Disability Day December 3, 2016

DIANE'S CORNER ... Celebrate Disability Day

Disability Day, or the International Day of People with Disability, is a day that has been promoted by the United Nations since 1992. The aim of Disability Day is to encourage a better understanding of people affected by a disability, together with helping to make people more aware of the rights, dignity and welfare of disabled people, as well as raise awareness about the benefits of integrating disabled persons into every aspect of life, from economic, to political, to social and cultural. Disability Day is not concerned exclusively with either mental or physical disabilities, but rather encompasses all known disabilities, from Autism to Down Syndrome to Multiple Sclerosis.

Everything started in 1976, when the United Nations General Assembly made the decision that 1981 should be the International Year of Disabled Persons. The 5 years between the making of that decision and the actual Year of Disabled Persons were spent contemplating the hardships of the disabled, how the opportunities of the disabled could be equalized, and how to ensure the disabled take part fully in community life enjoying all of the rights and benefits non-disabled citizens have. Another issue that was touched on was how world governments could go about preventing disabilities from touching people in the first place, so much of the talk was about the viruses and other illnesses that lead to various kinds of disability. The decade between 1983 and 1992 was later proclaimed the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons, and during that time, all of the concepts previously created became parts of one long process that was implemented in order to improve the lives of disabled persons the world over.

In 2013, last year, it was “Break Barriers, Open Doors: for an inclusive society and development for all”, a call to help disabled people live in an inclusive society in every country, and to make sure that society was as accessible as possible for disabled people in all of its aspects, from making sure buildings are wheelchair accessible to installing braille on elevator buttons.


 

Word of the Day

prudery
Definition:	(noun) Excessive or affected modesty.
Synonyms:	Grundyism, primness, prudishness
Usage:	Casting prudery to the wind, I lifted my head, looked him in the eyes, and professed my undying love.

 

Idiom of the Day

gunner's daughter

— obsolete A cannon or other such armament used on a naval vessel, to which seamen were bound so as to receive lashings during corporal punishment. (Usually used with the verbs marry, kiss, or hug + the.)


 

History

George Brinton McClellan (1826)

 

At the outbreak of the American Civil War, McClellan was placed in command of the Union forces in Ohio. Appointed general-in-chief of the army by President Abraham Lincoln in 1861, he cautiously conducted the Peninsular Campaign but failed to take Richmond. At the Battle of Antietam, he failed to destroy Robert E. Lee's army, and Lincoln removed him from command. In 1864, he was the unsuccessful Democratic candidate for president against Lincoln.

Noel Night

Noel Night is a community holiday celebration that takes place on the first Saturday of December in the University Cultural Center area of Detroit, Michigan. Held annually since 1973, Noel Night offers dozens of unique holiday displays and activities, including horse-drawn carriage rides, a living nativity scene, musical and comedy performances, holiday lighting, and an ice sculpture competition. A community sing-a-long led by the Salvation Army Band concludes the festivities, which take place between 5:00 PM and 9:30 PM. 

New Evidence that Lucy, Our Most Famous Ancestor, Had Super strong Arms

In Ethiopia, she is known as "Dinkinesh" — Amharic for "you are marvelous." It's an apt name for one of the most complete ancient hominid skeletons ever found, an assemblage of fossilized bones that has given scientists unprecedented insight into the history of humanity. 
READ MORE:  
 

New evidence that Lucy, our most famous ancestor, had super strong arms

 

 1833 - Oberlin College in Ohio opened as the first truly coeducational school of higher education in the United States.

 

 1835 - In Rhode Island, the Manufacturer Mutual Fire Insurance Company issued the first fire insurance policy.

 

 1910 - The neon lamp was displayed for the first time at the Paris Motor Show. The lamp was developed by French physicist Georges Claude.

 

 1931 - Alka Seltzer was sold for the first time.

 

 1947 - The Tennessee Williams play "A Streetcar Named Desire" opened at Broadway's Ethel Barrymore Theater.

 

 1960 - The Lerner and Loewe musical "Camelot" opened on Broadway at the Majestic Theatre.

 

1967 - In Cape Town, South Africa, a team of surgeons headed by Dr. Christian Barnard, performed the first human heart transplant on Louis Washkansky. Washkansky only lived 18 days.
  

 
1997 - Pierce Brosnan received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
 

 1999 - Tori Murden became the first woman to row across the Atlantic Ocean alone. It took her 81 days to reach the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe from the Canary Islands.

DAILY SQUEEK

If You Were Born Today, December 3

 

You are a fervent, loyal, and spirited person who is true to yourself whatever the cost! You hold strong beliefs yet you are tolerant of others, even if you do enjoy a good debate and trying to "win" others to your perspective. While at times you can be restless due to an inquisitive and interested nature, you are also capable of great loyalty and dependability, valuing stability and permanency. You are generally good with money and not big on gambling it away foolishly. You are truly unique and not afraid to be yourself. Famous people born today: Daryl Hannah, Ozzy Osbourne, Julianne Moore, Anna Freud, Brendan Fraser, Katerina Witt.

READER'S INFO


'IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE' is on tv tonight (hope it's true in your area too).


Released in 1946, "It's a Wonderful Life" has become a holiday classic and remains the movie people associate with Christmas more than any other. Frank Capra's definitive film is a tearjerker that proves that, even in our darkest hours, the human spirit can and will rise triumphant.

Pictures of the day



The courtyard at the Sultan Ahmed Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey. Popularly known as the Blue Mosque for the hand-painted blue tiles that adorn the mosque’s interior walls, it was constructed between 1609 and 1616 during the rule of Ahmed I. The mosque's Külliye contains Ahmed's tomb, as well as a madrasah and a hospice.

Earth Seen from the Window of the Apollo 12 Spacecraft

A striking view of Earth taken in November of 1969





knit - chanukah

Dreidel - Knitting Patterns and Crochet Patterns from KnitPicks.com

knit - christmas

Justjen-knits&stitches: Reindeer Christmas Cup Cosy

				Justjen-knits&stitches: Reindeer Christmas Cup Cosy I thought I'd take a bit of a break from what I've been doing and share this little pattern, as Christmas is quickly approaching...                                 ...
				View on justjen-knitsandstitc...	Preview by Yahoo

knit

Winwick Mum: Neat Ripple Socks - free pattern and tutorial

				Winwick Mum: Neat Ripple Socks - free pattern and tutori... Neat Ripple Socks - free pattern and tutorial based on the Attic24 neat ripple blanket and approved by Lucy. Why should crocheters have all the fun?!
				View on winwickmum.blogspo...	Preview by Yahoo

knit

thanks, helen

http://winwickmum.blogspot.ca/2016/04/couthie-shawl-free-pattern-and-tutorial.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed:+WinwickMum+(Winwick+Mum)
knit - christmas

Fa-La-La Fred pattern by Anne Algier

				Fa-La-La Fred pattern by Anne Algier A sweet little ornament to brighten your holidays – with options to make a Fanny or a Fritz (he’s a reindeer, distant cousin to Rudolph). Hang them on your...
				View on www.ravelry.com	Preview by Yahoo

 


crochet - christmas

Santa Pocket Ornament Free Crochet Pattern - The Hooked Haberdasher

crochet

Fox Beanie pattern by Skinny Kitty Crochet

				Fox Beanie pattern by Skinny Kitty Crochet UPDATE 12/17/14: The download link has been fixed! I am unsure how that happened, but the PDF is there now and it is FREE. :)
				View on www.ravelry.com	Preview by Yahoo

crochet

Mr.Fox Fingerless Mitts pattern by Tanya Eberhardt

				Mr.Fox Fingerless Mitts pattern by Tanya Eberhardt Make some cute Mr. Fox fingerless mitts inspired by the woods and this seasons colors!
				View on www.ravelry.com	Preview by Yahoo

crochet
thanks, clara

Lizard pattern by Jasmin Räsänen

				Lizard pattern by Jasmin Räsänen An english translation can be found here : http://jose-crochet.blogspot.fi/2016/02/drakenvleugel-dra...
				View on www.ravelry.com	Preview by Yahoo

crochet - christmas

Tree of Snowflakes | Red Heart




RECIPE

Cauliflower "yahni" with green olives


 


CROCKPOT RECIPE

Grill or Crockpot Bloody Mary Flank Steak - Family Fresh Meals

 


SWEETS - christmas

Chocolate and Peanut Butter Parfaits 

evilshenanigans

Serves 6

For the chocolate base:
1 cup milk, 2% or higher
1/3 cup sugar
2 tablespoons Dutch-processed cocoa
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 egg yolk
1 tablespoon butter
1 ounce bittersweet chocolate, chopped

For the peanut butter base:
1 cups milk, 2% or higher
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 egg yolk
3 tablespoons peanut butter
1 teaspoons vanilla
1 tablespoons butter

For the whipped cream:
1 teaspoon powdered gelatin
2 tablespoons cold water
1 pint (2 cups) heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup powdered sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla

In a medium sauce pan combine the milk, sugar, cocoa powder, cornstarch, and egg yolk.  Whisk until very well incorporated then cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it begins to simmer and thicken.  Remove from the heat and add the vanilla, butter and chopped chocolate and stir until melted.  Pour through a strainer into a separate bowl and cover with plastic wrap.  Allow to cool to room temperature.

In a medium sauce pan combine the milk, sugar, peanut butter, cornstarch, and egg yolk.  Whisk until very well incorporated then cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it begins to simmer and thicken.  Remove from the heat and add the vanilla and butter, and stir until melted.  Pour through a strainer into a separate bowl and cover with plastic wrap.  Allow to cool to room temperature.

Next, prepare the whipped cream.  Pour the gelatin into the cold water and allow to stand for five minutes, or until completely bloomed.  Heat for five seconds in the microwave, making sure it is melted, and cool to room temperature.  Pour the cold cream into the bowl of a stand mixer.  Add the powdered sugar and vanilla.  Whisk on medium low speed until the sugar is blended then increase the speed to medium high.  When the cream is softly whipped pour in the cooled gelatin.  Whip until the cream forms medium peaks.  Chill for thirty minutes, covered, in the refrigerator.

Gently stir both the chocolate and peanut butter bases until smooth.  Add 1/3 of the whipped cream to each base and fold until the mixtures are uniform in color.

Fill three piping bags with the peanut butter mousse, the chocolate mousse, and the whipped cream.  Pipe the mousse into your serving dishes/glasses in alternating layers, starting with chocolate and ending with whipped cream.  Chill the parfaits for at least two hours before serving.


 


ADULT COLORING
 

 



CRAFTS - christmas

Star Ornament, Tag or Decor

thanks, jennie

Last year I was given a Christmas Origami Book. 

One of my favorite ideas in the book  is a 5 pointed star.  I decided to give it a whirl and I am glad I did.  Love it. 

 

My supply list included:

12x12 sheet of cardstock scrapbook paper cut into 4 6x6 pieces of paper

Distress Ink (optional)

Decorative paper brad (optional)

Hole punch

Twine

I followed the easy instructions in the book. 
(Instructions from Ornagami: An Origami Christmas at Your Fingertips by Gay Merrill Gross, copyright Quirk Packaging 2005, 2007.)   I have permission to share them with you so you can make one too. 

The instructions go back to #1 here because the first set were for a pentagon base.  The 2nd set if for the star.

This photo shows the paper brad from the back.

I rubbed the finished star onto the ink pad to get the distressed look.

 



CHILDREN'S CORNER ... christmas craft

Irresistable Santa Claus Kids Craft - onecreativemommy.com

 

 


PUZZLE

Acorn Bunch Jigsaw Puzzle

Acorn Bunch Jigsaw Puzzle Acorn Bunch Jigsaw Puzzle, 67 Piece Classic. A bunch of acorns, on an oak tree. Acorns are too heavy for wind di...

 


QUOTE

 
 

The Birdman of Chennai – Indian Man Feeds 4,000 Parakeets Every Single Day

By Sumitra

 

 

 

62-year-old Sekar has earned himself the nickname ‘Birdman of Chennai’ for his remarkable generosity towards thousands of parakeets. Every day, he hosts a grand feast for 4,000 of the exotic birds at his home in Chennai, India.

Sekar’s unusual interaction with the birds began after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. He had noticed a pair of displaced parrots near his back porch, and proceeded to feed them some rice from his kitchen. This continued for a few days and the birds nested nearby, eventually multiplying to thousands.

Sekar, a camera repairman by profession, now spends about 40% of his income feeding the birds. He rises early every day to cook giant pots of rice, which he then spreads on special wooden planks laid in neat rows on the roof of his house.

 
 

CLEVER - christmas
Upside Down Stool Wrapping Paper Station

 



EYE OPENER

thanks, cher

EATING IN THE FIFTIES and SIXTIES
Pasta was not eaten in Australia or N.Z.
Curry was a surname. 
 

A takeaway was a mathematical problem. 

A pizza was something to do with a leaning tower.   

All potato crisps were plain; the only choice we had was
whether to put the salt on or not. 
Rice was only eaten as a milk pudding.

Calamari was called squid and we used it as fish bait.
A Big Mac was what we wore when it was raining.
Brown bread was something only poor people ate.

Oil was for lubricating, fat was for cooking.    
Tea was made in a teapot using tea leaves and never green.
Sugar enjoyed a good press in those days, and was regarded
as being white gold. Cubed sugar was regarded as posh.  

Fish didn't have fingers in those days.  

Eating raw fish was called poverty, not sushi.

None of us had ever heard of yogurt.
Healthy food consisted of anything edible.
People who didn't peel potatoes were regarded as lazy.

Indian restaurants were only found in India.   
Cooking outside was called camping.

Seaweed was not a recognized food.
"Kebab" was not even a word, never mind a food.  
Prunes were medicinal.

Surprisingly, muesli was readily available, it was called
cattle feed.
Water came out of the tap.

If someone had suggested bottling it and charging more than petrol for it, they would have become a laughing stock!!
But the one thing that we never ever had
on our table in the sixties ..... Elbows or Phones.