"Save Your Tears"

 

Raven was made for the stage, for the live audience that pumped the blood and heat into the music.

Once more with Feeling

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While these two stars and the inspired supporting cast lit up the stage, 

it was the music that drove the production.

Waiting for Nick

Outdoor Christmas Decorating

Natasha stood outside the front door as the snow fell. There were lights strung 

along the roof and around the posts. She wondered how

they would look when they were lighted. There was a full-size 

Santa on the door, his load of presents making him bend from the waist.

She remembered the witch that had stood there on Halloween.

Taming Natasha

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Make the outside of your home as ready for the holiday season as the inside with these outdoor Christmas decorating ideas.

Better Homes & Gardens

Easy Christmas Ornaments Kids Can Make

On the table there was a papier-mâché reindeer with only one ear. 

Compliments of Freddie's second-grade art class.

Taming Natasha

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Yogendra Joshi, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Kids can show holiday spirit with their own handmade ornaments.

Better Homes & Gardens

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"Look at that," Ethan murmured, sliding a hand over Seth's hair as the boy bristled. "It's a picture of the house."

"Looks good," Phillip angled it to get a better view of the clever pencil sketch of the two-story house on the bay.

"Really good."

"It's no big deal."

"I decide what's a big deal around here," Cam kept a hand on Seth's shoulder as he studied the sketch. Yes, it was clever. The boy had talent. But more, it meant home. To all of them.

"And this qualifies. This is a very big deal. Who's it for?"

The Quinn's Christmas

How to Make Friends

"Oh, I had friends. Somewhere along the line I'd learned 

that if you didn't try so hard, if you just

relaxed and acted naturally, that there were 

a lot of people who'd like you for what you were."

Convincing Alex

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By Aman dsc - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, 

https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=76911587

It takes effort, but it's not impossible.

REAL SIMPLE

Classes to teach dads

Amused, Spence lifted his own glass. "She wants her hair curled."

Natasha's puzzled look became a smile; she lifted a hand to her own. "Oh. That's sweet."

"Easy for you to say. I've just gotten the hang of pigtails."

To her surprise, Natasha could easily picture him patiently braiding the soft, flaxen tresses.

Taming Natasha

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By Brian Uhreen from Calgary, Canada - Camping with friends, CC BY 2.0, 

https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=74784202

Salon holds classes to teach dads how to style their daughters' hair

In a Facebook comment, the salon recommends bringing girls aged 10 and under for the class. Kayla White, manager and stylist at the salon, pointed out how men are sometimes just clueless when it comes to dealing with girls’ hair.

YAHOO!

The First Warning Sign

“He could walk to the corner for a quart of milk and forget how to get home. 

He could forget who he is, and if they can’t stop it, 

one day he could just go away inside his mind 

where none of us could reach.”

Honest Illusions

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By José Moutinho from Leça da Palmeira, Portugal - 

Walking aloneUploaded by JotaCartas, CC BY 2.0, 

https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=25204383

The First Warning Sign of Alzheimer's May Surprise You

Problems navigating new surroundings crop up before memory loss, 

and long before any clinical diagnosis of the disease, 

according to a recent study published in the Journal of 

Alzheimer's Disease.

MSN

______________________

"I think when he started to forget stuff, it helped him to

blame it on the whiskey instead of—you know."

"Alzheimer's. Yeah."

Falling for Rachel

Julia Roberts preparing for ‘Pretty Woman’

"Are you out of your mind?" Alex barked the question as he leaned over into her face. 

"Do you have any idea what you were doing?"

She blinked, at once innocent and amused. "Research?"

He swore again, and Bess found she liked the way he raked 

impatient fingers through his thick black hair. "Lady, just how far were you

intending to take your research?"

"How—? Oh." Her eyes brightened with laughter. 

"Well no, not quite that far."

Convincing Alex 

____________________

Julia Roberts prepared to play a prostitute in “Pretty Woman” by hanging out with hookers

 on Hollywood Boulevard, according to Barbara Marshall, 

widow of the movie’s director, Garry Marshall.

FOX News

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"My wife went nuts." Judd Malloy munched on his cherry Danish 

while Alex swung in and out of downtown traffic. "She's a big fan of that

soap, you know? Tapes it every day when she's in school."

"Terrific." Alex had been doing his best to forget his little 

encounter with the soap queen, but his partner wasn't cooperating.

"Holly figures it was just like meeting a celebrity."

"You don't find many celebrities turning tricks."

"Come on, Alex." Judd washed down the Danish with

heavily sugared coffee. "She wasn't, really."

Convincing Alex

To-Die-For Hot Chocolate Recipes

"You would like hot chocolate?"

Freddie was torn between the comfort of her father's hand and one of her favorite treats. 
And Nadia was smiling at her, not with that goofy look grown-ups sometimes put on 
when they had to talk to kids. It was a warm smile, just like Natasha's.

"Yes, ma'am."

Nadia gave a nod of approval at the child's manners. 
"Maybe you would like to come with me. 
I show you how to make it with big, fat marshmallows."

Taming Natasha

___________________

When cold weather hits, there's little more soul-soothing than curling up with a cozy mug of hot chocolate. We've created several ways to make your cup of cocoa more decadent, including mix-ins, stir-ins, and of course marshmallows!

Better Homes & Gardens

Guide to a Dog-Friendly Backyard

Mia arrived with a bouquet of freshly clipped daffodils, 
and helped herself relax by sitting on the floor playing 
tug-the-rope with Mulder.

“I think of getting a dog now and then.” 
She laughed as Mulder lost his toothy grip on the rope 
and went tumbling ears over tail. “Then I think about my gardens.” 
She snatched the puppy up, holding him high. 
“You’d just love digging up all my flowers, wouldn’t you?”

Face the Fire

_________________

Dogs are your best buds, honorary members of the family and protectors of the pack. But as they rambunctiously romp around the backyard, they may be wreaking havoc on your outdoor space. Live peacefully with your beloved doggos by following these simple tips for a delightfully dog-friendly backyard.

Birds & Blooms

_________________

In the spill of light from the windows, she noted 
that a bed of petunias had been recently and ruthlessly dug up.

"I think Ivan has been to work," Mikhail commented, 
noting the direction of Sydney's gaze. "If he is smart, he hides 
until it's time to go home again."

Luring a Lady

Help to keep you Organised

"You leave notes everywhere. 

All these pieces of paper scattered around, 

with scribbling on them about dry-cleaning 

and dialogue and appointments. 

I saw the one about the

flowers you'd ordered for her, and the directions to the cemetery."

Convincing Alex

______________

CC BY-SA 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=396030

The concept is fantastic and I have seen similar ideas work really well both in homes and offices.

This sort of visual reminder really works for some people, as it makes each task very prominent, and often they will be small tasks that can be done in a few minutes – and what a lovely feeling to be able to take the post it note down after doing the job.

Organise My House

______________

After he sent the e-mail, it occurred to him that while he couldn’t remember
if he’d thanked her, he did remember he hadn’t paid her for the groceries.

He wrote himself a note on the pack of Post-its he found in the desk drawer, 
stuck it to the computer monitor. He forgot too easily these days.

Whiskey Beach

Halloween standing Mummy

"Well, it is Halloween."

Charmed

___________________

Public Domain, 
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4346137

So this Mummy idea is all over Pinterest so I had to give it a try.

INSTRUCTABLES

___________________

It took them two hours to transform Spence's elegantly decorated living room into a spooky dungeon, fit for rats and screams of torture.

Black and orange crepe paper hung on the walls and ceiling. Angel-hair cobwebs draped the corners. A mummy, arms folded across its chest leaned in a corner.

Taming Natasha

Small Bites to Share

"You can make deviled eggs," Nadia said kindly when she noted Sydney was at a loss. "They will be cool soon."

"I, ah…" She stared, marginally horrified, at the shiny white orbs she'd rinsed in the sink. "I don't know how."

"Your mama didn't teach you to cook?" It wasn't annoyance in Nadia's voice, just disbelief. Nadia had considered it her duty to teach every one of her children—whether they'd wanted to learn or not.

As far as Sydney knew, Marguerite had never boiled an egg much less deviled one. Sydney offered a weak smile. 

"No, she taught me how to order in restaurants."

Nadia patted her cheek. "When they cool, I show you how to make them the way Mikhail likes best."

Luring a Lady

______________________

Bacon and Cheese Deviled Eggs

Deviled eggs get even more delicious when topped with cheddar cheese and bacon crumbles.

BETTER HOMES & GARDENS

Stressed out? Try smelling

Her legs were a little shaky as she rose to walk to it. 

Her fingers seemed a bit numb as she slipped the lid from a bottle of cologne. 

Then she smelled him—brash, vivid and very male. Her world seemed to steady. 

When she replaced the lid, her hands were firm and competent again. 

For Now, Forever

___________________

By John William Waterhouse - The Athenaeum: Home - info - pic, 

Public Domain,

https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15046102

Many people wear their partner's shirt or sleep on their partner's side of the bed when their partner is away, but may not realize why they engage in these behaviours," 

EurekAlert!

_____________

"Just let me tell you everything I should have told you. 

Like the way the smell of you haunts me. 

I breathe you for hours, even when you're not there,

like you're inside me."

Waiting for Nick

Favorite thing about the holiday: "I love knowing what's coming."

Christmas Eve was the most beautiful day in the year as far as Natasha was concerned. It was a time to celebrate life and love and family.

The house was quiet when she came in. She was drawn to the tree and the light. She sent an angel spinning on one branch, then turned to study the room.

On the table there was a papier-mâché reindeer with only one ear. Compliments of Freddie's second-grade art class. Beside it stood a pudgy snowman holding a lantern. An exquisite porcelain crèche was displayed on the mantel. Beneath it hung four stockings. A fire crackled in the grate.

Taming Natasha

___________________

I Lived Like I Was in a Hallmark Christmas Movie for a Week

I'm Thankful for:

Nora's Life and Gift  who fill my life - through her books - with amazing people, dreamy stories and the places  I live in while reading her books.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

"She's upstairs, watching the Macy's parade with Yuri."
"He never misses it. Nothing disappointed him more than when we grew too old to want to sit in his lap and watch the floats."


Taming Natasha

_______________________

By Sandra Lemaire / VOA - VOA, 

http://www.voanews.com/content/cheers-greet-giant-balloons-at-macys-thanksgiving-parade/1799824.html, 

Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=29910714

These celebrities get just as jazzed about the time-honored tradition as the rest of us.

YAHOO!



_______________________




"I'm watching the parade with Papa. He can talk just like Donald Duck, and he lets me sit on his lap."
"I see." Leaning closer, Natasha took a sniff. There was the telltale fragrance of gumdrops lingering on Freddie's breath. "Does he still hog all the yellow ones?"
Freddie giggled, casting a quick, cautious look at her father. Spence had a much different view of gumdrops than Yuri. "It's okay. I like the red ones best."
"How many red ones?" Spence asked her.
Freddie lifted her shoulders and let them fall. It was, Spence noted with some amusement, almost a mirror image of Natasha's habitual gesture. "Not too many. Will you come up and watch with us?" She tugged at Natasha's hand. "It's almost time for Santa Claus."


Taming Natasha

Nothing Really Matters

"Just let me tell you everything I should have told you. Like the way the

smell of you haunts me. I breathe you for hours, even when you're not

there, like you're inside me."

"That's pretty good," Mooney noted to several people who'd stopped to

watch. They all agreed with him.

Waiting for Nick

__________________

She completes me

How she reads me

Right or wrong

It's so clear she's

All that I need

All I need

I know what it feels like

I know what it feels like

Swimming through the stars when I see her

And I don't need air 'cause I breathe her

You’re Welcome

She dipped into the bag and pulled out a gold foiled candy box. "For Mom."

"Oh." Rachel's eyes took on the glow a woman's get when she looks at a lover—or a five-pound box of exclusive chocolates. "I think you just became my best friend."

Chuckling, Bess dug into the bags again. "Well, I know that people tend to drop by with baby gifts." She held out a box wrapped in snowy white with bright red lollipops scattered over it. "And, though I couldn't resist the tradition, I figured you deserved something really

sinful for yourself."

"I do." 

Convincing Alex

___________________

By Shinji - Amazonのギフト包装, CC BY 2.0, 

https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=48809791

11 Utterly Perfect Thank-You Gift Ideas For Every Occasion

You can never go wrong with these.

MSN

___________________

Gage considered a minute. “You guys are idiots. The appropriate Glad You Didn’t Die token is a hooker and a bottle of Jack.”

“We couldn’t find a hooker.” Fox shrugged. “Our time was limited.”

“You could give him an IOU,” Layla suggested.

Gage grinned at her. “All markers cheerfully accepted.”

The Pagan Stone