Vision Board for 2011: What is it and how does it work!

 Simply put a Vision Board is a collage. Many of us made collages as teens with our favorite clothes, the car we wanted, the rock idol we adored, etc. What makes a Vision Board different is 'direction and intention." The Vision Board is a visual representation of the things you want have, do, or become in your life. This is an affirmation of your goals and a sort of road map for the direction you want to focus on. Your Vision Board is very personal and should reflect your individuality and creativity. It can be created from a bulletin board, foam core, or poster board. A Vision Board can also be done as a large album or journal. There are no rules on how to arrange the visual imaginary and written goals, statements or descriptions. The subconscious works with pictures and images, so fill your Vision Board with pictures that evoke a positive reaction for you. Add words and phrases that inspire you.
Choose each piece of your Vision Board with thought, intuition, and mindfulness.  The purpose of your Vision Board may be  "I Know Exactly What I Want" or "Opening and Allowing" (this approach can be useful if you have been dealing with loss, grief, or depression) or a "Theme Board" (which focuses on one area of your life such as love or business).
The exercise of creating and viewing your Vision Board activates the "Law of Attraction." If  you are familiar with The Secret, What the Bleep, Esther Hicks, Louise Hay, Wayne Dyers, or any of the countless practitioners of "the law of attraction" you know it works. The law of attraction states that we attract into our lives anything that we give attention to, whether it be positive or negative. Constant focus and verbalization of illness creates illness, focus on lack produces lack. Pay attention to what you are affirming each day with your thoughts and your words. Creating a Vision Board will give you insight into what you are bringing into your life and what you want to bring into your life.

What Made Champagne Famous!

 Sparkling wine was invented in 1535 in the Limoux area of Languedoc. Champagne was first produced in the area around 1700. For centuries sparkling wine from this region had been served as part of coronation festivities throughout Europe.  The French aristocracy had offered it in tribute to foreign kings. When the methode champenoise was intDom Perignon, it already was associated with luxury and power. A campaign was launched to create a history and identity for their Champagne, associating it with prestige, luxury, and festivities.
 
In 1866 the Champagne maker Moet commissioned the famous entertainer, George Leybourne to write and perform songs about the vultures of Champagne as a reflection of taste and affluence. Leybourne was seen as highly sophisticated and agreed to drink nothing but Champagne in public. The marketing success in export markets was remarked upon in 1882 by the British author, Henry Vizetelly, "Champagne has become mandatory at all launchings, inaugurations and celebrations." 

Successful marketing during the Industrial Revolution firmly established Champagne among the middle class as a part of special occasions and rites of passages. Champagne became a symbol of the "good life." Mark Twain once commented, "Too much of anything is bad, but too much Champagne is just right".

Over centuries the story of Champagne was re-told, effectively suppressing outdated and unfashionable ideas and images, and promoting more desirable ones. By the First World War, Champagne had become a prominent symbol of France's status as a producer of quality goods and vanguard of style and culture world wide. During the Second World War, Winston Churchill once motivated the British forces with the claim "Remember, gentlemen, it's not just France we are fighting for, it's Champagne"!

So, what has made Champagne so popular is not it's bubbles, but cenutries of consistent marketing through endorsements and product placement. (As an avid Champagne drinker that thought kind of takes the "pop out of my cork." )

New Year's Eve - A Family Tradition - Skate the Lake Winterfestival

When you think of New Year's Eve celebrations the first thing that comes to mind is getting together with friends, eating and drinking. In Evergreen New Year's Eve is a family event that involves ice skating on Evergreen Lake beginning at 6:00 p.m., December 31st. There is lots free hot chocolate, donated by Starbucks. There is marshmallows roasting, food vendors, and a bouncy castle. There are activities for children of all ages. Skate the Lake Winter Festival is a community event. Local merchants and sponsors have contributed to 2000 tote bags containing flashlights, scarves and goodies, which will be handed out to festival goers. The tickets are $20.00 per person and may be purchased online at http://www.drivesmarte-c.org/ or at Boone Mountain Sports, Intero Real Estate, Hearthfire Books, Evergreen Lake House, Da Kind Soups, Wulf and Buchanan Rec. Centers, and Cornerstone Auto Glass. The price of the ticket does not include skate rental. Free shuttle service is provided from Hiwan Homestead, Christ the King Church, Safeway and the (old) Albertson's parking lot.

The Skate the Lake Winterfestival also includes a Pond Hockey Tournament at 7:00 a.m. on December 31. To register a team (up to eight per team) go to http://www.drivesmarte-c.org/ or call 303-674-9683. Registration fee per team is $225.00.  This event is for ages 8 to 19.
Artist Michael Campe and Thomas Barlow will be creating masterpieces in ice during the day.

Michael Campe has operated Colorado Ice Sculptures, LLC since 1985. Projects include; full-size ice bars, luges, shot glasses, corporate logos, ice mountains with waterfalls, ice pool tables, sushi bars, beautiful entry ways, multi-block events, on-site demonstrations, table-top centerpieces, ice invitations, wedding and buffet pieces. http://www.coloradoicesculptures.com/

Thomas Barlow is an international competitor in Ice, Sand and Wood carving.

Thomas Barlow's Bear

Start a family New Year's Eve tradition with this year's Skate the Lake Winterfestival, benefiting Drive Smart Evergreen-Conifer, the community and families.

Fireworks at 8:00 p.m. and Midnight

Merry Christmas from Evergreen, Colorado

Optimism: Hanging Up Stockings Every Christmas!

Every year for as long as I can remember I have hung up Christmas Stockings. And every year for as long as I can remember there has never been anything in my Christmas Stockings on Christmas morning. With a glass of Holiday Cheer in hand, I ponder this situation, deciding that I must be an extremely optimistic person. So I look up the definition of optimism: hopefulness and confidence about the future or successful outcome of something: a tendency to take a favourable or hopeful view, derived from the Latin optimum, meaning best. Well, that does describe me, I am sixty years old and still hanging up Christmas Stockings, working for World Peace, and believe there are "good" men. I pour another glass of Holiday Cheer and Google optimistic and get an article:

 The Power of OptimisticThinking by Susan M. Heathfield
The power of optimism cannot be over-rated as a factor in success and personal growth and development. Optimism allows you to see the positive aspects of any situation and enables you to capitalize on each possibility. Optimism may be partly responsible for success in most aspects of life. Some research exists that demonstrates that optimism results in higher achievement.
Part of the power of optimism is the result of changing the outlook of the little voice in your head. Constantly looking at the negative and seeing no options when situations go awry, negative self-talk limits your success. Positive self-talk expands your ability to achieve, to learn, and to accomplish. An optimistic belief in yourself and your capabilities to positively impact situations, even ones that appear negative, fuels success. Try gently moving your mind into positive, optimistic thoughts whenever you find yourself feeling negative, depressed, or wallowing in despair. The rainbow is there; you just need to see it.

Yeah, Yeah, Yeah! I've done the workshops, I've read the books, I bought the tapes, and there's never anything in my Christmas Stocking and there is not World Peace, and don't get me started on that "good man" bullshit. I pour another glass of Holiday Cheer and remember  how the tradition of hanging the Christmas stocking began - oh, no, say it's not true - so I Google it:

 Very long ago, there lived a poor man and his three very beautiful daughters. He had no money to get his daughters married, and he was worried what would happen to them after his death
Saint Nicholas was passing through when he heard the villagers talking about the girls. St. Nicholas wanted to help, but knew that the old man wouldn`t accept charity. He decided to help in secret. He waited until it was night and crept through the chimney.
He had three bags of gold coins with him, one for each girl. As he was looking for a place to keep those three bags, he noticed stockings of the three girls that were hung over the mantelpiece for drying. He put one bag in each stocking and off he went. When the girls and their father woke up the next morning, they found the bags of gold coins and were of course, overjoyed. The girls were able to get married and live happily ever after.


I pour another glass of Holiday Cheer - No gifts in my Stockings - No World Peace - No Get Married and Live Happily ever after - No Bags of Gold - (I'm still paying off my worthless ex). I trudge down the stairs, open the back of the SUV and start to go through the gifts I've packed for the trip back home - Where in the hell is that bottle of Brandy I bought for Uncle Harry! 

Merry Christmas and to all a Good Night!

The Tree is Decorated, the House is Decorated, now it's Time to Decorate Your Holiday Look with Sparkles and Jewels

Of course you want to reflect the festive mood of the season in your wardrobe choices. Let's start with what you have in your closet: black pants, jeans, basic tops, white blouse or sweater, and a little black dress. Jewelry and scarves will help you get more mileage out of your wardrobe and keep your look fresh and current.
When it comes to jewelry and scarves inexpensive does not equal 'cheap".  No one will know a Swarovski crystal from a generic one and a cashmere scarf can give you the same look as a Portolano. Purchase a few statement pieces each year.

Evergreen has an unique fashion style that makes a well fitting pair of jeans a cocktail party standard. Start with a white blouse, long chains in silver or gold and wrap a scarf at the neck line. Add shoes that match one of the colors in the scarf. A black sweater and jeans can be dressed up with a dramatic necklace. You can wrap a large scarf across your shoulders and add several bracelets to your wrists. The uses of the scarf and bracelets will draw attention away from the neck. 

The same accessorizing tips apply to the basic black dress. Layer necklaces to make a statement and add an extra flair by wearing a colored shoe or cowboy boots. For a traditional look go with pearls. 

With the colder weather we are bundled in heavy coats, accent your look with big earrings. Jewelry and scarves can help you transition your work outfit into evening wear.

Donna Reardon is having a Premier Designs Jewelry Open House through December 21st. She is offering free gift wrapping, 25% of all samples and a 10% discount if you bring a friend.

By appointment only. Call 303-906-1671 or 303-670-0577 for an appointment.



The Story of Mrs. Claus and Her Favorite Cookie Recipe: Peppermint Whoopie Pies

 Mrs Claus works all year long to make sure that Santa and the Elves stay on schedule. She bakes a "million cookies" and makes gallons and gallons of hot cocoa and a "zillion" tiny candy canes.  On Sunday, Mrs. Claus took a short break from all her Christmas responsibilities and had brunch at The Brook Forest Inn. http://www.thebrookforestinn.com/
  Mrs. Claus could not resist talking to all the children (young and old) sharing a Christmas story and song, and handing out tiny candy canes. There was a time when Mrs. Claus stayed at the North Pole and did not venture out with Santa. This modern day Mrs. Claus has a website http://www.cowpokesandclowns.com/

First introduced to the world in the book Goody Santa Claus On A Sleigh Ride by poet Katherine Lee Bates (1859-1929), Mrs. Claus has moved out of the kitchen and into the workshop over the past century.

In Bates’ 1889 book, Mrs. Claus begs to be taken along in the annual Christmas Eve toy delivery sleigh ride with Santa. She has raised perfect candy trees all year long and feels deserving of a chance to participate in the fun. As they make their deliveries, Santa pops up and down chimneys, and Mrs. Claus stays on the roof and holds the reindeer.
Sadly, when they come to one little boy’s modest house, Santa emerges from the chimney with a tear on his cheek. The only stocking the little boy had to hang by the fireplace had a hole in it, and he was unable to fill it with any presents. Seeing an opportunity to save the day, Mrs. Claus jumps down the chimney and mends the little boy’s stocking.
From that point on, Santa has always asked his lovely wife to come along for holiday deliveries. Today, Mrs. Claus doesn't’t just bake the best cookies this side of the Northern Lights.
She stays up-to-date on all the most popular toys, making sure Santa knows what each child wants, and manages the elves’ workshop. It keeps her very busy, but she is happy to be at the side of Santa, bringing extra magic to Christmas.
http://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/

Peppermint Whoopie Pies:
1 3/4 cups (230 grams) all purpose flour
3/4 cup (75 grams) Dutch-processed cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup (170 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 cup (150 grams) granulated white sugar
1 large egg, room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup (60 ml) buttermilk
1/2 cup (120 ml) lukewarm strong coffee or !/2 cup (120 ml) lukewarm wate

Marshmallow Filling:
1 cup (226 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 - 7 ounce (198 grams) jar of marshmallow creme or fluff
2 cups (230 grams) confectioners sugar (icing or powdered sugar), sifted
6-8 drops of red liquid food coloring
1/3 cup (80 ml) crushed candy canes

For Peppermint Whoopie Pies: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) and place oven rack in the center of the oven. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a large bowl sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
In the bowl of your electric mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment (can also use a hand mixer), beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg beating well. Beat in the vanilla extract. In a small measuring cup, mix the buttermilk and coffee (or water). With the mixer on low speed, alternately add the flour mixture and buttermilk/coffee mixture, in three additions, beginning and ending with the flour. Drop heaping tablespoons (can also use a small ice cream scoop) of the batter onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing about 2 inches (5 cm) apart. With moistened fingers or with the back of a spoon, smooth the tops of the cookies.
Bake for about 9-10 minutes or until the tops of the cookies, when lightly pressed, spring back. Remove from oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Marshmallow Filling: In the bowl of your electric mixer, or with a hand mixer, beat the butter until smooth and well blended. Beat in the vanilla extract and marshmallow creme. With the mixer on low speed, gradually beat in the sugar. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Then, on high speed, beat filling until it is light and fluffy (about 3-5 minutes). Add a little cream (if filling is too thick) or confectioners sugar (if filling is too thin) to get the right spreading consistency. Stir in crushed candy canes.
To Assemble: Take one cookie and spread a heaping tablespoon of the filling on the flat side of the cookie. Top with another cookie.
The assembled cookies can be stored, covered, in the refrigerator for several days. Bring to room temperature before serving.
Makes about 15 sandwich cookies.
Baggett, Nancy. "All-American Cookie Book". Houghton Mifflin Company. New York: 2001.
Brachman, Wayne Harley. "American Desserts". Clarkson Potter/Publishers. New York: 2003.
www.melecotte.com

Merry Christmas from Mrs. Claus and The Barton Family at The Brook Forest Inn!