Hug a Bear Day November 7, 2016

DIANE'S CORNER .. Celebrate Hug a Bear Day

Hug a Bear Day isn’t about the big fuzzy beasts that roam the forests munching on nuts and berries, and once a year or so busting out the fishing skills to scoop up salmon from the teeming rivers. Hugging one of those could in fact lead to a very bad day. They are instead about our favorite fuzzy knights of Yore.

They’re big and fuzzy and warm, they watch over us at night and keep the monsters in the closet and under the bed at bay. They’re often the first gift we’re ever given, and many of us carry them forward into our adult lives as ‘memoirs’ of our past. But we all know the real reason we still have them is our lives seem a little better, and a little saner, with our childhood protectors still working for us.

The history of stuffed animals goes back a long ways, some archaeological evidence suggests as far as Ancient Egypt. What is known for certain is that plush toys as we know them first started hitting the scene in the 1830’s, but the most iconic of all of them, the Teddy Bear, came about in 1902. Story goes that American President Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt was hunting, and refused to shoot a baby bear they came across.

Since that day the Teddy Bear has stood as the childhood toy that is given to almost every child. The term “Teddy” was even derived from the name of this self-same president. There are now millions of Teddy Bears produced every year, in a rainbow of styles and colors. No matter what your imagination may produce, there is sure to be a Teddy Bear that meets your idea of the perfect fuzzy protector.

Hug your bear today! Whatever you do, use Hug A Bear Day to remember your youth and the friends who accompanied you.

thanks, patty

Word of the Day

boding
Definition:	(noun) An omen or foreboding, especially of evil.
Synonyms:	premonition, presentiment, foreboding
Usage:	Sara was filled with an evil sense of boding as she approached the decrepit house to sell her Girl Scout Cookies.

thanks, susan, west coast correspondent, for sharing our lives in old pictures! Part 3

 

Idiom of the Day

have the say  — To have the ultimate authority to command, control, or make a decision.

 

History

Albert Camus (1913)

Camus was an Algerian-French novelist, essayist, and playwright. He spent the war years in Paris, and the French Resistance brought him into the circle of Jean-Paul Sartre and existentialism. In 1942, he became a leading literary figure with his enigmatic first novel, The Stranger, a study of 20th-century alienation, and the philosophical essay "The Myth of Sisyphus," an analysis of contemporary nihilism and the concept of the absurd. 

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1874 - The Republican party of the U.S. was first symbolized as an elephant in a cartoon by Thomas Nast in Harper's Weekly. 



1895 - The last spike was driven into Canada's first transcontinental railway in the mountains of British Columbia



1914 - The "New Republic" magazine was printed for the first time. 



1916 - Jeannette Rankin of Montana became the first woman elected to the U.S. Congress. 

1929 - The Museum of Modern Art in New York City opened to the public. 

1955 - The movie "Guys and Dolls" based on stories by Damon Runyon was a real crowd pleaser.

1963 - The comedy "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World" premiered in Hollywood. 



1963 - Elston Howard, of the New York Yankees, became the first black player to be named the American League's Most Valuable Player. 



1965 - The "Pillsburydough Boy" debuted in television commercials. 



1967 - Carl Stokes was elected the first black mayor Cleveland, OH, becoming the first black mayor of a major city.



1973 - New Jersey became the first U.S. state to permit girls to play on Little League baseball teams. 



1989 - L. Douglas Wilder won the governor's race in Virginia, becoming the first elected African-American state governor in U.S. history. 



1989 - David Dinkins was elected and become New York City's first African-American mayor. 

DAILY SQU-EEK

If You Were Born Today, November 7

You have a mysterious aura about you, although others sense that you are determined, opinionated, and strong nevertheless, which you are. You have a keen interest in politics or religion, but you don't necessarily adhere to tradition. Your views are progressive, and you think outside of the box. A conformist, you are not! There is a dreamy side to you. You are a visionary who is especially sensitive to injustices. On a personal level, you often feel misunderstood. However, on some level, you enjoy being somewhat elusive or puzzling. Famous people born today: Billy Graham, Joni Mitchell, Albert Camus, Marie Curie, Jason London.

Pictures of the day

One "hard dollar," printed as part of a confidence trick by Gregor MacGregor (1786–1845). From 1821 to 1837, MacGregor attempted to draw British and French investors and settlers to "Poyais," a fictional Central American territory he claimed to rule as "Cazique." Hundreds invested their savings in supposed Polynesian government bonds and land certificates, while about 250 emigrated to MacGregor's invented country in 1822–23 to find only an untouched jungle; over half of them died. MacGregor's Poyais scheme has been called one of the most brazen confidence tricks in history.

The Cave of Crystal Giants 

 

knit - christmas

Winter Pines Blanket Square for Stocking - Patterns | Yarnspirations

				Winter Pines Blanket Square for Stocking - Patterns | Ya... Knit this blanket and join us in making the World's Biggest Stocking!Learn more he
				View on www.yarnspirations...	Preview by Yahoo

knit, must log in

thanks, sheri 

Cupcake (Knit a Teddy) by Knitables - Craftsy

				Cupcake (Knit a Teddy) by Knitables - Craftsy Looking for your next project? You're going to love Cupcake (Knit a Teddy) by designer Knitables.
				View on www.craftsy.com	Preview by Yahoo

knit

Melika Lacy Baby Vest Top pattern by marianna mel

knit
thanks, martha

Flying Pigs Mittens

				Flying Pigs Mittens Constructed using the fair isle knitting method, this charming pattern for mittens includes full instructions complete with two charts.
				View on www.allfreeknitting.com	Preview by Yahoo

knit - christmas

Free Knitting Pattern: Cozy Snowmen Christmas Ornaments

EXTRA TEDDY BEAR KNIT PATTERN:

Teddy Bear pattern by Lucy Sinkler and Chrissy Gardiner

 

crochet - christmas

Jingle Bell Bracelet pattern by Rachel Choi

				Jingle Bell Bracelet pattern by Rachel Choi Sizes available 6 1/2″ (16.5 cm) long; Note: Length of bracelet can be adjusted by adding more or less chains/bells. Follow the instructions within the pattern to a...
				View on www.ravelry.com	Preview by Yahoo

crochet
thanks, clara

http://knitted-patterns.com/knitting-for-children/knitting-for-girls/3957-crochet-cardigan-free-pattern?utm_source=CraftGossip+Daily+Newsletter&utm_campaign=cd4732629b-CraftGossip_Daily_Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_db55426a84-cd4732629b-196218305

crochet

Raspberry Beret pattern by Dorianna Rivelli

				Raspberry Beret pattern by Dorianna Rivelli This pattern is available for free!
				View on www.ravelry.com	Preview by Yahoo

crochet

Hippy pattern by Nunzia Diglio

				Hippy pattern by Nunzia Diglio Simple, fast, a few hours, put double yarn and shawl is finished!
				View on www.ravelry.com	Preview by Yahoo

crochet - christmas

Crocheted Reindeer, based on "Frozen's" Sven pattern by Becky Ann Smith

				Crocheted Reindeer, based on "Frozen's" Sven pattern by ... This is an amigurumi reindeer based on Sven, from Disney’s “Frozen.” It is a small crocheted toy, standing about 5 inches tall (7 inches with antlers).
				View on www.ravelry.com	Preview by Yahoo

EXTRA TEDDY BEAR CROCHET PATTERN:

Teddy Bear #654 pattern by Lion Brand Yarn

 

RECIPE

Eggplant Rolatini - Recipe Girl

				Eggplant Rolatini - Recipe Girl Recipe for Eggplant Rolatini made lighter.  Nutritional information and Weight Watchers Points included.
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CROCKPOT RECIPE

Slow Cooker Pork Chops with Creamy Herb Sauce

 

SWEETS

Easy puff pastry cronuts | Bijoux & Bits

				Easy puff pastry cronuts | Bijoux & Bits These puff pastry cronuts are super easy to make and delicious to serve to a crowd. Puff pastry gives you a great shortcut.
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ADULT COLORING



 

 

CRAFTS
RUFFLE SCARF - CHEESECLOTH AND LACE

Let’s start with materials. You will need thread, a needle, scissors, lace ribbon and cheesecloth (or any light fabric). The lace ribbon and cheesecloth should be cut 6 yards in length. You will need 2 equal pieces of the cheesecloth. My lace ribbon was about 3-4 inches wide while the cheesecloth was cut 4-6 inches wide.

Layer the cheesecloth evenly on top of one another. Then, line up one side of the lace in the center of the cheesecloth and fold the cloth over the top of the lace.

Thread your needle.

Begin sewing a simple stitch along the folded edge of the cloth and lace.

As you sew along, pull the thread to create a loose ruche in the cloth and lace.

Now for the fun part. When you are done, begin separating the individual layers of cloth and lace. It’s okay if the fabric begins to look a bit distressed – you want that raw/exposed look.

Here’s what it should look like when you are done. Ruffled romance.

Now wear it proudly or give it as a gift to a friend. Don’t you just love easy and stylish crafts? Enjoy!

 

CHILDREN'S CORNER ... DIY

Recycled Cardboard Kitty Pad

				Recycled Cardboard Kitty Pad Treat your favorite kitty to a Recycled Cardboard Kitty Pad. Cats love cardboard and it may even encourage it to use it as a scratching pad.
				View on www.freekidscrafts.com	Preview by Yahoo

 

PUZZLE

Candy Quarters Jigsaw Puzzle

 

QUOTE

 

CLEVER

\\

 

EYE OPENER

thanks, patty

Sixteen MORE Things Calvin and Hobbes Said Better Than Anyone Else

BY EDD MCCRACKEN

It seems a lot of people have a lot of love for Calvin and Hobbes. When I compiled the first list back in the heady days of February, it was a bit of a throwaway post, a lazy bit of filler before I crafted something deeply insightful about the world of literature.

Twenty-five thousand ‘likes’ on facebook later, it turns out standing on the shoulders of giants, or at the very least the shoulders of a six-year-old boy and his imaginary tiger, is a much better way to get yourself heard. I just hope that all those who started following me on Twitter after that post have been equally enamoured by tweets about Irish rugby and the Higgs boson.

So here, for your delectation, is the sequel. We just hope that somewhere out there Bill Watterson knows how loved and missed his creations are. This is as good as any literature to write about.

Once more, enjoy.

On the secret of immortality: combine predestination with procrastination

Calvin: God put me on this earth to accomplish a certain number of things. Right now I am so far behind that I will never die.

On the perfect response to life’s most imperfect explanation

Calvin’s Dad: The world isn’t fair, Calvin.
Calvin: I know Dad, but why isn’t it ever unfair in my favour?

On why water balloon fights should be compulsory after retirement

Calvin: My only regret is blowing the best day of my life while I’m so young

On why most super geniuses end up Bond villains with thermonuclear devices

Calvin: People think it must be fun to be a super genius, but they don’t realize how hard it is to put up with all the idiots in the world.

On something we’ve all thought when confronted with an udder

Calvin: Who was the first guy that look at a cow and said, “I think that I’ll drink whatever comes out of those things when I squeeze them?”

On mankind’s abusive relationship with nature’s wonder

Hobbes: If people could put rainbows in zoos, they’d do it.

On science’s next big adventure

Calvin: In my opinion, we don’t devote nearly enough scientific research to finding a cure for jerks.

On the ennui felt by those who long to get their morning coffee from Central Perk

Calvin: Why isn’t my life like a situation comedy? Why don’t I have a bunch of friends with nothing better to do but drop by and instigate wacky adventures? Why aren’t my conversations peppered with spontaneous witticisms? Why don’t my friends demonstrate heartfelt concern for my well-being when I have problems?… I gotta get my life some writers.

On the surprising similarities between principles and the New Year sales

Calvin: I don’t know which is worse: that everyone has his price, or that the price is always so low.

On why we can’t gift wrap people

Hobbes: The best presents don’t come in boxes.

On why the Tea Party movement, like charity, begins at home

Calvin: Somewhere in Communist Russia I’ll bet there’s a little boy who has never known anything but censorship and oppression. But maybe he’s heard of America, and he dreams of living in this land of freedom and opportunity! Someday, I’d like to meet that little boy… and tell him the awful TRUTH!

Calvin’s Dad: Calvin, be quiet and eat the stupid lima beans.

On why history is not so much written by the victors, as rewritten by losers

Calvin: History is the fiction we invent to persuade ourselves that events are knowable and that life has order and direction. That’s why events are always reinterpreted when values change. We need new versions of history to allow for our current prejudices.

On why men’s definition of love hardly varies between six and 60

Calvin: If mom and dad cared about me at all, they’d buy me some infra-red night time vision goggles.

On the unexpected correlation between condiments and contentment

Calvin: If you can’t control your peanut butter, you can’t expect to control your life.

On why ‘edutainment’ is offensive to the human spirit and the English language

Calvin: Nothing spoils fun like finding out it builds character.

On the truth, again

Calvin: Things are never quite as scary when you’ve got a best friend.