Leo's WoodShop on Etsy

I know Leo of Leo's Wood Shop personally.  We attend the same church and have many spirited discussions on our faith.  Leo is a very busy man.  He's always doing something or making something.  He's a woodworker among many other artisan crafts. 

What I didn't know about Leo is that he has an Etsy Shop.  I found this out today. 

Do you see that birch long advent wreath?  He has that in his Etsy store.  Click HERE to find it.  I have one just like this that I brought out today to prepare for Advent.  You don't have to celebrate Advent to purchase one of these wreaths!

Leo's woodworking is very environmentally friendly.   Leo does not cut down live trees to make these candle holders.  You can also leave his wreaths out all year.  The look great!

I love mine, and during the holiday season, I receive many compliments.  

There are other styles available, too.  Follow the links that I have posted, and you can see all of these amazing works of art.  Leo is a master woodworker, and, even if we have spirited discussions, he's a great guy, too.

Visit his store, quickly, before the wreaths sell out!  You will enjoy your purchase!  

Weekly Photo Challenge - Celebration

We celebrate with food!

Celebration

c-e-l-e-b-r-a-t-i-o-n

Celebration

La Dia de Los Muertos - The Day of the Dead Celebration

Today is the second day of the celebration,

La Dia de Los Muertos,

(the day of the dead).

Although this celebration has spread to other parts of the world,

it began in Mexico.

These two days,

November 1

(All Saints Day)

and 

November 2

(All Souls Day)

are set aside in Mexico

to remember and pray for the dead.

The celebrations vary,

but,

usually, the favorite foods and drinks of the dead are served to family members.  Sugar skulls are also added to the mix to remember the dead.

Time is set aside to pray for the dead.

Trips to the cemetery as part of the rituals of the days.

I chose to join in this celebration this year by making and wearing my

La Dia de Los Muertos necklace.

I hope, besides the prayers I have offered up for the dead, I honor the dead by wearing my necklace.

I'll only wear it three times a year.

I wear it on Halloween, All Saints Day, and All Souls Day. Tomorrow, I will visit the cemetery.

Relay for Life 2009 in Mapleton, Minnesota

Relay for Life
A celebration of survivors
and
a Memorial to those who have gone before us.















They walked all night to celebrate life. This event was sponsored by the Seniors from Mapelton High School of 2009.













Then came the release of balloons and doves.



















Even a heavy rain didn't stop the celebration or the teams who walked the night away.




















More memorials and reasons for celebration.




















Relay for Life brought to you by teenagers, the Class of 2009 in Mapleton, Minnesota!

How Spike and I Spent New Year's Eve

You got it! We slept the New Year in! Spike didn't really like the fact that I had to share the bed with him, but he was willing to tolerate me as long as he was comfortable. You'd think he was a cat! Oh, well, Happy 2009!

I don't know how you feel, but

I feel it's just too early for Christmas. Spike is ready, or, at least, he thinks he is. He's already been looking for Santa, and, more importantly to him, reindeer tracks! I guess it's time to start the shopping. I like Oprah's idea, though, rather than shop, make Christmas more meaningful. I like that idea. We'll see what I can come up with to capture the real meaning of Christmas. Any ideas? I love suggestions! What do you do to make Christmas more meaningful to you and your family?

Rib Fest Was Soooooo Good!

There are certain rituals in the lives of every city and town that would be sorely missed if they did not happen. Along with the start of training camp for the Minnesota Vikings, the small town fairs, and other local events, Rib Fest has become part of the ritual of the hottest month of the summer and another signal of fall ready to come. Yesterday, I joined friends in a celebration of Rib Fest. For once, we avoided the crowds by going at off hours. What was even better, was that, we discovered that, in the off hours, there is no entry fee for Rib Fest.
Clearly, there were no lines and admission was free. This celebration of food is held in the downtown area. I am clearaly envious of all those people who live and work down there. The smell from the ribs was overpowering. I had to check my face to be sure I wasn't drooling from the smell as I waited in the outdoor eating area for my friends. Clearly, at this point, I was in rib heaven.

When my friends arrived, it was a matter of decision time. Since I had been there the longest, I had asked several people which ribber had the best ribs. I seemed to get the same answer: Wellingham's. So we went there. We were not disappointed. The ribs meat, literally, fell off the bone. The flavor was extraordinary. Even better, I had left overs for supper. Oh, my, rib heaven!

Eventually, I will get back to beads. Right now, summer is the most wonderful distraction of the year. Sure it's hot and it's humid, but it's summer! All too soon, we will be knee deep in snow and very, very cold. I choose not to think of that right now, although, today, when I was coming up the hill, I noticed that one of the sumac's had some yellow leaves. Sumacs are usually the first to indicate that they need the rest of autumn and winter. I'm not sure how I feel about that. I simply want to enjoy the rest of the warm days.