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Hang in There ...

... now ... this is a time - when - you - just - - want - to - - - relax ...

Polar Bears

... but then - - someone - gives you a swift kick >> to get moving ...

... and you are right - back - - where - you - do not - *wanna - be* ...

That is when you need - - someone to hold ....

Someone - - who will be completely honest ...

... and ... rescue you from - those - - - close - calls ...

... and - when - - you are barely - *hanging in there* ...

... will - just ... make you smile ... and ... also ... ... ...

... be with you - when you are - having - a - - bad - day.

When times *get tough* - - we - will - be - there for you.

Please forward this to everyone - - you care about - and - - - -

everyone - - that the above pictures reminded you of.

Thanks for the photos and script - (From - - Our Neighbor - - Of Course)

WELCOME TO A NEW YEAR!!

Talavera de la Reina and Toledo

Talavera Needlepoint

A We - again - want to show - - those of - YOU - - who have not visited -- with US - - the incredible art from Spain.

Talavera and Toledo will be our *Places* next month - - if time permits this.

Coming Up ... Next Month ... or the next ?¿ Who invented such short days !!

Luna y Bombé

Little Luna The Little Bombe Cat

2003 was Fun !!

Hey - we are old enough to write to > YOU - - in our Spanglish now.

Bombé and I had a fabulous year - and are thinking of all kinds of new games for this new one - OOPS - someone is coming - so we need to leave you now ...

Yes ...

... we are still very interested in a summer (or permanent) exchange program for them - preferably with parakeets - however hamsters or little turtles would be fine also - - if any of you are interested please write to:

exchange program - (they are bilingual - and still have their backpacks ready)

... if not - will - anyone - PLEASE - - - suggest a summer camp - and ... an - all - year - long boarding school ?¿ PLEASE

Our Favorite Recipes - Restaurants and Chefs

New Years Eve Dinner

Caviar

Caviar - A Must for Hors-d'oeuvre - Beluga Please

Champagne Cocktail

Fuchsia Champagne Cocktail

Colour Your Holiday with Perrier-Jouët Champagne Cocktail

Be careful > just one !! ... (well - - or- maybe - two - - NO MORE)

Founded in Epernay in 1811 - the house of Perrier Jouet is known the world over for its high quality champagne and its prestigious vineyard. Its Grand Brut is pleasant and elegant - with subtle aromas. A very light - unusually fine champagne.

At Perrier-Jouet - they believe there is nothing quite as romantic as a fine Champagne shared with the one you love. The great house of Perrier-Jouet of Epernay - France was founded by a couple who fell in love with the vineyards of Champagne and each other. Together they created the world's most passionate Champagne.

The famous 'flower bottle' contains Perrier Jouet's most distinguished champagne - a single year vintage ennobled by the patrician Chardonnay grapes from Cramant.

Jan Voich - photo by Tristan Figueroa - blouse is by KENZO - Paris

New Year's - celebrated by different cultures on different days throughout the year - is a special holiday around the world. Although customs vary - the sentiments are the same - health - happiness and success in the year ahead. Here is a look at some traditions and toasts around the world.

FIESTAS OF SPAIN

No nation on earth is quite as good at enjoying itself as Spain. There are so many fiestas that even if you could attend more than one a day you would not be able to see them all in a single lifetime.

New Years - Try the 12 Grapes - This is funny.

New Year - begins in Spain like a Carnival party with people in masks in the streets - who - - try to eat 12 grapes during the last 12 seconds of the finishing year. A tradition that is said to bring good luck - if you get it.

Try This - it is Fun - although everyone looks silly with their mouths full ... of ...

Grapes

Remember - hours before midnight on New Years Eve - tens of thousands of people gather in Madrid*s Puerta del Sol to await the chimes of the clock on the tower - which dominates the Spanish capital*s central square. The excitement builds up as the magic hour approaches. Finally - at the stroke of midnight and the dawn of the new year - everyone will eat twelve grapes - one for each chime.

What to do When You are Down

Come Back and Read This Newsletter !! - ?¿

*Abbey - at a very wee age - - she is now sixteen !! - - My smallest niece is still doing some very curious things - beware - - World - she is one - dangerous - dart.*

We Love to Hear from Our Friends.

The Chorus Girls

Please write to us. If you like we will publish your correspondence in our next newsletter and web site. Tell us about yourself, your needlepoint *addiction* - what you would like us to add or remove from our newsletters ... or any of your favorite anecdotes! If you prefer to remain anonymous be sure to include this at the end of your note. Just select below and write - it is that simple. Make some time.

Mailman

Nice Thoughts from Our Friends.

Dear Jan, I own a little needlepoint shop in Kingston - Ontario and would love to stock your Talavera carpet kits. Do you offer them for sale to retailers like myself?

They would be very complimentary to what I am trying to build - we have all the best British - I am in the midst of a series of Canadiana designs from about 1775 and your Spanish tile representations would really provide an interesting balance. Thanks for considering my request.

Our Answer

Yes I do offer all of my products for sale to retailers - like you. The Talavera Kits are XX wholesale each - plus shipping and customs. I will send you a complete wholesale price list under separate cover if you like.

I would love to see the Canadiana designs - this sounds very interesting for me.

We will not be in Long Beach (TNNA) - this year - we will miss seeing everybody.

Again - fresh from ... Our Neighbor ...

... and ... this also ...

This is for all of us 40 and better ... for those not yet 40 - it is something to look forward to (you weenies) and you men ... don't you ever forget it !

Andy Rooney on Women over 40

*As I grow in age - I value women who are over 40 most of all. Here are just a few reasons why >

A woman over 40 will never wake you in the middle of the night to ask - *What are you thinking?* - She doesn*t care what you think.

If a woman over 40 doesn*t want to watch the game - she doesn't sit around whining about it. She does something she wants to do. And it's usually something more interesting.

A woman over 40 knows herself well enough to be assured in who she is - what she is - what she wants - and from whom. Few women past the age of 40 give a damn what you might think about her or what she's doing. Women over 40 are dignified. They seldom have a screaming match with you at the opera or in the middle of an expensive restaurant.

Of course - if you deserve it - they won't hesitate to shoot you if they think they can get away with it ... Older women are generous with praise - often undeserved. They know what it's like to be unappreciated. Women get psychic as they age. You never have to confess your sins to a woman over 40. They always know. A woman over 40 looks good wearing bright red lipstick. This is not true of younger women or drag queens. Once you get past a wrinkle or two - a woman over 40 is far sexier than her younger counterpart. Older women are forthright and honest. They'll tell you right off you are a jerk if you are acting like one. You don't ever have to wonder where you stand with her .... Yes - we praise women over 40 for a multitude of reasons. Unfortunately - it's not always reciprocal. For every stunning - smart - well-coiffed - hot woman of 40+ - there is a bald - paunchy relic in yellow pants making a fool of himself with some 22-year- old waitress.

Ladies - I apologize for all of us.*

Favorite Sayings

Like nearly all languages - Castellano (pronounced Castiyano) Spanish arrived at its current state over hundreds of years.

It had its origins in Indo-European and then in Latin before it became a distinct language of its own. Here you will learn more about the history of a language that is spoken by more than 300 million people.

Help me Out of Here !!

The Spanish language is rich with refranes > sayings or proverbs that often become a shorthand way of conveying a thought or expressing a judgment - a unique form - yet a loving vehicle of communication.

Here you will find a collection of a sayings - one for each day of the month.

Of the literally hundreds of sayings that are a part of the language - this section includes some of the most common as well as a few others that were chosen simply because they are so charming.

No tiene pelos en la lengua

He (or she) - has no hairs on his tongue

Meaning - he (or she) - is not very discreet - and says whatever needs to be said.

Fire Works > for YOU- - Happy New Year !!