text:
I've been tagged! I actually was tagged by more than one person on the same day basically, so I'm going to go with the one I heard from first. Read on to find out all kinds of stuff about me that you never really wanted to know and will forget soon after you're done reading. :D
Last Four Blogs Tagged:
A Writer's Ramblings
Musings from an LDS writing mom
LDS Writers Blogck (Connie S. Hall)
Ferguson Authors - Danyelle Ferguson
Lifelong Bookworm
What Were You Doing Ten Years Ago:
I was married, living in a 2-bedroom apartment with no kids. It's weird, but I can't remember where I was working this time 10 years ago. I was either still working at a candy factory, making thousands of tiny icing decorations and punching a clock, or I had recently started working in a data-entry type job, sitting at a desk and typing in numbers all day.
What Were You Doing One Year Ago:
One year ago, I was frantically trying to get a house ready to sell, including having the hardwood floor refinished, patching holes in the walls, painting a large number of rooms, including the 2-story entryway. It was a HUGE project. I'm so glad that house is sold and we're comfortably settled in our new house! We were trying to get the house ready to list by the time we left on vacation with our 4 kids, ages 1-7.
Five Snacks You Enjoy:
Cookie Crisp
Black Licorice
Symphony Bars w/ Almonds and Toffee Chips
Nachos w/ all the toppings
Five Songs You Know All the Lyrics To:
"Dance with my Father" by Luther Vandross
"Candle in the Wind" by Elton John
98% of the songs in the Children's Songbook
50% of the first verses of the songs in the Hymnal
"5 Little Monkeys Jumpin' on the Bed" (Author Unknown)
Things you would do if you were a millionaire:
Buy my parents a nice home to live in
Buy a few acres of property and build a nice but modest home on it
Pay someone to organize my junk!
Donate a large fund to a few different charities
Build a nice investment portfolio for the future
Five bad habits:
Staying up too late at night
"Checking My Email" too frequently throughout the day
Biting my fingernails
Plotting scenes or fleshing out chracters instead of listening to the speaker in church
Raiding the pantry at all hours of the day and/or night
Five things you like to do:
Read novels
Go to book clubs and writing conferences
Take my kids to the park
Surf the 'Net
Five Things You Will Never Wear Again:
Flip Flops
Hot Pink anything
Bandanas in my hair
Stonewashed Jeans
All the clothes I took to D.I. last year :)
Five Favorite Toys:
Palm Pilot
Hands-free Headsets
GPS Watch for running outside
Dana Alphasmart
Where Will You Be in Ten Years:
I will be a college graduate, most of my kids will be teenagers. In fact, my oldest will have just graduated from High School! I'll be a published author with at least 3 titles on bookstore shelves, and I'll be living in a nice rambler on at least an acre of property.
Five People to Tag:
This keeps getting harder! I'll try to name some people I don't think have been tagged yet. If you've already been tagged, forgive me! :)
Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness
Elements of Style
Keith Fisher
The Greater Crater News by Darvell Hunt
Rachel's Ramblings
Okay, I don't know if anyone I've named here has already been tagged, but this is the best I could do. :)
The Rules of the Game:
The rules are that you're supposed to remove the blog site at the top of the "Last Four Blogs Tagged" list, move all the blog site names up one, and add yourself to the bottom. Then answer the rest of the questions. Post it to your blog or, if you don't have a blog, send it back to your friend in an email. Enjoy!


text:
POSTED: Tuesday, March 10, 2009
A former federal detention center employee will serve 10 months in a mainland prison and be required to register as a sex offender for having sex with a female inmate at the Honolulu facility.
At a sentencing hearing yesterday, U.S. District Judge Michael Seabright told Markell Milsap, 36, ";I will take your word that it was consensual."; But the judge also told the Mililani man, ";It was horribly wrong. It was a gross abuse of your position. You used your authority to take advantage of an inmate.";
Milsap, an electrician at the federal prison for 4 1/2 years, pleaded guilty in October in a plea bargain with the U.S. Justice Department. He was charged under a federal law prohibiting guards and other prison workers from engaging in sex with a person in official detention.
His attorney, Birney Bervar, argued that Milsap should get the minimum sentence under federal sentencing guidelines because the alleged victim refused to testify and ";has significant credibility problems."; He said she instigated the encounter, which occurred in a small storage room.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel Moriyama called for a higher sentence ";to adequately reflect the seriousness of the breach of trust.";
Milsap told the court, ";I apologize to God, to my family and my church for the shame I brought them. I have forgiven and prayed for my accuser.";
He will serve three years of supervised release after the prison term, which will begin April 21 in a mainland federal facility, and was also ordered to pay a $3,000 fine.
The woman has filed a $750,000 lawsuit against the Bureau of Prisons for failing to provide a safe environment at the detention center.
The woman was released from prison at the order of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which ruled that she was improperly incarcerated at the time of the September 2007 sexual abuse. She had served a prison term for bank robbery and was on supervisory release when she tested positive for cocaine in a urine test.
U.S. Judge Helen Gillmor sent her back to prison, but her decision was reversed by the appeals court early last year.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Ao Nang Paradise Resort proudly presents a perfect heaven for getaways; tranquility amidst lush tropical vegetation. Combining simplicity and friendly staff in an ambiance of solitude, luxury and peace where the outside world is almost forgotten. An unrivaled paradise awaits for you.
The open-air ground of the contemporarily styled hotel is cooled by the overhanging foliage guarding cemented pathways that ribbon around the rooms. Wide French windows light up the rooms, with white washed walls accented by splashes of colour as a sliding door leads to a wooden outdoor balcony overlooking the resort's manicured greens. Located just a short five-minute walk from the pristine sands of Ao Nang beach, the hotel is equipped with a fitness centre and an outdoor pool with daybeds that overlooks the emerald forest and limestone formations that flourish the landscape of Krabi.
1 day tour program choose as below:
- 1 Day tour 4 Island by speed boat
- 1 Day tour Hong Island by Speed boat.
- 1 Day tour Phi Phi Island by Speed boat
- 1 Day Krabi Rainforest & Jungle Tour
- Full day Canoe at Ao-Thalane
- Full day Canoe at Ban-Bor Thor
- James Bond Island Tour
- 1 Day Tour Rafting & Elephant Trekking
Note : Exclude National ark fee: 400 THB/Person)
• Minimum 2 adults travelling together.
• Rates quoted in Ringgit Malaysia (RM).
• Tour fares subject to change without prior notice.
• Subject to availability.
• Fares quoted exclude airfare & airport taxes.
• Other terms & conditions apply.
Related Packages :
Thailand Packages
Contact us : +603-2687 9688


text:
2D Tuesday gathers together 5 pieces of my favourite 2D work that I've come across over the past week to help inspire! This weeks artists are: Stef Azevedo, Stanley Chow, Paper Wasp, Jonathan Torres and Travis Price.
It's Cool by Stef Azevedo
Pink Cow by Stanley Chow
Catherine by Paper Wasp
Untitled by Jonathan Torres
Beardface by Travis Price


text:
Napels bezienswaardigheden Alles weergeven
Capodimonte Museum
Often regarded as being one of the most important museums in Italy, the Capodimonte Museum is the leading depository to everything related to Neapolitan paintings and decorative arts. It also hosts several important works from other Italian schools of painting, as well as some important ancient Roman sculptures. Some of the collection's highlights include the Portrait of Cardinal Alessandro Farnese and the Baronci Altarpiece by Raphael, the Antea by Parmigianino, the Transfiguration by Giovanni Bellini, the Annunciation and the Mary Magdalena by Titian, to name just a few.
The first and second floors are entirely dedicated to the 100+ Neapolitan School paintings (which date back from anywhere between the 13th and the 18th centuries), while the other rooms of the palace are dedicated to antique 18th-century furniture and the porcelain and majolica collections.
Tours en ticketsAlles weergeven
Napels hop-on hop-off tour
Ontdek Napels in een open dubbeldekker waarmee u de hele dag bij 32 verschillende haltes kunt in- en uitstappen, wanneer u maar wilt. De tickets zijn 24 uur ... Meer info
- Locatie: Napels, Italië
- Duur: 1 dag
- Taal: Engels


text:
Your shopping cart is empty!
W. KORDES' SÖHNE is one of the leading breeders and producers of rose plants for garden roses and cut roses in the world. Over 20 years ago KORDES stopped the use of fungicides on their trial grounds, where new breedings were evaluated years before their introduction on the market. This meant it was possible to accurately assess and select the truly healthy varieties amongst the thousands of seedlings on trial. This new breeding philosophy has been noticeable to all rose lovers around the world. The KORDES company alone has withdrawn more than 100 older varieties from their assortment which, to their opinion, are not competitive any longer. This has made way for new, better and healthier varieties.
If you are in search of roses that are beautiful, disease tolerant and easy to care for, look no further then Kordes' bred roses.
Five PARFUMA varieties to delight your senses.The PARFUMA collection from Kordes showcases rose..
(Kormarzau) - A new addition to the Fairytale collection by Kordes.This Award winning magical ro..
(Korumneza) - This stunning novelty rose will delight you with is charming array of semi double bloo..
(Korjoslio) - A long awaited addition to Kordes climbing range and the Climbing Max collection. This..
(Korfloci01) - Europe's Rose of the Year in 2011. Full blooms in a mix of soft apricot and pink with..
(Korberonem) - Part of the new Parfuma collection by Kordes. As its name suggests the fragrance..
(Korsamasi) - A lovely deep pink hybrid tea rose with a delightful fragrance. Glowing cherry red bud..
(KORhocsel) - An extraordinary and exciting striped colouring of red and yellow, whereby each bloom ..
(Korhoesel) - An extraordinary and exciting striped colouring of red and yellow, whereby each bloom ..
(Koraddilu) - A distinctive sweet aromatic scent drifts in the air from this aptly named rose. A str..
(Kormamtiza) - A very profuse flowering floribunda with a compact growth habit. Clusters of large fu..
(KORwesrug) - Deep orange-red buds open to very double blooms of apricot, combined with shades of pi..
This moderate climber captivates with its double, shining red flowers, produced in clusters of 5-7 r..
(Korsoalgu) - This healthy ground cover produces semi-double coppery yellow blooms that fade to crea..
(Korday) - Medium sized, semi-double flowers of rose pink are produced in large clusters. Very free ..
(Korcatemp) - This award winning shrub rose will impress with its masses of large, single blooms in ..
(KORorb) - Deep apricot-yellow bud, changing to apricot pink as the flower develops. The semi-double..
(Korcripoco) - Porcelain like petals unfold to create a high centred bud, opening to an enchanting l..


text:
Following the plough
This week there has been much ploughing in the fields around Go Local Food as well as on site. Apparently the fields on the local hills were white with seagulls and such.
Ian had a song thrush, two robins and a blackbird. Much nicer wildlife to share the worms with then and with any luck these will be permanent residents of the Go Local site this year.
Leave a Comment


text:
Quantification of Matrix Metalloprotease-9 in Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid by Selected Reaction Monitoring with Microfluidics Nano-Liquid-Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry
Prely et al., Journal of Chromatography (2012) - PMID: 22464002
Product(s) used in this publication: SpikeTides™ - Proteomics Peptide Standards
Quantitative protein analysis by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in the selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode was used to quantify matrix metalloprotease-9 (MMP-9; ∼90 kDa) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from patients having undergone lung transplantation. We developed an SRM assay for microfluidics-based nanoLC-MS/MS on a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer based on two signature peptides. Samples were prepared by chloroform-methanol precipitation followed by trypsin digestion in the presence of stable-isotope-labeled internal peptide standards. The method allows accurate quantification of MMP-9 in BALF with an LLOQ of 2.9 ng/mL and an LLOD of 0.25 ng/mL without the use of extensive fractionation or antibodies.
Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.


text:
Get free pizza for lunch and hear about the Skylab Ignite programme, the expectations, and how it can create value for your team and project. Get an overview of what Skylab offers student start-ups and aspiring entrepreneurs and get an insight in the start-up ecosystem at DTU!
Deadline for signing up to Ignite Programme: 17. September at 23.59. Sign up here.
Other events in the programme:
High Tech Summit: Startup/Corporate Collaboration on 21 September: THE best startup event of the year! Understand how startups and large companies can get value from each other, and make matches on the day.
Key notes: BMW Startup Garage, UC Berkeley, & many more!
Market Validation on 10 October: How to validate the problem you are solving. How your solution (product/service, business model) works for your users/customers. Touches on company identity and - values.
Pitching With Fire on 23 October: What to put in your pitch, how to structure it, and how to deliver! Pitch in front of the Ignite group and get feedback.
Product Development on 2 November: How to structure your PD strategically, methods, pretotyping, design thinking.
The World of Funding on 16 November: Learn about bootstrapping, soft funding, venture capital, business angels, etc – and establish your strategy.
Site Visit: Travel to Lund university and experience business development workshops and Venture Lab's Venture Café in the Ideon incubation park.
We Have Ignition on 5 December: Final event with BUBBLES! Pitch in front of investors, then celebrate! Including startup talk + investor's view on teams.
Kristoffer Buch, firstname.lastname@example.com
Pål Fernvall, email@example.com
Google kalender
DTU Skylab
Skylab Auditorium
Diplomvej, building 373A
2800 Kgs. Lyngby


text:
Jeffrey DeLeon, a friend of ours from Guatemala, has a call-in radio show that is broadcast throughout the Spanish-speaking world. A youth worker for 20 years, Jeffrey told us that his palms sweat and his heart races in the studio because he never knows what kind of questions he'll face. And with good reason.
Recently a 16 year old girl from a small town in Ecuador called in and asked, "What do I do if the pastor of my church is sexually abusing me? Also he's my father." Jeffrey recommended that the girl talk to her mother or another adult with whom she had a trusting relationship. She said she'd already done that but her mother told her not to tell anyone because it would ruin her father's ministry and embarrass the family.
Jeffrey knew he was going to be in Ecuador for the Latin Youth Ministry Summit so he said to the girl, "I've got some good news and some bad news. The good news is there is hope. The bad news is I'm coming to Ecuador."
The Summit has been a yearly highlight for everyone involved over the past seven years, but Jeffrey had to leave a half-day early to make the trip to the town where the girl and her family lived. We prayed with him before he left and that night all of us were anxious to hear how the confrontation turned out. We expected him for dinner the next day but the evening came and went and we still hadn't heard anything from him.
The next morning at 6:20 a.m. we were waiting in line at the Quito, Ecuador airport when Jeffrey walked up behind us. We hugged him and began barraging him with questions: How had the confrontation gone? How was the girl? Was anything being done for the codependent mother? Why hadn't he made it to dinner the night before?
Jeffrey explained that the producer of his radio show had set things up so that another pastor from the same town as the girl (along with two biggie-sized deacons) accompanied Jeffrey to the church where the abusive father was preaching. After the service, they asked if they could speak with him.
Jeffrey said it had gone very well. When confronted, the father admitted his crime and dissolved into tears. He is being counseled and restored by the pastor that accompanied Jeffrey, and they have sent a replacement pastor to the church that he was leading. The girl is now living with a great couple and is receiving counseling from the female youth leader from another church in town. The restoring church will provide counseling for the mother as well.
"How wonderful that you were already planning on coming to Ecuador," I said.
Jeffrey responded, "This sort of thing happens so often. We hear of a need somewhere and I just happen to be traveling there. I'm just glad God is always several steps ahead of us."
And we're grateful for friends like Jeffrey and the other Summit members who pour their lives out for teenagers and young adults in Latin America.
Saturday, November 4, 2006
Doing the Right but Hard Thing
Posted by tim gulick at 11/04/2006 10:17:00 PM
1 comment:
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


text:
Sepp Blatter, the Swiss head of Fifa, the world football governing body, has been cleared of any wrongdoing by a Fifa ethics committee hearing.
But Fifa on Sunday evening announced that it had temporarily suspended two other top officials, Mohamed bin Hammam and Jack Warner, saying they should face a full enquiry.
Bin Hammam, the head of Asian football, had said that he was withdrawing from Fifa's presidential election, where he was the only candidate standing against Blatter, just hours before the hearing.
Bin Hammam, from Qatar, and Warner, Fifa vice president, were accused of bribing Caribbean voters on a campaign visit.
Fifa cleared Blatter of having ignored these alleged corruption attempts.
The Swiss is standing for a fourth term as head of football's world governing body on Wednesday.
swissinfo.ch and agencies


text:
Got in mid-afternoon. Horrific traffic the last few miles on AZ77.
Unloaded most of the rig. The rest will wait until tomorrow.
Emma is home, and my friend Stephen, who'd been dog-sitting, welcomed me home with three dinners of yummy, healthy stuff.
I'll attempt some kind of summary tomorrow. Maybe.


text:
One of the beneficial qualities of a weightlifter is confidence. As a weightlifter it is important to step into training and step onto the competition platform with confidence. Confidence that you'll make lifts, confidence in the reality that your training is making you a better lifter, and confidence in the benefit of your hard work. Sometimes this confidence can come off as prideful and often times it can become pride and inflated ego.
Today as I read Psalm 24, God's Word reminded me of the difference in confidence and pride. Verses 1-2 reads:
The earth is the LORD's and the fullness thereof,nthe world and those who dwell therein,nfor he has founded it upon the seasnand established it upon the rivers.n(Psalm 24:1-2 ESV)
All the earth is God's. All of it. And all those who dwell in it…His as well. I'm His. He made me. He formed me. He gave me all that I have INCLUDING any talent for the sport of weightlifting (most days I pray for a bigger portion). I can be confident. Confident in my ability. Confident that I will make lifts, that my training is paying off, and that I am becoming a better lifter. I can be confident in these things because God has given me those things. I am NOT the creator or the origin of those gifts BUT God is. How much more confident can I be in those gifts knowing that the God, who created all the earth and owns all the earth, created and gave me my gifts? I can be much more confident in those gifts knowing they come from an almighty, perfect, omnipotent source rather than my weak, feeble flesh.
God is over all creation. He gave me all that I have. That both instills confidence AND reminds me who is the creator of my talent. I can take no credit but I can be confident in the God who deserves ALL the credit. The creation can never take credit for being what it is but it can be confident in how it is created.
On a sidenote, I could watch these training videos all day every day. The latest one is awesome. Aimee rocks it in her snatch work at the end. Her footwork is phenomenal. Thanks for the entertainment and motivation Coach Everett.
Catalyst Training Video
On another sidenote, Josh doesn't have to have surgery. In fact, 3 months off and he can begin rehab. I give him 3 weeks…


text:
If you don't want to read the entire post reviewing this book, please consider this key message:
Almost 90% of the children who grow up in evangelical churches leave the church at age 18 and never return.
As parents, it is our responsibility, not the church's, to teach our children about Jesus, to mentor them, and to effectively pass on the faith. Kids can easily see hypocrisy. They may not tell us about it but they are always watching us and, in the end, they will remember most our example, not your words. We must walk the walk of our faith. We must reclaim our kids from the world and claim them for God!
Pipes, Jerry and Victor Lee. Family to Family: Leaving a Lasting Legacy. USA: North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, 1999.
Author Information
Dr. Jerry Pipes is president of an organization that offers training and workshops on family development.[1] He has authored several books relating to both personal growth and building successful families and has produced many more booklets and training processes, with a total of over 18 million in print.[2] Dr. Pipes has traveled the world for over 30 years, speaking to millions of people about the Gospel and the family.[3] He completed his Doctor of Ministry at Luther Rice University and Seminary and is married with two children.[4]
Victor Lee is a writer by profession. He entered full-time ministry in 1995 (p. 130). In addition to being a contributor to and editor of numerous Christian publications, he has written sports and special event evangelism materials that have been widely distributed (p. 130). He serves as Minister of Single Adults and Evangelism at First Baptist Concord, Knoxville, TN and lives with his wife in Wake Forest, NC (p. 130).
Content Summary
In Family to Family, the authors seek to provide biblical and practical principles upon which Christian families can build to develop healthy, on-mission families that seek to serve out God's purpose for them. Pipes and Lee begin by sharing a rather startling statistic that indicates almost 90 percent of children who grow up in evangelical churches leave the church at 18 and never return (p. 1). They follow this with two stories; one which represents a focused, mission-oriented family and the other representative of the all-too-typical hurried, unfocused family. The authors describe common characteristics of the hurried family and then offer their own definition of a healthy one. These contrasted examples and illustrations allow the reader to reflect on where his or her family currently stands and sets the stage for introduction of the authors' suggested methods to develop healthy families with a strong biblical foundation.
Borrowing a concept from the business world, Pipes and Lee suggest the initial step in providing focus for a family is to develop a mission statement. The authors maintain that the process of involving the entire family in creating a family mission statement draws them together and serves to remind everyone what the Bible teaches about the purpose of the family (p. 24). They contend that having a strong mission statement based on God's Word provides both a centerline and guardrails to a family on their road through life and a compass that will keep them pointed in the right direction toward achieving God's purpose for them (p. 25).
Next, Pipes and Lee point to Deuteronomy 6:4-7 to ensure parents understand it is their responsibility, not the church's, to teach their children about Jesus, to mentor them, and to effectively pass on the faith (p. 43). They provide suggestions on sharing the Gospel with both children and teens, focusing on how to determine if someone is ready to receive Jesus. The authors devote a significant portion of the chapter to both the importance and practice of mentoring and the keys to successful family worship.
In the following chapter, the authors put plans into action. They reference a well-known author's relationship-building method known as Concentric Circles of Concern to suggest ways to involve the entire family in engaging, mission-oriented service to others (p. 73). Pipes and Lee augment this section by providing tips for effective evangelism as a family unit, along with a section on evangelism to families with special needs children (p. 74, 84).
The authors devote the next section to integrating family evangelism with the church. They point to the importance of linking people they interact with to a church environment, in order to aid in growth and maturity as Christians (p. 92). In addition, the authors suggest the potential of coordinating with other church efforts in bringing a larger evangelistic presence to local neighborhoods and communities (p. 92). Pipes and Lee also point to the strengths of involving the family in church-sponsored mission trips and make suggestions on how to best prepare for these events (p. 94-95).
The authors devote the last chapter to focusing on sharing the message of Jesus Christ effectively. They stress the importance of prayer and submitting to the power and direction of the Holy Spirit in becoming successful conveyers of the Gospel. The authors maintain that developing relationships with lost people is crucial in creating opportunities to share the Gospel. Finally, the authors provide direction and instructions on presenting the message, to include the value of one's personal testimony and recovery stories. The chapter ends with some suggestions for how families can make practical application of this chapter's contents and boldly spread God's Word to the world.
Family to Family closes with the authors calling upon readers to take up the challenge of building a healthy family that seeks to carry out God's purpose. They urge parents to take back their families from the world and reclaim them for God. Pointing once again to the biblical mandate for families to get behind the Great Commission, Pipes and Lee make a final plea for parents to bring back the proper direction and purpose for their families and to glorify God by carrying out His plan.
Pipes and Lee waste no time in tying the idea of healthy families to a firm biblical foundation. Their chapters reference Scripture early and often in creating the justification for the development of families around key principles found in God's Word. Their commitment in appealing to Scripture effectively grounds their methods and may serve to bring a sense of confidence to readers that they can trust in Pipes and Lee's suggestions as having been developed from a biblical mandate.
A key strength of the authors is that they pen their book in a manner offering the most appeal to a wide swath of the Christian population. Although both writers are heavily steeped in the Baptist tradition, they manage to write in a way that transcends denominational differences in seeking to draw all Christian families around a biblically-principled lifestyle that glorifies God and is fulfilling to believers. Throughout the book, the authors maintain and reinforce their theme that successful families are committed to knowing and living God's Word . They do this without appealing to any specific denominational preferences, but rather by allowing the Word to speak for itself.
Additionally, Pipes and Lee make effective use of compelling real life issues to prepare the reader for the practical solutions that will speak to those issues. They carry this format throughout the book and it manages to remind the reader why he or she needs the solutions and readies him or her to receive them. This also serves to break up the instructional material and maintain reader interest.
One point of concern with Family to Family is its focus on building a healthy family without truly speaking to all members of the family. Since the book is clearly written for and to parents, a great opportunity to bring the entire family around a book whose stated purpose is bringing the family together on a God-centered mission has regrettably been missed. Granted, parents bear the majority of the responsibility in raising a family and Pipes and Lee do well to recognize and capitalize on this. However, the book itself is quite brief and rather short on details. Its authors acknowledge this and claim it is not intended to be a quick fix (p. 4). That being said, perhaps it would have been better suited for its intended purpose and more widely read by audiences of all ages if they had offered specific sections geared toward communicating this same idea of family to young people.
Additionally, the authors have apparently not made use of significant research in the fields of psychology and sociology as applied to family development. While it is understandable that Pipes and Lee want to stay consistent to their theme of a biblical mandate for family development, they seem to have done so to such an extent that they do not acknowledge and refer to solid research that could lend itself to helping families communicate and interact more effectively. Although much of this has been secular research, it does not have to be in opposition to the author's theme. Rather, it could be offered as complementary to their claims, offering academic support for the practical applications and exercises recommended by the authors.
These criticisms notwithstanding, Pipes and Lee offer a refreshingly sensible parent guide to modeling a family in the way God intended. It has been especially interesting to this writer, who has the task of raising two young children in a strong Christian home. The authors have offered practical assistance to this end and backed it up with Scripture to support and encourage this writer and other interested readers who appreciate the difficulties of developing a healthy Christian family in an all-too-often anti-Christian world. This book is highly recommended for any parents searching for some practical biblically-based advice on family development. Additionally, the book is well-suited for a church to provide as a training tool for its member parents. It is a quick and easy read and is especially heavy on ideas to get one's own family started in a quest to be on mission for God.
[1] Jerry Pipes Productions, "Meet Jerry Pipes," http://jerrypipesproductions.com/meet-jerry/ (accessed April 29, 2013).
[2] Ibid.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Ibid.


text:
South Africa
Creative individual with a strong affinity to children's art. I have over 15 years experience in print and pattern.
Trend researcher of print and colour trends for the girl shopper.
Reedsy is a community of top publishing professionals. Join Reedsy today to browse 1000+ profiles.
Professional designer and illustrator specializing in middle-grade to YA fiction with an interest in expanding to adult fiction.
New York, NY, United States
Book cover designer for fiction, non-fiction and anything else with a front. I can take photos, draw pictures and use letters with skill.
Pittsburgh, PA. USA


text:
HAMPTON — The U.S. Army filed documents Tuesday afternoon with the Virginia attorney general's office that, if accepted, will transfer just shy of 313 acres of Fort Monroe to the state.
The transfer requires Gov. Bob McDonnell's signature before it is finalized. A timeline for that process hasn't been set, according to a spokesman for the governor.


text:
Chairman Shih will talk about Taiwan's role as the manufacturing centre of the global Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industry. He will discuss the future of this industry and what is Taiwan's next step.
Clément Thibaud est élu en 2017 à une direction d'études intitulée « Politique et sociétés de l'Amérique latine. Un tiers moment républicain entre empires et nations (1750-1900) ».
Isabelle Rousseau holds a Ph.D. in Sociology, Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales (EHESS), Paris.
Rebecca J. Scott is Charles Gibson Distinguished University Professor of History and Professor of Law at the University of Michigan. She studies slavery, emancipation, and citizenship in both Latin America and the United States. Along with Jean M.
Matthew Restall is a Colonial Latin American Historian with areas of specialization in Yucatan and Mexico, Guatemala and Belize, Maya history, the Spanish Conquest, and Africans in Spanish America.
This one-day conference features three co-authors of the book manuscript Compressed Development (nearing completion, to be published by Oxford University Press), as well as a diverse set of commentators and critics from Oxford and other institutions.
Álvaro Caso Bello is a Ph.D. candidate in History at Johns Hopkins University, having previously completed an M.A. in History at Hopkins. He recently co-edited, with Gabriel Paquette, a new edition of Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos' most influential writings in G.M.
Gonzalo Capellán PhD in Modern and Contemporary History with extraodinary award.
Dilma Rousseff was elected President of Brazil in 2010, becoming the first woman to hold the office. She was reelected in 2014. Previously, she served as Minister of Energy and then Presidential Chief of Staff to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (2003-2010).
Hermínio Martins (1934-2015) was a fellow at the Latin American Centre, St Antony's College, since his appointment in 1971 until his retirement in 2001. This festschrift commemorates Martins legacy, introducing his wide-ranging contributions to the social sciences.
Andrew Paxman completed a PhD in History at UT Austin. From 2009 to 2013 he taught history at Millsaps College in Mississippi. He is a research professor at the Centro de Investigación y Docencia Económicas (CIDE) in Mexico, where he teaches history and journalism.


text:
Gamey styles of red wine may not be a power partner for cheese and cracker platters, but at least in my dining room, they have their place alongside fare like venison, squab, rabbit and the like. And I can assure you that Albondigas Soup wasn't on my radar when I recently cracked a bottle of the TarraWarra Estate 2012 Shiraz, but having sampled its wild earthy flavours, it will likely be my "go to" cellar selection when next I serve my (not so world famous) braised venison with rosemary roast vegetables.
Given its Yarra Valley birth right, the TarraWarra is unsurprisingly lean but has pungent plumb and liquorice aromas on the nose. Across the palate, however, the red stonefruit flavours subside as the star of dark cherries rises in the middle, momentarily before the vanillin toasty oak characters develop at the back end. The gaminess, however, is in the finish where an aniseed and anise undercurrent toast the reluctant plumbs and cherries to a cedary and spicy tannic conclusion.
At around $30 a bottle, it's a fair value proposition and won't let the side down when game meat dishes are the luminary of the menu.


text:
Grilled Lamb Chops For Dinner
2 servings
4 loin lamb chops
¼ cup olive oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 garlic clove, minced.
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon dried oregano
Place all the ingredients in a ziplock bag and place the bag in the refrigerator for several hours.
Bring to room temperature before cooking.
Heat an outdoor grill and oil the grill grates.
Place the lamb on the grill and cook 4-5 minutes on each side. Remove to a serving platter and let rest 5 minutes before serving.
Stuffed Mushrooms
2 servings
8 large mushroom caps, stems removed
Olive oil
1 cup fresh bread crumbs
¼ teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
¼ teaspoon red chili flakes
½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Place 2-3 slices of firm bread in the processor and pulse until crumbs form. Combine the crumbs the remaining filling ingredients in a small mixing bowl. Stuff the caps with the mixture and place them in a small, oiled baking dish. Drizzle with olive oil.
Heat the oven to 425 degrees F. Bake the mushrooms for 20 minutes or until the crumbs are golden brown.
Asparagus Wrapped in Prosciutto
1 bunch thin asparagus spears (about 20-21 spears)
10 very thin slices Prosciutto de Palma
Olive oil
Coarse black pepper
Bundle 4 asparagus together and wrap each in two slices of prosciutto. Place the bundles on an oiled baking sheet. Sprinkle the prosciutto wrapped spears with olive oil and black pepper. Roast in a 425 degree F oven for 20-25 minutes.
The Mediterranean countries include France, Spain, Italy, Greece and Portugal along the north; Turkey, Syria, Lebanon and Israel on the east; and the African countries of Egypt, Libya, Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia on the south. The Mediterranean countries utilize many of the same ingredients but each country has a unique way of creating recipes with those same ingredients. So far in this series, I have written about Mediterranean cuisine in general and about the countries of Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Greece and Turkey. This series continues with the country of Syria.
Think Mediterranean diet and Italian and Greek food comes to mind. But the Mediterranean coastline spans thousands more miles throughout the Middle Eastern countries like Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, and Israel. The Middle Eastern Mediterranean diet emphasizes healthy fats, lean proteins, whole grains, fruits and red wine. However, it also offers delicious and different flavors not found in southern European food, such as unique spices, tangy fruits and healthy seeds, some of which include pomegranate juice, mint, sesame and yogurt.
Syrian cuisine mainly uses eggplant, zucchini, onion, garlic, meat (mostly from lamb, mutton and poultry), dairy products, bulgur, sesame seeds, rice, chickpeas, wheat flour, pine nuts, fava beans, lentils, cabbage, cauliflower, grape leaves, pickled turnips or cucumbers, tomatoes, spinach, olive oil, lemon juice, parsley, mint, a spice mixture called "baharat mushakkaleh" (Arabic: بهارات مشكّلة), hazelnuts, pistachios, honey and fruits.
One of the many highlights of Syrian food is mezza, the tapas of the Middle East. Mezza refers to a generous spread of small dishes, mostly eaten without cutlery, using flat bread, lettuce or grape leaves to scoop up dips or to wrap portions of salad. Baba ghanouj and hummus, both well-known in the West, are key elements of a traditional mezza. Another favorite in Syria is muhammara, a spicy pepper and walnut dip made with pomegranate molasses. Salads include tabbouleh, a parsley and bulgur mix; fattoush, a crunchy cucumber, radish, tomato and herb salad topped with toasted pita; and fateh, a salad with chickpeas, yogurt, tahini and garlic. Other finger foods include baked pastries filled with meat and spices called sambusic or spinach and baked lamb pies called sfeeha. Kibbeh is the national dish and comes in many varieties with the core element being cracked wheat and fresh ground lamb or beef that is seasoned with spices.
For Syrians, presentation is everything. Making the food look appetizing and setting the table appropriately are very important. Everything, even the simplest dishes, are garnished with fresh herbs.
Syrian Recipes To Make At Home
Syrian Stuffed Grape Leaves
Adapted from a recipe from Mary Sanom
2 lbs. ground lamb or beef
1 lb. long grain white rice, uncooked
1 small onion (finely diced)
1 small green pepper (finely diced)
1 clove minced garlic
8 oz can tomato sauce
8 oz of tomato paste
10 cups water
2 teaspoons salt, divided
1/2 teaspoon black pepper to taste
Grape leaves (16 oz jar hold about 60 leaves)
1 lemon
Place the rice in a large bowl, pour boiling water over to cover it and let soak for 1 hour.Drain well.
Mix ground meat, soaked rice, onion, green pepper, garlic, 1 teaspoon salt, pepper and tomato sauce in large bowl.
Place enough grape leaves in the bottom of a large pot to cover the bottom of the pot.
This will keep the filled grape leaves from sticking to the pot and burning.
To fill the grape leaves:
Lay out a grape leaf with the vein side up.
Place a small amount of the meat and rice at the bottom 1/3 of the leaf, tuck in the sides of the leaves over the meat and to roll up like a cigar.
Continue rolling the grape leaves and laying them in the bottom row in the prepared pot,
When the first layer of grape leaves has lined the bottom of the pot, start the new layer in the opposite direction, so that the rows criss-cross each other. This will allow the liquid to get to all the leaves.
Keep rolling up all the leaves and stacking the layers, until there are no more leaves/or no more filling/or the pot is ¾ full.
Place a plate upside down over the leaves. This will keep the rolls from floating during cooking and coming unrolled.
Mix together the tomato paste and water. Pour the tomato/water mixture over leaves until they are just covered.
If the leaves are not covered, add additional water until they are covered.
Add a teaspoon of salt and a squeeze of half a lemon into the pot
Cover the pot with a lid and bring the leaves and liquid to a boil, then reduce heat to medium, and cook for about 30 – 45 minutes or until the meat is cooked and the leaves are tender.
Take out a roll from the top of the pot and test it. Place the grape leaves on a platter to serve.
Retain some of the cooking liquid to reheat the leftover rolls.
Aubergine Fetteh (Fetteh Beitinjaan)
Layering food on toasted bread with a yogurt sauce is a Syrian speciality.
3 aubergines(eggplant)
Olive oil, for roasting and drizzling
2 flatbreads or pitas
500g plain yogurt
2 small garlic cloves, crushed
2 tbsp lemon juice
Handful of parsley, roughly chopped
Handful of pomegranate seeds
50g pine nuts, toasted
Salt, to taste
Heat the oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas mark 4.
Cut the eggplants into quarters lengthwise, slice them into 1 inch chunks and place in a baking pan.
Pour over a generous helping of olive oil and a sprinkle with salt.
Roast in the oven for approximately 40 minutes or until the eggplant is soft.
Brush the bread with olive oil and toast in the oven for about 10 minutes until crispy. Then break it up into pieces.
In a bowl combine the yogurt, garlic and lemon juice.
Take the eggplant out of the oven and allow to cool. Place them in a shallow bowl then pour the yogurt mix on top.
When ready to serve, sprinkle with the crispy bread, parsley, pomegranate seeds and toasted pine nuts.
Spiced Fish (Samaka Harra)
Serves 2
6 garlic cloves, chopped
2 red chillies, finely chopped
½ teaspoon ground cumin
¼ cup/40g walnuts, chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 whole fish, such as sea bream or snapper
1 bunch of fresh coriander, roughly chopped, including the stems
1 lemon, plus ½ lemon, sliced
Heat the oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas mark 4. In a bowl, mix together the garlic, chilies, cumin, walnuts, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, salt and pepper.
Stuff the fish with this mixture, reserving two tablespoons for later, then add a handful of coriander, saving some to garnish.
Squeeze the whole lemon over both fish, with a drizzle of olive oil and some salt and pepper. Let the fish marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
Place the fish in a large baking pan with the remaining 2 tablespoons of stuffing on top and a couple of slices of lemon. Bake in the oven for 30 minutes.
Milk Pudding (Muhallabiyeh)
This is a very light dessert that is simple and can be prepared far in advance. Syrians say the name of this pudding comes from the Umayyad Prince of Damascus, Al Muhallab Ibn Abi Sufra. One day, the bored potentate ordered his servants to make him something different, a special pudding, and this is what they came up with using the only ingredients they had available – milk, sugar, starch and mastic. The pudding then became known as the 'milk of the princes', but commoners soon caught onto how simple it was to prepare and it became known amongst them as the 'milk of the commons'. Today, people flavor the milk with a variety of spices, depending on each individual's taste. This pudding has a smooth texture, with the nuts on top adding a crunch, which Syrians love.
Serves 12
1 quart/litre milk
1 cup/200g sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch/cornflour, mixed with water
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon rose-water or orange blossom water
2 tablespoons/20g pistachios, crushed
Rose petals, to decorate (optional)
In a saucepan, gently heat the milk and sugar over low heat, stirring regularly.
Just before it boils, add the cornstarch mix and stir constantly until it thickens, then add the vanilla and rose or orange blossom water.
Once it reaches a thick consistency, pour the mix into individual bowls or trifle glasses and let cool.
Once cool, put them in the refrigerator to set for at least 2 hours.
When ready to serve, sprinkle the tops of the pudding with the crushed pistachios and for extra color, rose petals.
Source: Syria: Recipes From Home by Itab Azzam and Dina Mousawi. Published by Trapeze.
Today's dinner is one of our favorites. I don't often eat lamb, but loin lamb chops are different. After siting in a marinade and then going on the grill, you couldn't ask for anything more delicious than this. My market sells organic meats and when the lamb chops go on sale, I buy a few and put some extra away in the freezer for another day.
Red potatoes are in season in my area, so they are plentiful and inexpensive at the farmers' markets. With the green beans, I got lucky. They are also in season but my batch came from a friend's garden. He has quite a vegetable garden growing in a corner of his yard and he often shares some of his produce with me. Give this dinner a try, if you are in the mood. Delicious.
Grilled Lamb Chops
2 servings
4 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper
4 lamb loin chops, about 1 inch thick (about 2 3/4 pounds in all)
In a shallow dish, combine 4 tablespoons of the oil with the garlic, salt, and pepper. Add the lamb chops and turn to coat. Refrigerate for several hours before grilling.
Light an outdoor grill or heat the broiler. Oil the grill grates. Place the chops on the grill and reserve any marinade in the dish.
Grill over high heat or broil the lamb chops for 5 minutes, basting with the reserved marinade. Turn and cook until done, about 5 minutes longer.
When grilling quick-cooking items such as chops, turn them only once.
If you leave the meat alone for a few minutes, it will have a chance to form a nice brown crust. If you move it too soon, the meat will stick, and you'll pull off the incipient crust.
Once that brown edge forms, the meat is easy to move.
Creamy Scalloped Potatoes
White Sauce
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 cups whole milk
2 pounds (about 6 medium) red potatoes, thinly sliced
Half of a medium onion, diced
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
Salt to taste
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Place a saucepan over medium heat and add the butter. Using a whisk, add the flour and stir briskly to incorporate the flour and butter. Sprinkle in the mustard, salt and pepper.
Continue to cook for one minute over medium heat. Whisk in the milk and continue to stir, until the liquid comes to a full boil.
Constantly stir and scrape the bottom of the pan while the sauce continues to cook and thicken, about 1 minute more. Remove from the heat and set aside.
Spray a 1 ½ quart baking dish with vegetable spray. Spoon 2-3 tablespoons of the white sauce into the bottom of the dish.
Sprinkle lightly with onions. Arrange a layer of overlapping potatoes in the bottom of the dish.
Sprinkle with salt and half of the onions. Pour 1/2 of the sauce evenly over the potatoes.
Sprinkle with half the cheese and some of the thyme leaves. Repeat with a second layer in the same order.
Place the baking dish onto a rimmed baking sheet. Spray a piece of aluminum foil on one side with vegetable spray and place over the potatoes. Bake for 45 minutes.
Reduce the heat to 350 degrees and remove the foil. Continue to bake for an additional 45 minutes.
Lemon-Ginger Green Beans
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon ginger root, grated
3 cups fresh green beans, trimmed and cut in half
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/8 teaspoon table salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
Blanch the green beans in boiling water for two minutes. Drain.
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add garlic and ginger and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add the beans and cook, stirring occasionally, about 2 minutes.
Add lemon juice, cover the pan and steam the beans until they are crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Besides a wide selection of spring vegetables, my market had American raised grass-fed, organic lamb on sale. Lamb is traditional for spring and it is tender at this time of year. I think lamb benefits from a simple marinade with lots of fresh herbs added. Grass-fed lamb has a sweet, clean taste with the flavor of herbs and grasses eaten on the pasture. It is never greasy and the texture is firm and tender.
One of the best ways to cook lamb chops is to grill them. They cook quickly — just a few minutes per side — and are best cooked to medium-rare, with an internal temperature of 120 degrees. Once you take the chops off the grill, let them rest a few minutes. They'll continue to cook and the temperature will rise a few degrees.
Grilled Lamb Chops
2 servings
4 loin lamb chops, about 1 ½ inches thick, as much fat as possible removed
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 garlic clove, sliced
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano
¼ teaspoon coarse black pepper
½ teaspoon coarse sea salt
1 lemon, cut in half
Place the lamb chops in a glass dish with a cover. Add the oil, garlic, rosemary, oregano and black pepper. Toss the lamb in this mixture.
Cover the dish and refrigerate for at least four hours.
Remove the dish from the refrigerator about 30 minutes before grilling.
Prepare an outdoor grill and oil the grill grates.
Add the salt to the lamb chops and place them on the grill. Cook for about 5 minutes on each side or to taste.
Remove the meat from the grill to a serving plate and squeeze the lemon juice over the lamb. Let rest five minutes before serving.
Cucumber Yogurt Salad
3-4 servings
2 large cucumbers
4 tablespoon plain Greek yogurt
1 garlic clove, minced
Half a sweet onion, finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon dried dill
1 teaspoon rice vinegar
½ teaspoon agave syrup
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
Peel the cucumbers and cut them in half. Remove the seeds with a spoon and slice the cucumbers.
In a medium bowl combine yogurt, minced onion, garlic, dill, vinegar, agave, salt and black pepper.
Add cucumber and feta cheese to the yogurt mixture and toss until combined well.
Add salt and pepper to taste, if needed. Refrigerate several hours before serving.
Roasted Beets and Carrots
4 servings
3 large beets, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
3 large carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon honey
1 sprig fresh rosemary
kosher salt and black pepper
Balsamic Glaze with Figs
Heat the oven to 375° F. Toss the beets, carrots, oil, honey, rosemary, 1/2 teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper together in a one quart baking dish. Cover the dish with foil.
Roast for about 45 minutes or until tender. Drizzle with the balsamic glaze before serving.
The Province of L'Aquila is the largest, most mountainous and least densely populated province of the Abruzzo region of southern Italy. The outstanding feature of the Abruzzo region, one that distinguishes it from Tuscany, is its three national parks and 30 nature reserves. It is why the area is known as the "green heart of Italy". However, the province has been badly affected over the years by earthquakes, particularly the capital city of L'Aquila and its surrounding areas.
The province is also known for its many castles, fortresses and medieval hill towns. The province's two major cities, L'Aquila and Avezzano, have had rapid economic expansion since the late 20th century, with growth in the areas of transportation, manufacturing, telecommunications and the computer industry.
Throughout most of the 20th century, there were serious population declines in the rural areas, with the near collapse of the province's agricultural economy, as people moved to cities for work. Since the founding of the Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga and Majella national parks and the Sirente-Velino Regional Park, tourists have been attracted to the mountainous landscapes. Tourism and associated services have boosted the economy and begun to reverse its decline.
The province of L'Aquila is dotted with ruins of ancient pagan temples and Roman settlements. A well-known city landmark (below) is the Fontana Luminosa ("Luminous Fountain"), a sculpture of two women bearing large jars, that was built in the 1930s.
L'Aquila is a good base for skiing in the Apennines. The two most popular resorts are Campo Felice and Campo Imperator. Both resorts offer routes for downhill skiing, as well as for cross country. Ski season usually lasts from December to April.
The Province of L'Aquila often organizes open-air celebrations and folk festivals that recall the old traditions and offer the chance to taste traditional local products. Abruzzi's cuisine is rich in local specialties, such as red garlic, sugar-coated almonds, goat cheese, lentils from Santo Stefano di Sessanio, mortadella from Campotosto and Trebbiano d'Abruzzo DOC and Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC wines.
The famous "Maccheroni all chitarra" is amongst the best known in the Abruzzi cuisine. The pasta dough, made of eggs and durum wheat, is cut into strips using a "chitarra" (translated literally as "guitar"). This equipment is made up of a wooden frame, strung with parallel steel strands, and by pushing the sheets of pasta dough through with a rolling-pin, the characteristic shape of chitarra is obtained. Chitarra is served with various Abruzzo sauces that include: pork, goose or lamb ragout.
Abruzzo side dishes include, "sagne e faggioli", bean soup with traditional thin pasta noodles made from flour and water, flavored with a thin sauce made from fresh tomatoes, garlic, olive oil and spicy peppers. Other well-known Abruzzo dishes, include "gnocchi carrati", flavored with bacon, egg and ewes-milk cheese. "Scripelli" crepes are served in a soup or used to form a soufflé dish and are served with a little ragout or stuffed with chicken liver, meat balls, hard-boiled eggs or a fresh ewe's-milk cheese.
Ravioli can also be stuffed with sugar and cinnamon and served with a thick pork ragout. The "Pastuccia" is a stew of polenta that is served with sausage, egg and grated ewe's-milk cheese and "pappicci" are thin pasta noodles in a tomato sauce.
Roast lamb has several variations, such as "arrosticini", thin wooden skewers with pieces of lamb, cooked over an open fire and often served with bruschetta – which is roasted bread rubbed with garlic and topped with extra-virgin olive oil. Pecora al cotturo is lamb stuffed with herbs and cooked in a copper pot and "agnello cacio e oro" is a rustic fricassee.
Pizzas, from the Easter Pizza, above, (a cake with cheese and pepper) to "fiadoni" that is often enriched by a casing of pastry and filled with everything imaginable: eggs, fresh cheeses, ricotta and vegetables with all the flavorings and spices that the mind can only imagine.
The spreadable sausage from Teramano flavored with nutmeg, liver sausage from the mountains, ewe's-milk cheeses and mozzarella cheese are all local favorites.
Traditional homemade desserts include "Ferrarelle", aniseed wafers, "cicerchiata", balls of fried dough joined into ring shapes with heated honey, "croccante" a type of nougat made with almonds and caramelized sugar, flavored with lemon, "mostaccioli" biscuits sweetened with cooked must; "pepatelli" biscuits of ground almonds and honey; macarons and the airy "Sise delle monache", triangular pieces of sponge cake filled with confectioners cream; almonds and chocolate.
Prosciutto and Fichi
The prosciutto from near L'Aquila is a bit saltier and less sweet than the prosciutto from Parma or San Daniele.
Slices of prosciutto crudo
Fresh, ripe figs
Large basil leaves
Balsamic vinegar
Slice the figs in half (if they are the smaller ones or in quarters if they are the larger variety). Wrap the ham and basil around the figs. Arrange on a serving platter and drizzle with balsamic vinegar..
Swiss Chard with Borlotti Beans (Verdure con Fagioli)
6-8 servings
2 cups dried borlotti or cranberry beans, soaked overnight and drained
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
7 lbs Swiss chard, trimmed, leaves and tender stems roughly chopped
1/3 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon. crushed red chili flakes
12 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
4 stalks celery, cut into 1⁄4″ pieces
3 carrots, cut into 1⁄4″ pieces
1 medium yellow onion, cut into 1⁄4″ pieces
2 cups chicken stock
Boil beans and 6 cups water in a 6-qt. saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook, covered, until the beans are tender, about 2 hours. Drain beans; set aside.
Fill a saucepan with salted water and bring to a boil. Add the chard and cook until wilted and the stems are tender, 4–6 minutes; drain and squeeze dry.
Add 1⁄4 cup oil and the chili flakes to the same saucepan and heat over medium. Cook garlic, celery, carrots and onion until golden, 8–10 minutes.
Add the reserved beans and chard, the stock, salt and pepper and simmer until the stock is slightly reduced, 6–8 minutes. Transfer to a serving dish and drizzle with the remaining oil.
Ragu' all'Abruzzese (Abruzzese-style meat sauce)
3 tablespoons cooking oil
1/2 lb boneless beef chuck roast, cut into 3 or 4 large pieces
1/2 lb boneless pork shoulder, cut into 3 or 4 large pieces
1/2 lb boneless lamb shoulder, cut into 3 or 4 large pieces
Fine sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper
3 pounds chopped canned tomatoes, with their juices (about 7 1/2 cups)
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves finely chopped
Warm the cooking oil in a large Dutch oven or other heavy bottomed pot over medium heat. Season the pieces of meat with a little salt and pepper and add them to the pot.
Brown for 3 to 4 minutes, then turn the pieces over to brown the other side, another 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the pieces to a deep plate or bowl.
Press the tomatoes through a food mill. Discard the solids. Set the tomatoes aside.
Return the Dutch oven to medium heat and add the extra virgin olive oil. Stir in the onion and garlic, reduce the heat to medium-low, and sauté for about 5 minutes, or until the onion is shiny and beginning to soften.
Pour in the tomatoes, raise the heat to medium-high, and bring to a simmer.
Return the meat to the pot and reduce the heat to medium low or low to maintain a gentle simmer.
Cover partially and let the sauce cook, stirring it from time to time, for about 3 hours, or until the meat is very tender and the sauce is thickened.
Add a splash or two of water, if the sauce thickens too much before the meat is done. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper.
Turn off the heat. Remove the meat from the pot, shred it and return it to the sauce.
Note: The ragu may be stored in a tightly lidded container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Makes about 1 1/2 quarts.
This sauce is traditionally served over pappardelle or chitarra pasta.
Dolci: Pizzelle
Italian waffle cookies, or pizzelle (which literally means small pizzas), are quite popular in the Abruzzo region of Italy. You can add cocoa with the sugar and make a chocolate version, or spread some hazelnut cream on one and top with another.
Makes about 36 pizzelle
1¾ cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
¾ cup white granulated sugar
1 teaspoon salt
½ cup unsalted butter
3 large eggs
2 tablespoons anise (or other extract)
Preheat the pizzelle maker. In a bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
In another bowl, combine the butter and sugar and mix until smooth. Add the anise and then the eggs, one at a time, until well blended. Pour in the dry ingredients and mix well.
Lightly spray the pizzelle maker with vegetable oil (unless you have a non-stick version).
Drop the batter by the tablespoon onto the hot pizzelle iron and cook, gauging the timing (usually less than a minute) according to the manufacturer's instructions or until golden.
Serve with your favorite toppings.


text:
SMITHFIELD — Carrie Lee Tynes, 77, a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church, Smithfield, passed away Jan. 9, 2007, at Autumn Care of Suffolk.
Carrie had retired from Smithfield Packing after 40 years of service.
She leaves to cherish her memory two sons, Harold D. Tynes of Hampton and Barry A. Tynes of Newport News; four sisters, Bernice T. Kea, Ida T. Atkins, Doris T. Gwaltney and Linda T. Williams; four brothers, Lewis M. Tynes, Linnon E. Tynes, William (Mack) Tynes and Robert E. Tynes; eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.


text:
This property is available now.
Request an inspection
- Photos
House for Rent in Blacktown
DEPOSIT TAKEN BY TROY 0402 692 444. More homes needed urgently!
- 4 Beds
- 1 Bath
- 2 Cars
Next Steps:Ask a questionRental application form
RAY WHITE ST MARTINS IS EXCITED TO OFFER a superbly presented family home located in one the areas premium streets
- 4 generous sized bedrooms with air con and built ins
- Large bright lounge room with quality tiles through out
- Modern 2 way bathroom with access from main bedroom
- Ultra Modern Kitchen with plenty of cupboard space,gas cooking and separate dining area
- King size sun room at the rear over looking the child friendly yard
- Plenty of off street parking.
- Added bonus of solar panels on the roof saving you money on electricity
All this Conveniently located close proximity to Blacktown CBD,West Point Shopping Centre, great renowned schools like Tyndale Christian School, Blacktown train station , making this the ideal property you will never want to leave. For more info please call Troy 0402 692 444
- Air Conditioning
- Alarm System
- Built-In Wardrobes
- Close To Schools
- Close To Shops
- Close To Transport
- Garden
2 garage spaces
Next Steps:Ask a questionRental application form
- Loading...
Do you want to find out more about this suburb? Enter your details to receive a free comprehensive suburb report.
Get your suburb report


text:
Buy superb lambo entryway units for evade ram, they are very much intended to change the look of your auto. They are made with the most recent innovation and will give your auto an unmistakable look. The lambo entryway units are solid; they differ in quality and multifaceted nature issuing you the opportunity to pick that which fits your financial plan. When you open it, the pack hoists upwards in a fantastic manner. The packs are anything but difficult to introduce, when you buy them you are given an establishment manual that aids you in introducing them in your auto.
Lambo entryway units for avoid ram are adaptable. They will issue you a more extensive entryway opening with a decent flexible shutting point. The packs are stuffed with safeguards; the safeguards support in holding the heaviness of your auto. The units are all around altered to precisely fit in your auto and need no further adjustments. The units will give the outside assortment of your auto full alteration. You can get two sorts of the lambo units; there is the jolt on packs and the weld on units. In the event that you need to totally change the presence of your auto, then strive for the most recent lambo entryway units.
The packs are confirmed and meet all the obliged principles. With the distinctive units made accessible for you, you can now give your auto that extraordinary look. At the point when the entryways are shut they have a tasteful standard look. Lambo fold units for avoid ram is the best approach on the off chance that you need to appreciate opening the entryway of your auto at a 90 degree vertical blessed messenger, buy the new lambo door packs now. The units comprise of all the important pivots and are made with fantastic stainless steel. They have a predominant outline that makes them look remarkable. In the event that you need a dependable and financially savvy change for your vehicle, attempt these packs.
Lambo entryway packs for ram adjustable track bar are valid and will exceedingly redesign your auto. They have all the characteristics of wellbeing and great execution, once you introduce them in your auto. Try not to buy under evaluation units which will just serve you for a brief time of time, try for the most recent packs which have all the highlights. With these packs your auto will accomplish the look that you covet. The units have experienced broad assembling methodology and you can never lament acquiring them. Whether you need butterfly entryway packs or upright entryways, they will give your auto an exciting look.
If you want to know more information about: 6.7 Cummins injectors so clicks here.


text:
The European Commission has put forward plans exempting small companies from having to file audit reports with national authorities.
The government should look at postponing the introduction of new business laws that could cost small firms up to £800 million.
An employers' group has claimed that there is no need for the government to create new laws which would add to the health and safety duties of company directors as the present system is working well.
New legislation, giving employees the right to request time off for training, will not be extended to include agency staff.
The government's Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Bill has been published, representing the first complete overhaul of apprenticeship legislation for nearly 200 years.


text:
Welcome to Flowers by Kate
We are Professional Designers & Florist based in East Devon. We design bespoke Wedding Flowers, as well as flowers for Civil partnerships, Events & Sympathy tributes.
At Flowers By Kate we understand how important budgeting for weddings are, so we have created a no fuss range of packages to meet a range of requirements.
We have created our packages with flowers that are available all year round and that are available in a wide variety of colours to suit the time of year you're getting married and to fit in with any colour scheme. It couldn't be easier just advise us of wedding date, colour scheme and which package you require and we'll do the rest.
We are working on a new coffee table book with our featured suppliers. Stay tuned for more info!
17/04/18: RT @LarabaCatering: @LarabaCatering @TheTodayClub @reigatebanstead @kosilaja @timeandleisure @EventsByInspire @SurreyChambers @CarolSquires…
25/02/18: Today is the day!! #wimbledonweddingshow 💕🥂 11am -3pm at @HotelduVinbrand Wimbledon, Cannizaro… https://t.co/aW5iVIaeWm
24/02/18: RT @Becca_GrayXx: It's tomorrow 😊 #weddings #weddingfair #weddingmakeup @EventsByInspire #EyesOfLadyW https://t.co/4jzcVxvKSo
Dubai & Mauritius Honeymoon by Mark & Stuart Read more»
Gay Wedding by Mark Swords Read more»
Stylistic, Emotive, Storytelling by Carolyn Reilly Read more»
Tinies Surrey up in lights! Read more»Read the blog


text:
We are sitting around the dinner table, Kevin, Sophia, and I when I suggest we play big, medium, or little problem.
"Okay, Mom! Sophie says enthusiastically. Give me one."
"Big, medium or little problem—you want to wear a particular outfit one day, but you realize that it's in the laundry."
"That's easy. Little problem."
"I agree," I say.
Kevin jumps in, "Big, medium or little problem-- you have no place to live."
"BIG PROBLEM!" Sophie calls out.
"That is a big problem."
"My turn! My turn! Sophie insists.
"Hit me," I say
"Your house burns down so you have no more food and nothing to drink and you dehydrate and die."
"That sounds like a big problem." Kevin ventures.
"One of the biggest, " I add.
The point is not just to relish the misery of others; this is not a game of schadenfreude. Rather, we are trying to teach Sophie to differentiate what's worth flipping out over and what isn't.
This lesson has been slow in coming. Some kids are just more than others—more intense, more emotional, more volatile and easily triggered by even the slightest of insults. It's hard to know what will set her off:
· Her shoes are too tight (because she pulled the Velcro closure until to was cutting off her circulation)
· There's a fleck of pepper on her brussel sprout
· She didn't make a perfect "m"
· Everyone (in kindergarten) will think her very adorable hat looks stupid
There's crying, screaming, falling off of chairs, grand exits, door slamming, and, occasionally, I get bitch slapped.
It is during these times, that I must reach deep within myself to find my empathy. Can you imagine, going through life, so tortured by these details? I can see it in her eyes. She isn't enjoying this. She's in pain.
Not being able to regulate your emotions is a skill deficit. Most kids develop internal controls by the age of six, but some do not. I see kids with the same problem every week in my work.
It used to be that at work, I'd develop curricula for social skills development. I'd train others to teach these curricula. I'd design interventions. I teach parents how to implement them. But at home, I'd get frustrated.
Eventually, I realized that hoping she will grow out of it and trying to be as patient as humanly possible is simply not enough. I have to practice what I preach.
The key is that you have to play the game in times of peace. You can't stand over your child who is having an apoplexy just because you sprinkled a little cinnamon on her oatmeal against her unspoken wishes and ask, "Is this a big, medium, or little problem?"
At least not initially.
But if you do, and you do it frequently enough…not so frequently that it becomes oppressive and clinical, but often enough that your child comes home from school one day and tells you:
"Today at lunch we played big, medium or little problem."
"Oh yeah?
"Yeah. Ms. R. Said 'big, medium, or little problem: you eat too much vegetables."
"And what did you say?
"No, I didn't answer, Ava did."
"Well then, what did Ava say?"
"She said Big Problem! I said little problem because it's healthy for you. Miss R. said if you're used to it, little problem. If you are not, big."
"Ms. R. sounds like a smart woman."
"She is," Sophie nodded.
It has become part of her repertoire. A tool in her toolbox. Something, now, I can gently ask her to remove in times of trouble.
Of course, there is an art to this. There is a sweet spot. A small window of time during which you can jump in and gently suggest that she conduct her analysis. It's the beat, the infinitesimal space between realizing she has a problem, and getting hijacked by her amygdala again. That tiny part of the brain responsible for fight or flight when one feels threatened.
If you miss it…the game becomes part of the problem. But if you catch it…
We were at the Thanksgiving table. I set a small pile of roasted brussel sprouts on her plate. Sophie's horsepower kicked in, she revved from 0-90 in a split second:
"I DON'T WANT ANY BRUSSEL SPROUTS! TAKE THEM OFF MY PLATE." She slumped down in her seat, as if the brussel sprouts were an oppressive weight on her very soul.
"Soph, you've got too many vegetables. Big, medium or little problem?"
Her eyes were still fighting me, but a smile broke out on her lips.
"Can you take some of these off my plate, please," I modeled.
"Can you take some of these off my plate, please," she parroted.
Kevin removed some of the brussel sprouts. Great weight lifted, Sophie rose back up in her chair. Peace and harmony were restored.
Later, she asked for a second helping.


text:
LOWER BACK –Represents your relationship with money, wealth and support. June 3rd in numerology is a number five day – a day on which the focus is on change. There is a great deal of change going on in areas of money and support right now. It is a great day to meditate on the changes that are occurring in your life in those areas of abundance and support.
Affirmation of the Day: It's now okay to embrace change in the areas of wealth and support.
Special Offer Free Half Hour Coaching Session with Suzy Prudden call 310-640-8885


text:
Wondfo will participate in MEDICA 2016—World Forum for Medicine International Trade Fair with Congress from Nov. 14 to 17, 2016, at Messe Dusseldorf Fairgrounds, in Düsseldorf, Germany. You are warmly welcome to visit our booth: Number 3K66.
About MEDICA
MEDICA is the largest medical trade fair in the world, providing a unique place for the world of medicine. It attracts tens of thousands of leading individuals from the fields of business and research to attend this top-class event.
About Wondfo
Wondfo Biotech Co., Ltd. (Stock code: 300482), the professional manufacturer & supplier of POCT (rapid test devices and kits), has more than 20-year experience in R&D and manufacturing. As one of the earliest high-tech biological companies focusing on rapid diagnostics for toxicology, infectious diseases, fertility, cardiovascular disease, tumor, diabetes, etc., Wondfo has won good reputation around the world. For more information, please visit www.wondfo.com.cn.
Contact us:
Tel: +86-20-32296083
Fax: +86-20-32296063
E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com.
To find out more,
contact us for further information.


text:
Winners of 2016 Duckies
Those acknowledged for Excellence in Online International Studies this year are: Best Group Blog: Monkey Cage https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/ Best Individual Blog: Dart Throwing Chimp https://dartthrowingchimp.wordpress.com/ by Jay Ulfelder Best Post: Want to help the Islamic State recruit? Treat all Muslims as potential terrorists. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2015/11/30/want-to-help-the-islamic-state-recruit-treat-all-muslims-as-potential-terrorists/ by Richard Maass Best Twitter: Tie between Erin Simpson https://twitter.com/charlie_simpson and … More Winners of 2016 Duckies


text:
Letter writing has been a subject at the fore of my mind recently. Last night I started Marieke Hardy's new book "You'll be sorry when I'm dead" (she had me at the title... and with that darling cover illustration of her with a flower in her hair - she is a woman after my own heart!). She writes about her love of letter writing, and even has samples of some of her work. It made me realise my affinity with it too.
When I was around eight, my favourite cousins in all the world (actually, probably my favourite little people of all time) moved away - their parents had separated and it was all very dramatic and sudden. I recall writing many letters, drawing pictures and using more stickers than appropriate. I missed my cousins terribly, and even though they would have been too young to appreciate the letters, I felt this was a way to stay connected. Back then, it disappointed me that it would take so long to get to them - even before the age of SMS and email, I had been an impatient young Aries. I wanted them to know I missed them, I wanted them to feel the love on the page, I wanted them to remember me. Consequently, now we have facebook - I barely hear from the young women. That's modern technology for you. No doubting that someone who writes you a letter thinks very highly of you. Where have these days gone?
When I was twelve, I was staying at my good friend Tilly's place, for the weekend. She had a mega crush on the class hottie (I had worked through my crush for that fella long beforehand, so it was ok) and we decided it would be a great idea to write him a secret love letter. From recollection, we composed our letter, typing it up on pretty paper, sealing it inside a pretty envelope and planted lipstick kisses on the outside. We walked the many blocks to the young mans house and daringly dropped it in his letter box! Oh, the scandal it caused at school on Monday! People had their suspicions, but I held true to my friend - we denied all involvement - I may have even provided her with an alibi! Eventually Tilly cracked and owned up, I don't think she ever got the guy - but she did earn some cred for being ballsy enough for the letter act.
I would've been about fifteen when "The Body" - that is, Elle Macpherson came to my home town as part of a huge tourism campaign. There was a lot of hype about the whole thing, she was paid an ungodly amount of money - everyone went to see, just to catch a glimpse. At the time, I was semi-disgusted with the fuss, so I wrote a letter/witty account of the day and sent it into the then cult-ish magazine 'Recovery'. It must've been published, because I received an Alanis Morissette album in the post shortly after. WOW!
As a teenager, writing letters in class was a given. Even in the presumed silence of a classroom, you could share a joke, plans, sadness and pain. Think about how thrilling it was - will I get caught... will the recipient giggle uncontrollably? If someone was having a rough day, a simple "are you ok?" on a scrap of paper could change it all. I wish people would do that in the adult world - leave a subtle sticky note here and there from time to time - imagine finding an handwritten joke under your keyboard, an "I'm sorry", "hang in there", a simple smiley face, or God willing, an "are you ok?" If I get married, and have kids someday - I'll be sure to be the kind of wife and mum to sneak in a secret note from time to time. I don't think there is anything more exciting than receiving a handwritten note that you aren't expecting.
During my final years of high school, I stupidly took geography as a TEE subject. The teacher we had was appalling on so many levels. Creepy, sleazy, dim-witted and completely useless when it came to equipping us with any knowledge. One day, something happened in class that drove me to absolute fury. During the free period that followed I penned a multi page letter to this horrid teacher - laying out the realities I felt he needed to hear. I didn't write it with the intention of giving it to him - it was an exercise to preserve sanity on my part - but when I showed it to my good friend to read, somehow this letter got passed around and around; people were applauding me, telling me I should be a lawyer (eeek!) one even took a photocopy to keep for herself because she was so impressed with its contents. My friends convinced me to give the letter to the teacher - I did. Nothing ever came of it. No reprimand for me, or the teacher. It died a quiet death - I suspect because I was a top student and they could hardly punish me for pointing out facts they already knew, but declined to act upon. Phew - that pen sure was mighty - but it didn't shed the blood that I expected it would.
Shortly after finishing high school was around the time I proper dropped my bundle. There wasn't a name for it - I kind of denied the problems, but it was pretty clear I was going through something. Home life was really tense and emotional. I would bite my parents heads off before dissolving into heavy tears; sometimes I could sink into myself for an entire weekend and barely utter a word that wasn't dragged out of me. My Mum isn't the most perceptive lady, she's not really geared to understand emotions or the complexities about how thoughts affect feelings. It's not a dig on my Mother, she was just never told to think about herself or her internal environment, when I talk about issues like these with her, she goes blank because she simply doesn't get the connection. Anyway - one day she'd gotten to her wits end with me, and said something like "I don't know what's wrong with you... I don't understand why you are this way". It cut me deeply that I was affecting confusion on others, let alone myself. In the clarity of bed time, I wrote my parents a letter - apologising, and tried to explain as best I could, that I just didn't know why I was this way. I hid the letter in a place I knew my Mum would find it. When she did, she came to me, she told me I wrote a very good letter. It saved me in that moment.
I would've been about 20 when a bombshell hit. One of my best friends from high school, someone like me in so many ways - tried to commit suicide. We had lost our closeness, she moved to the city for university, I stayed behind to sort my shit out - but it hit me like a tonne of bricks. This news came about from a series of strange emails - a distressing one from her and one from a friend of hers I had never met, who had written to explain what had happened. Evidently, it wasn't the first time she'd tried it - her life had fallen apart and I hadn't seen it and I couldn't stop it from happening. I felt so helpless. I remembered a time I was staying over her house when we were younger, we had made gingerbread men and had a crazy afternoon baking and decorating. The only way I could think of reaching my friend who had seemingly departed to a place where I couldn't reach her, was to bake her a box of gingerbread men and post it off to her, with a very long letter. I didn't know what to say - but I tried to say 'stick around'. The letter and accompanying cookies were my metaphorical hands reaching out to hold hers. So many hopes went with that letter.
Obviously the most recent earth-shattering letter was 'The John Bomb'. My express posted little envelope of heart and truth; the ramifications of which have been well documented here.
In my time, I have written letters to loved ones, friends, enemies, myself and even God. Each time they have been a release - a wish to affect change - change in attitude, change in heart, change in understanding - in both myself and others.
God how I wish more people would write what they feel. And I really wish they would write to me...


text:
Elsa, like many other "chasse" dogs, ended up in the refuge for reasons that are not clear. The only thing that was clear was that she had had quite a few babies and now she was in need of some veterinary care - and some TLC. She was extremely unhappy in the refuge, confused and depressed.
We tried one foster family but their dominant bitch would not accept her and so she was returned to the refuge. This was not a happy time for Elsa. Then came the possibility of joining another gang and being fostered again, this time with 12 other companions to get on with. Well, it took a record amount of time for her to integrate into the pack and find the best seat in the house on the sofa . . . 30 seconds!
Her foster care has only just started and we shall bring you updates as and when we know more about her medical conditions.


text:
100,000 members strong, the Professional Beauty Association (PBA) is the largest and most inclusive trade organization representing licensed professionals, salons, manufacturers, distributors, spas, schools, independent practitioners and students. PBA produces some of the industry's most renowned programs and events; such as the North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA), International Salon and Spa Expo (ISSE), Beacon, CUT IT OUT and the Disaster Relief Fund.
Formed by the merger of the Beauty and Barber Supply Institute (BBSI), American Beauty Association (ABA), The Salon Association (TSA), and the National Cosmetology Association (NCA), the Professional Beauty Association exists to elevate, unite and serve the beauty industry and the professionals who improve people's lives.
The North American Hairstyling Awards is the most prestigious photographic beauty competition in North America. NAHA honors the professional salon industry's most talented and cutting-edge artists. Join us in Vegas on July 29.Learn More
Beacon is an industry-leading program run by the Professional Beauty Association. Beacon is designed to encourage and inspire beauty school students to prepare for successful careers. Entry for 2019 is now open and accepting entries!Learn More
PBA Beauty Week is North America's largest, most inclusive beauty event, offering unlimited networking, education, and professional growth opportunities to all sectors of the beauty industry and runs July 28-31 in Vegas.Learn More
We know you take pride in your craft, help us protect your professional license from deregulation. Join the I am Licensed. I am a Professional. movement!Learn More


text:
Am still waiting for Anush to put up his list. It's only tradition. This is mostly some cud chewing on reading and books before the list.
I managed 47 books the last year. A pretty reasonable number. Around the end of November I reached 40 books for the year and blogged about it. Going by past history I had predicted 46. I did one better and ended up with 47. In fact the last one was finished on Dec 31st.
The strange part is the number of pages. 2014 saw me reading 14711, while I finished 2015 with 14700, 11 pages short. Pretty freakish when I realised that. And no, I did not count the number of pages, Goodreads does it for you in the "Stats" link. And yes, pages aren't an accurate number as the kind of print varies. Neither is time an accurate marker as some books can be run through, while some will just hold you in one place, and make you work your way through. If you have any doubts read Salinger's "Raise High the Roof Beam, Carpenters & Seymour: An Introduction". It's a short book and the second half which is "Seymour: An Introduction" is only 70 pages. Now work your way through it, and you'll come out feeling like you've done 300. And he doesn't give you paragraphs to rest either. But the point remains, statistics aren't accurate. I quoted statistics because the numbers seemed interesting, and that's about all there is to it.
Like years merging, so are the books. I did not discover too many new authors whom I got hooked on to and wanted to read more. Only Mishima. This can be good and bad. Good because, I still managed a good deal and have a lot more to explore in those that I read now. Bad, well, it's always good to discover other authors, and well, the eternal reader's problem – amount of time vs number of books/authors. You know how it goes. I also got hooked on to trilogies and spent some time getting into them. I can't invest in a trilogy in one year. It usually ends up spread over 3. I did get the Galeano trilogy, and hope to read them all in one go. But that's just being wishful.
I did read a lot more Non-fiction though. Around 25% of the books were non-fiction, which although not too impressive is a clearly climbing number. I did 12 of them this year as against 9 previously. That number has been steadily climbing. Yes, fiction will remain my comfort zone, but am venturing out more often. Which is a good thing.
The moving out of public transport hurt, especially BMTC Volvoes. I cannot read at all in the swaying tempo traveler. It doesn't help that am surrounded by people I know. Reading is a private affair for me, and I can't have people questioning me about what am reading. It's nothing snobbish, just that am not too comfortable doing that with everybody. It's not like I don't discuss books with people who read, it's the opposite, and is one of my favourite conversation topics. Just that I can't do it in a social setting. The anonymity provided by BMTC buses was sorely missed. And more importantly, the head starts bursting after a while when I read in the cab. I tried audiobooks, but they worked well for the books I chose, but then Amazon's rate reductions did not work too well for me later on. The thing is, each audiobook costs around 25-30$. If you buy the Kindle book, you get this for cheaper around 3-8$. Now this makes sense, because a kindle book in the US is around 10-15$. But in India, it costs around 3-8$. And then the audiobook price also drops to the US rate, which was nice. But later during the year, noticed that the actual drop was by 3-8$, making me shell out upwards of 20$.*
Looking forward, this year I don't expect to read more than what I did last time, maybe lesser. But there is hope that the Metro will start in a couple of months' time, so there might be more more reading done once I move back to public transport. Plus there are a lot more long weekends, so might end up reading more. One never knows. A trip to Blossom's was done and a horde purchased. Among them Zadie Smith, A.K. Ramanujan, Kalki and a leather-bound Gogol. One Garcia-Marquez was gifted by the good Ashwin. The Galeano trilogy just reached me. All in all, an interesting year lies ahead.
Will put up the list as soon as Anush gets done with his.
*- Ball park figures only. I am sure if you want to disprove me, you can find books that are outside the range, and even prove that the median is not the same as what I have quoted, but the point am trying to make is different.


text:
So I have this problem that i cant play prison architech very well because always when i play the game fps is max 60 (thats ok but...) When i try to make wires or water pipes fps drops to max 12 or 30. Is it windows 10 or is there a bug in this game? PS. It would be cool if the finnish translations would be updated because some words are just stupidly translated for me its just sometimes hard to understand them.
This question has received the maximum number of answers.


text:
This morning, Petra and I took the car in for a warrant, posted a parcel to the UK, and collected my new glasses. I'm trying out the glasses right now – they feel odd. I hope that will change over the next couple of days.
We also had time for what Petra calls a "wee adventure" (a big adventure is anything that involves going further afield than Johnsonville) which consisted of a trip to Starbucks and then on to the pet shop up the street. We also visited the bookshops in the mall, but Father Christmas turned up and put Petra off. She thinks he's fab in theory and when he's depositing presents under the tree, but when she's confronted with a white-bearded fat man in a red suit, she freaks out. We won't be getting any cute kid with Father Christmas pictures any time soon.


text:
Artists from throughout the Midwest attend this 2018 juried fine arts show that has grown to celebrate art in all its forms. From fine art to culinary art, and live jazz to cinema, this weekend festival showcases the talents and passions of art lovers in a picturesque and historic outdoor setting. The festival is free and offers plenty of free parking and takes place adjacent to Stone Avenue METRA station.
Meet and talk with over 50 juried artists from throughout the Midwest as well as purchase original art including ceramics, drawing, glass, jewelry, acrylic, oil, watercolor, pastel, sculpture, wood, mixed media, photography, printmaking and more. Local art students from Lyons Township High School will also have a booth displaying their art pieces.
- Music and Entertainment:
- Saturday evening jazz concert (7 – 9:30 pm) featuring the acclaimed Elmhurst College Jazz Band (http://www.elmhurst.edu/music/jazz band
- Selected artists will keep their art booths open during the free evening concert
- Live jazz music and acoustic music performers throughout the weekend
- Face painting and other entertainment throughout the weekend
- Saturday evening jazz concert (7 – 9:30 pm) featuring the acclaimed Elmhurst College Jazz Band (http://www.elmhurst.edu/music/jazz band
- Food and Beverages:
- NEW – Tent for wine tastings from eclectic vintners
- Culinary "Art of Food" tent returns with local chefs demonstrating a favorite dish
- Local restaurants will sell lunch/dinner items, snacks, wine and beer
- Art Activities:
- Fun art activities for kids/youth including sidewalk chalk, selfie art stations, and more
- Community mural art project
- Option to purchase mini-canvas boards to create own masterpieces with assistance from the staff of Bottle & Bottega
- Educational art sessions/live art demonstrations
- Art Auction:
- 30 hand-painted love seats that have been designed by local artists and displayed in La Grange as part of a summer art exhibit will be sold at a live auction with proceeds to local charities Saturday evening.
- Walking Tours of Historic Area:
- NEW – In partnership with the La Grange Area Historical Society, walking tours will be offered (fee and advance registration required) of the historical and architecturally significant west end area of La Grange.
The West End Arts Festival is held in partnership with the Village of La Grange, WDCB Jazz Radio and many local business sponsors.


text:
I have officially submitted my first two assignments for the quarter. Okay, so it was just the "introduce yourself" post on the discussion board, but still. Two down, two hundred to go! And maybe I'm a little bit prone to exaggeration on occasion. We're actually at the apartment of a couple we're friends with. They're all in the other room playing Gui.tar Hero, and I've been watching through the doorway and figuring out what to tell a bunch of random strangers about myself. Although it turns out that one of the people in one of my classes may not be a completely random stranger, but rather a mostly-random not-quite-stranger that I've worked with in a roundabout way. She directed one of the short pieces that made up the last show I was in. I think. Then again, I could be wrong; It's been known to happen. But seeing as how she mentioned the particular theatre by name and had to post a picture I don't think so.
I should probably go into the other room and be social now that I've finished the assignments for today.


text:
IGNOU BDP Date Sheet – Explore your upcoming Exam Date Sheet of BDP to start preparation of Examination. Candidates of IGNOU BDP can find their Term End Theory Exam date sheet of all subjects from here.
BDP Date Sheet includes Exam Dates and exact Timing of each subject which you opted. BDP Examination may be schedule in the morning as well as in the Afternoon. Candidates have to find their subjects from date sheet and make a table according to subjects. IGNOU BDP Candidates are advice to save their Exam Date sheet on preferred device for future need.
For good preparation of BDP Term End Exam, Candidates need their exam date sheet on time to make a proper schedule for their study of all subjects. It also helps to boost their performance in each subject of IGNOU BDP (Bachelors Degree Programme).
Click on given link of BDP Date Sheet and go to the page. You are now at main section of IGNOU Date Sheet of all Examination. Candidates have to find their BDP Date Sheet of upcoming Exam from available option and then click on it to download your date sheet on your device.
Early announcement of Date Sheet will help students to focus on each subjects of BDP Programme to get good marks in each paper. Students can complete their reading and preparation for BDP Exam by the help of proper timing and dates.
IGNOU will keep updating its BDP Date Sheet till declaration of Hall Ticket. Candidates are advice to check their BDP Exam Dates on regular basis to get latest updates regarding examination schedule. Final and Confirm Date sheet of BDP will be available at the same page for download.