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Last week we went over all the theory of Dredge: what to expect playing the deck, understanding the philosophy of the deck, and examining the cards themselves. Today we put it all into practice.
To refresh:
Creatures (23)
Lands (20)
Spells (17)
Dredge is a complicated deck, but one that has a number of recognizable play patterns. For a deck with so many bizarre cards in it, each game plays out in relatively consistent fashion. To recap, our game to game plan is essentially:
1. Get dredge cards into our graveyard.
2. Use our red draw spells to dredge via multiple draw replacements.
3. Return as many copies of Prized Amalgam and Bloodghast to the battlefield as possible.
4. Utilize Life from the Loam to make land drops and buffer our hand size.
5. Use Conflagrate as either a finishing blow or to deal with our opponent's battlefield.
6. Rinse and repeat.
Because we never really draw any new cards once our engine gets rolling, our opening hand is extremely important, as it allows us to script out our gameplan. To properly execute the gameplan listed above, our opening hand needs to meet these criteria:
1. At least two lands, one of which is green.
2. A dredge card.
3. A red draw spell.
Of course, some of these are interchangeable in different ways. A hand with two lands and a bunch of Faithless Lootings will be a pretty big favorite to find a dredge card by turn 2, so the potential for a dredge card can fit the bill sometimes. Another possible substitution is a good hand that lacks green mana but has at least three lands. While you don't often want to play without Life from the Loam, if the hand is explosive enough, the third land can guarantee flashing back Faithless Looting as well as recurring Bloodghast it can be good enough.
Let's look at some sample hands and discuss how they would each play out. Planning out our first few turns with each hand will quickly illuminate if it is a hand that should be kept or not.
Keep or Mulligan?
Turn 1: Dakmor Salvage tapped.
Turn 2: Copperline Gorge, Life from the Loam for nothing.
Turn 3: Dredge Life from the Loam on our draw step, and have very few options available to us.
As we can see, our first hand is clearly a stinker. It does not have a card draw spell, and therefore has no way to either get dredge cards into our graveyard or dredge them quickly. This hand will do nothing for far too long to be effective in any way.
Verdict: Mulligan.
This one is pretty clear.
Tip: If this hand had two fetchlands instead of Dakmor Salvage and Copperline Gorge, it could become keepable in slower matchups. Being able to Life from the Loam for value is much better than just casting it to put it in the graveyard, and if you can get your hand size above seven, discarding for turn can be another effective way to get cards in your graveyard.
Turn 1: Copperline Gorge, Faithless Looting, and pray.
Turn 2: If you drew a dredge card in your three looks at one, Cathartic Reunion and you're set to start dredging. If not, Cathartic Reunion to dig.
Turn 3: Completely dependent on the first few turns, which had a pretty high possible fail rate.
Anyone used to playing Brainstorm or Serum Visions may see this hand and want to keep, expecting Faithless Looting and Cathartic Reunion to smooth out their draw. However, Dredge is not a normal deck just looking to play spells and lands. Unless this hand finds exactly a dredge card (and preferably Stinkweed Imp or Golgari Thug) off Faithless Looting, it is going to be very slow and have a very high chance of doing nothing for a long time.
Verdict: Mulligan.
We can do much better, as our card draw spells act as our engine, not deck manipulation.
Turn 1: Scalding Tarn, end step fetch Stomping Ground.
Turn 2: Blood Crypt. If they have a creature, Collective Brutality discarding Bloodghast and Life from the Loam for full escalate; if they don't have a creature, Cathartic Reunion discarding both copies of Life from the Loam and start dredging.
Turn 3: Very dependent on previous turn, but we have our engine online, Life from the Loam available for more lands and Bloodghast recursion, and either some interaction or a big dredge this turn.
It could be a little faster, but the interaction that Collective Brutality provides us can help slow our opponent down and makes up for the lack of a one-drop. This hand has mana, dredgers, and our best engine card.
Verdict: Keep.
A very solid hand.
Tip: Hands like this are the reason we play Scalding Tarn as our red fetchland of choice (when any other red fetchland would be functionally equivalent). We aren't going to always have a turn 1 play, and the misinformation of looking like a blue deck can gain you a few non-inconsequential percentage points.
Turn 1: Copperline Gorge, Faithless Looting most likely discarding Prized Amalgam and Bloodghast.
Turn 2: Insolent Neonate; assuming no dredge cards available, activate it, discarding Prized Amalgam. Then play Blood Crypt tapped.
Turn 3: Entirely depends on cards drawn.
Hands like this come up every once in a while where you naturally just put a few early copies of Prized Amalgam and Bloodghast in the graveyard and just return them without dredging at all. While hands like this are a little at the mercy of the card draw spells turning up dredge cards, the fail state of putting eight resilient power onto the battlefield on turn 2 while also drawing a number of cards is too good to pass up.
Verdict: Keep.
We're not technically dredging to start, but we are still executing our plan and applying pressure with a lot of potential.
Turn 1: Stomping Ground; Faithless Looting, discarding Golgari Thug and either a dredge card / Bloodghast / Prized Amalgam or the Conflagrate.
Turn 2: Dredge Golgari Thug, play Wooded Foothills and fetch a Mountain, and cast Cathartic Reunion and dredge a ton.
Turn 3: The world is your oyster, as you probably have access to Conflagrate, Life from the Loam, and/or flashback on Faithless Looting.
Lands, a dredge card, and some red cards. While they can be better than this, we are very happy with this hand and how smoothly it plays out. It is also nice that it is immune to a turn 1 discard spell.
Verdict: Keep.
It's everything we're looking for.
Of course, considering that we mulligan fairly aggressively with the deck, let's look at some smaller hands.
Turn 0: Scry!
Turn 1: Wooded Foothills, sacrifice for Mountain, Insolent Neonate. At the end of their second main phase, activate Insolent Neonate, discarding Stinkweed Imp, and dredge.
Turn 2: If we were fortunate enough to find another dredge card off our first dredge, dredge that.
Turn 3: Ideally cast Life from the Loam, Conflagrate, or flashback Faithless Looting, but just casting Stinkweed Imp is also passable.
The best thing about mulliganing with Dredge is the scry rule, because we are looking for certain cards rather than a large quantity of cards. This hand is a little light, but as a six-card hand it gets going well enough and also has the right lands to both cast Life from the Loam and flash back Faithless Looting. We've got a lot of good hits going for us.
Verdict: Keep.
A solid six.
Turn 1: Wooded Foothills for Mountain, Insolent Neonate.
Turn 2: ...
This hand doesn't really go anywhere without some serious help. Insolent Neonate is our weakest enabler, we have no dredge cards other than the paltry Dakmor Salvage, and we have nothing that interacts. Put simply, this hand just doesn't do anything.
Verdict: Mulligan.
We can do better, even on five.
Turn 0: Scry, bottoming any nonland, non-Faithless Looting, non-Insolent Neonate card.
Turn 1: Copperline Gorge, pray for land.
Turn 2: If we've drawn a land, cast Cathartic Reunion or Collective Brutality as appropriate and start doing our thing.
Much better. Our hand obviously needs a land, but between our scry and our first two draw steps, we have a lot of good looks at one. Faithless Looting and Insolent Neonate also give us redraws at a land. If you find a land by turn 3, this hand is poised to win, which is a great place to be on a mulligan to five.
Verdict: Keep.
Dredge mulligans very well, and hands like this illustrate that.
We can also keep our hands based on what our opponent is playing if we have that information. Take for example this hand I kept at #SCGKY against Death's Shadow:
At first glance this hand looks pretty bad, but think about how well it lines up against a turn 1 discard spell.
The only viable choice they have is Narcomoeba. Once in the graveyard, your Golgari Thug is now a blocker than can put a dredge card in the graveyard as well as set up a Narcomoeba flip. You also have Life from the Loam in the meantime to start gaining card advantage and begin dredging.
Against fair decks we can take this sort of slower, Life from the Loam approach, but against faster decks we are looking for the speed that cards like Faithless Looting and Cathartic Reunion can provide us. The hands we keep are going to be biased based on what we think our matchup is, and also based on how we think our opponents may have sideboarded against us.
Wait, what?
Our opponents get to sideboard?
Games 2 and 3
All this dredging is fun and all, but sadly not all of our opponents are going to be happy with letting us have our fun.
There are a multitude of brutal sideboard cards that our opponents will be bringing in against us, and the price of a fairly easy Game 1 is that we are going to have to slog through them in Games 2 and 3.
Dredge's own sideboard is very interesting because it is almost entirely based on dealing with our opponent's sideboard rather than their deck. We will be bringing in cards to help fight against our opponent's hate card, while also trying our best to maintain the linear power of our deck. This means that we can't bring in a ton of cards and that we will be slowing our deck down a little.
It's pretty easy to break our sideboard down into three distinct parts.
The Anti-Hate:
These cards have one main purpose— to effectively deal with the wide variety of hate cards that our opponents might throw at us. Early Dredge lists had cards like Nature's Claim and Abrupt Decay to serve this role, but because post-sideboard games slow down so much, there's no need for mana efficiency.
What we are really looking for is versatility. What happens if we bring in Nature's Claim and they have Surgical Extraction and Scavenging Ooze? Or we bring in Abrupt Decay and they bring in Leyline of the Void and Kalitas, Traitor of Ghet? What happens they don't actually have any hate cards but just do a very good job of executing their deck's primary strategy? We only have a few narrow answers to their hate cards anyway, and as such we really can't afford to have the wrong ones at the wrong times.
This makes Maelstrom Pulse and Engineered Explosives both fantastic tools for us. Both are capable of answering almost any hate card, while also just being very good Magic cards. Sometimes your Death's Shadow opponent is just going to play a second Death's Shadow and you are going to Maelstrom Pulse them both and gain a ton of time to do your own thing. Neither card is ever dead. Both solve problems you are worried about and the problems you hadn't even considered.
Tip: Don't forget that you have a Steam Vents in your deck, which can allow you to sunburst an Engineered Explosives up to four to kill Leyline of the Void.
The Bullets:
These are the cards that operate from your graveyard, which means that, even though you only have one of each, you are fairly likely to see any one of them each game because you see so many cards in your deck. Ghost Quarter and Bojuka Bog in particular are very effective tools in their respective matchups, ready to get returned with Life from the Loam at a moment's notice.
Ancient Grudge is fairly obvious, but Vengeful Pharaoh is mainly for Death's Shadow and other Temur Battle Rage-based decks. It is a hard counter to Temur Battle Rage and a good answer for decks looking to attack you with one large creature a few times.
The Actual Sideboard Cards:
We are occasionally going to want to interact with our opponent more directly, which leaves some room for actual sideboard cards.
Thoughtseize is primarily for combo decks but can also be used as anti-hate against decks playing Surgical Extraction and/or Ravenous Trap. Collective Brutality is a great tool because it can come in as a Duress in those matchups while also being fantastic against creature-based combo decks like Counters Company and Burn. A fully escalated Turn 2 Collective Brutality killing a Devoted Druid or Goblin Guide and taking a Collected Company or Boros Charm is every bit as brutal as it sounds.
Lightning Axe is our last interactive piece that allows us to disrupt our opponent's creature-based plans while also setting up our own engine.
Okay, so for the most part all of these sideboard cards make sense. However, the difficult question for any highly linear deck isn't what do we want to put in, but rather...
What Do We Take Out?
Sideboarding cards out of Dredge is one of the hardest parts of playing the deck. Many of the engine cards are untouchable, which leaves us with a small pool of cards to select from. We can never sideboard in too many cards because we don't have enough to take out, and which cards come out are very matchup-dependent.
The pool of removable cards:
Note that this is not a list of the different possible cards we can remove, but rather a list of the actual ten slots in the deck that are removable. In order to maintain the functionality of our deck, we are often just going to be shaving down on certain cards to make room for our sideboard cards. This means our deck will be a little less consistent, yet still function in the way it is supposed to.
Collective Brutality is the easiest cut, because it's one of the few cards not directly related to the engine of the deck. There are many matchups where -2/-2 is not enough to kill a relevant creature and Duress doesn't really matter and Collective Brutality is the first card to go. Otherwise we are just shaving down on redundant effects:
- The extra Dakmor Salvage is worth less than a land and is not a great dredger, which means that it and usually one other dredge card make their way out of the deck.
- Typically you want to cut a Golgari Thug in slower matchups where Life from the Loam is more important, and cut a Life from the Loam in the less interactive matchups where speed is a factor.
- While Conflagrate is important, in many matchups you really only need to cast one, which makes it an easy shave.
- When you are bringing in Lightning Axe and more copies of Collective Brutality, you can go down on copies of Insolent Neonate because they serve as similar purpose.
- One Bloodghast is almost always cut in any matchup where you expect hate.
- Furthermore, if you expect a lot of hate, you can also cut one copy of Narcomoeba.
There's certainly an art to sideboarding with Dredge, as it is very much based on your opponent's deck, what cards you think/know they will sideboard in, and even how they played their game. Typically you will be adding anywhere from three to six cards, removing cards from the cut-list as you see fit.
Tip: Post-sideboard games often go at a slower pace because every hate card your opponent draws is one less card that furthers their own plan. You can be a little more liberal with your opening hands and should place a priority on hands that are flexible.
Remember, you aren't always going to draw an answer to their hate card, and you should always be looking for ways to start casting things and attacking while you are trying to find an answer. That Steam Vents is in there for a reason!
Dredge Logistics
Knowing how to play and sideboard with Dredge is obviously paramount to playing the deck, but there is one more important skill that Dredge tests that most other decks don't...
Where the hell do I put all these cards?!?!
Most decks only have about five to ten relevant cards on the table at any one time, whereas Dredge often can have over 30. Almost every card in your graveyard is important, and it's important for both players to be able to see them quickly. Here's how I lay it out:
I use the left side of my playmat for the "on the battlefield" area, and the right side for my deck and graveyard. I run the cards in my graveyard in rows of ten, with my exile pile to the top right of my deck.
For my Prized Amalgam triggers, I move them to the top left part of the graveyard, to show that they are still in the graveyard but are triggered and waiting to enter the battlefield.
Simple, clean, and effective. It's important to have crisp mechanics with the deck, as you can waste a lot of time and miss a lot of triggers if you are clumsy about moving the cards around.
Draw Step, Dredge Five
That's about everything I know about Dredge.
Dredge is not only an extremely powerful Modern deck, but one that highly rewards familiarity. The deck consistently executes its gameplan almost every time and it's up to you to find out the best way to go about it. Knowing when to mulligan, both in pre- and post-sideboard games, is going to be extremely important, as is understanding your role in any given matchup. You also must be able to tackle tough Games 2 and 3, and ready to find new and inventive ways to win in the face of devastating sideboard cards.
If you've got the stomach to go up against the hate, Dredge is a fantastic choice for any Modern event.


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In the late 1950's Newburyport, Massachusetts faced an economic hardship that nearly exhausted the entire city. Many of the mills, factories and local businesses shut their doors for good as the threat of urban renewal loomed over the boarded streets. Urban sprawl had drawn most of the town's residents into local suburbs leaving the city center desolate and uninviting. Rising levels of crime and corruption caused many of Newburyport's residents to lose faith in their city's ability to recover.
Then, in 1959, a local New England artist by the name of Jack Frost came up with an idea that would help revitalize many of New England's historic city centers. Frost's goal was to create a strong sense of civic pride and social cohesion in the form of a week-long summer celebration, better known as Yankee Homecoming. He defined the event as "the national pilgrimage back east where it all began". Frost encouraged natives and visitors alike to return to the city and join him in honoring the rich and vibrant history surrounding New England. Newburyport, MA was the last of 29 cities to host a Yankee Homecoming celebration and is the only city that continues to honor Frost's 56-year-old tradition.
In efforts to honor Newburyport as the official birthplace of the United Stated Coast Guard it was decided that Yankee Homecoming was to be held just one week before the Coast Guard's birthday of August 4th. This year's celebration marks their 225th Birthday. Newburyport has also been recognized as one of fourteen Coast Guard cities, a title given to towns and cities that provide extensive support and honor to those who serve and protect our waterways.
Small Batch. Big Beer.In order to honor the city that we take such pride in, the Newburyport Brewery will be tapping into a special 1635 series Double IPA on Thursday July 30th. Come on down to the brewery for some fresh beer and delicious burritos by Metzy's Taqueria. Live music by Planes on Paper starts at 5pm. See you there!
As part of this year's Yankee Homecoming celebrations here in Newburyport, MA, the Rotary Club of Newburyport announces their annual Beer and Hot Dog Tent will be held on Thursday, July 30, from 5-7 p.m. This annual fundraising event will take place at the Tannery Marketplace parking lot on Federal Street.

subset: commoncrawl


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The Prudent Homemaker Blog
Make Your Own Chocolate Easter Rabbits
These simple rabbits are quick and easy to make. I use chocolate wafers, which don't need to be tempered.
Rabbit molds. This mold is my favorite, but I also like this one for a large rabbit, this this floppy-eared large rabbit, and this one for small bunnies
Melting chocolate wafers. I like these white chocolate ones and these dark chocolate ones.
In a glass bowl, melt a small amount of wafers for 1 minute in the microwave, stopping to stir after 45 seconds, and then stirring them after 1 minute to finish melting all of the chocolate. (No micrcowave? You can melt them in a double boiler, or in a metal bowl set over a pot of boiling water on the stove).
Use a spoon to fill each rabbit cavity, and then gently tap the mold on the counter or table to remove air bubbles. Put the mold in the refrigerator to help speed up the cooling process. When the chocolate has cooled to a solid, turn the molds over and gently push or shake the rabbits out.
If making a two-sided rabbit, cut the mold in half with scissors, and cut off the edges of the mold. Fill one side of the mold and put in in the refrigerator to harden.
After one side has cooled, melt and fill the remaining side. Tap the mold on the counter to remove air bubbles, and then add a little extra chocolate to the top of the rabbit, to act as the glue. Remove the cold rabbits from the fridge and line them up on top of the warm rabbits. Use clips to keep the mold closed and lined up while the rabbits cool. Return this to the fridge for it to finish cooling.
Cost breakdown:
Is making your own Easter rabbits worth it? That depends on several things, including your chocolate preferences.
Yes, you can buy the small rabbits with the blue eyes that are $1 each from the dollar store.
My personal favorite is the kind that comes wrapped in goil foil with a red ribbon around the neck. Those run $2.50 to $3 each on sale for the medium-sized rabbits (they come in severa sizes) that are 4.3 ounces each. On sale, these run $0.58 to $.70 an ounce, and would have me out $17.50 to $21 for my 7 children. That's more than I want to spend on what is only part of our Easter candy.
Amazon's price for the 12 ounce bag is $3.98 (with free prime shipping or free shipping on orders over $35). This makes the chocolate $0.33 an ounce. For a sweeter deal, you could use a Swagbucks gift card to order chocolate this way, as well as the molds, making for no cost out of pocket.
Sam's Club carries two 2-pound bags (4 pounds total) for $15.76. This puts your cost at $0.25 an ounce for the chocolate.
The mold price is going to be highest your first year, of course, but isn't an issue each year after that. If I was just going to buy one mold, I would buy this one, which is currently $4.51, with free shipping. Each side of the mold holds 1.4 ounces. You can make a flat rabbit, or put the two sides together for a solid rabbit of 2.8 ounces. You could also fill the inside with a filling of your choice--peppermint patty rabbits, or caramel rabbits, for instance. A solid 2.4 ounce rabbit would be $0.60 for the chocolate. Your cost per rabbit for the mold will depend on how many rabbits you make--and how many years you use the mold. This is a smaller rabbit than many at the store, but unlike many of those, yours will most likely be solid, so it will be a decent amount of chocolate for a child. If making a larger rabbit, such as with the other molds, you may want to keep it one-sided.
I like to put these in a container at the back of the refrigerator prior to Easter, to keep them ready for Easter.
This is my third year making my own Easter rabbits.
I combine these with candy I get for very little, by combining coupons and sales. We fill the same plastic eggs each year with the little candy for an egg hunt, and I give the children their Easter rabbits at breakfast. If you start in the next day or so, you can grow your own Easter grass in time for Easter, and put these rabbits in them on your table. I've done this before for our Easter centerpiece, and I plan to do it again this year, too. Here is a beautifully photographed tutorial on how to grow your own wheat grass.
If you're looking for more frugal Easter ideas, check out my Easter Pinterest board!
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March 28, 2015
I like buying my own chocolate too. I also take the peanut butter buckeye recipe and shape the dough into small eggs and cover them with chocolate. They are so yummy.
March 29, 2015
What a great idea! And you know what is going into your candy You could decorate the tops with some sprinkles or drizzle of frosting too!S
March 28, 2015
I don't think I've ever seen a more gifted woman. What makes you special is your humility. God bless you and your family.
March 29, 2015
Aww! Thank you!
March 28, 2015
Very creative idea! I don't celebrate Easter, but these could be used for many different holidays or a birthday. By making your own chocolate candies, you can avoid a lot of the fillers that are in commercial products. Love it!
March 28, 2015
There are so many different molds out there!
You can also make and temper your own chocolate with these molds. I've stuck to the candy melts so far, and I've done the Eiffel towers for Elsa's Paris party, and chocolate frogs for Harry Potter parties.
In high school, I was visiting a friend one day before Valentine's Day. They used the colored candy melts (essentially white chocolate with coloring) from Wilton (those go on sale at Michael's and Joann's before holidays) to make chocolate roses (red with green stems). They put long skewers in them (some molds have this option for lollipop sticks), covered the skewers with green floral tape, and wrapped the chocolate top with red cellophane. They then sold them at school for $1 each (I'm sure you could ask more now, and would need to, in order to make a profit). They sold them all, every year, without a problem, on Valentine's Day.
March 28, 2015
I'm making my own this year. We're dairy and gluten free, and buying that kind of chocolate is expensive. Instead, I bought allergen friendly chips when they were on sale at Christmas. I kept the chips in my freezer and bought molds for Easter. Viola, cheap, tasty allergen friendly Easter basket treats.
March 28, 2015
This is a wonderful idea. Thank you Brandy. I would combine the homemade chocolate with a small pack of crayons and a few printed Easter activities.
March 28, 2015
Can you use chocolate chips?
March 28, 2015
Not as easily. Chocolate chips have an ingredient to keep them from melting in the same way, so they end up being grainy, like sand.
March 28, 2015
I have not considered making chocolate bunnies, but I think it's a lovely idea! We have just one child, but my husband really likes Easter candy, so we have always had one family Easter basket. I don't know if that would work with multiple children, but here, it works just fine. Like you, I combine coupons and sales to get good deals on candy. This year I was able to get the medium size bags of M&Ms for as little as $1 each, so I got a few different flavors to put into plastic eggs. I got some jelly beans for .99 and used those to make cute butterflies (our one child is a girl). You can do an image search of 'butterfly snack favor' and find them - they are very easy. There were some freebies through one of our local supermarkets - Russell Stover and Snickers eggs, and I have those tucked away too. I have chow mein noodles and white chocolate melting wafers, so I am going to make a few little nests with jelly beans for eggs. Happy Easter!
March 29, 2015
Brandy, your chocolate bunnies are just adorable! I do have another suggestion...you could mix in some rice crispy cereal into the chocolate for a bit of crunch. I always loved it when the Easter bunny brought the "crispy" chocolate bunny when I was a kid. Chopped nuts or dried fruit are another suggestion. This would decrease the amount of ounces of chocolate needed and therefore may decrease the cost breakdown depending on what you added.
I was able to make up my daughter's Easter Basket on a fairly reasonable budget. I like to include some non-edibles, so I bought her a cat magazine (she LOVES cats) and a music CD. They were the most expensive parts, but non-sugar items that last longer are always a good investment. As for candy, I was able to purchase some heavily discounted items after Christmas and after Valentines day, and I picked up a few items that were on sale this week. The Christmas treats were in Christmas themed boxes, so I just removed them from the box. I bought a pretty Easter basket at a thrift store for $1 (would have been $3-$4 or more reg. price). She likes to use her baskets for storing toys, so they don't often get reused each year. We do keep the plastic "grass" and reuse that each year.
I have heavily thought about trying to make my daughter's Easter treats, but I'm worried she will not like them. Because she has Asperger's, she is very insistent on routine and traditions. New concepts are often hard to introduce. I so wish I had tried this when she was younger! If I had been more wise, I would have done so many things differently. I hope the parents of younger children who follow your blog will learn from your example. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge.
March 29, 2015
Suggest making only one thing new for your daughter. She may not eat it until last, but if she finds it good she will be looking for it next year. And next year you can try a new adventure. Just work it in slowly. If she would be to adverse to it in her basket maybe put it in your basket, show it to her, and offer to share?
March 29, 2015
Not a bad idea! I won't be doing it this year, as I already have her basket made. But I just might try that next year. Thanks, Sheila!
March 29, 2015
When our children were younger, we made our own chocolate covered marshmallow eggs. The recipe is not difficult, & you could make them in the smaller batches with your daughter, so "test" to see what flavors she likes best. Lime, orange & lemon are big at our house, but raspberry & strawberry are good, too.
Marshmallow Eggs: makes 23-31 eggs
1 cup water 2 cups sugar 3 envelopes Knox gelatin 1/8 tsp salt 3-4 tsp Jell-O or store brand gelatin (dry)
1 tsp vanilla extract or other flavoring (optional)
melted chocolate for dipping (we have used real chocolate, candy coating, melted wafers with success, in both brown & white)
flour, plastic eggs & pans for molds
Fill a cake pan 3/4 full with flour. Press plastic eggs into flour to make molds. This takes some practice to not collapse the adjacent molds while making new ones. We found it best to use 3 eggs, with a little "pull tab" made of scotch tape on the side. Press in the first, then press in the second, then the third, then remove the first & continue to pull one out & press it in again until you have 23-31 molds ready.
Bring all ingredients but vanilla to full boil. Let cool 5 minutes. Pour into large mixing bowl, with vanillla , if using. Beat at high speed 10 minutes, or until thick, but still runny. (We beat until the "railroad tracks" made by the beater last long enough for the beater to "catch" up. If you beat too long, it will set up int he bowl as you try to dip it out). Dip by spoonfuls into the flour molds. Let stand in mold until well set - usually several hours. Uncover eggs, shake off excess flour by tossing marshmallow egg back & forth gently between your hands. (The flour can be re-used for multiple sets, then go back into the flour container) Set on a clean plate until chocolate or coating is ready to dip, then dip eggs & set on a cookie sheet lined with aluminum foil. (This allows the sheet to be moved to the garage if it is cooler there, so the eggs set up more quickly.) Sprinkles can be added, if desired, to indicate color inside egg. Trim edges of eggs smooth when well set.
Marshmallow Eggs: 15 eggs
2/3 cup water 1 1/3 cup sugar 2 env's Knox gelatin dash salt 2-3 tsp Jell-O scant tsp vanilla
Marshmallow Eggs: 7-10 eggs
1/3 cup water 2/3 cup sugar 1 env Knox gelatin dash salt 1 generous tsp Jell-O 1/2 tsp vanilla
April 02, 2015
Marivene, thank you so much for the recipe! These sound like a lot of fun to make. I can see making these for other occasions as well, such as Christmas, Valentines day or a special birthday treat. Any simple mold shape (a star, tree or heart) with very few details would probably work.
April 03, 2015
Rhonda, if you make heart shaped marshmallows that are slightly smaller than a cookie cutter, you can make cookies, use a dab of melted chocolate to secure a marshmallow heart to the cookie, then dip the cookie & heart together into the chocolate.
March 29, 2015
What great ideas!
March 29, 2015
What a fun idea. My husband and I were at Sam's the other day and he pointed out the Ghirdelli. I declined it. Guess I'll be making a trip back soon I just ordered the molds. I hope they get there in time - est. delivery is April 2-7. Thanks for the idea. It will be very frugal in the years to come.
March 29, 2015
Brandy, those look so nice, especially the white bunny with the ribbon! You make everything look so elegant.
I've made Easter chocolates for years using the Wilton's dark chocolate melts and molds that I've picked up at yard sales and thrift stores. I make bunnies and small eggs, although I didn't do them this year because my daughter picked up her candy and some for her friends when she was here in early March and I didn't have time. I also don't want to ship it because of potential melting issues if it sits somewhere that it's hot. This is the kind of thing that is hard when your only child leaves home...
I also toast coconut, mix it in with the chocolate, and shape it into nests, which are then topped with 2-3 mini candy coated malted milk robin's eggs (sorry I don't have a bag here to enter the exact name). We don't really like jelly beans so I don't use them as eggs but we are definitely a coconut family. If you try these the first time, you will probably need to mix in more coconut than you think initially think. You want them to be pretty thick.
About 10 years ago, I bought the Wilton Chocolate Melter Deluxe after I overcooked some chocolate in the microwave. It was the day after Thanksgiving and with whatever sale and coupon Joann's had going, I paid $20, rather than the regular $40 price. I have never regretted doing that! We've used it for Valentine's hearts, Easter candy, chocolate covered strawberries, some Halloween party treats, Christmas candies, etc. My daughters and her friends used it from about 7th grade on to make candy when they wanted it. All they had to do was stir the chocolate, rather than monitor in the microwave. Definitely worth it if you see it at yard sale or on a good buy at Hobby Lobby, Joann's, Michael's, whereever.


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Have you ever wanted to go to the local grocery store, only to feel bad because you'd need to drive for a total of 30 seconds just to reach your destination? If you don't feel bad, then you should at least feel bad for your wallet. Those 30 seconds will add up and cost you some fuel, making it an expensive journey that you could've otherwise walked.
This is when you need an alternate vehicle to go alongside your main vehicle. For instance, instead of just owning a car, why not own a car and a bicycle? They make up for each other's weaknesses and a bicycle usually doesn't need as much maintenance as a regular car. It also doesn't cost as much money to run considering it doesn't need fuel, making it a simple and cheap option.
So to help you out, here are a couple of vehicles that will work well with your car. These secondary vehicles will give you cheaper forms of transportation and could even promote healthier habits.
A motorcycle is a good compromise between bicycle and car. Although it does use fuel and costs considerably more than a typical bicycle, it offers far more power and some extra storage space. Motorcycles can be dangerous, however. You'll need to invest in some extra clothing to help protect you from any falls, and you'll need a sturdy helmet to protect your head in the event you crash. Here are some additional ideas that will teach you about the basics of owning a motorcycle. Even though it does use fuel, you need a lot less to get around because the vehicle is a lot lighter than a standard car.
Want to go green? Then consider getting yourself a standard bicycle. It's a much cheaper solution than anything else on this list (unless you want to just walk) and it's also a great way to get some exercise. Some people prefer to commute to work on a bicycle and although it makes them sweaty when they arrive at their destination, a quick shower and a change of clothes will make them feel refreshed and ready to start the day again. Bicycles are also a great family exercise vehicle, and getting one for the children is cheaper than you might think.
Electric Bicycle
If you want a step up from a normal bicycle, then consider an electric one. These can usually be charged from the mains in your home and they operate similarly to a motorcycle. However, they're a lot less powerful and there are several modes to help you get the most out of your electricity. There's an assisted pedal mode which means you still have to pedal, but the electric engine will help you reach faster speeds. There's a manual mode which turns the electric motor off, requiring you to pedal like a regular bicycle. Lastly, there's usually a fully electric mode that doesn't require pedalling at all but does cost the most electricity. With several options, an electric bicycle offers you a middle ground between a motorcycle and a regular bicycle.
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Clickbait is dying? You won't BELIEVE what happens next…
We all remember seeing a clickbait link for the first time. You hover your mouse over it, checking that the URL doesn't look too suspicious. You're thinking 'Surely it can't be true. Surely I can't make over $10,000 working from home with no experience', but curiosity gets the better of you. You click…you're taken to another website which is seemingly unrelated to the link you just saw. There are more links to more sites with more promises, and pop up ads are spamming your screen. You've made a huge mistake, and it's not one you'll be making again.
Thankfully, the death of clickbait seems to be, finally, just around the corner. It's been a long, hard fought war, but many sites historically associated with clickbait type headlines have started to move away from these deceptive tactics, as in the long run they are just not valuable to anyone. You know the sort: "Lose weight with this one weird trick. Doctors hate it!". They are the headlines which always, always disappoint if people click through, and only serve to make the internet a worse place.
Defining clickbait can be difficult, but it essentially involves a vague headline with a promise of a big payoff. The first banner ad, for example, wouldn't be considered clickbait so much as there is no huge promise of your life being changed once you click on the ad. Compare this to something like "17 Facts You Won't Believe Are True". There's no indication of what the article is actually about, just a vague promise that you're going to have your mind blown if you click the link.
Some people think that the clickbait definition is wider than that, and would stretch to include the BuzzFeed type article titles, like "19 Tweets About Olympians That'll Make You Say "I'm Old Garbage." (This is an actual title of an actual article, by the way). It does, at first glance, look a bit clickbaity, but you basically know exactly what you're going to get if you click on the link. If you don't like the sound of it, you just avoid it. Simple as that.
Of course, people used to be much less cynical, so the vague, too-good-to-be-true stories got the clicks, and that was when clicks were the real money makers. Now, though, people are really tired of clickbait.
This shows in the way that some major websites have changed their approach. A few years ago, they started to discover that these kind of headlines were no longer getting the clicks, and that was all down to one, major aspect: Trust. People used to click on these headlines, and time after time, were bitterly disappointed with the results. Not only did they stop clicking on the clickbait, but the level of trust in websites which had this kind of content anywhere dropped totally, so the websites had to change.
These sites have even written blog posts about it to outline why. Take BuzzFeed (again) as an example. People used to, quite rightly, associate the site with clickbait. With this statement and a change in style, they managed to change the perception of them, and also move into more traditional, higher quality journalism. The other sites that were historically associated with clickbait have made similar moves too, so there aren't many major outlets left still trying to trick people into clicking.
Another facet of this saga is the fact that until relatively recently, clicks were currency. Nothing else mattered. If you got a click, you got paid. Now, though, publishers and advertisers realise that engagement is far, far more important than just one click that may or may not bounce away immediately. After all, if you click on a headline, and enjoy the article behind it, you're more likely to share it with friends. If you're disappointed, you back out and are less likely to return to that website again.
So far, so understandable. The deceptive, clickbait style headlines and ads only serve to make the internet a less trustworthy and honest place, and do absolutely nothing for user experience, so it's fantastic that some sites are actively tackling the issue. There's been research into how clickbait destroys trust, as well, so it's not just speculation. It's a fact. Unfortunately, some things just refuse to die, and you'll still see clickbait all over some of your favourite sites.
Rather than seeing it on the main part of the page, though, it's usually on banner ads, or down towards the bottom of the page under 'promoted content'. You'll recognise it as soon as you see it too. More often than not, this promoted content is not even relevant or related to the article you're reading, and the publishers are merely taking a scattershot approach, hoping that something sticks, and that their promise of making you rich will be enough to get a click.
So what can be done to finally kill off clickbait for good?
The most effective, efficient way is to simply ignore it. Most advertisers and websites are switched on to the fact that it just doesn't work and have stopped publishing it, so reward those with your time. If you're an advertiser yourself, make your ads with the user at the forefront of your mind. Don't lure them in with false promises. Be honest, and you'll see your conversions increase, even if your click through rate drops a bit.
Facebook are also helping to kill off clickbait. They recently changed their algorithms to recognise that style of headline, and any post or ad which fits that description will be pushed further down the feed. This means that these ads are far less likely to be seen, let alone clicked on.
This is a bold move by the huge social media site, as it's purely focused on improving the user experience, as opposed to them making more money from advertising. It's essentially Facebook trying to improve the overall quality of the internet in general, and the links that are pushed on the platform. It's relatively rare that a company would sacrifice money making opportunities for the sake of user experience, but that's what Facebook are doing here. It just goes to show how big an issue clickbait has become.
Then look at something like @savedyouaclick on Twitter. Massive amount of followers, and it's dedicated purely to exposing clickbait. So, if a headline is deliberately vague, this twitter account will say exactly what or who the headline is referring too, thus saving you a click. This isn't the only account toiling away at this task either, so again it's clear that people want clarity and honesty.
Now all that remains is ridding the internet of clickbait in banner ads, and the promoted articles that you see on so many websites, like this:
The companies that publish these ads are only concerned with clicks, which is why the headlines are so extremely vague and make such huge promises. More often than not, when you click through, it leads you down a path of ads and further irrelevant pages, without ever serving you anything to do with the headline, as this research shows.
What happens next?
Well it's clear that clickbait is not the way to go. Whether you're making a banner ad, or writing content for inbound marketing efforts, just avoid anything vague. It destroys trust and credibility, and now it just puts most people off clicking. Honesty is the way forward, you just need to give the audience a reason to click on whatever you're trying to put in front of them.
There's really no excuse for clickbait these days, either, as there are so many tools and resources out there designed specifically to improve your marketing and writing efforts, so use them!
The future looks bleak for clickbait, though, and the most effective way to ensure it dies out completely is simply to ignore it. If you're an advertiser, resist the temptation to use it. By all means create curiosity, but keep the copy honest, and make sure that expectations are met once people click through. This way, your conversion will improve, and you will be doing your bit to make the web a better place.
Sooner rather than later, people will be almost totally immune to clickbait. Instead, there will still be ads and headlines which pique the curiosity, but will be grounded in honesty, and the content behind the links will meet user expectation. Clickbait will hopefully cease to be an issue altogether, and the quality of content, banner ads and overall user experience will improve massively as a result.
Fundamentally, this all boils down to one thing: trust. So whether you're publishing a banner ad, or writing a great piece of content, do everything you can to build up the trust with your audience. That way, you'll get higher conversions, more social shares, and ultimately, more value. Then you can sleep well, knowing you've done your bit to kill off clickbait once and for all.


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GREENWICH, Conn. – Here is a list of paid Greenwich property transfers and home sales from Feb. 22 to 28 as reported by the town clerk's office.
- First Niagara Bank sold 17 Sherwood Ave. to Stephen Carty for $1.68 million.
- Mark Cone sold 21 Indian Head Road to Andrew and Sarah Burdick for $3.75 million.
- Lisa Longe sold 5 Glen St., Unit 301 to Paul Smith and Colette Dominique Tutino for $522,000.
- Samuel Talarico sold 24 Meadow Road to Gelly Cerilli for $1.93 million.
- Markus Straessle sold 25 Copper Beech Road to Adriano Tenete and Maria Faria for $2.4 million.
- Preston Goddard sold 18 Valley Drive, Unit 18, to Herbert Levetown for $768,750.
- Marjorie Rosencrans sold 331 Round Hill Road to Robert and Harriette James for $1.9 million.
- The Estate of Rose Gaspararini sold 17 S. New St. to Efthymia Papadopoulos for $495,000.
- Wells Fargo Bank sold 377 Conewaugh Road to Peter and Jacqueline Brush for $1.9 million.
- 342 Delavan LLC sold 342 Delavan Ave. to Mark Williams for $630,000.
- Lorraine Savin, trustee, sold 28 West Way to Lucas Point LLC for $2.5 million.
- Bruce Kiley sold 12 Indian Chase Drive to Spencer and Karen Harman for $3 million.
- Christopher Beall sold 6 Benjamin St. to William and Linda Whitridge for $1.96 million.
- Daniel Knopkowski, trustee, sold 26 Mohawk Lane to Christopher Beall for $5.2 million.
- Joseph McCann III sold 12 Stonebrook Lane to Paramesuaram Gopiprishnam and Vasilika Plerous for $2.4 million.
- Steven Diehl, executor, sold 87 Putnam Park to Helen Buzasi for $350,000.
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Nuxe Reve de Miel Ultra-Nourishing Lip Balm
Dry or chapped lips A repairing, nourishing lip balm with a rich, delicious texture to restore suppleness and comfort to dry and chapped lips. A must-have product! This concentrated skincare nourishes, repairs, soothes and protects the lips (Honey, Plant Oils, Shea Butter, Grapefruit Essence). Directions: In winter and summer, apply Ultra-Nourishing Lip Balm to your lips and contour as often as required. Net Weight: 15 g/0.52 oz. Ingredients: Cera Alba/Beeswax, Olus Oil/Vegetable Oil, Lecithin, Behenoxy Dimethicone, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) Extract, Mel /Honey, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Rosa Moschata Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Oil, Candelilla Cera/Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Allantoin, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Bht, Citric Acid, Citral, Limonene, Linalool [N0802/C].


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Cash withdrawal has been falling rapidly, post demonetisation, as borne out by the fact that it is down to Rs 32,500 crore in the week to March 24 from a peak of Rs 52,800 crore for the week ended January 13, says a report. According to SBI research report Ecowrap, even in the span of one week (between March 17 to 24), cash withdrawal has declined by Rs 2,000 crore. The report said the decline in cash withdrawals is "intriguing" even as limits on withdrawals were removed completely from March 13.
Moreover, with implementation of ban on cash transactions of over Rs 2 lakh from April 1, further decline in cash withdrawal may be a possibility. The report did not cite any solid reason for the decline, but said strict monitoring on cash withdrawal and shift to digital payment could be an explanation.
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"While it may be difficult to ascribe a reason, our estimates indicate that there would be a permanent liquidity injection of least Rs 1.7 lakh crore or 1.1 per cent of GDP post demonetisation," the report said, adding that this data are a reflection of the extent of formalisation of the economy. This declining trend in cash withdrawal will also have repercussions on RBI liquidity management policy, the report added.


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Self Description: I am a good looking young woman. I am kind, intelligent and can be tender and sexy woman for my man. I prefer active lifestyle.
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Euro Club


text: Any word on this place? I ate there first week of January and had a pleasant experience. Taking some guests this weekend. Had a difficult time getting a res. as no one would answer the phone for two days and the voice message had info from one month ago. Seems we hear nothing about it. Hopefully, JF is serving some good chow just as the other restaurants in the Plumpjack Group are. Just curious, thanks.


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Uber X Challenged on Lack of Safety and Transparency
Triple J radio program Hack recently featured a segment highlighting critical safety failures around the illegal UberX service.
It features an interview with a woman who was sexually assaulted by an UberX driver and the lack of accountability within the Uber operating structure.
Also featured in this segment are comments from the NSW Taxi Council CEO Roy Wakelin-King as well as a representative of the Melbourne-based Centre Against Sexual Assault.
This is a significant report that directly challenges Uber's claims that their services are somehow safer than regulated taxis.


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Harry Hill has admitted that working on the X Factor musical was "painful" - but revealed that he'd still like to produce another one.
Harry wrote the big West End production I Can't Sing but it closed after six weeks due to low ticket sales and technical problems.
But Harry told Digital Spy that he would like to produce a new stage show - and is already working on one.
"[I Can't Sing] was great fun," he said. "I'm kind of working on [a new musical] with Steve Brown, who wrote the last one. I guess different stuff is fun. It's nice to do different things."
He added: "I've had a really good few years actually. It may not seem that way, because it flopped, that musical, and it was a bit painful. But it was such fun - I mean, God. It was great going to work at the Palladium every day."
But Harry refused to spill the beans on what the musical he is working on is about.
"I can't really tell you because I think once you mention what it's about then it's sort of in the air and someone else will jump on it," he said.
"There's a couple of things we're working on actually, but I can't really talk about it. I probably shouldn't have mentioned it at all because I can tell I've piqued your interest unnecessarily!"
While he might be working on a new musical, Harry's still sticking around on TV and his bizarre, surreal new cooking show Harry Hill's Tea-Time will kick off on Sky1 tomorrow (October 16) at 6pm.
He admitted that it's the "craziest thing he's ever done", but added: "The fun thing in life I've realised is trying new things even though sometimes you're met with disaster!"
Watch a trailer for Harry Hill's Tea-Time below:


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Vishnu Institute of Technology, was established in 2008 by the Sri Vishnu Educational Society (SVES), a leading educational trust to promote quality education, under aegis of eminent philanthropist, Padmabhushan Dr. B.V. Raju(late). VITB is approved by AICTE and is permanently affiliated to JNTUK, Kakinada. VITB is accredited by both NBA and NAAC, New Delhi. Sri K.V.Vishnu Raju, Chairman of SVES, is an Industrialist, Educationist and Social Entrepreneur. He is passionate in bringing global outlook and VITB is growing under his strategic vision and commitment. VITB, under the dynamic administration of Dr D.Suryanarayana, Director and Principal, is ranked as one of the top most institutes in Andhra Pradesh.
The intent of establishing VITB is to provide quality technical education with professional outlook and all-round development of students. It offers UG courses in CE, ME, EEE, ECE, CSE , IT and PG courses in CSE, ECE, EEE, ME and MBA. VITB has carved a niche in technical education for its best teaching learning practices, high quality intake, excellent infrastructure facilities, highest number of placements, etc. VITB has instituted state of the art research labs like Assistive Technology Lab (in collaboration with UMASS LOWELL, U.S.A), Bigdata Lab, etc. Students are exposed to the latest technologies like IoT, Robotics, Embedded Systems, e-Bikes, Nano Technology, Waste Water Management, Solar Power Generation etc.
The Campus, sprawling over 100 acres, is located in the verdant atmosphere of Vishnupur in Bhimavaram. It is in the very vicinity of the town and is well connected by road. VISHNU also provides hostel facilities to the students who opt for a residential mode of education. The hostels are constantly updated and provide an atmosphere conducive to pursue education.
Hands on Experience
To make the instruction in VISHNU more practical-oriented, special focus is on hands on experience. The Assistive Technologies Lab run in collaboration with the University of U Mass, USA helps students to combine technology with a humanistic outlook. Gadgets for the physically challenged are designed and developed here by the students under the guidance of eminent professors both from the Institute and abroad.
VISHNU aims at empowering students with technical skills and can-do entrepreneurial spirit. The IBM Software Centre of Excellence in the campus provides the students with the best of quality technical education there by increasing the skill set of each student and faculty for a great career.
VISHNU also provides the opportunity to work in the Assistive Technologies Lab, where technology is combined with a humanistic outlook by designing and developing gadgets for the physically challenged under the guidance of eminent professors from abroad. The involvement of our students in the development of the automated chair & walking stick for the blind bears testimony to it.
Besides providing opportunities for employment in various reputed organizations, the Placement Cell also assists the students to be industry ready through soft skills training, communications skills programmes, personality development sessions and aptitude are only a few of the programmes to name. In the very year of its inception the college has trained one batch of students in foreign languages in collaboration with Goethe Zentrum, the German Cultural Association.
VISHNU INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, VISHNUPUR, BHIMAVARAM-2, WEST GODAVARI,ANDHRA PRADESH, INDIA-534202. Tel:+91 08816251333 Fax :+91 08816250344 Toll Free No. 1800 599 0 599


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The birds have been in for 5 weeks now and are looking a lot less fluffy than when they went in. Duncan Orr-Ewing, Justin Grant (RSPB) & Roy Dennis have come along to help me and Andrew fit wing tags and radios. I'm just hoping that my painted efforts look a bit better from a distance!
It takes about 30 minutes to process each bird, including taking biometrics (measuring different parts of the eagles' bodies), weighing, fitting wing tags and radios.
The first big problem is catching the birds, they haven't been handled since they arrived and are none too pleased to be handled. We put falconers' hoods on their heads, covering their eyes to calm them down, keeping a tight hold of the legs and keeping wings in they are then carried into an empty cage where we have a carpeted table set up to do all the fitting.
We measure the feet, legs, wings and bill and then weigh them in a bag on a spring balance, before fitting the wing tags. Its important to use this handling opportunity to get as much information as possible about the birds, pre-fledging weight is especially useful and the biometrics help tell us how precise our sexing of wild birds is, as we know the sexes of ours from DNA analyses.
Fitting a wing tag is a bit like ear piercing, you need to find the centre point of a flap of skin along the wing edge, then attached the tag to this with a piece of wire and some washers. It is a surprisingly quick and easy process. The radio 'backpacks' took a little longer, they are fixed on via Teflon ribbon running in front and behind the wings and being sewn and glued together at a central point in the birds' breast. The birds soon preen in all the ribbon and radio once they are back in their cages, leaving only a couple of inches of aerial poking out.
We managed to get all the birds done in 1 day. The big revelation was that despite the fact that some birds had been gripping on the front of the cages and flapping to get out for a couple of weeks, we found that they all had a little bit more growing of their tail feathers to do. So, I have a couple more weeks lugging buckets of fish up the hill to go yet before they can be released.
The birds have been in their cages for nearly a month now and are all starting to look and act a lot more like small eagles rather than big chicks.For the first week the chicks spent all their time sitting on their artificial nests made of bark chippings and moss and then began venturing out onto their perches as they became stronger and more confident. The birds have a great view of the landscape out of the front of their cages and watch other wildlife with interest - in particular the many woodpigeons that frequent their woodland location. They have been alarm-calling at a nearby nesting green woodpecker and passing buzzards and ospreys as they fly overhead. They then began stretching and flapping their wings, whilst over the last 10 days two of the older birds have been jumping up and down while they flap making a heck of a racket! All of the other birds are also starting to have some practice flights and hops around their cages. All of the birds seem to be developing different personalities, they all reacted very alarmed at first whenever food appeared through the hatch. However, one bird has developed an aversion to the gloved hand, frequently stamping on it as we try and put food in as quickly as possible, not even being distracted by the food that's already in there.
Despite my reassurances to willing helpers that 'the chicks don't really use their beaks yet' one of my babysitters has nearly lost a glove and Andrew my assistant got a shock today when the chick ran down the perch towards the opening hatch and went straight for the offending glove!One pair of birds also took a couple of weeks to settle down to feeding 'normally'. At first I was worried about the (smaller) male as he would not eat directly from the food pile but only steal scraps from the female's beak, turning his head longingly on one side as he watched her eat. I tried to place the food in two piles to ensure he had access to it. However at the end of the first week I saw him pull both piles of food together and stand over them with his wings over his head so that she didn't get a look in! After a few more power struggles, this pair seem to have settled their differences now.I had a scare last weekend when one of the birds started making a small noise as it breathed, a visit from the vet confirmed that it and the other chick in the same cage had a chest infection. One bird was taken away for a chest x-ray but returned the next day and after a week-long course of antibiotics and fungicide tablets (inserted in food) both birds are happy and healthy once more.
Although I was very worried about them, it has been extremely damp since the birds went into the cages and raptors are susceptible to respiratory infections so it isn't too surprising that they got a bit sniffly.


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Sunday, November 8, 2015
Little Wars Canberra 2015
5 comments:
Looks like some really nice games in there. What rules/game was the samurai looking one?ReplyDelete
Very nice, thanks for sharing!ReplyDelete
The Samuari game was using the Ronin Samuari game rules. The game was run by Craig Woodfield the author of the rules. It is Craig you can see in the photo.ReplyDeleteReplies
Awesome, thanks for letting me know. I might pick those rules up. CheersDelete
Looks like a fun day. Well done to organise that event.ReplyDelete
I'll have to go down there next year.
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Queen pudding
|¼ cup
|2 cups
|2 pieces
|½ tsp
|Vanilla essence/extract
|Eggs, seperated
|3 Tbsp
|Raspberry jam
|1 pinch
|¼ cup
- Heat the first measure of sugar and the milk in a small pot until bubbles form at the side. Remove from the heat.
- Break the stale bread into pieces and put into a baking dish that will hold about 4 cups of mixture.
- Pour some of the hot milk over and, when soft, break the bread up with a fork.
- Add the remaining milk and the vanilla. Cool.
- Separate the eggs, adding the yolks to the milk mixture. Stand the baking dish in a roasting dish half-filled with warm water, and bake uncovered at 180C for 20-30 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the middle of the custard comes out clean.
- Spread the surface of the custard with raspberry jam. (Stir this first if it is firm.)
- Make a meringue by beating the egg whites and salt until the peaks turn over when the beater is lifted, then add the sugar and beat until the mixture stiffens again and forms peaks with turned tips.
- Dot smallish spoonfuls of meringue all over the custard, spread carefully with a knife without mixing the jam through it, then bake for 15 minutes longer or until the higher parts are lightly browned. Serve warm or cool, rewarming if necessary.


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Brand Label: Zanellato
ITEM MOVED TO ARCHIVE: On November 29, 2017 1:35 pm, Fashion Stylist Online noted this item may be out of stock at Farfetch US because it was not referenced in their latest online catalog. If this item is out of stock at Farfetch US, you may be able to find similar fashions sold there or elsewhere on our Zanellato Designer Brand Directory.
Available for Purchase Online at Farfetch US for $831.00Pin It
Brown leather Fredo Dollarone bag from Zanellato. Size: One Size. Gender: Male.
Shop other brand label items from Zanellato on FashionStylist.com.
This item was published for sale online by Farfetch US on November 29, 2017 8:36 am and last updated by us November 29, 2017 1:35 pm.
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Hello, Crafters.
I hope you've all enjoyed a great weekend.
I had a play with the Coffee Break Designer Series Paper (DSP) for the
first time.
I was motivated by my desire to try the Multipurpose
Adhesive Sheets (MAS) I demonstrated in yesterday's video, because I wanted to
know what it's like to use for small images that had been fussy cut!
The first step was to choose what images I was going to fussy cut, and I decided on a Soft Sky coffee pot and cup from
the Coffee Break DSP, and chose the plain blue coffee pot and cup.
fussy cut them both, excluding the steam above the cup, because I'd decided I'd
draw some lines on at the end, using my Crumb Cake Marker Pen.
I played around with the design of my card until I'd decided on the
layout, which also included a part coffee pot and part cup for the top
section on either side of the sentiment.
Both these images were on the
edge of the DSP already, which is where the idea came from!
I fussy cut the two
partial images and was ready to have a go with the MAS.
I took one of
the small scraps I'd said in yesterday's video I'd keep, because I'm sure
they'd come in handy for something!!
I lifted one corner of one of the
protective sheets - it doesn't matter which side you use for this!
laid my four images, right side facing up, down on the sticky side of the MAS, and then I laid the
protective sheet back down to cover the images.
Using my Bone Folder, I gave the images a good rub over to ensure all the back of the image was cavered with adhesive.
I put that to
one side while I prepared my card base, which started with Sahara Sand
Cardstock (CS).
Using Tombow, I adhered a layer of Early Espresso CS, and then a top
layer of Sahara Sand.
Then I adhered a 3 7/8" square of the Early Espresson
Wood-effect DSP to the lower section of the top layer, and adhered a Delicate White Doily in the centre.
I used our 1" circle punch to punch a circle in the Soft Sky design from the DSP, and layered it on a 1.25" circle from the Early Espresso Bark design DSP.
Then I covered the
bottom part of the stamp which reads HAPPINESS is a cup of COFFEE
shared with a FRIEND, with some sticky tape to block out the bottom three lines of the sentiment.
I inked the stamp in Early Espresso Ink, removed the
tape and stamped the top three inked lines of the sentiment, half way between
the top of the card and the top of the wood-grain effect DSP.
returned to the piece of MAS that had my four images inside.
lifted the protective sheet, and then used my tweezers to pick up the
part-coffee pot first!
It came away from the sheet easily but with several stringy bits of glue.
Some of which came away with the pot and some that pinged
back onto the master sheet!
All I needed to do was to remove the stringy
bits, which are amazingly sticky.
Having said that, it was very easy to
remove them from my fingers; I think it was probably easier than removing Tombow from
my fingers!
I wasn't really paying enough attention to stringy bits, but I will do next
I placed the part-coffee pot in place and then lifted the other
three images, and adhered them in place.
It was lovely knowing that the complete images were
adhered onto my card front 100%!
I stamped Early Espresso hearts - both stamps from the Coffee Cafe Stamp Set - onto the pots and cups, just to add a little bit of interest!
will definitely use the MAS again for small images but I still need to
try using it with intricate die cuts that have a lot of cut outs in
I know we used to sell this product a few years ago, but I never tried it at that time, so I'm self-teaching at the moment!
I'll be really interested to hear any hints and tips anyone has about this great product we're offering again!
That's about it for today. Until tomorrow, happy crafting.
Monday, 21 August 2017
Coffee Break Designer Series Paper
4 comments:
Really cute card, Jan! Love what you're doing with this stamp set! TFS again!ReplyDeleteReplies
Hi, Geraldine. I think this is probably one of the most popular bundles we have at the moment! It's so amazingly versatile. ☺ Happy crafting. JanB.Delete
I really like your card design. I have this set, along with the dies, and enjoy using it. I have recently started to watch demonstrator videos, and I always enjoy yours.ReplyDeleteReplies
Hi, Linda. I'm so pleased you enjoy my tutorials and hope you find them very helpful. ☺ Happy crafting, JanB.Delete
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text: 79 of New Ross passed away on June 15, 2017, in the South Shore Regional Hospital. He was the son of the late Ernest and Ruby Levy of New Ross. Reginald could always be found walking in the woods carrying his power saw and donning the red plaid jacket he loved so much. He was a great brother to his siblings and a wonderful friend to all, always putting a smile on someone's face with his positive attitude. For those that knew him is was pretty easy to say that he had a heart of gold and would give you the shirt off his back. Reg never had his drivers license or owned a car or ever drove a car but never had a problem getting back and forth for appointments or to grocery shop. His friends and neighbours were always willing to get him where he needed to go. Mainly because Reg was so easy to get along with and could always give you a good laugh during the trip. Reg very much enjoyed talking about by-gone days and the people he knew back then. He would often talk about how he missed the sound of the ox bells as the ox-teams went to field and forest for a day of work. He enjoyed a drink with friends or family and was such a happy drunk, he was never hateful or angry. It has been said that "He never went to sea or even owned a boat, but certainly loved to hang around with Cap'n Morgan, but if the Cap'n wasn't available, he certainly was not opposed to spending time with the Bud!" He is survived by Ronald, Donald, Willy, Aubrey and Audrey; his beloved cat that he took in from being a stray. Reginald was predeceased by his brothers Josh, Willard, and Lawrence Levy. Reginald would want to send out a very special thank you to the girls of the Credit Union for taking such good care of him. A visitation will take place on June 20, 2017, from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm in the New Ross Serenity Funeral Chapel. A Funeral Service will be held on June 21, 2016, at 2:00 pm at the Christ Anglican Church, New Ross. Family Flowers only. Memorial donations may be made to the Christ Anglican Church, New Ross. Arrangements have been entrusted to Serenity Funeral Home New Ross Chapel, 4935 Hwy 12 New Ross (902-689-2961).


text:
- Tel: 320- 543-2254
- Fax: 320- 543-2294
- Toll Free: 888- 786-6626
- TriLite Stone Company
- 13th Avenue
- PO Box 308
- Howard Lake, MN 55349
- United States of America
The elegance of stone may offer virtually unparalleled beauty to a home, room, or commercial building. Trilite Stone Company is committed to a manufacturing process that is superior to other systems because of our full color integration - not just facial coating. We invite you to tour our selections and imagine the possibilities yourself.


text:
Maxwell homes
Maxwell homes wanted a unique and interesting way to educate potential clients on real estate related questions. Buying a home can be an intimidating experience, especially for first time buyers. We wanted users to feel comfortable and that Maxwell homes was definitely the authority on the matter. We created a website that shows potential query's upfront for users to click on and receive straightforward and simple explanations. The website also includes infinite scrolling and will continue to add additional content. The website was also highly customizable for the client, allowing them to continue to add content as they see fit.
MaxWell Realty is a proud Canadian real estate franchise company established in Alberta in 1999 by two bold visionary leaders in the real estate business. MaxWell was founded on the principle of providing leading customer services, with honesty and Integrity to our clients.


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Painter in Columbus
College Works Painting is offering FREE exterior painting quotes until our summer season fills up. We give extremely detailed quotes so you can pick and choose what's right for your home. Your home is your biggest asset and I assure you I will take pride in every aspect of the job. My goal is to make you happy, make sure my painters are happy and safe, and lastly EARN A REFERENCE LETTER!! Call or text Tyler today @ show contact info Quick Facts: -1 year full warranty on all paint jobs up to 5 year full warranty avail. (materials & labor) -A with BBB -4.9/5 star rating in Columbus -financing available (easy online application, usually 1 hour response maximum 1 biz day) -largest residential painting contractor in America -different levels of paint jobs to accommodate your budget -10% off entire job with our early bird special if you reserve a spot the day of the estimate -daily "walk arounds" to ensure customer satisfaction -partners with Sherwin Williams and gets a very large discount -25% deposit unlike the 50% "norm" ---... general liability coverage, ALL painters have Workman's Compensation -painters trained by Sherwin Williams & CWP Painters Manual -low labor rates, best insurance rates, largest paint cost discount (
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Yo! My paw stumbled across this bit of feline history the other day and I just had to share with the Kitty Kontingent. Who knew?
MWK rockin' the props!
Paw shucks so cool for cats!
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text:
By Jeff Daley firstname.lastname@example.com
HATTIESBURG, MS (WDAM) - The first Christmas Pet of the Week from Southern Pines Animal Shelter is appropriately named Rudolf or Rudy for short.
Rudy is a young male mix breed terrier that is sure to make a great addition to your holiday and family. He has a great temperament, is very sweet, and should be great with other pets and children.
He was found wandering and brought to the shelter. Shelter life has left him a little nervous and he would really love a new forever home for the holiday season.
Rudy's adoption fee is $70. He has already been neutered, his shots are current, he has been worm tested and micro chipped for permanent identification.
The shelter is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10 to 6, Tuesday from 10 to 3, and Saturday from 10 to 2. For more information call 601-544-6632.
A reminder, the shelter is open only from 10 to 2 on Christmas Eve and closed Christmas day.
Copyright 2010 WDAM. All rights reserved.


text:
Beef Biltong
- - Black Pepper and Lemon Beef Biltong
- - Drakensburg Beef Biltong
- - East London Beef Biltong
- - Kalahari Beef Biltong
- - Ouma's Traditional Beef Biltong
- - Chilli Beef Biltong
- - Chilli & Garlic Beef Biltong
- - Salt & Pepper Beef Biltong
- - Chilli & Chutney Beef Biltong
- - Garlic Beef Biltong
- - Durban Beef Biltong
- - Ouma's Beef Stokkies
- - Chilli Beef Stokkies
- - Chilli & Garlic Beef Stokkies
- - Salt & Pepper Stokkies
- - Garlic Beef Stokkies
- - Sticks Beef Biltong
- - Sliced Beef Biltong
- Bacon Biltong
- Game & Exotic Meat Biltong
- Droewors
- Gift Packs
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Camel Exotic Biltong, 50g **Buy 4 get 1 free**
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Camel Exotic Biltong, 50g
Simply add four bags to the basket and we will send a free bag with your order.
Please see https://www.biltong2u.co.uk/buy-4-get-1-free-faqs for more information.
Camel meat really does have some fantastic healthy credentials. It is a light red meat and extremely tender and delicious.
Our delicious Camel Biltong is flavoured with cracked black pepper, cracked coriander & seasonings.
All our Biltong & Droewors is produced in our 5 STAR food hygiene awarded EU approved kitchen. Our Biltong & Droewors has been the backbone of our success. Enjoy!!
Once you have placed your order, you will immediately receive 'Care Instructions', these can be found in the download section of your online account.
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Hotels in Halwala, Sri Lanka
Search & Compare Halwala Hotels
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Best hotels in Halwala
Halwala overviewMake some memories at Brief Garden, Bevis Bawa and Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery. Halwala is an inviting destination that has something for everyone.
Where to stay in HalwalaWhether you're planning to stay for a night or for the week, the area around Halwala has accommodations to fit every need. Search for hotels in Halwala with Hotels.com by checking our online map. Our maps display the areas and neighborhoods around all Halwala hotels so you can see how close you are from landmarks and attractions, and then refine your search within the larger area. The best Halwala hotel deals are here with our lowest price guarantee.
How to get to HalwalaFly in to Colombo (CMB-Bandaranaike Intl.), 54.5 mi (87.7 km) from downtown Halwala.
What to see around HalwalaHere are some top sights to see:
- • Brief Garden, Bevis Bawa
- • Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery
- • Bentota Beach
- • Kande Vihare Temple
- • Beruwela Harbour
When to visit HalwalaWondering when's the best time to visit? Here are seasonal norms to help you plan your trip:
Seasonal temperature averages
- January-March: 89°F day, 72°F night
- April-June: 89°F day, 76°F night
- July-September: 87°F day, 76°F night
- October-December: 87°F day, 73°F night
- January-March: 0.39 inches
- April-June: 1.18 inches
- July-September: 0.71 inches
- October-December: 1.38 inches


text:
Protect Folder Plus 2.2
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Protect Folder Plus 2.2 make your data is visible and available only to you. It`s a good and safe way to protect your financial, health, private, and confidential information in your PC.
What is new in official Protect Folder Plus 2.2 software version? - New Release. What is expected in the future? Newly-made Protect Folder Plus 2.3 be downloaded from current page, we also looking forward to unconfirmed 2.4 release build. You may download directly, estimated download time by ISDN or CDMA [~128 kbit/s] is 0:01:22. Just write the reviews of the Protect Folder Plus. Buy Protect Folder Plus safely through the one software industry's premier registration commerce providers. System requirements are unspecified. No guide or Protect Folder Plus tutorial available. The following languages are supported by Protect Folder Plus: English.


text:
- Anyaoku: Nigeria hasn't been this divided since Civil War Osoba seeks return to First Republic federal order
By Gboyega Akinsanmi
Contrary to the views of some governors in the North, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, yesterday specifically rejected the country's current federal structure, noting that the present system "is not the best and may not guarantee the future our people desire.â€
As a matter of necessity, Ambode asked the federal government "to take required steps to activate the process for the restructuring of the present system with a view to adopting a proactive system that will guarantee the future the people desire.â€
He expressed concern about the country's governance structure at a parade the Lagos State Government organised at the Police College, Ikeja, yesterday to mark Nigeria's 57th Independence anniversary.Â
The Independence parade was attended by Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu I; the state Commissioner of police, Mr. Imohimi Edgal; commanders of all military formations in the state and members of the state executive council among others.
Ambode had at the 57th annual conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) lamented aberrations in the 1999 Constitution, and said the legal framework would continue to stunt the country's economic growth and inhibit capacity of federating units to harness their potential.
The governor had, as a result, argued that the Nigerian federalism was military in nature and skewed to the detriment of federating units, thereby inhibiting the socio-economic progress of the federating units.
He then canvassed the need to institutionalise the principles of true federalism, the kind that would allow each federating unit to contribute agreed percentage of its revenues to the national government as stipulated in the 1963 Constitution.
As a follow-up to his earlier demand for true federalism yesterday, the governor canvassed the imperative of restructuring her present governance structure to meet the people's aspirations, though stressed the need to uphold the unity of Nigeria.
He observed: "It is becoming clearer by the day that the present system is not the best and may not guarantee the future the people desire. The federal government must take necessary steps to activate the process for the restructuring of the present system with a view to adopting a proactive system.
"There is need for the government to put in place a system which would empower the component units of the federation to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the people for better living conditions.â€
He, thus, emphasised the significance of the 57th jubilee, thereby urging the federal government and the people "to take a critical and objective assessment of the current situation in the country and resolve to do the right thing.â€
Even though Nigeria is currently undergoing a moment of socio-political turbulence, Ambode observed that such a period "is not a time to call for division, rather, it is a time to uphold what has united the people in peace and love.
"It is a time for each and every one of us to rise against the ills that have for long not only undermined our progress but also our ability to harness our potential as a people to live decent life.â€
In 2016, he explained, Nigeria was faced with the challenge of economic recession. However, the country is now on the path of economic recovery. What is now required of every citizen at this time is to remain united, confident and hopeful.
He said: "In spite of all the challenges we faced and still continue to face as an independent country, we have remained resolute to keep alive the dreams of our founding fathers.â€
At a thanksgiving service at the Lagos House Chapel, Ikeja, Ambode said a moment of reflection and retrospection "will reveal the need for all of us to be thankful to God for His grace, blessings and mercy over our country. That we still have our own country is a proof of the divine hands of God in our being together as one.
"We must therefore reflect on our journey so far and come to the inevitable realisation that we have more to gain as one country than as different independent entities. Our diversity is strength in itself and what makes our country a truly special place.
"We are a country blessed by God. We have been blessed with enormous natural, human and material resources. In recent times, we have seen terrible natural disasters happen in different parts of the world but our country has been preserved from these adversities."
Also Former Secretary-General of Commonwealth of Nations, Chief Emeka Anyaoku yesterday lamented hydra-headed challenges confronting Nigeria after 57 years of her existence, noting that the country has never been as divided as it is now since 1967 civil war.
Even though the country is currently passing through hard times, former Ogun State Governor, Chief Olusegun Osoba, observed that all hope "is not lost at all for Nigeria if the federal government can return to the ideals of the First Republic federal structure.â€
The two leaders expressed hope in the future of Nigeria in separate statements they issued to commemorate the 57th independence anniversary, though urged President Muhammadu Buhari to decisively address all challenges tearing the country apart.
In a one-page statement, Anyaoku emphasised the need "to celebrate our 57 years of existence as a sovereign country, but at the same time must resolve to deal effectively with the challenges, some of which are existential, facing the country.â€
Citing different socio-political challenges currently undermining the country's unity, Anyaoku observed that the undeniable reality of the current state of affairs in Nigeria "is that the country, since the civil war, has never been as divided as it is now.â€
He lamented armed insurgency in the North-east, a threat of secession by some elements in the South-east, rampaging Fulani herdsmen wreaking havoc in some parts of the country, militancy in the Niger Delta, an economy just recovering from recession and incalculable damage being done to the country's development by massive corruption.
The former cheploment therefore, proffered the need to urgently restructure Nigeria, which he said would effectively tackle the challenges and put divisive country on the road to the stability and its deserved development.
If current challenges facing the country in all geo-political zones must be effectively resolved, Anyaoku said the country should be restructured "from its present nominal federal order to a true federalism. In other words, we must restructure the country's present governance architecture.â€
Like Anyaoku, Osoba said Nigeria "has suffered too much setback which has affected all aspects of our lives – economy, security, education, politics, infrastructure and even the justice system. Virtually all aspects of growth have been affected in the last 57 years.â€
However, he said hope "is not lost at all for Nigeria in spite of what we are passing through as a people and a country. A lot must be done about Boko Haram in the North-east; secessionist agitation in the South-east, insurgencies in the South-south and inadequate governance in the South-west. Indeed, all these have really affected the economy of South-west.â€
He suggested the need to return to the First Republic federal order, which according to him, would guarantee healthy competition among the federating units and allow each of the federating units leverage on its areas of comparative advantages.
Under the regional system, Osoba pointed out that the economy of each region in the federation was basically built on agriculture, noting that impressive progress was "recorded in all regions. Then, the North depended on cotton and groundnut.
"The South-west thrived basically on cocoa while the South-east raked in so much from palm produce. It is time we back to agriculture. We must go into mechanised farming. We have a lot of potentials to grow our economy through mechanised agriculture.â€
Unlike under the old regional structure, Osoba specifically advocated mechanised farming, noting that it "requires so much education and technology. We should take advantage of the new technology to grow our agricultural sector as it is in developed countries. The new world has gone beyond subsistent agriculture. So, mechanised farming is the way we should focus.â€


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Raymond M. Taix, whose Taix French Restaurant in Echo Park is among the oldest family-owned restaurants in Los Angeles, died Sunday night. Taix, who was 85, passed away peacefully at his home in Pasadena, said his son Michael Taix.
Raymond Taix began a six-decade long career in the restaurant business at age 23. By the early 1960s, Raymond Taix was the manager of the family restaurant, which was founded by his father, Marius Taix, Jr., in 1927 on Commercial Street in downtown Los Angeles. When that restaurant and the rest of the block it was located on was bulldozed for new development, Raymond Taix and other family members opened a new location on Sunset Boulevard in Echo Park in 1962. Michael Taix, who is now the third generation of his family to operate the restaurant, said his father never considered selling the family business. His father's favorite meals included short ribs and coq au vin, Michael Taix said.
The family declined to identify the cause of death. Funeral arrangements are pending.
Photo from Taix restaurant


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Mark Wahlberg Bares His Buff Body in 'Daddy's Home' Trailer
Mark Wahlberg shows off his buff muscles while going shirtless in the new trailer for his upcoming movie Daddy's Home.
The film stars Will Ferrell as a mild-mannered radio executive who strives to become the best stepdad to his wife's two children, but complications ensue when their freewheeling and freeloading real father (Wahlberg) arrives, forcing him to compete for the affection of the kids.
Linda Cardellini also stars in the film as Will's wife.
This isn't the first time we've gotten to see Mark do pull-ups this week. He showed us how many he can do in 30 seconds while on The Ellen DeGeneres Show!
New "Daddy's Home" Trailer


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The Washington Quarter, still in production today, began minting in 1932. Designed by John Flanagan, the obverse depicts George Washington facing left, with the date below and the words "Liberty" to the right. The motto "In God We Trust" appears in the left field, with the designer's initials at the base of the neck.
The reverse features a spread-winged heraldic eagle encircled by the words "United States of America", "E Pluribus Unum" (Out of Many, One) above, and "Quarter Dollar" below. Mintmarks are found just to the right of Washington's braid on the obverse.
Composition: 75% Copper, 25% Nickel bonded to a pure Copper Core


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I still don't know what my purpose is in life but I'm slowly trying to figure it out. I do know my passion though, my passion is to read, write and help care for babies. I'm trying to figure out a way to put those three things together to make it my purpose in life.
What's your purpose/passion?


text:
Urban Decay's foray into nail polish starts with Naked, and features a mix of six shades (Naked, Sidecar, Toasted, Smog, Hustle, Creep) in a cream, shimmers and glitters. How do they match up to the palettes?
Naked On Short & Long SidecarToastedSmogHustleCreep
You can purchase the Urban Decay Naked Nail Kit ($26) at Sephora.
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Hillary is a licensed manicurist sharing her love for the little canvases that adorn our digits. She shares pro product discussion on her beauty blog, Solessence. As a salon and editorial nail artist, she finds joy in working with new materials and looks on nails, but it always starts with a holistic approach to nail, skin and hand health. She's a Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week veteran and has had her work featured on the Nails Magazine cover (January 2013).
Latest posts by Hillary Fry (see all)
- Need for Speed: New Quick Drying Nail Polishes - May 16, 2013
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Stunning light and bright 3 bedroom 2 bathroom spacious villa in a handy location, a short stroll to transport, Shopping Centre and Yokine Golf Course.
Open plan living and dining area which overlooks a private courtyard with alfresco living. This stunning home includes ducted reverse cycle air conditioning, intercom system and well appointed kitchen with quality appliances.
Features include:
* 3 double sized bedrooms with built in robes
* 2 "Hollywood" bathrooms
* Huge open plan meals/family room
* Stunning kitchen with quality appliances
* Private courtyard with patio
* Double lock up garage
* Reverse cycle air conditioning
* Soft closing doors and stone bench tops
* Alarm, intercom system and dishwasher
Beautifully appointed with quality fittings throughout and built by a proud builder.
Water Rates
Strata Levies
City of Stirling
|Property Type


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By Lisa Maria Garza
DALLAS (Reuters) - A Texas county clerk said on Tuesday it will not issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples because of religious objections, after the state's Republican attorney general said his office supported such moves.
Some counties in other socially conservative states such as Kentucky have also taken a similar position since the U.S. Supreme Court said on Friday the U.S. Constitution provides same-sex couples the right to marry, and the controversy could result in another round of lawsuits over gay marriage.
Katie Lang, the clerk of Hood County, southwest of Fort Worth, said issuing the licenses would violate her Christian beliefs, arguing her religious liberties are protected under the U.S. Constitution.
"This newly invented federal constitutional right to same-sex marriage should peaceably coexist alongside longstanding constitutional and statutory rights, including the rights to free exercise of religion and speech," Lang said. The clerk's office in Texas counties typically manages forms and licenses, including marriage licenses.
Legal experts said same-sex couples could seek injunctions compelling the clerks to issue the licenses and the plaintiffs should easily win based on the Supreme Court decision. The plaintiffs could also file civil suits seeking damages from the counties that are largely rural and short on funds for a prolonged legal fight.
But clerks could try to request pre-emptively an injunction or judgment that says they do not have to issue the licenses because of religious liberty, said Texas A&M University law professor Meg Penrose.
Counties in the most populous areas of Texas began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples shortly after the Supreme Court ruling.
Following the ruling, Texas Attorney General Paxton said county clerks who object to gay marriage can refuse to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
Paxton said officials who refuse to issue marriage licenses to gay couples could expect to be sued, but they would have ample legal support.
"Several groups have publicly expressed their willingness to help government employees who feel their religious rights have been violated," a spokeswoman for the attorney general's office said on Tuesday.
Out of 254 counties in Texas, 114 are ready and willing to issue same-sex marriage licenses, according to the Dallas Morning News. Nearly 100 other counties said they were waiting for software upgrades and gender-neutral application forms.
Some clerks who reportedly had refused to issue marriage licenses to gay couples backtracked and said on Tuesday they are still weighing their options.
(Additional reporting by Steve Bittenbender in Louisville, Kentucky; Editing by Jon Herskovitz and Mohammad Zargham)