Happy BIRTHDAY to me!!!!
...and a little something for you too!! I have had the best ever year{plus} and to show how appreciative I am for all I have and for all you peeps who come back and say "Hi" and look in on my little blog... I wanna give away $43.00 Bella Bucks & 20 sheets of Bella's Bestest paper! {10 white/10 soft ivory}
Now, I have been cooking this up in my mind for a while and most times you gotta answer a question or guess something for blog candy..then it hit me one day this past week. I was home from work and I sat down on the couch with a bowl of pistachios {not RED} and for a second, a thought came to mind, like WHY am I eating these... my Christmas tree isn't up? {I know, probably sounds kooky!} I don't know if I have ever really had pistachios and it not be Christmas time, or at least way closer to Christmas time than now. {in my mind, it is Christmas time, after Thanksgiving} So, here is what I want to know... Is there something or someplace that says to you...ahhhhh... the holidays are HERE!
...OMG, sitting on the couch eating those nuts reminded me of visiting friends over the holidays...when I was a kid, and having pistachios. When I was younger, I never saw a natural, NON colored ones either...we ALL had red fingers when we were done! lol
You all have until MY birthday 11/13, to put your answer in...Yes, it a scary BellaRIFFIC friday the 13th! I will be in Niagra Falls/Toronto and pick a winner on saturday. Hubby's birthday is thursday and he is a year & a day older...so we are celebrating at the Falls! Good luck!!!
Happy Birthday Paula!!!! When I was a kid I always looked forward to the holiday programs on tv. You knew Christmas was coming when you saw Rudolph the Red Nose Raindeer.
Posted by: Linda Fischer | November 07, 2009 at 06:55 PM
First of all, happy birthday!
What a fun give away! I live in New England. As soon as the autumn leaves fall from the trees, I figure it's close enough to start playing my awesome collection of Christmas tunes! Yes, I am one of THOSE girls~the ones that LOVE Christmas music! LOL
Posted by: Vicki Burns | November 07, 2009 at 07:01 PM
Well I must have come here right after you posted - maybe I'm lucky #3!! I know the holidays are here when I hear Christmas music playing over the speakers at the stores. That really triggers it for me.
Posted by: Michelle Michael | November 07, 2009 at 07:10 PM
Happy Birthday Paula!!! Hope you have a fabulous time at the Falls.
Okay...I am 100% Canadian, because I know the holidays are close when I look at my daily Tim Horton's cup and notice they've switched to the holiday cups. (and there's nothing that says spring is on it's way, like when I get my first roll-up-the-rim cup!!) Sad, but true!!
Posted by: KathyM | November 07, 2009 at 07:13 PM
Happy Birthday!!! Best wishes for a wonderful hear ahead.
Can I just say I come to your blog almost daily and am always inspired!! Your work is absolutely beautiful.
For me I know the holidays are near when the city I live in has its Christmas lights all over downtown. Also one of the hockey rinks in town has a beautiful display.
Posted by: Angela | November 07, 2009 at 07:14 PM
Happy Birthday Paula. I too love to check out your blog each day to see what you are up to.
Christmas music in the stores and when my boys start opening their chocolate advent calendar each morning.
Posted by: alisoncreates.blogspot.com | November 07, 2009 at 07:15 PM
Happy Birthday Paula! For me, the holidays are here when I hear about all the Black Friday deals coming...doesn't mean I LIKE Black Friday, it's just like a giant gong going off saying, 'OH NO! You haven't even started your Christmas shopping!'
Posted by: Katarina M | November 07, 2009 at 07:26 PM
Happy birthday to you! When I'm getting ready for the "black Friday" after Thanksgiving Day sales, it says It's Christmas time to me!
Posted by: Laura Evans | November 07, 2009 at 07:26 PM
Happy birthday Paula! I love checking out your blog everyday, your cards are just incredible. Now as far as Christmas I get that Christmas holiday feeling when i watch "It's A Wonderful Life" Thanksgiving weekend
Posted by: Janet Pierson | November 07, 2009 at 07:53 PM
No matter where we live we put our tree up Thanksgiving weekend. When I was little, we'd do it Thanksgiving evening after dinner (at my grandparents). So when I'm cooking Thanksgiving dinner with my Christmas Music on, I know Christmas is near... And when the tree is up and the house smells like cider/cinnamon and our decor is out... I'm so happy. I'd leave it up all year if I could. lol
Thank you for the chance to play. I love reading these comments and thinking about holiday's past.
Blessings...
Em
Posted by: Emily Davis | November 07, 2009 at 07:55 PM
I always know Christmas is near when hubby starts playing that Elvis Christmas CD.... we get so sick of it by the end of December! But we love "Blue Christmas"!
Posted by: Cindy C | November 07, 2009 at 08:01 PM
Happy Birthday, Paula! Hope you have an awesome birthday!
As soon as I begin preparations for Thanksgiving, my mind always races ahead to Christmas! Right around Thanksgiving is when my husband usually puts up those first strings of lights outside, which really says "Christmas is almost here"!
Posted by: Priscilla | November 07, 2009 at 08:03 PM
Speaking of nuts...my mom's family in Texas had a ton of pecan trees on their ranch, so we always had pecans to shell around the holidays. Also, for Xmas my Grammy always came down to stay with us for a couple of weeks. She would bake traditional Croatian desserts like nut roll and kolachis...yummy!
Posted by: Alyssa S | November 07, 2009 at 08:07 PM
Dang it! I hit POST before I said Happy Birthday!! I hope you get spoiled beyond belief!!
Posted by: Alyssa S | November 07, 2009 at 08:07 PM
First off, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
My hubby and I are also 1 day apart for our birthdays! (only he is 2 years and a day older!)
The holidays for me really start thinking in as the Royal Winter Fair comes to an end. I have been going there with my family as long as I can remember, and as soon as we would be driving home (usually in a snow storm in Toronto, no less!) it would hit me that the holidays are around the corner!
Posted by: Jess Willison | November 07, 2009 at 08:17 PM
Happy Birthday Paula! Hope you guys have a fabulous time at the Falls. My favorite part is going on the tour behind the falls. Of course all those crazy tourist traps are fun too! For me Christmas starts on Thanksgiving morning when Santa comes up Woodward Avenue to get the key to the city and all the hearts of the good little boys and girls :)
Posted by: Val | November 07, 2009 at 08:29 PM
Paula,
Happy birthday. Mine is in 2 weeks! Yeah, November babies. I think in the fall the first time the smell is in the air of a fire burning in a fireplace is the thing that reminds me that is that time of year again of all the fun holidays- Halloween, then Thanksgiving, and then Christmas.
Have fun on your trip!
Posted by: Tracy | November 07, 2009 at 08:37 PM
ahhhh, holiday time is almost here! Happy birthday to you :) glad to hear your celebrating in style! sooo, for me it's holiday time when I start noticing all the lights being put up around the neighbor hood AND when the radio stations start playing the holiday music. I'll be in my car and one day I'll say OH, there's a house already decorated or I'll hear the familar tune "chestnuts roasting on an open fire" and I KNOW it's time to kick it in gear!
Posted by: Lisa Henke | November 07, 2009 at 08:45 PM
Happy Birthday to you and your hubby!! Mine is the 28th and that is what usually triggers my mind that Christmas is around the corner!
Posted by: Peggy | November 07, 2009 at 08:47 PM
Happy Birthday Paula! And Thank you for hsaring your childhood memories!
I think that falling leaves and smell of fall tels me that holidays are coming closer... Thinking about gifts and what I will cook for these days also tell me about coming holidays... And lots of memories about my family during the holiday time!
Thank you for the giveaway and inspiration that you give us at your blog!
P.S. I am a Nut lover too! :)
Posted by: Elena | November 07, 2009 at 08:49 PM
Happy Birthday Paula! November is my b-day month too, closer to Thanksgiving though and after that is when it's Chrisatmas time to me, although I did spot eggnog at the grocery store last week! I ONLY drink that during the holidays...Mmmmmmm!
Thanks for the chance to paly along!
Kathy Camasso
Posted by: Kathyc on SCS | November 07, 2009 at 08:49 PM
Happy Birthday to a beautiful colorist!
For me...my Mom's shortbread says Christmas...she really makes the most amazing shortbread and only at Christmas, she even puts it through a cookie press so it's even more fluffy...and then adds melted chocolate on top. True decadence!
Christine Okken
Posted by: ChristineCreations | November 07, 2009 at 08:52 PM
Happy Birthday just a little early. I really an enjoying this conversation and reading what others have written. For me Halloween is always the start of the Christmas season. I go shopping that evening at the big box stores like Sam's Club and Costco. The stores are empty and I just stroll along. Then I also enjoy shopping on Dec 24. I really like being among the crowd of last minute shoppers.
Posted by: Darlene L | November 07, 2009 at 09:06 PM
Ahhh Christmas starts when I get out the Christmas Music starting Nov 1st. Hope you two have great birthdays!
Posted by: Sue from Oregon | November 07, 2009 at 09:13 PM
Rose are Red,
Violets are Blue,
I wish I were
As young as You!
Hapy Birthday Kiddo! I know that Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat, please do put a penny in the old man's hat. If you haven't got a penny, a half penny will do, etc. Where was I? Ah yes, I know Christmas is coming when I see the first Christmas tree lot all lit up at night.
Posted by: Gabriela (Gabi With An Eye) | November 07, 2009 at 09:15 PM
Happy Birthday, Paula. I love to visit your blog almost daily. Your coloring is so inspiring to me.
For me, I know the holidays are approaching as I begin planning for our annual trek to Isle of Palm, SC for our family gathering the week of Thanksgiving. This gathering includes my parents, my 4 siblings and their spouses, 11 grandkids and now spouses of one granchild. We have been making this trip for 15 years. It is the one time a year that we can all get together since we are spread all over the U.S.
Posted by: Terri | November 07, 2009 at 09:19 PM
Happy Birthday Paula! You are only 17 days older than me :)
The Christmas season is official in our house when I start the holiday baking, usually around Dec.1st I bake hundreds of cookies. Thankfully I don't eat them all. I am known as the "cookie lady" to many of my neighbours, friends and family who receive a tin a baked goods every year. Delivering the cookie tins fills me with the Christmas spirit.
Have a great birthday Sistah!!! Cheers, Pinky
Posted by: Pinky | November 07, 2009 at 09:44 PM
Happy Birthday! It starts feeling like Christmas when I start getting peppermint syrup in my coffee. Yum!
Something happens around mid November that just starts feeling like the holidays, granted I live in Canada so by then there usually is snow on the ground. Thanks for the chance to win and I hope you have a spectacular birthday week!
Posted by: Gabriela Duclos | November 07, 2009 at 09:53 PM
Happy Birthday to you!!!!
I always feel Christmasy when I make my first batch of English Butter Toffee...Mmmmmmmmm
Posted by: Rachel Hope | November 07, 2009 at 10:01 PM
Happy Birthday! Your work is amazing!
I know the holidays are here when I my favorite holiday scent start hitting the stores. You can smell them an aisle away... Cinnamon Scented Pinecones. They just scream Christmas too me!
Thank you!
Posted by: Alicia S | November 07, 2009 at 10:07 PM
This will sound weird...I know Christmas is on the way when butter goes on sale at the supermarket...it makes me realize it's time to bake a cherry cake!
Posted by: Kelly Bee | November 07, 2009 at 10:24 PM
When I go and buy the first Christmas present that's when it starts for me, then I find myself singing Christmas carols.
Posted by: patm4180 | November 07, 2009 at 10:25 PM
I just seems like the commerical Christmas season comes earlier every year. I normally I don't even start to think about Christmas until after Thanksgiving. But I've already started buying my gifts... this year... it's the gift of Bella!
Have a very Happy Birthday and I can't wait until your class after Thanksgiving!
Posted by: Jenn Cornell | November 07, 2009 at 10:49 PM
Aaahhh, good question...for me, the holidays are heralded by my grandboys receiving their advent calendar goodies from us. I made them a big advent calendar several years ago, and now that there are four little brothers, it's delightful creating special things to fill all the boxes...four times over!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Hope Niagara Falls was wonderful!
Posted by: Deborah | November 07, 2009 at 11:02 PM
Oooh so many things remind me that it's close to Christmas. Main ones are the music - once the stores start playing it (which is getting earlier and earlier!) and the arrival of Eggnog Lattes at Starbucks!!! Thanks for the chance to win! Can't wait to wish you a happy birthday in person in your Sunday class!
Posted by: Kerry J. | November 07, 2009 at 11:06 PM
Happy birthday, love your work! The holidays... For me it is after Thanksgiving dinner is put away and the dishes are cleaned up. That is when we break out the decorations, tree, and the Harry Connick Jr Christmas CD. Love it!
Posted by: Tanya P | November 07, 2009 at 11:06 PM
Happy Birthday Paula! Your cards are just awesome!!! I think for me the holidays are here when I am standing in line at 4 am on black Friday waiting for a store to open! Love going shopping with all the crazies that day! LOl
Posted by: Dawn Beery | November 07, 2009 at 11:15 PM
Happy Birthday! Since my kids were little , we never put up the Christmas tree until after my son's birthday, December 7. Then...let the holidays begin!
Posted by: Jackie | November 07, 2009 at 11:20 PM
Happy Birthday to you & your hubby! What a special place to celebrate! Christmas starts when stores (outside the mall) have their "Holiday Open Houses." There is music, goodies, prizes, decorations & smells of Christmas.
Posted by: Linda C. | November 07, 2009 at 11:21 PM
Happy Birthday!!!! I know it's getting close to Christmas the day after Thanksgiving, when we put up the house lights!! :) Off and running!!
Cheers!
jennik
Posted by: jenni king | November 07, 2009 at 11:59 PM
Happy almost Birthday, Paula! For me...it's all about the music...switching through the channels on the radio in my car and hearing that wonderful music. They tease me at work because I tune in as soon as the local stations start playing it. I had over 300 Christmas songs on my ipod before it died and this year I'll be loading them up on my new one. How could anyone be in a bad mood with Christmas music playing? I love it! Have a great week!
Posted by: Shelly | November 08, 2009 at 12:05 AM
Happy Birthday Paula! When I see the Christmas trees have arrived here in Hawaii and my family and I go to pick ours out. The holiday craft fairs are already in full swing. Those things are what really tells me it is Christmas. Target has had Christmas items out since BEFORE Halloween. Anyway, thanks for sharing your joy and I look forward to many more birthdays!
Posted by: Sheri | November 08, 2009 at 12:44 AM
Happy Birthday Paula! Wishing you a wonderful coming year! It's beginning to be Christmas when the town I live in puts up the Christmas lights and decorations. I'm pretty much a daily visitor and thank you for being so inspiring.
Posted by: Susan | November 08, 2009 at 01:53 AM
Happy Birthday Paula! I hope that it's the best one EVER!
I think that it's those old Christmas movies to me. When I see ads for It's a Wonderful Life and White Christmas and A Christmas Carol(Muppet Christmas Carol!). I LOVE those movies!
Posted by: Kimberley | November 08, 2009 at 02:03 AM
Happy Birthday, Paula! Hope you thoroughly enjoy the Falls and have a great weekend celebrating another year. It's Christmas for me whenever I see or taste anything gingerbread. We always have gingerbread cake with whipped cream for Christmas dinner and try to make gingerbread cookies or houses each year. I love the smell and taste and it just says "it's Christmas!" to me.
Posted by: Laurie P. | November 08, 2009 at 05:31 AM
Paula happy birthday ...
For my part, I know it's Christmas time when I start to put my big scarf that my grandmother made me with love, and when I dream of hot chocolate when I come home for good outside walk...
Posted by: Annabelle | November 08, 2009 at 05:33 AM
Hello from another Scorpio,
My birthday is 11.11 ('66 :D) and my husband is from 08.10 (also '66) so he is an month older and we also celebrate together. Hopefully you have a great day at your birthday and that your family and friends spoil you rotten!!
For me the holidays starting as the "Sinterklaas" movies start showing on tv in the beginning of November. In The Netherlands we celebrate "Sinterklaas" (a kind of brother from Santa Claus) the 5th of December (we celebrate with the whole family). Half November he comes by boat out of Spain together with his helpers (who are black because they go through the chimney to bring the presents). In the beginning of November they start on tv a story about what happend before Sinterklaas comes to the Netherlands or what happends on his boat on the way here. They loase the presents, or there are not enough "pepernoten" (a special candy), or there is a bad person who sabotage the whole trip, that kind of things. Every day there is 15 minutes on tv and I'm still watching every day, even if I do not have children.....I know, it's tooooooo silly!!!! For me not Christmas but Sinterklaas is the best time of the year so I get in the Sinterklaas mood by watching the story on tv!! :)
Warmest regards, Renata
Posted by: Renata | November 08, 2009 at 06:02 AM
For me, Christmas time starts when everyone on the block puts the lights up on their houses.
Posted by: Maggie | November 08, 2009 at 06:25 AM
Happy BDay to you....yes I am on the 18th....Scorpio!!!!!!
And thats easy.....went to LaSenza on Thursday to get a gift for my daughters friend who is in the hospital.......walked in and to the music of "SANTA BABY".....SO IF YOU ARE EVER NEEDING TO GET INTO THAT CHRISTMAS MOOD!!!! GO SHOPPING!!!!
Laurie VF
Posted by: Laurie VF | November 08, 2009 at 06:29 AM
Happy Birthday!!
As far as the Holidays, it is Black Friday shopping with all the crazy sales and all us crazy people out there....nothing says start of the holidays as that!
Posted by: Danisha | November 08, 2009 at 07:37 AM