A Simple to Make Drink Your Family Will Love

Here's a great hot or iced drink you can make at home in minutes.
What's so great about it?

• It's good
• It's good for you
• It can be served either hot or cold
• It's SIMPLE to make
• It has some definite health benefits
• It's inexpensive to make if you know where to get the main ingredient
• We drink it year round
• We've served it to company to rave reviews

What is it?  I call it Cinnamon Tea, but it doesn't contain any tea.  

I wrote all about it in a Squidoo Lens called Cinnamon Tea - Healthy, Tasty, and Easy to Make.  Hop on over there for the recipe, and where to get high quality cinnamon sticks for less than a quarter of what you would pay for them at the grocery.

Oh, by the way - since beginning to drink cinnamon tea on a regular basis, my husband's cholesterol and blood pressure have dropped dramatically. His Cardiologist was impressed!

Cruising Musings

Did you know I have another blog? 

It's mainly of interest to the cruising community, with posts about cruise ships, cruising news and things of that nature.  But, I also do occasional posts there about Port Canaveral, and (in season) Tropial Weather Systems.  If those are topics that might be of interest to you, here is the link:

Cruising Musings and Other Stuff

Books pin board

Just a quick note to share the link to my pin board about books on Pinterest.  Folowers, re-pins, and comments are, of course, welcome.

Going Fishing this Summer?

Fishing Poles iPad Speck Case
by SpecialTimes

Are you planning on doing a little fishing this summer?  Don't forget to take along your iPad.  Here's a fun case for it.  It's a Speck hard shell case on which you see fishing poles awaiting the arrival of fishermen at a dock on a bay.

What do you think - will the fish be waiting, too?

Cases for other devices, including iPhones, iPod Touch, and Blackberry also available in this same design at Special Times gallery on Zazzle.  

Tumblr

Are you on Tumblr? If so, please leave your link in a comment.  I'd love to follow you!  Here's mine - I post there as CruiseReady:  CruiseReady on Tumblr

Time to Think about Mother's Day

Mothers Day is May 13

Wading Gulls Mothers Day Card by h2oWater

Mothers Day is just three weeks from this Sunday.  What are your plans? 
Sadly, I don't have any.  My wonderful mom is no longer with us, and the kids are all far away.  But we did have a wonderful visit with one of the kids last month, so I'm thinking of that as an early Mothers Day visit.

If you would like to find a special gift for your mom, here are several pages with some ideas for you.  I hope one of them will help:

Gifts and Matching Cards for Moms and Dads
For something a little different, have a look at these samples of gifts with matching cards. The cards come in a great variety of designs, and the matching gifts range from inexpensive magnets, through tote bags, shirts, pitchers and teapots, all the way to wall art.

Colorful Corundum Jewelry
A piece of corundum jewelry might be just the right choice for your mom. Corundum comes in a wide array of colors. Surely there's a piece in her favorite color.

Cat Trinket Boxes
Is Mom a cat lover? These cat themed trinket and jewelry boxes make wonderful gifts for cat lovers and collectors.

Spring Has Sprung and Summer's a Comin

The first day of spring has come and gone, and summer isn't far away.  What does that mean?

Texas in my Heart BBQ Apron

 Time to fire up the grill for all those spring and summer barbecues! 

There are dozens of perfect occasions in spring and summer for throwing a backyard barbeque.  The first ones that usually come ti mind are the patriotic holidays, like Memorial Day and Independence Day.  But  don't rule out other spring and summer holidays, either.

Plan a barbecue or two this year, and make it a time to remember.  Whatever the occasions you choose... even if it's just a "hey, it's the weekend" party, you'll want to be ready.  Make it special with some Fun Barbeque Aprons and Other Essentials for the Outdoor Chef.

Of course, you don't really NEED an excuse to invite friends over for a cookout.   But, if you would like to know what excuses some others are using, here are some - and customizable invitations to go with them.

A   Military Send-off  or a summer birthday:

LEFT: Military Send Off Party Invitation by cowboyannie - RIGHT: Barbeque Party Invitation by Lilleaf


Steaks on the grill are quite popular for graduation parties, and some people are even opting for outdoor rehersal dinners with barbeque .

LEFT: Graduation Summer BBQ Barbeque Party by claire_shearer - RIGHT: Rehearsal Dinner BBQ Invitations by Western_Invitations

 

Happy Easter

Happy Easter

from Gift Listings for Shoppers Blog

Shown:
Lilies pink 3 Tile by SpecialTimes

Whoa, there, Horsie!

Just ran across this photo I took last summer while we were in Texas, and thought I would share ... everyone loves a good horse picture, right?

Children's Books about Titanic

Recently, I found there have been quite a few new books about Titanic for kids that have been published, or will be published in the very near future. 



April, 1912, front page of the New York Herald,
on the Sinking of RMS Titanic

Why books about Titanic for kids?   With the century mark of one of the world's great sea tragedies being marked this year, evryone is interested in learning more about the sinking of the Titanic, and that includes kids.  It's nice to know that there are materials available on age appropriate levels to satisfy children's curiosity, too.

I've written up a little article with some tidbits of information about the children who were aboard the great ocean liner on her ill-fated maiden voyage in 1912, and listed some of the books about Titanic for kids.  If you have a child who is curious about the ship, the people who sailed on her, or the events surrounding her sinking, please pay a visit to the article.  There's nothing like a good book about something a kid is fascinated about to get them reading, and that's always a good thing!

Children's Books About Titanic

THINK before you PIN!

Suddenly, Pinterest is wildly popular, with over 10 million registered users.  Chances are, you - or someone you know - may be among them.  It's also lighting up the internet with controversy, mainly concerns about copyright infringemnent, which is not only unethical and dishonest, but a crime.

See something pretty or cool that you like on the internet, and want to share it on Pinterest?  There's a good chance you could be breaking the law if you do.  

You are free to pin a photo that you, personally, took with your very own camera.  That photo is yours to do with as you wish, including pinning.  (With certain exceptions)

Did someone you know take that photo?  And did you ask for their consent to distribute it?  Did they say, "Sure, go ahead!"    Pin it.

Otherwise, without LEGAL permission to distribute the image, proceding could put you at risk. 

I'm no copyright expert, I just want folks to be aware of what's going on.  So, here are several articles that will allow you to read up a little on it for yourself. 

Is Pinterest a Haven for Copyright Violations?

Pinterest and the Intellectual Property Conundrum

A Photographer / Lawyer - On Why She Deleted Her Pinterest Boards

Zazzle and American Mojo

Squirrel Seeze U American MoJo Pillow

by SpecialTimes

Good news! Zazzle has teamed up with the American Mojo project to offer some beautiful new made in the USA products, and provide income opportunity for single moms at the same time. It's a real win-win situation!

Now available from the artists, photographers, and designers at Zazzle are american Mojo throw pillows, placemats, napkins, and kitchen towels.

A true team effort, the art is by independent artists, the sewing is by American Mojo moms, and the printing is by on demand printer, Zazzle.

Here are a few examples:



LEFT: Personalized Blue Hawaii Flowers by InvitationGraphics - RIGHT: Fuchsia, Black/White Gerbera Daisy by cutencomfy


LEFT: Teahouse at Koishikawa Placemat by StillImages - RIGHT: Twilight At The Tree In Winter Throw Pillow by minx267

Oh, Lovebirds!

Love On A Moon Swing Art Poster/Print
by romanceworks

Here's a little something to get you in the mood for Valentine's Day on Tuesday - lovebirds!

Did you know there are nine different species of lovebirds?  You can find out a little more about them and see pictures of these charming little creatures  at Pictures of Lovebirds and Love Bird Gifts.

Or, go to Zazzle to browse other Lovebirds Posters

Beautiful Lovebirds Original Painting (tile)
by ArtformTheHeart

Here are a couple more Valentines Day related articles for you, too:

Magnets for Sweethearts and Lovers is a collection of cute, funny, and romantic magnets for people who are in love, with a few love quotes thrown in for good measure.

This year, being the centennial of the sinking of Titanic, is a good time for one about the Heart of the Ocean necklace from the movie.

And, finally, don't forget that any day (not just Valentine's Day) is a good time to give someone a little ego boost with (very G-rated) Hot Folks Gifts and Cards.




 

It's National Weatherman's Day!



Weather T by despking

 There seems to be a special day for just about everything and everyone these days.  Today, for example is National Weatherman's Day. 

February 5 was the birthday of John Jeffries, who kept weather records from 1774 to1816, and is said to be one of  America's first weathermen.    Today, apparently we celebrate weathermen on his birthday each year,  honoring the men and women who bring us our weather forecasts.

Sometimes, the weather is great, and sometimes... not so much.  Sometimes it's downright stormy, like in these Pictures of Hurricanes and Other Storms.  But, it's always to our advantage to know what the weather will be on a given day in the near future, and that's what we look to weathermen to tell us.

There are a lot of others who labor behind the scenes to gather the data that goes into a weather forecast that we see on TV or read on our favorite weather site.  Some of the very bravest of those are the Hurricane Hunters, who literally fly into the eye of the fiercest of tropical weather systems to ensure better and more accurate forecasts year after year. 

Thank you, weathermen!

15% OFF Zazzle Sitewide - ends tomorrow



Daisy Haze Mousepad from SpecialTimes

 Here's a coupon code that's good today and tomorrow for 15% off everything at Zazzle



Just enter code  15WINTERSALE  during checkout.

Ends at 11:59 pm pacific time tomorrow, Jan 27.

National Puzzle Day is January 29



Cruise Liner by bartonleclaydesign

 Get ready to celebrate National Puzzle Day.  It's just a couple of weeks away - on January 29th, so there's plenty of time to pick out a new jigsaw puzzle for yourself or someone you know who loves puzzles.

Here are some great ideas for Nautical themed puzzles for anyone from 2 to 82:

Jigsaw Puzzles - Ships and the Sea

You'll find puzzles from 5 pieces to 5000 pieces, and all in nautical themes, like ships, and sea life.  These are fun to put together, and because, when you are done, it's such a shame to tear them apart and put them away, there's even a video tutorial on how to glue a jigsaw puzzle.  After gluing, you can frame it, or just place it on a table.  And, it's surprisingly easy to do, too.

Zazzle's New Coaster Sets

Stylish Monogram Wedding Gift Cork Coaster Set
by SquirrelHugger

Have you seen the new coasters at Zazzle?  They come as a set of  6 coasters, custom printed on the high gloss plastic front side, and backed with non skid cork.  The front is a wipe clean surface.

Here are some samples:


LEFT: Jellyfish Cork Coaster by h2oWater
RIGHT: Gull in Flight Cork Coasters by TropiCards


LEFT:Purple Sea Fan Cork Coaster by h2oWater
RIGHT:  Daisy Haze Wedding - Anniversary Cork Coaster by SpecialTimes

For a Related Article, see:  Nautical Coasters, Tiles, and Trivets

Wrapped Canvas Prints on Sale

Charleston Rainbow Row In Spring Canvas Wrap 2
by FineArtPoster

Wrapped canvas prints on sale at Zazzle - 60% OFF!

Tropical Afternoon Wrapped Canvas

by TropiCards

USE coupon Code 60CANVASDEAL at checkout.

Get some great art for your living room, bedroom, den, or even your office for less than half price, now through Thursday of this week.

LEFT: Flower by BurntSnow

RIGHT: Key West Sunset Through The Palms Canvas Wrap by FineArtPoster

Huge variety of sizes and subjects to choose from - or create your own by uploading your own hi res photos!

National Bird Day

Tomorrow is National Bird Day.  Who knew?  I did!

Love in the Tropics Custom Cork Coasters
by TropiCards

Here's a link to an article about Lovebirds for you to enjoy.  You might even find a nice little gift for your favorite bird lover, or your favorite human lovebird, too, as there are a few gift ideas on the page, too.

Happy New Year from Gift Listings

(A belated) Happy New Year, everyone!

May 2012 be filled with happy times for you.