Yesterday was one of the most miserable days this month. It was dark and gloomy with pouring rain coming down for most of the day. According to the forecast, we should be seeing more rain today that will probably last until this evening. Bleh... I feel like crawling into bed and staying there until March.
Thank goodness for all the photos I took in my garden this past summer. They come in handy on days like today; they are a reminder that there are better days ahead. Eventually...
This week it’s all about blue and purple, two colours that I love.
There is a promise of sunshine tomorrow. Here’s hoping...
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
How Much Would The 12 Days Of Christmas Cost?
Ever wondered how much it would cost to present a loved one with a gift from the items mentioned in one of the most popular holiday tunes, ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’?
A lot...
Here’s the breakdown for 2011 (US$):
A Partridge in a Pear Tree: $184.99
Two Turtledoves: $125
Three French Hens: $150.96
Four Calling Birds: $519.00
Five Golden Rings: $645
Six Geese A’Laying, $162
Seven Swans A’Swimming: $6,300
Eight Maids A’Milking: $58
Nine Ladies Dancing – $6,294.03
10 Lords A’Leaping $4,766.70
11 Pipers Piping – $2,427.60
12 Drummers Drumming – $2,629.90
(From Wikipedia)
“These figures are maintained by the U.S. bank PNC Financial Services, which has been tracking the cost of the items in the popular Christmas carol since 1984. They compile both a "Christmas Price Index" and "The True Cost of Christmas." The "Christmas Price Index" is calculated by adding the cost of the items in the song. The "True Cost of Christmas," however, is calculated by following the exact instructions in the song (buying a partridge in a pear tree on each of the twelve days, buying two turtle doves from the second day onward, for a total of 22 turtle doves, etc.) for the complete set of 364 items.”
Below are the figures since the 80s.
Pretty amazing, huh? I guess those Lords A’Leaping are out of the question...
Pop into Wikipedia for more info.
Check out PNC’s Christmas Index site
A lot...
Here’s the breakdown for 2011 (US$):
A Partridge in a Pear Tree: $184.99
Two Turtledoves: $125
Three French Hens: $150.96
Four Calling Birds: $519.00
Five Golden Rings: $645
Six Geese A’Laying, $162
Seven Swans A’Swimming: $6,300
Eight Maids A’Milking: $58
Nine Ladies Dancing – $6,294.03
10 Lords A’Leaping $4,766.70
11 Pipers Piping – $2,427.60
12 Drummers Drumming – $2,629.90
(From Wikipedia)
“These figures are maintained by the U.S. bank PNC Financial Services, which has been tracking the cost of the items in the popular Christmas carol since 1984. They compile both a "Christmas Price Index" and "The True Cost of Christmas." The "Christmas Price Index" is calculated by adding the cost of the items in the song. The "True Cost of Christmas," however, is calculated by following the exact instructions in the song (buying a partridge in a pear tree on each of the twelve days, buying two turtle doves from the second day onward, for a total of 22 turtle doves, etc.) for the complete set of 364 items.”
Below are the figures since the 80s.
Pretty amazing, huh? I guess those Lords A’Leaping are out of the question...
Pop into Wikipedia for more info.
Check out PNC’s Christmas Index site
Tasty Tuesday – All-American Beef Stew
There’s nothing like a warm, hearty meal on a cold day, which this stew is perfect for.
All-American Beef Stew
8 Servings
Prep: 40 min.
Cook: 1-3/4 hours
Ingredients:
3/4 cup all-purpose flour, divided
1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper, divided
2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 tablespoon olive oil
4-1/2 cups water, divided
1 large onion, halved and sliced
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
1 bay leaf
4 medium potatoes, cubed
6 medium carrots, sliced
Directions:
- Place 1/2 cup flour, seasoned salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a large resealable plastic bag. Add beef, a few pieces at a time, and shake to coat.
- In a Dutch oven, brown meat in oil in batches. Remove and set aside. Add 4 cups water to the pan, stirring to loosen browned bits. Add the onion, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, garlic, sugar, salt, paprika, allspice, bay leaf and remaining pepper. Return beef to the pan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 1 hour.
- Stir in potatoes and carrots. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 30-35 minutes or until meat and vegetables are tender.
- Combine remaining flour and water until smooth; stir into the pan.
Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Discard bay leaf.
Source for recipe and photo can be found here.
All-American Beef Stew
8 Servings
Prep: 40 min.
Cook: 1-3/4 hours
Ingredients:
3/4 cup all-purpose flour, divided
1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper, divided
2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 tablespoon olive oil
4-1/2 cups water, divided
1 large onion, halved and sliced
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
1 bay leaf
4 medium potatoes, cubed
6 medium carrots, sliced
Directions:
- Place 1/2 cup flour, seasoned salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a large resealable plastic bag. Add beef, a few pieces at a time, and shake to coat.
- In a Dutch oven, brown meat in oil in batches. Remove and set aside. Add 4 cups water to the pan, stirring to loosen browned bits. Add the onion, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, garlic, sugar, salt, paprika, allspice, bay leaf and remaining pepper. Return beef to the pan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 1 hour.
- Stir in potatoes and carrots. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 30-35 minutes or until meat and vegetables are tender.
- Combine remaining flour and water until smooth; stir into the pan.
Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Discard bay leaf.
Source for recipe and photo can be found here.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Favourite National Geographic Photos – Part 2
Below are my next 15 favourites from National Geographic’s 2011 annual photo contest...
(Visit NGM’s web site to view many more entries, and to upload your own:
National Geographic Photo Contest 2011)
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This city is surrounded by smog...wow... |
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Strange but cool photo |
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Little eyes peeking from the sides |
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Another of my top favourites. I love owls, especially white ones! |
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This is so funny...a monkey sneaking a look from between the statues |
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Looking cool... |
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Parental love... |
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Looks like an apocalyptic scene |
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So cold that you can see the bird's breath as he sings |
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Another 'love is in the air' photo |
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Great camouflage |
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Gorgeous colours. This would make a great poster. |
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Nice photo of a bird in flight |
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One little lone tree in the midst of all that winter scene |
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Peek-a-boo...I see you... |
(Visit NGM’s web site to view many more entries, and to upload your own:
National Geographic Photo Contest 2011)
Favourite National Geographic Photos – Part 1
National Geographic is having its annual photo contest, and I just had to go over to their site and take a peek at what the editors’ favourites are so far. While I was there, I selected many a few photos that really ‘spoke to me’ that I’d like to share with you. My intention was to pick my top ten, but because it was very difficult to choose from so many beautiful photos, I ended up – so far – with 30 favourites! Oh well...
Below are the first 15 photos. The rest are featured in part 2 of this post...
(Visit NGM’s web site to view many more entries, and to upload your own:
National Geographic Photo Contest 2011)
Below are the first 15 photos. The rest are featured in part 2 of this post...
(Visit NGM’s web site to view many more entries, and to upload your own:
National Geographic Photo Contest 2011)
![]() |
An absolute favourite of mine |
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Hanging on for dear life |
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Love is in the air... |
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Very cool photo of an owl flying with a look of determination on its face |
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I really like underwater photos |
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He he he...too funny! |
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Beautiful winter scene |
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So adorable! |
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Very serene scene |
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Looks like a scene in a video game |
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Very cool pic |
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I don't know what it is about it, but this photo really speaks to me |
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Very impressive picture! |
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This photo also speaks to me |
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Runaway hat... |
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Lovely Lilies
“Bread feeds the body, indeed, but flowers feed also the soul.”
The lovely Lilium ‘Navona’
Is it too early to wish for spring? Sigh...
Friday, November 25, 2011
Getting Houseplants Home Safely
When transporting plants, there are actually two types of weather conditions that can severely injure newly-purchased plants as you relocate them to your home – the harsh, freezing temperatures of the colder months and the sweltering, intense heat of the warmer ones. As soon as your new plant is out of the sanctuary of the store, precautions have to be taken to make sure that it gets through the trip home intact – if you want a plant that lasts longer than the ride to your house.
Below are some useful tips that will minimize the potential harm caused by the two unsympathetic extremities – hot and cold – and help get your houseplants home safely.
Ways to protect new plants against the cold:
- Wrap the plant completely before taking it outside. Insist on paper wrapping at the cash register, which is a much better insulator than plastic.
- Put the entire, insulated package (paper-wrapped plant) in a bag. Double-bag if it’s very cold or windy.
- If paper wrapping is not available and you have to buy the plant, bundle it up with a few plastic bags. The padding from plastic bags is not as shielding as paper but it’s better than nothing.
- Inflate the outermost bag by blowing into it, and then tie it shut tightly to trap in the warm air.
- In sub-zero weather, warm up your vehicle before you put your plant inside.
- If you set your plant on a cold floor or chilled seat, put a layer of insulation such as newspaper, cardboard or bag underneath the pot.
- If the ride home is a long one, open up the tightly-sealed bag a little for ventilation.
- Avoid transporting your new plant in the trunk of your car; it’s generally too cold in there.
- Position the plant carefully so the foliage does not touch the windows; the cold of the glass can burn the leaves.
- Make sure that the plant is also secure in its spot. You don’t want it to topple over during a sharp turn, which will break leaves or stems and scatter soil all over your car!
- If you buy a very big plant, consider making alternative plans if your car is too small to accommodate it. Don’t leave part of the plant sticking out the window like you would with a piece of wood from the hardware store.
- Don’t put a plant in the open-top rear cargo area of a pickup truck no matter how well-wrapped and insulated it is.
- Always make your plant purchase your last stop of the day so you don’t leave it sitting in a cold car while you take care of other business.
- If you are taking a plant home by foot or public transportation instead of by car, you run a huge risk of killing it when the weather is freezing. Consider taking a cab, getting a ride from a friend or shopping on a milder day.
- When you finally arrive home, leave your plant in its wrapping (make sure to open it slightly for ventilation) for about 15 minutes. This will allow your plant to gradually adjust to the room temperature of your home.
Some of the tips above may seem a little extreme but even a few seconds of exposure to sub-zero weather can cause severe damage to a ‘tropical’ plant. Don’t take it for granted that everything is fine just because your new plant does not react immediately to the exposure of cold weather. While some plants will show signs of cold injury quickly, others may not show any signs for several weeks after purchase. So why chance it?
In my opinion, it’s always better to shop for plants when the weather is more agreeable no matter how you are traveling, be it on foot or by car. Houseplants are available all year and picking them up on milder days will give you a better chance at taking them home alive and well.
But if you just have to have that plant, make sure you bundle it up! Brrrr, it’s a cold world out there!
When It’s Hot, Hot, Hot!
Although many people will be quite vigilant with their new plants in the winter, most won’t pay attention to the summer months. It’s easy to put little thought to transporting newly-purchased houseplants during the sunny and warm season when you’re so comfortable. If you’re comfortable, your plant should be comfortable too, no? Not quite. The summer time can be just as deadly because of this lack of vigilance. That’s when people are more reckless.
In the summer time, the temperature inside a car parked in the sun can be fatal, producing enough heat to do in the toughest plant very quickly. But because it’s warm outside, it’s assumed that the new plant is not in any danger of damage. Houseplants are left in a sealed vehicle while the buyer runs errands or attends to other business, sometimes for extended periods. Be just as wary in the summer as you are in the winter. If you leave your new flora in your car’s sizzling temperatures, chances are you’ll come back to a cooked plant!
Transporting Plants Safely in Hot Weather
- Select plants that have been recently watered (the soil should be moist). If the plant is dehydrated, it will be unable to deal with the heat.
- If you are determined to pick up a specific plant but the soil is too dry, ask that it be watered thoroughly before you purchase it. A reputable greenhouse and reasonable store owner will accommodate this valid request.
- Shade the plant from the rays of the sun in your car. Sunlight shining through the glass can burn the foliage. Place the plant on the floor of the car or cover it to keep it from baking.
- Never place your new plant in the trunk of your car; the intense heat can kill it.
- Don’t leave your plant in a parked car while you tend to other business; the temperature will rise to lethal levels and cause devastating results.
- High winds can be extremely harmful. Don’t place a large plant in the back of a pickup truck, standing up, where it’ll be beaten by the blustery weather. Lay it down on its side, cover it to protect it from the sun and secure it to keep it from being tossed around during the drive home.
- Like above, do not allow large plants to stick out your window to avoid wind damage.
- Just as you would in cold weather, consider making alternative plans if your car cannot accommodate a large plant instead of letting foliage stick out the window.
- It’s just as important in the summer to make your plant purchases your last stop of the day so you don’t leave your new houseplants sitting in an overheated car.
Whether you are taking a new plant home during the coldest or hottest days of the year, putting in that extra effort will make the transition for your plant easier. How you transfer your plant from store to home is very important during the two toughest periods of the year.
Give your new plant the chance to get home safely with you. They’ll reward you with vigorous growth if they’re given the chance at a healthy start.
Below are some useful tips that will minimize the potential harm caused by the two unsympathetic extremities – hot and cold – and help get your houseplants home safely.
Ways to protect new plants against the cold:
- Wrap the plant completely before taking it outside. Insist on paper wrapping at the cash register, which is a much better insulator than plastic.
- Put the entire, insulated package (paper-wrapped plant) in a bag. Double-bag if it’s very cold or windy.
- If paper wrapping is not available and you have to buy the plant, bundle it up with a few plastic bags. The padding from plastic bags is not as shielding as paper but it’s better than nothing.
- Inflate the outermost bag by blowing into it, and then tie it shut tightly to trap in the warm air.
- In sub-zero weather, warm up your vehicle before you put your plant inside.
- If you set your plant on a cold floor or chilled seat, put a layer of insulation such as newspaper, cardboard or bag underneath the pot.
- If the ride home is a long one, open up the tightly-sealed bag a little for ventilation.
- Avoid transporting your new plant in the trunk of your car; it’s generally too cold in there.
- Position the plant carefully so the foliage does not touch the windows; the cold of the glass can burn the leaves.
- Make sure that the plant is also secure in its spot. You don’t want it to topple over during a sharp turn, which will break leaves or stems and scatter soil all over your car!
- If you buy a very big plant, consider making alternative plans if your car is too small to accommodate it. Don’t leave part of the plant sticking out the window like you would with a piece of wood from the hardware store.
- Don’t put a plant in the open-top rear cargo area of a pickup truck no matter how well-wrapped and insulated it is.
- Always make your plant purchase your last stop of the day so you don’t leave it sitting in a cold car while you take care of other business.
- If you are taking a plant home by foot or public transportation instead of by car, you run a huge risk of killing it when the weather is freezing. Consider taking a cab, getting a ride from a friend or shopping on a milder day.
- When you finally arrive home, leave your plant in its wrapping (make sure to open it slightly for ventilation) for about 15 minutes. This will allow your plant to gradually adjust to the room temperature of your home.
Some of the tips above may seem a little extreme but even a few seconds of exposure to sub-zero weather can cause severe damage to a ‘tropical’ plant. Don’t take it for granted that everything is fine just because your new plant does not react immediately to the exposure of cold weather. While some plants will show signs of cold injury quickly, others may not show any signs for several weeks after purchase. So why chance it?
In my opinion, it’s always better to shop for plants when the weather is more agreeable no matter how you are traveling, be it on foot or by car. Houseplants are available all year and picking them up on milder days will give you a better chance at taking them home alive and well.
But if you just have to have that plant, make sure you bundle it up! Brrrr, it’s a cold world out there!
When It’s Hot, Hot, Hot!
Although many people will be quite vigilant with their new plants in the winter, most won’t pay attention to the summer months. It’s easy to put little thought to transporting newly-purchased houseplants during the sunny and warm season when you’re so comfortable. If you’re comfortable, your plant should be comfortable too, no? Not quite. The summer time can be just as deadly because of this lack of vigilance. That’s when people are more reckless.
In the summer time, the temperature inside a car parked in the sun can be fatal, producing enough heat to do in the toughest plant very quickly. But because it’s warm outside, it’s assumed that the new plant is not in any danger of damage. Houseplants are left in a sealed vehicle while the buyer runs errands or attends to other business, sometimes for extended periods. Be just as wary in the summer as you are in the winter. If you leave your new flora in your car’s sizzling temperatures, chances are you’ll come back to a cooked plant!
Transporting Plants Safely in Hot Weather
- Select plants that have been recently watered (the soil should be moist). If the plant is dehydrated, it will be unable to deal with the heat.
- If you are determined to pick up a specific plant but the soil is too dry, ask that it be watered thoroughly before you purchase it. A reputable greenhouse and reasonable store owner will accommodate this valid request.
- Shade the plant from the rays of the sun in your car. Sunlight shining through the glass can burn the foliage. Place the plant on the floor of the car or cover it to keep it from baking.
- Never place your new plant in the trunk of your car; the intense heat can kill it.
- Don’t leave your plant in a parked car while you tend to other business; the temperature will rise to lethal levels and cause devastating results.
- High winds can be extremely harmful. Don’t place a large plant in the back of a pickup truck, standing up, where it’ll be beaten by the blustery weather. Lay it down on its side, cover it to protect it from the sun and secure it to keep it from being tossed around during the drive home.
- Like above, do not allow large plants to stick out your window to avoid wind damage.
- Just as you would in cold weather, consider making alternative plans if your car cannot accommodate a large plant instead of letting foliage stick out the window.
- It’s just as important in the summer to make your plant purchases your last stop of the day so you don’t leave your new houseplants sitting in an overheated car.
Whether you are taking a new plant home during the coldest or hottest days of the year, putting in that extra effort will make the transition for your plant easier. How you transfer your plant from store to home is very important during the two toughest periods of the year.
Give your new plant the chance to get home safely with you. They’ll reward you with vigorous growth if they’re given the chance at a healthy start.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Tune Time - Knockin' on Heaven's Door
This song was written and performed by Bob Dylan for the soundtrack of the 1973 film Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid. It reached #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. Guns N' Roses recorded a studio version of it in 1990 for Days of Thunder's soundtrack, which was later slightly modified for the 1991 album ‘Use Your Illusion II’. Released as the fourth single from the album, it reached #2 in the UK singles chart. I like Bob Dylan’s version, as well, but slightly prefer this one.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
First Snow? Oh no...
I woke up this morning to this horrible sight:
Ugh...snow already? I really wasn’t prepared for this. As far as I know, it wasn’t even in the forecast. I do remember them (those weather people) warning about freezing rain. But not snow...sigh...
Anyway, it’s here, so there’s only one thing to do: post photos of garden flowers!
(To give the people hope...)
Somewhere under the snow is my beautiful garden...sigh...
Even Mocha doesn’t look impressed.
Isn't it amusing how expressive cats can be?
Ugh...snow already? I really wasn’t prepared for this. As far as I know, it wasn’t even in the forecast. I do remember them (those weather people) warning about freezing rain. But not snow...sigh...
Anyway, it’s here, so there’s only one thing to do: post photos of garden flowers!
(To give the people hope...)
Somewhere under the snow is my beautiful garden...sigh...
Even Mocha doesn’t look impressed.
Isn't it amusing how expressive cats can be?
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