X is for kiss

When someone signs a card with xxxxxx and ooooooo's, what does the x stand for?  I looked online and wouldn't ya know it, someone posted this very question on http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=450133.  The answer: X is for kiss.

 These days when speaking to people by texting on our cell phone or using the internet, there are many symbols used to say good bye and hello.  I think most of us know that xxxx's and oooo's mean kisses and hugs, knowing which is which is another thing. To make sure we're all on the same page, here is a key for some of the common symbols used to express affection today.

ooo = hugs


xxx = kisses

OOO = big hugs

XXX = big kisses

oo = hugs for everybody but you

OO! = big, excited hugs

CCC = hugs for people you can't quite reach around

OOQ = hugging with tongue

xx@ = kisses and earlobe nibbling

zzz = snoring

yyy = anything that occurs between kissing and snoring"

http://www.netfunny.com/rhf/jokes/90q4/hugsf.html

One theory of how the X became the symbol for kiss is looking back to the way of people in the Medieval times. Back then, illiterate people would sign documents with a cross to show their sincerity and then to seal the deal, this cross was kissed.  People hurried the t signature, so the cross would often end up looking like an X.  And also back in the day, Jewish people signed their documents with an O. Now it is used as a symbol of arms embracing.
 

The quote below is sort of gross to think about.  I've seen one too many Saturday Night Live shows displaying the sharing of food in this manner.   I'm thankful that I went to the grocery store to pick up jars of baby food when my children were young. But hey,  it makes sense that the origin of kissing would begin this way. I'm thankful for the evolution of the kiss X.

"Anthropologists think kissing’s origins are to be found in primitive times when mothers chewed food and transferred it directly from their mouths to their babies’ mouths, a method of preparing baby food that is still practiced in some cultures today."    Jul 25, 2004 - © Sharon K. West

freeclipart.com

Y is for Yum

This is a picture of some yummy Ethiopian food.  My friend, Chef Aimee Blume, was with me when I took this photo. Like I said she's a chef and she writes for the Evansville Courier & Press Food Page.  It's fun having a friend like her because I find myself in restaurants I normally wouldn't think to try.  I can be squeamish about trying new foods, especially if there is slime involved.  However, even if I don't eat all the food placed before me, I enjoy hearing someone as knowledgeable as Aimee talk about it. 

The grey bread rolled and piled on that plate wasn't half bad.  It is very soft, almost doughy, and used like a wrap.  The food on the big plate is put on the unrolled bread and then rerolled like lefse.  There are no eating utensils since all the food is eaten using the bread.

As we ate, Ethopian music and dance played on the t.v. screen mounted up high.  The dance movements were subtle meaning slight and the music soft and pleasant.

Someone once told me that what a pregnant woman ate would determine what the unborn child would like later on.  I'm not sure that's true.  It makes sense in a way.  What is yummy in one part of the world is not necessarily yummy everywhere.

Aimee is pictured here Saturday evening at our table full of Korean food.  We cooked our food on that little grill and ate with chop sticks.  This restaurant is in Indianapolis (I forget the name). Aimee and I attended a wonderful writers conference at the Hilton Garden Inn in Indy near the airport.  The food at the conference was yummy too.  It was a great time both at the conference and in restaurants away from where all the writing action took place.

Stripes, Spots and Feathers

On Saturday my husband and I took a trip to a nearby zoo. We were there for about 2 hours and then the rain came and it got cold. So unfortunately we didn’t spend as much time there as we would have liked. We missed seeing the lions and tigers. I am always amazed by the diversity and uniqueness of all the animals. Stripes, spots, feathers and so many other unique characteristics. Of course I had my camera and was able to capture some really unique pictures. I’ve added several already to greeting cards and added funny sayings with them. So much fun! I’ve also added them to other items like mugs, postcards, magnets and postage. Here are some of my favourites! Hope you enjoy them! Come by my store to see more of these amazing creatures.

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Z is for Zipper

 Just  back from a writers conference. I have very recently measured myself against other writers; people hoping to find a publisher.  How am I doing I ask?  Well, if I was spectacular and awesome,  I would have left with the promise of an agent.  If I was super fabulous as well as spectacular and awesome, I probably would have been on the panel.  I was/am none of those things at least not yet, so I have to remember the importance of the metaphorical zipper.  A "zipper" on my mouth (ears sometimes too) is important for learning.  I'm not sure how the other attendees feel at these conferences, but I attend as a student.  The panel that sits in front of the room with the microphones are the experts, and they are looking out at a living, breathing slush pile.  These experts have traveled, sometimes a great distance, to talk to a pile of slush.  Speaking with slush in my mouth, I am thankful they have taken the time away from their busy jobs to speak to me (drip, drip).

I bet a zipper will help me crawl out of the mush or slush.  Keeping my mouth shut and ears open should help me learn, right?  It's easy to get defensive when my baby is being examined with a critical eye. That's when my own personal mouth zipper would come in handy; my mouth needs to stay shut and locked.  Listen.  Learn.  However, always consider the source. Who is telling me this thing I don't want to hear or I really, really want to hear?  Is it an editor from a major publisher?  Or is it someone who is new to writing.  I'm not saying the expert is always right and the rookie is always wrong.  I'm just saying my plan is to remember the zipper, and to use it wisely.

This conference helped me with the first page of my manuscript (too much back story).  I also learned the importance of an elevator pitch.  I should be able to tell someone what my book is about without torturing the person that asked.  I'm like "Oh it's about blah, and blah, and oh yeah blah, blah, too.  But there's more blah, and blah and yeah I forgot blah, blah."  I think I stunned the table I was sitting at.  They all looked at me with big round eyes like what the heck was that?  I wondered myself.

Tiptoe Through The Tulips

As I was driving home from the gym today, I was noticing all the pretty tulips and daffodils in gardens. I love seeing the flowers bloom, it just gives you such a great feeling to see all that growth, colour and beauty. Did you know that Tulips actually originated in Turkey. The name ‘tulip’ comes from the Turkish word ‘tulbend’, which stands for turban. Interesting hey, I always thought tulips originated in Holland but they didn’t.  Here I’ll share some of my tulip photos that I’ve taken and used on products for my store and a few designs that I created and put on t-shirts. Enjoy!

A Visit From The Easter Bunny?

My front yard.  Doesn't the shadow on the sidewalk look bunny like?  I didn't see the Easter Bunny when I had my eye to the camera, but I don't know how things work with the Big Bun.  There must be some sort of magic involved...  All I can say is we did have chocolate mysteriously appear then disappear in the house later that day.

Making Easter Treats

Have you heard of ‘cake pops’ or ‘cake balls’? I heard of these fun treats by Bakerella (you can find her on youtube) and I had been wanting to try to make them so yesterday I got motivated and decided to make some for Easter. I chose yellow, blue and lavender for my chocolate colours. You could make these for all kinds of parties from birthday parties to baby and wedding showers. These would also be a great project for moms or grandma’s to make with the kids. Only a few ingredients required and a little creative juice! I also just finished an article that shows the steps to make these! Making Delicious Cake Balls

I’ve been designing cute ‘cake’ designs for my store and using them on a variety of products.  Stop by to see more, Designs by Shell

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