text:
I was pregnant, now I'm a parent and it still comes as a surprise. So here I am a single mum.
Thursday, 31 January 2008
Last Day
I have been on this project for over a year now (and I'm leaving just as things are hotting up) and, personally, it's been a pretty tricky year that has not been without incident, but I have worked with some amazing people and it is those who I will miss. I am the non-techy in a technical team and have resolutely stayed that way and no-one has held it against me.
I have rowed pregnant in the Dragon Boat team (and yes we won!) and enjoyed the team building - even if I couldn't join in on the bumper cars.
My pregnancy may mean I missed making the most of the after work drinks but it has still been a very sociable project to work for. Throughout my pregancy I have been surrounded by support and I have made some great friends who I hope I manage to stay in touch with. Maybe I'll even work with them again.
I will definitely miss the chatty side of working in an office, I'll miss the lunch choices that come with being in the centre of town and the ease of heading out for a night out and catching up with friends on my way home. I'll miss the coffee shop knowing my order and having it ready before I get to the counter.
While I won't miss this crush on the Waterloo and City line (even though I am let into the front of the queue these days), I will miss my favourite busker, Nigel on Wednesday mornings at Bank; he has brought 'Here Comes the Sun' back into my life and tear to my eye on more than one occasion. Yesterday, I not only voted for him on Buskear but I gave him £10 as I had no change. Like I say, he is a good busker.
I will miss the kindness of strangers I have experienced during my commute over the last few months. While my cape has on, very rare, occasions hidden my bump a little well, for the most part I have been well and truly looked after. When the train has been so packed I can't make it down the aisle or because I'm getting off the next stop I have stayed in the vestibule, people have taken to forming a very protective ring around me, wishing me well and generally taking care of me. Everyone loves a pregnant lady – I was told on Tuesday that that is because we are making the world go on.
Maybe, just maybe, I'll miss working.
Wednesday, 30 January 2008
Hot Water Bottle
I'm not cold because I have my very own portable hot water bottle; just resting my hands on my bump warms them up instantly.
And it's my second to last day of my current life…
Monday, 28 January 2008
Meet the Godparents
I like this idea, the idea of naming the people who you want to have extra special involvement with your child and to look out for her as she grows up; people who are so special in your own life that you can't imagine them not being so to your little girl.
So, with all this in mind here are the wonderful people who we are tasking with helping us raise a happy, healthy, joyous and slightly mischievous little girl:
Chirsty – You just are you, and with your generous and adventurous spirit I know you'll do anything and everything you can for our little girl (including clubbing into the wee small hours with her mother to keep her sane). I love knowing you are just around the corner.
Gary – It has been wonderful knowing you are as excited about the arrival of our little girl as we are and we couldn't imagine not having you with us along this journey to tell your tales and impart your own special Fairy Godfather wisdom.Gareth – I know you will protect our little girl from the big bad world as if she was your own.
But most of all, I'm proud of the people you all are and I hope you'll encourage our little girl to follow her dreams and be whoever and whatever she wants to be. x
Sunday, 27 January 2008
Scatterbrained - Me?!
My hair was washed, conditioned and rinsed, my body was cleaned and buffed, all that was left was my face.
I reached down for my lovely Elemis new-complexion-revealing face wash; I squeezed a small amount of this miracle promising elixir onto my hand....
and promptly put it in my hair.
Saturday, 26 January 2008
3 in a Bed
I've been quite lucky, my memory foam mattress has cradled my bump quite comfortably at night, but now Bobette increasingly lets me know that I am encroaching on her space if I roll over too much.
So, every night I get my legover - no not always RD, but my big pillow.
Poorly Sick
RD meanwhile is cleaning the kitchen floor, as the cleaner didn't come yesterday. Do I feel guilty? Not really.
But I do appreciate it, honest.
Friday, 25 January 2008
34 Week check
All went well with the check; although I answered no to swollen ankles and puffy legs but got home to find I have both. My bump was exclaimed as very 'tidy' and yet again I was reassured that I am not big, and neither is our baby.
She even asked if I had any questions, didn't just examine me and shuffle me out the door; typically I didn't have any - I'd asked them all at NCT.
(The midwife who I saw before was there too so I got two for the price of one)
Graduation Day
We are familiar with (if not quite prepared for) labourese; we have learnt the about the horrors(us) and the amazing things (the baby) that will happen in those first few weeks after birth. And complete with a new support network, we have been sent into the world of impending parenthood.
Yes, we had our last NCT class; and it made me quite sad. Alison (our teacher) has such a reassuring way of telling us the gruesome facts that is has been a great way to bring labour into focus. Yes, I even have a kind of plan, well list of preferences, in my head now. (Am a scared? More like a little bemused really.)
Not only that, as a group we have arranged our weekly meet up times. I'm quite looking forward to being a lady-who-lunches and not having to say goodbye to all those same size bumps just yet. Now just have to wait and see who pops (if only it were that simple) first.
Thursday, 24 January 2008
2 Things You Don't See Very Often...
And there was an empty platform for the Waterloo and City Line.
What is the world coming to?!
(I am resisting having a rant about the baning of The 3 Little Pigs Fairy Tale, but I am wondering if they actually bother to ask the people concerned if they are actually offended?)
Tuesday, 22 January 2008
Raspberry Leaf Tea
Yes, apparently drinking this tea can make my contractions stronger and more efficient, it may not be my favourite tipple but if it delivers, sign me up.
I'm not sure about drinking three cups a day though.
(Apparenty you can take Raspberry Leaf Tablets but they aren't as effective. But how does anyone know what their labour would have been like if they didn't drink it?)
Domestic Crisis
Yep, RD and I spent Sunday evening with our jeans rolled up, mopping up the kitchen floor.
I then spent Monday evening arguing with Sainsburys about their supposed 4 day delivery which actually means I get a new machine a week on Friday.
This evening I thought I'd just try the machine again to save us a trip to the launderette; I was poised to quickly set it to spin as I watched the machine fill up and start to motor, all looked good so I went upstairs. I came down to a flooded kitchen and RD came home to lots of wet towels on the floor.
So, another expense to add to RDs budget spreadsheet…
International Man of Mystery
Luckily the International Man of Mystery who lives next door showed up in time to carry my shopping and lend me my spare keys.
Note to self: Ensure both sets of neighbours have spare keys.
Monday, 21 January 2008
RD to the Rescue
So RD is going to have to rescue me, again.
A Royal Pain in the Bottom
Yes, in the sprit of a no-holes-barred pregnancy blog, I am sharing with you the fact that my bottom is sore, very sore. If I think this hurts, how will I cope with labour?
So, back to beetroot and prune juice, for a softer pinker time.
Apparently pelvic floor exercises will help this too (something to do with getting blood circulating around the area). So here we go again… must squeeze pelvic floor more…must squeeze pelvic floor more…
Sunday, 20 January 2008
Baby Shower
So RD sent out this invitation (which made me cry):
Zoë and I are having a few drinks - well, I am; she's driving - to celebrate the imminent arrival of our perfect little girl, and we would love it if you could join us.
And we partied on Champagne well past midnight, AND we were given presents (we were even sent some from RD's Godson and his mother in SA, the stamps were as cool as the presents, so I've kept them too):
I loved them all for their softness, cuteness, general prettiness and for damn right usefulness.
But everyone's presence was the greatest present of all. It was wonderful to know that everyone is as excited to meet our little girl as we are (especially Uncle Gary)!
THANK YOU x
(The thank you cards are in the post.)
Saturday, 19 January 2008
Her Carriage Awaits
A Pram for a little sleeping beauty.
A go-faster-sport-mobile for a girl about town (that reclines for when it's all a little much).*
I can indeed put it up with one hand, and execute a beautifully tight turning circle, but I have yet to practice putting the rain cover or putting the car seat in the car (I think both RD and I need to get to grips with that one).
* On a serious note it was the reclining car seat that clinched it for me as it can't be good for a little growing body to be scrunched up for too long.
Friday, 18 January 2008
Backseat Breastfeeding
As it happened (and no surprise to me) there was no boob baring but it was explained that a supportive partner can increase breastfeeding success by a third! Anyway, it was an educational evening, key lesson learnt:
When positioning baby it's Tummy to Mummy and Nose to Nipple. (If you are in any doubt as to the importance of this try this experiment: put your chin on your chest or shoulder and try to chew and swallow a malteser – it isn't easy).
Also we learnt, amongst other things, that a little baby can lap from a small cup, various cures for mastitis, sore nipples and breast thrush!
I'm sure having RD and the other boys there was a good thing, but I'm not so sure that we haven't just created some backseat breastfeeders.
(Poor RD, I think he needs beers to recover from all this information!)
Thursday, 17 January 2008
The Power of Suggestion Perhaps
I'm in shock.
So this cleavage really isn't just for show then?!
Wednesday, 16 January 2008
But it didn't arrive.
I waited all day (a day wages lost) and all I got was a car seat, a necessity yes, but not as exciting as a pram. (And even that came without instructions.)
Tuesday, 15 January 2008
Light of Our Lives
With this in mind, we decided our fairy princess obviously need suitable lighting in her bedroom; so we marched off to Camden and this is what found:
Pretty flower lights to add to the garden view;
butterflies, flowers and leaves;
Very cool coloured balls to light up her nights.
Monday, 14 January 2008
Last week I only worked 2 days and I actually felt ok. Today I'm shattered and it's only Monday. Maybe we'll have to manage on less cash so I can do just 4 days, we'll have to see.
Anyway, can't chat now, I'm off to the loo for a 10 minute nap...
Bump Horror
I wasn't quite prepared to step in the lift and be greeted with: 'You're eeeeenormous; you must be having a big baby! My baby was big and was born 5 weeks early.' This sent me into panic for 2 reasons: 5 weeks early is only in 2 weeks time and the Moses basket is still on the Isle of Wight with my lovely niece peacefully slumbering in it, the pram has yet to be delivered and I have 3 more weeks of work, which I need to be able to afford all that lovely time off with my baby (not to mention the baby free weeks before hand!); and secondly, giving birth to any baby is slightly scary and quite painful, let alone a 'big' baby.
Luckily I only had one day of fretting. The next day was the first NCT day, and I was surrounded by bumps of the same age and, more importantly, size as mine! Also, the nice NCT lady pointed out that the hardest bits of baby to get out are the head and the shoulders; now I don't know about you but when I put on weight I may need new knickers but never a new hat.
Later that same day I had my 32 week check with my GP, and yet again I recounted my story. He said that I should be flattered because it meant I hadn't put on weight anywhere else so my bump just stood out a lot; and then he measured me. Hey presto, my bump came in at 32.5 cm the right size for 32 and a bit weeks (it should be a cm for each week, apparently).
So, to all those bump horrifiers out there: like Mary Poppins I'm practically perfect in everyway, including the size of my bump!
Saturday, 12 January 2008
People were cool, 7 couples all of the Bugaboo classes,all living pretty much across the street from each other with babies due within about 2 weeks of each other. I was a little intimidated by how successful and together everyone seemed to be, which, as usual, lead me to talk too much! Hey ho, it was good to meet people who are also a little shocked by the fact that they are about to have a baby.
Anyway, the day was good and very educational, I hadn't heard of 'transition phase' before (the in between stage where Jekyll turns into Hyde or vice versa). A lot of practicing birth positions for both first stage and 2nd stage labour (all upright of course); I couldn't really practice, although I paired up with the other solo girl in the group, our bumps got in the way somewhat!
I didn't realise how much labour was pressing on my mind until RD told me he couldn't come and then, as much as I tried to only be disappointed but understanding, I turned a little snappy.
Well, the class has at least got RD and I talking properly about the birth, even if he wasn't there. It's shattered my pre-conceived ideas about his pre-conceived ideas about his role in the whole thing. I thought he was just thinking of mopping my brow, holding my hand and saying 'there, there' as I lie on a bed. When I showed him all the position pictures, pictures of partners being physically supportive, he said that was what he was thinking too. I also didn't realise how much 'The Blokes Guide to Pregnancy' had taught him - he did know about the transition phase. I Judged him a little harshly, but I'm glad we've talked it through now. He's even going to cut the cord.
He does seem to be most taken with the 'What's in the Nappy' leaflet though. It's pictures of baby poos really. But then maybe his dream about our daughter having a poo obsession leading to poo castles and poo pictures, was more about him than her!
Thursday, 10 January 2008
How embarrassing?!
Must squeeze pelvic floor more… must squeeze pelvic floor more… repeat after me…
(Another joy of pregnancy...)
Wednesday, 9 January 2008
8 Weeks To Go; Are We Fundamentally Ready?
In so many ways I just can't wait, in so many other ways there are things I would like to have done before she arrives. Not so much practicalities - we have most of those under control, I think - it's more fundamental than that. I want to ensure that my little girl is surrounded by nothing but love and cuddles, that she can be secure in who she is and where she is from. For that I want her to be born into a loving family, a family where whatever you do and whoever you are is just the perfect thing to be and do.
This is no mean feat: RD and I need to be secure in who we are and where we are to have any hope of being able to pass on the confidence and self-assurance we want our daughter to have. I know we will both love her with all our hearts, but we also have to love ourselves and each other to pull together as a family, a happy family.
Tuesday, 8 January 2008
Not my Favourite Shopping List
Basically it wasn't my favourite ever Boots shop, even Boots points couldn't compensate for having to buy a waterproof liners for my bed, they aren't not exactly The White Company. But it's done.
Monday, 7 January 2008
The Stork
She was from South Africa and, as RD put it, Saffa's rock!
Sunday, 6 January 2008
The Gooseberry Bush
So far 'this year' I have listened to my visualisation CD once (I only fell asleep for a couple of minutes, I have been assured it still goes in) and, more importantly, we took the grand tour at the hospital and I nearly cried.
It wasn't nasty, it wasn't scary, and in fact it all seemed better than I expected, but it was all very real. In around 8 weeks that is where we will go to have our baby; with birthing pools (hopefully), bouncing balls and gas and air, that is where we will finally meet our little girl.
So far our birth plan consists of:
Get to hospital
Ask for Water birth (big room and the only birthing pool)
Book private room – there are only 3
No pethadine, only because I believe it just makes you slightly stoned and also passes to the baby (perhaps RD will have my share!).
Otherwise I've ruled nothing out, yet.
Okay, so I am only just beginning to think about this, but as we start NCT classes on Friday, and then maybe, just maybe, I'll start thinking about it a little bit more.
I have spent the whole weekend smiling with excitement and now I'm feeling a little overwhelmed. Are you sure I can't just fnd my baby under a Gooseberry bush?
Saturday, 5 January 2008
There has been one strange addition to my diet – Beetroot. I've never really liked it before but now, well, I eat it by the packet, especially Waitrose Sweetfire beetroot in a sweet chilli marinade. (Spicy food poses no problem for me; it's not eating that gives me indigestion.)
Nothing wrong with beetroot, but what goes in red, comes out red…
Friday, 4 January 2008
Loving the Bump
As she always has her head firmly down in all the pictures and for all the examinations (like a good girl) I'm assuming she is like one of those break-dancers who spins on their heads flailing their arms and legs about; I don't think she has all that much room anymore for full on Irene Cara fame jumps.
All this bump love doesn't mean it is my most comfortable ever accessory; I now sleep with a pillow under my top leg to give her room to manoeuvre while I (try) to slumber in my usual recovery position and the other evening my bump became so uncomfortably painful and tight I didn't know what to do with myself (a bath and bed seemed to do the trick).
I think the news of the bump tightening has her Grandma a little worried that she may be planning an early escape, but I am sure she will stay put for the next 5 and a bit weeks that take her to full-term and the following 3 weeks to her due date. In fact I think we will all be waiting for her!
(I am very excited now and, I think, so is RD; it all seems so imminent)
Thursday, 3 January 2008
Daddy Cool
What a cool Daddy is he?!
Wednesday, 2 January 2008
My bump has moved into what my mother describes as a proper girl bump. It is now very high with little gap between it and my boobs. I think maybe it is it's more prominent position that causing everybody to gasp at how big it's suddenly got. Me, I'm just gasping because I find I get out of breath easily, I have indigestion more frequently, I get fuller quicker and I'm not tall enough to be able to find a comfortable sitting position, my desk is proving uncomfortable and I'm finding myself, more and more, sitting legs-a-kimbo like a boy.
And everyone keeps telling me it's only going to get bigger – how big can it get in the next 9 weeks?
RD says I'm a proper pregnant person as I keep spilling things my bump; my excuse is that there is less lap to balance my supper tray on.
Tuesday, 1 January 2008
2008 will be Great!
As it is a new year, here is an actual picture of RD and me, the first one taken since I was pregnant!
And here are the cool friends we spent the evening with, I think fun was had by all. (Although some had more fun than others - you know who you are!)
As usual Bobette had her fair share of attention, with loving rubs and name suggestions. If I recall correctly she is now to be called Garylina. The only thing that over shadowed her was my also rapidly expanding bust!
I think being a pregnant chick, in party shoes, nursing 2 glasses of champagne while the rest of the party gets merry, I did well to last until 2:20 am.
A fabulous midnight smooch with RD has set the tone for the year to come. 2008 is going to be a special year for us: it won't just be about RD, it won't just be about me, it will be about our baby girl and us as a little family. And it will be a happy one, hope yours is happy too.


text:
Presto Vivace has always been a home based business. I like the commute. It is getting more common, and the current down turn will grow in its appeal. I am told that more than half of IBM's employee's work form their homes.
One of my clients, ERS, decided to become a virtual corporation when their rent was raised and they realized that a corporate office didn't add any significant value to the company. The internet has made offices obsolete for many businesses.
Cutting your rent frees up money to retain your employees maintain all other aspects of your business. It is a good way to survive in a down economy.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Weekly Rap Up
The Weekly Rap Up is an email based newsletter distributed weekly to all Sheriff's Office employees. To submit an article to the Rap Up, email Deputy Becky Herrin at firstname.lastname@example.com.
Note: Because this web site is available to the public, the Weekly Rap Up may be edited to withhold some employee information such as home or cell phone numbers and addresses. If you are an employee and want to see the complete, unedited version, it is available in Outlook Public Folders on the Sheriff's Office computer network.
Click here for Weekly Rap Up editions from 2010 - 2014
Weekly Rap Up - 2018
Weekly Rap Up - 2017
Weekly Rap Up - 2016
Weekly Rap Up - 2015


text:
Average internet speeds fell sharply in Australia during 2012, according to a new report that ranked the country 41 out of 98 nations for the pace of its online connections.
Average connection speeds fell 23 per cent in the calendar year 2012, against a global rise of five per cent, according to the latest State of the Internet report by Akamai Technologies, a US-based computing firm.
The average connection speed in Australia by the end of 2012 was said to be 4.2 megabits per second - placing it 28th among the 34 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) nations.
That is less than a third of the speed in South Korea, which despite recording a 13 per cent decline, still had the fastest average internet connections in the world with 14 megabits per second.
The global average was 2.9 megabits per second.
"Australia's decline is unexpectedly high, especially given the progress being made on the national broadband network (NBN)," the report said.
It did not offer a clear reason for the decline, but said it was "out of character" and likely to be improved.
"These negative trends are of concern, but high broadband adoption in South Korea remains strong, and the decline in Australia is out of character," it added.
"Furthermore, ongoing NBN deployment in Australia should help to turn the trend positive again going forward."
Under Labor's NBN plan, consumers would experience speeds of 100 megabits per second by 2021, with the infrastructure roll-out costing $37.4 billion.
The coalition's plan would cost $20.4 billion and be completed by 2019, but with slower minimum download speeds of 25 megabits per second.
The Akamai report fingered China as the world's major source of cyber attacks.
"China once again overwhelmingly remained the source of the largest volume of attack traffic, accounting for two-fifths of the total, up from a third in the prior quarter," it said.
The US was the next highest source of cyber attacks, followed by Turkey, Russia and Taiwan.
The report data suggests the US still has the most internet subscribers, followed by China, Japan, Germany and the UK.
Overall there was a 9.8 per cent rise in internet subscribers during 2012.


text:
edge distresser: Close To My Heart
twine, pennants die: Whiff of Joy
die-cutting machine: Cuttlebug
card size: 3 1/2" x 5"
Awesome creation Alice, love the distressed touch!
perfect for a guy card!
A great western card Alice! love the bg stamping - the fun dotted banners and your great 'rawhide' stitching around the sentiment! Yee Haw!!
Oh this is so fun, love the cowboy theme and fab banner
love tasha xx
LOVE the distressed, aged and grungey look of this card!
This is so great!! Love that stitching!
Alice, I LOVE your masculine card and all the details you added. The threaded twine and brads add so much.
Have a great weekend!
Hugs and smiles
This is amazing, Alice! I really love the background!!
WOW Alice this is great!I love how you stitched the edges and made it look more western! Such a fantastic idea! :)
OOoo~~~ pretty sketch! Love how you stitched the edge. awesome!
Wow Alice, what a brilliant card! Jo x
This is really, really cool Alice - love the antique look - great card!
Wow! Love this grungy card! Love the stamping on woodgrain and that stitching! Outstanding!
This is so cute, Alice! I love the papers and that whipstitch is a great touch!!
Great distressed look to the card, and I love the stitched finish to the greeting!
Love the cowboy theme! Great rustic design and card! Very fun!
How wonderful Alice!!
Nice technique Alice.


text:
All Jews should be ashamed of this and speak out. The group that made these billboards are as evil as Bin Laden or Hitler.
May 22, 2014
All Jews Must Renounce Hate-Bus
Posted by The Dixie Dove at 4:36 PM
3 comments:
- AnonymousMay 22, 2014 at 5:02 PM
What ... are you nuts?ReplyDelete
Muslims are killing Jews and Christians all over the world. They attack Jews at our own universities ... calling for the destruction of Israel.
Their stated goal is the death of all Jews and the complete obliteration of Israel.
Why are you defending these animals?
- AnonymousMay 22, 2014 at 5:03 PM
What we need are more of these signs. We need more people to speak out against the evils of Islam.ReplyDelete
- AnonymousMay 22, 2014 at 5:16 PM
The sign asks a valid quesion. Why are we sending US tax dollars to people who want to kill us?ReplyDelete
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text:
New from NewSouth Books
Journey to the Wilderness: War, Memory, and a Southern Family's Civil War Letters
On the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, Frye Gaillard reflects on the war--and the way we remember it--through the lens of letters written by his family, including great-great grandfather, Thomas Gaillard, and Thomas's sons, Franklin and Richebourg, both of whom were Confederate officers. As Frye Gaillard explains in his deeply felt introductory essay, he came of age in a Southern generation that viewed the war as a glorious lost cause. But as he read through letters collected and handed down by members his family, he confronted a far more sobering truth.
To this real-time anguish in voices from the past, Gaillard offers a personal remembrance of the shadow of war and its place in the haunted identity of the South. "My own generation," he writes, "was, perhaps, the last that was raised on stories of gallantry and courage, an admiration of the dashing generals who led our fighting men into battle, and whose heroism was undiminished by defeat. Oddly, mine was also the one of the first generations to view the Civil War through the lens of civil rights--to see, often quite reluctantly, connections and flaws in southern history that earlier generations couldn't bear to face…""Oh, this terrible war," wrote Thomas Gaillard. "Who can measure the troubles -- the affliction -- it has brought upon us all?"
"The Gaillard family letters from the Civil War era and Frye Gaillard's contemporary introductory remarks provide a lens through which we can better see the inner lives of those who made a terrible choice in going to war to preserve the institution of slavery. How could the Confederate South have been so hot-headed, so wrong-hearted? many of us, their descendants, have wondered. More than a lens, Journey to the Wilderness is also a mirror, and we see people much like ourselves who loved their families, their homes, their way of life, and that question is partially answered. Nonetheless, this book serves as a cautionary tale that directs us to embrace the sacredness of all human life."-- Sena Jeter Naslund, Author of Ahab's Wife


text:
Saturday, August 25, 2001
went out for some iced coffee after yoga lessons today, only to run into some la colombe! interesting coffee day. . .
la colombe is a very controversial coffee, as you may know. roasted in philadelphia by two european-trained roasters, it's a rather cult coffee. some people love it; others despise it. the roasters claim the blend is so rich and full you can actually use less coffee and still get a great cup. this i personally doubt. but i have been interested in this coffee, while somewhat wavering on whether i actually wanted to bother ordering it.
and then it appeared, for sale right here in brooklyn, fresh roasted, packed in a one-way valve bag. even so, if you touch the bag, the scent of coffee fills the air. la colombe comes in several grades -- i chose a lighter roast, the nizza, for espresso. and i looked forward to tasting it today, only to discover that my trusty 2-yr-old saeco 2002 grinder appears to have died.
when you flip the switch, it makes a ruur, ruuur noise, like a car engine that won't turn over. so now i have no way to try the colombe today. if i can't figure out what's wrong with the saeco, i just might have to give in a get a rocky! i'd actually rather have a grinder where the coffee falls straight into the filter handle, but since i need this machine for grinding vac pot as well, the large doser will be useful i guess. . .
posted by fortune | 4:56 PM | top | link to this | | email this: |
Friday, August 24, 2001
no pussyfooting. takes work but worth it. definitely requires ice cream maker of some sort. try an inexpensive donvier.
the height of all summer experiences, from my previous life in santa fe -- mexican chocolate ice cream:
3 c. half-and-half
1/2 firmly packed dark brown sugar
12 egg yolks, beaten in a big bowl
12 oz. scharffenberger 62%
3 oz. scharffenberger 99%
2 tablespoons instant espresso powder, or freshly ground espresso (turkish setting)
3 tablespoons cinnamon
3/4 c. confectioner's sugar
1 c. almonds, lightly toasted, lightly crushed
1 teaspoon pequin chile flakes
1 c. coffee liqueur of your choice
put 2 c. of the half-n-half into a saucepan with the brown sugar. heat and stir until the sugar has completely dissolved. remove the pan from the heat. whisk 1/3 c. of the mixture into the egg yolks to warm them. put the saucepan back on the heat, and pour in the egg yolks. cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. stir for 15-20 mins., until mixture coats the back of the spoon. you may want to strain this custard into a nice clean bowl.
put 7 oz. of the 62% and all of the 99% into a microwave-proof bowl. add the coffee. heat in the microwave on high for 1-1/2 mins. then stir the chocolate until melted and smooth. if necessary, return to microwave and heat again for 30 seconds.
attach the plastic blade to your food processor. pour in the melted chocolate, add the remaining cup of half-n-half, the cinnamon, and the confectioners sugar. process until smooth, about 45 seconds to 1 min. gradually add the chocolate to the custard mixture. stir to mix very well. let cool for 30-45 mins.
coarsely chop the remaining chocolate. pour the cooled custard into the ice cream maker and freeze about 2/3. then stir in chopped chocolate, almonds, and chile flakes. continue to freeze. serve with liqueur poured over the top.
posted by fortune | 6:05 PM | top | link to this | | email this: |
Thursday, August 23, 2001
similiar idea as yesterday, but without the jello part. . .mocha custard.
1 c. espresso or strong, strong coffee
1 c. milk or cream
1/2 c. evaporated skim milk
3 eggs
3 tablespoons superfine sugar
1/2 c. callebaut chocolate chips
1 teaspoon coffee liqueur of your choice
fresh grated nutmeg to taste
preheat oven to 325 degrees. mix coffee, milk, and evaporated milk in a saucepan. scald slowly, but don't burn or let boil. meanwhile, in the bowl of the stand mixer, add in the eggs and sugar. attach the paddle beater and beat on speed 5 until thick and lemon colored, about 3 minutes.
when the hint of a skin has formed on the milk and coffee mixture, remove from heat. with the stand mixer still beating away, gradually and slowly pour the hot milk into the beaten eggs and sugar.
put chocolate chips and liqueur in a small microwve proof bowl and melt the chocolate in the microwave on high power, about 1 min. stir until smooth and melted. add the chocolate to the egg mixture. grate some nutmeg into the custard. lower the mixer speed to 3 and beat until smooth.
divide the mixture into individual ramekins (about 6). place them in a baking pan just big enough so they fit. pour hot water into the pan until it comes about halfway up the sides of the ramekins. place the pan in the center of the oven and bake for 10 mins.
after 10 mins, give each ramekin a little stir. stir a second time after another 10 mins. bake for another 15 mins. check to see if a knife inserted into the center of a custard comes out fairly clean, with only a little custard sticking to it. the custard should shake a bit when jiggled. remove the pan from the oven and carefully remove the ramekins from the pan. cool the ramekins on a rack for 30 mins, and then chill for 3 hours or overnight.
garnish with chocolate curls and cocoa. yummm!
posted by fortune | 5:59 PM | top | link to this | | email this: |
Wednesday, August 22, 2001
i think it's time for a little, cool, easy-to-make coffee and chocolate dessert. think of it as jello for grownups.
1 envelope unflavored gelatin
1/4 c. + 2 tablespoons superfine sugar
2 c. cream, whole or skim milk (choose your poison!)
2 eggs, separated
1 teaspoon instant espresso, or turkish ground beans of your own
2 teaspoons coffee-flavored liqueur of your choice
2 tablespoons callebaut chocolate chips, crushed quickly in a food processor or blender
add the gelatin and sugar in a large saucepan. in a bowl, beat together the milk, egg yolks, and coffee until frothy. stir into the gelatin and sugar mixture. cook this over low heat for 7-9 minutes, stirring constantly until slightly thickened.
pour cooked mixture into bowl. stir in the liqueur, cover with plastic, and chill for about 2 hours. it shouldn't have completely set; if it has, beat it with a whisk to break it up and keep beating until it's smooth. stir in the crushed chocolate chips.
attach the wire whip to your stand mixer. put the egg whites in the mixer bowl and beat at speed 10 until stiff but not dry. plop a spoonful of whites into the jello mixture and stir to lighten. then add the rest of the egg whites and gently fold in.
divide the jello into champagne flutes or martini glasses. chill for 3 hours or overnight. decorate with cinnamon sticks, whipped cream, and a dusting of cocoa on top. sprinkle with a few whole chocolate chips, too.
posted by fortune | 6:46 PM | top | link to this | | email this: |
Tuesday, August 21, 2001
while it's true that i'm still reeling from the amazement of finding a drinkable espresso in brooklyn outside my own home, it lead me to realize that one thing we completely lack here in new york is latte art.
i've been to many cafes here in new york, but never have i seen any barista even attempt latte art. what is latte art, you may ask? it's a lovely little presentation piece, a design in the shape of a heart, a flower, etc., made with milk on the top of the latte.
while it may seem a trifle, the ability to create latte art shows that a barista has completely mastered milk texturizing or foaming, as its known to you and me.
only perfectly foamed, silky milk can be used in latte art. less than perfect milk won't pour correctly and won't hold the design.
i must confess that i have not myself yet mastered latte art. i'm still working on consistently producing perfect foam. i wonder however why we seem to have no latte art anywhere in new york! how can this be?
if any of you, gentle readers, can point me in the direction of a new york cafe or barista where you've seen latte art, please email me at once! i simply gotta know!
posted by fortune | 6:25 PM | top | link to this | | email this: |
Monday, August 20, 2001
an interesting coincidence:
the philosopher maintains his tranquility by the power of buddhi, or the discerning mind. . . .and the philosopher's tranquillity is like the stoic's, like a world-fleeing ascetic's, inwardly a lonely freedom, remote, and aloof from men; but the yogin has found tranquility in the truth not only in himself but in all beings. he has realized his unity with all and his tranquil equality is therefore full of sympathy and oneness.
he takes upon himself the burden of their happiness and sorrow by which he is not affected or subjected. the perfect yogin is no solitary musing on the self in his ivory tower of isolation but a many-sided universal worker for the good. because he is a bakhta, a lover, who sees beauty in all beings. -- from "equality," sri aurobindo
and here i am listening to the jefferson airplane live at the fillmore west: "trans-love airways gets you there!" more chocolate tomorrow!
posted by fortune | 11:39 AM | top | link to this | | email this: |
Sunday, August 19, 2001
so after my yoga lesson this afternoon, i went out for coffee with yoga teacher frank jude boccio. he showed me a cute little place on smith st. here in brooklyn, where i actually had a rare, rare thing -- an espresso in a cafe that was actually drinkable. and drinkable without sugar!
oh yes, i was talking to fjb about alt.coffee and he said they great profiteroles at this place. so we duly ordered scrumptious goat cheese and eggplant panini, then profiteroles and espresso. it's almost unheard of nowadays to get a drinkable espresso outside one's own home, you know?
but we did. the barista, stacey, used the cafe's ecm donatello commercial machine pretty well; while the crema could have been a shade darker -- it lacked "el tigre" or tiger mottle, the distinctive darker brown striping in the crema that is one indicator of perfect espresso -- i was still deeply impressed. stacey's rich, mellow espresso is worth drinking, and i think if she had more formal training than just bumping around liguria and making ends meet in neighborhood cafes, she could be a coffee star.
oh, and the profiteroles are delicious too. where is this little brooklyn neighborhood marvel? panino'teca 275, 275 smith st., brooklyn. ask to have stacey make your coffee.
posted by fortune | 3:35 PM | top | link to this | | email this: |


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Just an easy one, has some bugs thought :(
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Notepad Batch!
Posted by gtasearcher at 8:52 AM No comments:
My Blog - just starting!
So I decided I'd save info about me in a place.
Blogspot seems awesome!
Blogspot seems awesome!
Posted by gtasearcher at 8:48 AM 1 comment:
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WASHINGTON (AP) — Nearly 40 percent of NFL players last season wore a helmet model that got the second-lowest rating for reducing the risk of concussions in a study by Virginia Tech researchers.
Riddell's VSR-4 helmet received just one star in a study of football helmets led by Virginia Tech professor of biomedical engineering Stefan Duma and released Tuesday.
Another Riddell model — the Revolution Speed — was the only helmet that earned five stars, the top rating.
Five models — two made by Riddell, two by Schutt and one by Xenith — received four stars.
According to Riddell, 38 percent of NFL players wore the low-rated VSR-4 in 2010. The company also said 39 percent wore one of the various models that fall under the Riddell Revolution name or the new Riddell 360.
"It is our hope that based upon this and other independent research, that players and teams at all levels will continue to migrate to the Revolution family of helmets," Riddell Sports president Dan Arment said in a statement emailed to The Associated Press by an outside PR firm that represents the manufacturer.
Each NFL player is allowed to choose which brand and model of helmet he wears.
In November, the NFL told the AP it estimated that 75 percent of helmets used in 2010 were made by Riddell, which has had a licensing/sponsorship agreement with the league since 1990. The league said 23 percent were made by Schutt, 1 to 2 percent by Xenith, and a handful by Adams USA.
A helmet made by Adams was the only one that received a rating of "not recommended" by Duma's study.
Duma said in a telephone interview that this is the first time comparative test results on football helmets have been made public.
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Sunday, September 28, 2008
Long Long Time
Shorter days
It was an exhausting day and I did sleep better. I woke up once as usual, but went back to sleep with no difficulty. Still have a lot of things on the LOTTD for Sept/Oct. So I'll be outside soon.
But shorter days mean more time to do things indoors. Time to make that transition. I can hardly believe summer is over.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Not sleeping
There are things I do in the middle of the night. Surf the web, watch TV, play piano or guitar, do a load of laundry, do a crossword puzzle, write in my blog. Sometimes I just sit in the dark and look at the view from my window. It isn't always calming. I turn on the lights.
A friend of mine who is a counselor said this is an indication of depression. In my case I think she's wrong. I know what's disturbing my sleep. It's the many things yet undone in my house (and in my yard, but mostly in my house). I've been divorced a year, yet my garage is still full of junk my ex didn't want and left for me to deal with. There are some thiings I want to keep, like the lawn games for the kids, my golf clubs, a desk I want to sell. But everything got dumped on top of everything and some of the things on top are too heavy for me to move alone. The task of clearing out is so daunting, so overwhelming, I get started but it seems I don't even make a dent. I don't feel depressed about it, but anxious because it's not done, and not sure how to get it done.
But I never have the solutions when I'm awake in the wee hours. Those thought processes work better in the light of day. So I'll do a crossword puzzle, and pretty soon I won't be able to keep my eyes open, and finally sleep will return. I need to remember to turn off my alarm on the weekends. No sense getting up at 5 if I don't have to.
Friday, September 26, 2008
My most-read post ever
Not that I mind the traffic as I notice some of the visitors stick around and visit some of my other posts while they are here. And it's fascinating getting hits from Trinidad and Tobago, Australia, all over the U.S., Canada, and the United Kingdom. (Add Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Poland, Norway, Sweden, South Africa, U.S. Armed Forces Pacific, Japan, Taiwan; so far nothing from the state of Alaska. I can't keep up with all the locations. Too many hits.)
But when you consider that an estimated half million people play Scrabulous every day, it's not surprising at all that a lot of people are trying to find out what happened to it.
I suppose this might very well be my 15 minutes of fame.
Two steps forward, and . . .
And off to a bad start, posted this by mistake to my Reel Women page first. Hmm, maybe I'd better take the day off. Not too sharp.
Vicky Christina Barcelona
This movie, written and directed byWoody Allen, is all about love. The beautiful people and scenes from Spain enhanced the story. The movie provided a lot of passion, some romance, a little eroticism, and inevitable examination of feelings as you would expect from a Woody Allen movie. The story held few surprises, and yet was quite satisfying. We Reel Women liked this movie and give it our recommendation.
***Spoilers ahead***
Attending an art opening, Christina spots a young handsome artist. Later at a restaurant, Vicky and Christina see him again. He approaches them, asks them to go with him in a hour to a Spanish village to spend a couple of days to see some sculpture and make love. Vicky is indignant, Christina intrigued. They go. After a day of seeing the beautiful sights, followed by good food and wine, Vicky returns to her hotel room, Christina goes to Antonio's room. But the lovemaking does not proceed as Christina is suddenly taken ill.
The next two days Christina is confined to bed and Vicki and Antonio after spending much time together and growing to like one another, fall into a passionate encounter, but it is to be just a one-night stand.
Returning to Barcelona, Vicky throws herself into her work and Christina and Antonio take up a relationship. Antonio's ex-wife, the exotic and fiery Maria Elena, enters the story when he takes her in following her suicide attempt. Christina is not jealous and the relationship of the three becomes first friendly and then erotic with encounters among all combinations of the three.
Vicki meantime is questioning whether she really wants the man and life she has chosen. But he surprises her with a suggestion that he join her in Barcelona where they will have a Spanish wedding. They do marry and he remains in Barcelona while she continues her research, but Vicky is melancholy.
Inevitably, Christina tires of the relationship and decides to leave. Since she was the "glue" of the group, Antonio and Maria Elena return to fighting and subsequently part as well. A few days before returning to America, Vicky encounters Antionio by chance and realizes she wants to be with him. He calls her to meet him for lunch the following day. She declines, but ends up meeting him, lying to her husband about where she is going.
At Antonio's home they are about to fall again into lovemaking when Maria Elena appears with a gun. The ensuing tussle includes some firing of the gun and Vicki receives a graze on her hand. She suddenly comes to her senses and realizes Antonio is not who she wants after all. She and her husband and Christina return to America.
The story unfolds at a comfortable, unhurried pace, though I wouldn't say it ever dragged. The dialog is distinctly Woody Allen. You can almost hear Diane Keaton speaking some of the lines. And yet it had a different flavor that felt like a fresh Woody Allen. If you like Woody Allen, this is a good bet for you.
We began the evening with a repeat visit to Stoneground Pizza for some of that very special pasta. All of the group was together for dinner, but a couple were unable to stay for the movie. As I looked around at this eclectic group of women, I was struck with what a smart, savvy, talented group of women they are. No wonder I so look forward to our monthly get-together.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Tonight, of course, I have to do my civic penance and attend traffic school so as not to have points applied to my driver's license. It's only an hour and it's at 5 p.m., so I'll still have time to do another small yard project and a walk, too. My friend formerly in law enforcement advised me "don't talk" at traffic school. I wonder why he would advise me that -- perhaps knows me too well. I assured him I would keep my lips zipped.
Monday, September 22, 2008
The end of summer
Sunday, September 21, 2008
You really got a hold on me
And. of course, the cover by the Beatles.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
A friend introduced me to a term "cognitive dissonance". It's been bugging me ever since. Here's a good example, I like to think of myself as a "nice" and "law-abiding" person. Yet I exceed speed limits which not only breaks the law, but also possibly puts others in danger - not at all nice. That's cognitive dissonance.
So now either I need to change how I behave or change how I think of myself.
Monday, September 15, 2008
About a million phalaropes, and two nice drives
While I was there, I went all the way out to the island and drove the shoreline to Garr Ranch. Saw several hundred bison along the way, most in one large herd that happened to be crossing the road. I forgot my camera and so have no pics of those mammoth beasts. They seem so tame, and a few people got out of there cars to get photos. Not advisable. I also saw actual antelope, the first time I've seen them on Antelope Island (and that includes numerous visits there). I had stated to think the island had been misnamed.
On the way home I took my second drive on Legacy Parkway. I blogged about it on my RedStateBlues blog today, so won't repeat it here except to say it's very nice, the state did a good job meeting the goals of the parkway.
So take my advice, get out to the causeway and see those phalaropes before they move on south. And drive the Legacy. Two very nice drives I recommend.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
The full moon reflecting on the lake shone directly into my west window as I sat in the dark with my coffee. You can't really see the moon moving except in relation to the horizon. But as it imperceptively sank in the sky, it grew larger becoming first pale yellow and finally full orange, the first hints of a harvest moon, before the final sliver melted into the mountaintop of Antelope Island. By then its brightness that had illuminated my neighborhood was rapidly being replaced by the first light of the approaching sunrise.
I am already dressed and coffee'd up waiting for enough light before hitting the myrtle patch. That's today's project. I am looking forward to the physical work of it. I have so many things on my mind today and this will give me a chance to think through them all.
I know changes are coming. I'm prepared for that. Some of it is within my control. But so much is yet unknown. It's not ominous. It will ultimately be good. I'm a person who likes predictability, but since we cannot see the future, we have to wait and allow things to unfold on their own. I am also an intuitive person. Sometimes that can be unsettling. Still I listen, pay attention, but do not act. Just wait, let things take their own course.
One of my sisters and I took in a chick flick last night, both of us single and without a date on a Saturday night! But a sister can be about the best company a girl can have. The movie was fun. Silly, but fun. And, as always, I came away with a little nugget of something to think about: What do I want? The character in the movie wrote it down and posted it where she would see it, and then added to it.
So that's where I will start this morning as I tackle the myrtle. What do I want? It's a big question.
Friday, September 12, 2008
The good thing about funerals . . .
I looked around at this Griffin family - beautiful people, physically beautiful. The younger generations I don't know but recognize as they have those Griffin genes and I see the eyes, the build, the hair, the smile, it's remarkable. The Griffins are a musical bunch -- didn't we all have piano lessons? We sang a couple of hymns during the service and the voices were beautiful. At one point all of my uncle's grandchildren and great-grandchildren sang a medley of songs. I counted over 50 descendants.
Uncle was a renowned singer in the community, and his daughter today played for us a medley of songs he loved to sing -- an emotional moment during the service. I am proud of my five cousins who each gave short speech, a prayer, or music. Everyone remembered, as I did, that uncle was like a big kid, and indeed would rather be outside playing with the kids than inside talking with the adults. Many, many good memories. Not that his life was without problems, but that he offered something special that influenced many people, his children most of all.
The funeral was not the long, sad thing I am used to. The speakers were brief, positive, reflecting on happy times, telling stories about their father. There was almost no preaching nor even much talk of being together in the next life - as though that's a given and we needn't go into that. The bishop did offer something at the end, but I spaced out his words as I admired the old Garland tabernacle with its dark beams and stained glass windows, rare for a Mormon church.
We all then drove the 20 miles to the tiny Newton cemetary for the graveside service. And then much more hugging, reluctant to have to say goodbye to our dear cousins, our aunts who have grown so small and fragile. Dad and mom were tired and we skipped the dinner served in Garland and instead went straight home.
Before parting, Christina and I said we would try next year to organize a family picnic if not a reunion (reunions sound like a lot of work and a picnic sounded easier). We have good intentions to try to see each other more often. I don't know if we'll follow through. But I do know I'm a very fortunate person to be in the middle of such a big loving family. No, it's not a perfect family, but taken as a whole, a very good place to be.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
RedStateBlues is gone for now
Monday, September 8, 2008
Only You
By the way, this video has had over 1,600,000 views on YouTube. Not bad for a hit from 1955. I was a pretty little kid then, but to this day I remember all the words to all their songs.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun
Salt Creek Refuge looking southeast. This is at curve in the road that takes you out to Promontory Point and Golden Spike Monument. Click on the picture for a larger view and you will see hundreds of Canada geese which we startled into flight with our loud talking.
A partial view of Salt Creek refuge from the parking lot looking northeasterly. Farming towns of Thatcher and something else in the distance.
More Salt Creek looking east at the mountains that are east and somewhat north of Brigham City. Sorry this is blurry; might be the one with a snowy egret in the distance (click to enlarge)
According to a song by Noel Coward, at least (Mad Dogs, etc., see title of this post). However, add me to that list. I, too, was out in the midday sun today attempting to catch up on yardwork delayed by much playing this weekend. And although the temps were in the mid 80's and I've certainly mown the lawn in that heat before, I usually save it for the evening when the sun is less direct and some of my lawn is shaded. 'Bout did myself in this time. But I did manage to complete it as well as prune the wisteria, cut back a little more of the pfitzers, cut down something that I think might be poison oak, and did some weeding. Oh yes, tried to poison gophers. They have made two hills under the wisteria and one in my lovely flowers. The neighbors who refuse to combat them have hills all around their yard. And my rock wall is riddled with their tunnels. But I am getting serious with that area. I have decided to fill the burrows with cement. It will permanently fill the burrows and it will help strengthen the wall as well. Well, I've spent the last two hours recovering from the heat and I think I am finally feeling nearly normal.
Yesterday a good friend and I took an outing to Bear River Bird Refuge. We had planned to meet up and have lunch in Brigham City, but we encountered Peach Days and what with closed roads and crowds of people, had to change our plans somewhat. Then upon driving to the refuge, we encountered a gate forbidding entry by vehicles or pedestrians. At the visitor's center they explained to us that the drivable dikes are being paved and should be finished around the end of this month. They referred us to Salt Creek refuge northwest of Corinne. We decided to try it and it turned out to be a lovely place to visit. We had the entire place to ourselves. We saw great blue herons, snowy egrets, white-faced ibis (I challenge you to find the white face on this seemingly all black bird), pelicans, double-crested cormorants, something we thought were Phalaropes, but now I think were Western Grebes, hundreds of Canada geese, a variety of ducks, swallows, and hawks which we didn't identify.
A strange sight we encountered was decomposed and half eaten carcasses of sheep. The workers at the refuge told us the sheep did not die there, but died elsewhere and were brought in to attact the coyotes, foxes, raccoons, and other predators that normally feast on eggs and young birds in the nests along the shoreline.
The workers also told us many of the Canada geese had been captured from parks and golf courses in Salt Lake City where they are considered a nuisance, and relocated here. We decided they took the prize yesterday both in population size and in noise.
I think I have fallen in love with this remote and beautiful location. I will visit it again alone sometime in an early morning, with a good supply of coffee and a folding chair, I'll set up a site where I can sit quietly and wait for the birds to come in close. (I so need a good camera.) I could not get good pictures of any birds yesterday, but some nice landscape. With my new field guide and handy quick reference guide, and notebook for jotting notes, I'll spend some serious time observing and logging my sightings. The migration is just starting and the next couple of months will provide some excellent viewing. I wish I had a little canoe for rowing amongst the marshes.
So now, the weekend is all but over. I think I may do another hour of weeding in a shady part of the yard. And then I'll do a little grocery shopping and call it a day.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Chill in the air
Filled up the four-day weekend with so much fun. As usual, have to go back to work for a rest from all the fun.
I need to get serious about a few inside projects. I dislike having construction going on in the house - it's so disruptive. But I do need to buckle down and do it.


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Attack of the Chairbot.
When I was in high school, my brother and his friends would play a futuristic PC game called Mechwarrior 2. Could this Hubo FX-1 Chairbot be the first step towards creating deadly world-ravaging Mechwarriors? Maybe ... although the designers might first want to work on the speed before field testing in the war zone.
Given that it's called a chairbot, I'm sure the designers had a much more altruistic aim in mind (I just can't figure out what it might have been). Hit play or go to link [youtube] to see the chairbot in action. via Gizmodo
Newest 3 Comments
On thing for sure, the "ctrl. stick" is only there for show. at 30 sec. the thing backup before the stick is pulled back...
It's awesome that nerds' love for gadgets help further the ends of many people with disabilities... although I'd much rather have a Professor X chair than a chairbot.
Reminds me of Wallace and Gromit in "The Wrong Trousers". All you need is an evil penguin!


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From Portico, Feb. 23, 2011:
Portico (www.portico.org/digital-preservation/) is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement with Oxford University Press (OUP) to preserve the publisher's entire collection of e-books from its Oxford Scholarship Online resource and Handbooks Online resource. With this agreement, OUP expands its relationship with Portico, which began in 2006 with the publisher's commitment to deposit its entire list of e-journals in the Portico archive.
"Today, publishers increasingly need an e-books preservation strategy to effectively serve our community of scholars, researchers, and students now and into the future," commented Robert Faber of Oxford University Press. "Portico's e-books preservation service provides a reliable way for publishers and libraries to work together and affirm their commitment to permanent archiving."
Oxford Scholarship Online is OUP's cross-searchable digital library of over 4,400 full-text books in academic disciplines such as history, classical studies, religion, political science, business, literature, and mathematics. Oxford Handbooks Online is an online resource of the prestigious Oxford handbooks series, available as a collection of four subject modules.
As part of the agreement, OUP will make an annual contribution to Portico to support its e-book preservation service. "We are happy to extend our relationship with Oxford University Press, which was a very early supporter of Portico's preservation work," stated Toni Tracy, Director of Publisher Relations for Portico. "Through our separate e-book and e-journal preservation services, we hope to provide both publishers and libraries with options to participate in Portico in ways that suit their resources and budgets."
Since 2005, the number of titles and types of content preserved in Portico has grown significantly. To date, over 12,000 e-journals, 70,000 e-books, and 39 digitized historical collections have been entrusted to the Portico archive. For a complete list of Portico-related facts and figures, please visit Portico's Archive Facts & Figures. The complete list of titles and participating publishers is available at www.portico.org/digital-preservation/who-participates-in-portico/.
For additional information on Portico's preservation services, please contact [email protected].
For additional information about Oxford University Press and their online publishing program, contact [email protected].


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Title: Follow Me Back
Author: A. Meredith Walters
My Rating: A
Genre: New Adult
Series: Twisted Love #2
Main Characters: Maxx and Aubrey
Release Date: May 2015
Publisher: Gallery
Links to Purchase:
Sexual Intensity: spicy
Story Overview:
Aubrey Duncan has loved…and lost. Should she follow a heart that's betrayed her or a head that tells her to let go?
Maxx Demelo's addiction almost destroyed him. It ruined his life and, most importantly, his relationship with the only girl he ever loved.
He has vowed to become the man Aubrey Duncan deserves. Even if he has to tear himself apart to do it. So he enters rehab, trying to fix the parts of him that are shattered as he longs to be healthy and whole.
Aubrey lost everything because she chose to listen to her heart. Now she has sworn to put herself first, to heal in the only way that she can…far away from Maxx and his demons.
But just as Aubrey is starting over, Maxx is released from rehab and thrust back into her world, determined to prove how much they still need each other. And the chaos that had defined them threatens to unleash once again…
But a heart, no matter how broken, is impossible to ignore.My Review:
This is the second (and I think final) book in this series. If you haven't read the first book, you need to because the two books definitely need to go together because they make up a single story. Also, this review will contain some minor spoilers for the first book so stop reading it now if you haven't read that first one.
This book picks up where the first book left off...with Maxx going to rehab. His brush with death has opened Aubrey's eyes too. She can't be his crutch and support system anymore. It's not healthy for her or him, so she's done. But as she realizes just how unstable she had become in their relationship, she begins to look at all the other aspects of her life. Why was it so important for her to become a substance abuse counselor when it's a trigger for her and her sister's OD death?
This book really focuses on the two more as individuals as they begin to rebuild their mental lives...and it's great in that aspect. There's so much character growth over the course of the story. I loved that. For me, Aubrey was especially heartwarming because she's brutally honest with herself and others about how she got so off-course. That's where her schooling really shines through.
And there is a romantic side to this story...eventually. The chemistry between Maxx and Aubrey hasn't let up, no matter how hard she's fought it. But Maxx respects her boundaries for the most part. He's not willing to step away from her completely, but he won't pressure her...too much. She doesn't trust him anymore and rightly so, but the book is still romantic and has a great rebuilding of their relationship. While the first book left me feeling strung out, this one gave me hope. I also LOVE that there's an epilogue that give a little glimpse in to the future. For these characters and their issues, that was definitely needed and expertly executed by the author.
I'm so happy I read this series. It was painful at times, but that level of emotion is what I look for in my books sometimes and A. Meredith Walters wrote it all so well. This second book was incredible...and I didn't set it down once I began reading. It was so good and I recommend you check out the Twisted Love series. Maxx and Aubrey will twist your heart a few times, but in the end they are worth it.
Other things that I loved... It should also be noted that I loved Brooks and Renee and what they added to the story. I would love to see both of them get their own stories, too. I also really loved the continuation of Maxx and his art in this book to deal with his addiction...really beautiful.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.


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We are delighted to announce a new category – the Food & Wine Writer Awards.
The deadline for entries is 10th April and the Awards ceremony will be held on 15th September at the Royal Academy of Arts. For more information about the Awards and to enter, please click here.
27th February, London – Champagne Louis Roederer is delighted to declare the Louis Roederer International Wine Writers' Awards 2015 open for entries. The 'Roederers', now in their 11th year, have long been internationally recognised as the ultimate in accolades for wine writers in all countries*, through all written and visual media.
This year's awards will be returning to the prestigious Royal Academy of Arts on London's Piccadilly on 15th September for the Awards ceremony.
The Judges
Charles Metcalfe (chair)
Nina Caplan
Dr Neil Beckett
Jancis Robinson OBE MW
Gabriel Stone
Food – the perfect accompaniment
The full list of categories for the 2015 Louis Roederer International Wine Writers is as follows:


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Yesterday I was privileged to attend a Parenting Beyond Belief workshop presented by Dale McGowan—2008 Harvard Humanist of the Year, executive director of Foundation Beyond Belief, and author of secular humanist parenting books (Raising Freethinkers & Parenting Beyond Belief)—and hosted by Center for Inquiry-Michigan (CFI-MI). In addition to making a number of meaningful connections with other secular humanist parents and thinkers, I also left with nearly a dozen inspirations for new blog posts. One such inspiration relates to the following nearly verbatim quote from Dale McGowan:
If you don't talk about it [to your children], it's magic…
McGowan's point was to express the mystery and intrigue that parentally censored or avoided topics can capture and convoke for children. A child growing up in a secular family, not knowing or understanding what happens behind closed church doors, whose parents treat the topic of religion and religious literacy as a taboo, is at a higher risk for "teen epiphany" in her adolescent identity diffusion years. Lacking religious literacy, she is confronted by a peer religionist who presents a message of certainty, teleology, and community centered on a given set of dogmas. Already inclined to differentiate her identity from her parents, she grasps on to this message, thinking, "Surely this is what I have been missing, this is the purpose I was made for…" And, unfortunately, as McGowan points out, "teen epiphany" conversions are the most likely to land a person into fundamentalist and hence dangerous categories of religious identity. This adolescent's secular parents who may or may not be engaged, principled secularists are suddenly taken aback by their daughter's fundamentalist conversion and ask, "How can this be? We never encouraged or even discussed religion as a family."
Example from my Personal Life
During my adolescent years I had a number of "teen epiphanies." I won't focus on each one, but one of significance was my introduction to Pentecostalism—the largely Evangelical movement that is notably characterized by glossolalia ("speaking in tongues") and focus on the "sign gifts" (see I Corinthians 12ff). This particular epiphany is noteworthy for me as it marked my first step away from my familial religious identity and was precipitated by a wonderment of the magic behind closed doors.
Before my encounter I knew that Pentecostals "spoke in tongues" and participated in supernaturally-inspired activities, but I never saw these at work, I only knew of them through hearsay. In turn, I sustained a particular fascination with "speaking in tongues" and with what I perceived to be a special connection, a unique closeness to God that fomented one's being "carried in the Spirit" to perform such supernatural activities as glossolalia, etc. Though I never saw behind the closed doors, I constructed a highly-idealized mental image of what occurred there only I was a spectator and not a participant to the "magic."
When I was fifteen I was confronted by a religionist whose father was a Pentecostal-Charismatic pastor. We talked about the "baptism by the Spirit" with "speaking in tongues" as its outward sign for nearly two hours. Alone in a cabin in the North Woods of Wisconsin, he prayed over me both with glossolalia and in English. The sound of his glossolalia captivated me. He then told me to "speak out in faith, let the Holy Spirit form your words, let go of your tongue." I spoke out in faith and with a rush of adrenaline, which I "knew" was the Holy Spirit, I was overwhelmed with a sense of transcendence. The words or sounds I spoke, however, were not English or any language that I knew. I was "speaking in tongues"—the shaman had cast his spell, and I swooned under the influence of his magic.
Years later, though while still a Christian, I learned that glossolalia could be explained without any reference to the supernatural—it was a naturalistic phenomenon. I spent several years in the Pentecostal denomination the Assemblies of God before my doubts about glossalia got the best of me. But, had it not been for the spell of Pentecostalism cast onto a young and empty mind, I would never have succumbed. I do not fault my parents or anyone for this time in my life, but I know that the magic behind closed doors, the doors of Pentecostal churches, made my draw much stronger and my stay much longer.
Religious Literacy for My Children
Religious literacy—awareness of other peoples' faith systems—is critically important for anyone desiring to understand the world and human cultures. It is also important as a means to fostering independence of thought and autonomy of decision in children raised by freethinking parents while also allowing them to avoid the ignorant pitfalls of "teen epiphany."
I currently have little control over my oldest three children's religious literacy (or lack thereof). They are being indoctrinated in a fundamentalist school and in a fundamentalist church. When I see them they ask me questions about evolution, homosexuality and gay marriage, morality, and God. I know their minds are probing beyond the corridors of backwaters fundamentalism into the verdant intellectual waters beyond. With my youngest religious literacy will be little challenge. His parents are well informed in various religious traditions, we discuss religion frequently in the home, and we attend a liberal church (if it can be called this) that intentionally promotes religious literacy in various traditions.


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As expected, Governor O'Malley has announced his intentions to sponsor same-sex marriage legislation in Maryland.
I have been very critical of O'Malley and his lack of leadership on this issue during the 2011 legislative session. I also believe that the only reason he decided to support the bill was the active role played by Gov. Cuomo in New York when the state legislature legalized same sex marriage earlier this summer. I'll add that given the incredible success of the petition drive to place the Maryland DREAM Act on the ballot in 2012 the General Assembly may be hesitant to pass another bill that would most certainly trigger another petition drive and another ballot initiative - meaning that 2011 was really the year to get behind the bill.
But.... the bill has a far greater chance of passing with O'Malley's full and vocal support and given the controversy that this is likely to cause among Catholic and African-American religious leaders this represents a brave and bold decision by a governor who rarely takes political risks.
On behalf of all of us who are straight, but not narrow (minded) I say thank you Governor O'Malley for standing up for the simple, but essential concept of equality under the law. I stand with you and will certainly do whatever I can to support your legislation.
From O'Malley's Press Release:
"As a free and diverse people of many faiths, we choose to be governed under the law by certain fundamental principles or beliefs, among them "equal protection of the law" for every individual and the "free exercise" of religion without government intervention. In the 2012 legislative session, I will sponsor legislation that protects religious freedom and equality of marital rights under the law."


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Black satin dress with gold and black lace overlay on the bodice and sleeves. I used Simplicity 2444/Project Runway pattern and I cannot believe how well it turned out. Overall, this dress took me about seven hours, including cutting time. It came together like a dream! (And there are pockets. Everything I make from now on will have pockets because POCKETS ARE AMAZING.)
Normally, I would've been rocking my black satin pumps with this outfit, but these uber comfy flats worked much better with my crutches.
I chose to tie the sash in a small bow in the back so the front of the dress had more of a cummerbund look. It also cinched in my waist so I couldn't hit the buffet so hard (being on crutches also helped with that).
The lace overlay was surprisingly easy - I just flatlined to the satin and then used simulated French seams on the inside of the bodice so I did not have lace scratching me all night. I did not want to be the girl at the wedding who looks like she is dealing with a flea infestation. This is a fancy affair, y'all.
Here is the whole gang. Don't we look smashing? This may be the only time I ever see my friends this dressed up, and vice versa!
There was an insane amount of food. Truly. AND THEN THERE WAS THIS CREAMSICLE THINGY.
It was perfect. And it was on a stick.
The whole gang and the bride and groom. Love this picture. We've been playing bar trivia together for years now, and they are some truly fabulous (and smart) people.


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Southend striker Neil Harris has announced his retirement.
The 35-year-old, who had one year remaining on his contract at Roots Hall, has hung up his boots due to a persistent knee injury and has been linked with a coaching role at former club Millwall.
He told the Shrimpers' website: "I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Southend United and realised a boyhood dream by playing for the club I used to watch from the North Bank.
"I enjoyed every minute of my time at Roots Hall but unfortunately due to injury I have had to end what has been a very enjoyable career. I am now looking ahead to the future and the rest of my life."
New Millwall boss Steve Lomas is currently deciding on his backroom staff and could turn to club legend Harris, who scored 138 goals in two spells at The Den.


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His songs 'spoke of the diseases and fears poorly hidden from view. They spoke for and against the little man, the ubiquitous civilian bewildered by the speed of events threatening to sweep him up or leave him behind. And they spoke in a variety of voices: dead pan, severe, sardonic, satirical and, finally, disarmingly sincere....' -Biba Kopf '91.
The first band signed to Mute Records (which was started by Daniel Miller of The Normal, and jumpstarted the careers of bands such as Yazoo, Depeche Mode, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Erasure, Virgin Prunes, and many others), Fad Gadget was at the forefront of the electronic/dance/synthpop scene in Europe. Frank Tovey would played solo with a drum machine on stage. This confused many audience members who were used to seeing the standard guitar/bass/drums format in popular music. Fad Gadget was a huge inspiration for future Mute Records bands such as Depeche Mode and Erasure (who used a similar formula). Fad Gadget would also inspire bands such as Einstürzende Neubauten with their use of drills and electric razors on their performances and records. What set Frank Tovey apart from many in the early darkwave scene was his avoidance of scifi themes in his music, instead focusing on machinery,construction and human sexuality.
The first three Fad Gadget albums (Fireside Favorites, Incontinent, and Under The Flag) were mostly recorded by Tovey himself. On their fourth record Gag, he finally hired a group of musicians and you can hear a definite change in quality. Einstürzende Neubauten also toured with Fad Gadget during this time in 1984. He also recorded a solo album with famed noise artist Boyd Rice entitled Easy Listening for the Hard of Hearing. Fad Gadget was known for his confrontational live performances, which included Tovey covering himself in tar and feathers, leaping into the audience, and playing instruments with his head. Tovey was particularly infamous for spreading his naked body in shaving cream onstage, an image of which is depicted on the cover of The Best of Fad Gadget.
In 1989 he changed musical directions, recording an acoustic album of protest songs called Tyranny and the Hired Hand. He then recorded a series of solo albums until his departure from the music business in 1993.
In 2001, after a near 10 year retirement, Frank Tovey brought back the Fad Gadget name to tour with his former labelmates Depeche Mode on their Exciter tour. He continued to perform live until his sudden death of a heart attack on April 3, 2002.
It's sad we will never hear another note from Frank Tovey and they often get ignored when discussing the early 80s electronic/synthpop scene. Bands like Depeche Mode, New Order, Pet Shop Boys are always mentioned but Fad Gadget was there before any of them. Mute Records has had a reputation of being trailblazers in electronic music and Fad Gadget was the band that led it all. On March and April of this year, New York City will be hosting a tribute to Fad Gadget/Frank Tovey with a screening of a documentary on Frank Tovey's life, examining his music and his influence which will take place at Dixon Place. The loss of Frank Tovey is huge in the underground scene and though they never saw any real mainstream success, the world is a colder place without him.


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Guest Blogger(s): Recap from The Fashion of Goodwill Runway Show 2014
Tags: DC Celine, DC Fashion, DC fashion bloggers, DC Goodwill, DC Style Factory, fashion of goodwill, Guest Bloggers, Heart, Petite Punk, Print & Style, Real Girl Runway, Style Me Thrifty, Style Medic, thrift fashion, thrift fashion blog, Two Take on Style, Wardrobe Oxygen, Whitney Nic James
Today's post is dedicated to my fellow bloggers who were able to come out and enjoy The Fashion of Goodwill this year! I'm takin' the backseat and letting these social media queens take the reigns. Here's what they had to say…
The Pop Up Shop:
N'jeri, a style assistant with DC Style Factory, shared "From the trunk show, I absolutely loved a fur coat that I was completely swooning over. I also made a purchase; a beautiful red fedora which was definitely on my shopping list for this fall. The trunk show was a great experience that I felt brought everyone with similar interest in one room to celebrate fashion/style for a good cause."
Maddy, of Style Me Thrifty, shared on her recap of the show: "The runway show featured all secondhand clothing (or "previously loved," as I like to say) from Goodwill. Sometimes I think thrift shopping gets a bad rap. Searching through all those racks may seem like too much trouble or you fear you'll find stains or broken zippers. But how can you pass up these great bargains?! It's amazing the gems you can find when you put your mind to it. Here's Kate admiring two $5 thrifted skirts from LOFT and Ann Taylor, both in perfect condition."
Brea, of What I Wore: tip to toe, went home with this amazing vintage beaded gown. Not to mention, she got for just $35.00. What a fabulous find!
Deb, of Real Girl Runway, scored an actual piece from the show. As Deb, Brea and I sat together during the show – Deb called dibs on this piece: the "Pray for Fashion" tee. We hawked the post-show racks to get this piece for her closet!
Carolyn Becker, of Petite Punk wrote, "For me, the best part of the event was the inclusion of a Goodwill Pop-Up Trunk Show on the premises of the show. As you know, I love to thrift. So thrifting on a Wednesday evening while eating good food and sipping wine was definitely something I'd like to do every weekday evening."
Vivi of Heart, Print & Style, shared this great photo of fellow blogger Whitney James having fun photographing one of the fashionable attendees. Adorable!
The Runway Show:
N'jeri of DC Style Factory: "I had a couple of favorite runway looks including a green pastel pant suit, a very 90's inspired metallic silver dress completed with a leather jacket and black pumps and absolutely love all the fur coats and accessories that finished different looks of the evening."
Carolyn Becker of Petite Punk: "My favorite looks of the evening consisted of all things vintage and all things glittery. The black and silver ball gown, the cream sequined jacket, and the black sequin dress all need to be in my closet now. Goodwill sure knows how to push on an amazing fashion show, all while helping the community at the same time."
The Overall Experiences:
Alison Gary of Wardrobe Oxygen: "This is my second time attending the Goodwill Fashion show, an it's always an event I'm sure to attend each year. It's fun to connect with fellow fashionistas with heart, shopping and supporting a wonderful organization that does so much for our great city. It was inspiring to see how Goodwill and the Marriott Marquis have helped so many DC residents find great jobs and to see how fab fashion can be found at your local Goodwill!"
Carolyn Becker of Petite Punk, "I can't think of a better way to spend a Wednesday night. The Goodwill Fashion Show was filled with fun, food, and all the thrift finds I could ever dream of. One of my favorite parts of the evening was meeting other fashionable ladies and bonding over our common love for Goodwill. The Fashion Show itself was exciting and full of energy — this was my first Goodwill Fashion show and it was more than I expected. I was surprised and happy to see garments on the runway from all professions and eras."
Vivi, of Heart, Print & Style: "The fashion show was a lot of fun. The DJ spun some great tunes from Prince's "Kiss" to Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" to Cyndi Lauper's "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun". I was straight dancing in my seat. Each song brought about a different runway theme. After the show was over, we hightailed back to the shopping area to get our hands on some of the clothes that came straight off the runway. Another option was to shop the runway clothes at their online auction. To participate, click here. Lots of fabulous items still available for purchase."
Whitney of Whitney Nic James: "This was my 3rd year attending the Goodwill fashion show and I had an amazing time! Not only was the fashion show enjoyable, but the venue was breathtaking! I l really love what the Goodwill is doing for the Washington D.C. community, and was proud to be apart of such an awesome event. Can't wait until next year!"
Social Media Queen Pics & Vids!
Maddy, of Style Me Thrifty, put together this awesome video recap of her highlights from the evening as she sipped an shopped along fellow fashion blogger, Kate of Two Take on Style. Love this!
I have to give a HUGE thank you to all the bloggers who attended and covered this event! I had an amazing evening with you ladies and hope to see you again next year!
More from my site
« Recap: Let's Get to Work! The Fashion of Goodwill takes over D.C. | Saturday Spotlight: Arlington Goodwill on Columbia Pike »
3 Comments for Guest Blogger(s): Recap from The Fashion of Goodwill Runway Show 2014
September 19, 2014
Seriously my favorite fashion show of the year (NYFW included) thanks for always including the DC blogging community.
September 19, 2014
Brea, thank you for coming to support Goodwill! You look fab (as always)! See you again soon!
November 8, 2014
[…] stylish ones, of course! I've got to show you how she styled a few of her finds from the Fashion Show back in […]
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I had the best intentions to type a whole blog post up tonight. But after a day of swim lessons, the Children's Museum, Dinner and the Purdue game, and photo editing...I am exhausted! So at the risk of sounding highly uneducated if I try to crank out a long, picture filled post, I think I'll just let the randomness flow tonight.
1. I can't figure out what to think about leggings. I know I L-O-V-E them because they're comfortable..but I still have some questions. They aren't technically "pants" so can you wear them as pants? Are my legs too chubby for them? Should my bum be covered up with my shirt when I wear them? I just don't know. All I know is that all of my jeans are tight so leggings are my first choice at the moment. I'm sure by the time I figure them out, they'll be out of style.
2. To go along with #1, I'm really struggling to decide whether to let go of the fact that my size 0 jeans just aren't getting along with my post-baby body. Do I try to find time to work out and lose weight or do I just realize that a size 2 is not the end of the world? Ugh, decisions.
3. My child will turn 1 in a few weeks. I will have a 1 year old. When and how did this happen?
4. I have a lot of big decisions to make in the next few months. Considering I can't even make a decision between Arby's or Chick-Fil-A, this is stressing me out big time. Any prayers are appreciated! :)
5. I'm quite certain that planning a first birthday party is stressing me out as much as planning my wedding did. This could have something to do with the fact that I literally have nothing done. When do I have time to accomplish this?! I see a lot of late nights in my future!
6. I haven't watched the slideshow of the photos of Kason's birth in quite some time. I plan to watch it the night before his first birthday and cry my eyes out. I am so, so, so thankful for those photos.
7. My photography business is really starting to pick up! It's so encouraging and I get so excited for every shoot. I used to dread editing but now that I'm slowly figuring out Photoshop, I love it! Now I'm ready for some warm weather and gorgeous summer lighting. Bring it on!
8. I've never been a fan of snow but I want a snow storm in the worst way. I want a day (not 4 like last year) where I can stay home all day and snuggle with Kason. Spring break is only a month away, but I need a break before then! I'm thinking there won't be any snow days this winter though!
9. I haven't been to see a movie in theatre since I was pregnant. How sad is that? Part of it is of course, Kason, but the other part is that I just don't love spending $20 to see a movie. I really do want to see the Vow, so I might try to get to the theatre to see it. I also never saw The Help or Water for Elephants..I need to get those on redbox. Only problem? I fall asleep watching movies at home. Every. Time.
10. It's official, I'm drinking coke again. I haven't had it in about 3 years (ever since I had a kidney stone) and I've fallen off the wagon. I've been so tired recently, that I swing by McDonalds on my way to school. I'm so much more awake and happy if I get a little caffeine in my system. I know it's not healthy, but without it, I might lose my job. Teaching requires a lot of patience which for me, means caffeine! :)
11. I WILL blog about the super bowl, playdates, and Christmas eventually. They are all posts in the making, I just don't have time to finish them. Someday.
That's all I got tonight. Pretty boring huh? I'm going to head to bed at 9:45 on a Saturday night. When did I become so old???


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Pro-life advocates have prayed for decades that the shame and scandal which Planned Parenthood so richly deserved would finally become their public portion. And many of us have added to our prayers our educational efforts, sidewalk counseling, peaceful protest, letter-writing, political advocacy and more.
But it has only been in the last few years that we have seen this shame and scandal finally begin to stick to the mega-abortion corporation that is Planned Parenthood. Thank You, Lord.
Live Action's undercover videos exposing the abortionists' vile procedures (including the repeated cover up of statutory rape) have not been covered by the mainstream media. But the alternative media has reported the news. And thus more and more Americans are aware of the truly sinister nature of Planned Parenthood.
Several state legislatures have attempted to de-fund the giant abortion business. And even though the Obama administration, liberal judges and the Democrat Party continue to fight those de-funding actions, the public is learning the truth; namely, that Planned Parenthood is a very rich corporation and not at all the needy charity as it has masqueraded.
There is also a beginning of grassroots opposition to Planned Parenthood's nefarious partnerships. For instance, parents are choosing to take their daughters out of Girl Scouts because of that organization's cozy relationship with Planned Parenthood. Many who would otherwise make donations to Komen for the Cure are looking elsewhere because of that organization's bizarre, counter-productive relationship with Planned Parenthood.
And parents are finally putting pressure on local school districts to get their kids away from Planned Parenthood's ineffective, immoral, abortion-selling "sex education" classes.
All of this is good news, hopeful news. But it is news that should merely fire us up to oppose the racist, elitist and bloody business of Planned Parenthood with greater fervency than ever.
Let's roll.


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Listen to Sanders Pierce discuss the situation with the National Alliance and the ongoing legal struggle to recover and restore Dr. Pierce's mission on a program broadcast Friday, February 6th on the American Nationalist Network's, World View Conversations program.
Also included in the show is some dialog with Jim Ring.
Check Out Current Events Podcasts at Blog Talk Radio with American Nationalist Network on BlogTalkRadio with American Nationalist Network on BlogTalkRadio


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I love having a few jars of pie filling in the pantry. They're perfect for quick desserts and breakfasts. Just open them up, sprinkle on a crisp-type topping and pop it in the oven. I love that.
The past couple of years, I've made and canned pie filling with corn starch. It worked fine - for a few months. After about 6 months, the filling starts to separate and get a bit clumpy and watery. It's fine when you stir it up, but it's not exactly a paragon of shelf stability.
[I always wanted to use the word 'paragon' to describe pie filling and now I have. I'm so glad I can check that off my bucket list.]
The National Center for Home Food Preservation doesn't recommend using corn starch in canned pie filling. In case you wondered.
They recommend Clear Gel. Which is great, but we can't get that around here. What we can get is Perma Flo, so I looked it up. The NCHFP hasn't done any research on it and they categorically recommend against anything they themselves haven't researched.
So, of course, I had to try it. My local Amish place loves it and that's all they use. Perma Flo is the same stuff as Therm Flo, so look/ask for both. Your local place might have one or the other.
Basically, you whisk up the Perma Flo into the boiling liquid [water, juice, etc.], let it start getting thick and then add the fruit and sugar. Bring it to a boil, put in jars and process quarts for 30 minutes.
Blackberry Pie Filling with Perma Flo
1 gallon blackberries
3 quarts water
1 cup rounded Perma Flo
3 cups sugar
Step 1. Bring the liquid to a boil. There was none in my gallon of berries, so I put 3 quarts of water in a pot and 1 quart of the berries and brought that to a boil. I mashed the berries while I was at it to release the juices.
Step 2. Whisk in the Perma Flo. I used 1/4 cup per quart of fruit. 1 gallon of berries needed 1 cup of Perma Flo. I rounded the cup.
Step 3. Stir until it starts to thicken. It took a few minutes.
Step 4. Add fruit [the rest of the gallon of berries], sugar [3 cups] and return to boil.
Step 5. Put in clean jars, wipe rims, top with clean lids and rings.
Step 6. Process jars for 30 minutes. The NCHFP recommends water bath canning.
Yield: 5.5 quarts of gorgeous blackberry pie filling.
It worked great! Tomorrow I'll tell you about the cherry pie filling.
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Experiments with Pie Filling and Perma Flo
5 comments:
Your local Amish place? Does it have a name or is it just a stall somewhere?ReplyDeleteReplies
Freedom Country Store on Hwy 231 just north of Worthington. It's a great place.Delete
Oooh, how cool! Have you tried it yet? Does it taste just like cornstarch would? King Arthur Flour sells Clear Gel. I might have to try that one of these days.ReplyDeleteReplies
It's very good! Has no taste really - so it's just like corn starch that way. I like it.Delete
could you make this and then freeze it. I want to make an unbaked pie ahead of time to bake later? ThanksReplyDelete
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Here are some suggested authors for the challenge. You can use either authors or book names, it's up to you!
Nora Roberts
J D Robb
Robin D Owens
J R Ward
Robin McKinley
Robin D Owens
Karen Marie Moning
Mary Balogh
Fern Michaels
Judith McNaught
Anna Campbell
Anne Gracie
Jennifer Ashley
Jane Austen
Amanda Quick
Jayne Ann Krentz
Cecelia Ahern
Shana Abe
Nora Roberts
Nalini Singh
Nicholas Sparks
Christine Feehan
Catherine Coulter
Stella Cameron
Kresley Cole
Loretta Chase
Jennifer Crusie
Cecelia Ahern
Elizabeth Hoyt
Suzanne Enoch
Emily Bryan
Eileen Wilks
Elizabeth Lowell
Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Romance Challenge Suggestions
Royal Reviewer Alaine at 11:25 PM
6 comments:
- Susie Tudor Daughter said...
Alaine~Thank-you so much for the great review of Envy. I am going to get all three for my 16 year old daughter and I to read over the summer. Also great suggestions for the Romance Challenge, I really appreciate it.
- June 3, 2009 at 12:34 PM
- Linda Ellen said...
Thank you for the suggestions! This is exciting =)
- June 3, 2009 at 4:14 PM
- The Book Resort said...
This is so much fun!
- June 3, 2009 at 4:53 PM
- Teddyree said...
Great suggestions, I can't wait to start on this challenge - end of this week I think LOL
- June 3, 2009 at 6:39 PM
- Caffey said...
I'm reading a Mary Balogh now :) THEN COMES SEDUCTION. I'm finally doing a challenge, but don't know if I'm doing it right, LOL
- June 3, 2009 at 9:28 PM
- Alaine - Queen of Happy Endings said...
Caffey, sounds like you are doing it just right!
- June 4, 2009 at 4:49 PM
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B.L.T. is the ongoing Collaborative Painting Project of Bob Stang, Lisa Beerntsen, & Tony Speirs. Thanks for visiting! We welcome your inquiries at firstname.lastname@example.com
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
B.L.T. Debut Exhibition in Healdsburg!
B.L.T.'s first real exhibition (14 works) is hanging at
The Flying Goat
(coffee purveyors extraordinaire)
324 Center Street, in Healdsburg, CA.
(click on image to see larger)
There will be a Gala (well sorta) Reception on
Saturday, March 19th at 8pm.
Please do join us if you possibly can!
2 comments:
It was a dark and rainy night -- but the show was terrific this evening at The Flying Goat in Healdsburg! Gerry and I particularly liked BLT Covers the World, reminiscent of the Sherwin Williams Paint Company headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio. The BLT sandwiches were a nice touch. Thank you for the hospitality Lisa, Tony, and Bob.ReplyDelete
Stop in and take a look if you have the opportunity. Healdsburg is a great destination, especially on a sunny day.
Thanks you two, for stopping in & enjoying the work! It was a pleasure to meet you, and we had a good time. As users of paint, that 'cover the world' logo tickles us, ad its always nice when a painting has a personal resonance for someone who views it!ReplyDelete


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Like past years I like to list my top 10 albums of the past year. And like last year it has been like a year since my last post, dude am I lame huh. So here you go drum roll please..............
10. Haley Bonar- Last War
9. TV on the Radio- Seeds
8. David Guetta- Listen
7. Trampled by Turtles- Wild Animals
6. Benjamin Booker- Self Titled
5. The New Pornographers- Brill Bruisers
4. Sia- 1000 Forms of Fear
3. Linkin Park- The Hunting Party
2. Alt J- This is all yours
1. Pixies- Indie Cindy
It was such a great year for me in music. There was so many good albums that I could have easily put on my top 10 list. Plus I found myself listening to many different styles of music this year which was fun. In the end I went with the return of the Pixies. These guys like many others have gotten back together after many years away but these guys came back with music that for me was totally on par with the past albums for sure!


text: Twins Split by 'Science' Reunite Elyse Schein and Paula Bernstein raised in different families as part of scientific study By Caroline Zimmerman, Newser User Posted Oct 1, 2007 2:29 PM CDT 0 comments Comments Twins Split by 'Science' Reunite Identical Strangers book trailer (twinstrangers (YouTube)) (Newser) – Three decades into a bizarre nature-versus-nurture experiment, Elyse Schein abruptly discovered she and a twin sister had been separated at birth and adopted into separate homes—all in the name of science. They eventually found each other in 2004, and now talked with CBS about their new memoir, Identical Strangers. The study probably aimed to shed light on the relationship between heredity and mental illness, but was cut short over ethical considerations. Schein and twin Paula Bernstein were among five sets of twins and one set of triplets involved. Though the girls shared an immediate intimacy, "it's taken 3 1/2 years for us to become sisters," Bernstein says. View 2 images