Saturday, December 12, 2015

Gingerbread House Day DECEMBER 12, 2015

DIANE'S CORNER ... Celebrate Gingerbread House Day

Gingerbread House Day is a day that can be celebrated in a wide variety of fun ways, and will be a day that children in particular will really enjoy.
Celebrating Gingerbread House Day involves creating a gingerbread house. But, the best part is that once the house has been created it can be devoured!
Gingerbread House Day should be a social event, and be used as something that engages children and adults alike. Children and parents can make a gingerbread house together and then, later, the gingerbread houses can be eaten at a party especially laid on for the occasion. Alternatively, a giant gingerbread house can be created by several people, with guests invited to decorate it with icing sugar or sweets.




Word of the Day

insentient 


Definition:(adjective) Devoid of sensation or consciousness; inanimate.
Synonyms:insensate
Usage:Jim thought he might be losing his mind when he caught himself talking to insentient objects.




History

First Transatlantic Radio Signal Received (1901)


Marconi was the Nobel Prize-winning Italian creator of the radio telegraph system. At 21, while experimenting with a homemade apparatus, he successfully sent signals across a distance of more than a mile and set off to London with his mother to find support for his work. He patented his system, organized a company to develop its commercial applications, and, in 1901, transmitted the first transatlantic wireless signal.

Gustave Flaubert (1821)


Flaubert was a French writer considered one of the supreme masters of the realistic novel. At 22, he abandoned law studies to pursue a career as an author. In 1856, after five years of work, he published his masterpiece, Madame Bovary, about the frustrations and love affairs of a romantic young woman married to a dull provincial doctor. A sharply realistic portrayal of bourgeois boredom and adultery, the novel led to his prosecution on moral grounds.

Old Saybrook Torchlight Parade and Muster


In early December each year, in colonial America, the village militia would muster with their fifes and drums and march to the town green, where a community meeting and carol sing would take place. Old Saybrook, Connecticut, is the only community in the United States that is known to have revived this tradition. Today's procession follows the ritual with at least 58 fife and drum corps, and marchers often augment their colonial-style costumes with seasonal decorations. The fifes and drums play not only colonial martial music but also the songs of Christmas.

What Food Sell-By Dates Really Tell You


There are multiple ways to determine if that carton of milk in your fridge should be thrown out (smell test, taste test or just checking the "sell-by" date). But what's the best way to figure out if your food should be tossed or saved? 
READ MORE:


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1792 - In Vienna, 22-year-old Ludwig van Beethoven received one of his first lessons in music composition from Franz Joseph Haydn.

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 1800 - Washington, DC, was established as the capital of the United States. 

1897 - The comic strip"The Katzenjammer Kids" (Hans and Fritz), by Rudolph Dirks, appeared in the New York Journal for the first time.



1912 - The Mother's Day International Association was incorporated with the purpose of furthering meaningful observations of Mother's Day. 

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1917 - Father Edward Flanagan opened Boys Town in Nebraska. The farm village was for wayward boys. In 1979 it was opened to girls. 

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 1925 - The "Motel Inn," the first motel in the world, opened in San Luis Obispo, CA. 

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 1946 - A United Nations committee voted to accept a six-block tract of Manhattan real estate to be the site of the UN's headquarters. The land was offered as a gift by John D. Rockefeller Jr. 

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1997 - Denver Pyle received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. 





DAILY SQU-EEK




If You Were Born Today, December 12

You have a distinctly dual nature that, at your best, makes you versatile, and at your worst, downright confused (and confusing!). While a great lover of peace and harmony, you are also determined and fiery. While idealistic, you mostly have your feet on the ground. In relationships, the need for partnering and cooperating is strong, but freedom also matters to you. You are a natural counsellor, offering excellent advice. There is usually quite a bit of drama and colorful emotion in your relationships, whether it's because you bring this to the table or attract these kinds of people. Famous people born today: Frank Sinatra, Edward Koch, Connie Francis, Jennifer Connelly, Bridget Hall, Bob Barker, Dionne Warwick.




Picture of the day
Ruddy kingfisher
The ruddy kingfisher (Halcyon coromanda) is a medium-sized tree kingfisher which is widely distributed in the forests of east and southeast Asia. Like other kingfishers, ruddy kingfishers generally feed on fish, crustaceans, and large insects, though in areas with less running water they are known to take frogs and other amphibians.


Picture of an iceberg near Greenland

Bridge Over Icy Water

Photograph by Lorraine Minns, National Geographic 
A small Zodiac touring boat provides scale for this iceberg off the coast of Greenland. “[The boat] gives you an idea how large this berg really is,” writes Lorraine Minns.




knit, CHRISTMAS
Christmas Morning Slipper Socks

knit

knit, CHRISTMAS

knit

knit, CHRISTMAS


thanks, shelley 
http://anacleta.homestead.com/files/ziggy.jpg



crochet, CHRISTMAS
Holiday Hearts Tree Skirt

 crochet

 crochet, CHRISTMAS
CHRISTMAS MOOSE

 crochet

 crochet, CHRISTMAS


thanks, shelley


RECIPES, CHRISTMAS

Glazed Pfeffernuesse Recipe

tasteofhome
Glazed Pfeffernuesse Recipe

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 1-1/4 hours + chilling Bake: 10 min./batch
MAKES: 60 servings



























Ingredients

  • 1-1/4 cups butter, softened
  • 1-1/4 cups packed brown sugar
  • 3/4 cup molasses
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon anise extract
  • 6 cups cake flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground mace
  • 1/8 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 2 cups finely chopped nuts
  • GLAZE:
  • 1 cup confectioners' sugar
  • 3 tablespoons 2% milk
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Additional confectioners' sugar

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the molasses, water and extract. Combine the flour, baking soda, salt and spices; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in nuts. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
  2. Roll dough into 1-in. balls. Place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Bake at 375° for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.
  3. Meanwhile, in a shallow bowl, combine the confectioners' sugar, milk and vanilla. Place additional confectioners' sugar in another shallow bowl. Remove cookies to wire racks; cool 5 minutes. Dip tops of warm cookies in glaze and allow excess to drip off; dip in confectioners' sugar. Cool completely on wire racks. Store in an airtight container. Yield: about 10 dozen.
Editor's Note: This recipe does not use eggs.

thanks, shelley



CROCKPOT RECIPE, CHRISTMAS
stephanie o'dea

Slow Cooker Christmas Ornaments

The kids and I got to work at once making some salt dough. Ours aren't Magazine Quality, but we had a bunch of fun rolling out the dough while singing (loudly!) to carols playing on the satellite TV channel.

The Ingredients.
1 cup salt
3 cups all purpose flour, or rice flour (I used a gluten-free all purpose because we were out of the inexpensive stuff)
1 cup luke warm water
1 tablespoon vegetable or canola oil

The Directions.

Mix dough with hand or stand mixer until it reaches a ball. If needed, add 1 tablespoon more water while mixing. The dough will be sticky, but will hold shape when molded.







Make ornaments (or beads for stringing). We made a bunch of beads to create a garland, and a few cut-out shapes for regular ornaments with playdough cookie cutters. Use a chopstick to make a hole in the center of the ornaments--you need to have a good amount of dough surrounding the hole so it doesn't crumble when hung.







Line the bottom of your crockpot with parchment paper. I did not do this, and it was a bad idea. Place dough creations into the bottom of your crockpot. I used both of my 6 quart crockpots for this project. Cover and cook on high for 2-3 hours, flipping once.







The ornaments are done when they are hard to the touch and have browned slightly. I did overcook a few, but after a coat of paint you can't tell.

After they have cooled completely, paint. We only had crayola poster paint in the house, so that's what we used. A paint that dries with a shiny coat would look better. Seal with a varnish or Mod Podge. I haven't done this yet, but I'll get some Mod Podge next time I'm at Michael's.

The Verdict.

These were a lot of fun for us. My four-year-old kept eating the dough which was a little weird, but we were all in a good mood, and made memories. I like salt dough a lot, and have used it to make hand and foot prints. I liked using the crockpot instead of the oven this year because we ended up with NO casualties---none of the pieces cracked, and the slow cooking meant I could fuss around with the pieces and move them around to ensure an even bake. I have a half-batch of the dough left wrapped up in the fridge, so this weekend we'll get some nicer paint and make some more ornaments to give as gifts

thanks, shelley
https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xta1/v/t1.0-9/12088202_10153710705227990_474181906526944939_n.jpg?oh=0c12ed740d2f14f7ac66706a2550156f&oe=56AE8745

CRAFTS, CHRISTMAS
 
 
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How to make a gift box from an old greeting card! | Craf...
I was teaching a card-making class over the weekend, and the nicest woman ever said to me, "Have you tried making boxes from your old cards?"
Preview by Yahoo





CHILDREN'S CORNER ... CHRISTMAS craft
thanks, ara





PUZZLE, CHRISTMAS



thanks shelley



QUOTE
No one can figure out your worth but you. - Pearl Bailey








Sideshow performer Francesco Lentini was born in Sicily in 1889 with three legs, four feet, and 16 toes. His legs were all different lengths! There are more than 70 species of mushrooms that glow in the dark! To keep mice away, the British government employs over 100,000 cats—almost double the human population of Greenland!


thanks, shelley


'Welcome' in Kannada (India)              -                 Banni

Image result for spiral gif


thanks, shelley


CLEVER, CHRISTMAS

Use unflavoured dental floss for slicing yule logs

Cutting a yule log


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EYE OPENER, CHRISTMAS

Essential Christmas Hacks, Tips, And Tricks To Help You Survive The Holidays

Use crayons on a window for a fun way to let your kids make a ‘tree’

Use crayons on a window for a fun way to let your kids make a 'tree'

Paper Cone ‘Tree’

Paper Cone 'Tree'

Wrap your lights around cardboard and ‘plug’ them in to avoid tangles.Wrap your lights around cardboard and 'plug' them in to avoid tangles.


You can also wrap them around a hanger for easy storage.You can also wrap them around a hanger for easy storage.


Terra Cotta ‘Tree’Terra Cotta 'Tree'


Use Scotch tape to avoid messing up your walls.Use Scotch tape to avoid messing up your walls.

The Book ‘Tree’

The Book 'Tree'

Store breakable ornaments in coffee tins.Store breakable ornaments in coffee tins.


DIY Wreath

DIY Wreath

Recycled ornaments from light bulbs.

Recycled ornaments from light bulbs.

Cheap Bottle Cap Snowmen

Cheap Bottle Cap Snowmen

Use paint chips to make gift tags.

Use paint chips to make gift tags.

The Candy ‘Tree’ (Your kids will love this).The Candy 'Tree' (Your kids will love this).


Use a hot glue gun to make window snowflakes

Use a hot glue gun to make window snowflakes

Turn your fridge into a snowman

Turn your fridge into a snowman

Word search wrapping paper.

Word search wrapping paper.

Animated Gif Christmas animated GIF


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