text:
Sunday, August 17, 2008
"Cake" Cruelty
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Allow me to present exhibit A:
These seemingly innocent "cakes" are instead a threat to all the sugary goodness we hold dear. Observe:
Once sliced, you will note that these "cakes" are not cakes at all. Instead, they are layers of various meat and mayo-based salads, bread, and then - here's the worst part - "iced" with cream cheese. Note how the creators of these twisted impostors then push the deception even further by decorating the "cakes" with little roses, vines, and piped borders.
I ask you, fellow carb-lovers, are we to allow such cake defamation to stand? Will we sit idly by while our children and grandchildren are subjected to cakes that are not cakes? And if so, what next? Liverwurst doughnuts? Tuna-filled eclairs? Meat pies? (Oh, wait...)
Nay, I say, nay! We shall rise up, and as one declare that our butter cream icing must remain unsullied, our baked goods pure in sugar. Join me, and together we can make our world a place of fat, sugar, and dairy-based products for all!
Melissa P., thanks for calling my attention to this adjusted unjust injustice. (Seashell-Selling She, eat your heart out.)
223 comments | Post a Comment
«Oldest ‹Older 1 – 200 of 223 Newer› Newest»- CakeEater said...
I think I just threw up a little in my mouth.
- August 17, 2008 at 10:31 PM
Meatcakes rock.
These aren't particularly appetizing, and cream cheese is a bit weird I agree... any true meatcake lover will use mashed potatoes. - August 17, 2008 at 10:33 PM
- Mongoose said...
Actually, that sounds pretty mouth-watering to me. Except for the cream cheese icing which I hope is flavoured with something savoury. I like looking at fancy cakes but I don't have a sweet tooth. I wonder if I can get someone back home to make these things. :)
- August 17, 2008 at 10:33 PM
- MikeD said...
Gross!! I think biting into something and being surprised that it's actually a completely different taste is the worst.
In my restaurant days we used to trick other employees into biting into big bowls of sour cream dressed up as ice cream with chocolate sauce and a cherry.
It was cruel - August 17, 2008 at 10:45 PM
- Meg said...
Oh, eww. I just lost my appetite.
- August 17, 2008 at 10:46 PM
- Wild Cakes said...
If you find THAT disturbing...ou have to see this:
LOL - August 17, 2008 at 10:50 PM
- H. L. Dyer said...
Hmmm... this reminds me that my mother used to make a liver sausage "cake" frosted with cream cheese on the dog's birthday when I was a kid. We'd invite the neighborhood kids AND their dogs.
Of course there was real cake for the people. ;)
And, yes, my mother was a little nutty. - August 17, 2008 at 11:01 PM
omg, that looks gross!
- August 17, 2008 at 11:03 PM
- Unknown said...
Of all the strange cakes you've posted this one has me freaked out the most. Yuck!
- August 17, 2008 at 11:06 PM
- Allison said...
- This comment has been removed by the author.
- August 17, 2008 at 11:10 PM
- Jessie said...
That's disgusting...I bet my husband would LOVE it. Blech!!
- August 17, 2008 at 11:11 PM
- Dana (*danavee*) said...
No. NOOOO! I would be SO mad if I cut into one of those beauties only to find... chicken salad. Ick.
- August 17, 2008 at 11:11 PM
- Kelli Nicole said...
- August 17, 2008 at 11:16 PM
We once went to a wedding in Sweden and were victims of this terrible ploy. It looked like cake. It wasn't. Instead it was layers of mayonnaise, white bread, a bologna-like ground substance, cucumbers and SHRIMP! It was one of the most horrifying experiences of my life.
- August 17, 2008 at 11:17 PM
- Unknown said...
Before we get our nickers in a double knot here, I believe that we should think of our Diabetic and Hypoglycemic brothers and sisters. With one of these cakes they too can finally have thier cake and actually be able to eat it too. Besides, one of the "cakes" I have made had Meatloaf on the inside and was frosted with mashed potatos. I even dyed the potatos yellow, pink and green and decorated it with flowers and greenery. It went for $50.00 at an April Fools cake auction.
- August 17, 2008 at 11:18 PM
- McBangle said...
o_0 is that ham salad?
They do look pretty, tho. - August 17, 2008 at 11:18 PM
- Tristan said...
All I can say is...WHY???!!
- August 17, 2008 at 11:21 PM
- Emily said...
That is disgusting! Who could possibly think that's a good idea?yv
- August 17, 2008 at 11:25 PM
- The Baroness said...
...*cry* - August 17, 2008 at 11:26 PM
oh ewww! meat based salads instead of sugery cakey goodness? what's wrong with the world today?!!
- August 17, 2008 at 11:28 PM
- ella fae said...
That's really just kind of disgusting. I couldn't imagine biting into that without being told it wasn't real cake. What a surprise it would be to the unexpected cake-lover.
- August 17, 2008 at 11:28 PM
- Geo said...
You funny, funny woman!
- August 17, 2008 at 11:30 PM
- V. Nicharico said...
They're very pretty....but quite disturbing. How to do we know now the next time we go to a dinner party and see what we think is a beautiful dessert table only to discover that it is in fact the main course! 0.o
- August 17, 2008 at 11:41 PM
- Becky said...
Those are incredibly disturbing. Incredibly, incredibly disturbing.
- August 17, 2008 at 11:45 PM
- Canada said...
I'd far more likely enjoy a cake that looked like a pizza or a bowl of spaghetti & meatballs (which I've had, and it was awesome) than eat a sandwich that looks like dessert! And that's just plain mean to little kids!
- August 17, 2008 at 11:46 PM
Bravo! A very moving speech indeed...
And yes... those so-called "cakes" are an utter travesty. Offensive to the eyes, taste buds, and mind. They must be destroyed for the goodness of all cakedom. - August 17, 2008 at 11:47 PM
- kahara said...
Eww, that's just not right. I'd much rather eat the HerpAway Kermit than the yummy-looking cake imposter. What a let-down!
- August 17, 2008 at 11:48 PM
Good grief. Are those back again? (I remember them from my mom's garden club luncheons: "Party Sandwich Loaf," the recipe in her cookbook said. But then they went away, and I was hoping they would stay gone.
- August 17, 2008 at 11:49 PM
Hilarious! I remember going to my cousin's bridal shower as a kid and my aunt pulled this on her unsuspecting guests. Treason, I say!
- August 18, 2008 at 12:02 AM
- June Cleaver said...
Oh, now that's just wrong. There ain't no sense in that kind of foolishness. I tell ya what, if someone tried to pull that crazy stuff on me, at a party, I'd be forced to kick 'em in the shins. You don't go messin' with cake around a big girl.
- August 18, 2008 at 12:09 AM
- emzeegee & the hungry three said...
This one, well....I have to say it (cliche and all!)...it takes the cake (and wrecks it). This is seriously a crime against HUMANITY.
Imagine the psychological damage these people are doing. You're at a party, looking for a decent sugar hit to keep you from killing the other boring guests. You take a slab of cake, only to realize...you're eating spam mousse! Talk about post traumatic cake syndrome. I also love how they show it served with fruit salad.
Love the site, you're keeping me very amused at what my fellow pastry chefs get up to! (bringing shame on the community, basically.)
M - August 18, 2008 at 12:14 AM
Gross. Just gross.
- August 18, 2008 at 12:22 AM
This is just like Rachel's banana meat trifle on Friends, except that this is real. That makes it a thousand times worse. The horror!!
- August 18, 2008 at 12:23 AM
Hahaha, Jen!
Blame the little roses!
Best wishes!!! - August 18, 2008 at 12:24 AM
- Blandy Snorhal said...
I can't imagine how horrified my taste buds would be if I bit into this expecting cake. This is just mean.
- August 18, 2008 at 12:25 AM
- CaliGirl9 said...
Nasty! If I'm going to eat cake, it's going to be the sugary kind, preferably with lots of chocolate and maybe gooey lemon or raspberry filings. Or German Chocolate. Or Black Forest torte. Not some gross ground-up meat 'n mayonnaise!
What's next, cream cheese-covered Spam?
P.S. Was I really first? - August 18, 2008 at 12:26 AM
- Zenne said...
Hiding nutrition in cake...what will they think of next? ):
- August 18, 2008 at 12:30 AM
I had the misfortune of shoving a huge forkful of a similar decepticake into my mouth at a wedding shower. I think I was six and I was so alarmed, I ran to my mom crying "THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE CAAAAKE!"
- August 18, 2008 at 12:37 AM
- CincyNat said...
I remember my aunt pulling this duplicity at my cousin's bridal shower. I was ten and so pissed! I thought we were having cake for lunch!
- August 18, 2008 at 12:42 AM
- Heather said...
Here, here...preach it!! Sugary cake lovers unite!
- August 18, 2008 at 12:42 AM
- Mike B. said...
God help me, it looks good.
- August 18, 2008 at 12:42 AM
- Amanda said...
that is HORRIBLE!!!!!
how can anyone eat that!!
no a cake must
be filled with sugary goodness
to rot our teeth to make cavities
to save some for later!!!
*anacidicdesire.etsy.com* - August 18, 2008 at 12:48 AM
- Stepher said...
- August 18, 2008 at 12:56 AM
Actually, those are pretty good! I've had them before at baby showers.
I think an appropriate law to apply would be that if one must serve a sandwich cake like this, there must be at least twice as much real cake available for dessert. - August 18, 2008 at 12:57 AM
This is heinous! Being an insane lover of cake and totally ANTI meat.. This is my 'accidentally ate meat' worst nightmare! How can they do this? Is there not some sort of cake police? Cant we call PETA?!?!
- August 18, 2008 at 12:58 AM
What is wrong with the world?! I am a meat lover, and a cake lover but this has just gone too far. TOO FAR! Is there something I can sign, or someone I can call?
PS love this blog sooo much! - August 18, 2008 at 12:59 AM
the tuna filled eclairs sound really good. I say "let them eat cake!"
- August 18, 2008 at 1:05 AM
Oh come on. Are you telling me that there are no sandwich cakes where you live? They are just great!
After all, they don't even compete with sugary cakes. A sandwich cake is something to satisfy your appetite after boring ceremonies or a couple of hundred miles traveling to the occasion. You just have to eat it as a salty snack, not a sweet one.
At least here in Finland sandwich cakes are greatly appreciated. - August 18, 2008 at 1:07 AM
- Unknown said...
DIS.GUST.ING. That is so disgusting. That's really all I can say. Who would eat that, ever? I'd rather eat the baby cake, because at least it's made of cake.
- August 18, 2008 at 1:37 AM
- Sarah said...
I know it's not directly cake related, but your post reminded me of this other sign of the apocolypse: http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/411319/1985924
So, so wrong. - August 18, 2008 at 1:42 AM
Oh, my.
The sight of that had me excited...and then my stomach let out a pain at the sight of the insides. That's...mayo and cream cheese?
Erugh. - August 18, 2008 at 1:50 AM
- エリック said...
The words "cake" and "mayonnaise" are not to be combined....EVER.
I gagged when I read that. - August 18, 2008 at 1:52 AM
- Amy Ellen said...
Okay that just looks wrong. Of course I am not a big fan of any sandwich filling that looks like it could be spread on, blech. That is just not right.
Amy - August 18, 2008 at 2:08 AM
- Sophie said...
Jen, you rock!
and, of course, you are absolutely right. Food-pretending-to-be-cake is messing with people's minds. - August 18, 2008 at 2:10 AM
Oh, my. Some characters made this in, I believe, a crappy old Donna Parker novel, so it's a crappy old idea, not a crappy new one. They were very pleased with their own cleverness. The only thing that could make it semi-right is if there were also cakes that looked like sandwiches.
- August 18, 2008 at 2:15 AM
okay yeah thats just wrong.
- August 18, 2008 at 2:41 AM
- Miranda said...
Oh, that is just *wrong.* And nasty. I can just imagine seeing those on a buffet and then finding out what they are. Yuck.
- August 18, 2008 at 2:49 AM
- Carina said...
That is WRONG on every possible level!
- August 18, 2008 at 3:07 AM
- qupada said...
No words are necessary:
http://www.fresh99.com/meat-cake.htm - August 18, 2008 at 3:25 AM
- The Caked Crusader said...
surely that's a criminal offence of some kind - fraud, extreme mental cruelty? Or at very least misrepresentation.
MAKE IT STOP people! - August 18, 2008 at 3:43 AM
I blame Martha. Her website is full of these types of recipes
- August 18, 2008 at 3:47 AM
- James said...
Haha, that's funny! I know I'd definitely be surprised by that. But, if the meats used inside were good (no, bologna does NOT count as good meat), I'd be happy anyway.
- August 18, 2008 at 4:04 AM
- Thany said...
I am deeply offended as are my well built cake hips.
- August 18, 2008 at 4:12 AM
Actually these "sandwich cakes" are quite popular at least in northern Europe, and they have been around for long time. It is usual to decorate it with the main engredient, for example ham slices or smoked salmon, so that people know what is served. I usually make a fish sandwich cake with two fillings, smoked salmon with mayo and boiled eggs with butter.
Sandwich cakes can be really delicious, so I wouldn't call them wrecks, but a sandwich cake decorated with roses would indeed be a wreck. You should be able to recognize that you are not taking a slice of a sweet creamfilled wonder.
Elsa H. - August 18, 2008 at 4:18 AM
Oh no! No no no no no!
It actually makes me feel ill, especially as I thought they didn't look so bad until I read further. - August 18, 2008 at 4:19 AM
Without having tried any of this "cake", who knows, it might be fantastic, but the entire concept is WRONG. Wrong wrong WRONG.
String 'em up, I say! - August 18, 2008 at 4:40 AM
Oh no, these "cakes" are wrong on so many levels.
- August 18, 2008 at 4:43 AM
Oh these are a Brazilian thing...I've eaten one before. It had pureed gherkin, egg...other things...really not great. They are deceptively cute though.
- August 18, 2008 at 4:48 AM
- David T. Macknet said...
Seems just like ... well, a terrine, but without all the gelatine goo. Sounds like an improvement on the terrine, at least. ;)
- August 18, 2008 at 5:04 AM
- Sarah said...
ewwwww...that would be so disappointing to bite into, at least they could have decorated them with piped veggies or something not pretty.
~sarah - August 18, 2008 at 5:50 AM
Sorry, but there is just something so inherently Wrong with this!
Cakes are meant to be delicious, sweet and sugary! But these meat cakes...(be honest here people, chances are they are 100% animal by product--not even good cuts!) are just beyond the pale!
Meat-cakes: Just Say NO! - August 18, 2008 at 5:51 AM
No, no, no! You are greatly mislead! Sandwich loaf, the proper name for this featured "cake", is FABULOUS. Like, I'd sell a child for some fabulous.
- August 18, 2008 at 6:20 AM
- Waffle said...
Really, there can be nothing more wrong than a cake made from meat. It makes me feel dirty. This abomination must be stopped.
- August 18, 2008 at 6:43 AM
Yup, nothing like wanting something tasty only to bite into one of these things! A great way to pull one over on the kids!!
- August 18, 2008 at 6:44 AM
My ex girlfriend used to love "cakes" like this, only they were "iced" with mayonnaise. It was a Quebecois thing. So revolting!
- August 18, 2008 at 6:51 AM
liverwurst filled doughnuts actually sound pretty good.
- August 18, 2008 at 7:26 AM
- Elizabeth said...
GROSS!! I can't even believe that someone had that idea...FIRE THEM from bakery, NOW PLEASE!!!
- August 18, 2008 at 8:09 AM
in the 1950's such 'cakes' were popular for bridge clubs, women's club's meetings, etc. i have old cookbooks with recipes with such things.
i can't believe this is making a come back! - August 18, 2008 at 8:22 AM
- Dea said...
That is so very very wrong! I'd be po'd if that was placed before me!!!
- August 18, 2008 at 8:23 AM
Oh. My. God. I feel absolutely ill. Why, oh, why??? The insanity!!
- August 18, 2008 at 8:29 AM
- *Michelle said...
Thats terrible! (And a bit [read: a lot] unappetizing!)
- August 18, 2008 at 8:39 AM
- DoomedTX said...
If you don't like those cakes (bread/mayo/meat/cream cheese sounds appealing to me) then you probably will hate the breakfast cake at http://veripolis.blogspot.com/2008/06/breakfast-cake.html. Part of this complete nutritious breakfast!
TJ - August 18, 2008 at 8:41 AM
This is an abomination.
See also: more grossness
http://picturesofcake.blogspot.com/2007/07/meatloaf-cake-with-mashed-potato.html - August 18, 2008 at 8:42 AM
But ANYTHING can be improved (or perhaps in this case redeemed!!)by saturating it with refined sugar and lard-based frosting representations of scraggly feet several inches thick!
- August 18, 2008 at 8:44 AM
I thought it was just chocolate, strawberry and vanilla. UGH! What's the world coming to?!?!?
Ashley - August 18, 2008 at 8:55 AM
What on earth is that called? And to think I was teasing about meat quick bread yesterday.
- August 18, 2008 at 9:00 AM
Um, OMG. I started out thinking, "What's the matter with those cakes? They look delicious!"...until I read that they were filled with "various meat and mayo-based salad". Then I threw up a little in my mouth :X
- August 18, 2008 at 9:10 AM
- Chris said...
That is the most nauseating thing I have ever seen. I don't know what's worse, the mouthful of meat products and (seemingly from the looks of the photo) egg salad inside, or the thought I initially had that the whole thing was covered in a layer of mayonnaise, not cream cheese (which is also gag-inducing).
I just threw up a little in my mouth... - August 18, 2008 at 9:15 AM
- Unknown said...
Noooo! We can't let that happen!
- August 18, 2008 at 9:23 AM
- Li'l Turtle said...
Give me sugary or give me death!
- August 18, 2008 at 9:33 AM
- Meg said...
- August 18, 2008 at 9:36 AM
- The Creeper said...
The concept of a meat "cake" just makes me want to gag. Gross. Can you imagine how surprised one would be thinking that is a scrumptious cake and, in the midst of party convo, just mindlessly taking a bite without looking... expecting a sweet and getting meat, mayo and cream cheese. That's just... just... vomitous.
- August 18, 2008 at 9:37 AM
That is nasty!!!
- August 18, 2008 at 9:39 AM
- Katie said...
This sounds like Part 2 of some demented Friends episode (remember the one when Joey loved the trifle with layers of ladyfingers, whippped cream, marmelade, peas, onions and ground beef?). Wow.
- August 18, 2008 at 9:42 AM
Meat and cheese 'cakes', and when sliced offered with extra fruit?!
If it was several sorts of ice-cream I would say yummie. - August 18, 2008 at 9:43 AM
THAT is one of the most disgusting things I've ever seen. - August 18, 2008 at 9:44 AM
- Nightngle said...
I guess it's only fair to have savory food dressed up as cake, when this bakery disguises cupcakes as savory food. Gotta love peas and carrots, mashed potatoes, and even chicken drumsticks made of cupcakes, frosting, and candy!
- August 18, 2008 at 9:48 AM
- Journal of Social Awkwardness said...
I could only imagine the pain of biting into a delicious cake and then realizing its meat. Terrible.
- August 18, 2008 at 9:53 AM
I second the motion! This is unacceptable! Reprehensible! And above all, ICKY!
- August 18, 2008 at 10:02 AM
- Unknown said...
WHAT?! That's just not right. It's a travesty I tell you!
- August 18, 2008 at 10:07 AM
Ehm, this is a dish, not a dessert.
Sometimes this blog and its readers cross the line of poking fun at the unfamiliar and just come off as very smallminded and closed off from the rest of the world. Like with the Japanese poo cake. - August 18, 2008 at 10:27 AM
- Winona said...
All trickery aside, that does look pretty cool. Of course, for my 12th birthday, I had an ice cream cake that looked like a pizza, so who am I to judge.
- August 18, 2008 at 10:31 AM
Ewww. I don't like anything that surprises me. This would surprise me because I would expect it to be sweet. I'm pretty sure I would vomit a bit.
- August 18, 2008 at 10:33 AM
- Schmei said...
I can't help but go straight to the pictures when I visit this blog, which is why my first reaction was, "What's wrong? These don't look like 'cake wrecks' at all."
Then I read the commentary. And I fainted.
Ewwwwww. - August 18, 2008 at 10:35 AM
Oh, blech! I'm a vegetarian, so that sickens me always, but still that's pretty nasty!
- August 18, 2008 at 11:34 AM
- 3girlsmom said...
I stumbled upon your blog today and have read every single post already. I have laughed so hard that I am crying and my 3 year old daughter just said, "what's wrong, mommy?" Ok, time to step away from the computer.
This is awesome and I will SO be back.
Kudos, my bloggy friend. - August 18, 2008 at 11:37 AM
These look disgusting, but I've seen a meatloaf cake covered with mashed potatoes that looked pretty good. At least if people knew what it was first. Taste cognitive dissonance is just plain cruel. I'd never want to eat cake again!
- August 18, 2008 at 11:43 AM
- Maggie said...
OMG - I was just sitting here thinking that I was getting mighty hungry, and then I saw that. It is foul, vile, and wrong on so many levels that I have lost my desire to eat lunch. Grrreat.
- August 18, 2008 at 11:47 AM
- Danielle said...
- August 18, 2008 at 11:58 AM
- Martha said...
I think this is a fabulous concept - especially in a scenerio where a lot more cake is served (perhaps at a themed occasion). Like a terrine, it has the potential to make for really great plate presentation, great colors, and varying textures. I would, however, think the "frosting" decorations would be more creative - more appropriate for the filling or something.
Then again, I have been known to make a batch of eclairs and fill 3 or 4 with mayo and pickle relish or mustard... - August 18, 2008 at 12:08 PM
- Ghost Rider said...
I think this looks awesome and I want to know where you find one! Although I admit, if I thought I was getting actual cake and I got this instead I'd probably toss my cookies. I've never seen meatcakes before but in college they would serve this evil decepticake that we called Chocolate Surprise because when you bit into to it, "Surprise, it's raisin!" Post traumatic cake syndrome, indeed!
I have to try the breakfast cake someone linked to, that looks awesome! (Only I'd use tomatoes instead of red peppers. Love the site, thanks for keeping my laughing! - August 18, 2008 at 12:18 PM
- tristyn said...
If people want meat cakes, okay, fine. It's probably not that weird, if you think of them as a sandwich with the spread on the outside. (Personally, I think they look like they belong in the Gallery of Regrettable Food, but we all have our own taste.)
It's the flowers, though. The flowers mess with your head. If I'm looking for a bite to eat, I'm not usually also looking for a side of psychological experiment. - August 18, 2008 at 12:29 PM
Apart from the design, not too bad. But, then again, where I'm from this isn't that big of a deal. Sweden and Finland seems to inhabit the biggest fanbases for these oh so lovely creations. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smörgåstårta for reference.
- August 18, 2008 at 12:30 PM
- jac the dreamer said...
One cannot have light without darkness. I assume these cakes are in response to some other cakes you highlighted previously: http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com/2008/06/i-think-this-needs-whole-new-category.html
Personally, I would like to have the meat-cake as an entree and the meat-looking-but-real-cake as dessert :) - August 18, 2008 at 12:30 PM
. . . funny, for me that's just normal. : D I'm like "What's up? o__o I had once of those for my birthday party..."
Here in Finland those kind of cakes are just normal. They are served at weddings, birthday parties, anywhere.
They are called 'sandwich cakes'. I find them delicious. - August 18, 2008 at 12:42 PM
- Jennifer said...
Man I love this blog. It just keeps getting better and better.
- August 18, 2008 at 12:45 PM
We used to make these in Home Ec in Junior High - gosh 40 years ago! I agree with the Euro poster, tho' - you're supposed to decorate it so you know what's inside it. But they can be very tasty!
- August 18, 2008 at 1:07 PM
that's just gross.
- August 18, 2008 at 1:08 PM
- Miranda said...
Imagine thinking that it was a torte, and then taking a bite. @___@
- August 18, 2008 at 1:10 PM
- Nancy said...
I maybe biased because I HATE mayonnaise, and the thought of eating egg salad makes me want to cry, but that description honesly made me sick to my stomach. Who are these sick people creating these things?
- August 18, 2008 at 1:16 PM
- MaryO said...
This cake should come with a warning! Also, talk about false advertising!!!!!!!!! If this isn't a crime it sure should be! How grossly unfair - to expect a piece of sweet cake and frosting and get a mouthful of..... BLICH!!
This is so very wrong on so many levels as numerous other fans of your blog have pointed out. I agree. Off with their.... ?? Heads? Hands? Whatever!
Ay carumba. - August 18, 2008 at 1:25 PM
- SolaMommy said...
Whatever happened to finger sandwiches? We need to frost deli salads with cream cheese now?
- August 18, 2008 at 1:32 PM
I have no problem w/the idea of meatcake...just tell me that's what it is before I bite into it
- August 18, 2008 at 1:41 PM
- Doody Mac said...
This reminds me of the time I went to serve up my sister some vanilla ice cream, but in just the spoon I put a scoop of mashed potatoes. I handed her the cold dish of very innocent ice cream, she put the spoonful o' spuds in her mouth, which was immediately proceeded by opening her mouth and letting it just fall out... into my quick reflexed hand.
It makes for a good JOKE, not something you'd really serve! What's the purpose of making meat/cream cheese, etc look like a baked good? Just nicely present it as what it is so there's no question! SICK. - August 18, 2008 at 1:51 PM
- A.J. said...
No! No! No!
I say let your sweets be sweet and your savories be savory. And NEVER the twain shall meet!
Regardless of my enjoyment of both, I do not want a sandwich that looks like a cake; nor do I want a cupcake that looks like spaghetti or mashed potatoes. (They're out there, people!)
What is this world coming too?!? - August 18, 2008 at 2:08 PM
- Daisy Church said...
Argh!!!! I think of all the cakes here, this is the one that will haunt my dreams the most...
I physically cringed when I realized what was in it. (shudder)....
I think the smashed up baloney meat thing is the thing that scares me the most... - August 18, 2008 at 2:18 PM
- Me said...
i cannot come up with a word stronger than vomit for what was going through my head when i read this post.
WHY on earth would this be appealing? OMG - August 18, 2008 at 2:23 PM
- Manders said...
I am with you!! Long live fatty, wonderful, sugary goodness!!
- August 18, 2008 at 2:49 PM
The "Save to del.icio.us" link is often snicker-worthy in this blog, but especially on this post!
- August 18, 2008 at 3:09 PM
Actually, these things are pretty great. My mom made them for a bridal shower (natch), and I thought they were fantastic. But I love cream cheese. Anyway, they seemed to be a hit with everyone.
- August 18, 2008 at 3:21 PM
- Abigail said...
That makes me want to gag.
- August 18, 2008 at 3:32 PM
- steph k said...
oh my.... this hurts my feelings.
- August 18, 2008 at 3:36 PM
- Lisa Deon said...
I was subjected to one of those monstosities at my friends bridal shower. I could'nt get past the icing part, I kept expecting it to be sweet. Chicken salad and buttercream, uck!
- August 18, 2008 at 3:43 PM
- Sarah said...
Oh gross!! I love meat.....and cake is alright....but a MEAT cake that looks like a regular cake, is just wrong. And whats with the cream cheese "frosting" cream cheese does NOT go well with meat.
- August 18, 2008 at 3:55 PM
I think this should be added to your front page collection. The Dog looks stoned. Or a night of the living dead zombie.
Here is the story that goes with the cake. - August 18, 2008 at 4:15 PM
This bothers me much more than frog herpes. I feel a little sick.
- August 18, 2008 at 4:30 PM
- Evergrey said...
I... I would eat that.
- August 18, 2008 at 4:38 PM
This one is pretty scary too. Has the eyes of the abdominal snowman (after the taming) in Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.
She has an interesting gallery. - August 18, 2008 at 4:42 PM
- Esther said...
Oh, these were really popular in the 70s. My mom, the gourmet cook (seriously, no sarcasm) had an entire cookbook full of these kind of things. A particular favorite was a salmon mousse that was chilled in a fish-shaped cake pan. Then you'd make the eyes with a green olive (with pimiento). I had nightmares about fish for years.
- August 18, 2008 at 5:05 PM
This is the most upsetting "cake" I've ever seen. How could you serve this disaster to anyone without it being a straight up joke. This shames desserts everywhere.
- August 18, 2008 at 5:07 PM
For the love of all that is good, why?
- August 18, 2008 at 5:11 PM
- Alyson said...
aaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. disgusting.
- August 18, 2008 at 5:15 PM
- Ronnica said...
Gross. When I see cake, I want to eat cake, not something else.
- August 18, 2008 at 5:45 PM
Props to the Cake Failure blog for the text too? (Or props to whoever the Cake Failure blog stole that from)
- August 18, 2008 at 5:46 PM
- K.A. said...
Seriously - what's with all the hating? Like some fellow Nordsmen have already pointed out, smörgåstårtor/sandwich cakes can be gobsmackingly delicious and are generally considered to be quite a treat.
It's just like a big sandwich, with lots of filling, and you eat it with a fork. You people like sandwiches, don't you? Hmm? Don't you?
And as for the whole "eww! Gross, meat cake!"-thing, the vegetarian ones are just as nice.
Although, they normally don't look like dessert cakes. That is properly wrong. - August 18, 2008 at 5:50 PM
Ever see Dinner Impossible? Season 2 they had illusion food just like this "cake".
Example: Trompe L'oeil Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes and Cauliflower with Poached Tomatoes – Served as Chocolate Layer Cake a la Mode Cherries Jubilee Topping - August 18, 2008 at 5:57 PM
I used to love it when my mom would make these though she would never try to pass them off as a sweetened cake. I think they were always "decorated" with carrot flowers with sliced olive centers. Very 70's and surprisingly good.
- August 18, 2008 at 6:15 PM
It looks cool, but the fact of the matter is... If I had walked over to a cake and sliced it thinking I was getting cake to discover meat once I'd laid it on my plate, I would have been a very unhappy party goer lol.
- August 18, 2008 at 6:29 PM
- Joe said...
I don't get why everyone here is saying they're disgusting. Sure some of them are vegetarian so would no doubt dislike anything that had meat in it but a for the rest do they normally throw up when someone offers them meat or egg salad something? It's not like the combination of ingredients is odd, they're all things you regularly find on salad and buffet tables.
Do all your readers live on sugar alone that their reaction is OMG meat and salad stuff, I threw up in my mouth, why would anyone ever eat that?!
These are rarely served *as* actual cakes. The appearance is a trick, sure, but they're rarely intended to be served without telling people what they are. - August 18, 2008 at 6:32 PM
- s9 said...
how is it possible that this thread could win 141 comments without even a single "the cake is a lie" reference?
- August 18, 2008 at 6:52 PM
- Unknown said...
I had the unfortunate experience of eating one of these at a baby shower -- expecting something sweet. That first piece was torture. After I knew what it was, I actually enjoyed it. There should be a caveat for all consumers.
- August 18, 2008 at 7:21 PM
- A+ said...
I had one of these at my surprise baby shower. My husband's coworkers made it (they're from Brazil, and apparently these cakes are tradition in their family).
- August 18, 2008 at 7:26 PM
- Kristin Coppee said...
I love that cake! That is like my favorite kind of cake! I'm gonna' go make one. Right now. I like to do anchovies with curry in the blender and make a nice mush of it for one of the layers. Oh yes, I do.
Just kidding. My gag reflex is officially kicking in.
Oh, I saw a variation of that evil cake made with mashed potatoes for the frosting. I could potentially stomach that. But the fact that it looked like birthday cake was pretty upsetting. - August 18, 2008 at 7:39 PM
- Shmoo said...
Its not liverwurst, its liverGREAT and yes, sign me up if they make donuts out of it, I'm all over it.
(Siberian Husky and queen of the world) - August 18, 2008 at 7:47 PM
- neetzy said...
You know,
Presentation is everything! - August 18, 2008 at 7:48 PM
- Unknown said...
Lileks Gallery of Regrettable Foods has instructions on how to make these, complete with illustrations...in this case, the radishes make it. http://www.lileks.com/institute/gallery/misc/susan3.html
Anne S - August 18, 2008 at 7:52 PM
- Channah said...
Wow! Just discovered your site from White Trash Mom, and too funny! I just finished going through all your archives!
- August 18, 2008 at 8:38 PM
- Brittany Marie said...
That reminds me of the Meat Trifle that Rachel made on "Friends".
- August 18, 2008 at 9:41 PM
Oh that's just mean! What's the point if it is not real cake?
By the way, I just found your sight and I am addicted. Thanks for the laughs! - August 18, 2008 at 10:11 PM
- Kate said...
- August 18, 2008 at 10:13 PM
This cake is a lie.
- August 19, 2008 at 12:07 AM
The most disturbing part of these cakes are the real strawberries on top of the far one.
I can kind of understand the meat cake idea, even with the fake frosting, but putting real fruit on them is just wrong. - August 19, 2008 at 12:15 AM
- Candy said...
This is just so wrong on so many levels... er...layers. I'd rather have a "real" cake gone bad that stick my fork into this one. EWWWWWW.
- August 19, 2008 at 12:32 AM
I'm quite surprised now, I must say. I'm a cake lover from Finland, and this post is shocking. Why? 'Cause we have them. Everywhere. In every party, there's usually at least one of those. So, it came as a surprise, that they are not seen in parties there, overseas.
They can be horrible, but usually, those salty cakes are actually quite good. I remember, when I was little and very disappointed, when I realized what it was, but nowadays, I like them. Come on, a little bread, ham, mayonnaise... When you think of it like that, it doesn't sound that awful, does it?
- Merope - August 19, 2008 at 5:37 AM
Mmm, I love those. On the other hand, I am from Sweden, the home of the smörgåsbord. :)
- August 19, 2008 at 6:11 AM
- MommyDark said...
I think the late George Carlin predicted these (from his "Ice Man" routine): ..."You literally do not know what it is. Could be meat, could be cake. Usually, at a time like that, I'll bluff. "Honey, is this good?" "Well, what is it?" "I don't know. I've never seen anything like it. It looks like...meatcake!"
- August 19, 2008 at 9:58 AM
They have these everywhere around here in Finland. And I hate them. But generally, I don't like any kind of cakes (unless there's chocolate in them).
But I guess someone likes them since they are everywhere around here.. - August 19, 2008 at 10:09 AM
The best cake I ever had was a meatloaf cake with mashed potatoes and ketchup. I didn't even want to share it with my friends, I was so excited by it.
- August 19, 2008 at 12:05 PM
- Rachael M. said...
ew. meat based salads. nonononononononono.
But that's just my personal preference. I don't really have a problem with the cakes as long as they are clearly labeled as "MEAT CAAAAAAAAAAAAAAKE!"
It may TASTE ok - but I don't want to be surprised/disappointed to cut into one of these when I want some real cake. - August 19, 2008 at 1:21 PM
dude. i am horrified for so many reasons. not the least of which being that i am a vegetarian...biting into an unlabeled meatcake would not only be vomit-inducing, it would be truly heinous.
- August 19, 2008 at 2:23 PM
You guys are pretty funny with your disgust. Cakes like this might be an oddity in the US but in other parts of the world, like in Northern Europe, they are very common and a standard at party buffets. I dislike the taste myself, but like Heikki said before, they shouldn't even be seen as cakes but as a big, decorated sandwiches.
I agree that the icing and decoration on these particular "cakes" posted here is VERY misleading, though. Over here the sandwich cakes are decorated with savoury stuff like meat, eggs and fish so you know what you're getting. - August 19, 2008 at 2:48 PM
Quelle barf.
- August 19, 2008 at 3:54 PM
- a mysterious blogger said...
eww, eww, eeewwwwwwwww…
- August 19, 2008 at 4:25 PM
- Nakia said...
The people who keep saying they don't understand why the reactions of disgust, it's because they are made to LOOK like cakes, decorated just like a sweet cake. When one expects to bite into a desert and gets mayo/bread/meat-salad instead, it IS disgusting. Yes I like sandwiches, but I'm not biting into a sandwich with the thought that it's a torte!
When and how things are presented can make a big difference. For example, I absolutely love spaghetti and meatballs with zesty sauce and garlicky bread.. but first thing in the morning if someone put that under my nose I'd more than likely feel like hurling. Say you're taking a spoonful of what looks like vanilla pudding and it turns out it's some sour cream cream dish?
The whole point is that these are cake impostors. You look at them and take a bite expecting cake with sugary sweet icing only to get a mouth full of mayo/cream cheese tastes. That is the cause for most of the posts of disgust I'd say. - August 19, 2008 at 4:50 PM
Frankly, anyone who's dim enough that they manage to get a piece of this from the platter, to their plate, to the fork, and finally to their mouth without realizing what it is and isn't deserves to get a surprise. The world would be a better place if people were more observant.
- August 19, 2008 at 6:36 PM
i just threw up a little bit in my mouth
- August 19, 2008 at 9:34 PM
- JennyF said...
That's just wrong. Wrong, I say...
- August 19, 2008 at 10:56 PM
- JP said...
This reminds me of a Friends' episode when Rachel tries to cook but, because of a sticky page she didn't notice, she ends up mixing a dessert recipe with a meatcake one. The result is a mix of jello with peas, onions and cream. Accurately Ross says it "tastes like feet".
- August 19, 2008 at 11:09 PM
In my corner of the world, we have a dish called "sandwich cake", which has bread, cream cheese (different savoury flavors), mayo and vegetables, chopped meat, tuna and whatnot as a filling.
As a matter of fact, I served one this weekend as a lunch item on my birthday party: garlic cream cheese and finely minced smoked deli ham as a filling, moistened with tomato juice and topped with tomato-basil cream cheese and decorated with various goodies. - August 20, 2008 at 5:40 AM
These cakes are the answer to the 'steak cake' posted somewhere else in this blog (yuck). I'd be SO angry to be offered a travesty like this at a party – my first reaction would be to think the host was out to get a laugh at the guests' expense (an even bigger yuck, at least for me). When I want a savory snack, I'll have an honest one that is not ashamed of being itself, thank you very much. This is not to say I can't get the idea of sandwich cakes in N. Europe parties, bridge parties from the fifties', etc. – I bet they're quite a treat *when you know what you will be getting from the start*. It's all about truth in advertising, people.
- August 20, 2008 at 6:23 AM
- adozeneggs said...
all I can say is gross!
I've seen "sushi cakes" on Martha Stewart though, not sure which is worse. - August 20, 2008 at 8:04 AM
These are actually pretty tasty, but I don't think they should be decorated as cakes. If one must decorate one, one really should pipe "Warning: this is meat" on it.
Rosebuds optional. Now little marzipan chickens and pork chops would be awesome. - August 20, 2008 at 8:53 AM
- LeahShmeah said...
While I don't find these appealing by any means, I have been sufficiently desensitized by my husband's weird food mixtures. One of his ideas is to use a Betty Crocker Bake 'n Fill cake pan, using a cake mix for the outer layer and hamburger for the center.
Yes, he is a sick, sick man. - August 20, 2008 at 11:56 AM
My aunt makes these abominations. She doesn't put rosettes on them, but once frosted with mayo and decorated with olives, they do look like a cake. She makes like 7-8 layers of white bread sliced lengthwise with tuna salad, olive pate, cream cheese with chives, red pepper spread, ham salad, and if you haven't thrown up yet: prune jam. With tuna, folks.
- August 20, 2008 at 10:13 PM
- Lockwood said...
Ya know, my grandfather adored this dish- we had it every year for his birthday (yes, followed by real cake for dessert). We didn't expect that it would be "cake." It's called sandwich loaf. I didn't care for the cream cheese when I was younger, but it grew on me as I got older. Most of the folks commenting here seem as if they would be horrified at the idea of a bagel... "I mean you bite into it, expecting that sugary greasy burst, and what the hey, not only is it just chewy bread, hot and crispy at that, it's not frosting either- it's (gasp) cream cheese. C'mon, open your minds a little, folks.
- August 20, 2008 at 10:53 PM
- GreyCoast said...
Here's something even worse!
I don't think money passed hands, so it's not a true cakewreck, but very fitting! - August 21, 2008 at 5:50 AM
- Vesna VK said...
Where are these, what's their story? Can you post the URL of the site where you found this? Thanks! - August 21, 2008 at 6:24 AM
hey, what do you have against sandwiches? ;) I never thought that a sandwich cake can be so shocking to somebody. Of course the decoration of this one here is a bit... odd, but when you have a piece, you certainly see what it is.
By the way, it was nice to find out from these comments that besides Estonia where I'm from, these cakes are known from Finland to Brazil and from Sweden to Québec :)
P.S. It's just a GREAT blog! - August 21, 2008 at 11:24 AM
- Teresa said...
Dude, I make *awesome* meat pies! http://flickr.com/photos/cinnamonrose/2243658534/in/set-72157603854911229/
- August 21, 2008 at 2:07 PM
- Linda said...
I SO need to make this for my carb-junkie friends!!! Of course, first I have to find a substitute for the bread....hummmmmm (Yes, low carbing for the last year has made me skinnier AND eviler! Bwaa haa haa!!!)
- August 21, 2008 at 2:24 PM
- The Bionic Broad said...
Low carb heaven without the insulin spike. Looks like Heaven to me.
- August 21, 2008 at 2:52 PM
I'm not sure about the low carb. They generally have a bunch of bread in them.
- August 21, 2008 at 5:52 PM
My husband's grandmother makes something like this, albeit not as pretty!!! LOL!
Love the blog. - August 21, 2008 at 9:44 PM
Low carb heaven? Excuse me?? With that much white bread? Hardly!
- August 22, 2008 at 6:15 AM
- Vesna VK said...
Please, please, please, another request -- link us to the source! I couldn't find it anywhere via searching.
- August 22, 2008 at 7:00 AM
- Amber (bambi64) said...
LOL Too funny. I've made this "sandwich" cake for my sister's bridal shower. It was very tasty and a great conversation piece. Hmmmm Think I might just have to make it again just because.
- August 22, 2008 at 8:08 AM
Wifezilla and other low carbers -
Instead of layers of bread, we can do layers of oopsie rolls!
Yum! - August 22, 2008 at 11:36 PM
That is gross and weird. Though...I guess I would tolerate it if I had some warning first, or something.
I am totally with you on the "together we can make our world a place of fat, sugar, and dairy-based products for all!" as long as you take the dairy-based bit out. I like my cakes vegan (and so do the cows and chickens! ;) ) - August 23, 2008 at 2:19 AM
- Esri Rose said...
This is so WRONG!!! - August 23, 2008 at 6:17 PM
- Unknown said...
This must be from a Russian deli -- please tell up where it came from!
- August 24, 2008 at 10:13 PM
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text:
Found 4 results
Filters: Keyword is paper and Author is Cazzaniga, Marco [Clear All Filters]
"Dynamical response function in sodium and aluminum from time-dependent density-functional theory", Phys. Rev. B, vol. 84. American Physical Society, p. 075109, 2011.
, "Dynamical response function in sodium studied by inelastic x-ray scattering spectroscopy", Phys. Rev. B, vol. 84. American Physical Society, p. 075108, 2011.
, "Dynamic structure factor and dielectric function of silicon for finite momentum transfer: Inelastic x-ray scattering experiments and ab initio calculations", Phys. Rev. B, vol. 81. p. 085104, 2010.
, "The Dynamic Structure Factor of Simple Metals: A Study of the Electronic Correlation in Solids", EPIOPTICS-10, Proceedings of the 43rd Course of the International School of Solid State Physics, vol. 1. 2010.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
JAKE COYLE Sunday, 07 July 2013 04:59 PM EDT
The minions of "Despicable Me 2" ran away with the July 4th box office, leaving the Johnny Depp western "The Lone Ranger" in the dust.
According to studio estimates Sunday, the Universal animated sequel took in $82.5 million over the weekend and $142.1 million across the five-day holiday window. Gore Verbinski's reimagining of the iconic lawman bombed for the Walt Disney Co., opening with just $29.4 million over the weekend, and a disappointing $48.9 million since Wednesday.
The trouncing for Disney was especially painful because of the high cost of "The Lone Ranger," which reportedly cost at least $225 million to make. Made by the same team that created the lucrative Disney franchise "Pirates of the Caribbean" (the four film series that grossed $3.7 billion worldwide) the Western drew bad reviews and failed to capture the attention of younger moviegoers.
"We thought it would appeal to a broader audience than it did," Dave Hollis, head of distribution for Disney, said.
Based on the long-running radio program begun in 1933 and the TV series that debuted in 1949, the "Lone Ranger" brand proved a musty one. The audience for the film skewed heavily toward older moviegoers, with 68 percent of its audience older than 25.
"You think that you have everything in place," said Hollis, listing the proven box-office commodities of Depp, Verbinski and producer Jerry Bruckheimer. "Even when you have all the ingredients for what you think will be a four-quadrant, 'everybody' picture, sometimes it doesn't work out that way."
The poor performance of "The Lone Ranger" called to mind a previous bomb for Disney: last year's similarly-budgeted sci-fi adventure "John Carter," which opened with $30.1 million.
But "The Lone Ranger," which stars Armie Hammer as the masked lawman, will likely fare better than that disappointment, since Depp's international star power should bring in better worldwide business. It started with $24.3 million abroad, opening in about 30 percent of its planned international market.
While critics skewered the film, it did earn a decent B+ CinemaScore grade from moviegoers. But "The Lone Ranger" is nevertheless likely to be a sizeable write-down for Disney and could impact the company's stock price when markets reopen Monday.
"Everybody beat up on 'The Lone Ranger' pretty hard," said Paul Dergarabedian, analyst for box-office tracker Hollywood.com. "Everything was just not going in its favor."
On the other hand, Universal made "Despicable Me 2" for the comparatively small amount of $76 million (a figure that doesn't count a huge marketing budget). The far-better than expected haul firmly establishes "Despicable Me," which stars Steve Carell as a diabolical villain turned stay-at-home dad, as a new franchise for Universal and Chris Meledandri's Illumination Entertainment, the Universal-backed animation company.
Nikki Rocco, head of distribution for Universal, attributed the strong performance to Meledandri, the robust appetite for summer family films, and, above all, those teaming little yellow guys. The minions will get their own spin-off in 2014, and Rocco said another "Despicable Me" film is a certainty.
"The minions steal everybody's heart," Rocco said. "It's a great time of the year to release a family film with broad appeal."
Stand-up Kevin Hart's concert documentary "Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain" proved savvy counter-programming for Summit Entertainment, opening with $17.5 million over five days and $10.1 million over the weekend.
Fox Searchlight's family comedy "The Way, Way Back" (which also stars Carell) opened in 19 theaters with a strong theater average of about $30,000. It slowly expands for a July 26 national release.
Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Hollywood.com. Where available, latest international numbers are also included. Final domestic figures will be released on Monday.
1. "Despicable Me 2," $82.5 million.
2. "The Lone Ranger," $29.4 million ($24.3 million international).
3. "The Heat," $25 million.
4. "Monsters University," $19.6 million.
5. "World War Z," $18.2 million.
6. "White House Down," $13.5 million.
7. "Man of Steel," $11.4 million.
8. "Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain," $10.1 million.
9. "This Is the End," $5.8 million.
10. "Now You See Me," $2.8 million.Universal and Focus are owned by NBC Universal, a unit of Comcast Corp.; Sony, Columbia, Sony Screen Gems and Sony Pictures Classics are units of Sony Corp.; Paramount is owned by Viacom Inc.; Disney, Pixar and Marvel are owned by The Walt Disney Co.; Miramax is owned by Filmyard Holdings LLC; 20th Century Fox and Fox Searchlight are owned by News Corp.; Warner Bros. and New Line are units of Time Warner Inc.; MGM is owned by a group of former creditors including Highland Capital, Anchorage Advisors and Carl Icahn; Lionsgate is owned by Lions Gate Entertainment Corp.; IFC is owned by AMC Networks Inc.; Rogue is owned by Relativity Media LLC.
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text:
2011 was a really great year for us. I got to be a stay at home mom and be extremely involved with the kids at home and at school. We started rebuilding our lower level and even tore down a wall! The hubs and I celebrated 10 years of marriage and renewed our vows. I organized like crazy and was able to start blogging full time. The blog had some incredible features, and ended up in a glossy mag! Seriously, I feel blessed every single moment and think that 2011 was one of my favorite years EVER!
So, just like I did last year, I thought it would be fun to look back at my favorite projects from this year!
In January, I started out the year by looking at time management and shared a couple of things that work well for us.
I chatted about all of my favorite storage any why.
We tackled the paper monster: Step 1, Step 2, Step 3, Step 4, Step 5, Step 6 and Step 7.
In February, we worked hard on getting our photos organized: Step 1, Step 2, Step 3, Step 4 and I shared what camera and lenses I use.
And we took a little break from all of the photo organizing to make a quick DIY earring holder:
And we used a great blog tutorial to create our own inexpensive burst mirror which we still totally adore!
In March, we rocked out a Household Binder! Step 1, Step 2, Step 3, Step 4, Step 5, Step 6, Step 7, Step 8, Step 9, Step 10, Step 11 and a wrap up post.
We made a major transformation to our living room and built in some bookcases!
We created a memo/menu chalk board out of an old cabinet door.
We also learned about the proper way to store our medication.
In April, I went through our home and purged like crazy in every room, to make some moola {I was able to pocket some for future projects and snag a flip cam!} and learned that we can really live with less. Entry, Living Room, Kitchen, Bedroom and Bathroom.
In May, we spent the month making over the boys room. We sold the bunk beds which funded the project, painted stripes, added a new light fixture, painted some old frames, and did some organizing projects which gave them a pretty fun space to call their own!
In June we started checking off a bunch of smaller projects off of the list. We added a door to our bathroom cabinet.
We had a garage sale and sold a bunch of our purged items, said farewell to majority of the daycare toys and hauled the rest off to be donated.
The kid's even had fun with it at their lemonade stand.
We added some labeled baskets to our kitchen cabinets to corral some of the smaller items.
And took another stab at the spice cabinet.
I found some great cutlery caddies at Target which I decided needed to be transformed to organize more important things around our home. Like art supplies:
Cleaning supplies:
And our projecting tools:
In July, we really got to town working on the lower level. New floors were in which meant I could start painting and working my magic. I started off in the laundry room by giving it a fresh coat of paint and adding some decorative corbels to the floating shelves we already had.
We tore down a wall in-between an unused sitting nook and walk-in closet in the master bedroom, to create a new giant dressing/exercise room!
A great blog friend came to visit and show me how to no sew some curtain panels!
We had finally finished up painting all of the trim and doors in the upper level and I shared the "how we did it" and before and afters.
In October, I helped a pal organize her playroom:
- Balance the "Big" and "Small" projects more. This year we had a lot of ripple effect from the lower level flooding, which caused us to really continue to move things around and start rebuilding a second level of our home. A lot of focus went into the larger projects {which is still all organizing related}, yet it seemed like last year I really focused on a lot of the smaller, quick and easy projects {which are my favorite}. So, I would like to better balance the two. Make sure that each month I am sharing the quick, fun and little things that can be done to be super organized, along with the bigger DIY projects that we also adore!
- Balance my TIME better. Ugh. For someone who loves to organized, lacking in personal time management is about as bad as fingernails to chalkboard. I have a hard time saying no. With that, I take on more than I can possibly manage effectively. Between style tiles, Etsy orders, projecting, blogging, emailing, facebooking, site updating, guest posting and contributing, picture editing and being that person called, "Mom" and "Wife" and "Friend" and keeping up our life and home.... I don't have two seconds left in my day. And every one of those tasks is lacking in greatness since I am trying to do them all, yet I am only one person. I think we put so much pressure on ourselves to be "Super Humans" and "Super Bloggers" and "Super Mom's" and I fall right into that trap. This year, I am going to prioritize my time, my family's time and make some changes to how much I am taking on. And yes, that means some of my services will probably get cut this year, or maybe I can find a way to expand and hire? Only time will tell.
- New projects! My home has been the main attention of this blog for the last two plus years. I still have a slew of organizing projects that I want to accomplish {the list is always changing and growing}, however, I am sure you and I can both agree that you don't want to spend the next year re-visiting previous projects and watching as I keep moving things around until I get it just right {although you will still see some of that I am sure}. I am going to take a risk of putting my dream "out there" so this year I DO IT! I want to start helping YOU! Right now, my youngest is still home with me for a large part of the day, so I don't have a ton of capacity to get out and start organizing full time. However {and this is just a thought}, I would love to pick a reader each month, to help FOR FREE in person, in exchange for sharing the process and before and afters right here on the blog. That's about all I have figured out, and of course there are all sorts of fine print details that would have to be worked out, but it's in the planning phases and I think it could add a new variety to this blog that I am longing for!
- More YOU! Again, because I am trying to manage my time better, yet I also want to work with you more and keep expanding my shop {big dreams for this gal}, I need to think about how many projects and posts I run that are focused on the things we are doing here. You all have endless talent, I have a slew of Reader Space submissions in the hopper to be featured and I want more! I am thinking of keeping the Reader Spaces {before and after style features}, and adding more "Guest Posts" {tutorial "how to" simple project type features}.
- Emails. I have a confession. I am an email hoarder and sure, I can organize a cabinet, drawer or even an entire room, but my inbox looks like it was hit by a hurricane, tornado and blizzard all at once. It's ugly. It has emails from two months ago that I know I still have to reply to and that eats at me every minute of the day. The hard thing about running this incredible blog and having it grow beyond my wildest dreams, is that I get a lot of questions looking for organizing help. A lot. And the time I have to think up amazing solutions to each one just isn't there right now. Again, it's on the list of priorities to manage better in 2012, however, I had an idea in the meantime. I am going to be filtering through your organizing questions and dilemma's and start answering them via "IHeart Answering" posts on the blog. You know, kill two birds with one stone kind of thing {Where did that awful saying come from anyway? Who would ever want to hurt an innocent bird?} I think that many of you have similar dilemmas and by answering the questions here, hopefully I am helping more than just one person. {Of course, I will always check with you prior to publishing your question and photos}. Unfortunately, this means at this time, that not all dilemma's can be answered {although I will do what I can to try}, but hopefully more will be addressed and more variety in my posting will happen which is a giant win for everyone.
What "goals" do you have for 2012? How do you go about sticking to them throughout the year?
Happy new year to you all. I wish you the most fabulous and fun and safe holiday weekend! I honestly get chills and tears looking back at this year and thinking about the growth that has taken place here, and how much I appreciate every email, comment, virtual hug and picture you "pin". The support I receive here is far greater than I ever could have imagined and you all rock my world. IHeart you!


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The holiday season is right around the corner, and shoppers are crowding stores to buy the latest gadgets and find the best deals. This time of year attracts more shopping-related criminal activity because of the larger crowds and the extended store hours. These factors, and the usual distraction of shopping, create a favorable environment for petty thieves and other offenders.
During this time of year, busy holiday shoppers become careless and vulnerable to other crimes as well. Credit card fraud and gift card fraud are on the rise. However, taking a few preventive measures can increase the enjoyment of the holiday season and its festivities. People have a tendency to let their guard down. Paying attention and taking precautions can help eliminate chances of being victimized.
Sheriff William T. Schatzman reminds shoppers to follow these safety tips:
Shopping Safety
Credit Card Fraud
Gift Card Fraud


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hi gopal how are you
Read More »Simple Ways To Reduce Your Unwanted Wrinkles!
Don't act so surprised, Your Highness. You weren't on any mercy mission this time. Several transmissions were beamed to this ship by Rebel spies. I want to know what happened to the plans they sent you. In my experience, there is no such thing as luck. Partially, but it also …
Read More »


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Maya Society
administrative history
NIC files (hdg.: Maya Society; imprint: Maya Society, at the Johns Hopkins University)LC in RLIN, 8-10-86 (hdg.: Maya Society)
Checklist of Mesoamerican manuscripts, 2003 (Maya Society; est. 1920 in Auburn Hill, Va. by William Gates; dedicated to collection and dissemination of information on Maya languages and culture; published more than twenty publications)
The Maya Society and its work, 1937: p. 3 (est. July 21, 1930 in Washington, D.C.; dedicated to promotion of knowledge and understanding of Indian races of Middle America, past and present, especially the Maya people and their country; publishing and research on topic)
Found in 2 Collections and/or Records:
William Gates papers
Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 279
Scope and Contents
Containts transcripts, printers' proofs, grammars, vocabularies, dictionaries, glyph studies, botanical studies, commentaries, articles, editions of codices, personal correspondence, 44 original manuscripts, imprints, maps, charts, drawings, photographs, notes, memoranda, Maya Society materials, genealogies of Maya families, and Mayan glyphs on moveable type. Many of the items are reproductions. The materials relate to the languages history and archaeology of the Indian peoples of Central...
Found in:
L. Tom Perry Special Collections
William Gates papers
William Gates institutional affiliations, 1912-1940
Identifier: MSS 279 Series 5
Scope and Contents
Contains writings related to Gates' institutional affiliations with the Aryan Theosophical Society, the San Diego Museum, and the Department of Middle American Research at Tulane University. While his work with the Department of Middle American Research at Tulane University was directly related to the study of Mesoamerica, Gates' affiliations with the Aryan Theosophical Society and the San Diego Museum were not related to the study of Mesoamerica.


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Back in July of 2012 I acted on impulse. I do this from time to time, and luckily this impulsive act came with a happy ending.
We had been working endless hours on our home getting ready for our big Better Homes & Gardens magazine shoot. Majority of what we took on included DIY projects, painting, cleaning... and just two weeks before they were going to be in our home, photo equipment in hand, I gazed at my dining room wishing that our dream table was sitting there...
My husband and I had been chatting about swapping out our dining table for a good two years. We had a small budget set aside, and had been playing with all of our options. We even picked up a large round table found on Craigslist that lived in our kitchen for a good six months, waiting to be refinished, before we decided it wasn't right for us. Lucky enough, it was right for another family member.
We looked at the numbers and searched Craigslist for comparable listings to see what tables similar to ours were selling for. We had tried to sell the chairs separately prior, since I like to mix and match pieces, and because we also had recovered the chairs three times already due to the kidlets. They had been sitting in storage for over a year and we didn't have intentions of bringing them back into our home. Instead, we were using temporary espresso wood chairs from our old lower level game table. We were finding that we weren't going to get what we wanted out of the maple chairs, unless we gave in and sold the table and chairs together as a set.
Some of you may be wondering, what was so wrong with our previous table?
The table itself has a special place in our hearts. More on a sentimental level since it was our first furniture purchase when we built our home over eleven years ago. But it was just that, our first furniture purchase. We knew nothing about purchasing furniture, or had any clue about how our family would expand. The chairs were covered in a beautiful ivory fabric and we purchased everything as a set vs. mixing and matching pieces to create a more unique feeling {which I later grew to adore}. Although beautiful in the photo above, the table began to show it's age. It had a maple veneer finish that would easily scratch and ding and wasn't something that could be fixed easily. And at the end of the day, we were just over the Maple. And since it wasn't a real wood top, we couldn't even have sanded it down to refinish it to better please our style.
So, we decided to list it on Craigslist. Surely we would be able to find a table in our budget before the photo crew showed up at our door. No problem.... ha!
Little did I realize that within hours of listing the table... she would be gone....
She sold on a Monday, so we made plans to keep on with the house projects throughout the week and begin our table search on Saturday. Big mistake.
Who would have thought searching for a dining table would be so hard? Especially because we knew exactly what we wanted! And Bryan and I even agreed what style table we were after, which meant is would be even easier to bring one home. We wanted this table:
Oh, but we didn't want that price. $1300 for just the table? I knew I could do better. I was determined to do better!
Seventeen stops it took us before finding the right table. Sun up to sun down on Saturday, we hauled a trailer around the entire Twin Cities area. We looked at high end furniture stores. We looked at thrift and consignment stores. We looked at design centers, more furniture stores and even unfinished wood furniture places. And then we thought we found it. The perfect match to our high end Pottery Barn inspiration table....
We had stopped into the Macy's furniture store and we gazed at this beauty. My hubby was about to hand over the cash, $600 total {now on sale for even less!} But then we got to chatting and they were going to be able to have the table delivered. They didn't have any in stock. So after taxes and delivery charges, the table wasn't $600 anymore. And then the bigger news, the delivery date would be the day before our magazine shoot. And it wasn't even guaranteed. That didn't sit so well with me.
So we told them we would call back and let them know for sure, after we did a little more searching. Our very last stop of the day was a cute little furniture boutique in Minneapolis, called Nadeau.
This store has always been a favorite of mine to check out, as they always have unique pieces and pretty finished furniture for reasonable {and sometimes unreasonable} prices.
Ten minutes before closing, we made it there, and it took me a total of two minutes to find the table! Happy dancing, jumping up and down and squealing are all a few of the things I did right then and there. And even better yet, we could take it home that very day! And even better the table was the best price we had found.
But my husband got cold feet. The table didn't offer any leaves to expand or shrink down. And there were small imperfections in the wood. So he said no. He said, we needed to sleep on it. All of that running and searching and he was making me wait... Ugh! Darn logical thinkers!
So I begged the kind folks at the store to hold it and I promised to let them know right away our decision in the morning.
My hubby and I chatted and chatted and went over all of the pros and cons. The table was the perfect color, match and price. It was available now and it was made of REAL wood. That was my biggest argument. Real wood that could be dented and dinged and scratched and the same dark beautiful wood would be below the surface. Real wood that could be refinished someday. It wasn't veneer and it would have love marks and character over the years of being used by our family.
But my husband was still concerned about the size and the inability to shrink it if we needed to. The full size of the table was the same as the full size of our previous table. Which we only removed the leaves from twice in our years and years of using it. In the end, all of the pros outweighed the single con, and we went back for our new dining room table!
Loooooooove doesn't even describe it.
Her curvy legs, beautiful wood finish.... sigh... it is amazing.
So, now we had our table, but we also needed seating. Again, looking at the inspiration pic, I knew I could do less than $300 per chair for the slip-covered options, so we went to IKEA and snagged four of the Henriksdal.
I know what you are thinking. Am I nuts? Quite possibly, but I am also sure we have already confirmed that a few times over the past three years. White slipcovered chairs while raising three busy boys. I am seriously looking to be punished.
But I refused to believe my kids were messy. And that I would have a problem having white chairs. It was only a matter of time before the white chairs were moved around the home, and the brown espresso wooden chairs were back. But that didn't make me happy. I didn't want espresso wooden chairs and after looking hours upon hours for a suitable replacement, I knew I just wanted my slipcovered chairs back. They were so so comfortable, they were washable and they gave our dining area the bright and fresh look I was after. Plus, I needed something that was cozy since I love to move around my home when I work, and I figured quite a few hours would be logged at the table...
And then it hit me one day. Boooom! Like a ton of bricks! What about a bench instead? So I scoured inspiration pics and I totally loved the look. And the practicality! If we were to use a bench instead, we could fit three bottoms on the bench and bring the white chairs back! Sweet!
I began looking into benches and found a few really great options, and then boom, it hit me again that we already had a bench in our master bedroom that we would toss our pillows and bedding onto at night. So I grabbed it to see how it would fit and look.
It was only meant to be temporary, just to see how it would fit the table and the space. Could the kids all fit on it? What size would we need. Would it look unbalanced or funny?
But it was perfect. Like it was meant to be. And then it happened, ketchup spilled on it the first day. And I wanted to cry. But I grabbed a cloth that I ran under water and quickly wiped up the spill. It came up and seconds later, it was like it was never there. It was magical and I thought... this could work!
And it has! It's been working for a good four months and I couldn't be happier!
The boys like the bench and fit on it perfectly, and if they decide they would rather sit in a white chair, I am at ease since I know they can be washed. In fact, I have only had to wash them once in the past seven months, and they still look great.
The room is used and abused daily, but we love it and adore that it now offers a great compromise of pretty finishes, soft upholstery yet is family friendly and versatile.
Funny how the table completely changed the feeling of the space!
And to really drive the happiness home, the side by side dining table before and after:
So there you have it. The roller coaster, happy ending story of our dining room table and seating.
And for the final budget:
- Table: $500
- Chairs: $360
- Bench: Already owned
- Cash from selling previous table on Craigslist: -$400
- Total: $460
Let's chat. Have you ever been on a wild goose chase for that perfect item that you refused to settle on? Are you a furniture mixer and matcher too? Have you recently discovered that a piece of furniture that has been living in your home for years, would work oh so much more brilliantly somewhere else?


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PHP Community Conference
The PHP Community Conference is
a conference by and for the PHP community. It's for people who care
about PHP and what they make with it.
Inspired by conferences like Webstock
and Brooklyn Beta, we want
to make a friendly conference for us. Together with our friends and
peers, we (Ben,
Lisa, and
Nick) aim to inspire you
to make great things with PHP.
The PHP Community Conference is a two-day event, taking place April
21st and 22nd, 2011 in Nashville, TN. We have an
awesome line-up of speakers,
including a keynote address by Rasmus Lerdorf.
We'll kick things off with a tutorial day that will introduce you
to tools and ideas that you can use in your code right away. The
second day will consist of presentations that will inspire you to
create something new with PHP. With the help of our sponsors, we
are able to offer admission to the entire event for $350 USD. We'll
provide lunch and snacks on both days. On Friday night, we'll
finish off the conference with a party featuring
pecha kucha
talks by our awesome attendees.
For more information and to register, check out our website at
See you in Nashville!


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BRUSSELS—Parliamentarians from Europe and the United States will speak to reporters Wednesday at the Transatlantic Minority Political Leadership Conference.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
1:55 – 2:25 p.m.
European Parliament, ROOM Anna POLITKOVSKAYA PHS 00/A50
On the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the European Union's Racial Equality Directive, The conference has brought together political and intellectual minority leaders to strengthen the transatlantic dialogue on increasing opportunities for minorities, breaking down barriers to political participation, and balancing national security and civil liberties.
Claude Moraes, MEP for United Kingdom
Hannes Swoboda, MEP, for Austria, S&D Group Vice President in charge of relations with the U.S. Congress
U.S. Representative Alcee L. Hastings, Co-Chairman U.S. Helsinki Commission


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Why Should You Depend on Ebby Halliday, Dallas Real Estate When Selling Your Home?
Since 1945, Ebby Halliday has provided outstanding service to our clients and community. With 31 office locations throughout Dallas-Fort Worth and North Texas, Ebby Halliday is the largest independently owned residential real estate company in Texas and the 10th-largest nationwide, selling more homes than any other brokerage in North Texas.
Our award-winning team of approximately 1,750 Associates and knowledgeable Dallas agents remains the highest-rated in Texas as a result of our commitment to client service, continuing education programs, dedication to our industry, and devotion to the communities we serve.
Ebby sales associates will greatly enhance the sale of your home. In the United States, 90 percent of homes are sold by real estate agents, and agent-listed homes sell almost twice as fast as owner-sold homes. Our knowledgeable and experienced Dallas agents do all the work for you, eliminating the hassle and uncertainty of the by-owner selling process. With Ebby Halliday, your home will receive unparalleled exposure. Ebby is a household name; homebuyers all over North Texas come to us first when planning a move. Major corporations depend on our well-known Corporate Real Estate Services Department - the area's largest - to secure housing for their employees during corporate relocations.
Our award-winning website receives approximately 22,000 visits a day. We market your home in the very best media. Ebby Halliday is a founding member of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® (LeadingRE), the largest and highest-selling real estate network in the nation, comprised of 500 firms with 3,500 offices and 120,000 associates in nearly 50 countries worldwide. Additionally, our company is an advisory board member of Leading RE's Luxury Portfolio International®, which markets luxury homes in 30 countries, with an average price of over $2.4 million.
Dallas homes for sale listed with Ebby will be syndicated to our partner companies, and media outlets worldwide, and it will appear on the best address in real estate... ebby.com. Listing with Ebby Halliday brings the real estate market to you.


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While I was enjoying my ossobuco tagine , the whole wheat couscous that I served it on reminded my of quinoa and that sent mind down the path of using quinoa in a Moroccan style dish. At first I was thinking of just serving a tajine on some quinoa but why not add the quinoa directly to it so that it has more time to absorb all of the amazing flavours?
After the large holiday meals I wanted to go with something a little on the lighter side and since Spring has not blessed us with fresh local produce yet, I went with butternut squash which is still available. To that I added chickpeas which when combined with the quinoa would provide an ample amount of protein. Next up was a blend of warm spices, a touch of heat from some harissa, some sweetness from honey and raisins, some saltiness from olives and some brightness from cilantro and homemade preserved lemons .
I still felt that the meal was missing something green so I served it topped with sauteed swiss chard and a dollop of cilantro yogurt. I could not help but be reminded of a burrito bowl which led me to use try the leftovers in burrito form which along with a bit of crumbled feta was another great way to enjoy this dish.
Moroccan Butternut Squash, Chickpea and Quinoa Tagine
This butternut squash and chickpea 'tagine' with quinoa has an amazing blend of spices, flavours and textures.
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 tablespoon garlic, grated
- 1 tablespoon ginger, grated
- 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
- 2 1/2 cup vegetable broth, or chicken, or water
- 1 (19 ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 tablespoon harissa
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1/4 cup raisins
- 1/4 cup olives, coarsely chopped
- 1/4 preserved lemon, pith removed and diced
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cut into bite sized pieces
- 1 handful cilantro, chopped
- Heat the oil in a pan.
- Add the onion and saute until tender, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add the garlic, ginger, turmeric, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper and saute until fragrant, about a minute.
- Add the quinoa, broth, chickpeas, harissa, honey, raisins, olives, preserved lemon, salt and pepper, bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for 10 minutes.
- Add the butternut squash and continue to simmer, covered, until tender, about 10 minutes.
- Mix in the cilantro and remove from heat.
Moroccan Roasted Carrot and Chickpea Quinoa Salad
Moroccan Chicken Tagine with Olives and Preserved Lemons
Moroccan Nectarine and Plum Chicken Tagine
Baby Artichoke Heart Quinoa Risotto with Shrimp and Meyer Lemon Pesto
Butter Chicken Burritos
Black Bean, Corn and Quinoa Picadillo Tacos
Roasted Butternut Squash and Sausage Tortellini
Cuban Picadillo
Chickpea, Spinach and Herb Stew


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Is Lending Club Safe To Invest In – Benefits of a Gold IRA Rollover
Is Lending Club Safe To Invest In
You want your retirement fund to last, and the only way to do that is to ensure your investments are the best. Most people use paper-based IRAs, and they have served many people well. However, the various problems with paper-based IRAs are becoming more apparent, and many seniors are forced to take up part-time or full-time jobs to continue to support themselves. If you want your retirement to continue peacefully, then you need to consider a gold IRA and precious metal IRA. Is Lending Club Safe To Invest In
Problems with Paper IRAs
You might be wondering why paper IRAs are bad if so many people are choosing them. The problem with paper-based IRAs is that the investments rely on risky and volatile financial vehicles. Banks and financial advisors promise security, but the truth is that the stock market is known to wildly fluctuate. A single recession can come along and wipe out your entire retirement fund. Or, times can change and your investments might rapidly lose their value.
Benefits of Precious Metals IRAs
The much better choice is gold and precious metals for your IRA. While precious metals do fluctuate in price, like all other investment vehicles, the fluctuations are largely stable and rising. Gold, for example, has consistently increased in value for the last 10 years. All of the other major precious metals, such as silver and platinum, have followed the same curve.
This means that your retirement fund should increase throughout the years, and this should give you enough money to live on without having to resort to taking a new job.
Not only that, but precious metals have two main benefits that paper-based investments can't imitate: limited quantities and evergreen uses. Paper-based investments aren't really limited by anything. More stocks can be created, and the value of your individual stocks and investments can dramatically decrease in value. Also, some people have lost all of their money because they invested in niches that used to be exceedingly popular, but then rapidly died.
Is Lending Club Safe To Invest In
There is only so much metal on the planet. This ensures that, even as more metal is found, that your investment will not lose value. The investment won't be watered down because there will always be scarcity. Precious metals are also used for too many things to lose their value.
You can refer to any real-time spot gold pricing chart online that shows you exactly what I'm talking about. Just set the date for 10 years back, and see for yourself how reliable gold investments really are.
Gold is used for computer parts, platinum is used for certain car parts and silver is used for conductors and dentistry. Even if these uses go away, all precious metals are used for jewelry, and they have been used as currency for thousands of years. Compare that to paper-based investments, which have only been around for a few centuries.
Changing Your IRA
If you have an IRA set up by your employer, then you likely have a paper-based one. These are the default IRAs that financial firms create for employees, but it isn't that difficult to change your IRA from paper to metal. It's usually easier to change the IRA once you leave the job or retire, but you can make the change right now if you want.
Speak with your employer and get the name of the firm you are working with. Contact them and tell the financial advisor that you want to change your IRA from paper investments to precious metals, called a "gold IRA rollover". The advisor will give you all the proper forms that you need to change your IRA.
If you have a 401k, you can also move that money into a gold IRA.
What Metals Can I Use?
Most IRAs limit the type of precious metals you can hold in your IRA because these are the most stable metals, and because they are the most valuable. You can typically hold gold, silver and platinum in your IRA, but they need to be of a certain quality.
Gold needs to be 24 karat, and the gold must have an approved refiner hallmark. However, the one exception to this is US Gold Eagle coins, which are 22 karat. Silver coins and bars are permissible if they are 99% fine or higher. Platinum, which is the most valuable metal in terms of per-ounce price, must be 90.9% fine or higher.
Consider a Gold IRA Rollover Now
You could wait until you change your IRA, but it's best to do it now. Precious metals are only going to increase in value and price, and you need them now to get the most benefits for your gold IRA. If you want a comfortable retirement, then put some serious thought into a gold IRA rollover today.
Few people think about retirement because it's a scary time. You don't want to work anymore, but you also don't want to worry about your financial situation. If you want the most stability in your later years, then it's best to change your paper-based IRA to a precious metal one. Precious metals are more valuable, stable and they have evergreen uses. You need to take your retirement into your own hands by choosing the best gold IRA rollover for your future.
Nash Ryker is an "industry insider" to gold investing, and enjoys helping others profit wildly from gold and precious metals.
Don't make any decisions about investing in gold or precious metals until you read our free Gold Investing Kit and learn the included need-to-know secrets from insider experts. To get free access to our Gold Investing Kit, just visit [http://investinpreciousmetals.org/Free-Gold-Kit]
Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Nash_Ryker/1447829
Is Lending Club Safe To Invest In
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7370336


text: Trout Unlimited worked with the Bureau of Land Management to create planning tools to assist them in 1) identifying key areas for meeting population objectives for aquatic species/communities and habitat objectives, including the conservation of high aquatic biodiversity areas that are relatively intact and restoration opportunities within important biodiversity/species areas that are degraded, and 2) providing consistent guidance and data for addressing aquatic dependent resources with the Resource Management Plan process and for evaluating action or project proposals. To meet these needs, TU modified its watershed-scale assessment tool, the Conservation Success Index, to specifically accommodate factors of interest to the BLM such as climate change and BLM special status species, and modified the Meadow Restoration Fish Assessment Tool for evaluating limiting factors for project assessment. Reports and web pages for accessing these tools: Freshwater Assessment Report (pdf) Freshwater Assessment Report – Appendix A (pdf) Freshwater Assessment Report – Appendix B (pdf) Freshwater Assessment Report – Appendix C (pdf) Freshwater Assessment webmap Freshwater Species Database (via CDFW BIOS) TurboFAT User's Guide (pdf) TurboFAT


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Mrs. Scope: "I have a few questions about this."
Cash register girl: "Sure. Why don't you step over to the counseling window for privacy, and the pharmacist will be right with you?"
Mrs. Scope: "Oh, for crying out loud. You just handed me a humungous plastic Golytely container. Unless everyone else in line is blind, they've figured out what I'm having next week."


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UFC.com's Philip Ferraro takes a look at the career of Michael Bisping before his pivotal UFC on FX7 bout on January 19 against Vitor Belfort
There was a time when Michael Bisping - who fights Vitor Belfort on January 19th in the main event of UFC on FX 7 in Sao Paulo, Brazil - didn't know what to do with his life. He'd dropped out of an electrical engineering course and worked a series of blue-collar jobs. But when he committed to MMA in 2003, the working-class kid from Manchester, England found some much needed direction. In 2006 he reflected on his humble beginnings, saying, "You always think you're going to be great and you're going to do things, but then I got in my early 20s and I was quite disappointed. And if I was being realistic, my life was going nowhere really. And it was going nowhere fast and I wasn't getting any younger."
See Bisping's fights
After going 2-0 as a pro, Bisping fought Mark "The Beast" Epstein, a standout UK fighter. Just 24 years old and unpolished, "The Count" received a baptism by fire after he was dropped by a punch in the first round. But the resilient Bisping rallied back to win by second round TKO. Bisping then went on a tear on the UK scene, going 10-0.
The UFC beckoned.
In 2006, Bisping earned a spot as a light heavyweight on The Ultimate Fighter 3. Part of Team Ortiz, he gave fans a glimpse of two of his defining qualities: his work ethic and occasionally sharp tongue. Bisping had an opinion or two about some of his fellow contestants, but he was never distracted from the task at hand. His efforts were rewarded as he finished both his opponents to enter the finale, where he TKOed Josh Haynes in the second round for a UFC contract. Watch fight
After a first round TKO victory over Eric Schafer (watch fight), Bisping was matched against Australia's Elvis Sinosic in 2007 (watch fight). Against Sinosic, Bisping encountered his first moment of real adversity in the UFC's Octagon. The Brit was dropped by a knee in the second round, and soon after Sinosic nearly secured a kimura. But Bisping's determination and superb conditioning make him a hard man to finish. He quickly roared back to TKO the Aussie at 1:40 of round 2. Bisping was challenged once more in his next fight against fellow TUF 3 contestant Matt Hamill. While elite wrestler Hamill had been a novice to MMA on the Ultimate Fighter, he showed new striking skills and scored on the feet against "The Count" in a close three round fight. The judges awarded Bisping the decision, causing a sizeable outcry from the fans. But he remained undefeated.
At UFC 78, Bisping faced his toughest test yet in the undefeated Rashad Evans. Anticipation grew as the two engaging characters traded verbal barbs in the weeks before their fight. But Evans prevailed, scoring takedowns on the Brit repeatedly for a split decision victory. Bisping had his first loss.
The loss sparked a move down to middleweight for Bisping, who wanted to avoid being outsized. His 185-pound debut against Charles McCarthy was preceded by another entertaining war of words, but "The Count" scored a first round TKO victory. After a win over Jason Day (watch fight), he took on exceptionally tough brawler Chris Leben. In a disciplined performance, Bisping demonstrated the cerebral side of his game. He refused to be drawn into a slugfest with Leben, choosing instead to stick and move en-route to a unanimous decision victory.
Watch fight
In 2009, his successful run at middleweight earned him a spot coaching The Ultimate Fighter 9 against legend Dan Henderson, and a fight against the former two-division PRIDE FC champion. (Watch TUF season) Not surprisingly, squaring off as opposing coaches bred plenty of hostility between the two. In the second round of their bout, Bisping walked into a massive Henderson right hand that sent him crashing to the canvas. Henderson followed up with another right for good measure, but Bisping was already out cold in one of the most brutal KOs in UFC history. Bisping's title aspirations lost steam, and fans wondered whether he could recover from the loss. Watch fight
Bisping's chance to prove he could bounce back came in the form of a 2009 match against Denis Kang, a long time top international fighter. Kang caught "The Count" with some heavy shots early, but Bisping weathered the storm. In the Fight of the Night winner, he came back harder in the second round to finish Kang with strikes, putting an exclamation point on his return. Watch fight
Bisping was then matched against another legendary fighter like Henderson in the form of Wanderlei Silva. It was another tight bout, but the Brazilian narrowly scored the decision win. Bisping's title run was stopped in its tracks.
But once again, Bisping came back better. The Brit won a decision over tough Dan Miller (watch fight) and the highly touted Yoshihiro Akiyama (Watch fight) in another bout that won Fight of the Night honors. At UFC 127 in February of 2011, he took on fellow contender Jorge Rivera, and before their fight, Rivera released a series of videos poking fun at "The Count." Bisping, a fighter who wears his heart on his sleeve, soon fired back with harsh words of his own. It was the most bitter in the long line of Bisping's feuds, and he addressed his colorful pre-fight history, saying, "I've got a rep for talking smack, and I'm not saying I don't talk crap here and there, but I've never started anything first. Look at my career and you'll see guys like Dan Miller, (Yoshihiro) Akiyama, nothing but respect all the way."
Bisping's emotions were obvious in the fight, which turned controversial after he stunned a downed Rivera with an illegal knee. Bisping went on to overwhelm Rivera in the second for a TKO victory.
Bisping reprised his coaching role on The Ultimate Fighter 14 opposite Jason "Mayhem" Miller. There were plenty of heated verbal skirmishes. But Bisping is a man who fights best when angry, saying in 2011, "In my opinion, I think I fight better when I'm - for want of a better word - pissed off. So for me, that does help. I'm emotional in and out of the ring, and before and after a fight I'm emotional, but generally when I'm fighting, I'm very, very focused and I'm focusing on what needs to be done as opposed to doing anything silly because of letting my emotions get the better of me."
Miller had a solid first round but soon tired out. Bisping poured on the pressure as he battered "Mayhem" for a round three stoppage.
Bisping again found himself close to a title shot when he fought Chael Sonnen in January 2012. In another agonizingly close fight, Sonnen's takedowns and control were enough to give him the win in the eye of the judges.
Bisping was forced to rebound from another frustrating defeat, and face a dangerous opponent in knockout artist Brian Stann on September 22, 2012. Bisping, once little more than a striker, showed off the skills he's picked up in close to 10 years in the game. He repeatedly scored takedowns on Stann to earn a unanimous decision victory.
Bisping has had several near misses, but never quite strung together enough wins for a title shot. But he's stayed determined and continuously improved. In 2011, Bisping reflected on his time in the UFC saying, "I've been in the UFC for five years now. A lot of good fighters don't last that long. And I've had to go from pretty much a UK-level striker to a well-rounded fighter while competing in the UFC. A lot of TUF winners have struggled in the UFC. Compare their records to mine and you'll see while I've not achieved all I want to in my career, I'm not doing badly overall."
In Vitor Belfort, he fights an extremely dangerous contender. Belfort is an experienced knockout artist with fast hands and excellent grappling. It's hard to predict the outcome of the fight, but it's easy to predict how Bisping will show up. He's always in shape and he's always game. Now a father, Bisping once worked menial jobs for little pay. A 2011 quote from "The Count" makes it clear why he works so hard.
"It's been the best ride of my life. I remember (UFC President) Dana White saying some things when we came off The Ultimate Fighter and it's fully lived up to everything he's said and far exceeded it. Being part of the UFC family, I'm so proud and so happy with my life. I'm a lucky man. I get paid well, but I truly love my job. I love being a part of the UFC, I love being a professional fighter, and I love the rewards that it gives to me and my family. So it's unbelievable."
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