DIANE'S CORNER ...
Celebrate World Laughter Day
Live by this credo: have a little laugh at life and look around you for happiness instead of sadness. Laughter has always brought me out of unhappy situations.Red Skelton
Everybody knows that laughing feels good, but few realize how valuable these simple tools can be in improving our everyday wellness and well-being. Laughter cannot heal or solve anything, but it can help to heal and dissolve everything. That’s what World Laughter Day is for! It’s a day where people can relieve some stress and laugh. Discover a new happiness workout and learn about what happens during World Laughter Day!
History of World Laughter Day
World Laughter Day is an annual event celebrated worldwide to raise awareness about laughter and its many healing benefits, as well as about thousands of community groups around the world who regularly practice comedy that promote wellness and overall well-being. World Laughter Day is celebrated in most large cities around the world. Hundreds of people gather worldwide on that day to laugh together. It has been celebrated in Los Angeles since 2005 and has since spread all over the world as a way to express people’s love for comedy and laughter.
World Laughter Day is celebrated also by a congregation of laughter club members, their families and friends in their city like big squares, public parks or auditoriums. Laughter clubs usually have a variety entertainment program of music, dance and laughter contests. Winners are those with the most infectious, natural and effortless laughter. Laughter club members during this day participate in a peace march and carry banners and placards such as “World Peace Through Laughter, The Whole World Is An Extended Family, Join a Community Laughter Club – it’s free!” etc. During the march all chant “Ho Ho, Ha-Ha-Ha” and “very good, very good, yay!” clapping and dancing. This is known to be one of the best ways that laughter clubs help you have a good time and join a laughter club for special benefits.
Word of the Day
rakehell
The Righteous Rakehell
For some reason, the word rakehell occurs often in romance titles. Is it due to the belief that women are attracted to bad boys?
MEANING:
noun: A licentious or immoral person.
ETYMOLOGY:
By folk etymology from Middle English rakel (rash, hasty). Earliest documented use: 1547.
USAGE:
“The titular character, John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester, was a notorious rakehell as well as being a classically influenced, but principally obscene poet and playwright. He was repeatedly exiled from the court of Charles II for everything from abducting his future wife to vandalising a sundial, and died at the age of 33 from alcoholism and venereal disease.”
Ian Shuttleworth; Thoroughly Unlikeable, Highly Enjoyable; Financial Times (London, UK); Sep 29, 2016.
Ian Shuttleworth; Thoroughly Unlikeable, Highly Enjoyable; Financial Times (London, UK); Sep 29, 2016.
Idiom of the Day
Have on the brain -
Meaning - Thinking or talking about it all day long.
Example - He has just got engaged. Now, he has his fiance on his brain all the time.
This Day in History
1809 - Mary Kies was awarded the first patent to go to a woman. It was for technique for weaving straw with silk and thread.
1834 - The first mainland railway line opened in Belgium.
1862 - The Battle of Puebla took place. It is celebrated as Cinco de Mayo Day.
1865 - The Thirteenth Amendment was ratified, abolishing slavery in the U.S.
1891 - Music Hall was dedicated in New York City. It was later renamed Carnegie Hall.
1904 - The third perfect game of the major leagues was thrown by Cy Young (Boston Red Sox) against the Philadelphia Athletics. It was the first perfect game under modern rules.
1917 - Eugene Jacques Bullard becomes the first African-American aviator when he earned his flying certificate with the French Air Service.
1926 - Sinclair Lewis refused a 1925 Pulitzer for "Arrowsmith."
1956 - Jim Bailey became the first runner to break the four-minute mile in the U.S. He was clocked at 3:58.5.
1961 - Alan Shepard became the first American in space when he made a 15 minute suborbital flight.
1966 - Willie Mays broke the National League record for home runs when he hit his 512th.
1969 - Stevie Wonder met President Nixon at the White House.
1984 - The Itaipu Dam opened on the Paraná River between Brazil and Paraguay.
1986 - It was announced that Cleveland, Ohio, had been chosen as the city where the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame would be built.
1997 - Dolores Hope received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
1999 - Garth Brooks was named artist of the decade at the 34th annual Academy of Country Music Awards.
DAILY SQU-EEK
If You Were Born Today, May 5
Determined and often stubborn, you have ambition and can work hard for what you want. You are multi-talented and somewhat restless. While you value stability, you crave stimulation and create new challenges for yourself to reach, which keeps your life in a state of flux. You are a good conversationalist, quite amorous, and especially attractive and magnetic. Famous people born today:
1747 Leopold II, Grand Duke of Tuscany (1765-90) and Holy Roman Emperor (1790-92), born in Vienna, Austria (d. 1792)
1818 Karl Marx, German philosopher (Communist Manifesto, Das Kapital), born in Trier, Prussia (d. 1883)
1921 Arthur Leonard Schawlow, American physicist, shared the 1981 Nobel Prize in Physics for his pioneering work with lasers, born in Mount Vernon, New York (d. 1999)
1942 Tammy Wynette [Virginia Pugh], American country singer (Stand by your Man), born in Itawamba County, Mississippi (d. 1998)
1943 Michael Palin, English comedian (Monty Python, Fish Called Wanda), born in Sheffield, Yorkshire
1988 Adele [Adele Laurie Blue Adkins], English singer (Rolling in the Deep, Someone Like You), born in Tottenham, London
READERS INFO
1.
1821 -
Napoléon Bonaparte (August 15, 1769 – May 5, 1821)
Napoleon was a French statesman and military leader who rose to prominence during the French Revolution and led several successful campaigns during the French Revolutionary Wars. He was Emperor of the French from 1804 until 1814. It is said he died of stomach cancer.
Death of Napoleon the Great, French engraving from 1828.
2.
1809 - Mary Kies was awarded the first patent to go to a woman. It was for technique for weaving straw with silk and thread.
1834 - The first mainland railway line opened in Belgium.
1862 - The Battle of Puebla took place. It is celebrated as Cinco de Mayo Day.
1865 - The Thirteenth Amendment was ratified, abolishing slavery in the U.S.
1891 - Music Hall was dedicated in New York City. It was later renamed Carnegie Hall.
1904 - The third perfect game of the major leagues was thrown by Cy Young (Boston Red Sox) against the Philadelphia Athletics. It was the first perfect game under modern rules.
1917 - Eugene Jacques Bullard becomes the first African-American aviator when he earned his flying certificate with the French Air Service.
1926 - Sinclair Lewis refused a 1925 Pulitzer for "Arrowsmith."
1956 - Jim Bailey became the first runner to break the four-minute mile in the U.S. He was clocked at 3:58.5.
1966 - Willie Mays broke the National League record for home runs when he hit his 512th.
1984 - The Itaipu Dam opened on the Paraná River between Brazil and Paraguay.
1999 - Garth Brooks was named artist of the decade at the 34th annual Academy of Country Music Awards.
DAILY SQU-EEK
1988 Adele [Adele Laurie Blue Adkins], English singer (Rolling in the Deep, Someone Like You), born in Tottenham, London
READERS INFO
Napoléon Bonaparte (August 15, 1769 – May 5, 1821)
Death of Napoleon the Great, French engraving from 1828.
2.
Philly Tech Week 2019
May 3 - 11, 2019 | Philadelphia, PA
Unparalleled talent, creativity and geekiness can be found at this week-long tech event in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The most brilliant and innovative minds will showcase the latest technological creations in more than 100 events that tackle numerous industries. If you thought your common collection of gadgets at home were impressive, prepare to have your mind blown.
further information: Philly Tech Week 2019
3.
Wells Fargo Championship 2019
Apr 29 - May 5, 2019 | Charlotte, NC
Quail Hollow Golf Club|3700 Gleneagles Rd
The Wells Fargo Championship is not just a professional golf tournament, but also one of the largest, most prestigious sporting events around the Charlotte area. Besides golf, attendees can also enjoy top-notch food and drink vendors, merch tents, a social media hub, wine tastings and good old camaraderie. The annual event attracts some of the top players on the PGA tour, as well as thousands of golf enthusiasts from around North Carolina and beyond for an unforgettable 4-day experience on the green.
further information: Wells Fargo Championship
4.
Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival 2019
May 1 - June 30, 2019 | Philadelphia, PA
Franklin Square|200 6th St
Benjamin Franklin croaked about 200 years too early, otherwise he could’ve enjoyed this yearly spectacle. Scaly dragons, blossomed flowers and ancient Chinese structures cast a warm glow throughout Franklin Square that probably would’ve blinded the Founding Father permanently if he were alive today. The colorful beams will make your nightly walk through the park that much brighter.
further information: Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival
SUNDAY'S INTERESTING FACTS
Milk is white thanks to a protein called casein, which makes up about 80% of the proteins in milk. Casein scatters and deflects light more or less uniformly throughout the visual spectrum, so milk looks white to us.
The reason raw milk goes bad so quickly when left out, at least for drinking purposes, is that the lactose in milk ends up getting processed by microorganisms into lactic acid. Depending on the microorganisms performing this processing, this can produce a variety of tasty products, such as various types of cheeses, yogurts, buttermilk, etc. or create something quite rancid.
The pasteurization process that kills microorganisms in milk also destroys the Vitamin C content, as well as significantly diminishes various other health benefits of raw milk.
Grade A and Grade B milk are the two varieties allowed in the United States. Grade A milk is used for direct consumption. Grade B milk is used for making cheeses and other types of milk product. There is very little difference between the two; Grade A milk is cooled using refrigeration (due to the requirement to keep it at 45 F within two hours of milking) and Grade A milk farms are inspected every six months. Grade B milk is typically cooled in cans immersed in cold flowing water underground (same temperature of 45 F). Grade B milk farms, though, only need inspected every two years. There are also a few differences in terms of bacterial count and things of this nature, but this isn’t a significant difference when factoring in eventual pasteurization and the like of milk sold to be drunk.
PATTERN BOOK SUNDAY
thanks, Valerie, Canadian Correspondent
The reason raw milk goes bad so quickly when left out, at least for drinking purposes, is that the lactose in milk ends up getting processed by microorganisms into lactic acid. Depending on the microorganisms performing this processing, this can produce a variety of tasty products, such as various types of cheeses, yogurts, buttermilk, etc. or create something quite rancid.
The pasteurization process that kills microorganisms in milk also destroys the Vitamin C content, as well as significantly diminishes various other health benefits of raw milk.
Grade A and Grade B milk are the two varieties allowed in the United States. Grade A milk is used for direct consumption. Grade B milk is used for making cheeses and other types of milk product. There is very little difference between the two; Grade A milk is cooled using refrigeration (due to the requirement to keep it at 45 F within two hours of milking) and Grade A milk farms are inspected every six months. Grade B milk is typically cooled in cans immersed in cold flowing water underground (same temperature of 45 F). Grade B milk farms, though, only need inspected every two years. There are also a few differences in terms of bacterial count and things of this nature, but this isn’t a significant difference when factoring in eventual pasteurization and the like of milk sold to be drunk.
PATTERN BOOK SUNDAY
thanks, Valerie, Canadian Correspondent
Albert Aurier (1865–1892) was a French poet, art critic and painter, associated with the Symbolist movement. The son of a notary born in Châteauroux, Aurier went to Paris in 1883 to study law, but his attention was soon drawn to art and literature; he then began to contribute to Symbolist periodicals. He reviewed the annual Salon in Le Décadent, later contributed to La Plume and, in 1889, was the managing editor of Le Moderniste Illustré. From its foundation in 1890, he contributed to the Mercure de France, which published the essays on which Aurier's fame was founded: "Les Isolés: Vincent van Gogh" and "Le Symbolisme en peinture: Paul Gauguin". After a trip to Marseille, Aurier died at the age of twenty-seven in Paris from a typhus infection. The next day, friends, writers and artists accompanied his coffin to the funeral train departing for Châteauroux, where his remains were entombed in the family grave. This picture of Aurier was taken around 1890 and is part of the collection of the Bibliothèque nationale de France.
Sally West Uses Thick Dabs of Paint to Create Amazing Textural Surfaces and Outdoor Scenes
A subtle palette and bold application of paint
creates amazing textural surfaces and outdoor scenes
knit, Mother's Day
thanks, Grace
knit
thanks, Phyllis
knit
knit, 2 - 8 years
knit
MATROYSHKA
Yarn: Koigu KPPPM minis (C1: 1100, C2: 2100, C3: 0)
Needles: 2.75mm dpn’s
Gauge: 6 sts and 11 rows/1”
Other materials: darning needle and supplies for creating face and flowers refer to the list in finishing.
*Note size of the doll can be adjusted, by changing yarn thickness and knitting needle half size smaller then the label calls for.
*Note size of the doll can be adjusted, by changing yarn thickness and knitting needle half size smaller then the label calls for.
Co: 4sts onto 1 dpn, using C1.
Row 1: kfb, using new needle kfb, using new needle (kfb)x2. You should have 8sts on 3 needles.
Join into round being careful not to twist the co edge.
Round 1: (kfb)x5, k1, (Kfb)x2 (15sts).
Increase round: increase 5 sts spaced out RANDOMLY across round (use any increase method you like. I used backward loop method, but you can also use kfb or a bar increase) (the key to getting round shape is by increasing randomly rather then always in the same spots).
Repeat increase round till 40sts total.
Rearrange sts on needles so needle one and needle two has 13sts each, needle three 14sts.
Next round: p
Next 2 rounds: k
Change to C2 and k 4 rounds.
*Next round: Inc 1 st at the beginning of each needle, then k one round even* repeat once more (46sts).
Next 5 rounds: k.
Decrease round: k2tog at the beginning of each needle.
Next round: k. Repeat decrease round and knit round, 3 more times (34sts).
Change to C1, repeat decrease round once more, then k one round even. (31sts).
Change to C3 and k13 rounds even.
Next round: k to 2sts before end of round, k2tog (30sts).
Repeat decrease round till 3 sts on each needle (9sts).
Break yarn leaving 10” tail, using darning needle pull yarn through remaining sts, stuff the doll before cinching it closed. Weave in any loose ends.
Finishing
Few different options to create face and flowers:
1. Roving and felting needles.
2. Wool felt to crate shape of the face and flowers, then embroider using Koigu KPPPM minis or embroidery floss and sharp darning needle.
3. Crochet face and flowers, and then embroider to create details.
Row 1: kfb, using new needle kfb, using new needle (kfb)x2. You should have 8sts on 3 needles.
Join into round being careful not to twist the co edge.
Round 1: (kfb)x5, k1, (Kfb)x2 (15sts).
Increase round: increase 5 sts spaced out RANDOMLY across round (use any increase method you like. I used backward loop method, but you can also use kfb or a bar increase) (the key to getting round shape is by increasing randomly rather then always in the same spots).
Repeat increase round till 40sts total.
Rearrange sts on needles so needle one and needle two has 13sts each, needle three 14sts.
Next round: p
Next 2 rounds: k
Change to C2 and k 4 rounds.
*Next round: Inc 1 st at the beginning of each needle, then k one round even* repeat once more (46sts).
Next 5 rounds: k.
Decrease round: k2tog at the beginning of each needle.
Next round: k. Repeat decrease round and knit round, 3 more times (34sts).
Change to C1, repeat decrease round once more, then k one round even. (31sts).
Change to C3 and k13 rounds even.
Next round: k to 2sts before end of round, k2tog (30sts).
Repeat decrease round till 3 sts on each needle (9sts).
Break yarn leaving 10” tail, using darning needle pull yarn through remaining sts, stuff the doll before cinching it closed. Weave in any loose ends.
Finishing
Few different options to create face and flowers:
1. Roving and felting needles.
2. Wool felt to crate shape of the face and flowers, then embroider using Koigu KPPPM minis or embroidery floss and sharp darning needle.
3. Crochet face and flowers, and then embroider to create details.
Crochet Pattern of the Day: Valerie, Canadian Correspondent
crochet, Mother's Day
thanks, Alexa
crochet
thanks, Helen
Easy Crochet Mesh Sweater Cardigan by Donna Wolfe from Naztazia
crochet
crochet
crochet
RECIPE
MAKE YOUR OWN
CROCKPOT RECIPE
thanks, Amy
SWEETS
thanks, Shelley
COOKBOOK SUNDAY
ADULT COLORING
CRAFTS
thanks, Ellie
CHILDREN'S CORNER ... Mother's Day
thanks, Betty
PUZZLE
SUDOKU ... hard
solution:
QUOTE
CLEVER
thanks, Alice
It was originally designed for Advent but I am thinking it could look cute for Valentine’s Day with Hershey’s Kisses or some heart shape candy or maybe even for a special Birthday?
EYE OPENER
thanks, Valerie, Canadian Correspondent
GARDEN TIPS
After you make fresh squeezed orange juice, save the cut halves of oranges, scoop out the pulp, and leave them to dry. Then fill them with seed starting soil. Plant seeds that sprout quickly. Once rooted, just scoop out the soil, roots and plant the new plant in the garden.
Egg shells. Just remove the top half. Take out the eggs (scramble them later!) and rinse. Fill with soil and add the seeds. Since egg shells are biodegradable, you can plant them shell and all into the garden.
Sweeten your Tomatoes. There is nothing like the taste of a fresh tomato that you have grown. It puts those that you buy to shame. Add some sweetness to your tomatoes by sprinkling normal baking soda around the plants.
Don’t waste the potato water. Most plants love starch. Make use of this by saving your potato water to add to your soil near the plants. Just be sure not to salt it first. They don’t like that drink at all!
Having big plant pots look great on a deck but they can get really heavy when filled with soil. Instead, use packing peanuts in the bottom of the pots and fill with potting soil. The planter will be much lighter and easier to move around.
Try this neat tip. Use a sharpie to pencil on the name of your tomato plant and then just clip it to the wire of the tomato cage. Super fast and you can raise the clothespin when the plant grows taller! 
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