Friday, July 10, 2015

Don't Step on a Bee Day JULY 10, 2015

DIANE'S CORNER .. Celebrate Don't Step on a Bee Day

Don’t Step On A Bee Day is an important reminder that the fate of the common bee lies in the balance – with bee numbers in some countries having halved in the last decade with no apparent cause, it’s vital that we take care to maintain bee populations, pollination and honey production.




Word of the Day

cloudburst 


Definition:(noun) A heavy rain.
Synonyms:peltersoakertorrentwaterspoutdelugedownpour
Usage:We enjoyed the lovely recliners on the ship's deck until a sudden cloudburst sent us running for our cabins.



History

Camille Pissarro (1830)


Known as the "Father of Impressionism," Pissarro was the only Impressionist painter who participated in all eight of the group's exhibitions. He is notable not only for his paintings of rural and urban French life but in his role as a mentor to postimpressionists Paul Cézanne and Paul Gauguin. He gained popularity in the 1890s with his interpretation of nature, including many landscapes drawn from his surroundings in the French countryside.

Grandfather Mountain Highland Games and Gathering of Scottish Clans


This largest and best-known Scottish event in America, held since 1956 on Grandfather Mountain near Linville, North Carolina, opens with a torchlight ceremony at MacRae Meadows at dusk on Thursday. On Friday, athletic and other activities begin and in the evening there's a Celtic Jam, followed by a ceilidh. On Saturday, competitions are held throughout the day for Highland dancing, piping, drumming, Scottish fiddling, track and field events, and other athletic events. Sunday opens with a worship service, followed by more competitions and entertainment.

Gene Therapy for Deafness Moves a Few Steps Closer


Gene therapy for deafness is moving closer to reality, with new research on Wednesday showing how the technique for fixing faulty DNA can improve responses in mice with genetic hearing loss. 
READ MORE:



1900 - ‘His Master’s Voice’, was registered with the U.S. Patent Office. The logo of the Victor Recording Company, and later, RCA Victor, shows the dog, Nipper, looking into the horn of a gramophone machine.

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1928 - George Eastman first demonstrated color motion pictures. 

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1929 - The U.S. government began issuing paper money in the small size. 

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1949 - The first practical rectangular television was presented. The picture tube measured 12 by 16 and sold for $12. 

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1985Coca-Cola resumed selling the old formula of Coke, it was renamed "Coca-Cola Classic." It was also announced that they would continue to sell "New" Coke. 

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1989 - Mel Blanc, the "man of a thousand voices," died at age 81. He was known for such cartoon characters as Daffy Duck, Bugs Bunny and Porky Pig

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1997 - Scientists in London said DNA from a Neanderthal skeleton supported a theory that all humanity descended from an "African Eve" 100,000 to 200,000 years ago. 

Recorded, 1967

otbj
The single “Ode to Billie Joe” was a number-one hit and became a big
international seller. Billboard ranked the record as the No. 3 song for 1967.
The song is ranked #412 on Rolling Stone‘s list of "the 500 Greatest Songs
of All Time
". The recording of "Ode to Billie Joe" generated eight Grammy
nominations, resulting in three wins for Gentry and one win for arranger 
Jimmie Haskell.

Number 1, 1966

pap
According to an English D.J.,McCartney wrote the song in response to a request
from an aunt who asked if he could "write a single that wasn’t about love.”
"Paperback Writer" was the last new song by the Beatles to be featured on their
final tour in 1966.



DAILY SQU-EEK
















If You Were Born Today, July 10

You are quick-witted, enthusiastic, and an eternal explorer. You are often assessing what things are worth, and are generally very good at it - you have good taste and a knack for finding worthwhile and valuable things. You enjoy traveling and learning, and you are forever seeking meaning and truths in life. Although you very much dislike routine, you are also very security-conscious and need to lay down roots. Famous people born today: Jessica Simpson, Arlo Guthrie, Adrian Grenier, Sofia Vergara.



Picture of the day
Chrysopidae
Chrysopidae are a large family of insects commonly known as green lacewings. This group consists of about 85 genera and 1,300–2,000 species, spread worldwide. The most common in North America and Europe are Chrysopa and Chrysoperla. This unidentified specimen was photographed in Austins Ferry, Tasmania.

Picture of Vestrahorn, Iceland, at sunset

Planet Iceland

Photograph by Sophie Carr
“This [was] taken at the volcanic beach at Stokksnes in southeastern Iceland in February 2015,” writes photographer Sophie Carr. “I used a two-second exposure to capture the water trails as the waves receded over rocks at the edge of the beach, just as the sun was setting behind me, illuminating the mighty Vestrahorn mountain and some peaks in the far distance.”




knit
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The Almost Lost Washcloth Pattern
  On my last visit, my Mom in law gave me a most welcome gift: a generous stack of hand-knit washcloths! Not only were they plentiful, they were lofty and ...
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Untitled 1
FREE PATTERNS  Click on pictures to download pattern                                                                       
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knit 
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The Spiral Cot Blanket - a Pattern
I really have no idea why it took two attempts to get this pattern right. Perhaps I should rephrase - I really have no idea why I can't count, knit and chat at t...
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knit 


knit 
 
 
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Stella Lovey Blanket - Willow Yarns
Stella will comfort little ones when they snuggle up with this delightful lovey that combines a cuddly plush friend with a beloved security blanket! Skill Level:...
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The Lone Ranger and Tonto were camping in the wilderness. 

After they got their tent set up, both men fell sound
asleep. Some hours later, Tonto wakes the Lone Ranger and 
says,"Kemo Sabe, look towards sky, what you see?"

The Lone Ranger replies, "I see millions of stars." 

"What that tell you?" asked Tonto.

The Lone Ranger ponders for a minute then says, 
"Astronomically-speaking, it tells me there are millions 
of galaxies and potentially billions of planets. 
Astrologically, it tells me that Saturn is in Leo. Time-
wise, it appears to be approximately a quarter past three in the 
morning. Theologically,the Lord is all-powerful and we are small 
and insignificantMeteorologically, it seems we will have a 
beautiful day tomorrow. What does it tell you,Tonto?"

"You dumber than buffalo... It mean someone stole tent."


crochet
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crochet dress

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RECIPE
thanks, heidi

Taco Pie
You'll Need:

1/4 cup butter
2/3 cup milk
1 package Taco Bell seasoning mix (Copycat recipe on Budget101)
2 1/2 cups mashed potato flakes (or left over mashed potatoes-omit butter & milk)
1 pound ground beef or Turkey
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup salsa
1 cup shredded lettuce
1 medium tomato, diced
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Sour cream, optional

Preheat oven 350F.
In a medium sauce pan, melt butter & Add milk, 2 Tbs taco seasoning, mixing well.
Remove from heat, add potato flakes, mixing until incorporated.
Press mixture into the bottom of a regular pie plate, then Bake the "crust" for 7-10 minutes until it just BARELY turns 
olden brown. In the meantime, cook beef & onions in a skillet until beef is browned and cooked through. Drain. Add 
Salsa & remaining taco seasoning. Cook until bubbly.
Pour into crust. Bake for 15 minutes, or until crust is golden brown.
Let cool for 5 minutes. Top with cheese, lettuce, and tomatoes, black olives, jalapeno slices, etc
Tired of Spending $1.25 or more on a single packet of Taco Seasoning Mix? Here's our very simple copycat recipe for your favorite Taco restaurant chain. Now you can make fabulous tacos at home for just pennies.
2 tablespoons Instant flour (wondra works great!)
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoons dried minced onion
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon paprika
3/4 teaspoon crushed beef bouillon cube
1/4 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
dash onion powder

Measure all ingredients into a small ziploc baggie, makes 1 pkg of mix. (For 1 batch of Tacos)

To Use:

Brown 1 lb of ground beef or turkey and then drain
add 1 pkg mix
1 can diced tomatoes, un-drained OR 3/4 c. Cold water - stirring well to mix

Reduce heat, simmer 7-10 minutes on low heat, stirring occasionally.





CROCKPOT RECIPE
stephanie o'dea

CrockPot White Bean and Pesto Spread

This is such a yummy spread, and it is so easy it practically makes itself. It must eat itself, too, because I have no idea where it went. I made a batch, took a picture, and then it disappeared.
Keep the ingredients on hand for last-minute company. They will keep in your pantry forever, and you will thank me when your guests eyeballs roll back in glee. 

The Ingredients.


- 1 cup of drained and rinsed white beans (cannelloni, white kidney) 
- 1/4 cup prepared pesto
 

The Directions.
 

After draining and rinsing the beans, scoop out one cup. Smash them. I used my Pampered Chef chopper thingy, but you could squeeze them in a zipper bag or use a tiny food processor, too.
 

Mix the smashed beans with a 1/4 cup of pesto.
 Add mixture to the Little Dipper, close it up, and plug it in.

There isn't a heat setting on a Little Dipper, you just plug it in. I cooked our dip for about 45 minutes, and it was warm and gooey.
 

Serve with pita chips, tortilla chips, or crustini.

I made crustini out of leftover bread that I had made for the 
french dip sandwiches. It was easy--I dipped the pieces in a bit of olive oil, then sprinkled with salt and pepper. I baked them in the oven at 400 degrees until the bottoms were toasty, then broiled until the tops were toasty, too. 

The Verdict.
 

These were great. I liked how the beans soaked up the oil from the pesto, and the flavor was pronounced, but mild at the same time. All four of us enjoyed this snack.





PUZZLE



Pug in cone selfie


CHILDREN'S CORNER ... coloring







Italian Greyhound selfie

CRAFT

Doberman selfie

QUOTE
Never believe that a few caring people can't change the world. For, indeed, that's all who ever have. - Margaret Mead







Meet Baltazar, the Last Ice Merchant of Ecuador

By Sumitra
While the rest of the world reaches into the freezer for ice, there’s someone on this planet who actually climbs mountains to chop it off. Meet Baltazar Ushca, Ecuador’s last hielero, or ‘iceman’.
Ushca is the last surviving practitioner of his family’s trade – passed on from father to son for centuries. At least once a week, the 68-year-old spends five hours hiking up Mount Chimborazo, Ecuador’s highest peak. He keeps going until he reaches the ice mine that has fed him and his family for generations.
Negotiating the steep 14,700-foot path is no joke, especially at Uscha’s age. But he continues the family tradition of cutting ice from the cave and shaping it into blocks. He then transports the blocks, by mule, down to the nearest city of Riobamba, where they are sold.
Despite his age and his short stature (4ft 11in) Ushca can carry two 66-lb blocks of ice on his shoulders. And he’s quite happy working on the mountain that he considers to be sacred. “This is a man’s work,” he said, proudly. “I am happy when I walk. Father Chimborazo looks after me.”

Baltazar-ice-merchant





"Good Morning" in Macedonian (Macedonia) - Dobro utro







CLEVER
Food Storage - Speed up ripening





EYE OPENER

Child's 2,000-year-old sock 

Near perfectly preserved children's clothing last worn by a Roman child two thousand years ago.

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1 comment:

  1. Did you know you can pet bumblebees without getting stung?

    ReplyDelete