My Blog List
-
-
CLIMATE CRISIS REPORT - *We now have the clearest picture yet of how different the world is today as a result of human-driven climate change. The most comprehensive report to da...3 years ago
-
-
-
-
Creamy Dill & Salmon - *Prep/Total Time: 30 min. Makes: 6 servings* *1 salmon fillet (about 2 pounds)* *2 teaspoons lemon-pepper seasoning* *1 teaspoon onion salt* *1 ...6 years ago
Monday, March 31, 2014
Can we sniff out true love?
A Montreal duo of scientists wants to know if you can pick a mate based on scent or sound alone.
In a traditional biology experiment, the subjects are clueless. If someone in the maze favours left turns, researchers only care if it affects future experiments. They are not concerned with the daily lives of mice. But those daily lives inspired the “Scientists for Love” and their inaugural public experiment in Montreal, “speed-dating for the senses (and the sensitive),” which used sensory deprivation to introduce 14 men and 14 women to each other.
Amy Chartrand and Leigh Kotsilidis, the two Scientists for Love, were interested in research on the biological basis for attraction. They prepared for their experiment by putting on lab coats and asking people in bars to rate strangers’ voices. “They line up for it,” Chartrand says. The pair began to see potential in experimental constraints.
They recruited participants on Facebook and assembled them at Kotsilidis’s Little Italy loft on a biting night in February. The average participant was single, around 30, and shared their curiosity about the science of attraction. They arrived through separate men’s and women’s doors into the arms of a gang of volunteers in lab coats, who blindfolded them. Conversation spilled out as both groups were a little nervous. “Is attraction scientific? I wanted to test that out myself,” one woman explained in the women’s holding pen before they began. Everyone brought a dirty T-shirt, and some comfort food, which was placed on a steel cart. The women’s cart was dominated by goat cheese and chocolate; the men had brought convenience-store junk, with few exceptions. “Who brought the prunes?” someone asked.
The evening was in two parts: sensory experiments, then party. For the first experiment, the blindfolded singles recited the alphabet one by one, voting for the voices they liked before groping toward the person in the next chair. Then came touch. Still blindfolded, men and women stood in two advancing lines and held hands, “keeping it below the wrist,” as asked. Reactions were powerful. “This guy tried to put his fingers in mine. I’m a lady. I don’t do that on the first date,” scoffed one woman.
Then off came the blindfolds, as the T-shirts in Ziploc bags were passed around for a sniff test. Based directly on Claus Wedekind’s criticized but influential 1994 study that suggested we are attracted to partners whose pheromones indicate significantly different immune systems, this was to be one of the more revealing experiments, but it only works if you get stinky, and this was apparently too much for some. Many men and women brought clean shirts. “One had no soul. There was nothing to this shirt,” said one woman.
And then, the darkly familiar situation of judgment at a distance. The group formed two concentric circles, and men and women stared at each other for 15 seconds in turns. Surprisingly, sight was described as the most intense and difficult experiment. Last, they tried each other’s comfort foods, the men sampling, the women eating everything.
While the volunteers crunched numbers, participants broke the ice again, going in search of “that accent” or whoever brought the identical cheese. When the results were taped to a wall around midnight, it was difficult to get the room’s attention. The participants had already taken over their own lessons. One woman had picked the same guy five times, but when she went up to him, “I didn’t feel much connection,” she reported. Perhaps they should have put their blindfolds back on. People confronted their sensory choices until 4 a.m.
The event confounds labelling. One might call it a participatory work of art, or a semi-scientific perception experiment, and neither captures its childlike excitement. We rarely encounter others in an unfamiliar way, such as our very first time holding hands, but Scientists for Love suggest this kind of experience remains possible. And powerful: Weeks later, the participants are organizing a reunion by themselves. So we have to conclude that some pretty powerful biological reactions, pheromone connections or just plain mutual lust took place during the experiment.
Saturday, March 29, 2014
I don't Want Another Sister
Well that didn't go as planned. A family gathered their three kids around the table to reveal the gender of their newest sibling-to-be by letting them cut into a cake. Little Gunner, who has two sisters, is hoping for a baby brother.
But when he cuts the cake open and finds pink, he loses it.
Through tears, the boy says something that sounds like "I don't want another girl."
Trying to console him, Dad makes a statement that might haunt him for years to come -- especially if the little girl grows up and sees the video: "You have the same reaction I did, bud."
Gunner can't be consoled.
"I hate girls," he cries in an epic rant. "Every time it's girls, girls, girls, girls."
The boy even refuses the cake. You know things are bad when a little kid won't eat cake. And believe it or not, that's just the beginning of Gunner's meltdown.
DIY Wrapped Ponytail
How to do a wrapped ponytail in seconds flat
Turn a ponytail from plain to party-ready in four easy steps.
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Ask Maxy
Dear Maxy ,
My husband and I moved to Florida 30 years ago and raised our children here . Some friends recently retired and moved to our area . Florida is a large state and we were surprised that both of these couples (who don't know each other) chose to purchase homes within a 20-mile radius of us . My husband and I are being pressured to resume these friendships but frankly, we are not interested . When these couples email I keep making excuses and I don't answer the phone when they call . It's been months and none of them has figured it out . They persist .
One of these women was a childhood friend but she is boastful and competitive and her husband is worse . I don't have it in me to level with them . How can we stop them from calling without creating hurt feelings ?
Needs Advice
Dear Needs Advice ,
Has it occurred to you that these couples may have moved to this location because they thought they had at least one friend in this area ? It means they will persist until they develop new friends who occupy their time . If you are likely to run into them at shops or social events, it may be in your best interests to allow a limited friendship so you are on speaking terms . That means, you answer every fifth call or email and arrange a social engagement every few months . As they become more acclimated to their new digs, you can cut back until you reach the amount of contact you can handle . By then your absence will be less important to them .
Maxy
Dear Maxy ,
My boyfriend will be 67 in two weeks and for the third year in a row I will probably watch his heart break because his 90-year-old mother will not acknowledge his birthday .
He has done nothing to make her feel this way. She lives in our city but he has not seen her in more than three years . I am so afraid she will pass on before they reconcile . What would cause a woman to have no feeling for her own son ?
Baffled
Dear Baffled ,
I don't know but if they haven't seen each other since she was 87, there is a possibility of a decline in her mental faculties . Did she acknowledge his birthday before . Was she OK the last time he saw her ? Is there a sibling, relative or friend who could intercede on his behalf ? Some children call their parents on their birthdays for giving birth to them . Your boyfriend might try this to see whether it breaks the ice . But if nothing works, do something for his birthday that he enjoys and that will take his mind off of Mom, but remember, she is ninety and should be relieved of family obligations. You and your husband could take the burden off her and assume responsibilty for keeping in touch.
Maxy
Dear Maxy ,
I love my husband . He is a wonderful man , but when it comes to his cooking, I would rather he not step in my kitchen again . Last Saturday, my husband took the initiative to make breakfast; he made pancakes, scrambled eggs and turkey sausage .
His goal was to put a smile on my face. Sadly, I threw out the food he made because it was terrible . He was upset because I threw out the cooked food and made breakfast the right way . I think I could have handled the situation differently.
Shaky Ground .
Dear Shaky Ground ,
You are tough. It would have been far nicer for you to thank your husband for trying and to eat what you could . You insulted him and surely hurt his feelings. Instead, encourage him to spend time in the kitchen with you .
You can still thank him for his efforts and invite him to make a special meal with you . Teach him how to make eggs to your liking, or choose another dish . As a couple, you can have fun learning about anything together.
Attitude is everything !
And you my dear need an attitude adjustment .
Maxy
My husband and I moved to Florida 30 years ago and raised our children here . Some friends recently retired and moved to our area . Florida is a large state and we were surprised that both of these couples (who don't know each other) chose to purchase homes within a 20-mile radius of us . My husband and I are being pressured to resume these friendships but frankly, we are not interested . When these couples email I keep making excuses and I don't answer the phone when they call . It's been months and none of them has figured it out . They persist .
One of these women was a childhood friend but she is boastful and competitive and her husband is worse . I don't have it in me to level with them . How can we stop them from calling without creating hurt feelings ?
Needs Advice
Dear Needs Advice ,
Has it occurred to you that these couples may have moved to this location because they thought they had at least one friend in this area ? It means they will persist until they develop new friends who occupy their time . If you are likely to run into them at shops or social events, it may be in your best interests to allow a limited friendship so you are on speaking terms . That means, you answer every fifth call or email and arrange a social engagement every few months . As they become more acclimated to their new digs, you can cut back until you reach the amount of contact you can handle . By then your absence will be less important to them .
Maxy
Dear Maxy ,
My boyfriend will be 67 in two weeks and for the third year in a row I will probably watch his heart break because his 90-year-old mother will not acknowledge his birthday .
He has done nothing to make her feel this way. She lives in our city but he has not seen her in more than three years . I am so afraid she will pass on before they reconcile . What would cause a woman to have no feeling for her own son ?
Baffled
Dear Baffled ,
I don't know but if they haven't seen each other since she was 87, there is a possibility of a decline in her mental faculties . Did she acknowledge his birthday before . Was she OK the last time he saw her ? Is there a sibling, relative or friend who could intercede on his behalf ? Some children call their parents on their birthdays for giving birth to them . Your boyfriend might try this to see whether it breaks the ice . But if nothing works, do something for his birthday that he enjoys and that will take his mind off of Mom, but remember, she is ninety and should be relieved of family obligations. You and your husband could take the burden off her and assume responsibilty for keeping in touch.
Maxy
Dear Maxy ,
I love my husband . He is a wonderful man , but when it comes to his cooking, I would rather he not step in my kitchen again . Last Saturday, my husband took the initiative to make breakfast; he made pancakes, scrambled eggs and turkey sausage .
His goal was to put a smile on my face. Sadly, I threw out the food he made because it was terrible . He was upset because I threw out the cooked food and made breakfast the right way . I think I could have handled the situation differently.
Shaky Ground .
Dear Shaky Ground ,
You are tough. It would have been far nicer for you to thank your husband for trying and to eat what you could . You insulted him and surely hurt his feelings. Instead, encourage him to spend time in the kitchen with you .
You can still thank him for his efforts and invite him to make a special meal with you . Teach him how to make eggs to your liking, or choose another dish . As a couple, you can have fun learning about anything together.
Attitude is everything !
And you my dear need an attitude adjustment .
Maxy
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Cute Easter Bunnies
First download the >>> RevoluzZzionary Easter Bunny pattern and print it – cut it out, chose your fabric, pin the pattern on the fabric and cut out:
Simple Easter Bunny:
When you want to stitch the face of your bunny on a fabric it’s good to iron some interfacing on the inner side of the fabric:
And now the most exciting part comes: Turn your bunny inside out!
This cute bunny is perfect for Easter decoration – but it’s also perfect as a toy for babies. It’s perfect for little hands to grab . And it gets even more exciting for babies when you put a rattle in the bunny tummy. OK, that was really easy. Now try the other version.
Easter Bunny Two:
Use the same pattern as before for the body and cut the arm and legs pattern as well. If you want a felt face – cut that one too. Sew the felt face on the bunny – if your machine doesn’t have that special quilt stitch you can just as easily use a zig zag stitch or whatever you like. Then stitch the little face just the way you like it. If you don’t want a smiling mouth – Do a little upside-down vee.
Some handcrafters pin everything together: the front and back of the body together with the arms and the legs. That’s fine but I don’t do it that way.
First I serge the edges where I will close the body later with a blind stitch. Then I mark with a vanishing pen the points where I want my arms and legs.
Another exciting moment: Turning your new friend inside out.
And when you really love your bunny – you make it some cute accessories – maybe a scarf? Or a felt collar like I did. If it’s a bunny boy, I’m sure he would like to have some nice pants. Or if it’s a bunny girl – what about a cute skirt? Or an apron? I’m sure there are many things that come to your mind :-)
Monday, March 24, 2014
Technology to the Rescue....No More Wasted Food
Imagine a world where you never have to sniff a dubious carton of milk to see if it's gone bad.
It's the latest modern-day technological gadget intended to revolutionize our kitchen habits and make our lives easier. (Egg Minder, anyone? It's an egg tray that tells you when you need to buy eggs. And let's not forget about the smart fridge that offers recipe suggestions based on what's inside.)
The 'smart' tag technology was presented this week at the annual conference for the American Chemical Society, the world's largest scientific society. The scientists say the gel-like tags are safe, inexpensive and can adhere to beverages, canned goods, bottles and even medications to keep track of the freshness of what's inside.
The colours indicate a range of freshness from 100 per cent fresh (red) to 100 per cent spoiled (green).
"Over time, the tag changes its colour to orange, yellow and later green, which indicates the food is spoiled," says Chao Zhang, lead researcher from Peking University in Beijing, China.
Researchers tested the tags, which are about the size of a kernel of corn, by exposing milk to different temperatures until E-coli bacteria developed, eventually rendering the milk inedible.
They hope their technology will be used by consumers as well as food manufacturers and supermarkets that need a reliable indication of shelf life for their products. The scientists suggest the tags are more effective than expiration dates because they take into account varying levels of heat exposure.
Thank goodness, this is the invention I have been waiting for. From one germphobe to all you bacteria conscious folks out there, we should be happy that technology has brought us to this wonderful place in time. Surveys say we waste approximately 2,000 pounds of food per family per year. I think that may be a bit on the high side but I am sure it is hundreds of pounds. And I know we all hate waste in a wonky economy like ours. Well now we have hope.
Promposals...Spring is Here...Sort Of
Promposals Are Back -- Teens Take Prom Invites to the Extreme
Prom season is upon us, and apparently, you can't just ask someone to be your date over lunch in the cafeteria anymore. These days, teens are pulling off elaborate stunts in order to invite their crushes to the biggest dance of the year and then posting the results on Instagram, using the hashtag "promposals." From sacrificing their beloved cars to rigging sophisticated electrical experiments to enlisting the help of furry friends, here are some of the most creative promposals. Who would say no?
Saturday, March 22, 2014
Chuckles
A newlywed couple had only been married for two weeks. The husband,although very much in love, couldn't wait to go out on the town and party with his old buddies. So, he said to his new wife, "Honey, I'll be right back."
"Where are you going, sugar lump?" asked the wife. "I'm going to the bar, pretty face. I'm going to have a beer."
The wife said, "You want a beer, my love?" She opened the door to the refrigerator and showed him 25 different kinds of beer, brands from 12 different countries: Germany, Holland, Japan, India, Etc.
The husband didn't know what to do, and the only thing that he could think of saying was, "Yes, lolly pop...but at the bar...you know...they have frozen glasses..."
He didn't get to finish the sentence, because the wife interrupted him by saying, "You want a frozen glass, puppy face? "
She took a huge beer mug out of the freezer, so frozen that she was getting chills just holding it.
The husband, looking a bit pale, said, "Yes, tootsie roll, but at the bar they have those hors d'oeuvres that are really delicious... I won't be long I'll be right back. I promise.
OK?" "You want hors d'oeuvres, poochi pooh?" She opened the oven and took out 5 dishes of different hors d'oeuvres: chicken wings, pigs in blankets, mushroom caps, pork strips, etc.
"But my sweet honey... at the bar... you know... there's swearing, dirty words and all that..."
"You want dirty words, cutie pie?...
"LISTEN UP SHIT HEAD! DRINK YOUR FUCKING BEER IN YOUR DAMNED FROZEN MUG AND EAT YOUR
MOTHERFUCKING SNACKS, BECAUSE YOU AREN'T GOING ANYWHERE!
GOT IT, ASSHOLE?"
"Where are you going, sugar lump?" asked the wife. "I'm going to the bar, pretty face. I'm going to have a beer."
The wife said, "You want a beer, my love?" She opened the door to the refrigerator and showed him 25 different kinds of beer, brands from 12 different countries: Germany, Holland, Japan, India, Etc.
The husband didn't know what to do, and the only thing that he could think of saying was, "Yes, lolly pop...but at the bar...you know...they have frozen glasses..."
He didn't get to finish the sentence, because the wife interrupted him by saying, "You want a frozen glass, puppy face? "
She took a huge beer mug out of the freezer, so frozen that she was getting chills just holding it.
The husband, looking a bit pale, said, "Yes, tootsie roll, but at the bar they have those hors d'oeuvres that are really delicious... I won't be long I'll be right back. I promise.
OK?" "You want hors d'oeuvres, poochi pooh?" She opened the oven and took out 5 dishes of different hors d'oeuvres: chicken wings, pigs in blankets, mushroom caps, pork strips, etc.
"But my sweet honey... at the bar... you know... there's swearing, dirty words and all that..."
"You want dirty words, cutie pie?...
"LISTEN UP SHIT HEAD! DRINK YOUR FUCKING BEER IN YOUR DAMNED FROZEN MUG AND EAT YOUR
MOTHERFUCKING SNACKS, BECAUSE YOU AREN'T GOING ANYWHERE!
GOT IT, ASSHOLE?"
...and, they lived happily ever after.
A professor of mathematics left this letter on the kitchen counter.
Dear Wife,
You must realize that you are a 56 years old and I have certain needs which you ar eno longer able to satisy. I am otherwise happy with you as a wife and I sincerely hope you will not be hurt or offended to learn that by the time you receive this letter, I will be at the Hilton Hotel with my 18 year old teaching assistant. I'll be home before midnight.
Your Husband
When he arrived at the hotel, there was a faxed letter waiting for him that read as follows:Dear Husband,
You, too, are 56 years old and by the time you receive this letter, I will be at the Sheraton Hotel with the 18 year old pool boy. Since you are a mathematician, you will appreciate that 18 goes into 54 more times than 54 goes into 18. Therefore, don't wait up.
Your Wife
The Affair
A woman was in bed with her lover when she heard her husband opening the front door. "Hurry," she said, "stand in the corner." Then she quickly rubbed baby oil all over him and then dusted him with talcum
powder. "Don't move until I tell you to," she whispered. "Just pretend you're a statue." "What's this, honey?" the husband inquired as he entered the room. "Oh, it's a statue," she replied nonchalantly. "The
Smiths bought one for their bedroom. I liked it so much, I got one for us too."
No more was said about the statue, not even later when they went to sleep. Around two in the morning, the husband got out of bed, went to the kitchen and returned a while later with a sandwich and a glass of milk.
"Here," he said to the statue, "eat something. I stood like an idiot at the Smiths for three days and nobody offered me as much as a glass of water.
Maxy says these authentic letters will make you chuckle
The following are actual letters that Abigail Van Buren (Dear Abby) admitted she was at a total loss to answer:
Dear Abby, A couple of women moved in across the hall from me. One is a middle-aged gym teacher, and the other is a social worker in her mid twenties. These two women go everywhere together, and I've never seen a man go into their apartment or come out. Do you think they could be Lebanese?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Abby, What can I do about all the sex, nudity, language and violence on my VCR?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Abby, I have a man I never could trust. He cheats so much I'm not sure this baby I'm carrying is even his.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Abby, I am a 23-year-old liberated woman who has been on the pill for two years. It's getting expensive, and I think my boyfriend should share half the cost, but I don't know him well enough to discuss money with him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Abby, I suspected that my husband had been fooling around, and when I confronted him with the evidence, he denied everything and said it would never happen again. Should I believe him?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Abby, My 40-year-old son has been paying a psychiatrist $50 an hour very week for 2 + years. He must be crazy.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Abby, Do you think it would be all right if I gave my doctor a little gift? I tried for years to get pregnant and couldn't, and he did it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Abby, My mother is mean and short tempered. Do you think she is going through her mental pause?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Abby, You told some woman whose husband had lost all interest in sex to send him to a doctor. Well, my husband lost all interest in sex years ago and he IS a doctor. What now?
Dear Abby, A couple of women moved in across the hall from me. One is a middle-aged gym teacher, and the other is a social worker in her mid twenties. These two women go everywhere together, and I've never seen a man go into their apartment or come out. Do you think they could be Lebanese?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Abby, What can I do about all the sex, nudity, language and violence on my VCR?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Abby, I have a man I never could trust. He cheats so much I'm not sure this baby I'm carrying is even his.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Abby, I am a 23-year-old liberated woman who has been on the pill for two years. It's getting expensive, and I think my boyfriend should share half the cost, but I don't know him well enough to discuss money with him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Abby, I suspected that my husband had been fooling around, and when I confronted him with the evidence, he denied everything and said it would never happen again. Should I believe him?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Abby, My 40-year-old son has been paying a psychiatrist $50 an hour very week for 2 + years. He must be crazy.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Abby, Do you think it would be all right if I gave my doctor a little gift? I tried for years to get pregnant and couldn't, and he did it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Abby, My mother is mean and short tempered. Do you think she is going through her mental pause?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Abby, You told some woman whose husband had lost all interest in sex to send him to a doctor. Well, my husband lost all interest in sex years ago and he IS a doctor. What now?
Winter Fruit Strudel
Ingredients:
U.S. | Metric | Conversion chart |
- 2 pound(s) (5 to 6 medium) Bartlett or Bosc pears, peeled, cored, and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
- 2 pound(s) (5 to 6 medium) Golden Delicious apples, peeled, cored, and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
- 1/2 cup(s) dried cranberries or raisins
- 3/4 cup(s) granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup(s) (1 stick) margarine or butter
- 1/4 cup(s) plain dried bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup(s) walnuts
- 1/4 teaspoon(s) ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon(s) ground nutmeg
- 8 sheets (17'- by 12-inch) frozen (thawed) phyllo
- 1 cup(s) heavy whipping cream
- 2 tablespoon(s) pear-flavored brandy, such as Piore Williams (optional)
- 1 tablespoon(s) confectioners' sugar, plus additional for dusting
- Mint leaves and fresh cranberries for garnish
Directions:
- In 12-inch skillet, cook pears, apples, cranberries, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, and 2 tablespoons butter, uncovered, over medium-high heat 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium; continue cooking 8 to 10 minutes longer or until all liquid evaporates and fruit is tender, stirring frequently. Transfer mixture to medium bowl; cover and refrigerate 1 hour or up to 3 days before assembling strudel.
- In food processor with knife blade attached, pulse bread crumbs, walnuts, cinnamon, nutmeg, and remaining 1/4 cup sugar until nuts are finely ground. (Nut mixture can be stored at room temperature in self-sealing plastic bag up to 1 week before using.)
- Assemble strudel, up to 6 hours before baking: In 1-quart saucepan, melt remaining 6 tablespoons butter. Cut two 24-inch-long sheets waxed paper; overlap 2 long sides by about 2 inches. Place 1 sheet phyllo in center of waxed paper; brush with some melted butter, then sprinkle with 2 tablespoons nut mixture. Working quickly, continue layering phyllo with butter and nut mixture. (You should have about 1 tablespoon butter left.)
- Starting along 1 long side of phyllo, spoon cooled fruit filling to about 3/4 inch from edges to cover about one-third of phyllo rectangle. From fruit filling side, using waxed paper to help lift dough, roll phyllo jelly-roll fashion.
- Place roll, seam side down, diagonally on large cookie sheet. Brush with remaining butter. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to bake.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Bake strudel 35 to 40 minutes (45 to 50 minutes if strudel is cold) or until phyllo is golden. Cool on cookie sheet on wire rack about 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, prepare whipped cream: In medium bowl, with mixer at medium speed, beat cream until soft peaks form. Add brandy, if using, and 1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar, and beat just until stiff peaks form.
- Transfer warm strudel to platter; dust with confectioners' sugar. Garnish with mint leaves and cranberries. Cut strudel crosswise into slices. Serve with whipped cream. Absolutely awesome recipe. You will be so popular at your house, you may receive a gold medal for best baker.
Friday, March 21, 2014
Baby Wakes Up Shaking His Booty ... Cute HUH ???
A little baby wakes up every morning to the sounds of Bruno Mars, and judging from the video, this little one might be the singer's biggest fan.
The baby's name is Christian, and according to YouTube, he's woken up this way every morning. It definitely doesn't look like he minds!
The Huffington Post even goes as far as to say: 'The World Would Be A Better Place If Everyone Woke Up Like This Baby'
Hard to disagree with that one.
The baby's father wrote on Facebook he and his wife were "overwhelmed" by the amount of publicity their booty shakin' baby has received.
He said he's thankful the world has been able to experience their son's joy. Aw.
The baby's name is Christian, and according to YouTube, he's woken up this way every morning. It definitely doesn't look like he minds!
Hard to disagree with that one.
The baby's father wrote on Facebook he and his wife were "overwhelmed" by the amount of publicity their booty shakin' baby has received.
He said he's thankful the world has been able to experience their son's joy. Aw.
The Lesson ( To remind me of summer in this endless winter)
In a long ago time, in a far away place,
A young girl reposed with the warmth on her face of summer's Old Sol.
And on the breeze, with such grace, a butterfly danced
A ballet of freedom amid the leaves and the lace.
In a dazzle of hues, it waltzed on the air,
Dipping and darting and devil may care,
It whispered a challenge; come dance and be free,
A butterfly dare
Dappled leaves gently swayed; an enchanted green glade,
The young girl watched from the filigreed shade.
She arose and she danced; she opened herself.
Pirouetted and pranced, a nimble woodland elf.
Her spirit was lifted, released with a sigh.
On butterfly wings, she soared to the sky.
She danced with abandon; she set herself free.
She danced for the wonder of all she could be.
She glanced as the butterfly paused on a flower,
Fluttered once and departed the lovely green bower.
She smiled , blew a kiss, a grateful goodbye,
For a lesson in freedom from a small butterfly.
The Genie
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Easter Eggs From Fabric Scraps
Easter is in the air
Fabric Easter Egg Tutorial
Materials:
10"w x 5"h Quilting cotton, linen or other non-stretchy woven fabric in one or more prints
Thread
Fiberfill, Nature-fill or other similar polyester or natural stuffing
Disappearing Ink Pen
Scissors
Pins
Hand sewing needle
Seam allowances are 1/4"
1. Cut out the pieces. Place pattern piece perpendicular to the fabric selvedge, trace the pattern with disappearing ink (see photo below) and cut four pieces from desired fabric prints. You may cut multiple pieces simultaneously from the same print by folding the fabric over one or more times, cutting up to 4 pieces at once. (Tip: If you're using a scrap and don't know which way the selvedge is, test which direction the fabric is stretchiest. The fabric is stretchier going perpendicular to the selvedge, and less stretchy going parallel with the selvedge; you want the stretch going from top to bottom of the egg, not side to side, so your egg doesn't get too "fat" when you stuff it. Hopefully that makes sense.)
1. Cut out the pieces. Place pattern piece perpendicular to the fabric selvedge, trace the pattern with disappearing ink (see photo below) and cut four pieces from desired fabric prints. You may cut multiple pieces simultaneously from the same print by folding the fabric over one or more times, cutting up to 4 pieces at once. (Tip: If you're using a scrap and don't know which way the selvedge is, test which direction the fabric is stretchiest. The fabric is stretchier going perpendicular to the selvedge, and less stretchy going parallel with the selvedge; you want the stretch going from top to bottom of the egg, not side to side, so your egg doesn't get too "fat" when you stuff it. Hopefully that makes sense.)
2. Place pieces together for sewing. Always keeping track of which end is "up", place 2 fabric pieces, right sides together, pinning if desired. Do the same with the remaining two pieces. Transfer the two dots from the pattern to the fabric pieces on top. If using two different fabrics, make sure both pairs have one of each print and that the same print is on the top of both sets.
3. Sew a seam along the right side of one set of egg pieces, from top dot to bottom dot, backstitching at the top and bottom. Do the same with the second set of pieces.
4. Put the two halves together. Turn one set of egg pieces right side out, and place inside the other set of egg pieces, so that right sides are together on the inside.
Match the seams at the top and bottom and pin. (Note the purple ink marks on the lower righthand side in the photo below that indicate where I will leave a hole for stuffing)
5. Sew the two halves together. Sew around the outside edge of the egg, leaving a 1" hole on one side for turning and stuffing, backstitching at the beginning and end of the seam.
6. Trim the seam allowances, taking care not to snip into the stitches and leaving the seam allowances wide around the open hole.
7. Turn the egg right side out through the hole and it will look something like this
6. Trim the seam allowances, taking care not to snip into the stitches and leaving the seam allowances wide around the open hole.
7. Turn the egg right side out through the hole and it will look something like this
8. Stuff the egg firmly with poly-fill or other stuffing, and close the hole with small slip stitches/ladder stitches.
9. Voila! You have a completed egg.
Place eggs in a basket, a colander, a cake stand or any container that grabs your fancy...even a clear glass vase. It makes a great center-piece.
If you're looking for unique Easter egg designs, consider this fun project. Gather up your extra fabric scraps and follow this fabric Easter egg tutorial to create a beautiful centerpiece full of soft, colorful eggs.
Read more at http://www.allfreesewing.com/Easter-Projects/Fabric-Easter-Egg-Tutorial#dDhGSmv2flEbIk47.99
Read more at http://www.allfreesewing.com/Easter-Projects/Fabric-Easter-Egg-Tutorial#dDhGSmv2flEbIk47.99
If you're looking for unique Easter egg designs, consider this fun project. Gather up your extra fabric scraps and follow this fabric Easter egg tutorial to create a beautiful centerpiece full of soft, colorful eggs.
Read more at http://www.allfreesewing.com/Easter-Projects/Fabric-Easter-Egg-Tutorial#dDhGSmv2flEbIk47.99
Read more at http://www.allfreesewing.com/Easter-Projects/Fabric-Easter-Egg-Tutorial#dDhGSmv2flEbIk47.99
If you're looking for unique Easter egg designs, consider this fun project. Gather up your extra fabric scraps and follow this fabric Easter egg tutorial to create a beautiful centerpiece full of soft, colorful eggs.
Read more at http://www.allfreesewing.com/Easter-Projects/Fabric-Easter-Egg-Tutorial#dDhGSmv2flEbIk47.99
Read more at http://www.allfreesewing.com/Easter-Projects/Fabric-Easter-Egg-Tutorial#dDhGSmv2flEbIk47.99
How to Make an Easter Chick
If you would like to make a Steiner-inspired Easter chick, then you have come to the right place.
If you would like to make a Steiner-inspired Easter chick WITH legs – so it can semi-convincingly fly, forage for food, perch, bust-a-move, run and impersonate a dead fly, then you have also come to the right place.
Might I suggest, that the legless chick version without the wiry bits, is somewhat more small-kid-friendly. The wiry leg version with potential pokey bits is more for your entertainment. The entertainment possibilities are seemingly limitless.
Here is a Michael Flatley Riverdance...
And here is Michael Jackson’s Thriller...
For those who doubt their Easter Chick crafting skills, I promise, if you can do blanket stitch, these chickies are EASY PEASY.
If you would like to make a Steiner-inspired Easter chick WITH legs – so it can semi-convincingly fly, forage for food, perch, bust-a-move, run and impersonate a dead fly, then you have also come to the right place.
Might I suggest, that the legless chick version without the wiry bits, is somewhat more small-kid-friendly. The wiry leg version with potential pokey bits is more for your entertainment. The entertainment possibilities are seemingly limitless.
Here is a Michael Flatley Riverdance...
And here is Michael Jackson’s Thriller...
For those who doubt their Easter Chick crafting skills, I promise, if you can do blanket stitch, these chickies are EASY PEASY.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)