~ martian cat ~

"Christmas Explore Makes Us Stars.”

2011-12-27T02:06:00.000+09:00

"Christmas Explore Makes Us Stars.”
~ a friend

Please open up your computer screen and turn up your speakers to enjoy listening to one of my all time favorites!
for your listening pleasure: "Swing City"
performed by: sample music on my computer's photo editing program

The images appearing in this slide show were made from Martian Cat's 2011 Explore Quilt. Flickr toys gives us presents every year which displays my most popular pics that are on flickr.

Thanks for stopping by and
Merry Christmas. Remember the reason
for the Season and God Bless...
hugs, Chris

“All the world's a stage.”
~ William Shakespeare

......................

1. "The creation of beauty is Art.”,
2. Martian Cat's 2011 Explore Quilt,
3. “Love of beauty is Taste.",
4. "What is love? Only God could design it.",
5. “Love is what makes you smile when you're tired.”,
6. “Everything should be made as simple as possible.”,
7. “The simplest things are often the truest.”,
8. “The creation of beauty is Art.”,
9. “Simplicity is an acquired taste.”,
10. "About once in so often we go back and begin again.”,
11. "A new year can only bring us a new combination of the same elements.",
12. "The principle of fashion is . . . the principle of the kaleidoscope."

......................

The above kaleidoscopes were made from Martian Cat's 2011 Explore Quilt. Flickr toys gives us presents every year which displays my most popular pics that are on flickr.

......................

more later...

"Your path is illuminated by the light... Wishing you a very, very Merry Christmas."

2011-12-08T12:28:00.001+09:00

"Your path is illuminated by the light...
Wishing you a very, very Merry Christmas.
hugs, Chris

for your listening pleasure: "Jesus, Jesus, Rest Your Head"
performed by: George Winston

........

created using my photo

more later...

How Addicted to Blogging Are You?

2011-11-26T10:35:00.004+09:00

In celebration of November being the month for Diabetes Awareness, please visit the blog listed at the top of the list... Diabetes Awareness & Support

......................

The above images in this mosaic are a collection of the blog headings that I created and posted onto flickr since I opened my first blog in August 2006. As the years have passed, I have opened more blogs to display the images I post onto flickr.

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Thank you for stopping by
and God Bless,
hugs, Chris

more later...

My Teddy Bears and Stuffies from my 2011 trip to the UK.

2011-10-21T07:08:00.002+09:00

1. Bears and Stuffies from the UK #1, 2. Bears and Stuffies from the UK #2, 3. Bears and Stuffies from the UK #3, 4. Bears and Stuffies from the UK #4, 5. My Teddy Bears and stuffies from the trip to UK sit with me.

more later...

"Happiness depends upon ourselves."

2011-09-16T16:21:00.001+09:00

"Happiness depends upon ourselves."
~ Aristotle

more later...

"Develop the art of friendliness."

2011-08-24T14:55:00.000+09:00

"Develop the art of friendliness."
~ William L. Abbot

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Vacationer

2011-04-18T09:35:00.000+09:00

"Never go on a vacation without your camera in your hand."
~ a friend

This is their version of Mt Fuji. And, that is my favorite mountain... so, that is why I quickly created this one, too.

Meet Vacationer on Meez.

more later...

Wishing you a wonderful day...

2011-04-16T15:13:00.000+09:00

Wishing you a wonderful day...

hugs, Chris

more later...

Dreamer

2011-04-14T03:16:00.001+09:00

"Never leave home to watch cherry blossoms without your camera in your hand."
~ a friend

Meet Dreamer on Meez.

meet me on Meez

more later...

“A smile starts on the lips, A grin spreads to the eyes, A chuckle comes from the belly; But a good laugh bursts forth from the soul,...

2010-10-23T11:22:00.002+09:00

“A smile starts on the lips,
A grin spreads to the eyes,
A chuckle comes from the belly;
But a good laugh bursts forth from the soul,
Overflows, and bubbles all around.”
~ Carolyn Birmingham

Happy Halloween... memories, memories, memories...

Thank you for stopping by and taking a couple minutes to smile.
I hope you enjoyed these fun memories from my images found on flickr in my set called Happy Halloween!

Wishing you a wonderful and fun weekend...

hugs, Chris

PS If you are wondering who appears wearing the glasses and hat...
It's me... self portraits from using my camera's timer...

I hope you smiled...

;o))

for your listening pleasure... "River Walk" by Paul Dylin

more later...

"Love lives here."

2010-07-28T23:06:00.002+09:00

"Love lives here."
~ unknown

music: "I Just Called To Say I Love You" by Stevie Wonder

all scenes in this slide show are found in my set eggs & chicks

I hope you can enjoy cooling down during this hot summer!
This is celebrating many different Holidays...
And, yes... Christmas can be celebrated in July!

hugs, Chris

PS Eggs are not only used for making omelets...

;o))

more later...

bathing beauty ~ a slideshow with music

2010-06-24T10:55:00.001+09:00

.

a bathing beauty that I found while
visiting Sankeien Gardens in Yokohama (Japan)

more later...

Happy Mother's Day

2010-04-30T17:42:00.002+09:00

more later...

Take a few minutes for prayers...

2010-03-01T14:54:00.002+09:00

Dear friends,

We all need to take a few minutes to reflect on what has been happening around the world.

Not so long ago, there was an earthquake in Haiti. Then, there was one that was off of Okinawa early yesterday. Later yesterday, there was another earthquake in Chile. Now, today (28 Feb 2010), tsunami are on their way all over the world from Chile.

Please take a few minutes and say a prayer for those in need our prayers.

Thanks for listening... thanks for your few minutes of prayer...

hugs, Chris (aka) martian cat

more later....

Happy Eleduck Day!

2009-11-02T07:43:00.001+09:00

Roxy (franomilano's pup) sent the Eleduck's brother to Japan! And, the Eleduck arrived in time for Meg's birthday!

Now, Meg and I can celebrate "Happy Eleduck Day!" in Japan, too!

Imagine... "Happy Eleduck Day!" will be on the same day as her Birthday!

Happy Halloween!

2009-10-29T18:34:00.000+09:00

Let's Celebrate!

Now, where did I put my mask?

more later...

Take Time

2009-10-11T11:16:00.001+09:00

Take Time

1. "Take time to think...
It is the source of power.",
2. "Take the time to play...
It is the secret of perpetual youth.",
3. "Take time to laugh...
It is the music of the soul.",
4. "Take time to pray...
It is the greatest power on Earth."
~ Words written on the wall of the Missionaries of
Charity children's home, Calcutta, India

..........................

a memories from a neighborhood garden

more later...

"If you want to be rich, smile."

2009-09-11T11:20:00.000+09:00

"If you want to be rich, smile."
~ anonymous

All lovely moments from visiting a neighborhood not too far away... These were taken with my smaller digital camera when it was brand-new. I didn't know what all of those little did buttons at the time.

....................

1. "If you want to be rich, laugh.",
2. "If you want to be rich, love.",
3. Beauty...,
4. "If you want to be rich, be kind."

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more later...

Roxy asks...Where have all the birdies gone?

2009-09-09T08:24:00.000+09:00

Little Roxy (the little pup in this photo) asked her Dad (franomilano) if she could come for a visit to Japan.

Her Dad explained that it is a long ride. So instead, she asks her Dad to make and send me this postcard.

It is kinda like a "Wish I was there with you..."

Thanks Roxy and Ron. Love ya and heaps of hugs, Chris

more later...

"Take the gentle path."

2009-08-23T17:13:00.001+09:00

"Take the gentle path."
~ George Herbert

views from Sankeien Gardens (Yokohama, Japan)

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1. "Bless a thing and it will bless you."
2. Solitude
3. "Greet the morning with affirmation."
4. Count your blessings.
5. Make a spiritual inventory of all of your blessings.
6. Remember the power of a blessing.
7. Let your imagination soar to the twilight where dreams first dwell.
8. Allow your heart to ponder what is precious.
9. Bring the larger picture into a sharper focus with prayer.

more later...

You posses the joy to make your dreams come true.

2009-08-17T17:11:00.001+09:00

"You posses the joy to make your dreams come true."
~ anonymous

more later...

"A hug is like a boomerang - you get it back right away."

2009-05-09T10:51:00.001+09:00

"A hug is like a boomerang - you get it back right away."
~ Bil Keane

more later...

"Have faith in God; God has faith in you."

2009-05-08T10:49:00.000+09:00

"Have faith in God; God has faith in you."
~ Edwin Louis Cole

more later...

Celebrate your blessings...

2008-11-22T09:17:00.000+09:00

"Celebrate your blessings..."
~ a friend

more later...

Halloween fun...

2008-10-29T09:27:00.000+09:00

Halloween is gaining popularity in Japan!

..............

1. Did martian cat get her cat ears and nose for Halloween?,
2. A fun Halloween scene...,
3. A large orange pumpkin...,
4. A cute pumpkin witch...,
5. A magic floating witch...,
6. A decorated pumpkin witch,
7. A fun pumpkin scene...,
8. A Fall sculpture...,
9. A Halloween martian cat...

more later...

"Little Things" Count

2008-09-25T09:21:00.001+09:00

"Little deeds of kindness
Little words of love
Help to make the earth happy
Like the heaven above."
~ Julia A. Carney

Is this a male and female of the same species?

Also, this is the first time that I've ever been so close to these critters!
I was so excited!

................

1. Little deeds of kindness,
2. Little words of love,
3. Help to make the earth happy,
4. Like the heaven above.

more later...

Love is worth sharing.

2008-09-06T12:27:00.001+09:00

"Love is worth sharing.
~ a friend

more later...

Dreaming Together

2008-05-29T09:55:00.001+09:00

"When two or more dare to dream big dreams together,
nothing is impossible!"
~ a friend

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!
Photos of QUALITY to Smile About

Special hugs from Meg and me...

more later...

Replacement windows

2008-05-18T10:00:00.000+09:00

"Eyeglasses are the replacement windows to the world!"
~ a friend

Did you ever have one of those days... where the nose piece from your eyeglasses falls into your hand? That was how (my) last Friday started... LOL...

Well, maybe my vision is not this bad... but, without wearing my glasses, there are times when looking at things is becoming a challenge!

my original photo...

more later...

Ken and Hana believe car safety is important!

2008-05-12T18:45:00.002+09:00

Ken and Hana proudly shows everyone that they believe wearing a seat belt in a car is important and keeps them safe.

For more about sock monkey adventures on blogspot.com...
Sock.Monkeys.in.Japan

more later...

Can you come to my Japanese green tea party?

2008-01-09T07:26:00.000+09:00

I always love a nice cup of Japanese green tea in the afternoon.

The Japanese green tea is ready!

Pouring green tea into a teacup has a certain style. I studied the Japanese tea ceremony when I first arrived in Japan. I still use some of that technique when I enjoy my cup of green tea.

My Japanese Noritake porcelain tea set is trimmed with platinum. There are mountains and cherry blossom petals on it. Each saucer is traditional Japanese reddish-brown lacquerware.

The white porcelain dishes with the traditional Japanese green tea treats are gold trimmed Yokohama china in a shell shape.

The tea treats are cherry mochi (a thin sweetened cherry flavored rice cake) a with cherry flavored Japanese an (a cherry flavored sweetened bean jam) filling and topped with a fresh strawberry. The outer covering is a fresh cherry leaf.

My traditional Japanese tea cannister is covered with cherry wood and has cherry tree branches with blossoms and leaves carved into it.

more later...

New Year's Wishes

2008-01-02T08:01:00.000+09:00

"What shall I wish for?
Treasures of earth?
Songs in the springtime,
Pleasures and mirth?
Flowers on thy pathway,
Skies ever clear?
Would this insure thee
A Happy New Year?

What shall I wish for?
What can be found
Bringing thee sunshine
All the year 'round?
Where is the treasure,
Lasting and dear,
That shall ensure thee
A Happy New Year?

Faith that increaseth
Walking in light;
Hope that aboundeth,
Happy and bright;
Love that is perfect,
Casting out fear;
These shall ensure thee
A Happy New Year.

Peace in the Saviour,
Rest at His feet,
Smile of His countenance,
Radiant and sweet.
Joy in His presence!
Christ ever near!
This will ensure thee
A Happy New Year!"
~ Frances Ridley Havergal

1. New Year's Wishes [1], 2. New Year's Wishes [2],
3. New Year's Wishes [3], 4. New Year's Wishes [4]

Enjoying some of my favorite things... a cup of tea by candlelight...

more later...

"What makes Christmas?"

2007-12-12T08:26:00.000+09:00

"What makes Christmas?
Is it a calendar date? Is it the giving and getting,
the eating and drinking, the greeting cards,
the Christmas tree, the holly, the colorful lights,
tinsel, the glamour? Is it the story of Bethlehem,
the manger, the Infant in swaddling clothes,
the shepherds, the angels, the magi, the star,
the nativity of the matchless Babe born of a
virgin? What makes Christmas real?
The living Christ dwelling in our hearts!"
~ Dale Crowley

Visions of my own Christmas tree in 2007. The dresses are handmade from antique cotton handkerchiefs. Some are from a friend who passed away (in 2006 at the age of 96) and others are from her daughter. Each one is one of my cherished treasures.

........................

1. What makes Christmas? {1}, 2. What makes Christmas? {3}, 3. What makes Christmas? {2}, 4. What makes Christmas? {4}

more later...

Let your Holidays sparkle...

2007-11-30T08:09:00.000+09:00

Make a MOO Greetings Card with this image and help raise money for Médecins Sans Frontières

You'll be taken straight to a page on MOO with my image selected, ready for you to customise and buy.

Find out more about MOO Greetings Cards

flickr is offering cards this year. This is one of my many designs that I made to help the cause and raise money for charity.

more later...

Celebration of Thanksgiving

2007-11-23T17:48:00.000+09:00

"The hope, the beauty and the love
That brighten each day's living--
We praise Thee--and our hearts are filled
With joy--and with thanksgiving."
~ unknown

more later...

Little Things Matter

2007-11-21T17:50:00.000+09:00

"It's the little things that matter
As you travel down the road.
And there's joy and great contentment
In sharing someone's load.
To you it's such a little thing
And hardly worth the time,
But, brother, it can mean a lot
With a long hard hill to climb.
Our lives are filled with ups and downs;
More downs than ups, it seems.
And often times a helping hand
Brings closer still our dreams.
If there be that which we may do
To lighten someone's way.
Let's do it, then, and thank the Lord
This was our lucky day."
~ L. Noyes

1. Little Things Matter [1], 2. Little Things Matter [2], 3. Little Things Matter [3], 4. Little Things Matter [4]

more later...

When the Heart is Full of Love

2007-11-17T17:54:00.000+09:00

"There is beauty in the forest
When the trees are green and fair.
There is beauty in the meadow
When wild flowers scent the air.
There is beauty in the sunlight
And the soft blue beams above.
Oh, the world is full of beauty
When the heart is full of love.
~ Author unknown

While I was enjoying Harbor View Park in Naka-ku (Yokohama, Japan), I met a local resident who was painting some of the area's scenery.

1. When the Heart is Full of Love [1], 2. When the Heart is Full of Love [2], 3. When the Heart is Full of Love [3], 4. When the Heart is Full of Love [4]

more later...

- Trick or Treat -

2007-10-31T13:40:00.000+09:00

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KIF's Minami Circle's IFL Meeting

2007-10-26T09:35:00.000+09:00

Kanagawa International Foundation's Minami Circle's (23 Oct 2007) IFL (International Food Lover) Cooking Members Meeting.

2. Minami Circle IFL Group [1], 3. Minami Circle IFL Group [2], 4. Minami Circle IFL Group [3], 6. Minami Circle IFL Group [4], 7. Minami Circle IFL Group [5], 8. Minami Circle IFL Group [6]

more later...

Every moment...

2007-10-25T20:14:00.000+09:00

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It's such an interesting world...

2007-10-21T07:05:00.000+09:00

"It wouldn't be so interesting if we knew
all about everything."
~ Lucy Maud Montgomery

1. red and yellow tulips, 2. tulip time, 3. pink tulips, 4. tulips, 5. tulips in black and white, 6. purple tulips, 7. salmon tulips, 8. orange and yellow tulips, 9. mixed red tulips

Some springtime memories from my neighborhood.

more later...

Happy Halloween!

2007-10-19T21:26:00.000+09:00

Fountain of Gladness

2007-10-17T09:50:00.000+09:00

"A kind heart is a fountain of gladness,
making everything in its vicinity freshen
into smiles."
~ Washington Irving

more later...

Sharing...

2007-10-16T09:48:00.000+09:00

"It takes a heart to share."
~ unknown

more later...

Beautiful Sentiments...

2007-09-19T09:53:00.000+09:00

"Every [person] feels instinctively that
all of the beautiful sentiments in the world
weigh less than a simple lovely action."
~ James Russell Lowell

1. a dancing pink..., 2. The little things in life..., 3. Enjoy the little things..., 4. Taking the scenic route, 5. Celebrating..., 6. Happy Birthday Carol @Tumbleweed1937, 7. The real joy..., 8. Today, I subtract a year... its my Birthday!! ;o)), 9. If your gift...

more later...

Thank you flickr friends...

2007-09-18T21:07:00.000+09:00

Dear flickr friends,

This is a very special thank you to you, my fantastic flickr friends. You have been there and always have brightened my days. You always share in the special times whether they are happy or sad. We always share so much of ourselves thru our emails.

Each of you have encouraged me to improve my photographic skills. You have shared so much of your love, life, your skills, and your knowledge with me in your photographs, too.

As I have said above... "Thank you friends..." Thanks so very, very much for being there.

hugs from Meg and me...

PS I've always tried my best to do the same for you, too!

---------------
the original mosaic

more later...

This is dedicated to my Mom...

2007-09-05T21:17:00.000+09:00

"Some people come into our lives and quickly go,
Some people stay for while and leave footprints
on our hearts, and we are never the same."
~ unknown

This is a photo of me (martian cat)...
My mom never had the chance to see me "as a woman". My mom passed away in 1991 because of breast cancer and I was only 17 years old. I wish I could share this with her...
My mom's mom (my grandmother) passed away in 1951 of breast cancer, too! And, I never had the chance to meet my grandmother.

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

If you are interested with helping to support a cause, please visit...
Livestrong Flickr 2007

Here is my poster... Livestrong Flickr 2007. Please take a moment to spread the word...

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Created with fd's Flickr Toys.

Taking the scenic route

2007-08-10T23:28:00.000+09:00

"Improve your spare
moments and they will
become the brightest
gems in your life."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

more later...

Each day...

2007-08-04T08:04:00.000+09:00

"Each day comes bearing its own gifts.
Untie the ribbons."
- Ruth Ann Schabacher

more later...

I'm back in Japan

2007-07-17T15:29:00.000+09:00

more later...

Cherish a vision of Spring

2007-03-23T07:11:00.000+09:00

Some of the first sights that Spring is here...

more later...

Friends...

2007-03-14T21:59:00.000+09:00

Happy St Patricks Day

2007-03-08T06:37:00.000+09:00

more later...

A Valentine spin

2007-02-14T22:08:00.000+09:00

By spinning my heart... my flickr Valentine's contact's names brought an angel into view at the center of this circle...

Maybe this is a reflection of who I have as my flickr family, friends, and contacts...

Inspired by a contact, I just had to enjoy doing this... especially for Valentine's Day...

more later...

A Valentine

2007-02-13T18:47:00.000+09:00

If you keep looking, you will find beauty... it is in front of your eyes...

Happy Valentine's Day

2007-02-07T23:31:00.000+09:00

more later...

A Valentine's Day Resort Vacation - Meg & I are M~n~M's!

2007-01-23T18:13:00.002+09:00

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Meg and I are now M~n~M's... dressed and accessorized. We are at a tropical resort enjoying our Valentine's Day! Imagine... This place allows dogs! Meg is not very happy about that!!! LOL!

having fun with:
~ becomeanmm
~ pikipimp
~ picnik
~ flickr toys

using my the original M~n~M's creation

more later...

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year - 2007

2006-12-30T21:59:00.000+09:00

more later...

Holiday hugs...

2006-12-25T11:40:00.000+09:00

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Holiday time...

2006-12-03T20:29:00.000+09:00

There is always the possiblity that you do not decorate for Christmas for a variety of reasons...

more later...

Summer Heat

2006-08-11T16:43:00.000+09:00

Yesterday, I went to Tokyo and bought some craft materials. I was able to enjoy eating lunch with a friend, too. It seems unbelievable that it was almost one year since we had lunch together.

This summer's heat is getting to me!

Today, I have been enjoying the idea of being creative. Having busy hands does make time pass quickly.

yesterday's challenge

2006-08-10T04:24:00.000+09:00

I love to collect porcelain china.

Yesterday's challenge was to rearrange dishes. To accomplish my task, I had to make space in the closets, shelves and drawers to make some safer space for my collection. It is not as easy as it sounds! This is always fun because it means that I can revisit my favorites. Even more fun is to put away one friend (a cup) and bring out another older friend.

Life is always a challenge. Yesterday was no different!

enjoying a cup of tea, originally uploaded by martian cat.

Every day is lovely if it begins with a delicious pot of tea which is served in a beautiful porcelain cup. It does not matter if it is European style tea or Japanese tea. I have beautiful cups and tea pots for both... It is the relaxation time it takes to drink the tea that is very important. Some days, this time could be only minutes... it depends on how busy my schedule is...