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Thursday, October 22, 2009

Festive Pumpkin Dip

This is a wonderful, hearty dip! And when you're done making it for your party that night, you can save the left over pumpkin puree to make pumpkin pancakes the next morning!

12 oz Cream Cheese
3/4 cup cooked or canned pumpkin
2 tablespoons taco seasoning mix
1/8 garlic powder
1/3 cup chopped dried beef
1/3 cup chopped green pepper
1/3 cup chopped sweet red pepper
1 can (2-1/4 oz) sliced ripe olives, drained
1 round loaf (1 pound) Italian or pumpernickel bread (I use Kings Hawaiian)
Fresh vegtables, crackers or corn chips

In a mixing blow, beat cream cheese, pumpkin, taco seasoning and garlic powder until smooth. Stir in beef, peppers and olives. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Just before serving, cut top off bread; scoop out the bread from inside, leaving a 1/2 in. shell (save the bread from inside for another use). Fill the shell with creams cheese mixture. Serve with vegetables, crackers or corn chips. Yield: 3 cups.

  1. Oh wow! This one sounds delicious-I'll have to try it! Thanks for sharing :-)

  2. This sounds interesting Jamie.

Go ahead....make my day!

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Pearl Valley Golfers Raise R270,000 for Drakenstein Palliative Hospice

14 May 2015 – Drakenstein Palliative Hospice, focused on the provision of palliative care in the Drakenstein region, has received R 270,000.00 from Pearl Valley Golf & Country Estate. “Various member initiatives and activities saw our Captain’s Charity raise a sum of R 135,000.00 during 2014 – 2015,” says Gawie Marx, General Manager, Pearl Valley. “In turn, we matched this amount rand-for-rand resulting in the R 270,000.00 donated.”

The Pearl in the Mantis Collection

Mantis has built its collection of more than 70 unique destinations by always finding that one exceptional setting—and that’s why they have chosen Pearl Valley Golf & Country Estate as the home for their latest hotel.

Celebrity Golf Day: Everyone Deserves a Healthy Childhood

Join sporting legends, media personalities and other South African luminaries for a five-star golfing experience at Pearl Valley Golf & Country Estate. Those who stand to benefit most from this much-anticipated annual event are young children in dire need of paediatric care.

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Census Data

July 2014 Census figures estimate a population of 22,699 for this thriving community making it one of the fastest growing cities of 10,000 or more in Alabama.

With a median family income of $68,197 and a median home value of $168,200, Pelham is a great place to call home. For additional information connect to Census.gov


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Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Bake Along #22- Creme Brulee

Could not recall when is the last time I tasted creme brulee, but this is my first time baking this custard :D Smooth and melts in the mouth. But is fattening therefore I only bake both flavours, vanilla & chocolate, in small portion. After adjusting the original recipe, I used up only 1 pack 200ml cream for 2 small ramekins & 1 medium ramekins size creme brulee.

Servings just nice for our family :D

I liked the sweet crunchy caramlised layer though....

Hubby prefers the uncaramelised one :D

Recipe adapted from 'Just Desserts' by Daniel Tay
Ingredient (serve 2)
  • 1 tsp vanilla paste
  • 55gm egg yolks
  • 35gm sugar
  • 150gm whipping cream
  • 30ml milk

  1. Place vanilla paste, egg yolks and sugar in a small mixing bowl and whisk to combine.
  2. Add cream & milk and mix well.
  3. Strain mixture into individual ramekins. Bake in preheated oven at 100 deg cel for 45mins.
  4. Remove from heat and cool completely. Cling wrap and chilled in fridge to set.
  5. Sprinkle a thin layer of sugar over cream brulee and caramelise with a blowtorch until light brown. Reheat creme brulee in microwave oven for 10-20 secs on high and serve warm.

Chocolate Creme Brulee

Recipe adapted from 'Just Desserts' by Daniel Tay

Ingredient (serve 2)
  • 100ml milk
  • 40ml whipping cream
  • 15gm sugar
  • 30gm dark chocolate, finely chopped
  • 20gm egg yolks
  1. Combine milk, cream and sugar in a saucepan and bring to boil.
  2. Pour hot milk mixture over chopped chocolate and stir until chocolate is completely melted. Cool slightly.
  3. Add in egg yolks and whisk to combine.
  4. Strain mixture over ramekins and bake in preheated oven at 100 deg cel for 45mins. Remove from oven and cool completely.
  5. Cling wrap and chill for 1-2 hours. Serve chilled or reheat in microwave oven for 10-20 secs to serve warm.

Zoe said...

Your chocolate creme brulee looks delicious. Eating the creme custard without the brulee seems yummy enough.

kitchen flavours said...

I like the colour of your custard, lovely yellow! And your creme brulee looks wonderful! I like the caramelized topping too! Thank you for baking along with us! Have a nice day! :)

Anonymous said...

Chocolate version.... I want!

Peng said...

Zoe, Joyce : Thanks! see ya in the next blog along!!

Jessie-CookingMoments said...

Wow,you made 2 versions of creme brulee! My sister-in-law has given me a blow torch for at least 3 years now & I still haven't used it! Always want to make creme brulee but ended up making something else! Like yours!

Peng said...

Jessie...hehehe tks :D

simple baking said...

Your chocolate version looks amazing. The classic one also looks great! I also love the caramalised top :D

Abbygail's said...

Looks good... I can't wait to make it ... ;)

lena said...

beautiful!very nice caramelisation too! i like the crunchy sweet sugar pieces actually. Now i see that there are actually a lot of people have this blowtorch!

Peng said...

Lena...hehehe I also excited with this Bake Along cos can use my blowtorch finally! :P I also like the crunchy brulee! :D

Jeannie Tay said...

I like the look of the chocolate version too, maybe this will cover the eggy taste huh? Great job!

Peng said...

Jeannie...tks :D definitely less eggy than the original one :D But both taste as good!

Emily said...

Anonymous said...
Chocolate version.... I want!

That was me, Emily

Jasline said...

Your creme brulee looks delicious, especially the chocolate version! I actually like mine caramelize, the crunchy, sticky caramel contrasts the silky texture of the brulee very well.

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they pay to kiss your feet

since there's no one else around, we let our hair grow long and forget all we used to know. then our skin gets thicker from living out in the snow.

Wednesday, January 31, 2007

my foot hurts today. same foot. different area. it's the bottom of it. i haven't been overdoing it. i'm going to the podiatrist for the second time this week to figure it out.

i hope it's nothing.

  • At 1:05 PM, Blogger Faith said…

    I'll say a little prayer for you and your foot, hon! My feet have been hurting this week, and I'm sure it's due to the cold weather coinciding with my tougher workouts, but it's uncomfy and I don't like it. I can't even imagine what you've been having to go through all these months. Take it easy, and keep us updated...

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Percy Jackson Fanfiction Wiki

Leah Osten

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Leah O

Leah Elle Osten (Born December 21, 1994) is a demigoddess daughter of Hades.

Hands Of The Dead Caress My Cheeks.

Leah was raised by her mother, Jenna Osten. Jenna is said to be quite insane. Leah raised her younger brother, Shawn and his twin sister, Melissa. She's never really known what it was like to be the kid. She has always been one for holding grudges and rarely relieves them.

Even though she's only fifteen, she looks a bit older. She looks like a young seventeen year old. She has auburn hair, a mixture of medium brown and reddish. Her eyes are said to sparkle like blue topaz's. She has no special skin, she's just Caucasian. Leah likes to wear blue earrings or skulls. She is 5'4 and weighs about 118 lbs.

Being an unspoiled child, Leah can be grudge holding and angry. She has a short fuse and flips out at certain people a lot. She is kind and calm around her family and a few others.

Known Family.

  • Read the fanfic. It's good.

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Home: Other Programming Languages: PHP:
need help in PHP validation

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Nov 26, 2011, 8:41 AM

Post #1 of 2 (68325 views)
need help in PHP validation Can't Post

I am using a html form which has text boxes and radio buttons. The content in the text box is mandatory, but the user wont need to select all radio buttons. He can select any one or two radio buttons in the list of ten topics.

Can you help me out how to pull the value only from the selected radio buttons through PHP? I need all the selected values to be mailed.

Please refer the screenshot of the radio buttons.
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Dec 1, 2011, 6:23 PM

Post #2 of 2 (68202 views)
Re: [dharmajrb] need help in PHP validation [In reply to] Can't Post

look at this

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2010 Census Required Answers | is your information safe?

US Census Ancestry Chart

Charts like this are created using U.S. Census Data. Image from Wikimedia Commons.

Almost every mailbox in the United States is going to receive a form from the 2010 Census this week. The U.S. Constitution requires a census of the country every 10 years – and those numbers help determine everything from congressional representation to educational funding. Filling out the form takes 10 minutes – less than a personal loan application – and is incredibly important. So what are the census required answers? Is your information safe? And what happens with the data?

Census required answers – what to tell the Census Bureau

Because the 2010 Census will help determine the allocation of hundreds of billions of government dollars, it is incredibly important that the count be accurate. According the the United States Code, refusing to participate in the census means a fine of $100, while deliberately giving false answers can mean a fine of $500.

This year’s 2010 Census form is only 10 questions – and is one of the shortest forms on record. It asks about the number of people that live in the household, their ages, their ethnicity and whether they stay somewhere else. There is also a question about what type of home it is – a mobile home, apartment, condo, house, etc. So what are the 2010 Census required answers? All of them. An answer to every question is required by the Census Bureau.

What happens if I don’t mail back my 2010 Census Form?

If a household does not mail the form back, the U.S. Census Bureau will send an enumerator to the house – and send them back as many as two dozen times – until they talk to someone. If th enumerators are not able to talk to anyone at the house, they will talk to neighbors in an effort to get an accurate count of people. The Census enumerators are not immigration officials, police officers, members of the military or even representatives of anything other than the U.S. Census. They don’t care about anything except the number of people that live somewhere.

Is my 2010 Census information safe?

It can seem very scary, giving personal information to a government representative. However, the U.S. Census exists in a very unique “walled garden” of government protections. As the Washington Post reports, not even the U.S. Patriot Act, which overrides dozens of security protections in other parts of the government, can penetrate Census information.

Private information about individuals is never published by the Census Bureau, and it publishes statistics only. U.S. Census workers are subject to a quarter-million dollar fine and five years in prison if they so much as share an address. That is the kind of fine  that most U.S. Census workers could not even pay with the help of quick payday loans. Census workers are not allowed to discuss even the area of a city they are working in, much less any private information. Not even immigration enforcement can make use of the data. Illegal residents are specifically protected in the Census and have been since 1790.

What happens to my 2010 Census Answers?

Once you’ve filled out the 2010 Census forms or talked to a Census enumerator, your data is used in a dizzying array of places. Not only is the data used to determine congressional representation, it is also used to help allocate funding for roads, education, stimulus packages and more.

Census data is also used by financial institutions and businesses to determine expansion and business improvement plans. Everything from the population signs when you enter a city down to the new sidewalks in your favorite business district are determined by the Census. Depending on your locality, a single person providing the Census required answers can help allocate anywhere from $1,400 (in Wichita Falls) to $4,656 (in Washington, D.C.) for the city.

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Results 1 to 4 of 4

Thread: Rylee

  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2010
    New York, NY

    Hi Rylee, what a beautiful girl you are. I'm glad your family found you and took care of you. You look very content. Happy DOTD to you
    Adopt a shelter pet, Save a life!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    You're a beauty Rylee!!! Thank goodness your humans rescued you and look what a wonderful dog you turned out to be!
    Congrats on being DOTD! I hope you have a fun day!

    Forever in my heart...

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2000

    Beautiful Rylee!

    Hi Rylee! Happy Dog of the Day to you, sweetheart! What a gorgeous girl you are, Rylee, such a stunning blend of breeds (though you look mostly Flat Coated to me!) And don't you look adorable in your Santa Paws hat! I do hope this Christmas was an extra special one for you and your family, sweetheart! Looking at your sleek, shiny coat, those sparkling, copper colored eyes, it's hard to imagine the deplorable condition you were once in, how you suffered both physically and emotionally during those first few months of life! But oh, just look at your beautiful, healthy, confidant, sassy, trick mastering self now! Amazing how far a bit of grooming and a good diet, a little time, patience and tons of love can go in helping to heal the body and soul! What a transformation! And even in that sad state you were in when your Mommy first laid eyes on you, somehow she knew you were the one, and how right she was! How lucky your family is to have a beautiful best friend in you,'re a gem! Hope you're enjoying your much deserved day in the spotlight, sweet baby girl, and to you and your family, wishes for a very happy and healthy 2014! Lots of love, hugs and kisses to you, beautiful Rylee!

    Star,Tigg'r , Mollie and the10 Gallon Gang!

    And my Rainbow Bridge Furangels...Jingles, Cody, Fritz, Chessa, Satin, Buddy, Lizzie, Oliver, Squeaker, Moonbeam, Rosie, Ruby~

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2001
    indianapolis,indiana usa
    Hello Rylee,

    It is good to meet you pretty girl. You have the sweetest face & lovely brown eyes.
    I am so happy that you were found & adopted by a wonderful family. You look so gorgeous now
    with that beautiful long hair & happy face. Congratulations on being chosen for honor as the
    very deserving DOG OFTHE DAY. Hugs & kisses to you sweet girl.xoxoxo
    I've Been Boo'd

    I've been Frosted

    Today is the oldest you've ever been, and the youngest you'll ever be again.

    Eleanor Roosevelt

Posting Permissions

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All Pets

Male Small & Furry Animals for Sale in Milwaukee

(1 - 15 of 21)
  1. ... see more at
    Roger ·15 hours ago on
  2. He is about a year and a half old...he does have a cage that is available for an additional fee. He is lovable and loving. $25 for him al... ·3 days ago on
  3. Guineapigs are personable, communicative and enjoy interaction with their family members. They live longer than most small animals, with ...
    Chewie ·6 days ago on
  4. Hi there! My name is Luigi! Like the famous Nintendo character, I make a fantastic friend and sidekick. I like run on my exercise wheel, ...
    Luigi ·1 week ago on
  5. ... see more at
    Pepperjack - Staff Pick! ·3 weeks ago on
  6. Gorgonzola is the big cheese under the big top! This daring mouse loves to climb to new heights and is sure to climb right into your hear...
    Gorgonzola - Staff Pick! ·3 weeks ago on
  7. ... see more at
    Cancer ·Over 4 weeks ago on
  8. ... see more at
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  9. ... see more at
    Virgo ·Over 4 weeks ago on
  10. Squirre; is an fully grown male guineapig. He has the most awesome coloring. He is super friendly and is more than willing to be handled....
    Squirrel ·Over 4 weeks ago on
  11. Arlo and Woody are two 3 mon old guineapig who are ready for adoption. Arlo is very handlable and Woody needs some work. They were surren...
    Arlo and Woody ·Over 4 weeks ago on
  12. Chip is an approx 9 mnth old male guineapig. He is very friendly and very, very nosy. He always wants to know what's going on around his ...
    Chip ·Over 4 weeks ago on
  13. ... see more at
    Theother - Staff Pick! ·Over 4 weeks ago on
  14. Extremely tame breeding pair of Grey Chinchillas for sale to a great home. Female (Ellie) is years old Male (Chubs) is . Had sets of twin...
    Over 4 weeks ago on Advertigo
  15. Meet Franky! This curious rat friend is very active and loves to check out everything that's going on around him. He'll climb around his ...
    Franky ·Over 4 weeks ago on

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  • Only pay for shipping if you know the seller.

To learn more, visit the Safety Center. Report suspicious listings by clicking on .


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Sports training in Greater Manila

Wikifun FaceBook Google+ Wikifun Twitter Wikifun Youtube
What you need to know about
Greater Manila

WikifunBox Offer a WikiFun Box
Beneficiaries have
5 years to spend them
on any listed Deals !
All Greater Manila
Arts, Science, Learning Arts, Science, Learning
Ball games Ball games
Fun Parks Fun Parks
Health and Beauty Health and Beauty
Hotels Hotels
In and On Water In and On Water
Indoors Indoors
Arcade games
Game tables
Indoor play fields
Kids games
PC gaming center
Pool Tables
Sports training
Outdoors and Nature Outdoors and Nature
Outing Parties and Shows Outing Parties and Shows
Restaurants and Cafes Restaurants and Cafes
Shopping Shopping
Wildlife and Animals Wildlife and Animals

Sports training in Greater Manila

This is the selection of Sports training places in Greater Manila. These Sports training places were published by their management teams in a selection of 7150 cities in Greater Manila
To vote for your favorite place

Hara Dojo Aikido in Alabang Alabang Hara Dojo Aikido in Alabang  (Alabang, )
Hara Aikido Dojo offers Aikido regular classes/special corporate and group programs for kids and adults. All classes/programs are given by the head instructor- accredited and certified by the Aikikai Foundation ...
        Vote     |   Follow this place   |  Post a message


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miércoles, 3 de julio de 2013

Roche & AstraZeneca: De acuerdo con estos acuerdos...

In another example of big drug companies pooling resources to improve research and development, Roche Holding AG and AstraZeneca PLC agreed to share data on early-stage drug design to try to speed up development of effective medicines.

Under the deal, both companies will contribute data to a third company, MedChemica Ltd. of the U.K., that specializes in scrutinizing chemical compounds to pinpoint structures that tend to create safety or efficacy problems.

 By sharing their past design successes and failures, the companies say they hope to increase their odds of building safe and effective drugs. (Ver)
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Trial Of Daycare Worker For Alleged Assault Expected To Begin MondayIn September, 57-year-old Genel James allegedly pushed an 11-year-old girl, then hit her two-year-old brother and left them locked inside the Future People daycare in West Philadelphia.

More From CBS Philly

RMHC Telethon: Bidding For Good
Pennsylvania Spirits Convention
Getaway Guide To Marina Shopping

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Services - Projects Around the Shop - Details

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Holiday World - The Voyage

Project Description Status
Winter overhaul on 14 Two Seat Articulating Cars Required By: 2016-03-31
Task Description Status
Truck is loaded and ready to head back to Holiday Complete - Shipped
Loading the truck Active - In Progress
Final assembly complete, the cars are ready to shi Active - In Progress
Parts disassembled Active - In Progress
Disassembly begins Active - In Progress
The Voyage arrives for winter maintenance Active - In Progress

A comprehensive inspection and testing of every part
guarantees the performance that PTCI is well known for.


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Recent Philly lacrosse boys’, girls’ college commitments

Tuesday, 20th November 2012

Categories Boy's/Men's, Girl's/Women's, High School, Recruiting, Posted 11/20/12

Recent Philly lacrosse commitments

Class of 2014

Bailey Martin, Salesianum School, attackman, Vermont

Class of 2013
Junior College

Chase Heisman, Henderson, goalie, CCBC Essex

Class of 2013
Division II

Rachel Perry, Boyertown, defender Chestnut Hill College (signing)
Lauren Mengel, Boyertown, midfield, Bridgeport, CT (signing)

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Monday, August 20, 2012

the summer was rooted in cement

everything blocked

everything stopped cold where it stood

and all the wrath of karmic payback

picking our pocket of every last coin of grace

every whit of the price as they say

paid if not gouged

and what is left but knowing

you cannot amends for what you are being punished

done is done as far as that goes

and all you do is tie yourself more tightly to that karma

you make amends and change your ways only going forward

even if your current life's fate

is to be crushed down with every move you make

the god may be unforgiving

may have no pity or mercy for you

and even if you say not my will but Thine

even if I Am That I Am means Things Are As They Are

it is still on you to amend your ways

no matter what is thrown at you

no matter how much your guardian angels

are merely the One's henchmen

and now as the approaching Autumn begins to crack

these solid pavements

where will we find ourselves

cold bones of the passing of our time?

Content (c) 2008-2012 Philip Milito. All rights reserved.

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text:
Friday, November 9, 2012

the solar eclipse in Scorpio

initiating this new dispensation

of a changed world

a pivoting in history

that will also pass away

once it has happened

is upon us

and we shrug and stumble on

as if the stars had an immediate effect

on everything we do

even if they did

what effect on our consequences?

whatever happens for all our participation

still happens beyond our control...

hidden sun or no...

Content (c) 2008-2012 Philip Milito. All  rights reserved.

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text:
10 January 2010

Calling All Downsizers!!

Hi everybody! I managed to make it back to Albania from snowy, sub-zero Scotland. The UK is having its most severe winter weather in half a century, and I felt very lucky to fly out on a day when the airports were open and functioning! And here in the Balkans we are having heavy rains with flooding in low-lying areas: bridges are washing away, people are being evacuated from their homes, and we are advised not to travel in the region. Crazy winter weather this year.

Now on to Philofaxy business. I've been largely absent from Philofaxy during my vacation (except for one quick post banged out while at an internet cafe, and the Christmas FFAF that I pre-wrote and scheduled to auto-post). I've missed Philofaxy!

Today's order of business: a support group for downsizers! I've noticed that there are several people who are downsizing, whether from A5 to Personal, or Personal to Pocket. I know it's not easy to move to less space, so let's discuss.

For those of you who have successfully downsized in the past, let's hear from you. How did you do it? What worked for you? What changes did you have to make in how you do things when working with a smaller page size?

For those of you currently downsizing: How's it going? Are you enjoying the freedom of a smaller, lighter book? Or are you still trying to figure out how to make the smaller book work for you?

I know it's not always easy to do more with less, but we are here to support you!

  1. It's not a big deal. Just write smaller.

  2. I'm moving from an A5 to a personal. But the Classic personal arrived with a broken clasp. I've sent it back to FF and hope that the new one arrives back this week.

    More to come!

  3. I'm going in the opposite direction. I know this is a Philofax site - I've never had the opportunity to use one, I'm currently using time/design. I've used mostly the compact size for two years, but over the last several months I've been trying to get myself to move to an A5. I love the compact size but I always feel that subconsciously I am limiting what I put in there because of the limited space. The A5 size requires so much more discipline to carry around with me though - so I've just ordered a real expensive one to make it worth it :) An A5 business cuba leather (the price is a big ouch though)

  4. I purchased a personal going from an A5. I just ordered a new Kendal A5!!
    I tried the personal starting the beginning of 2010. The problem is I ended up writing on a note pad because the personal is just too small. Assame though because it fit so nice in my laptop. I work with a group of people that are using FC "monarch size". I can't go that far. LOL
    I am going to keep my personal and dual write for awhile as someone else suggested. Until I can decide.
    On the bright side, I can't wait for the Kendal A5! It's like Christmas all over again!! I will keep posting my findings.

  5. Plaiditude - how do you like the Time Design pages? I am using the A5 size for 2010 - trying NOT to switch :) - do you like the calendar format? Would appreciate any tips!

  6. I just ordered my first Filofax after using FC for years. I am so excited!! I've been wanting a planner that I can take with me on the go, so I ordered the personal size filofax.

  7. I recently downsized from a Personal to a Slimline which holds the same size paper as the personal, so not downsizing on how and what I write but more so in what/how much I carry with me. At first I was doubtful, but now I have it down to a science - In there, I keep only the lists I absolutely need with me at all times, 6 months worth of month-in-view and 3 months of week-on-two-pages, phone numbers for emergency contacts, services and doctors. Everything else stays in my personal Filofax which stays at home - I still use it, but don't carry with it me. In there I keep extra lists, exercise information, and the diary pages for the rest of the year, so still accessible when I need it, but left at home most times.

  8. Like kanalt, I just bought a Slimline (Metropol) last week!
    My Personal (Domino) with all my lists, projects, adresses, maps... stays on my desk at home.

    In this new Slimline (which I take with me when I leave the house) I only have a month-on-2-pages diary, the current month of the day-per-page diary, some important phone numbers and a few sheets of note paper.

  9. I downsized last spring from A5 to personal. It took the rest of 2008 to get my system re--vamped the way I wanted it. My biggest adjustment -- moving to one page per day, instead of the vertical week at a glance (my definite preference). The last time I Tried to downsize to personal, I tried to work with a week at a time, and there was just not enough room. This time, I'm using the 2-pages-month as my overview calendar, and keep three months of daily pages (current, past and next). What I like about this is that even though I have sacrificed the week view, I still have a vertical column for appointments (I have a lot of meetings), plus plenty of room for to-dos, notes, etc.

    Downsizing has made handbag shopping much easier, to be sure,a nd my shoulder appreciates the lighter weight.

  10. Sticking with my A5 for my journal, personal slimline for my appointments for this year.

    Although I am tempted to downsize to my Finsbury Personal for 2011 for my journal.

    The advantages would of course be commonality in page size, and greater choice of diary refill formats in personal size compared to any other size.

    Very comfortable with carrying around the personal slimline though, excellent purchase last year.

  11. I went from the Palgrave student planner (bigger than A5) to a pocket filofax, both with a week on 2 pages. I have small handwriting anyway, I can see how the pocket might be difficult otherwise, but putting aside how much i love the new filofax, it's much better for me to stay organised. I keep the diary pages for classes, appointments and to-dos, whereas with so much space i was scribbling notes, doodles and everything else just anywhere on the page. a small amount of space helps me stay focused.

  12. Claudia Volkman:
    I like the Time Design pages. A year ago they moved the compact size over to a newer European design which I really liked. Currently in Canada and USA they still use the older format for A5, I'm hoping that eventually they change over that size to the newer format as well. The monthly Calendar format takes a bit of getting used to (each day is a line across the page, rather than a square block) but it's also very useful. You can see the CAN/USA format of A5 here:
    and the Compact size here:

  13. I'm keeping my personal one for work (aka My Brain - everything is in there), but I had a brainwave earlier this week when I realised I needed a new address book and a new diary. So I'm going to the extreme, I bought a Mini in the sale and used the discount code on here to buy lots of extra infills. It's small enough to carry round in my bag everyday and I think it's going to become My Other Brain. I am very excited. I keep stroking it, is that wrong?

  14. I went from my Red Personal Finsbury to a Raspberry Pocket Finsbury...I love it! I wanted something light I could throw in my purse and so far,it has worked out great. My goal for 2010 is to use this filofax the entire year..I made this announcement to my friends at work and they asked me if I realized what I was saying....typically I switch a couple times a year...but for 2010 I am really going to try to make this one work the entire year!

  15. I'm moving from personal to pocket. I had been using the week view pages but found not enough room in the pocket version, so I switched to the two-day per page and am happy with it. I have enough space for meetings and notes for each day, and for to-do lists which are not date-specific I am using both the Notes section and the Jot Pad pages, which I really like. The Jot Pad page clips right in and moves with the page marker, and you can replace it easily as soon as you complete your list items. I love Filofax, glad to have found this site!

  16. @helen, no of course it's not wrong! :)

    I kept stroking (and admiring, and looking at the inside of) my Kendal A5 I bought last year, and that was me UPsizing, both for the extra space & ease of making my own custom-printed refills.

    I like magazines, and whenever I get one with a sample of scent in, I rip the paper out and put it inside the front pocket.. meaning I sometimes sit and SMELL my Filofax, too!

    (Welcome to The Internet - the place where you can always find someone madder than yourself!)

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Concert Photography – SixtyFour

Taking pictures of a concert aren’t easy. It requires fast glass and access. Recently I have met some wonderful people who just happen to be incredible musicians. SM invited me to a gig for the Beattles cover band he is a part of, SixtyFour. It was a small venue, a local wings bar, and a fun crowd of the older generation who danced to the tunes of their youth. The lighting was good, but not great. Once thing I have found is that the multicolor lights and various textures and elements often on a stage can be distracting. Solution: convert to black and white. For example, this is a nice image in color. Steve is crisp and clear, the Corona neon looks nice, and overall not a bad image.

Version 2

But in B&W it has mood and character that the color just doesn’t have.

In the end, it is personal choice, but I like the black and white so here is a selection from the evening.

Dewy Grass

This morning as the sun came up the dew was thick upon the grass and near me was the camera with the 200-500mm lens on it. Nikon says it is good for macro photography so why not? Being a 6 pound lens it is a bit unwieldy for a lot of close work (close being relative, roughly 5 feet away) but it did yield nice, crisp shots with beautiful bokeh even at f5.6.

Squirrel & Dog – Backyard Shots

UPDATE: I spotted a hummingbird from a long way off. Take a look at the uncropped and cropped photos. Not bad. Remember this is with a D810 and the 200-500, handheld.

Yesterday the Nikkor 200-500mm f5.6E  arrived and it seems like suddenly all the critters in the backyard disappeared! There will be a lot of experimenting to get used to it and find the best settings for various situations. I started this morning with a few shots of the dog and then, through a window, I managed to get this squirrel with a nut in its mouth running across the yard. So, early trials but it is a very solid lens and a great value.

Bellefonte Cruise & Train Ride

For Father’s Day 2016 my wife and daughter took me to the beautiful neighboring town of Bellefonte for their “Cruise” and a ride on the historic train. It was a short journey of 4.5 miles, but when you are only making 6 miles an hour, it takes a while. I took my camera (as one does) and took a few snaps. The cars were amazing. The ones featured here are the engine of a ’67 Jaguar E Type, a ’63 Corvette, a Plymouth Duster (with the Road Runner stripe), a modified Studebaker (I think), and an all original 1955 Pontiac Star Chief. The owner, pictured next to his Star Chief, told me that it has been in his family since 1961. His father sold it at one point, but the current owner bought it back. It was the first car he drove and just last year he drove it to Tennessee and back. “It’s a great highway cruising car,” he told me.

Doors of Freiburg

There are a wide variety of doors and doorhandles in Freiburg. Consider this the beginning of a series.

A walk through Freiburg

When we stay in Freiburg we walk into town at least once a day, just to stretch our legs and pick up some groceries. (These little fridges make US-size shopping impossible!) Today I took my D810 and 50mm 1.8.

Föhr and farther

We travelled up to the small island of Föhr, off the northwest coast of Germany in the Nordsee and part of the North Frisian Islands. It is a beautiful little island, only 32 square miles, with a residential population of 8,000.


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Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Things that don't make you go hmmm.

Can a low-emission coal-fired power plant, such as Boundary Dam with CCS, be considered sustainable similar to renewable energy sources?

Winning Public Support for the Future of Coal

Speaking of fictional questions... What is the load bearing capacity of a Pegasus? That depends.... Is it a European Pegasus or an African Pegasus?

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Thursday, May 27, 2010

Spring --jdemilo

Silk, organza, wool batting, cotton cording, driftwood
29" by 42"

Pink like a blush
Sweet scent with petals,
falling at spring
                                       Akiko Feng

I wanted my fabric to be pink like a blush to represent the petals.  The fabric is silk (remember the really good deal I got on silk a few months back?).  I dyed it with three shades of pink using a Japanese resist dying technique called Shibori.  To bring out some of the stitched flowers, I used some shiva paint sticks.

I wanted the quilt as a whole to represent the tree so I bought white cotton cording and dyed it black and then softened the black with shiva oil sticks.  Using large eyelets I wove the cording in and out of the fabric to indicate the branches of the tree.

I wanted heavy texture for the blossoms on the tree.   I found a wonderful book named Stitching to Dye in Quilt Art by C. June Barnes that showed how to use wool batting to distort a quilt in interesting ways.  I got my batting from Cederview Farms because I needed a batting that would shrink if abused--so many commercial wool battings are treated not to shrink.  After spending days (and days and days) dying and quilting, it is a leap of faith to throw the quilt in the washing machine and hope that it shrinks in interesting ways.  I think my sample turned out better  (I did more interesting quilting on it) but I did get really heavy texture.  This is a technique I will experiment with some more.

I was stumped for some time on how to hang the art quilt till I found a piece of driftwood  in my stash and decided to paint it blue for the sky.  The quilt is hanging from fishing line from the driftwood.

I hope you like the result!

  1. Absolutely an amazing interpretation. I love all the techniques you used and the textured results of the shrunken wool! I can see that being useful down the road.

    The quilting is wonderful and the cording as branches so very clever of you.

    Final touch using the driftwood sky to hang your tree is the perfect finish. This is definitely a favorite of mine!

  2. I agree with Barbara. You've done a wonderful job all around. Hasn't that silk you bought turned out to be a fabulous tool?

  3. Your best piece to date! Very clever and very well done. Bravo!

  4. I love the graceful shape of your tree and its shaded outline. Seeing the colors, textures, and depth in real life must be amazing. Your ideas and how you implement them are sooo clever ;)

  5. Wow! I love how you took this out of the box! The branches are such a great idea! Amazing all the way around. Impressive!!

  6. Love the result! Wonderful textures and I really like the sculptural aspect.

  7. I love the texture you achieved with the stitch and shrink! I think this is an incredibly imaginative interpretation- I'm very impressed!

  8. That is a very clever way of interpreting the picture. Very innovative.

  9. Wonderful result!! It's a home run! It is so unusual and airy.

Thanks for stopping by and commenting!


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The American Piano Wars

The American Piano WarsThe history of the American piano wars is a forgotten period in American business. The story of the piano in America as a commodity is quite interesting.

By 1890, the piano had penetrated everywhere in Western culture.

With no electricity, no cars, no radio and no telephone, the ideal was to sit in one’s living room in the evening and listen to someone playing the piano.

There were 150 piano companies in the USA alone, trying to meet the public’s insatiable demand for the instrument.

In fact, the piano industry, always labor intensive, provided jobs for more Americans than any other industry!

Try Piano By Number Online

There were to be several shocks, historical forces, really, that were to shake the piano industry and ultimately cripple it.

First was the economic decline around 1900. This started to affect sales. Then came electricity and cars.

Electricity and cars made the ideal of sitting in your living rooms listening to a piano into old news. Americans wanted to be out on the road in their Model T, using all that cheap electricity they had just discovered.

Teach Yourself Piano Book By MailWith less reason to stay home, US piano sales plummeted again.

Then the Aeolian Company, a piano manufacturer, found a way to mass-produce the mechanism for the player piano.

All of a sudden, player pianos were the rage, and sales skyrocketed. For a few years the piano returned to a position of dominance in the instrument marketplace.

Aeolian built a huge new building in Manhattan to take care of the expected permanent surge in sales.

People were intrigued with the idea of not having to play the piano at all, but instead listening to great music reproduced from a piano roll.

Then came the death-knell.

Some bright fellow figured out a way to cheaply mass-produce the radio in 1926, and the radio swept the Americans like a raging fire.

Piano sales of all kinds dropped off the map. The great honeymoon with the American public was over.

In New York City, the Aeolian Piano Company had begun construction on a huge new Manhattan factory and showroom, only to abandon the building entirely when radio swept the nation. The piano was done for, finished, all washed up.

The piano, which had come to embody the accomplishments of the Industrial Revolution since 1800, was relegated to a lower and lower position as inventions poured out such as the television, and then, of course, the computer.

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In the 1980s, electonic synthesizers entered the scene, leading to hopes that the market could be rejuvenated, but the demand was not great, although almost all pop music adopted synthesizers and abandoned the acoustic piano.

By the 1950’s the Piano Culture started to wither, and then die, mostly due to television, the computer, and then the internet.

A slight resurgence in the 1970’s and 1980’s was caused by the invention of the digital player piano, a mechanism that could be fitted to any piano much like a player piano.

But then came the PC in the 1980’s, and the piano was finally finished off by the electronic keyboard and synthesizer.

The great piano, once a vehicle for a nation’s dreams, had become just another piece of furniture.

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Biden hotel tab

Vice President Joe Biden’s trip to Europe last month led to a hefty tab with over $1 million for hotels for himself, staff and security for two nights in London and Paris, government documents show.
As first reported by The Weekly Standard, documents show that the U.S. State Department obtained contracts with two five-star hotels in London and Paris where the vice president stayed for two nights during a five-day tour of Europe last month.
One contract was awarded to the Hyatt Regency London for a total of $459,338.65 while another went to the Hotel Intercontinental Paris Le Grand for $585,000.50
While the figure may be eye-popping, a State Department official said these costs are par for the course in
high-level international trips as they also include accommodations for staff, security details and military personnel.
“These costs are nothing out of the ordinary. They are in line with high-level travel across multiple administrations,” the State Department official said.  ”The contract costs cover the entire range of support, including accommodations for military, communications, secret service staff, and other support professionals.  Security experts are also required to travel in advance of the president or vice president. Safety and security are not negotiable.”
A 1999 GAO report showed that trips President Bill Clinton took to Africa, Chile and China in 1998 cost $42.8 million, $10.5 million and $18.8 million, respectively – adding up to over $72 million. There were 1302 travelers to Africa, while 592 and 510 people were on the trips to Chile and China, respectively.
The White House normally does not disclose the amount paid for the vice president and president’s travel.  Last year, an Air Force official told ABC News that one hour of flying time aboard Air Force One totaled $179,750 in FY2012.
White House press secretary Jay Carney would not reveal how much the president’s day trip to Illinois earlier this month would cost when asked about it by ABC News’ White House correspondent Jonathan Karl.
“I don’t have a figure on the cost of presidential travel.  It is obviously something, as every president deals with because of security and staff, a significant undertaking,” Carney said. “But the president has to travel around the country.  He has to travel around the world.  That is part of his job.”
In an interview during the campaign last year, President Obama said the decisions about travel are not up to him when he was asked if he was out of touch with ordinary Americans when his family is “jetting around” on Air Force One.
“The fact of the matter is, I think if you look at my track record, I’m raising a family here. When we travel, we got to travel through Secret Service, and Air Force One, that’s not my choice. I think most folks understand how hard I work and how hard this administration is working on behalf of the American people,” Obama told KMOV of St Louis.

Source : ABC News


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at the Bishops Mills
Natural History Centre

[Frederick W. Schueler in the field]

Autumnal feeding behavior
of Cepaea nemoralis snails

photos and journal by Aleta Karstad

On the evening of 14 October 2005 at 22:50 I released a small jar full of Cepaea snails that Fred had picked up and measured from their wanderings on the pavement of the "Our Streets" transect. He had mentioned that tonight many of them were up in the vegetation along and overhanging the pavement, and when I glanced into the dead Queen Anne's Lace stems by the fence in the light of the streetlamp, I noticed a constellation of snails up in the dry Queen Anne's Lace (Carrot - Daucus carota) like early Christmas ornaments. There was at least one per plant, and up to three on some. I didn't notice whether the snails were active or resting at the time.

On the next morning at 9:30 (temperature 13C, overcast after intermittent rain) there were many fewer snails on the stems. I went out with Timothy Thomas to photograph them at 14:30 (19C and sunny) and saw about 7 large adults and at least a dozen of this year's juveniles (3 - 5 mm diameter). Most of the adults were resting on the stems, but not sealed up with dried mucus as they do when they are dormant. Most of the little ones were at the tops. The brown skins of many of the dry Carrot stalks were peeled off in patches, revealing the fibrous structural core of the stems gleaming in bright ivory, and suggesting that the snails had been climbing the stems to feed on the dried skins of the Carrot stalks.

Tonight at 22:30 (10C and breezy) we went out with the spotlight and camera to see if the snails were climbing again by night, but the stems were bare, dry, and devoid of snails. Three small individuals were seen on the only patch of damp pavement edge near the intersection, and none on the dry road. On a previous wet night, Fred had noticed that they were up on the vegetation for the first time this year, but his attention was so focused on the road that he did not look over into the Queen Anne's Lace.

It is wonderful to have seen the snails doing things en masse, according to season and weather, and I feel fortunate to have witnessed brief and surprising periods of "group activity" in the usually secretive lives of these large, jewel-like invertebrates. One of the lessons we are learning in our programme of nocturnal street surveys is that there are lots of seasonally timed activities that you miss if you don't make daily (or nightly) observations.

[Queen Anne's Lace stems]
[adult Cepaea on Queen Anne's Lace stem]
[Adult Cepaea on Queen Anne's Lace]
[young Cepaea on Queen Anne's Lace flower]

30 Main St., Bishops Mills
Oxford Station, Ont. K0G 1T0

Aleta Karstadkarstad@pinicola.ca


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Like a lot of kids, when I was small, I was horse-crazy. From the ages of seven through twelve, I collected the "Horses of Destiny" series, The Black Stallion series by Walter Farley, anything by Marguerite Henry, and any other horse story I could lay my hot little hands on. I kept spiral notebooks of drawings of horses, with their names and fictitious pedigrees. I knew the breeds, their origins, famous horses representing them. The first stories I wrote were horse stories, patterned closely after the books I'd read. I dreamed of one day owning a horse like those in my stories...a beautiful, intelligent steed who would carry me on my adventures.

One Christmas, I dared to ask Santa for a pony. I knew it was useless. I lived in the city--where would I keep a horse? Nevertheless, every store Santa who asked me got that answer: "I want a pony."

My parents talked it over. They looked through the newspaper, saw an ad, went to see the pony advertised, came back shaking their heads. "We were too late. Someone else bought him." To say I was disappointed would be an understatement.

Christmas day arrived with plenty of gifts but not the expected pony, but...what was that on the table next to the plate with the crumbs of cookies? A note! "Dear Toni. I hope you like your presents. I left another one for you at your grandfather's, because it was too big to put under the tree...."

Good ol' Santa came through!

Arriving at my grandfather's farm, I hurried to the corral to stare at what stood there staring back at me. I couldn't believe it. "Oh, Mama, can I be dreaming?"

A bay and white tobiano pinto, a streak of white resembling the Mississippi cutting through the splotch of red on his chest, sweeping mane, tail brushing the ground. Barely fifteen hands high (just tall enough to be considered a horse), he was the product of an amorous Morgan stallion and a little Shetland mare everyone had thought too old to breed. Guess that showed 'em! His name was Nipper, for he loved to take a quick bite...out of the unwary.

From that day on, Nipper, my grandfather's dog, Midnight, and I were inseparable. Riding the pastures and red hills of my grandfather's 220-acre farm...through pine forests and cornfields...into swamps and down dusty Georgia roads, my beautiful, intelligent steed carried me on my adventures, some of which have undoubtedly found their way into my books.

  1. Mary Ricksen // July 8, 2008 at 1:46 PM

    How lucky you were to get that horse. I never did, sob, I would have loved it! Being one of those little girls who felt that unique pull that horses have on us. If I only had parents like yours!

  2. Nightingale // July 8, 2008 at 8:26 PM

    I used to look out the window every Christmas morning. I'm jealous, Toni. I didn't get my pony until we moved to a farm when I was about 12. His name was First Fling and he was a paint too. He laid down in the plowed dirt with a friend and me but we stepped clear! I still love horses. Beautifully written, Toni.

  3. Beth Trissel // July 8, 2008 at 8:45 PM

    Toni this is wonderful! I too was horse mad as a child. What a splendid Christmas/life present.
    I really enjoyed this post.

  4. Melba // July 9, 2008 at 1:56 AM

    This was a wonderful story. It reminded me of my childhood. No, I never got a pony, I don't think I ever asked for one. I grew up on a dairy farm. My brothers and I raised calves. We had one that we spoiled so badly he thought he was a dog instead of a bull. He would lay down on the grass and put his head in my lap. When he was grown he was impossible to keep in the pasture because he would see us in the yard and come to play!

  5. Toni V.S. // July 9, 2008 at 12:18 PM

    Linda, Perhaps laying down while being ridden is a characteristic of pintos. Mine used to do the same thing!

  6. Mary Marvella // July 9, 2008 at 12:42 PM

    Goodness. I wasn't a horse-loving kid. I once saw daddy on a horse while we visited my grandma on rural Mississippi and I thought the animal was HUGE! Now that I think about it, I don't think he had a saddle.

    Love looking at horses, but don't do much touching.


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Friday, November 29, 2013

Friday Film Night: Ironman 3 with Terri Reed

Today author Terri Reed joins The Pink Heart Society for the Friday Film Night. Take it away, Terri!

Hi, Terri Reed here sharing with you IRON MAN 3.
I’m a big superhero geek-er-fan.  I read Marvel and DC comics as a kid.  I grew up watching Wonder Twins and SuperFriends cartoons, also Wonder Woman with Lynda Carter and the old Batman TV series.

So you can imagine how excited I was when the wave of super hero movies started hitting theatres.  And since I have teenagers I have the perfect excuse to go to the movies to see my favorite genre of heroes.

And being a huge Robert Downey Jr. fan, of course, the Iron Man movies are my favorites!  Though The Avengers movie is a top one, too--had Iron Man in it!

I recently saw the third installment into the Iron Man series and have to say that Iron Man 3 is my favorite.  Even my teen son thought it was the best one of the three.  Son’s comment when asked why, he said the character development of Tony Stark made the movie more enjoyable.  Ah, spoken like the son of a writer.  Hmmm, he must be listening when I talk craft. LOL

It’s true; the character of Tony Stark shows his humanity and vulnerability in a touching way that made my heart sigh.  As if watching Robert didn’t already make my heart sigh and stutter and go pitter-patter.  I’ve liked the way the three movies have built the romance between Tony and his assistant Pepper, played by Gwyneth Paltrow.  The chemistry between them is believable, which I think is important.
Also starring in the movie are Guy Pearce, Ben Kingsley and Don Cheadle.  All fine actors that round out the cast well.

From IMDb’s website here’s a brief teaser
Marvel's "Iron Man 3" pits brash-but-brilliant industrialist Tony Stark/Iron Man against an enemy whose reach knows no bounds. When Stark finds his personal world destroyed at his enemy's hands, he embarks on a harrowing quest to find those responsible. This journey, at every turn, will test his mettle. With his back against the wall, Stark is left to survive by his own devices, relying on his ingenuity and instincts to protect those closest to him. As he fights his way back, Stark discovers the answer to the question that has secretly haunted him: does the man make the suit or does the suit make the man? Written by Jawadjee

The trailer does a nice job of hitting the high points without giving too much away.

If you haven’t had a chance to see this fabulous movie you can find it on iTunes or at Red Box.  It would be a perfect way to relax over the weekend.   Well, maybe relax is stretching it since this movies is full of action and adventure and romance!

I have a new release this month.  A novella in a 2 in 1 collection with my friends and fellow Love Inspired Suspense author Shirlee McCoy.

Holiday Hero by Shirlee McCoy
Emma Fairchild never expected to find trouble in sleepy Sagebrush, Texas. But when she's attacked and left for dead in her own diner, her childhood friend turned K-9 cop Lucas Harwood offers a chance at justice—and love.
Rescuing Christmas by Terri Reed
She escaped a kidnapper, but now a killer has set his sights on K-9 dog trainer Lily Anderson. When fellow officer Jarrod Evans appoints himself her bodyguard, Lily knows more than her life is at risk—so is her heart.

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That pretty much sums up the style and historical milieu of the increasingly popular steampunk designs and fashion, which a number cruncher for IBM says is going to go mainstream in the next two years. "The trajectory for steampunk as a popular social
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Evaluation of program effectiveness is extremely important to ensure that useful strategies are implemented and that public resources are allocated appropriately.

PIRE has long been recognized as a leader in the field of evaluation. Its work includes evaluation of programs related to public health, drug and alcohol abuse prevention, dependency treatment, tobacco use prevention, traffic safety, criminal justice, education and many other areas that are important to health and well-being. PIRE researchers evaluate programs on the national, state and local levels.

PIRE’s Chapel Hill Center and Louisville Center house numerous evaluation projects where researchers design, field test, and engage in applications based on novel approaches to outcome-based program evaluation. PIRE provides evaluation services on a very large scale, with national evaluations of important state/local prevention programming, and also the smallest scale, with innovative web-based evaluation for local hospitals or peer work groups. A hallmark of the Institute’s approach to evaluation is that the design and implementation of evaluation studies work within the program structures to provide minimal interference with program operations. Results can be utilized by the ongoing program to make changes and improvements that enhance effectiveness.

Selected Projects

Bloomberg Road Safety Initiative
Principal Investigator: Ted Miller
Sponsor: World Lung Foundation
03/24/14 - 10/31/14

Center for Substance Abuse Treatment Logistcs
Principal Investigator: Andrew Gluck
07/16/14 - 09/30/14

DFC Evaluation
Principal Investigator:
Sponsor: SAMHSA
10/01/11 - 06/30/15

Evaluation and Monitoring of the Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Model 1 Initiative
Principal Investigator: William Scarbrough
Sponsor: Center for Medicare & Medicaid
09/24/12 - 12/23/15

Evaluation of California Community Colleges Student Mental Health Program (CCC SMHP)
Principal Investigator: Bob Saltz
Sponsor: CA Mental Health Svcs. Auth.
06/18/12 - 04/30/15

Jefferson County Reentry Fatherhood Initiative
Principal Investigator: David Collins
Sponsor: DHHS-ACF
09/30/11 - 09/29/15

Prevention Evaluation for La Frontera New Mexico BHSD State General Fund Substance Abuse Emerging Trends
Principal Investigator: Liz Lilliott
12/27/13 - 06/30/14

Support for Paragon TEC contract under NASA IDIQ Task 9.1
Principal Investigator: William Scarbrough
Sponsor: NASA
05/01/14 - 09/30/15


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Lil Wayne Is Making a Rock Album, Says a Guy on "Degrassi: The Next Generation"

Canadians Never Lie

Canadian aspiring teen idol Aubrey Graham, who plays disabled high school basketball star Jimmy Brooks on "Degrassi: The Next Generation", also raps and sings under the name Drake and somehow got himself signed to Lil Wayne's Young Money Records. And no, I don't know how stuff like this happens. The world is a weird place, and when you start worrying about why the guy from "Degrassi" is on Lil Wayne's label, your brain will hurt and you will have to lie down. It's best to just accept it and move on.

Thus far, Drake's Young Money output (none of it actually released, naturally) mostly consists of an inexplicable remix of Lykke Li's "Little Bit" and the Wayne collaboration "Ransom", which is shockingly good mostly because of a nutso super-long Wayne verse that includes Wayne reciting the entire alphabet and ending it with "ZZ Top, yes he rock" even though ZZ Top is obviously a they. Wayne also raps, "I would buttfuck your friend." And "It is just a minute past piss and I'm about to get shitted on."

In a perfect world, we could forget all about Drake's rap career after this song. But no. Drake is muscling his way back into our brains by giving interviews about Wayne's supposedly forthcoming terrible-idea rock album.

In a recent interview with Much Music (no seriously guys, it's the Canadian MTV, stop laughing), Drake announced that Lil Wayne's next album would be a rock album and that he, Drake, would have a song on it. It's "a complete rock album," says Drake, whatever that means. "It's something different in just that whole 808s & Heartbreak, just throwing individuals off."

This is where we mention that Wayne is better when he throws individuals off by saying stuff like "It is just a minute past piss and I'm about to get shitted on" than when he tries to be a rock guy. If you want some idea of what Lil Wayne thinks a Lil Wayne rock song sounds like, click here. Or don't.

No word on whether this rock album is going to be Tha Carter IV or the rebooted Carter III with all new tracks. Also: This album will probably not happen. People love talking about what the next Lil Wayne album is going to be, but Wayne apparently barely has any idea where he is at any given moment of the day, so the idea that he's making long-term master-plans is basically ridiculous.

In related Wayne news, he's currently on headlining the I Am Music tour with the supremely goofy supporting lineup of T-Pain, Keri Hilson, Gym Class Heroes, and Keyshia Cole. Wayne's playing these shows with a live band that both (1) includes Elephant 6 affiliate Heather McIntosh on bass and (2) is terrible. Seriously, his guitarist solos over "A Milli." Why would you solo over "A Milli"? What sense does that make?
Here are the remaining dates:

01-09 Kansas City, MO - Sprint Center *
01-11 New Orleans, LA - New Orleans Arena *
01-14 Montreal, Quebec - Bell Centre *
01-15 Toronto, Ontario - Air Canada Centre *
01-16 Uniondale, NY - Nassau Coliseum *
01-17 Columbus, OH - Schottenstein Center *
01-18 Cincinnati, OH - U.S. Bank Arena *
01-19 Minneapolis, MN - Target Center *
01-21 Rochester, NY - Blue Cross Arena *
01-25 Seattle, WA - KeyArena *
01-27 San Diego, CA - Cox Arena, San Diego State University *
01-28 Phoenix, AZ - US Airways Center #

* with T-Pain, Keri Hilson, Gym Class Heroes, Keyshia Cole
# with T-Pain, Keri Hilson, Gym Class Heroes

Also, earlier this week Wayne appeared on ESPN's 1st and 10 to talk football with Skip Bayless, where he picked the Baltimore Ravens to win the Super Bowl. Jesus Christ, I hope so. This Tennessee game tomorrow is making me nervous.


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Monday, March 26, 2012

Kitchen Remodel: Butcher Block Counter Tops @ 1/10th The Cost

Hello everyone my kitchen renovation is finally winding down. I still have a lot to do but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.  Whoopee!

Today I am finally sharing the way I achieved butcher block counter tops at a fraction of the cost.  If you remember I priced the custom counter tops at anywhere from $4500 to $7000! Wow, I was really shocked that they cost as much or more than granite. You can buy butcher block counter tops already pre-cut at a cheaper rate, but if you are like me, you need a custom size.

Anyhoo, here’s what they look like now.

Pictures just don't do them justice at least my pictures don't lol.

And here is what my bar looked like before with green laminate.

They look like they have a glass finish! I could not find a way with my little camera to take a picture that did not show a glare.  It’s that shiny!

Now if you want plain butcher block counter tops you may still follow my directions. You just need to leave off making a lip around the edges and pouring on the poly finish.

I would rate this project as medium in difficulty.  If you have some carpentry skills and have laid hard wood flooring you will have no problems.

Here is what you need to complete this project:

3/4 plywood (enough to cover all of your counter tops)

unfinished red oak flooring (In my area the only place to find this is at Home Depot and it is cheap!) You need enough to cover your counter-tops.

1”x 4” red oak trim (enough to trim out your counter tops)

flooring adhesive

long finishing nails

circular saw

hand sander

sand paper 60, 100, 150, & 220 grit

wood stain in color of your choice

Envirotex Lite polymer coating
(or polymer coating of your choice)

butane torch

sponge brush

plastic drop cloths

cheese cloth

mineral oil

paint mixing bucket

old pitcher with spout

Step 1

After you have removed your old counter tops re-enforce the corners of your cabinets as you see in the picture below to hold the weight of the plywood and wood flooring.

Notice the block of wood nailed to the corner stud. You need to do this anywhere along your cabinets that you feel need the extra support.

Step 2

Measure and cut your plywood to fit exactly the way you want your counter tops to fit.  Including the over hang on sides and at the ends. Apply plywood to top of cabinets.

Make sure your plywood is level and as you add flooring be sure to keep everything level

Step 3

Next cut your red oak flooring to fit on top of the plywood laying it out in an irregular pattern just as if you were laying it on a floor.  Once you have an area all cut and ready to lay out apply the flooring adhesive to the plywood in small sections.

Step 4

Now, after applying the adhesive lay each cut piece of oak to the plywood use an extra block of wood and a hammer to tap the planks together tightly.  Taking the block of wood put it against the plank and hammer it instead of the plank to tighten the planks against each other.  Then using an nail gun and the long 1 1/4" brad nails nail the planks together to get as tight a fit as possible. Nailing into the sides of the plank not the top so that there are no nail heads on the top.

Continue doing the above until you have completely covered your countertops.

Step 5

Now this is where you have a choice.  If you want true butcher block counter tops cut your 1”x 4” red oak trim to fit evenly along edges of top.  If you don’t want the upkeep like me cut your 1” x 4” to leave a small lip around the top so that you have something to encase the polyurethane when you pour it on. You can make this around1/4" deep.

Notice lip at top and right side of picture.

Step 6

Apply red oak trim to edges of counter top leaving lip around top or not according to your choice. Counter sink nails and fill with stainable wood glue. Also fill any spaces in the counter top with the stainable wood glue.

Tip: wipe off all excess wood filler thoroughly with a wet towel as it really does not stain well.  You just want to get it in the cracks.

I would also, if you have not already, remove your faucet so as not to get poly and stain on it. We cut out very tight fitting styrofoam circles to put in the holes. Also applying Vaseline around the top of your sink should keep any wood stain or polyurethane from sticking to it.

Step 7

First, using the router go along edges of trim rounding edges and corners.  Next using a hand sander and 60 grit sand paper start sanding. Sand the entire counter top thoroughly. Then sand with 100 grit, 150 grit, and lastly 220 grit. Top should feel smooth to the touch with no splinters or fuzzy areas.

Dust off the counter and then wipe clean with a damp cloth being sure to remove all dirt and dust.

My butcher block counter piece next to my stove before mineral oil

Step 8

If you want plain butcher block counter tops all you have to do now is treat the top with mineral oil or a butcher block treatment oil you can find at most hardware stores. Apply according to instructions or, if using mineral oil for a first time treatment, apply four coats waiting a couple of hours in between coats.  I chose to leave one small counter beside my stove butcher block for food prep as you can see in the picture above. If you have chosen to apply the polyurethane proceed to step nine.

Step 9

Next you need to apply your stain of choice. Apply according to instructions on package.  I prefer to apply my stain by wiping it on with cheese cloth.  I just feel like I have more control. Early American is the stain color I chose as it wasn’t too dark and looked good with my new flooring.

Allow your stain to dry for one to two days keeping everything off the counters as it will scratch easily. Now you are ready for the top coat.

Step 10

Before pouring on polyurethane tape plastic drop cloths around and underneath all the counter tops.
You will need at least two people to pour the polyurethane on more would be even better.  We ended up with five people.  Luckily my step son and his wife stopped by about the time we started and they jumped in and helped out. Thanks guys.

Mix your polyurethane according to instructions.  The product we chose was very simple as you mixed equal parts.

Tip: Do not stir your mixture like you are whipping it use smooth back and forth strokes.  Whipping adds bubbles to the mix that are hard to get out.
We used a paint mixing bucket to mix the poly and an old plastic pitcher to pour the mix onto the counter tops.

Once someone pours the polyurethane onto the top have someone else start spreading the mix with a trowel. The longer the trowel the better. Keep adding and spreading until you reach the top of the lip all around the counter tops and there are no dips anywhere and the top looks even and smooth.  When it runs over the sides (which it will big time) spread it along the edges with the trowel or a sponge brush.

Here you see one person spreading as another uses the butane torch

Step 11

Let the poly set up for about five minutes then light the butane torch and slowly sweep the flame back and forth over any bubbles and watch them pop! Too cool! lol
We were not able to get all the bubbles out but the ones that were left were not too noticeable.

Note:  Using the butane torch in your home is very dangerous and should be done carefully.  I did not come up with this as it was part of the instructions on the polyurethane and I will not be held liable if you use this technique and are injured or damage is caused to your home in the use of the butane torch.

Your counter tops will be dry to the touch in about five hours but you may not sit anything on them for three days until they are completely hardened.

That’s it! Your done! Finally! lol. I love how they turned out and so does everyone who stops by to visit. By the way the poly top coat we poured on is equal to 30 or 40 coats of regular polyurethane.

Let’s talk about cost before I close out.  The plain butcher block counter tops cost will be about $150 if you purchase your supplies in the Ark-La-Tex area where I live.  If you add the thick polyurethane top it cost about $400. Compared to $4500 it was well worth all the work.

Soon I’ll be sharing how I gave my cabinets an Old World finish  and then I’ll be sharing my completed kitchen. I hope you will continue to follow along until the big reveal.

Thanks for stopping by until next time

P. S. Be sure to link up your latest project at Transformed Tuesday! We can't wait to see what you've been up to.

I'm sharing with the following parties:

Show Off Your Cottage Monday  Just Something I Whipped Up  Do It Yourself
More the Merrier  Show It Off Mondays  Creative Me @ The Southern Institute

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday  Tuesday's Treasures  Trash 2 Treasure Tuesdays   One Project At A Time

Wow Us Wednesday  Success U  Restore It Wednesday  Be Inspired

Transformation Thursday  Thriving on Thursdays  Thrifty Thursdays

Inspiration Friday  Furniture Feature Friday  Frugal Friday  Show &Tell Friday
Vintage Inspiration  Friday's Unfolded  Friday Feature Party  4 Real Friday

Saturday Night Special  Get Schooled Saturday  Spotlight Saturday
Whatcha Got Weekend  Free For All

Nifty Thrifty Sunday  Sunday Blog Love  Best DIY Project of March
DIY Showoff  Sister Sunday Link Party  Creative Bloggers Party & Hop

Jana said...

Love it Peggy and love the shine. We did something similar in the bathrooms uses Oak for our counter tops, but brushing on the finish.
Y'all are doing a great job on your kitchen re-do and saving a ton of $$. I'm enjoying following along on the transformation.

MuseBootsi said...

We just put in budget butcher block counters as well! Yours are gorgeous! I love your genius money saving solution!

Kathleen said...

Peggy, The counters are beautiful!!! I am so excited to see the reveal. This transformation is totally inspiring!!

Lou Cinda @ Tattered Hydrangeas said...

This is beautiful!! We did butcher block countertops this weekend using doors. I can't wait to see your total reveal! Great job!

Lou cinda

bonniegetchell said...

It's so pretty! Found you via Kammy's Korner Trash to Treasure link up :)

-Bonnie @ Revolutionaries

Serendipity and Spice said...

Wow! These turned out beautiful! I'd love to have wood butcher block counters.

Hope you'll stop by and link up:

Kammy's Korner said...

Wow, your hard work is really showing off! Gorgeous!!

Stuff and Nonsense said...

your new counters
look great

and the tutorial
was thorough and helpful

thanks for sharing
at Fridays Unfolded!

Our Pinteresting Family said...

Those look fantastic! What a wonderful tutorial you provided. Megan

Deanna @ Little Green Bow said...

Wow! Looks like a lot of work, but totally worth it! They look beautiful! Stopping by from Lolly Jane. Thanks for sharing!

Lori said...

Love the butcher block upgrade. Great job.

Good Time Charlie said...

Absolutely amazing! That is a fantastic tutorial. I do have Butcher Block on my island and Granite on the rest of my kitchen. It was shocking how much it cost, but wow, the cost has doubled in the last 8 years! Thank you so much for sharing, I am featuring tomorrow afternoon at my party. -K

Robbie Marinero said...

Wow! That is an impressive finish. I really love shiny countertops, no matter what the color is. It brings elegance to the house, especially if you’re in a different part of the house where the kitchen can be seen, the shiny countertop will really make itself known to you, distinguishing itself from the rest of the home.

Peggy Hale said...

Thanks Robbie I'm glad you like them.

moat20rugby said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Samurai AG said...

Question about the building of the butcher block - when you nailed the pieces together - are you nailing diagonally into the plywood base?

Bob Taylor said...

Hello. It's April 2016 and I just FOUND this blog. OMGosh - so excited. Also, wanted to see how they've held up. As I didn't realize right away, post was originally from 2012.

Love the easy and helpful tutorial. Thanks - oh and I do hope they've held up great. As I'd love to do this at our home!

Peggy Hale said...

Hello Bob Taylor,

Its 2016 and my kitchen counter tops have held up wonderfully. A few scratches here and there but they are hardly noticeable. I'm so glad you like them and if you decide to do them yourself, good luck. I would love to see the finished product.

loreun jeny said...

wholesalegmt is dealing with Quartz kitchen countertops philadelphia, with Granite countertops philadelphia and Granite philadelphia pa Get granite countertops philadelphia pa and philadelphia countertops with best quality.

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Eric Kupper ‘Bloom’

Eric Kupper / Bloom

Wave Music / Released May 9th 2011

What does it sound like?

An old school producer offering some well-worked depth via Francois K’s Wave Music. After learning his trade with the likes of Frankie Knuckles, David Morales and Arthur Baker, it’s no wonder the workman-like Kupper understands how to build real house music. After 20 or so years in the game here he does it yet again, delivering something that’s both repetitive and beautiful.

Two versions are offered, the original and a Jazz edit, both of which head down a similar route. Flat-footed four fours plod beneath twinkling keys and subtle percussion, while waves of synth rise and crash, creating opiate crescendos. Whereas the first offers this and little else, bolstering the genre’s club ties, the latter introduces distant Balearic beach guitar chords to make everything a little more sedate.

Where would I dance to it?

New York, Ibiza, warm beaches, basements with red lights. That should just about sum it up.

What highlights can I expect to hear?

There isn’t much between them, but opting for the A-side seems appropriate, and not just because it should even appeal to men that don’t like sunbathing. While it’s easy to imagine yourself basking with a beer to the other version, by sticking with the source material it’s likely you’ll wind up at a better party, full of people playing music that’s serious, danceable, but not too demanding.

Why should I pay for it?

There are 12 inches worth of reasons, though we should only have to point out one.

Where can I buy it?

Chemical Records, and maybe your local store.


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Sunday, July 29, 2007

When I agreed to help out the Ward 2 Challenge for National Night Out, I envisioned arriving at the Netherwood train station with a bag full of neatly-trimmed irises, ready for planting.

But one look at the target site made me realize there was more to be done.

The existing plantings, at least as of Thursday, were overgrown with weeds and weed trees, some two or three feet high. So before planting, there had to be weeding.

Hmmm. I have some great weeding tools, but since I planned to hop the train to Netherwood with my irises, I had to rethink that idea for weeding.

One of my best tools is a long-handled Wilkinson Sword steel swoe, with a sharp blade at the business end.
The other one is a Korean ho-mi, a hand tool with a leaf-shaped blade whose point can pierce the most stubborn clump of weeds. I pictured trying to get on the train with these lethal-looking weapons.

Even if I got a ride to Netherwood, the thought of weeding for hours there when I have plenty of undone weeding at home gave me pause.

Then there is the question of who will remove the debris once the weeds are pulled. A woman who said she worked for NJ Transit told me and Maria that the Parking Authority takes care of maintaining the grounds. Indeed, the lawn was very neatly trimmed, but my experience has been that guys who like to ride lawnmowers do not always look kindly on digging out weeds (unless there is some behemoth machine to run while doing it).

So volunteers would have to sort out the foxtail grass from the lily turf, and then get someone to take away the pulled weeds. I’m wondering what I have got myself into.

As if these issues weren’t enough, the Board of Education has now scheduled a special meeting for the same night as the Ward 2 Challenge. The meeting notice talks about personnel, the superintendent’s search and board structure. Intriguing. Talk about a challenge – this one involves the entire school district.

Even though I am now thinking my simple offer to donate irises is falling into the category of “no good deed goes unpunished,” I decide everything will work out somehow. The train station will be beautified. We will find out what the special meeting is all about. And NJ Transit will not call for Homeland Security to deal with an elderly lady wielding sharp objects on the three-minute ride from the main station to Netherwood.

--Bernice Paglia

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Monday, September 21, 2009

For Nancy P.

Nancy Piwowar recently raised concerns that demolition crews might take down the wrong building when this site was slated for removal, noting past instances of mistaken identity with historic sites.

Not to worry, someone marked the site with big spray-painted numbers.

We still wonder whether the very nice slate roof of the smaller building on the site will be reclained for another use.

--Bernice Paglia

Anonymous Anonymous said...

I love historic as much as the next guy, but cost-benefit must be considered at times. Handling slate is VERY difficult and from experience, I was much happier shoveling my concrete walk versus the slate section. Sign me "everything from the old days was not so great"

7:02 AM

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Tuesday, 17 June 2014

Review: Midnight Thief by Livia Blackburne

Midnight Thief (Midnight Thief #1) by Livia Blackburne
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Released: July 8th 2014
My Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Find it on Goodreads

Growing up on Forge’s streets has taught Kyra how to stretch a coin. And when that’s not enough, her uncanny ability to scale walls and bypass guards helps her take what she needs.

But when the leader of the Assassins Guild offers Kyra a lucrative job, she hesitates. She knows how to get by on her own, and she’s not sure she wants to play by his rules. But he’s persistent—and darkly attractive—and Kyra can’t quite resist his pull.

Tristam of Brancel is a young Palace knight on a mission. After his best friend is brutally murdered by Demon Riders, a clan of vicious warriors who ride bloodthirsty wildcats, Tristam vows to take them down. But as his investigation deepens, he finds his efforts thwarted by a talented thief, one who sneaks past Palace defenses with uncanny ease.

When a fateful raid throws Kyra and Tristam together, the two enemies realize that their best chance at survival—and vengeance—might be to join forces. And as their loyalties are tested to the breaking point, they learn a startling secret about Kyra’s past that threatens to reshape both their lives.
(from Goodreads)

Midnight Thief was a very satisfying YA fantasy and one that's definitely worth the read. I think Livia Blackburne created a very interesting world along with some engaging characters and she managed to keep me entertained throughout.

Kyra, the main character, was a thief. She was very graceful and was excellent at climbing and getting into places without being seen; no-one else was as good as she was. When she was approached by the Assassins Guild, she had her reservations, but she needed the money and it didn't seem like such a bad deal - she was promised she'd never have to kill anyone, and would only serve as the Guild's thief. I could understand what motivated her to join, even if it wasn't the best decision in the word. She wanted to protect Idalee and Lettie, children from the streets that she really cared about. Lettie was sick and the money Kyra made from normal raids with her closest friend, Flick, wasn't enough to help her.  I do think she was a bit naive though; I mean, she was joining an Assassins Guild and she really thought she'd be doing nothing but moral work? When everything started to go wrong, it was interesting to see Kyra's fears, one of the biggest being that she would go down a path she couldn't return from. She was afraid of losing the people she loved as well - I think her relationship with Flick and the others was done well; there was an obvious familial bond between them and you could tell how much she cared for everyone and how loyal they all were to each other.

James, the Guild's leader, was an intriguing character. He had a lot of influence over Kyra at the start, and while I thought he was creepy from the outset, he wasn't JUST creepy. His character had a surprising amount of depth, and while I disliked him, he was interesting to read about. I'm sure he'll turn up again in the next book, and I'd be up for finding out more about him. I just want to know what in his past made him so ruthless.

Tristam was a character that had to grow on me. He was a bit clueless at first and just wanted revenge for his friend's death, and while he wasn't as bad as the other nobles, he was still judgmental. But as he got to know Kyra he seemed to become more accepting and I liked him more. The romance(?) between Kyra and Tristam was nothing spectacular, but they had their moments and both risked a lot for each other (and I'm just happy no grand declarations of love were thrown around because it would have been way too early), and I am interested in seeing where it will go, especially after the ending.

Plot-wise, I really liked how nothing was what Kyra expected, and that helped her grow as a character. There were a fair amount of twists as well (though some things were obvious, like that [spoiler, highlight to read] the Guild were in league with the Demon Riders [end of spoiler]) and it was the type of book that had enough going on that your interest never waned. I do think that certain things were a bit odd; I really don't think the Council in this particular land would be so accommodating of a prisoner, nor would they trust one so much. Certain things seemed a bit too convenient at times too but all in all, I didn't have many problems.

Overall, I enjoyed Midnight Thief and recommend it to fantasy fans. I expect I'll be picking up the next book in the series, and I'm looking forward to finding out what happens next.

  1. Hi Liz! This sounds great. I think I'm on a fantasy-roll right now so I'm putting this on my wishlist and hoping to get my hands on a copy. I loved the sound of the MC and the plot. Glad you enjoyed it!

    Precious @ Fragments of Life

  2. This sounds really fun and twisty, and I actually like when some characters have to grow on you rather than being perfect and lovable from the get-go! Glad to hear you enjoyed this one overall!

  3. I liked the twists in this one too. The plot kept me interested for sure. But I agree that the romance was a bit on the bland side... I wasn't in LOVE with this one, but I am also curious to see where the story goes next in the sequel.

Comments are better than frosted cupcakes :)


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Halloween and Other Events

Quote of the Day:  Double, Double, Toil and Trouble, Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble. William Shakespeare

Witch sister is which?
Joy and I had fun handing out treats at the Primo Art Spa. You can go over there to see more pics and read about it. It was a hoppin’ Halloween in North Brainerd.

Tonight, Krista and I are attending the fundraiser event for the Heartland Symphony Orchestra. Music paired with menu items from around the world. I’m so pumped! I’ll post a review and pics tomorrow.

Coming up in Pequot Lakes, Nov. 15-17 and 22-24, Oliver! You can get more information at their website Greater Lakes Area Performing Arts. You’ll see Joy in the show as “Strawberry Seller.”

So much wonderful art and connections are happening. I hope that wherever you are, that you are enjoying the season and exploring the arts.

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  How was your Halloween? Did you dress up? What was your favorite costume as a kid?

  1. You look festive! Did you get a lot of kids?

  2. You looked the part, pleased you enjoyed yourself.

    Enjoy your week-end.

  3. I don’t have a favorite costume as a kid, but as an adult I loved my zombie hippie from a couple of years ago.

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Plein Eire

Your Site For Artists Who Paint Outdoors

Welcome to Plein Eire.

Guidelines for use of this site:

  • Aims: Plein Eire aims to promote plein air painting. Although originating in Ireland, the site is for use by outdoor landscape artists anywhere.

  • Definition: For the purposes of this site, the definition of plein air painting is 'alla prima' directly from the motif, usually landscape and almost always outdoors. Plein air implies painting without recourse to reference material and with only minimal correcting or finishing in the studio.

  • Profile Image: Members are required to provide a recognisable image of themselves for use as a profile image. It may be drawn, painted or photographed. It helps remember new names and faces and it seems a reasonable expectation at paint-outs to be able to recognise those whom members are meeting and painting alongside as well as providing a measure of security in such circumstances.

  • Membership: Members must be outdoor landscape painters. Membership by businesses or galleries is not permitted. Members are allocated a personal web page with a unique URL (web address) with the facility to upload photos to you own gallery of artwork. The paintings may be grouped in portfolios by theme, by location, date etc., as desired up to 100 images per member. Members' bio or CV, artist's statement and so on, may also be added to the personal page.

  • Other Websites: Members are welcome to display a link their own website on their profile page ('My Page') provided they reciprocate by adding a badge or a web link to Plein Eire on their own website.

  • Posting images: Only plein air paintings may be posted under 'Artwork' or the 'Gallery' tab.  These must be adequately lit, photographed square-on and cropped to show no frame, no easel, no artist or background landscape. Photos posted to 'Artwork' or to the 'Paintings' tab which do not meet these criteria will be removed. You may have up to 100 images of your work. Images must be in jpg format. Ideally, resolution should be 72ppi and no larger than 750px wide.

  • Blogs: Photos of artists at work, painting locations, paint-out events etc. may be posted as a blog under the 'Blog' tab. Tell your story and make an effort to make it interesting to all Plein Eire members.

  • Groups: Starting a plein air painting group in your area is a great way to gather interest and arrange paint-outs. Groups on Plein Eire which lie dormant and are moribund for lengthy periods will be deleted on the grounds that they may be preventing more active groups from starting up. Encourage other members of your group to play an active part in instigating paint-outs and other events.

  • Forum: To raise an issue for discussion, share information or ask a question, the Forum is the best place to do so. Titles can be grouped in categories and are more easily found and referenced in the long term, unlike Blogs, which are intended for latest happenings and plein air gossip. The Forum can be an excellent resource of shared ideas and information.

  • Events: Perhaps the most important tab on Plein Eire. Post  forthcoming paint-outs and activities under 'Events' as well as on your own Group Page. There may be new members or members of other groups who would like to join in your event. Plein Eire aims to create a network in which you, as a member, can find and be welcomed at paint-outs wherever you travel. Always upload an image when posting an event. It takes just a minute and makes your event look interesting and stand out. To Post an Event: Click 'Events', Click 'Add', Fill in the data form. NB.'Name' refers to the title of the event (usually the venue), not your name. Add a photo if you have one (try Google images). Fill in the description, Date, and other details. You can add a Google map reference if you have one. When completed, click 'Add Event' at the bottom of the page. You then have the option of inviting your Plein Eire friends or press 'Skip' to just upload your Event. When it is uploaded, copy the address bar and paste it to a comment on your Group Page, so all members of your Group will receive an alert.

  • Posting Exhibitions as 'Events': It is okay to post the opening of a plein air exhibition as an event. But to avoid having them occupy the top of our 'Events' listing for weeks, please post them twice - first, the opening as a one-day event and then the closing as a one-day event. In the description state how long the exhibition runs. On this site, priority is given to participatory events such as paint-outs, festivals and workshops. Again, remember to upload an image of the venue or one of the paintings on display or the artist at work etc.

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Friday, December 3, 2010

New Goodies at MScraps and Amazing News!!!

Hi everyone! It's been a while and finally, here I am, my first blog post after how many weeks and my first blog for this month!!! Wow! Can you believe it, it's December already?! Christmas will be knocking at our doors before we know it and sad to say, I haven't started with my Christmas shopping yet! Yeah, really oh no for me there!

I'm sorry for not being here because I've been lazy blogging these past few weeks but I'm still active in my galleries...

So to start, I want to show off a couple of new goodies at MScraps today!
You can save 20% until Sunday!

(Images are linked for details and credits)

"Magical Christmas"
RuthMelody Designs

Collab Kit by Laitha's Designs and Microferk Designs

Before I end my post, I would like to share an amazing news! I am guest Creative Team at MScraps this month!!! Wooohoooo!!! How awesome is that! Can't wait to work with the amazing designers of
MScraps! So that means I will be very active blogging this month! Lol!

Thank you for stopping by! Hugs!


text:
Pokémon Wiki

Mirror Clemont Dedenne.png

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Mirror_Clemont_Dedenne.png (download) (282 × 249 pixels, file size: 106 KB, MIME type: image/png)

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Appears on these pages

  • Mirror Bonnie

    Mirror Bonnie is a character appearing in Pokémon the Series: XY. Unlike her counterpart, Mirror...

  • Mirror Clemont

    Mirror Clemont is a character appearing in Pokémon the Series: XY. Mirror Clemont, unlike his...

  • Mirror Clemont's Dedenne

    This Dedenne is an electric/fairy-type Pokémon owned by Mirror Clemont. Mirror Dedenne was seen...

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current01:51, August 13, 2014Thumbnail for version as of 01:51, August 13, 2014282 × 249 (106 KB)Kyurem147 (Talk | contribs)

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