Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Int'l Anti-Corruption Day DECEMBER 9, 2015

DIANE'S CORNER ... Celebrate International Anti-Corruption Day

Corruption could be one of the biggest tragedies of mankind for the simple reason that it is ongoing and extremely difficult to combat, forcing the poor into ever more hopeless conditions while the select few in power get ever richer and more powerful. Bribes prevent chosen criminals from ever having to take responsibility for what they’ve done, politicians employ all of their cronies as as soon as the get into office, police officers cooperate with drug dealers, and anyone who dares object is either blackmailed into silence or “mysteriously” disappears. As of 2014, some of the most corrupted countries in the world are Haiti, Iraq, North Korea, Venezuela, Somalia and Afghanistan.
International Anti-Corruption Day was launched on October 9th 2003 by the General Assembly of the United Nations as a way of raising awareness of corruption and highlighting the role of the United Nations Convention against Corruption in combating and preventing it. The official reason given by the UN for creating this day is that it was “concerned about the seriousness of problems and threats posed by corruption to the stability and security of societies, undermining the institutions and values of democracy, ethical values and justice and jeopardizing sustainable development and the rule of law”. Since the day was first held, the day’s organisers, the United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, say intolerance towards corruption has grown. This is evidenced by the increasing number of politicians and chief executives who are being tried and convicted for the crime.

thanks, shelley


Word of the Day

lionize 


Definition:(verb) To look on or treat (a person) as a celebrity.
Synonyms:celebrate
Usage:She lionized her older brother and was always proud to be seen with him.



History

America's First Serving African-American Governor Takes Office (1872)


Born to a former slave and a white planter, Pinckney Pinchback was America's first African-American governor. During the American Civil War, he raised and led a company of black Union volunteers, called the Corps d'Afrique, in Union-held New Orleans. After the war, he was elected to the Louisiana senate and served as lieutenant governor. In 1872, he became governor when Henry Warmoth was impeached

John Milton (1608)


Considered the greatest English poet after William Shakespeare, Milton wrote 23 sonnets that are accepted as among the best ever written as well as the epic Paradise Lost. This masterpiece reworks Classical epic conventions to recount the fall of man in blank verse and contains a portrayal of Satan so compelling that many 19th century critics considered him, not Adam, to be the real hero of the epic. The 12-volume work was completed well after Milton became blind.

Stonehenge May Actually Have Been Erected in Wales, then Moved and Reassembled


Comedian Eddie Izzard has a fantastic bit about Stonehenge. The famous monument - located in Wiltshire, England - is partially made from Welsh stones hewn about 200 miles away away.
READ MORE:

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1884 - Levant M. Richardson received a patent for the ball-bearing roller skate. 

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 1907 - Christmas Seals went on sale for the first time, in the Wilmington, DE, post office. 

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 1940 - The Longines Watch Company signed for the first FM radio advertising contract with experimental station WXOR in New York City. 

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1960 - Sperry Rand Corporation unveiled a new computer known as "Univac 1107." 

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1960 - The first episode of "Coronation Street" was screened on ITV. 

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 1962 - "Lawrence of Arabia" by David Lean had its world premiere in London. 

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 1978 - "Soul Man," John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd's version, was released under the name, "The Blues Brothers." 




DAILY SQU-EEK




If You Were Born Today, December 9

While you tend to portray a strong and determined person, and for the most part you do fit the part, some may be surprised that you are sensitive, soft-hearted, and a tad moody. You dream big but have some problems translating your dreams and impulses into concrete expression. Aggressive pursuit of your goals is not for you. Success comes from inner motivation, enjoyment, and having fun along the way. You seek out a companion in life, and you prefer understated, sincere, and loyal partners. Famous people born today: Kirk Douglas, Donny Osmond, John Malkovich, Dick Van Patten, Judi Dench, Simon Helberg, Beau Bridges, Felicity Huffman.




Picture of the day
McKayla Maroney
US Olympic gymnast McKayla Maroney posing with President Barack Obama. They are wearing the "McKayla is not impressed" expression of disappointment which became an internet phenomenon after Maroney made it upon winning a silver medal at the 2012 London Olympics. Yahoo! listed the photograph of Maroney on the podium as the most viral picture of 2012.


Picture of Kazakh newlyweds in Mongolia

Just Married

Photograph by Dimitar Karanikolov, National Geographic 
While on a photo expedition in western Mongolia, Dimitar Karanikolov had the opportunity to photograph a traditional Kazakh wedding celebration taking place in Altai Tavan Bogd National Park. “Great environmental portrait,” says National Geographic photography producer Jeanne Modderman. “I’ve learned so much about the people and the place just by looking at this photo.”




knit, CHRISTMAS
Fisherman Stocking

knit

knit, CHRISTMAS

 knit

knit, CHRISTMAS
Santa Gnome Ornaments





crochet, CHRISTMAS

crochet
 
 
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little woollie: Mixed stitch stripey blanket crochet-a-l...
Hello. How are you going today? I have got the next bit of the crochet along for you today, so here what I've done: After the aqua and red outlined cluster p...
View on littlewoollie.blogspo...
Preview by Yahoo
 


crochet, CHRISTMAS
Peppermint_kisses_a_free_beanie_by_elk_studio_small2

crochet


 
 
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Preview by Yahoo
 


crochet, CHRISTMAS





RECIPES




CROCKPOT RECIPES
stephanie o'dea

CrockPot Chicken and Dumplings Soup Recipe

Chicken and dumplings! Finally! I don't know why it took me so long to make this----it was terribly easy, and very tasty. 

The Ingredients.

--3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken (I used frozen thighs)
--1 yellow onion, chopped
--1 cup mushrooms, chopped (I used baby portabellas)
--16 ounces frozen vegetables

--2 cans cream-of-something soup, or combine in a saucepan:
4 T butter
6 T flour (I used Pamela's baking mix)
1 cup milk (I used soy)
1 cup chicken broth
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 tsp poultry seasoning

--1 can refrigerated biscuits, or one batch drop biscuits (I used Pamela's Baking Mix, and used the drop-biscuit recipe listed on the back of the bag)

The Directions.

I used a 6.5 quart crockpot. Anything 4 quarts and up will work. Put the chicken and vegetables into the bottom of the crockpot. Add the cream-of soups, or your homemade substitute. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 4-5. I cooked ours on high for 4 hours, and on low for another two. An hour before serving, shred chicken with two large forks, and drop in the biscuit dough.

Cover and cook on high for another hour. The biscuits are done when you can insert a knife and it comes out clean. They will be spongy and will brown a bit on the sides and top.

Serve in bowls, with a biscuit or two per person.

The Verdict.

Delicious. I've never had chicken and dumplings before, and really enjoyed this a lot. Adam and I each had two bowls. Dinner wasn't ready until almost 7, so the kids ended up eating leftovers. My four-year-old thought it looked weird, so fingers are crossed she's feeling adventurous for lunch.





CRAFTS, CHRISTMAS
How to make Jingle Bell napkin rings. These are so cute for Christmas and just like the ones at Pier 1!
Jingle bell napkin rings





CHILDREN'S CORNER ... CHRISTMAS craft
Glitter and Glue Ornament
megduerksen
it's Christmassy but can just be fun for winter too. 
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for supplies:
we used photographs, school glue, paint brushes, martha stewart fine glitter, mini pom poms and pre cut wood snowflakes from hobby lobby...they were like $1.50? or something like that.

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they came already painted white.

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take a photo you like and draw a circle over it with whatever circle shape that fits your sowflake...we used a drinking glass from our kitchen.

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cut out your picture.
then cover your entire snowflake (only one side) in glue.
we poured glue into a small bowl and painted it on the snowflake.

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after the picture is on you cover everything with glitter.
(the fun part. :)

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you wouldn't have to use the martha stewart glitter but it IS amazing.
everything looks so good with it.
it's pricey and regular glitter would still work....but the MS stuff is my FAVE.

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when the glitter & glue was dry we hot glued the mini pom poms around the photo.

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they were very fun to make.  
glitter is messy i know but all you need is a hose attachment to your vaccum to clean it up.
and honestly...i like having glitter fall off me everywhere i go around my house.  :)

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we made some for our friends...

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annie made this one for talby.
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i think you could just hang these up around your house all winter...it is not strictly christmas that gets the glitter.

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creating with glitter makes me happy.

thanks, shelley
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PUZZLE, CHRISTMAS
you can upload your own photos and make them into online jigsaw puzzles 



thanks, patty for the funny computer pics



QUOTE
Success is simple. Do what's right, the right way, at the right time. - Arnold H. Glasow








ARTIST WEAVES PORTRAITS INTO HIS OWN HAND!

A FLOR DE PIEL / OVEREXPOSED EMOTIONS

David Catá—a Spanish artist—is becoming well known for his thread-based art.
For his pieces he sews thread and needle through the skin of his hands and palm to create a beautiful portrait that has a unique organic feeling.
It has to hurt.

CATA SEES THE PROJECT AS A SORT OF DIARY.

“Somehow, every person we meet marks us. 
Their image projects on ours”
Catá uses the medium to sew people who are important to him onto him.
Removing them are just as important as sewing them onto his hand in the first place. The portraits leave behind a trace of themselves on his skin that remains for weeks just like how knowing these people impacted who he is in life.

Mamá sewed onto his palm
Mamá sewed onto his palm
Abuela Perpetua by David Catá
Abuela Perpetua by David Catá
“By sewing in the palm of my hand, I portrait the faces of people who have left their mark on my life; family, friends, partners, teachers… Their lives have been interwoven with mine to build my history, which will end when I ran out of sheets to write. The body is the canvas of our life. It reflects our environment and experiences.”
Abuelo Catá
Abuelo Catá
Mi Hermano Javi by David Catá
Mi Hermano Javi by David Catá
Mi primer profesor de fotografia Manuel Sendon
Mi primer profesor de fotografia Manuel Sendon



"Welcome" in Kalmyk (Russia) Irkht erganavidn






CLEVER

Yarn Block Prints

Use a length of yarn to make a unique stamp for a modern piece of wall art. 

Crocheting is fun! But sometimes it’s fun to make something different with yarn. Check out 16 Clever Yarn Ideas. 



EYE OPENER
thanks,' extraordinary' patty!
i'm 'intriguing' .. you?









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1 comment:

  1. PattyDecember 10, 2015 at 8:36 AM

    There's something really sad about the pink bunny and balloons--but a lovely couple!

    ReplyDelete

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