Sunday, March 29, 2015

Niagara Falls Runs Dry Day MAR 29, 2015

DIANE'S CORNER ... Celebrate Niagara Falls Runs Dry Day

On March 29th, 1848, ice blockages caused rivers to run dry, and reduced the flow of water to such an extent that Niagara Falls’ 3,160 tons of water per second flow came to a halt. Locals celebrate with Niagara Falls Runs Dry Day, and with plenty of great hotels in the area, it’s not hard to come celebrate with them!


Word of the Day

ostentatious 


Definition:(adjective) Intended to attract notice and impress others.
Synonyms:pretentious, showy
Usage:His ostentatious displays of wealth did nothing to impress his neighbors, who were proud of their middle-class status.
xkyQV

History

Ireland Bans Smoking in All Public Places (2004)


In the latter part of the 20th century, research on the health risks of secondhand tobacco smoke spurred legislative bodies throughout the world to consider smoking bans. On March 29, 2004, Ireland became the first country to implement a nationwide ban on smoking in public places, including all enclosed workplaces. Many nations have since followed with similar legislation.

Cy Young (1867)


Born Denton True Young, Cy Young was an American baseball player for whom the prestigious Cy Young Award—presented annually to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball—is named. In his 22-year major league career, he pitched in 906 games. Known for his excellent control and ability to outwit batters, Young holds the record for winning the most games—511—including 76 shutouts and three no-hitters. In 1904, he pitched the American League's first perfect game

Borrowed Days


According to an old Scottish rhyme, the last three days in March were "borrowed" from April, in return for which March promised to destroy three young sheep. Other references go back even farther. Both an ancient calendar of the Church of Romeand a 1548 book known as The Complaynt of Scotland allude to the days at the end of March as being more like winter than spring. Whatever their origin, it seems likely that the wet, windy weather that so often comes at the end of March gave rise to the notion that this month had to "borrow" some additional time.

2 Exotic Termites Find Love in Florida, Worrying Researchers


Two particularly hungry, exotic termite species apparently have found love halfway around the world and, as with so many other Florida hook-ups, the results are disturbing. Asian and Formosan subterranean termites are two of the most destructive termite species in the world, responsible for much of the estimated $40 billion in economic losses attributed to termites annually.

1867 - The British Parliament passed the North America Act to create the Dominion of Canada.

1932 - Jack Benny made his radio debut.

1946 - Fiorella LaGuardia became the director general of the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Organization.

1962 - Jack Paar made his final appearance on the "Tonight" show

1992 - Democratic presidential front-runner Bill Clinton said "I didn't inhale and I didn't try it again" in reference to when he had experimented with marijuana. 

1993 - Clint Eastwood won his first Oscars. He won them for best film and best director for the film "Unforgiven."


If You Were Born Today, March 29

You work on inspiration and instinct, and are immovable if your heart isn't truly into something. You can be moody, fascinating, and very changeable, while always maintaining an independent and feisty spirit. Your emotions can be very up and down, and extreme at times, but you tend to right yourself quickly. You hold others enthralled. Famous people born today: Jennifer Capriati, Elle Macpherson, Lucy Lawless, Pearl Bailey, Scott Wilson, Brendan Gleeson.



Picture of a diver in front of a bait ball in Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park, Mexico

All the Fish in the Sea

Photograph by Jeff Hester, National Geographic 
Jeff Hester was drawn to make this image because, he says, “I believe this is what our oceans should look like.” But Cabo Pulmo, a marine park off Mexico’s Baja California peninsula, hasn't always been this way. “In 1995, [the] park was established by local citizens to counteract depleted reef fishes and marine life due to overfishing,” he says. “Today, the biomass is booming, and the ecosystem is returning to a healthy state. For this particular image, I wanted to show some scale ... so I had my wife, seen in the foreground, swim ahead of me.”
thumbelina_smallest_horse
knit 
knit
 
 
image
 
 
 
 
 
Poet's Pullover pattern by Ashley Knowlton
Brand spanking new pattern with extended size range (30 inch bust to 52 inch bust) and (hopefully) no more errata! Enjoy!
View on www.ravelry.com
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knit
knit (2 needle)
 
knit
Luce pattern by Fiona Barnett
 
 
image
 
 
 
 
 
Luce pattern by Fiona Barnett
Luce is an over-the-elbow pair of fingerless gloves, knit seamlessly from the elbow up in a fishnet lace with a plaited seam, and named after a friend of mine...
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crochet
crochet
 
 
image
 
 
 
 
 
My Earth Buddy Toy pattern by Michelle Moore
The “My Earth Buddy” pattern creates a cute little friend to remind our children to love our planet earth. It can provide an opportunity to teach our children...
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crochet
 
 
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Dress Lace Coins | knittingglobal
Wondefull summer lace dress. This dress  crochet from hem to up. Size: S. Size actual: Fit bust: 80 cm. Length (with strap): 88 cm. Materials: about 500 g fin...
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crochet
 
 
image
 
 
 
 
 
Crochet Leaf Bookmark pattern by Olga Poltava
Suggested yarn Crochet cotton thread size 10
View on www.ravelry.com
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crochet, Pop Over Dress, 1 - 10 yrs
by Cookie 61868


Small 1-3 Med. 4-6x Large. 7-10 
Sport yarn, baby sport 
( I used Patons Grace, 100 % mercerized cotton, color is Lotus)
Hook size 8 or H 
Directions are for small. med. & large are ( )

Starting with yoke…
Chain 60 loosely (76-92) Chain should measure 18-20-22 inches to fit over child’s head.
Join to 1st. chain with a slip stitch being careful not to twist chain. Work to be done in rounds. Do not turn.

Yoke
Round 1
Chain 2. Dc in each of the next 6(8-10) chain, 3dc in next chain. (Increase made) * 1dc in each of the next 14 (18-22) chain. 3dc in next chain. (Inc. made) Repeat from * twice. 1dc in each of the next 7(9-11) chain. Join with a slip stitch to the top of the 1st ch 2.

Round 2
Chain 2. Dc in each of the next 7(9-11) stitches, 3dc in next stitch.* 1dc in each of the next 16(20-24) sts. 3dc in next st. Repeat from * twice. 1dc in each of the next 8(10-12) sts. Join with a slip stitch to the top of chain 2.

Round 3
Chain 2. Dc in each of the next 8(10-12) sts, 3dc in next stitch.* 1dc in each of the next 18(22-26) sts. 3dc in next st. Repeat from * twice. 1dc in each of the next 9(11-13) sts. Join with a slip stitch to the top of chain 2.

Round 4
Chain 2. Dc in each of the next 9(11-13) sts, 3dc in next stitch.* 1dc in each of the next 20(24-28) sts. 3dc in next st. Repeat from * twice. 1dc in each of the next 10(12-14) sts. Join with a slip stitch to the top of chain 2.

Round 5
Chain 2. Dc in each of the next 10(12-14) sts, 3dc in next stitch.* 1dc in each of the next 22(26-30) sts. 3dc in next st. Repeat from * twice. 1dc in each of the next 11(13-15) sts. Join with a slip stitch to the top of chain 2.

Round 6 (underarm)
Chain 2. Dc in each of the next 12(14-16) sts. Ch 8(10-12). Skip 24(28-32) sts. 1dc in each of the next 26(30-34)sts. Chain 8(10-12), skip 24(28-32)sts. 1dc in each of the next 13(15-17)sts. Join with ss to top of ch2.

Round 7
*Chain 3, skip next st. Sc in next stitch. Repeat from * around working across underarm chain in the same manner as you come to them. End with a slip stitch in base of ch3. Be sure there is an even number of spaces.

Body
Round 1
Slip stitch into 1st. of ch3 spaces. Ch4(counts as 1st. triple crochet(trc)* In next ch3 space make 2trc, ch2, 2trc (shell made), trc in next space. Repeat from * around ending with a shell in last space. Slip stitch in top of ch4.

Round 2
Chain 4. * In chain space of next shell made, (2trc, ch2, 2trc) (shell made over shell of previous row) Trc in trc that is between shells of previous row. Repeat from * ending with shell in last space. Sl stitch to top of ch4.

Round 3
Repeat round 2 for 8(10-12)times or desired length.

Last round: Do not chain. Turn to wrong side. *Make 8dc in ch2 space of shell, sc in next trc. Repeat from * around ending with a slip stitch in beginning of round. Break off.

Shoulder ruffle:
Working from right side of work, attach yarn to 2nd stitch after underarm chain (going across shoulder). *Chain 3, skip next stitch, sc in next stitch. Repeat from * over shoulder to other end of underarm chain. This time you should have an uneven number of ch3 spaces. Turn. Slip stitch into first ch3 space. Chain 4(to count as 1st trc) *In next ch3 space, make (2trc, ch2, 2trc) (shell made). 2trc, ch2, 2trc in next space. Repeat from * across with 1trc in last space. Turn.
*Work 8dc in ch space of next shell, sc in next trc. Repeat from * across ending with a sc in last trc. End.
Work second shoulder in same manner.

Flower
Chain 4, join with slip stitch to form ring. Chain 2, (working in center of ring)3dc,*1sc, ch1, 3dc* 
Repeat between * for 5 petals. End with 1sc, ss in center to join. Pull tight. Cut yarn and pull end through last stitch leaving enough yarn to sew flower to dress.
via: flckr.com
RECIPE


Nutella Banana Swirl Bread
Zoë François of Zoë Bakes
Makes 2 loaves

You'll need:
3 large or 4 medium (2 cups mashed) bananas, yellow with brown speckles
1 cup brown sugar, packed
4 oz. (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup milk
2 large eggs
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tbsp. rum, optional
3 cups all-purpose flour 
2 tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup Nutella

What to do:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease two 8 1/2 x 4 1/2-inch loaf pans with butter, lined with buttered parchment. 





































Mash the bananas with a potato masher, so they still have some small lumps, set aside.

In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the sugar, butter, milk, eggs, vanilla and rum. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the sugar/butter mixture, just until smooth. Add the bananas and mix just until they are combined. 





































Place the Nutella in a bowl and microwave for about 20 seconds to soften it. If you don't use a microwave, you can heat the Nutella over a double boiler for a couple of minutes. Drizzle 2/3 of the Nutella over the banana bread batter.





































Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the Nutella into the batter, trying not to over mix, so you can see the swirls when it's baked. 





































Carefully divide the batter into the pans, trying not to overly mix the batter, so the swirls stay well defined.





































Add the rest of the Nutella and swirl into the top of the batter. Bake for about 45 minutes or until a tester comes out clean.





































Allow to cool in pan for about 10 minutes.

















Remove and eat one of them while it is still warm and gooey. Save the other for the next day and serve with more melted Nutella.



















stephanie o'dea









CROCKPOT RECIPEstephanie o'deaCrockPot Split Pea Soup Recipe



We recently went on a roadtrip south and stopped in Buellton, California at the HOME OF PEA SOUP. At least that is what the billboard said.

Anderson's Soup is a roadside attraction and tourist stop along the highway. The interior hasn't changed in about a hundred million (50) years.

I talked the kids into eating a bite each, which I'm pretty sure was only because they sell fudge in the lobby.

Do you have a ham hock hanging out in your freezer? Put it to good work. If you don't, that's okay -- you can omit the meat all-together (the broth and salt provides enough flavor) or you can use turkey or pork bacon.

On a side note: we were happy to discover that the soup at Anderson's was not only completely gluten free, it was vegan, too!

The Ingredients.

1 leftover ham hock, with a bit of ham attached
OR 8 ounces bacon, divided
a 16-ounce package of dried split peas
1 cup diced yellow onion
1 potato, peeled and diced
1 cup diced carrot
4 cups vegetable broth
1 cup water
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

The Directions.
--dump the peas, diced vegetables, broth, and water into the crockpot
--add the salt and pepper

--if you are using a ham hock, add that now. If using bacon, add it---saving 4-6 pieces for later use

cover and cook on low 8-10 hours or high for 4-6. I cooked this for 6 hours on high.

if you went with the ham hock, scrape off any remaining meat and discard the bone.

if you went with the turkey bacon, carefully remove the strips and discard them.


Use an immersible hand blender to make your soup a bit more creamy and to have an even consistency. Pea soup is rather thick -- it's kind of porridge-like, and if it sits out it will get a tiny bit of "skin" on it. This is normal.

Cook remaining pieces of turkey bacon on the stove and crumble over the top, or add any additional ham you still have in your fridge.

The Verdict.

I was really pleased with the way this turned out! Way better than the canned stuff.
via: imgur.com
CRAFT
Thumb Tack Art
Thumb Tack Framed Art ~ A simple solution to enhance artwork is by adding thumb tacks to the framed mat.



CHILDREN'S CORNER .. word search

 Arts and Crafts Word Search Puzzle




QUOTE

 Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves. - Carl Jung



'where's the bathroom?' in Japanese benjo wa doko desu ka?
Spiritualized - Hey Jane



PUZZLE








MAN BUILDS ROOFTOP MOUNTAIN

mountain on top of building

Eccentric millionaire doctor, Zhang Biqing, from Bejing, decided to build an elaborate private mountain on the top of his 26-story building.It took 6 years to complete. The mountain garden has trees, rocks, grass, and could rival any private getaway. It is a nice little piece of the country atop an urban cityscape. Unfortunately, Biqing failed to dot the i’s and cross the t’s.

GOTTA GET THOSE PERMITS

Biqing failed to get the the proper paperwork and permits before he built his massive structure. Not only that, the six years of constant construction DID NOT please his downstairs neighbors.
After numerous complaints, the local authorities finally issued Mr. Biqing a warning.
He has 15 days to remove the mountain or else it will face forcible removal
What would you do if you were his neighbor? Suck it up in hopes of getting an invite to the private rooftop abode? Or say to heck with him and lodge a complaint? 


 CLEVER

Add some bits of yarn to a feeder for birds to use 

in their nests.

Add some to a feeder for birds to use in their nests.



EYE OPENER
Old Farmer's Advice
thanks, heide

* Your fences need to be horse-high, pig-tight and bull-strong.

*Keep skunks and bankers at a Distance.

*Life is simpler when you plow around the stump.

* A bumble bee is considerably faster than a John Deere tractor.

* Words that soak into your ears are whispered...not yelled.

* Meanness don't jes' happen overnight.

* Forgive your enemies. It messes up their heads.

* Do not corner something that you know is meaner than you.

* It don't take a very big person to carry a Grudge.

* You cannot unsay a cruel word.

* Every path has a few puddles.

* When you wallow with pigs, expect to get dirty.

* The best sermons are lived, not preached.

* Most of the stuff people worry about ain't never gonna happen anyway.

* Don't judge folks by their relatives.

* Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.

* Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll enjoy it a second time.

* Don't interfere with somethin' that ain't botherin you none.

* Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a Rain dance. 

* If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin'. 

* Sometimes you get, and sometimes you get got.

* The biggest troublemaker you'll probably ever have to deal with, watches you from The mirror every mornin'.

* Always drink upstream from the herd.

* Good judgment comes from experience, and a lotta that comes from bad judgment.

* Lettin' the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier than puttin' it back in.

* If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some influence, try orderin' somebody else's dog around.

* Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly
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