Monday, December 20, 2010

Movies to put you in the mood…

…for Christmas, that is.

As Christmas draws closer it seems nearly every TV station is playing some holiday film or another. If you are like me and the hubby, you already own your favorites – or nearly all of them. I recently realized that there are a few classics that I would like to add to our DVD collection.

Some of my favorite holiday movies are, in no particular order:

  • Miracle on 34th Street
  • Holiday Inn
  • White Christmas
  • A Christmas Story
  • National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
  • A Charlie Brown Christmas
  • How the Grinch Stole Christmas
  • Nightmare before Christmas
  • The Grinch
  • Elf
  • Bad Santa

I just asked the hubby what his favorite Christmas movie was. There was no hesitation when he answered, “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”. This is not a surprise.

As you can probably tell, I’m not a huge fan of sappy holiday movies. You won’t find me glued to the television watching movies produced by Hallmark (sorry, Mom!). I much rather watch something that is going to make me laugh.

So tell me…What’s your favorite Christmas movie?

How I'm spending my Christmas vacation

With Christmas in less than a week, it should be no surprise that I’m in the holiday frame of mind. I’ve been feeling rather festive most of the month. Perhaps that is because we’ve had snow since December 1. While snow is expected in this part of the country, it is a bit unusual to have it snow nearly every day in December. See the pretty photo? That was taken on December 1st around 1 p.m. All of the snow is alright with me…as long as the roads are safe for those traveling.


I’m lucky enough to be off work for nine days. Yay! It’s nearly like when I was in school (or working in a college library) and had a winter break. While I’m looking forward to sleeping in a lot over the next week and a half, I also have a lot of plans for baking, candy making, celebrating and more. My holiday shopping has been pretty much complete for a few weeks now, and, as of today, I have all but one or two gifts wrapped. We didn’t put up our big tree this year. Instead I have a small tree set up on a TV tray in our entryway. The presents are mostly under it, so it looks quite festive.

I’ve been busy making cookie dough and candies. So far I’ve made batches of the following:
  • Loaded Oatmeal cookies
  • Chocolate Chip cookies
  • Peanut Butter cookies
  • Peanut Butter Blossoms (with both hugs and kisses)
  • Dark Chocolate Cherry Cordials
  • Chewy caramels
  • Chocolate covered caramels (homemade caramels, too!)
  • Chewy caramels with walnuts
  • Buckeyes
  • Fruit and Nut Clusters (with raisins, dried cherries, dried blueberries, dried cranberries and walnuts)
I still want to make the following:
  • Peanut butter fudge
  • Chocolate fudge
  • Chocolate covered maple and black walnut crèmes
  • Peppermint patties
  • Buckeyes (yes…more of those are needed)
  • Cranberry orange cookies
  • Chocolate covered pretzels
  • “Evil” brownies
  • Almond buttermilk cake with raspberry filling and almond butter cream frosting (for a friend's party)


I still need to bake the cookies as I’ve been making the dough and freezing it in balls. That way I can bake only what I need. Less temptation for me to eat all the deliciousness. Or so I like to think.

Of course, I can’t talk about all of these yummies without sharing a few photos. Enjoy! I know I have been…

Chocolate covered caramels


Buckeyes



Chewy caramels with walnuts (before being cut)


Dark chocolate cherry cordials

Friday, December 10, 2010

Holiday decorating

Decorate your home for the holidays using Gold Canyon products!


Non-Gold Canyon items:
  • Crushed sea shells (in Iron Votive Centerpiece Candle Holder)
  • smooth pebbles (in Iron Votive Centerpiece Candle Holder)
  • Red Ribbon
  • Fake evergreen branches

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

It really does look a lot like Christmas here. It has been snowing every day for the past week, placing a few inches of the white stuff on the ground. Looking at the weather forecast for our area, it doesn't appear to be stopping anytime soon.

I love snow. I really do. I don't like having to worry about the hubby being on the road, since he drives for a living, but I enjoy the beauty of a snow covered world.

Since it looks so holiday-esque outside, I've been listening to a local radio station that is playing Christmas music and singing and humming holiday songs as I go about my day.

Even though I've places to go, "Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!"

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Dear Maven - Powering Scentmates

Dear Maven,

I love my ScentMateTM but I go through batteries faster than I do in my kid’s toys! Can you tell me if this is normal or is there something wrong with my little buddy?


It sounds like you’re just like me—I “play” with my ScentMate constantly so it’s not surprising you are using up the batteries so quickly!

You have to think of it this way: The ScentMate is like your toy. Your kids play with their toys so much, so that’s why the batteries go kaput so quickly. It’s the same with your ScentMate. While it can be used for extended periods of time, the battery usage will be affected. The more you use it, the more often batteries need replaced. Simple, I know, but I wanted to spell it out for everyone :-)

Since you’re an avid user (yay you!) I suggest you purchase a USB connector or 3V power adapter at your local electronics store as an alternative power source if your ScentMate is used often or for extended periods of time. Save those batteries for when you really need them and can’t use an outlet.

I also would like to mention, if you have customers looking for a product that they can use for extended periods of time, without the need for battery replacement, I have your answer—Scent Pods & Warmers are a wonderful alternative!

And … If customers are looking for a product that can be used for extended periods of time with little maintenance (i.e. turning it on and off) Diffusers are great and last 3-5 months.

Wow, the Suddenly Scented® product line really offers a variety of unlit fragrance options based on customer needs—I love that! I know your customers will too, so make sure to let them know their options and let them have fun choosing!

Always havin’ fun,

Maven

Dear Maven is a column in our monthly demonstrator’s newsletters. I have not written any of these articles, but am sharing them here for your information.

Friday, December 3, 2010

GOLD CANYON YEAR END 2010

GOLD CANYON YEAR END 2010

ITEMS BEING DISCONTINUED ON DECEMBER 31,2010

Pg. 9 – Snowflurries Luminary Pg. 12 – Pumpkin Patch Warmer

Pg. 13 – Candy Twist Warmer Pg. 15 – Black Candle Stick Warmer

Pg. 16 – Patchwork Warmer

Pg. 19 – Scent Pod Scents – Amber & Vintage Bouquet, Candy Corn, Cinnamon Garland, Citrus Garden Herb, Coconut Lime Verbena, Cotton Splash, Cozy Cabin, Cozy Christmas, Currant, Days of Christmas, Fresh Denim, Gingerbread House, Grapefruit Splash, Heather & Hyancinth, Jasmine, Juicy Pear, Living Room, Marigold, Mint Mocha, Peppermint Bark, Pool Towel, Powder & Violet Fleur, Refresh, Revitalize, Rose, Serenity, Sleigh Ride, Sprice & Citrus, Sunrise Tangelo, Vanilla, Vanilla Latte, Warm Welcome, White Sage & Rose Noir, Woods & Vanilla Romantique

Pg. 21 – ALL Bookmarks
Pg. 21 – Linen Scents – Awaken, Harmony, Pool Towel, Quiet Moments, Rose, Sensual, Sweet Pea
Pg. 21 – Room Spray – Harmony, Pillow Talk, Quiet Moments, Relaxing, Sensual, Spruce & Citrus, Warm Apple Crisp
Pg. 21 – Auto Freshners – Cinnamon, Fresh Denim, Fresh Orange, Pillow Talk, Pomegranate, Pool Towel

Pg. 25 – Homeology – Eco Shopper, Cleanse, Leaf Tray

Pg. 27-29 – Emerge – Body Crème, Body Polish, Give yourself a Hand, Bare Necessities

Pg. 30 – Bella Scents – Apple Spice, Birthday Cake, Cinnamon, Cozy Cabin, Cozy Christmas

Pg. 35 – Boutique Chic – Amber & Vintage Bouquet, Powder & Violet Fleur, White Sage & Rose Noir, Woods & Vanilla Romantique

Pg. 36 – Coffee House – Mint Mocha, Vanilla Latte

Pg. 39 – Candles For Kids – Apple Of My Eye, No More Sniffles

Pg. 40 – Comforts of Home Line

Pg. 44 – Heritage Scents – Heather & Hyacinth, Jasmine, Marigold, Rose, Cotton Splash, Fresh Denim, Cozy Christmas, Christmas Presence, Currant, Days of Christmas, Orange Mango, Orange Vanilla, Pink Lemonade Spritzer, Sunrise Tangelo, Cinnamon Garland, Cozy Cabin, King’s Myrrh, Sleigh Ride, Sprice & Citrus, Water Garden, Gingerbread House, Mrs. Claus’s Kitchen, Peppermint Bark, Tangerine & Spice

Pg 46 – Tealight Scents – Apple Spice, Birthday Cake, Cedar Woods, Citrus Garden Herb, Cobbler on the porch, Cozy Christmas, Cranberry Orange, Fabulous Fudge Brownie, Fresh Orange, Holiday Wreath, Mulled Cider, Pineapple Coast, Quiet Moments, Sparkling Apricot, Vanilla Latte, Warm Apple Crisp, Warm Welcome, White Sage & Rose Noir, Woods & Vanilla Romantique

Pg. 47 – Votive Scents – Apple Spice, Cinnamon, Cozy Christmas, Fresh Orange, Lilac, Love Struck, Pumpkin Pie, Sleigh ride, Sugar Cookie

Pg. 50 – Breast Cancer Awareness – Pink Sugar Cookie

Pg. 52 – Boo! Fragrance Line Pg. 54 – Jolliday Fragrance Line

Pg. 55 – Mystyle Seasonal Labels – Fall/Holiday Pg. 56 – Winter Splendor Fragrances

Pg. 58 – Sparkle Jack-O-Lantern Pg. 61 – Autumn Leaves Candle Wrap

Pg. 62 – Antiqued Wire Basket, Mini Autumn Turkey Pg. 63 – Artisan Glass & Iron Server

Pg. 64 & 65 – Red Dazzlewrap Beads, Swizzle Candy Columns, Whimsy Tealight Columns

Pg. 66 – Squared Crystal Votives

Pg. 68 & 69 – Snow Shimmer Tray, Tealight Snow Bell, Jeweled Candle Ring, Snowfall Luminary

Pg. 70 & 71 – Snowflake Twinkle Tie, Gilded Fleur De Lis

Pg. 73 – Birthday Delights


Orders for any of the items being discontinued must be received by December 31st! I recommend ordering ASAP to ensure availability!

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Buying Books

It's December (!!), which means the holiday frenzy has started. Looking for some wonderful gift ideas? Check out this blog post by MotherReader: 105 Ways to Give a Book.

I am proud to admit that I am the giver of books as presents. My two cousins who are 20+ years younger than me and my nieces and nephews have often received books for birthday and Christmas gifts. This year I will be giving books to seven of the thirteen people I'm purchase gifts for. I know this as I have most of my holiday shopping already completed. (please refrain from throwing stuff at me...unless you are throwing money or gift cards).