text:
How we Invest
Find out more about our investment beliefs and policies, 'Reference Portfolio' approach to investing and process for appointing and monitoring external investment managers.Read more
View our online annual report or download a pdf.Read more
Responsible Investment
We integrate environmental, social and governance factors into our investment process and ownership activities.Read more
Investment Performance
Get the latest Investment Performance figures here.View latest figures
Latest News | View all
A Sovereign Wealth Fund - not KiwiSaver
The NZ Super Fund is a New Zealand Government savings vehicle to help pre-fund the future cost of universal superannuation. We do not manage individual retirement accounts and are not a KiwiSaver provider.
The Story of the NZ Super Fund
Establishing a global investment fund from scratch, and running it from New Zealand, has been a significant challenge. Click below to find out more.View Timeline


text:
Congratulations! You've got survey results! It's exciting. It's empowering. It's…a little overwhelming.
But before you start to worry, remember that you already set goals for your survey—and from your goals, you formed your response data analysis plan.
What is a data analysis plan?
A data analysis plan is a roadmap for how you're going to organise and analyse your survey data—and it should help you achieve three objectives that relate to the goal you set before you started your survey:
1. Answer your top research questions
2. Use more specific survey questions to understand those answers
3. Segment survey respondents to compare the opinions of different demographic groups
The bigger picture: Go back to your goals
When you were planning your survey, you came up with general research questions that you wanted to answer by sending out a questionnaire. Remind yourself of your objectives when you start your data analysis plan.
Let's say you held a conference for educators, and you wanted to know what the attendees thought of your event. Your survey goal was to get feedback from the people who attended your conference. And in order to achieve that goal, you came up with general research questions you'd like to get the insights on:
Conference Feedback Survey Goal: To get feedback from the people who attended my education conference. (I want feedback from attendees so I can assess my event's strengths and weaknesses—and make targeted improvements accordingly.)
Research questions:
- How did attendees rate the event overall?
- What parts/aspects of the conference did attendees like the best?
- What parts/aspects of the conference need to be improved?
- Who are the attendees and what are their specific needs?
By going back to your goal and research questions, you should have your objectives fresh in your mind—and you'll be ready to plan out how you're going to organise your survey data.
Take a peek at the results for your top research questions
Typically a data analysis plan will start with the questions in your survey that ask respondents to respond directly to your primary research question. In the case of your education conference, it will be these two questions:
1. Overall, how satisfied were you with the conference?
2. How useful was this conference compared to other conferences you have attended?
From these two questions, you'll know whether your conference was a success. When you report back to your boss or decide whether to hold the conference again next year, this is the information you'll look to, and it's the cornerstone of your top-of-the-line results.
However, overall ratings don't tell you anything about why attendees liked your conference or how you can make it even better.
Get granular: Organise your questions
Because you want to gain a more insightful understanding of what your data means, organise your thoughts by attributing your specific survey questions to each general research question. So when it comes to creating an effective final report, you'll know exactly which data you need to answer your bigger questions.
If it helps, organise your questions in a table format:
Now, for example, when you want to answer the larger question, "What parts/aspects of the conference need to be improved, you know that you should draw on responses to survey questions 5 and 6.
Demographic groups: Note the "who's who" of your survey
You performed an event feedback survey because you wanted to know where you need to make improvements so you can host better future events. But one of the most important parts of understanding the significance of your data—and figuring out what you need to do to improve—is identifying different demographic groupings by segmenting your respondents.
To get a handle on who's taking your survey, make sure to include demographic questions at the end of your survey, such as age, gender, job role, institution, and more. But why should you do this?
When you're writing your data analysis plan, think about which groups you want to compare. You should plan to take into account who is taking your survey (and how many of them there are) so you can slice and dice the data in a meaningful way that will inform any improvements you make.
For example, what if your overall satisfaction scores are low, but you see that all the students at your conference loved it? You need to see how different demographic groups answered your survey questions. It's possible that attendees over 60 didn't enjoy events that required a deep knowledge of computers. And if enough of them took your survey, they may have lowered your overall scores.
But don't fret—students were happy with your conference, so you know that your entire event wasn't awful. Filtering your results by different demographic groups helps you gain perspective—and turn your data into valuable, actionable results.
Putting your analysis plan into action
Now that you know that writing an effective analysis plan involves starting with top-of-the-line results, organising your survey questions, and figuring out how you want to segment your survey population into subgroups, you're ready to start analysing the data!

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Edward Meeks has over 30 years of trial law experience right here in Southwest Georgia. He can help you with the insurance companies who may not have your best interests in mind. He will protect your rights and fight for you while you are recovering, and if you have complications after your case is settled, he is right here in Leesburg accessible to you and ready to help. Big out-of-town lawyers and the insurance companies may try to get you to settle out of court for less money than perhaps you should just to get your case over with. Edward Meeks is not afraid to go to trial for you and will work to get you everything you deserve.
Contact Attorney Edward Meeks today to schedule a legal consultation: 229-759-9111.
|Areas of Practice
In 2005, injuries from car accidents totaled over 6 million. Auto accident injuries can range from sprains to serious, permanent damage. If you have been injured through the carelessness, negligence or irresponsible behavior of another driver, you probably have a valid personal injury claim.
On average, approximately 2,000 motorcyclists are killed and more than 50,000 are injured in traffic crashes each year. Unfortunately, even if you practice motorcycle safety, you may be involved in an accident because of the negligence of another driver. If that's the case, you'll need a lawyer who knows motorcycle law and who is willing to fight for your rights.


text:
"Our goal is YOUR PEACE OF MIND"
Address: 1875 Connecticut Ave NW, 10th Floor, Washington, DC 20009
Phone: 888-506-1131
For over 25 years, the asbestos lawyers at Levy Konigsberg LLP have been helping victims of mesothelioma and asbestos lung cancer throughout the country. The law firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars on behalf of its clients.
Address: 101 Grovers Mill Rd, Ste 105, Lawrence, NJ 08648
Phone: (212) 605-6200
Address: One East Broward Boulevard, Suite 1500, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Phone: 954-467-8622
The Ledger Law Firm Will Bring You Swift Justice
Address: 5160 Birch Street Suite 100, Newport Beach, CA 92660
Phone: (800) 300-0001
Helping Asbestos Victims Since 1974
Address: Jack London Market, 55 Harrison Street, Suite 400, Oakland, CA 94607
Phone: (877) 995-6372


text:
Get Involved
Employment Opportunities
Click here to learn about current employment opportunities.
Internship OpportunitiesClick here to learn about internships at Theater J.
Casting Opportunities
Click here to learn about casting opportunities at Theater J.
Volunteer Opportunities
With lots to do and a dedicated but small staff there are always ways we can use a hand. Whether you have an hour or you have a whole day to give we'd love to have you around. Click here for current opportunities.
Script SubmissionsTheater J does not accept unsolicited scripts. Most of the new plays we consider for production have come out of meaningful relationships we have developed with emerging and established playwrights. Instead of reading unsolicited scripts, we devote our resources to attending readings and productions, participating in the New Play Exchange via NNPN, and reading plays that are recommended by our close colleagues and the artists who we work with.We will continue to accept agent-submitted scripts. Please email those to email@example.com.
Consider a donation through the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC #54775)
© 2006 Edlavitch Jewish Community Center of Washington, DC | 1529 Sixteenth
Street, NW, Washington DC 20036 | (202) 518-9400


text:
Monmouth & Brecon Canal
Posted by muse kidd
2 comments:
- JoJo said...
I have done this route too since you recommended it! Lovely pictures, captures the beauty of the route!
- June 16, 2012 at 10:41 AM
- muse kidd said...
Thanks JoJo... glad you liked my photos and recommendation. Thanks too for coming by and posting. cheers!
- June 16, 2012 at 2:59 PM
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


text:
By 2008, when Virto Group acquired the business, Cuccolini had become one of the biggest producers of vibrating sieves in the world. At that time the mission of Virto Group was to become a comprehensive global screening equipment business.
By acquiring the product line (C-Line) and combining it with the patented and revolutionary multi-frequency X-Line vibrating sieves (developed over 20 years through robust R&D) Virto Group became one of the most diversified screening equipment businesses in the world.
Since 2008 this unmatched range of products has met the needs of customers ranging from the most basic particle separation to material that was previously impossible to screen.
Review our diverse product portfolio covering all screening equipment requirements or review our case studies that might apply to your business.
Head Office Contact
Virto Group
Via Raffaello Sanzio 2
42124 Mancasale
Reggio Emilia
Tel: +39 0522 922000
Fax: +39 0522 921093


text:
Setting the bar high: Steph Curry is profiled by the legendary sportswriter Rick Reilly whose return to the pages of Sports Illustrated is huge. Speaking of huge: Donald Trump on the stump is the focus of Matt Taibbi's latest piece on the election that is still crazy after all these months. This week's must-look: Midwest celebrates a rural rite of spring—a gorgeous essay on a controlled Kansas prairie fire. And feeling the burn: Jennifer Garner's sit-down with Vanity Fair became this week's most-read article. Talk about rising from the ashes. Plus: How to spring clean your life. It's that time.
—Maggie M., Texture Editorial Director
Just tap any of the article titles below to read the story in Texture, or start your free trial for unlimited access to all the best magazines.
Editors' Picks
The Man Who's Re-Re-Re-inventing J.C. Penney
CEO Marvin Ellison started his career in retail working as a security guard at Target. The lessons he learned might just be what he needs to save Penneys.
Earth, Wind & Fire
Midwest Living
On a Kansas ranch in the Flint Hills, "the intoxicating and beautiful power of a burning prairie isn't just tolerated, it's encouraged."
The 10 Best Places to Live
Men's Journal
Ten towns, from Boise to Salt Lake, where you can ski, bike, climb, or paddle, and also find a great place to work.
Ode to Joy
Sports Illustrated
Rick Reilly, the mag's famed back-page columnist, returns to write about the happy Warriors, and their kinetic leader Steph Curry.
The Best Reads of the Week
Jennifer Garner On Ben, the Nanny and Moving On
Vanity Fair
It's Team Jen, all the way, after a heart-wrenching interview in which she calls Affleck "the love of her life."
President Trump, Seriously
Rolling Stone
"The same way Sarah Palin can see Russia from her house, Donald on the stump can see his future," writes Matt Taibbi. "It's sitting there in plain view…"
Top 10 Car Picks for 2016
Consumer Reports
The year's best models according to the experts in car buying.
6 Reasons You Can't Drop the Weight
Family Circle
Can't move the scale? One of these factors could be derailing your weight-loss plan.
Tap Into These Cover Stories
Weekend Hacks
A Beautifully Organized Home
Woman's Day
Sanity-saving shortcuts to a more organized home that won't cost you a fortune.
Shining Bathrooms
Consumer Reports
Sparkling solutions on how to clean everything and anything in your washroom. And keep it that way.
There Has to Be a Better Way
Hacks that promise you will sleep better sleep, eat smarter and live healthier. Plus, what Seventh Day Adventist Christians know about food that you don't.
5 Hacks For Getting More Out of Gmail
Nifty insider tips that will tame the beast that is your inbox.


text:
Monday's Rio Nightlife Pick
Jingle Bell Rock combines Christmas cheer, a Santa distributing free shots and rock music. What's not to love? A great way to spend Christmas Eve.
Jingle Bell Rock (Botafogo)
If you don't want to wait for Santa Claus all alone, or at home, Casa da Matriz is open for business. You might even get a glance of St Nick himself as he pours shots into your mouth.
Casa da Matriz – 12PM
Rua Henrique de Novaes, 107 – Botafogo – Tel: (21) 2226-9691 / (21) 2266-1014
Entrance: R$20 with guest list, R$30 without
Natal Casa Rosa (Laranjeiras)
A tradition of the club, another Christmas themed night but with a lot of Brazilian popular music. Sandro Black, Trio Remelexo and DJs Cyro and Edna will play the best of Brazilian pop for a fun night out before Christmas day.
Casa Rosa– 9PM
Rua Alice, 550 – Laranjeiras – Tel:(21) 2557-2562
Entrance: R$15 for women, R$25 for men
Pedra do Sal (Gamboa)
Classic roda de samba with an emphasis on the music's African roots. One of the best in the city performs every Monday night in the Gamboa area of Centro.
Pedra do Sal – 6PM
Rua Argemiro Bulcão, 38 – Gamboa – Tel: (21) 9528-5060
Entrance: Free
Roda de Samba com Richas (Lapa)
Tonight has won the acclaim of the public. A samba in Lapa that shakes the brilliant percussionists, a mixture of the band Zeca Pagodinho, depicting the trials of the blocks of the samba schools.
Carioca da Gema – 10PM
Av. Mem de Sá, 79 – Lapa – Tel: (21) 2221-0043
Entrance: R$21
Blue Agave (Ipanema)
Some of the best Mexican food — and the best margarita — in Rio, plus live American and European sports on TV. Catch all your favorite NFL programming here.
Blue Agave – 5PM
Rua Vinícius de Moraes, 68 – Ipanema – Tel: (21) 3592-9271
Entrance: Free
Shenanigan's Live Music (Ipanema)
Shenanigan's is always a good spot to check out on the weekends, with live music and all sorts of pub games such as darts and pool. Monday is also half-price steak night until 9PM.
Shenanigan's Irish Pub – 7:00PM
Rua Visconde de Pirajá, 122A (Upstairs) – Ipanema – Tel: (21) 2267-5860
Entrance: R$10 after 8PM
Restaurante Mab's (Copacabana)
The new American owned beachfront restaurant and bar in Rio de Janeiro, a great place for food or just drinks if that is your style. It attracts a mixture of locals and expats.
Restaurante Mab's – 5PM
Avenida Atlantica, 1140 – Copacabana – Tel: (21) 2275-7299
Entrance: Free
Lapa Irish Pub (Lapa)
If you are up for some Irish beer and a nice environment to drink it in, this is the place to go. With its trendy decor, this pub attracts many different kinds of people and offers Guinness and the German brand of Erdinger. On Wednesdays you can loosen up by singing some rock 'n' roll tunes as it's Karaoke night.
Lapa Irish Pub – 5PM
Rua Evaristo da Veiga, 147 – Lapa – Tel: (21) 2221-7236
Entrance: Free
To have an event included in the weekly Nightlife Guide, please email:


text:
City Clerk's Office
The City Clerk's Office is responsible for many diverse activities within the city government framework. The City Clerk is responsible for the management and preservation of the official records of the city, the administration of all municipal elections, the licensing of businesses that are permitted by the City Charter, and other duties as assigned by the City Commission. The links to the left and menus below provide information related to the three divisions of the Clerk's office. If you don't find what you are looking for, please contact the City Clerk's Office.
Meet the City Clerk's Office Staff
Administration Information:
Board & Commission Information | City Commission Meeting Information | pdf City Charter | Code of Ordinances | Document Library | pdf FOIA Denial Appeal Form | Food Trucks | Library Board | Licensing | Noise Task Force | School Board | Westnedge Overpass Banner Request
Election Information
Records Management, Research and Archives Information
Important Links:
Birth & Death Certificates | Marriage Licenses | Court Information - Kalamazoo County Courts | DBA's - Kalamazoo County Clerk | Kalamazoo County Jury Services | Landlord-Tenant Claims | Limousine Licensing - Michigan Department of Transportation | Parking Fines & Tickets | Property, Warranty, & Quit Claim Deeds - Kalamazoo County Registrar of Deeds
For more information about the City Clerk's Office, call us Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at (269) 337-8792 or send us an email at email@example.com.


text:
Eastablish a Named Scholarship Endowment
Establishing an endowed scholarship is an ideal way to create your legacy at the Mount and ensure a quality education for generations of Mount students.
Named scholarship endowments provide a permanent source of scholarship income for the benefit of students at Mount St. Mary's University. A minimum gift of $50,000 is required to establish an endowed scholarship, which may be payable over a period of up to five years. Scholarships may also be funded through a donor's estate plans, although awards will not be made until the $50,000 endowment is received. Awards are made after an initial investment period of one year.
Endowment Gift Amount
Annual Scholarship Amount
$13,500 award (half-tuition)
$7,500 award
$5,000 award
$2,500 award
Customize your Scholarship Gift
Donors may specify various award criteria when creating their named scholarship endowment, including, but not limited to:
Class Year
Academic Indicators (high school class rank or GPA; SAT scores; college GPA)
Financial Need
Geographic Preference
Campus Involvement
To learn more about establishing a named scholarship endowment email
Director of Development, Kim Johnson or call (301) 447-5361.


text:
Scrubs Caption Contest! – December 2, 2013
Last Week's Winner
"I wonder who's answering all the lights?" – submitted by Miranda Rivers via Facebook.
This Week's Contest – December 2, 2013
What's your best caption? Leave it in our comments. Be sure to check back next week when we pick the winner! See our past winners here!
Fun & Humor, Nurse Caption Contests
The Scrubs Staff would love to hear your ideas for stories! Please submit your articles or story ideas to us here.
By Scrubs


text:
Pratt Street Power Plant
Pratt Street Power Plant
Power Plant
|601 E. Pratt St., Baltimore, Maryland
|39°17′10″N 76°36′27″W / 39.28611°N 76.60750°WCoordinates: 39°17′10″N 76°36′27″W / 39.28611°N 76.60750°W
|1.4 acres (0.57 ha)
|Baldwin & Pennington; Et al.
|NRHP reference #
|Added to NRHP
|April 9, 1987
The Pratt Street Power Plant — also known as the Pier Four Power Plant, The Power Plant, "Pratt Street Toenail", and Pratt Street Station — is a historic former power plant located in downtown Baltimore, Maryland, USA. It has undergone significant repurposing development since retirement and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.[1]
The building and its active years[edit]
The structure is a 132-by-326-foot (40 by 99 m) complex of three buildings located at Pratt Street and Pier 4 at Baltimore's Inner Harbor. The structures are brick with terra cotta trim and steel frame construction. It was built between 1900 and 1909 and is a massive industrial structure with Neo-Classical detailing designed by the architectural firm of Baldwin & Pennington. It was one of only 11 buildings in the zone of the Baltimore Fire of 1904 to survive that event.[2]
It served as the main source of power for the United Railways and Electric Company, a consolidation of smaller street railway systems, that influenced the provision of citywide transportation and opened up suburban areas of Baltimore to power its electric street railway in the city.[3] It later served as a central steam plant for the Consolidated Gas, Electric Light and Power Company, a predecessor of the Baltimore Gas and Electric Company.[3]
The boilers were coal-fired, and the plant's location on the harbor allowed easy delivery of coal by ship. The location also provided access to cooling water for the condensers, with intake on one side of the pier and discharge on the other.[2]
The plant, with by-then obsolete equipment, was used sparingly until it was returned to service to meet the World War II production demand for electricity.[3][4] Baltimore Gas & Electric finally ceased use of it in 1973.[2]
Post-retirement life[edit]
After the electric plant was retired from service, the building was vacant several years, eventually becoming acquired by the City of Baltimore. It has since been redeveloped and repurposed for a variety of commercial projects.
The first two attempts at redevelopment - an indoor Six Flags theme park named Six Flags Power Plant (1985–1989) and a short-lived dance club called P.T. Flagg's (1989–1990) - were not successful. Since that time, other projects have had more success. The Power Plant's more recent tenants have included the first ESPN Zone in the country (opened July 11, 1998; closed June 2010 and replaced by Phillips Seafood), Hard Rock Cafe (opened July 4, 1997), Barnes & Noble, Gold's Gym (closed early 2010; and replaced by Pandion Performance Center in June 2015), and loft offices. Maryland Art Place, a contemporary art gallery for Maryland artists, is located in the northwest corner. It lends its name to the nearby Power Plant Live! nightlife complex. In November 2011, the former ESPN Zone space was filled by Phillips seafood restaurant, which moved from its longtime location inside Harborplace.
The Cordish Company has its headquarters on the sixth floor.[5] Cordish also developed the adjacent Pier IV building, whose tenants include Family Meal (a contemporary-diner restaurant by Bryan Voltaggio),[6] Chipotle Mexican Grill, and Dick's Last Resort.
- ^ a b National Park Service (2010-07-09). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
- ^ a b c See HAER entry.
- ^ a b c King, Thomson (1950). Consolidated of Baltimore 1816-1950: A History of Consolidated Gas Electric Light and Power Company of Baltimore. Baltimore: Consolidated Gas Electric Light and Power Co. pp. 144, 229, 288.
- ^ Fred Shoken (November 1985). "National Register of Historic Places Registration: Pratt Street Power Plant" (PDF). Maryland Historical Trust. Retrieved 2016-03-01.
- ^ "Contact Us." Cordish Company. Retrieved on September 13, 2011. "601 East Pratt St., 6th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202"
- ^ Litten, Kevin (January 5, 2015). "Bryan Voltaggio's Inner Harbor restaurant elevates the lunch scene for workers, tourists alike". Baltimore Business Journal. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
External links[edit]
- Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) No. MD-101, "Pratt Street Power Plant, South of Pratt Street on Pier 4, Baltimore, Independent City, MD", 4 photos, 11 data pages, 1 photo caption page
|Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pratt Street Power Plant.
- Buildings and structures in Baltimore
- Inner Harbor, Baltimore
- Former coal-fired power stations in the United States
- Power stations in Maryland
- Towers in Maryland
- Energy infrastructure completed in 1909
- Energy infrastructure on the National Register of Historic Places
- Industrial buildings and structures on the National Register of Historic Places in Baltimore
- 1909 establishments in Maryland
- Exelon
- Historic American Engineering Record in Maryland
- Tourist attractions in Baltimore
- Adaptive reuse of industrial structures in the United States


text:
New Zealand ACCESS Global C-Haines Index +48 hour Chart
- location
- Africa
- Asia
- Europe
- New Zealand
- North America
- South America
About ACCESS Global
Australian Community Climate and Earth-System Simulator (ACCESS). Based upon the UK Met Office Unified Model system. ACCESS G is the global numerical forecast model operated by the BoM. It is run twice daily (00Z and 12Z) and provides forecast data out to 240 hours with a horizontal resolution of 80km and 50 vertical levels.
Weather News
Broken Hill plagued by emus as they head into town in search of food, water
Mobs of emus have taken over the small mining town of Broken Hill in far west New South Wales, running laps of the main street, eating gardens and gate crashing football matches.
When to down tools? How the weather affects our tradies
For those who work in construction, you may think that managing the weather is simple; just down tools when it is too hot or too wet.
Wind gusts not seen in years in TAS
A vigorous frontal system has brought some of the strongest wind gusts in several years across the Apple Island.


text:
Fishing has been a popular pastime for many years. It has like many other hobbys and interests under gone many changes as society now has generally more leisure time than ever before and ready available cash to spend on their pastimes. It is now healthy to have a hobby to relieve the stress of work and modern living. People are also more willing to make time for hobbys rather than just using them to fill up spare time.
I'm not trying to re write the art of fishing with this site but it will hopefully help you get the most from your fishing or indeed inspire you to try a different style, tactic or bait even if you have been fishing for many years.
If you are a complete novice or intermediate then you should gain an enormous amount of valuable information from these pages. Most importantly, enjoy your fishing for what you want out of it!


text:
Credit cards
Are you thinking about switching your credit card provider? Well, you're in good company. Research from Sainsbury's Bank Credit Cards has revealed that around 25% of card holders surveyed plan to transfer some or all of their outstanding balance to a new card by mid-2015, and they're doing so to take advantage of 0% interest deals.
Simon Ranson, head of banking at Sainsbury's Bank, said: "Our research shows a significant proportion of people are reviewing or intend to review their credit cards. This can be a worthwhile exercise, as many people could end up paying less or no interest on outstanding balances."
It can't be denied that it's a good decision. After all, why pay interest when you don't have to? The savings could be marked, too, particularly given how much will be switched – on average, those seeking balance transfers expect to switch £2,500 to a new card, and 12% intend to transfer more than £5,000.
Switching that kind of balance to a 0% interest card could dramatically reduce the amount of interest paid, and it could be a great way to clear the debt, too. Rather than fighting a losing battle with interest being added to the bill every month, you can actually see the balance reduce with every payment you make. Work out how much you need to repay each month to clear the debt by the end of the 0% period, and voila – your days of being stuck with credit card payments will have come to an end!
Are you one of the 25% thinking of switching to a 0% balance transfer deal? If so, you'll need the right card to accommodate. There are plenty to choose from these days, and you can even have up to three whole years to pay off the balance: Barclaycard has recently launched its market-leading 36 Month Balance Transfer Visa, the longest interest-free deal ever to hit the market.
However, you'll need to consider things like fees as well as the length of the term, and if you think you'll be able to pay off the balance sooner, don't automatically go for the longest deal available. For example, Barclaycard's 36-month credit card charges a balance transfer fee of 2.99%, but if you think you could clear it in a few months less, there are alternatives: MBNA's Platinum Credit Card Visa boasts a 0% deal for 32 months with a balance transfer fee of 1.94%, or if you could consider a 25-month deal, Barclaycard's Platinum 25 Month Balance Transfer Visa has a fee of just 1.30%.
It may not sound like a huge difference, but if you've got a substantial amount to transfer, the fee could add a sizeable chunk to your balance. It's all about finding the card that meets your needs, so check out our best buys to start your research and see if you could cut your credit card bill down to size.
Credit card search
Disclaimer: Information is correct as of the date of publication (shown at the top of this article). Any products featured may be withdrawn by their provider or changed at any time.
Please send me Weekend Moneyfacts,
Savers Friend and selected third party offers.
Moneyfacts.co.uk will, like most other websites, place cookies onto your device. This includes tracking cookies.


text:
Hello my lovelies. I hope you've all enjoyed a fabulous weekend. Happy quilt maker land has enjoyed some splendid spring like weather. The sun was so welcome. Winter is well and truly on its way out. I witnessed a flock of Canada Geese earlier in the week going back to their summer habitat. And best of all, the grass is actually starting to grow and my shrubs are in bud. It's all good positive stuff.
The past week has been quite interesting. I have been busy doing something and nothing. I designed a few blocks for my new project and I finished piecing the bag I started last week …..
It's only a simple bag but like most bags it will be useful. This style of bag, I consider to be my signature bag. I don't even need a pattern because I designed this one myself a few years ago. Sometimes, simple is good because it's very achievable. Who doesn't love making something they know they can achieve.
This coming week is going to be a busy one for me. I have a couple of meetings and if I'm lucky I might even be able to squeeze in a little socialising! I'm hoping to be able to do a little sewing. I have a few drawn blocks I would like to piece. My new project is going great guns. I really enjoy watching a project come to life.
So, for this evening, this very happy and super ambitious quilt maker will be enjoying a little EPP work on my Patchwork of the Crosses. I hope you all have a super cosy evening doing something you truly love. Until you read me again,
Happy stitching ♥ ♥


text:
Pale Blue Dot
October 30, 2010 § Leave a comment
This photo was taken by Voyager 1 from 6.1 billion kilometers – almost at the outer edge of our solar system. Carl Sagan requested the NASA to turn the space craft around to take the pictures of the solar system. The encircled point is the earth. I realized the vastness of the space when I looked at this photograph. Carl Sagan's speech in Cosmos added chilling effect to it. I think this is one of the famous science quotes ever made in this world.
From this distant vantage point, the Earth might not seem of particular interest. But for us, it's different. Consider again that dot. That's here, that's home, that's us. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives. The aggregate of our joy and suffering, thousands of confident religions, ideologies, and economic doctrines, every hunter and forager, every hero and coward, every creator and destroyer of civilization, every king and peasant, every young couple in love, every mother and father, hopeful child, inventor and explorer, every teacher of morals, every corrupt politician, every "superstar," every "supreme leader," every saint and sinner in the history of our species lived there – on a mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam.
– Carl Sagan
This inspired me to read more science books.
Cosmos was the first non-fiction science book I read. It was introduced to me by my friend Sajid. (By the way, he is an amateur astronomer – now he has got a latest telescope from Paris. He is struggling hard to assemble it.) After starting to read Carl Sagan's Cosmos; I can't wait anymore and I borrowed the famous Cosmos DVD from library. I and my wife watched them every day before we went to bed. That was really an inspiration.
After that I have read so many other books of its kind and the list goes on..! But Carl Sagan was the starting point – and I have heard about so many other guys who have gone through such an upside down change and started looking at science in a more serious way.
I am one among them. I and my friend Sajid often chat about what we read – it could be from a blog or from a book. Why not share them with the world?
Hope to blog often!


text:
The Architect's Kitchen
Sunday, February 25, 2018
Vegan Lasagna... for Omnivores?
I've been meaning to write this post for a couple of weeks now, but with the house renovation still going on and getting more complicated by the day, it's been hard to find the time. I'm stealing a few minutes now as I wait for a batch of Sunday breakfast muffins to come out of the oven (I whipped up another variation of the Gluten Free Banana Nut Muffins I posted after the New Year), and I want to share with you a topic I find myself considering often these days: what on earth do you cook for an omnivore? I'm not talking about a flexible, Meatless-Monday's type of omnivore, I'm talking about the Steak-It's-What's-For-Dinner type of omnivore. And for lunch, and for breakfast. People like my Dad, my brother, pretty much my entire clan of relatives, and many of our friends.
On this particular Saturday evening a few weeks ago, we had invited two new friends over for dinner. We hadn't really spent much time together before, but the fact that my husband and I are both vegan had come up and we offered to cook dinner for them. Oh boy. What had seemed like a great idea at the time quickly ballooned into frenzied panic on Saturday morning -- not only was this our first date with our hopefully new Couple Friends, we had to feed them vegan food. This was a couple whose idea of a good Valentine's dinner was to stay home and craft some Beef Wellington together. The bar was high.
They assured us that they were excited and curious to try something a little different, but as Saturday evening approached, we began to question everything about our plan. What do you make for people whose expectation of anything with the word "vegan" in it conjures up images of salad leaves and piles of broccoli? We knew this was an opportunity to feed them otherwise, to show them how filling and delicious plant-based food can be, and to forever raise their expectations. But what if they didn't like it? What if they found it on par with their expectations? What if they left hungry, and had to pick up a backup dinner on the way home?
With the pressure mounting, we talked through our options. Do we go with something inherently vegan, like lentils or quinoa salad? Do we roast a big pile of vegetables from the day's trip to the farmer's market? Do we make our go-to Chickpea Masala, a vegan version of a classic Indian favorite? With all these thoughts, we shot them down just as quickly. We feared they would feel that something was missing -- The Meat. We didn't want to focus the dinner on meat replacements either, lest tastefully prepared tofu call attention to itself as an apologetic stand-in for what their taste buds really desired.
Our goal was ultimately to just have dinner, with friends. We wanted the food to do what good food always does: to provide a warm, satisfying backdrop to the shared ritual of eating a meal and getting to know each other over hours of good wine and conversation. We weren't aiming for the food to take center stage in the discussions either, we just wanted to feed our friends and have them leave us full and happy.
Ultimately, we settled on a familiar favorite we felt we all could relate to: lasagna, made vegan. We would dress it up with the usual accoutrements -- bread, cheese, a green salad, and copious amounts of red wine -- and everyone would feel right at home.
We had recently discovered some amazing, cultured cashew milk cheese from Treeline at our local grocery store, which is nearly indistinguishable from an herbed chevre and plays just as nicely with warm, toasted slices of baguette. We held them over with bread and cheese as the lasagna finished cooking and I worked on the salad, plying them with what I thought were very exciting samples of various radish varieties we had found at the market that morning. Whether they found them equally exciting will soon be found out when they read this...
Finally, the lasagna was coming out of the oven and our vegan-Italian experiment was coming to fruition. With a little help from the Simple Veganista's Cashew Ricotta and a few layers of the morning's market vegetables, we had ourselves a lasagna we could be proud of. Matt and Jess, I hope you enjoyed it as much as we enjoyed your company.
And now, The Menu.
To start -
. sliced baguette, hot from the oven
. olive oil + pomegranate balsamic vinegar
. Treeline Treenut Cheese, Herb-Garlic flavor
The Salad -
. spring mix
. chopped fresh rainbow chard
. sunflower sprouts
. mix of market radishes: spicy Black Spanish, Watermelon, White Beauty
The Salad Dressing -
(my own lemon honey mustard dressing)
. 1/4 c olive oil
. 1 Tbsp honey or maple syrup
. 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
. 1 Tbsp spicy brown mustard
. 3 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
. juice from half a lemon
. cracked black pepper
The Lasagna -
(Layers are described in order from the bottom to the top, baked at 375 for 45-55 minutes, depending on how thinly you slice the sweet potatoes)
. tomato sauce on the bottom, just enough to coat the dish and keep the noodles from sticking
. first layer of noodles, cooked according to package directions
. cashew ricotta
. raw kale, chopped into small pieces
. thinly sliced rounds of sweet potatoes, placed in a single layer
. tomato sauce over the whole thing
. second layer of noodles
. more cashew ricotta
. topping layer: green peas and finely chopped sweet potatoes, crispy when baked
The Wine -
(huge thanks to our lovely guests for bringing the wine and introducing us to a new local vineyard!)
. Unionville Vineyards, The Big O, 2013. (Red blend)
. Unionville Vineyards, Cool Foxy Lady, 2016. (Icewine style, dessert white)
If you cook vegan, what do you make for your meat-loving friends and family? If you're an omnivore, has anyone ever made you a vegan meal? I would love to hear about your own experiences with this!
Monday, February 5, 2018
A "Super Bowl" so fast you won't miss the real one
A "Super Bowl", or what was supposed to have been a chickpea pot pie...
There are times when I enjoy really taking the time to cook. I prepare a glass of wine or sparkling water with sliced fresh limes, I turn on my favorite jazz or electroswing playlist (any Parov Stelar fans out there?), and I flip to a new recipe I've had my eye on for weeks. The ritual of preparing a meal is as relaxing to me as anything else I might do in the evening (I'm certain my husband does NOT feel this way, which is why I do most of the cooking around here ;)
There are other times, like last night, when the goal is simply to convert whatever remaining raw ingredients we have in our refrigerator into a meal as quickly as possible, preferably with leftovers for the following days. I'm sure most of us are often in the latter boat.
This Sunday evening in particular, we had just arrived back in town from a weekend away in New York, had not had the luxury of our usual Saturday market routine, and the Eagles were about to kickoff what would become one of the most historic Super Bowls in NFL history (that in-zone throw to Nick Foles? Amazing.) I was tackling laundry and dinner while Chris took care of our pup, and the minutes were ticking down to the coin toss. It had to be fast enough that I could pop it into the oven and pop myself onto the couch, and it had to come together exclusively with the less-than-fresh ingredients we already had on hand leftover from last week. What on earth to cook??
Super bowl aside, we've all been in this situation more often than we'd like to admit. To be totally honest, I had zero intention of writing a post about this one when I made it -- but then I realized that it is exactly situations like these that make we want to share what I make in the first place. The reason I write this blog is so that I can share, teach, and hopefully inspire others to feel confident in the kitchen with whatever ingredients they happen to have on hand. How many times have you found an awesome-looking recipe only to realize that you're missing half the ingredients? You don't have time to run to the grocery store, and takeout starts to look really tempting when your Plan A for Dinner falls through.
My goal is to show you how to think creatively with the ingredients in front of you, whether you're browsing a winter market looking for staples or browsing your refrigerator looking for anything that still might be edible. You don't have to rely on precise recipes to craft healthy, delicious, and resourceful meals for your family -- in fact, I have almost never strictly stuck to a recipe in my life (this is why I am usually NOT the baker in our family). Rather, I'm always adapting and subbing ingredients to use whatever we have, and sometimes I'll up the amount of veggies called for just to use something up, add nutrients, or make more leftovers.
So what did I make last night for the big game? I knew it had to be quick to prepare, and it had to be something I could bake in the oven rather than prepare on the stove so I could throw it in and walk away. I checked the fridge and found the following items on hand:
- thinly sliced sweet potato rounds I had used in a lasagna the weekend before
- the last of the chickpeas I had cooked the weekend before
- some very wilted spinach
- 4 very sad carrots
- 1 still intact parsley root (similar to celery root or parsnip)
- the last of a carton of mixed mushrooms
If you think old vegetables are out of the question, think again. Anything that may have lost it's raw appeal can still be perfect for a stew or a bake. In this case, I decided to make a chickpea pot pie. To my raw ingredients, I added the following items from the pantry:
- 1 yellow onion
- 3 cloves of garlic (feel free to use as much or as little garlic as you like, in any recipe. It's your dinner after all.)
- a can of diced tomatoes
- dried basil and thyme, and salt and pepper
- about 3 T of spelt flour that I had remaining in the freezer (this could be any type of flour, I just happened to have the end of a bag in the freezer to use up)
- some extra water to add moisture to the sauce
And that's it. I sauteed all my vegetables in some coconut oil while the oven preheated to 375, added the spices and water, and then added the flour to thicken it all at the end. From there, I dumped the entire pan into my pie dish and arranged the sweet potato slices around the edges and on top. I set the timer for 35 minutes, and took my seat on the couch just in time for the first touchdown.
Fly Eagles, Fly.
Saturday, January 6, 2018
Fit for the New Year: Vegan, Gluten Free Banana Nut Muffins
Having just returned from our annual Christmas Pilgrimage to North Carolina -- an eight-day road trip adventure all the way from Philadelphia to Clemson, SC and back again, with our game-for-anything pup in the back seat -- our pantry wasn't exactly stocked when we walked in the door on New Year's Eve. What to make for brunch the next day? Having just spent a week trying to stick to a vegan diet in the midst of my avid meat-and-dairy-loving family, I wanted to bring something to share that would be accessible to everyone. After a little browsing, I found this vegan, gluten-free recipe for Banana Nut Muffins from the Minimalist Baker that aligned closely enough with the limited resources in our depleted pantry. Though not gluten-free myself, I decided to make these without it to keep them diet friendly for all. Evidently it worked out beautifully -- all twelve of these were gone in fifteen minutes flat. Moist and hearty, with the added decadence of dark chocolate chips and toasted walnuts on top, these made for a perfect New Year's Day treat that would be healthy and filling enough for any day of the week. With my own substitutions, here's what I used....
1 Tbsp ground flaxseed (throw some whole flaxseed in a high speed blender, voila: ground flaxseed)
2 1/2 tbsp water
2 ripe bananas (original calls for 3, but we only had 2)
1 Tbsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp vanilla extract (we keep a few vanilla beans soaking in a bottle of vodka for this purpose)
3 Tbsp olive oil
1/4 c brown sugar (I halved the amount of sugar in the original recipe, because I tend to prefer things less sweet)
2 1/2 Tbsp maple syrup
3/4 tsp sea salt
3/4 c coconut milk (we hadn't made almond milk, so I opened up a can of coconut milk I had on hand. This worked out beautifully)
1/2 c dark chocolate chips, 70% or greater and dairy free (because who doesn't love melted chocolate in things?!)
For the flour: original calls for a mix of almond meal/flour, a gluten-free flour blend, and rolled oats. Not having any of the gluten free blend on hand, I mixed my own to add up to the same quantity. Here's what I used --
1 1/4 c almond flour
3/4 c almond meal (coarser than flour)
1/2 c coconut flour
1 1/4 c rolled oats
I also pressed some walnuts into the top of 8 of the muffins before baking, so they came out nice and toasted by the end.
Preheat oven to 375
Line a standard muffin tin with muffin cups, makes 12 muffins
1. Prepare a "flax egg" by mixing the ground flaxseed and water together and giving it 5 minutes to gel.
2. Mash up your bananas to a liquid but slightly chunky consistency, then mix with the flax egg, baking powder, and baking soda.
3. Add vanilla, oil, salt, sugar, and syrup and whisk to combine. Then whisk in coconut milk. (Set aside leftover coconut milk to use later, or blend it up right away with some frozen fruit for a smoothie to tie you over until these come out of the oven...)
4. Add all flour ingredients and oats, stirring with a wooden spoon until just combined, and then fold in chocolate chips at the end.
5. Divide evenly into your muffin cups, and then press in walnut topping (or add hemp seed, or shredded coconut, or chia seeds -- whatever suits your fancy).
Bake for 28-32 minutes or until golden brown. Enjoy :)
Tuesday, September 26, 2017
Pan Fried Tempeh and Market Stir Fry
Day 1. Pan Fried Tempeh and Farmer's Market Stir Fry
Monday, 25 September 2017
Farmer's Market stir fry.
Monday, 25 September 2017
Farmer's Market stir fry.
- Mushrooms. These were something fancy from the farmer's market mushroom stand, but I don't remember what. I do know they were delicious, and they stood up really well in the stir fry. Wash them really well, and cut into bite size pieces.
- Red onion. How could you make a stir fry without one? Once these and the mushrooms are ready to go, get them all going in your saute pan with 3 Tbsp coconut oil and 3 Tbsp water.
- Garlic. Mince 3-4 cloves and throw them in with your onions and mushrooms.
- Bell peppers. Add 1-2 of these depending on size, the brighter the better. Add a bit more water to the pan if it starts to dry out too much here.
- Purple cabbage. This holds up really well in the stir fry and adds amazing color.
- Spinach. Add this right at the very end, splash it all with water and cover for about 2 minutes. This will steam the spinach just enough, and then you're done!
Fried tempeh.
- Tempeh. If you're not familiar, tempeh is a fermented soy cake originating in Indonesia, and it has probiotic properties similar to yogurt but without the dairy. I used one package and just followed the instructions. Super simple. Slice in 1/4" thin slices, and marinate (or douse, if you're in a hurry like I was) in a bowl while you heat up your skillet with about 3 Tbsp coconut oil on medium heat. Lay out the pieces and let them brown on one side for about 4-5 minutes, then flip them over and repeat.
- Marinade. Probably best to mix this up ahead of time, but I literally spooned it over the tempeh three minutes before it went in the pan, and it turned out just fine.
- 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp sesame seeds
It was vegan, and it was delicious. I had forgotten how amazing tempeh can taste, and the combination of tempeh, mushrooms, and a pile of colorful veggies was completely satisfying. The best part? It all came together in about half an hour, so I had time to make that and write this too :)
Monday, September 25, 2017
The Best Damn Vegan Pancakes
Vegan Pancakes. The Gold Standard Cafe, West Philadelphia.
Sunday, 24 September 2017.
I don't usually write about pancakes. Sometimes, however, I happen upon some food thing so profound that I am compelled to whip out my camera in the middle of the restaurant to capture the sheer delight in front of me. These were no ordinary pancakes. These were vegan pancakes, and they tasted like heaven.
I should probably explain why I was ordering vegan pancakes. I recently met a girl who happened to mention that she was a vegan, and having been a long-time 80/20 vegetarian myself I inquired about what had prompted her to make the Full On Commitment. Her reasoning was rooted in ethics and it pretty much made sense to me, so I decided to give it a try for a few days. You know, just to see if I could, since I wasn't really ready to commit to no eggs and no cheese forever.
I've been trying it for a few weeks now, and in the meantime I've been doing some pretty intense research. What am I going to eat for breakfast? How does it feel to totally turn your back on the concept of wine and cheese? (My soul absolutely yearns for Paris when I think of wine and cheese...) What are the positives, and what can I expect from my body if I do this? What is my why? This photo journalism project really rocked me to my core.
Long story short, I've been more or less successfully eating about 90% vegan for the past two weeks, and it has turned out to be far easier than I expected. My body feels great, my mind feels clear, and I'm still really happy with the food that I AM eating. I'm enjoying the challenge of cooking at home (though many of the meals I usually make are actually vegan anyway), and restaurant menus are actually making it pretty easy. Chris and I love eating out just as much as we love cooking at home, and I'm not really willing to give that up. I need days off from the dishes just as much as the next girl.
Thank goodness for vegan pancakes. I think I'll just go ahead and give this thing a try for good.
I haven't posted in a while, and this is largely because the last five months have been consumed with finding, buying, and designing the restorations for our new (old) house... possibly with a dishwasher?! More to come on that later.
Tuesday, April 25, 2017
Spring Looks Good on You, Salad
As April very nearly gives way to May, it's becoming my favorite time of year again: the farmer's market stands multiply from the few winter standbys to the rows and rows of newcomers, their tables overflowing with the first real fruits of the new season. The farms showcase leafy spinach, flourishing in the cool and rainy weather of the Northeast spring, alongside the first few weeks of asparagus as the sleeping roots begin to shoot up their tender stalks. The fall harvest of sweet root vegetables hasn't quite been exhausted, and sweet heirloom squash varieties and beets -- greens removed for storage -- are still out in the baskets next to their early season cousins, carrots and turnips.
Having missed the market one Saturday, my husband even scored some fresh strawberries and fiddleheads at the grocery co-op coming in from farms a bit further south -- no doubt thanks to our unseasonably warm spring. Strawberries favor the cool season before the onslaught of real summer heat, so take advantage of their abundance and flavor while you can.
Whatever your region, keep your eye out for newcomers to your local market or items coming from your area at the grocery store. These are clues that these varieties are in season right now in your area, and will most likely have been picked recently at or very close to ripeness. This is where you'll find the most color, flavor, and nutrients -- not to mention enough variety to consistently spice up your dinner rotation. It's the perfect storm for salad creation: abundance, simplicity, and freshness, easily thrown together on any night of the week.
Spring market salad:
Curly leaf spinach
Yellow carrots
Fiddleheads (furled fronds of a young fern)
Butternut squash, roasted in coconut oil
Beets, roasted in coconut oil
Local blue cheese crumbles (easily omitted if you're doing it vegan or paleo)
For protein: edamame (or eggs, paleo)
For fat: olive oil + avocado
Sunday, April 9, 2017
Happiness is a Portuguese Pastry
Pasteis de Nata and Port. Saturday, 08 April 2017
Exactly six months ago I married my husband, in a hurricane, in Virginia. Two days later, we packed our bags, said goodbye to our dog, and boarded a plane -- Lisbon bound. The city was a dream; we spent our days walking miles of marble-tiled narrow streets, winding up and down hills and in and out of stone-walled cafes, drinking port and sangria and dreaming about our future as the sun set and the sounds of melancholy voices singing fado echoed off alley walls.
One morning, we stopped by a bakery, Manteigaria Fábrica de Pastéis de Nata, selling nothing but espresso and what seemed to be the national pastry of Portugal, an egg custard tart. We watched in rapt fascination as the white-clad bakers behind the glass deftly rolled, pressed, and poured the contents of the tarts into long rows of pastry cups. They had it down to a science -- the assembly line as art. Five minutes later, we were biting into fragrant layers of hot and crispy pastel de nata -- properly enjoyed with powdered sugar and cinnamon sprinkled on top just after coming out of the oven. Custard tart devoured only moments after its creation, we finished our espresso and set off into the early morning bustle of downtown Lisbon.
Fast forward to Friday, the day before my birthday. I get home to find my husband intently focused on spreading out his pastry dough carefully into a muffin tin, a bowl of egg custard standing at the ready, the aroma of the first batch already wafting from the oven, flour covering everything. A bottle of port wine waits patiently on top of the fridge.
Happiness is a homemade Portuguese pastry -- best enjoyed with friends.
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)


text:
Marjane Satrapi Quotes About CountryQuotes about: Country
If I have one message to give to the secular American people, it's that the world is not divided into countries. The world is not divided between East and West. You are American, I am Iranian, we don't know each other, but we talk together and we understand each other perfectly. The difference between you and your government is much bigger than the difference between you and me. And the difference between me and my government is much bigger than the difference between me and you. And our governments are very much the same.
In a place like Israel, they're very concerned with Iran, so there's a lot of interest. So they want to see what this Iranian from France has to say in her comics. I guess that's good. My the books are coming out in other countries. And each time, they discover something different to be interested in.
For me George Bush is just as scary, if not more. Because he doesn't look like a scary guy, because he's shaved and he has a tie on. But he's a real fanatic - a fanatic by definition is the one who says, if you are not with me, you are against me, and that's exactly the position he takes. The mullahs in my country, it's obvious. But a guy who says I am the president of the biggest secular democracy in the world and asks people to read the Bible and make crusades and says he's God's best friend - this guy is even more scary because you don't see it at the beginning.
I'd heard so many stupidities about my country since I left Iran. People had watched this stupid movie Not Without My Daughter [in which Sally Field plays an American who rescues her daughter from her estranged in-laws in Iran]; I heard so many things like that. I did not make Persepolis for Iranians. It was my answer to the rest of the world, to say, "Let me give you another point of view."
Marjane Satrapi
- Born: November 22, 1969
- Occupation: Novelist
- Cite this Page: Citation