Today is Hair Dryer Appreciation Day, according to halife.com. And boy, do I appreciate the hair dryers of today. And actually, all the hairstyling tools and products available today that WEREN'T there when I was a teen-aged girl in the 70s.
When I graduated from high school, the most popular and acceptable way to wear your hair was long, straight, and parted down the middle.
Not an easy feat when you were born with naturally curly hair.
When I think about the shenanigans I had to go through in order to come up with this look:
Yep, that's me. And as you can see, even with my best efforts, I didn't get the board-straight look I wanted. (Oh, Hot Tools Straightening Iron, where were you when I needed you!?)
Here's what I did to achieve the look:
Grew my hair out as long as I possibly could
Washed my hair, rolled it on big curlers, and sat under an old-fashioned bonnet-style hairdryer for an hour. (It's a wonder I didn't cook my brains!)
Took the rollers out and put my hair in a pony-tail directly on top of my head. Divided the pony-tail into two sections and rolled them with two orange-juice-can-sized rollers.
Kept those in my hair for some time (overnight if possible) before brushing out my hair into a semblance of straightness.
I still can't believe I went through all that!
The 80's brought blessed relief. I forgot bonnet-style hairdryers even existed. It was the decade of BIG HAIR, and baby, I had it! I was the envy of all my friends because I didn't need a permanent and never had.
It was too good to last. Seemingly overnight, everyone was wearing stick-straight hair again. Once again, I was the odd girl out.
Fast forward to today. Women everywhere embrace curls and volume as well as straightness.
If I want to have really straight hair, I have the tools to make it happen--the efficient blow-dryer, the powerful straightening iron, any number of pro-sleek and anti-humidity products.
Or...and I often do this...I can just let my hair be curly. In that case, I don't even have to use a dryer--or I'll use mine with a diffuser attached.
But one thing I love is that, thanks to great hair-dryers and wonderful styling products, I HAVE OPTIONS! :)
What about you? Got any memories of crazy things you went through to achieve your hairstyle? Will you be appreciating your blow-dryer today? Let me know in my comments section!
So I did, and I think it came out OK! Not as awesome as Kate's of course, but her hair is just amazing.
That's one thing I've started doing just in the past couple of years--watching YouTube tutorials on everything from hairstyles to make-up to scarf-tying. If I'm to be the best "woman of a certain age" I can be, then I need to stay on top of things.
There's no way I can look just like the young girls, nor would I even want to try. But if there are some tips and tricks I can pick up, and some new looks I can adapt to my style, why not?
I'm wearing an Ann Taylor Loft Outlet black V-neck here, but I thought I'd liven it up with a necklace I usually wear in the summertime.
Here's one side-view of the beachy hair. No, it doesn't look as perfect as Kate's, but hey--if I was really on a beach it would look much worse than that! :)
And just to bring us back down to earth, this is what it actually looked like outside my house when I left for work this morning. I have to say I love my red coat that I got at Macy's a couple of years ago. It's stadium-length, warm and cozy, and brightens up even the dreariest winter days. The scarf I got last year at Wal-Mart for 5 dollars...love it too!
I'm linking up with Visible Monday, hosted by Not Dead Yet Style--join the fun by clicking on the icon!
One of the great things about Pinterest is the plethora of amazing recipes available. But although I have a "Food and Recipes" board chockfull of recipes I plan to try, I've actually gotten around to making just two of them.
Last night's Pinterest recipe endeavor was a SMASHING success. I made Kalyn's Stuffed Cabbage Casserole from Skinnytaste.com, a wonderful site that blogger Gina bills as "delicious low fat recipes from my family to yours."
As soon as I discovered this site on Pinterest, I immediately "followed" it and put the link on my sidebar.
2012 is the year of eating healthy for me and my husband. Recipes that fill his grown-man stomach but stick to our healthy mantra are, as my son would say, "money"!
Not only was this casserole delicious and filling, but judging by my blood sugar check this morning, it's very good for Type 2 diabetics as well.
Of course, you'll only like this recipe if you like cabbage...fortunately both my husband and I love it!
There is brown rice in the recipe, but some commenters at Skinnytaste say they substituted quinoa with excellent results. Others fiddled with the spices or made it with spicier or Italian-seasoned tomatoes or tomato sauce. There's lots of room for improvisation.
Some commenters also saved some valuable prep time by using bagged cole slaw, but I liked having the cabbage pieces a little bigger.
(The only way I had to modify it was that I couldn't find Sweet Hungarian Paprika at my local grocer, so had to use just regular paprika.)
Anyway, two thumbs up from both me and my hubby!
I'm linking up today to Company Girl Coffee, hosted by Home Sanctuary--click on the icon!
I rarely copy someone else's post in its entirety, but I'm almost going to do that right now...because this post so perfectly sums up all the reasons why I read. Why I love to read, actually.
Carol of Magistra Mater starts out her post talking about how she's a schizophrenic reader. Then she starts enumerating the reasons she reads--and lo and behold, Carol and I are kindred spirits:
I read because I like to read.
I read to learn facts. What does the third verse of In the Garden mean?
I read to be entertained. Tell me a story!
I read as a way to love others. Nothing like a kid on a lap with a book...
I read to show love to others. You like Dick Francis? Then I will read him, too.
I read to fulfill obligations. Carol, please read this and let me know what you think.
I read some titles because one is supposed to read them.
I read some titles to say I have read them. Shameless of me to admit it, but true.
I read so I won't be left behind. The buzz about Unbroken is one instance.
I read to nourish my soul.
I read because I'm bored.
I read because I'm tired.
I read some books to get them off my shelf. I could just remove them, but I want to read them!
I read because someone I admire recommended the book.
I read because someone I've never heard of recommended the book.
I read to escape unlovely tasks. A habit begun long ago when I had homework.
I read difficult books because they often reward the effort. Vigorous reading gives me endorphins.
OK, so I'm having a tough time figuring out the best way to take my own Outfit of the Day picture with my trusty little point-and-shoot. (Yes, I cut off the top of my head.)
I do have a little tripod now that attaches to my camera, so I can perch it on things and self-take my picture.
However, I guess I'll never get those awesome magazine-quality shots that many of you get with your wonderful SLRs (not that I'm covetous or bitter. :))
Anyway...this is what I wore to the wedding of a co-worker Saturday.
I love the dark turquoise velvet jacket. I got it last week on a 75% off clearance rack at Macy's...it was just under $15.00. Saturday was unseasonably warm for Northern Illinois, so I didn't even have to wear a coat!
I love the way the jacket flares out in an almost peplum-fashion...it's flattering.
I fiddled with some effects here to let you see just how pretty the color of the jacket is.
Here is my make-up look for the day. (I once again broke fashion rules by wearing eye-shadow the color of my jacket.)
On the lid I'm wearing Estee Lauder Peacock Blue.
On the crease (which you can't really see), I have black ELF shadow.
Under the brow is something I'm loving, that my Clinique-selling daughter gave me for Christmas (among many other Clinique treasures!) It's an under-the-brow illuminator that gives just the right touch of shimmer for a fancy occasion.
I'm not one for horror movies or anything Satanic, but I have to admit--I'm a sucker for a good ghost story.
And I've always wondered--what's the deal with ghosts anyway? As a Christian, I believe souls go directly to heaven or hell when they die. So what are these things that creditable people have obviously seen?
Robin Parrish's Nightmare takes a look at such questions, and from a Christian worldview--while delivering a suspenseful and often quite scary page-turner of a tale.
The story centers around Maia Peters, a young criminal justice major whose parents are renowned paranormal investigators--or "ghost hunters," a term she doesn't like.
Maia has decided to walk away from such investigating and plans to go into law enforcement.
Then a fellow college student, the very wealthy and beautiful Jordin Cole, makes Maia an offer she can't refuse--generous payment for taking Jordin to the most haunted spots in America in an attempt to touch the paranormal.
Jordin's reasons for this quest unfold as the two take trips to places like the Stanley Hotel (famous for Stephen King's The Shining). Gettysburg, Alcatraz, and other spooky sites. And they get more than their share of paranormal evidence...leading Maia to believe that Jordin is a magnet for such activity.
The story culminates in a fast-paced, thrilling showdown between good and evil that leaves no doubt as to Who will be the winner in any such face-off.
Like some reviewers, I would have like to have seen the characters developed a bit better. I had a bit of trouble connecting with and even liking Maia initially, although she does grow more sympathetic as the tale progresses. But ultimately, that didn't affect my enjoyment of the book at all.
I especially liked--and was simultaneously creeped out by-- the chapters dealing with Maia and Jordin's visits to the haunted sites. They didn't just visit--they spent nights there. Alone. Very creepy, chilling, scary and well-written chapters.
If you like a good ghost story, this one is for you.
Join the Saturday Review of Books, hosted by Semicolon!
Well, I've decided to merge my book blog, Cindy's Book Club, with this blog, at least for the time being.
The blog never really took off readership-wise, and sometimes it's hard to maintain two blogs and do them both justice. When I started the book blog, I was unemployed and had plenty of time on my hands
As for book reviews, author interviews and all other things books and reading--including my participation in book blog-hops, etc--they'll continue right here. Books and reading have always been one of the ruling passions in my life, and that's not going away!
As for the reviews and other content on Cindy's Book Club, that will stay where it is. And who knows, someday I may return to double-blogging--never say never!
In the meantime, I invite you to check out some of my most popular posts on Cindy's Book Club...
It's been a while since I've spread some link love, so I'm taking the Thursday Thirteen link-up as an opportunity to do so!
Here we go, in no particular order:
1) Nouveau Cheap has compiled a list of the best new inexpensive beauty products of 2011-- a list I plan to consult the next time I head to the drugstore!
2) With eating right being one of my goals for 2012, I'm loving this website, Skinnytaste.I've bookmarked several of Gina's healthy recipes that I can't wait to try!
3) On a serious note: My friend Joel Griffith of The Seventh Sola is asking for prayer for Calvary Chapel pastor Chuck Smith, who has been diagnosed with lung cancer.
5) You think being a published author is glamorous? Think again, says writer Robin Lee Hatcher:
"Remember the opening scene in Romancing the Stone, where the romance writer finishes her book, then staggers out of her office to find she has nothing to eat in the fridge and no toilet paper, etc.? Yeah, it really is like that."
6)
Not to toot my own horn, but don't forget I have a book blog, Cindy's Book Club, where I'm currently reviewing Robin Parrish's spine-tingling Nightmare.
7) The Biggest Loser host Alison Sweeney is encouraging us to get out of our comfort zone and try something new.
8) Simone at The Bottom of the Ironing Basket has some lovely and inspiring thoughts on happiness.And yes, I borrowed this picture of Patrick Dempsey, because I wanted you to look at this post! :) There's a method to my madness!
9) I'm a big fan of Over50Feeling40 anyway, but I really enjoyed this post about being a newsgatherer for your blog! Love Pam's tips on interviewing.
10) I only own one of Samantha Chapman's Real Techniques make-up brushes, but I love it! Here, Sam (of Pixiwoo) directs us to tutorials on how to use the brushes.
11) I have great admiration for Trisha of The Good Life, and I love the things her family is doing to welcome in the new year. Definitely worthy of emulating!
13) Is one of your 2012 goals to get your house in order? Rachel Anne at Home Sanctuary has been blogging about setting up a housekeeping schedule that works in real life.
The other day, I took a quiz that asked me who my closest friend(s) were. I didn't have to think twice to come up with the answer: my sisters, Beverly and Lisa.
My sisters and I share so much that I have a hard time even expressing it. We encourage each other, support each other, pray for each other.
They both live far away from me, so we cherish any time that we can physically be together. We laugh like crazy, sometimes cry a little, but always have an amazing time. They are two of the funniest women I know!
Beverly and me
We talk to each other on the phone regularly...and have even gotten into texting each other a bit.
We can completely be ourselves around each other, and tell each other pretty much everything. We are each other's biggest fans and cheerleaders.
Me and Lisa
I also adore my younger brother, and he holds a unique place in my heart that no one else could fill...but he's most definitely not a woman. My sisters can empathize and understande me as women.
My husband, who I love with all my heart, is also a wonderful friend; but again, there's just something about a sister that's different from any other friendship.
If you blog, have you ever worked hard on a post, really put your all into it, only to feel it was completely lost in the shuffle and never thought of again?
Well, I decided to look back on 2011 and dig up some of my favorite posts that disappeared into the ether I hope you'll check one or all of them out when you have a moment!
July--Beautiful Bedrooms--If anything inspires you to re-decorate your bedroom, it will be these gorgeous pictures.
August--When I Went to a British School--I reminisce about attending a British school in Beirut, Lebanon, when my parents were missionaries in the mid-60's.
September-- Oh, How Pinteresting!--Yep, this was the year that I discovered Pinterest...probably the most gorgeous and informative place on the Internet. In this post, I display a variety of cool things I'd been seeing on the site.
October--I'm Finally Wearing More Scarves--I finally catch on to one of the more attractive trends of 2011 (and it's a trend that has staying power.)
November--Some of My Favorite Childhood Books--I celebrate National Young Reader's Day by reminiscing about some of my best-loved childhood reads.
...and according to halife.com, it's the observance of a couple of what my former radio co-host Darren Marlar used to call "Weird Holidays":
• Today is National Whiners' Day, a day dedicated to people who return Christmas gifts.
• Today is National Thank You Note Day. Go ahead, do it today before you forget
I actually didn't get a single gift that I'm going to have to return! And there are definitely some Thank You notes I'll be writing.
I don't feel like "the holidays" are quite over until after New Year's Day, so I'm still basking in a sort of holiday glow.
We're still in Normal, Illinois until later today. We came here to celebrate Christmas with my daughter Elizabeth, whose retail job required her to work both Christmas Eve and the day after Christmas.
So we just brought Christmas to her, and it has been wonderful!
How about you? Any "day after Christmas" plans? Well, I've got gift cards from Bath and Body Works and Macy's burning a hole in my pocket, so hasta luego! :)
Top: My husband Doug and me, my oldest son Jonathan and his wife Daylyn
Bottom: My son Justin, my daughter Elizabeth and me; Doug and me with our grandson, Josiah and Payton
Many thanks to those of you who read my blog! My Christmas prayer for you is that you may experience the incomparable loveand amazing grace of theChristof Christmas, and that you may be showered with love and blessings throughout the coming year!
Take a few minutes to enjoy this beautiful song...
The other night one of my sisters-in-law admitted that she has never seen "It's A Wonderful Life." I was aghast.
This movie is an American institution. This movie is a Christmas tradition. This movie is not just my favorite Christmas movie, but actually my favorite movie EVER.
What do I love about this movie? Well, in no particular order:
--Jimmy Stewart
OK, Jimmy Stewart is just adorable. This quote in his 1997 New York Time obit sums up his appeal:
The lanky actor with unruly hair and an ungainly stride had a boyish grin and an engaging manner. The Stewart way of speaking -- laconic, with a hesitant, nasal drawl -- is instantly recognizable by virtually every American. His early screen image, like his personal life, epitomized a Middle American ideal in a confusing, sophisticated world.
And, he's cute. And I love the integrity and basic goodness of his character. He's just...adorable.
--Donna Reed
As the longsuffering Mary, who loves Stewart's George Bailey from afar and then graciously endures the trials of being his wife, Donna Reed is wonderful. Early on, it's obvious she wants George and she's going to get him...but she does it in such a subtle way, he doesn't even know he's caught until the awesome moment they kiss while sharing a telephone receiver.
You don't get the idea Mary is a doormat. She's just a woman who is admirably full of the grace that is so essential in being a spouse.
There's a luminous glow and wholesome sweetness about Donna Reed as Mary. She's lovely.
--The special effects. No, I'm just kidding!!!
OK, the special effects are really quite awful. That star thing where the angels are apparently talking to each other? So incredibly primitive. But hey, this is 1946! Roll with it. They're so bad they're strangely sweet.
And I don't care...it still touches my heart to hear the prayers of all of George's friends.
--The message.
The idea of exploring how the world would be a different place if one single person hadn't been born is one definitely worth pondering, and it definitely fits in with a Christian worldview.
"Perhaps the biggest lesson we learn from this film is that we all have an impact on those around us. As Clarence the guardian angel said, “Strange, isn’t it? Each man’s life touches so many other lives. When he isn’t around, he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he?”
We all live a life of significance and it’s important we remember that even the little things we do have a tremendous impact on others."
What kind of an impact am I making on the lives of those around me? How would their lives be different if I wasn't around?
--The payoff.
Like most really good movies, "It's A Wonderful Life" has a wonderful emotional pay-off.
The moment after George realizes he wants to live, and the snow starts falling and Zuzu's petals are in his pocket...well, it doesn't get much better than that when it comes to cinematic pay-offs.
You want to run through the streets with George, screaming and hollering for joy.
Life may be tough. Life is often tragic and sad and inexplicable. But as Clarence says, "Remember no man is a failure who has friends."
About this time of year, my blog stats start to explode with people looking for information on Evie Tornquist Karlsson's beloved Christmas music, particularly the song "Come On, Ring Those Bells."
As a radio personality, I was able to interview Evie at least twice. The most recent interview, a few years ago, was available to listen to on a ftp site that, unfortunately, no longer exists.
The earliest interview was in 2004, and I think it's worth revisiting because even the transcript manages to capture the delightful personality of this very talented and beloved artist. Here it is:
CINDY: A couple of years ago, I mentioned a certain singer in an article I wrote on my website about my favorite Christmas music. Amazingly, I found that many of the hits on my website were consistently from people looking for information about that singer. That singer is Evie Tornquist Karlsson, and I'm so delighted to have you as my guest today.
EVIE: (laughing) Thank you so much, Cindy, and we're still ringing those bells after all these years!
CINDY: Well, you know, it's almost surreal actually talking to you, because I can remember that when I was student at Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Missouri, way back in the 1970's, I almost wore out your "Mirror" album.
I loved every song on that album, I just about memorized the whole thing. Also, half the guys at my college were in love with you, so I was even a little jealous of you, and can't believe I'm actually talking to Evie!...
You know, I want to recap your career and of course update people on what you're doing now, but first I need to ask you about something that apparently is still huge...and that is the Christmas song, "Come On, Ring Those Bells."
Most of the hits that I get on my website that are looking for info on you specifically often contain the phrase "Come On, Ring Those Bells"--people wanting to get the lyrics, the guitar tabs, find out where they can get the sheet music, whatever.
Tell me, first of all, how you came to record that song?
EVIE: Well, it was back in the mid-70's, when the folks at Word Records were helping me put together the very first Christmas album that we did.
We did two with them, and this was the first one...and just like in every other situation, the A and R people,whose specific job it is find music that sort of makes sense for the different artists to do, they bring just a big briefcase over with demos and chord charts and we just take several days and look over them.
And I knew I wanted to do some of the older traditional songs like "O Holy Night" and "Silent Night" and "O Little Town of Bethlehem," and such, but we also needed some fresh new things. And so, which was sort of uncharacteristic for record companies back then,they pitched a song called "Come On, Ring Those Bells" to me which was not part of their roster.
They went to Manna Music, which was another Christian publishing company, and got this song "Come On, Ring Those Bells," written by Andrew Culverwell, and played it for me, and said, "What do you think?" And I immediately loved the song. I thought it had such a great combination of zeroing in first of all on what the season truly is all about, and that is it's Jesus birthday, it's our time to celebrate Him, and keep the focus on Him.
But it also had a very folksy way of applying this to all of us, y'know: (singing)
"Everybody likes to take a holiday/ everybody likes to take a rest/ spending time together with the family/ Sharing lots of love and happiness...."
All of us could listen to that and say, "Oh, yeah...that's absolutely right. And let's, come on, let's ring the bells of Christmas, and remember that Jesus, we remember this is YOUR birthday." And it just had a wonderful arrangement...and I think it was just something that obviously the Lord wanted to have that be embraced the way it was. It was His plan from the get-go, we just got to be part of it and watch it happen.
The background vocals are done by a lady who is a very well-known country artist herself in her own right, by the name of Janie Fricke.
CINDY: Oh my goodness, really?
EVIE: Janie Fricke is the gal who got two other young women together and did the background vocals for that entire Christmas album. But the "Come On Ring those bells" tune is where you can really hear her beautiful voice.
CINDY: Now that is a little bit of trivia that I had never heard before, Evie. Now, why do you think that it has so endured, obviously stood the test of time?
Enduring appeal
EVIE: Oh, I haven't a clue, Cindy, other than...I don't know, perhaps at that very moment in the mid-70's, contemporary Christian music was in its early stages. There were many of us that were trying to sort of push the envelope a little bit, within reason, not get people upset with us...but sort of bring Christian music to a kind of grassroots, folksy, embraceable way. Because, the purpose here for what we do what we do, and I'm sure it's the same with you, Cindy...is we want to introduce people to the Lord Jesus Christ.
CINDY: Absolutely.
EVIE: And whether it takes a website or a blog or a radio program or a song or a book or words over the fence with our neighbors, that's the whole purpose of why we're here.
So, to do music then, that would be easily embraced by those who perhaps aren't in church on a regular basis....perhaps those who would rather hear an album with Janie Fricke than a Christian singer. I suppose, maybe at that very moment there was sort of an open ear for it, and then as in most cases with holiday music and holiday traditions, something occurs within our hearts. It brings back warm, wonderful memories...And you know how they say the smell or the scent is a very strong memory with us--well, I think Christmas memories are also a tremendous trigger.
CINDY: That is very true. And I also think this song really lends itself well to being sung by children's choirs and children's groups...
EVIE: Sure.
CINDY: There's nothing that sounds as cute as a bunch of little voices singing this song, and I've heard it many times. But the question, Evie, that I've got to ask you is, can people still ahold of the Christmas album that it's on, or can they get ahold of the sheet music or the lyrics...is that available out there?
EVIE: Well, I have to be perfectly honest and say that I really don't know the best answer to that question. We did, or rather Word did a "Christmas Memories" CD about four or five years ago, and included a few new songs as well as "Come On, Ring Those Bells." But to my understanding, that is now out of print.
CINDY: Well let me put my vote in right now, and I'm sure a lot of people will agree with me, for you to make another Christmas album, Evie. I think it's time.
I used Random.org to come up with a winner for my Shabby Apple give-away! And the winner is:
Melody Steiner
Melody is the winner of the gorgeous Pineapple Princess dress from Shabby Apple. I'll give Melody's e-mail address to Shabby Apple, and she'll be hearing from them to arrange the details of receiving her dress.
THANKS SO MUCH to Shabby Apple and everyone who entered the contest. Hopefully I'll have another contest soon!
