Show and Tell Monday, 12/29/08

New Years has always been a bittersweet holiday for me. Nostalgia for the year past, hopes and dreams for the year to come. I've never been much for making New Year resolutions, more of an attitude to try and carry with me for the coming year.

This year has been quite eventful for me. "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." On reflection, the good has far outweighed the not so good. I have had dreams realized and dreams crushed, but have come through standing upright with a whole lot of help from my friends and family.

I found Make Mine Pink this year, started my Little Pink Boutique which quickly expanded to include a website and a blog. I never would have thought all this possible last January. It has become so much a part of my life, I cannot believe I have been in the Pinkdom for less than a year. Have made some of the most amazing friends along the way, women who truly are like sisters to me.

I've learned a lot about computers and finding my way around, become a social media maven when I had never heard of the word a year ago. Have joined several different networks to get my name out there -Victorian Heart Shoppes, The Raven and The Rose, The Twisted Sisterhood, Kitty Kitty at ning, Etsy, Twitter. I cannot believe it as I write this.

I blog regularly and have met some of the most talented women all over the world. New doors have certainly opened and I have had so much fun walking on through.
You all that have become a part of my life over this past year, thank you so much for allowing me to be part of yours as well. To all my family and friends who have been so supportive to me throughout my new adventure, and through everything else in my world, thank you as well. I love you all and my New Year outlook will be An Attitude of Gratitude.

The Meaning of That Silly Song!

I received an email with the explanation of the Twelve Days of Christmas song. Sounds as plausible as any!

There is one Christmas Carol that has always baffled us. What in the world do leaping lords, French hens, Swimming swans, and especially the partridge who won't come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas?
From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.
-The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.
-Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.

-Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.

-The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.

-The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.

-The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.

-Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit--Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership and Mercy.

-The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.

-Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit--Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control.

-The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.

-The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.

-The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.

So there is your history for today. This knowledge was shared with me and I found it interesting and enlightening and now you know how that strange song became a Christmas Carol...so pass it on if you wish. 'Merry (Twelve Days of) Christmas Everyone

Pink Friday-12/12/08

It's Friday again! I'm not quite sure where this week went. It has flown by so fast, when my husband said it was Thursday at dinner time I assured him it was Wednesday. Ooops! So then, tomorrow is Pink Friday! (actually, today, just looked at the clock) We are not doing a theme like we normally do. There will be products to buy but Make Mine Pink Boutiques are going to share some decorating and gift wrapping tips!

Now you have seen the shops before, do I have to tell you that some of these ladies are just unbelievable in how they can wrap a gift (I do not claim to have this talent) and the peeks I have had of the decorating in their homes is beyond belief. (they sometimes put photos on our forums to share). In fact, one of our ladies, Cathy Scalise, is so talented that her home was featured in a national magazine, several page spread PLUS the cover. So please do go visit www.makeminepink.com and check out what the wonderful boutiques are offering as tips. This should be a fun day.