TAKE A MOMENT ...

Here's a link (ckick on TITLE) that will take you 

to a TED conference, called GRATITUDE. 

I received it from Céline D. and Micheline G.

THANKS ladies for thinking of me!

Sent to me and NOW passing it along to you!

Listen beyond some of the clichés and

let the voice calm you

so you can SEE the wonderful but simple

artistry that accompanies the words!

Enjoy! 

Suzanne

NOTE: Don't forget to click on title and 

use full screen to fully appreciate the images.

Christmas is here!

to ONE and ALL

PLEASE LET SANTA IN!!

Hi! to you who is reading this!!

There are only a few hours 

before Christmas day officially begins!!

I've been baking away making 

all kinds of 'sweets' to give all my friends as their gifts.

In the meantime I have prepared a little puzzle

or game. The idea is to let Santa into the house

so he can deliver his precious 'cargo' 

and place it under your tree. 

And ... don't forget the cookies!!!

ENJOY!!

PLEASE ... Let me in!!

          To play the game 

you will have to find a certain number of signs

which will prepare the room for Santa's entry!!

Think of Christmas stereotypes, 

they are the main clues to look for!!

GOOD LUCK!!

START by clicking onto my name and the LINK will appear.                                                                         SUZANNE   

Dear SANTA these are my Christmas wishes!

Dear Santa,

I don't want much for Christmas,

I just want the person reading this to be happy.

FRIENDS  are the “ fruit cake ” of life

-        some nutty,

-        some soaked in alcohol,

-        some sweet and fruity,

-        some that you keep forever,

-        some very rich

-        and some a bit too filling

–          

BUT … mix them all together

and they are the ones I love!

Love ‘ya too,  Santa!  
Really ... I do !                 

  

MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!

To all my very dear dear friends ,

family, students, and acquaintances !

 A footnote* from your teacher

*For educational purposes of course and  for FUN too!

 fruitcake  /ˈfru:tkāk/

1. Fruitcake (or fruit cake) is a very rich cake made with chopped candied fruit and/or dried fruit, nuts and spices, and (optionally) soaked in spirits. A cake that simply has fruit in it as an ingredient can also be colloquially called a fruitcake.

In the United Kingdom, certain rich versions may be iced and decorated just like me!

  2. Slang (Brit): a person considered to be whimsically eccentric or insane. 

  Also a person with an unusual or odd personality.

   SYN.  crackpot, nut case, screwball, crank, nut, oddball, geek, flake.

   e.g. He’s a complete fruitcake! A horribly amusing insult derived from the     expression, 'nutty as a fruitcake' .
     Also used as a euphemism for gay men.


I looove my nuts!!!   Suzanne 

MY FAVORITE Christmas song!

LYRICS to follow along!!

Your own little Christmas 

KARAOKE

I don't want a lot for Christmas 

There's just one thing I need 

I don't care about the presents 

Underneath the Christmas tree 

I just want you for my own 

More than you could ever know 

Make my wish come true 

All I want for Christmas is... 

You 

I don't want a lot for Christmas 

There's just one thing I need 

I don't care about the presents 

Underneath the Christmas tree 

I don't need to hang my stocking 

There upon the fireplace 

Santa Claus won't make me happy 

With a toy on Christmas day 

I just want you for my own 

More than you could ever know 

Make my wish come true 

All I want for Christmas is you 

You baby 

I won't ask for much this Christmas 

I don't even wish for snow 

I'm just gonna keep on waiting 

Underneath the mistletoe 

I won't make a list and send it 

To the North Pole for Saint Nick 

I won't even stay awake to 

Hear those magic reindeers click 

'Cause I just want you here tonight 

Holding on to me so tight 

What more can I do 

Baby all I want for Christmas is you 

Ooh baby 

All the lights are shining 

So brightly everywhere 

And the sound of children's 

Laughter fills the air 

And everyone is singing 

I hear those sleigh bells ringing 

Santa won't you bring me the one I really need 

Won't you please bring my baby to me... 

Oh I don't want a lot for Christmas 

This is all I'm asking for 

I just want to see my baby 

Standing right outside my door 

Oh I just want you for my own 

More than you could ever know 

Make my wish come true 

Baby all I want for Christmas is... 

You 

All I want for Christmas is you... baby

SANTA 'on line' ... just so real!

To get in touch with SANTA

To have Santa send an email to a child and to make

their 'make-believe' world so REAL come true

here are the site adresses:

French :  http://www.perenoelportable.tv/accueil

English:  http://www.portablenorthpole.tv/home

 

And another Santa message;

http://magicsanta.ca/homepage.html

I like this one and have used it over the years!

Also send one to your best friend!!

They will really enjoy it too.

And how about a letter to Santa:

http://dearsanta.com/

Have some pre-Christmas fun

and see a child's face light up with excitement!!!

SUZANNE 

A mother-in-law's unexpected Christmas visit!!! With a SURPRISE ending!!

Good Day! To all of you,

Today it's nice and sunny, a bit windy too. Much better than rainy and gloomy! Especially if you are running around shopping with all those crasy people! Doesn't anybody work anymore??

I have attached a little Christmas joke, it is a very stereotypical one at that. I know that some of you ladies are mother-in-laws, but it's really to put some laughter into your day. ENJOY!

Suzanne  

A CHRISTMAS  SURPRISE !

"The doorbell rang this morning.

I thought it might be Santa,

as I was speaking about him

to my little niece just at that moment.

You know, the expression,

“ Speak of the devil ! ”

Well … when I opened the door,

there ‘he’ stood dressed as my mother-in-law !

She was standing on the front steps.

She said, 'Can I stay here for a few days?'

I answered, ‘Sure you can …'

 Then … I shut the door."

* Speak of the devil! is the short form of the idiom "Speak of the devil and he doth appear". It is used when an object of discussion unexpectedly   becomes present during the conversation.

  En parlant du loup    (au Québec) 

FACEBOOK followers

You can follow me for the next 12  days on FACEBOOK!!
I'm doing a special COUNT DOWN to Christmas!
A humoristic approach ... of course!
Suzanne

The ANGEL that we place atop the Christmas tree.

   A Christmas Story

The origin of 

the Christmas angel 

When four of Santa's elves got sick, the elves in training did not produce toys as fast as the regular ones and Santa began to feel the pre-Christmas pressure. Then Mrs. Claus told Santa that her mother was coming to visit, which stressed Santa even more. When he went to harness the reindeer, he found that three of them were about to give birth and two others had jumped the fence and were out "Heaven knows where"! Then when he began to load the sleigh, one of the floorboards cracked and the toy bag fell to the ground and all the toys were scattered.

Needing a break, Santa went in the house for a cup of apple cider and a shot of rum. When he went to the cupboard, he discovered the elves had drank all the cider and hidden the rum. 

In his frustration, he accidentally dropped the cider jug and it broke into hundreds of little pieces all over the kitchen floor. He went to get the broom and found the mice had eaten all the straw off the end of the broom.

Just then the doorbell rang, and Santa very irritated at that moment, marched to the door, yanked it open, and there stood a little angel with a great big Christmas tree.  The angel said very cheerfully, 'Merry Christmas, Santa. Isn't this a lovely day? I have a beautiful tree for you, where would you like me to put it?'

And so began the tradition of placing

 the little angel at the top of the Christmas tree. 

Delightful !!!

 People really think up these stories!

They have a fun imagination!

They make us laugh and smirk, and 
give us such a different view of 
Christmas and its time-old traditions. 

A PEACE OFFERING!

  

THE JOYS OF CHRISTMAS DECORATING!

CHRISTMAS TIME and 

the decorating has begun ...!!! 

      

      Have you finished your seasonal outdoor decorations ... ?       

         The weather is really cooperating this December!! 

     

   Have you bought your Christmas tree? 
                                        Have you decorated it yet?    

The Holiday Season is here!

Ans so has all the different activities 

and rituals, and traditions as well!

Have fun with them and what they bring with them.

It's called JOY!

                                 

ANOTHER SESSION COME AND GONE!

To all of you dear students.

You have completed 25 hours 

of Basic English as a second language.

I am pleased that you have committed

so faithfully to your classes 

and put in the extra time at home on assignments.

Time really went so fast starting in September

and finishing this past week

at our little tea party celebration.

I have been impresed for these past two months

 by your participation and commitment

I really enjoyed working with all you beginners

 and was so glad to see some very familiar faces. 

It is always such a pleasure sharing

my knowledge with you and especially 

when YOU give back with

 your very precious feedback and

 let me know of the progress you have made.

I'm a proud teacher!

I’m sad to see some of you go but, on the other hand

 elated to see a 'bunch' of you coming back

in February 2012. I will be there!

So long for NOW!!!

                                                Keep up your great work and 

                                                 enjoy the 'fruits of your labor!

December has arrived ! You know what that means, don't you !!!!

YESSSSS! 

ADMIT IT everyone of you!

We are talking about 

CHRISTMAS PRESENTS!!    

So here's  a practical countdown to help you 

count the days, hours, minutes 

before the great event ... 

especially for your grandkids.

If you CLICK on the title above,

 you'll find a  link to a virtual 

Santa ... MAGICAL for KIDS 

and us older folks too! 

You can use it in French also! 

Have fun preparing for the HOLIDAYS!! 

I'm having fun!!

Suzanne

P.S. I have already given myself 

my Xmas present! 
Couldn't wait for Santa ;)

     Pizza, Pasta, etcetera!!!

PART TWO : What Pets Write in Their Diaries -- A cat's Diary

A CAT'S DIARY 

NOTE to the reader:

TO BE READ IRONICALLY! Of course! And you will find some 

KEY words in reference to PRISON, at the end of this document. Hope you get a good laugh at the references!

Day no. 983 of my captivity...

My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets.

Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet. The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape.

Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a 'good little hunter' I am. The Bastards!!!

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of 'allergies.' I must learn what this means and how to use it to my advantage. 

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow -- but next time  -- at the top of the stairs.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded!

The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicating with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell      

                    

                                   So he is safe …  For now … !!!

KEY WORDS: first time doing this, hope it helps!

Captors > owners/propriétaire
hash > food > chopped up into little pieces> from Fr.< hacher

Inmates > prisoners > prison mates

make my contempt … clear > mon désaccord de cette réalité

Escape > as in being free/me sauver

Strike fear > to scare someone/faire peur

What I’m capable of … > what I CAN do

The ‘Bastards’ > form of angry remark > insult/Les Bâtards!

Assembly of their accomplices > ceux qui sont de connivence

Solitary confinement > prison term/en cellule fermé

My tormentors > mes bourreaux

Weaving ... feet > to be in the way/être dans ses jambes

Flunkies > 'yes-men' > des dépendants (ref. to dog)

and snitches > informants/rapporteurs (ref. to parrot)

cell > prison cell > avec des barreaux 

Have a great weekend!  

Suzanne