text:
We continue to try to get the best out of our soil at the farm, but for some plants a heavy silt loam is never to their liking. Such is the case with some of our herbs. When we were in Upstate New York we seem to remember one tarragon plant growing as tall as your head in their sandy soil and being enough for the whole CSA. Our plants do not do as well, to say the least.
So we are building a raised bed for some of these herbs, in an attempt to make them happier. The soil mix we are trying is roughly 1/3 sand, 1/3 compost and 1/3 topsoil. A little wood ash, a quick mix, and voilà, an herb garden.
The other factor that helped us decide to try this out is that we are cleaning up an old pile of building stones from behind the barn as part of our farm beautification. These wonderful limestone blocks came from our barn's old foundation wall that was replaced in 2004. While there is only a limited amount of stones, we may build another raised bed if this one proves beneficial.
Here is the stop action video of the project. A higher resolution version is available on YouTube
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Building a Raised Herb Bed
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text:
Heroin Addiction & Recovery Support Group
Heroin is a highly addictive drug with severe withdrawal symptoms that can start as soon as hours after use of the drug stops. Withdrawal symptoms include extreme sweating and achiness, nausea, vomiting, cramping which causes "kicking," chills, and more. If you are struggling with a heroin addiction, there is help. Join the group and get support.
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Trying to move on!
I just want to thank everyone for their support during such a hard time. Unfortunately my bf lost his battle with heroin and it took his life on thursday. What a horrible fight to lose. Rehab wasn't enough and there wasn't much time to keep fighting. He got out 2 weeks to the day prior to his death. But he tried so hard. Keep fighting the battle is the only advice I can give. Don't let the drug win! Now I am left picking the pieces by myself but I can honestly say every moment was worth it in the end and I never turned my back on him. i'm glad I never gaved up. He knew how much I loved him and he gave me so much in return I am not disappointed or mad at him for leaving me. I am so proud he tried!! I love my KC and I will continue to love him everyday. I never would've made it through without all of you who listened and helped. My prayers are with all of you!!!
Hi Love132...I am so sorry to hear about your partners passing...It's with sadness to hear he didn't win this battle...May he Rest In Peace and watch over Us All...My condolences to You for standing by him ...
I pray for you in your time of sadness & grief...
God Bless You and hold you Strong...All My Love...Jah
I pray for you in your time of sadness & grief...
God Bless You and hold you Strong...All My Love...Jah
so sorry to heat this my best friend is just going through the thid time of trying to give up heroin hes just smoking at the min but i think he is injecting and the thought of losing him is unbearable, u are being really strong and knowing tht you have neva turned your bk on him i hope will help u through your grieving.have you any advice on how to handle the situation and ways to approach his using?will b thinking of u!
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subset: commoncrawl


text:
Uncle Bull
I adore my Uncle Bull. He is exactly like my grandfather Poppop June, the one we're both named for (who went by June and not his actual name either. I'm the only one with this damned name who actually uses it). Poppop June died 11 years ago. He was a truck driver and had a produce stand for years. Uncle Bull paints trucks and is a grass roots political activist. He's been written up everywhere and has been on the national news and is semi-famous, at least around here. In Millpond, he's extremely famous. Now he's thinking about getting into politics, but I don't think he has the most pure past, so I shudder to think what could happen if he really ran. Also, he has a BBQ business - the Slap Your Eyeball Catering Company.
Uncle Bull's divorce was final last week and I only just found out his wife had left him. My first reaction was "thank heavens." No one liked his wife Debbie. Debbie was awful and I'm glad she's gone, although the marriage was quite brief. The last Christmas I was up here, I think in '04, they got engaged. It was incredibly romantic. Uncle Bull looks like Santa Claus, except without a beard, so every year for the past decade he's been Millpond's Santa. He wears a fake beard.
Now in addition to being Santa, a political activist, a truck painter and a meat smoker, Uncle Bull is also a cat rescuer. We are a cat family. Everyone in my family has cats and rescues cats and loves cats, so I come by my cat fanaticism honestly, but Uncle Bull has surpassed me, my mother, Aunt Kiki and even Memere Marie in the cat department. He can not resist a stray cat, and definitely not a pregnant stray cat so he always has kittens around. He usually has upwards of about 15 to 20 cats. Sometimes more. Rarely less. He names and adores and would live and die for every one of them.
Well, this one Christmas - the Christmas he got engaged to Debbie, he was asked to deliver some Christmas kittens, dressed as Santa Claus, to two poor little girls who wanted nothing more than kittens for Christmas. Uncle Bull checked out the family and then delivered the Christmas kittens on Christmas Eve dressed as Santa and the little girls learned that miracles really can happen on Christmas. I was deeply touched by this story. Debbie had to drive him and park down the road so the little girls wouldn't see the car. Uncle Bull even got up on their roof with a string of sleigh bells and tapped around up there like reindeer. He really played it up. Anyway, when he left and went back to the car, he told Debbie to get out that he wanted to show her something. Then, dressed as Santa, he got down on one knee, opened up the ring box and proposed. Now how romantic is that?
But that's not all.
We were all waiting back at his house for them and when they got home there were more surprises. Uncle Bull asked Debbie to go out in the garage and get a frozen goose out of the deep freeze because he wanted to show my mom what he'd shot the week before, but this was just a trick. When Debbie went back to the garage she found a brand new convertible just for her with a big, red bow on it.
Then we all celebrated. Debbie had known we were all coming over but she didn't know she was getting engaged or getting a car that night. She had cooked and Uncle Bull had cooked and Debbie had made the most fantastic dip I've ever had in my entire life. It was some kind of hot, spicy, melted cheese, shrimp dip kind of a deal that you dipped Fritos in. I just about ate the entire pot. This was the best dip I had ever had. I could not get enough of this dip. It was like licking God. I had to have the recipe.
"Debbie, this is the best dip I've ever had, could you please give me your recipe?" I asked.
"No," she replied, "I don't give out my recipes."
I was appalled. I thought to myself, how is this bitch going to get a diamond and a new car, not to mention my uncle, all on the same night and then act all uppity about her damned shrimp dip recipe? Fuck her.
I hate people who won't give out their recipes. Something is seriously wrong with people who keep recipes secret. There's no good reason for it and the only reason I can come up with is ego. She wouldn't want me to make her recipe and take credit for it, but Jeez, I live in Florida a thousand miles away for Pete's sakes. If I'd made it and someone asked me I'd certainly say the recipe came from my uncle's wife. But who cares? I guaran-damn-tee you that she did not make that recipe up. In fact, I am certain of it because after years of searching I found the recipe and it's right here on Cooks.com and is called Zippy Dip. So there. Now all y'all can make it. Except this recipe calls for canned shrimp which we all know is an absolute abomination. Use fresh cooked, deveined, chopped and chilled shrimp instead. Or better yet, chop up some lobster meat, then die and go to heaven. No, but for real. Make the dip. The jack hole who wrote the recipe calls it chili cheese, but they mean pepper jack.
So anyway, that whole thing made me not like Debbie as much as I wanted to. Then, later on when we were having our traditional Christmas Eve, french people Catholic dinner of seafood gratin Memere and Debbie got into it over some breadsticks. I don't remember exactly what could have happened here, but they got into an awful disagreement over breadsticks which neither ever got over. To this day they can't stand one another and it was all over breadsticks.
Now can you imagine a woman who has just gotten engaged and gotten a new car with a red bow on it being this rude over petty things to the family she is about to marry into? It was definitely a red flag.
I didn't even get to the Christmas sweaters. Debbie could have been the poster child for Ugly Christmas Sweaters. Really, I have to be truthful here. It wasn't just Christmas sweaters. Debbie had coordinated matching outfits for every holiday. She had Halloween, Valentines and St. Patrick's sweaters too. I think I saw a picture of her once in a Fourth of July shorts set, but mostly Debbie was famous for her large collection of Christmas sweaters (and vests). The woman looked like a walking Christmas tree. She even had sweaters with real lights on them and full scale ornaments hanging from the collar and sleeves. I don't know about you, but I just have a really hard time with garments that blink and/ or jingle. Her sweaters were a bit intense for my tastes and the thing is, she wasn't trying to be funny. She thought her Christmas sweaters were legitimate fashion statements. Her felt vest with velcro gingerbread men and small plaid pockets filled with real mini candy-canes was a piece of art.
Things went downhill pretty soon after the wedding. I don't know what happened, but what I heard is that she took off with some man from DC and moved to Northern Virginia, but felt bad so she decided to stay married to Uncle Bull so he could still get health insurance benefits from her work. They had to split up the cats. That must have been a mess. I bet that tore up Uncle Bull way more than his separation from Debbie. I wonder how they decided who got which ones.
I just remember that after Katrina, Uncle Bull went on a rescue mission to Mississippi and New Orleans and there was a news story about him and in the news story there he was, driving a tractor trailer with a cab full of cats in crates because he couldn't bear to be away from them and decided to bring them along, because the first thing any displaced hurricane victim wants to see is a man with a truck full of bottled water and screaming, peeing, terrified cats in cages. But that's the kind of man Uncle Bull is. The kind who'd take his cats along in a truck on a relief mission, and you just have to love him for it. I do. Debbie, apparently, didn't.
I think she was ungrateful. I also think he's better off without her.
Recently he started dating some new woman who decided that since she is religious that she wouldn't give up the goods for Uncle Bull until he got a real divorce. I don't know the new honey, but I kind of have to side with her. I wouldn't date a married, separated man who was staying with someone for health insurance either. Uncle Bull did the right thing though and went ahead and got his divorce. A week later he decided he didn't really want to date the new woman, so now he's single and only has half his cats. My cousin Beau (his son, the line man) moved back in with him and brought his girlfriend and to my knowledge they didn't bring any additional cats.
So now Uncle Bull is single again and tomorrow and the next day he's on Santa duty. When I called him he got all soft and sweet with me and said he'd love to make me some ribs and pork and he might even smoke some chicken too.
"I'll be over a little later because I gotta be Santa," he said.
"For kids?" my mom asked in the background.
"No," he said, "For grown women. I get 'em to sit on my lap and then I show 'em my candycane."
Because that's the kind of man he is.
20 comments:
- Wide Lawns said...
Oops, I just realized I wrote something that sounds like a discrepancy. Earlier I wrote that Uncle Bull promised to make BBQ (he did), but then I wrote that I had to call to ask him to make BBQ.
Let me clarify.
I had to REMIND him to make the BBQ and I had to ask for specifically what KIND of BBQ'ed meat I wanted.
Ribs and pulled pork, if you were wondering.
- Talula said...
I can't stand it when people don't share recipes either. I figure the joy of food is in sharing it. My Grandmother had a fantastic recipe for butter tarts, but she would never share. We found it after she died but can't seem to make it the right way. It kills me!
- Not tellin' you my name ... said...
This made me naze my beer ... "and then I show 'em my candycane."
Next time someone won't share a recipe, just kick 'em.
- KT said...
I have the same problem with a Christmas pastry that my grandma never gave out the real, complete recipe for and that my dad absolutely loves. Now it drives us all crazy every Christmas because my mother and I are on a mission to find out what exactly is wrong with the recipe we have, and my dad is forced to eat sub-standard pastry. Merry Christmas, indeed.
- Christi Lee said...
Ooooh! I love you!
I am SO going to make that dip and I am going to put it on toasted sourdough. Yummy!
I have a pulled pork recipe that you can make in a crockpot, seriously. It is sooooooooo good on taco shells by its self and you can also just add bbq sauce and call it a day too!
- Sixteen Chickens said...
"the first thing any displaced hurricane victim wants to see is a man with a truck full of bottled water and screaming, peeing, terrified cats in cages"
This made me laugh so hard all the jingle bells on my holiday sweater went off.
Love the zippy dip. Can I make a suggestion though? Add roasted green chiles (can you tell I'm from Texas?) to it. Anaheim or pablano will work equally as well. Amysuehere
- booda baby said...
Dit and to on that non-sharing recipes thing. As a listless cooker (at best), I rarely ask for a recipe except as a kind of courtesy. Which makes the refusal to share even MORE weird.
Debbie will burn in some kind of hell. I hope. I know that's not a very 'tis the season' sentiment, but I mean it anyway.
- Emily said...
Not sharing recipes? I can see if you're you're running around on the cooking competition circuit or something, but otherwise, that just seems silly. I've even been offered recipes by chefs at restaurants if I've asked (not that it ever tastes as good when I make it at home).
Uncle Bull sounds like someone I've love to hang around with.
- Michelle said...
We could all use an Uncle Bull. You are very lucky!
Enjoy your Christmas BBQ!
"No," he said, "For grown women. I get 'em to sit on my lap and then I show 'em my candycane."
HAHAHA, I love Uncle Bull...he sounds just like my brother who refers to himself as Uncle Buck!
- JoeinVegas said...
mmmmm, good pulled pork .. the one place here that made it went out of business. Ah well, that's what I get for living in the big city (but we do have Starbucks)
- Laura said...
The jackhole who posted the Zippy Dip recipe also forgot the unit for the pepper jack -- 1/4 what? 1/4 pound? 1/4 cup?
Ok that's it... I had to stop at "Slap Your Eyeball Catering Company" out of fear of peeing in my pants... Where do you come up with that stuff?
But just like a junkie, I'm going back for more!!!
- Ambitious Blonde said...
That dip sounds awesome! I might have to make a batch for the Christmas Eve gorging and gift exchange at my mom's tomorrow.
Also, Uncle Bull sounds like a one in a million guy. The fact that he took his kitties with him to do hurricane relief work makes me smile.
It's all your fault I braved a completely crazy grocery store a half hour before they closed for the ingredients to make that dip. It really is like licking God, especially when you substitute lump crab meat that's been broken up for the shrimp. Utterly sinful and delicious.
- Andromanche said...
Dude. "Jackhole"? What the hell kind of cuss word is that? Does saying that count as swearing? Or is it like saying "darn" instead of "damn"? I like to consider myself a connesseur of swearing as only a seventeen-year-old can be (I've studiously memorized the contents of my local high school's bathroom walls, and I've been lying about my age on the internet since I was eight), but I think you guys have been holding out on me. Or maybe it's just Millpond?
- Wonderland Chronicles said...
Thank you, thank you, thank you Wide Lawns, for commenting on my very first post! It really means a lot to me.
I think I love your uncle.
But I'm much too young for him I'd imagine.
- Michelle said...
Thanks for stopping by and suggesting I try the zippy dip for my party. I am not a sea food fan but my husband is so I will give it a try!
Thanks again :)
About Me
- Wide Lawns
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text:
Saturday, June 29, 2013
The Story Of My Life With Plenty Of Strife!
The fish in the tank swims back and forth.
I guess it is a thing from up north.
You know that doorknob looks shiny.
But it is rather tiny.
My boss is snoring today.
My sister ran away.
Can you believe that?
It really surprises the cat.
I heard something else too.
That there is a new panda in the zoo.
Isn't that just the best thing ever?
I so like a saving species endeavor.
Do you have a favorite animal at your place?
One that you really like to embrace?
Feel free to tell me if you wish.
If not I'll go back to watching fish.
I seriously apologize for this being too long.
Things are just so wrong.
I just need to vent,
Here at my tent.
Did you know that guy over there,
Likes to sit and stare?
I hate his glare,
Those eyes move as a pair.
I guess that is obvious right?
Maybe I should vent on Twitter tonight.
If you follow me there,
I thank you from my lair.
My parents are away too.
They went to Timbuktu.
At least there is lots of sand.
A giant litterbox is grand.
Did I mention its been 5000000 days?
Doesn't that just amaze?
I like a pat on the back.
Just don't cause a panic attack.
And that is my thoughts for today,
Here at my bay.
I hope you liked it.
Now I have to go for a bit.
The cat just had to get that off his chest. Isn't telling all everything the best? Even if it is made up at my sea. No wonder Waffles does it all the time at his tree. Of course all in fun under my sun. But if Waffles wants to sass, feel free to do so to my little rhyming ass.
Fill your rummer, get drunk all summer.
93 comments:
- Replies
No competitors todayDelete
Lazy they are at mybay
The Cat got it off his chestReplyDelete
One for the road at his behest
No holds barred
Pitching it hard
He'll turn on hoping for the best
That he willDelete
At his hill
With a pitch
That may twitch
Or maybe thrill
Always get to let people knowReplyDelete
what is happening at your show
getting things off one's chest
sometimes makes one feel best.
Timbuktu would be the place to go
to take good pictures for a show.
I wonder how long the fish will last
how long it will be before their lives are past.
You might check Poetics out today
I am tending bar at the dVerse Bay
I bet you would have a lot to say
as Disney character are the subject today!Replies
haha oh that would be funDelete
To give a disney run
Could knock them all down
Here in rhyme town
And I can sure be a pest
Getting things off my chest
I tend to vent at my tentReplyDelete
Some of us just share our dents and bents
We like you to know our woes
Aren't you lucky Joe's
Lucy from Lucy's RealityReplies
yeah oh so luckyDelete
To find out one is ducky
Oh so fun
When a rant is run
I guess cat time and dog time are the same - much longer than people time.ReplyDelete
Now, get that cat some nip.Replies
Yeah much longer indeedDelete
As they wait at their feed
i rather like new lifeReplyDelete
and ending extinction strife
o am afraid to take my cat to the beach
as there would be a protocol breach
poop in the sand and stepped in, or picked up by hand
as if a shell, oh hell...good job on your recovery
from catnip, later today i hope to nip a napReplies
Nip a napDelete
I'll do that at my map
LOL eww to thinking it is a shell
That is surely not swell
Always good to ventReplyDelete
under you screen tent
let it rip from your lip
glad you conquered the catnip
I've been thinking of doing
the twitter thing at my show
so I can catch up on the go
while drinking a cup of joe
A favorite animal, you say
I only have one at my bay
a beautiful bird on display
she likes to sing & play
I will pat you on the back
will not cause a panic attack
I promise not to smack
as I have a gentle knack
PS..by birdie laid another egg this morning
what is going on with her this makes two
in her zoo
Have a great day at your seaReplies
The cat may smack thoughDelete
As he runs to and fro
And another egg you say
Is she getting fertilized at your bay?
When you are away
In the males come to play lol
And the Twitter thing can be fun
But it is another time suck under ones sun
I hear what you say twitter may be funDelete
but, do I have the time under my sun
I work all day and sometimes at night
always, something to get done
My birdie has no mate perhaps,
she needs a date, but then
I would have more playmates
as little birds come & flap
Have a great day Pat are you packed yet???
going to a grad party today
having a drink since it is summer
maybe, even meet a drummer..lol..
Yeah no the feelingDelete
With my wheeling and dealing
But I factor it in
To sell at my bin
There you go
Bring a drummer to your show
Maybe he'll have a bird
Then all will being doing, what's the word? lol
Hey Pat and his crazy cats..Delete
party is done no drummer to be found
nor no hummer in sight, what a bummer...
haha ohhh mind went to the gutterDelete
hummer with butter?
naughty cat take that mindDelete
out of the gutter..I was
talking about a 4 wheel
haha or it could have been someone humming a tuneDelete
Under the moon
But the gutter is fun
Give it a run
oh, I like that someone humming a tuneDelete
under the moon, that would surely
make me swoon..
A hummer and not a drummerDelete
Maybe he's a strummer
Catnip withdrawal is a terrible thing.ReplyDeleteReplies
Yes it is so badDelete
Going through it at my pad
I often think about all catsReplyDelete
Perhaps their life would drive me bats
But who am I to judge their day
I work and work but not for pay
Today I visited Yeamie's blog
Positive and young, he keeps a log
If Cat watches fish go round and round
My Puss sees birds as they peck the ground
My life must seem dreary as I dig in the dirt
I should be like Robyn and give guys a flirt LOLReplies
LOL could pick up one or tenDelete
There at your den
Just go on plenty of fish
Could get your wish
Or just scary or three
On that trust me haha
I'm hoping Mr. feels so much better, and that catnip will be his reward for being brave enough to share.ReplyDelete
Happy weekend to the cats (and Pat too). :)Replies
haha the cat nip he may get back one dayDelete
Should his addiction go away
I wish there was a panda at my zooReplyDelete
just boring animals with the crewReplies
Yeah they are nice to seeDelete
Swinging from a tree
I have a favorite animal at landReplyDelete
I find all of my dogs just grand!
We think you are one evil cat
so stay away from our mat
or we will have to make you pay
just stay at your northern bay
Happy Saturday, Pat!!Replies
Pfft they too go to the beach and crap in the sandDelete
And they don't even bury it and need a hand
great mutts they are
Pfft why would I want to come to your bar
There are already loads of canadians there
It would just be like my lair haha
You sent them all down to my shoreDelete
I can have peace no more!
I'll find some quiet sand
and take back my land!!
Haha good luck with thatDelete
I'll send armies to your mat
Life as a cat is not as easy and carefree as it seems. :)ReplyDeleteReplies
No not at allDelete
Have to run down the big hall
I'd love to go on here and give you some sass but I don't want to see that rhyming ass! I feel like I've been buried here haha, very accurate and hilarious parody, oh the hilarity. I'd love to write an attack back maybe as a rhyme, maybe I'd be in level with you if I wrote a line. Apologies for my comment length, I know my blog does the same but that's just the Yeamiewaffles game ;) Love you really Pat.ReplyDeleteReplies
This was really cuteDelete
and now you're famous, to boot!
Having a whole post about you
and the way you blog, it's so true! :)
hahaha go ahead and give a retortDelete
The cat can take it at his court
The parody had to come due
as you joined the rip off week crew
Betsy already had one or three
So she wore off that luxary
A cat's life is rougher than one would think.ReplyDeleteReplies
Really roughDelete
That catnip, litter and stuff
I knew it was Waffles right off the batReplyDelete
You really nailed him, Pat!
hahaha....very clever
in your endeavor!Replies
haha got him downDelete
After all his rants at his town
pssshhh...if your boss snares, take the chance and sneak out of the office and have some fun in the sunReplyDeleteReplies
haha and then get firedDelete
Rather stay in and be tired
- AnonymousJune 29, 2013 at 2:04 PM
Telling all everything is surely the bestReplyDelete
For some it's fun, others...it's hard to digest
But the cat should really take a nap
Has to be tiresome, trotting all over the map
I guess that should matter
Anyways, the cat knows betterReplies
The cat knows what to doDelete
Here at his zoo
As he runs across the map
Still finding time to take a nap
I did twitter for two secondsReplyDelete
Then cuppa tea and toast beckoned..Replies
Yeah the best thing to doDelete
Ignore it at your zoo
That's way toooooooo long to goReplyDelete
Without catnip at your show
No wonder you want to vent
You need more treats under your tent
Haha :)Replies
Yeah they are so in needDelete
Catnip Pat should feed
Ha..ha...I thought I recognize all the ranting awayReplyDelete
Matthew, he does rant away in his bay
But people cope with real life in different ways
for me, I will take ice cream and while the time away ~
Have a good long weekend Pat ~Replies
Time away works tooDelete
But dairy is scary at my zoo
Ah....you talented feline, once again your rhyme had shine. Hope you got much off your chest and your feeling your best.ReplyDelete
Much is offDelete
But I'll still scoff
No NipFest is ever the best! My favorite to watch is a bunny, but it doesn't hop backwards. Hey, I don't know if I am following you on twitter or not, the memory fails!ReplyDeleteReplies
haha doesn't hop the wrong wayDelete
Screwed up at ones bay
Who knows at my sea
As I have two one for pat and one for the kitty
Hi Y'all!ReplyDelete
To think your folks left for Timbuktu and left you with no nip! How cruel!
Y'all come by now,
Hawk aka BrownDogReplies
So cruel indeedDelete
Need to speak to them at my feed
Hi! Pat hatt, Miss Priss, and the Cat...ReplyDelete
I'm so sorry to read that you didn't have catnip at your bay for 5000000000000 days. Ha ! ha!
By the way, I tell you know lie, but I think it for the best that you don't have any catnip for now because it will only make you high!
Go Here To Find Out Why--->
Nor do you want to lose your mind like this cat while having a good-time... lol
Cat Goes Crazy Over Cat-nip
deedee :)Replies
Bah crazy is funDelete
the cat doesn't mind doing that under his sun
I'm a Chinese Crested Powder Puff, named Indy.ReplyDelete
Too bad, my mom, Tracy isn't named Cindy.
But she loves to cuddle with me,
Unless she gets stung by a mad bee.
Great post cat,
Now get Pat.
Have a great summer Pat, I'll be back in September.
Tracy :-)Replies
Running awayDelete
For the summer at your bay
Watch out for a bee
Could sting thee
I'm a Chinese Crested Powder Puff, named Indy.ReplyDelete
Too bad, my mom, Tracy isn't named Cindy.
But she loves to cuddle with me,
Unless she gets stung by a mad bee.
Great post cat,
Now get Pat.
Have a great summer Pat, I'll be back in September.
Tracy :-)Replies
How nice
Sometimes when I came to your landReplyDelete
I finish with a terrible headache
try to understand and I know Im not in my land
and I think what hell make me always come back??:)))Replies
Poor cat. Your owner is such a slacker. So far ahead on his blog posts, crankin' out books, but can't find the time to buy you some catnip?ReplyDeleteReplies
Yeah slacker and cheapDelete
What a creep
My dogs want to know if they can rant too. It's been that many days since they got to chase the "red dot" laser here. They were definitely getting addicted! Hope you get your stash of nip back soon :)ReplyDeleteReplies
Yeah he can rant awayDelete
There at your bay
Need that light
Fun to take flight
Letter ripReplyDelete
and don't pay no zip
to what anyone tinks
'cause it sure stinks
when the weed
is for freed
from the baggy-O!!!Replies
haha getting all highDelete
Then the cat will surely give ranting a big try
Tell Pat he can grow you some catnip and you will never run out again. Come on Pat... put some fun in this cats life.ReplyDeleteReplies
haha can grow it you sayDelete
I guess I will have to get him to do that at my bay
I spilledReplyDelete
the coffee on laptop,
I got the ticket
for speed up,
I cooked
not right food-
What a waste of product...
When someone gets
the things awkward
its means there
Mercury retrograde
or maybe black cat
crossed the road...Replies
Damn that is a bad dayDelete
But sure blame a cat at your bay haha
Nice to know everything's fine at your bay.ReplyDeleteReplies
Fine as can beDelete
With little old me
That's entirely too long to go without catnipReplyDelete
Perhaps there's some kitty liquor for you to sip?
That might make the time pass faster
But it might displease your masterReplies
Yeah a drunk catDelete
Somehow I don't see Pat allowing that
Poor cat, going through withdrawalReplyDeleteReplies
Just a little bitDelete
With this fit
Can't even count that highReplyDeleteReplies
Well that could be a perkDelete
Makes me smirk
can't wait til i get a dogReplyDelete
then again, i won't even jog
withdrawls from catnip or any type shakes
is high stakes
a turd in the sand not a friend to the hand
timbuktu poo or any type stew
it all depends on the coat over at my boatReplies
The coat you sayDelete
No turds on display
Will keep it off
A dog? I won't scoff
I have no catnip at my bayReplyDelete
But the rabbit steals all the corn away
The birds give the neighborhood kitty things to do
And she likes chasing grasshoppers tooReplies
She can sure chase awayDelete
And may even get a meal at your bay
You're enjoying summerReplyDelete
Winter here is a bummer
I wish I would emigrate
for my cold months of fate
Wish i could tooReplyDelete
When winter here comes due


text:
Monday, January 17, 2011
Performer's Top 5 Elements for an Excellent Performance At Any Stage
4. Blinded By the Light - stay in the lights, where the audience can see you, your costume, your moves, etc.
3. Breathe. Before you go out and during - get the oxygen flowing!
2. Engage. LOOK at your audience, not the ceiling, not the floor, not unfocused somewhere else.
1. HAVE FUN. As in, look and feel like you are enjoying what you're doing. I'm not talking about being happy-go-lucky, plastered smile, I'm talking, if you want to perform, then LOOK it. Cause otherwise, why are you up there?
Posted by Tempest at 1:06 PM
Labels: performance tips bellydance
2 comments:
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


text:
- About Us
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Home > Press > CombiMatrix Corporation Reports First Quarter 2009 Financial Results
CombiMatrix Corporation (Nasdaq:CBMX) today reported financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2009. Key highlights for the first quarter and through the date of this release include:
* 166% increase in diagnostic lab revenues from Q1-2008 to Q1-2009
* 22% sequential increase in diagnostic lab revenues from Q4-2008 to
* Ten consecutive quarters of diagnostic services revenue growth
* Scott Gottlieb, M.D., former Deputy Commissioner of FDA, joins our
Board of Directors
* Leuchemix clinical trials progressing well
* Positive data on the Company's Comprehensive Cancer Array test
currently in development
"Our diagnostic business continues to grow as we have expected, and progress is being made on our Comprehensive Cancer Array, a non-invasive cancer screening test," stated Dr. Amit Kumar, President and CEO of CombiMatrix Corporation. "Now with the recent financing, we have substantially strengthened our balance sheet and we look forward to the additional capital we will receive, once we are able to collect our $36 million judgment against National Union," concluded Dr. Kumar.
Operating Results -- Three Months Ended March 31, 2009 and 2008
Revenues for the first quarter of 2009 were $1.5 million versus $1.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2008 and $2.0 million in the first quarter of 2008. First quarter 2009 revenues were comprised of $525,000 in government contact revenues, $288,000 in CustomArray(r) product, equipment and service revenues and $727,000 in diagnostic lab revenues. First quarter 2008 revenues were comprised of $1.1 million of government contract revenues, $647,000 of CustomArray(r) product, equipment and service revenues and $273,000 in diagnostic lab revenues.
Operating expenses for the first quarter of 2009 were $5.6 million versus $5.5 million in the comparable 2008 period. Operating expenses included research and development and marketing, general and administrative expenses of $1.1 million and $2.8 million, respectively, versus $1.3 million and $2.1 million, respectively, in the comparable 2008 period. Included in these amounts were non-cash stock compensation charges totaling $791,000 in the first quarter of 2009 versus $333,000 in the comparable 2008 period.
Net loss for the first quarter of 2009 was $6.1 million versus $3.4 million in the comparable 2008 period. The 2009 results included $513,000 of interest and amortization charges associated with the Company's $8.5 million secured convertible debenture, versus $0 in interest charges in the comparable 2008 period. Also, non-cash derivative mark-to-market charges associated with the convertible debenture were $1.5 million versus $0 in the comparable 2008 period.
Financial Position
Total assets were $30.9 million as of March 31, 2009 compared to $34.5 million as of December 31, 2008. Cash, cash equivalents and available-for-sale investments totaled $5.9 million as of March 31, 2009 compared to $9.1 million as of December 31, 2008. Of the $9.1 million of cash and investments at December 31, 2008, $1.5 million were held in certain auction rate securities, all of which were redeemed at par value in early January 2009. During the first quarter of 2009, we repaid our line of credit of $820,000.
On May 1, 2009, we closed an $8.25 million offering of our common stock and warrants, with net proceeds to us after placement agent fees and other costs of $7.57 million.
First Quarter Business Highlights and Recent Developments
Strengthened Leadership Team
* Former U.S. Food and Drug Administration Deputy Commissioner Scott
Gottlieb, MD, joined the company's board of directors in January
* In April 2009, Dr. Karine Hovanes joined our wholly owned
subsidiary, Combimatrix Molecular Diagnostics, Inc. (CMDX), as its
Laboratory Director. Dr. Hovanes is a Diplomat of the American
Board of Medical Genetics in Clinical Molecular Genetics and
Clinical Cytogenetics and is also licensed in New York and
California in both cytogenetics and molecular genetics. Dr. Hovanes
joins CMDX from Laboratory Corporation of America, otherwise known
as LabCorp.
Product Updates
* In December 2008, we introduced our first prostate cancer array-
based test. This test complements a growing portfolio of array-
based diagnostic tests and is based on key peer-reviewed studies
that identified several genetic tumor markers that enable a more
precise stratification of the risk profile of cancer patients.
* In February 2009, we announced preliminary data on our
investigational Comprehensive Cancer Array test showing it can non-
invasively screen for the early detection of prostate, colon,
ovarian, breast and lung cancers simultaneously. The results were
presented at Cambridge Healthtech Institute's 16th International
Molecular Medicine Tri-Conference held in San Francisco.
* In March 2009, we announced that the Agency for Health Protection
and Promotion in Ontario, Canada had independently verified the
function of our Influenza-Detection system during the 2007-2008
influenza season.
Partnership Updates
* In January 2009, CMDX entered into a new partnership with Lenetix,
a New York-based diagnostics laboratory, to co-market CMDX's suite
of CGH array-based tests. These include the industry leading BAC HD
Scan(tm) test, the most comprehensive test for characterizing
genomic causes of childhood developmental disorders. The BAC HD
Scan test can identify over 290 genomic causes of developmental
disorders and is routinely used in postnatal genetic diagnostics.
* In January 2009, Leuchemix, Inc., in which we hold a one-third
ownership interest, provided additional information regarding the
initial clinical trial of its novel anticancer drug LC-1. The
initial trial is being performed at Cardiff University in the
United Kingdom under the supervision of Professor Alan Burnett.
Work from Professor Burnett's laboratory has also demonstrated that
LC-1 may be valuable for in-patients that respond poorly to
conventional therapy.
* In March 2009, we executed a four-year contract with NASA's Ames
Research Center to design and test a microfluidic system that i
incorporates CombiMatrix's semiconductor microarray as part of an
integrated genetic analysis platform that can be deployed in
satellites. Funding to us for the first year of this program will
be $214,000 with three option years at similar funding levels.
CombiMatrix will host a conference call at 1:30 p.m. Pacific Time (4:30 p.m. Eastern) today to discuss first quarter 2009 financial results.
To attend the presentation by phone, dial (866) 939-3921 for domestic callers and (678) 302-3550 for direct dial or international callers. All callers will need to provide the participant code 5954922 or reference "CBMX Earnings Call" to enter the call. To listen to the call via CombiMatrix's website, go to www.combimatrix.com, in the Investor/Events section, (investor.combimatrix.com/events.cfm).
A replay of the presentation will be available for 14 days, either via the CombiMatrix website Investor/Events section (investor.combimatrix.com/events.cfm) or by dialing (866) 939-0581 for domestic callers or (678) 302-3540 for direct dial international callers. When prompted enter PIN 4804300#. At next system prompt, dial "4" to listen to a previously recorded conference. When prompted, enter confirmation number 20090424413188#.
The call will also be webcast live and can be accessed at CombiMatrix's website at www.combimatrix.com, in the Investor/Events section, (investor.combimatrix.com/events.cfm).
About CombiMatrix Corporation
CombiMatrix Corporation is a diversified biotechnology business that develops proprietary technologies, including products and services in the areas of drug development, genetic analysis, molecular diagnostics, nanotechnology and defense and homeland security markets, as well as in other potential markets where our products and services could be utilized. The technologies we have developed include a platform technology to rapidly produce user-defined, in-situ synthesized, oligonucleotide arrays for use in identifying and determining the roles of genes, gene mutations and proteins. This technology has a wide range of potential applications in the areas of genomics, proteomics, biosensors, drug discovery, drug development, diagnostics, combinatorial chemistry, material sciences and nanotechnology. Other technologies include proprietary molecular synthesis and screening methods for the discovery of potential new drugs. Combimatrix Molecular Diagnostics, Inc. ("CMDX"), our wholly owned subsidiary located in Irvine, California, has developed capabilities of producing arrays that utilize bacterial artificial chromosomes, which also enable genetic analysis. CMDX functions primarily as a diagnostics reference laboratory. Leuchemix Inc. ("Leuchemix"), a minority owned subsidiary, is developing a series of compounds to address a number of oncology-related diseases. Leuchemix's first compound has entered initial clinical trials.
Additional information about CombiMatrix Corporation is available at www.combimatrix.com or by calling 1-800-985-CBMX (2269). Additional information about CMDX is available at www.cmdiagnostics.com or by calling 1-800-710-0624.
Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based upon our current expectations and speak only as of the date hereof. Our actual results may differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements as a result of various factors and uncertainties, including the recent economic slowdown affecting technology companies, our ability to successfully develop products, rapid technological change in our markets, changes in demand for our future products, legislative, regulatory and competitive developments and general economic conditions. Our Annual Report on Form 10-K, recent and forthcoming Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, recent Current Reports on Forms 8-K and 8-K/A, and other SEC filings discuss some of the important risk factors that may affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. We undertake no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason.
COMBIMATRIX CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (In thousands, except share and per share information) (Unaudited) CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION March 31, Dec. 31, 2009 2008 --------- --------- Total cash, cash equivalents and available-for-sale investments $ 5,948 $ 9,105 ========= ========= Total assets $ 30,932 $ 34,534 ========= ========= Total liabilities $ 11,820 $ 10,488 ========= ========= Total shareholders' equity $ 19,112 $ 24,046 ========= ========= CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS Three Months Ended March 31, ------------------------ 2009 2008 ---------- ---------- Revenues: Government contracts $ 525 $ 1,069 Products 257 575 Services 696 283 Collaboration agreements 62 62 ---------- ---------- Total revenues 1,540 1,989 ---------- ---------- Operating expenses: Cost of government contract revenues 495 1,014 Cost of products and services 657 405 Research and development expenses 1,131 1,345 Marketing, general and administrative expenses 2,769 2,083 Patent amortization and royalties 346 361 Equity in loss of investee 250 249 ---------- ---------- Total operating expenses 5,648 5,457 ---------- ---------- Operating loss (4,108) (3,468) ---------- ---------- Other income (expense): Interest income 10 100 Interest expense (513) (1) Derivatives charges (1,521) -- ---------- ---------- Total other income (2,024) 99 ---------- ---------- Net loss $ (6,132) $ (3,369) ========== ========== Basic and diluted net loss per share $ (0.97) $ (0.56) ========== ========== Basic and diluted weighted average common shares outstanding 6,320,644 5,997,087 ========== ==========
For more information, please click here
Lazar Partners
Media Contact:
Mark Sahl
(646) 871-8485
CombiMatrix Corporation
Investor Relations Contact:
Amit Kumar, Ph.D., President & CEO
(425) 493-2000
Fax: (425) 493-2010
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Issuers of news releases, not 7th Wave, Inc. or Nanotechnology Now, are solely responsible for the accuracy of the content.
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text:
It's actually more simple than you guys would think to get to get the hacks, just follow these steps
1. go to http://Community.wikia.com/Special:MyPage/global.js
2. Create a blank page and paste (source mode)/* Monchomans chat hacks */ importScriptPage('User:Monchoman45/ChatHacks.js', 'c');
3. Then save the page
4. And now depending on what browser you use, clear the cacheInternet Explorer: hold down the Ctrl key and click the Refresh or Reload button, or press Ctrl+F5. Firefox: hold down the Shift key while clicking Reload; alternatively press Ctrl+F5 or Ctrl-Shift-R. Opera users have to clear their caches through Tools→Preferences Konqueror and Safari users can just click the Reload button. Chrome: press Ctrl+F5 or Shift+F5
5. Now wait for a few…
Read more >
Hi guys! I found a video of the episode Tri-Stone Area. It's not the whole episode and the recording isn't the best. The video might be from India. Apparently, this guy couldn't record the whole thing XD, so consider this a minibyte. Please enjoy the 18 second video!Read more >
Hello everybody and welcome to my first blog, I open this space to discuss what will be different this season. Season 2 established the formal relationship between Jeremy and Candace and also her degrading friendship with Stacy. Her obsession rose to a new level on season 2. Ferb got more aquainted with Vanessa as well. Which is the route this show will take us next?Read more >


text:
Thank you CEE team for sending the complete first wave of The LEGO Movie sets to PhLUG. Being able to open something directly from LEGO is so exciting!
MetalBeard's duel is truly an eye-catching set. Let's see if this set can live up to its expectations. This set costs $34.99 USD (approx. Php 1600), and around Php 3200 locally. Here's what LEGO Shop at Home has to say about the set:
Take on the mighty Micro Manager in MetalBeard's Duel!
Arrr, me hearties! MetalBeard lost his body parts in a previous battle with Lord Business, but has rebuilt himself from old ship scraps to become more powerful than ever. Now, the giant Micro Manager is challenging him. Grab the pirate sword from the holster on his back and fire the cannons on his left arm. Protect his prized parrot and the treasure chest containing his body parts, and act fast before the Micro Manager fires missiles and grabs the construction foreman with its claws. Includes 3 minifigures: Skeletron, Robo SWAT and Frank the Foreman.
- Includes 3 minifigures: Skeletron, Robo SWAT and Frank the Foreman
- MetalBeard features arm cannons with ammunition, a pirate sword and holster, a shark arm, turning waist and hips, and poseable arms and legs
- Also features the Micro Manager with opening hatch, poseable legs, big feet and claws
- Pirate accessories include flags, a rudder, guns, smoke from the chimney, an anchor, binoculars, monoculars and a parrot on a flagpole
- Unlock MetalBeard's treasure chest to reveal his bones
- Capture the civilians with the Micro Manager's claws
- Flip out the Micro Manager's flick missiles and prepare to fire
- Grab MetalBeard's huge sword and prepare for battle
- Protect MetalBeard's treasure chest of body parts!
- Watch The LEGO® Movie to see all your favorite characters in action
- MetalBeard measures over 7" (18cm) high, 2" (7cm) long and 8" (22cm) wide
- The Micro Manager measures over 6" (16cm) high, 3" (10cm) long and 3" (9cm) wide
The box is really really glossy, which is really nice. The box is also square, not something you get from LEGO often.
The back also shows some cool features like MetalBeard's chest of remains includes a sausage, dual cannons that shoot, the shark being able to eat Skeletron, and the Micro Manager's that's openable.
Opening the box gives us 3 numbered plastic bags which makes everything easier to build and an instruction manual. This set has NO stickers!
This set comes with an impressive number of new and hard to find pieces.
(Piece names are hyperlinked to their BrickLink Reference Catalog)
Slope 18 2 x 1 x 2/3 with 4 Slots in Dark Orange only appears in this set.
Chain, 5 Links Flat Silver only appears in one other set that's not being sold in stores anymore.
Hero Factory Weapon - Blade with Curved Tip in Flat Silver only appears in 3 other sets.
Minifig, Utensil Toy Winder Key in Flat Silver makes its first appearance in a "box" set after only appearing in the CMS series.
Tile 1 x 1 with Keyhole Pattern only appears in this set (you get an extra too)!
Boat Ship's Wheel with Slotted Pin in Reddish Brown has only been released in 6 other sets, mostly being huge pirate ships.
Plate, Round 4 x 4 with Hole in Pearl Gold is only available in 4 other sets.
Slope 65 2 x 2 x 2 with Bottom Tube in Dark Orange is only available in 1 other set.
Plate, Modified 2 x 2 with Groove and 1 Stud in Center (Jumper) in Dark Red is only available in 4 other sets, all of which are not for sale anymore.
Slope 45 2 x 1 Double / Inverted - with Inside Stud Holder in Dark Brown makes its debut in this set.
Brick, Modified 2 x 3 x 2/3 Two Studs, Wing End in Dark Brown also makes its debut here.
Bar 12L with Open Stud, Towball, and Slit (Boat Mast) in Black is only available in 5 other sets.
Boat Anchor - Two Top Holes in Black is only available in 5 other sets.
Shark Body with Gills in LBG is a new mold for it, which makes it easier to stick onto plates below. It's only available in one other set.
All the minifigures included here are exclusive to this set. Frank the Foreman is a pretty neat figure to add to your construction workers, he sports new leg printing and torso printing with chest hair! The Robo SWAT included is only available here and in a polybag yet to be released. The first wave of TLM sets has a total of 7 Robo SWATs, so you can build a little army of them. The last minifigure we have in the set is Skeletron, this is the first time we get a skeleton in Light Bluish Grey which will definitely be useful for MOCers.
|Helmets removed.
|Back Printing
The set comes with one of the two biggest Micro Managers as the first build. It looks like an ATST+Borg Cube+Flick-fire missiles.The Micro Manager told me that he always wanted to be an ice skater, but Lord Business has "better" plans for him.
The flick-fire missiles are able to fold down from the sides of the Micro Manager, which gives it added functionality especially for kids.
The head of the Micro Manager opens through the use of hinges, so you can fit in a Robo SWAT fig. "I think I got it - but just in case: tell me the whole thing again." It doesn't make sense, why put a robot driver in a robot that can already operate on its own?
|Side View
|Back View
His hands are actually able to hold a minifig, pretty tight too.
Mechs are cool, aren't they? This Mech is amazing and so full of fun little features and details. This also reminds me of the Steampunk genre, which the designer/s captured good enough. They even got him to have a peg leg. He's not as poseable compared to other recent mechs due to his peg leg, but he can still get a good pose.
|His beard is awesome, it's a modified 2x2 plate. Although not an ideal part to use in something else, I'm positive someone will make something epic using this piece.
|Apparently, the contents of his chest are his remains. His remains are a sausage and a bone. Wait... What did I just read? A Sausage?
|He's got a shark on his arm!
|On the other hand (no pun intended), he has double barrel cannons ready to shoot Skeletron down. Extra ammunition are on the Pirate Wheel.
|His back has a clip where you can attach his super cool sword. You can also see here where the anchor is put into, it swings freely as well.
|Here's the sword scabbard in action
I'll give this set a 5 out of 5. There might be a few problems with this set, but most of them are really not that noticeable and have easy fixes using the extra parts from the set. The minifigures are really detailed and are exclusive too. MetalBeard on his own is EPIC. Having a Micro Manager for him to duel with just makes the set even better.
So if you really like the set, or even just MetalBeard, go buy the set! If you don't like the set at all, it's still a good buy because it has many rare and hard to find pieces. Did I mention it doesn't have stickers? So this set is for everyone! Thanks for reading! -David :D
Other Reviews:


text:
So, I wouldn't class myself as a 'follower of fashion' (whatever that means) – generally I find that 'bright' and 'quirky' are tags I get most about my wardrobe – much more high-tops than high heels and rarely out without a flower in my hair.
But I do like tattoos and I've had my face pierced twice (not including my ears!) So when I saw that the Horniman Museum in Dulwich, South East London, had a temporary exhibition called The Body Adorned (part of London fashion week) I thought I'd pop along…
I really enjoyed the exhibition and came out thinking much more about how and why we chose to wear what we wear.
Looking at London, the exhibit looks at modern street styles to show how the city's population uses fashion to establish their place in society. (Who knew fashion was so psychological) It was a multi media exhibition using film, photography and clothes as exhibits and was curated by young people to show how fashion reflects personality.
It also showed how historically- the exploration of the globe and the movement of people, objects and ideas have all helped to shape fashion, for example tattooists, nail bars and piercing shops are all a visible, everyday part our cityscape but originated overseas.
Now logically, I know that tattooing has come from pacific islands and other cultures – in fact, one of my tattoos was done using bamboo in Thailand (to fulfill the cliché I was also quite intoxicated, sssh don't tell my mother) but seeing centuries old tattooing equipment brought home to me how much our culture is made up of borrowed ideas which we incorporate into our own.
The exhibition also featured a film installation by The Light Surgeons looking at the judgments people make on clothing and appearance, and a photography exhibit which had asked 'is there a London look?' Each photo was so different that it made me appreciate the diversity of the population. There is no single 'London look' and that is the brilliance of living here.
I feel so fortunate that I am not confined to dress myself according to my sex, cultural or religious customs. I love my tattoo's – which I also feel are an expression of myself. And despite my Mum crying every time – I have total freedom to look exactly how I want to look. I could walk down the street in a crocodile onesie or shave my head and rock a ballet tutu if I wanted.
I am not making a huge political statement about other cultures and dress, only that grateful that I'm not made to conform to anything… now where did I put that onesie?
Ladies and gentlemen – be thankful for your freedom of expression.
More soon.


text:
It was quite a process getting started: many afternoons J would come home to find me tangled in a ball of yarn on the couch, determined to figure out a stitch. I watched videos, read books, solicited lessons from my mother-in-law.
I was amazed to learn that knitting is, essentially, the art of tying knots. A hand-knit scarf is just hundreds and hundreds of tiny knots strung together.
A week from today, Avram will celebrate his first birthday. How is that possible? In many ways, it seems like that magical day I saw him for the first time was actually decades, centuries ago. Another lifetime. But it also feels like it was just yesterday he was trying solid food for the first time, or starting therapy, or sitting up on his own. He has magically transformed from a little slug baby into this tiny person.
This has, hands down, been the best year of my life. How could I have possibly known how much love my heart could hold for a small, stinky baby? There are millions of moments from the past year that I wish I could have bottled up and stored away to have forever.
But at the same time, this has been the hardest year of my life. I have never cried so hard, worried so uncontrollably, feared so deeply, slept so little. We have become well acquainted with doctors, hospitals, health insurance customer service representatives, medicines...emergency rooms.
I am trying to believe that the worst is behind us, that there are good things before us, that this year has only left Avram stronger and his future brighter...his story richer.
I am choosing to believe that the hundreds of tiny knots, the twists and tangles, are being woven into something beautiful; that they are not the whole story. When a blanket is hand-knit, every inch of thread has to pass through the knitter's fingertips, and I am choosing to believe that not one second of this past year has fallen from the Knitter's hands.
It may seem like chaos and pain to us now, but I am choosing to believe that He is taking all these knots, all this mess, and knitting us into something beautiful.
"If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dan, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast.
If I say, 'Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,' even the darkness will not be dark to You; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to You.
For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well."
Psalm 139:9-14


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I am excited to create new fall items to add to my my shop. I will be making a fall banner or two and some Thanksgiving decorations.
This year's Thanksgiving Decorations are going to consist of the true color palette of Fall: hues of green, orange, yellow and brown.
I've included some pictures that have been an inspiration for my Thanksgiving decoration line.
Corn picture is from the blog Abergailia.
Leaves/trees picture is from We Heart It.
Tablescape picture is from All You (magagzine).
Wreath is from Red Robyn Lane.
Leaf painting is from The Joy of Color.


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Saturday was a nice, sunny day. We had a total of 8 people arrive and look around. All but one found me by following the signs; the one had picked up a map all the way down in White River Junction and drove up to find me. I met and chatted with some wonderful people.
Sunday was chilly, damp, and dreary. Two people stopped by after the church across the street let out, and two more came through around 3pm - that was it for the day. Very disappointing.
But, as there can be a silver lining to most everything, I met a woman who fell in love with a pair of gloves I had made. She did not have the cash for them, so we worked out a barter instead. She had a large rabbit cage, which is something I was looking for. My Angora rabbits are now happily in their winter (inside) home, while her hands are toasty warm!


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How beautiful are these?
Mistresses friend planted these as a welcome to her house.
We went for a walk through the woods to the north of Witherslack &ended up in this meadow. Lots of good smells & space for me to run around. So I did!!
This is the view to Pool Bank. Two rather nice houses for sale but mistress they were out of her price range. Pity, I could live next to a field like this no problem.
Look! Plenty of room to run!
So we're back to blog. When I'm not catching up on my sleep that is. It's a dogs life you know.


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The most ridiculous debate ever. Purely academic and nothing to do with the case in question. I refuse to pontificate on such pointlessness.
It's "skon" just for the record.
It all started with an oozily crushable bunch of white grapes that I had in the fridge. Half of them had been devoured, the rest were on the shelf, a little too squidgy to eat as they were, but still edible. If you don't catch fruit at its zenith then at least there's a few day window in which to do something about it before it plummets nadir-bound. And why break with age old traditions? If you can't eat them, preserve them.
Grape jam doesn't seem to exist in Britain, but Americans are no strangers to the concept of grape jelly, yet that sweetly dark goop was not what I had in mind. Recipes for what I did visualise (something palely beautiful, if you must know) sounded laborious - "skin all the grapes...boil the mashed flesh...then chop up the skins and add them once the grapes have cooked down". No thank you. But does one really need to find a recipe? No, one just needs to think about the principles of conserving fruit and work with them.
As a general rule, jams tend to consist of equal weight of fruit and sugar and rely on the pectin in the fruit itself or an added source of pectin to make it set to a dense consistency. In terms of sugar, fruit spreads like (the highly recommended) St. Dalfour which do not add any cane sugar use grape juice to sweeten the product instead, so it was not a far stretch to think that making a jam from grapes would be sweet enough and probably not need such a high amount of added sucrose. In terms of pectin, the less ripe the fruit, the higher the pectin content (as the fruit ripens, the pectin is converted into sugar) so my overripe grapes probably needed some help to transform into a glossy, viscous mass. I wasn't sure how well a 'setter' grapes would be anyway but remembered my mum always adding lemon juice to her jams if she knew they needed assistance in such matters. However, I didn't have any to hand - the only thing I could muster was a standby bottle of lime juice. I believe apple juice also works too but I didn't have any there and then. Lime is fine and it would seem that you don't need to add so much that it ends up flavouring the result.
Being the maverick that I am (ahem), not content with bringing just a grape jam into this world, I felt it necessary to embellish it with a complimentary ingredient. With the flavour of being somewhat delicate, it had to a be similarly exquisite substance, and as the pairing with elderflower is old old old, what more fine a flavouring than rosewater?
With the jam made, my busy hands and busier brain were still not sated. This jam on a plain old bloomer? I think not. No, something had to be created in its honour. Something that would not carry it, but elevate it to the top of the cake stand.
There is no more lovelier vessel for a daub of jam than a scone - but not just any scone, a cake-like biscuit born entirely for the purpose of partnering that jam alone. Your run of the mill raisin scone will hold strawberry Bonne Maman just dandy, yet spread with mine: grape overkill. What would work, I thought, would be an apple scone. And it did.
The quantities for the grape jam here are doubled, since my paltry 250g of fruit yielded barely enough to half-fill a slim little jar, but just work out the ratios based on what you have (if it is just 250g of grapes it still makes enough for a whole batch of scones). I'd feel sad if you specifically went out to buy spankingly new grapes just to make jam with. There's a reason why this process became a method of preserving and it's got nothing to do with newly picked/bought fruit (unless it was an excess, of course).
The scone recipe is oh-riginal too. Bake them now, thank me later.
Grape and Rosewater jam
(yields one 350g jar)
- 500g ripe/overripe white grapes
- 3-4 tbsp sugar (depending on ripeness - the riper the fruit, the less sugar you need)
- 3 tbsp rosewater
- 1 tbsp apple juice
Apple Scones
- 225g self-raising flour
- 50g strong plain flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 40g cold unsalted butter
- 50g sugar
- 1 egg
- 1/2-1 Cox's apple, chopped into 1/2 cm pieces (depending on how appley you feel)
- 50ml milk (or thereabouts)
- extra beaten egg (optional)
Sift together the flours and salt into a bowl, and add cubes of the fridge-cold butter to the mixture, crumbling it all together until breadcrumb-like. Add the sugar, and then the beaten egg, stirring gently but comprehensively to combine. Fold in the apple and then, dribble in a little milk at a time, thoroughly turning the mixture with a spoon after each addition, until the whole thing comes together as a sticky dough - you might not need to use all the milk, so it's best to add it gradually instead of ending up with a soggy stateful mess (which is easily remedied with a little flour - but try not to get locked into the whole "needs more flour...oops, there's too much flour now, it needs more milk" loop because it will affect the resulting scones).
Place the bowl in the fridge for half an hour and go do something nice. Or wash up, if you feel you really have to. Once the dough has rested, preheat the oven to 200°C. Place the mix on a flour-dusted work surface and roll/pat out until about 1 inch thick. It may not look like you can do it, but you can squeeze roughly eight 5cm shapes out from this quantity. Inspired by Tesco's finest scones I decided to cut mine square, but it's all about self-administered pleasure here so do as you wish. Although 5cm doesn't look like much, once baked, they puff and swell to a pleasingly perfect size. If you want big scones, make them that way though - you glutton, you. If you are using egg wash, then now's the time to do it. If you are somewhat of a perfectionist, make sure you only brush the top surface with the egg. Place on a baking sheet, making sure each has room to grow, and bake for 15-20 minutes. They should rise proudly and although they appear lumpy and dense, are very much the opposite.
With the stupid phonetics out of the way, what is a more pertinent question is whether you layer yours with jam then a good mound of Devon clotted or whether you ardently champion cream then a fat splodge of jam. A poll on nicecupofteaandasitdown suggests that jam should be applied first, with thickly set cream spread on top. Not one to go against the grain, I agree and that's how I had mine. Best served in the park. Or in the Ritz's Palm Court where they hold their Afternoon Tea. They might not be too happy with you bringing your own food in, though.


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As rumors go around about a Liberal-New Democrat merger, it is important to keep to the main issues. While such a party merger would be controversial, and might end the left wing vote split, it isn't something that we can confirm or control. However, Canadian's tax money is being mismanaged and this issue isn't going to slip under the table due to a lack of media coverage. However, for any kind of justice for a billion of our dollars wasted, is it really worth watching the moves of the opposition? Shouldn't we be pressuring the government to NOT waste OUR money?
Take back your democracy, have the guts to make your voices heard. This is Canada, not a dictatorship. We pay taxes to fund our social programs that aid Canadian families and are the envy of the world, not for major tax cuts for companies who abuse their powers and for government luxuries. Politicians are public servants, they serve the people, not themselves.


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|Made March Hares window display
|Happy and Glorious Jubilee weekend window display
|The four completed Paisley Hare designs
|Leaping Paisley Hare in black frame.
|"Moonlit Run"- framed assemblage by Linda Lovatt
|A selection of "Happy Hares"
Due to their popularity, these hare designs will continue to be generally available here at Crown Studio Gallery..
|Jubilee window display with Age of Reason Scarf.
|My favourite four drawings.
|The final hang of drawings in chronological order so that they can be "read" as a narrative.
|My hand painted wall hanging plaques- with lettering by my husband, who has lovely calligraphic writing.
|Vintage style crowns, based on a family heirloom chair back.
|The chair back with its naively carved crown, flanked by a pair of lions.
So now that July is almost here, it's time to say goodbye to the " Rabbit and Hare" wallpaper and hello to the new "Birdcage" paper.... and a new range of bird themed artwork.


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It was a year ago September when we decided that we were ready to commit to having another child, and to take action in that direction. It took a couple of months to get pregnant, and on Christmas Day we told our two older children that we were expecting. The day after Christmas, I miscarried. Fortunately, after waiting the couple of months recommended by my doctor, we were able to get pregnant again quickly.
Fast forward one year. On Christmas, I was 38 1/2 weeks pregnant, and I spent the day having very intense contractions. At 1:30 am, the day after Christmas, our new little boy was born.
He is such a wonderful boy! Of course he is adorably cute. Beyond that, he is very calm. He is very curious about the world; at five days old, he can already get bored at times and want different things to look at. He brings us joy.
That last bit - the joy he brings us - is the most interesting part to me. With our first two children, we were very young, and Tux Man was in school full time. Both of the first two were born mid-semester, and classes don't stop for babies! This time, not only is he not in school, but he can take paid vacation time to be home with me. It has been a very good thing, because apparently it is harder to recover from having a baby when you are in your 30's than it was when you were in your 20's. I've needed the support, and he has been here.
The biggest difference, though, is emotional. Having the space and the time to absolutely appreciate and enjoy this child has been wonderful. Having his diaper leak all over the bed for the third time in one day is not surprising or frustrating; it is simply what we expected, and it's no big deal. Having him cry out in surprise when he pooped for the first time was not expected and was simply hilarious. The noises he makes - especially when they are timed just right with something someone just said - make us laugh many times a day.
Yesterday I talked to Snuggle Puppy about how he was feeling with his new little brother. Yes, he is having a little bit of a hard time - because he feels he isn't getting to hold him enough! He wants to learn how to calm his little brother when fussing, and he recognizes that he's not getting it yet and he wants that to change. What wonderful sons I have!
Turtle was the first person to be leaked on by a diaper that didn't hold what it should have. She had been begging to hold our new little one, and hadn't been holding him very long when it happened... and she quickly gave him back and went to take a full shower! I'm not usually big into bathroom humor, but we are living through a lot of it at the moment and it's very, very funny.
It had been quite awhile since I had thought of that miscarriage. I am so grateful for where I am today. It seems like a tremendous miracle for our littlest one to have arrived exactly a year later. We are truly blessed.


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The Palouse Fiber Arts Festival is June 14-15 at the 1912 Center in Moscow, Idaho.
The festival features workshops taught by Mary Jane Mucklestone, Sarah Swett, Amelia Garripoli, Jacey Boggs, Lynn Ruggles and Mary Scott Huff.
Classes will include indigo dyeing, weaving, spinning for drop spindles and wheels, colorwork knitting, color theory, wool combing and steeking.
Cost for each workshop $55. The festival also features a fiber market where visitors can peruse a plethora of fiber art pieces, many of which will be for sale.
The hours are from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. both days. Admission is free. For more information, go to http://palousefiberfestival.wordpress.com.


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I have to believe that if the good folks at Lucky Magazine knew how crazy this competition was making us, they'd do something about the rules. Alas, it looks like Round 4 is going to be just as nuts as the last round, because as of right now you can vote as many times as you want. Last time we managed to hold onto third or fourth place thanks to the dedicated finger tapping of some very loyal friends. Unfortunately it didn't matter, since it seems even the people with zero votes made it to this round. I'm not sure how Lucky will decide who goes to the next round, or if they'll fix what has to be a glich in their system some time in the next nine days. All I know is Sarah and I worked hard on this round of the competition. Fortunately this round had to do with a great topic: friendship.
Many of you know Kim. For those who don't, she's been our great friend since college. She also has great style, so she was an easy choice for this entry. Read about our friendship and fashion similarities and differences here.
If you get the chance to vote, we would sincerely appreciate it. Now that you're already registered, it should be a piece of cake. The good news is that if we make it to the next round (which is the final round) the judges will actually weigh in! Thanks to everyone who has supported us so far!


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We have two glorious Holidays in a row! First, Mother's Day and then today, your BIRTHDAY!
Happy Birthday to the sweetest and BEST Mom in the whole world! I can not imagine taking this journey without you beside me!
Happy Birthday from the whole "Village". :)
Love you to Hawaii...and BACK!


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Pretoria: They made a huge meal of
qualifying but Diego Maradona - who has used more than 100
players during his 19 months in charge - has now found the
right blend, says former striker Claudio Caniggia.
"Argentina turned in the best performance so far under
Diego - they really dominated Nigeria," said Maradona`s former
teammate Caniggia as he reflected today his compatriots`
opening Group B win over the Africans.
With Lionel Messi in effervescent form - even if some of
his shooting and that of his colleagues was either errant or
else dealt with smartly by busy Nigerian keeper Vincent
Enyeama - the South Americans look a genuine force to be
reckoned with.
Maradona may not be able to afford himself the luxury,
however, of keeping an unchanged winning team as he looks to
build on the momentum of the win in Johannesburg.
With South Korea looming in their sights Thursday,
Maradona is likely to reinforce his defence with Roma`s
Nicolas Burdisso after essentially trying a back three
underpinned by Newcastle`s deep-lying midfielder Jonas
Gutierrez while midfield linchpin Juan Veron is nursing a calf
If Veron is not risked that could mean a call-up for
Mario Bolatti.
Maradona insists that "I have 23 tough cookies in my
squad and any one of them can be a starter."
He also insisted after the Nigeria victory that "we are
on the right road" after all the trials and tribulations of
the qualifiers which saw the Argentinians come close to
missing out as he constantly chopped and changed his team with
bewildering regularity.
Fiorentina`s Bolatti says he hopes he will get the chance
to get stuck into the tournament having been the man who
scored the goal in Montevideo against Uruguay which brought
"I am ready to to come in and do whatever the boss wants
me to do. I am a winger essentially but I can fill whichever
role the coach wants me to," he told reporters.
Bureau Report


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Mike DeWine Opposes Rules To Protect Lake Erie From Algae Blooms
By Joseph On August 7, 2014 · Leave a Comment
Earlier this week over 400,000 people in the Toledo area were left without water when toxins from an algae bloom in Lake Erie poisoned their public water supply. Yesterday Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine vowed to fight a rule from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency intended to protect lakes like Erie from the agricultural runoff that likely caused the problem.
According to Gongwer Ohio, DeWine signed a letter with 14 other state Attorneys General intended to fight the U.S. EPA on a rule that would restore Clean Water Act protections to 60% of Ohio's waterways that were left without protections after a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling.


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Found in the basement of a dealer trafficking in unusual objets d'art, I'm sure there's a fascinating story of how this was obtained originally, and what it really does...It does lead to mind the dharmacakra, which typically has the following meanings attributed to it depending on the number of spokes in the wheel:
8 spokes representing the Noble Eightfold Path.
12 spokes representing the Twelve Laws of Dependent Origination.
24 spokes representing the Twelve Laws of Dependent Origination and the Twelve Laws of Dependent Termination.
31 spokes representing 31 realms of existence (11 realms of desire, 16 realms of form and 4 realms of formlessness).
In Buddhism, parts of the Dharmacakra also representative of the following concepts:
Its overall shape is that of a circle, representing the perfection of the dharma teaching.
The hub stands for discipline, which is the essential core of meditation practice.
The rim, which holds the spokes, refers to mindfulness which holds everything together.
So, given the role and relationships of cogs, gears and wheels within steampunk literature, I wonder how it might change the ideas and perceptions of different concepts within buddhism, if it all. But that's a point of consideration for another time...


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This past Saturday we went to a beautiful wedding at a place called Dover Farms. The weather couldn't have been better for an outside ceremony!
Quick outfit note: I had planned to wear my red wedding dress and didn't really think to have a plan B…however, when I tried said dress on, sadly it was baggy in all the wrong places. This is good because after losing 25 lbs I'd hope that it wasn't still skin tight. However this is bad because I really love that dress and I've only gotten to wear it once. So…I ended up in a pencil skirt and black top. Boring, but what's a girl to do. I just don't feel like spending money these days on special occasion dresses. Well, I should probably say I have other things I choose to spend my money on like
Starbucks and workout clothes saving it.
Any who, the wedding was beautiful. The food was delish. The company was fabulous. The couple was joyous. Now for some pictures!
This girl rocks my socks!
Ryan sang to Alexis when she got to him at the end of the aisle. It was perfect!
White hydrangeas and roses were in abundance. Love!
James Party of Two
Alana's dress was so pretty…I need it!
Fabulous cakes!
Beautiful bride!
Handsome groom!
May they live Happily Ever After!


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30 April 2012
wet paint
Wow! What a watercolour wonderland photographer Alexandra Valenti has created for this portrait series of Leslie Crow.
I mean these images are beautiful in simple black and white but that splash of colour really is dreamy.
29 April 2012
my carribean crush
The Caribbean sea is hypnotising. You could spend all day trying to keep count of the shades of blue and turquoise that extend between the powder white sand to the horizon.
I'll admit I had some scepticism about Cancun before we arrived. I imagined it would be your typical tourist mecca and I wasn't half wrong. Yes it's full of mega resorts, shopping strips, souvenir stores, tour buses, tacky nightclubs and American spring breakers, but once you get past all that it truly is postcard perfect!
The mexican people really are a lucky bunch and it's no wonder they always had a smile on their face. I'm not ashamed to say... I think i'm in love with Mexico.
Posted by FLYN ROBERTS at 12:07:00 pm No comments:
28 April 2012
urban tribal
|Image by the amazing Alexandra Valenti
Urban Tribal... is everywhere right now. The eclectic combination of Ikat, Aztec and Navajo is invading wardrobes and homes, capturing the spirit that was once reserved for the global traveller.
This exotic yet laid-back bohemian style is created with a concoction of amazing colour combinations, geometric patterns and mixed textiles. I'm definitely a fan of this style trend, especially because you really can mix and match without fear of getting it completely wrong.
I bought back a few great pieces from Mexico including an amazingly hand painted sugar skull, a leather drum and some beautiful patterned paper lanterns... add in my next purchase; that set of 9 Ikat cushions below from Etsy retailer Ikat and Batik and I think i'm on my way.
|Framed antique Ikat via Elle Decor
|Ikat fabrics by Madeline Weinrib | Ikat art print by Amy Sia on Society6
|From LF Stores lookbook
|Bohemian Aztec styling via Honestly WTF
|Romantic living room tent via Design Sponge
|Sequined Aztec Mini from AllSaints
|Aztec inspired nail art from The Illustrated Nail
|Super cute Sass & Bide shorts via Tuula
|Bold Ikat wallpaper via Camille Styles
|From LF Stores lookbook
|Set of 9 Ikat Cushion Covers from Etsy
|Ikat Quilt Cover from West Elm
|Crisp and clean blue and white Ikat via Driftwood Interiors
25 April 2012
post holiday blues
Yes, I've totally been missing in action, but for good reason.... I've been on holidays!!!
I've been counting down this trip for over 6 months and now that it's all over and i'm back to face the reality that my brand new tan will soon fade away is slightly depressing. So in an effort to keep spirits high i'll be reliving (and sharing) my wanderlust over the next few days with some pics from the big trip and of course i'm back on board with my usual posts as well.
I hope you enjoy xoxo
Posted by FLYN ROBERTS at 9:20:00 pm No comments:
where the desert meets the sea
First stop on my photo tour is Cabo San Lucas. Our first taste of Mexico proved itself worthy of reputation... luxury amidst the rugged mexican landscape where the desert meets the sea.
Within minutes of landing we had Margarita in hand while we awaited our transfer to the hotel, a trend which continued for most of our stay in the stylish resort town.
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The Boys (of Chabad) are Back in Town
Finding a vibrant – if small – Jewish community in Tanzania has been one of the many pleasant surprises that has marked my time here. As has been recounted on this blog, the focal person of this community is incomparable Penina, Israeli matriarch and owner of the atmospheric Middle Eastern restaurant Nargila on the peninsula.
Penina most recently gathered the tribe at Yom Kippur, but sadly I was out of town so did not get to take part in Shmuli's Big Yom Kippur Adventure. So, I was happy last week when Hally forwarded me an email from the "boys of Chabad" (as they called themselves) informing her that they were coming for Passover and asking her to tell all the Jews of Dar.
For the uninitiated, Chabad is a Hasidic movement of Orthodox Judaism. As far as I can tell, Chabad is the closest Jews get to missionaries. While they don't proselytize, they try to gather "lost" Jews and help get them on track to be more observant. The rabbis that Chabad dispatches to far-flung places such as Tanzania tend to be young and still in rabbinical training. As I joked to my housemate Michelle, Chabad is a bit like Peace Corps for Orthodox Jews. She informed me that Chabad actually does have a program called "Mitzvah Corps."
Two years ago, I attended my first Passover Seder at Nargila with the Jews of Dar. This Seder was officiated by two timid Chabad rabbis from Brooklyn who were no match for Penina. It did not help when one of them clearly began showing symptoms of malaria as he was supposed to be leading us in prayer. The official business was cut short after the rabbis finally gave into complaints from hungry Israelis that the food was burning and would they just get on with it.
Last year, there were no Chabadniks, and so the Israelis ran the show, almost all in Hebrew, which made things less fun for those of us who only vaguely know the Passover story in English.
But this year, Chabad gave us Meyer. Big, friendly, joke-cracking Meyer, with the beautiful singing voice. I was particularly fond of Meyer after it was revealed within the first five minutes of our meeting that we had both grown up in the same neighborhood (Squirrel Hill) of the same city (Pittsburgh). And indeed he looked just like the guys I used to see going to Kosher Mart on Murray Avenue in big beat-up station wagons with "MOSHIACH NOW!" bumper stickers.
(Meyer came with another smaller, quieter rabbi, but so overshadowed was he that none of us can even remember his name.)
This year's Seder was particularly impressive in that there were nearly 60 people in attendance. I asked Penina's eldest daughter how they found all these Jews and she just shook her head and said, "They found us!"
The small American contingent included three 19-year-olds traveling the world on a "gap year" before starting college in the Fall. They seemed rather exhausted from their travels, but maybe it was just from the 8-hour bus ride they had taken from Moshi that day to get to Dar in time for Seder.
There were also two very sweet British couples, a Scandinavian woman, and a whole lot of Israelis. It was very amusing to observe the contrast between the rabbis and the Israelis, most of whom are very secular – at least in outward appearance. Whereas Michelle and I had taken care to dress "appropriately" in long skirts and conservative tops, many of the Israeli women sported tight pants, low-cut, sequined tops, and dark lipstick.
One particularly amusing tableau was at the end of the Seder, when Meyer was trying valiantly to finish the prayers. As he swayed and chanted in Hebrew, an Israeli woman who had left the table looked on from the bar with a bemused expression, cigarette in hand.
In addition to Rabbi Meyer, one of the more memorable characters was the guy sitting across from me, who I'll call "Jacques Cousteau." Jacques is a 40-ish freelance Scuba diving instructor, currently based on Mafia Island. He exhibited the classic Israeli trait of frankness, explaining that, "when most people think of Tanzania, they think it is going to be so exotic, but let me tell you, Mafia is a really shitty place."
When he was done complaining, Jacques showed off his party trick, which was to tell people what their "Jewish birthday" is. For instance, after I told him I was born on June 30, 1982, he screwed up his face for about two minutes and then pronounced, "Wednesday, Tammuz 9!"
And thus, I learned something new at the Seder, which is fitting with the spirit of Passover, and of Judaism, which encourages us to always continue learning and questioning.


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Slowly but surely (and long). And I have a few pictures for you.
The South Davis Family History Fair is a wonderful fair put on by the South Davis Regional Family History Center. It is held at Bountiful High School in Bountiful Utah. They pack alot into one Saturday there. It is estimated that they had 1,763 people there on the 7th. They have five class periods with 18 classes a period for a total of 90 classes. It is basically a three day conference all packed together into 8 hours. Because it is put on by volunteers, the classes are free and the cost for a syllabus and sack lunch is only $10. It is an amazing volunteer effort headed by Donna Smith, Leonard Plazier, and Terry Carlson with many, many others. Congratulations to them on another great fair.
Kim spent the day in the gym with the vendors while I taught "Will your Family History Work Survive the Digital Age." I was the poster child for that lecture that day with computer crashes we had had the previous week. What a joke. I had lots of great suggestions for them on making sure they don't lose any data. (Which I didn't)
Then I also taught my new "Certified Genealogy Software that Makes New FamilySearch Easier" class. Mike Booth (RootsMagic) came in for tech support on that class (thanks Mike!) and we were both amazed at the crowd that class attracted. They are a different crowd than the regular class attendees for the software classes. I hope that I helped them to start moving into the new era of genealogy and in possibly choosing a new software to try.
Then, week three of the genealogy conference marathon (not long enough in my opinion :-) was the conferences at BYU. I've already reported some of the interesting stuff at the FamilySearch Developer's conference. It was good to get to be a student there for a day. As I'm sure you have heard, we received the Best Website Feature for Printing Award. (In case you didn't notice: the Best Website Feature for Printing Award.) Here are some other pictures of the day:
Bruce Buzbee and Mike Booth (RootsMagic) got the Best Dashboard, and Easiest to Sync award.
Gaylon Findlay (Ancestral Quest) got the Best Listing Tool and Most Comprehensive Sync award.
And John and Paula Vilburn (Ohana Software) got the Best Standardizer and Best Person Separator award.
We print and are partners with all of the above. We encourage you to go check out their products. You can get all the info on the awards at the FamilySearch link.
Then we were on to the BYU Computerized Genealogy Conference last weekend. I again taught "Certified Genealogy Software that Makes New FamilySearch Easier" and again was surprised at the people that class attracted. And I also taught my "Genealogy Charts to Help Your Research" We had a wonderful get together Friday night and talked late into the night about all sorts of things. (Don't worry Gordon your childhood secret identity is safe with me.) I do love the conference groupies that we get to hang out with.
L-R: Mike Booth (RootsMagic) Gordon Clarke (FamilySearch) John and Paula Vilburn (Family Insight) Luc Comeau (Legacy) Bruce Buzbee (RootsMagic) Barbara Renick (Speaker Extraordinare) Kim.
L-R: June Booth, Gordon Booth, Haybron Adams, Leonard Plazier.
Renee Zamora (Renee's Genealogy Blog) and Peggy and Paul Larsen (Crash Course in Genealogy) Sorry for the people I missed in the pictures. I swear I'm going to take more pictures. Thanks you guys. Miss you already. See you again soon.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Report from South Davis and BYU
Posted by Janet Hovorka at 11:48 AM
Labels: conferences, genealogy books and movies, Generation Maps, my life, New FamilySearch, other blogs, the genealogy industry
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