Thursday, February 19, 2015

Chocolate Mint Day FEB 19, 2015

DIANE'S CORNER ... Celebrate Chocolate Mint Day

There’s something special about the combination of smooth, rich, luxurious chocolate and cool, refreshing, sharp mint. Celebrate this incredible combination on Chocolate Mint Day by indulging in your favorite minty, chocolate treat!


Word of the Day

portmanteau


Definition:(noun) A large leather suitcase that opens into two hinged compartments.
Synonyms:Gladstone
Usage:With both sides stuffed to capacity, he needed to sit on top of the portmanteau in order to close it.

Quick Quiz:

If a zero-tolerance policy on crime is adopted, people are sent to jail after

 a. their first offence

 b. their first chance

 c. their first warning



History

Nicolaus Copernicus


Copernicus was a church canon, physician, and economist, but his most important work was in the field of astronomy. He developed the heliocentric theory of the universe that placed the Sun, not the Earth, at the center of our solar system and helped launch a scientific revolution. Though Copernicus conceived his revolutionary model of planetary motion by 1530, his treatise on the subject did not see print until he was on his deathbed in 1543.


First Genetically Modified Apple Approved in US


The US Department of Agriculture has approved America's first genetically modifiedapple—a variety engineered not to turn brown when bruised or sliced. Scientists achieved this effect by turning off a particular gene. Although it will be several years before these apples are sold to the public, they have already sparked a backlash from critics, who say that more human studies should be conducted before genetically modified organisms are widely sold.


1878 - Thomas Alva Edison patented a music player (the phonograph).


1922 - Ed Wynn became the first big-name, vaudeville talent to sign on as a radio talent.


1949 - Bollingen Foundation and Yale University awarded the first Bollingen Prize in poetry ($5,000) to Ezra Pound.


1964 - Simon & Garfunkel completed the original acoustic version of "Sounds of Silence."


1985 - William Schroeder became the first artificial-heart patient to leave the confines of the hospital. 


1985 - Cherry Coke was introduced by the Coca-Cola Company


1987 - A controversial, anti-smoking publice service announcement aired for the first time on television. Yul Brynner filmed the ad shortly before dying of lung cancer. Brynner made it clear in the ad that he would have died from cigarette smoking before ad aired.

1997 - Miles Davis received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.


Chinese New Year 2015















If You Were Born Today, February 19

You are self-reliant, practical, and independent. Your artistic talents are many. Private time is especially important to you, as you need it to recharge and to feel fresh once again. Your moral views are on the traditional side, and you set high standards for yourself. You are emotional and at times moody, and your personal charm and charisma is great. Your greatest rewards and success come from your responsibility and hard work. Famous people born today: Smokey Robinson, Amy Tan, Copernicus, Lee Marvin, Justine Bateman.





Picture of two manatees feeding in the freshwater springs of Crystal River, Florida

Spring Fed

Photograph by Ryan Nelson, National Geographic
“The winter season is when some manatees find sanctuary from the chilly Gulf of Mexico by migrating to the freshwater springs of Kings Bay in Crystal River, Florida,” writes Ryan Nelson. “[A] colder than normal morning created a good opportunity to observe these peaceful giants seeking refuge. The ambient light was perfect for catching the rays of sunlight ... [and] the fallen palm stump, natural lighting, and two animals feeding set the perfect stage.”



knit
 
 
image
 
 
 
 
 
Swirling Gauntlets pattern by Susanna IC
These gauntlets are very simple and quick to knit and will make a good project for a knitter new to cables. Although the cable pattern may seem rather comp...
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knit 

knit
 
 
image
 
 
 
 
 
Ladies Knitted Bed Socks pattern by Anna Schumacker
cast on add to faves to queue About this pattern Ladies Knitted Bed Socks by Anna Schumacker 1 project, in 11 queues About this yarn Saxony (3-Fold) by ...
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knit, child - adult

knit
 
 
image
 
 
 
 
 
Confetti Cowl pattern by Clara Beauty
A versão em português está disponível aqui:
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crochet

crochet, 0-12 mths
Ballerina booties

crochet, vintage
(add to cart and then download)
 
crochet
[9 Sided Kitchen Mat - Click for Larger Image]
 
 
image
 
 
 
 
 
9 Sided Kitchen Mat
A collection of quick easy and cheap craft ideas for knitting crochet and sewing but most of all making socks.
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crochet
 
 
image
 
 
 
 
 
Winter Cover (Archive) pattern by Bernat Design Studio
Pattern is only available from web.archive.org
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recipe
 
 
image
 
 
 
 
 
Chocolate Mint Cupcakes | Skip To My Lou
Chocolate Mint Cupcake Recipes
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same thing


crockpot recipe
stephanie o'dae

Chicken Lettuce Wraps CrockPot Recipe

The first time I had lettuce wraps was in Tempe, Arizona. I had heard about them from friends who raved that they were the "best thing ever"--I was not disappointed. I had to ask for more napkins though, these puppies are pretty messy. 

So very worth it. So, stay home and gobble up these lettuce wraps in the comfort of your own home---with a roll of paper towels by your side. 

The Ingredients:



--4 chicken breast halves or 10-12 chicken breast tenders 
--5 chopped cloves of garlic
--1/2 chopped onion
--1/4 cup soy sauce (if gluten free, go for La Choy or Tamari wheat free)
--1/4 cup white wine
--1/2 t ginger
--dash of allspice (or a dash each of cloves, cinnamon and black pepper)
--2 T balsamic vinegar


The Directions:

--chop up chicken into teeny tiny chunks. After I compiled my concoction, I googled how to "really" make this and discovered that most recipes call for ground chicken, turkey, or pork. That probably would have been easier. And I wouldn't have had to sterilize myself quite as much afterwards.
--chop up the onions and garlic, dump into crockpot on top of the meat
--in a mixing bowl, mix the liquid and spices
--pour sauce on top of meat

cover and cook for 4-6 hours on high, 6-8 on low. I did stir this a few times to break up the chicken--it wanted to stick together at first.
--serve over lettuce leaves. I chose Romaine.
--If you are not gluten free, top with a bottled plum sauce. If you are, try mixing a bit of GF soy suace with some grape jelly. 

The Verdict:

These tasted great. I would have liked a bit more crunch, though, and will add some water chestnuts and green onion next time. We had company over and everyone enjoyed them. The kids were too busy running around like crazy people to stop and give them a try.


The zen of knitting and crocheting

craft


Yoga + Knitting = Cool

puzzle!




A diet I could easily stick to!

'i'm hungry' in Spanish: tengo hambre

4 perfectly round circles optical illusion



Keep calm & cast on.

clever!

Toaster Knife 
Toaster Knife (HHGTTG)




CHILDREN'S CORNER!












I hate this SO much...



EYE OPENER(s)!

World Bridges Quiz


1. Which bridge is the tallest bridge in the world, when measuring by the full structure height?
 
 
 
 

2. Which bridge is the highest bridge in the world, when measuring the max distance between the deck of the road to the ground / water below?
 
 
 
 

3. Which of the following world famous bridges was completed first?
 
 
 
 

4. Which of the following suspension bridges has the longest main span (the distance between the two main towers)?
 
 
 
 

5. What is the name of the world famous love locks bridge in Paris?
 
 
 
 

6. Which of these bridges is not in Italy?
 
 
 
 

7. What is the nickname of the Sydney Harbour Bridge?
 
 
 
 

8. Several of the world's tallest bridges cross the same river in China. Which river is that?
 
 
 
 

9. If I want to visit the famous Charles Bridge, where should I go?
 
 
 
 

10. The Brooklyn Bridge in New York connects Brooklyn and?
 
 
 
 

1. What's the tallest building in the world?
 
 
 
 

2. What's the tallest building in the United States?
 
 
 
 

3. Which of the following skyscrapers was built first?
 
 
 
 

4. What is the height of the tallest skyscraper in the world?
 
 
 
 

5. Where can I find the Petronas Twin Towers?
 
 
 
 

6. Which city has the most skyscrapers in the world (buildings over 150 meters in height)?
 
 
 
 

7. Which of the following building held the title of tallest in the world for the longest period of time?
 
 
 
 

8. Where is the Makkah Royal Clock Tower Hotel?
 
 
 
 

9. During the 20th century, 10 different building held at one point the title of tallest in the world. Out of those 10, how many were in the United States?
 
 
 
 

10. How many floors were in the World Trade Center?
 
 
 
 

2 comments:

  1. So many fun facts, patterns, pictures! Thanks!
    Marie-Josee (DRUs)

    ReplyDelete
  2. My hands are so cold typing I definitely need some swirling gauntlets! And I have zero-tolerance for this frigid weather:(

    from winter-white VT,
    the Vermonster

    ReplyDelete