Oh Popcorn! Delicious and delightful popcorn is part of so many traditions. Popcorn balls at Halloween, Popcorn strings at Christmas, and Popcorn all year round at the movies! Corn has played an important role in the diets of many cultures, and has spread to be a worldwide phenomenon since it was imported from the new world. So on Popcorn Day make sure you have yourself a great big bowl of this delicious treat!
To discuss the history of Popcorn Day one must understand the history of Popcorn. The original corn was derived from a small grass with kernels not much different than that of wheat, careful selection and generations of breeding has resulted in what we think of today as the corn plant. When settlers came to the New World from the Old Country, they discovered this amazing crop and that it had been in use for time out of mind.
Sometime along the line it was realized that certain corn kernels, when subjected to heat, will pop and reveal their soft fluffy endosperm in a cloud around their shell. Before long it was discovered to be a light and delicious treat, and cultivation led to the popcorn we have today. There’s actually two types of popcorn, but the familiar yellow popcorn we all see in movie theaters is by far the most popular. Popcorn has been used for everything from arts and crafts to the foundation of some of the most popular treats around. You can find it just about anywhere you go. The National Popcorn Board decided that this fluffy treat needed a day of celebration and recognition of its own, and thus was born National Popcorn Day!
You can celebrate popcorn by doing crafts with it, popcorn strings are a wonderful decoration, or you can use it to make garlands or even glue it to construction paper for a collage! And don’t forget the paint and glitter!
Word of the Day
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| Definition: | (adjective) Of, relating to, or resembling rock, especially in hardness; stony. | ||
| Synonyms: | stonelike | ||
| Usage: | The veterinarian removed several rounded, petrous objects from the animal's wound. | ||
thanks, shelley
Idiom of the Day
home, James (, and don't spare the horses)— A humorous directive for a driver to take one home directly and without delay. |
thanks, helen
History
Apple Lisa Launched (1983)
In 1983, after five years of development, Apple released the Lisa, the first personal computer with a graphical user interface. Although the Lisa was a commercial failure—due in part to its initial price tag of $9,995—it had a significant impact on the computer industry. It is often rumored to have been named after the first daughter of Apple's Steve Jobs, though several acronyms have been ascribed to the name.
James Watt (1736)
| A largely self-taught Scottish engineer and inventor, Watt greatly impacted the Industrial Revolution with his development of the Watt engine. Asked to repair a model of Thomas Newcomen's steam engine, he instead made improvements to it that resulted in a new type of engine. One such design enhancement, the separate condenser, radically improved the power, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness of steam engines. The watt, a unit of power, is named for him. |
Bonfim Festival (Festa do Bonfim)
There is a church in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, known as Our Lord of the Happy Ending (bonfim). Today during the Bonfim Festival, hundreds of Brazilian women dress in the traditional white dresses of colonial Bahia and form a procession to the church. The bahianas balance jars of water, scented with blossoms, on their heads. The washing of the steps at Bonfim Basilica on the second Thursday after Epiphany is the highlight of the festival.
Shark Switches to Asexual Reproduction, Gives Male-Less Birth
| Did you know that sharks can reproduce asexually? It's true -- female sharks can produce offspring without a contribution from a male shark. This is called parthogenesis, and has been observed in frogs, fish, lizards, plants, insects and birds, to name |
Shark switches to asexual reproduction, gives male-less birth
1883 - Thomas Edison's first village electric lighting system using overhead wires began operation in Roselle, NJ.
1907 - The first film reviews appeared in "Variety" magazine.
1915 - George Claude, of Paris, France, patented the neon discharge tube for use in advertising signs.
1937 - Howard Hughes set a transcontinental air record. He flew from Los Angeles to New York City in 7 hours, 28 minutes and 25 seconds.
1953 - Sixty-eight percent of all TV sets in the U.S. were tuned to CBS-TV, as Lucy Ricardo, of "I Love Lucy," gave birth to a baby boy.
1977 - U.S. President Ford pardoned Iva Toguri D'Aquino (the "Tokyo Rose").
2006 - NASA's New Horizons spacecraft was launched. The mission was the first to investigate Pluto.
2013 - In Scottsdale, AZ, the original Batmobile for the TV series "Batman" sold at auction for $4.6 million. It was the first of six Batmobiles produced for the show.
If You Were Born Today, January 19
You are a very competent Capricorn. If today is your birthday, your personality is that of a hard working, intelligent, reliable and loyal individual but that is just on the exterior. On the inside, you struggle with doubt and insecurity. You ask yourself questions like, “Did I say that wrong?“, or “Was I over the top?." Also born on this day Desi Arnez, Jr., Paula Deen, Janis Joplin, Dolly Patron, Robert E Lee, Robert Palmer, Edgar Allan Poe, Katey Sagal, Lil Scrappy, Jean Stapleton, Shawn Wayans.
1. Top 10 facts about January
express
1. The Anglo-Saxons called January “Wulfmonath” as it was the month hungry wolves came scavenging at people’s doors.
2. The Romans named it January after Janus, the God of gateways.
3. Janus had two heads so he could look in both directions, back at the old year and forward towards the new year, at the same time.
4. According to the International Standard Organisation’s ISO 8601, week 1 of any year is the week including January 4.
5. Daytime temperatures in January make it the coldest month of the year in the UK. February nights are colder in England (but not Scotland).
6. The only Shakespeare plays that mention January are Much Ado About Nothing and Winter’s Tale.
7. The birthstone for January is the garnet; the flower is the carnation.
8. The first recorded reference to a “January sale” in the UK was in 1865.
9. There is a variety of cold-tolerant winter cabbage grown in England known as January King.
10. More couples separate or divorce in January than in any other month.
birthstone:
What's in your toothpaste??
sparklypolliwog
So we all know its important to brush your teeth and keep good oral hygiene, but is your toothpaste benefiting or hurting your overall health?
Have you ever looked at the label of your toothpaste?? I recently did and saw all the preservatives, artificial coloring and sweeteners and was not happy.
You would think that a toothpaste that is white shouldn't have any artificial coloring-but mine had yellow#10!! That's when I decided to make a change, especially after just reading about artificial dyes and the effect they have on kids including behavior problems and aggression.
Your gums have capillaries and are the quickest way of absorbing things into your blood stream (even quicker then injecting), so why brush them with a product that contain harmful ingredients like:
sodium monofluorophosphate, sodium lauryl sulfate, parabens, fcd blue #1, and cd yellow #10. And these aren't even all of them!
I found some info on each of these products on a website called Alive-a complete source for natural health and wellness. These are the main ingredients that should be avoided.
Sodium monofluorophosphate, also known as fluoride, has a long list of possible health concerns. The chronic ingestion of fluoride can cause skeletal fluorosis, a crippling bone disease in which the bones are severely weakened. Some researchers are even examining fluoride accumulation in osteoporosis sufferers to see if there is a possible link.
The potential risks associated with sodium monoflorophosphate are apparently so great that the US Food and Drug Administration requires the following warning be placed on products containing fluoride: “If more then the amount used for brushing is accidentally swallowed get medical help or contact poison control right away. Keep away from children under six years old.”
Sodium lauryl sulfate can accumulate in eye tissue and some believe it is linked to cataracts. It has also been found to accumulate in the brain and liver as well as other tissue.
Parabens are chemical preservatives that can exert estrogenic activity on breast cells and are believed to be linked to breast cancer.
Synthetic colours, like fcd blue #1 and cd yellow #10, may produce hyperactivity or worsen behavioural problems in children. Long-term use of some dyes is also believed to cause or aggravate allergies, asthma, hives, and thyroid tumours
There are products that provide ingredients that are safe:
- calcium carbonate—a natural mineral used to gently clean teeth
- baking soda—a gentle abrasive that leaves your teeth feeling smooth after you brush
- silica—a mild abrasive that helps remove plaque
- stevia—a natural herbal sweetener without the harmful effects of artificial alternatives
- xylitol—an important ingredient because it is believed to reduce decay causing bacteria and enhances remineralization
- tea tree and neen—both contain antibacterial properties which help prevent tooth decay and gum disease.
Try to avoid sodium laurel sulfate (SLS) and look for toothpaste with Xylitol instead of Sodium Fluoride.
Here are some recommended brands: Branch Basics with peppermint oil to taste, Tom’s Clear and Gentle, Jason’s Sea Fresh, Kiss My Face Berry Smart Kids, Tooth Soap.I use Toms Simply white , that I can easily pick up at my local Walmart, CVS or RiteAid. Or Jason's Power Smile from my local health food store and Jasons Kids only toothpaste from babies r' us. For some other safe, non-toxic options you can order online at Mighty Nest . Some people are making their own so they know exactly whats going in it, but I haven't made it that far yet. I like to research things to the bone first :) So for now I'm sticking with the Tom's brand for my family and myself.
3. sharon has a plant-based diet, chickens, ducks, etc., spinner of her fiber animal furs for crochet and quilting, gardener .. lots to see in our reader's action packed blog!
thanks, jane
Pictures of the day
Petra Martić (b. 1991) is a tennis player from Split, Croatia. Beginning her career as a junior in 2006, Martić turned professional in 2008. She reached a career high of World No. 42 in 2012 in women's singles.
A Syrian Restaurant is Posting Before and After Photos of Aleppo and It’s Heartbreaking
Before and after photos that capture unbelievable destruction the city and its citizens have endured
thanks, shelley
knit
thanks, Leahknit
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Wheelchair Throw
Lace, cables and I-cord combined with pockets make this throw practical as well as pleasing. It's a great size to use with a wheelchair! Size: Approx 40" x 45"....
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knit
thanks Amber
knit
knit - VALENTINE'S DAY
Free Hearted
rovingcrafters
Needles: Size 6 (4mm) straight needles.
Stitch Key:
- k – knit
- p – purl
- kfb – knit into both the front and back loops of the same stitch (an increase)
- k2tog – knit 2 stitches together (a decrease)
- YO – yarn over (an increase)
- ssk – slip two stitches as if to knit, knit them together (a decrease)
Cast On 13 stitches.
Row 1 (RS): k1, kfb, k9, kfb, k1 (15 sts)
Row 2 (WS): k
Row 3 : k1, kfb, k11, kfb, k1 (17 sts)
Row 4: k8, p1, k8
Row 5: k1, kfb, k13, kfb, k1 (19 sts)
Row 6: k7, p5, k7
Row 7: k1, kfb, k6, k2tog, YO, k7, kfb, k1 (21 sts)
Row 8: k7, p7, k7
Row 9: k1, kfb, k6, k2tog, YO, k1, YO, ssk, k6, kfb, k1 (23 sts)
Row 10: k7, p9, k7
Row 11: k1, kfb, k6, k2tog, YO, k3, YO, ssk, k6, kfb, k1 (25 sts)
Row 12: k7, p5, k1, p5, k7
Row 13: k1, kfb, k6, k2tog, YO, k5, YO, ssk, k6, kfb, k1 (27 sts)
Row 14: k7, p5, k3, p5, k7
Row 15: k8, k2tog, YO, k7, YO, ssk, k8
Row 16: k6, p5, k5, p5, k6
Row 17: k7, k2tog, YO, k9, YO, ssk, k7
Row 18: k5, p5, k7, p5, k5
Row 19: k6, k2tog, YO, k11, YO, ssk, k6
Row 20: k4, p5, k9, p5, k4
Row 21: k5, k2tog, YO, k13, YO, ssk, k5
Row 22: k4, p4, k11, p4, k4
Row 23: repeat Row 21
Row 24: repeat Row 22
Row 25: repeat Row 21
Row 26: repeat Row 22
Row 27: repeat Row 21
Row 28: k4, p5, k3, p3, k3, p5, k4
Row 29: k1, ssk, k4, YO, ssk, k3, k2tog, YO, k4, k2tog, YO, k4, k2tog, k1 (25 sts)
Row 30: k5, p15, k5
Row 31: k1, ssk, k4, YO, ssk, k1, k2tog, YO, k1, YO, ssk, k1, k2tog, YO, k4, k2tog, k1 (23 sts)
Row 32: k5, p13, k5
Row 33: k1, ssk, k17, k2tog, k1 (21 sts)
Row 34: k5, p4, k3, p4, k5
Row 35: k1, ssk, k15, k2tog, k1 (19 sts)
Row 36: k
Row 37: k1, ssk, k13, k2tog, k1 (17 sts)
Row 38: k
Row 39: k1, ssk, k11, k2tog, k1 (15 sts)
Row 40: k
Row 41: k1, ssk, k9, k2tog, k1 (13 sts)
Bind off & weave in ends.
thanks, Clara
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Granny Square Mermaid/Fish Tail Bag pattern by Farrah fo...
I love how versatile the granny square is, you can make just about anything! Mermaid tails are pretty popular right now, ever since the mermaid tail lapghan came ab...
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crochet
thanks, Marge
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Branching Out Shawlette pattern by Tamara Kelly
The Branching Out Shawlette is a great shawl for beginners - the stitches are simple, but very pleasing, and it’s an easy shawl to make. With it’s clean, modern lin...
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crochet
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Lattice Preemie Hat pattern by Julee Fort
This pattern has some advanced stitches and stitch language but once you get past the first special stitch your crocheters intuition will kick in.
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crochet
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Lil' Trouble Teddy pattern by Sharon Ojala
Lil’ Trouble Teddy,
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crochet - VALENTINE'S DAY
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Floral Fantasy Valentine Heart pattern by Cheri Mancini
My Valentine’s Day gift to you ~ a free Valentine Heart pattern!
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thanks, patty
thanks, shelley
thanks, jane
SWEETS
thanks, shelley
ADULT COLORING
thanks, Connie
VALENTINE'S DAY
thanks, jane
thanks, shelley
thanks, joan
thanks, jane
THANK YOU OBAMA FAMILY!
Then-candidate for the U.S. Senate Barack Obama celebrates with his daughters Malia and Sasha and wife Michelle during a victory party in Chicago on Nov. 2, 2004.
then and now
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