DIANE'S CORNER ...Celebrate Family Day

As the name suggests, Family Day is an event that is intended to allow loved ones to take a respite from their daily lives and spend quality time together. One of the best things about this occasion is that there is no single “requirement” for the activities to be celebrated; Family Day is a flexible as it is relaxing.

Unsurprisingly, this day is held at different times of the year within different parts of the world. Still, the overall intention is the same. As all of us are leading increasingly hectic schedules, this day is intended to give us a bit of leisure time outside of the “hustle and bustle” of our routines.

Some may choose to have a festive meal together while others can instead attend a religious event or simply take a picnic. Either way, this day is one of the best ways to remind us of the importance of family in our lives.

patty's trip to the local farmer's market (sept)

Word of the Day

reticent

Definition:

(adjective) Inclined to keep one's thoughts, feelings, and personal affairs to oneself.

Synonyms:

untalkative

Usage:

She was so reticent about her personal life that even her roommates did not know she had a boyfriend.

History

Confucius (551 BCE)

Positive evidence concerning the life of the Chinese sage Confucius is sparse, and modern scholars base their accounts largely on the Analects, a collection of sayings and conversations apparently recorded by his disciples. Distressed by the constant warfare between the Chinese states and by the venality and tyranny of the rulers, Confucius urged a system of morality and government that would promote peace and stability

Oldest Decapitated Skull in South America had Ritual Significance

An international team of scientists says they've discovered the oldest known beheaded skull in the Americas – arranged in a strange, possibly symbolic pose.

9,000-year-old decapitation victim hints at 'sophisticated' society



				9,000-year-old decapitation victim hints at 'sophisticat... An international team of scientists says they’ve discovered the oldest known beheaded skull in the Americas – arranged in a strange, possibly symbolic pose.

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1542 - San Diego, CA, was discovered by Portuguese navigator Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo.

Related image

1892 - The first nighttime football game in the U.S. took place under electric lights. The game was between the Mansfield State Normal School and the Wyoming Seminary.

1955 - The World Series was televised in color for the first time. The game was between the New York Yankees and the Brooklyn Dodgers.

1961 - "Dr. Kildare" premiered on NBC-TV.

Related image

1974 - First Lady Betty Ford underwent a mastectomy to remove a lump in her breast.

DAILY SQU-EEK

If You Were Born Today, September 28

You are a kind-hearted and generous person who will bend over backwards to help out a friend or loved ones. You are exceptionally people-aware and a true humanitarian, but you do know where to draw the line. Goal-oriented and determined, you have all the ingredients for success. While you project an image of kindness, you are a strong person who is able to act according to your own beliefs and convictions. You are attracted to talented and successful people. Famous people born today: Confucius, Peter Finch, Ed Sullivan, Al Capp, Brigitte Bardot, Mira Sorvino, Naomi Watts, Gwyneth Paltrow.

Picture of the day

Louis Pasteur (1822–1895) was a French chemist and microbiologist renowned for his discoveries of the principles of vaccination, microbial fermentation and pasteurization. He reduced mortality from puerperal fever, and created the first vaccines for rabies and anthrax. His medical discoveries provided direct support for the germ theory of disease and its application in clinical medicine. Together with Ferdinand Cohn and Robert Koch, he is regarded as one of the three main founders of bacteriology.

Picture of a Labord’s chameleon on a branch, Madagascar

A Standout

Photograph by Christian Ziegler, National Geographic

A brightly hued Labord’s chameleon clings to a branch, standing in stark contrast to the surrounding dry brush. It’s a popular myth that chameleons take on the color of what they touch. Though some color changes do help them blend into their surroundings, the skin’s changing hue is in fact a physiological reaction that’s mostly for communication.

knit

67-8 Cashmere Mittens pattern by Pierrot (Gosyo Co., Ltd)



				67-8 Cashmere Mittens pattern by Pierrot (Gosyo Co., Ltd... Both English and Japanese versions are fully charted using standard knitting and/or crochet symbols. Japanese version available here.

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knit, coasters

Soft Merino Coasters pattern by Pierrot (Gosyo Co., Ltd)



				Soft Merino Coasters pattern by Pierrot (Gosyo Co., Ltd) Both English and Japanese versions are fully charted using standard knitting and/or crochet symbols. Japanese version available here. For help using Jap...

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knit, placemat

Soft Merino Luncheon Mat pattern by Pierrot (Gosyo Co., Ltd)



				Soft Merino Luncheon Mat pattern by Pierrot (Gosyo Co., ... Both English and Japanese versions are fully charted using standard knitting and/or crochet symbols. Japanese version available here. For help using Jap...

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knit

Tumbling Bunnies - Simply Notable



				Tumbling Bunnies - Simply Notable Instead of the egg toss, juggle floppy little bunnies this year! These bunnies are tumbly, acrobatic little beanbags to toss into spring baskets for your little, (a...

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knit

Ruffle Vest for Baby

Needle : 4.00mm circular needle
Yarn : Double knitting baby yarn
Size : 6-12 months
Gauge : 20 stockinette stitch : 10cm

st: stitch
k: knit
p: purl
yo: yarn over
k2tog: knit 2 stitches together
RS: right side
WS: wrong side
ktbl : knit through the back loop

Cast on 68 stitches.
Knit in garter stitch for 4 rows. (knit on both right and wrong sides)
k6, yo, (k2, yo)* Repeat until you have 6 st left. We will make button hole now on this row. k2,yo,k2tog,k2
(WS) k6, ktbl, (p2, ktbl)* Repeat * until you have 6 st left, k6
(RS) k6, p1, (k2, p1)* Repeat * until you have 6 st left, k6
(WS) k7, (p2, k1)* Repeat * until you have 6 st left, k6
(RS) k6, p1, (k2, p1)* Repeat * until you have 6 st left, k6
(WS) k7, (p2, k1)* Repeat * until you have 6 st left, k6
(RS) k6, p1, (k2, p1)* Repeat * until you have 6 st left, k6
(WS) knit to the end
(RS) knit to the end.
work in garter stitch for another 3 rows.
(RS) k6, yo, (k2, yo)* Repeat until you have 6 st left, k6 (I dont know why but I had 7 st instead of 6, I knitted 2 st together and knit the rest 5 to make it 6 st)
(WS) k6, ktbl, (p2, ktbl)* Repeat * until you have 6 st left, k6
(RS) k6, p1, (k2, p1)* Repeat * until you have 6 st left, k6
(WS) k7, (p2, k1)* Repeat * until you have 6 st left, k6
(RS) k6, p1, (k2, p1)* Repeat * until you have 6 st left, k6
(WS) k7, (p2, k1)* Repeat * until you have 6 st left, k6
(RS) k6, p1, (k2, p1)* Repeat * until you have 6 st left, k2,yo,k2tog,k3
(WS) knit to the end
(RS) knit to the end.
work in garter stitch for another 3 rows.
(RS) k6, yo, (k2, yo)* Repeat until you have 6 st left, k6 (Again I had 7 st instead of 6, I knitted 2 st together and knit the rest 5 to make it 6 st)
(WS) k6, ktbl, (p2, ktbl)* Repeat * until you have 6 st left, k6
(RS) k6, p1, (k2, p1)* Repeat * until you have 6 st left, k6
(WS) k7, (p2, k1)* Repeat * until you have 6 st left, k6
(RS) k6, p1, (k2, p1)* Repeat * until you have 6 st left, k6
(WS) k7, (p2, k1)* Repeat * until you have 6 st left, k6
(RS) k6, p1, (k2, p1)* Repeat * until you have 6 st left, k2,yo,k2tog,k2
(WS) knit to the end
(RS) knit to the end.
work in garter stitch for another 3 rows.
(RS) we will start knitting the ruffles now. k6, put the first 6st on stitch holder(or safety pin), p2, (yo, k1, p4)* Repeat * to the end until you have 9 st left, yo, k1, p2. put the last 6st on stitch holder.
(WS) knit on knit, purl on purls and yarnovers
(RS) p2, (yo, k2, p4)* Repeat * to the end until you have 4st, yo, k2, p2
(WS) knit on knits, purl on purls and yarnovers
(RS) p2, (yo,k3, p4)* Repeat * to the end until you have 5st, yo, k3, p2
(WS) knit on knits, purl on purls and yarnovers
(RS) pr, (yo, k4, p4)* Repeat * to the end until you have 6st, yo, k4, p2
(WS) knit on knits, purl on purls and yarnovers
Cast off the ruffles.
Right side facing to you, pass the 6 st from stitch holder to your needle, pick up and knit 26 st from the purl stitches on the wrong side, under the ruffles. (You will have 32 st for left front, cast on 5 st for under arm, skip 40 garter stitches for arm, pick up and knit 61st for back, cast on 5 st for underarm, skip 40 garter st for arm, pick up and knit 26 st for right front. Pass 6 st from stitch holder to your left needle, we will make the third button hole. k2, yo, k2tog, k2
(WS) k6, purl until you have 6st left, k6
Continue knitting in stockinette stitch, don't forget to knit the front bands in garter stitch.
when your piece measures 24-25 cm from the beginning(you can make longer or shorter), make the ruffles same as before or you can knit in garter stitch for 6 rows and cast off. (I used a little from the second yarn ball for the ruffles)
sew buttons.

crochet

PFC110 Round Table Mat pattern by Patternsfor Designs



				PFC110 Round Table Mat pattern by Patternsfor Designs UK and AUS formats also avaliable.

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crochet

Brain Waves Beanie pattern by Liz McQueen



				Brain Waves Beanie pattern by Liz McQueen UPDATE 7/24/14: New pattern template, clearer instructions, new photo tutorial, typos fixed, AND a Norwegian version (adult size only).

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crochet

Magnolia pattern by antjeswerk



				Magnolia pattern by antjeswerk Die Kante ist im Schuppenmuster gehäkelt, der Schaft rechts angestrickt.

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crochet

Crocodile Ascot pattern by Anne Guglik



				Crocodile Ascot pattern by Anne Guglik This pattern will adapt well to various needle and yarn sizes, but I don’t recommend using yarn lighter than sport weight, since the stitch won’t be as striki...

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crochet

Turtle Shell Pattern by Kinga Erdem:

Note: When you change the colors in the round, carry the yarns working around the strand of other color yarn.

With green yarn make a magic ring.

Round 1: 6 sc into ring, sl st with red to top of first sc.

Round 2: Continue with red, chain 1, work 2 sc in same stitch and 2 sc in each stitch around. Sl st with green to top of first sc. (12 sc total)

Round 3: Continue with green, ch 1, work 2 sc in same stitch; with red 1 sc in each of the next 2 sc, (with green 2 sc in next sc, with red 1 sc in each of the next 2 sc) x 3 times.

Your round will end with red yarn; sl st with red to top of the first sc. (16 sc total)

Round 4: Continue with red, ch1, 1 sc in same stitch and 1 sc in each stitch around. Sl st to the first sc. (16 sc total)
Cut yarn, leaving a long tail to sew the turtle house to the turtle body.

RECIPE
Honey Cake

Yield:Serves 12
Prep:15 minutes
Cook:1 hour, 15 minutes
Total:1 hour, 30 minutes

Ingredients

1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 Tablespoon baking powder
3 1/2 cups unbleached flour
1 1/4 cups packed dark brown sugar
4 Tablespoons canola oil
1 3/4 cups honey
4 extra large eggs
1 cup very strong coffee (decaf is fine)
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon cloves
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 cup whole or half candied or plain almonds
1 cup raisins

Directions

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Grease and flour two 9×5-inch loaf pans or one 9×13 pan. Set aside.

In a saucepan, combine the honey and coffee and bring to a boil. Cool and set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, blend the eggs, brown sugar and oil. Do not over beat.

Sift the flour, baking powder and baking soda and spices together. Stir the flour and honey into the eggs alternating and ending with the liquid. Stir in the raisins. Blend well. Pour into the prepared pans and place the almonds over the cake. Bake for 60-70 minutes, or until the cake springs back. Let sit overnight before serving.

CROCKPOT RECIPE
stephanie o'dea

CrockPot Baba Ganoush Recipe

I had heard of baba ganoush before, but had no idea what it was. Alanna shared that it's pretty much an eggplant hummus. I love me some hummus. I love it so much I don't care a bit how that sentence breaks every rule in the grammar book (is there a grammar book?).

The Ingredients.

--1 large eggplant (if you're fancy you can call it aubergine)
--2 cloves garlic
--1 lemon, juiced
--2 T tahini (sesame paste, in the peanut butter aisle, but NOT at Trader Joe's. weird.)
--1 T dried parsley flakes, or 1/3 cup fresh parsley leaves
--salt and pepper to taste

The Directions.

Wash and dry your eggplant, and poke it a few times with a fork.

Plop it into your crockpot (you'll need probably at least a 3 quart for it to fit properly) and cook on high for 3 hours.

After cooking, the eggplant skin will be crinkled and the flesh inside will have shrunk a bit. This is good.

Carefully (use tongs. trust me. my fingers ache while I'm typing this.) remove the eggplant and cut in half with a knife. Scrape out any big chunks of seeds.

Get out the blender.

Using a spoon, remove the flesh from the eggplant skin and drop it (the flesh, not the skin) into the blender. Add the garlic cloves, lemon juice, and tahini. Add a pinch each of salt and pepper.

Blend. Add additional lemon, salt or pepper as needed.

Serve with your favorite fresh veggies, crackers, pita bread, or brown rice tortilla wedges.

The Verdict.

This was tasty. Adam thought it could use more lemon and salt. The other dad thought it could use more heat, and the other mom thought it could use another garlic clove. But we still ate it all...I will make this again.

CRAFTS
Reuse Old Plastic Bottles

23 Creative Ways To Reuse Old Plastic Bottles

CHILDREN'S CORNER ... crafts
Ribbon Bookmarks

Busy Beehives...: Basic Sewing Skills Ribbon Bookmark



				Busy Beehives...: Basic Sewing Skills Ribbon Bookmark Tonight for our class activities we are going to review clothing and laundry basics and things you need to know to maintain your clothing.

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PUZZLE

Leaf Fan House Jigsaw Puzzle



				Leaf Fan House Jigsaw Puzzle Leaf Fan House Jigsaw Puzzle, 67 Piece Classic. Long fine green leaves of a plant fan out in front of a Mediterranean villa

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QUOTE

You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream. - C. S. Lewis

DONALD THE FOUR LEGGED DUCKLING VISITED RIPLEY’S!

WE GOT TO MEET DONALD!

Donald Visited Orlando, Florida

Donald and his whole family came over to our offices located in Florida and the family got a tour of Ripley’s while Donald—our star—became part of the collection himself.

The adorable odd duckling got his own photo shoot and even ended up a swimming in the our fountain; And boy, he’s a good swimmer!

SO WHAT’S THE STORY?

How did Donald get so famous? He had his own Facebook page; In fact he had more than 1000 fans in the first three days and now has as many as 6000 fans watching this cute duck’s adventures!
“I’ve raised a lot of animals my entire life and I’ve never had anything like this”
From there, the local news saw him and did a story on him that we blogged! Not to long after that the family reached out to us here at Ripley’s and we invited them all over.

The family now wants to use Donald’s attention to send a accepting message: “You’re beautiful just the way you are” to whomever they can and will even be going to schools.

See the photos below!

Donald Swam around in our back yard.

Thanks to the whole family for visiting Ripley’s! We had a fantastic time!

The Family and Donald

"Welcome" in Cornish (Cornwall UK) - Dynnargh

CLEVER
You’ve been dispensing Tic Tacs the hard way. You've been dispensing Tic Tacs the hard way.

You know how when you violently shake a container of Tic Tacs into your palm it seems as though you always end up with zero or seven? Avoid that altogether by letting a mint gently glide into the tiny lid crevice.

EYE OPENER

thanks, patty

19 Things So Hilariously Similar To Each Other You Can’t Help But Laugh

earth porm

As unique as the world may be there are certain people, animals, objects and foods that look so much like something else it is rather shocking, and not to mention hysterical.

1. Pregnant Kim Kardashian Is Apparently Interchangeable With The Penguin From Batman Returns