almost there!

well september 1 is just right around the corner, and then we are just three weeks away from the autumn season (officially).

i have some craft supplies ready for one set of craft gifts, and i really need to get baking again. right now, my baked goods baskets will only contain gluten free cranberry orange scones and gluten free chocolate cupcakes. i would like to add an iced sugar cookie if it is possible, and definitely some sort of chocolate truffle. of course we shall see what it comes down to at the end of the season.

aloha friday

it's aloha friday, and i was reading my hawaii magazine this morning on the train.

i think i found what would be a great christmas gift - the gift the would make any nature and music lover so very happy, and one that gives back as well.

from the national marine sanctuary foundation:

Four-time Grammy Award winner Daniel Ho, singer-songwriter Jack Johnson, and ki-ho‘alu master Kawika Kahiapo are just a few of Hawaii’s finest musicians to collaborate on a new CD dedicated to ocean conservation. Kai Palaoa honors Hawaii’s deep and ancient connection to the ocean and encourages others to help protect and conserve its special treasures. Kai Palaoa was made possible through the support of the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation through the Ernest F. Hollings Ocean Awareness Trust Fund.

The 11-track album features a number of Hawaii’s top artists; some of whom created original composition specifically for the CD. Joining Ho, Kahiapo and Johnson on the musical compilation are The Makaha Sons, Tia Carrere, Kawaikapuokalani Hewett, Pali, Herb Ohta, Jr., George Kahumoku, Jr., Steve Sano and Kaukahi. All of the musicians donated their work and time to raise awareness of the importance of Hawaii’s ocean resources and the need to protect them.

“Kai Palaoa, in the poetic form of the Hawaiian language, means the place where two currents meet,” said Naomi McIntosh, superintendent of the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale Sanctuary, which also provided support for the CD. “It is this definition that inspired this musical compilation, with the goal of supporting education for the future of our ‘One Ocean’ that connects us all.”

[source: http://store.nmsfocean.org/Kai_Paloa_p/kaipalaoa09.htm]

on the web, information about the hawaiian islands humpback whales marine sanctuary can be found here: http://hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov/

may 2009 rudolph day

i just got back from michaels craft store since i had a special 20% off coupon for memorial day + a 40% off coupon for one item. i bought a glitter stamping set from the martha stewart crafts line. it came with some really cute deer stamps that i can use for holiday stamping!

i am going to watch "love actually" tonight. i was going to make gluten free cranberry scones (test run!) but i am not sure i will have time or the ingredients since our refrigerator has been acting up lately. as for christmas gifts, i have definitely started an ideas list. i am holding off on buying - i have to get through my husband's birthday first.

decisions, decisions

there is a pretty good sale going on at a few stores and i found a few items that would make good christmas gifts. however, i cannot decide if it is too early to start my christmas shopping. usually i wait until july or even september to start and i am always finished by thanksgiving so i can enjoy the holidays. if i buy this early, will the gifts stay "nice and new" and in perfect condition until christmas?