Through the Keyhole - January 2025

 

Through the Keyhole January 2025 Take a break from your day... Not your typical company OR newsletter     Through the Keyhole January 2025 Take a break from your day... Not your typical company OR newsletter       "With a rocky incline, twisting roads, Golden Fog and a famous prison.  The bridge pictured should make it easy.  Can you guess this location?" Can you guess the location? Happy NEW YEAR! I don't know about you but it feels like the years are flying by faster and faster these days.  It's already the year 2025 and there are so many things to look forward to and so many things to lament.  As this new year arrives, we are at the midpoint of another decade filled with transformation and innovation. It’s a year where technology continues to reshape our lives, and humanity strives to build a better, more connected world.  It's also a world where it's hard not to feel divided. In 2025, we envision breakthroughs in science and medicine that bring us closer to curing diseases and addressing global challenges. Communities grow stronger as people embrace empathy and collaboration, finding creative solutions to shared struggles. It’s also a year for reflection, reminding us of the resilience that carried us here and the responsibility to shape a future where everyone can thrive. As the pace of change accelerates, 2025 offers an opportunity to pause and align our ambitions with values that uplift humanity and the planet. Here’s to making 2025 a year of growth, kindness, and boundless hope. The future is bright, and together, we will illuminate it. There is so much to look forward to this and every year.  One thing is for sure...we live in the most interesting of times.        "With a rocky incline, twisting roads, Golden Fog and a famous prison.  The bridge pictured should make it easy.  Can you guess this location?" Can you guess the location?     Happy NEW YEAR!   I don't know about you but it feels like the years are flying by faster and faster these days.  It's already the year 2025 and there are so many things to look forward to and so many things to lament.  As this new year arrives, we are at the midpoint of another decade filled with transformation and innovation.   It’s a year where technology continues to reshape our lives, and humanity strives to build a better, more connected world.  It's also a world where it's hard not to feel divided.   In 2025, we envision breakthroughs in science and medicine that bring us closer to curing diseases and addressing global challenges. Communities grow stronger as people embrace empathy and collaboration, finding creative solutions to shared struggles.   It’s also a year for reflection, reminding us of the resilience that carried us here and the responsibility to shape a future where everyone can thrive. As the pace of change accelerates, 2025 offers an opportunity to pause and align our ambitions with values that uplift humanity and the planet.   Here’s to making 2025 a year of growth, kindness, and boundless hope. The future is bright, and together, we will illuminate it.   There is so much to look forward to this and every year.  One thing is for sure...we live in the most interesting of times.                  New Years Eve... New Year’s Eve: the one night of the year when wearing glitter becomes a survival tactic (because if you can’t dazzle them, blind them). It’s also the universal excuse to drink champagne from a plastic cup while pretending to love “Auld Lang Syne,” even though no one actually knows the lyrics. Let’s not forget the New Year’s resolutions, enthusiastically declared at 11:59 PM and conveniently forgotten by January 3rd. And, of course, there’s the countdown—a high-stakes moment where everyone desperately hopes they’ll be in sync enough to cheer “Happy New Year!” at the right time, instead of 10 seconds too late. New Year’s Eve: a chaotic, sparkly, slightly tipsy farewell to the year, where hope, laughter, and awkward dance moves reign supreme. Hope you had a good one...       New Year’s Eve: the one night of the year when wearing glitter becomes a survival tactic (because if you can’t dazzle them, blind them). It’s also the universal excuse to drink champagne from a plastic cup while pretending to love “Auld Lang Syne,” even though no one actually knows the lyrics.   Let’s not forget the New Year’s resolutions, enthusiastically declared at 11:59 PM and conveniently forgotten by January 3rd. And, of course, there’s the countdown—a high-stakes moment where everyone desperately hopes they’ll be in sync enough to cheer “Happy New Year!” at the right time, instead of 10 seconds too late.   New Year’s Eve: a chaotic, sparkly, slightly tipsy farewell to the year, where hope, laughter, and awkward dance moves reign supreme.   Hope you had a good one...               Appleton, WI on NYE ~ 1 minute     Appleton, WI on NYE ~ 1 minute             How can your small business benefit from using AI? AI is a game-changer for small businesses, offering tools to automate tasks, personalize customer experiences, and gain data-driven insights. From chatbots handling customer support to predictive analytics optimizing inventory, AI helps small businesses save time, cut costs, and boost profits. With accessible solutions, even the smallest ventures can harness its power to compete and grow in innovative ways. We are going to be delving into this in 2025.  Stay tuned. Contact us today if you would like to learn more...     How can your small business benefit from using AI? AI is a game-changer for small businesses, offering tools to automate tasks, personalize customer experiences, and gain data-driven insights. From chatbots handling customer support to predictive analytics optimizing inventory, AI helps small businesses save time, cut costs, and boost profits. With accessible solutions, even the smallest ventures can harness its power to compete and grow in innovative ways.   We are going to be delving into this in 2025.  Stay tuned.   Contact us today if you would like to learn more...     Guess the Location Game Last month the winner of the guess the location game was Karen Patterson who guessed the right answer.  I appreciate all of the participation.  THANKS FOR PLAYING!     Guess the Location Game Last month the winner of the guess the location game was Karen Patterson who guessed the right answer.  I appreciate all of the participation.  THANKS FOR PLAYING!       ANSWER: Vail, Colorado       ANSWER: Vail, Colorado           "Nestled in the heart of the Rockies, this mountain town is known for a ski resort with a European flair, a village inspired by alpine charm, and a world-famous après-ski scene. Its name shares a connection to a valley, but don’t be fooled by the modest size—it’s a destination that draws top athletes and luxury seekers alike. ..." Vail, Colorado, is the kind of place that feels like it’s straight out of a postcard. Tucked into the Rockies, it’s famous for its amazing skiing and snowboarding—think endless slopes covered in perfect powder. But even if you’re not into winter sports, there’s so much more to love. The village itself is super charming, with its European vibe, cobblestone streets, and cozy spots to grab a coffee or a craft cocktail. After a day of exploring, you can unwind at one of the many great restaurants or relax in a spa with mountain views. And if you visit during the summer? The whole place transforms. The snow melts away to reveal gorgeous trails for hiking, mountain biking, and even wildflower-filled meadows. There are also live music events, food festivals, and outdoor adventures like zip-lining and paddleboarding. Whether you’re into adrenaline-filled fun or just looking to kick back and soak in the views, Vail is a year-round destination that’ll make you want to come back again and again.                                     ~ 2 minutes     ~ 2 minutes         Triple Black Diamond Skiing ~ 1 minute     Triple Black Diamond Skiing ~ 1 minute         Tour of the Village~ 3 minutes     Tour of the Village~ 3 minutes       Well this is Random...       Well this is Random...                                                       A Really Talented Young Woman       A Really Talented Young Woman         Lanie Gardner sings Fleetwood Mac ~ 4 minutes     Lanie Gardner sings Fleetwood Mac ~ 4 minutes     Family Photo Shoot.       Family Photo Shoot.         Funny. ~ 3 minutes     Funny. ~ 3 minutes     The Equalizer - Great Scene       The Equalizer - Great Scene           ~ 6 minutes       ~ 6 minutes     The Gold Box       The Gold Box           Once upon a time, a man punished his 5-year-old daughter for using up the family’s only roll of expensive gold wrapping paper. Money was tight and he became even more upset when on Christmas Eve, he saw that the child had pasted the gold paper so as to decorate a shoebox to put under the Christmas tree.   Nevertheless, the next morning the little girl, filled with excitement, brought the gift box to her father and said, “This is for you, Daddy!” As he opened the box, the father was embarrassed by his earlier overreaction. But when he opened it, he found it was empty and again his anger flared. “Don’t you know, young lady,” he said harshly, “when you give someone a present there’s supposed to be something inside the package!”   The little girl looked up at him with tears rolling from her eyes and said: “Daddy, it’s not empty. I blew kisses into it until it was all full.”   The father was crushed. He fell on his knees and put his arms around his precious little girl. He begged her to forgive him for his unnecessary anger. An accident took the life of the child only a short time later and it is told that the father kept that little gold box by his bed for all the years of his life. And whenever he was discouraged or faced difficult problems he would open the box, take out an imaginary kiss, and remember the love of this beautiful child who had put it there.   In a very real sense, each of us as human beings have been given an invisible golden box filled with unconditional love and kisses from our children, family, and friend friends.   There is no more precious possession anyone could hold.   – Author unknown         Once upon a time, a man punished his 5-year-old daughter for using up the family’s only roll of expensive gold wrapping paper. Money was tight and he became even more upset when on Christmas Eve, he saw that the child had pasted the gold paper so as to decorate a shoebox to put under the Christmas tree.   Nevertheless, the next morning the little girl, filled with excitement, brought the gift box to her father and said, “This is for you, Daddy!” As he opened the box, the father was embarrassed by his earlier overreaction. But when he opened it, he found it was empty and again his anger flared. “Don’t you know, young lady,” he said harshly, “when you give someone a present there’s supposed to be something inside the package!”   The little girl looked up at him with tears rolling from her eyes and said: “Daddy, it’s not empty. I blew kisses into it until it was all full.”   The father was crushed. He fell on his knees and put his arms around his precious little girl. He begged her to forgive him for his unnecessary anger. An accident took the life of the child only a short time later and it is told that the father kept that little gold box by his bed for all the years of his life. And whenever he was discouraged or faced difficult problems he would open the box, take out an imaginary kiss, and remember the love of this beautiful child who had put it there.   In a very real sense, each of us as human beings have been given an invisible golden box filled with unconditional love and kisses from our children, family, and friend friends.   There is no more precious possession anyone could hold.   – Author unknown       Well That's Random.       Well That's Random.                 More Stuff.       More Stuff.                             Every Devin Hester Return...       Every Devin Hester Return...         Absolutely Classic. ~9 minutes     Absolutely Classic. ~9 minutes     Edgy.       Edgy.                                   More Edgy Stuff...       More Edgy Stuff...                                               Overnight Breakfast Casserole       Overnight Breakfast Casserole         Ingredients ·     1 package refrigerated crescent rolls ·     1 pound browned hot sausage ·     1 half package of Ore-Ida O’Brien frozen potatoes ·     2 cups shredded cheese (I like cheddar) ·     6 large eggs ·     2 cups milk (I like whole milk) Directions           1.            Place crescent dough in the bottom of a greased 9×13 pan.          1 package refrigerated crescent rolls 2.            Layer sausage, potatoes & cheese in order given.           1 pound browned hot sausage,1 half package of frozen potatoes,2   cups shredded cheese 3.            Mix eggs and milk together in large bowl. Pour over casserole.           6 large eggs,2 cups milk 4.            Cover and refrigerate overnight.     5. Let rest on counter while oven preheats to 350 degrees. Bake uncovered for 45 minutes or until eggs are just set in center, being careful to not overbake. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.       Ingredients ·  ·1 package refrigerated crescent rolls ·1 pound browned hot sausage ·1 half package of Ore-Ida O’Brien frozen potatoes ·2 cups shredded cheese (I like cheddar) ·6 large eggs ·2 cups milk (I like whole milk) 1.  Directions 1.Place crescent dough in the bottom of a greased 9×13 pan. 1 package refrigerated crescent rolls 2.Layer sausage, potatoes & cheese in order given. 1 pound browned hot sausage,1 half package of Ore-Ida O’Brien frozen potatoes,2 cups shredded cheese 3.Mix eggs and milk together in large bowl. Pour over casserole. 6 large eggs,2 cups milk 4.Cover and refrigerate overnight. 5.Let rest on counter while oven preheats to 350 degrees. Bake uncovered for 45 minutes or until eggs are just set in center, being careful to not overbake. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.         All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: 210 S. Milwaukee Ave. Wheeling, IL 60090 USA       All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: 210 S. Milwaukee Ave. Wheeling, IL 60090 USA