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We thought it is about time to launch our Kitchen section. So here is a cultural dish from Lebanon.
[lentil rice stew]
This delicious dish is one of the most popular in Lebanon. It's a one pot recipe, easy to
prepare, with little ingredients and high nutritional value. Many families eat it on Fridays, as it is a tradition among Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Christians to fast on meat on that specific day. Traditionally, the onion is fried in the beginning, but for a lighter version, we are going to skip this part and the result will be as tasty and rich as the original one. It's typical to eat it with a cabbage salad, which recipe will be given as well.
- 1 cup of brown or green lentils
- 2 tablespoons of Egyptian rice (you can use whatever rice you want as long as it's white short-grain rice)
- 2 big onions, divided
- Salt
- 3 tablespoons of olive oil
- vegetable oil (preferably sunflower)
-Wash well the lentils and put them in a pot. Pour water to cover 2cm above the lentils.Simmer on low fire for 35-40 minutes until they are almost cooked. Stir from time to time.
-Finely chop one of the onions. Wash well the rice and add it with the onion to the pot. Add salt to taste. Simmer for another 15-20 minutes until the lentils and rice are totally soft. Keep on stirring from time to time. You might want to add some warm water to have the final consistency of a thick stew.
-Turn off fire and add the olive oil. Mix well.
-Finely slice the second onion and fry it in vegetable oil until it's deep gold (it's a critical timing, catch them when they are deep gold and before they get burned). Put them on a kitchen paper to drain the oil and then sprinkle them on the dish.This step is optional, but it will give the dish a richer taste and look.
Serve it at room temperature.
- 1 small cabbage
- 3-4 cloves of garlic
- The juice of one lemon
- 1 tablespoon of dried mint
- Salt
- 3 tablespoons of olive oil
-Finely slice the cabbage
-Peel and crush the garlic with a garlic press or in a mortar with a pestle. Add to it the dried mint and as salt as you like. Mix it well to let the ingredients marry. Add the lemon juice and the olive oil and mix.
-Add the dressing to the cabbage and mix well.
In contrast with the Moujaddara, this salad has a very strong and pronounced taste, and that's what makes them go along so well.


text: -1- Post was notoriously cautious when it came to choosing a mortal. While less scrupulous Augurs flocked like moths to the triple flames of fame, wealth, and power, Post enjoyed a challenge. He thought of his mortals as hidden gems buried in the dust beneath the bottom rung of the ladder, seeing potential where others … Continue reading An Unofficial Biography of The Real Burnouts: Chapter 1

subset: commoncrawl


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Zeeland, MI, April 12, 2007 – Industrial Woodworking Corporation (IWC) announced today that it has offset its carbon emissions with Carbonfund.org, the country's leading carbon reduction and offset organization. IWC has offset 100% of its emissions from electrical and natural gas use, management's air travel and corporate vehicles. This step highlights IWC's commitment to be a green leader in West Michigan's furniture manufacturing community.
Considering the implications of climate change and the alarming evidence that is currently being presented from the scientific community, IWC sees carbon offsets as a business necessity and a natural extension of its mission.
The move positions IWC's new online, contemporary home office furniture sales company, Knú, as an entirely green and sustainable venture. Knú launches its website in September 2007.
"It is simply unconscionable not to do this," said Brad Davis, CEO of Industrial Woodworking. "It is blatantly obvious that climate change is here now. We must act both on an individual and a business level to lessen our impact on the Earth."
"IWC has been committed to environmental stewardship since we began in 1995," Davis added. We intend to lead by example, to show the furniture industry and our customers that a company can be very successful when it puts the environment first."
Carbonfund.org is a non-profit organization whose goal is to make carbon offsets and climate protection easy, affordable and a normal way of life for every individual and business. Carbon offsets enable individuals and businesses to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in one location, where it is cost effective, to offset the emissions they are responsible for in their normal activities, like home, office, driving or air travel emissions. For instance, a clean, zero CO2 wind farm can offset the carbon dioxide produced by a coal-fired power plant. By supporting renewable energy, energy efficiency, and reforestation projects Carbonfund.org will retire an equivalent amount of carbon offsets. The financial support from these offsets will then help to continue the development of clean, renewable domestic sources of energy.
Other Energy Saving Measures at IWC/Knú:
IWC's newest plant addition, which has added over 10,000 square feet to the existing facility, will be using F-Bay fluorescent lighting which uses 30% less energy than traditional metal halide lighting and maintains 89.1% foot candle output over the life of the bulbs which have a 20% longer lifespan. Metal Halide only achieves 70% efficiency. Winter heating is handled by infra-red heaters which use 23% to 25.5% less fuel than conventional forced air heating methods.
IWC's Short Wave Infrared finishing ovens run on electricity, come up to temperature within 5 seconds and use light waves to cure finishes. Other furniture companies use gas fired ovens which can require up to an hour and a half to come up to temperature and then consume energy all day long maintaining that operating temperature.
Additional sustainability information about IWC/Knú:
• IWC has been using sustainably harvested wood products exclusively for many years and only works with suppliers who have a demonstrated commitment to sustainable resources and low impact raw materials.
• Knú's proprietary hardware is made from 40% recycled steel and it is 100% recyclable. Its product's substrate is Forest Stewardship Council Certified Multi-ply Birch which is harvested and reforested using sustainable forestry practices. Its primary suppliers are FSC certified as well.
• All finishing is accomplished with HAPS compliant or waterborne finishes utilizing the lowest volatile organic compound emissions possible.
• Knú does not believe in the marketing of our products using catalogs, all product information will be available in a web only format. Not only does the creation of the catalogs destroy millions of trees annually, the delivery and disposal has an extremely negative effect on the environment.
• All Knú products will be shipped directly to the customer from the place of manufacture thereby greatly reducing the environmental footprint of logistics.
• IWC/Knú is dedicated to the principal "Reduce, Recycle, Reuse." Waste is reduced by mixing the minimum amount of materials needed for use that day, and by utilizing cut-to-size programs. It is for routine for them salvage what would have been trash for use as raw material in other products. Nearly all of the packaging material from incoming shipments is recycled. From cardboard to skids to foam spacers, anything that can be recycled or reused is given a second life, and in some cases is used repeatedly.
About Carbonfund.org
Carbonfund.org is the country's leading carbon reduction and offset organization. Carbonfund.org educates the public about the dangers of climate change and makes it easy and affordable for individuals, businesses and organizations to reduce their climate impact.
Carbonfund.org is reducing the threat of climate change by promoting cost-effective carbon reductions and supporting renewable energy, energy efficiency and reforestation projects globally that reduce and offset carbon dioxide emissions. Carbonfund.org works with over 100 corporate and non-profit partners including the National Wildlife Federation, Dell, IMD, Ovation Travel Group and Working Assets.


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Once it was Halloween night. A sixteen year old teenager named Griffon was out trick-or-treating when he walked up to a house. It had really scary decorations – at least he thought they were decorations. The porch light was on, so he walked up and rang the doorbell. Then the porch light turned off. He thought the person living there turned it off on purpose, but the light just shorted out.
So Griffon went back home, got some eggs and toilet paper, and went back to that house. He threw the eggs and toilet paper at the house. He heard a loud grunt, and a rug shot out and wrapped around him like a tongue! He couldn't scream because the tongue-like rug was covering his mouth. The rug took him inside the house and dropped him on the floor. He tried to open the door but it wouldn't open. Griffon was a football player so he tried his tackle. The door would not budge. Then a deep voice said, "Find the back door… Mwahahahaha!" so he went to find the back door.
He went into the next room which happened to be the living room. It was dark and creepy with spider webs everywhere. He kept on walking when he stepped on something gross. It was a tarantula! Griffon ran away from it quickly. The next room was covered with blood! It was the kitchen. There was a guy sitting at the table. He heard the deep voice again, and it said, "I have many people staying with me…You might want to be careful!" The guy at the table said, "I am Doctor K. Illing. Would you like some finger food?" Griffon shook his head. He ran out of that room and was stopped by a cloaked figure with a large knife. He pushed the cloaked figure over and ran to the next room. It was a bedroom. There were three coffins on the floor. Griffon heard hissing. He looked up and saw three vampires - one mom, one dad, and one boy. He ran out of that room as fast as he could.
The next room was the bathroom. Griffon had to go to the bathroom after all that. So he lifted the toilet seat up, and out popped a Reaper and scary guy in a hockey mask with a chainsaw covered with poop! They smelled AWFUL! Then Griffon peed his pants. He ran to the winding stairs in the bathroom and went up to the next room.
A person was waiting who said, "Well done, well done! You survived! Here is the back door." It was the guy with the deep voice! Griffon went out the back door. But then he remembered that he was upstairs and there were no stairs to get outside. Then the guy with the deep voice threw an egg at Griffon. Griffon fell out the back door! Then the guy with the deep voice whistled and two Pit-bulls chased Griffon around! Then the Pit-bulls got him!
Griffon woke up. It was a dream! But his bed was wet. He peed in his bed! Ever since that dream, he slept with his parents.


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Annie Hocker sends this link to a short film about a southeast Texas cattle rancher with a keen eye for what works:
"Stuff is eaten by dogs, broken by family and friends, sanded down by the wind, frozen by the mountains, lost by the prairie, burnt off by the sun, washed away by the rain. So you are left with dogs, family, friends, sun, rain, wind, prairie and mountains. What more do you want?" Federico Calboli
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Something Completely Different
2 comments:
Best. Pig. EVER.
- Wednesday, 23 June, 2010
- Chas S. Clifton said...
I just got around to watching this. Pizza and Dr. Pepper?! Only in Texas.
- Tuesday, 29 June, 2010
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


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|Jennifer Weiner
|Teddy Wayne
So what do you think? Myself, I think both are correct in what they are arguing. It seems to be only a matter of degree on the "Miserableness Index" that we are talking about here.
Follow this link to The Guardian for the article because there is a good bit more to it than I mention here.


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Finally, after much maneuvering and demands for the kids to turn off the light in there, with me recovered sufficiently from the flu that has plagued me
and pumped full of Nyquil Hubby and I were finally able to sit back and watch a horror movie he brought home last week.
Well into the movie, with more than half my popcorn gone, the creeps were settling nicely across the living room. Hubby and I mentioned numerous times that the family were fools to give-up the one link to spiritual lightness and I was well into my role of criticizing the stupidity of the characters. When Hubby looks into the kitchen and points to something near the sliders.
Knowing his wiley ways of terror well, I said "It's the cat or something." Just as said feline rubs her rump against my elbow. Intrigued I look up with a question on my lips as Hubby tells me, "It's a flashlight in the backyard."
What? In my fenced backyard? I think even as I am saying "Well go see what it is!" Creepiness has reached a new level here. He heads to the door, while I remain half-standing near the couch reassuring myself that it is probably the neighbors looking for something in their fenced yard. Then I hear Hubby telling someone the dogs are in the house. OK, time to investigate as he and unknown voice talk about the 1/2 empty pool standing in the yard. Insurance agents? Mosquito Patrol? None of the above. It is the police.
Why are the police looking through my backyard, and sure enough as I poke my head out those of my neighbors as well, at well past 10 on a Sunday night? Well, seems my neighbors are missing. MISSING. Grown adults, who have their elderly mother with them are all gone. And they are looking into my pool?? Ugh. Suddenly every shadow may hide a corpse and my mind reels with the question of when she last visited at the fence to talk about the dog or pick grapefruit. Where did they go? Suddenly the movie isn't so appealing and I settle on a DVR'd episode of Parenthood that the flu kept me from last week.
Still no sign of them. Hope everything is ok and they just took a trip and didn't tell anyone...


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In Los Angeles, where restaurants are continually turning over with name and ownership changes, a revolving door of management/chef swaps and unfortunately closing altogether, it's pretty impressive that an eatery will last more than a couple of years. So when Santa Monica's Melisse announced their ten-year anniversary, it was definitely good reason for them to celebrate their longevity and being a quintessential fine dining establishment.
And celebrate they did -- by offering a special menu in July highlighting ten favorite dishes from their decade in business for $150/person. To further sweeten the deal, corkage for first two bottles of wine (normally $30/bottle) is reduced to $10/bottle per table AND each diner is presented with a $50 gift card for a return visit.
Even given this good bargain, the meal was still on the spendy side (and I already had my 2009 splurge at Saam earlier this year) but much thanks to foodbuzz and their 24,24,24 program, which provides 24 bloggers around-the-world every month with $250 for their dream meals, I was able to partake in Melisse's milestone meal without having worry about pinching pennies!
I assumed when KungFoodPanda made the reservation he noted we were there for the anniversary tasting, since those were the only food menus aleady lying on our table upon our arrival; we were also presented with a winelist, and Will of Fooddigger generously got a bottle of Gosset Grand Réserve champagne ($129) for the table on top of the Chablis he brought. The bubbly was a totally delightful starter to drink with: a balanced nose of nuts, yeasty-toastiness and apple-pears, a medium-full body and a slightly bready finish that lingers just for a second or two.
Meanwhile, the efficient, professional yet very friendly and approachable service staff quickly served up our amuses - an heirloom tomato half enrobed in goat cheese and covered in pistachios, and a tri-layer shot of cucumber flan, tomato gazpacho and tomato gelee, with the staff instructing us to plunge our spoons deep so we can get each each layer for full effect.
Both were pretty delightful and fulfilled their role as amuses in every way -- I loved how goat-cheese-tomato bite just popped with sweet-and-sour juiciness in my mouth, accompanied by the fun crunchiness of the crushed pistachios. The flan and soup shot was refreshing yet luxurious, simply a nice combination of vegetal notes, acidity and fattiness that just gave it freshness and some substance without feeling too heavy.
While we were enjoying our amuses, we were also presented with bread service which, along the usual suspects of french rolls and ciabattas, included basil brioche, olive bread and bacon foccacia. I tried all three of the unique ones and found them wonderfully flavorful and remarkably light (a definite surprise with the foccacia) even after spreading on the sweet and soft butter.
Our first official dish is "egg caviar" -- a soft-poached egg served in its shell topped with lemon creme fraiche, dollop of American Ossetra caviar and a sprinkling of chives along with a stick of puff pastry. Very luxurious and wonderful layered mix of flavors, from the poppity-briny caviar to the slight tartness of the lemon creme and the pure richness of a soft-poached yolk, and the chives were just enough to accent the dish without being overwhelming. I also appreciated the pastry too, which I bit into between spoonfuls of the egg to help reset my palate.
It is also here that the Chablis is opened and poured; again, very lovely -- most Chablis (or Chablis-style) wines I've had tends to be very minerally, some almost to the exclusion of other flavors, but this one's stony-flinty notes was nicely complemented with notes of apples, melons and a wee bit of citrus along with a super-crisp finish. Definitely great with some of the earlier, lighter dishes we have on the menu.
Next is Melisse's version of tuna tartare, served in a layered tower with pickled cucumbers, avocado mousseline and a pool of yuzu vinaigrette. Distinctively Cal-French in style, the ingredients were top-notch (particularly surprised by the sweetness of the cucumbers) and the vinaigrette nicely tied the whole dish together. The avocado mousseline was tasty but I found it unncessarily fussy, since whole avocados chunks would've worked just as well.
Following that is the mandarin-tomato soup, prepared tableside. We were all first brought a bowl with tomato tartare, mandarin sorbet and basil chip, and then the warm, vibrantly-colored soup was poured in. Easily the most playful dish of the night, it was a jubilee of juxtapositions in my mouth as the sorbet and soup components hit my mouth individually before melding together-- hot and cold, savory and sweet, fruits and vegetables (yes yes, even if tomato is technically a fruit). Totally fun and totally tasty, I agree with one of my tablemates that this is the best tomato soup I've tasted ever, but falls just short of perfect by the basil chip -- packed full of flavor but having a chewy texture more like a jerky than a chip.
Afterwards, a seared lobe of Sonoma Valley foie gras on top of a lavender-peach compote and pain d' epice with a white balsamic reduction and a roasted peach on the side; it's hard to not love the buttery, fatty texture of seared foie gras, but this version took it to a wonderful new level. Instead of more typical sides of just brioche and some form of apple & pear, the pairing here with the in-season peaches, white balsamic reduction and the gingery spice-bread breathed fresh air into the dish. And of course, it helps that the lobe is perfectly cooked too, soft and buttery but not overseared to the point of just bursting into a liquid in my mouth.
Shortly after finishing our foie gras, a bottle of Trousseau from Jura that I bought from Silver Lake Wine (and suggested by Matthew Kaner) was poured. It actually fooled quite a few of us (including the assistant sommelier, who had a taste) as a pinot noir, and despite being lighter red, it managed to hold its own even against some of the heavier dishes we had onwards, starting with . . .
Lobster bolognese with fresh capellini pasta, heirloom tomato sauce and a lobster-truffle froth. Excellent pasta that had a nice toothy yet tender feel, and I love the overall lightness of the sauce and the froth, which harmoniously blends in the truffle, lobster and tomato flavors instead of smacking me in the face with it. The diced lobster tail was a nice touch but seemed superfluous, since I was unable to identify the meat from this dish.
Next up are dover sole goujonettes over sweet white corn, chanterelle mushrooms, blistered almonds and a browned butter. The lightly-battered fish was firm and flakey but otherwise kind of bland, so best when combined with the tastier 'shrooms, corn and almonds. And despite how remarkably simple it is to make a browned butter sauce, everyone at the table --including me-- just went ga-ga over its nutty-caramelized flavor, and we were shameless in ripping pieces of our many-courses-ago bread to soak it up before the dishes were bussed away.
Our final meat course of the night is cote de boeuf with a wild mushroom fricasee, summer pole beans, potato-leek torte, herb jus and a sweet wine reduction. The rare ribeye was simply succulent and flavorful, and I love the accent of the jus (though some found it a bit too heavy on the rosemary). The torte, which is more like a potato and leek-stuffed puff, was wonderful too. My only qualm here is the heaviness of the vegetables -- the mushrooms and the beans were unnecessarily greasy-tasting, I would've preferred a much lighter preparation to better showcase their fresh flavors plus to balance against the already-heavy torte and beef as well as the numerous rich courses we've had so far.
But unadulterated, fresh veggies did sneak their way in as an accompanying salad in the pear & Fourme d' Ambert tart with a honey-pepper gastrique, essentially our cheese course of the night. While I can see where this dish was trying to go (being a savory-sweet cheese-fruit combo), the blue cheese just totally dominated every bite. Even when I generously rubbed it in the gastrique, the initially sweet honey notes quickly gave way to the cheese, the pears don't even stand a chance. Not necessarily a bad thing, especially for fans of blue cheese, but I found it a pity to prepare such a lovely fruit tart and unique sauce only to have it just totally decimated. Having said that, the partly melted cheese was a fine one.
For our first sweet, we got a duet of chocolate souffle (prepared tableside with an injection of chocolate sauce) and a banana mousse with caramelized bananas and Valrhona chocolate ice cream. Everyone else at the table loved their souffle, but I actually found mine dry and grainy, as if overbaked, not sure if I just happen to be unlucky or was being super-sensitive with souffles (so not my modus operandi, given my crazy sweet tooth). Nonetheless, it did have deep, complex cocoa aromas and was OK when mixed with the sauce. Their interpretation of a chocolate-banana fared much better -- creamy flan, great ice cream, crisped-up bananas -- hard to go wrong with that combination.
Our final listed course is Melisse's fancy version of the "fruit on the bottom yogurts" -- with housemade strawberry puree and vanilla bean yogurt topped with strawberry sorbet and fresh mint. Simple and excellent dish to end the tasting -- just light and fruity and mildly sweet and purely refreshing . . . one would almost healthy (wait, did I really just have creme fraiche and foie gras and ribeye in the last four hours?)
Along with our bill came some fun mignardises, mini caneles that tasted more like custardy-crisp churros, delightful peanutty-chocolate chip cookies, and wedges of plums (or pluots?) with cream and sugar.
And of course, our $50 gift cards.
We also requested to have a few words with exec. chef Josiah Citrin, but he was occupied with the newly-opened Caché Restaurant (where he's a consulting on the menu), but chef de cuisine Ken Takayama and our server-captain/assistant sommelier Jay did have a few moments with us, discussing the anniversary, cooking at Melisse and their career trajectories (Ken's was particularly fascinating: he started out at a Monterey Park local-divey sushi restaurant, but took some interesting turns, including stints with Patina Group, that ultimately landed him there.)
Being a table of bloggers and hardcore foodies, we of course wasted no time analyzing the meal and comparing it to other restaurants' tasting menus. Overall, we found the dishes competent and solid; though not necessarily mindblowing in terms of creativity, maybe that's why they've been favorites, it's just straightforward cuisine with a few nice touches that have consistently great (and no doubt re-ordered numerous times) over the decade.
For those who can afford to make it this week for the anniversary special, I surely would recommend it. But for those who don't, there's no need to fret -- the Melisse folks were pleased with the popularity of this event and so are planning to extend it (minus the gift card special) possibly for the rest of '09, swapping and adapting courses as seasonal produce changes--and I look forward to a return trip here myself.
What Do Others Say?
- Gourmet Pigs had this same menu earlier this month and thought "the quality of the dishes . . . were excellent [and] service was spot-on"
- Dining compadre PepsiMonster was here earlier this year for the summer discovery menu a.k.a. "a dream meal that lives up to reality"
- J Gold of LA Weekly is unsurprised by its Michelin two stars
- Loving Annie found the dishes good "but not . . . memorable or spectacular" and the "service across the board lacks polish."
1104 Wilshire Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA


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Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Kin Folk BBQ Sauce
What's got us so interested isn't the same familiar glimpse into the minds of suicidal "food" animals. No, it's the tagline.
"We may all be different, but in the end we're all kin!"
That is some profoundly poignant wisdom. Profoundly poignant and thoroughly, horribly, irredeemably revolting.
Indeed, when the animals have been killed, plucked (in the chicken's case), skinned (in the case of the cow), butchered, marinaded, grilled, and eaten, they really are just kin, indistinct members of that great family of death. It is only in death where they achieve their authentic identity, that of faceless, featureless nonbeings.
That they celebrate this fact! That it comforts and amuses them! We suspect brain damage.
3 comments:
If you include the reader/eater's perspective there are two alternative messages in the tagline:
1) An implied anti-suicide food message: "Humans are the same too" In other words, we are all kin with the animals therefore shouldn't be eating them; or
2) A more disturbing reading: "Humans are the same too" therefore it is also OK to eat humans. The animals in the oven will gladly scooch over and make room for Uncle Jeb or Aunt Cecilia or even for YOU. That's what we mean by "KIN FOLK BBQ Sauce".
-Toby Schnauzer
Folk Etymologist (and Folk Eater?)
- October 14, 2009 at 6:10 AM
- Stacy said...
omfg, this is real??
Are they supposed to be bathing in bbq sauce? Looks more like blood. Because, you know, nothing can get my appetite going like the sight of silly animals bathing in their own hemorrhaging.
OK, and am I insane or has that cow just ripped the drumstick off his still-living chicken friend, and he is now brandishing it like he intends to assault the pig?
- October 15, 2009 at 10:13 AM
- Francesca said...
Actually, I think the cow is holding a brush, you know, a basting brush . . .
- October 20, 2009 at 3:51 PM


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(KMOV) – Police are searching for suspects after two different stores were burglarized in north St. Louis County early Monday morning.
According to police, a suspect broke a window at the Hazelwood National Rent-To-Own in the 7800 block of N. Lindbergh around 3:15 a.m.
Police said the suspect then grabbed at least two flat-screen TVs and fled the scene.
Authorities said about 15 minutes later someone parked their truck outside the Bel-Nor National Rent-To-Own store in the 8300 block of Natural Bridge.
Police said the suspect smashed multiple windows at the store. Authorities said surveillance video showed the suspect was inside for about 20 seconds before leaving with two or three laptop computers.
Police said they were investigating as if the two incidents were related.
Anyone with information on the suspects is asked to call their local police department.


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Rhett And Link Squirrel Rights Song chords
Highlighted Show chord diagrams
A cute song by the internetainers Rhett and Link [Emaj7] x7989x [Am] 577655 [Bm] 799877 Intro e--------------------------------| B--------9---9-----------5-------| G-----8----8---------6-----------| D---9--------------7---7---------| A-7--------------7---------------| E--------------5-----------------| Emaj7 Im Doug, and Im Darrel Am And we are squirrels Emaj7 We live in your backyard in a big oak tree Am thats our world. Emaj7 We saw you and your family Emaj7 filming us with your flip cam Am Shaking our little tails Am Eating crackers from your hand Emaj7 We know we.re irresistible Emaj7 Seemingly even kissable Am Extremely home video-home-able Am And effortlessly applaud-able Bm But what makes you think that gives you the right Bm to make us the internet means overnight CHORUS Emaj7 We didnt sign a release Am You didnt get our consent Emaj7 Am To put our private lives on the public internet Emaj7 We didnt sign a release [same as 1st verse] You seem so surprised to find the we are upset You wonder how in the world can squirrels talk Much less have the internet Well you have email We have tree mail You have smart phones We have pine cones You have social net works We have elaborate squeaks and chirps [chirps and squeaks sounds] Emaj7 - Am every 4 beats He just said you have no right to publish and distribute audio or video recordings of us, including and not limited to our names, recording mating calls, photograph, or likenesses or location, tell length or any material or based upon or arrived there from. Oh, yes or any forest in perpetuity. Bm If you dont cease and de-assist a suit will be filled Bm Especially if we end up in the next squirrels gone wild Emaj7 We didnt sign a release Am You didnt get our consent Emaj7 Am To put our private lives on the public internet Emaj7 We didnt sign a release Am You violated our trust Emaj7 Bm We dont want the world to see the secret place where we hide our nuts Emaj7 We didnt sign a release


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Article: Yoon Hye Jin sets up a feast for husband Um Tae Woong's birthday
Source: Newsen via Nate
1. [+1,038, -62] Is she a saint or...
2. [+942, -37] Um Tae Woong-ssi, you better be good to your wife...
3. [+646, -233] She can give him a massage after he eats all that too
4. [+68, -10] There are a ton of couples who stay together after the husband commits an affair. Of course there are just as many who divorce over it but there are several other factors that go into way couples choose to stay together. Everyone is going through their own thing so there's no reason to judge them for it.
5. [+47, -13] This is nothing compared to the more severe stuff some couples go through. There are some couples who stay together over worse so lay off.
6. [+41, -5] Can't help but wonder if she gave him permission to get a massage now
7. [+38, -3] Um Tae Woong had to have gotten on the floor and begged for forgiveness for her to be this good to him
8. [+36, -19] Not every couple divorces over an affair. There are a lot who choose to overlook it and stay together. It's none of our business what they choose to do.
9. [+34, -7] I wonder why so many women choose to overlook it and stay together... sigh...
10. [+27, -1] Obviously it's her choice to stay with him but she knows it'd be get media attention for her to share pictures like this


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I don't want to fill all of your typical Wisconsinite stereotypes but it's true.
I love beer.
I love cheese.
and I love corn.
They're just all so delicious.
I'm sure that when you think of Wisconsin, things like craft beer, (crappy beer), cows, football, premium cheeses, and political inconsistency come to mind.
But what you might not know is Wisconsin is one of the top corn producing states in the nation.
Yup, I'm just a corn-fed girl in a corn-fed world. Continue reading


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Welcome to the new edition of Show & Tell blogger style hosted by wonderful and fabulous Suzy at not a fertile myrtle. I know I already made y 'all look at the crafty goodness of the red ghost costume but I can't resist sharing more craftiness with you.
I recently finished the cutest hat for a friend's preschool aged son. Since her son has a big head (just like my kids), I used Gabe as my test model. This hat was crocheted using the Divine Hat Pattern from Rheatheylia and I added my own little twist.


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Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Cathy selected for semifinalist round of the Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition 2013
Cathy, Market Street, Paterson, NJ, 2011
I'm excited to share some wonderful news that the portrait of Cathy from my Paterson series in progress has been selected for the semifinalist round of the Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition 2013. The final round of judging takes place at the Smithsonian Museum's National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC on September 13th. The finalists will be included in an exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from March 23, 2013 through February 23, 2014, and the winner will receive an award of $25,000. The public will also have the opportunity to vote from amongst the finalists for the People's Choice Award.
My deepest thanks to the jury for recognizing this portrait and to Cathy for sharing part of herself with me on Market Street in April 2011. A special thanks also to my friend, artist June Glasson, for encouraging me to apply to the competition.
Posted by Tema Stauffer at Tuesday, April 10, 2012
1 comment:
- Gabriele said...
Congratulations, Tema! A wonderful portrait, hope to see you sometime in Austin!
- May 15, 2012 at 3:51 PM
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Get your hands on Photoshop
There are still some seats left at my next hands-on class at LA HIDTA. The date/time is April 29th, 8a-4p. Click here for the flyer.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Hands-on Photoshop training for LE
Posted by Jim Hoerricks at 10:41 PM
No comments:
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St Josephs, Tulla................1-16 CBC, Cork................1-14
By Michael O Connor.
History in the competition and St Josephs, Tulla go hand in hand. Success was achieved the hard way with a semi final replay and extra time in a hard fought final in Ballyagran. The beauty of a small country school is the ease with which connections with the past can be maintained and this was evident with the number of ex pupils who were on the last winning side of 1981 were present as well as 1981 winning coach and retired teacher John Stack.
Ballyagran has became a home from home for St Josephs as on Saturday it housed the third game in a row for the East Clare school and this time it was a final against a traditional rugby school that has developed a solid hurling base over the last two decades. CBC opened the scoring with the very impressive Michael O Halloran in the first minute before Tulla's Brian Fahy responded with a well taken score from 50 metre after three minutes. Conditions were cold with rain and ensuring sticky underfoot going for all concerned. St Joseph's were against the wind in the first half as O Halloran and Stephen Horgan added minors by the 6th minute. A kicked goal from Horgan put distance between the sides as now St Joseph's needed to come out and play and more importantly stem the scoring spree of their Cork opponents.
Brian Fahy with scores in the 9th, 11th and 13th minutes, all from frees and great work by Diarmuid O Brien and Darren Chaplin dragged St Joseph's back into the game to be (1-3) to (0-4) in arrears at the end of the first quarter. Two further scores from Chaplin and Fahy drew the sides level by the 20th minute as the early onslaught from CBC has subsided and now the two sides settled down to slug it out over every ball for the remainder of the game.
Martin Daly evaded his marker but his powerful effort hit the side netting before Robbie O Flynn and Michael O Halloran with a score from play and placed ball respectively restored a two point CBC leading entering the final five minutes of the first half. Brian Fahy from play and Stephen Horgan were the final scorers of the half to leave St Joseph's (1-6) to (0-7) in arrears but in a happy place as they had the skill to secure the title but just required a succession of scores to build up a lead.
Gary Cooney was becoming more and more the go to man for the East Clare side as he began to roam around the field. Both sides were introducing replacements from the 20th minute onwards. An amazing 16 minutes elapsed in the second half before the notebooks acknowledged another score courtesy of a Brian Fahy free in the 46th minute. The wind, rain and intense tackling of both sides led to an enthralling if score shy middle third of the game. CBC sub James Taylor and Diarmuid O Brien exchanged scores by the 51st minute as one of the loudest cheers of the day and of sheer relief came from the large St Joseph's support when Gary Cooney fired over the equaliser from 65 yards after winning the ball in his own half back line. The 16 year old as good as repeated the feat from a similar distance three minutes later to give his side the lead for the first time in the game. CBC rallied with huge gusto and their sharpshooter Michael O Halloran aided by Stephen Sheedy, Billy Hennessy and Stephen Horgan dragged their side back from the brink of defeat.
O Halloran grabbed the equaliser from a free as extra time loomed. This spectre was suspended when what can only be describing as widely speculative from Darren Chaplin all of 90 yards out went high into the sky and dropped over Colin Looney's CBC crossbar. St Joseph's were back in front but the drama was only unfolding as a series of injury time attacks by CBC ended with a free that O Halloran slotted over to force extra time. Full time: St Joseph's 0-14 CBC 1-11.
The feeling was there that Tulla chances of success required a goal of any shape or form. They controlled the first half of extra time and outscored CBC (4-1) with Brian Fahy (2), Enda Noonan and a storming effort from Cooney the Tulla scores as Robert Downey responded for the Cork school to leave St Josephs tentative (0-16) to (1-10) ahead facing into the second half of extra time.
CBC applied tremendous pressure for the opening five minutes of the second half of extra time but managed just two Michael O Halloran free. Hugh Woulfe levelled matters with three minutes left in extra time and a replay loomed on the horizon. With all his kinfolk from Feakle viewing the action Martin Daly decided to end this cold war in Ballyagran and burst through with the ball, losing in and winning it back before deftly flicking it past Chris O Looney with two minutes left on the clock. Try as they might CBC fought back but had to settle for a solitary Michael O Halloran free before Richard Moloney sounded the long whistle and the East Clare voice was heard to at its most emotive in South Limerick.
Best for St Joseph's were Killian Nugent, Evan McMahon, Con Smyth, Brian Fahy who kept Tulla in the game, Diarmuid O Brien in the first half, Darren Chaplin who lead with power throughout, Martin Daly up front and the extra bit of class from Gary Cooney when the side required it. CBC gave all they had with the superior strength keeping them in the contest when St Joseph's gained the upperhand. Best for the Cork men were Michael O Halloran, Stephen Horgan top scorer from play, Hugh Woulfe, Stephen Sheedy, Robbie O Flynn, Billy Hennessy and Colin Looney.
ST JOSEPHS: Killian Nugent (O C Mills), Gavin O Brien (Crusheen), Evan McMahon (Feakle), Eoin Donnellan (Broadford), Matthew Troy (Broadford), Con Smyth (Feakle), Shane Hunt (Tulla), Brian Fahy (Tulla)(0-9, 7 frees), Evan Noonan (Feakle)(0-1) Diarmuid O Brien (Broadford)(0-1), Darren Chaplin (Broadford)(0-2), Conor Henry (O C Mills), Gary Cooney ( O C Mills) (0-3), Martin Daly (Feakle) (1-0), Stephen Conway (Feakle). Subs: Padraig Duggan (Newmarket) for Hunt, Matthew Culloo (Tulla) for Troy, Tadgh Shanahan (Clooney/Quin) for Conway
CBC: Colin O Looney, Kevin Green, Stephen Sheedy, Darragh O Callaghan, Hugh Woulfe (0-1), Billy Hennessy, Killian Doyle, Ray Murphy, Eoin Moloney, Kieran Moloney, Cathal McNamara, Robbie O Flynn (0-1), Michael O Halloran (0-8, 6fs), Peter Blake, Stephen Horgan (1-2). Subs: James Taylor (0-1) for E Moloney, Kevin Crowley for Woulfe, Robert Downey (0-1) for Murphy.
REFEREE: Richard Moloney (Limerick).
After the game Robert Frost, Chairperson of the Munster council presented the Tom Collum Memorial cup alongwith representatives of the Collum family to a delighted St Josephs captain Evan McMahon as they now play Cross and Passion in the All Ireland semi final on March 21st.
ARCHIVE > archive 2015 > Hurling Match Reports >


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(NECN: Alysha Palumbo - Canton, MA) - Stocking up on all the essentials, people packed the supermarkets Tuesday afternoon in anticipation of Wednesday's big snow storm.
Tina Femia of Canton, MA said, "I think that there will be a lot of kids in the house and we'll have a lot going on, a lot of food to be eaten."
Just in case, some people are grabbing everything - from bread and milk, to firewood and shovels - so they can handle whatever mother nature throws our way.
Barbara Stanwood of Canton, MA said, "I guess it's going to be big and awful isn't it - blowing and drifting and please let's not lose the power."
"See people running to the store like you've got to bring the dogs and the bobsleds out , but we'll be prepared for it," said Dennis Trayers of Canton, MA.
Over at the Blue Hills ski slopes in Canton, the snowier the better… especially leading into the holiday weekend.
Gary Vanasse, Blue Hills Assistant General Manager, said, "We couldn't be happier, the timing is superb, it's been an awesome winter, but this is just setting us up for - it's a dream come true for us."
As the ski hills enjoy the natural powder, winter sports lovers are psyched for the storm.
Lisa Zeghibe of Westwood said, "It's great, skiing, sledding whatever, that's what the winter is all about, a lot of fun for the kids and adults and enjoying all the winter sports."
Beth Taylor of Walpole said, "It's winter time, the kids love it, they get excited, I've loved snow ever since I was a kid so it doesn't bother me at all."
And many kids are just happy for a snow day off from school.
Ten-year-old Sabrina Zeghibe said, "I think it's awesome!"


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On November 8th I will be hosting my very first book blog tour. Please come visit with a fellow Canadian, Russell Brooks, as he promotes his new books Pandora's Succession!
Where would you hide if you learned that the CDC and a major pharmaceutical company planned to unleash a hyperdeadly microbe on the human race? Pandora's Succession encompasses a real threat: Biological Terrorism. It can occure at any time and started by people that we would never suspect.
On November 8th - everyone that leaves a comment with their email address (in the body of your message) will win an autographed book cover. After the blog tour, 10 commentors from all of the blogs will be drawn to win free autographed ebook copies of Pandora's Succession.


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As the wrapper says, it's "Chocolate, Cocoa Crispies and Peanut Butter."
So much for my brilliant ideas. I haven't been this excited about a candy bar in a long time, because I used to LOVE Whatchamacallits before they went and messed them up with caramel. So now I have this baby sitting on my desk, haunting me. Easter can't get here fast enough. But you tell me: have you tried one? Whaddya think?
UPDATE: Several of you have asked where I found it. I looked at lots of places and finally found it at one Walgreen's (after visiting other ones). It was at the checkout counter.


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Charity iheartslFeed What I Think
The Lexi Project7/25/2015
I am continually amazed by the generosity of our SL community and continually saddened by the loss and hardships we have experie...
I am continually amazed by the generosity of our SL community and continually saddened by the loss and hardships we have experienced. A beautiful and talented 28 year old lady with a six year old daughter has been diagnosed with stage three Hodgekin's Lymphoma, Lexi Zelin. Lexi is the owner of Angelred Couture. If you are not familiar, I bet you have worn many of her designs anyway because she makes amazing 3D template mesh that many designers around the grid use in their creations.
Here is Lexi in real life next to one of her cute full perm creations.
" The Lexi Project, a collaborative fund-raiser event founded by Toxxic Rhiannyr (alterego owner) & Heather Smithson, created to bring Second Life brands together in hopes to raise money for one of our own, Lexi Zelin/ Owner of AngelRed Couture." - The Lexi Project Blog
There are currently 350 stores that have signed up and donated at least one 100% donation item to the event, WOW! The event starts in a few hours, July 26th at midnight. Please make plans to shop the event and help Lexi in this difficult time in her life. The Lexi Project will be held from July 26th through August 9th. You can also go directly to her Go Fund Me account http://www.gofundme.com/zfb2ww and donate there too.
This is Lexi's six year old daughter. She is so precious!
"My beautiful little girl. She is what keeps me fighting."- Lexi Zelin/ Heather
Other important links and information:
The Lexi Project Facebook Page (you can see a lot of previews here)
The Lexi Project Flickr (more previews!)


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Canvey Residents may have witnessed the "flexibility" towards Planning Guidance as demonstrated by Castle Point Council's Development Committee, where matters such as Flood Risk, Danger to Residents Safety, Drainage, undersized Parking facilities, Lack of Parking Spaces, lack of Space between Dwellings and the possibility of being Over-looked, to our cost!
Indeed mainland residents have also voiced frustrations on these matters, to no avail.
There is an apparent expectation that by fulfilling the minimum notification to residents of forthcoming proposed Development, opposition through the consultation process will be equally, minimal! And a Hope that nobody will notice proposals for development until Trees are being pulled down or Groundwork, or in the case of Canvey Land Raising, being carried out, which by then is of course, too Late!
There is no doubt that on Canvey Island following the 2013 and 2014 Surface Water Flooding and the much Edited and Delayed 2010 cpbc Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA), in which Canvey Island is classed as being at Actual Risk of Tidal Flooding, that the approach to development on the Island is Long Out of Date, and in Need of Review!
As can be witnessed by our previous Blog Post the basis for reviewing development where Flood Risk on Canvey Island is concerned was decided in early 2007, long before the SFRA and the 2013 and 2014 flooding exposed the Castle Point council's Development Committee decision as badly Flawed and long Out of Date!
The Responsibility for the impact of granting planning permission rests solely with the local authority and the development committee. The recent fire at Grenfell Tower has resulted in serious investigation of decision making, as is quite correct.
In Canvey Island there are obvious issues that would expect a limit on the population level, simply due to the issues of coping with the number of people should any evacuation be necessary or Safe refuges found. Recent events have shown Lessons are still being Learned, as Responses from all so called Agencies have been found inadequate!
Which brings us to the Accountability of our local Decision Makers.
Council which ignored Planning Duties reminded of Ombudsman Accountability Role
Local authorities across England are being reminded that the Local Government Ombudsman has the same powers as the High Court to require evidence, after Plymouth City Council failed to comply with its recommendations.
The LGO was called on to investigate complaints from two separate homeowners about a series of errors by city planners when approving a second application on an uncultivated field.
During the planning process, officers failed to publicise the new application properly in the neighbourhood, failed to ask for a flood risk assessment from the Environment Agency, included the wrong plans in the report to the planning committee, and significantly misrepresented how the new proposals would affect neighbours in the report.
Consequently, one resident says she no longer has any late afternoon sunshine in her kitchen, sitting room and dining room and has a Juliet balcony overlooking her garden and decking in the new garden affords an uninterrupted view into her bedroom
The other couple feel overlooked and their outlook is dominated by a two-storey house.
Both homeowners say their properties now flood because of inadequate consideration of drainage of surface water from the site
The Ombudsman's report of the case says that the council was obstructive and challenged the Ombudsman's findings of fault. It has had a number of opportunities to acknowledge the errors made but has refused to do so or to follow recommendations made.
Dr Jane Martin, Local Government Ombudsman, said:
"The role of the Local Government Ombudsman to hold councils to account when they get things wrong is well established and has a statutory basis.
"Authorities can and do have the chance to comment on my decisions before they are finalised, including providing evidence if they wish to challenge the findings, but they should cooperate with the investigation process. Compliance with LGO recommendations is extremely high, based on a relationship with local authorities of mutual trust and respect. This is essential for achieving redress for citizens.
"I would now urge Plymouth council to learn from my report and accept the recommendations for remedy I have made."
To remedy the injustice caused Plymouth City Council has been asked to apologise to both families. It should ask the District Valuer to assess the current value of the complainants' properties and the value each would have had if the developers had built according to the original plans and pay the difference between the two valuations.
It should pursue the proposals in the drainage report completed in the course of the investigation and ensure adequate drainage is in place before the onset of winter. It should arrange for all members of its planning committee to have at least one day's training from professionally qualified planning officers who are not employed by the council to ensure they can robustly challenge planning officers views prior to making decisions
The council should also pay both families £500 each in recognition of the time and trouble to which they have been put.
Article date: 15 September 2016


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Interesting Election Law Blog
Essentially by chance, this morning I discovered an election law blog produced by Rick Hasen, a professor at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles. (Those Jesuit institutions are everywhere.)
Professor Hasen is author of The Supreme Court and Election Law and a prolific contributor of articles to law journals.
Hasen's blog provides daily links to informative articles about all aspects of election law around the country -- campaign finance, redistricting, voting equipment decisionmaking, procedural matters -- that are of particular importance to election officials (like myself) but should also be relevant to candidates, political party leaders, and campaign officials.
Based on a cursory review of his own articles linked from his blog, Professor Hasen and I do not see eye-to-eye on every issue, but I am glad to find this easy-to-navigate resource regarding the dense thicket of election law.


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This year, National Character Counts Week runs from October 16th to the 22nd. Seems rather appropriate that our government would set aside only one week out of the year to recognize the importance of character in our lives. And in doing so the powers that be refuse to acknowledge where true character originates.
Our secular world admits society's need for "character," while allowing its definition to be forgotten by editing our cultural foundation from the historical record. Today's students learn that our nation's founding fathers, as deists, paid casual lip service to the Bible instead of believing its authority. We learn that the men who laid their fortunes and lives on the line to establish our republic were in fact corrupt politicians with vested, capitalistic interests in breaking from the Crown. We learn they were womanizers and cruel, slave owners. And to prove their point our noble revisionists "expose" them by publishing some of their confidential diaries and letters.
How many of today's historical revisionists could withstand that kind of scrutiny, with their reputations intact? Yet, their passion for smearing our founding fathers knows no limit.
Their motives for so doing are transparent as a crystal stream and fowl as a Pakistani gutter; historical revisionists, by and large, are secularists who fear passing on our Biblical heritage to even one more generation of Americans. Yet, such "educators" struggle to rein in the rebellious, relativistic fruit of their secularism. They are at a loss to explain the rampant drug use and near-ritualistic cruelty that has become alarmingly common among young people.
Today, the traditional character traits of hard work, truthfulness, honesty, loyalty, friendship, and self-sacrifice hold little interest for pop-culture-saturated entertainment addicts.
Educators agree that character counts, as long as its foundation in Biblical principles is ignored and forgotten.


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Must Read για τις Νύχτες Πρεμιέρας
After having this blog for a year, i have finally gotten to the point where i report about the same things i did last year. Life is cyclical and repetitive. There are some events that have become traditions in my life. One of these is Athens' International Film Festivalwhich turns 19 this year, and i can say with certainty that i have been attending faithfully for at least 16 years now (for the life of me i cannot recall if i did go before 1997).
The festival takes place from 18 September to 29 September at Danaos Cinema, Ideal, Odeon Opera, Pallas, the Film Archive, Ianos Bookstore and various bars around town. Along with the memories of previous years, i bring to mind that in the past the festival was housed at Attikon and Apollon cinemas, which were burned down during riots a couple of years ago. Those…
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Come this Friday, November 1st, the trout will be stocked in Blue River near Tishomingo, Oklahoma. Blue River has become one of the top fall and winter season trout fisheries in Oklahoma. The river and the trout have a huge following from across Oklahoma, Texas, and many other states.
Stockings will take place weekly, although there will not be a published announcement of the exact dates. During the season that begins in November and lasts through March, 60,000 trout will be stocked in the river.
During trout season there are a number of events that take place and here are the dates of those occasions.
The Veterans Day Weekend Trout Derby will take place November 9th and 10th. Over $1,000.00 in cash, prizes, and awards will be up for grabs during the derby. Spinner bait anglers, bait anglers, and fly anglers all have a chance to compete in this event that many have been attending for decades.
In February, the President's Day Weekend trout derby will take place and the dates are February 16th and 17th. Same awards, prizes, and categories are open just like the derby in November.
One week after the February derby is the Blue River Fly Fishers event called The Blue River Fly Classic. This event has been formerly called the Blue River One Fly, but since a one fly event in Jackson Hole, Wyoming has been ongoing for many years, the name One Fly is trademarked and therefore the Blue
River Fly Fishers changed the name of their event.
This event will take place February 22nd. All contestants will receive one single fly of the exact same pattern. Contestants can purchase one mulligan fly for a fee. 100% of the proceeds raised by this event are donated to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife in support of the trout fishing program at Blue River.
Fly fishing prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers and usually there are a number of give-away prizes at this event. Chuckwagon cook Vernon Forrester of Texas puts on a grand feed for the event and sometimes the food is the best part of all the festivities.
Just yesterday I commented to a friend how the Blue River has a way of bringing people together. How the river does that I haven't a clue... I just know she does. The Blue is ours to keep or ours to lose. Since the river can't speak for herself, then it is our place to always speak for her.
One project anglers and visitors might look for this trout season are stations that house free trash bags. The message that will go along with these stations is for visitors, anglers, hikers, and hunters to help themselves to a free trash bag and carry out more trash or litter than they carried in. It's one way to help eliminate trash on a beautiful little river.
Blue River - too lovely to litter.


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Henrik Stenson began hitting balls two days ago and is hoping to return to competition when the European Tour hits the Middle East, he said Friday on "Fairways of Life."
Stenson told host Matt Adams that he was back practicing following Dec. 9 surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee.
"We're working on getting back into action. Started hitting balls two days ago," he said.
"Hopefully we'll make a full recovery, but it's been a little quirkier than the other one. I had my left one done in 2011 and I feel like this one has been bothering me a little bit more. I've done more rehab, but … I need another week or two (before competing), I'd say."
Stenson revealed that he had a similar procedure done on his left knee in '11. After struggling through a practice round at Augusta National with Graeme McDowell and Ian Poulter, he sought an MRI which revealed a tear. He battled through the season and had surgery in December.
Stenson said the latest issue arose late last summer. He said the knee felt "unstable" and was "clicking" during the FedEx Cup playoffs, where he had three runner-up finishes in four starts. He added that he has been "protecting" the knee in his first range session post-surgery and that walking normally is still an issue. "There's a tiny bit of a limp still," he said. "It's a little bit of a grind."
Still, he anticipates a similar return as before, as he regularly begins his season at events in Abu Dhbai, Qatar and Dubai, which are played in a three-week stretch beginning Jan. 21.
"I played tournament golf six weeks after (the first surgery)," he said, "and this one, hopefully, I can do the same."


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The Tragedy of Discontinued Stocks
A friend/fellow work from home mom and Shopee seller hooked me up with this: It's Scrooge, an Ultra Matte from ColourPop. I was going to stock it in my store but just had to try it first. And then I found out it's discontinued. Such a beautiful perky berry, too! Such is life. Advertisements


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Thursday, May 19, 2011
My Creative Space
A belated Mother's Day gift for my Mum. A handmade cotton and fleece scarf with a vintage doily and hand covered button.
Hoping she likes it!
Monday, May 16, 2011
Goodbye Old Friend
Today is a sad day. Today Tim, our loyal dog of 15 years had to be put down. We had always hoped that he would just die in his sleep and we would not have to be faced with with such decisions. But alas, that was not to be. Simon was with him when he passed, loyal to the end.
He was a crazy little dog. Always on the go at a hundred miles an hour, I don't think he ever sat still until he was 5 years old. He liked to lick and even though he wasn't meant to, he just could not keep that big tongue in his mouth. He liked to round things up, mostly our 2 cats, much to their annoyance. He had a love/hate relationship with both the vacuum cleaner and the lawnmower, barking and snapping at them.
When Holly was born, he was so scared of her, the first day she was home, he shook with fear. As the girls have grown so to did their bond with him. Tim discovered to his joy that both girls loved throwing sticks and balls for him, even if their throws lacked any distance, he was still a willing participant. The girls loved him. Loved to cuddle him. Loved to make him part of their games.
He will be missed.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
My Creative Space- Merino Dresses
Well after a long hiatus, I finally have my sewing mojo back!
I whipped up these two little merino dresses for my two little girls this week. Perfect, snuggly warm dresses as the weather cools with the approach of winter.
They were made using this Heidi and Finn pattern. Super easy pattern and even if your a novice sewer, Heidi and Finn patterns are so easy to follow.
I just love how they have turned out, thinking I may whip up a couple more.
Monday, May 9, 2011
And So We Begin Again...
I stand and find myself amazed at how far and how quickly my life has changed. The course I thought I was following, suddenly and inexplicably altered. But, that is life. So now we find ourselves here, in a different corner of paradise and I know this place is going to be good for us.
For now, we are just learning to find our bearings. Orientating ourselves to this new place. Finding our feet. Mind you, it is an easy place to fall in love with.
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Dealing with Change
by Randy Gage
Know where this really comes into play? By how you deal with change…
Most people hate change. Look at the worldwide uproar every time Facebook or Empire Avenue do a little format change.
Here's the interesting fact: If a change is seen as an ending, we usually hate it. (Losing a job, a program ends or even death.) When change is viewed as a beginning, we usually like it. (Getting a new job, discovering a new restaurant, having a baby.)
But here's the fascinating thing about that interesting fact…
In reality, EVERY change offers both an ending and a new beginning. It is your view of the world – your perspective – that determines whether or not you see that.
Just some of you don't know it yet. But it's true. Every change and every challenge offers an opportunity…
If you're looking for it. Are you?


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If you've just moved into a new home, or you are looking to redecorate a room in your current home, chances are you're in need of new window treatments. Finding the best window treatment for a space can be a daunting task for many homeowners, but with a few simple considerations, this process can be fun!
Recognizing your needs as a home owner is the first step to determining the best type of window treatment for you and your space.
Who will be using the room?
If you have young children or pets, you'll probably want to select a window covering with less maintenance. Crawlers and toddlers love to pull and twist floor length fabric panel drapes. it can be difficult to monitor young children around drapes constantly. With pets, depending on species and energy level, you'll have to make sure you select a drapery style that can't be damaged by tugging or clawing. Again, something that doesn't reach the ground may be ideal. A valance or roman shade is a great option for an active family with young children or pets!
How much privacy do you need?
Obviously privacy is a large factor to consider when selecting window treatments. If your windows are facing the street or a neighbors house, you'll want to make sure you not only select a window treatment that can completely cover the window, but also a fabric that is well lined. A simple valance won't provide you with much privacy, so on these windows you'll want to look into your options with roman shades or drapery panels.
What kind of lighting do you need?
Do you work nights and sleep during the day? Do you have a toddler who takes mid-day naps? If you answered "yes" to either of these questions, then a shade or drapery panel with blackout lining would probably be very beneficial to you!
On the other hand, if you're trying to let in as much natural light as possible during the day, you'll want to make sure you select a window treatment that can be pulled up (roman shades), or that doesn't cover the window (valance). You'll also want to make sure to avoid drapery with heavy lining, and you should consider a sheer or lighter weight material.
What style is your space?
It's no surprise that the style of your space will have an impact on your drapery selection. However, many window treatment options can work with different design styles. For example, a floor length drapery panel can be made modern or traditional by the type of fabric used, or the way it's hung. Understanding the style of your space before selecting window treatments will make your decision much easier.
What fabric will you use?
Often finding the perfect fabric can dictate the style of curtain you go with. Something with a strong linear pattern may look more dramatic and eye catching in a floor length drape, where something with a bold geometric pattern can bring life to an otherwise simple roman shade.
With these considerations in mind, finding the perfect window treatment for your space doesn't need to be overwhelming!
Check out all of the window treatment options we have available on Etsy! The Window Treatments by Melissa team is always happy to help. Please contact us with any questions or to make an order.
Friday Link Love
11 hours ago


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March 11, 2008
Growing up is really hard to do
My niece, L, was a sweet little darling until she entered her teens. Recently she is really testing my sis patience and draining her energy. She's going to do what she's doing no matter what is said or no matter how many times you ground her she will still do it. L often listens more to her friends than her mom. The normal teen stuff yes ... but after a long day at work it surely is depressing to deal with mood swings, laziness, too much computer or TV time and fights over homework, and lots of other stuff. She has no regard for anyone else business or what's going on in your lives...except her friends of course. Her new antic when she does not get what she wants is L tend to be argumentative to her mom and talks to her like she is one of her friends not her mother, which really bothered me. I hope this is only a transition phase of growing up. My sis asked me to give L a bit auntie-niece speech but am afraid talking on the phone is less effective and L may forget them as soon as she puts the phone down.
Now she has a group of friends (schoolmates) who share the same passion of the computer game and she will be unhappy if my sis does not allow her to see them. For example, she sacrificed her weekly piano class because hanging around with her friends are more fun. Asking what she did wrong isn't going to bring an answer because she feels she didn't do anything wrong. My sis just worried she is hanging with the wrong crowd. She has seen a lot of parents let their children roam around and do not know where they are or who they are with a lot of the time. But L thinks she deserves some freedom and more control over her life. Kids today seem to be much more grown up at an earlier age, aren't they?
L is now in the age between middle childhood and adolescence (she is 12 y/o). She thinks she knows it all. She is becoming a person in her own right, with her own likes and dislikes, habits, interests and tastes. As a single working mom, my sis is worried if she is being too hard then L may run away. But I told her the house rules must stand. She just have to be tough and set the boundaries. Children need boundaries. And my sis needs to provide very defined boundaries and be strong enough to enforce them consistently. Deep in my heart I know it's easier said than done.
How do you talk to your tweens and still keep your cool??? What kind of defiance you will accept??? If anyone has gone through this and has any advice please share your experience.
4 comments:
- Fun said...
yup...mank susah kalo anak dah menuju proses pencarian jati diri.. dengan teman2nya dia menemukan teman seperjuangan yang bisa ngerti maunya dia apa...makanya dia lebih ngerasa nyaman bersama mereka ketimbang keluarga sendiri.
saran aku, bicaralah ke dia layaknya sebagai teman.. kasi dia kebebasan..buat dia ngerasa bahwa dia bisa dipercaya.. kasi dia kepercayaan diri. terlalu kuatir akan membuat dia semakin tidak nyaman berada di dalam rumah. jangan ngerasa benar aja..karena mereka mau dihargai dan didengarkan pendapatnya.. :)
bagaimanapun, ini saran yang biasa banget.. kenyataannya emang lebih susah dipraktikan.. semoga dia bisa berubah yak :)
maap neh kalo salah yak :)
- March 14, 2008 at 10:32 PM
- Elyani said...
@Fun : makasih saran-nya, justru aku perlu dengar input dari yg muda2 kaya Fun. Kalau ngikutin tantenya sih udah kepengen nyubit aja. Jaman di asrama dulu dikit2 kena straap...tapi sayangnya gak bisa diterapkan ke anak sekarang. Musti makan pil sabar untuk komunikasi dengan ABG kaya ponakanku :)
- March 15, 2008 at 9:52 AM
- Belle said...
tough! tough! 12 years old is a little too young to be rebellious. she still is a minor and she can't do whatever she wants or pleases or she gets disciplined. i was lucky my eldest one didn't give me trouble at all except talking back to us and banging the door hard. the little one, however, was the one who challenged us but it wasn't something we were not able to handle.
i know it is easier than done.
you are right, your sister has to set boundaries and mean it. when she says she is going to ground her, ground her. take her cell phone away for a month, for example. don't give her allowance, don't buy her clothes. love is tough. let her know that you are the boss of the household. she has to play by your rules or she pays the consequences. stand behind what you say.
i grounded my little one several times. i took her cell phone away even if she wanted it so bad...for a month! she didn't talk to me for the longest time. i let it be...she hated us for it soo much. i said, if you think you can live on your own, the door is open. i honestly thought she was going to run away but she probably figured she didn't have a place to go to except in the street.
when she was nice, i, rewarded her for that, too. when i packed her lunch, i inserted a note that said, i love u, and she loved it.
the other thing i did was pray which i still do up until now and will continue indefinitely.
- March 17, 2008 at 12:43 AM
- Anna Rochanti Madden said...
When I was growing up, my parents were very strict. I wanted they gave me more freedom. Now I realize, it's not easy being parents. Because freedom was not the case, but our (me and my two other sisters) safety that my parents worried about.
My opinion is: your sister should talk to her daughter nicely and ask her what she wants. Make a deal with her. But if she breaks the rule, I agree with Belle's opinion or send her to a boarding school.
I wish your sister luck!
- March 19, 2008 at 3:40 AM


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We already had a demo of the Bullet physics engine in JavaScript a while ago. People asked for an easier way to use it, so I set up ammo.js, a separate project to port Bullet to the web.
The starting point is Bullet compiled to JavaScript using Emscripten, and the main challenge is to make a friendly API for JavaScript applications to use. See Issue #1 in that github repo, we are currently looking for ideas and help in doing this. Discussion also takes place on Emscripten's IRC channel (#emscripten on irc.mozilla.org).
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Warwick Farm trainer Gary Portelli is hoping for a good track on Golden Slipper Day for All The Talk after the two year old returned to the winner's list in the Group 3 $125,000 Hyland Race Colours Skyline Stakes (1200m) at Warwick Farm today.
All The Talk was beaten into fourth spot on a heavy track last start in the Group 2 $200,000 Patinack Farm Silver Slipper Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill two weeks ago but produced his best form back on top of the ground today.
A win in the Skyline Stakes exempts All The Talk from the ballot for the Group 1 $3.5m Tooheys New Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill on April 6 and Portelli will arrive at Rosehill with a genuine chance in the richest two year old race in the world.
"I'm so happy for the owners. You see them on the big screen out there. It's the best thing to have a bunch of first time owners a lot of these people. They're in the slipper, there are going to have some fun in a couple of weeks time," Portelli said.
took All The Talk straight to the front and when he released the brakes the colt bounded away to score a three and a half lengths win over Octane Flyer and Dothraki.
"I thought coming to the turn, a couple of horses had a dig at him early, this will be interesting because I thought my plan was probably be out by two or three lengths," Portelli said.
"He found plenty, he was strong right through the line. I'm not saying he is a good thing in the Slipper but they'll know he's in there."
Avdulla was having his first ride on All The Talk and was impressed with the way he relaxed in front today after travelling a bit hard last start on the heavy track.
"He ran very well the other day on a heavy track and his run was full of merit," Avdulla said.
"He actually relaxed a lot better for me today, obviously my first ride on him, but he give me a good ride. Half way up the straight I was in a world of my own, he switched off for me but went to the line well and all credit goes to Gary."
All The Talk took his record to two wins from five starts, both on his home track at Warwick Farm.


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St. Patrick's Day brings back fond memories of my equestrian vacation in Ireland, too many years ago...a refurbished hunting lodge in a small town, incredible horses, charming Irish lads, misty mornings, emerald green pastures, a few exhilarating moments jumping rock walls and sinking in the bog, fox hunts, quaint thatched roof cottages, too many pubs and beer, and traditional Irish breakfasts with tea, eggs, sausage and soda bread.
Unfortunately, my Irish celebration wasn't the same this year without John in town. We missed hosting our annual St. Patrick's Day Party, but John did whip up some fantastic Bangers & Mash for the two of us on Saturday.
Our favorite St. Patrick's Day party dishes include Smoked Salmon Cheesecake with Green Onion Coulis, Irish Stew, Bangers & Mash, Corned Beef & Cabbage, Irish Soda Bread, and Chocolate Stout Cake.
I left work a little early this afternoon, came home, baked a loaf of Irish Soda Bread, and then joined friends for Corned Beef & Cabbage at their house. It was a lovely, casual evening and suppressed any temptations to join the crowd at McP's Irish Pub, one of the local hangs. My bread turned out moist and flavorful, especially slathered with Kerrygold Pure Irish Butter!
Irish Soda Bread
Inspired by Barefoot Contessa at Home Irish Soda Bread and Marilyn O'Reilly's Irish Soda Bread
4 cups all-purpose flour
4 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch dice
1 1/2 cups cold buttermilk, shaken
1 extra-large egg, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
1 cup raisins (macerated in 1/2 cup dark rum or Irish Whiskey and then drained)
1 1/2 tablespoons caraway seeds
Combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.
Serve warm or at room temperature, with Irish butter!


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Leaving Alderman Library with a post-lunch cup of coffee, I was greeted by more chalk messages than usual (chalking high traffic areas is a common method of promoting events here). Imagine my surprise to learn that today is International (not National, mind you) Kindness Day!
I don't have much to say about the application today, so why don't I turn it over to you, dear readers. How could the college search and/or application process be a little kinder for you?


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Sunday, August 12, 2012
How times have changed.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Cooler Weather!
One of my largest selling items is the key rack. Buyers seam to love the rugged look of the cast iron pegs and strapping. I expanded on this and combined a coat rack with the key rack. I also added a little hidden shelf the fills in the void left from the curve of the stave. This allows a space to put items like wallets, coins, cell phones, etc. Larger cast iron pegs are used to give plenty of support to hang a coat or purse. The smaller iron pegs are added above them to hang items like keys and still allow access to them if there are larger items hung on the larger pegs. Strapping was added to enhance the look of the barrel stave.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Using The Whole Barrel!
I did a lot of research on the best way to to glue together the barrel head and watched a video on the proper techniques for clamping the wood together after it was glued. I'm glad I did because I would have never known that the biggest mistake people make is clamping the wood to tight! Who knew you could clamp it to tight? When you clamp it to tight you press all the glue out of the middle and don't leave enough to make a proper bond.
After much research I decided that Gorilla Wood Glue was the best. I went to Lowes to get the wood glue, clamp and lazy susan bracket. What a mess! I went straight to the glues but couldn't find the Gorilla Wood Glue. I asked the associate that worked in the area and he claimed the they didn't make "Gorilla Wood Glue" just "Gorilla Glue." I looked around some more and above the glues I saw a box that said "Gorilla Wood Glue" I took it down and opened it to find a new display of Gorilla Wood Glue. Now that I had my glue I was off to get a clamp and the lazy susan bracket.
The clamp was easy to find but he lazy susan bracket was another search. It took two associates and going back and forth between hardware and the kitchen area to finally find what I was looking for. It was in a box on the bottom of a shelf hidden behind a floor display! What was going to be a quick run into Lowes turned out to be about 30 minutes. At least now I know where everything is for future purposes.
Now I had to pick out what barrel head I was going to use first. Only one barrel head has the stamp of where it came from burned into it. I decided to use one without the stamp for my first lazy susan. I glued it together and let it dry for about an hour. I then removed the excess glue and sanded the top, bottom and sides smoothing out the rough edges. I applied a Red Oak stain to the barrel head and let it dry in the sun.
Lowes offered two different lazy susan brackets. I choose the large 12" circle over the 9" square. It has a lower profile and with the barrel head being 23" across I figured the lower profile and larger bracket would make a more stable lazy susan. I attached the bracket and put some felt pads on the bottom of the bracket to prevent scratching if placed on a table top. I must admit I've happy with the end product!
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Finally...the cross!!
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
On the net!
This is the second interior designer to find one of my items and put them on their blog!
With both of them choosing the "Eco-friendly" benefit of my products it has inspired me to try a true eco-friendly version by using coffee for a stain and soy tea lights.
Spark of Inspiration!
I'm also finding that providing the completed package with tea lights and votives a HUGE help in my sales.


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Untitled Tom Cruise/Joseph Kosinski science-fictioner
The film formerly known as "Oblivion" has tagged Andrea Riseborough and Olga Kurylenko it's female leads. Tom Cruise plays the last man on an uninhabitable Earth, repairing robots that fight an insidious alien race. Deadline says "W.E" star Riseborough plays "a beautiful woman who crashes on the planet and goes on a journey with the guy, which makes him question his role on the planet." while "Quantum of Solace" star Kurylenko is playing a role Jessica Chastain was originally pencilled in to play (before the actress departed for the Kathryn Bigelow Navy SEAL Team 6 movie), "the woman who lives with Cruise's character on the desolate planet." The untitled flick should be underway in March.
The Black Marks
Terence Stamp ("The Adjustment Bureau"), Kathryn Winnick ("Love and Other Drugs") and Kenneth Welsh (Windom Earle on "Twin Peaks") have joined the cast of the Kurt Russell-Matt Dillion actioner about a former band of thieves, led by retired motorcycle daredevil Crunch Calhoun (Russell) and his brother Nicky (Dillon), who reunite for one last big score that reveals the brothers have their own agenda. Chris Diamantopoulos and Jay Baruchel are already onboard the Jonathan Sobol directed pic. (THR)
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
Kristen 'I'm not doing Bridesmaids 2, Okay!?' Wiig is in talks to play the female lead in the Ben Stiller starring remake of the 1947 classic. The Hollywood Reporter says the film centers on a timid magazine photo manager (Stiller) who daydreams of exciting adventures, only to find himself in an adventure of his own when he goes in search of a missing negative. Wiig will play his co-worker and the girl of his fantasies. Shirley MacLaine is being courted to play Stiller's mother in the 20th Century Fox redo, which Stiller will also direct.
Red Machine
James Marsden ("Enchanted"), Billy Bob Thornton ("Bad Santa") and Thomas Jane ("I melt With You") will star in the killer bear actioner from "Saw V" helmer David Jackl. The film tells of a group who, while out camping in the woods, "are attacked and relentlessly stalked by a horrifying grizzly bear—the Red Machine." (Variety)
Comics Open
Judge Reinhold ("Beverly Hills Cop"), Burt Reynolds and Paul Rodriguez will star in the Paul Madden written/directed comedy about a group of golf-addicted stand-up comics who stage a golf tournament in order to save an old comedians' retirement home from a corrupt Mayor and a greedy developer. A TV series based on the film is also said to be in-development.
Half of a Yellow Sun
Dominic Cooper, Thandie Newton, and Chiwetel Ejoifor are all locks for writer/director Biyi Bandele's film about the lives of four people swept up in the turbulence of war.


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Note: This is a re-post of a previous post to serve as a reminder for myself and others.
Just to wish all my brothers and sisters ramadhan al-Mubarak and happy fasting. May we all make the most out of this month of mercy, barakah(blessings&rewards), opportunities, etc.
[183] O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous -
[184] (Fasting for) a limited number of days. So whoever among you is ill or on a journey (during them) - then an equal number of days (are to be made up). And upon those who are able (to fast, but with hardship) - a ransom/fidyah (as substitute) of feeding a poor person (each day). And whoever volunteers excess - it is better for him. But to fast is best for you, if you only knew.
[185] The month of Ramadhan (is that) in which was revealed in the Qur'an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights (the new moon of) the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey - then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and (wants) for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that (to) which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.
[186] And when My servants ask you, (O Muhammad), concerning Me - indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation(prayers/du'as) of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me (by obedience) and believe in Me that they may be (rightly) guided.