A Thank You On My Palm

Welcome Morning

There is joy

in all:

in the hair I brush each morning,

in the Cannon towel, newly washed,

that I rub my body with each morning,

in the chapel of eggs I cook

each morning,

in the outcry from the kettle

that heats my coffee

each morning,

in the spoon and the chair

that cry "hello there, Anne"

each morning,

in the godhead of the table

that I set my silver, plate, cup upon

each morning.

All this is God,

right here in my pea-green house

each morning

and I mean,

though often forget,

to give thanks,

to faint down by the kitchen table

in a prayer of rejoicing

as the holy birds at the kitchen window

peck into their marriage of seeds.

So while I think of it,

let me paint a thank-you on my palm

for this God, this laughter of the morning,

lest it go unspoken.

The Joy that isn't shared, I've heard,

dies young.

~ Anne Sexton ~

 

Chinese Woman Performs Operation On Herself

Wu Yuanbi, a 53-year-old woman, from Chongqing, China, has recently performed operation on herself, with a common kitchen knife.

Wu, who works as a migrant worker, has been suffering from a persistent condition known as Budd-Chiari syndrome, for the last 13 years. This causes her stomach to slowly fill up with large quantities of fluid, rendering her unable to work and making it difficult to perform even the most simple tasks. Back in 2002, Wu and her family used all their life savings to pay for a medical procedure in which doctors removed 25 liters of fluid from her stomach. Unfortunately, a relapse of the condition followed, and the woman found herself in need of a second surgery. However, she and her family were too poor to pay the 50,000 yuan ($7,686) fee, so Wu Yuanbi was forced to do something really shocking.

One day, after her husband, Cao Yunhui, left for work, the woman slit her stomach open with a kitchen knife, frantic to relieve the pressure that had built up inside. She had to bear unbearable pain for several hours, until her husband came home and found her lying in a pool of yellow fluid and intestines. She was at once rushed to the hospital with a 10 cm-long cut across her stomach, and saved by the medical staff. Wu later said “If I had passed away, I would have at least spared my family the trouble of looking after me.”

After all the media coverage, Wu Yuanbi is at present being treated free of charge, at a hospital in Chongqing, but who knows what will happen the next time fluid builds up in her stomach. Chinese authorities say many rural families go penniless after this kind of expensive surgical procedures, simply because they don’t want to spend money on cheap insurance. But, according to Wu’s husband, this wasn’t an choice for them because government insurance simply didn’t cover the procedure his wife needed.

Tumbler Quilting

One of the reasons I love tumbler quilts is the outline quilting like this...

 

Tumbler quilt by Martha of Q is for Quilter

...and I wanted to imitate it but using a machine rather than doing it by hand.   After cleaning & oiling my machine, installing a new needle, and winding bobbins, I got started quilting after work yesterday.

I like how the thread blends in with most fabrics and doesn't jump out at you on the darks.  I'd call the thread a taupe or dark beige.

Of course, when I went to find an example of the hand-quilted tumbler, I came across someone who had the same idea I did about machine quilting a tumbler... ~Zany Quilter~

I like how the tumblers are emphasized quilting this way...  and the back is cool too!

It'll take me a while but there's no hurry... I've given myself til the end of June after all!   Plus, it's a nice way to relax after work...

Kelly Clarkson At Mtv

 Kelly Clarkson

 Kelly Clarkson

 Kelly Clarkson

Kelly Clarkson

We Love Snooki

 Snooki

  Snooki

 Snooki

June/Father's Day Contest

"Dad, you're someone to look up to no matter how tall I've grown." -Author Unknown

Tell us why your Dad deserves the best and you could win a Lowe's gift card for him!

Bring your response by the office or email it to us at gr8smyle@hotmail.com

Winner will be announced on Friday, June 1st and

Happy Father's Day from Dr. Scanlan and Team!

Chippendale, brewery (Theme Day: Under Construction)

The former Carlton and United brewery in the inner city suburb of Chippendale has partly been demolished and a redevelopment is currently under construction. Some of the heritage buildings and the stack have been retained and will be incorporated in the mixed purpose development. The 5.8 hectare Central Park site will contain a mix of residential, commercial and public spaces. A temporary artwork has been erected on one of these buildings, featuring the faces of former brewery workers and residents.
Click here to view thumbnails for all participants of this theme day

Click here to view all participants of Outdoor Wednesday

Outbreak Of E-coli Bacteria Kills 14

Europeans traded blame over the source of a strange bacterial outbreak that has killed 14 people and sickened hundreds across the continent and forced Russia to ban imports of some fresh vegetables from Spain and Germany out of fear they could be infected.

Russia has barred the import of vegetables from Germany and Spain because of an outbreak of E-coli bacteria in parts of Europe. The move comes as scientists try to recognize the source of the outbreak in Germany, where 14 people have died.

Hundreds of people in Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands and Britain are also thought to have been infected. Suspicion has fallen on organic cucumbers from Spain imported into Germany, and then re-exported.

Spain denies its cucumbers are infected.

Tuesday Ramblings

Pottered around the house yesterday and pinned the tumbler quilt sandwich.  Outside to water the garden bed, I also enjoyed one of my favorite daylilies... a volunteer that's a bit different from the regular orange ditch lilies... this one has a rosy/rusty tint...

 

I wish I had a zillion of 'em!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In other news, Marj of Eclectic Quilter is having a give-away to celebrate having over 100 followers.  Yea, Marj!  She is giving away a couple of very pretty, filled Knick Knack Sacks.  

Don’t bother entering the give-away because I just KNOW I’m gonna win!   *lol*

Be sure to check out her flower BOMs… just gorgeous!

A-B-C Muffin Master Mix

18 cups all-purpose flour
5 cups granulated sugar*
2 1/4 cups buttermilk blend or nonfat dry milk
6 tablespoons baking powder
2 tablespoons baking soda
2 tablespoons salt
3 tablespoons ground cinnamon
3 teaspoons ground nutmeg

Store in a large airtight container labeled with the date and contents in a cool, dry place.

Shelf life: 6 to 8 months. Makes enough for about 5 batches of 24 muffins each.

If desired, sugar can be omitted then stir in 1 cup honey for every 24 muffins as you make them.

To make 24 regular size muffins:

Heat oven to 400 degrees F.

Coat muffin tins with an oil/lecithin mixture, grease with shortening or butter, or spray with cooking spray. In a large bowl, beat:
4 eggs
3 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups water
1 cup vegetable oil

Stir in 5 1/2 cups muffin mix and any additional ingredients just until moistened. The batter should be lumpy. Fill muffin tins 3/4 full. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until muffins are golden brown. Muffins freeze well. To reheat frozen muffins, microwave on HIGH for 30 seconds per muffin.

These two toppings would go well with almost any of the ABC muffins. Sprinkle mixture atop uncooked muffins before popping them into preheated oven:

Streusel Topping for 24 Muffins:

Mix together:
1 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
Cut in 1/2 cup cold butter until mixture is crumbly.

Crunchy Topping for 24 muffins:

Mix together:
1 cup rolled oats
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Cut in 1/2 cup softened butter with fork or pastry cutter until crumbly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ingredients to add to mix before baking:

Apple Muffins:
3 cups raw grated apples
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 cup nuts or raisins
Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar mixture before baking.

Applesauce Muffins:
1 cup applesauce - omit oil

Apricot Muffins:
1 cup chopped dried apricots

Banana Muffins:
2 mashed bananas
1 cup walnuts (optional)

Blueberry Muffins:
2 cups fresh or frozen rinsed blueberries

Bran Molasses Muffins:
Use only 3 cups of muffin mix.
Stir in:
4 cups bran cereal
1/2 cup molasses
1 cup raisins

Butterscotch Muffins:
2 (12 ounce) bags butterscotch chips
1 cup chopped nuts

Carrot Muffins:
2 cups grated carrots
1 cup raisins
1 1/2 teaspoons allspice

Cashew Muffins:
2 cups unsalted coarsely chopped cashews

Cherry Muffins
2 cups fresh or dried pitted cherries

Chocolate Chip Fudge Muffins:
1 1/2 cups cocoa
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3 cups miniature chocolate chips

Coconut Muffins:
3 cups toasted flaked coconut (reserve some to sprinkle on the top)

Cranberry Orange Muffins:
2 cups chopped fresh or frozen cranberries
1 cup nuts
1/2 cup orange juice
2 tablespoons orange peel

Currant Muffins:
1 1/2 cups currants
1 cup chopped nuts

Date Muffins:
1 cup chopped dates
1 cup chopped nuts

Eggnog Muffins:
4 teaspoons rum extract
2 cups eggnog (omit water from recipe)

Before baking, top with mixture of:
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Fig Muffins:
2 cups dried chopped figs
1 cup chopped walnuts

Fruit Muffins:
2 cups dried diced fruit

Garden Fresh Muffins:
1 cup grated carrots
1 cup grated zucchini
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

Gingerbread Muffins:
2 tablespoons ground ginger
1/2 cup molasses
2 cups raisins

Granola Muffins:
Reduce muffin mix to 4 cups and add:
1 1/2 cups granola
Top with additional granola before baking.

Grapenuts Muffins:
Reduce muffin mix to 4 cups and add:
2 1/2 cups Grapenuts
1 teaspoon allspice

Hazelnut Muffins:
2 teaspoons ground cardamom
2 cups chopped hazelnuts

Incredible Cream Cheese Muffins:
Combine:
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
Drop this mixture by tablespoon onto top of muffins before baking.

Jam Muffins:
1 1/2 cups jam or preserves (strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, cherry)
1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Kisses and Hugs Muffins:
1 1/2 cups cocoa
1/2 cup granulated sugar

After filling muffin tins 3/4 full, drop one Hershey's kiss into the center of each muffin, pushing down slightly until kiss is covered. Ice cooled muffins with confectioners' sugar and water glaze.

Lemon Muffins:
Omit 1 cup water and replace with 1 cup lemon juice.
Use 4 eggs.
1/2 cup chopped nuts

Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins:
2 (3.4 ounce) packages instant lemon pudding mix
2 tablespoons poppy seeds
Use 4 eggs.
Omit 1 cup water and replace with 1 cup lemon juice.

Mandarin Muffins:
1 (11 ounce) can mandarin oranges, chopped and undrained
1 1/2 cups shredded carrot
Reduce water to 1 cup

Maple Muffins:
6 tablespoon maple syrup
Reduce water to 1 1/2 cups.

Marmalade Muffins:
1 1/2 cups orange marmalade
1 cup chopped nuts (optional)
1 cup orange juice (omit 1 cup of the water)

Mincemeat Muffins:
1 1/2 cups mincemeat

Oatmeal Muffins:
Reduce muffin mix to 4 cups and add:
1 cup oats
Use 4 eggs and up to 2 cups raisins or grated apples

Orange Muffins:
2 cups sour cream
1 cup nuts or coconut (optional)
2 (11 ounce) cans mandarin oranges, drained
Use 4 eggs.

Peach Muffins:
2 cups fresh or 1 large can (drained) chopped peaches

Peanutty Muffins:
3 cups peanut butter chips
1/2 cup chopped peanuts

Peanut Butter Banana Muffins:
1 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup chopped peanuts
3 mashed bananas

Peanut Butter and Jelly Muffins:
1 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup chopped peanuts
Drop 1 tablespoon jam into each muffin before baking.

Pear Muffins:
2 cups fresh or one large can (drained) chopped pears

Pecan Muffins:
2 cups chopped toasted pecans
1 teaspoon maple extract

Pineapple Carrot Raisin Muffins:
1 cup grated carrots,
1 cup crushed pineapple, drained
1 cup raisins
1 cup walnuts, chopped (optional)

Pineapple Macadamia Muffins:
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 large can crushed pineapple, drained
1 (7 ounce) jar macadamia nuts, chopped

Plum Muffins:
2 cups fresh or canned plums, chopped

Prune Muffins:
1 to 2 cups chopped prunes
1/3 cup poppy seeds

Pumpkin Muffins:
2 cups or 1 can solid pack pumpkin
1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
1/2 cup chopped nuts
1/2 cup raisins

Raspberry Muffins:
2 cups fresh or frozen whole, unsweetened raspberries

Rum Raisin Muffins:
3 teaspoons rum extract or 3 tablespoons rum
Before baking, top with mixture of:
2 teaspoons granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

Sesame Seed Muffins:
1 cup toasted sesame seeds
Before baking, top with mixture of:
1/2 cup nuts
4 tablespoons brown sugar
4 tablespoons sesame seeds
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon each cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

Sour Cream Muffins:
Omit one cup of the water and add:
1 cup sour cream
2 cups nuts
2 teaspoons grated lemon peel (optional)

Squash Muffins:
2 cups mashed squash
1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
1/2 cup chopped nuts
1/2 cup raisins

Strawberry Muffins:
2 cups fresh or frozen strawberries, chopped

Sweet Potato Muffins:
1 tablespoon allspice
4 tablespoons dry orange peel
2 (10 ounce) cans sweet potatoes, mashed, well drained (about 2 1/2 cups)

Tropical Treat Muffins:
1 cup dried mango or papaya, chopped
1 cup chopped banana chips or 2 fresh mashed
1 cup macadamia nuts, chopped
1/2 cup coconut
1/2 cup sour cream
2 teaspoons lemon peel, grated

Vanilla Muffins:
2 packages vanilla chips

Walnut Muffins:
1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts

Wheat Germ Muffins:
2 2/3 cups wheat germ
Use 4 eggs and 1/2 cup extra water
Before baking, top muffins with mixture of:
1/2 cup wheat germ
2 tablespoons granulated sugar

Yogurt Muffins:
Reduce water to 1 1/2 cups and add:
2 (8 ounce) cartons yogurt, plain or flavored

Zucchini Muffins:
2 cups grated zucchini
2 tablespoons cinnamon
1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Porcelain Tile Gives a Home a Spacious Look

Tesoro 20"X20" Porcelain Tiles in Dorato

A few weeks ago I received a phone call from my neighbor, Cathy, who wanted to replace her ceramic tile floor and carpeting  with porcelain tile in her great room, kitchen, foyer, hall closet, guest bedroom and dining room.   I know what you are thinking, “Oh, the dust!!!”.  My sentiments exactly.  However, Cathy was determined to have a more durable floor which would be resistant to chipping and easy to maintain. She wanted the larger 20"X20" floor tiles to give a more spacious look.  Her idea was to lay the tile on a diagonal which would open up the entire space and avoid the grid marks. Need I tell you that this talented pastry chef has an eye for design!

Removing the Carpeting and Padding

As we rode to the Pro Source Flooring Store here in Jacksonville, she told me about what sold her on porcelain tile. Porcelain tile is made at a much higher temperature than ceramic tile making it much more durable.  It’s also denser and therefore more resistant to moisture.  Additionally, her research revealed that porcelain is harder than granite, frost resistant/proof (can be used on a lanai), easy to maintain, available in matte, unglazed, and highly polished finishes.  It can be used in high-traffic flooring areas, bathroom walls, shower stalls, countertops and backsplashes. 

The New Porcelain Tile in the Dining Room

Cathy’s wall color was a Sherwin-Williams color called Ivoire, SW 6127, which has yellow/green undertones and a fairly good light reflective value. Her kitchen cabinets were dark cherry-colored and her Corian countertop was a very dark charcoal gray color with tiny speckles of white, peach, and black in it called Maui . We needed to find a tile that would enhance the openness of the area being addressed but would be neutral enough to blend in with her cabinetry, countertops and wall color. 

Notice  How the Grout Lines Disappear

We looked at many samples in the store and selected two which we thought might work.  Kathy brought both tile samples home to examine them in the natural and artificial lighting of her home as well as to see the effects of the paint color, etc. upon it. One of the tiles that looked like it had yellow undertones in the store actually had more pink in Cathy’s home.  That’s why it’s so important to bring the samples into your home to get a better idea of how they will look. She finally settled on a porcelain tile by a company named Tesoro in the Castello series in a color called Dorato.

A Closer Look at the Porcelain Tile by Tesoro

Below is a picture of the tile installation. The installer did an excellent job and  tried very diligently to minimize the dust as much as he could as you can see in the picture.  When you lay tile on the diagonal, there are more cuts and you need to order a bit more tile.  However, what a beautiful look it gives. Cathy’s only advice is to go on vacation when you are having this done!  However, even after enduring the installation process, Cathy and her husband Harry are very happy with the outcome.  Cathy said, "It was well worth it because it's the look we wanted and we will have it for years to come." 



Porcelain Tile Installed on the Diagonal

Would porcelain be a type of flooring you might want to investigate for your home?  Would you like to explore some different flooring options, contact me.  Many of my vendors offer discounts and my installers "aim to please"!

Chippendale, Co-Masonic Temple

This Co-Masonic Temple on Regent Street in the inner city suburb of Chippendale was built in 1898. It was originally the hall of the Wesleyan Methodist Church on this site. The church became St Alban's Liberal Catholic Church in 1918 and the Co-Masons bought the hall. The church closed in 1966, as the walls were becoming unstable and during demolition the south wall fell and wiped out most of the rear of the temple, later rebuilt. An unsuccessful development proposal was lodged in 2000 to demolish this building and replace it with a nine storey apartment block. Luckily it was decided that the temple is of historic significance due to its strong physical link to the Wesleyan Church and the Co-Masons. Co-Masonry or Co-Freemasonry is a form of Freemasonry which admits both men and women. In 2008, a successful redevelopment retained the temple for commercial use. A hall was demolished and replaced with more suitable residential buildings up to five storeys beside and behind the temple building.

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Shaklee BASIC H2® SUPER CLEANING CONCENTRATE

I just have to share my love for this product.

It is a non-toxic... natural way to clean! I don't have to worry about my children touching the surfaces I have cleaned or worry about my daycare kids touching and also important my dog.

Seriously it really does clean... I will post some pictures in a bit just to show you!

Here is a shocking comparison...

1 bottle of Basic H equals the cleaning uses of 5,824 bottles of 26 oz. Windex

To Use Basic H:

For all-purpose cleaning:
Add 1/4 tsp. to 16 oz. of water.

For windows and mirrors:
Add 1-2 drops to 16 oz. of water.

For degreasing:
Add 1 1/2 tsp. to 16 oz. of water. For bigger jobs, add 2 oz. to 1 gallon of water.

Many uses for Basic H:

Window Cleaner – Mix - Only 1 to 2 drops in 16 oz. spray bottle of water. If smearing occurs, mixture too strong – add water to dilute.
General Spray Cleaner – Mix 1/4 tsp. in 16 oz spray bottle of water. Use all over the house to wipe furniture, chrome, the stove, the refrigerator, vent blinds, and excellent for louvered doors.
General Spot Remover – Apply Basic-H directly on spotted area. Use a toothbrush or finger to rub into area. Wipe off with a damp cloth or rinse in basin of water. (Removes coffee, ink, grass, etc)
General Cleaning – 1/2 tsp. in qt. of warm water. Cleans doors, walls, woodwork, appliances, bathroom fixtures & tile.
Insect Repellent for People and Animals – Rub/Apply full strength Basic-H wherever you do not want insects to bite; they won’t bite where Basic-H has been applied. Also relieves itching of insect bites (rub on, full strength). Be careful around eyes, it does sting. If you get some in the eyes just flush with water.
Floors - 1 Tbs. per gallon of water. Leaves floor shining. May require rinsing.
Dusting – 1/8 tsp. in pint of water, squeeze sponge almost dry (Or spray on), Wipe off dust, fingerprints, etc. Dry with clean cloth. Leaving the wax finish beautifully bright & dust repellent, less dusting required.
Coffee-makers – Dilute 1/8 tsp. Basic-H in pot of water. Run through cycle & coffee stains will rinse away.
Ironing - 1 drop in steam iron keeps the jets & interior clean.
Wallpaper - Excellent for removing wallpaper. 1/2 Tbs. per gal. of water. Soak wallpaper with sponge & peel or scrape.
Concrete & Mortar Mix – 1/4 oz. per 1 gallon of water. Makes cement & mortar spread easier & smoother, set harder.
Plumbing - Will keep pipes clean & free-running when used regularly to wash hands, pots & pans at sinks. It emulsifies grease & can eliminate cleaning of grease traps.
Pressure Washer – 1/2 oz Basic-H to 20 gallons of water.
Heavy Duty – use 1 oz per gallon of water. Leaves a luster to mobile homes, homes, RVs & etc.
Humidifiers – Use 1 or 2 drops in humidifier water to help prevent rust & scum.
Knives – 1 or 2 drops on cutting stone for sharpening knives. Keep moist & add Basic-H as needed. Doesn’t clog stone – very important when sharpening tools. Stone rinses free of residue.
Yard Spray to Rid of Fleas - in hose spray bottle, fill with water; add 1 cap-full of Basic-H. Attach to hose & spray yard every 10 days for 3 applications. Use twice a year thereafter to control. Rinse all plants thoroughly.
Liquid Hand Soap - Mix 1/4 Basic-H to 3/4 water in pump dispenser by sinks. Will not dry or irritate hands like soaps may. Will help moisten, soften & protect hands!
Fine Fabrics – Use 1/2 tsp to a basin of lukewarm water to wash woolens, nylon stockings, and all fine fabrics.
Gum – Use full strength to remove gum from skin, hair or carpeting.
Fruits & Vegetables – Use 1/8 tsp. in pint of water wash and rinse. Removes insecticide residue, dirt and waxes. For lettuce cut head in half and place in cold water with a couple drops of H. It removes the poisons and crisps up the lettuce.
Automotive Uses Washing- vehicle – 1/2 tsp. per gallon of water. Wash small area at a time and hose off. Wipe windshield, windows and chrome with paper towels after rinsing. You’ll love the shine!
Battery Terminals - 1/2 tsp. to pint of water and spray on battery terminals and let soak 2 minutes. Clean with wire brush.
Filters – 1 tsp to gallon of water. Soak air filters from motors and watch the dirt float out into the water. Air dry or put on hot engine for faster drying.
Camping Cleaning & Washing - Coat bottoms and sides of pots and pans with Basic-H before placing over campfire. Black soot just slides right off when you wash.
Fish Odors – 1/2 Tbs. per quart of water. Basic-H2 works wonders on boats, docks.
Washing RV, Boat & Camper – 1/2 Tbs. per gallon of water.
Crayon - To remove from walls, use full strength.
Spot Remover - Apply directly on spotted area, which has been dampened with water. Use a toothbrush or finger to rub basic-H2 into area. Wipe with a damp cloth or rinse in basin of water
Upholstery - Mix 1/2 Tbs. to ½ gallon water. Spray on & rub clean.
Septic Tanks – Keeps crust from forming. For maximum health of septic system use all of Shaklee’s phosphate free cleaning products. This will do much to promote the growth of needed friendly bacteria.
Houseplants – Water plants with 1 oz. Basic-H to 1 gallon water. 4 drops to 1 pint water can be sprayed on the leaves to make healthier plants and keep dust off.
Fertilizer - Add a few drops to warm water, then water your indoor or outdoor plants. The Basic H2 solution will make the ground soluble to the water, thus making your plants much healthier than with regular water.
Toothpaste - Add a drop or two to your toothbrush, right on top of your normal dab of toothpaste. Watch as your teeth become whiter and your gums healthier. Your breath may even stay fresh longer, as Basic H fights germs of all sorts.
Glove - Before you start a dirty job or before gardening, pour a few drops directly onto your hands. Rub them together to coat both hands. After you are done cleaning, wash your hands to find that dirt, scum, smell and overall ickiness are nowhere to be found.
Pesticide - Dilute your Basic H2 to a couple of drops per spray-bottle, then spritz your plants as part of your regular routine. Not only will the bugs stay away but you might also find that they are bigger and healthier, as well.
Produce wash – Just 1/8tsp. added to a pint of water will make an effective and safe wash for your produce. Grit and dirt on leafy vegetables are easily removed, and you no longer have to worry about a funny taste remaining on the produce.
Diaper wash - Coupled with 1/2 tsp of Shaklee Basic G (a germicide), 1/4 tsp of Basic H2 can remove germs and odors from your cloth diapers. Leave a bit in your diaper pail to prevent odors there, as well.
Windshield Wash/Rain repellent - Pour 3 1/2 tsp of Basic H2 into one quart of water, and use it as your windshield wash. Rain and slush will easily wipe away from your windshield, and bugs will slide away, as well.

Beach Time!

I'm in Sarasota, Florida visiting my best friend Katy for the whole week. We have got a lot planned, like working on our tans.

Today we are Siesta Key beach, which was just rated the #1 beach in America. It's so gorgeous. The sand stays cool because it is crushed quartz, not actual sand.



Yesterday we had a late lunch at the St. Petersburg marina.





Happy Memorial Day!

~Marietta

Katy Perry

 Katy Perry (born Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson  is an American singer-songwriter and actress. Born in Santa Barbara, California, and raised by Christian pastorparents, Perry grew up listening to only gospel music and sang in her local church as a child. After earning a GED during her freshman year of high school, she began to pursue a career in music. As Katy Hudson, she released a self-titled gospel album in 2001, which was unsuccessful. She later recorded an album with production team The Matrix and completed the majority of a solo album from 2004–5, neither of which were released.

After signing with Capitol Music Group in 2007, her fourth record label in seven years, she adopted the stage name Katy Perry and released her first Internet single "Ur So Gay" that November, which garnered public attention but failed to chart. She rose to fame with the release of her second single "I Kissed a Girl" in 2008, which went on to top international charts. Perry's first mainstream studio album One of the Boys followed later that year and subsequently, became the thirty third-best selling album worldwide of 2008. It was accredited platinumcertification by the Recording Industry Association of America, while "I Kissed a Girl" and her second single "Hot n Cold" both received multi-platinum certifications. Her sophomore studio album Teenage Dream was released in August 2010 and debuted at number one on theBillboard 200. The album included hit singles "California Gurls", "Teenage Dream", "Firework" and "E.T." , all of which topped the charts on the Billboard Hot 100, making the Teenage Dreamalbum one of only nine albums to ever produce four or more Hot 100 number ones. With "E.T." at number one on the chart of May 12, 2011, Perry became the first artist in history to spend a whole year, 52 consecutive weeks, in the top 10 of Billboard Hot 100.(wikipedia)

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3-Foot Fossils Of Prehistoric Ocean Predator Discovered

Fossils of a meter-long (3.3-foot) prehistoric ocean predator have been found in southeastern Morocco.

The specimens comprise the largest yet of its kind and suggests the spiny, somewhat shrimplike beasts dominated pre-dinosaur seas for millions of years longer than thought.

Previous anomalocaridid fossils had shown the animals grew to perhaps 2 feet (0.6 meter) long, which previously would have made them the largest animals of the Cambrian period (542 to 501 million years ago)—an evolutionarily explosive time, when invertebrate life evolved into many new varieties, such as sea lilies and worms.

The new anomalocaridid fossils also gave scientists another surprise: They're surprisingly young. Dating back to "only" 488 to 472 million years ago, in the Ordovician period, the specimens hint that anomalocaridid species survived for 30 million years longer than earlier evidence had suggested.

Anomalocaridids are widespread in fossils from the Cambrian, "then they depart from the rock record at about 510 million years ago," said Briggs, who received funding from the National Geographic Society's Committee for Research and Exploration.

Eventually, though, anomalocaridids did go wiped out—leaving no modern descendants, Briggs said. "It most probably was ultimately replaced by fishes or other kinds of predators in later oceans," he said.

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Tumbler Progress (part 3)

I have to say sewing together tumbler blocks to make a quilt top is about as easy as it gets.  Didn't get much else done around the house yesterday (other than a nap) but did finish sewing the top together.... AND it was light enough outside for me to take an artsy photo...   *lol*

I took another photo of the flimsy inside so I could compare. Love my "design wall"....

You can get an idea of the size this way.

The backing is already out on my cutting table and ready to go...

Today is a teacher workday... to make up for a teacher workday that turned into a snow make up day for students earlier this year.    

Woo. Hoo.

 

What I Wore | 50s Glam In Marine-Look

When:

May 28, 2011, evening

What:

Top: ZARA
Skirt: Tommy Hilfiger

Clutch: Monsoon Accessorize

Sandals: Pura Lopez

Hair Accessory: Monsoon Accessorize

Where:

My cousin's wedding party.

Why:

I love wearing marine-look in summer. The top and the skirt is super silky and twirly, and I love the combination of these three colors. Finding the perfect accessory which completes all this outfit, made me feel like in 50s! :)

Make Up:

Face: Diorskin Forever Foundation nr.030

Eyes: Dior 5 couleurs Iridescent in crush glw nr. 659 & MAC naked pigment| Diorshow Extase mascara | Bobbi Brown black eye pencil

Lips: Chanel Aqualumerie Gloss in Cherry Blossom nr. 78

Cheeks: Chanel blush duo tweed effect in tweed fuchsia

Nails: Essie in too too hot (a sizzling rich red coral)