To Paradise and Back

Some would consider a mountain covered in fresh powdery snow paradise.

Some would consider a bed of flowers in spring paradise.

Some would consider a pile of freshly fallen leaves to jump in paradise.

For my husband and me a warm white sandy island beach with clean tropical waters and palm trees is paradise. And, we were fortunate to enjoy a bit of paradise over the past few days. 

We had the privilege of visiting St. Maarten, St. Kitts, Puerto Rico, and Haiti during an 8 day cruise on Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas. The weather was sunny and warm, the waters clear and warm, and the sky clear and blue.

Our waiter and assistant waiter were very pleasant and fed us well. We enjoyed the conversation of our table mates, and spent much time relaxing and soaking up the warmth. The Royal Caribbean singers and dancers as well as the musicians were very talented, and there were many venues on the ship to partake in a variety of activities. 

It was probably one of our best vacations, and a ship we would be happy to sail upon again. While it is always good to come home and get back to what is familiar and routine this was a cruise we didn't want to see end. We'll have to sustain ourselves by starting to plan our next one, whenever that may be.

If you haven't ever gone on a cruise we highly recommend it. It is a fun way to travel! You get to keep your belongings in one place as you visit a variety of ports of call. Each one offering a variety of ways to explore. 

Please enjoy a few of our photos of these beautiful islands...Ahhh, paradise, wouldn't you agree?

St. Maarten / St. Martin

St. Kitts

Puetro Rico

Haiti

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Order your mother's and grandmother's necklaces and bracelets now so that you will receive them in time for Mother's Day!

Necklaces measure 1" X 18".
Closes with a silver toned alligator clasp and 4" extension chain.
Send your birth month choices and I will design a special piece for you.
$20.00
https://www.etsy.com/listing/173955406/18-birthstone-necklaces-made-with

Bracelets slip over the hand and hug the wrist.
Send your birth month choices and I will design a special piece for you.
Please include the circumference at the widest point of your hand so that the correct sized bracelet is shipped.
$7.00
https://www.etsy.com/listing/174133342/design-your-own-mothers-and-grandmothers

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We are looking forward to seeing you at the Welcome Spring Craft Show at Our Lady of Hope Residence, 1 Jeanne Jugan Lane, Latham, NY on Saturday, March 29 from 10:00 - 4:00.

As always, mention this post and receive 15% off of your purchase at the Cruisin' Creations booth!

Until next time...

Diane

Doing Good Works

It always warms my heart when businesses give back to the community and one of the businesses that has done a wonderful job in the short time they have been in business is Good Works. 25% of their profits are donated to good causes. Located in Montebello, CA, they have done some amazing things!

Their motto is, "Doing Good Always Works". The highlights of their good works below are taken from their website  https://www.goodworksmakeadifference.com/

Established in 2011, Good Work(s) Make a Difference® has been determined to delivering the most fashion-forward, uplifting, and inspirational bracelets and accessories. We contribute 25% of net proceeds to charitable organizations in order to make a meaningful impact in our neighbor's communities and lives.

TOOLS FOR SCHOOL - JAN - SEPT 2013

Good Work(s) Make a Difference launched its annual charitable campaign– “Tools for School” in 2013. The grassroots initiative provided backpacks and school supplies to 10,000 low-income students across the country, including work with nationally renowned enrichment program LA's Best. School supplies were also donated to New Orleans, LA.

HOME SWEETER HOME – PATH VENTURES JAN - NOV 2012

Good Work(s) Make a Difference®  finalized its year-long “Home Sweeter Home” campaign on November 2012 in North Hollywood, California, by providing home essentials and supplies for an additional 113 units in the NOHO Villa Senior Housing complex for Path Ventures. In total, Good Work(s) had the opportunity to provide assistance for over 200 individuals and families throughout the year– on average, furnishing 1 home every 3 days!

SUMMER OF THE MOTHER -  SUMMER 2011

Good Work(s) Make a Difference had the distinguished honor of arranging “A Magical Day” for underprivileged mothers from the Path Ventures Long Beach Family Commons program, an organization dedicated to assisting the homeless.The event aimed at providing a day of attention and pampering for 40 single mothers, with visits from local beauty specialists, fitness instructors and live musicians. The ladies were also treated with lunch and donated gifts. 

SPRING OF THE STUDENT -  SPRING 2011

In April 2012, select students from Fairfax High School in Los Angeles were given the opportunity to fulfill their prom dreams thanks to Good Work(s) Make A Difference and their “2012 Dream Prom” event, aimed at providing financial assistance to economically disadvantaged students. Through hard work and determination, Good Work(s) Make A Difference pooled their resources’ & contacts to make this project a reality. Together, we contributed to something that will remain in memories forever!

You can purchase Good Works Bracelets, locally, from Simply Sterling Jewelry. Check out their Facebook page to keep up to date on the shows where Simply Sterling Jewelry will be. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Simply-Sterling-Jewelry/143489162352398

So if you are looking for some stylish bracelets and want to help others at the same time consider purchasing Good Works Bracelets.

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Our next stop? Saturday, March 29 Cruisin' Creations will be at the "Hello Spring" Craft Fair at Our Lady of Hope Residence, 1 Jeanne Jugan Dr, Latham, NY 12110. The show runs from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. Stop by and help out The Little Sisters of the Poor!

Until Next Time...

Diane

Thank You For My Children

Have you ever read a book and felt like the author was sitting in the same room with you telling the story? 

Have you ever read a book that was so good you just couldn't put it down until you finished it?

Have you ever read a book and felt like you were living in that moment recounted in the story?

Have you ever read a book that was very easy to read and when you finished realized that it was chock full of useful information?

This has been my experience with Thank You For My Children by Rick Pepe.



Rick retired from teaching after 37 years in the classroom. He has a wealth of information to pass on to fellow teachers, those contemplating a teaching career, and those who want to relive their high school experience.

Rick chronicles his last year of teaching and adds anecdotes from the 36 years before. Some of these anecdotes are humorous, some show the trials and tribulations of teaching, and some offer advice for the new as well as seasoned teacher.

As I was reading this book, which I finished in a couple of days because I just couldn't put it down, I felt like Rick was sitting in the room with me recounting his many stories of his years in the classroom. It is written just as Rick speaks which is wonderful because he is a great storyteller!


I gleaned a lot of useful information to use in my own classroom from Rick's stories. He's not preachy from all those years of experience. Rather, I found his writing to be very humble.

I personally recommend Thank You For My Children. It is easy to read, easy to purchase, and reasonably priced!

You can purchase Thank You For My Children at the Book House, Stuyvesant Plaza, Albany, NY, the Open Door, Jay Street, Schenectady, NY and the Book Hound, Main Street, Amsterdam, NY. 

Not local? No problem! 

You can also purchase Rick's book online at:

Thetroybookmakers.com - http://tbmbooks.corecommerce.com/Thank_You_for_My_Children.html

Amazon.com - 
http://www.amazon.com/Thank-You-Children-Final-Year-Observations/dp/1614680434/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1393861903&sr=1-1&keywords=thank+you+for+my+children+by+rick+pepe

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The birthstone for March is aquamarine. This March birthstone necklace made with aquamarine Swarovski crystals from Cruisin' Creations collection is set off so beautifully against soft white nylon yarn. It measures 18", closes with a silver toned alligator clasp, and has a 4" chain to adjust the length. It is gorgeous against light or dark colored tops!

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It was great to get out on the craft show circuit again! Had a good time at Rensselaer High School! Met a lot of nice people!

Next stop? Little Sisters of the Poor, Our Lady of Hope Residence, Latham, NY. The show runs from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. See you there!

Not local? You can view our designs and order at www.cruisincreations.etsy.com

Until next time...

Diane

Hungry Food Love

Flourless Mud Pie Cookies

Passion Fruit Mousse Napoleon

Pork Empanadas

Apple Pie Pancakes with Caramel Marscapone

Have I made you hungry yet?

These are just a few of the recipes you will find in Melissa's Blog, Hungry Food Love.

Melissa loves food and finds that she is always hungry! Her favorite past times are cooking and eating, and she enjoys demonstrating love through food and sharing her recipes with her followers. Along with her passion for cooking she, also, has a goal of raising awareness and money for the kids who suffer from hunger in her home country of the Dominican Republic.

Her recipes are easy to follow and she includes many photos to help if you are uncertain about what to do next. Her pictures make my mouth water as I read them. I definitely have to try some of these out!

Visit www.hungryfoodlove.com to see this Top 100 Food Blogger's creations and challenge yourself to make some of these delicious dishes!

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We are ready for Saturday's craft show at Rensselaer High School! New designs, and a new display await customers. Take a few minutes to visit the show and help the class of 2014 as they try to offset some of the costs of their prom and banquet. Visiting the show is a sure cure for cabin fever which we are all suffering from this winter!

The show runs from 9:00 am - 2:00 pm. Mention this blog post and receive 15% off your purchase at Cruisin' Creations booth!

25 Van Rensselaer Drive

Rensselaer, NY 12144

Until next time...

Diane

Raising Minimum Wage

So, I've been listening to and reading the arguments, both pro and con about raising the minimum wage, and have decided that we are looking at the wrong issue. Since the 1960s we have been spending vast amounts of money to bring people out of poverty and our poverty rate, today, is higher than ever! So, I ask, is that approach working? It doesn't look like it to me.

In all my years, and there have been a lot of them, I have never seen minimum wage succeed in raising people out of poverty. It seems that whenever minimum wage is raised so is the price of staples like milk, eggs, bread, gas, etc.; no one ever gets ahead. So, let's look at this a different way.

Instead of raising the minimum wage to raise people out of poverty why don't we encourage people to get the education and training they need to work at a job that will pay them a living wage? Having a good job can be a means for elevating oneself out of poverty. How does one get a good job? By having a strong work ethic and having the necessary skills to perform the tasks of the job. How does one learn those skills? Education, apprenticeships, technical schools, etc. People need training to be hired for good paying jobs!

It seems lately everyone wants to give everything to people who are in need. The old saying, "Give a man a fish and he eats for a day; teach a man to fish and he eats for a lifetime." holds true here. Lets put the emphasis on education to help people improve their economic situation.

I'm not saying that we should throw more money at education, but I do believe we, as a society, and families individually need to put more importance on education so that individuals will develop the skills they need to enjoy a better quality of life.

Thanks for reading my point of view!

Until next time...

Diane

So Much Local Talent!

Witness for the Prosecution by Agatha Christy, have you seen it? It's currently playing at Home Made Theater at the Spa Little Theater in Saratoga Springs, NY. Wonderful performance!!! Not being too familiar with Agatha Christy I was totally stunned by the ending! The set was very cleverly designed and easily changed for each scene.

We spent Sunday afternoon enjoying Witness for the Prosecution with friends. As I was watching this group of talented performers I couldn't help but ask myself, "Why don't we do this more often?" There are so many amateur performance venues in the area where we could support the local arts and enjoy a good plot line while spending time away from home and the TV. 

Of course, Saratoga is a gem of a city on its own so I must mention that after the performance we enjoyed delicious burgers at Druthers, and participated in Sunday night trivia at Circus Cafe. What a busy and fun day!

If you can't make this performance of Witness for the Prosecution which ends on February 23 perhaps you would be interested in their next play, Boeing Boeing. The information below on Boeing, Boeing is from the Home Made Theater website.

“This latest edition of a play named for an aircraft soars right out of its time zone and into some unpolluted stratosphere of classic physical comedy.” – The New York Times

It’s the 1960s, and swinging bachelor Bernard couldn’t be happier: a flat in Paris and three gorgeous stewardesses all engaged to him without knowing about each other. But Bernard’s perfect life gets bumpy when a new and speedier Boeing jet throws off all of his careful planning. Soon all three stewardesses are in town simultaneously and catastrophe looms. A riotous farce is now set to arrive in Jet City—fasten your seat belts!

April 18, 19, 25, 26, & May 2, 3 – 8:00pm
April 27 & May 4 – 2:00pm
Tickets $26/$23

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Don't miss our first event of 2014 and rid yourself of some cabin fever while you shop the more that 45 crafters who will be selling their creations at this show!

Rensselaer High School Craft Fair

9 am - 2 pm

25 Van Rensselaer Drive

Rensselaer, NY

This event is sponsored by and benefits the Class of 2014!

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Looking for a way to help others while you shop for yourself? By purchasing different colored items at Cruisin' Creations you are helping a variety of organizations.

Purchase these colors and 10% will be donated to:

Red - American Heart Association

Pink - American Cancer Society

Purple - Alzheimer's Association

Visit our website www.cruisincreations.etsy.com to view our full line and make your purchase.

Until next time...

Diane

A Gem In Buffalo

Finding a good Italian restaurant in other parts of this country that matches the flavor and ambiance of our favorite, Canali's in Rotterdam, NY, is difficult, but I think we have finally found one in Buffalo! While there are many in the Buffalo area with decent food the owners of this restaurant go out of their way to make you feel like you are part of the family. And perhaps we are as the owner, Rick, and I discussed the parts of Italy that our families are from.

The restaurant? Caramici's Bistro and Bakery at 1501-1503 Hertel Avenue. The owners Diane and Rick Serra are so friendly and accommodating that if you are dissatisfied in any way they will fix it immediately! We had a very pleasant and tasty meal so we didn't experience this first hand but could see by how they treated their customers that they are there to please.

Before the meal we snacked on warm Italian bread dipped in an olive oil and herb mixture. Very tasty! I ordered the pasta and broccoli. It's a dish I love but never prepare at home. Usually when I order it out it comes swimming in a dish of olive oil and loaded with way too much garlic. Not this time! The sauce was flavorful, but not overwhelming. There was just enough in the bottom of the dish to soak up with more of that warm bread! For dessert I ordered a chocolate cannoli. Delicious! And the plate was beautifully garnished!

Their motto is "Where 'dear friends' meet". We definitely made friends Saturday night.

If you're ever in Buffalo, NY I highly recommend that you check them out! 
www.caramicis.com.
www.facebook.com/caramicis

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As many of your know, Cruisin' Creations likes to give back to the community. Starting this month I will donate 10% from the purchase of any red items to the American Heart Association. This program will continue throughout the year and is in addition to the donations made to the American Cancer Society for pink purchases and the Alzheimer's Association for purple purchases. Why not treat yourself to something special and help out these worthy organizations?

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The first show of the year has been booked! Join Cruisin' Creations on March 1, 2014 at the Rensselaer High School Craft Fair, 25 Van Rensselaer Drive, Rensselaer, NY. There will be at least 45 crafters at this show. The show benefits the Rensselear High School Class of 2014.