Robin's Blue Nest

It's a Chrismas Tree!

Christmas Tree

I have no problem with wishing you (or being wished) Happy Holidays.  There are several holidays that fall in December.  There is Chanukha (Hanukkah), Christmas, Kwanzaa and New Year's Eve.  There is also National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, Forefather's Day, as well as St. Stephen's Day and Boxing Day.  Wishing someone Happy Holidays is not offensive.  It is all inclusive.

Menorah

And yet, it has become a big issue in these over politically correct times to ban the use of the term Christmas.  They want to remove and replace Christmas with "Holiday", especially in community events and installations.  To make matters worse, the extreme far left, in all their insanity, want to change the Christmas tree to the Holiday tree.  They are saying that referring to this old holiday symbol as a Christmas Tree is offensive.  Oh please!  Anyone who is offended by the "Christmas Tree" needs to have a reality check.  Shall we start referring to the menorah and the kinara as holiday candelabras?   

Kinara

What's more, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, which are the only two other largely celebrated holidays that fall in December, do not have a decorated evergreen as a celebrated symbol.  How could any Jewish or African American be offended by a "Christmas" tree?  If there is any offence at all, it must be that the Christmas tree is a more widely favored and chosen holiday decoration, and therefore is found proudly displayed in public.  That is not offence.  That is jealousy.  And if jealousy is the driving factor in the elimination of "Christmas", maybe those who are so upset with it should get out there and erect their big menorah or kinara.  I am certain many public venues would be happy to accommodate.

Maybe it is the pagan community that takes offense?  Maybe they are offended by the term "Christmas" tree?  Might they not want it to be called a "Yule" tree or tree of "Paradise"?  But the Yule tree is not decorated and the tree of Paradise is decorated only with apples.  The Christmas tree is often decorated with many different decorations and topped with a star (to represent the Star of Bethlehem) or an angel.  Should they not be more concerned with how the trees are decorated, if they are so offended or jealous (of the displays of Christmas trees)?  

No, my guess is, this call to ban Christmas is the work of atheists.  Yet, seeing as how they have no religious beliefs, nor do they have any celebrated holidays of their own in December, how could they possibly be offended by a Christmas tree?  It should be nothing more to them but a decorated object....no different than red, white and blue bunting, red hearts, pumpkins, shamrocks, flower baskets, etc.  It is a decoration, and what you take from it is totally internal.  If it bothers you to look at it, look away, but don't be so childish, so selfish, as to think an age old tradition should come to an abrupt halt because you are jealous that others (a grand majority of others) want to have some Christmas fun.

 

 

 

Thank you for stopping by

and

Have a beautiful day

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving

 

 

I wish everyone everywhere a most beautiful day this Thursday. 

Whether you celebrate Thanksgiving or not, may your day be filled with love and happiness.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you for stopping by

and

Have a beautiful day

 

He's Speaking Out

 (and he's not alone)

 

For weeks now, I have not had time to post.  I haven't had much time for anything internet.....and so I miss reading my favorite blogs as well.  I hope to rectify that soon.  But, this morning I was reading an article on the Occupy Wall Street scene and was so taken with a response comment made by another reader, that I just had to take the time to share it with you. 

I am not a member of the Tea Party movement and I do not consider myself a Conservative or Liberal.  I would have to go with Independent, if I were to label myself.  I have been known to vote both sides of the fence.  I vote the best man, not the party. 

I get my news from the Wall Street Journal and several internet news sites, all three major network news channels (NBC, CBS, ABC) as well as the cable FOX, CNN and MSNBC News.  I do this so as to read / hear from all sides....to gain a broader view and truer understanding of what is going on out there.

I understand the anger and disappointment of the OWS.  I support their right to gather and peacefully protest, but I believe their anger is aimed in the wrong direction.  I worry about where this protest is going and how the left is distorting the truth, and manipulating and tearing this country apart.

Below is a posted response by athrun77 on an internet site.  I agree with most he wrote.  What do you think?

"I have come to the conclusion that the left always accuses their enemies of being exactly what they are. We were told repeatedly that the tea party and conservatives were racist, prejudiced and religious bigots. The mainstream media can produce no video or audio to prove it. The one guy they find at 8/28 is denounced and yet occupy wall street has endorsements from the KKK, the Black panthers, Add busters, American Muslim association, Cair, Code pink and every other anti-semetic and bigoted organization plus we have the audio and video to prove it repeatedly but supposedly we're racist. We supposedly shove our religious beliefs of morality down homosexuals throats, yet they'er the ones who boycott, deface property, violently attack individuals and burn religious texts and force indoctrination in our schools. We are supposedly violent in our protests despite no evidence and no arrests in over 800 known events, yet they have 900 arrested in NY alone, parade with heads on pikes and openly send violent threats to people and mob individual houses and families like the pack of wild animals they are. We are accused of spreading lies and breaking laws to pump poison into minority communities yet their supporters openly talk of violence, re-education camps and guillotines not based on fair trial by law or jury but by bigoted social justice (another word for no justice) which is nothing but tyranny of the group or mob. We are called Nazis and yet the only difference between them and the Brown shirts is that the uniform is now purple, red, green or no hygiene. Our events are orchestrated by special interests and,corporate cronyism and a political party despite no evidence on any financial or political backing whatsoever on any known site yet they can amass special interests, unions , media outlets, and every political organization and corporate left hack or celebrity in the nation to support them.  We could only afford 2-3 days to take off from work to go to conservative events like 8/ 28 expenses paid from our own pockets. They apparently have enough funding to camp out for almost 2 months in public squares receive from undisclosed sources up to an estimated 300 million a week in supplies and pay bystanders 600 dollars a week to hold a sign and that is supposedly grass roots and spontaneous." 

 

 

Thank you for stopping by

and

Have a beautiful day

 

The following is an e-mail that is circulating the internet; showing up as blog posts, comments and even as unaccredited statements by some politicians and activists.

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Get angry and pass this on!

Remember, not only did you contribute to Social Security but your employer did too.

It totaled 15% of your income before taxes. If you averaged only $30K over your working life, that's close to $220,500.

If you calculate the future value of $4,500 per year (yours & your employer's contribution) at a simple 5% (less than what the govt. pays on the money that it borrows), after 49 years of working you'd have $892,919.98.

If you took out only 3% per year, you'd receive $26,787.60 per year and it would last better than 30 years (until you're 95 if you retire at age 65)and that's with no interest paid on that final amount on deposit!

If you bought an annuity and it paid 4% per year, you'd have a lifetime income of $2,976.40 per month.

The folks in Washington have pulled off a bigger Ponzi scheme than Bernie Madhoff ever had.

Entitlement my ass, I paid cash for my social security insurance!!!!

Just because they borrowed the money, doesn't make my benefits some kind of charity or handout!!

Congressional benefits ---- free healthcare, outrageous retirement packages, 67 paid holidays, three weeks paid vacation, unlimited paid sick days, now that's welfare, and they have the nerve to call my social security retirement entitlements?

We're "broke" and can't help our own Seniors, Veterans, Orphans, Homeless

In the last months we have provided aid to Haiti , Chile , and Turkey . And now Pakistan ......home of bin Laden. Literally, BILLIONS of DOLLARS!!!

Our retired seniors living on a 'fixed income' receive no aid nor do they get any breaks while our government and religious organizations pour Hundreds of Billions of $$$$$$'s and Tons of Food to Foreign Countries!

They call Social Security and Medicare an entitlement even though most of us have been paying for it all our working lives and now when it's time for us to collect, the government is running out of money.

Why did the government borrow from it in the first place?

Imagine if the *GOVERNMENT* gave 'US' the same support they give to other countries.

Sad isn't it?

 

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Anyone 30 years and older should know that Social Security Tax was never intended as a personal retirement fund.  It is a tax.  It is a social insurance program, enacted 1935, by (the then) President Franklin D. Roosevelt.  It was part of his "New Deal" reform act in response to the Great Depression.  At that time, 50% of American seniors were living at or below poverty.  Social Security was a payroll tax set up as a safety net to help those less fortunate.  As years went on, beginning as early as 1937, amendments began to plague and tax the revenues collected.  Today, amongst other programs, Social Security in it's amended state funds the
1. OASDI (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance)
2. Unemployment
3. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
4. Medicare (health insurance for the aged and disabled)
5. Medicaid (grants to states for medical assitance programs)
6. SCHIP (State Children's Health Insurance Program)
7. SSI (Supplemental Security Insurance)
8. Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

During it's phase-in period and on into the '60s, Social Security was able to grant hefty benefits.  Although (by the '50s) there were more programs and a larger demographic with wider social benefits, there was more money coming in than going out.    But, by the '70s (and no matter the efforts to shore up the funds) Social Security was overburdened and it's future was looking dim.  The FICA revenues couldn't keep up with the ever increasing benefits that were being handed out.  As well, (back in the '50s) there were about 16 workers paying in for every retiree taking out.  Today there is approximately 3 workers paying in for every one retiree taking out.  It is assumed that by 2030 there will be only 2 workers fore every retiree.  The only way to continue paying out future benefits would be to raise the Social Security tax, reduce payouts and begin eliminating the other attached programs.

Again, Social Security is a tax, not an investment plan.  And yes, it is an entitlement.  Merriam Webster dictionary defines entitlement as:
1 a: the state or condition of being entitled, Right
   b: a right to benefits specified especially by law or contract
2 : a government program providing benefits to members of a specified group; also: funds supporting or distributed by such a program
3 : belief that one is deserving of or entitled to certain privileges

As a U.S. tax payer you are entitled to the benefits as drawn out by the FICA.

Although it is popular and legal to draw out Social Security benefits, is it moral to accept a monthly check if you wisely and responsibly secured a personal retirement fund? 

"Social Security provides insurance for the possibility of living longer than expected, when a person has consumed all the resources saved for retirement."

There are many who retire with a very nice nest egg....so much so that they don't need the Social Security check...yet they take it because they "paid in".

I agree that the congressional benefits are extreme and much too good for what little they do (and don't do) and we the people, their employer, have no say.  Maybe there should be some changes. 

I don't actually agree that we give more to other countries than we give to our own.  We are a great country, very charitable both at home and abroad. 

I don't agree that we should be aiding countries that are our enemies.  And, to see jobs move out of the country, only to be forced to buy inferior products at a higher cost (from those other countries) is quite frustrating. 

In the end the author asks if this is sad.  What I think is sad is the author knows not what the word entitlement means, and what a tax is.  What I think is sad is, we the people are being pitted against each other by our elected officials (who we pay the salary of), activists and unions.  What I think is sad is, we (my husband and I) lost a big chunk of our nest egg (which was in investments) and now will most likely need the help of Social Security (now that people are living longer) but it may not be there for us in 10 years (and it's very unlikely we will be able to recoup our losses in that short of time).

But, I am optimistic and believe that things happen for a reason and, that in the end, we will work it out and be okay.  This is after all The United States of America, where anything is possible.

 

 

Thank you for stopping by

and

Have a beautiful day

 

 

 

 

 

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Treats Treasures & Temptations

 

 

Betty Crocker has come out with a new bake-it-at-home treat, Fun da-Middles.  It's a cupcake with a creamy filling inside.  Each box comes with a cake mix and filling.   You mix up the cake mix (with the usual water, eggs and oil), line a 12 cup tin with cupcake liners and evenly divide half of the cake mix amongst the 12 cups.  You then clip the filling pouch and squeeze equal amounts of the filling  into the center of each cup and top with remaining cake batter.  Then bake, cool and eat.  Sounds simple...sounds yummy.  They come in 3 different flavors; chocolate cake with vanilla filling, white cake with vanilla filling and white cake with chocolate filling.

Next time I'm at the grocer's, I will pick up a box, and it will most likely be the chocolate cake with vanilla filling.  I suppose if you have a real sweet tooth, you could go ahead and ice these cakes as well.

If you are interested in trying them, you can print out a $1.00 coupon Here:
 

 

 

 

 

The Breakers, Newport, Rhode Island 

 

A Newport treasure.  A National Historic Landmark.  The Breakers is the grandest of the Newport "cottages".  It was once the summer home of Cornelius Vanderbilt II (the grandson of Cornelius Vanderbilt, the great shipping magnet of the 1800's) and his family.  The Breakers sits upon 13 acres of beautifully manicured and gardened lawn, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. 

 

In 1972, the Preservation Society of Newport County purchased the entire estate from Cornelius Vanderbilt's heirs.  It is open to the public 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (4:00 pm winter months) daily, with special evening hours and events during the holiday season.

 

For more information on times, special events and the history of the house itself, please visit The Preservation Society of Newport County's website Here

 

 

 

Oh so tempting....

 

 

This is a beautiful vintage Trifari starfish necklace and matching bracelet with blue moonstone cabochons.  If this set wasn't already sold, I would be oh so tempted to buy it.  This fabulous set was one of the many lovely temptations offered for sale Here by Anna Marcel on Trocadero (dot) com.  But be warned....you may just find something too tempting to pass up.

 

 

 

Thank you for stopping by

and

Have a beautiful day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Everything in Moderation

 

 

 

Everything in moderation, my dear grandmother always said.....and that is how I roll.

It was good sound advise that echoed through my childhood home.  My parents lived it.  Their parents lived it.  I am certain generations before, lived it.  And through their actions, their lifestyle and behavior, it was ingrained upon my sisters and I.  Anything in excess is sure to bring unwanted consequences. 

Sweets are dandy, but too much will only result (in the least) in an upset stomach.  It's alright to unwind with a class of wine or a good stiff drink, to loosen up a bit (at a party) with a drink or two, and most celebrations just don't feel complete without that special toast.  But too much alcohol  will (in the least) leave you feeling sick.  That expensive car, the enormous house and that huge diamond ring are all so very nice, but they also draw much unwanted attention.  And, if you haven't the means to pay for and maintain them, if you've  bought them on credit, they can be a big bad burden.

Simplicity and appreciation of when I have (had) enough are key to my keeping everything in moderation.

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you for stopping by

and

Have a beautiful day

 

 

 
 

I hope everyone had a beautiful September 11th. With much going on all across the country, I spent my September 11th mostly in deep contemplation and weeping.

 
                                                       Getty Images

Early Sunday morning, we (my husband and I) sat eating our breakfast in front of the TV, watching the many tributes, memorials and replays of September 11, 2001. When we were asked to take a moment of silence in honor of those who died at ground zero, without thought or recognition of our actions, we reached out to take each other's hand. So natural, so spontaneous, reaching out for support as well as to support each other in this time of grief. All the still shots and all the video of that horrific day, the speeches, the recollections and loving sentiments where all too emotionally stirring. I sat and cried till I just couldn't take any more. There were dishes that needed washing, a bed to be made and a yard that needed tending.

Once my indoor chores were done, I spent the remainder of the day (a good eight hours) outdoors mowing and edging the lawn, cutting back hedges, trees and brambles, deadheading flowers and cleaning the beds. It was not just the need to break away from all the sadness. The day was so beautiful, so perfect. I did not want to go back indoors. I didn't want to go back to all the sadness. I wanted to stay out there with the sweet birds chirping, the buzzing bees, graceful butterflies and the sound of children at play in neighboring yards. So, outside I stayed, forgoing lunch and only breaking for larges drinks of water and a few bathroom trips.

 
                              Getty Images

When I went back in,  and after I showered and changed, the memorials and tributes were still in play. And although there were other options on other channels, I chose to sit and watch. I sat taking in all the new personal stories, all the loss and resolutions, and all the strength and courage of those who lived (and died) 9/11 first hand, and /or were directly effected by these ugly and cowardly terrorist strikes.  And although I found myself morning and weeping for people I have never known, I couldn't help notice how liberating it all was. By bed time I was all cried out....completely drained. For the first time in these past ten years, I feel better informed, I feel I can better understand and I feel a cloud (which I never noticed) had been lifted (off of me). Off of me?....a bystander, a mere viewer / reader of the news......far from the actual terrorist strike sites?  I never felt this strongly (as strongly as I do) over the news and images of terrorist strikes on other people of other countries.  I suppose it has something to do with my being an American and that these strikes were aimed at fellow Americans on U.S. soil.  All the more, I can't help thinking how, if I am feeling these things, (imagine) how that much more sadder, lonely, lost and confused; how much more bitter, frustrated and resentful the families (of those who perished on that day) are.  Many of the families spoke of resilience, optimism, rectification and amends.  How strong and courageous.....how beautiful they are.  My heart, my prayers and my sincere best wishes go out to them all. 

 
                                              Getty Images

And of all the first responders, and those who later came to the call.....all who have helped to rescue, heal, clean up and rebuild; I am so very moved by and so very thankful for them all.

                                                                             Getty Image 

And of all who enlisted, all who have fought / are fighting the war against terrorism, all who have served and those who have died serving to keep us safe and preserve our freedom / our rights, I am so very thankful, so in aw of all you do and all you sacrifice.

 
                                                             Salem News 

 

 

 

 

We shall Never Forget

 

 

 

 

 

 

God Bless America

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday Words

 

 

 

Wednesday is my day to randomly choose a word from the Merriam Webster dictionary and post it to my blog.

So as I flip through the pages of Merriam Webster's Dictionary, my eyes comes to rest on the word.....

 

pecksniffian
pek-ˈsni-fē-ən \ adj. [origin: Seth Pecksniff, character in Martin Chuzzlewit (1843–44) by Charles Dickens] (1851)

 unctuously hypocritical : pharisaical

  

 

There was a pecksniffian pandering by the mainstream media to get their candidate elected.

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you for stopping by

and

Have a beautiful day

 

 

Oh Irene....

 
I've spent the past two days cleaning branches, twigs and a whole lot of leaves out of yard, garden beds and gutters. 

By the time Irene made her way up the coast to Rhode Island, she was down graded to a tropical storm baring winds of 45 to 50 mph with gusts of 60 mph.  That is a typical Northeastern winter storm for us....no big deal.  Also, passing to our left, her outer bands were no real threat. 

 Amazing though, we (our house -- our town -- the Aquidneck Island) were, for the first time in over 20 years, without power for well over 24 hours.   We have been through many hurricanes.  Two of which were a direct hit with winds gusting over 100 mph, trees down, beaches shifted across 4 lane streets and flooding.  Yet, in each of those storms, we lost our electricity for only 6 hours.  Odd it is...

That being said, I am thankful that we weren't hit with much worse like that of, Virginia, North Carolina and Vermont.  My heart and sincere prayers go out to all who were not as fortunate as we were.

 

 

 

Thank you for stopping by

and

Have a beautiful day

 

 

Race for the Cure

  Just as one fund drive ends another is taken up.

 

  

 

On September 11, 2011 the Southeastern Colorado affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure will be holding their "Race for the Cure" event in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  This race includes a 5K Run, a 5K Walk and a 1K Family Walk.  Both run and walks will be held at the Garden of the Gods Park and Rock Ledge Ranch.  If you are interested, you can regester and find answers HERE.

For those who would rather sit this one out, better yet pull up the covers and sleep right through it, there is a Sleep-in for the Cure on the day of the run / walk. 

 

 There will also be a Pooches in Pink on Saturday, the day before the race.  You can read all about that HERE.

 

 

 I should think about now, you are probably wondering why I (residing in Rhode Island) have posted about an event taking place in Colorado.  Well, Colorado Springs is not only where my daughter and her fiancé live, it is also where my husband and I hope to retire.  And lest that not be enough of a reason, Race for the Cure is a fun way to raise money and awareness to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the fight against breast cancer.

With 122 local affiliate offices across the country, and more than $1 billion invested in finding the cure and educating people world wide, Susan G. Komen for the Cure is a world leader in the fight against breast cancer.  You can read more about Susan G. Komen and the cause HERE. 

 

Finally:
My Mary Kay consultant, Heather, has registered to walk in the 5K and is collecting donations. If you would care to contribute to the cause by sponsoring Heather with a donation you can do so HERE.

 

 

Also: 
Heather has pledged all profits she makes, from all sales of Mary Kay Ultimate Mascara, from now until September 11, 2011.  
To purchase an Ultimate Mascara, click HERE or click on the mascara above.  Heather will donate her entire profit from the sale. 

This is a fabulous offer....

With your purchase you will be helping Heather reach her goal, supporting the fight against breast cancer and rewarding yourself with one of the best selling mascaras out there.

 


 

Thank you for stopping by

and

Have a beautiful day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Miracle Makeover

 

For Charlie

 

Today I am joining the many bloggers who have come together to celebrate the Miracle Makeover for Charlie Grady and his brother Liam and sister Katie, and to raise money for the next Miracle Makeover recipient.

 

 

 

 

As an ambassador for kids with Neurofibromatosis Type1, Charlie is battling his own tumors with chemotherapy and all that it entails.  Charlie also leads a toy drive during the holidays, hoping to bring a little light, laughter and hope to other cancer patients at the St. Louis Children's Hospital. 

 

 

Neurofibromatosis is a group of specific genetic disorders that cause tumors to grow along various types of nerves. Additionally, it can affect the development of non-nervous tissues such as bones and skin. Neurofibromatosis causes tumors to grow anywhere on or in the body.

Isn't it about time someone brought a little light, laughter and hope to Charlie?

Well, with donations acquired from last years fund drive, Kelee Katillac and the Design Gives Back team and the many sponsors, 3 fantastic bed room makeovers were a dream come true for Charlie, and his brother and sister.

You can view the reveal video of Charlie's Makeover at Design Gives Back

 

But First!

 

Donations of $1.00 will be made for every comment left here and at the host blogs. 

That is, through the week of August 12 - 19, if you leave a comment here on my blog, on this post, I will make a donation of $1.00 to Miracle Makeover.  I am commited to donating $1.00 for every comment left to this post.

In addition, if you go to the host blogs below and leave a comment there, anytime from August 12 to August 18, Design Gives Back will donate $1.00 to Miracle Makeover.

Design Gives Back

Country Wings of Phoenix

Blogger Spirit

The Painted Garden

Guidepost

How Sweet the Sound

It's that simple.  Just leave a comment.  $1.00 will be donated (for you), for each comment you leave here and at the above listed blogs. 

 

Please leave a comment....
Someone out there needs a little light, laughter and hope in their life.

And if you are feeling all the more charitable, you might make a dotation of your own to the

 Children's Tumor Foundation 

[https://grow.ctf.org/sslpage.aspx?pid=298]

 

 

 8/21/11   UPDATE:

I am happy to report that Miracle Makeover raised well beyond the needed 5000 comments for this fund drive.....and I will be sending in our contribution of $37.00 raised here on Robin's Blue Nest.  Thank you to all who stopped by and left a comment.

 

 

Thank you for stopping by

and

Have a beautiful day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's Miracle Treat Day

 

At

 

 

 

Buy a Blizzard treat August 11th

and

Bring hope and healing to local kids

 

Dairy Queen is donating $1 or more from every Blizzard Treat sold at participating locations on Miracle Treat Day, August 11, 2011. You can help sick and injured children (at your local Children's Miracle Network Hospital) when you purchase a Blizzard treat.

 

 

In the past 27 years, Dairy Queen has raised over $86 million
for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.

Join Dairy Queen

 and

 help make miracles happen

 

To locate a Dairy queen near you go here

 

 

Wednesday Words

 

 

 

 

Wednesday is my day to randomly choose a word from the Merriam Webster dictionary and post it to my blog.

So as I flip through the pages of Merriam Webster's Dictionary, my eyes comes to rest on the word.....

 

maculation

mac·u·la·tion \ma-kyə-ˈlā-shən\ noun

1. archaic: the state of being spotted

2. a: a blemish in the form of a discrete spot <acne scars and maculations>

    b: the arrangement of spots and markings on an animal or plant
First known use: 15th century

 

 

 

 

Notice the maculation of the petals of this lily.  Do they not draw your eye to the center, to the stamen of the flower?

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you for stopping by

and

Have a beautiful day

 

 

 

Treats, Treasures and Temptations

 

 

 

Vanilla Malted CookiesA Martha Stewart cookie recipe

Ingredients

2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup plain malted-milk powder

1 teaspoon baking powder

3/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature

3 ounces cream cheese, room temperature

1 cup sugar

1 vanilla bean, split, seeds scraped and reserved

1 large egg

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, malted-milk powder, baking powder, and salt.

In a large bowl, using an electric mixer (set on medium speed), beat butter and cream cheese until creamy. Mix in sugar and vanilla seeds. Add egg and vanilla extract, and combine. Reduce speed to low. Add flour mixture and mix to combine.

Transfer dough to a pastry bag fitted with a large star tip. Pipe 2 1/2-inch strips (spacing them about 1 inch apart) onto parchment paper-lined baking sheets.

Bake 11 to 15 minutes or intil golden brown, rotating sheets halfway through. Transfer cookies to a wire rack and cool completely. These cookies may be stored (in an airtight container) for up to 1 week.

Delicious!

 

 

 

2 Gold Dragons
 
Wellington & Co.

This is a 14k. gold Victorian key fob. It features two dragons with tails intertwined. It sells for $595.00

 

 

 

 

 

Temptation
 

 by Sir Adolphe W. Bouguereau

 

Painter, Sir Adolphe William Bouguereau (November 30, 1825 – August 19, 1905), of La Rochelle, France was influenced by the standards of the French Académie des Beaux-Arts; he was an academic painter.  A traditionalist of Neoclassicism and Romanticism, his subjects tended to be of the female body. 

This painting, Temptation (1880), is an oil on canvas.  It is part of a collection housed with the  Minneapolis Institute of Arts; funded by The Putnam Dana McMillan Fund and the M. Knoedler Fund.

"The title, although ambiguous, suggests a biblical interpretation of the shiny apple that woman holds in her hand. It thus refers to the apple of knowledge and the innocence of the child on the right. The outdoor setting suggests the landscape of Bouguereau’s native La Rochelle, a coastal town in northern France. It has also been described as an Arcadian background, based upon the seventeenth century idyllic representations of the original Peloponnesian pastoral country of shepherds."  - MIA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you for stopping by

and

Have a beautiful day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seeing Pink

 

In Target

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

With well over six thousand results for "pink"shown on Target's website alone, is it any wonder why Target is a passionate pink poster's favorite place to shop.  My little slide show above displays only a sampling of all the lovely pinks sold at Target.

 

 

 

For more pink posts, head on over to How Sweet The Sound where Beverly hosts Pink Saturday all weekend long.  While you are there, be sure to check out Sweet Nothings, where BJ is always cooking up something delicious.

 

 

Thank you for stopping by

and

Have a beautiful day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Make Them Stop!

 

 

Catalogs; they just keep on coming.  You may have signed up or requested one here and one there, but you never expected that to lead to so many.

 

Have you bought something or opened an account with a store?  Well, doing so will generate catalogs from that store.  Unless you have requested not to be placed on their mailing list (out to other such stores), you could soon find yourself overwhelmed with catalogs.....catalogs from businesses you may have never heard of.

Sometimes we don't mind receiving catalogs from stores we have never heard of.  Sometimes, especially during the holidays, it can be quite useful to receive those catalogs.  Maybe you have access to only a few good shops nearby but they don't have what you are looking for.  Those new catalogs sent from across the states can, at times, be very helpful.  But be careful; for when you buy out of that catalog, from that store, they in turn may put your name (and address) on their list.....a list that may be sold to other merchants.  Before you know it, your mailbox is bulging with catalogs..

Let's not forget the internet. One of the best things about the internet is shopping.  There is so much out there to choose from...no need to settle.  With the great search engines of today, you can make a search (for whatever it may be) and up pops a wide selection of retailers selling at, sometimes, very competitive prices.  It is not unusual to be searching for one thing only to find something else you would rather have.  You just didn't know that you wanted it (maybe not knowing it existed) until you saw it on line.  Again, be warned; should you buy anything on line, your name and address will most likely be sold to other retailers....and that means more catalogs.

As I see it, you have one of two choices in how you will handle the incoming waves of catalogs.

1. You can shred them.  It is wise to always shred the outside cover and the inside order form with your name and address printed on it (to divert identity theft) before tossing them in the trash. Also, once shredded, a catalog can be recycled into your garden compost, used as stuffing in pet toys, used as a packing material in shipping boxes, used as a base paper pulp in paper mache and turned into cheap fire starters and logs.
   
2. Go to Catalog Choice and put a stop to all the catalogs you DO NOT want to receive.  Recycling your catalogs is great, but it doesn't address the issue of excessive catalogs in your mailbox.  It won't reduce the number of catalogs you are receiving.  A matter of fact, each new catalog that you receive has a potential of multiplying in additional catalogs.  With Catalog Choice, you are back in control.  It is fast, easy and free.   Using their simple fill in and drop-down menu form, you can control (merchant by merchant) what catalogs you will be receiving.

 ttps://www.catalogchoice.org/howitworks

Fun links for shredded paper:

http://www.paper-shredder-reviews.com/guides/uses-of-shredder-paper.html

http://www.pathnet.org/sp.asp?id=24065

http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/green-living/furniture-made-out-of-paper-recycling-takes-a-leap/1158

http://www.halloweenfear.com/Papiermache1.html

http://www.howtodothings.com/home-garden/how-to-make-shredded-paper-fire-logs

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you for stopping by

and

Have a beautiful day

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday Words

 

 

 

Wednesday is my day to randomly choose a word from the Merriam Webster dictionary and post it to my blog.

So as I flip through the pages of Merriam Webster's Dictionary, my eyes comes to rest on the word.....

 

Tachinid

 

tach·i·nid  \ˈta-kə-nəd, -ˌnid\ noun [NL Tachinidae, from Tachina, genus of flies, from Greek tachinos fleet, from tachys swift]
First Known Use: 1888 : any of a family (Tachinidae) of bristly usually grayish or black dipteran flies whose parasitic larvae are often used in the biological control of insect pests.

 

 







 

 

 

 







Thank you for stopping by

and

Have a beautiful day





What's Your Shade?

 

 

 

"New rootin' tootin' shootin' shades for lips!"

They're the Wild Westerns by Helena Rubinstein.

The poster demands you to "Stake your claim in
Regular-Creamy, Super-Rich or Fashion Stick Lipstick. 
(Shoot the works and have Nail Fashion to match.)"

The lipstick comes in three lovely shades of pink;
Tootin' Honey, Rootin' Coral and  Shootin' Pink.

 

 

 

 

 

If your looking for more pink,
head on over to   How Sweet the Sound
where Beverly is hosting Pink Saturday. 
There you will find her pink posse
all lined up with their blogs posted.
And while you're there,
be sure to check out Susie's post at The 1st Floor Flat

Bess of Fixing My Thoughts, You need to reset your comments link. There is no way to post a comment on your blog 

 

Thank you for stopping by

and

Have a beautiful day

 

 

 

Wednesday Words

 

 

 

 

Wednesday is my day to randomly choose a word from the Merriam Webster dictionary and post it to my blog.

So as I flip through the pages of Merriam Webster's Dictionary, my eyes comes to rest on the word.....

  

Glabella

 gla·bel·la \glə-ˈbe-lə\ noun (pl. glabellae), New Latin, from Latin, feminine of glabellus - hairless, diminutive of glaber First Known Use: circa 1823

1. The smooth prominence between the eyebrows, just above the nose. 2. The corresponding area on the frontal bone between the eyebrow ridges.

 

Joan gently instructed her client on how to pluck the glabella so that the hairs wouldn't grow back forming a uni-brow.

 

 

 

 

Thank you for stopping by

and

Have a beautiful day

 

 
 

 

Treats, Treasures & Temptations

 

 

Gummy Pandas
from
Bissinger's
Handcrafted Chocolates

 

          

Bissinger's takes the childhood favorite, Gummy Bears, to a whole new level.

 

Gummy Pandas are made with hand-selected, organic sweeteners, natural fruit flavors and genuine extracts.  Packed with antioxidants, they come in six tempting complex flavors; 

• Lemon Ginger Yuzu
• Rasberry Yumberry
• Apricot Green Tea
• Blueberry Acai
• Pink Grapefruit
• Pomegranate White Tea

A truly delicious (and much healthier) choice.

 

 Ellis Island

Original Ellis Island buildings, New York Harbor 1892 - 1897

Once the original site of Fort Gibson (which was moved to Oklahoma in 1824), Ellis Island opened it's doors to receive her first 700 immigrents into the United States on January 1, 1892.  A true national treasure, Ellis Island was the historical gateway for millions of immigrants and was the nation's busiest immigration station from 1892 to 1954.  For 35 years prior to 1892, immigrants were processed at the Castle Garden Immigration Depot in lower Manhattan, NY. 

The original structures above were built of Georgia pine.  On June 15, 1897 all, both buildings and immigration records dating back to 1855, was lost to a fire.  The new structures (shown below) opened on December 17, 1900.

 
Ellis Island, New York Harbor spring of 1901

Today there is an ongoing restoration of Ellis Island.  If you would like to know more and / or help with a donation, please visit Save Ellis Island.

 

Diamond & Pearl Pendent Brooch

 

 

 We are all feeling the tight pinch of this economy; some of us more than others.  And although that means we need to watch our spending very closely, we can still look.  Right? 

Forever people have window shopped, with no intention of buying.  They have walked the malls, sat in on auctions and browsed the catalogs too.  There is nothing wrong with looking (and  maybe the occasional fantasy of how it would be to own such a piece). 

Today I am eyeing this lovely antique pendent brooch.  Circa 1880, this 18k. gold pendent / brooch utilizes a design that alternates layers of pearls and diamonds to create a dome shape of which is topped with one large pearl.  The bale itself is set with pearls and diamonds as well and can be folded down when worn as a brooch.  If you so choose to wear this piece as a pendent, the pin back is completely removable.   From the scalloped edge to the sweet heart shaped petals on top, this piece would be a beautiful reflection of love shared. 

If you just so happen to have $4,250.00 (which is the asking price)burning a hole in your pocket, you can acquire this lovely piece HERE.

 

 

 

Thank you for stopping by

and

Have a beautiful day

 

 

 

 

 

Sleeping It Off Sunday Video

 

Today's video is that of my favorite YouTube cat, Maru.  If you have never seen one of the many popular Maru videos, let me just say that he is a sweet Scottish Fold cat that love boxes and has won the hearts of many.

 

 

 

 

I have chosen this video of Maru because, with this heat that we (across this country) are experiencing, I am feeling quite drained.  I think Maru best exhibits just how I feel. 

 

 

How about you......Do you feel like Maru?

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you for stopping by

and

Have a beautiful day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pink Is For Girls

 

Pink Is For Girls
That is why Lustre-Creme is pink.  Because it's made just for girls.  If you don't believe it, just breath in Lustre-Creme's pink fragrance.  See.  It's a little too delicate for anyone but a girl!  Now shampoo with pink Lustre-Creme and feel how truly soft your hair can be.  So soft, it says "touch me," and he will.

 

Ha!  Don't you just love it?

I do....I love these old ads.  You couldn't get away with an ad like this today.... its just not "politically correct".   Yeah, whatever....

Anyway.... I now want to buy a nice pink bottle of creamy pink Lustre-Creme.  Heck, I want to go out and buy my girls a bottle too.

Can you still buy a pink bottle of pink Lustre-Creme shampoo?  

I did a search. 

The only Lustre-Creme shampoo I could find was being sold at The Vermont Country Store....and it's not in a slim pink bottle.   

 And yet, I'm a bit curious about this jar of Lustre-Creme as well.

The Vermont Country Store's sales pitch is just as enticing.

 "So many of you wrote in to tell us of your affection for Lustre-Creme Shampoo that we decided to bring it back. After several months of painstaking research, we've re-created this lanolin-blessed, Hollywood-endorsed beauty secret. Lustre-Creme Shampoo leaves hair fragrantly clean without drying or dulling. Relive the glamour! 4 oz. jar.

• Lustre-Creme leaves your hair fragrantly clean and soft
• Creamy lather, even in the hardest water
• Endorsed by many Hollywood beauties in the 40's, 50's, and 60's

Luster-Creme Shampoo: "It never dries…it beautifies."

price $ 14.95

There is something to say, in this world of constant change, about a product that is still in demand decades down the road, by generation after generation.  I just wish it came in a pretty pink bottle (or jar).  Because, pink is for girls.....

 

If you love pink and would love to spend your weekend (indoors out of the heat) surrounded by pink, head on over to How Sweet The Sound; where Beverly is hosting her pinkishly fabulous Pink Saturday all weekend.

 

While you are there be sure to link up with Riet's Photoblog where Riet is sharing her lovely floral photos from the gardens of England. 

 

 

Thank you for stopping by

and

Have a beautiful day

 

 

 

 

 

Wow, it's hot out there!

 
I went out to work in the yard this morning; hoping to avoid the high summer temperatures.  Weather.com said it was still in the mid 70s.  I suppose I should have checked the humidity. 

I originally had planned to weed, trim up the holly and dead head a few perennials and, if all went well, mow the back yard.  Well, I started with the perennials...humid but not too bad.  Next, I cut back the holly and the privet.....began to work up a good sweat.  Next, I weeded a bit.....gee, it's getting HOT!  It wasn't 9 o'clock yet and I was spent.....hot, tired, dizzy and saturated from head to toe (with sweat).  Yeah...I was done for the day.  No chance of that back yard (any yard) getting cut today.

I went inside, drank two glasses of iced tea and then went up to take a nice long cool shower.

Since,....I have been doing a little e-mail and blog hopping and, for the life of me, I can barely get through a (blogger's) post without fading in and out of conscious thought, comprehending what I had just read and posting my reply.  I guess it was a tad hotter (out there) than I thought.

I hope everyone is staying cool and dry.

 

[updated July 22, 2011]

I went outside again this morning to try to cut that grass.
I edged the entire yard and cut the lower part of the back yard (leaving the 2 hills to go till we have cooler weather.  I might try to cut the front yard tomorrow, but I'm not all that concerned with it.  It had been cut last Friday and hasn't grown much at all.  A matter of fact, it looks as though I had cut it today, especially now that I edged it. 

It is times like this when I question my husbands sanity, wanting to retire on 15 plus acres. 

 

 

Thank you for stopping by

and

Have a beautiful day

 

 

 

Wednesday Words

 

 

 

I have decided to make Wednesday a regularly posted word day; titling it Wednesday Words.

So as I flip through the pages of Merriam Webster's Dictionary, my eye comes to rest on the word.....

 

Ecchymosis

ec·chy·mo·sis \ noun, plural  -mo·sēz \ from [Greek ekchymōsis, from ekchymousthai to extravasate blood, from ex- + chymos juice -- more at CHYME] (1541) : the escape of blood into the tissues from ruptured blood vessels -- ec·chy·mot·ic \ -'mä·tik \ adj. 

 see also: bruise and hematoma

 

My doctor loves to throw around big medical terms.  Just the other day he told me my ecchymosis is healing well.  What he meant was my big bruise is fading nicely. 

 

 

 

Thank you for stopping by

and

Have a beautiful day

 

 

 

Treats, Treasures & Temptations

 

 

Peppermint Candy Buttons
from
 Andie Specialty Sweets 

image from andiespecialtysweets

This bowl of vintage buttons are actually peppermint candy.  Are they not the sweetest things you have ever seen?  You can buy these lovely pastel vintage buttons here, from Andie Specialty Sweets. 

 

 

 

 A Basket of Treasures
from
Tricia Fountain

 

 Tricia of Conversations with the Muses sent me this vintage basket filled with vintage teacups, saucers, napkins and tea for making a donation to The Lucky Few.  The Lucky Few is a non profit organization dedicated to helping unwanted animals, most of which are cats.  Obviously, being a cat owner / lover myself, Tricia did not have to reward me for my contributions.  I regularly donate to my local humane society, Potter League,  and to The Humane Society of the U.S.

Please follow the highlighted links if you should care to make a donation as well.  Every little bit helps and is greatly needed and appreciated.

 

 

 

This Beach Thingy
is
Quite Tempting 

 

from http://www.beachthingy.com

It is obvious, by it's name, that this object is something for the beach....something to use at the beach.  What it is exactly, is not so obvious.  This happy green object is in fact a super light yet very strong stackable chair back.  When shoved into the sand, it creates a lovely chair out of your chosen beach spot. 

The Beach Thingy is made of polypropylene with a 20% reinforcing fiber.  It comes in 4 bright beachy colors; blue, orange, yellow and green; and can be purchased on line HERE

The designer, Larry Laske, is a holder of several utility patents, appeared in museums the world over, worked for and with such companies as Dansk, Alessi, Esprit and Steelcase, and has landed many awards through the years.
                               "This chair is not about creating a lounge chair, but to create a lightweight, durable backrest. The prongs penetrate into the sand far enough to be stable, and because the chair is made of plastic it is flexible, making it extremely comfortable."

                                                                              -- Larry Laske

 

 

 

 

Thank you for stopping by

and

Have a beautiful day

 

Sleeping It Off Sunday

 

 

 

 

This week I am leaving you with something fun.  Today's video is a stop-motion video by Mystery Guitar Man.  It is his latest....but not necessarily his greatest.  He has made some 146 videos now.  If you recall, he is the mastermind behind that old favorite (of mine) Bubble Rap.

 

 1000 Guitars

 

 

If you like that which you have just watched, you might
want to click on over to YouTube and check out more of
Mystery Guitar Man's videos.

 

 

 

Thanks for stopping by

and

Have a beautiful day

 

 

Can You Pass The Test?

 

Those who apply for citizenship into the U.S. are required to take a 10 question test administered by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

These 10 (questions) are drawn randomly from a bank of 100 (questions)

During the citizenship test, an official interviewer reads the questions in English and the applicant must answer in English. The applicant must answer 6 of the 10 questions correctly to pass the test.

Have you ever wondered what sort of questions are on that test? Could you pass the test?

Below is a list of the 100 questions that the 10 questions are drawn from.

I have listed the answers to these 100 questions at the bottom so that you can test yourself, and then check to see if your answers are correct.

 

 

The 100 questions that the random 10 questions are drawn from

1. What is the supreme law of the land?

2. What does the Constitution do?

3. The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words?

4. What is an amendment?

5. What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?

6. What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?

7. How many amendments does the Constitution have?

8. What did the Declaration of Independence do?

9. What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?

10. What is freedom of religion?

11. What is the economic system in the United States?

12. What is the "rule of law"?

13. Name one branch or part of the government.

14. What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?

15. Who is in charge of the executive branch?

16. Who makes federal laws?

17. What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?

 18. How many U.S. Senators are there?

19. We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years?

20. Who is one of your state's U.S. Senators?

21. The House of Representatives has how many voting members?

22. We elect a U.S. Representative for how many years?

23. Name your U.S. Representative.

24. Who does a U.S. Senator represent?

25. Why do some states have more Representatives than other states?

26. We elect a President for how many years?

27. In what month do we vote for President?

28. What is the name of the President of the United States now?

29. What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now?

30. If the President can no longer serve, who becomes President?

31. If both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes President?

32. Who is the Commander in Chief of the military?

33. Who signs bills to become laws?

34. Who vetoes bills?

35. What does the President's Cabinet do?

36. What are two Cabinet-level positions?

37. What does the judicial branch do?

38. What is the highest court in the United States?

39. How many justices are on the Supreme Court?

40. Who is the Chief Justice of the United States?

41. Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the federal government. What is one power of the federal government?

42. Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the states. What is one power of the states?

43. Who is the Governor of your state?

44. What is the capital of your state?*

45. What are the two major political parties in the United States?*

46. What is the political party of the President now?

47. What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?

48. There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them.

49. What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?*

50. What are two rights only for United States citizens?

51. What are two rights of everyone living in the United States?

52. What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?

53. What is one promise you make when you become a United States citizen?

54. How old do citizens have to be to vote for President?*

55. What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy?

56. When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms?*

57. When must all men register for the Selective Service?

58. What is one reason colonists came to America?

59. Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?

60. What group of people was taken to America and sold as slaves?

61. Why did the colonists fight the British?

62. Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?

63. When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?

64. There were 13 original states. Name three.

65. What happened at the Constitutional Convention?

66. When was the Constitution written?

67. The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.

68. What is one thing Benjamin Franklin is famous for?

69. Who is the "Father of Our Country"?

70. Who was the first President?*

71. What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?

72. Name one war fought by the United States in the 1800s.

73. Name the U.S. war between the North and the South.

74. Name one problem that led to the Civil War.

75. What was one important thing that Abraham Lincoln did?*

76. What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?

77. What did Susan B. Anthony do?

78. Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s.*

79. Who was President during World War I?

80. Who was President during the Great Depression and World War II?

81. Who did the United States fight in World War II?

82. Before he was President, Eisenhower was a general. What war was he in?

83. During the Cold War, what was the main concern of the United States?

84. What movement tried to end racial discrimination?

85. What did Martin Luther King, Jr. do?*

86. What major event happened on September 11, 2001 in the United States?

87. Name one American Indian tribe in the United States.

88. Name one of the two longest rivers in the United States.

89. What ocean is on the West Coast of the United States?

90. What ocean is on the East Coast of the United States?

91. Name one U.S. territory.

92. Name one state that borders Canada.

93. Name one state that borders Mexico.

94. What is the capital of the United States?*

95. Where is the Statue of Liberty?*

96. Why does the flag have 13 stripes?

97. Why does the flag have 50 stars?*

98. What is the name of the national anthem?

99. When do we celebrate Independence Day?*

100. Name two national U.S. holidays.

 

Answers to the questions above:
Some of the questions (above) have more than one correct answer. When such the case, all acceptable answers are shown.
All answers below are worded exactly as they are worded by the USCIS. These are the correct answers.

1. the Constitution

2. sets up the government, defines the government, protects basic rights of Americans

3. We the people

4. a change (to the Constitution) or an addition (to the Constitution)

5. the Bill of Rights

6. speech, religion, assembly, press, petition the government

7. twenty-seven (27)

8. announced our independence (from Great Britain) or
declared our independence (from Great Britain) or
said that the United States is free (from Great Britain)

9. life, liberty, pursuit of happiness

10. You can practice any religion, or not practice a religion.

11. capitalist economy or market economy

12. Everyone must follow the law.
Leaders must obey the law.
Government must obey the law.
No one is above the law.

13. Congress or legislative or President or executive or the courts or judicial

14. checks and balances, separation of powers

15. the President

16. Congress, Senate and House (of Representatives), (U.S. or national) legislature

17. the Senate and House (of Representatives)

18. one hundred (100)

19. six (6)

20. Answers will vary.

21. four hundred thirty-five (435)

22. two (2)

23. Answers will vary.

24. all people of the state

25. (because of) the state's population or
(because) they have more people or
(because) some states have more people

26. four (4)

27. November

28. Barack H. Obama or Barack Obama or Obama

29. Joseph R. Biden, Jr. or Joe Biden or Biden

30. the Vice President

31. the Speaker of the House

32. the President

33. the President

34. the President

35. advises the President

36. Secretary of Agriculture
Secretary of Commerce
Secretary of Defense
Secretary of Education
Secretary of Energy
Secretary of Health and Human Services
Secretary of Homeland Security
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
Secretary of Interior
Secretary of State
Secretary of Transportation
Secretary of Treasury
Secretary of Veterans' Affairs
Secretary of Labor
Attorney General

37. reviews laws
explains laws
resolves disputes (disagreements)
decides if a law goes against the Constitution

38. the Supreme Court

39. nine (9)

40. John Roberts (John G. Roberts, Jr.)

41. to print money
to declare war
to create an army
to make treaties

42. provide schooling and education
provide protection (police)
provide safety (fire departments)
give a driver's license
approve zoning and land use

43. Answers will vary.

44. Answers will vary.

45. Democratic and Republican

46. Democratic (Party)

47. John Boehner

48. Citizens eighteen (18) and older can vote.
You don't have to pay (a poll tax) to vote.
Any citizen can vote. (Women and men can vote.)
A male citizen of any race (can vote).

49. serve on a jury, vote

50. apply for a federal job
vote
run for office
carry a U.S. passport

51. freedom of expression
freedom of speech
freedom of assembly
freedom to petition the government
freedom of worship
the right to bear arms

52. the United States
the flag

53. give up loyalty to other countries
defend the Constitution and laws of the United States
obey the laws of the United States
serve in the U.S. military (if needed)
serve (do important work for) the nation (if needed)
be loyal to the United States

54. eighteen (18) and older

55. vote
join a political party
help with a campaign
join a civic group
join a community group
give an elected official your opinion on an issue
call Senators and Representatives
publicly support or oppose an issue or policy
run for office
write to a newspaper

56. April 15

57. at age eighteen (18)
between eighteen (18) and twenty-six (26)

58. freedom, political liberty, religious freedom, economic opportunity,
practice their religion, escape persecution

59. Native Americans (or American Indians)

60. Africans (or people from Africa)

61. because of high taxes (taxation without representation),
because the British army stayed in their houses (boarding, quartering)
and because they didn't have self-government

62. Thomas Jefferson

63. July 4, 1776

64. New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island,
Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania,
Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina,
South Carolina, Georgia

65. The Constitution was written. (or The Founding Fathers wrote the Constitution.)

66. 1787

67. James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, Publius

68. U.S. diplomat, oldest member of the Constitutional Convention
first Postmaster General of the United States, writer of "Poor Richard's Almanac",
started the first free libraries

69. George Washington

70. George Washington

71. the Louisiana Territory (or Louisiana)

72. War of 1812, Mexican-American War, Civil War
Spanish-American War

73. the Civil War (or the War between the States)

74. slavery, economic reasons, states' rights

75. freed the slaves (Emancipation Proclamation), saved (or preserved) the Union,
led the United States during the Civil War

76. freed the slaves, (or freed slaves in the Confederacy,
freed slaves in the Confederate states, freed slaves in most Southern states

77. fought for women's rights, fought for civil rights

78. World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War,
(Persian) Gulf War

79. Woodrow Wilson

80. Franklin Roosevelt

81. Japan, Germany and Italy

82. World War II

83. Communism

84. civil rights (movement)

85. fought for civil rights (or worked for equality for all Americans)

86. Terrorists attacked the United States.

87. Cherokee, Navajo, Sioux, Chippewa, Choctaw,
Pueblo, Apache, Iroquois, Creek, Blackfeet,
Seminole, Cheyenne, Arawak, Shawnee, Mohegan,
Huron, Oneida, Lakota, Crow, Teton, Hopi, Inuit

88. Missouri (River) and Mississippi (River)

89. Pacific (Ocean)

90. Atlantic (Ocean)

91. Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa,
Northern Mariana Islands, Guam

92. Maine, New Hampshire,Vermont, New York,
Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota,
North Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Washington,
Alaska

93. California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas

94. Washington, D.C.

95. New York (Harbor) (or Liberty Island)

96. because there were 13 original colonies (or because the stripes represent the original colonies)

97. because there is one star for each state (or because there are 50 states)

98. The Star-Spangled Banner

99. July 4

100. New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr., Day, Presidents' Day,
Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day,
Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas

 

 

Thank you for stopping by

and

Have a beautiful day

 

 

 

Wednesday Words

 

 

I have decided to make Wednesday a regularly posted word day; titling it Wednesday Words.

So as I flip through the pages of Merriam Webster's Dictionary, my eye comes to rest on the word.....

 

Choplogic

chop·log·ic \ chäp-lä-jik \ n [obsolete, chop to exchange, trade, from Middle English choppen to barter] (1533) : involved and often specious argumentation -- choplogic  adj.

He was so choplogic in his  manner, that I grew tired of arguing and left.

 

Is Everyone Leaving Facebook for Google+ ?

 

  

 

Is Everyone Leaving

 

   

  

 

 

 

 

 

for  Google+ ?

 

 

Sleeping It Off Sunday

 

 

 Today's video is another from the very talented TSO Photography.

It is a time-lapse movie filmed on the archipelago Lofoten, of Nordland Norway (which lies within in the Arctic Circle).  It is the finished product of a twelve day shooting, recording a natural light display that occurs two to four weeks before the Midnight Sun.

 

"My favorite natural phenomenon is one I do not even know the name of, even after talking to meteorologists and astrophysicists I am none the wiser.What I am talking about I have decided to call The Arctic Light" -- TSO  

 

The">http://vimeo.com/24456787">The Arctic Light from TSO">http://vimeo.com/terjes">TSO Photography on Vimeo.

You can read more of TSO and his first hand account in creating this beautiful movie HERE

 

 

Thank you for stopping by

and

Have a beautiful day

 

 

Playing With Paper

It has been raining heavy, non-stop, all day
.....tons of rain.

 
I decided to have a little indoor fun.  With paper, craft wire and floral tape, I found myself making these paper flowers. 

Two weeks ago (while out surfing the net using StumbleUpon.com) I quite literally "stumbled" upon the simple directions for rolled paper flowers.  Lucky for me (and you) I bookmarked the page HERE.

 

Using that which I already had, I gave it a go. 

 

 And then I dressed them up with a little glitter.

 

And since my paper flowers are pink,
I offer them up for Pink Saturday.

 

 If you would like to see more pink, head on over to How Sweet The Sound.  It is there that Beverly hosts her oh so popular Pink Saturday. 

 

And while you are there,
be sure to visit Lynn at The Vintage Nest .

 

 

Thank you for stopping by

and

Have a beautiful day

 

 

Mary Kay Brush Set

Yes...you still have time to enter to win one of these lovely brush sets.  I will be drawing 2 names from the Virtual Hat this evening at 7 pm eastern time.  If you haven't entered your name yet, go here and read what to do.  http://robinsbluenest.typepad.com/robins_nest_blue/2011/06/mary-kay-brush-set-.html

I am so sorry to be so very late.  I had originally hoped to draw names and post them before I went out this evening.  Well, it's obvious that didn't happen. 

Well, I'm here now.
So, without any further ado.....

And the winners are:

1. Dana Smith

2. Jil

Congratulations ladies!  I will contact you for your address and get your brush sets mailed off.  Thank you to all who played along.

Thanks for stopping by

and

Have a beautiful day

 

 

Wednesday Words

Years ago, once a week, I used to leaf through the pages of Merriam - Webster's Collegiate Dictionary and randomly grab a new word.  I would learn the spelling, pronunciation and it's meaning.  I would then try to use that word as often as I could (without being too irritating to others) for the rest of the week.  And yet, with all the distractions in life and numerous reasons to put it off, my word searches didn't last long.

Today I have decided to give it another try.  Better yet, I thought I would post and share my word finds.  Therefore, I have decided to take this day, Wednesday, as my regularly posted word day and title it Wednesday Words.

So as I flip through the pages of Merriam Webster's Dictionary, my eye comes to rest on the word.....or I should say words....

 

Markov Chain
 

Mar·kov chain\mär-,kof, -,kov\ chān
noun "[A. A. Markov - a Russian mathematician] (1942) : a usu. discrete stochastic process (as a random walk) in which the probabilities of occurrence of various future states depend only on the present state of the system or on the immediately preceding state and not on the path by which the present state was achieved.  --  called also the Markoff chain"¹

It is a mathematical system that goes through changes in a chain like manner whereas the next state depends only on the current state, not on it's entire past changes.

 

 
 ^{image from Wikimedia Commons}

 

Markov chain as applied to board games played with dice:

"A game of snakes and ladders or any other game whose moves are determined entirely by dice is a Markov chain. This is in contrast to card games such as blackjack, where the cards represent a 'memory' of the past moves. To see the difference, consider the probability for a certain event in the game. In the above mentioned dice games, the only thing that matters is the current state of the board. The next state of the board depends on the current state, and the next roll of the dice. It doesn't depend on how things got to their current state. In a game such as blackjack, a player can gain an advantage by remembering which cards have already been shown (and hence which cards are no longer in the deck), so the next state (or hand) of the game is not independent of the past states."²

You can read more about Markov chain at Britannica.com

To learn more about Andrei A. Markov and his work:
https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/meyn/www/spm_files/Markov-Work-and-life.pdf

 

 

 

Thank you for stopping by

and

Have a beautiful day

 

 

 

 

1.  http://mw2.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/markov

2.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Examples_of_Markov_chains

Happy Independence Day!

 

 

Wishing all a happy and safe July 4th

 

 

Better Than Catnip?

 I fell in love with this cat, Maru.  He loves boxes....all sorts, and all sizes of boxes.  He also loves this "silvervine" stick.

He is so taken with it, that I wanted a silvervine stick for my cat Dude.  So, I went on the internet to find out what I could about this "silvervine".   I wanted to find,  if possible, a place to purchase one (or maybe the plant on which it grows).

What I Found....

Silver Vine (Actinidina Polygama - a member of the botanical family Actinidiaceae) is a non-toxic, climbing vine, kin to the common kiwi fruit.  Originating in the mountainous areas of China and Japan, it is available here in the United States, having a USDA hardiness zone tolerance of 4 to 9.  It is a fast grower and can grow to fifteen feet sometimes more.  Because of its size and weight it needs strong support; making it great for hiding a fence or trained on a trellis.  Although the plant requires moist well drained soil, it is drought tolerant, and is disease and insect resistant.

Silver Vine produces small white aromatic flowers with bright yellow anthers  (usually in clusters of 3 or 4, scattered along vine) from late June to early July.  The oblong 3 to 5 inch long leaves, when they open, are bronze in color which quickly turn to green during the flowering season.   
They then become randomly splotched with white and silver; which is where the plant gets it's name.   The flowers last approximately 2 to 3 days, followed by yellow to yellow-red, egg shaped, multi-seed fruit.   The fruit matures through the months of September and October.  When cut open, the fruit resembles that of the common grocer bought kiwi, but is orange in color.

I am now thinking I would like to purchase the plant.  We have a fence out back that I have been thinking about hiding behind bushes and trees.  Might I dare grow this silver vine out there as well?  The area gets full sun and is well drained.  I read on and found that I will need a male plant as well for pollination, if I want my female to bare the fruit.  So maybe I will purchase one female and one male and plant them at opposite ends of the fence. 

I went on to find that the fruit that this vine bares contains ten times more vitamin C than is found in most green tea and surpasses the vitamin C of strawberries and blueberries.  It is also rich in potassium, calcium, antioxidants,  a number of other vitamins and fiber.  The plant itself has been used for centuries in Chinese medicine to treat the pain and inflammation due to arthritis.  Through studies with mice, it has been found that A. Polygama lowers cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and has had positive results in the treatment of some forms of cancer.  It is also being used today in many anti-aging skin creams to promote skin translucency.   "...the ingredient is designed to brighten the skin by inhibiting protein carbonylation in the horny layer, thus promoting skin translucency..."

 But what about Maru and his Silver Vine stick?  Well, it turns out that A. Polygama gives off a sent that attracts cats.  Cats tend to rub up against the plant, sometimes licking it.  It is the sent of the plant, working on the olfactory system of the cat that sends them into a euphoric state; much like that of catnip.....but only greater.  This can last for 5 to 30 minutes at which the cat may return for more.  In studies, the cats weren't interested in eating the plant so much as rubbing and rolling in it. Even if the cat were to eat or lick the plant, it is non-toxic....safe for the cat to enjoy.

If you would like to purchase a Silver Vine or two (you will need both male and female to bare fruit) and haven't a nursery that carries it, there are a few on-line nurseries that carry an assortment of A. Polygama.

Forset Farm
http://www.forestfarm.com/product.php?id=5054

One Green World
http://www.onegreenworld.com//index.php?cPath=6_150&sort=2a&page=2

Lazy S'S Farm
http://www.lazyssfarm.com/Plants/Vines/vines.htm#VINE1035

If you are not interested in growing the vine(s), yet would like to get some Silver Vine sticks for your cat, you might try here:

http://www.shopbot.com.au/ps-silvervine-chew-stick-health-cat-toys-21454093.html

I also came across this in my searchs and , if you have a cat, you might find it of interest:

CATNIP, VALERIAN, HONEYSUCKLE AND OTHER CAT-ATTRACTANT PLANTS

 

Although I have read that it is widely consumed in Asia, I couldn't find silver vine tea for sale in the U.S.  But I did find catnip tea!

 

I feel it is just a matter of time and we will be seeing silver vine tea in herbal shops and then on our grocer's shelves.

 

If you get a chance, stop by How sweet The sound where Beverly hosts her weekly Pink Saturday and many link up with all their lovely pink.
 

And while you're at it, take the time to check out Sandi's fabulous roses over on Rose Chintz Cottage 

 And you still have time to enter my

Mary Kay makeup brush set giveaway

 

 

Thank you for stopping by

and

Have a beautiful day

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/index.html?curid=20017904 
http://www.cosmeticsandtoiletries.com/formulating/ingredient/active/84957277.html
http://www.onegreenworld.com//index.php?cPath=6_150
http://www.freebase.com/view/en/actinidia_polygama
http://www.backyardgardener.com/plantname/pda_97c4.html
http://www.forestfarm.com/product.php?id=5054

 

 

 

It's a Mad Tea Party!

 

 Welcome!  
  

 

This is the 4th Annual
Virtual Mad Tea Party
Hosted by the lovely Vanessa Valencia
over on A fanciful Twist.

Please do come in and stay a while.

Alice should be here shortly.

 
She's out in the garden
cutting flowers for the table.
 

We're waiting the arrival of the
White Rabbit

 

Dear me.....he is never on time.

 

 Oh please do sit.

 

I have made banana bread
for our tea today.
We also have shortbread
and biscuits, and berries too.

 
There is Bencheley tea;
Irish,
Raspberry
and Orange Spice

 
Do you care for sugar or honey?

 

I have set out my eggs
and there are more in my shop

 The Blue Nest

 

 

The flowers that Alice cut are beautiful.
Thank you Alice!

 


 

I love your outfit,
and your hat is so you.
What do you think of my hat?
 

 

Some have asked me for my
Summer Pudding recipe.

 

Please help yourself

 
 

Oh dear me....
Where does the time go?

 

 

 
It's best you head on back to
A Fanciful Twist
to check and see who else is
having tea today.

 

 

And before you go....
Please take the White Rabbit
with you.

 


Thank you for stopping by
It's been lovely having you
over for tea.

Please do come again
and
Have a beautiful day

 

Mary Kay Brush Set

GiveAway!

 

When you think of femininity, what is the first color that comes to mind?  Pink!

When you think of Mary Kay, what color do you think of?  Pink!

And of all the many cosmetics out there, which is synonymous with the color pink?  Mary Kay! 

Mary Kay Is So Pink!

 

 

And I Love It!

It is no secret that I love Mary Kay products.  Although I do not sell them, I boast and praise the line every chance I get.  I just think they are the best (for the price) out there.  I fell in love with their cosmetics and skin care some twenty years ago.   Young and newly married, I no longer could afford the expensive department store brands that my mother so lovingly provided me with.  I, like most twenty-somethings, was on a tight budget and so would buy the cheap drugstore brands. 

It was just about then when I was introduced to Mary Kay at one of those high energy, all about fun parties.  At first I was skeptical.  I wasn't interested in being talked into buying expensive cosmetics when I was doing just fine with my two year old, due date expired, water enhanced mascara, my no-name brand electric blue eye shadow and my jar of Noxzema.  Even after the facial and the fabulous makeover, I thought Mary Kay was just another extravagance I couldn't afford.  And I still wasn't convinced as I purchased a mascara and shadow compact with replaceable magnetic shadow pods.  (Back then the compacts were a lovely soft pink.)  It wasn't till I started using them that I realized just how great they were.  The price was comparable to the drugstore brands yet the product was that of department store quality.  I was in love.  It wasn't for another year that I began purchasing their skin care line. 
Two years later, just as I am really into it and feeling beautiful, we move.  My husband was, at that time, a young officer in the navy.  We moved many more times after that.  No one in our new neighborhoods sold Mary Kay.  None of the wives in the ward rooms sold Mary Kay.  And I was back to using drugstore brands and missing my lovely Mary Kay products.  On and off for the next fifteen years I would find a Mary Kay consultant from whom I could place an order.  Back then, however, they preferred you to have a party....that's where they made their big sales.  But I would stand my ground and refuse to host one.  She, disappointed, would sell me my skin care and makeup, probably with hopes that I would one day reconsider.
Which brings me to today....
I have found that Mary Kay can be bought over the internet from numerous consultants who have opted to put up a sales site.  No more parties, unless you want them and 24 /7 shopping at your disposal.  And best of all, it's the same great quality at realistic prices all packaged in beautiful compacts, tubes, tubs, bottles and pencils. They have skin care, makeup, body and sun care, eau de toilettes and men's products too.  You can place your order safely on line, or call it in or copy off your order for snail mail.  If you place your order on line, it ships within a day or two.  I know....I do....and I'm always delightfully surprised to receive my order within a day or so.  It's fabulous!  And did you know, Mary Kay ships using echo friendly materials and donates nearly $4 million to causes such a Domestic Abuse, Orphaned Children and Breast Cancer.   And that's not all that is fabulous about on line shopping with Mary Kay.  With a purchase of forty dollars or more, you receive a fabulous gift as well.  Right now Mary Kay is giving away these 2 fantastic Timewise products and headband. 

NOT TO BE MISTAKEN WITH MY BRUSH GIVEAWAY HERE ON MY BLOG.  No Purchase Necessary!

 

 

And then there is Heather, my Mary Kay consultant. 
She is always there to help me with any questions I have.  It just so happens that Heather, along with her degree in business marketing, also has a license in cosmetology.  She is one smart cookie.  This is one of the big reasons I choose to shop with Heather over any other Mary Kay consultant.  She knows her stuff!  She not only knows the products she is selling, she has the educated background to help me make the right purchase for me (as well as friends and family).   Thanks Heather!   And if for any reason...any reason....I am not happy with my purchase, I can send it back for a full refund.....even after I have opened and used it.   But, I have never had to send anything back.  I have never been disappointed with any of my purchases....which is more than I can say for a few stores out there.  I can shop any time, any day.  It's high quality product with low practical prices.   They have a no questions asked refund policy and I get personal care from my consultant Heather.  You just can't beat that. 

 

MARY KAY BRUSH SET GIVEAWAY

Okay....so about this giveaway....
I have 2 additional brush sets (like that shown at the top of this post) that I am willing to give away.  That's how often I shop Mary Kay.  These are new and have never been opened.  If you would like a chance to win one of them, all you have to do is:

1.  Go to Heather's site here:    Heather's Mary Kay site
2. Look around at all that is Mary Kay 
   [Maybe try out the Virtual Makeover]
3. Come back here and post what you would buy and why

 
 

Two weeks from this Friday....July 8, 2011....I will draw two names (using the Virtual Hat) 
Be sure to link your name to your blog and / or email so that I can contact you should you win one of the brush sets.  If you fail to do so, if I am unable to contact you, you will have forfieted your chance to win and I will draw a new name from the Virtual Hat.

 

 

And venture on over to The Stone Rabbit if you have time.
A lovely blog indeed....

 

 

Thank you for stopping by

and

Have a beautiful day

 

 

Sleeping It Off Sunday's Video

 

Now that I am back to blogging again, I thought I would get back to posting Sunday videos.  And to kick off my little Sunday blog posts, I have found a most stunning piece by  TSO Photography. 

It is a time-lapse movie, set atop El Teide; an active volcano (last errupted 1909), the heighest mountain in Spain and home of the Teide Observatory. 

 

"The Mountain" by TSO Photography

 Music: "Nuvole Bianche" by Ludovico Einaudi

 

 

"The goal was to capture the beautiful Milky Way galaxy along with one of the most amazing mountains I know, El Teide."  - TSO Photography

 

 

 if you click on the four arrows, you can exspand the screen for better viewing

The Mountain from TSO Photography on Vimeo.

Last Minute Shopping for Dad

 Father's Day is just around the corner.....Sunday, June 19th to be exact.  That's this Sunday! 

What's that you say; you haven't a gift for dad?  I know that feeling.  You told yourself last year that you wouldn't forget and put it off till the last moment.  Yet, here it is June and still you haven't come up with anything.  And as the days, hours and minutes tick by, it only gets worse.  Anxiety creeps in, your nerves get frayed and before you know it your snapping at the kids.  It gets to the point that you start making excuses to ease the guilt that you are feeling; because lets face it, you have had a whole year.  And to make matters worse, he surprised you with that fabulous gift, the one that left you all emotional.

Okay...you forgot....you haven't had the time....whatever.
You are here now on the internet. What better place?  Let's go shopping!

If you haven't a credit card or if your bank account is low, may I suggest heading on over to Martha Stewart's web site and grab a few ideas, maybe download a template or two and make dad something he would love.  She has templates and clip art you can download to make great cards and labels.  She has recipes and sewing idea galore, and that which you haven't already in the house (which can be repurposed), you can pick up at your grocer's when you go to shop for the big day meal.  Just type "father's day" into her search bar, located at the top left hand corner of her front page....or click on the photo here. This is just one of the many great crafty gift ideas at Martha Stewart.com 

Now, if you have a credit card and you are into internet shopping, may I suggest the items below.

For the man who loves chocolate and bacon, or chocolate with bacon.  I suggest you head on over to Vosges' for some truly fabulous gourmet delights.  Their delectable delights were featured on the Food Network.  Also, more importantly, they can be delivered next day.  They will be there in time for Father's Day.

 

How about Lobster!  Does the man of the house love lobster?  Catch a Piece of Maine takes phone order and ships overnight, and the shipping is included in the price.  They sell live whole lobsters.  How fun would that be; for dad to open live lobsters for Father's Day?   You can also purchase whole meals with all the fixings.  They even have clubs and shares in the business for sale.  Best of all, it's fresh and shipped overnight!

 

How about something for the tech inspired dad?
You can shop Amazon and find great tech stuff that can be shipped next day, Saturday and even overnight.

     ZBoost Wireless Booster

      Kindle E-Book Reader

  

                              Logitech Revue w/ Google TV


All these are sure to be a hit with dad; making him feel like he's the king of his castle.

 

Thanks for stopping by

and

Have a beautiful day

 

 

 

What Did I Get For My State and Local Tax Dollars?

Today, June 15, is the deadline date for sending in our second quarter early estimated tax contribution for 2011.  As I sit here writing checks, both for state and federal, my mind begins to wander off to what it is I am actually getting for this handsome total sum of $5700.00.  This doesn't include the additional $1600.00 I paid the first of the month for our local town tax.   And these are just the quarterly estimated taxes.

Well...
I haven't any school age children enrolled in a public school; we make too much to qualify for public assistance, Medicaid, higher education allowances and public transit allowances; and no one in this household has ever been incarcerated or even been in court.  I do, on the other hand, get access to the public parks; our streets are plowed just about every snow storm; and I'm almost hopeful that police and fire department will be there when needed. 

Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining.  I believe we are all in this together and should help our fellow man.  I am also very aware that there are those who pay out much much more than we do every quarter, and receive the same in return.  I just can't help thinking how I would like to buy a bench for the mudroom, or reset the front walk, or repave the driveway, or fix the back yard deck.....but can't afford to.  I can't help but think how stingy I am about the cost of a dress, a new pair of shoes or a new purse.  All of which would give me great personal satisfaction, but I pass on them because of the cost.  Our taxes are our largest expenses and yet, other than the helping of others who we know not,  there is little personal satisfaction acquired from them.  Odd thing though, when I give to charities (and I give to many, quite often), I feel great satisfaction; a reward of sorts. 

......just thinking out loud

 

Thank you for stopping by

and

Have a beautiful day

 

 

Today is Flag Day

 

June 14, 1777, the original United States flag of 13 stars was officially adopted by the Second Continental Congress.  It wasn't until 1916 that the then President Woodrow Wilson put forth a proclamation that officially established June 14 as day of commemoration; and not until 1949, when by an act of Congress, was June 14 declared National Flag day.  Although Flag Day is not an official federal holiday, all states observe it and most who are patriotic celebrate the day and / or take special homage to the flag.

 

 

 Official Statue on Flag Day

Title 36 of the United Sates Code, subtitle I, Part A, Chapter 1

(a) Designation.— June 14 is Flag Day.

(b) Proclamation.— The President is requested to issue each year a proclamation—

(1) calling on United States Government officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on Flag Day; and

(2) urging the people of the United States to observe Flag Day as the anniversary of the adoption on June 14, 1777, by the Continental Congress of the Stars and Stripes as the official flag of the United States.

 

June 14 is also the birthday of the United States Army. 
Today is their 236th birthday.

 

 Happy Birthday!

 
http://www.army.mil/Birthday/236/

 

 

 

Wishing all those who pass this way a most beautiful Flag day 
 

Thank you for stopping by

 

Another Mad Tea Party!

Yes.....that's right.  It's that time again!  And, what a fantastically fabulous fun time it is.  The lovely Vanessa Valencia of Fanciful Twist is hosting the annual Mad Tea Party.  And if you haven't already signed on, here is your invitation to do so. 

Won't you please join me and all the other wonderful bloggers for a spot of tea and some lovely cake, and goodness know what else you may trip, stumble and tumble onto.  In any case, it should be great fun....so keep the date....June 25, 2011

The rules are easy peasy and nothing to fret;

1)  Share the flyer and/or the button on your blog as soon as possible and link back to A Fanciful Twist.  Vanessa will then add your name to the "Mad Tea Partiers" list in her LEFT hand side bar, which links back to you. 

2)  On the day of the party, June 25th 2011, please make sure to post a Mad Tea Party post of your own, on your blog, linking to Vanessa's blog.  Other partiers will be visiting you on that date, and this makes it easy for them to head back to the list and visit someone else (after they have visited you).

3)  IMPORTANT - On the day of the party, after you have your own Mad Tea Party blog post up and running, please leave a comment at Vanessa's Mad Tea Party post, including your "Actual Party Link."  It will serve as an archive of all partier links. 

4)  Then blog hop with the other partiers on the day of the event and have a mad blast!

Note:  Please make sure you post a party post on your blog on June 25th if you sign up.  If you sign up and later find that you can't make the event, let Vanessa know so she can remove your name from the list.  It's the right thing to do....

You may copy the flyer and side bar invites (for use on your blog) from here or from Vanessa's blog, The Fanciful Twist.

Well, I hope you can join us.  Until then....

Thank you for stopping by

and

Have a beautiful day

 

I've Added New Items In The Shop!!

 
 

    I've added some new washi eggs and some new bracelets too.

                                                 
 

Think'n Pink!

It's been a while since I contributed anything to Pink Saturday.  But I've been working on some new bracelets for summer sales and many are in shades of pink.  I even put a few in my little on-line shop, The Blue Nest.  You might say I've been thinking pink.  When I saw that several of my bracelets were pink, I immediately thought of Pink Saturday.  And so I thought I might share one with you here and get back into the fun of all things pink on Saturday.

 
 This bracelet is made of hand crafted washi beads 
(created by me). 

 

 

I've created these cute washi bracelets in lots of fun summer colors; and no better summer color than pink.....right?   All of my washi bracelets are strung with rhinestone spacers on jeweler's elastic.

 
 Thanks for stopping by.

and

Have a beautiful Pink Day.

 
Now be sure to head on over to Beverly's blog
How Sweet the Sound
and check out all those who are into PINK.
 

 

 

Time To Break Out The Flamingos!

 

  If you haven't already put them out, if you haven't had them out all year, now is the time to do it.  There is no better time, than the month of June, to bring out your flamingos. 

 June is the month of celebration.  There is Flag Day, and Father's Day.  There is always a wedding and everyday a new birthday.  But most of all, here in the northern hemisphere, June is the month of Summer Solstice; the first day of summer.  Summer Solstice (or the first day of summer) will begin on June 21st; which will be the longest day and the shortest night of the year.  What better time to show off your pink ladies, then when the days are growing longer (nights shorter)?  It's all the more beautiful daylight for them to flock in. 

For those of you who live in the southern hemisphere and so inclined; go ahead and pull those bad girls out.  Maybe you could make them a simple scarf and ear muffs.    ;-)

The last I counted, I had some 24 pink flamingos.  I tend to herd them in come late October early November; depending on the weather.  Our strong winter winds have been known to send them flying into neighbor yards and deep into hedgerow.   I have a very large box down in the basement where they hibernate till summer.  Well, that is all but the seven snow lovin' gals that I put out in Santa hats in December.  Once Christmas has passed, I bring them in and let them thaw a bit.  I then give them a good cleaning, and it's off to the basement they go. 

Come June (sometimes earlier) I start bringing them out.  I like to let them make a gradual appearance.  Three here, two there and on it goes over a period of days (sometimes weeks) till I have them in all corners of the yard.....lurking behind trees, peeking through bushes, some in the flower beds and some just standing about on the lawn.

And while I have your attention; if you love the color pink and would love to share some pink with others, head on over to  How Sweet The Sound where Beverly is hosting her always Pink Saturday every Saturday.

 

Thanks for stopping by

and

Have a Beautiful Day

 

June

 

If you live in the northern hemisphere, as I do, June is the first of summer months.  Days are at their longest and the flowers are in bloom.   I love the month of June.

Living here in Rhode Island, the days are warmer but not so hot and humid as those of July and August.  The mornings and nights are quite cool, making for pleasant sleep and a refreshing morning start. 

The rains of May had really kick started the grass growth as well as our trees, flowering shrubs and flower gardens.  Now in June, we (my husband and I) mow, mend, manicure and prune the yard into our lovely cool and inviting oasis; a haven from the blistering hot pavement that lies just beyond the lawn's edge.  I think this not a chore but a duty that I have; much similar to one caring for children and spouse.  To take care of my yard, my garden, I, in return, receive much reward; great personal satisfaction and pleasure.  And although we have never really spoken aloud on it, I believe my husband feels the same. 

Most of our yard and garden is planted with perennials.  This makes it all the more a pleasure.  Once a perrenial (be it flower, tree or shrub) has been planted and cared for, it takes little to maintain yet rewards you year after year and quite often with greater display (each subsequent year).  Now and then I will move something or change something out....only because I want to see something new. 

We hope to add a new front porch and terrace before summers end.  This will mean the removal of four mature hydrangeas,  two very old and lovely rhododendrons, my sweet dragon heads, balloon / bellflower, day lilies, lavender, phlox, asters, speedwell, sedum, as well as all my bulbs.  That which can not be saved (most likely the rhododendrons and hydrangeas) will be a sad loss, but I look forward to the new front on the house and a new garden to design. 

For now, we are enjoying the warmer weather, the fragrant flowers, meals out on the porch and cool nights for sleep.

 

 Thank you for stopping by
and
Have a beautiful day

 

May is Cancer Awareness Month

 

 

• According to the National Cancer Institute, there are more than 2 million cases of skin cancer diagnosed annually in the United States.  Of that, an average of 68,000 are cases of melanoma.  Basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers make up the remaining 1,932,000 cases.  Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer. 

 Melanoma

• Basal Cell Carcinoma

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

• Now with warmer weather upon us, we tend to shed the long sleeves and pants and opt to bare as much skin as we dare.  Needless to say, we best be applying our SPF and doing what we can to lower our skin's exposure to direct sunlight.  According to NCI, we should:

1. Use a broad spectrum (UVA / UVB) sunscreen with a SPF of 15 or greater every day.  For extended outdoor exposure, use a water resistant broad spectrum with an SPF of 30 or more.

2. Apply your sunscreen to your entire body 30 minutes prior to going outdoors.  Reapply every 2 hours or after swimming or activities which cause heavy sweating.

3. Avoid burning

4. Avoid use of tanning bed / booth.

5. Seek shade mid day (between 11:00 Am & 4:00 PM).

6. Consider wearing UV blocking sunglasses and a broad-brimmed hat when out in the sun.

7. Examine your skin, head to toe.

8. Have your skin professionally examined once a year by your physician.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This Mother's Day, you might show mom just how much you care.  Give her gifts of sun protection.       

     
 
 
   

(images above are linked to sales sites) 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you for stopping by

and

Have a beautiful day

 

 

 

Please Consider Making a Donation to Help Americans in Need

At this time there are over 210 confirmed deaths and another 1700 injured left in the wake of the Alabama tornado.  It was the hardest hit of the six reported states that were ravaged by the mile wide tornadoes that swept through the region on April, 27th.  There were another dozen more death related storms reported in Tennessee, Georgia, Kentucky, Virginia and Mississippi.  Those who escaped with their lives are left with little more than the cloths on their back.

 
photo courtesy of NWS Birmingham

In a nation of charitable people, who always give so very generously to other countries during times of need, it seams only right that we take care of our own.  Please consider making a donation today.  Please, click on the link below.  It will take you to Salvation Army's web site where you Can make a fast, safe donation using PayPal or credit card.

Thank you.....



 
 

 

 

Thank you for stopping by

and

Have a beautiful day

 

 

This Morning. . .

I stepped outside to find a moth sleeping atop the backdoor lantern.  The fog that crept in the night before still hovered low over the entire neighborhood.  It's about this time that the sounds of children and school bus should fill the air, but not this morning.  The local schools are on spring break.  This morning, it's was as though all the world was still fast in sleep.  That is, all the world except for my cat, Dude, and me.

 

Thank you for stopping by
and
Have a beautiful day

 

Wishing all those who pass this way

 

 

 

A most beautiful Easter day