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Friday, May 29, 2009

Betmo kindly published my poem on POETS4PEACE - 'thank you, Billie'..........


The Planet of Trees - by me (Diane) - May 29, 2009

It's almost trite to tease
And write as I please
A simple poem; nothing complicated
No fancy words - you won't be inundated
With glorious efforts to make you seek
A meaning to this prose
That doesn't require you to 'suppose'
Simply notice what rhymes with 'trees'
Are words like 'breeze' that sometimes
Chills - we even 'freeze' when the wind blows strong
And we admire the trees who stand so strong
They don't fight; bicker, kill or complain
About not being more beautiful or whine because they're plain
They give resource and life to those who cut them down
The birds' nests forever are their seasonal crown
We build log homes; we build wooden boats
We make fences to confine our horse and goats
We carve them into totems; we hang wires from their poles
We think nothing of destroying them as if they had no souls
But when I seat myself under a sprawling willow
I look at the the sky from my down-filled pillow
I like the stars when they peek through the trees
I find my heart so put at ease
I find such a marvelous peace
..........among the trees.

Monday, May 26, 2008

Welcome to ALL HAPPY TALK - I want you to meet my family & the things we love!

Since it's summer and we'll be away from the computer more
often, this is my
greeting and my thank you for stopping by.
Have a great summer with all those you love!

Friday, May 23, 2008

My collection of old DOVER catalogs - now sent to my niece for her children.


Back when my own children were young, I relied upon the variety of Dover publications for children - stickers; little books - so many wonderful things (and at such a low cost).
Then I used more of my 'collected' catalogs to order for
my grand-kids. Now my grandchildren are all grown up (all but 2), so I'm
passing these on to my niece for her children.
You can go on line now - they have a website; I highly recommend these - they are still at a reasonable cost. Get those kids away from the computer and television; they can take their Dover books outside - play at the picnic table; in the park on a soft blanket - we need to spend time with the children; we need to share in their education and teach them to 'create'....

Friday, May 16, 2008

My grand-daughter has just finished bathing and blow-drying this fluffy dog!


As you can see, what a sizeable ball of fluff (no, not my grand-daughter - the dog)!

I have a niece who takes beautiful photos of children;
she keeps busy with her little studio in Michigan. I so wish she'd create
a 'blog', but she does make incredible photo shows (I've given that link in an
earlier entry...below). In fact, as I think of it that earlier entry is an older and different show.

Here's one she recently sent to me - not only will you see her 2 darling children, but many more children as they graduate from pre-school. I so love looking at the future leaders and teachers of our country. As I watch their young faces, I try to imagine what they'll be when they grow up; where will they travel - what will be their hobbies, and what they'll accomplish in their years on this beautiful earth...

Here's my niece's newest show & link: http://photoshow.comcast.net/viewshow/aa8Ec4cW

Also, here's another link for some great photography - children.
So, another 'thing to do' for the
summer; for all seasons - TAKE PHOTOS - and not always of a person
'posing'...take ones that show 'action' - happiness; the dog is reacting, and
Brittany is making her best effort to 'dance' (I think they'll do the tango if
the dog is up to twirling my beloved grand-daughter)....

Saturday, May 3, 2008

Today, as I made a 'comment' on another web-site, I realized this was ALL HAPPY TALK...here is my comment. Diane

Diane Says: Your comment is awaiting moderation. May 3rd, 2008 at 10:14 am
Enjoyed all of it - and the readers’ comments too.

We used laundry detergent boxes because we never had cold cereal (too expensive).

My dad had a wood lathe because he used his small work-shop to make toys and
things for us since we had little money, and he’d make extra money by selling
toys to the people in town.

Dad would take all the wood scraps; form them with a knife - then we’d all chip in and ’sand them into ’shapes’. We’d stain the bare wood with food coloring so we could recognize ‘our pieces’.

We’d think up the game; crayons were usually what we’d mark the colors
with; dad used an old black glass-marking pencil for the lay-out.

We’d also fill up the glasses and fruit jars with
different levels of WATER; then we’d create music with the sounds - what
fun!

Dad would get out some of the pots and pans; the spoons - now we had a ‘band’……..
We’d get out the dictionary; we’d look up a word - the
rest had to guess the word after we’d read the meaning - how we learned from
that game, and had fun too.

We made a target out of a cereal box; used rubber bands, and used paper-wads from the old newspapers we’d pick up after the market put them out as trash.

We played pick-up-stick; jacks; only 10 cents for each
game ‘back then’.

We had an old piano with sticky keys, but it was good enough for all of us to learn on; sing to, and make music (I’m never without music playing or playing it myself).

I guess I could add to my one blog about dealing with the recession -
some of these ideas, but in many cases, it seemed as if I might be suggesting
things that simply weren’t viable enough in saving a significant amount of money
for any one (and possibly they’d sound way too boring).

For me because it was the ‘atmosphere’ - the ‘time’ back in the 1940’s, that made it not ‘frugal’, but simply a smart way to cope with the lack of having much in the way of material things.

To me, frugal is being smart - to others, it’s ‘going
without’……

Anyway, I enjoyed my read; linked to it from
Merchants - enjoy her blog as well.


Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Grandma Lisa and her first grand-daughter; she'll keep her busy, I bet...


When I say 'she'll keep her busy I bet', I mean Grandma Lisa - she's my daughter; she's almost 48 years old, and super-active, and enjoys her business.
I know Grandma Lisa has all kinds of ideas similar to the ones I've left
here; she got some of them from me - more from the many books she's read, and
some just thought up out of her desire to be a good mom, and grandmother
too!

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Fill your alcove with 'letters' from long ago...


I scanned special letters; saved the originals behind the framed copies! Find used frames at Good-Will or antique stores; collect the all in one special place. It's not costly; it's heart-warming.

This letter was sent to me April 11, 1962 - 46 years ago.

With this letter, came a tiny decorative jar filled with dried roses - those roses had been my great grandmother's mother's jar - still fragrant.

I use my favorite
perfume to revitalize the
odor; put the lid on - open each morning, and
think of great grandmother
Grace. I can re-read her loving words where
I've hung that copy for all to
see how wonderful she
was.


I often frame the original cards; photo-cards that have come from my niece in Michigan - all grouped in another special place. In fact, I keep the latest photo-card of her two children right over the thermostat in our home; every time I set the temperature, I smile......

Painting Eggs - Not just for 'Easter'...


We had friends over; made some soft-boiled eggs and decided to paint them with tiny pictures. I put their names on the eggs - used them as place-cards; perched them on celery-salt castors. Everyone loved them....

I was also watching HSN on television.
They had 2 hours of great scrap-booking and crafts. They had a textured
paint that could be used on fabric; paper - everything!


While I'm waiting for my order to arrive, I'm already planning on how I'm going to 'texture' my next batch of eggs.

Promote good eating for breakfast - an egg with an apple; and your child's choice of cereal. Can you imagine how much fun it would be to 'wake up', and see a darling egg resting on the plate?

They also have plastic eggs that are used for Easter. If you've saved any of those, paint them - put a little gift inside; a bit of money, and go out for the day with your children talking excitedly about what they'll get at the store.

Remember too: The children should also
think about those less-fortunate; have them take that 'egg' with money to a
needy child or neighbor. There are many ways to light up another's life - thinking and talking happy.....


Friday, April 11, 2008

TAKE PHOTOS OF YOUR CARDS YOU MAKE BEFORE YOU SEND THEM OUT...





Just thought I'd mention this
because I made the mistake a few years ago, of spending hours on cards - out
they go; a couple were damaged by the post office, and it's a bit heart-breaking
when you realize you could have prevented the entire loss.





A little note re the photograph above: I bought 20 of the most beautiful hand-made cards from my dear friend, Mary back in 2003. I use them sparingly (the originals) - keep the photographs for myself so I can reproduce them for recipe cards and note-cards as I need them - very pretty way to share a new recipe or to say 'just thinking of you'.








'HEY, LET'S DO MY HAND RIGHT NOW'!!!


An inexpensive project - do it annually!
Each year draw around your child's hand; allow 1/2 inch for a 'sewing
seam'. Once you cut TWO pieces; make it into a bean-bag (I used bird seed
back when my kids were little because it's easier to 'fill' into tiny
crevices).
These can be used as paper-weights; one for you - one for your child to toss, and some for the grand-parents.
Each year, the hand gets 'bigger' - what a wonderful pile of hands (about 18) when they graduate from school - create a wonderful memory...

YES, THAT'S HOW HARD THE WIND WAS BLOWING TODAY! IT MADE ME THINK OF SOMETHING...

It was definitely a day I'd have told all of my children: "No, we can't go to the park - that wind is way too strong; something could hit you in the eye, and hurt you!"

I'd have said (and often did): "We're not going out on the boat no
matter what - the wind is too strong; we could capsize!"

If we want to keep 'happy talk, happy', we have to
sometimes say 'NO' - for the safety of those we love.
not a trick photo' - it illustrates just how that wind whipped around me as I insisted upon getting my pictures (I was alone at least).

Before I left, a whirl-wind came up; brought small pieces of pebble and a few pieces of glass right into my eyes and face.

See, I almost didn't talk happy for at least 15 mintues....or see easily either.

PRACTICE SAFETY - THINK ABOUT THE
ELEMENTS - THINK ABOUT YOUR CHILDREN - THEY DEPEND ON YOUR
WISDOM.

Thursday, April 10, 2008

HAPPY TALK IS TELLING OTHERS WHAT 'FUN' YOU HAD BEING 'JUST A BIT DIFFERENT'...

HAVE FUN TURNING YOUR PHOTOS TO THE SIDE - UPSIDE DOWN; TEASE YOUR FRIENDS AND SAY YOU 'HUNG FROM THE TREE' ... JUST TO GET THIS SHOT!
THINGS DON'T ALWAYS HAVE TO BE DONE THE 'SAME WAY'...BE UNIQUE!

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

MAKE A BEAUTIFUL PHOTO-SHOW - YOUR KIDS WILL LOVE IT!

My niece (Heather) made the most beautiful
photo-show; then she sent me a copy, and I made up 6 of my own.
It takes less than 1/2 hour to upload about 40 photos
- you pick your own music; you make captions (this takes a bit more time), and
then your kids watch it play over and over.
Here's a recent one I did - it's all free; give it a
try!
http://www.photoshow.com/maker/share/Eg9eQ4bx

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

One year was really short of cash, so I wrote "I Love You" on autumn leaves - sent them as cards.

Here's a photo a friend of mine took of the Autumn Leaf I sent them as a card. They were so tickled with it - said it was greater than any 'Hallmark' they'd ever gotten.
I love making 'models' - sculpting
is fun, and it doesn't have to be 'perfect'.
Take pictures of your children -
their toys; their dog - ever so many things.
Develop the photos; photos are
easier to work from for children.
Give each a photo; have them MODEL
the image - a gift for Grandma...can't beat it.
Clay and modeling supplies are not
expensive - such fun - here's the link:

A GREAT PROJECT - USE AS GIFTS AND KEEP A COUPLE FOR YOUR OWN!


What a great gift - take an old photo' (as I've done) - make up the stamps that you can use for mailing.

Send the stamps to the 'loved one' (I'm sending to my mom for Mother's Day).
They cost about a total of $5 to $10 for a page of 20; then you add the postage cost of 42 cents! If you make one for $5, that's about 67 cents to mail a first-class envelope.

Since it's going to be a 'gift' (as I'm doing), the cost doesn't matter; it's a USEFUL gift - it will bring joy each time the recipient uses the stamp.

You'll save on the cost to mail a LARGER GIFT -
these sheets will mail much more inexpensively - there are a myriad of ways to use them too; just look at the photos of that wedding - what a lovely 'gift' as you say: "Hey, we had to wait for you to get married to give you that last
gift!"
A new baby announcement?
Get your stamps - it rounds out the
beauty of that announcement.
Do you take great photos? Are you trying to get a
job as a photographer? What better way to put your RESUME out - to all those
potential employers; the STAMP will be your 'introduction'.
Are you an artist? Send out announcements of your
newest exhibit - your best painting on a stamp? Hey, you'll get people 'flocking'.
Having a house-warming? Send out the best photo of
your new home - your guests will want to see the INSIDE now that they've seen
how beautiful your home is outside!
A bird-watcher? If you're in a
club; have each member pick their 'best shot'. At the next meeting, clip off the different stamps of the different birds - now you ALL have a 'bird-collection' - slip the clippings into a zip-bag; head home, and start writing!
Someone promoted? Take their
picture - then send
a congratulations card!

A new home? Get that picture - then send a 'Welcome to your New Home' card - complete with a sheet stamps (you can steal one of them to mail the card without upsetting anyone I'm sure).

Here's the link - have fun! http://photo.stamps.com/Store/learn-more/

Sunday, April 6, 2008

'AND WHAT ARE WE GOING TO MAKE FOR BREAKFAST?" KIDS CAN COOK TOO...


Let's make something vegetarian - teach your children they don't have to eat meat all of the time!
About 2 cups of shredded
zucchini
About 1 cup of diced, cooked or
mashed potatoes
About 1/4 cup of
flour
2 eggs
MIX ALL OF THAT
TOGETHER
Fold in: 1/2 cup of diced
onion if you like it
add: 1/4 cup of green pepper
if you like it.
It's now a big lump - have the kids portion this out; making 'ball's about the size of tennis balls...
Have the kids 'flatten them' with
the bottom of a glass - use a plastic one if they're young
children.
Heat your skillet; a bit of oil -
make some great 'pan-cakes'.
Serve with lots of fresh applesauce and a bit of sour cream on top of the pan-cakes.
Now pick up that tennis ball, and head out to bat a few around - on the court; on the basketball court if you can't find a tennis court open...get moving so you feel good all day!
NOTE: This is my friend,
Carlos. He lives in the Philippines - we share e-mails and read each
others 'blogs'....he's a great young man! Carlos likes to learn more about
our country; even our older history. I love history too - and one of the
things I love is BASEBALL. If you've got a youngster you'd love to see the
OLD BASE-BALL CARDS, you can visit this site - read a different type of history;
about our country since we call baseball 'America's
pass-time'.

Saturday, April 5, 2008

MIS-MATCHED SOCKS? MIS-MATCHED CANDY? MAKE 'ADVENT' SOCKS OR JUST 'GIFT SOCKS'...

Do you have a 'mis-matched' sock
drawer; a 'one-sock-could-I-find' drawer?
Don't throw out the socks! Set up
some craft time with the kids (or do it yourself if your kids are all grown up).
If you need socks for this project, get some at Good-Will or the Salvation Army -
any used clothing store. Hey, even set up a 'sock-sharing' group in your neighborhood - you could even meet for coffee and 'stuffing'...a nice way to get to know each other.
If you can find big socks - tiny
ones - in-between ones; fortunate enough to find ones not faded, this is the
most fun.
Get some dye (the basic colors of
Red, Yellow, and Blue so you can mix a multitude of your own colors). Cider
vinegar mixed with dye works the best - it 'sets' much better. You can use 2
parts water; 1 part vinegar - heat to a simmer, and start mixing
colors.
Drop those off-white socks into the colors you've chosen. Once you've created all the 'socks' - put them in plastic bags for storage - easier to see.
Take all that 'candy' - 'dole it out'; put a few pieces into each sock, and each week (or month) as a reward for chores accomplished, gift it as a 'gift sock' - tuck in some coins as a surprise as well.
Make an 'ADVENT' sock gift; in November, fill them - take (or mail) to those on your gift-list. They open a 'gift a day' starting December 1. Throughout the year, pick up items that are low in cost - it doesn't hurt your budget this way, and you have your shopping 'done' - relax during the holidays.
For the adults: Those big, colored paper clips are always handy - slip in some. A roll of Scotch tape is nice; we always seem to be looking for 'tape' at the times when we don't have any in the house.
A bag of bright-colored rubber bands - they fit into a sock. How about some AA batteries in another sock. Even more often needed, those AAA batteries that ever so often wind up being needed just when we thought a AA set would do (my wireless mouse takes those).
Buy a box of Q-tips; sort - and fill. A container of cotton pads - sort; fill. Little Votive candles - a few in another sock. A tube of Chap-stick - another sock. Travel-size toiletries; cute in socks - handy too.
A hand-ful of razors; for 'him or her' - another sock is filled. An eyeglass travel repair-kit - in it goes to those with glasses.
Look around - find 'tiny useful things' - into the socks!
Make up a card that reads: "Sock it to Me" - something clever; use duplicate copies of photos to cut and glue-stick to your choice of card-stock; colored or poster paper - a tube of glitter; some left-over yarn attached, and it's 'adorable'.
You can do this project throughout the year - get those over-size HEFTY (I love them) storage bags - they hold tons of things 'under the bed' - all labeled, and ready...fresh as the day you made them.


REMEMBER YOUR COLOR COMBINATIONS:

Red & Yellow make Orange - and varying shades.

Red & Blue make Purple - an varying shades.

Blue & Yellow make Green - and varying shades.

Mix all the colors: Get a super dark brown - don't try to make black, you won't get there without adding BLACK dye. Obviously if you've got BLACK dye, you won't do any mixing unless you want to 'darken' the Orange; Purple, Green - Red, Yellow or Blue a bit (and do it with a drop or two at a time - a little goes a long way).
DO YOU PLAY BINGO? Use those 'DOT' markers to 'doll up' those socks - nice for covering any stains that you simply can't get out.

If have 'matching socks' that need to be spruced up quickly, those dot markers are adorable for the ladies and little girls (if you do the boys, turn those dots into smile faces or basket-balls real quick, or you'll probably get complaints.)

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

NO, WE CAN'T SAVE 'TIME IN A BOTTLE' - DON'T MISS A MINUTE WITH YOUR CHILDREN!



While I'm away spending time with my 85-year old mom, here's a play-list you can link up to; some good music
that I enjoyed while baking cookies in the kitchen for my 4
children.

I have millions of happy memories -
I could
write on and on about them, but why don't you think about making a
web-site or
blog of your own, and start setting them down not only for you,
but your friends
- for others - to inspire us all.


Here's the music
-

Enjoy! http://www.playlist.com/node/30161116

Sunday, March 30, 2008

'Ah, Spring...the kids get out of school - WE NEED HAPPY TALK & FUN THINGS PLANNED!'


Check out some of the links I've put here - guarantee your children's safety and fun for Spring & Summer. There's even a couple projects you can do when Christmas arrives; plan now - Enjoy.

"Trees ARE my brakes..." - and breaks as well; funny cartoon - not funny in real life!


Yes, this is a hilarious cartoon - not hilarious in REAL LIFE! Be sure you check out those 'hills' and places your kids not only like to sled down, but those skate-boarding areas as well.

Oh yes, guess I should also mention those dirt-bike trails;
all those 'powerful vehicles' young children are wielding today, makes it even harder to keep up with 'what could hurt my child' - no happy talk
then.


HAPPY TALK AND BUSY HANDS KEEP CHILDREN ACTIVE & LAUGHING!


http://www.creativekidsathome.com/activities/activity_8.html - Have fun making your own modeling clay & 'play-dough' (same some 'dough' as well; it's much cheaper to make it yourself).
HAPPY TALK HAPPENS WHEN YOU PLAY WITH YOUR KIDS AND THEIR FRIENDS.
This is a REAL rock that looks like a 'fish' -
have them make up their favorite fish; 'chunky characters' that are easy to form; don't want them to get discouraged.


They can fashion little bowls; paint when
they're dry - give as gifts for Mom and Grandma's Day - or a cuff-link/coin dish for dad & grandpa.

DO A CREATIVE PIZZA WITH YOUR KIDS - KEEP THE ALKA-SELTER HANDY...


When my kids were young, I'd make home-made pizza with lots of vegetables. One thing that's fun:

Lay out the pizza - top it as if you're going to play tic-tac-toe.

Make the matrix out of black olives; they make the vertical and horizontal 'bars' easily and show up great.

Cut up green peppers - they become the 'rings' or the O's that you'll put in some of the squares.

Cut strips of red peppers for the X's - looks and tastes great!

Use fresh tomatoes; chopped finely - sprinkle those down with the tomato sauce.

Fun - happy; think up other ideas that get your family involved; sit around on the floor with an old blanket as if you're having a picnic. Turn on some great music - it's all going to turn into HAPPY TALK!

I'M SHARING MY FUN STUFF ON MY GOOGLE PAGE; JUST DON'T CHANGE IT OR FOOL WITH MY E-MAIL, OKAY?

TRUST - IT'S ALL ABOUT TRUST - JUST GOTTA DO IT! 'JEST DO IT'? 'JUST DUET'!
Oh yes, I wrote the original poem; took the photograph in 1984, that 'sparked' the term JUST DO IT! My interview with the newspaper proves it - but I never tried to copyright it...you can't copyright a 'slogan', but you sure as the dickens can copyright a poem & photograph!
I'm not angry with Nike - but they sure never returned my calls; nor all my 'proof' of where that idea might have originated. Hey, maybe someone else came up with it too...who knows!
ANYWAY, HERE ARE MY LINKS I ENJOY - YOU'LL ALSO FIND THEM IN THE SIDE-BAR ON THE RIGHT.
ALL WEB-SITES THAT 'MAKE MY DAY HAPPIER'!
http://abcgallery.com/
http://allposters.com/
http://allrecipes.com/
http://artakiane.com/
http://artcyclopedia.com/
http://artrenewal.org/
http://brainyquotes.com/
http://chefmichele.blogspot.com/
http://cookinglight.com/
http://dexterspeoplerecipes.blogspot.com/
http://dietandmusic4weightloss.blogspot.com/
http://eyeconart.net/
http://familyeducation.com/
http://fivewaychili.blogspot.com/
http://funnypoets.com/
http://heritagegiftstore.com/
http://illusionsgallery.com/
http://imaginee08.blogspot.com/
http://jaquielawson.com/
http://katedwigginsblogspot.com/
http://kirjasto.sci.fi/gibran.htm
http://myrecipes.com/
http://noteable-quotes.com/
http://poeticjustismine.blogspot.com/
http://poetryloverspage.com/
http://poetseers.org/
http://quotegarden.com/
http://rollingsranch.com/
http://sixtyfivealive.blogspot.com/
http://wguc.org/
http://williebaronet.blogspot.com/
http://womenonwomen1.blogspot.com/
http://womenonwomenwow.blogspot.com/
http://womenonwomenwow1.blogspot.com/
http://wowanswers1.blogspot.com/
http://www.bettertobless.com/movie2.html
http://www.kaboose.com/
http://www.lime.com/files/meditation_room/forest_loader.html
http://www.lime.com/files/meditation_room/room/space_loader.html
http://www.lime.com/files/meditation_room/water_loader.html
http://www.lime.com/files/meditation_room/winter_louder.html
http://www.positivepause.com/
http://www.veg.cooking.com/


A woman who was a keen gardener went to visit a friend For a few days, leaving her husband in charge of her plants.

After giving him detailed instructions, The woman pleaded, "And please talk to them occasionally."

"I'd feel a fool," said her husband, who was not so keen on greenery.

When she returned, she found everything was fine.

"You did a good job, dear," she said. "Did you talk
to the plants?"




"No, I didn't," he replied. "I read the paper out loud in the
morning and evening, and if they wanted to listen,it was up to
them."

Saturday, March 29, 2008



Spiritual Garden Plant seven rows of 'P's':

1. Prayer 2. Promptness 3. Patience 4. Preparation 5. Perseverance 6. Politeness 7. Purity


Plant seven rows of squash.

1. Squash Gossip 2. Squash Indifference 3. Squash Criticism 4. Squash Negative Thinking 5. Squash Envy 6. Squash Jealousy 7. Squash Hatred


Seven rows of 'Let us':


1. Let us be unselfish and loyal

2. Let us be faithful to duty

3. Let us search the Scriptures

4. Let us not be weary in well doing

5. Let us be obedient in all things

6. Let us be truthful

7. Let us love one another

A POEM I WROTE ON 1/29/1989 - 'HOW TALL DO I HAVE TO BE?'

And how do I see my God...

How tall do I have to be?

I have only to be as tall

As my recent prayer

When I see my God most clearly...

while on my bended knee.

by

Diane Stirling-Stevens

1/29/1989