Thanks for those sunrise over the Atlantic pictures, jo! I've never seen the Atlantic (never been that far east). I've seen sunset over the Pacific a few times, however.

The mountains are also gorgeous for sunrises and sunsets, where it may be more hidden, but the effect on the sky behind the majestic towering peaks is amazing.

I love watching the sun (or moon) rise and set behind mountains. One of my fondest memories of a camping trip to Rocky Mountain National Park was accidentally waking up very early one of the first mornings we were there. Our campground, and all the surrounding valleys, were still in twilight, but the sun was just lighting the very top of Longs Peak in the distance. 'Twas truly awesome! I contemplated getting my camera (in my tent) but knew this was just a brief momentary glimpse before sunrise.

(I also remember watching Saturn rise from behind the peaks in Glacier National Park - probably because our week there was filled with clouds and rain, so any hint of a clear night sky was all the more special).

*waves to Benjamin, Aslans Country, and all the other NaNo writers in the Square. How are your stories coming along? (And don't forget to visit the NaNo thread over in the Spare Oom!)

Time to sign off...there's an Iridium flare coming up, and a NaNo story demanding some attention too.

Do my eyes deceive me? Is that Atamar looking about Town Square? The place where we met for the first time so many years ago?

*bows deeply and tips his hat to Atamar*

*has a cup of acorn tea with Gorse*

Wow. Sitting here looking into the world of NW..........has been soooooo long since I've been here. Big to Aunty Jo and Ceppault. Looking into here........bringing back a lot of memories.

*is called back into the Square by the long-unheard voice of Ata* I hope they're good memories, Ata! I know I have good memories of your previous time here in the Square! Happy to have you back! Hope you can stay awhile, drink a butterbeer, and relax!

Wow, the Town Square sure is picking up and therefore I'm having a hard time keeping up. But I've been rather busy and haven't taken the time to come in here.

First of all, this is REALLY late, but I wanted to say a big GOOD LUCK!!! to all of you Nano-ites! And because I'm so late, I probably ought to just ask how all of you are doing?

Speaking of which, I think it's time for Production Video 4 soon, don't you? *pokes PJ*

I should say so! I've been waiting for number 4. * hollers to Pet to get a move on it as well*

*is ready for number 5 now*
Actually, I remember waaaay back in the day when LotR:FotR was still in production, we got our first teaser trailer one year prior to the movie being released in theaters. So I'm trying not to get my hope up, buuuut, the one year to go mark is next month.

Come to the Hobbit Line Party next year and I'll try to make you and Jo some. And of course anyone else who shows up as well.

*makes mental note to bring her own cookies if by some chance she makes it to the party*

If you come, I will make some kind of chocolate and peanut butter free dessert.

We will put out a beautiful bowl of crisp apples for their enjoyment, how's that? Aha, I see Twigs mentioned vanilla ice cream or sugar cookies. Now, there's an idea too.

*thumbs up* I will never say no to cookies. Unless they have coconut or walnuts in them.

I take Irish Step Dance. I've been taking lessons for about six years now and I love it! I've never taken ballet, but I've always thought that tap would be a lot of fun. Hip-hop looks like fun too.

Oh neat! I probably shouldn't admit this on here, but ever since I heard Party Rock Anthem, I've been trying to learn how to Shuffle. I've got the basic running man step down, trying to learn the official Shuffle step (that one is hard) but my goodness is it a workout, and I'm out of shape.

Yes, I definitely would take a Ford truck over a Grand Marquis. I feel more comfortable driving in larger cars, like trucks and mini vans and any other car that's "above the road".

I got a good chuckle out of this comment because the Grand Marquis is not a small car. It looks like this...
http://www.tuningfever.fr/pics-med-1497 ... arquis.jpg
We call it 'The Boatness'.
But my preference for vehicles depends entirely on sightlines. If I can't see, I hate driving the car/van/truck/whatever. We actually did have a van for a while that I loathed because the sightlines were SO HORRIBLE. I really couldn't see if I needed to merge left, so I only drove it if I had to.
On the flip side of that, one of my favorite vehicles I ever owned was a 1989 Ford Escort. Ugly little thing. But boy could it drive.

I also liked A Christmas Carol - it's a quick yet captivating read. Despite all the portrayals in movies that have become engrained in our popular culture, there's still nothing like reading the original.

Ditto, stargazer! Nellie/Kimberly and I try to read it aloud each Christmas season.

Last year we watched the Jim Carrey version of the movie, and then I read the book for the first time ever shortly afterwards. Slapstick aside, I think that might have been the most accurate book to movie adaption of the Christmas Carol I've seen, though it certainly wasn't my favorite. I'm rather partial to The Muppet Christmas Carol. And I was raised on the George C. Scott live version of the movie.

So, did you decide to go, and if so, what will the costumes be?

We did go, and I went as Chell from Portal. Not a super common character, so I was really surprised at how many people knew who I was.

*is not sure what "GLOMPS" is and not sure if he should like it or not*

I have too much fun doing puzzles, only problem is that they are time consuming and I don't always have the time so throw around.

I love puzzle. The downside to that is that I have members of my family who think it's fun to give me some of the hardest puzzles in the world to do.... Here is the first puzzle I never completed.
http://www.calendarholdings.com/amazoni ... 010211.jpg
So not only is the picture itself impossible hard, but it's also reversible so the same picture is printed on the front AND the back and yeah... Maybe someday I'll pull it out again and finish it out of stubbornness, but I like to have fun doing puzzles and this one wasn't fun.
I posted my dream puzzle on my facebook page the other day....
http://www.amazon.com/Life-Greatest-240 ... =yahgam-20
Sadly, I do not have a large enough space in my house to do it. Someday....

Good luck on keeping the greenhouse warm! Did you build it?

Yes, but it was a kit. And thanks!

Sooo..once I was scrolling around NW, and my sister and I saw you used the phrase "phat lootz" and were really inexpressibly amused at it.. and we were wondering, what does it mean? Is it just, um, "fat loots"? [/random question. ]

Yes, it means 'fat loots'. It's a video game term and I think it's pretty self explanatory.

A few days ago I composed a rather lengthy post, only to lose it thanks to a couple of accidental keystroke shortcuts I blame on an unfamiliar keyboard.

Ctrl Z!!!!!

All we found was a picture of square watermelons.

You can buy kits to make those. It's a box with a sliding side to open and shut, and then a cutout on the top to slide the vine in. Just stick the watermelon in when they're little and voila! square watermelons. I saw this really crazy thing on the Food Network, at Disney where they have their own greenhouses, they have a form for their cucumbers, and they grown them in the shape of Mickey Mouse heads. I actually managed to find a picture...

Wow. *spots Atamar* I don't believe we've ever officially "met" but I've sort of gotten to know you on Facebook via ceppault. So hello! And it's good to see you back here again.

*waves hi and bye to everyone as she FINALLY decides to crawl out of bed* (It's warm )

*feels warm and fuzzy noticing that Aunty Jo is still using the name he invented for her so many moons ago*

HEY ALL!!!!!!!!!!

I sure have missed this place. I get scared of by all the long posts, but I'll try to come by more often so I don't get behind! I am going to just make a few comments then leave.

NaNoWriMo is pretty much a moot point this year. My cousin died on Monday, so that, as well as drama with a girl, has messed me up emotionally this week. I slept from 4:30 to 8 this morning. I didn't sleep at all Tuesday night. So I am exhausted.

And I got a new project at work! I am making a web-based step-by-step install guide for our of our products. So cool.

We had a really amazing warm streak the last few days. It's cold now, but especially Tuesday and Wednesday were incredible!

And finally, I started writing a Christmas song called "Can You Hear" or "I Can Hear." I haven't decided yet. When I finish it, I plan to record it.

OK, my time's up here. I'll try to swing by soon!

It's 11:11 on 11.11.11 as I type this.

Nice to see Atamar about the Square!

FK, I did enjoy the Jim Carrey movie version of A Christmas Carol, despite a few scenes I figure were added just for the 3D effect.

Thanks for that tip about Ctrl Z, FK.

Sorry to hear about your cousin, Sonny. You're in my thoughts and prayers.

It's going to be close to 60F the next few days. Amazing, considering it could be below zero F with piles of snow. But it can't be long now before it comes.

Hey ho, all ye SquareOnions!

Well I'm reading Amazing Grace by Steve Turner, the story of John Newton's life

Ooh, I was just looking through that book, which is in my To-Read pile. I'm about to begin Eric Metaxas' Amazing Grace, after I finish his inspiring and utterly fascinating Bonhoeffer bio. Nearly there, nearly there!

I have not actually heard the french horn much at all...

That must be remedied. Take a listen: the first instrument there is a horn, interspersed with a very short trumpet section from 8-9 seconds, and later, of course, when the Fellowship theme is so powerfully stated, but there, in its solo, you can hear the amazingly rich, haunting, mysterious, strong timbre that beautiful instrument portrays.

Before I forget, Twigs, your signature is hilarious! (And, sadly, so true. )

And, in a very different vein, I like your signature too, stargazer. *recalls Lightfoot's famous and moving song.

I love watching the sun (or moon) rise and set behind mountains. One of my fondest memories of a camping trip to Rocky Mountain National Park was accidentally waking up very early one of the first mornings we were there. Our campground, and all the surrounding valleys, were still in twilight, but the sun was just lighting the very top of Longs Peak in the distance. 'Twas truly awesome!

That sounds amazing, stargazer! I can picture your vivid words in my mind, but it probably doesn't come close to the real thing.

Do my eyes deceive me? Is that Atamar looking about Town Square? The place where we met for the first time so many years ago?

My heart leapt when I read this come in in my email notifications. And then ...

Wow. Sitting here looking into the world of NW..........has been soooooo long since I've been here. Big to Aunty Jo and Ceppault. Looking into here........bringing back a lot of memories.

right back atcha', dear Ata. Wow, what fun and special memories your coming back to the Square conjures up. Look in again, and sooner, if you can.

EtJ! You're here too! Oh, come back to us, come back to us, and say the Square is ... BEST! *coughquotefromTreebeard'sSongfortheEntwivescough*

*is ready for number 5 now*

DITTO!

So I'm trying not to get my hope up, buuuut, the one year to go mark is next month.

(One for every month left until the Release! )

I will never say no to cookies. Unless they have coconut or walnuts in them.

Likewise. Blech.

Last year we watched the Jim Carrey version of the movie,

FK, I did enjoy the Jim Carrey movie version of A Christmas Carol, despite a few scenes I figure were added just for the 3D effect.

Ditto. It was an excellent adaptation, but please, just take away those added chase and sliding scenes that drove me (and many) up the wall!

fantasia, that Dalmatian puzzle is ... whoa!!! And the 24,000 piece one? "Only" $288.61.

You can buy kits to make those.

Wowow, that's funny! And just look at those Mickey Mouse cucumber heads.

*waves hi and bye to everyone as she FINALLY decides to crawl out of bed*

I gather you're enjoying your laptop?

SONNY!!! Grand to see you here again. I'm sorry about your rough, exhausting week. I'm glad, though, that work seems to be going well for you.

And finally, I started writing a Christmas song called "Can You Hear" or "I Can Hear." I haven't decided yet. When I finish it, I plan to record it.

Ooh, I'd love to hear that.

*feels warm and fuzzy noticing that Aunty Jo is still using the name he invented for her so many moons ago*

"SquareOnions" or "Louise" or ? I am quite embarrassed to admit I'm not sure which name you're referring to. Yet, as soon as you say it, I'll, uh, remember right away, lol!

It's 11:11 on 11.11.11 as I type this.

Cool, 'gazer. I hope everyone took a moment out to be quiet and remember those who have served, and many given of their lives, so that we might know freedom.

I just have to end with a weather comment. Today is only 6C/42F with a very brisk, cool wind, and the nighttimes are regularly dipping to around freezing. This weekend, however, we are bouncing back up 10°(F) or so ... unusual for this time of year. And we have not yet seen our first snow flurries. Also unusual. Believe me, I'll be twirling and dancing in them when they do finally arrive. There are coloured leaves still on some trees, but with the wind the past few days, many have fallen. The front yard is a glory of yellow and orange on the green grass.

*slips out of the Square, subtly going by the Chocolate Tree, but also leaving behind a delicious, warm steaming pot of apple cider behind, heated by the fires of Vern, himself!* (This pot is staying warm on the stove, as Vern had other commitments and couldn't stick around to keep it hot.)

*apologizes, especially to Sonny for this loooooong post*

*enters, cause if he hadn't then he would be here!*

Ello Square Onions and Mortereve!

Well the weather today has been just fantastic, with a high of 65 it was great. Could have gone with a little less wind where I was working but it was still great.
And since it is so nice and cool that means mosquitoes will be hiding away which means I shall go hunting in the morning. May get something may not, but the weather should make it well worth my time in the woods either way. Not the best place to hunt I must say (Florida) but still is fun

*waves back to stargazer*

I love watching the sun (or moon) rise and set behind mountains. One of my fondest memories of a camping trip to Rocky Mountain National Park was accidentally waking up very early one of the first mornings we were there. Our campground, and all the surrounding valleys, were still in twilight, but the sun was just lighting the very top of Longs Peak in the distance. 'Twas truly awesome! I contemplated getting my camera (in my tent) but knew this was just a brief momentary glimpse before sunrise.

Wow, that sounds so amazing!
Yeah definitely don't want to ruin the moment by leaving the scene and getting your camera....

*waves to the Cep, Atamar and EtJ*

*is ready for number 5 now*
Actually, I remember waaaay back in the day when LotR:FotR was still in production, we got our first teaser trailer one year prior to the movie being released in theaters. So I'm trying not to get my hope up, buuuut, the one year to go mark is next month.

Ah yes, I loved number 4 and am always ready for more!
You would have to plant the idea in my head *starts hoping*

I love puzzle. The downside to that is that I have members of my family who think it's fun to give me some of the hardest puzzles in the world to do.... Here is the first puzzle I never completed.
http://www.calendarholdings.com/amazoni ... 010211.jpg
So not only is the picture itself impossible hard, but it's also reversible so the same picture is printed on the front AND the back and yeah... Maybe someday I'll pull it out again and finish it out of stubbornness, but I like to have fun doing puzzles and this one wasn't fun.
I posted my dream puzzle on my facebook page the other day....
http://www.amazon.com/Life-Greatest-240 ... =yahgam-20
Sadly, I do not have a large enough space in my house to do it. Someday....

That first one is just cruel! Same picture on the back just tops the terribleness of it

Oh wow, that would be a fun one to tackle! But looking on the photo on Amazon you need a really big space for it, which I don't have. Maybe eventually in my lifetime I'll get it done.

*waves to Sonny* Ah so it was you who made that name for Jo? I like it much

Ooh, I was just looking through that book, which is in my To-Read pile. I'm about to begin Eric Metaxas' Amazing Grace, after I finish his inspiring and utterly fascinating Bonhoeffer bio. Nearly there, nearly there!

As I figured out when I got half way through, it is divided into two parts and Part one is all about John Newton and then it continues in Part 2 of how it got it's music and other things I don't know yet for I have not finished.
Oh now, I have to read Eric Metexas' one, I love the story of William Wilberforce.

That must be remedied. Take a listen: the first instrument there is a horn, interspersed with a very short trumpet section from 8-9 seconds, and later, of course, when the Fellowship theme is so powerfully stated, but there, in its solo, you can hear the amazingly rich, haunting, mysterious, strong timbre that beautiful instrument portrays.

Ah yes I have heard the song but never connected it with a french horn. Beautiful instrument indeed.

I must ask what the soup/tea looking stuff in the pot is...

And now adieu!

--Benjamin

If you come, I will make some kind of chocolate and peanut butter free dessert.

Aww, thanks. I was having trouble of thinking how to do Hobbit themed cookies anyway. Oooh, I just remembered, I think I have an eagle cookie cutter.

I'm rather partial to The Muppet Christmas Carol.

Me too. When it was in theaters, our parents surprised us by taking us to see it. We didn't know where we were going until we got there.

Before I forget, Twigs, your signature is hilarious! (And, sadly, so true. )

Thanks Jo. Unfortunately I can only take credit for the first (and rather uninteresting) part. Oh and the design. I shall pass on your comment to the person who said that second part.

Hello, everyone!
I can't believe I'm actually doing this. I suppose since it's officially half way through NaNo, and I have 34k. But here I am. I've missed ya'll!!
So with NaNo, two weeks of play performances, and not much sleep, life has been busy, but good.
And LOTS of catchup.

I love dancing. I'm just not very good at it, nor do I have the opportunity to do it a lot.

I love it too, all different kinds, though I don't know as much as I could wish. I'd like to take lessons for ballroom, swing, ballet - pretty much any kind.

Well it looks as though your weather came by for a couple days last week. It was really lovely but it's too bad it did not last. COME BACK COLD!

Come back cold? What's this?! Our snow has finally melted - we had nearly 4 inches, and a 12 hour power shortage. I don't think we'll be getting much more heat.

Ooh, really? What part were you? I'm not actually in it, I'm playing in the orchestra. The first show was yesterday (first proper show, we performed it to primary school students the day before, but I don't think they understood very much of it ) and it went okay. People forgot their lines a few time which was awkward, and on the last song "Anything You Can Do.." the guy playing Frank completely skipped a verse, going to the part where he sings "I can sing anything sweeter than you" which left all of us panicking to get to that point in the music. There's one song I can't stand, though - "Doin' what comes Naturally" is so annoying. The rest of them are all right. A bit tiring listening to them night after night.. but it's good fun.
Oh, and it's Frank Butler. Yeah, a romance in which they basically fall in an out of love (many many times) for the entire musical.xD

Oh, that's not bad at all! I was expecting it to be really expensive for some reason.. Although the shipping to the UK'd probably be pretty expensive.

haha - I was actually Nellie, so I sang that annoying song several times. That's really funny. It is actually really annoying, but since it was "my" song, I enjoyed it.
Ooh, I hate it when that happens. xD But orchestra's (usually) do such an amazing job recovering and changing places. Or else it's a disaster.
I know, I expected it to be expensive as well; a pleasant surprise.

I'm afraid I don't have the time or energy to do anymore - but I've missed you all, and I hope I can post regularly again soon!
*waves to all*

I will never say no to cookies. Unless they have coconut or walnuts in them.

Likewise. Blech.

...But... but... *enormous sad face* I love coconut and walnuts.

On the cooking front, I made my first carrot cake last week. I'm so proud of myself, because it was tasty. (As a general rule, I despise cake.) But this one was moist and flavorful and did not exist solely as a base for the frosting.

*enters, cause if he hadn't then he would be here!*

Unfortunately I can only take credit for the first (and rather uninteresting) part. Oh and the design.

The only sad thing is that now I'm hoping for the 'real' film to be released. Y'all had to get my hopes up!

's pretty much all from me. *waves*

Thanks to all for the warm welcome back.

EtJ, of course they are good memories. And relaxing in the Square with a butterbeer sounds amazing right now. Been a long day.

*waves back to fantasia_kitty* Likewise have heard of you through ceppault. Nice to finally "meet" you.

Aunty Jo. Will most definitely try to drop in more often. Have missed it here. Will have to get back in the swing of things here.........like relearning how to write a long post.

*waves to all*

Hello, SquareOnions, with a special greeting for Atamar.

We're having butterbeer in the Square now, eh? I'll take an ice cold one, thanks...along with some of Mel's carrot cake.

Reading Digs' SO Christmas Decorations thread reminds me that American Thanksgiving is only a week away! Where has this year gone?

My sense of how late it is in the year is confused because we haven't had snow yet. That's a little unusual. But it looks like we'll get some this weekend!. It's certainly cold enough for local ski areas to make snow; our low this morning was a balmy 16F/-9C. Places in far northwest Minnesota reported the first subzero readings of the season, -6F/-21C. (These temps are pretty normal for this time of year).

Well, NaNo calls! Farewell to all, and to all a good mortereve.

Mortereve, all!

I know I have a lot of catchup to do, but right now...

Happy Thanksgiving to you SquareOnions and your families!!

I hope today is simply wonderful for you all and that you're filled to the bring with joy and happiness. God bless.

We're having spiced chicken, brown rice, and pumpkin pie amongst some other dishes. *ledrool* I can't wait.
Well I'll go out now.