September 3rd, 2010
Want to feel as relaxed as a strand of “al dente” spaghetti?
Listen to music! 
Yesterday I was working on a jewelry order and decided to load the CD player instead of turning on the radio. I chose a very varied selection of genres from rock to classical to pop to easy listening. By the time, I finished beading, I was feeling incredibly relaxed and refreshed!
Of course we all know that music is good for you. It’s a well-established fact. There are even quotes about it. You’re probably familiar with the old expression: “Music soothes the savage beast”. (The original quote is “Music has charms to soothe a savage breast.” (spoken by “Almeria” in Act I of The Mourning Bride by English poet William Congreve.)
But after my experience yesterday, I decided to delve further and was interested to learn of recent studies, which suggest that music has an intense effect on both body and mind. Some hospitals are even using “music therapy” as an aid in healing. The benefits include lowering blood pressure, boosting immunity and easing muscle tension. With those attributes, no wonder music can be an important tool to help the body stay or become healthy!
If you’re looking for something different next time you buy a CD, try Linda Ronstadt’s “Cry like a Rainstorm – Howl like the Wind”. The duets with Aaron Neville, alone, are worth the price. I just played it and I’m feeling oh so “al dente” right now – awake but very relaxed. 
Is there a CD you’d recommend to the rest of us that either helps you relax… or never fails to brighten your day?
Have a delightful weekend, Kids! Since Monday is a holiday, I’ll see you bright and early on Tuesday. 
Hugs,
Tags: music soothes, music therapy, Refresh and Revive, relax to music, Relaxation
Posted in Refresh and Revive | 5 Comments »
September 2nd, 2010
Remember a couple of months ago when I showed you these?
I had whipped them up one evening as I was delaying waiting to make dinner. I called the post Playing Hooky and you can find it here.
Since then, they’ve acquired a few new friends….
I plan to make a pillow – I’ve even bought the pillow form – but I still need to make the reverse side.
At the same time, I’m working on a coordinating pillow that, believe it or not, will be round when it’s finished!
This summer has been a little on the warm side to have yarn on my lap, but there’s nothing like a cool autumn evening to squeeze in a little relaxation . . . and knit or crochet or do anything else you think is fun!
Smiles,
Tags: autumn, Crafts, Creativity, crochet, granny squares, knitting, purple, Relaxation, throw pillows
Posted in Crafts | 6 Comments »
September 1st, 2010
Oh, oh! It’s September 1st and you know what that means…. (Drum roll, please!)
It will be all new posts, all the time, here at Bead Happily Ever After.
Thank heaven! I was getting tired of her summer re-runs.
But to be serious for a second, I want to thank you for sticking it out through the summer months, when I had a mixture of new posts and repeats.
It was definitely a learning experience for me. I really thought that writing 2 new posts and using 3 old posts per week, would give me a little break from writing. I discovered that I actually spent as much, or more time, searching through the old posts to select something (that would be new for as many of you as possible), and then also writing the intro for each repeated post.
Hey, live and learn. Wouldn’t ya think I’d have learned by now, though? Some of you did try to tell me….
Well, on this first day of September – here’s to you, Sweet Kids!
I’m ready to return to a regular schedule and a new season of fun, sharing, and laughs. Hope you’ll be along for the ride.
Hugs,
Tags: back to business, fall season, new beginnings, vacation's over
Posted in Midweek Scribbles | 6 Comments »
August 31st, 2010
Hang on, Kids!
Crystal can’t complain about the heat too much longer.
Can she???
Actually, it’s the drone of the air conditioner that’s getting to me at the moment. (I do know I am lucky to have an a/c!)
Anyway, we’re in the middle of a 4-day span of temperatures in the 90’s here, and I think I’ll make up a “new” old-saying.
“When the going gets hot …. the hot try to distract themselves – maybe with something cute and funny?”
Click here for an old Friday Favorites post which might give you a giggle or two!
Hugs,
Tags: beat the heat, children's poems, gelett burgess, heatwave, humor, The Goops
Posted in Summer Series | 7 Comments »
August 30th, 2010
Hi Kids,
Hope you enjoyed the weekend. We had a party!
I’ve mentioned that my Mum and Dad have their 60th wedding anniversary coming up soon (Sept. 2nd).
Because it will fall on a weekday, we had the celebration on Saturday (which coincidentally is the date I married Sir Beads way back when.) But, this year, Aug. 28th belonged to Mum and Dad!
Our daughter hosted a lovely party in her sweet little home. We couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful summer day! There was good food, lots of laughter, and much love. How blessed we all felt to be able to share such a special occasion! The memory will surely be etched in our hearts, forever.
There was a cake, of course! It was decorated with hydrangeas, one of my parents’ favorite flowers. The blue/violet blooms remind them of Cape Cod.
The clear baubles you see above are acrylic “diamonds’! LOL Since the 60th is the diamond anniversary, these plastic sparklers were playfully strewn on tables throughout the room.
And it appears that 60 years of marriage can be good for one’s health! Can you believe they are 84 and 80 years old? And isn’t it sweet that he has his arm around her as they are about to cut the cake?
After 60 years, 6 kids, and 11 grandkids, they’re still smiling.
The day flew by, but there was a treat to take home!
We ordered the cutest little cupcakes – each with miniature hydrangeas on top. (I wonder how many of them actually made it all the way home!)
Hugs,
Tags: 60th Wedding Anniversary, counting your blessings, family celebrations, making memories
Posted in Circle of Life | 11 Comments »
