DIANE'S CORNER ... Celebrate Take Your Child To The Library Day
Take the children in your life to the library and you will feed their imagination. A love of reading and books starts with pictures, stories and rhymes which even the youngest child can enjoy; and Take Your Child To The Library Day is a great excuse to swing by.
Whatever the age of the child who you love, you will be given a warm welcome. Gone are the days when libraries were dreary silent places patrolled by grumpy staff. There are special areas for children with bright displays, easy to access books and comfortable seating. Nobody will expect your child to remain silent, so relax. Joining is a simple process and the staff are friendly and helpful.
Older children will enjoy using the computers, borrowing DVDs and finding interesting books on hobbies. The staff will even advise on books for homework assignments which is good news for any busy parent.
If you take your child to the library, expect to return frequently as it is a treasure trove for all ages. Priceless.
Word of the Day
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| Definition: | (verb) To give notice to; inform. | ||
| Synonyms: | notify, advise | ||
| Usage: | During the drive home from the airport, they had time to apprise her of everything that had changed since she had been gone. | ||
History
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 | The jelly bean is a type of confection that has a hardened sugar coating over a chewy center. "Turkish Delight," a Middle Eastern candy consisting of jellylike cubes covered with powdered sugar, likely inspired the gummy interior of the jelly bean. It is generally thought that jelly beans first became popular in 1861 when Boston confectioner William Schrafft urged people to send his jelly beans to soldiers during the American Civil War. | ||
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 | This zany mid-winter festival celebrates the emergence of the ice worm in Cordova, Alaska. The highlight of the three-day festival is the procession of a 150-foot-long ice worm followed by 500 or so paraders. Other events include variety shows, ski events, a survival-suit race, a beauty pageant, music, and dances. The celebration began in 1961, and the legend was born then that an ice worm hibernates during the winter in the Cordova Glacier but starts to hatch or wake up in early February. The worm has gained international fame, and the festival draws great crowds of people. | ||
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 | Before his death last year at 92, Ronald Read was known around his hometown of Brattleboro, Vermont, as a private, frugal man who worked as a janitor and gas station attendant and could often be found collecting fallen branches for his wood stove. His daily habit of reading The Wall Street Journal seemed inconsistent with his lifestyle only until last week, when his local hospital and library received their largest bequests ever—donations from Read totaling $6 million. It turns out Read was a shrewd investor who amassed an $8 million fortune with his savvy stock picks. | ||
1893 - Elisha Gray patented a machine called the telautograph. It automatically signed autographs to documents.
1922 - DeWitt and Lila Acheson Wallace offered 5,000 copies of "Reader's Digest" magazine for the first time.
1940 - "Pinocchio" world premiered at the Center Theatre in Manhattan
1962 - The U.S. government banned all Cuban imports and re-export of U.S. products to Cuba from other countries.
1984 - Space shuttle astronauts Bruce McCandless II and Robert L. Stewart made the first untethered space walk.
1985 - "Sports Illustrated" released its annual swimsuit edition. It was the largest regular edition in the magazine’s history at 218 pages
1999 - King Hussein of Jordan died. His son was sworn in as king four hours after the announcement that his father had died.
2000 - California's legislature declared that February 13 would be "Charles M. Schulz Day."
If You Were Born Today, February 7
You are popular, interesting, and sociable person who truly loves people, but who also values down time and privacy. You are congenial but nobody can push you to do anything! You work on your own instincts, and you have to feel something from inside before you decide what to do next. You enjoy travelling and learning, and you intuitively know that there are so many things to discover and learn in life than what meets the eye. You have a distinct and particular sense of style. Famous people born today: Charles Dickens, Chris Rock, Ashton Kutcher, Earl King, Garth Brooks, Laura Wilder.
A fire engine and a firefighter (inset) covered in ice after combating major night-time inferno at a Brooklyn warehouse. More than 200 firefighters were in a 10 hour battle with the blaze in sub-zero temperatures and numbing winds
knit (ONLY free until feb. 23rd)
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Sweet Heart Cushion pattern by MillaMia Sweden
The sweet heart motif makes this the perfect Valentine’s gift for your loved one, but it will also make a stylish addition to your bedroom or living room all ...
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Preview by Yahoo
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knit
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Seeded Stripe Dishcloth pattern by Rachel Petersen
I designed this dishcloth pattern some years ago - one of my first improvisations - and had completely forgotten about it until a friend informed me that it...
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Preview by Yahoo
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knit
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Mochi Mock Plaid Scarf pattern by Susan Druding
This mock plaid look is formed by slipping sts of one color across the front of bands of the 2nd color. I used one solid and one slow striping Mochi Plus and Pl...
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knit, vintage
(add to cart and then download)
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Todays Treasure Shop Talk: Baby Knitted V-Neck Sweater,...
I have a box of The Workbasket Magazines that start in the early 1940s and go into the 1980s. I try to go through one a week. The old pictures and pattern...
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knit
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My So Called Scarf pattern by Allison Isaacs of ImagiKni...
How to Work from a Knitting Pattern video featuring My So Called Scarf here.
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crochet, val day
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From the Heart Bunting pattern by Susan Carlson
A beautiful and simple heart motif makes for a coaster set or a sweet garland--hanging chain instructions included. They don’t need to be used only for Val...
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Preview by Yahoo
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crochet, vintage
(add to cart and then download)
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Piano Crochet Potholder PDF Free Pattern
Free PDF Crochet Pattern to make a grand piano potholder or pan holder. The design is vintage 1950s.
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crochet
crochet
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crochet
Floppy Motif Scarf pattern by Leonie Morgan
A fun, crochet motif scarf. The motifs are crocheted together so no sewing!
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recipe
HOMEMADE HEART MARSHMALLOWS
3 packages gelatin
1/2 c. ice cold water
1/2 c. water
1 1/2 c. sugar
1 c. light corn syrup
1/4 t. salt
1 t. vanilla extract
1/4 c. powdered sugar
1/4 c. cornstarch
Instructions:
1. Mix together powdered sugar and cornstarch. Prepare a 9″ by 13″ pan by spraying with non stick spray and lightly dusting with powdered sugar and cornstarch mixture. (Don’t use all of it though because you will need more at the end)
2. Place gelatin and ice cold water in stand mixer with whisk attachment. Light mix and let sit.
3. In a sauce pan mix the remaining 1/2 c. of water, sugar, corn syrup, and salt. Stir the mixture lightly until the sugar is dissolved. Using candy thermometer, cook sugar to about 230 degrees Fahrenheit.
4. Once the sugar mixture has reached 230 degrees pour over the gelatin mixture in the stand mixer. Turn on the mixer immediately to a medium high speed. The mixture will start to thicken, and begin to look white and glossy–like marshmallow fluff! Imagine that. Let it go for about 8-9 minutes. Just before the mallows are done, add the vanilla extract and whip about another minute. It should be thick enough to have a strong pull when you touch it but be careful not to get it too thick or the marshmallows will start to set before you can finish them!
5. Spread the marshmallows as evenly as you can into the prepared pan. Mallow mixture is very sticky so be warned. You may want to spray your spatula with some non stick spray as well.
6. Spread what is left of the cornstarch and powdered sugar mixture over the mallows, this will help some not be so sticky.
7. Let the mallows rest over night.
8. Use heart shaped cookie cutter to cut out desired shapes.
1/2 c. ice cold water
1/2 c. water
1 1/2 c. sugar
1 c. light corn syrup
1/4 t. salt
1 t. vanilla extract
1/4 c. powdered sugar
1/4 c. cornstarch
Instructions:
1. Mix together powdered sugar and cornstarch. Prepare a 9″ by 13″ pan by spraying with non stick spray and lightly dusting with powdered sugar and cornstarch mixture. (Don’t use all of it though because you will need more at the end)
2. Place gelatin and ice cold water in stand mixer with whisk attachment. Light mix and let sit.
3. In a sauce pan mix the remaining 1/2 c. of water, sugar, corn syrup, and salt. Stir the mixture lightly until the sugar is dissolved. Using candy thermometer, cook sugar to about 230 degrees Fahrenheit.
4. Once the sugar mixture has reached 230 degrees pour over the gelatin mixture in the stand mixer. Turn on the mixer immediately to a medium high speed. The mixture will start to thicken, and begin to look white and glossy–like marshmallow fluff! Imagine that. Let it go for about 8-9 minutes. Just before the mallows are done, add the vanilla extract and whip about another minute. It should be thick enough to have a strong pull when you touch it but be careful not to get it too thick or the marshmallows will start to set before you can finish them!
5. Spread the marshmallows as evenly as you can into the prepared pan. Mallow mixture is very sticky so be warned. You may want to spray your spatula with some non stick spray as well.
6. Spread what is left of the cornstarch and powdered sugar mixture over the mallows, this will help some not be so sticky.
7. Let the mallows rest over night.
8. Use heart shaped cookie cutter to cut out desired shapes.
knit, valentine
craft
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Sock Sloth
Everyone knows the classic sock monkey. They've been around for decades, and just like these ones by craftknowitall, they are very, very cute. The pat...
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'hello' in Swiss-German: Hoi
puzzle!
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Cactus Gravel Jigsaw Puzzle
Cactus Gravel Jigsaw Puzzle, 67 Piece Classic. Spiky succulent cactus plant with red gravel chunks caught in the
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clever!
EYE OPENER!
Alternative Uses for
Fabric-Softener Dryer Sheets
1. Dusting: used dryer sheets can knock the dust off nearly any surface, including furniture, blinds, car interiors, baseboards/molding. Also works for sawdust and drywall compound.
2. Keep bugs away: Tuck some in your picnic basket or under lawn furniture to repel bees from your juicy flesh and encourage them back to the flowers, where they belong. You can also rub a sheet directly on your bare skin to discourage would- be buggers from leaving their mark.
3. Keep your clothes fresh: tuck a few fabric-sheets in your drawers to keep that ‘just-washed’ smell happening for weeks. Throw one in your dirty clothes hamper to prevent any rampant, residual odors from escaping into your bedroom.
4. Scrub your showers: Lightly wet a used dryer sheet, and scrub to remove soap build-up and mineral deposits.
5. Freshen your home: Place (or tape) a dryer sheet on your HVAC vents to scent the air circulating through your home. You can even place one alongside your filter in your central heating unit to distribute the scent. Also works on ceiling fans, and on the back of box/portable fans.
6. Reduce static cling: Pat your self with a sheet to combat static on your clothes, stockings, and even long hair!
8. Clean your laundry room: When you finish drying a load, hold on to the dryer sheet, and wipe down the inside of your dryer’s drum, your lint trap, the outside of your washing machine and dryer, and scrub away any excess or spilt laundry detergent.
9. Scrub the bugs from your car: Summer drives often equal insect gut polka dots all over your auto’s body and windshield. Simply wet your car down, and use a dryer sheet to scrub away carnage with ease.
10. Wipe up hair: The cling of a dryer sheet is perfect to wipe up pet hair from your furniture, or even your own hair from your bathroom.
11. In your shoes: Toss a dryer sheet in the toes of your shoes to minimize odors and prolong the just-purchased smell.
12. While traveling: Place a few dryer sheets in between items in your suitcase to keep both your clothes fresh and to prevent your items from picking up any mustiness from old luggage.
13. In your crafts: Use dryer sheets to add texture to cards, scrapbooks, etc. Also use for reinforcement in appliqué and quilting work.
14. For diapers: Keep your used dryer sheets in your diaper bag, and roll one up in the diaper to prevent odors before you have to chance to throw it away.
15. In the kitchen: Soak cookware with burnt or baked-on food in warm water, with a dryer sheet or two. Makes clean-up easier than you’d expect. Also works on cook tops and dingy cabinet doors.
16. Clean paint brushes: Soak your used paintbrushes in warm water with a dryer sheet, and that pesky latex paint will come off in under a minute.
17. In books: placing a dryer sheet in new books or photo albums will keep them smelling fresh, and can combat the musty paper smell of used or old books. Also works as a killer bookmark.
18. In toilet paper: Roll up a dryer sheet in your toilet paper roll. Each time you spin, it releases a little freshness into your bathroom.
19. As you sleep: keep a fabric-softener sheet in your pillow case and under your mattress or mattress pad for sweet dreams of summer all year ‘round.
20. While sewing: use a dryer sheet to store your needles while threaded to keep them from tangling, for paper piecing whilst you quilt, and for backing for embroidery.
21. Repel rodents: Use dryer sheets to keep out mice, skunks, squirrels, rats, etc from your basement, garages, boats, campers, and clubhouses.
22. In your car: stash dryer sheets under your car seats and floor mats, and in your glove box and trunk for fresh scents as you travel.
23. At work: Hide dryer sheets in drawers, behind computers, and in cabinetry to keep your workspace fresh, and combat your co-workers awful perfume or stale cigarette scent.
24. In your vacuum cleaner: Place a dryer sheet in your vacuum bag or dust containment unit. As the hot air moves as you vacuum, you’ll bulk up your cleaning efforts. (Make sure this is in NO WAY a fire hazard)
25. In storage: tuck dryer sheets in your rarely used items such as luggage, camping gear, sports equipment, or specialty craft or kitchen items to prevent the inevitable smells of basements, attics, and garages.
[Dryer sheets are chemical products, so read the safety label on all your packaging. Using an ecologically alert product will guarantee safer results]
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