comment on their blog!
Share some linky love and link back to both the person who awarded you and back to http://www.mommybrainreports.com
Go back to the Brainy Blog Headquarters to sign Mr. Linky and then pass it on!
I shared it with 10 bloggers at Sacred Ruminations on Monday afternoon, and would like to share it today with the following 'Brainy Bloggers' to enjoy and pass along to others.

Faye at Summit Musings
Jo Beaufoix
Joy a the Joy of Six
Joyce at Mom's Musings
Karen at Journey to Authencity
Mariposa at Mariposa's Tales
MPJ at A Room of Mama's Own
Sayre Smiles
Sassy Mama Bear at the Cafe at the End of the Universe
Sue at Life in the Urban Zoo

Monday, September 8th

Finally ... two Awards to share!

Sassy Mama Bear shared the first one at the Cafe at the End of the Universe. If you've not visited, you're in for a real treat. She's a MOST creative and entertaining blogger. Of course, I'd like to send it back to HER ... and offer it to all who decide to participate in the Purse Meme. Be sure to leave me a link so I can see yours too.

I shared the one below once before when I did something stupid
and Peajay saved the day for me as a new blogger!
It's yours if you leave me a comment and/or
share results of the Blogthing
here or on your own blog.

Sunday September 7th
Thanks to Mike Golch of Rambling Stuff for sharing this award with me yesterday. Apparently it comes with 'rulez' ... so I'll try to follow them today (for a change):
1. Only five people allowed.
2. Four have to be dedicated followers of your blog.
3. One has to be someone new or recently new to your blog and live in another part of the world.
4. You must link back to whoever gave you the award.

With these rules in mind ... I bestow this Million Dollar Friend Award (from Mike) on the following friends:
Akelamalu at Everything and Nothing
Joy of the Joy of Six
Karen of Journey to Authenticity
Tina of Tina's Odds and Ends
and
ChrisB of Ms Cellania

Check out today's post at Sacred Ruminations too
for a new meme along with my regular Sunday posts & awards.

September 6th
Thanks to Mama Zen for this nifty 'Kick-AssBlogger' award ...
and to Akelamalu who shared this award given by Mimi Lenox to all those who participated in the 2008 Blog Blast for Peace ... as I did twice (see 'My Peace Globe' links in the sidebar).

September 3rd

I'd like to acknowledge, accept, and share
the following awards with gratitude.

Thanks to Ivanhoe
for this colorful award.
I offer it as an incentive to anyone who decides to
participate in the Blog Comment Survey
either here or on their own blog.

Ivanhoe also blessed Small Reflections with this one
and Mike Golch presented it to Sacred Ruminations
where I shared it mid-July.

I'd like to share it (and the ones below)
with everyone on any of my Blogrolls
and all those I visit regularly

(Come on ... you know who you are)

Mary (of Mary's Writing Nook) bestowed
this 'friendship award' to storyteller (that's me)

but I've forgotten who gave me this one ...

so please help me remember so I can add a link.

Thought for Today
"I can no other answer make, but, thanks, and thanks."
William Shakespeare