Monday, October 19, 2015

Evaluate Your Life Day OCTOBER 19, 2015

DIANE'S CORNER ... Celebrate Evaluate Your Life Day

How’s it going? Evaluate Your Life Day is a chance to get reflective, and consider how you’re doing. How’s your career? Your family life? Your relationships? If there’s anything you feel needs a bit of attention, today’s the day to get a plan in place and start making changes!



and ray :-)

Word of the Day

hillock 


Definition:(noun) A small natural hill.
Synonyms:knoll, mound, hammock
Usage:Umbopa pointed out to us a slight and indistinct hillock on the flat surface of the plain about eight miles away.

ELECTION DAY IN CANADA .. GO VOTE!

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History

Mother Teresa Beatified (2003)


Born Agnes Bojaxhiu, Mother Teresa was an Albanian Roman Catholic missionary famous for her work among the poor in India. She first went to India at 17, becoming a nun and teaching school in Calcutta. In 1948, she left the convent and founded the Missionaries of Charity, which now operates schools, hospitals, orphanages, and food centers worldwide. In 1979, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. She was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 2003.

Mordecai "Three Finger" Brown (1876)


Nicknamed "Three Finger" by the press because a farming accident in his youth cost him parts of two fingers on his right hand, Brown was one of the top Major League Baseball pitchers at the turn of the 20th century. He used his injury to his advantage, developing a unique grip on the ball that produced an unusual amount of spin, baffling batters. Over the course of his major league career, Brown won 239 games and lost just 130.

Jamaica National Heroes Day


In Kingston, Jamaica, National Heroes Park contains a series of statues devoted to key figures in the country's history, including independence leader Alexander Bustamente and pan-African crusader Marcus Garvey. As a way to honor the figures commemorated in this park, the Jamaican government has established National Heroes Day. Local parishes all over the island hold award ceremonies to honor community figures, while at National Heroes Park a main ceremony takes place that features a speech by a national leader, typically the prime minister.

Have Scientists Discovered an Alien Civilization? Not So Fast


Could new findings around a distant star point to an advanced alien civilization? While it's a possibility that some scientists are considering, the chances are very high that we haven't stumbled upon extraterrestrials.
READ MORE:


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1814 - In Baltimore, MD, the first documented performance of "The Defense of Fort McHenry" with music took place at the Holiday Street Theatre. The work was later published under the title "The Star-Spangled Banner." 

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 1937 - "Woman's Day" was published for the first time.

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 1944 - The play "I Remember Mama" opened on Broadway. Marlon Brando made his debut with his appearance.

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1959 - Patty Duke, at the age of 12, made her Broadway debut in "The Miracle Worker." The play lasted for 700 performances. 

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 1977 - The Concorde made its first landing in New York City. 

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 1998 - Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson got his boxing license back after he had lost it for biting Evander Holyfield's ear during a fight.

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2003 - In London, magician David Blaine emerged from a clear plastic box that had been suspended by a crane over the banks of the Thames River. He survived only on water for 44 days. Blaine had entered the box on September 5. 




 DAILY SQU-EEK




If You Were Born Today, October 19

You are self-expressive and animated in speech. Your memory is outstanding when it comes to the "little things" that you pick up from others and when it comes to the past. You are curious and possess a dual nature--sometimes chatty and rational, and other times withdrawn and moody. You are quite determined and possess resolve. With good business sense and the ability to "read" people well, you are likely to enjoy much success in life as you age. You have the rare gift of the ability to be assertive and charming at the same time. You are charming, creative, and personable. Famous people born today: Evander Holyfield, John Lithgow, John Le Carre, Robert Reed, Jason Reitman, Desmond Harrington.





Picture of the day
James's flamingo
A flock of James's flamingos (Phoenicoparrus james) during a mating ritual, in which it is not unusual for the entire colony to participate. Males put on a show by vocalizing, sticking their necks and heads straight up in the air, and turning their heads back and forth. A female can then walk away from the group, which is an invitation for a male to follow. The ritual is completed by her spreading her wings and the male mounting her.


Picture of an illuminated sculpture in Alberta, Canada
Art Works Wonders
Photograph by Jeremy Fox, National Geographic 
This massive sculpture, called “Wonderland,” sits at the base of The Bow, the tallest building in western Canada. Jeremy Fox was keen to capture an image of the artwork in a way that highlighted the striking pairing of the installation and the “state-of-the-art office tower.” A black-and-white photo taken at night seems to have done the trick. Writes Fox, “I thought it was a fantastic concept to incorporate art on such a grand scale … The bright white lights really illuminate the sculpture against its dark surroundings.”


knit, halloween

knit

knit

knit

knit





crochet, halloween

crochet

crochet

crochet

crochet
 
 
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Alpacalicious - not your everyday granny-square crochet ...
Designed by me to showcase the lovely Frog Trade fair trade alpaca that I sell at shows around Australia; and now also available as a kit, from my Craftumi ...
Preview by Yahoo
 






RECIPE
thanks, patty
How to Roast Vegetables
Roasting vegetables in a very hot oven gives them a caramelized exterior and flavor while keeping the inside moist and tender.
Roasting vegetables in a very hot oven gives them a caramelized exterior and flavor while keeping the inside moist and tender. This showy cooking method can easily feed a crowd or just a couple, and it lets you choose the vegetables.






Choosing Your Vegetables


Choosing Your Vegetables
Best Veggies: Some vegetables especially benefit from roasting, such as onions, potatoes, carrots, beets, winter squash, carrots, and other hearty root vegetables, but most vegetables will work. Tender vegetables, such as asparagus and mushrooms, also transform in the heat of the oven.
Less-Good Veggies: Green beans, broccoli, and other green-hue vegetables are not as well suited for roasting because they tend to turn olive green, and the green beans shrivel before becoming tender.
A real benefit to roasting is the ability to cook a combination of colorful vegetables, resulting in a full-flavor side dish or meatless entree. Use this chart of favorite roasting vegetables as a guide.

Roasting Pointers

  • Temp: Preheat the oven to 450°F. Roasting vegetables should be done at high heat so they caramelize on the outside. If the oven temperature is too low, the vegetables will overcook before achieving the desired browning.
  • Pan: A heavy 13x9-inch roasting pan works well for roasting vegetables, but you can also use a large baking pan. To keep cleanup to a minimum, line the pan with foil. Place the vegetables that take the longest to cook in the pan. Do not crowd the vegetables or they will steam instead of roast. If you like, add 1 or 2 heads garlic with the tops trimmed off, several sprigs of thyme, and/or snipped fresh rosemary, oregano, or sage.
  • Mixture: Tossing the vegetables with a seasoned oil mixture keeps them from drying out and helps to flavor the vegetables. In a small bowl combine olive oil with lemon juice, salt, and ground black pepper. Drizzle the seasoned oil over the vegetables in the pan and toss lightly to coat all of the vegetables. A basting brush also works well to help coat the vegetables with the oil.
  • Technique: Roast the vegetables, uncovered, about 30 minutes, stirring once. Remove the pan from the oven and add the vegetables with shorter cooking times. Toss to combine and return to the oven. Continue to cook about 10 to 15 minutes more or until the vegetables are tender and brown on the edges, stirring occasionally. The timings here are approximate and will depend on the vegetables you choose.
Vegetables for RoastingPreparationApproximate Roasting Times at 450 degrees F. Roast vegetables until crisp-tender.
CarrotsTrim and peel or scrub baby carrots or regular carrots. Cut regular carrots into bite-size pieces or thin strips.40 to 45 minutes (Thin strips may cook faster.)
ParsnipsTrim and peel parsnips. Cut into bite-size pieces or thin strips.40 to 45 minutes (Thin strips may cook faster.)
New potatoes or regular potatoesWhole tiny new potatoes, quartered, work especially well. For larger potatoes, cut into bite-size pieces. Peeling is not necessary, but scrub well before using.40 to 45 minutes
Sweet potatoesScrub and peel. Cut into bite-size pieces.40 to 45 minutes
OnionsRemove papery outer layer. Cut into thin wedges.30 to 45 minutes
FennelTrim the stalks and cut a thin slice from the bottom of the bulb. Cut bulb into thin wedges.30 to 40 minutes
Brussels sproutsTrim stems and remove any wilted outer leaves; wash. Cut any large sprouts in half lengthwise.30 to 40 minutes
Baby beets or regular beetsScrub and peel beets. Trim off stem and root ends. If desired, halve or quarter baby beets. Cut regular beets into 1-inch pieces.30 to 40 minutes (You may want to cover the beets if they start to burn.)
Roma tomatoesWash and halve lengthwise.20 to 30 minutes
Zucchini, pattypan, or yellow summer squashBaby zucchini, pattypan, or summer squash can be roasted whole. For larger squash, cut into bite-size pieces or slices.10 to 15 minutes
Small eggplantPeel if desired. Cut into quarters lengthwise and cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices.10 to 15 minutes
Sweet peppers, regular size or smallFor regular-size peppers, wash, seed, and cut into 1/2-inch-wide strips. For small peppers, if desired, roast whole, then remove stems and seeds.10 to 15 minutes
AsparagusWash and break off woody bases where spears snap easily. Leave spears whole or cut into 1-inch pieces.10 to 15 minutes
Baby leeksTrim and halve lengthwise. Rinse well and pat dry with paper towels.10 to 15 minutes
CauliflowerWash and remove leaves and woody stem. Break into florets.10 to 15 minutes

CROCKPOT RECIPE
stephanie o'dea

CrockPot Baba Ganoush Recipe

I had heard of baba ganoush before, but had no idea what it was. It's pretty much an eggplant hummus ... mmmm. hummus.

The Ingredients.
adapted from A Veggie Venture
--1 large eggplant (if you're fancy you can call it aubergine)
--2 cloves garlic
--1 lemon, juiced
--2 T tahini (sesame paste)
--1 T dried parsley flakes, or 1/3 cup fresh parsley leaves
--salt and pepper to taste

The Directions.

Wash and dry your eggplant, and poke it a few times with a fork.

Plop it into your crockpot (you'll need probably at least a 3 quart for it to fit properly) and cook on high for 3 hours.

After cooking, the eggplant skin will be crinkled and the flesh inside will have shrunk a bit. This is good.

Carefully (use tongs. trust me. my fingers ache while I'm typing this.) remove the eggplant and cut in half with a knife. Scrape out any big chunks of seeds.

Get out the blender.

Using a spoon, remove the flesh from the eggplant skin and drop it (the flesh, not the skin) into the blender. Add the garlic cloves, lemon juice, and tahini. Add a pinch each of salt and pepper.

Blend. Add additional lemon, salt or pepper as needed.

Serve with your favorite fresh veggies, crackers, pita bread, or brown rice tortilla wedges.

The Verdict.

This was tasty. I brought it to a play date up the street and none of the kids tried it. Adam thought it could use more lemon and salt. The other dad thought it could use more heat, and the other mom thought it could use another garlic clove. But we still ate it all... I will make this again. The hardest thing was finding the tahini

thanks, shelley
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CRAFTS, halloween





CHILDREN'S CORNER ... craft
Picture





PUZZLE






QUOTE
Let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love. - Mother Teresa







TOP 10 FLOATS OF THE ZUNDERT FLOWER PARADE

THE ZUNDERT FLOWER PARADE STARTED IN 1936 AND HAS CONSISTENTLY PRODUCED BREATHTAKING FLOATS. HERE ARE THE TOP 10 FROM THIS YEAR!


BIRTHPLACE OF VINCENT VAN GOGH

Replica of Van Gough's famous self-portrait created using nail polish. On display at our Orlando Odditorium.
Replica of Van Gogh’s famous self-portrait created using nail polish. On display at our Orlando Odditorium.

Zundert is a small town in the Netherlands that hosts the most spectacular flower parade in the world. Famous for being the birthplace of Vincent Van Gough, the sleepy town becomes vibrant with energy every September.
The Zundert Flower Parade started in 1936 and has consistently produced breathtaking floats. The floats average 65 feet x 30 feet and the float designers are given complete creative freedom.
The surrounding villages, or hamlets as they call them in the Netherlands, compete for the top honor. Here are the Top 10 from this year.

TENTH PLACE

Atlas
Hamlet: Tiggelaar
Flower Festival (7)
REX USA/Malou Evers/Rex

NINTH PLACE

Karavaan
Hamlet: Small Zundert
REX USA/Erwin Martens/Rex
REX USA/Erwin Martens/Rex

EIGHTH PLACE

Deep Sea Creatures
Hamlet: Small Zundert
Deep Sea

SEVENTH PLACE

Autumn Walk
Hamlet: The Lent
 
REX USA/Werner Pellis/Re
REX USA/Werner Pellis/Re

SIXTH PLACE

Cuckoo!
Hamlet: Wernhout
 
REX USA/Niels Braspenning/Rex
REX USA/Niels Braspenning/Rex

FIFTH PLACE

Crab
Hamlet: Disk
 
REX USA/Niels Braspenning/Rex
REX USA/Niels Braspenning/Rex

FOURTH PLACE

Twisted
Hamlet: Market
 
REX USA/Werner Pellis/Rex
REX USA/Werner Pellis/Rex

THIRD PLACE

Haute Cusine
Hamlet:Laer-Akkermolen
The Zundert Flower Parade, Zundert, Netherlands 2014 - 07 Sep 2014

SECOND PLACE

Strumming
Hamlet: The Birch
REX USA/Erwin Martens/Rex

FIRST PLACE!

Horsepower
Hamlet:Klein-Zundert Heikant
REX USA/Niels Braspenning/Rex
REX USA/Niels Braspenning/Rex




"Welcome" in Friulian (Italy) - Benvignût






CLEVER
send them to school or work with...
fall-inspired-sayings-with-edible-food-marker-on-apples





EYE OPENER
thanks, cher
Holy Moly 
 
Words gone as fast as the buggy whip! Sad really! The other day I said something to my son about driving a Jalopy and he looked at me quizzically and said what the hell is a Jalopy? OMG (new phrase!) he never heard of the word jalopy!!
So we went to the computer and I pulled up a picture from the movie "The Grapes of Wrath." Now that was a Jalopy!

I hope you are hunky dory after you read this and chuckle...

WORDS AND PHRASES REMIND US OF THE WAY WE WORD by Richard Lederer

About a month ago, I illuminated some old expressions that have become obsolete because of the inexorable march of technology. These phrases included "Don't touch that dial," "Carbon copy," "You sound like a broken record" and "Hung out to dry." A bevy of readers have asked me to shine light on more faded words and expressions, and I am happy to oblige:

Back in the olden days we had a lot of moxie. We'd put on our best bib and tucker and straighten up and fly right. Hubba-hubba! We'd cut a rug in some juke joint and then go necking and petting and smooching and spooning and billing and cooing and pitching woo in hot rods and jalopies in some passion pit or lovers lane. 

Heavens to Betsy! Gee whillikers! Jumping Jehoshaphat! Holy moley! We were in like Flynn and living the life of Riley, and even a regular guy couldn't accuse us of being a knucklehead, a nincompoop or a pill. Not for all the tea in China!

Back in the olden days, life used to be swell, but when's the last time anything was swell? Swell has gone the way of beehives, pageboys and the D.A.; of spats, knickers, fedoras, poodle skirts, saddle shoes and pedal pushers. Oh, my aching back. Kilroy was here, but he isn't anymore.

Like Washington Irving's Rip Van Winkle and Kurt Vonnegut's Billy Pilgrim, we have become unstuck in time. We wake up from what surely has been just a short nap, and before we can say, I'll be a monkey's uncle! or this is a fine kettle of fish! we discover that the words we grew up with, the words that seemed omnipresent as oxygen, have vanished with scarcely a notice from our tongues and our pens and our keyboards.

Poof, poof, poof go the words of our youth, the words we've left behind. We blink, and they're gone, evanesced from the landscape and word scape of our perception, like Mickey Mouse wristwatches, hula hoops, skate keys, candy cigarettes, little wax bottles of colored sugar water and an organ grinders monkey.

Where have all those phrases gone? Long time passing. Where have all those phrases gone? Long time ago: Pshaw. The milkman did it. Think about the starving Armenians. Bigger than a bread box. Banned in Boston. The very idea! It's your nickel. Don't forget to pull the chain. Knee high to a grasshopper. Turn-of-the-century. Iron curtain. Domino theory. Fail safe. Civil defense. Fiddlesticks! You look like the wreck of the Hesperus. Cooties. Going like sixty. I'll see you in the funny papers. Don't take any wooden nickels. Heavens to Murgatroyd! And awa-a-ay we go!
Oh, my stars and garters!

It turns out there are more of these lost words and expressions than Carter had liver pills. This can be disturbing stuff, this winking out of the words of our youth, these words that lodge in our heart's deep core. But just as one never steps into the same river twice, one cannot step into the same language twice. Even as one enters, words are swept downstream into the past, forever making a different river.

We of a certain age have been blessed to live in changeful times. For a child each new word is like a shiny toy, a toy that has no age. We at the other end of the chronological arc have the advantage of remembering there are words that once did not exist and there were words that once strutted their hour upon the earthly stage and now are heard no more, except in our collective memory. It's one of the greatest advantages of aging. We can have archaic and eat it, too.

See ya later, alligator!

Diane TimetoHarvestFriendships 2015




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1 comment:

  1. PattyOctober 19, 2015 at 10:46 AM

    I would not have ranked the flower floats thus-ly. Am I always swimming against the current? Probably! And really hard to see Brando as a Norwegian! But he wasn't an Italian either and got away with the Godfather:)

    ReplyDelete

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