“No act of kindness,
no matter how small,
is ever wasted.”
~ Aesop
“No act of kindness,
no matter how small,
is ever wasted.”
~ Aesop
“He who would learn
to fly one day
must first learn to stand
and walk and run and climb
and dance;
one cannot fly into flying.”
~ Friedrich Nietzsche
“And now we welcome
the new year.
Full of things that
have never been.”
~ Rainer Maria Rilke
“The new year stands before us,
like a chapter in a book,
waiting to be written.
We can help write that story
by setting goals.”
~ Melody Beattie
“Christmas is joy,
religious joy,
an inner joy of
light and peace.”
~ Pope Francis
“He who has not
Christmas in his heart
will never find it
under a tree.”
~ Roy L. Smith
“Beaulieu” Mansion Reflects History in Beltline District of Calgary, Canada! Surrounding the historic Lougheed House in the heart of Calgary is the magnificently terraced landscape of the formal Beaulieu Gardens. It’s almost as though the prestigious mansion sits atop a pedestal of majestic affluence on 2.8 acres for all to see. Marble staircases, swan fountain, and winding walkways invite peace and tranquility. The Victorian home is a national treasure with its attention to detail in its rustic sandstone, elaborate stained glass windows, embellished hardware, Spanish mahogany walls, stately hardwood flooring, and ambient lighting. Without a doubt, this elegant mansion entertained on a grande scale as the hub for society. Self-guided tours are encouraged and guests are invited to dine on contemporary cuisine in a delightful atmosphere.
When a fellow blogger encouraged me to share my love of gift-wrapping in a “How To” post on my blog, I couldn’t resist! Supplies are simple: satin ribbons, decorative boxes, colorful berries, gift tags, quirky embellishments, and framed photographs. Put them all together and you have a captivating gift-wrapped package that will have your friends and family adoring its beauty rather than trying to sneak a peek inside. Place the the gifts under the Christmas tree or on the fireplace hearth to spread excitement as well as anticipation of an upcoming event. Decorated packages become “Instant Décor”. Interesting boxes can be found anywhere all year long. Often greeting cards, scented candles, exotic fragrances, and luxury beauty products are packaged in unique and vibrant boxes. It’s a shame to discard them after opening when you can go “green” and give them a facelift as a phenomenal package for someone else. Satin ribbon is classy and elegant, in my opinion. Choose polka dots, geometrics, or muted tones. Make single or multiple bows. Angle cut the ends to create a nice finish. Incorporate any embellishment such as a sprig of rosemary, a pine cone, a branch of holly, or an interesting ornament. Let your creativity shine! Sometimes I attach a gift tag, other times I take a snapshot of the recipient and put it in a miniature frame. Who doesn’t love seeing photos? Afterwards, the frames hang on the tree as memorable ornaments. Just be sure to include the date on the back for reminiscing years later. Whatever you design, have fun and be creative. Anything goes!
“There will always be a desire
for something new,
fresh, and innovative,
as well as a yearning
and respect for timeless
elegance and beauty.”
~ Helena Christensen