Just For Fun (It's a December thing)
     Sent 12/14/2005

Sharing Creative Energy Newsletter
By Darla Arni

December2005
Sharing Creative Energy Newsletter is a free monthly, or whenever Darla
can get it out, publication for clients, friends and subscribers who want to
be more creative, energetic and productive in their life and work.
Past copies are archived on our web site: www.darlaarni.com.
© 2005 Darla Arni
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In This Issue:
Just For Fun
Quote of the Month
Mensa Moment
What is Darla up to?

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JUST FOR FUN
(It’s a December thing!)
In theory this time of year should be filled with blissful joy and time to reflect on our blessings while spreading Christmas cheer. While I might have had a couple of years like that in my early twenties, those times are long gone. America, in true to form fashion, has turned this time of year into a marketing and shopping extravaganza interspersed with family obligations and office parties that never live up to our expectations.

I can’t change the world, but I can tell you most of the things that take up our time during this madcap whirlwind of a season don’t matter in the long run and it would be better to have fun, do what you can, lower your expectations and get plenty of sleep! To help you on the fun part I am devoting the rest of this message to easy holiday ideas that cost little, are low stress and some even taste good. Many of these I have shared with my television audience when I was doing Creativity Segments on the FOX4 Morning Show in Kansas City so if you have a child around, enlist their help and make a memory.

Enjoy and have a Blessed Christmas!

Twiggies
You know all those annoying twigs that keep falling onto your lawn? Put them to good use with this twiggy snowflake ornament that even preschoolers can help make. Gather twigs and break them into varying lengths no longer than 5 inches. Stick the twigs randomly into 2-inch Styrofoam balls till the ball is thoroughly covered. Parents and older children can then take the balls to a safe place and spray them till covered with spray snow. The balls can be gently placed within the branches of trees or hung from pieces of fishing line tied around the ball. This ornament works great for the outside evergreens too! Want to try something different? Use a Styrofoam cone instead of a ball and create a forest of twiggy trees to decorate the rest of the house too.

Peppermint Ornaments
Small candy canes glued together form colorful red and white hearts that can be tied to a tree, chandelier, or even packages with red ribbon. Try using a variety of sizes and colors of candy canes to create an entire tree decorated with peppermint.

Peppermint Candles
Round peppermint, crushed peppermint, small candy canes and pillow shaped peppermint can all be used to embellish purchased candles. Use clear votive cups and red or white candles surrounded with peppermints or buy candles in glass containers and hot glue peppermints to the outside for a red and white gift sure to please any teacher on your list. Create a peppermint candle illusion by gluing peppermint sticks all the way around a pillar candle using regular white craft glue. For insurance encircle the peppermint sticks with a rubber band and tie with a bright red ribbon.

Making goodies for the holidays doesn’t have to mean heating up the oven and making a big mess in the kitchen. These fun to make treats are kid friendly, easy to make and you won’t even need to turn the oven on. Happy munching!

Popcorn Snowman
You will need:
4 quarts popped popcorn
1/2 pound M&M’s
1/2 pound Reese’s pieces
1 cup coarsely chopped pecans
1 large bag miniature marshmallows
1/2 cup margarine
1/2-cup vegetable oil
Mix dry ingredients together. Melt margarine and oil together on stove or in a microwave and bring to a boil. Add marshmallows and stir until creamy. Pour over dry ingredients and mix. Lightly pack popcorn mixture into the shape of a snowman with stocking cap. Use fruit leather to make scarf and stripes on hat. Gumdrops and other candies can be used for eyes, nose and mouth. Instead of making one large snowman you can make several smaller ones or two medium sized snowmen.

Yummy Table Top Trees
You will need:
Cone shaped ice cream cones
White can of prepared frosting
Green food coloring
Small candies, marshmallows, raisins, or nuts
Mix green food coloring with frosting until frosting is a good ‘tree’ green color. Turn ice cream cone upside down and frost. Trim the tree with goodies and let dry before handling.

Rudolph Cookies
You will need:
Purchased chocolate cookies
Red candies cherries cut in half
Small pretzel shapes broken in half to make antlers
Colored candy pieces
Chocolate frosting
Using chocolate frosting for the glue, attach candy eyes and red cherry noses. Dip broken pretzels in frosting and stick into top to cookie for antlers. Let frosting dry before handling.

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Creativity and a bad attitude cannot coexist!
*THE ENERGY OF ATTITUDE: If you would like more information about improving your attitude or know of a company, organization or group that could benefit by improving their attitude, contact Darla at 660-529-2969 or e-mail Darla.
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QUOTE OF THE MONTH
“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” Albert Einstein

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MENSA MOMENT
Mensa Moment is taking a break in December due to sensory overload. It will return in January!

Last Month’s Answer:
The answer to last month’s question was Peter.
I had several correct answers this month so we had to draw for the winner.(Drum roll please) Congratulations to Jo Self at Missouri State Teachers Association! Jo will receive a pocket personal journal. Please email me Jo so I can mail your prize ASAP!
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WHAT IS DARLA UP TO?
Sharing Creative Energy is now offering Personal Creative Consulting to a limited number of clients. So what does that mean? It means:
*Using ‘new eyes’ to view your situation
*Discovering innovative solutions for your problems and challenges
*Inspiring energy and ownership in your organization equaling progress.

If you need new ideas to expand your business or organization, or a longterm dilemma has you at a stand still, we are available to consult, evaluate and present you with multiple solutions to get your back on track to being more productive and successful. Our creative consultation can result in new products, new services and new value. Email or call today for a free preliminary consultation. Contact Darla or 660-529-2969

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Darla Arni is a Professional Speaker, Consultant and Author of Sharing Creative Energy at Home, Life Compass for Women, and the Sharing Creative Energy Newsletter.

Sharing Creative Energy
e-mail Darla
660.529.2969 voice
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