Okay, I'll admit it...this isn't so much a post as it is a blatant attempt to get people to visit my t-shirt store. So, please check it out. This is my latest St. Patty's Day design...I am quite a bit Irish after all.
Friday, February 8, 2008
My latest St. Patrick's Day T-shirt
Okay, I'll admit it...this isn't so much a post as it is a blatant attempt to get people to visit my t-shirt store. So, please check it out. This is my latest St. Patty's Day design...I am quite a bit Irish after all.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Great foohttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifd in New Orleans!
There is so much good food in the New Orleans area, we couldn't possible sample it all on our short visit. The Jazz and Heritage Festival itself is a great place for not only music, but local food. It's a great place to get a sampling of Cajun, creole, everything!! If you go, try the Seafood Monica, Jambalaya, a po boy sandwich, crawfish bread (my personal favorite!), and of course you have to have some crawfish!
The restaurants in New Orleans welcome your business! We went to Emeril's Delmonico, his original restaurant, and it was very nice. Pretty fancy and good food, the bathrooms alone are worth the visit...they're beautiful!
My favorite restaurant of all was K-Paul's Kitchen. We did not have a reservation, and the hosts' were very accomodating! I tasted flavors I never knew existed before! They had muffins of all dif. flavors that just melted in my mouth! Everything we had was fabulous, The fish was delicious, the pasta devine, the salad, fresh and original. I would say this was the best meal I have ever eaten in my life. We even walked back to peek in the kitchen, and (even though they were very, very busy), the cooks welcomed us, told us to come in and let us take a photo with them. I have never felt so welcome in any restaurant, let alone a busy one on a Friday night! I really can't say enough about this place, I was blown away!!!
The other thing I had for the first time while in New Orleans, was a Beneit. I think that's how you spell it. They were SO fabulous, I made my husband go back and get more to take to the hotel. We found them in a little place right on Bourbon street, where they had live outdoor music playing. They also have them at the Cafe du Monde near the French Market. I was so pleased to find a box of mix from Cafe' du Monde at my local World Market, and I made them, and they are almost as good as they were down there. They're kind of like square, deep fried donuts, really fluffy, crunchy on the outside and covered in powdered sugar. My mouth waters just thinking about them!
We ate at a few other places along Bourbon Street. It was all pretty good. Bourbon Street is really a party area, and the farther down you go on Bourbon, the more raunchy it gets. There's a Larry Flint place, and a few "strip clubs" way down, and we saw a lot of women hanging around outside of those, flashing their goods to get people to come in. Not really family oriented, but during the day it was fun to look around.
When we were in New Orleans, we had a hard time deciding what to do, there was just so much to chose from. One thing we did was go to a cathedral downtown (beautiful), they had a display of some mosaics that had previously only been seen at the Vatican. It was beautiful! I'm sure it's probably back at the Vatican, but if you ever get the chance, you should check it out. We also did a lot of walking, and there were some really cool art shops just a few blocks off of Bourbon Street, with everything from original paintings and sculptures, to shops selling reasonably priced prints. Some very cool shops, and again, the shop owners were very glad to see us.
One night after dinner we took a cab to a casino near the river. I'm not much of a gambler, but I'm really glad I went, just because it was such a spectacular site! It was really, really, beautiful! I've been to casinos before, but this was just so cool. They had a jazz band going around doing that whole jazz funeral thing...it was neat.
We spend our last day down by the French Market, looking for souvenirs. This was the place to go. Good shops, again, great food, and a lot of places to buy inexpensive souvenirs.
It was really, really hot when we went. But we had a great time!
The Jazz and Heritage Fest itself was incredible! I heard some of the best music ever. We saw Marcia Ball, fabulous! Eddie Bo, Tab Beniot, the Sub Dudes, all WONDERFUL! I can't even remember all the musicians there. I know we didn't get to see everyone we wanted to. I would definately go to Jazz fest all three days (or both weekends), if I could. And plan out who you want to see. And take a hat and some sunscreen! The Jazz Fest seemed to be a really good place for families or singles, just a real mix. Everyone was friendly and having fun. There were booths set up everywhere with food, t-shirts, souvenirs! Be sure to wear some good walking shoes, you will do a lot of walking in New Orleans! And of course, you have to take the Trolley! Our hotel, the Maison St. Charles, on St. Charles, was a great place to stay. The trolley usually runs right down St. Charles in front of there, but it wasn't operating due to the damage caused by the hurricane. Most of the other trolleys were working, though, so you really should take one. To get to the fest, we took a trolley ($1.25 I think) right to the park where the fest was from the main street. Some people were paying $10. to take a shuttle bus! Anyway, our hotel had a nice free breakfast by the pool every morning! And the pool was small, but good, they had a whirlpool as well. The courtyards at the hotel were nice to sit out at. The people at the hotel were SO NICE and helpful! Rooms were older, but clean and charming. I would stay there again! Did I mention it's right across the street from Emeril's Delmonico restaurant?
I wish I could remember everything else we did and saw, it was a very busy vacation! I would recommend going to New Orleans to anyone looking for a vacation. Especially if you love food and music! On the last note, a was a bit worried about safety, but we found as long as we stayed in main tourist areas, we were fine. So, just use common sense and you should be fine!
Remember...where comfortable walking shoes!!
Check out one of my New Orleans t-shirt designs here
And of course, I must mention the best radio station ever...because we won the fabulous trip to New Orleans from my fav and yours... 1055. Triple M, Madison Wisconsin...it's about the music!
The restaurants in New Orleans welcome your business! We went to Emeril's Delmonico, his original restaurant, and it was very nice. Pretty fancy and good food, the bathrooms alone are worth the visit...they're beautiful!
My favorite restaurant of all was K-Paul's Kitchen. We did not have a reservation, and the hosts' were very accomodating! I tasted flavors I never knew existed before! They had muffins of all dif. flavors that just melted in my mouth! Everything we had was fabulous, The fish was delicious, the pasta devine, the salad, fresh and original. I would say this was the best meal I have ever eaten in my life. We even walked back to peek in the kitchen, and (even though they were very, very busy), the cooks welcomed us, told us to come in and let us take a photo with them. I have never felt so welcome in any restaurant, let alone a busy one on a Friday night! I really can't say enough about this place, I was blown away!!!
The other thing I had for the first time while in New Orleans, was a Beneit. I think that's how you spell it. They were SO fabulous, I made my husband go back and get more to take to the hotel. We found them in a little place right on Bourbon street, where they had live outdoor music playing. They also have them at the Cafe du Monde near the French Market. I was so pleased to find a box of mix from Cafe' du Monde at my local World Market, and I made them, and they are almost as good as they were down there. They're kind of like square, deep fried donuts, really fluffy, crunchy on the outside and covered in powdered sugar. My mouth waters just thinking about them!
We ate at a few other places along Bourbon Street. It was all pretty good. Bourbon Street is really a party area, and the farther down you go on Bourbon, the more raunchy it gets. There's a Larry Flint place, and a few "strip clubs" way down, and we saw a lot of women hanging around outside of those, flashing their goods to get people to come in. Not really family oriented, but during the day it was fun to look around.
When we were in New Orleans, we had a hard time deciding what to do, there was just so much to chose from. One thing we did was go to a cathedral downtown (beautiful), they had a display of some mosaics that had previously only been seen at the Vatican. It was beautiful! I'm sure it's probably back at the Vatican, but if you ever get the chance, you should check it out. We also did a lot of walking, and there were some really cool art shops just a few blocks off of Bourbon Street, with everything from original paintings and sculptures, to shops selling reasonably priced prints. Some very cool shops, and again, the shop owners were very glad to see us.
One night after dinner we took a cab to a casino near the river. I'm not much of a gambler, but I'm really glad I went, just because it was such a spectacular site! It was really, really, beautiful! I've been to casinos before, but this was just so cool. They had a jazz band going around doing that whole jazz funeral thing...it was neat.
We spend our last day down by the French Market, looking for souvenirs. This was the place to go. Good shops, again, great food, and a lot of places to buy inexpensive souvenirs.
It was really, really hot when we went. But we had a great time!
The Jazz and Heritage Fest itself was incredible! I heard some of the best music ever. We saw Marcia Ball, fabulous! Eddie Bo, Tab Beniot, the Sub Dudes, all WONDERFUL! I can't even remember all the musicians there. I know we didn't get to see everyone we wanted to. I would definately go to Jazz fest all three days (or both weekends), if I could. And plan out who you want to see. And take a hat and some sunscreen! The Jazz Fest seemed to be a really good place for families or singles, just a real mix. Everyone was friendly and having fun. There were booths set up everywhere with food, t-shirts, souvenirs! Be sure to wear some good walking shoes, you will do a lot of walking in New Orleans! And of course, you have to take the Trolley! Our hotel, the Maison St. Charles, on St. Charles, was a great place to stay. The trolley usually runs right down St. Charles in front of there, but it wasn't operating due to the damage caused by the hurricane. Most of the other trolleys were working, though, so you really should take one. To get to the fest, we took a trolley ($1.25 I think) right to the park where the fest was from the main street. Some people were paying $10. to take a shuttle bus! Anyway, our hotel had a nice free breakfast by the pool every morning! And the pool was small, but good, they had a whirlpool as well. The courtyards at the hotel were nice to sit out at. The people at the hotel were SO NICE and helpful! Rooms were older, but clean and charming. I would stay there again! Did I mention it's right across the street from Emeril's Delmonico restaurant?
I wish I could remember everything else we did and saw, it was a very busy vacation! I would recommend going to New Orleans to anyone looking for a vacation. Especially if you love food and music! On the last note, a was a bit worried about safety, but we found as long as we stayed in main tourist areas, we were fine. So, just use common sense and you should be fine!
Remember...where comfortable walking shoes!!
Check out one of my New Orleans t-shirt designs here
And of course, I must mention the best radio station ever...because we won the fabulous trip to New Orleans from my fav and yours... 1055. Triple M, Madison Wisconsin...it's about the music!
Sunday, January 27, 2008
A cool idea!
Well,
this weekend I went to see Martina McBride in concert. It was incredible! She puts on an incredible show, and she has a wonderful voice. If you ever have the chance to see her in concert, I highly recommend it!
Well, I am starting a Weight Watchers online program today. My goal is to lose 20 pounds, we'll see how it goes. I'm not super motivated, but hopefully that will change. Not sure how, but I need to find some motivation! Wish me luck!
On another note, I came across this fabulous site with beautiful tile murals...you must check it out! I really can't explain it, but if you are planning on doing any remodeling or decorating, this could be just what you're looking for!
tilemurals">Check out these beautiful tile murals!
And, as always, I encourage you to check out my t-shirt design store. I have a lot of political yard signs, buttons, t-shirts, sweatshirts, onsies, bibs, hats, magnets, and lots more! Don't forget to get your St. Patrick's Day items! Creativethoughttshirts.com
this weekend I went to see Martina McBride in concert. It was incredible! She puts on an incredible show, and she has a wonderful voice. If you ever have the chance to see her in concert, I highly recommend it!
Well, I am starting a Weight Watchers online program today. My goal is to lose 20 pounds, we'll see how it goes. I'm not super motivated, but hopefully that will change. Not sure how, but I need to find some motivation! Wish me luck!
On another note, I came across this fabulous site with beautiful tile murals...you must check it out! I really can't explain it, but if you are planning on doing any remodeling or decorating, this could be just what you're looking for!
tilemurals">Check out these beautiful tile murals!
And, as always, I encourage you to check out my t-shirt design store. I have a lot of political yard signs, buttons, t-shirts, sweatshirts, onsies, bibs, hats, magnets, and lots more! Don't forget to get your St. Patrick's Day items! Creativethoughttshirts.com
Thursday, January 17, 2008
McDonald's-love the fries, hate my thighs
So, the Center for Commercial Free Childhood sent me a great update...see below!
"Thanks to the efforts of CCFC members, McDonald's has ended its controversial report card advertising in Seminole County, Florida. Children in kindergarten through fifth-grade had been receiving their report cards in envelopes adorned with Ronald McDonald promising a free Happy Meal to students with good grades, behavior, or attendance. CCFC was alerted to the advertising by Seminole County parent Susan Pagan and launched a campaign which resulted in nearly 2,000 letters to McDonald's and plenty of bad publicity for the fast food giant. The following is CCFC's statement on the McDonald's decision to end the program.
This is a good day for parents and children in Seminole County and anyone who believes that corporations should not prey on children in schools. We are pleased that McDonald's is listening to parents all over the country who believe that report cards should not be commercialized.
In the absence of needed government regulation to protect schoolchildren from predatory companies like McDonald's, the burden is on parents to be vigilant about exploitative marketing aimed at children. One parent can make a difference. There is no doubt that the Seminole County ads would have continued - and violated McDonald's pledge to stop advertising in elementary schools - had one parent not called attention to the problem. And when that parent was joined by other parents and CCFC members, one of our nation's largest corporations was forced to back down. What we accomplished in Seminole County should put all marketers on notice: advertising has no place in our nation's schools.
Thanks so much to all of you who took the time to write to McDonald's. Those of you who wish to acknowledge McDonald's decision to pull the branded report cards can email Kathleen Pyle, McDonald's director of family and kids marketing, at Kathleen.Pyle@us.mcd.com.
Working together, we can reclaim childhood from corporate marketers.
The Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood.
www.commercialfreechildhood.org
Support CCFC. We rely on our members because we will not compromise our commitment to children by accepting corporate funding. To make a tax-free contribution, please visit http://www.commercialfreechildhood.org/donate/"
Now, I LOVE McDonald's french fries...fresh, hot, salty...they are one of my favorite things in the whole world! You can tell by the size of my thighs, I like fries!
But, I don't think they should sneak their corporate brainwashing techniques into elementary schools! Or any schools for that matter!
Anyway, good for the Campaign for Commercial Free Childhood, be sure to check out their website.
So, my t-shirt selling biz is going pretty well. I sold my first dog t-shirt! Someone bought a Barack Obama t-shirt for themselves, and a matching one for their dog! Yeah! I think that's pretty cool. I really like designing the t-shirts, coffee mugs, etcetera, but trying to figure out the SEO and marketing stuff is making my brain hurt.
It's really a lot more difficult than I thought. And, as it's January and no more Christmas sales...it's a little discouraging right now, not tons of sales. But I'll keep plugging away. I purchased my own domain name and site, separate from CafePress through cpshops, but linked to my CafePress shop. I can supposedly do a lot more with it, but it's scripted, using Perl program, and I am totally lost trying to figure it out right now. Perhaps I bit off more than I can chew, as they say. Anyway, check out my new site, and feel free to pass the link on to your friends! http://www.creativethoughttshirts.com
"Thanks to the efforts of CCFC members, McDonald's has ended its controversial report card advertising in Seminole County, Florida. Children in kindergarten through fifth-grade had been receiving their report cards in envelopes adorned with Ronald McDonald promising a free Happy Meal to students with good grades, behavior, or attendance. CCFC was alerted to the advertising by Seminole County parent Susan Pagan and launched a campaign which resulted in nearly 2,000 letters to McDonald's and plenty of bad publicity for the fast food giant. The following is CCFC's statement on the McDonald's decision to end the program.
This is a good day for parents and children in Seminole County and anyone who believes that corporations should not prey on children in schools. We are pleased that McDonald's is listening to parents all over the country who believe that report cards should not be commercialized.
In the absence of needed government regulation to protect schoolchildren from predatory companies like McDonald's, the burden is on parents to be vigilant about exploitative marketing aimed at children. One parent can make a difference. There is no doubt that the Seminole County ads would have continued - and violated McDonald's pledge to stop advertising in elementary schools - had one parent not called attention to the problem. And when that parent was joined by other parents and CCFC members, one of our nation's largest corporations was forced to back down. What we accomplished in Seminole County should put all marketers on notice: advertising has no place in our nation's schools.
Thanks so much to all of you who took the time to write to McDonald's. Those of you who wish to acknowledge McDonald's decision to pull the branded report cards can email Kathleen Pyle, McDonald's director of family and kids marketing, at Kathleen.Pyle@us.mcd.com.
Working together, we can reclaim childhood from corporate marketers.
The Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood.
www.commercialfreechildhood.org
Support CCFC. We rely on our members because we will not compromise our commitment to children by accepting corporate funding. To make a tax-free contribution, please visit http://www.commercialfreechildhood.org/donate/"
Now, I LOVE McDonald's french fries...fresh, hot, salty...they are one of my favorite things in the whole world! You can tell by the size of my thighs, I like fries!
But, I don't think they should sneak their corporate brainwashing techniques into elementary schools! Or any schools for that matter!
Anyway, good for the Campaign for Commercial Free Childhood, be sure to check out their website.
So, my t-shirt selling biz is going pretty well. I sold my first dog t-shirt! Someone bought a Barack Obama t-shirt for themselves, and a matching one for their dog! Yeah! I think that's pretty cool. I really like designing the t-shirts, coffee mugs, etcetera, but trying to figure out the SEO and marketing stuff is making my brain hurt.
It's really a lot more difficult than I thought. And, as it's January and no more Christmas sales...it's a little discouraging right now, not tons of sales. But I'll keep plugging away. I purchased my own domain name and site, separate from CafePress through cpshops, but linked to my CafePress shop. I can supposedly do a lot more with it, but it's scripted, using Perl program, and I am totally lost trying to figure it out right now. Perhaps I bit off more than I can chew, as they say. Anyway, check out my new site, and feel free to pass the link on to your friends! http://www.creativethoughttshirts.com
Monday, January 7, 2008
Brittney, Elections, campaigning,Cafe Press Store
So,
The campaigns are driving me nuts.
Oh, maybe it's just the press. I'm sick of it all.
Obama, not so impressed with him the more I hear him and see him.
Hillary...way sick of her...not buying it. McCain is my man so far, but I'm still pretty undecided.
Come visit my store on CafePress!
Oh, and Brittany Spears? For Heaven's sake, somebody help her. And not in Hollywood, or on national television. Does she have anyone who really loves her??? If so, could they please help her? It is really sad to see what she's doing to herself.
I will say a prayer for these people and our country.
That's all I can do right now. I'm tired.
The campaigns are driving me nuts.
Oh, maybe it's just the press. I'm sick of it all.
Obama, not so impressed with him the more I hear him and see him.
Hillary...way sick of her...not buying it. McCain is my man so far, but I'm still pretty undecided.
Come visit my store on CafePress!
Oh, and Brittany Spears? For Heaven's sake, somebody help her. And not in Hollywood, or on national television. Does she have anyone who really loves her??? If so, could they please help her? It is really sad to see what she's doing to herself.
I will say a prayer for these people and our country.
That's all I can do right now. I'm tired.
Friday, December 28, 2007
Christmas vacation
Well, Christmas is pretty much over. All that remains is the Visa bill, the wrapping paper, and the calories! We ate way too much, at least I did, no wonder everyone's favorite resolution for New Years is to lose weight. Maybe I'll do Weight Watchers again. I had lost 20 pounds through Weight Watchers, but I put it all back on over the last two years, and then some.
The kids are going stir crazy. I think I need to force them to spend time outside playing in the snow. How sad is that!? Obviously, we have too much stuff. Sometimes I think we just need to disconnect from computers, tv, video games, etc., and re-connect with each other. I wonder if we could go a week without all the electronics...I should try it with my family. (To be truthful, I don't know if I could do it. What with having an online store...www.cafepress.com/creativethought. I mean, I do need to check on it.)
Maybe I'll try it. Maybe we should try the first week of January to go tv, video game free for a week...hmmm. I'll definately think about it and let you know how it goes.
My hope for the holidays is that there would be peace in the world. I know, it sounds corny, but seriously, the world is such a messed up place. I get stressed just thinking about it. I realize how lucky I am to live in the United States of America, and I know I am truly blessed, not with material things, but with freedoms that so many people take for granted. I just wish the world would evolve and we could all just get along. Wasn't that a song?
The kids are going stir crazy. I think I need to force them to spend time outside playing in the snow. How sad is that!? Obviously, we have too much stuff. Sometimes I think we just need to disconnect from computers, tv, video games, etc., and re-connect with each other. I wonder if we could go a week without all the electronics...I should try it with my family. (To be truthful, I don't know if I could do it. What with having an online store...www.cafepress.com/creativethought. I mean, I do need to check on it.)
Maybe I'll try it. Maybe we should try the first week of January to go tv, video game free for a week...hmmm. I'll definately think about it and let you know how it goes.
My hope for the holidays is that there would be peace in the world. I know, it sounds corny, but seriously, the world is such a messed up place. I get stressed just thinking about it. I realize how lucky I am to live in the United States of America, and I know I am truly blessed, not with material things, but with freedoms that so many people take for granted. I just wish the world would evolve and we could all just get along. Wasn't that a song?
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Sunday Mornings
Sunday mornings are the best! To wake up to a fresh blanket of snow, and look out over the back field behind our house, watching the occasional squirrel run along our white wooden fence, and the little bird house with about 2 inches of snow piled on top...and we are safe inside. Warm, cozy, together with a family I love, makes me realize how lucky I am, how much I have to be thankful for. I don't know if it's the holidays getting closer, or the fresh snow, or my husband making me breakfast, or my son giggling, but somehow things just seem very precious on a Sunday morning. Maybe because we don't get that many of these days together. It is wonderful!
Don't forget to check out my online store, I've got lots of great stocking stuffers!
Thursday, December 6, 2007
MySpace
So, I suppose I should put a link to my MySpace page here...
http://www.myspace.com/creativethoughtmom
Can't seem to get the link to show up...not sure why, check it out, though
myspace.com/creativethoughtmom
I'm pretty new at the MySpace thing and it's hard to figure everything out (cause I'm old?), but it seems pretty cool. I wish I had more time to figure everything in the world out. I guess we all probably feel that way about a lot of things. And we all get the same amount of hours in a day..
So I should remember to do my best and be happy with all the time I've been given. None of us is promised a tomorrow.
On a lighter note, here's a new design I've sold a few of...
http://www.cafepress.com/creativethought.173235497
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