Saturday, December 19, 2015

Look for an Evergreen Day DECEMBER 19, 2015

DIANE'S CORNER ... Celebrate Look for an Evergreen Day

Every year one thing remains the same around the holidays, people everywhere have to decide at what point before the big day they’re going to go out and hunt down a Christmas tree· Look for an Evergreen Day is about the last opportunity you have if you haven’t already gotten yours to ensure you have a tree for the Holidays· Even if you’ve already got your tree for this year, this is a great opportunity to go out and familiarize yourself with the other types of Evergreens in your neighborhood, and discover that these regal giants are around you all year round.
Look for an Evergreen Day was originally established by the National Arborist Association to create a day to appreciate the beauty of these trees outside of the confines of merely being bedecked with glittering lights and ornaments· Even in the depths of winter these noble trees keep their foliage, providing that wonderful green and white contrast that is so representative of deep winter.
Evergreens have played an important role in many societies throughout the ages, selected for religious observances due to their seemingly eternal nature even in a season of death· But that’s not the only place they’re represented, the Native Americans of the Pacific Northwest were entirely reliant on the red cedar for multiple aspects of their culture· Whether they were making clothing, fishing line, ropes, or building their homes or canoes, the red cedar was vital a vital part of their lives.
Going back even further, most people have heard about how Socrates was made to drink a glass of hemlock tea, which he did with his normal unflinching nature· Hemlocks are a shade tolerant evergreen with short striped needles· As you can tell, knowing the difference between your evergreens could one day save your life!
Obviously, if you haven’t gotten your tree yet, then Look for an Evergreen Day is when it should happen· By understanding the difference between Blue Spruce, Douglas Fir, and the dozens of other varieties of Christmas Tree available, you’ll know which ones will have the most even spread, which ones will be the most dense, and will best compliment your home and decorating scheme.

thanks, heide
Inline image 1


Word of the Day

going-over 


Definition:(noun) A severe scolding.
Synonyms:castigationbawling outchewing outdressing downupbraidingearful
Usage:When he was caught chewing gum in class, he knew he would have to endure a going-over from the teacher.


thanks, shelley

History

Original FIFA World Cup Trophy Is Stolen (1983)


The World Cup has been held every fourth year since 1930, except during WWII. The international soccer tournament's original prize was officially renamed the Jules Rimet Trophy in 1946 in honor of the former Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) president, who stipulated that the first team to win the World Cup three times could keep the trophy in perpetuity. Brazil earned this right in 1970, but, in 1983, the trophy was stolen while on display there.

Édith Piaf (1915)


Encouraged by her father, a circus acrobat, Édith Giovanna Gassion began singing in the streets of Paris at age 15. She was eventually discovered by a cabaret owner who gave her her first nightclub job, taught her the basics of stage presence, and suggested she change her name to Piaf, Parisian slang for "sparrow." As her popularity grew, she began performing in clubs across Europe and the Americas and appeared in several films.

Saturnalia


This Ancient Roman Winter Solstice festival began on December 17 and lasted for seven days. It was held in honor of Saturn, the father of the gods, and was characterized by the suspension of discipline and reversal of the usual order. Grudges and quarrels were forgotten; businesses, courts, and schools closed down; and masquerading or change of dress between the sexes often occurred. The festivities were characterized by various kinds of excesses—giving rise to the modern use of the term "saturnalian," meaning "a period of unrestrained license and revelry."

Cancer May Be More Within Our Control Than We Thought


We all know that cancer's development has to do with some combination of luck–the genes we inherit–and lifestyle–the choices we make each day about diet and exercise, smoking and drinking.
READ MORE:


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1732 - Benjamin Franklin began publishing "Poor Richard's Almanac." 

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1843 - Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" was first published in England. 

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1871 - Corrugated paper was patented by Albert L. Jones.

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1903 - The Williamsburg Bridge opened in New York City. It opened as the largest suspension bridge on Earth and remained the largest until 1924. It was also the first major suspension bridge to use steel towers to support the main cable. 

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1917 - The first games of the new National Hockey League (NHL) were played. Five teams made up the league: Toronto Arenas, Ottawa Senators, Quebec Bulldogs, the Montreal Canadiens and the Montreal Wanderers.

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1918 - Robert Ripley began his "Believe It or Not" column in "The New York Globe". 

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1959 - Walter Williams died in Houston, TX, at the age of 117. He was said to be the last surviving veteran of the U.S. Civil War. 

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1984 - Ted Hughes was appointed England's poet laureate.

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1990 - Bo Jackson (Los Angeles Raiders) became the first athlete to be chosen for All Star Games in two sports. 





DAILY SQU-EEK





If You Were Born Today, December 19

You are an attractive and magnetic person with a flair for the dramatic and exceptional creative powers. While you come across as gentle and patient, you can also be very determined and wilful. Once you find the path that feels right, you put your heart and soul into whatever you do. Perceptive and intuitive, you are a people watcher--forever curious about the world around you, and sometimes self-centered in your restlessness for new experiences. Your imagination is highly developed, and sometimes overly so! Famous people born today: Robert Urich, Edith Piaf, Jake Gyllenhaal, Alyssa Milano.




Picture of the day
SMS Odin
SMS Odin was the lead ship of her class of coastal defense ships built for the German Imperial Navy. Named for the Norse godOdin was built by the Kaiserliche Werft Danzig shipyard between 1893 and 1896, and was armed with a main battery of three 24-centimeter (9.4 in) guns. She served in the German fleet throughout the 1890s and was rebuilt in 1901–1903. She served in the VI Battle Squadron after the outbreak of World War I in August 1914, but saw no action. Odin was demobilized in 1915 and used as a tender thereafter. After the war, she was rebuilt as a merchant ship and served in this capacity until 1935, when she was broken up for scrap.


Picture of a large stone house in Portugal

Stone-Cold Remarkable

Photograph by Daria Chuvaeva, National Geographic 
While on a trip to Portugal, Daria Chuvaeva “heard from a local barman [about] an unusual stone house located in the Fafe Mountains,” she says. Chuvaeva decided to journey to the offbeat dwelling, known as the Casa do Penedo, and this image is the result of her effort. “Even if I got lost a few times, I can say that it was definitely worth it,” she writes. “There was something mysterious in that boulder house, [and] I [took] photos of it for a few hours.”



knit, CHRISTMAS

knit

knit, CHRISTMAS


image
Knubbelchen pattern by pezi888
…kann kuscheln, trösten, Mut machen oder einfach ein Lächeln aufs Gesicht zaubern…
Preview by Yahoo


knit


knit, CHRISTMAS
Little Christmas Tree




crochet, CHRISTMAS
image
Snowman Infinity Scarf pattern by Kim Guzman
Gauge 13 stitches and 9 rows = 4 inches in stitch pattern
Preview by Yahoo

crochet

crochet, CHRISTMAS

crochet
Crochet Bright Coasters

crochet, CHRISTMAS




RECIPES, CHRISTMAS

Meringue Candy Canes Recipe

tasteofhome
Meringue Candy Canes Recipe

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 20 min. Bake: 50 min. + standing
MAKES: 48 servings

Ingredients

  • 3 egg whites
  • 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
  • Red paste food coloring

Nutritional Facts

1 cookie equals 13 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 3 mg sodium, 3 g carbohydrate, 0 fiber, trace protein. Diabetic Exchange: Free food.

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, beat egg whites until foamy. Add cream of tartar; beat on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating on high until stiff peaks form and sugar is dissolved, about 6 minutes. Beat in peppermint extract.
  2. Cut a small hole in the corner of a pastry bag; insert star tip #21. With a new paint brush, brush three evenly spaced 1/4-in. strips of red food coloring on the inside of the bag from the tip to three-fourths of the way to the top of the bag. Carefully fill bag with meringue.
  3. Pipe 3-in. candy canes onto parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake at 225° for 25 minutes; rotate baking sheets to a different oven rack. Bake 25 minutes longer or until firm to the touch. Turn oven off; leave cookies in oven with door ajar for at least 1 hour or until cool. Yield: 4 dozen.

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CROCKPOT RECIPE, CHRISTMAS
Crockpot BBQ Coca-Cola Kielbasa Recipe at TheFrugalGirls.com
Prep time:  
Cook time:  
Total time:  
Ingredients
  • 2 pkgs. Hillshire Farm Beef Keilbasa {13 oz. each}
  • 1 bottle Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ Sauce {18 oz.}
  • 6 oz. Coca-Cola
Instructions
  1. Slice Kielbasa into round pieces approx. ¼ inch – ⅓ inch thick
  2. Place sliced Kielbasa pieces in Crockpot
  3. In small mixing bowl, combine BBQ Sauce and Coke, and stir well.
  4. Pour sauce mixture over Kielbasa in Crockpot.
  5. Cook on LOW for 2.5 hours, or until hot.
  6. Serve with toothpicks as a delicious appetizer or party treat! YUM!



CRAFTS, CHRISTMAS




CHILDREN'S CORNER ... CHRISTMAS

Frozen Inspired Snowflake Ornaments

White snowflakes embellished with turquoise and translucent white glitter add a beautiful touch of color to the Christmas tree. This snowflake ornament exercised fine-motor skills and gave my boys some practice with patience. (They wanted to get right to painting, but the glue was still too wet!)
Frozen Inspired Snowflake Ornaments | Fireflies and Mud Pies
Materials Needed:
Directions:
1. Invite your child to glue 4 mini craft sticks together into the shape of a snowflake. Allow the snowflake to dry completely before painting. 
2. Paint the snowflakes. Sprinkle turquoise and translucent white glitter over the wet paint. Allow the snowflakes to dry completely.
3. Use the glue to attach a loop of ribbon onto the back of each snowflake.
Frozen Inspired Christmas Ornaments for Kids


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PUZZLE, CHRISTMAS



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QUOTE
Small minds are concerned with the extraordinary, great minds with the ordinary. - Blaise Pascal


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In 1793, U.S. President George Washington’s second inaugural address was just 135 words long and lasted less than two minutes! The extinct Colossus penguin stood 6 ft. 8 in.—as tall as NBA® star LeBron James! To prove New York’s Brooklyn Bridge was stable, P.T. Barnum safely led 21 elephants across the bridge on May 17, 1884.




"Welcome" in Kaurna (Southern Australia) [come in] - Kawai

Art Animation animated GIF


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CLEVER, CHRISTMAS

tips and hacks




EYE OPENER

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

buzzfeed
Christmas time is here and for many of use it will be stressful. These 50 hacks, tips and recipes range from movies to decorations and booze. They will be needed.

1. 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'

2. Paper Cone ‘Tree’

Paper Cone 'Tree'

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

Wrap your lights around cardboard and 'plug' them in to avoid tangles.
Via imgur.com

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

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

5. Terra Cotta ‘Tree’

Terra Cotta 'Tree'

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

Use Scotch tape to avoid messing up your walls.

7. The Book ‘Tree’

The Book 'Tree'

8. Store breakable ornaments in coffee tins.

Store breakable ornaments in coffee tins.

9. DIY Wreath

DIY Wreath

10. Recycled ornaments from light bulbs.

Recycled ornaments from light bulbs.

11. Cheap Bottle Cap Snowmen

Cheap Bottle Cap Snowmen

12. Use paint chips to make gift tags.

Use paint chips to make gift tags.

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

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

14. Use a hot glue gun to make window snowflakes

Use a hot glue gun to make window snowflakes

15. Turn your fridge into a snowman

Turn your fridge into a snowman

16. Word search wrapping paper.

Word search wrapping paper.

17. After Christmas, use the branches of your trees to make spots on your lawn or walkways less muddy.


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18. Strawberry Santas

Strawberry Santas

19. Almond M&M Christmas ‘Lights’

Almond M&M Christmas 'Lights'

20. Snowman Pancakes

Snowman Pancakes

21. Reindeer Pancakes.

Reindeer Pancakes.

22. You can also bake brownies in metal cookie cutters.

You can also bake brownies in metal cookie cutters.

23. Christmas Cheese and Veggie Tray

Christmas Cheese and Veggie Tray

24. Puff Pastry Christmas Tree

Puff Pastry Christmas Tree
26.
29.

30. Christmas Spotify Stations

Christmas Spotify Stations
You can find the full list here.

33. How to Wrap a Cat … Just Because.





34. HD Log Burning on Youtube

38. The Hobbit Desolation of Smaug 

The Hobbit Desolation of Smaug (Dec 13)

39. American Hustle 

American Hustle (Dec 13)

40. Anchorman 2 

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Sorry, Champ just cracks me up.

41. The Wolf of Wall Street 

The Wolf of Wall Street (Dec. 25)

42. 47 Ronin 

47 Ronin (Dec. 25)

43. Reindeer Bubbles Cocktail

Reindeer Bubbles Cocktail
Via hgtv.com

45. Cinnamon Latte Martini

Cinnamon Latte Martini

46. Holiday Sangria

Holiday Sangria

47. Cranberry Fizz Cocktail

Cranberry Fizz Cocktail

48. Hot Chocolate and Baileys

Hot Chocolate and Baileys
your age will be asked on the site as bailey's is alcohol

49. “Ho Ho” Punch

"Ho Ho" Punch







Image result for see you soon


2 comments:

  1. Our tree is still under the car port........guess I need to spend less time on the computer?!

    ReplyDelete
  2. What an extra special Diane's Corner you've posted! THank you so much and Merry Christmas to you and yours.

    ReplyDelete