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Isn’t this a wonderful time of year? We are about to enter the “season of craziness”, and by that of course I mean, The stores will soon be decorated with winter wonder-land appearances, and that feeling in your heart gets a little bit warmer. If we can think back to those childhood memories, we can probably start to remember some kind, craft ideas to pass on to the next generations also.

The feeling of “home” is often the way I like to describe it, but it goes beyond that. We should really focus now, on making sure that this does not become a lost art. Commercial use of the season can make you lazy and jaded from “doing things yourself”, or “taking the time to make it from scratch”, but do not let yourself forget the priceless memories that can come attached with taking the rougher road.

What are children or grandchildren going to remember years from now about spending a little time with you around the holiday season? Will it be the “fight for the furry, red doll that you tickle?” (You know the one!), the mad dash around the stores, trying to affordably fit everyone in? In some cases, this is fine. Just make sure that they are not the “only” memories they have!

Even if it was something as simple as making snow-cream with your parents or grandparents, Can you remember it? It sticks out like a sore thumb, because it’s warm and happy. It makes you feel a little friendlier, and it may remind you of someone very special that you love that’s not with us now. It’s certainly not a tradition that you want to let fall through the cracks of time!

I now challenge you to think of at least the ten most important people in your life, and think of a nice craft (made by you) to give to them this year. It may be a traditional one that you have already planned, Great!, and if it includes the recipient helping to make it, Even Better! Try to start a few new traditions also, so that our future generations will have a little “extra” to remember about us. Let’s keep crafting alive! -Stephanie

Copywright, October 2006 http://stephshomeprojects.com

Stephanie Lynn Peeden

June has been known to be the most popular month for getting married and late spring/early summer the most popular season. However, recently the number of couples willing to have a fall wedding has been significantly increasing. The fall wedding has two great advantages over the traditional summer one - firstly, it is less expensive because of the lower demand for wedding rentals, reception, caterers; secondly it is much more beautiful, in my opinion. It is true that the weather might be a bit unpredictable but nothing can be compared with the explosion of fall colors as a background setting for the perfect wedding.

One of the most important things in a wedding is the bridal bouquet. They can be very different - from a single red rose to a splendid and very expensive bouquet of nosegays ornamented with gems and pearls. Apart from the wedding attire, the wedding bouquet is the second most important item that all the guests see. Fall wedding bouquets vary from the summer ones, not only in the types of flowers put but also the colours combined in the bouquets.

Today’s modern weddings have some sort of color scheme and this is applied for autumn weddings, as well. Many fall weddings often choose orange, yellow and red into the flowers and decorations, so that they could incorporate the beauty of the marvellous fall colours. The above-mentioned colours are also used in the wedding bouquets placing the fall colour explosions in the hands of the bride.

White, yellow and orange roses are most frequently used for fall wedding bouquets, calla lilies, as well. It is a good idea when you design your fall wedding bouquet not to put too many flowers in fall colours or your bouquet will be just like the trees outside. You only have to make a hint in a shade of orange, yellow or red. You should have many white flowers in your bouquet and some fall coloured. That way you will combine contemporary colour with traditional elegance.

After you get the fall wedding bouquet set, you should concentrate on the flowers used for the ceremony and the reception. Usually all the other flowers match the wedding bouquet but don’t feel obliged to follow this tradition. Of course, you should try to design the other flowers in such a way that they coordinate with the bridal bouquet. Don’t forget to use your imagination and combine coordinating colors and types of flowers in a way you like it. This is how you will have fun while creating a custom feel to the flower arrangements for your wedding day.

Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning wedding. Get the information you are seeking now by visiting http://www.weddingsparks.com/weddings/weddings/tips-for-finding-beautiful-fall-wedding-bouquets.html

The word genealogy brings to mind a Bible page, mementos or an obituary, especially when a close relative passes away. A dictionary definition reads: A record of the ancestry and descent of a person.

Today, it’s family history, instead of just genealogy. Family history is about people who lived, worshipped, and toiled to make our world better than theirs.

These things are what make up a “Family History”, a complete accounting of their lives, their times and their ways; things which make each of us unique, and individual. Taken together, they create the ‘glue’ which holds us together in family ties.

So they are no longer “just” the donors of our unique DNA, or the building blocks of our biology, they are part of us in a way that no other small group of people could be- even adopted children become a real part of our family by taking on family characteristics.

Begin now to write your own unique history, including you, your parents and grandparents. Ask questions, find names in Bibles, legal papers or journals; keep dated news clips and certificates too.

A local Family History Library can help you get started with a free computer program; this will help you by grouping fathers, mothers and children together. It will have a place for notes, sources, and other important information, like maiden names.

Generally the next step is to search census records as they list every member in each household. Keeping notes and filing is important, especially when you get large amounts of information.

A good way is to use a small tape recorder and record conversations with grandparents and older family members; it can be transcribed later and printed. Military records are online and are great sources of information, and it’s all free at your local Family History Library (just look in the telephone book).

Next, write your history. It’s a good idea to present the family information in story form, following the generations as they move from place to place. Your computer will store information and pictures of family members along with the written history and charts. The genealogy programs available today have places for pictures of each individual. Or you can print, copy or have them professionally published.

However you decide to do it, your history will be cherished by your children and grandchildren; they’ll know who they are, they’ll develop pride and self-confidence as they read about the accomplishments of their own predecessors.

Written by Andrea Holycross Burke, genealogist/consultant with The Family History Library of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah; affilliate with the website, Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness at: http://www.raogk.org.

Does Chicago have an active car culture? The answer to that question is a resounding “yes!” Anyone who has driven past McCormick place during the annual auto show can vouch for that. Just look around Chicago and you can see the love affair in action. No place is this more evident than in the local cruise nights that pop up in many suburban locations during the summer months. Whether you go there to show a car, see a classic hot rod, or just get out of the house, the Chicago classic cruise nights are some of the best.

During the summer months from dinnertime to dusk on practically every day of the week, you can wander streets from the far northern suburbs to the south side and check out vehicles from the past. Cars of all sizes, ages, and colors will be rolling down “Main Street” in the downtown districts of suburban Chicago.

“These shows are all about community and family” says the creator of a web site that promotes these shows. “People get out with their wife and kids, have an ice cream cone, and swap stories on ideas for next weekend’s garage tinkering project.”

People find out about these local shows from their newspaper, car clubs, and online resources like ChicagoAreaCruiseNight.com. Members of such web sites enjoy the online format because it allows them to share photos, chat in the forums, and have a place to share stories when they cannot attend a cruise night. The web format is also popular in that dreaded Chicago winter season when all classic cars stay bundled up in their garages. ChicagoAreaCruiseNight.com has cruise night listings by each day of the week, as well as by suburban location.

Virtually all classic car shows welcome visitors free of charge. New visitors should keep a couple points in mind as they walk the shows as a little etiquette goes a long way.

- Don’t touch the cars
- Don’t reach inside a car (or get inside a car!)
- Keep strollers, buggies, and wagons a safe distance from the cars
- Keep a close eye on small children - Cars coming and going all the time can be dangerous.
- If you lean over too admire the engine or get a closer look, watch out for your belt buckle or the zipper on your jacket or other metal items on your clothing.
- Don’t stand on running boards
- If you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all

While hot rod culture has diminished over time, it has never completely gone away. Groups of grease monkeys and car lovers have always gravitated to the classic American car and everything it stands for.

Today, whether it’s because of an excuse to get the family out of the house, a reason to polish up the old jalopy, or just a love of classic cars, cruise nights are flourishing around Chicago.

Todd Fredricks

Barbacoa - the name itself sounds as if it is time to celebrate. It is an open fire grilling process where a whole sheep is made to roast slowly so that each fleshy part acquires that flabbergasting taste of barbeque bonfire. However, the sheep can also be grilled traditionally in a pit covered with leaves. This barbeque specialty was developed in Mexico just after the Spanish conquest and it was referred to as Barbacoa de cabeza.

Regional discrimination in the art of cooking

In U.S, some portions of the head of the cow become the item to be grilled. In Northern Mexico, again it is the head of the cow, though goat meat or Cabrito is more preferred here. Lamb is the choice of the Central Mexicans and it is Cochinita Pibil (pit-style pork) in traditional Yucatan gastronomy dictionary.

Barbacoa and Barbeque

The word barbeque is an adoption from the word barbacoa. In both cases, meats are cooked following a proper grilling or roasting process. The flesh is allowed to roll well over the grilling equipment to allow the heat touch every part of the fleshy item. This helps to build that simmering and spicy experience which often makes you feel as if there is no end to an appetite.

South Texas Style Beef Barbacoa

Five brothers together make one palatable dish. Yes that’s the way it’s done. Garlic powder, black pepper, dried oregano, chili powder and salt - all mixed well and rubbed thoroughly and evenly on all sides of the meat. Your requirement is three quarts boiling water in a water pan, which allows the beef to be exposed to smoke at least for four hours and at a temperature between 225 to 275 degrees. Once you are to change the boiling water of the pan. After this is over, keep watch that the internal temperature of the beef does not exceed 160 - 170 degrees.

The next step would be to lay the beef in a foil-baking pan, seal it well with heavy-duty aluminum cover, and carefully place it in a preheated oven at a temperature of 325 degrees. The baking should continue for one hour and forty-five minutes. After everything is done just test the meat. You will see that the flesh tends to fall apart from the bone - yes, proper broiling method can really make the meat soft.

Now, it is the time to serve. The meat is chopped and shred into small pieces and then dished up with guacamole, salsa, and hot tortillas.

The queen of the Mexican bistro

Outside Mexico City, there are several places serving palatable barbacoa de borrego (lamb barbeque) and other provincial cooking varieties in a dozen of unbounded restaurants. Arroyo, one of Mexico’s famous restaurants is noted for its supply of pit-roasted barbacoa de borrego and consomme de Borrego. Such dishes are well complimented by soup made from the drippings of the roasting lamb and sheep.

Mexican barbacoa - a Mexico magnificence that can make the heat of an occasion rise to an extent when the rest of the party dance wildly with the pulsating music. When hot barbeque accompanies the heat of an occasion, nothing else is required to make the party more enjoying.

Chris McCarthy is the owner on http://InsaneChicken.com. For condiments for your next grilling experience such as hot sauce, bbq sauce visit InsaneChicken Hot Sauce Store.

If you feel your restaurant decor is drab, spruce it up with unusual framed art. Every wall can tell a story from the past, reflect a certain theme, or create the dining atmosphere you want for your patrons. There are paintings and posters to reflect almost any theme. From African-American art to Latin art, and even Native art - there’s something for every type of restaurant! Here are some great ways to enhance the look and feel of your restaurant with unique framed art.

Jazzy Theme for the Musical Atmosphere

If you want to create a “jazzy” theme, choose framed art that reflects musicians and musical instruments in action. There are several amazing African-American paintings by Bearden that bring the jazz or blues scenes to life with saxophones, guitars, drums and other instruments. Diners will be in the mood for some relaxing live music once they catch a glimpse of your attractive framed art of musicians!

1950s Theme - A Walk in the Past

For a “malt shop” style restaurant, there’s nothing better than some great framed prints or posters from the past. Create a nifty atmosphere with framed art or posters of Elvis Presley, classic automobiles, or 1950s-style cafes.

Classical Elegance

Use classical framed art to create an elegant dining experience for your customers. Try gorgeous prints such as Diego’s “The Infanta Margarita Teresa in a White Dress” or “Museo del Prado” to illuminate each wall in your restaurant or cafe. Classical framed art can be matched with your restaurant colors or table colors, and you can choose from many styles of elegant wooden frames to complete your decor.

Give your Restaurant Personality with Cultural Themes

If you want to portray a cultural theme in your restaurant, you can choose from a variety of Latin art, African-American art, Native art or other cultural themes to suit your tastes. These come in all different colors, themes and frames so you can easily match paintings to your restaurant decor.

More Framed Art Tips

Don’t stop with paintings! Add a touch of individuality to your “walls of art” with other unique home decor items such as wall sconces, wall mirrors, wall fountains and wall plants or flowers. These will attract attention to your framed art so customers will take notice as soon as they enter your restaurant. You can even use small spotlights above or beneath the paintings to illuminate them and add soft lighting to every wall.

Place matching flowers or candles on each table to create a romantic atmosphere. Or, use your table centerpieces to complement the theme of your paintings - no matter what the theme. The possibilities are endless!

Using framed art to decorate your restaurant is easier today than ever before. There are almost unlimited resources online to find all the framed art you need!

Chris Robertson is a published author of Majon International. Majon International is one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing and internet advertising companies on the web. Visit their main business resource web site at: http://www.majon.com

Cheap Auto Insurance quotes are designed in many different ways to cover your specific insurance needs. One needs to analyze these quotes in detail before making a decision. It also helps if you have basic knowledge on all or at least some aspects of cheap Auto Insurance. You can find literally hundreds of online resources offering you thousands of attractive cheap Auto Insurance quotes. But should you opt for them, just because they are cheap? It depends. When it comes to insurance, sometimes the cheapest policy is not the best way to go.

Attention! Have a look at the type of car you drive. Certain types of cars attract higher Car Insurance rates.

You need to know the rules, which govern your state, with regard to Auto Insurance. Certain states, for example, may require you to have comprehensive liability coverage, which is also known as third party liability in some countries. This covers you in case you are at a fault during an accident, whereas in other states, you are simply required to carry a ‘no-fault’ policy.

Attention! Policy Period - This is the specific time period that the policy is effective. Some Car Insurance policies have an annual renewal and others have a six-month renewal.

Once you have chosen the cheap insurance quote that works for you, go through the entire policy in detail. Find out more about the coverage levels. You have to carefully study the general policy options. Next comes choosing your policy period. This is an important criterion, because your insurance coverage is only in effect during the period specified by the insurer in your policy. Most Auto Insurance policies cover a span from six months to one year. It is, however, possible to get Auto Insurance for a longer or shorter span of time. Generally speaking, the longer the time specified, the lower the premium you need to pay and vice-versa. Ultimately, the choice is left to you.

Attention! Find a good online discount Car Insurance broker before renewing. The Internet is a fabulous resource.

Always try to find out whether you can cancel your policy before the expiry date, and if so, what are the procedures that one must follow. You can get this information directly from your insurer. Based on the cheap Auto Insurance quote, you can decide whether you want to pay an annual or semi-annual premium upfront, a down payment on the premium and the reminder in several equal monthly installments, or you want to pay an equal monthly amount spread out over a period of 10 to 12 months. Also ask whether or not you insurer charges any interest on the premium. Once you have this basic information, it is easy to see what the best Auto Insurance for you will be - and you should go ahead and take that policy.

Attention! Drive carefully. Although it sounds a little trite to say it, your Car Insurance cost is a factor of your risk profile.

By Tywford Lamai
http://cri8tivcarinsurance.blogspot.com

Tywford Lamai is the owner of a rich-content Auto Insurance related weblog. Cheap Auto Insurance provides detailed information on Classic Car Insurance, Cheap Auto Insurance For New Drivers, Cheap Auto Insurance Online, Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes and more. Cheap Auto Insurance is affiliated with http://ForFreeCars.com.

Are you getting ready to graduate? Well, along with college graduation comes the much-dreaded student loan repayment. If you were lucky enough to qualify for subsidized student loans, the government has been paying the interest on your student loans through school; if you had to take out unsubsidized student loans, your interest has been accruing. Either way, six months after graduation your grace period ends and it is time for you to begin repaying your student loans.

NextStudent, a leading Phoenix-based education funding company, recommends that you start shopping around for student loan consolidation loans as soon as possible. Student loan consolidation (http://www.nextstudent.com/consolidation_loans/consolidation_loans.asp) is a great way to manage your monthly student loan payments. Not only will you lock into one loan at one fixed interest rate, it also is possible to reduce monthly payments by up to 60 percent and eliminate the hassle of dealing with multiple payments to different lenders.

Do Your Research before Selecting a Student Loan Consolidation Lender

Frequently, college financial aid offices offer students a list of Preferred Lenders for all of their financial needs, from Stafford loans to student loan consolidation loans. However, students are not required to work with the lenders on those lists and instead should shop for a company that best suits their needs.

Just like every student is different, every lending company has its own character, ethical standards and quality controls. Borrowers should be selective and choose their lender carefully, making sure to consider and compare the reputation and integrity of the company, level of customer service provided, and the individual student loan consolidation (http://www.nextstudent.com/) incentives offered.

NextStudent’s LOCKED Discount

The federal government sets the base interest rate on all student loans (http://www.nextstudent.com/student-loans/student-loans.asp), including student loan consolidation. The only true differences the consolidation loan lenders provide are the incentives offered by each company. For example, in an effort to extend significant savings to borrowers, NextStudent offers a 1 percent LOCKED interest rate discount after 36 consecutive on-time payments, which borrowers retain for the life of their student loan, while other lenders may revoke their benefits for a single late payment. NextStudent also is committed to providing outstanding customer service and the best incentives in the industry.

Some of NextStudent’s Federal Consolidation Loan Benefit Packages:

Package #1
? 1 percent LOCKED interest rate reduction after 36 on-time payments
? .25 percent interest rate discount for Auto-Debit payments

Package #2
? 2 percent interest rate reduction after 36 on-time payments (not locked)
? .25 percent interest rate discount for Auto-Debit payments

NextStudent believes that getting an education is the best investment you can make, and it is dedicated to helping you pursue your education dreams by making college funding simple. Learn more about Student Loans, Private Student Loans (http://www.nextstudent.com/private_loans/private_loans.asp) and Student Loan Consolidation at NextStudent.com.

Jeff Mictabor is an enthusiast on the topic of student loan issues in the news. He has been writing for the past 10 years for a variety of education publications. He now offers his writing services on a freelance basis.

Gabby Love states that one of the main thing things to remember when appearing on your first date is to refrain from having sex on the first date. A great lover takes the sex to be a very serious and will include it with a relationship and rarely with someone they barely know.

A great lover knows that women take longer to get in the mood then men do. So planning must be utilized to set the mood. A great lover prepares way ahead prior to the art of love making. Invest into making the time spent together special and romantic.

Send flowers and chocolates ahead of time especially to her job,because the more people who see the flowers the merrier. This will show publicly that she has someone who definitely find her to be special. This will definitely put her in the mood by the time you see her later on during the day.

Another thing to remember when dealing with others is to focus on your mate as soon as they walk in the door and not just when they get in the bed. This keeps you from being boring and predictable. Also don’t start the love making late in the night because the most automatic thing to happen is to fall asleep after climax. Hey(Men), take a nap before being with your mate if possible.

Ladies,quit playing the booty game. Don’t play games. Let the men know early on that you are in the mood for sex. That way the time for foreplay will be longer and even more intense. The man doesn’t have to waste time for spending time trying to talk the woman into sex.

The main area of being a great lover is that of showing variety.

1. Variety can come in the area of exploring different sexual positions.

2. Focus on making love during different times of the day instead of the same time of the week and night.

3. Take your time during love making and after play.

The above tips can only enhance your overall love making experience. Gabby Love says to take your time and always focus on improving oneself to be a better lover.

Gabby Love offers in depth reviews and recommendations concerning relationships,sex,and entertainment. Visit some of the sites reviewed by Gabby Love at http://www.gabbylove.com, http://www.24hrsofdating.com ,and http://www.cashsavingsonline.com.

Nowadays, fewer parents are naming their kids with traditional and classic names, trying to find a different, refreshing name for their child. Because of this, finding a really exotic baby name is becoming much harder.

These are some helpful tips that we think may help you find an exotic, yet comfortable name for your child.

Traditional (but Exotic Baby Names):

There are still the traditional ways of selecting your baby’s name. The first, of course, is using a name that has been in the family for years - perhaps the name of an aunt or uncle, or a grandparent. The other way is to browse through the Baby Names Dictionaries 28,000+ names to select from. Although some of the names are common, you can certainly find some exotic names.

Name meanings:

To choose an exotic name, you could decide on what you want your child’s name to mean. Baby Names Dictionary has a resource where you can type in what you want your child’s name to mean. From there, we will pull out a list of names, both popular and exotic, with that meaning.

Place names:

A lot of parents nowadays are using this method to name their child. Some places actually make pretty good names, but because method is becoming popular, naming your child after the place she or he was born may not make a very uncommon name anymore. Places like Colorado, Phoenix, Denver or Salem are some popular names for boys. As for the girls, Paris, Vienna, Asia and Atlanta are some of the preferred names.

Names from nature:

Words from nature are also a unique way of naming your kids. That way, the beauty of that word is in your child’s name. How about something like Raine, Leaf, Sky or Dew?

Using a surname as a first name for exotic baby names is also another method of naming that is becoming more and more common. It means taking the surnames of your ancestors, famous people, or anyone of your choice and using it as a first name. Like for girls, some popular surnames used as first names are McCartney, Bronte, Liotta and Piper. For boys, Beckett, Addison, Brewster, Donovan and Jenson are popular.

Anagrams:

Want an exotic name for your child but there are a few traditional ones that you really like? Take that name and create an anagram of it. Use scrabble tiles from the game and shift the letters or add a few more. Be creative. Let your imagination run wild.

Telescoping:

Take the name and drop letters until you’ve found a name you like. Kahlil and Gibran can be combined and then telescoped to Kabran. Schuyler can be telescoped to become Sky. Get the picture?

You can name your child after their father. For example, if the father’s name is Donald, his son can be Doni or his daughter, Donnie. The name John can be changed to Joanie, Joanna or Jonalie.

Naming a boy after his mother’s maiden name is one way of doing it. You could change the mother’s name to a suitable name for a boy. Like Mary, you could alter it to Martin, Matt, Mason or Marren. Or if it’s a girl you could name her Marii, Marinne or Marine.

Name or word combinations:

This means a name taken from combining two other names; most of the time it’s from the child’s parents or grandparents. For instance, let’s say a couple, Ridge and Brooke, have a baby girl. They could combine their names together and name her Bridgette. This may not be very unique, but you get the idea. A better example would be David and Trina. (Davina) This way, you get an unusual name for your child and at the same time, you can honor a family member.

Change the spelling:

Make an ordinary name more unusual by changing the spelling. Like Caitlin, it can become CaitLin. You could change Rianne to RiAnne. Or, you also could add an apostrophe, and Janet becomes J’Nette/J’Net.

Unique names are fun, different and anything goes! Its only limitation is your imagination. Names are inspired from everywhere, from fashion designers to colors to months. June and April make nice names for girls. Azure, Gray and Burgundy are also great names. Countries or states like Dakota or Carolina are also used. But remember, with every pro, there’s a con.

Names that are very complicated to pronounce or spell, although it makes them stand out, it also brings aggravation to your child because they would have to constantly correct the spelling or pronunciation for the rest of their life.

Oh yeah, and also, giving a boy a girl’s name or vice versa is something you absolutely do not want to do. Imagine the amount of teasing he or she would get from their classmates. Not something you would want for your child, to be laughed at and teased.

Overall, unique names are not a bad thing. Just be kind to your child and choose wisely.

Anita Eracybab provides free advice on her site and has established an online community for those looking for information on how to care for their baby. Head on over to http://www.101babycare.com for more information.