Right now this is my favourite photo. Next week I’ll probably have another.

The focus. light and colour aren’t perfect. There’s just something about it, maybe it’s the subject?

I was going to guess and tell you that I took it this summer. Mostly because Georgia is wearing a tank top in the photo. However, today she is wearing bikini bottoms and a tank top and it’s just a degree above freezing (HUH?). I double checked my exif data and it was taken in late September.

I took a whole series of these. They’re on flickr –> Show Girl.

MK xo
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The independent Toy Industry Association (TIA) has launched two web sites for consumers.

• ToyInfo.org provides you with all the information you need to choose the right toys for your family. From toy safety facts to free downloadable play guides, this exciting new site is a one-stop resource for caregivers and parents to discover everything about toys and play.

• Toyawards.org lists the best toys of the year, as selected by toy industry experts. The site showcases the top toys nominated for the 2010 Toy of the Year Awards (TOTY), recognized as the “Oscars®” of the toy industry. Not only will you discover which toys the experts think are best, but for the first time, kids and parents can register for one (or more) of 12 prize packages, and can also vote for their favorite toys.

I love seeing what’s popular for kids! Both of these sites are full of great resources.

MK xo
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Disclaimer: my name has been entered in a drawing in exchange for sharing this info with you.

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I’m dreaming of a vacation. A cruise vacation would be nice …

I took this photo at the Mendenhall Glacier just outside Juneau, AK, while on an Alaskan Cruise last summer. When I took the photo I didn’t like it, because of the people in front of the waterfall. Now, however, I think it’s probably a good thing they were there because you can see just how massive the waterfall is.

I also found images of my flight up the glacier paths of Denali (Mt. Mckinley). Experience of a life time. I am going to show them to you SOON.

I’ve been working diligently on a client website all weekend. I’m tired, but it’s finally finished. I hope … they have to like it first. X your fingers for me.

I’m going be a better blogger in December. Honest!

In fact, on Thursday you’ll be eligible to Win $750 right HERE. Yes, you heard right $750 –> $250 for you and $500 for a local charity. It’s all part of Toy Tuesday sponsored by Bill Me Later.

Make sure to come back Thursday for the BIG Toy Tuesday extravaganza! OK?

MK xo
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*Winners are Nikki and Madeline – Congratulations, I’ll contact you both by email for your mailing addresses*

Mmm … the folks at The Popcorn Factory sent me a BIG tin of popcorn goodness in a traditional three-way combo of robust cheese, butter and caramel.

Guess which flavour is my favorite? I even had it for breakfast this week. I know, I know – I’m terrible! The popcorn on the other hand is not – it’s GOOD!

So good that I asked the Popcorn Factory if you could have some too, and they’ve offered TWO of YOU each a tin of popcorn.

The tin is massive, which is good because, I definitely have piglet tendencies. Did I mention that I REALLY liked the caramel flavour?

I am going to order a couple more. I think they’ll make fabulous hostess gifts over the holidays. The tins can be personalized with a photo or message label on top. For more information, visit www.thepopcornfactory.com.

In addition to the popcorn I received a box of Fannie May Truffles. I’d love to tell you how delicious they were, however, after scarfing down the cookies and butter cream frosted brownies from www.cherylandco.com that were also in the box; I decided to save the truffles for my Grandma. I know … honestly … I don’t think I could get much sweeter! It must be all the candy I’m eating.

If you’d like to win a tin of popcorn from The Popcorn Factory leave a comment on this post. I’ll pick two random winners on Saturday, November 28th, 2009 @ 1 p.m. MT.

What do you usually take to holiday parties as a hostess / thank you gift?

MK xo
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Disclaimer: I was provided with popcorn, cookies, brownies and truffles to review free of charge. No payment was received in exchange for this post. The opinions in this post are my own.

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Would you like to read my romance? You would? Fat chance…

I’ve reached the 50,000 word goal of NaNoWriMo.org. Actually, I reached it on the 17th.

I’m not done yet though. I still have to write the last few pages of my romance. You know, the part where they declare their undying devotion to each other, strip naked and live happily ever after. Bwahahaha.

Truthfully, my romance is what is considered a ‘contemporary romance’ and they’ve been getting naked for quite some time. The HUSSY!

The sex love scenes were the most difficult to write and I seriously wouldn’t have gotten past ‘throbbing erection’ without the vocabulary suggestions on this site: Sex in the Romance

I’d never heard of NaNoWriMo.org until Angella over at DutchBlitz.net mentioned that she was doing it (Thanks Angella!). I didn’t have a clue what to write about or how to do it. I’ve never considered myself a writer. A blogger, yes, but not a writer and I wasn’t sure if I would have anything to say with out photos.

Three things have surprised me most:

1. It is way easier than I thought.
2. Writing a novel is just as much fun as reading one. It just takes a lot longer!
3. I’ve been using quotation marks incorrectly, much of the time.

I love reading. I’ve often finished a book and thought I could do that. However, I’ve always been of the opinion that in order to get started I needed a plot, an outline, details. I discovered doing NaNoWriMo that this is just not the case.

It might be the case if you are writing the next best seller, but if your end goal is just ‘a novel’, not even a good novel just a novel. Then all you really need is a deadline and rudimentary spelling abilities. Lucky for me, I have both.

Other helpful knowledge: No-one ever has to read your book but you, so just keep going. Nothing is written in stone, keep going and fix it (edit it later).

I am going to write the ending soon –> like today. Then what to do?

MK xo
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I found a great new recipe. I am sharing it today at my friend Sandy’s Blog the Reluctant Entertainer. Sandy and I met at the Kraft Blogger Event in Chicago in August, she is fabulous! She’ll love you all too … so go on over and tell her I sent you :)

Raise your hand if you’re afraid of pie crust. I’ve got both of my hands raised high above my head, and I am waving frantically. The fear stops here! There is no need with this EASY NO ROLL PIE CRUST from Joy the Baker.

I’ve long heard the ‘secrets’ of good crust from both of my grandmothers. One insisted it was the ice cold water and no over mixing. The other cold lard and no over rolling. Both of these ladies could make a mean pie (one still does) and I’ve been lucky enough to spend most of my forty years, a pie crust virgin. Oh I dabbled in it in my twenties, turning out tough crusts that tasted inferior to even store bought. It didn’t seem worth the work … and I was happy to give it up. Frankly, the rolling scared me.

… read more –> @ The Reluctant Entertainer

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Who can turn the world on with her Smile?
Who can take a nothing day, and suddenly make it all seem worthwhile?
Well it’s you girl, and you should know it
With each glance and every little movement you show it

“Love is All Around” – by Paul Williams

Every time I look at the large image of Georgia walking down the street. I start singing the Mary Tyler-Moore theme song. The image ‘IS’ Georgia.

I thought I ought to let you all know, she isn’t difficult ALL the time.

Questions for you: If your kiddo had a theme song, what would it be?

My NOVEL is coming along –> 20368 of 50000. It’s a romance and it’s complete and utter rubbish! Gotta love it! I’m pretty darn sure it’ll never be mass produced. I’m plodding along, nevertheless.

MK xo
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For those of us above the 49th parallel, November generally means the end of fall and beginning of winter (snow and freezing temps). For me it means lost mittens and hats, melt downs over outerwear (see previous year –> here) and a much larger heating bill. It’s painful.

Last year I took the pain one step further and I did the NaBloPoMo requiring me to write a blog post each day in the month of November or admit defeat (no defeat admitting permitted here). To spice life up a little, I started my medication (eight injections a week) and decided to drive to California, take part in the Disney machine and drive home again all in 10 days.

No biggy! (Bwahahahaha). I am not doing it again though, I’ve been there and done that.

So this year I decided to step it up a notch, I am doing NaNoWriMo instead and I am writing a novel. The only rules, write a 50000+ word novel in November.

Word count so far: 10316 of 50000 –> so far, so good.

Any ideas for blog posts in November? Any questions for me?

MK xo
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Aren’t you happy Halloween is over? I’m not really a Halloween lover, it’s a lot of fuss for Candy. I do remember how much I loved it as a kid though, and I try not to be a ‘Scrooge’!

This year, I decided that the kids could be whatever they wanted, only rule … we weren’t buying any costumes or expensive supplies.

You saw Lizzy’s Headless Marie Antoinette (she won first place at school … YAY!). We did have to buy some spray foam and duct tape for this one, otherwise this was totally made from stuff around the house.

**EDIT: Lizzy’s Costume has been chosen as a finalist in the ScanDigital Halloween Photo Contest — to vote you just have to click on the ‘like’ link under the photo (it’s on facebook, so if you are a member there is no sign up … just one click) or go here: www.facebook.com/scandigital - Thank you! **

Sam decided to be a hobo. He did his own make up and used old clothing etc. I sewed some patches on his shirt for him.

His costume was inspired by one of my favourite bloggers –> Broke but Still Drinking. Read his blog, he is hilarious.

I was a hobo pretty much every Halloween of my childhood. Hmmm

Georgia as always was a little bit more difficult. For several weeks, she told anyone who would listen that she was going to be a ‘fashioner girl’. What exactly a ‘fashioner girl’ entails … we’ll never know. She changed her mind and decided to be a ‘witch with a dog’. Lizzy dug the witch dress and hat out of the dress up box for her on Friday for Sam’s school Halloween parade. It lasted about 3 minutes … she went ape-shit … apparently the witch dress is itchy and the hat covers her eyes. She went to the parade in an ‘I <3 NY’ tee and a ballerina tutu.

Halloween day she decided she’d be a black and white dog. That was fine, she had a clean pair of black pants and tshirt in her drawer and I planned to draw her a puppy face. Screw the ears, I was tired of her changing her mind.

Over supper, she started talking about how she was going to be a ‘girl who was scratched by a lion’. WTF!? Fine! Who am I to squash the dreams of a 4 year old diva child?

By this point, she was lucky I didn’t scratch her myself!

Her Dad took her trick or treating. I didn’t have the courage! Apparently she told the neighbours she was a ‘scar victim’.

Did I mention I am happy it’s over?

MK xo
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