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Sunday, May 18, 2014

So I went and did something...

Alright so I just pulled a bunch of content from my website and posted it here.  I am not totally sure what I will be doing with my site as of yet so this happened.  I may be getting a new site all together and deleting my old site and this blog too. So anyway if any of you are still around watching this blog here are some posts you may not have seen!
 And so it happened again... I got bored and sort of depressed with how my work was going.  I figured it was time to do something wild again, something to really break the mold, something really sexy!  I had an interest in body chains and body jewelry but was not sure of the direction I might go if I designed them.  After looking around at what everyone else was doing, and not doing I questioned myself.  How could I bring my style to this type of jewelry???  hmmmmm I thought, I will mix my signature hammered metal look with chains in a visually pleasing yet functional way.  Part statement piece, part body chain and a whole lot of sexy.  That was the idea anyway and I just ran with it!
Peyton Drew wearing the first G2G Jewelry body chain!
I contacted local model Peyton Drew and asked if she was interested in this project.  Part of the deal was to become the face of my brand in stores and on my new business cards.  She agreed and we set out to do something amazing.   This was a real turning point in my work and my thought process regarding design for woman's jewelry.  I needed to challenge myself like never before and create a piece that was not only stunning to look at but also functional and wearable.  I love the mechanics involved with designing a piece like this and making it fit so perfect and move and flow with a body in motion. Below I am going to show my process with this piece and try and give you an idea of what goes into a custom piece like this.

This is the initial sketch and design from my first meeting with Peyton.
Starting to do the full size layout sketches.
After a full size template fitting the design changed and evolved!
With plans finalized its time to cut metal!
Hammer time!
Top and bottom pieces cut, hammered, and polished, now it's time for a fitting.
Tedious work measuring, cutting, and attaching the chain piece by piece.
So many pieces of chain went into this!
3 hours later and it's all done!
From concept to reality.
Final fitting before the shoot.
On location with photographer Gloria Budiman and Model Peyton Drew.
Rocking poses with an old tractor!
And that is how its done!
So there it is, my most challenging piece EVER.  From the actual design, layout, and construction to the final shoot this was an intense time for me!  I was amazed at how perfectly everything fit and actually fit in real life.  Peyton could dance and jump around and this piece was just a part of her.  This was such a great way for me to break the mold and really push myself to new levels.  I can't wait to keep moving in this direction and doing wild challenging pieces.
Now on somewhat of a side note I am starting the design process for a collection of beach wear specific body chains.  These body chains will be designed to wear with swim suits, and for the beach environment.  Here is a preview of what is coming!
Peyton totally rocking this piece at the first prototype fitting!

Finally I want to say a big thank you to everyone involved in this project, you were all awesome!
Photographer Gloria Budiman
Model Peyton Drew
MUA Kristy Jahn

 So here I am one year from when I really started to push my jewelry line G2G Jewelry.  It seems to me like it's been much longer but at the same time it feels like it went so fast.  I consider my "start" time to be when I started at the amazing clothing store Symmetry here in Ft. Wayne IN.  I was given a chance by the owner Laura and things really started to happen after that.  I was finally in the market that I was shooting for and it was evident by the sales.  Laura and her the wonderful staff at Symmetry have been instrumental in helping me grow and learn the fashion industry.   It was a chance that changed everything and a chance that changed me!   Sales have been very consistent over this first year and are growing as I have established myself at the store.  My fan base is still growing and those who love my work really love it!  It's such a great feeling to see my hard work start to pay off.  I can't wait to see where this next year will go.

How I started at Symmetry!

One year later!

I would like to thank all of those who have been so supportive and helpful in this first year.  I really appreciate all of you and what you have done for me.  I think I will name a few names now, some of the most influential people who have helped me and continue to do so.
Carissa my wife for putting up with my s*** for all this time.
Laura the owner of Symmetry, the one who gave me my "big chance" an expert in the fashion industry and a complete professional.
Taber a wonderful employee at Symmetry and the one who does such a wonderful job of arranging and displaying my jewelry.  She also helps me with pricing and is a great source of encouragement.
Lyse the most amazing photographer I have worked with to date.  She is able to see my vision and make it better than I imagined.  She is a woman of great character, strength and wisdom and has helped push me to new levels.  Lyse keeps me on my toes and asks questions that make me think, she also intimidates the hell out of me!
Emily the one I call my G2G top model, and the face of my business cards. She is a pure natural in front of the camera and has taken my look to the next level.  Emily is such a easy and fun person to work with and can really nail the look I want.  She can bring the attitude but does it with high fashion class!
Amanda who is Emily's sister, also a great model and just as easy as her sister to work with.  You can now see her in print as part of the the official G2G Jewelry signage at Symmetry and more stores to come.
Kristy who does the makeup for all my shoots.  She is a world class makeup artist and gets it perfect every time!  She can really pull the look together and is a wonderful inspiration in every aspect.
There are many more who have helped and continue to help but I wanted to name the major players.  I truly appreciate each and every one of you more than you know.  THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Chengdu Fashion Week 2012

Rachel Bougher... International model...Where do I start?... Midwest Fashion Week 2011, Dayton Fashion Week 2012, Chengdu Fashion Week 2012, Numerous print magazines and even acting, the face of local International designer Marlene Haute Couture for 2 years, the list goes on and on!  Born and raised in the Midwest right here in Fort Wayne Indiana she has made an impression on the local high fashion scene.  I met Rachel though socal networking and started following her modeling and soon met her at a local event.  I was immediately impressed with how this 18 year old handled and presented herself.  It was obvious from her grace and poise she was quite a model. Naturally when I heard she had been accepted to walk in Chengdu fashion week I was very excited for her.  I watched intently on Instagram for pictures and updates about her trip, as it was just about the only line of communication.  I knew when she got back I had to hear the whole story... and so I asked.  Not long after she arrived back in town we met up and I had the privilege to to hear that story complete with pictures, lots of pictures!   So without going on forever and ever lets get to the interview!

How did you first get started in modeling?

I started out with a modeling and acting class known as Barbizon. I was enrolled in the MidWest Barbizon which took place in Fort Wayne and I was a part of the 2011 class. Having this extra help gave me a huge booster not in only feeling able and ready to start my modeling journey, but in other ways such as higher confidence and being able to sing in front of an audience. After finishing Barbizon, I started to search for work on my own. Thankfully a local photographer known as Fisher Fotography wanted to help get me started on the right track. Eventually I was able to start reaching about around town and became very close with International Fashion Designer Marlene Haute Couture. She took me under her wings and helped me grow and develop into a high fashion model.
Chengdu Fashion Week 2012
Chengdu Fashion Week 2012

The story of your modeling trip to China is fascinating. Tell us about how it happened.

Well Marlene Haute Couture was invited to Chengdu Fashion Week many months ago. My mom at the time was helping assist her and Marlene asked for my mom to come along there with her. I was very excited for MHC! My mom was in contact with a woman named Vivienne over in Chengdu, she was able to help give me the opportunity to come and model in Chengdu after I sent her my measurements, height, experience, etc. After finding out I was accepted, there were only two weeks before we had to leave for China! I was so excited and trying to wrap my head around my thoughts. All the way from getting my first passport photos, to going to Chicago for a weekend to receive a Chinese Visa AND taking all my college finals a week early! Whew!
In the end, it was very humbling to know I have had so many wonderful opportunities to enjoy what I love.

Chengdu Fashion Week 2012
On the flight to Beijing China, and things sure get interesting!!!

From what you told me you had quite the adventure getting to China, and once in Beijing a frightening incident! What happened?
Just thinking about the trip and the way there gives me a headache, it was a long 12-13 hour flight!  When we boarded our flight in Michigan to take us to Beijing China, Marlene, Karen, and I started to experience the different culture on the plane. It was noisy, loud, smelly, and very unpleasant! We even had seats right next to a bathroom! Landing in Beijing was where things started to take another turn. It was very early in the morning when we arrived (around 12-1AM) and our flight for Chengdu didn't leave until around 7AM (If I remember correctly). It was a huge culture shock! We looked very confused and when trying to ask for help, many people didn't understand us.
It's a crazy thing to think about just simply saying "Hello, do you speak English?" and no one can understand.
When we found someone who actually spoke English, we later on found out he was a con artist trying to scam foreigners into staying at very sketchy hotels and ask for "tips" for his help. We sadly believed he was someone who worked at the airport because he was dressed in a suit and looked very professional. He was able to take us away form the airport and stick us in a hotel room, but thankfully we figured things out before our flight and got out of there and back to the airport!  I just know now to only trust yourself when traveling and to always be aware of what's going on around you at all times!

Let me tell you that after hearing Rachel tell this story and then reading her response here... This my friends is the PG version!  There is just no way of really telling this story without writing pages and pages it seems.  I can't imagine what it would be like to arrive in a place like that  with such a communication barrier.  I would chalk this up as a character building life experience!

Arriving in Beijing China

Once you arrived in Chengdu, what was the time line like from arrival to walking the runway the first time.
Well all 3 of us were extremely tired but finally made it to Chengdu! Only thing was, it we didn't have our luggage because we forgot to check it in when we reached Beijing! So we had to file and claim luggage and hope the airport would bring our belongings to the hotel. We had met other designers, assistants, photographers on the flight from Beijing to Chengdu. (and we were not the only ones who didn't get our luggage) Finally reaching the hotel we met Vivienne and others in charge and were placed in our rooms. Our hotel was BEAUTIFUL! I went to my room, knowing I would be placed with a random model, but found out I was there a day earlier than all the girls. The next day came and the models started to arrive as we had to learn the new walks for the runway, figure out which rooms to go to for fittings that night, etc. My roommate was Anna Kolesnik. She was from the Ukraine and was one of the youngest models there being only 17. At first I was taken back and got the feel that she didn't like me, but we bonded over my shoes I had brought with me from back home and started a friendship.
Outside the hotel
Here they are going over different walks and learning how the show is going to run.
Diagram for different walks and designers.  That outline is the shape of the runway.
Some of the models hanging out backstage
Such a beautiful venue for the show!

You said you were the only American model at Chengdu Fashion Week. How were you received and how did you mesh with the others?
If I could take another trip back to Chengdu, I would in a heartbeat. Modeling was a big deal to go over there for, but the friendships I brought back in my heart are ones I will never forget.
At first I had a better relationship with all of the students and helpers for Chengdu Couture Fashion Week. There were many helpers, boys and girls, for this Fashion Week. They were all students there assisting because they wanted a possible career in fashion, design, music, etc. in their future. They were so nice and polite to me! Most spoke English very well so I was able to communicate easier with them. They even knew how to pronounce my name. In Chengdu, many of them watch the show "Friends" and recognized my name, Rachel, because that was who Jennifer Aniston played in the TV show.
I had many of them ask me where I was from. I would tell them "America" and they would just reply
"Oh wow! That is my future homeland!"
"I want to move there!"
"You are so lucky! What is it like?"
They told me they loved my eyes and my hair because it was so different. Always complimenting me saying "You so beautiful Rachel!" I'm telling you, they were way too nice to me!
Signing an autograph for one of the student helpers
Outside the Hotel with some fans
Later on in the first week I became really close with two of the models there. One was Anna and the other was a girl named Silviya. They were my two Ukranian red heads! We grew closer because Anna spoke more English to me than the other girls did. Most girls spoke their own languages to each other and I would try to act like I knew what they were saying. Silviya understood Russian but didn't speak it very well, so she spoke English all the time. Silviya took me out some nights to bars to meet some of her friends (It's legal for me over there! Don't worry!) And Anna would take me to the black markets during down times between shows during the day.
Saying goodbye was one of the hardest things for me to do the day before I left. I gave Anna one of my shirts as a "remembrance of me" And Silviya and I talk on different global phone apps still to this day...
Rachel and Silviya out on the town

Did you have a favorite designer you wore on the runway?
Honestly, each designer brought their own unique expressions of creativity to their was hard to have a favorite! Along with Marlene there were a couple other US designers and a few from Russia, Ukraine, etc. Walking for Marlene was always an incredible opportunity and since I was able to wear her designer showpiece the last night of the show! I also enjoyed a designer from California and his partner. They were very nice to me and said I wore their dress beautifully (all black with slit at bottom of dress with a red, orange, yellow flower on the side) They keep in touch with me for any upcoming work they want me to be a part of.
One of her favorite designers Jamil Khansa
A dress from Jamil Khansa
A collection by Marlene Haute Couture backstage.
What was your overall experience like in China? Did it change you in any way? Is it something you would want to do again?
Chengdu, China holds a part of my heart ever since I left. Besides the dirty air and bad plane flights, I would love the chance to go back and be with some of the people who made my experience so worthwhile. Having the opportunity to be the only American model was a very big honor to me. I received a call from a random number asking me about being in Chengdu Fashion Week again, but was unable to understand the rest of their message or name to call them back. But hey, you never know! Maybe I'll have another chance to go back one day in the future....
I have to admit that even though I do not know Rachel as well as some I am very proud of her going for this and actually doing it!  I hear pretty often about how boring our city is and nothing is going on...  There are people doing big things and involved in big things, you just have to know where to look.  Before I got into the fashion world I had no idea there was a "Fashion World" right here in our city.  So before you think your city or our city might be boring take a look below the surface and find the stories like these!  You just might be surprised like I was.  So even with all the buzz, excitement, and pretty much non stop action, Rachel did have some time to slip away and do some sightseeing.  I will leave you with those pictures.  Thank you for reading!
So here I was chugging along with my jewelry line and everything was fine.  But that's just it... it was just fine.  In the back of my mind I had visions of wild crazy stuff that you may see in the fringes of high fashion, but it ended there.  And then it happened, one day while messing around on twitter I commented on a tweet from someone I had talked to for about a year.  Her name is S. Avery and she is a celebrity stylist, basically someone who styles someones look.  I think I could use some help in that area myself actually... ok ok I'm day dreaming again, it's way out of my budget anyway.  So long story short in the course of the conversation we decide to do some sort of a collaboration.  Well that turns into me designing a piece for her, which by the way scared the heck out of me. How was I going to design something for HER???  Well not being one to run from a challenge I jumped in with both feet.  It was decided I would design this piece for her and have it in a local art gallery show coming up.  That's all well and good but let me fill you in on the timeline I was working with.  ....Big Breath...Pretty much my wife and I were expecting our second child at any moment this piece had to be big crazy and bold and surpass anything I had done before....breath.... oh and I had to have it designed, built, modeled in time for the gallery deadline of Aug 16 (I had just over a week)..... oh my that's not much time.... Whew ok ok lets do this!  And then it happened! I freaking did it!  I jumped so far out of my box I can't look back and see it, I am ready and not scared to jump now! Here are the details of the piece and the build I call my "Make a Statement" project.
Here is the sketch that Avery sent me.  This is when I knew I was going to be in for an adventure!

So here we go with my initial design sketch, well after many other and much messier sketches.  The design changed from this original concept you will see as we go.

Here my wonderful friend Chelsea is being very patient with me as I work on the full scale mock up of the piece.  It's more tapered, or graduated now than the original design.  On a side note she is wearing G2G earrings!

So here we are with all the pieces cut out and ready to hammer. I do all of my hammering with one hammer and it's free form hammering.  I do not use forms to shape the metal.

Whew this was my first time hammering a collar piece and it came out perfect!  It was such a relief to see this part come together because it was the hardest part to hammer.  All the other pieces were flat.

Here are all the pieces hammered and just laid out on a board.  Nothing is connected at this point, but I am very excited to see it coming together.

Its a bit hard to see here but I was gluing the sheer black fabric to the pieces.  This is what makes this piece so flexible and wearable.

Here I am riveting the back plates on with copper rivets I made.

All put together here and polished.  Ready to be modeled!

My friend Chelsea once again helping me, this time dress shopping just hours before the shoot!  The model was busy working and Chelsea is the same size, just a few inches shorter so it worked out perfect in the end!

Here the amazing makeup artist Kristy Jahn is putting the finishing touches on Model Emily Berz and then we are ready to shoot!  I am very proud that I styled this shoot so well, it was a first for me.  Kristy took my idea and concept and really nailed the look, she is a truly talented professional.

A few shots from the shoot, I only needed one shot for this whole project.  That ONE shot that really nailed it is the one at the start of this post.  It is just WOW, a real statement and that's what this piece of jewelry is! A real STATEMENT!
Special thanks to everyone who helped me on this project.
My wife who put up with my craziness for the week.
S. Avery for giving me the opportunity to jump, and giving me advice and encouragement throughout the project.
Chelsea for modeling the mock up and dress shopping last minute.
Emily Berz for modeling and bringing that attitude to the shot and just being a fun person to work with.
Kristy Jahn for the world class makeup artistry, you really tied it all together with that double wing hotness!
Amber Sturgis for the photography and getting that perfect shot I needed, and for getting the prints done.
I couldn't have done it without all of you, I thank you all and appreciate each of you so much!
Thank You


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Reversal Report For 5/17/2015: Anadark-NO! Nope, not yet. Statistics Count, And APC Doesn’t Have Them Yet, But The Petroleum Exploration Theme Continues

Anadarko Petroleum Company Logo from Anadarko Petroleum Website

I was getting panicky for an image for this blog post, so I just decided to go the corporate route, given there was nothing particularly funny or snarky that I could say. Sad part is, despite the interesting nature of the chart, and the decent statistics, the statistics do not meet my criteria, so once again, we get to scratch the last standing soldier on the reversal list this week.

Let us cut to the chase. Of the 19 survivors of the 20,000 stock screen, 9 were petroleum related (either exploration and production, or pipeline and machine equipment). These were APA, APC, CJES, NBL, NFX, OXY, CMLP, EXH, and HES.The rest were transportation related names (NMM, CNI, UNP) and the rest a hodgepodge of utility (SO), media (CBS,SNI), and diversified company names (BAM).

When one strips away value as a criteria (that is, dumping names on an enterprise cash flow value basis), UNP, CMLP, SNI, CNI, NMM,CBS, SO, and NFX survive, with APA right on the edge (and I will discuss that in a moment). NFX, last weeks candidate, did slide as I thought it might, and I will also briefly cover that one.

When I ran the neural net patterns against the price charts, APA was the only close one, but it just missed. As market and even sector volume (for energy stocks in particular lately) has gotten a bit spotty and in some cases erratic, the confidence levels of these models deteriorate. I think what is important however is that time after time, US energy names are appearing on this list, whether they are independent producers or multinational conglomerate producers and refiners.

Why is APA on the fence? Well, a lot has to do with earnings performance and the price of oil itself. I am not always a fan of Zack’s, but that article summaries Anadarko’s (APC’s) difficulties. If prices stabilize and rise, they make more money and can meet their optimistic earnings estimates. If not, they will miss. The one thing APC has done correctly is shut down non-performing wells and removed rigs in non-performing areas. For some reason at the time of this writing the link to the CEO’s comments about oil prices cannot be accessed, but the balancing point for APC is at roughly $60/bbl of oil, which is roughly where crude oil is priced now. If prices rise to $75, the company has the leverage and the right cost structure to profit nicely from their best producing oil and natural gas properties. If not, then there will be a longer waiting game for price increases. This closely related article from TheStreet.com describes the move that APC and other companies have made to increase operating efficiencies so that they can profit from much lower oil prices. If that indeed happened and APC were to rally from that reversal point on Friday, the price symmetry target would be roughly 102.70, as shown in the chart below.

APC Chart with AB=CD pattern

There is only one problem with that theory and that is that the neural net statistics don’t quite support doing that with APC. I will keep it on the watch list.

What about NFX?  It basically did as I said it might and drop a bit before reversing again. What do I think now? Take a look at this chart of NFX, marked up for potential price symmetry.

NFX 5172015

As you can see, we have both a bullish engulfing candle on Friday, which adds credence to the reversal theory at the lower price that I mentioned last week, yet the statistics are still pretty neural about it all. If I had to guess, I would imagine that we might see the price symmetry shown here and a reversal around 31.20, but at this point, it is anyone’s guess.

Much will depend on what oil prices do over the next couple of weeks.  With geopolitical forces playing games with oil for regional self-interest and economic power, all the smart exploration and production companies can do is improve operating efficiencies, shut down the marginally producing wells and rigs, and wait patiently at much lower outputs. Oil prices are now settling toward some kind of nervous equilibrium, but it will take time to shake out. I think one thing is clear though, institutional investors and individual investors are now beginning to buy the oil producers again, albeit very slowly and methodically. I will continue to look for these and other sector names as they show up on the screens.

I do apologize for the lack of great patterns, but this market of late has not yielded many. Those of you who have followed me over the years know that I will not produce crap to gather eyeballs to this page. I do the very best I can with my research, and let it hit when it hits. Summer is coming too, which can lead to additional trader lethargy. That same period of time can allow us to do some good research as things slacken up a bit, and we can be ready to find some really decent candidates for trading. As an aside, I have had to make adjustments to my futures and forex trading to accept a little less profit to increase my total win percentages, win/loss ratios, and profit factors. I do that to continue to gradually INCREASE position size as profits grow. Even at a slower pace, if I can reduce time in market and increase percentage profits, I will make even more money down the road as trends resume (in either direction).

Patience is all one can have when conditions are not favorable for your trading style or general trends are flat. Keep your patience and your discipline in place, and you will win in the long run.

Thanks again for supporting this blog! More is coming.

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Monday, September 30, 2013

Harvesting and Using Rose Hips for Tea

Rose hips, or rose haws are the fruit that forms from a pollinated rose. They are high in Vitamin C and antioxidants and many gardeners love to use them in teas, marmalades and oils.

Rose hips or rose haws have been used by people around the world for centuries. They are high in many nutrients and their use is a great preventative of colds and respiratory ailments. Since the early days of history, rose hips, in one form or another were used as laxatives, astringents, diuretics, nuitrients and love potions. During WWII wild rose hips were gathered by the people of England and Scandinavia and made into syrup to replace the Vitamin C rich citrus fruits that were unavailable because of the sea blockades.

I have a beautiful alba rose that produces a huge crop of hips each year. The orange-red berries are oval and about an inch long. They ripen about the first of October and so I decided to dry them for tea. Be sure to only use hips from roses that have not had any pesticides sprayed on them and do not gather hips from along busy highways where the exhaust fumes settle on the fruits. Pick only the unblemished fruits and leave the ones with soft spots or mold for the birds and animals. They love rose hips too and they are a great source of winter nourishment for them.

Species roses and old garden roses are the best ones for harvesting rose hips. Many modern roses do not form hips and there is a wide range of potency of the nutrients too. The dog rose, Rosa canina is known for its large, nutritious hips and the beach rose, Rosa rugosa is another popular rose that produces spectacular hips. I had no nutrition information on my alba rose, but since it is a rose that traces its ancestry back further than the Roman Empire, I figured it was a safe bet that it had significant amounts of vitamins and antioxidants.

I harvested my rose hips and washed them thoroughly, discarding any that didn't look perfect.

Many people wait until the hips are dry to sift out the hairs, but I wanted to make sure that there weren't any critters inside, so I split my hips and scooped out the insides before I put them on the dehydrator trays. It was pretty labor intensive, but there isn't any mystery as to what I'm actually making into tea.

The next morning, my rose hip halves were dry. If you do not have a dehydrator, place your material on a cookie sheet and turn your oven on as low as it will go. My hips were leathery and still had a bit of flexability when they were dry.

The coffee filters worked great. I just folded them around the tea and stapled them shut with a cotton string. I think I've got some great little stocking stuffers for my mom and sisters! Store in a covered container in a cabinet. Use your tea promptly as the nuitrients tend to degrade the longer it sits on the shelf. Use 1 tea bag to 8oz of boiling water and let it steep for 15 minutes.

Rose hips have irritating hairs on the inside along with rose seeds. These irritating hairs are the source of the novelty itching powder, so should be removed.

I have a huge patch of chocolate mint and since I was running the dehydrator anyway, I thought it might be tasty to make a combo tea. I washed my mint, patted it dry and stripped the leaves to use in the tea.

I assembled my tea bag making materials. You can purchase commercial tea bag sacks, but I figured coffee filters would do just as well. I used 2 teaspoons of rose hips and 1/2 teaspoon of the mint. I even added a clove to some of the bags too.

I had to try some of the tea and it was nice. The pink tea cup made it look pinker than it really was and the flavor was very subtle. (almost no flavor) It tasted a lot like fresh rose petals. I added a bit of honey after my initial taste test and was quite pleased with the results and intend to experiment with other teas now!

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Sunday, 26 August 2012

Almond spice cake

This cake is so almondy and flavoursome it’s a nut-lover’s dream.  The almond in the cake comes predominantly from the marzipan layer baked into the batter.  I made the cake square and, whether pastry or marzipan,  I am totally unable to roll things out into anything but circles.  Don’t panic if you’re the same – simply cut the curvy edges off and use for patching!

The fudgy glaze sets to a crisp shell and adds lovely texture and flavour.  It was hugely popular with my eatership and I will definitely use it again on future cakes.

If you’re not mad on cinnamon, use another spice of your choice – nutmeg or even ginger would work well; as would simply increasing the mixed spice.

I had a couple of slices of the cake left over (this should indicate that it’s a BIG cake!) so, on a subsequent evening, gently warmed them in the oven and served with custard for dessert.  Hardly a shocking newsflash but, guess what, it really worked!

For the marzipan:
115g ground almonds
55g icing sugar
55g caster sugar
1 teaspoons almond extract
1 egg, separated

For the cake:
260g unsalted butter, at room temperature
260g caster sugar
5 eggs
340g self raising flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon mixed spice
115g flaked almond

For the topping:
75g unsalted butter
150g light brown sugar
3 tablespoons double cream
50g flaked almonds
To serve: thick cream

Start by making the marzipan: Place the almonds and both sugars into a bowl and stir until combined. I did this in my Kitchenaid mixer.
Add the egg yolks and almond extract and mix until well combined.
Add a spoonful of the egg white and beat, continue to add tablespoonfuls of egg white until the marzipan forms into a firm ball.
Roll the marzipan out to a 20cm square between two sheets of clingfilm  – this means you don’t have to add any more icing sugar to it, plus peel off only one sheet of clingfilm when you wish to position on the cake – you have far more control over it while the clingfilm supports it (obviously put it face down on the cake i.e. so the clingfilm is on top!)
Peel off the clingfilm.
Trim the marzipan to size then put to one side.
Preheat the oven to 180°C/fan oven 160°C/350°F/gas mark 4.

Line a 20cm square tin with baking paper.

Place all the cake ingredients, except for the almonds, into a large mixing bowl and beat together until smooth and well combined.

Fold in the almonds.

Spoon just over half the batter into the prepared tin and level the surface.

Gently place the rolled marzipan onto the batter and smooth it down if it’s crinkled or curled up anywhere.

Place the remaining batter on top of the marzipan and level the surface.

Bake for approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the cake comes out clean.

Leave to cool, in the tin, for 20-30 minutes before removing the tin and leaving the cake to cool completely on a wire rack.

Now make the topping: heat the butter, sugar and cream in a saucepan over a medium heat until they are blended – stir regularly.

Bring the mix to the boil then remove from the heat.

Place a sheet of foil or kitchen paper on your work top, then stand the cake on a wire rack directly above the paper (to catch any drips).

Drizzle the topping over the cake then sprinkle the almonds on top.

Leave to set for approximately 20 minutes.

Bask in the glory of the wonderful thing you have created.

missflash said...

I love almonds. Your cake looks lovely. I didn't even know you can make your own marzipan. I have a lot to learn. Thanks for sharing the recipe :-)

Jacqueline said...

I thought it was beautiful when I saw it. I was excited to read on. Then I read marzipan :(

Wish I loved it, but I don't. It still looks like a gorgeous cake!

Dipika @ The Very Hungry Baker said...

This looks amazing. So amazing it should be illegal! But I'm glad it isn't :o)

Debs Dust Bunny said...

Oh dear, looks like I am about to learn how to make marzipan! ; ) I LOVE cinnamon so this cake looks perfect to me. Thanks for another fantabulous recipe!

Alfie said...

I love marzipan in cakes, especially when eaten warm. Sounds like a great recipe for colder days, I'm going to bookmark it for some autumn baking...!

Gloria said...

this cake look absolutely delicious I adore marzipan:)

Laura loves cakes said...

I'm definitely going to bookmark this sounds so unusual and completely delicious!! I've made a coupe of bakes with marzipan baked in and they tasted really good!! A lovely cake!! :-)

Katie said...

WOW that looks amazing. I adore anything almond. It reminds me of a simnel cake, only without the fruit.

I'm the opposite to you, I can't roll circles, everything comes out in squares or rectangles, no matter how hard I try. I make rectangle pizzas now and don't even attempt a circle :)

Kit @ i-lostinausten said...

Oh! This is definitely my kind of cake. I'm a nut lover & love marzipan§ These cake looks fabulous with wonderful flavors! YUM!

Cakelaw said...

Mmmm, fudgy glaze - and cake with custart - two of my favourtie things! This cake looks delicious. I think I'd like to try it with ginger.

Kezia said...

That looks absolutely delectable! Marzipan, almonds and spice - three great ingredients that I love. Yum!

Donalyn said...

Spice cakes are one of my favorites - what a great idea!

Vix Johnston said...

Hmm... thinking about stealing this recipe for an Iron Cupcake entry... tho will deffinately have to do a test-bake to see about timings. I think I could get away with chilling and grating the marzipan into the mix, rather than rolling out and cutting disks...

Also, Re the gelatine-set cheesecake from the other day. Have you tried using Vegi-gelatine? One of our IC Bakers is a vegi and complains that she can't taste cakes with jelly in them...

The Caked Crusader said...

Hi Vix

Yes, I think it would work as a cupcake - obviously be careful with the timings!

Have to admit I've never used vegi gel as none of my friends or family are vegi!

Happy baking

sensibilia said...

Home made marzipan is tops - far better than anything you can buy. Same goes for home made lemon curd.

Have you a home made lemon curd cupcake recipe by any chance!

The Caked Crusader said...

Hi Sensibilia

Your wish is my command!

Happy baking!

sensibilia said...

Oooh, thanks, CC! I will print that one out!

We love lemons in this household, preferably all mixed up with something really sweet. Like treacle (on baked chicken breasts), or in a lemon tart.

It's the contrast I think.

Can't believe you haven't learnt to love them!

Choclette said...

Anything with marzipan gets my vote and this sounds especially good with those spices and fudgy glaze to boot. Mind your bakes always have me buckling at the knees.

Nicola said...

What a gorgeous looking cake. I love cinnamon and marzipan so it sounds like sheer heaven! :-)

Lucy said...

This cake looks gorgeous - the marzipan centre sounds amazing! Such a good cake to start September baking.


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Love one another

22104581_1791744990854157_1063597359615608700_o-300x188 Love one anotherHow far do we go in loving others?

The entire principal of loving one another is short and too the point.  We even go as far a loving our enemies.  No greater love is there, than to give up our lives for our friends.

Are there any exceptions that we can think of?  Can you give scriptural references?

Who are the Righteous?

Prostitution-Laws-in-Colorado-196x300 Who are the Righteous?

In a world where televangelist take the media by storm and religious leaders pervert the Bible to make more money and gain more power, it is no wonder that Jesus gives more credibility to tax collectors and prostitutes.

Jesus Said:
Matt 21:Ver.

23 Now when He came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people confronted Him as He was teaching, and said, “By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?”

24 But Jesus answered and said to them, “I also will ask you one thing, which if you tell Me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things:  25 The baptism of John — where was it from? From heaven or from men?”

And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ 26 But if we say, ‘From men,’ we fear the multitude, for all count John as a prophet.” 27 So they answered Jesus and said, “We do not know.”

And He said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.

The Parable of the Two Sons

28 “But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go, work today in my vineyard.’  29 He answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he regretted it and went.  30 Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, ‘I go, sir,’ but he did not go.  31 Which of the two did the will of his father?”

They said to Him, “The first.”

Jesus said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you.  32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him; but tax collectors and harlots believed him; and when you saw it, you did not afterward relent and believe him.

Little-old-farm-couple-250x300 Judgment

We are all raised with prejudice, form our cultural education to our natural likes and dislikes.

How do we differentiate the book from the cover?

When I was in my late teens, I attended a number of churches and bible studies.  During one of those bible studies I encountered an elderly couple, very friendly in personality but not up to regular hygiene standards.  Their clothes were warn and they had that elderly unwashed odor.

After the bible study they invited many of us over to their home for coffee.  The snob part of me was reluctant but their kindness was alluring so I tagged along with my friends.  When we entered their home, the first thing I noticed was all the cats, and the cat box smell.  The furniture was old and dirty.  As I walked in, flees began to jump on me.  There were thousands of them.  It was as if the rugs had become alive there were so many.  We all followed the old lady into the kitchen devoid of rugs and she began to make coffee.  She opened the cupboard and took out some sandwich cookies.  They were the kind that you get 500 in the pack for 99 cents.  I was hoping for homemade but beggars can’t be choosers.

I had evaluated the situation and had made my judgment call.  I didn’t have any desire to return and chalked it up to a couple of kind and loving, but smelly, dirty old people.

She poured me a cup of coffee and I drank.  It was fantastic!  It was the best cup of coffee I had ever had.  I was stunned.  How could something so good come out of something that looked so bad.  I remarked to the old woman that I wished to know the brand of the coffee so I could make it myself. She told me the name and how she added egg shell to the grounds before brewing. I have never been able to match it, to this day.

I was so totally blessed by that old couple.  The torn sweater that she was wearing, his dirty overalls and the living floor rugs all vanished from my mind.  It was the kindness and hospitality that over rode my cultural indoctrination and snobbery.

When I think of this experience, it is held close to my heart.  Sometimes I get a little teary and am so thankful to have learned love from the example from an kind and elderly couple who offered me a simple cup of coffee that became a major life lesson of the heart.

You can’t righteously judge a book by its cover.   “judge not according to appearance but judge righteous judgement.” John 7:24

Coming together as the bride of Christ, or maybe a whore?

54583d9bc3bb3-300x225 Coming together as the bride of Christ, or maybe a whore?

Over many years we have seen religious institutions build, split into other denominations, grow and split into other denominations.  We can argue over who came first, who gets the legitimate driver’s seat and who we think should be cast out into utter darkness.  This is typical for human nature to want to take control and be for the winning team.  There is one big problem.  We don’t make that decision, but instead submit to the loving will of God, through the crucified and risen Christ. If we are Christians, that’s the deal.  And we need to make sure that we adhere to the Gospel (good news), so we can share good news as opposed to news that no longer applies. I

I am seeing a new driver at the wheel and it isn’t anything that resembles holy, brothers and sisters.

I follow the Bible in as far as it applies to the “New Covenant”.  I may reference the former covenant as a reference, but I am not a Jew, (accept through genetic lineage).  I am a Christian and became a Christian because I wanted to be cleansed from the world and myself and selfish ways.  I wanted to be born of the Spirit or Born Again.  Being born again should not automatically put me into a cultural religious organization, but in fact give me a desire to share this wonderful and loving experience and find others who have had a similar spiritual encounter. That’s what religion is for.  It should be a gathering place where we can come together and share our spiritual life, not political ideology.

This is unfortunately not the case in some churches.  Some of us have lost our way and have been taught to put our own “wisdom” above the Christ, whom we call Lord, but displace Him through new ideas and ideologies.  I refer to this action as trying to take the Bride of Christ and dress her up to look and act like a slut. These new blends of ideology and political alliances fall in line with thirty pieces of silver.

Greed, power, can you believe we actually have lobbyists for the church to do our bidding?  I feel dirty just thinking about it.  Going to Cesar for favors when we should be seeking God as to how to love the world, not fondle it.

Ever heard of Dominion Theology?  That ought to wake you up.

Within our own church cultures we make the decision to help the poor, not stand for the notion to help the poor, backed by some religious-political agenda that makes us feel good and look better in the eyes of our neighbors, when in fact we are standing around doing nothing.  Plastic flowers… Yes, the illusion that something real is in fact rubbish.

Now this is the deal.  If you want to live under the old covenant, become a Jew.  Hey that’s okay, but leave it out of the Church. Don’t be condemning others over religion, race, sexual orientation, or any other petty, ignorant, bigoted quasi-Judeo-Christian mess that you were taught to believe by a church that has corrupted itself with strong ties to the money and power of this world.

The enemy wants to divide us but we have a loving God, so let’s get back to sharing that news.

Law and Grace

maxresdefault-300x169 Law and Grace

Law and Grace

Why are some members of the Christian Church so confused?

We hear so many theories on the subject of balancing the law and grace. Unfortunately there is no balance. Their contradictory and fly in the face of each other, leading to confusion and destruction.

Imagine that you have purchased a home. You have a contract that discusses mortgage payments and interest. You are bound to this contract and if you don’t adhere to the contract you get penalized. You live under this contract for many years. You adhere to it the best you can. If you make a mistake and don’t make your mortgage payment on time, you have to pay the penalty.

One day you find out that a loving family member has died but had taken out an insurance policy on your home mortgage. The insurance company has paid off your mortgage in fall and you receive a clear deed to the property.

The law and grace are virtually the same kind of contract. Under the law you have responsibilities to adhere to the contract or covenant, and if you don’t adhere to the contract, the consequences are sacrifices to atone for your wrongdoing. But when the covenant is fulfilled, you no longer live under the obligations of that contract.  The debt is paid in full.  You cannot juggle the law and grace any more that you can juggle love and fear. You cleave to one master or live in double mindedness and confusion. We may use the term Judeo-Christian, but in reality they are a contradiction in faith and spiritual direction.

Too many Christians point to the past for direction, like the Jews pointing back to Egypt because they are afraid to trust that there is something too good to be true, ahead of them.

This is something we have to walk through but the apostle Paul indicates that it’s time to put away childish things.

As Christians we are saved by grace.


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Tuesday, July 5, 2016

Who is another messiah?

I have revealed in previous post that the historical records such as the Bible, the Old Testament and ancient mythologies are created by our crowded consciousness and will of ‘Life after death’ to give the information (prophecies), which suggests the coming human evolution event and aliens existence to current human.

The Dead Sea Scrolls (read below), the most important archaeological discovery of the 20th century, ware discovered in the Qumran caves in the years 1947 to 1956. ‘War of the Sons of Light Against the Sons of Darkness’ (read below) or ‘War Scrolls’ is one of the Dead Sea Scrolls and, it contains apocalyptic prophecy.
Dead Sea Scrolls

War of the Sons of Light Against the Sons of Darkness

Furthermore, the desolation of Jerusalem must last for seventy years, according to ‘Book of Daniel’ of the Old Testament. This desolation of Jerusalem means the situation of Jerusalem that Christianity, Islam and Judaism are mixing in the same place (Dome of the Rock) and, many wars and conflicts between Israel and Palestine with Arab nation has been occurring after the restoration of Israel.

In 2018, after 70 years from the restoration of Israel in May 1948 (I was born in Aug 1948 to be Antichrist. Read ‘Why do Ashkenazi Jews rebuild Temple of Solomon in São Paulo? – Antichrist rules new civilization’), the End of Days (the end of the desolation of Jerusalem) and the Return of Messiah (the reconstruction of Jerusalem) will occur. It obviously corresponds to the human evolution event and the construction of the new civilization with the new human that I argue.

The important thing is that ‘They’ (false Jews) are carrying out NWO with its timeline of the End of Days scenarios, after the scientist of Rockefeller (false Jew) succeeded in decoding of the Dead Sea Scrolls exclusively. This is because ‘They’ are manipulated by the will of ‘Life after death’ as well (read ‘To current human’), and such NWO conspiracy is essential for the human evolution event.

Now, let me mention about an issue coming from Ummite through telepathy. It’s on existence of the two Messiahs that the Dead Sea Scrolls specify clearly. The Bible and the Old Testament have nothing of the mention about the two Messiahs. One of the Messiahs (Messiah of Israel) is I to be new human and Antichrist, but it’s completely enigma that who is Messiah of Aaron. Read below.
Qumran’s two Messiahs

Ummite argues the crowded consciousness created this Dead Sea Scrolls instantly just before its first discovery occurred in 1947 and, the scrolls discovered more lately too as needed. It means that the will of ‘Life after death’ created such scenarios written on the scrolls in sequence for manipulating the human behavior.

Regarding another Messiah (Aaron) who didn’t appear in the Bible and the Old Testament at the time, it was the result that the will of ‘Life after death’ changed the scenarios of the End of Days already existed in the its texts.

The will of ‘Life after death’ can change human history (past) making ‘fabrication’ of historic records (and historical-archeological resources) at any time. Then I can say that our future changes as well due to its fabrication. Therefore, time goes on just one-way to the future (we cannot actually go back to the past) and, literary nobody know the future included the will of ‘Life after death’, as Ummite said.

However, even so, we have unique and clear future. It is the evolution of the universe along with the evolutions of whole organisms with intelligence (crowded consciousness) inclusive the human in the universe. Our evolution and its events never finish. Read ‘The end of the evolution of all organisms with intelligence in the universe’.

Moreover, while I was writing this post, suddenly an idea flashed into my mind that the Messiah of Aaron is, oh fuck!, invader Ummite. It’s not easy to accept that possibility for me, but it’s possible considering my divulgations on this blog. Moreover, now I can understand why Ummite insist to stay on Earth intervening in the human and is disturbing me. Anyway, it would be clear eventually whether this is true or not.

So let me consider that Ummite is another Messiah or not. The first visit of Ummite to Earth was in 1950 and its trigger was that Ummite on the planet Ummo received Morse code signals emitted by a Norwegian ship on the ocean on Earth in 1934. Ummite understood this signal is regarding a foursquare theorem at the time. Thus, Ummite would want to imprint the episode below in my mind.

My interest is why did the Morse code signals arrive far away the planet Ummo going through the ionosphere and wafting in space? I don’t know whether Ummite revealed the signals’ contents or not, however if it would be, for example, Morse code SOS distress signal, I could think it would be real asking for help – an asking for an intervention in the human – from the will of (our) ‘Life after death’.

However, such will of ‘Life after death’ controls me. Then this episode has a flaw because I’m refusing the intervention of Ummite. In addition, we have been having the other alien visitors, so the will of (our) ‘Life after death’ didn’t necessarily invite especially Ummite.

According to ‘The Messiahs in the Qumran Documents’ that I found it after the conclusion above, however, four Messiahs likely to exist (more two Messiahs!), namely, king, priest, prophet, and heavenly messiahs. If this mention would be a fact, Ummite would want to point this heavenly messiah.

Though the author of this article suggests the heavenly messiah’s existence has no conclusive evidence, saying, “The first three are defined on the basis of the societal office to which the messiah is anointed, but the fourth is defined by the messiah’s cosmological status, either earthly or heavenly. There is nothing contradictory, therefore, in the heavenly messiah also being a king”.

Melchizedek, appeared in its text of the Cave 11 Dead Sea Scrolls, would correspond to the heavenly messiah (read below). Nevertheless, real identify of Melchizedek is not clear even though I researched many articles on the net, and I’m only confused completely about Melchizedek.

In the end, I found the article below to understand this issue easier than the others, after wasting time like that. Even so, this article even doesn’t identify it as well. Therefore, my conclusion is that there’s no evidence regarding the heavenly messiah and alien (Ummite) messiah.
Melchizedek: Angel, Man or Messiah?

Many blog posts and articles of sites claim that ‘Nibiru’ comes with (heavenly) Messiah (read below). If the will of (our) ‘Life after death’ would want real ‘Nibiru’, the will could create it. I already pointed out the story of the planet ‘Nibiru’ is a fake by CIA and NASA, which means ‘They’ (false Jews) fabricated it. Moreover, Ummite, which is observing our Solar system status, denies existence of the planet.
I’m afraid of people believes Messiah is aliens such as Ummite instead of the Messiah of Nibiru. If the human would accept Ummite as Messiah, Ummite could rule easily the human, but no doubt, I don’t want it (read ‘Coping with the alien invasions’). Anyway, the will of (our) ‘Life after death’ and crowded consciousness will have its conclusion later.

Continue to ‘The intervention of Ummite is for confirmation of the theory

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Tuesday, July 25, 2006

Our Brilliant Daughter

Found her toes today.

The Price Is Right ... Wrong!

In an effort to provide those who are curious an idea of how expensive it is to live here, I have decided to keep a list of the most outrageous prices I come across. I will update it as I find new and exciting *expensive* things.

>>Elle Magazine *American/English* -- 15 CHF

>>Hamburger *At the Hyatt, because it is one of only a few buildings with AC* -- 38 CHF

>>Avacado -- 4 CHF

>>Endcleaning *Because you couldn't possibly clean as well yourself* -- 850 to 1,000 CHF

>>Baby toy *Bag with different pieces of cloth, a memory game* -- 50 CHF

>> A 3-bed house in Zurich -- if you are lucky, it will cost just under 2 million CHF

>>Green chicken curry -- 25 CHF


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Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Sickness Spreading

I was relieved to hear that Chase's best little boy friend doesn't have herpes. I must admit, I was a little freaked out when I heard he might have it. It was a day where no matter how many worry bead bracelets I wore, I was still going to worry.

I learned today that he has hand, foot and mouth disease. All of his other little friends have come down with fever and spots.

I, meanwhile, have my fingers and toes crossed; hoping this bug jumps right over Chase.

Education. Education. Education.

And so it begins... The quest to find the "right" school for Chase, and the "right" house in the "right" school district. And yes, I am on realtor.com every night.

First, I just can't believe we are actually going to have a house again. With our things in it. I am SO tired of furnished apartments. We haven't had our things around us in four years. FOUR YEARS. We have things still in boxes from when we lived in Boston. Unbelievable.

At any rate, in the past we really haven't given much thought to what school district our house was in, but now, I find myself obsessed with the public school system. But the more I research I do, the more interested in private education I become.

For example, there are five Montessori schools, one of which is bilingual (Spanish). Would I be a bad mom to stick her into yet another language (Spanish, Chinese, German)? Will I delay her language? So far, she's doing exceptionally well - with both English and Chinese. (I've also been told by a woman who studied early childhood education that kids compartmentalize languages, so exposing them to multiple languages may be a little confusing at first, but their brains will automatically sort words accordingly.)

I also stumbled across two international schools. The Denver International School, which offers bilingual classes in Mandarin (in grades 1 & 2, up to 80% is taught in Chinese), Spanish and French for kids from age 3, and the Bradley International Elementary School, which seems interesting.

Call me crazy, but I'm seriously considering we enroll her in the Spanish Montessori class M, W, F mornings and then do the Mandarin emersion T, Th and find a weekend playgroup. Or maybe vice versa, as Chinese is more difficult to learn and harder to find in Colorado.

I firmly believe language is one of the most important life skills a person can learn, alongside how to pick a lock and hotwire a car (kidding!). But in all seriousness, language opens so many doors, on so many levels. It connects you to the rest of the world, in a way that only knowing English never will.

And if you can speak three languages, there is a seriously cool summer job at the UN in Geneva you can apply for... no pressure, Chase!


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Tuesday, 31 March 2015

Oh HI!

Hey all!

So I'm at school right now, planning jokes with my best friends for tomorrow - April 1st! I can't wait! Happy April Fool's eve, and I'll post all my 13 tricks tomorrow!

Stay awesome <3
Zoya :)
Choueifat is life <3

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Image 20160115 2343 16yoi2o.jpg?ixlib=rb 1.1

Not so science fiction after all, the internet could out-evolve humanity

Beware the digital evolution. Pixabay, CC BY

Not so science fiction after all, the internet could out-evolve humanity

Living things accumulate and reproduce information. That’s really the driving principle behind life, and behind evolution.

But humans have invented a new method of accumulating and reproducing information. It’s digital information, and it’s growing at an astonishing speed. The number of people using the internet is growing, as are the devices connected to it through the Internet of Things.

Digital information can copy itself perfectly, increases in copy number with every download or view, can be modified (mutated), or combined to generate novel information packets. And it can be expressed through artificial intelligence. These are characteristics similar to living things. So we should probably start thinking about digital technology as being like an organism that can evolve.

Digital information replicates with virtually no energy costs, and has rapid generation times. Artificial intelligence can beat us in chess and on game shows. What’s more, it’s faster than us, smarter than us in some arenas, and is already in charge of activities that are too complex for us to do efficiently.

To biologists, that sounds like the digital world might be able to out-compete us, as we argue in a paper published in Trends in Ecology & Evolution.

Information growth

Any newly evolving entity can cause upheavals for life on Earth. In fact, all the major evolutionary transitions in the history of life have come about via changes to information storage and transmission.

And the digital revolution has certainly changed the way information is stored and transmitted.

The current storage capacity of the internet is approaching 1024 bytes and is growing at 30% to 40% per year, showing no signs of slowing down.

In the 3.7 billion years since life began, information in living things (DNA) has reached the equivalent of about 1037 bytes. Digital information will grow to this size in 100 years. That’s an evolutionary eye-blink.

Winners and losers

During each evolutionary transition, there have been winners and losers. And we need to start asking if the digital transition poses a danger to humanity. We do have the advantage of hindsight to answer this question.

We know that each of earth’s evolutionary transitions essentially resulted in the enslavement of the old information carriers. RNA was the original carrier of information. When DNA came along, the role of RNA was relegated to simply relaying messages from DNA to the cell.

When complex cells arose, they subsumed simpler bacterial cells. These became power generators (mitochondria) or solar panels (chloroplasts), serving the needs of the new cell types.

The next transition resulted in organisms with multiple cells. Most of these cells did not pass their information to the next generation, but existed simply to support those few cells that did.

The development of nervous systems that collected information from the environment provided huge advantages for animals. This activity reached its peak in human societies, with transmission of information between generations, via language and culture.

This allowed humans to dominate the planet, such that we have triggered a new geological epoch, the Anthropocene.

So the lessons of evolutionary history are clear. Transitions in the way information is replicated and stored often make existing organisms extinct, can lead to parasitism, or in the best case scenario, lead to a co-operative, mutual relationship.

Global leaders are already warning about the danger of autonomous military robots taking over the world, reminiscent of horror science fiction such as The Terminator.

We are increasingly connected to the digital world via devices, and direct connections to our brains are on the horizon. If we fuse our brains with the internet we may gain new sensory and cognitive capabilities.

But we may also lose our grasp of what is “us” and what is “real” (The Matrix, Inception), or expose ourselves to digital parasites.

As our activities and physiological states are increasingly being monitored, tracked and analysed, our every thought and action could be predicted (George Orwell’s 1984 or the Minority Report). Biological information systems might then become a predictable cog in a digitally governed social system.

Decision systems and artificial intelligence networks mimic human brains, and coordinate our everyday interactions. They decide on what internet advertisements we are exposed to, execute the majority of stock exchange transactions and run electric power grids. They also have a significant role in human mate choice via internet dating sites.

While we do not necessarily feel that we are the mere flesh-bots of our digital overlords, the merging of humans with the digital world has now passed the point of no return.

In biological terms, fusions like these between two unrelated organisms are called symbioses. In nature, all symbioses have the potential to turn into a parasitic relationship, where one organism fares much better than the other.

We need to start thinking about the internet as an organism that can evolve. Whether it cooperates or competes with us is cause for considerable concern.


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Georg Jensen Season Candleholder Gold Plated

ADVENT CROWN-encourages you to be creative. The ADVENT CROWN borrows its shape from a favorite Scandinavian tradition. The Christmas wreath with candles is one of the most important Scandinavian holiday traditions. The ADVENT CROWN takes its shape from the traditional wreath centerpiece. It is simple so that you are encouraged to add your own seasonal touches. Weave fir sprigs or red ribbon into the base of the candleholder during the holidays for a wonderful Christmas centerpiece. The warm gold accentuates the cozy holiday feeling and encourages the entire family to gather around the table. An elegant way to celebrate the season's traditions.

Please note candles are sold separately.

Design Year: 2003.

Materials: 24-carat gold plated stainless steel.

Designer: Maria Berntsen

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Thursday, July 7, 2011

Fourth of July Wreath

Approximate Time: 2 hours

12 inch white styrofoam floral wreath
6 sheets of White Felt
6 sheets of Red Felt
4 sheets of Blue Felt
White Felt Stars
Tacky Glue
Wood Skewer (the cooking kind)
Ribbon (if you'd like to hang it by the ribbon... I didn't)

1. Cut all sheets of felt into 2.5 x 2.5 inch squares.  You will have some felt left over - KEEP IT!  You'll need it.  Just put it to the side for the time being.

2.  Take a blue felt square and wrap it around the flat tip of a wooden skewer.  Add a small drop of Tacky Glue to the tip.  This will help adhere the felt to the wreath.

3.  Starting in the middle of the wreath, begin inserting felt squares.  Use gentle pressure.  For spacing purposes, I inserted felt a half an inch apart.

4.  Do you have some gaps?  Cut your leftover felt scraps into squares and insert at your pleasure.

5.  Using the same spacing method from Step 3, insert red and white felt squares.  My stripes were 2 squares wide to make 11 stripes.  If you would like a fuller look, do your stripes 3 squares wide to make 9 stripes.

6.  Fill in your entire wreath to your heart's content.  Using all of your squares and using scraps, you can pack the wreath to be quite full.

7.  Adhere stars to finish off your patriotic flare!

Hang and Enjoy!

I used Mod Podge (Matte) to seal the back of my wreath to avoid shedding.  You can also adhere felt or fabric.

If you would like a fuller but less packed look to your wreath, cut your felt squares into 3 x 3 inches.  This will give you a bit more wave.

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  1. I know it's after the 4th, but American pride is year round... LOVE this.

  2. Nice post!! Thanks for sharing these steps to make this amazing wreath. Would love to try it. Couple of days back my friend gave a lovely lunch party at one of Chicago event space. All other friends were invited there. We all enjoyed the event and had a great time.

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Friday, August 19, 2016

Counting Down

Fun fact:  Adelaide is not a morning person.

Another fun fact:  Caedmon adores Adelaide.  Put these two facts together and you get Caedmon skipping up to Adelaide for a hug as soon as she emerges from her cave in the morning, and getting a snarl for his efforts.  This results in Caedmon cowering behind me, peeking out to see when Mr. Hyde has gone, and in Adelaide retreating to a world populated by fake people, who are far less bothersome than real ones over breakfast.

Really, though.

This is the last week we'll be doing our breakfast dance, however; school starts next week.  My brain has done an admirable job of not freaking out about the fact that all three (giant) babies of ours will be in school, full time, five days from now.  Every once in a while I will torture myself with a mental image of Caedmon looking forlornly out the window of the school bus as he is driven away from me, but other than that, things are fine!  Totally good!

Thankfully, the same day I send my children out into the cruel world (aka to very nice schools with wonderful teachers) I will be going to work, as I have somehow managed to convince a library to hire me.  It's part-time, while the kids are in school, and I start next week.

In other, less dance-y news, I seem to have broken a toe.  Of all the things to break, this is obviously quite minor, but not to worry!  I have still used it as an opportunity to feel sorry for myself.

How did I break it?  Why, making the bed, of course!  I'm taking it as a sign from God that I should no longer do such things.

Really what happened is I stubbed my toe (while making the bed), heard a crack, saw the toe was at a slightly odd angle, and I've been icing and elevating and buddy wrapping ever since.  The worst part is I haven't been able to run for going on three days now.  THREE. DAYS.  Never mind that I have a race next weekend.  My new goal for that race is simply to be able to stagger across the finish line.  How fun!
Aww, this guy and I look exactly the same when we throw tantrums!

Now we have to go buy multiple pairs of shoes because our children jump a shoe size an average of once every three months.  This is not hyperbole.  Also on the docket is hugging those same kids just long and tightly enough to alarm them.  Parenting is so fun.

  1. You broke your toe? No, no, no, no. Sounds very painful and I hope it is better soooooooon.

    Good luck with your new job. I have always thought it would be wonderful to work in a library.

  2. Wow, this is a big transition for you guys. I'll bet Caedmon will just love finally getting to go to school with his siblings.

    All this fabulousness, AND you get to work in a library? I'm not sure how your life could get better. Well, maybe with a healed toe :-)

    I am a morning person, but I much prefer my mornings without any other people. Thank goodness both Rob and Emma are not early-to-rise types :-)

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Friday, November 12, 2010

Follow Friday on Twitter

If you don't use Twitter, you don't know what you're missing! Twitter can be an overwhelming onslaught of mini-messages, but it can also be very useful to a dancer looking for audition updates or an inside look at being a professional dancer.

This Follow Friday, we are taking a look at some dance of your favorite dance companies:

And of course, you can find all of our buzz on our Twitter page:

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Thursday, June 7, 2012

IHF {All Boy}

With Father's Day is coming up, the theme this week at I Heart Faces is "All Boy".   My son definitely fits that theme - even with two big sisters as role models.  He loves his cars, trucks, trains and dinosaurs and is crazy about anything involving a ball!   Oh... and he loves his doughnuts too!

Head over to to see some amazing 'all boy' images!

Photo Challenge Submission

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

IHF {Hey Girl}

The theme this week at I Heart Faces is "Hey Girl", in honor of Mother's Day and girls and women around the world.  Here is my baby girl ... growing up way too fast.  I hope she keeps those freckles forever!     Check out more "hey girl" photos at I Heart Faces.

Photo Challenge Submission

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

IHF {Happiness}

I'm love participating in the I Heart Faces photo challenges!  They are so much fun and inspirational!  This week's theme is happiness.  I have lots of pictures with smiling faces, but I just love this moment between my friend and her son.  Silliness tends to bring on the happiness!!   Head over to for more happiness (and maybe some silliness too!).

Photo Challenge Submission

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Project 52 Week 12: Hunger

project 52 p52 weekly photo challenge

Wow - week 12 already!!! Time is really flying by for me this year.

I really did not have any idea what I was going to do for this week's theme.  None.  And I know nothing about The Hunger Games (other than the movie comes out this week!).  I almost was going to skip it.  Then my daughter brought home her Weekly Reader News magazine from school and on the front cover was a story about the growing hunger problem in the U.S.  The article states that more people visited food banks in 2011 then ever before.  Some food banks had to reduce the number of items people could have because of the demand.  The article goes on to tell kids how they can help:  Hold a food drive, get involved (local soup kitchens, etc.), spread the word about hunger in your community.  I want to help. My first step was to dig into the pantry.  The next step will be delivering and donating to the Food Bank.  We need to fix this problem.

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Project 52 Week 11: The Eyes of March

project 52 p52 weekly photo challenge

I love these eyes...

and these..

and these too!

 They belong to my favorite people in the whole world!

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Project 52 Week 10: Be Still

project 52 p52 weekly photo challenge

My kids cannot 'be still', but these apples were pretty good at it.  I also wanted to test out my new lens (Nikon 85mm f/1.4) on some not so squirmy subjects.  I still need to practice with it a lot more, but so far I'm loving it!

85mm, f/2.2, ISO 250, 1/40

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

IHF {Beautiful Black & White}

I Heart Faces is changing their format a bit.  Instead of weekly challenges, there is now going to be one big monthly contest.  The first place winner will receive a prize!!!!  How exciting!  There will also be an end of the month 'just for fun' contest.  I so love IHF!  The theme for this month's contest is Beautiful Black & White.

Here is my submission and one of my most favorite recent images of Emily.  I was practicing with window light and my little model was helping me out.  I just love her sweet little pout in this picture.  And you can't tell here, but that pout is covering her super sweet toothless grin - I'll save that for another post!

Photo Challenge Submission


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Thursday, 18 October 2012

When the Caregiver is a Child

When the Caregiver is a Child By
Most don’t know that child caregivers exist! A 2005 report by the National Alliance for Caregiving (PDF), “estimated that there were at least 1.3 million between the ages of 8 and 18 –(caregivers) most caring for a parent or grandparent, some looking after a sibling.”
According to the Report:
A child caregiver was defined as anyone aged 8-18 who provides unpaid help or care to any person who has an ongoing health problem or chronic-illness, or is elderly, frail, disabled, or mentally ill. In addition, to qualify as caregiver, a parent had to report that the child helps the care receiver with one or more of the following tasks:
  • Household Chores or Meal Preparation
  • Dressing or Feeding
  • Taking Medicine or Talking to Doctors or Nurses
  • Keeping Him/Her Company/Providing Emotional Support
  • Shopping
  • Paperwork, Bills or Arranging Outside Services
  • Moving around the house, or Getting around the Community
  • Bathing or Using the Bathroom
“Nearly all caregivers help with at least one instrumental activity of daily living.” “The ADL performed by the largest proportion of child caregivers is helping the receiver get in and out of beds and chairs.”
My four kids are learning about the caregiving role (and not only because they help encourage their Father, Chato Stewart,who is living with Bipolar Disorder.) I am learning about the care receiver role. I severely sprained my left ankle since my last post.
This is not a woe is me…Cannot complain, I’ve been very healthy my whole life and pretty much injury-free. This is my very first sprain that I can recall. It’s mostly an inconvenience. It interrupts my organization.
Have you sprained anything lately?! Elevating my foot as I write, hoping the swelling will go down. This sprain and swelling can serve as a *meta “phor” something…(hopefully, it will come to me by the end of this post-lol:)
I’m learning “new” skills like how to hobble around on crutches and the value of stuffing my pockets to transport things. As a person who lives an extremely active life-style, who’s use to doing things for myself or for somebody else, sitting still and getting off my feet for long, doesn’t come easy! I’m forced to let others do things for me or in smarter terms: delegate, delegate! (Uh-oh! the kids have been saying I’m getting bossy and ordering them around!)
Yes, delegation involves giving up some control over a project/work! A role reversal for me, the caregiver and parent. Somethings, I prefer doing myself. Do you prefer doing things yourself? or do you delegate?
As Care-giver and Partner or Other: How can you free up time for more important things by delegating less important things? Can you relinquish some control? Control can be hard to give up, eh?
Can You train or teach your kid/s to do some of your tasks? Training and delegating to young ones and/or teens can teach them valuable life skills. For example, our kids know how to cook/bake (with supervision), do laundry, hang up clothes, iron (with supervision), sew, knit, sweep and mop, fix things, take care of and clean-up after their pets, etc. When parents allow their children to work along with them and help them, young ones progress in various tasks and learn a good work ethic.
As parents, we strive to instill a love of learning in our children. If an individual learns to enjoy working when they are young, it will serve them well as they get older. Fact of life: Life is Work!
Personally, I like to work, work, work. (No, I don’t whistle while I work, but One must follow Doc’s orders if one wants to heal, right?!:) You cannot keep me down (off my feet for long)…6 or 5 days?! No way! Did my Doc have 4 kids?! (THANKS to my Doctor and staff!:) I view work and the ability to do it (are you ready for this?!) a blessing! Yeah, I do. It’s a privilege to breathe, be alive, be (relatively) healthy and work–especially when You love your work. Even the work we don’t love so much, teaches us qualities or positive trait/s of value i.e. perseverance.
Creative Commons License photo credit: KLammipic
Can You imagine what life must be like for those who are chair-bound or bed-ridden who are at the mercy of others?! This injury gives me a little, tiny temporary “glimpse” into their world. THANK YOU (to ALL In that Situation) for Your Example of Courage and depth of Patience and Humility involved in waiting on others to help! Plus, You have a particular set of skills the rest of us could learn.
I have to admit, after 21 years of marriage, it’s kinda cool having hubby carry me over a threshold again like a young bride! (Don’t tell him I said that!:) Very Thankful Hubby and Kids have been taking good care of me!:) Though, I cannot wait to be freely mobile…I don’t idle long! Yes, you’re right! This is an “opportunity” to catch-up on my studies, research, writing.
While waiting in the ER, my 9 year old noticed a man with 1 arm. She asked about my foot: “Mom, will they have to amputate?” Hope NOT Honey! We wondered how he lost his arm? We wondered what new skills he has learned?
I’ve learned to appreciate my feet and how much I need both.
THANK YOU (to All in that Situation who have lost a limb) for your example of Strength to Carry-on. You have learned a particular set of important life skills.
Actually, this arm/foot talk reminds me of these Biblical verses:
“For the body, indeed, is not one member, but many. If the foot should say: ‘Because I am not a hand, I am no part of the body,’ it is not for this reason no part of the body. And if the ear should say: ‘Because I am not an eye, I am no part of the body,’ it is not for this reason no part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If it were all hearing, where would the smelling be?….The eye cannot say to the hand: ‘I have no need of you’; or, again, the head cannot say to the feet: ‘I have no need of you.’ But much rather is it the case that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary.” 1Corinthians 12:14-18, 21,22.
These verses stress interdependency…and how ridiculous it would be to compare our eyes with our hands or our feet with our ears! Each member of the body serves a different function, yet all the members are useful and valuable to the whole body. This also highlights how ridiculous it is to compare one body (one person) to another body/person!
“When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe.” ~ John Muir’s book: My First Summer in the Sierra (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1911), on page 110 of the Sierra Club Books 1988 edition. It is found in Chapter 6.
Independent thinking alone is not suited to interdependent reality. Independent people who do not have the maturity to think and act interdependently may be good individual producers, but they won’t be good leaders or team players. They’re not coming from the paradigm of interdependence necessary to succeed in marriage, family, or organizational reality. ~ Stephen Covey, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, 1989
So, while I’m recuperating from my sprain and swelling, (*my independence is sprained whereas my interdependency swells:), came across this interesting on-line article from CNN about child caregivers: “Young Caregivers put life on hold.” There must be someway we can better support this group! It’s one thing for a young one to “temporarily” pitch-in and help care for an unexpectedly injured/sick parent or relative…it’s quite a different thing when a child is the primary caregiver!
Here’s highlights:
Child caregivers in the United States have largely been ignored, says Carol Levine, director of families and health care at the United Hospital Fund. “People don’t want to think of children providing care,” Levine said. “For whatever reason, it suits people not to see it.”
Levine has seen these kids grow up to be mature, responsible adults who are closely connected to their families. They show evidence of having high self-esteem, more empathy and a strong sense of belonging. Many she knows have gone into the health-care industry or social work so they can continue to care for others. But she says her organization doesn’t see the child caregivers who get lost, the ones who wind up in jail or on the streets because they had too much to deal with at home.
How can we help child caregivers preserve their childhood? Do you personally know any child caregivers? Please share your suggestions of support! i.e. How can we protect a child caregiver’s childhood?
THANK YOU to All Child Caregivers! You shoulder responsibilities some adults cannot. You are Loved! You are Valued! :)
“A 2012 study published in the Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research analyzed data from 1,200 students in two Florida school districts. Researchers found that child caregivers were at a significantly higher risk for anxiety and depression.”
Every Child Deserves a Childhood!
Creative Commons License photo credit 1: Pink Sherbet Photography Creative Commons License photo credit 2: Jakes_World Creative Commons License photo credit 3: Pink Sherbet Photography

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Consider exotics as whitetail season closes

Consider exotics as whitetail season closes

Back in the times when there were more folks living on farms or just in the country, winter was hog killing time. There was no cold storage other than an icebox. That made it necessary to wait until there were a couple of cold fronts to put their annual pork supply to bed. Smoking the meat or using salt in vats were the methods of that day for preserving their meat. We can still do those things, but the use of freezers is a lot simpler. To get that great smoke flavor, we can smoke it for a few hours and it’s ready to put on the table.

In more modern times when more folks live in urban areas, there are still plenty of great hunt situations available. Not only are the once domestic hogs now running wild and becoming feral, but there are imported exotic game animals available to hunters.

The general deer and turkey season will soon be ending in most of Texas. In South Texas, some folks will still be in hunting mode. There are a good number of ranches that offer both trophy and management hunting for various exotic animals. These hunts on private land hunts will vary in price according to your selection of programs.

There are actually way too many species to be included in this article, but there are some very popular ones that are easily available.

One of the more popular exotics is the axis deer. These animals sport great racks when the bucks are mature. Many of the folks that go after an axis buck will do so because they not only make a really nice trophy mount, but they are also excellent table fare. The deer are much the color of whitetail fawns. They are usually light tan with many lighter spots. They are about the same size as whitetails. The does of the species are said by many to be the less gamey meat of all the deer. While the bucks are also a great choice for the table, the does are even better.

There is a large percentage of exotic ranches that offer axis hunts. Being as popular and as easy to manage as they are, the axis has become a favorite.

These animals have become so well populated that they are sold just as cattle are for the meat. The venison that folks are seeing in some meat markets is axis deer. Since they are not native to the United States, they are considered livestock. They are the property of whoever has either purchased or raised them.

The black buck antelope is another very popular exotic. The black buck is a really classy looking quarry. With his dark back and sides and his white belly, he appears to be dressed formally. The buck has long double horns, not antlers. They do not shed them annually. The female is a more drab in color, as with most animals. These animals appear to be much larger in the field than they are upon closer inspection. Besides that, they are extremely fast runners.

The sika is another exotic that is available on many exotic ranches; first glance they appear to be whitetail deer. They are, however, somewhat larger and they make a sound that is much like a dog’s bark. The sika has another unusual trait. They will attack whenever they are cornered. Sometimes they seem to prefer the confrontation to escape. These animals are also sold commercially for meat.

The fallow deer is also a super popular exotic. These animals come in several colors and their antlers appear as small elk. The fallow was originally introduced into England to adorn the castle grounds. Since they have been in the United States and on our larger ranches, the fallow has increased in numbers. By sporting such great antlers and offering several colors, the fallow is one of the more sought after of the exotics. Their flesh is much like whitetail in my opinion. Some folks really enjoy it on the table while others would rather have axis.

There are many, many more exotics that are available on the exotic ranches. There are both sheep and goats, as well as some of the larger African super exotics that are also in huntable numbers.


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North winds keep fishing good

As we are getting into the Thanksgiving mood and then comes Christmas, most of the outdoor folks are deeply involved in hunting. There are many seasons now open, with the majority of the hunting being either waterfowl or deer. But we are now also into some of the better inland saltwater fishing action of the year.

Lake Sabine is in a position where there are numerous shrimp- and baitfish-laden estuaries draining into it. The marshes along the Neches and Sabine rivers, and the Louisiana marshes on the east shoreline of the lake all contribute food fish to Lake Sabine. Earlier in the year the lake was loaded with millions of shad and mullet along with several other species that the game fish choose to feed upon. Most of those fish would migrate into the lake from the gulf or they would hatch inland. That is not the case during the cooler months where there has been a couple of northers to push the shrimp out of their estuaries. What’s really great about this time of year is that all of those shrimp do not leave the marshes at one time. It would seem that each front with a north wind will push even more bait into the lake, and there will be lots of hungry predator fish for anglers to catch.

First of all, if you can get to the water very soon after the front comes through, then you need to head for the mouths of those marsh drains. An ebbing tide will attract the flounder, speckled trout, and redfish much as a magnet would a piece of steel. The secret is the moving water that is coming from a marsh drain.

To fish such an area, my choice is to cast across the current and fish the bait or lure back through the moving water. Once it clears the current, I’d allow it to free fall and drift with the tide for 20 or 30 yards. The fish will likely be feeding somewhere along that cast area. Should you see bait breaking the surface then, cast slightly up current from it and be ready for a strike. Many times the fish will take your offering before you can engage your reel. This type of action will likely last until the tidal flow slacks off.

For live bait in the above situation, nothing is better than live shrimp. Small shad come in a close second. These may be fished either under a float or on the bottom. For a lure, either lead-head jigs and plastic tails or something like a double speck rig, a little Fishy rig, or a lipless crank bait will do fine.

Once the front has been through a day or so, it is time to either look for feeding seagulls or time to drift over shell, casting ahead of the drift. For this, the lead-head jig with a plastic tail or a speck rig will pay off. If possible, use a 1/4-ounce lead head. There will also be speckled trout and redfish under the birds as well as an occasional flounder. The action may and will likely be hot and heavy, especially under the gulls. Sometimes the specks will be too small to keep in Texas. Whenever


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The News

Austin Davis

Police in Beaumont arrested an 18-year-old suspect wanted on warrants related to three separate burglaries in the Gross Street neighborhood, reports Beaumont Police Department (BPD) Officer Haley Walters.

According to Walters, the warrants for Austin Davis’ arrest were issued Friday, Sept. 16. On Sept. 22, officers went to the 9100 block of Gross at about 2 p.m. to serve the warrants and took Davis into custody.

Davis was transported to the Jefferson County Jail. His bonds total $75,000.

Join the Gift of Life and thousands of “Champions of the Cause” as downtown Beaumont erupts in color Saturday, Oct. 1, at the sixth annual Julie Richardson Procter 5K Ribbon Run Color Rush presented by the Byrd Law Firm, with title sponsors H-E-B and Jason’s Deli.

The event starts at 8 a.m. at City Hall with same day registration at 6 a.m.

Praise Church volunteers in 2015 (

Praise Church will serve Southeast Texas by meeting the needs of the community with their bi-annual event Servolution on Sept. 24 from 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Police in Beaumont arrested a 51-year-old Beaumont man Sept. 20 when the man fled the scene of a traffic stop and then, once cornered, threatened officers with a grenade, reports Officer Haley Walters of the Beaumont Police Department (BPD).

Troopers with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) are investigating a one-vehicle accident that injured an elderly Plano resident, Sgt. Stephanie Davis reported in a news release Sept. 21.

According to Davis, at approximately 8:15 a.m., DPS received a report of a one-vehicle rollover crash on Highway 105 in Hardin County. The crash occurred near the Little Hawks Daycare Center, which is approximately two miles east of Sour Lake.