Soil Day - December 5, 2022

DIANE'S CORNER .. Celebrate Soil Day

One annual celebration people will be forgiven for not participating in (or even knowing about) is World Soil Day. Yes, soil—as in that sticky brown stuff that gets walked all over into prized cream carpets. Sadly, it is the ignorance about the importance of soil and the degree to which people take advantage of all that it offers that have led to a drastic reduction in its quality all over the world.

These are precisely the problems World Soil Day aims to battle, as few things could be more important to humans, the inhabitants of Planet Earth, who could never hope to survive without the land.

Soil is, without a doubt, one of the most significant parts of the ecosystem. Contributing to people’s food, water and energy and playing an important part in reducing the impact of climate change, soil is a vital part of life.

For all of these reasons, it’s high time that World Soil Day became known to more people than just scientists concerned about the welfare of our planet. So it’s time to get ready to learn about and celebrate this important day!

History of World Soil Day

In 2002, the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) made a resolution proposing that the 5th of December be World Soil Day. The idea for the day was to make it possible to celebrate the importance of soil as a critical component of the natural system and as a vital contributor to human well-being.

Later, 2015 was also declared to be the International Year of Soils, in hopes of raising as much awareness as possible about the enormous role that soil plays in food security and, therefore, the very lifeline of humans. Unsurprisingly, so far it’s mostly been the global community of 60,000 or so soil scientists who have been the ones who are celebrating the day the most.

The chances of rather ordinary people exchanging ‘Happy Soil Day’ cards in the near future remain minimal. But that doesn’t mean that people can’t learn to appreciate the important role soil plays in human lives (even if it is darn hard to scrub off the carpet when those nearest and dearest feline friends leave muddy footprints on their way to the kitchen!).

Getting average people involved in becoming more aware of soil and taking part in its health is what this day is all about.

thanks, Michele, Picture Coordinator

they just love this time of year

JOKE OF THE DAY

WORD OF THE DAY

cherubic

MEANING:

adjective: Having a sweet, innocent appearance.

ETYMOLOGY:

From cherub, from Latin cherubim, from Greek kheroubin, from Hebrew kerubim. Ultimately from the Semitic root krb (to praise). Earliest documented use: 1645.

USAGE:

“I can’t help but think how proud I am of the beautiful little boy with the cherubic face as he matures into a fine young man.”
Rebecca Whitfield-Baker; When the School Bell Chimes for the Last Time; The Advertiser (Adelaide, Australia); Oct 30, 2022.

no visitors allowed during COVID?

TODAY'S ARTIST 

thanks, Natalie

Albert Jakob Welti (October 11, 1894 – December 5, 1965)

was a Swiss writer and painter.

IDIOM OF THE DAY

What does 'born with a silver spoon in your mouth' mean?

Meaning: If you are born with a silver spoon in your mouth, you are born into a rich family.

modern nativity scene for 2022

thanks, Patsy

Christmas decor on the cheap....

(Not So) TOTALLY USELESS FACTS OF THE DAY

Taco Bell has the fastest drive-thru time in the US, at an average of 4 minutes and 28 seconds per order.

The longest recorded case of the hiccups lasted for 68 years!

The gender-neutral term for 'niece' or 'nephew' is 'nibling,' just like the gender-neutral term for 'brother' or 'sister' is 'sibling'.

YOUR CALL by Sylvia, CAN DO Correspondent

Make a copper wire holiday ornament

gifts they say we can't live without... hum....

COFFEE

thanks, Ella

when a Santa elf works in the library

PICTURES OF THE DAY

Hazel MacKaye (1880–1944) was an American theater professional  and suffragist. She is best known for helping present a series of  pageants in support of women's suffrage. The organizers of the Woman  Suffrage Procession, planned for March 3, 1913 (just prior to President  Woodrow Wilson's inauguration), in Washington, D.C., asked MacKaye  to create a pageant for the event. Titled Allegory and produced by Glenna  Smith Tinnin, it was presented on the steps of the Treasury Building as the  culmination of the event. The pageant was praised as "one of the most  impressively beautiful spectacles ever staged in this country" in The New York  Times. This photograph of MacKaye holding a dog was taken in 1915 by the  photographic studio Harris & Ewing.

The falling snow is NOT Photoshopped

A magical day. 

Pugwash, N.S. buoy tree seems super beautiful this year

knit
thanks, Connie

Pearl Chain Mittens pattern by Hanna Leväniemi

knit
thanks, Charlotte

Snowfall Cowl pattern by Heather Walpole

knit

Bernard the Elf

knit

Greyscale

knit

Santa Gift Bag

is this fair human???

KNIT PATTERNS OF THE DAY

thanks, Valerie, Canadian Correspondent

Merry Sweater

Christmas Hat

if our pets could talk to Santa... and I agree....
 

crochet
thanks, June

Gift Box Granny Square

crochet
thanks, Ruth

Crochet pattern Dino Hat

crochet

Christmas Wreath Square pattern by Carola Wijma

crochet

The Pebble Creek Pullover

crochet

Kawaii Christmas Tree

some people prefer to grow these over winter....

RECIPE

thanks, Shelley, New York Food Correspondent

The Best Broccoli-Cheddar Soup 

PANTRY RECIPE

thanks, Debbie

Turkey Taco Skillet Recipe

CROCKPOT RECIPE

thanks, Cora

Slow-Cooked Stuffed Peppers

VEGAN/ VEGETARIAN RECIPE

Both vegetarian and vegan diets may provide health benefits, including reduced body weight, lower cholesterol levels, and decreased risk of cardiovascular disease. However, it is important for vegetarians and vegans to ensure that they are meeting all of their nutritional requirements.

thanks, Alice

Tangy Vegan Crockpot Corn Chowder

the Christmas song now has new words to it....

COPYCAT RECIPE 

thanks, Jenny

Copycat Starbucks Egg Bites

COVID Christmas tree this year?

RETRO RECIPE

thanks, Michele

INGREDIENTS

 

• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 3/4 teaspoons ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter 1 stick, room temperature
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon fresh orange zest
• 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
• 1 egg
• 1 cup natural applesauce no added sugar

Frosting

• 4 oz cream cheese room temperature
• 1 tablespoon butter room temperature
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon pure orange extract
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh orange zest
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

INSTRUCTIONS

 

• Preheat oven to 350°F.  Grease and flour (or line with parchment paper) a 9"x 5" loaf pan.
• In a medium bowl, add flour, spices, salt and baking soda. Whisk to combine, then set aside.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat butter until smooth. Add sugar and blend until fully combined and fluffy. Add orange zest and blend.
• Add fresh orange juice and blend. Add egg and blend. Add apple sauce and blend.
• Add flour mixture while slowly mixing. Stir just until all ingredients are well combined.
• Pour/scoop batter into prepared pan and bake 40-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, or with a few moist crumbs (but no wet batter). Cool loaf at least 1 hour before frosting.
• Prepare frosting by beating the cream cheese with an electric mixer until fully smooth. Add butter and blend.
• Add about half of the powdered sugar and blend well. Add extracts and zest and blend.
• Add remaining powdered sugar and beat until fully incorporated and frosting is smooth and fluffy.
• Spread frosting onto cooled cake.

are there many more to go????

SWEETS RECIPE

thanks, Lesley

Chocolate Mexican Wedding Cookies

creative vet

ADULT COLORING

does anyone know where we get these???

FUN

Play Christmas "Heads Up"

Write the name of classic Christmas characters on sticky notes and have each player paste one to their forehead without looking at what it says. Then, everyone has to help each other guess whose name is on their heads without saying the word. It's a guaranteed laugh fest! 

this is why I don't like to eat veal!

CRAFTS

thanks, Ida

Paper menorah tutorial for Hanukkah

eat the Christmas tree????

CHILDREN'S CORNER

thanks, Betty

Snowman Fun

Christmas Party Games for Kid

is this how the scientists are feeling right now?

PUZZLE

Post Box Ireland Jigsaw Puzzle

What white stuff??? I'M the white stuff human!!!

WORD SEARCH

abuse asthma aware cause court dealer destruction

east election emerald erase essay fashion fiction flake glare

heavy known male marl museum nurse order outlaw

piece ranch recent rescue safe satisfaction select spine

stave suet swear teen thorn thrice tread vacant

I read each nite before bed - wonderful!

SUDOKU .. medium

solution:

ICE BREAKER

thanks, Kris

You can use 'ice breaker questions' to build a rapport, enabling strangers to engage in back and forth conversion. With a little practice and possibly a beer or two, you’ll be breaking more ice than the Titanic. 

If You Have The Chance To Meet Your Favorite Author, Will You Let Him Write The Story Of Your Life?

this is cannabis!

QUOTE

thanks, Nina

but you can run out of gas too

CLEVER 

thanks, Maria

Turn an old bulletin board into a pin-the-nose-on-the-reindeer game for the kids' table.

Master the Christmas tree napkin fold and you won't need to buy any special holiday napkins or napkin rings.

Holiday Hack - Napkin Folding

just give him time...

EYE OPENER 

thanks, Michele

‘Twas the night before Christmas and all around me was unfinished knitting not under the tree. The stockings weren’t hung by the chimney with care ‘cause the heels and toes had not a stitch there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds, but I had not finished the caps for their heads. Dad was asleep; he was no help at all, and the sweater for him was six inches too small.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I put down my needles to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash, tripped over my yarn and fell with a crash.

The tangle of yarn that lay deep as the snow reminded me how much I still had to go. Out on my lawn, I heard such a noise, I thought it would wake both Dad and the boys.

And although I was tired, my brain a bit thick, I knew in a moment it must be Saint Nick!

What I heard then left me somewhat perplexed, for not a name I heard was what I expected. “Move Ashford; move Lopi; move Addie & Clover; move Reynolds; move Starmore; and Noro – move over!”

“Paton, don’t circle round, stay in the line. Come now, you sheep, you’ll work out just fine! I know this is hard being just your first year, I’d hate to go back to eight tiny reindeer.”

I peered over the sill; what I saw was amazing, eight woolly sheep on my lawn all a’grazing.

And then, in a twinkle, I heard at my door Santa’s coming across the porch floor. I rose from my knees and got back on my feet, and as I turned round, Saint Nick I did meet.

He was dressed all in wool from his head to his toes and his cloths were hand knit from above to below.

A bright Fairisle sweater he wore on his back, and his toys were all stuffed in a aran knit sack. His cap was a wonder of bobbles and lace, a beautiful frame for his rosy red face.

The scarf round his neck could have stretched for a mile, and the socks peeking over his boots were Argyle. The backs of his mittens bore an intricate cable, and suddenly on one I spied a small label.

SC was the duplicate stitch on the cuff, and I asked “Hay Nick, did you knit all this stuff?”

He proudly replied “Ho-ho-ho, yes I did. I learned how to knit when I was a kid.”

He was chubby and plump, a quite well-dressed old man, and I laughed to myself for I’d thought of a plan.

I flashed him a grin and jumped in the air, the next thing he knew he was tied to a chair. He spoke not a word, but looked in his lap where I’d laid my needles and yarn for a cap.

He quickly began knitting, first one cap then two; for the first time I thought I might really get through. He put heels on the stockings and toes on some socks while I sat back sipping some great hot chocolate!!

So quickly, like magic his needles they flew, that he was all finished by quarter to two. He sprang for his sleigh when I let him go free, and over his shoulder he looked back at me.

And I heard him exclaim as he sailed past the moon “Next year start your knitting sometime around June!”

- Author Unknown

the manger scene is ready

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:

Can anything be sadder than work left unfinished? Yes, work never begun. -Christina Rossetti, poet (5 Dec 1830-1894)

how many sleeps to Christmas???

OPTICAL ILLUSION

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