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Пляж Хуа Хин
Price/SqM : ฿ 49,062
Price/SqM : ฿ 43,714
Price/SqM : ฿ 51,111
Price/SqM : ฿ 45,736
Price/SqM : ฿ 46,424
Price/SqM : ฿ 48,203
Price/SqM : ฿ 47,800
Price/SqM : ฿ 45,729
Price/SqM : ฿ 46,634
Price/SqM : ฿ 46,903
Price/SqM : ฿ 48,896
Price/SqM : ฿ 44,186
Price/SqM : ฿ 44,399
Price/SqM : ฿ 42,558
Price/SqM : ฿ 43,295
Price/SqM : ฿ 43,663
Price/SqM : ฿ 45,283
Welcome to Orchid Paradis Homes, the lovely villa project set amidst stunning mountains close to Hua Hin city center. Our private resort-homes combine leisure, investment and vacation in perfect harmony; here permanent residents and holidaymakers live together as neighbours surrounded by lush tropical nature less than 15 minutes from Hua Hin city center and beautiful beaches.
Orchid Paradise Homes has something for everyone; those who wish to enjoy the privacy and tranquility in their own spacious garden and large swimming pool or others who prefer a more lively atmosphere in the common area / club house with BBQ, swimming pool with water slide, restaurant and bar. Orchid Paradise Homes has always room for children, and families with kids will enjoy the fun and friendly surroundings. If golf is your favourite pastime, Hua Hin sports more than 10 golf courses and Orchid Paradise Homes is located just 5 kilometers from the internationally renown Black Mountain golf course and Water Park. Here you also have the opportunity to try water skiing and wakeboarding in the brand new cable park.
Orchid Paradise Homes is hard to describe in only words and pictures with its unique and unpretentious atmosphere, child friendly surrouondings and fun evenings around the common area. Our aim is to provide the perfect villa, an enjoyable frame for good times and joyous vactions with friends and family, but also to ensure the very best service during your stay.
The information being provided by Bangkok Biz News about Orchid Paradise Home is for the visitor's personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties visitor may be interested in purchasing. Any information relating to Orchid Paradise Home referenced on this web site comes from the Internet Data Exchange program defined by Bangkok Biz News. This web site may reference real estate listing(s) held by a brokerage firm other than the broker and/or agent who owns this web site. Any information relating to Orchid Paradise Home , regardless of source, including but not limited to square footages and lot sizes, is deemed reliable but not guaranteed and should be personally verified through personal inspection by and/or with the appropriate professionals. The data contained herein is copyrighted by Bangkok Biz News and is protected by all applicable copyright laws. Any dissemination of this information is in violation of copyright laws and is strictly prohibited.
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Logitech Harmony 1100 is the perfect complement to your sophisticated living room. Put a brilliant, 3.5-inch, full-color touch screen in your hands. You'll be able to turn on everything you need with just one touch. And you can customize the controls to get the commands you want, when you want. It's like no remote you've ever used before
Luxury for your living room.
Warranty Information:

subset: commoncrawl


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The Lovlog is a place for ideas, experiences and insights and you are invited to share your story.
Giulia has suffered with anorexia nervosa for several years and understands the difficulties of communicating with loved ones who are struggling to understand. Here, Giulia shares ten things that she wishes her family and friends understood about her eating disorder.
Occasionally feeling scared or fearful is all part of growing up. But some kids find it much harder to manage stressful situations and the world can be scarier for them than for other kids their age. If stressful situations bring on anxiety in your child, this guide from beyondblue can help.
Everyone descends on new parents to meet the newest, smallest, most malleable member of a family. This is wonderful. And exhausting. Adrienne Buckingham shares some helpful tips for those participating in the tidal wave of affection.
Let's face it, hospital visits can be awkward. Unless there's a new baby involved, few of us relish the idea of spending an hour in a too small cubicle making small talk, dodging nurses and skirting around the elephant in the room. Especially when it's a big elephant.
According to the ACCC's Scamwatch, people over 65 are particularly vulnerable when it comes to scams. So how can we protect ourselves and those we love? The following tips should help.
People seeking refuge in Australia hail from all corners of the globe, driven from their homes by war, persecution, terror, poverty and natural disasters. There are a number of community agencies who seek to support these people and many welcome volunteer assistance in providing their services. In many ways, large and small, we can help.
Mother's Day is always a mixed bag of emotions for me. On one hand I celebrate the two beautiful Rainbow Babies I have here with me, and on the flipside I mourn the babies who did not make it home with me in the past five years. The truth that most do not see, is that I am a mother to five sweet babies, not two.
Helping others is not only good for them and a good thing to do, it also makes us happier and healthier too. Action for Happiness explains how and why doing things for others is a powerful way to boost our own happiness as well of those around us.
It's common to feel unsure about how to talk about anxiety or depression, or to worry about saying the wrong thing. Here are some useful phrases people who have experienced anxiety or depression say are most helpful to hear during difficult times.
Erin Kelly shares six things you probably want to know about her cerebral palsy but are too afraid to ask.
When visiting a friend or relative in hospital, you might like to take along a special gift. It doesn't need to be much and the thought here is very much what counts.
Cooking for someone who is ill or going through treatment requires a little extra thought. These guidelines should help you in preparing that special meal.
Self care is an important part of everyone's schedule but especially a carers. Everyday carer, Rachel James shares her tips on self care and managing priorities.
When asked to address a group of parents whose kids were giving them cause to worry, Katrina Kenison called her son Jack for advice.
Angela Miller's moving letter to a newly bereaved parent, comes from the heart of someone who has felt the pain of losing a child.
Caring networks can have a profound impact on a person's quality of life. Saying yes to help offers long-term benefits for all.
Alzheimer's Australia's 12 Top Tips help sheet combines a common sense approach with practical strategies for interacting with people who have dementia.
We are thrilled to share with you five fabulous recipes from The Dinner Ladies, Sophie Gilliatt and Katherine Westwood.
In the face of the need we see daily, most of us want to help. But sometimes, it is hard to know just where to start. Turn good intentions into effective action with the help of these five charities.
When seeking to comfort someone grieving the death of a loved one, it is important that we choose our words carefully. The Dougy Center offers some helpful suggestions.
Hearing the same questions over and over again can be frustrating, but it's important you stay calm.
Sharing stories: Sydney mum, Caroline, gives a very personal account of her cancer journey from diagnosis, to treatment and recovery.
Helping a loved one struggling with alcoholism or drug dependence can be heartbreakingly painful, but with help, and commitment, it can be remarkably rewarding.
I am a mother to Sienna, Sebastian and Tennyson. Today marks the second anniversary of the birth of our son Sebastian, who was stillborn at 38 weeks.
For a new widow, empathy eases death's pain. Ann Finkbeiner reflects on the healing power of empathy and reminds us that our presence, our words of comfort and yes, even our cookies, can make a difference.
The following tips will help you to assist people who are blind or have low vision. Always ask before trying to assist and don't be offended if your assistance is not required.
I became a mum at the age of 24 and a single mum just five years later. Some of those years are a blur, especially the early ones, and there is much that I am happy to forget. But there are certain lessons I learned at that time for which I am grateful.
Are you looking for tools to help yourself or someone you care about? Assistance is quite literally at your fingertips, with these smartphone apps.
Whether you are cooking for friends, family or complete strangers, the following meals are sure to find a welcome place at the table.
When a friend's child dies, it is difficult to know what to say. This list of what not to say or do will help to ensure that your heart and mind are in the right place.
An Advance Care Plan ensures that you have a say in your medical care, even if you become too sick to speak for yourself.
Extend the life of your carefully prepared meal by making it freezer friendly. Here are some meals that can be frozen for up to 3 months, ready to be thawed and reheated when needed.
Volunteering enriches lives and connects people to their communities. There are many ways to share your talents and your time as a volunteer.
LOVLIST is an online community for people who wish to use their hearts and hands to help others. Here are ten ways you can use Lovlist to help in your family or community.
This engaging video, from Autism Ontario, is a wonderful introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorder.
If you are preparing or delivering meals, or organising a meal roster, there are a few things you should consider to ensure minimum fuss and maximum enjoyment.
Lovlist is all about collaboration and we'd love you to collaborate with us by sharing your story. Your experiences and wisdom could be helpful to others facing challenges or to those trying to help.
An extended stay in hospital with a sick child is at best uncomfortable; at worst it can be terrifying and overwhelming. Ursula has been by her son Nicholas' bedside for the better part of two years following his cancer diagnosis at age two.
Brene Brown's discussion of the power of empathy is accompanied by a wonderfully helpful animation.
This short film dispels some myths about dementia and gives an intimate insight into the feelings of those diagnosed with the disease.
For some children and their families, a hospital stay can mean days, weeks and even months away from the life they've known and they have to find things to do within the confines of a hospital bed.......
These power-packed meals are all portable and perfect for eating on the go. Prepared in bulk, most can be frozen in single serves and slipped into a lunch box on the way out the door.
The birth of a baby is a joyous occasion but it can also be exhausting and overwhelming. Friends and family are invaluable at this time, and there are many simple things that we can do to keep this special time special.
Ten Practical ways you can help someone who is experiencing loss, illness or another life changing event
This clip from the Compassionate Friends explains the role of the organisation and gives valuable insight into how it feels to lose a child and how you can help someone you know in their grief.
When a child suffers through loss, it is a particular kind of grief. In order to support children at this time it is helpful to get advice from experts so that we can offer the best possible support.
If you help out regularly, at school, work or in your local community, chances are you've been asked many times to Bring A Plate. For some of us, these simple words can strike terror into our very beings.
Recognizing depression and seeking help is the first and most critical step towards recovery.
Whether you are looking for answers for yourself or someone else, help is at hand at your local library. Here are ten reasons we've found to love the local library.
Whether you're cooking for a friend or for yourself there'll be times when you want to put some away for another day.
Reading with children can be an immensely rewarding experience for both adult and child. If you do it right, you can take a child with you into worlds of adventure, mystery and possibility and away, at least for a time, from difficult realities.


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I wear a thin gold bracelet that says this quote and it always makes me think. It's not as simple as the notion of, "love what you do." You first have to identify what you love. And then you have to think about what you find beautiful about what you love. Finally, you have to ask yourself if you're actually adding to what you love....to its beauty...by doing and making more of it.
My ultimate goal in this little life is that I make this world better by having lived. While I don't plan on being the first female president or curing cancer or preventing world hunger, I do want to have some sort of impact. I should mention here that I tend to dream on the bigger side. Almost to a fault. Yep, my parents raised a Jessica.
For so long, our goals are standard and often expected... make it through elementary school, then the awk-y middle school years, push through high school, then graduate college and/or get a job. But what about after that? It's all up to us. We are adults, anyway. (shudder) Someone once said, "Don't let your dreams always be dreams." ...which is inspiring but also quite scary, yes? If you're like me, you might carry around a mental list of things you hope to accomplish someday - so, someone reminding you that someday has the chance of never being today unless you get-on-that-shiz ASAP is a tad discomforting... especially when you allow yourself to acknowledge how quickly the months and years pass by. It's outrageous, really. I got my 10-year high school reunion save-the-date in the mail recently and stood in my kitchen staring at it, certain that the school had made a giant mistake. I had one of those bizarre moments comparable to fogetting how to spell a word like, 'who' where I questioned whether or not the same amount of time passes between the ages 10 to 20 and 17 to 27. And it took an embarrasingly long time to figure out the answer to that oh-so-difficult question. So like, what gives? It's as if time only speeds up as we age and the calendar only becomes more packed of things to remember and juggle. Granted, I have a wizard for a mother; she accomplishes more productive/good/selfless/fun things in a day than most do in a month so perhaps as a result, my bar is set at impossible. Even so, I find myself tripping over (ha! even happens when I'm just figuratively speaking) those bigger dreams of mine just because I don't know where to even begin nor where to find the time. So what do I do? Well, I have an idea...
Instead of carrying around these mental dreams, I'm going to first write them down. Sounds easy, but it's actually pretty terrifying and makes me uncomfortable. But if I've learned anything, it's the uncomfortable setting that typically promotes change and pushes you to be a better version of yourself. Plus, I need to see these things-I-wanna-do on paper since I have a feeling the list might be long and I will need to do some prioritizing. The next thing to do is to separate your dreams by category -- for example: fitness, personal, finances, career, something you want to do for others, geographical location, etc. Thirdly? I'm going to put them in chronological order of when I would like (key word being like, since we all know things can happen differently than how we plan) to accomplish them. Some will be easier than others. For example, if you really want to write an autobiography, perhaps you can push that to the end of your list for when you know how your life turns out :) Within each list, break down the bigger dreams into smaller & more obtainable goals, paying the most attention to the ones you would like to accomplish first. For example, if you're wanting a certain job, but you realize you're going to need a few more years of school, start by identifying the application timelines/guidelines and examining your financial situation. Think about reaching your weekly needs instead of the daunting desire of going from your current state to your end goal. Focus on the month-to-month and the goals you want to accomplish in the next two years, but also look back at your list to see where you want to be in 5 and 10 years. (Yes, this is my plan to make a plan.)
Perhaps this rant has been a waste of your time and you stopped reading when I used the term shiz above. Perhaps you've already accomplished big things in your career and personal life and you're at a place of contentment. Or perhaps you're struggling to translate your bigger dreams into a plan of attack and something here resonated with you. (Or maybe this was just a pep talk between me & myself.) Regardless, I'd like to think that when I'm standing in my kitchen one day (oh, how I hope it's a bigger kitchen!) staring at my 20-year high school reunion save-the-date, I will have a similar reaction of wondering how the heck it's been another decade. But here's hopin' I will also be able to look back to now and be like yes! I got something done in those 10 years I decided to.
until next time,


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Shimano TDR Trolling Rods are popular as a mainstay rod for those anglers looking for a rod to match with their downriggers, dipsy divers or other trolling applications. A wide range of rods offers you the right tool for any trolling situation or application. The durable, flexible fiberglass TDR rods have proven themselves over and over again. These classic rods are popular both on the coasts and on the Great Lakes.
Features of these rods include:


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by Kat
Not sure of age, but I understand it was purchased in Japan in the 1950's.
Ivory pieces - natural white and stained dark pieces. Each piece is slightly different with very detailed carving.
The elastic for holding the pieces in has gone loose. The case / board shows its age. There is a detailed engraved latch and lock mechanism that goes with it.
Pieces have some wear and tear, but any small parts and pieces that have broken off come with the set, they have been saved.
Please let me know how to go about setting a value for this set? I have seen prices ranging from $250 to $5,000 +.....
Thanks for your help.
Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Ivory Chess Set.
Kaufman's New Repertoire for Black and White is available now.


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Cherry Almond Cake
Cherries and almonds are close botanical relatives, and they're famously compatible in desserts. Here, they meld lusciously in a three-tier cake layered with sour-cherry jam and buttercream and cloaked in marzipan.
- Yield: Makes about 13 cups batter
Source: Martha Stewart Weddings, Spring 2006
- Vegetable-oil cooking spray
- 4 cups blanched almond flour
- 1 1/2 cups cake flour (not self-rising)
- 5 cups confectioners' sugar
- 34 egg whites, room temperature
- 2 1/4 cups light-brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
- Cherry-Jam Gelatin
- 1 1/2 recipes Cherry Buttercream
- 8 pounds marzipan, plus more for cake board
- Royal icing, tinted to match marzipan
- Marzipan cherries
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat cake pans with cooking spray; cover bottoms with parchment, and coat again. Sift together flours and confectioners' sugar. Set aside.
Put egg whites, brown sugar, and cream of tartar into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment; beat on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form. Gently fold in flour mixture. Divide batter among prepared pans, smoothing tops with an offset spatula.
Bake until a cake tester inserted in centers comes out clean. Transfer to wire racks; let cool in pans slightly. Invert cakes onto racks. Remove parchment; reinvert. Cakes can be wrapped in plastic and stored at room temperature up to 1 day.
To assemble: Lift out a gelatin layer, and invert onto a corresponding-size cake layer; remove plastic. Trim if needed. Spread with buttercream (see note below for amounts). Repeat. Stack, placing plain layer on top. Thinly coat tiers with buttercream; chill. Smooth marzipan over tiers. Pipe royal icing around base of each tier. Decorate finished cake with marzipan cherries.
Note: Batter amounts and cooking times are for 3-inch-deep round pans. 6-inch-diameter: 2 cups batter per layer (6 cups total), 40 minutes; 10-inch-diameter: 8 cups batter per layer (24 cups total), 40 minutes; 14-inch-diameter: 15 cups batter per layer (45 cups total), 50 minutes. Filling, frosting, and marzipan amounts for each tier are as follows. 6-inch-diameter: 1/3 cup gelatin per layer (2/3 cup total), 3/4 cup buttercream per layer, 1 cup buttercream for exterior (2 1/2 cups total), 1 1/2 pounds marzipan; 10-inch-diameter: 1 cup gelatin per layer (2 cups total), 2 cups buttercream per layer, 2 cups buttercream for exterior (6 cups total), 2 1/2 pounds marzipan; 14-inch-diameter: 2 cups gelatin per layer (4 cups total), 5 cups buttercream per layer, 4 cups buttercream for exterior (14 cups total), 4 pounds marzipan.
Cook's Notes
Make this batter recipe 6 times for the 3-tiered cake pictured here. Bake 3 cakes for each tier. Finished cake will serve about 150.
Reviews Add a comment
Fonchana6 AUG, 2013I saw in PBS a similar recipe that Martha did with Julia Child ,there was 2 episodes ;one they did make the cake the other the marzipan fruits , I've tried to see this clip again but I've not found it .Maybe some body can tell us how and where to find it !Reply
MS1102460719 APR, 2018Martha /Julia clip part 1 referencedhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmfvT-K9tEY


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This Video May Change The Direction Of Your Entire Life.
Alan Watts narrates this inspiring video with questions we should all ask ourselves.
Cover photo by Applied Minds.
What can you do right now to make yourself happy? What do you desire? Write your comments below, and click share so that others may find this beautiful message.


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For Northern Hemisphere-ers (?):
Sadly, summer is almost over. In the spirit of going back to school (at least for many of us), what did you guys do over the summer? I did a load of sleeping in and nothing, so please share what you did so I can feel better knowing that you guys had fun.


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The Value of Motivation
July 21, 2014 Leave a comment
"Crazy Train" – Ozzy Osbourne
"Welcome to the Jungle" – Guns 'n Roses
"Enter Sandman" – Metallica
"Lose Yourself" – Eminem
"Can't Hold Us" – Macklemore
And the list of motivational songs goes on and on…
There are thousands of motivational videos on YouTube – and that's just in the English language.
Those that truly reach their goals are internally motivated. They have a vision, a dream, an image of what success looks like and they use that as an end result to work towards. They know what success looks, feels, smells and tastes like and they strive to achieve it every day. They have an incredible work ethic and drive that keeps them moving on a daily basis.
So what's the point? What's the value of motivation?
Motivation adds gasoline to an already burning fire. It fans the flames on days when it starts to rain. Motivation gives you the extra jump you need to get over the next mountain or through the next valley.
Motivation is critical whenever you start to feel just a little bit complacent. Days when you think things are moving in a good direction and you're happy with your progress – that's when you need motivation. When you get a little bit down because things didn't quite work out for you.
Motivation takes an already driven person and pushes them that much harder – it keeps them sharp and helps them achieve truly new heights.
"People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing – that's why we recommend it daily." – Zig Ziglar
Now we're cooking with gas


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Fox and Fiddle
Celebrating over 20 years of excellence. Today, the award winning Fox and Fiddle group of restaurants offers a perfect mix of high quality food and meal preparation, great entertainment, bar genius and friendly fun. The vision for the Fox and Fiddle includes continued franchise development in Southern Ontario, with controlled expansion across the rest of Canada and the USA.


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13605 Reese Blvd. West
Huntersville, North Carolina 28078
Google Map & Directions
Oral lasers can improve dental health in many ways. When working with a dental office, you want to make sure that they have the necessary lasers that work with everything out there. You don't have to worry about not being able to have the right oral health habits when you have a dentist that knows […]Read More


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Sunday Roast
Growing up my mom had Sunday Roast every week, a tradition she carried on when she had a family of her own. Although we don't have roast every Sunday we do fit it in about two or three times a month. A few years ago when our oven was on the fritz we had to get creative about how we could make our roast. After … Continue reading Sunday Roast


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Tennessee ran through the gauntlet of SEC play over the last five weeks.
The beating ended with a heart wrenching 38-35 loss to South Carolina on Saturday.
The Volunteers are winless through October for the second time in the past three seasons. Head coach Derek Dooley said the defense needs to improve at what they're doing.
"There is just no excuse, we should be playing better than we are," Dooley said.
However, all is not lost and the Vols are confident that this year will end differently from the last.
"I'm pretty sure (a collapse) is not going to happen this season," senior linebacker Herman Lathers said. "We have a real close bunch. The players believe in the coach and the coaches believe in the players. We know what we're doing wrong and what we need to correct. We're going out to perform to the best of our ability and (we're) trying to get better every day."
Lathers displayed his leadership in full force on Saturday. The linebacker managed a game high 15 tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack and a game changing interception which gave the Vols a chance to win the game. However, his effort wasn't enough to beat the No. 17 Gamecocks.
"We did a lot of things well but we gave up too many big plays and that's what really hurt us," he said. "We just have to eliminate big plays and we will be fine."
On the positive side, Tennessee's offense stopped the Gamecocks' defensive line, giving Tyler Bray plenty of time in the pocket. The only misstep came on the Jadeveon Clowney strip-sack of Bray with less than two minutes left in the game. The O-line has allowed an SEC low four quarterback sacks and have established a physical presence in the running game.
"I think this (line) is the best we've ever had," senior offensive lineman Dallas Thomas said. "It's because of the chemistry we have. Sometimes we don't even have to make calls on the line, we just go out and block."
Dooley said he thought the offense had an impressive performance against a great defense.
"Nobody has put those kind of yards on them, I don't know if they have done it in a long time," Dooley said. "To come out and beat them 21-10 in the second half is a great feat, but it wasn't good enough. At the end of the day we had 20 yards to go and we didn't get it done. It is a team loss, but there were some really good performances, especially on offense."
Despite losing all five of their SEC games so far, in which their opponents had a combined record of 36-5, the Vols have a relatively easier schedule in conference play for the rest of the season.
The Vols' remaining conference matchups are against Missouri, Vanderbilt and Kentucky. The three teams have a combined 9-16 overall record and a 3-13 conference record.
Regardless, the Vols have a prime opportunity to finish out the season on a winning streak and make it to a bowl game. Dooley said that's not something he wants to focus on at this time.
"You guys heard me talk a little bit about a 'second season' and I think it is all pretty clear that the legacy of this team and the character of this team is going to be defined by how we compete (in) these last four games," said Dooley. "It is important to know that it's not four games because we can't go 4-0 without going 1-0.
"We have to get a win and we haven't done that in a while. We are playing a team that is averaging 460 yards a game. We are playing a team that lost to Mississippi State by six points and they put up over 500 yards of offense on them, so if we think we are going to roll the ball out there and get a 'W,' we are really fooling ourselves."
Lathers said he thinks each game is "winnable."
"We just have to go out and execute one week at a time," Lathers said. "We know we have a bowl game to play for and we (seniors) are trying to motivate this team and encourage each other."
The team is hoping to put their recent losses in the past and show fans what it means to win a game.
"There's a saying that goes 'everybody remembers what you do in November,'" he said. "We just want to win these games in November and give ourselves a chance. We have to keep growing. This team is a million miles from where it was last year."
Dooley knows morale will play a major part in each game. He said the good news is that the team is in good spirits.
"That doesn't mean they are happy about the result, but they are the way they have been all season," he said. "They have a lot of good character on it and those guys want to go out there. We can still accomplish some goals, but we can't do it if we don't go out and play well on Saturday."


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Selena Gomez's Latest Song Is Definitely About Justin Bieber
She's currently romancing The Weeknd, but it seems Selena Gomez still has her ex Justin Bieber on her mind.
The singer has teased new music on Instagram, posting a an upbeat music clip of her latest song 'It Ain't Me' which has a black and white snap of the singer with a black 'X' drawn across her mouth.
And the lyrics make it SO obvious that the song is about Justin.
The lyrics go: "I had a dream, we were back to 17, summer nights... never growing up."
Could she be more obvious? Selena was 17-years-old when she met the 'Sorry' singer.
We can't wait to hear the whole clip…
Hopefully Justin reciprocates with his own music directed right back at Sel.
Watch this space.
Source: Cosmopolitan


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Teen Facebook fight turns deadly, 14-year-old shot dead
A 14-year-old Chicago girl has been charged with 1st degree murder after shooting another teen dead following a Facebook dispute concerning a boy.
CHICAGO — A 14-year-old Chicago girl accused of killing another girl in a dispute over a boy tried unsuccessfully to fire a gun before someone fixed it for her and handed it back to her so she could open fire, prosecutors said Tuesday.
That detail emerged during a hearing in juvenile court, in which the girl appeared on a first-degree murder charge in Monday's slaying of 14-year-old Endia Martin.
Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy told reporters earlier in the day that the girls were fighting over a boy. According to prosecutors, the suspect went to a residence in the Back of the Yards neighborhood on the city's South Side at about 4:30 Monday afternoon to continue a fight that began on Facebook.
According to a statement read in court and relayed later by the Cook County State's Attorney's Office, the girl pointed the gun at a group of people standing on a porch and pulled the trigger, but it would not fire. She then "handed the gun to an individual in the group to clear the malfunction and they handed it back" to her, at which point she opened fire with what police said is a .38-caliber revolver, striking Martin in the back and a 16-year-old girl in the arm. The 14-year-old suspect's name has not been released because she is charged as a juvenile.
No one else had been charged as of Tuesday afternoon, prosecutors said. However the investigation is continuing, and McCarthy said earlier that two other people had been taken into custody. Police suspect one of the people is the person who brought the gun to the scene of the fight, and that both people tried to discard it after the shooting.
The girl was represented by an attorney with the county's public defender and the office declined to comment.
McCarthy said the gun was reported stolen two weeks ago from a car parked in another neighborhood on the city's South Side and part of the police investigation includes tracking how that weapon ended up being used in a homicide.
Chicago's battle with violent crime has been closely watched. In 2012, it led the U.S. in homicides with more than 500. It ended 2013 with 415 homicides — the lowest total in nearly half a century but still far more than any other U.S city, including much larger Los Angeles and New York.
The overall crime rate fell last year to a level not seen since 1972, and the number of shooting incidents involving victims 16 and younger dropped 40 percent in 12 months, city officials say.
On Tuesday, a visibly upset McCarthy told reporters that the shooting of Martin illustrates a point he's long made: It is far too easy to get a gun in Chicago. For more than a year, McCarthy has sought stiffer penalties for gun crimes.
"What would have been under any other circumstances, probably a fistfight between two 14-year-old girls because they were arguing over a boy turned into a murder," he said. "How long have girls argued over boys and boys argued over girls?"


text: THE superb Sunidhi Chauhan set the SSE Arena in London on fire last week with one of the hottest concerts ever delivered in the UK. The versatile Bollywood playback singer raised the roof with her biggest chartbusters and added in cover versions of classics like Kabhi Kabhie. Whilst other Bollywood singers walk on stage side to side, Sunidhi threw in dynamic dance moves and the kind of swag delivered by international pop sensations like Beyonce. Her hurricane-like performance ultimately showed that no South Asian female artist on the planet can match Sunidhi when she is in full flow.


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Lionsgate has released a massive piece of banner art dubbed 'Fallen Snow' showcasing the heroes of District 13 preparing for their final assault in the upcoming "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2".
The banner follows a social media campaign which saw over 11.2 million clicks logged in one hour on the microsite Squad451 which has a larger and interactive version of the banner below. "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2" is slated to open in 2D, 3D and IMAX 3D theaters beginning November 20th.


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Fulltext search
FOUND IN TITLES: number of results: 0
RESULTS FOUND IN FULLTEXT: number of results: 15 | SANDBOX - number of results: 1
.. course: Donation and Harvest of cells and tissues" is presented. This course represents.. .. COURSE: DONATION AND HARVEST OF CELLS AND TISSUES Pavel Měřička (1), Pavel Navrátil(2), Daniel Bra.. .. Straková (1), Barbora Honegrová(1) (1) Tissue Bank, University Hospital Hradec Králové, (2) Dept.of .. ..keywords: programmed instructions, cell and tissue donation, cell and tissue harvest, cell and.. ..keywords: harvest, cell and tissue transplantation, tissue bank, tissue establishment, procurement..
Anatomical Dissection - Introduction to dissection course
.. body and separate the skin from the subcutaneous tissue, in order to not damaging to the superficially..
Management of pilonidal sinus
.. the skin and painful induration of surrounding tissue. Therapy: Acute pilonidal abscess was treated..
Constrictive pericarditis, reoperation
.. 21.11.2017 311.72 KB MEFANET user Figure 6 - Tissue doppler of mitral valve annulus in place of..
The Use of the Er:YAG Laser 2940 nm in complex caries removal
.. the patient and tendency to protect hard dental tissues can lead to insufficient debridement of the.. .. findings listed below, there was no sign of hard tissue pathology in this area. Soft tissue examination ..
Pediatric otorhinolaryngology
.. Speech disorders caused by mucosa and submucous tissue affliction of vocal cords Voice..
Appendicitis acuta and Meckel diverticulum
.. Serum levels increase at 6-12 hours from initial tissue inflammation. Leukocyte count elevates earlier..
Total atelectasis of the right lung due to bronchogenic carcinoma
.. of surfactant, and replacement of parenchymal tissue by scarring or infiltrative disease. Possible..
Management of breast cancer
.. relating to capsular rupture. Autologous tissue flaps can replace relatively large volumes of..
Selected chapters from paediatric surgery
.. of fractures, compartment syndrome, soft tissue injury. Visceral traumatology Specialty..
Home mechanical ventilation in a patient with Duchenne muscular dystrophy
.. and their replacement by adipose and connective tissue. Muscle degeneration leads to motoric impairment..
Obesity hypoventilation syndrome
.. mismatching. Secondly, adipose tissue produces leptin, the satiety hormone. In OHS..
Journey of a swallowed wooden stick to the liver
.. any fluidothorax, accented bronchovascular tissue, and thicker pleura l. sin. Urine sediment was..
B lymphocytes and plasma cells
.. bone marrow, B cells enter peripheral lymphoid tissues, which are the sites of interaction with.. .. bone marrow, B cells enter peripheral lymphoid tissues, which are the sites of interaction with..
Podtlakové uzatváranie rán – nové poznatky a možnosti aplikácie
.. of vacuum-assisted closure on inflammatory tissue reactions in the postoperative course of ankle..


text:
Hi Egos! Yes I found another one! I slowly start to feel like Ash in Pokèmon or the guys from Dragonball Z looking for this ice cream all over town. I bet my friends think I've gone crazy. I've checked every store no matter whether it was part of a big chain or just a small 7/11.
However as the saying goes: Seek and you shall find! It's N°3 which is great because it proves my theory that Magnum purposely releases the editions in smaller groups. I guess they want to build the suspense or something..
Anyways let's get to the photos!
Yes I know you can read but let's just go along with it, okay? So N°3 is the Passionate Kiss. I was pretty curious about this one because I totally love it's name. It's supposed to taste like Tiramisu which was bound not to be my favourite one because I'm not really drinking coffee. Ice-cream-hardcore-fan that I am I still bought it. They only had the mini sized ones but who cares?
the wrapping... not as special as the regular ones
it's as long as my thumb xD
I don't know if it's because it's Tiramisu but the big flavour-chunk at the first bite is missing T_T
well it's still more special that other ice cream bars
Alright here comes my judgment: I think N°1 and 2 are better because their ingredients are more to my liking. I still think that anybody who likes coffee will like N°3 and the composition is still pretty exceptional. It's just not really my thing.
But still so far I've like two out of three magnum first kiss editions and there are still two more to go!
What are your favourite ice cream flavours this season?
C U Egos!
But still so far I've like two out of three magnum first kiss editions and there are still two more to go!
What are your favourite ice cream flavours this season?
C U Egos!


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Airtel and Vodafone have finally introduced iPhone in India. Here are the official iPhone price according to Vodafone. It will be available for Rs 31,000 (8GB) and Rs 36,100 (16GB). Also see: iPhone data plans.
No one has a clue about the real price of iPhone 3G in India but here's what people think. All prices mentioned here are in Indian Rupee (1 USD = 43 INR) and if we were to believe the trend, iPhone 3G (official, not unlocked version) won't come cheap in India and the cost is comparable to other smartphones like BlackBerry & Nokia N series.
ooomz: Overheard: 8gb version of iphone 3g is likely to be priced around 18k while the 16gb would be 28k in India :-(
prayagn: So, iPhone at $199 a farce? Tariff inclusive deals at $500? Wow !! So it would come to India with a price tag of Rs. 30000 ? Bye bye iphone.
aalaap: Mid-Day's Sneha Shah (mumbai) is reporting that the iPhone will cost Rs. 20,000 in India. Somehow, I don't believe her.
mixdev: It seems like iPhone will cost around 27K approx. (from multiple sources) in India.
bs: Price of iPhone 2.0 in India would be at least double the amount of that in the US. iPhone 8GB will be priced between 16-18k while the 16 GB iPhone 3G would cost around 24-28k here.
nilayk: Buyers in the US will be able to buy iPhone 3G for $599 without committing to a two-year service agreement. That's INR 24,000+ in India then.


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Each person may have dissimilar methods of relaxation. For some, relaxation can mean watching television programmes, listening to music or reading a book. But, it's important to realize that these would not really help much in preventing yourself from experiencing the unwanted results of stress and anxiety.
Activating your body's natural relaxation response is one of the most effective strategies to help you feel deeply relaxed. One thing you can do to help activate this is to practice relaxation techniques, like meditation and yoga.
|Placid by Miguel Virkkunen Carvalho
is licensed under CC BY 2.0
One of the simplest things you can do to help you relax almost immediately is to simply take deep breaths. You can do this anytime and anywhere. Whenever you feel exhausted, practicing this simple technique can help you feel calm.
Practicing any of these relaxation techniques regularly helps ease symptoms of stress. These are proven powerful in helping you relax. Studies show that practicing relaxation techniques on a regular basis can help fight psychological health problems, including anxiety disorders and major depression.
If you think that you're starting to get overwhelmed with stress and are experiencing its negative effects, including depressive symptoms and other stress-related illnesses, it's important to take a step and do something about it. It helps to understand more about depression and mindfulness. Above all, do not hesitate to seek professional help or to simply connect with your family or friends.


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Honest and Reliable Dealership
By Dave and Alissa, Repeat Customers from Little Britain, Pa
SOURCE: Cars.com
"We bought our first car from Sauder Motors 20 years ago and the service has remained constantly excellent over the years. We have recommened Sauders to relatives who have also purchased from them. If you have a particular car or price range you are seeking you can tell them what you have in mind and they will give you an honest opinion about whether getting that vehicle is possible or not. They will not try to put you in a car that does not suit you. We often call and say we want to spend "this much" and we need a "minivan" can you help? They will look diligently for you as needed. They have also always given us a good amount for our trade-in. Above all they are honest and do care about their customers. I marked faciliites as excellent since they are completing their new one but their current location meets their service needs."
Good, Straight Forward Dealer
By Bill M. from Harrisburg, PA
SOURCE: Cars.com
"Positive experience. No games, good service, I would highly recommend."
What fabulous service we received!
By Paul and Lin from Venice, Florida
SOURCE: Cars.com
"What a wonderful experience my wife and I had with Dustin and Daryn at Sauders today. We had a problem with our RV and had no luck with anyone willing to even look at it. I spoke to Dustin and he said to bring it right over. We were greeted by both Dustin and Daryn and they listened to our problem and even gave us a loaner car to use while they worked on our RV. In a very short time our repair was complete with a very reasonable charge and we were off to continue our trip. We can't say enough about their service and caring about our problem. We highly recommend Sauder Motors to anyone needing service on their RV."
Friendly & Fair
By Retired RVer from Lancaster, PA
SOURCE: Cars.com
"Traded my truck and RV for another vehicle. When I requested a Honda Ridgeline, they searched and found a 2 year old Ridgeline in excellent condition about 3 hours away. They had the vehicle on site in several days, changed the oil, inspected the vehicle, and delivered it with a full tank of gas. It was a pleasure working with Daryn."
Small dealership, great feeling when buying a car
By Carol from Lancaster, PA
SOURCE: Cars.com
"Small dealership so they are personable and willing to go the extra mile for you when you looking for that "special" car in a short amount of time. Car was very clean, washed and filled with gas and my car was used it still had the new car smell. I would go back for the next vehicle I need for sure. I used Cars.com to find a good used SUV, low mileage and good shape and all the ones I looked at was either sold but still listed or was way too far to travel for a car but Sauder's is willing to help out your search by telling them what your looking for. And being local is a plus cause he will be able to service my SUV. Unlike these big dealerships where they get you in, buy a car and move along like a number."


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A couple of months ago a reader asked me for advice on vintage shopping in my hometown of Sheffield. I finally returned to the motherland this weekend and took the opportunity to do a bit of shopping… all in the name of research. Sorry for the shit pictures, people in Sheffield seemingly get weirded out if you take photos in the street. Or maybe they just thought I looked weird?
Mysterious vintage shop, corner of Carver Street and Devonshire Street
Now updated to Ryan Vintage, corner of Carver Street and Devonshire Street
If this place has an actual name, do let me know. Please bear in mind that I don't actually live in Sheffield any more so all my information is based on quarterly visits… As far as I gather, this place opened at Christmas. Loads of my friends went and raved about it, but I somehow completely missed it and didn't have time to go before the holidays were over. I was hoping it would still be open (you know how these vintage shops appear and disappear with alarming regularity) and joy of joys, it was.
This place is basically the concrete shell of what used to be Yates Wine Lodge. There are no fittings, no floor, no décor of which to speak… in fact at the back of the shop there's a big pile of rubble fenced off with clothes. Garments are displayed on rails and there are wooden pallets on the floor for shoes and handbags. All that said, the stock is great. Not having shop fittings (or changing rooms, or a till) really keeps costs down and if you're a dedicated vintage rummager, you can only benefit from that.
There were piles of good things in here, sort of arranged by order of interest — i.e., stick the Barbours right by the door — and everything else was just lumped into skirts/dresses/coats/tops. Seemed to be a good amount of menswear too, but I didn't have much time so didn't investigate further. Lots of 90s sportswear — good Adidas track jackets, that kind of thing. I'd say coats and accessories are the strong point here, because although there were loads of dresses they were just a bit overwhelming. Still, I bought a black and red ladybird-esque maxi dress which I need to a get a picture of so I guess I should give the dresses a thumbs up too.
Easily the most annoying thing about this shop was the lack of a price on anything. I know that taking the time to price things would also add time/costs but it's a bit of a pain. I guess it opens things up to haggling too, but I didn't have the time or energy so just asked them what they wanted for my haul and paid and got out of there. They don't take cards, be aware – there are plenty of cash machines around the area though, just remember to go first.
Freshmans, 6-8 Carver Street
How do I love Freshmans? Let me count the fucking ways. Freshmans is Devonshire Street"s original and best vintage shop in my opinion, and I have been shopping there most of my life. After my mum, it's the first thing I want to see when I get home.
Freshmans used to be upstairs at the Forum, which was then Sheffield's huge ~alternative~ emporium. If you're familiar with Affleck's Palace in Manchester, it was like that but on a small scale. A big old warehouse affair filled with vintage shops, head shops, piercers, record stores… God it was ace.
Anyway Freshmans took up most of the top floor and I spent most Saturdays in there picking up cheongsam and PVC coats in a bid to look like Lauren Laverne. THOSE WERE THE DAYS. Anyway, Freshmans has moved around quite a bit since then but has finally settled in this big space on Carver Street.
I have to be brutally honest and inform you that lately Freshmans has been selling more 'refashioned' vintage — get a nice vintage dress, chop it up, resell it — and more Pop Boutique brand stuff, but I completely understand that they need to include that kind of thing to make money so I forgive them.
Still, it doesn't affect the quality of the vintage they do sell, in fact even if the selection is smaller, it's better. I think it's fair to say they have more menswear than women's, but again, it's such a good edit I can't complain.
On my Christmas visit to Freshmans I picked up a pristine Barbour for £15 and they have loads in stock at the moment too. Great coats, good dresses and loads of brilliant old metal t-shirts (although it does weird me out that Slipknot is now considered vintage ha!). Also brilliant for jewellery and handbags.
I love Freshmans and even if they end up selling one dress for every 100 Pop Boutique pair of courdroys, I'll still be there. The staff are all ace, friendly and knowledgeable. THUMBS UP.
Cow, 156-160 West Street
I feel like I'm cheating on Freshmans by even talking about Cow, but here goes. Cow is the new kid on the block, although I think it's probably coming up to a year since I first went now. Cow is the kind of vintage shop you get in London but without the prices: really clean, quirky interior, edited collections by trend. It shouldn't make a difference — and to the dedicated vintage fiend, it doesn't — but if you want to get people through the door, making the shop as friendly, bright and welcoming as this does make a difference.
The downstairs has so many handbags displayed on bookshelves that I have not to this day been able to face looking at them. There are SO many. Look nice and all, but I've just been overwhelmed every time. The rest of the downstairs is divided equally into his and hers and I have been really impressed on my past visits at how in tune with trends they are.
This time there was a whole rail of pastel trench coats, lots of black lace items arranged nicely, floral jumpsuits artfully displayed. It all looks good and there's a lot of choice. Upstairs is more of the same, again arranged really nice and clearly. Much as I like a rummage, it's nice to have a clear run at things sometimes and this place definitely does all the hard work of editing out the crap for you.
I didn't buy anything on this visit but last time I was there I got some Betty Barclay nautical trousers that I thought were a maxi skirt and a yellow lace maxi dress that I lived in on holiday in Italy. This time I was going to buy some Gucci sandals and Ferragamo flats, but I was in one of those shopping slumps where it just didn't happen. They were about £20 I think, which gives a good idea on prices.
A new addition at Cow is the sale room where it's three items for a tenner. There was a tonne of t-shirts in there, loads of knitwear, more Hawaiian print stuff than I've ever seen in my life and quite a lot of dresses. It was manic in that room, but if you were in the mood for a rummage you'd come up out with all sorts of gems, I'm sure.
I have one small gripe with Cow, and it's a weird one. The rails downstairs are sort of rectangular. This means you can't sweep items along for a quick scan, which is my preferred method of vintage shopping. Maybe it's a sales tactic because you have to look at each thing individually then kind of shuffle it along, but it does my NUT in. Sort it out Cow!
Bang Bang, 19 Westfield Terrace
I didn't take a picture of Bang Bang: unlike most Sheffield vintage shops they have a fully functioning website. With a blog! And information! I don't know how long Bang Bang has been around but I've only been visiting it since Christmas 2009.
Here's the thing with Bang Bang: it's always really quiet. Unnervingly so. The first time I went in I took a bunch of things to try on and when I came out of the changing room there was no-one in sight. It's creepy! No customers, one member of staff who'd gone AWOL… I found it a bit odd and whenever I've been in since it's been similarly quiet.
UPDATE: Even though I received a comment from Bang Bang, it has remained unnervingly quiet on the last three occasions I have visited. I don't like the American sales tactic of pretending to be your pal – I love a quiet browse. That said, it is a bit weird to never see anyone…
Bang Bang have really beautiful clothes with prices that are more Manchester than London vintage — £30-40 for a pristine cocktail dress, that kind of thing. I haven't bought anything here yet but they have a really good selection of stock and it's all 'proper' vintage too — none of your Clockhouse at C&A here. I'm really impressed with it and it's a new stop on my Sheffield shopping trips.
Syd and Mallory, The Forum
A new discovery. It's great to have vintage shops back in the Forum – as I mentioned, it used to be such a great shopping location and I'm glad they're trying to bring that back. Syd and Mallory sells a combination of furniture and interior knickknacks and vintage clothing, as well as a few new pieces. I really like the atmosphere in this place and the staff are lovely too.
On my first visit, I bought a 1930s sideboard for £25 and on my second I bought some pristine Ferragmo flats for £8 so… say no more?
Lottiebel's Boutique, The Forum
Right opposite Syd and Mallory is Lottibel's Boutique, another lovely new addition to the Forum's shopping options. Selling a combination of really good vintage and new pieces of jewellery and gift bits, prices are cheap and the picks are really good. The owner sells at a few really good vintage fairs, so I think it's safe to say she knows her stuff.
Friendly, cheap, good pieces… Ah, Sheffield.
Hip, hip hooray! If you can't make it to Sheffield to make the most of our bountiful vintage shops in person, there's no need to miss out on the good stuff. Brag Vintage is an online store founded and based in Sheffield – all the fun of bountiful, bargain secondhand stores with all the ease of online shopping. They have a seriously huge range of both men's and women's pieces and update the store regularly, just like sticking your head in your favourite IRL shop – seriously, we're talking ASOS levels of new stock.
Prices are reasonable, they ship internationally and there's a nice solid returns policy, which is always handy when you're buying vintage online.
What with this being the 21st century, you'll also not be surprised to hear that they have a really nice blog as well as a Facebook page where you can check out what's new – as well as trend-related stuff, which may come in handy for those less keen to sift through the extensive range.
A word on charity shops
Sheffield used to be awesome for charity shops, but all the good ones in the town centre seem to have gone – as is the way in most towns.
There's still the British Heart Foundation opposite the Peace Gardens and Help The Aged on Norfolk Row, but otherwise the city centre is pretty lacking. Moorgate (The Moor) used to have loads of great shops, including the YMCA where nothing was more than £2. Everything has been knocked down now for the new market development so I can't think of any at all down that end. There are a few shops opposite the Peace Gardens worth a nose but not many more.
It's still worth a trip down Moorgate though I reckon — there's the great haberdashery stall on the old market and, of course, Atkinsons. Atkinsons is Sheffield's own department store — that dying breed. It's a real mixed bag of stuff, but always worth a look and if you need shoes reheeling or a new zip in boots or something, you can get it done here for about a fiver. Me and Charleen always save up our shoe repairs until a Sheffield visit because it's just so much cheaper. Atkinsons also seemed to be the sole stockist in the north of the Henry Holland x Pretty Polly tights and someone (not me) might just have bought them all and sold them at a profit (again, not me)…
Back to charity shops. Head down Ecclesall Road for the student picks or, my preference, down Abbeydale Road South. Abbeydale Road is the route from my house to town and has loads of brilliant charity shops along the way. I papped them from a moving vehicle because I didn't have much time for shopping this weekend, but I give you my word that you will find something brilliant in these ones. On that road you'll also find lots of good antique shops for weird home bits — it's definitely worth a wander.
The Salvation Army Care & Share Shop, 228 Abbeydale Road South
Always amazing, always dirt cheap. Good for house stuff and knick knackery also.
Wow, great shot!
St Luke's Hospice shop, 706 Abbeydale Road
There are a few St Luke's in Sheffield, but this is the best in my opinion. It is FULL of amazing clothes, more at the glamorous granny end of the scale. I don't mean that badly, if you want a pristine tea dress or quality winter coat, this is your best bet.
I also think it's worth a drive out to Derbyshire if you have a vehicle at your disposal. Bakewell in particular is an untapped goldmine of brilliant charity shops. We used to go there after trips to Chatsworth and I'm never disappointed by their stock. If you want to look like a rich old woman who has a country house, shop in Bakewell charity shops. Barbours, quilted gilets, good hats. Awesome.
I guess that's covered all my usual haunts… if any Sheffielders have anything I've missed then lemme know in a comment, I'm always on the lookout for more places to waste my money.


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Confirmed: Rakim Doesn't Do Twitter Rants
The (manager for the) God MC has spoken.
The (manager for the) God MC has spoken.
Rants, deleted tweets, mystery—something isn't adding up.
If the announcement is true at all, it's been severely fumbled, and we're all very confused.
From De La Soul to Big Daddy Kane, these are the hip-hop legends who deserve Hall of Fame status.
Contrary to rumors, Rakim's pen didn't touch Will Smith's "Summertime," but it was his song first.


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Buy this crochet book on Amazon now!
I am always excited when Tuesday rolls around because it means that I get to review another crochet book. I'm especially excited this week, though, because not only am I reviewing an awesome new crochet book but I'm doing so as part of the book's blog tour and I'm also able to offer a giveaway copy of the book. Happy Tuesday!
Granny Square Love by Sarah London
Granny Square Love is the brand new crochet book by crochet designer Sarah London. The book's subtitle: "A New Twist on a Crochet Classic for your Home" really helps define what this book is all about. I have been in love with granny squares lately myself but don't enjoy the traditional form of making a bunch of small multi-colored squares to join together. After all, if you know me, I'm not a fan of frequent color changes or joining motifs! I do love large granny squares, though (did you see my large granny blanket?) and I love interesting twists on the classic granny so it was a given that I would fall in love with this book from the first time I heard about it. Don't worry, though, there are also lots of options for those of you who do enjoy bold color changes and motifs.
Who this Crochet Book is For
This crochet book isn't limited to people with a certain skill level. We all know that the granny square is a classic and easy crochet item that you can learn quickly even as a beginner crocheter. Combined with basic intro tips in the book, this makes it a good book for a new crocheter. (Yes, if you're looking for a holiday gift for a non-crocheter who might want to crochet, it's a safe bet!) But it also has some cool design ideas, some fun granny twists and some other unique stuff that will make the crochet patterns interesting to advanced crocheters. If you like crochet and you like granny squares and you are looking for something new and bold to crochet for the home then this book is worth checking out. That home part is a point worth reiterating – it's a set of crochet patterns for the home so it's not for people looking for clothing designs, although some could certainly be adapted into clothing with a little bit of creativity!
Format of this Crochet Book
I like the format of this crochet book because it's broken up into easy-to-digest chapters that each feature 4 – 6 crochet patterns for a specific part of the home.
The book does begin with the classic crochet pattern book intro chapter. It starts with a heartfelt and lovely introduction from Sarah about why she fell in love with granny squares. Then it gets into the information on materials, basic stitches, etc. This section includes easy to follow drawings for people who need a refresher on this part. And one fun twist is that it includes some little tips from Sarah, like she lets us know that she always saves the yarn ball band and a bit of the yarn from a project to have an easy record of what she's worked on and with. There's an appropriate specific section on making granny squares and a section on reading charts and patterns. Really nice intro for beginners.
Then we get into the crochet patterns, which are divided into products for the living room, kitchen, dining, room, bedroom and the bathroom and laundry. Each chapter starts with a description of what you'll find in the chapter and why it's awesome. Each pattern includes:
- Item Name. A simple name that tells you exactly what you're making, like "square cushion". I appreciate this because it means you can easily pick what you want to make from the table of contents.
- Item description. A fun few sentences explaining what you're making and how to put some twists on it to make it cool.
- Yarn required. We're told generally what yarn would work (example: worsted yarn in three colors) as well as specifically what yarn was used in each product featured in the pattern's photos.
- Crochet hook and other notions needed.
- Finished product measurements. I did notice that there was no gauge information in the patterns, which I thought was interesting. Maybe it's not so necessary when working a granny? To be honest, I'm not sure since I rarely check gauge when working. (I know, I know …)
- Multiple photos.
- Row by row instructions. Easy to follow, very clear, printed in a manner that's easy on the eyes.
- Finishing instructions.
- Stitch pattern diagram.
- Sarah's color commentary. This is a great addition to the book. Sarah uses a casual but instructive voice to explain her color choices and make other color suggestions.
My Favorites from this Crochet Book
It's tough for me to choose favorites from this book, but if I had to pick my top three, I'd go with:
1. Ottoman Slipcover
2. Grocer's Tote
3. Bold Bedroom Cushion
What I Love About This Book
My very favorite thing about this crochet book is the great creative patterns. But a close second is the photography in this book. Amazing bold colors are well-depicted throughout the book and there are some cute styling ideas. Even some of the small photos, like the step-by-step photos at the beginning on how to make a granny square, have neat backgrounds that make the book more fun.
Get the Book at a Discount Now
For the duration of the book tour only you can take advantage of a special discounted price on Sarah London's new book:
Get Granny Square Love now for just $12.99 ($10 off the retail price!). Visit the Martha Pullen Online Store and use promo code GRANNYTOUR to get your exclusive price. Offer expires October 8, 2011 at 11:59pm EST. Special Price in US Dollars, for items that are "in stock" only.
Or take your chances on trying to win your free copy from my giveaway below …
Follow The Rest of This Blog Tour
You can learn a lot more about this great crochet book by following the rest of the blog tour. It started yesterday on Sarah's own blog and continues on through October 8th. The tour should include more giveaways, Q&As and other good stuff and features some of my personal favorite crochet blogs:
- September 28: Knit Purl Gurl
- September 29: Underground Crafter
- September 30: Interlocking Crochet
- October 1: Crochet Mama's Blog
- October 3: Crafty Pod
- October 4: Lindamade
- October 5: Cute Crochet Chat
- October 6: Crochet Liberation Front
- October 7: Create Loves
- October 8: Whip Up
You can also get blog tour updates on Twitter by following publisher F+W Crafts (@fwcrafts) and author @sarah_london.
Granny Square Love Giveaway!
You can easily enter to win using the Rafflecopter form below. The winner will receive one copy of this great crochet book. Due to shipping costs, entries are limited to U.S. addresses only. This giveaway will remain open until Saturday, October 1st at midnight EST and I will announce the winner on the blog on Monday, October 3. Good luck!


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Tuesday, August 30, 2011
North Korea may be starting cyberwarfare against South Korea
Chico Harlan and Ellen Nakashima have a bizarre story in the Aug. 30 Washington Post about an apparent cyber attack against a South Korean bank by hackers from North Korea, where very few citizens have access to the Internet. Here is the link.
It seems very strange, but North Korea might have a lot to "gain" from such a venture. I'll watch as a potential Internet security issue more broadly in the future.
Posted by Bill Boushka at 9:03 PM No comments:
Labels: cyberwar, North Korea
Saturday, August 27, 2011
China has a "license to publish" concept
On Aug. 26, the Washington Post ran a "China Watch" section with a report by Jiang Xueqing writing, "Turning the page, Newspapers and magazines enter a challenging era". What's interesting is this process in China of quasi "privatization" of news services into "enterprises", but the requirement of "licenses to publish" (a medieval concept) associated with required "serial numbers". China apparently regards having the capability to release information "into the wild" for "everyone" (or the "public") as a privilege that should be regulated. No free entry!
Posted by Bill Boushka at 12:00 PM No comments:
Labels: China, International free speech
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Britain meets with social media companies on flash mob problem
link), British officials met with executives of Twitter, Facebook, and RIM (Blackberry) to discuss ways of limiting the use of social media to organize destructive flash mobs. Twitter is now considering the use of real names (or at least valid nicknames), a practice already controversial with Facebook and Google-Plus. Many Twitter users make up cute handle names almost as personal "trademarks", and these are not deceptive.
Britain will have to walk a tightrope to distinguish itself from authoritarian Middle Eastern governments that tried to restrict social media and Internet access during the Arab Spring, a development partly credited to social media.
Social media users have not always been held to the same standards of conduct in obeying court orders as traditional media.
Saturday, CNN reported that Britain would not take any specific measures now.
Britain will have to walk a tightrope to distinguish itself from authoritarian Middle Eastern governments that tried to restrict social media and Internet access during the Arab Spring, a development partly credited to social media.
Social media users have not always been held to the same standards of conduct in obeying court orders as traditional media.
Saturday, CNN reported that Britain would not take any specific measures now.
Posted by Bill Boushka at 8:49 PM No comments:
Labels: International free speech, UK
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Gadhafi will probably fall tonight, giving Obama another Sunday night surprise to announce
Is Muammar Gadhafi about to capitulate? Will he be gone in the next few hours? Will this be a Sunday night triumph for Obama (like Osama bin Laden on May 1)? He needs it, while on "les vacances" in the Vineyard (that's not "The Island"). I see the Libyan dictator's last name spelled every conceivable way.
The news is breaking so fast, about the capture of the sons, and the advances into Tripoli, the naming of "Martyr Square", that viewers will just have to stay tuned to breaking news. Here's Time Magazines speculations, link.
It does look as though Gadhafi will be evicted from power before the stock market opens tomorrow.
The world will have to learn the difference between legitimate revolution and flash mobs, as both can be accelerated by social media. You know it when you see it.
And perhaps this is a Sunday for "feeling reckless" (actually, Saturday night was, as there was a small incident at the bar). There are people who know what this means.
And perhaps this is a Sunday for "feeling reckless" (actually, Saturday night was, as there was a small incident at the bar). There are people who know what this means.
Posted by Bill Boushka at 4:46 PM No comments:
Labels: Libya
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Iran sentences two hikers who "wandered" over border to 8 years in prison
Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal were sentenced to eight years in prison in Iran, as a result of their arrest when they "wandered" into Iran when hiking in northern Iraq. The young men say that they were tricked into crossing intentionally by Iranian guards.
Of course, this episode serves as a warning to Americans travelling in unstable or non-western countries, or countries with regimes hostile to "western values". But attorneys act hopeful about the possibility of an appeal.
Posted by Bill Boushka at 5:14 PM No comments:
Labels: Americans held in captivity, Iran
Friday, August 19, 2011
Zakaria: The US should switch to a parliamentary form of government, like Britain's
So where do we start with this one, with another constitutional convention? (A proofreader once caught me with "constitutional conventional".)
Here is Zakaria's blog posting on the matter. Zakaria points out that no country with a "presidential system" (compared with parliamentary -- counting France which has both) has a AAA rating from S&P on its sovereign debt.
Posted by Bill Boushka at 5:39 PM No comments:
Labels: UK
Monday, August 15, 2011
Fareed Zakaria: The US and China have a pact of mutually assured financial destruction
Yesterday, Fareed Zakaria, on his Global Public Square (GPS) program on CNN, said that China, despite complaints about American debt, is not likely to stop lending us money, as Tea Party conservatives have warned. He says that the US and China have a deal of the financial equivalent of the Cold War, of "mutually assured financial destruction", as explained in China Digital Times here.
China owns about 1.2 trillion dollars of the 14.3 trillion federal debt. But most federal debt is owned by Americans in the Social Security trust fund, pension trusts (public and private employers), and the Federal Reserve.
Posted by Bill Boushka at 7:09 AM No comments:
Labels: China, Global Public Square
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
China holds dissident for filing lawsuit in US against Cisco involving abetting Chinese surveillance
Electronic Frontier Foundation has an important story about China's detention of Du Daobin for bringing a lawsuit against Cisco in the U.S. for selling China tools to use against dissidents, including surveillance and blocking tools.
The link for the advisory is here.
Daobin was also arrested for his pro-democracy blogging activities.
There have been several notorious cases of Chinese detention of Internet dissidents in the past year.
Posted by Bill Boushka at 8:34 PM No comments:
Labels: China
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Social media, while helping Arab spring, may not be instigating lawlessness in England, elsewhere
While social media, especially Facebook and Twitter, takes some moral credit for helping instigate the "Arab Spring", with mixed results, now these media are "implicated" in the outbreak of rioting in several areas of London and three other cities in Britain, and even Philadelphia in the US, supposedly a reaction to so-called "police brutality". The term used to characterize this activity is "flash mob", although the term is also used for gatherings that do not have destructive intentions (wiki link).
I could say we saw this attitude in the 60s (Detroit, Newark, and then "medium cool" Chicago in 1968). And I personally can remember the indignation of a lot of people those days during my own coming of age, mostly from the far Left in those days. At least on the surface, this also calls to mind the Rodney King incident in LA in 1991.
Is this criminality, or is it something that inevitably results from the gap between rich and poor, and the cutbacks, and hyper-competitiveness? One could sound like (ultra-Leftist) Noam Chomsky about this one. The "decadent" public is caught in the middle, but it gets caught on a lot of disputes, like strikes, anyway.
The media have reported some of the teens in the streets as saying "we have the power", etc. Left-wing site AlterNet has an account "Elites are 'shocked' the poor are rising up against brutal austerity measures; angyr young people with nothing to do and nothing do lose are turning on their own communities, and they cannot be stopped, and they know it", story by Penny Red (pun), link here. Is this what Marxists called "class warfare" during my own generation? Chairman Mao would turn over in his grave with glee.
The Washington Post, usually "liberal", has a more moderate track on a front page story by Anthony Faiola, "Riot-battered London asks itself why", link here. While describing the lockdown of parts of London and maybe other cities in England, he characterizes the rage as "blind, apolitical and profoundly selfish" and later quotes mention of "bad parenting." The Washington Post editorial this Wednesday morning took a middle of the road tack, talking about how democracies respond to the "rebellion by the dispossessed". And Britain rebuked the Syrian ambassador for its (false) metaphor comparing the lawlessness in Britain with the uprisings in the Middle East.
Wikipedia attribution link for picture below:
Here's a Washington Times editorial on the problem. Theodore Dalrymple aka Anthony Daniels, invoking memories of Butterworth's "A Shropshire Lad", razes the sense of entitlement in Britain with a piece in the Wall Street Journal Aug 16, "The Barbarians inside Britain's gates", link here. Other columnists of the WSJ have expressed similar interpretations.
British courts have sentenced a few young adults to up to four years in prison for using Facebook to organize the destructive flash mobs, and many more have been sentenced to a humiliating kind of "community service", cleaning up the mess in riot-torn areas while wearing orange jumpers.
Posted by Bill Boushka at 4:41 AM No comments:
Monday, August 8, 2011
CNN hints international credit freeze (quasi 2008) coming, emergency meetings tonight
Is another credit freeze looming? That's what CNN suggested this afternoon after Wall Street laid its egg today at the end of the session.
Richard Quest confirmed these comments this afternoon, despite the fact that the yield on US Treasuries dropped even in the wake of the downgrade.
It's not clear if this is the same concern as in 2008, when there was a fear that the global financial system would simply "seize". But cash "hoarding" could lead to an international freeze, some says, such as this blog by Eric Dixon. This is the sort of argument one used to hear decades ago from the political Left.
Investors could watch the "Ted Spread" (link) and LIBOR. That would have gone up today if the T-bill interest went down. LIBOR, or the London Interbank Rate, is said to have risen slightly today (link )
Yet CNN speculates on high-level international finance meetings taking place this evening.
Much of the drop in the Dow occurred at the end of the day, some time after S&P announced additional downgrades and Obama gave his speech.
I conducted some minor business at a Wells Fargo branch recently converted from Wachovia, and the bank conveniently did not display stock market numbers on its jumbotron.
Let's see what the pundits say tonight on CNBC, CNN, etc.
Posted by Bill Boushka at 2:08 PM 1 comment:
Labels: financial crisis
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Save the Children makes appeal in Somalia famine crisis, which has political complications
The Washington Post, in a story by Mary Beth Sheridan, is reporting that the United States government has to walk a tightrope in funneling aid to victims of the Somalia drought-related famine, to prevent assistance from being controlled through Al Qaeda-related al-Shabab, which collects "taxes" or "tribute", in a manner that reminds one of early Middle Ages feudalism.
The link is here.
The current AP story about pressure from the UN for more money is (website url) here and it is reproduced this morning in most newspapers.
Save the Children has a link for its own campaign here.
Wikipedia attribution link for Ciismanyia alphabet.
Here is a YouTube video on the emergency drops from STC:
Refugees are spreading into Kenya, waiting in huge crowds for aid.
Posted by Bill Boushka at 6:51 AM 1 comment:
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text:
Chinese Wine Regions
Wine has been produced in China for over 7,000 years according to current archaeological evidence, with multiple grape varieties native to the vast country, 4th largest in the world by land area.
Vitis Vinifera grapes and new irrigation techniques are thought to have been introduced to what is now Xinjiang in Western China by Greek settlers in the 4th century BC, introducing European methods of wine production. In fact, in the Northern Tarim Basin of Xinjiang, the city of Turfan located along the Old Silk Road was noted by Marco Polo in the 1200's as producing "fine grape wine".
During the Shang Dynasty (1766BC-1111BC) many wine vessels (called Jue) were made from bronze & were used both for decanting wine and in religious rituals.
The oldest operating winemaking company in China is still the largest; Changyu Winery has now spread it's wineries across the country since it was founded in 1892 in Shandong Province.
While modern styles of wine have only recently become popular in China, consumption and production has multiplied significantly in just the last two decades alone.
Wealthy Chinese and International companies are investing heavily in the development of new wine regions and their associated industry and tourism benefits will surely allow for Chinese wine quality to improve rapidly as each year passes, and the winemakers themselves learn more about their unique landscapes.
Winemakers in China, whether born domestically or hired from international talent pools, are now constantly seeking out new terrior & techniques that will truly make Chinese wine a force to be reckoned with in the years to come.
Grape Varieties
China's grape varieties will vary somewhat per region, but red varieties have been the most popular for domestic production (around 90%) as well as consumption when it comes to imports. Particularly Cabernet Sauvignon. This has been well-liked in China going back to the days of the first imports of wines from Bordeaux, France, which still remain significant today.
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot & Cabernet Gernischt (Carménère) are popular throughout much of the nation's dry and warm wine regions. Additionally, Chardonnay has done well in Shanxi, Syrah-led blends in Hebei and in Dongbei there are even regions suited to producing Icewine styles.
Marselan, a crossing of Cabernet Sauvignon & Grenache has also recently found success throughout China's upcoming wine regions.
Ningxia is a small and slender region in Central Northern China and has become known over the last two decades as the hope of Chinese wine, with major viticultural projects by producers both domestic and international, large and small alike.
Ningxia is China's 3rd least populous region with less than 4 million inhabitants, yet the capital Yinchuan lies right besides the famous Yellow River (Huang He) that along it's length became on of the cradles of China's vast civilisation.
To the West of the city lies the isolated Helan Mountains, which just manage to hold back the vast, severe deserts to the West and North.
In the foothills of this mountain range is here we will find what some to believe the best terrior in China for quality wine production.
The major drawback in Ningxia is the freezing Winters, when temperatures often fall below -20°C which means the vines must be buried in soil to survive the Winter and are not expected to live long lives beyond a few decades.
New trellising and viticultural techniques are being developed to combat this issue.
Cabernet Sauvignon and it's blends are most popular here and winemakers are now able to consistently ripen the variety to produce rich and supple reds that may indeed be age-worthy.
The Shandong Peninsula has long been the modern home of Chinese wine making, which due to it's abundant sunshine & proximity to the Bohai Sea, allows for moderate temperatures (no need to bury the vines here) and give winemakers the possibility to produce large quantities of wine.
Most of the major growing regions in Shandong are around Yantai and at the coastal area near Penglai, which has long been famous for it's apple crop. Much of Shandong Province is effected by monsoons, and as such fungal problems, rot and disease issues all need to be taken into account when growing there. Many quality producers grow on South-facing sloping hillside sites with adequately draining soils to help mitigate some of these challenges.
Wine in Shandong was pioneered by the Changyu Winery in 1892 which is both the oldest and largest wine company in China with wineries located in several provinces.
Around a quarter of China's wineries are based in Shandong with both domestic and international wineries continuing to invest in the region.
The Shanxi region is known for it's clean, clear air and distinct seasonal variations, with vineyards often located at high elevations (700m/2300ft+).
A part of the vast Loess Plateau in Central Northern China with loose, highly-eroded windblown soils that offer exceptional drainage, with the roots of grapevines even offering stability to such delicate soil.
Viticultural history in the region is recorded back as far as the Tang Dynasty, when a famed poet and philosopher, Liu Yuxi (772AD – 842AD), wrote a poem called Song of the Grape, versifying on grape wine:
"… We men of Jin, such grapes so fair, Do cultivate as gems most rare; Of these delicious wine we make, for which men never their thirst can slake"
Current viticultural interest is primarily located in the centre of the province with one of the founding vineyards of Shanxi, Grace Vineyards located in Taigu county located near Taiyuan, the ancient capital of several Chinese dynasties and current capital of Shanxi province with over 2500 years of urban history. Notably for this region in 2013, world famous wine writer Jancis Robinson named Grace Vineyard as the top winery in China at that time.
Several varieties are grown here including Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc & Marselan.
Check out an excellent video from Grace Vineyard showcasing their winery and vineyard here.
Hebei Province surrounds the capital Beijing on 3 sides and also separates Shanxi and Shandong Provinces.
With mountain ranges spread throughout the province there are several micro-climates, though the production has often been centred either close to the capital or close to the moderating influence of the Bohai Sea.
Two major areas of interest have surfaced in the last several years, Changli county, near the ocean and North-West of Beijing in the Huizhuo Basin, with vineyards around the central mountain town of Huailai, becoming well-regarded in recent years.
Changli county especially has seen much investment recently as it features a wide range of geographical factors including coastal and inland plains punctured by many small, steep hills and mountain ranges. This is allowing for many wine companies new and old to grow many grape varieties in the moderate region with 4 distinct seasons, and without the intense cold, humid heat or rainfall of other areas.
Huailai in the Huizhuo Basin is located around 2 hours North-West of China's capital Beijing and has several prominent companies involved including COFCO (Great Wall), whose Sungod vineyard label features the winemaking consultation of world-famous Bordeaux oenologist Michel Rolland.
Xinjiang is a large autonomous province in the far North-West of China, that borders countries like Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, as well as several disputed regions lying along the China-India-Pakistan borders.,
This region lies upon the ancient Silk Road trade network, that saw modern grape varieties and wine-making introduced and encouraged by travellers & merchants (including the Greeks) as early as the 4th century BC, adding to the native wine making traditions that are believe to date back over 7,000 years.
Xinjiang can be a harsh place to grow wine with several large deserts covering a majority of the territory, and irrigation network supplied by spring snowmelt required in most places to produce a successful crop.
Vineyards here are mostly based in the North around the Tianshan Mountain ranges, which offers more ample rainfall and climatic diversity allowing for slower ripening and more complex wines. This areas of interest in this regions are the landscape around the capital Ürümqi, the Turpan Basin area including Hami, the Yili Valley and Yanqi, with significant growth of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay and even Syrah ongoing.
Dongbei Region
The Dongbei region represents the far North-East corner of China and is spread across 3 provinces, namely Heilongjiang, Jilin & Liaoning.
This region of China, that in places borders Russia & in others North Korea, has incredibly cold winters often below -30°C which means vineyards must be sheltered, and vines must often be buried in the Winter.
Varieties need to be cold hardy to be successful in Dongbei, so indigenous grape species like Vitis amurensis fit the bill and have also been crossed with classic Vitis vinifera varieties to create more suitable grapes for the frigid temperatures.
Easily most lauded in Dongbei would the beginnings of an excellent 'Icewine' culture, were grapes are allowed to hang until the first snows and are then harvested while frozen to produce luscious dessert wines in "Golden Icewine Valley" located beside Huanlong lake in Liaoning Province.
Yunnan is located in the far South-West of China, where the Himalayas descend into South-East Asia.
A land of mountains and valleys, where even at thousands of metres above sea level you can now find new Chinese vineyards starting to crop up. Vineyards were first planted in these lands during the 100 years French missionaries spent in Yunnan (1846-1952), and the resulting wines were used for sacramental purposes, however after their departure, most of the vineyards were abandoned.
A couple of the new vineyards are set-up by those that know a good place for vines when they see it, with brands such as Moët Hennessy and the Sino-French joint, Xiaoling Estate already winning awards for the wines produced from their small sites.
Moët Hennessy's 'Ao Yun' vineyards are located at the foothills of the sacred Meili mountain at elevations between 2200m-2600m(7215ft-8530ft) with 30ha(75acres) of grapevines split across 4 nearby villages, and comprising of 314 individual parcels.
Both Ao Yun and Xialong Estate are located along the Upper Mekong River on spectacular terraced sites with towering peaks above, and the elevation providing extraordinary UV exposure for the ripening grapes.
Conditions are often dry despite the area being effected by the Monsoon season, with little botrytis or mildew.
Most grown so far are Cabernet Sauvignon-led blends.
Gansu Province is found in the North-West of China with Xinjiang to the West, Ningxia to the North-East and it's wine-growing region of interest is found along the Hexi Corridor, the most important part of the ancient Silk Road, that connected Central Asia to the rest of China.
The corridor connects a series of oases and is bordered by the Gobi Desert to the north and the Tibetan Plateau to the South, regions with little hope of ever sustaining viticulture.
Due to it's sheer distance from modern population centres, vineyard growth has been slow in Gansu, but recent archaeological discoveries showing ancient winemaking efforts in the region, have stirred up interest in the Hexi Corridor and it's potential for quality wines.
Much of the interest is centred around Wuwei city and it's surrounding region, which in 2012 was named as China's first "wine city".
Well-regarded from Wuwei is Mogao winery which has performed a rather impressive feat in growing the fickle Pinot Noir grape as their flagship variety, despite the challenges of a desert region with less than 200mm(7.8inches) of rainfall annually.
Water for irrigation is supplied by snow-melt from the surrounding mountains especially the Qilian Mountains, and due to the desert climate and elevation, there is a significant diurnal swing in temperature with hot days & cold nights, allowing for the grapes to ripen slowly and develop flavour, acid & sugars.
Shaanxi is located within Central-Northern China between Ningxia & Shanxi with many of the same properties of the latter province, with several similar soil types.
The major issue to Shaanxi becoming a wine-making powerhouse is the intermittent heavy rainfall that can fall during the crucial Summer-stage of ripening, so future producers here will need to take that into account by selecting the right grape varieties & most importantly, vineyard sites that features slopes with well-draining soils.
The most impressive vineyard operation so far in Shaanxi is Jade Valley Winery, located in the Qingling Mountains, around 1 hour East of Shaanxi's capital Xi'an, the ancient capital of several Chinese dynasties, and the famous home of the Terracotta Warriors.
Jade Valley Winery has in recent years hired Californian winemaker Victoria Coleman to assist in the ongoing improvement of their wines.
Tianjin municipality is located South-East of Beijing and is home to several government efforts when it comes to winemaking.
The most well-known of these is Dynasty Fine Wines, founded in 1980 as a partnership between the local government and French spirits company Rémy Martin.
A significant amount of the municipality's land is taken up by the large metropolis of Tianjin city, home to over 15 million people, and much of the rest is low-lying coastal plains unsuited to viticulture, so the vineyards are primarily found to the North & East, bordering Hebei Province.
The best vineyard sites are found in the foothills of Yan Mountain Range in the North of the region (which then continue on into Hebei), the south-facing hills here provide drainage and allow for access to more complex soils than the alluvial, waterlogged soils of further South.
Any viticultural success in Tianjin is likely linked to it's proximity to two of the largest population & commercial centres in China.